Regional Archaeological Museum Baglio Anselmi

After our trip to the Valley of Temples, our next stop was at a museum on the northwestern edge of Marsala. We parked in a lot about a block from the museum, and just across the road from a clear blue Mediterranean Sea. We were closer at this point to Africa, than Rome. As we climbed out of the car, a small boy ran over to give us a card for his father's restaurant, where unfortunately, we did not have the time to eat.

The museum, also commanding quite a view of the sea, was once used to store barrels of that famous wine, but today it primarily houses the preserved remains of a large Punic warship. The boat is over 2000 years old, and was built by the Phoenicians who used it in the first Punic war to defend this area.

The museum consists of two high ceilinged rooms. One is used to store the ship, artifacts found with the boat, and information on its recovery and restoration. The other half holds a wide variety of artifacts, including pottery, stelae, personal artifacts such as mirrors, and even mosaic floor sections.

This museum is well worth a quick visit as you head up the coast of Sicily to Palermo. It is even more worth while if you are on your way, as we were, to the island of Mozia

King Tut: Atlanta

While visiting Atlanta over the Valentine's Day weekend, I visited National Geographic's exhibit TUTANKHAMUN AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE PHARAOHS. I hadn't read or heard much about the exhibit, but I thought the title was self explanatory, and I was excited. After paying the somewhat steep price, we entered a line for the exhibit. As we approached the entrance, we were ushered into a room, and shown a video about the discovery of Tut's tomb. Then, the great "stone" doors before us swung open, and we entered the exhibit. The first part of the exhibit consists of busts of other Pharaohs, and information about their reign and rule. Among my favorites was the long faced Bust of Akhenaten.

We moved from here into a room displaying jewelry of the empire. Fantastically detailed intricate metalwork, sometimes offset by stone settings. This was probably my favorite part of the exhibit. I love to examine the small details and see how the largest of pieces are so delicately put together.

Beyond we finally came to the Tut portion of the exhibit. Here are 50 artifacts recovered from Tut's long hidden tomb. They range from the impressive gold foil sandals and finger and toe caps that adorned the mummy himself, to the more basic items such as the wooden bed, looking like a low twin frame, that Tut may have slept on in life. But my favorite item was the Tutankhamun Canopic Coffinette. This item features on many of the posters advertising the exhibit, and can easily be mistaken for a full size sarcophagus, but it is in fact only about a foot or two tall. As with the jewelry, I was amazed by the fine details and workmanship, but even more so. Out of respect for other visitors, and likely security protocol, I did not press my face to the glass and stare at it for an hour, but I would have liked to.

As we left the exhibit of artifacts, there was an explanation of the various entombments that had surrounded the body. I rounded the next corner hoping that some of these sarcophagi were here. But I was admittedly disappointed to find only a multimedia display discussing a body scan that was done of the King's mummy. Although the web site's FAQ is quit clear, I could not help but feel a little misled.

Overall the exhibit is impressive, and it's well worth the slightly inflated price. Take your time and read the information on the walls, look hard at the jewelry, and just be amazed that these items are thousands of years old, and still quite impressive by today's standards.

Jamestown and Yorktown: National Roots

For our last day in Williamsburg, we headed over to visit the historic site of Jamestown. After perusing the museum, we roamed the grounds, enjoying the setting. While there is not much left of the original settlement, you can explore the roads, and read the stories of the buildings that once stood along them, and the people that lived there. We also payed a visit to the Archaearium, which displays items found during Jamestown digs. After exploring the immediate site, we headed off on the driving loop to see more of the area. We wanted to visit the Jamestown Settlement, a living history reconstruction of Jamestown, but unfortunately, they were closed due to the holiday.

After we had our fill of Jamestown, we headed to Yorktown, which is handily included in the Jamestown National Park ticket price. Along the way we passed by a small lake where a pair of white swans were feeding. When we finally arrived in Yorktown, we were just in time for a Ranger led walk. I always love ranger programs at our national parks. The guides know their stuff, and seem to able to answer any question. We started at the top of the hill, discussed the British fortifications, and the types of canons used. Then we moved down the hill, between enemy lines and discussed the American army's approach and ultimate success in the last major battle of the American Revolution.

After our tour, we headed back to Williamsburg for one last show, an evening of dance at the governor's palace. We approached the house, lit by torches, in the form of iron bowls filled with burning wood attached to posts. We were led into one of the palaces ballrooms, aglow with a number of candles. In the corner sat two musicians, reading their music by candlelight. We were lucky to get front row seats and settle in for the show. I had been expecting an informative production, but what I got was far more theatrical, where we were just guests to a dance, and some were even asked to dance. In between dances done in full costume and makeup, the actors played out a small love triangle among the guests. Fortunately, all was brought to a happy ending, and we left for home the next morning, having had a wonderful start to the new year.