A million world wonders. 10,000 years of human history. Exploring our shared humanity✨Now On View What does the Code of Hammurabi have to do with the U.S.
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We have more in common than we think—our past, present, and future paths are all intertwined. constitution? How can archaeology help to predict climate change? And what radical social changes accelerated by ancient plagues could be replicated in a post-COVID world? Home to over a million extraordinary objects from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Mediterranean, since 1887 the Penn Museum has be
en uncovering our shared humanity. In bridging archaeology, the study of objects made by humans, with anthropology, the science of humanity, we chart a course for finding one’s own place in the arc of human history. We are dedicated to telling powerful stories from around the world. And nowhere else in the Western Hemisphere will you be greeted by a 3,000-year-old, 25,000-pound Egyptian sphinx! The Penn Museum sparks curiosity, wonder, and endless exploration. We invite everyone to join our incredible journey of discovery and dig deeper. Explore what's on view at: https://www.penn.museum/on-view/galleries-exhibitions . Admission is $18 for adults; $15 for senior citizens (65+); and $13 for children. Buy tickets in advance online at https://www.penn.museum/tickets/ . FREE for Museum Members, PennCard holders, teachers (with ID), U.S. military members & veterans (with ID), high school students (ages 13-19,) and children 5 and younger. Present ID at the desk to receive free admission. Check the "Plan Your Visit" page on the website for other special offers.
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Bling never goes out of style 💎 Explore the brilliant jewelry making traditions of ancient craftspeople from Europe to Asia in the next Deep Dig.
Join archaeologist Jane Hickman, Ph.D., on a foray into the captivating world of ancient adornment in this 4-week virtual class, starting February 1.
Check out what to expect each week for "The Deep Dig: Jewelry from the Ancient World" and register here: https://www.penn.museum/calendar/192/the-deep-dig
✨ Perks of a paid internship ✨
▶ Training by our Conservation Team on how to properly handle objects.
▶ The opportunity to show objects from storage to the public! Cynthia Chen, Summer Intern 2023, discussed two South Asian Buddha Statues, exploring the different materials used in their creation and their distinct origins of the Buddha image.
▶ Access the Archives with a private tour from our Senior Archivist.
▶ Weekly field trips to local museums!
Kick-start your career in the museum industry with a nine-week paid summer internship at the —open to undergraduates, recent graduates, and graduate students from any college or university.
📆 Deadline to Apply: Monday, Feb. 13
🔗 Check out the full list of opportunities waiting for you this summer: https://bit.ly/2Nsy3QS
Next stop for 🌎 📍 India!
Join Kathleen D. Morrison, Ph.D, for our virtual lecture series to explore 2,000 years of agricultural evolution in India and discover how can archaeology informs climate research.
💬 "Human Impact on the Landscape of Ancient South India"
📆 January 10, 7–8pm
🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/3TojeBD
❄️ Weather forecast: Cozy on ahead ❄️
It's time to bundle up, chill out, and keep cozy with winter essentials from the Penn Museum Shop: knit wool gloves from Nepal, fair-trade teas from small African farms, and so much more.
Every purchase helps sustain our mission in making anthropology and archaeology accessible to all.
Shop now: https://bit.ly/3rgiM8h
"We realized that we barely knew by heart stories from the Philippines. And we almost knew zero Indigenous stories from the Philippines . . . Could we widen the storytelling space to include these kinds of narratives that can instill pride?"
—Jo Tiongson-Perez, Penn Museum Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
In partnership with co-author Denise Orosa, "Once upon the Sun and Sea: Indigenous Stories and Folk Tales from the Philippines" is an effort to preserve their heritage as well as counter historical characterizations of Indigenous Philippine culture as primitive, savage, or strange. Designed for all explorers and dedicated to the children of the Filipino diaspora, the book was inspired by the Penn Museum's longstanding work in cultural heritage preservation and made possible by an AAPI grant from the The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation.
Check out 6abc Action News for the full interview with Nydia Han: https://6abc.cm/3NM3WmI
Light up the celebrations for the . 🔥🐲 Join us for CultureFest! Lunar New Year, our 43rd annual all-day festival on January 27—OPEN TO ALL.
🎶 Experience the electrifying energy of a K-POP performance by
💃 See a traditional Chinese dance, Martial Arts & Tai Qi experience, and Korean Fan Dance performances
📖 Listen to storytelling by The American Center for Asian Students
🏮 Shop and make art: traditional paper cutting; zodiac animal coloring sheets; Year of the Dragon crafts; and Lunar New Year lanterns.
🦁 For the grande finale: Watch the Penn Lions () perform the traditional Lion Dance!
Full full lineup of events and book your tickets: https://bit.ly/41vfWi4
🔦 Start your year off with more family fun—after dark!
Our popular Up Late with the Sphinx program gets kids ages 6-12 excited about exploring world wonders and cultures with their favorite grown-ups!
Expect an epic evening filled with hands-on workshops and games, ending with flashlight tour. As a badge of family fun, take home a limited-edition sphinx patch!
Tickets are limited—advance registration is REQUIRED https://www.penn.museum/calendar/29/up-late-with-the-sphinx
📆 January 13
⏰ 5–10 pm
Wishing you jar-full of relaxing moments this bustling holiday season!
The next time you're in our Eastern Mediterranean Galleries, strike a pose just like this visitor chillin' inside a reconstructed ancient pithos (large storage container).
HOLIDAY HOURS REMINDER: We will be closed December 31 and January 1. We look forward to welcoming you back to the on January 2 for another year of world adventure 🌎
📸 : .harrell_ [via Instagram]
🐑 The earliest symbol for a sheep in cuneiform is a circle with a cross in it; so, this token may have represented one sheep!
Small tokens like this (less than an inch across) were used to keep track of resources long before writing was invented. In fact, they may have led to the creation of writing in Mesopotamia in the fourth millennium BCE.
On your next visit, see this token up close in our Middle East Galleries.
Token, Ur, Iraq, 31-17-158
❄️ FINAL DAY OF WINTER BREAK❄️ There's still time to squeeze in one last epic family adventure to cap off an awe-inspiring year—FREE for kids 17 & under.
Ignite curiosity, make memories, and explore the world in a single day:
🎨 Craft mythical animal puppets in the Asia Gallery.
🎲 Challenge each other to Mancala in the Sphinx Gallery.
📖 Join Auntie JoJo for story time.
🍪 PLUS, take a break from globetrotting at noon for a free, freshly baked cookie (while supplies last).
Check out the full lineup to plan your perfect day: https://bit.ly/3tfTywy
Game on! ❄️ It's day #2 of WINTER BREAK at the , and we challenge you to an ancient board game at our Mancala stations in the Sphinx Gallery!
17 & under visit for FREE!
🎨 After some friendly competition, make your own mythical animal puppet in the Asia Gallery.
🍪 Plus, enjoy a cookie break with our compliments starting at 12 pm—one cookie per person please; while supplies last.
📖 Don't miss Storytime with Auntie JoJo to hear the story of the Drummer Boy of John John at 2pm.
Kids & Teens receive FREE admission, Dec. 26–28. Family fun is just one click away: https://bit.ly/3tfTywy
❄️WINTER BREAK happening now! ❄️ Kids & Teens receive FREE admission, Dec. 26–28.
🌎 Globetrot in a day across interactive galleries, spark curiosity about diverse cultures around the world through storytelling and art making.
🎲 Challenge your friends to Mancala, an ancient board game!
🍪 Plus, enjoy a cookie break with our compliments starting at 12 pm—one cookie per person please; while supplies last.
View the full lineup and book your tickets today | Register today: https://bit.ly/3tfTywy
📸: [via Instagram]
"Kwanzaa is a time of learning, family and celebration. During the week of Kwanzaa, families and communities come together to share a feast, to honor the ancestors, affirm the bonds between them, and to celebrate African and African American culture." —The National Museum of African American Culture
Join us on Friday, Dec. 29 at the as we host the Afro Culture Preservation Council’s 40th Kwanzaa Children’s Festival with special guest NAACP/1121 Kierce Production Talent Search.
Celebrate the magic of Kwanzaa with holiday activities for the whole family, including a traditional candle ceremony, stilt ballet performances, games, and food.
FREE and open to all. Registration is highly encouraged: https://bit.ly/3GNKPEV
Holiday Hours Reminder:
Dec. 24–25: Closed
Dec. 31–Jan. 1: Closed
❄️ Join us for , four days of family fun!
Dec. 26–28: FREE for kids 17 & under | Register here: https://bit.ly/3tfTywy
Image Credit: The Gion Shrine in Snow, Japan, 1797–1858, 2001-11-8
How can archaeology inform climate research?
This January, join Kathleen D. Morrison, Ph.D, for our virtual "Archaeology in Action" lecture series to explore 2,000 years of agricultural evolution in India.
💬 "Human Impact on the Landscape of Ancient South India"
📆 January 10, 7–8pm
🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/3TojeBD
❄️❄️ Warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and an awe-inspiring new year.❄️❄️
From all of us at the Penn Museum
—
Dancing Bear by Enook Manomie (1941-2006)
Inuit, ᑭᙵᐃᑦ (Kinngait), Nunavut, Canada
Material: Stone (serpentine)
25.5cm high
Date: 2002 CE
PM # 2012-25-67
Inuit carver Enook Manomie (1941-2006) grew up in the renowned artistic community of ᑭᙵᐃᑦ , also known as Kinngait or Cape Dorset, in Eastern Canada. Using locally sourced serpentine, Manomie worked painstakingly and lovingly throughout his lifetime creating works or art that mirror the stunning natural beauty of his arctic homelands.
CONGRATULATIONS! 🌸 Brittany, Special Education Teacher in the Philadelphia School District, and John, Philadelphia Plumber for the Local 690, are the winners of the Blooming Forever Wedding Giveaway.
Stay tuned to meet the winning couple. You'll be able to vote on their flower arrangements, décor, and more via Events at Penn Museum Instagram Stories!
📣 NOW HIRING: Senior Web Developer
This is a critical role with the opportunity to inform the strategic growth of the Penn Museum’s digital services. The Senior Web Developer is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the Museum’s public website, intranet, and other digital resources and supporting internal operations as well as online platforms.
🔗 Learn more about the role and apply today: https://bit.ly/3nkxNIO
“The oral tradition from Black people has been a tool all throughout history, not just for learning everyday things...but also as a matter of survival.”
—Paul Best, Penn Museum Educator
Through educational programs like Unpacking the Past, which seeks to remove barriers to museum access for Philadelphia children from Title I schools, Penn Museum educator Paul Best has been able to share his passion for Afrocentric storytelling and education.
Check out the full story via Penn Today's "Dedicating time to side gigs for good in the community": https://bit.ly/3tpSmH4
An update on the Morton Cranial Collection
“After nearly 200 years these individuals are finally being returned to the Black community and laid to rest with respect — this is a small but long-overdue step towards addressing injustices that have spanned centuries.
I am grateful to the Morton Community Advisory Group for their leadership in creating a path forward that prioritizes the human dignity of these individuals. Museums like ours have a responsibility to reckon with the history of colonialism and racism that has shaped much of our collections. Restorative practices such as this burial ceremony, based on community consultation, are necessary to fulfill our obligation to be ethical stewards.”
––Dr. Christopher Woods, Williams Director of the Penn Museum
The crania of 20 Black Philadelphians who were a part of the Morton Collection will be respectfully laid to rest at the historic Eden Cemetery, one of the earliest African-American burial grounds in Greater Philadelphia.
On February 3, 2024 at 10 am, local spiritual leaders Reverend J. Wendell Mapson, Jr., Imam Kenneth Nuriddin, and University of Pennsylvania Chaplain, Reverend Charles L. Howard, Ph.D. will conduct an interfaith commemoration service at the Penn Museum. The ceremony is open to the public.
More information is available at https://www.penn.museum/about-collections/statements-and-policies/morton-cranial-collection
Every year, Gweny Love, Penn Museum Community Advisory Committee member, hosts a toy drive for the students of Morton McMichael School in West Philadelphia.
This morning, Jennifer Brehm, Merle-Smith Director of Learning and Community Engagement, delivered 60 new toys donated by the staff.
A special thank you to Gweny for bridging the connection with Morton McMichael School. Your continuous efforts have made a meaningful impact, and we appreciate your dedication.
END OF SEASON UPDATE 👇 Did you know that "80% of archaeology happens AFTER the excavation?"
Heritage West: The West Philadelphia Community Archaeology Project concluded this season's excavations.
In partnership between community organizations such as Hopephl, the Community Education Center (CEC), Tabb Management, The University of the Arts and Penn Museum, Heritage West aims to unearth and preserve the stories of individuals who lived in the Black Bottom neighborhood of West Philadelphia from the 19th century to the present.
"A 1909 Indian Head penny, a diaper pin, and many fragments of plates and bottles were uncovered in the basement. These artifacts start to paint a picture of what life may have been like for the people who lived at 32 N. 35th Street from the 1850s to the 1930s. Abundant iron fragments near the floor, including the pipe pictured below, hint that household industry may have taken place in this basement. "
Check out their blog post to learn more about the findings of Penn students, Penn Museum archaeologists, and community volunteers : https://bit.ly/472uM0B
❄️ FREE for Kids & Teens, WINTER BREAK IS BACK from Dec. 26-28! ❄️
Make the most of family time with a global adventure—ignite curiosity, make memories, and explore the world in a single day during Winter Break.
☃️ 10am–4pm: DIY Mythical Animal Puppets
☃️ 10am–4pm: Mancala Stations
☃️ 12pm: Cookie Break
☃️ 1pm: Daily Dig Talk
☃️ 2pm: Storytime with Auntie JoJo
Plan your perfect day: https://bit.ly/3tfTywy
Pipes were important tools among Native Americans for communicating with the spirit world and are still used in Native healing ceremonies today.
🐻 This one may have belonged to male members of bear societies—these men were usually warriors and healers who had dreams or visions of bears.
On your next visit, see it up close in our Native American Voices Gallery: https://bit.ly/3rm2NIm
Pipe Bowl, American, 38377
💍 LAST CHANCE TO ENTER 💍
Today is your last chance to enter our "Blooming Forever Wedding Giveaway" in partnership with Philadelphia Wedding Magazine for a chance to win a 🌸 spring wedding package 🌸 on April 26, 2024 at the Penn Museum
Spring Wedding Package includes:
🏛️ Event Space for 75 guests
🎀 Décor
🍽️ Catering
💐 Flower Arrangements
& more.
Your dream at 's "hidden gem" Museum is just a click away 👉 https://bit.ly/46HsXpV
Events at Penn Museum
From ancient artifacts to modern trends, "Peach Fuzz" transcends time as Pantone's 2024 Color of the Year.
Check out some artifacts in our collection with this velvety gentle peach hue: https://bit.ly/4agsMot
On your next visit, see if you can spot any artifacts that match PANTONE 12-1023 Peach Fuzz 🍑
Mother of pearl, it's !
Take a look at these beautifully crafted beads and fragments on display in our Middle East Galleries, all made of mother-of-pearl.
👏 Congratulations to Penn alumna Ashley Fuchs for being named a 2024 Marshall Scholar!
Through the Penn Museum's Academic Engagement program, Fuchs also co-curated the student exhibition “Heritage in Our Hands: UNESCO 50 Years Later.”
"Fuchs is among the 51 Marshall Scholars for 2024 representing 34 institutions in the United States. Meant to strengthen U.S.-U.K. relations, the prestigious scholarship is offered to about 50 Americans a year, chosen based on academic merit, leadership, and ambassadorial potential."
Penn Today has the full story: https://bit.ly/41hBv5y
![We 💙 visitor art!Thanks to the talented [via Instagram] for sharing your beautiful POV of the . Keep tagging us for a...](https://img5.gluseum.com/707/817/750918797078178.jpg)
We 💙 visitor art!
Thanks to the talented [via Instagram] for sharing your beautiful POV of the .
Keep tagging us for a chance to be featured!
Spotlight: 🍪 FREE FRESHLY BAKED COOKIE 🍪 during Winter Break, Dec. 26 - 28.
Make the most of your family time by exploring, creating, and learning together. PLUS, kids 17 & under visit FREE!
❄️ 10am–4pm: DIY Mythical Animal Puppets
❄️ 10am–4pm: Mancala Stations
❄️ 12pm: Cookie Break
❄️ 1pm: Daily Dig Talk
❄️ 2pm: Storytime with Auntie JoJo
Plan your perfect day: https://bit.ly/3tfTywy
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Something for everyone on your list 🎁 The Penn Museum Shop has you covered this holiday season with fair trade keepsakes from around the world: jewelry, books, home décor, toys, and reproductions of Museum objects. 💝Every purchase supports our mission in expanding access and education! All December, save 10% on your order when you use the code Holiday2023!10! at checkout (Members save even more—an additional 15%). Shop now: https://bit.ly/3rgiM8h
Take a breather from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season with MIND & MOOD RECHARGE ⚡ Pop in the #PennMuseum on #WellnessWednesday Dec. 6 to prioritize your self-care. PLAN AHEAD: 🧘♂️5:30 & 6:15pm: Yoga Class (SPACE IS LIMITED. On-site registration for the classes will begin at 5pm.) ☮️ 5:30 & 6:45pm: Meditation for Peace Workshop 🎨 7-8pm: Color Cell Creations Drop-In Workshop with Project Joy Studio. 😌 7-8 pm: Expressive Arts Healing with Shanina Dionna (SPACE IS LIMITED. On-site registration for the classes will begin at 5pm.) Book tickets: https://www.penn.museum/calendar/167/mind-mood-recharge Mind & Mood Recharge is powered by @pennmedicine. 💪
This past year, the Penn Museum has invited over a hundred thousand visitors to discover new aspects of our shared human story. 🎁 Today, on #GivingTuesday, a global movement of giving back, help us continue our mission. No gift is too small to help provide resources to the preservation of cultural heritage. 🙏 Sharing the world is only one click away: https://bit.ly/3Gj6Nzj
What’s the deal with this ancient scrap? This collection of silver scrap was found buried in a jar under the floor of a house at the site of Khafaje in Iraq. It’s more than 4,500 years old and was almost certainly buried to hide the valuable material. Silver was currency in Mesopotamia, so the hidden jar was something like a safety deposit box. On your next visit, see this silver up close in our Middle East Galleries!
💝TODAY ONLY, SHOP, SAVE, & SUPPORT: Celebrate #MuseumStoreSunday with 15% off purchases at the Penn Museum Shop (Members save even more—an additional 10%). Use code SUNDAY––mention it in-store or enter it at online checkout to save. Elevate your gifting game this holiday season with fair trade keepsakes from around the world: jewelry, books, home décor, toys, and reproductions of Museum objects. 💝Every purchase supports our mission in expanding access and education! Shop now: https://bit.ly/3rgiM8h
TRIVIA TIME ✨ Take our online quiz “Where in the World” to put your knowledge to the test: https://www.penn.museum/quiz/ From playwrights, pendants, poets and more—match an artifact with its place of origin, and see where in the world it comes from. Keep the games going tomorrow, Nov. 26, at Family Game Day 🎲 Play ancient games like mancala, knucklebones and Senet, and craft your own board game to take home! All included with Museum Admission: https://www.penn.museum/calendar/176/family-game-day
🥍 On #NativeAmericanHeritageDay, we look back at the Philadelphia Wings visit to the #PennMuseum. Dr. Lucy Fowler Williams and William Wierzbowski, curators of the American section, shared artifacts related to stickball, an indigenous sport that influenced modern lacrosse. Both sports continue to be played by and hold great importance for many Native American communities today. You can see similar artifacts up close too! Visit our Native American Voices Gallery to dive deeper into why this sport is important for many Native American communities today: https://bit.ly/3rm2NIm
You mean the world to us. Just like this Ancient Egyptian phrase meaning "praise to you," we thank you for being a part of the Penn Museum community. Here’s to meaningful gatherings filled with gratitude. From all of us at the Penn Museum
We all need some TLC—including the sphinx! ✨ Thank you to #PennMuseum conservators who meticulously protect and preserve world wonders like the Granite Sphinx of Ramses II so that you and future generations can enjoy it for years to come! On your next visit, say hello to the 13-ton sphinx—the largest in the Western Hemisphere—in our Main Galleries. Don’t forget to snap a photo and tag us at @pennmuseum.
🌸🌼🌸We are excited to share that the #PennMuseum will be part of the 2024 Philadelphia Flower Show, the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event, from March 2 - 10, 2024! Together with a community of growers and plant lovers, we’ll be #UnitedbyFlowers, PHS : Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s 2024 theme celebrating the transformative power of gardening. Look for us at the Pennsylvania Convention Center as put on display an experiential preview of our exhibition Ancient Food & Flavor, currently on view in our galleries! 🌱What plants were important to communities who lived thousands of years ago? What food traditions carry on from the Stone Age, Inka Empire, or Bronze Age? Find out as we unwrap prehistoric leftovers from food and plant remains to examine what ancient people were growing, eating, and drinking. 🔬Get the kids to peer into an interactive microscope to see seeds up close, as well as corn, chili, peppers, potatoes, and other examples of food from different time periods. 💐 Book your #FlowerShow tickets early, and join our growing community! https://bit.ly/3SKSriK
Join Anne Tiballi, Ph.D., to dig deep into the archaeology of Pachacamac, and learn how this Andean site holds the stories of various cultures across time. The DEEP DIG four-week virtual course kicks off December 7 at 6:30pm. No archaeology or anthropology background required: https://bit.ly/3QLntoe 👉 Can't make it live each week? Registrants receive a recording of every class for on-demand learning!
A #WorldRadiographyDay rattle! Since its excavation from the site of Kourion in modern day Cyprus, this object has been classified as a flask, but it is something very different. When the #PennMuseum Conservation Team was performing a condition assessment of the Cypriot collection, they discovered t a distinct rattling sound. When it was X-radiographed the X-ray clearly revealed that inside the vessel are many small metal balls, which shows that it is a rattle. On your next visit, see it up close in our Eastern Mediterranean Gallery: #CrossroadsofCultures: https://www.penn.museum/on-view/galleries-exhibitions/eastern-mediterranean-gallery
Monumental Makeover loading... ⚠️The Egypt Gallery, which first opened in 1926, is now closed to the public for the safety of guests and staff, to make way for a multi-year construction project and our largest renovation yet—transforming the Ancient Egypt and Nubia Galleries. Imagine walking through monumental elements of a 3,000-year-old palace of the Pharaoh Merenptah, with 30-foot-tall columns displayed at their full height for the first time since their excavation more than 100 years ago—it’s worth the wait! While our Egypt Galleries are under construction, there are plenty of ways to experience Ancient Egypt: ▶ Ask for an "Egypt Everywhere" brochure to explore Egyptian artifacts throughout the Museum. ▶ Check out more than 200 Egyptian artifacts in our special exhibition, Ancient Egypt: Discovery to Display. ▶ Translate your name into hieroglyphs the way an Egyptian scribe might have written it. Discover more ways to experience Ancient Egypt: https://bit.ly/3Rcy7pC
You asked. Our #Conservators answered! Happy #AskAConservatorDay 💬 Michaela, Julia, Jennifer, and Tessa share a glimpse into their work while answering your top questions. Craving more conservation content? Check out American Institute for Conservation as they share stories from museums around the world.
✨ #AskAConservator Week continues with a tour of our Conservation Lab Annex. This off-site lab is where our Conservation team is treating the monumental stone structures for the upcoming Ancient Egypt & Nubia Galleries. They are working on the palace of King Merenptah and the Tomb Chapel of Kapure. To make way for this multi-year construction project, the current Egypt Gallery, which first opened in 1926, will close to the public on November 6, 2023 for the safety of guests and staff. Imagine walking through monumental elements of a 3,000-year-old palace of the Pharaoh Merenptah, with 30-foot-tall columns displayed at their full height for the first time since their excavation more than 100 years ago—it’s worth the wait! This weekend is your last chance to enjoy the current Egypt Gallery before the transformation begins. Book your tickets today: https://bit.ly/3Rcy7pC Want to know more about the Conservation Team’s work on this monumental project? They will be answering your questions tomorrow. Drop a comment below 👇
#AskAConservator: “What does the lab look like?” Tessa, #PennMuseum Project Conservator, is kicking off #AskAConservator Week with our most asked question, plus a special tour of our Main Conservation Lab. Stay tuned for more sneak peeks at our Conservation Team’s work throughout the week. Curious about what it is like being a Conservator? The team will be answering questions on Friday. Drop yours below 👇
🦜 As #birdmigration season has taken flight, we have the perfect keepsake for bird lovers who will miss their feathered friends. Inspired by the ancient bird artifacts in our galleries & collections, the Penn Museum Shop has a spectacular flock of fair-trade ornaments—all handmade in the Peruvian Amazon. Proceeds support artisan families, traditional communities, and forest conservation in the Peruvian Amazon. On your next visit, stop by the Penn Museum Shop on the Main Level.
This beautifully beaded collar in our Native American Voices Gallery is a sight to behold, but what's often not visible is the ingenious conservation work involved not only in its preservation but also in its display. The #PennMuseum often uses 🧲 magnets to mount objects on display. However, it can be difficult to hide them within the objects—just like this beaded collar! Some of the magnets needed to be on top of the beadwork, so our Conservation Team needed a plan to hide them. Their solution was to take photos of the area, scale and color correct the prints, then wrap and adhere them to the magnets so they are not visually distracting. On your next visit, take a closer look, and let us know if you can spot them all!
Have you always been intrigued by the invention of writing? This five-week virtual class is for you—DEEP DIG: SIGNS, SYMBOLS, AND SECRETS OF ANCIENT WRITING. On Tues., Nov. 1, don’t miss the first class led by #PennMuseum’s Williams Director Chris Woods as he gives an introduction on the invention of the world’s earliest writing systems. In the following weeks, decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs, Maya glyphs, ancient Chinese script, and Cuneiform with internationally-renowned experts. No archaeology or anthropology background required—just a lifelong love for exploring! Opening your mind—and world is just a click away: https://bit.ly/46DgtQi
🐟 Catching carp in Thailand is an art and a science. This bamboo fish trap, now on view in our Spotlight Gallery, a 360-degree viewing space, was made by a Ban Chiang area artisan and later purchased by the #PennMuseum in 1981. As materials like plastics become more common, and younger generations seek to make a living beyond subsistence farming, these in-depth forms of ecological knowledge are disappearing. Through our research and collections, the #PennMuseum aims to support the preservation of this indigenous knowledge. 🎣 On your next visit, see this fish trap from every angle, and learn more about traditional Thai-Lao fishing in our Spotlight Gallery on the Main Level .
We're getting ready to welcome and celebrate 🎉 Penn Alumni's Homecoming Weekend by hosting both virtual and on-site events! Check out the full lineup of happenings below, and everyone is invited to join the virtual experiences: ♦️ Oct. 30 – Virtual Tour of our new Eastern Mediterranean Gallery 🔹 Oct. 31 – #GlobalDiscoverySeries: Planning for a Pharaoh's Palace ♦️ Nov. 1 – Virtual Gallery Hop 🔹 Nov. 4 – "Best of the Penn Museum" Alumni Tour ♦️ Nov. 4 – Penn Museum Heritage West Project Update Check out the full lineup of events by visiting penn.museum/alumni #HomeSweetPenn #PennAlumni
Keep celebrating #HispanicHeritageMonth at CultureFest! Día de los Muertos—an all-day in-person festival, celebrating indigenous Mexican beliefs and traditions with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. On October 21, bring the whole family to enjoy 🌼an altar competition, 🛍an artisan market, 💃dance and music performances, + so much more! In between happenings, explore the Mexico and Central America gallery. All included with Museum admission — book tickets with the link in bio @pennmuseum. #HispanicHeritageMonth #DiaDeLosMuertos #VisitPhilly #DisocoverPHL #MexicanCulture
💃 As we continue celebrating #HispanicHeritageMonth, we cannot wait to see all of the ofrendas at CultureFest! Día de los Muertos—one of our most anticipated events of the year. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a lively holiday blending Indigenous Mexican beliefs and traditions with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. On October 21, CultureFest! returns with a full-day of fun, including an arts activity, altar competition, artisan market, dance and music performances, and an enormous traditional ofrenda (altar) installation by the Mexican Cultural Center Philadelphia. Register today: https://bit.ly/3EFgG9L 🌸🌼 WHAT IS AN OFRENDA? 🌼🌸 Ofrendas are ornate and colorful altars to honor the dead (and encourage them to join the party!) with bright yellow marigolds, food, drinks, and photos. Join in on the tradition, and create your own ofrendas (offerings). Altars must respect the traditional Mexican format and be completed before the event. Want to participate? Email [email protected].
🔓Unlock the secrets of ancient writing in THE DEEP DIG—starting Nov. 7! Connect with Ivy League educators in this online course that digs deeper into Egyptian hieroglyphs, Maya glyphs, ancient Chinese script, and Cuneiform. Plus, a bonus week taught by Williams Director, Chris Woods, Ph.D., at no extra cost. Enroll now: https://bit.ly/46DgtQi
Join Brian Rose, Ph.D., a panel of fellow experts and our friends at Penn LGBT Center, to broaden your understanding of LGBT+ presence throughout history in our upcoming "They Were Roommates" lecture on Sunday, October 22. Register today: https://bit.ly/3LNDvvO
Celebrate the #DayoftheDead with us on October 21 for CultureFest! Día de los Muertos, an all-day in-person festival, celebrating Indigenous Mexican beliefs and traditions with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Bring the whole family to enjoy 🌼an altar competition, 🛍an artisan market, 💃dance and music performances, + so much more! In between happenings, explore the Mexico and Central America gallery. All included with Museum admission — book tickets here: https://bit.ly/3EFgG9L #HispanicHeritageMonth #DiaDeLosMuertos #VisitPhilly #DisocoverPHL #MexicanCulture
Starting November 1, every first Wednesday, our galleries transform into a sanctuary of self-care with MIND & MOOD RECHARGE, powered by Penn Medicine. Introducing a new #WellnessWednesday experience FOR ANYONE looking to hit pause mid-week and recharge with mind and mood boosters: 🧘♂️ Yoga - All levels welcome 🎶 Sound meditation 🌸 Botanical bar - spirits + zero-proof sips 🎨 Art therapy workshops 🏛️ Museum Rx Tour 🛍️ Wellness marketplace Kick-off perk on Nov. 1: Complimentary calm strip + limited-edition sleep mask designed with the wedjat, believed to be the ancient origins of the Rx symbol. Today's the day you prioritize your self-care---> https://bit.ly/3ROoe1M
To err is human...especially when it came to typos, which dates back to the time of ancient Egyptians. Located in the Egypt Gallery, a seated statue of Ramses II, third Pharaoh of the 19th dynasty who lived during the 13th century BCE, is a perfect example of an ancient typo. Part of the inscription was carved backward—and the artist tried to hide it with filler and paint. Learn more Ancient Egyptian fun facts on our guided tours of our Egypt Gallery—go with a guide before it closes on November 6! 🔗 Book now: https://bit.ly/46nM6gP
Is this Figure of the Dancing Man "giving holiday dessert" vibes? Penn Museum K-12 educators, Chris, Emily & Paul, read and respond to captions written about the Figure of the Dancing Man by 4–6th grade students from Penrose Elementary School! This clay figure of a dancing man is from Veracruz, Mexico, and was made in 500-700 CE. You can see him on display in our Mexico & Central America Gallery. Interested in taking your class on #fieldtrip to see this world wonder in person? Contact [email protected]. Music courtesy of Bensound.
#TabletTuesday is every day for the #PennMuseum’s online collections! Our DRAP team (Digital Records, Publications, and Archives) has been busy adding record data and images for over 25,000 Babylonian tablets. The data and images had long been included in the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, the worldwide repository for cuneiform tablets. Now, this information has been brought home to our collections management system, making tracking and data management much easier to process. With the migration, the Babylonian tablets will join the rest of the Penn Museum’s collections online, where they will connect to other digital resources like objects, galleries, and publications: https://bit.ly/3ZwcdzW
National Museum of American Jewish History
S Independence Mall E
African American Museum in Philadelphia
Arch Street
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
Norwitch Drive
First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
S 23rd Street
American Philosophical Society
South Fifth Street
