The students of ARTH 300 “Art Across Time: Prehistory-17th century” spent weeks engaged in the analysis of artifacts containing ancient writing. Ranging from Sumerian Cuneiform to Egyptian hieroglyphics, students not only ascertained how early writing cultivated cultural progress, but investigated unique methodologies employed to disperse ancient text, such as cylinder seals. Each student conducted independent research on an ancient civilization and determined how specific cultures and regions utilized a specific mode of writing. Students then practiced applied learning by molding a cylinder seal out of clay and carving the seal with the ancient text being researched. At the Secrist Gallery in the JFK Library, visitors may view handmade cylinder seals containing samples of writing with such excerpts as The Epic of Gilgamesh, Akkadian poetry by princess/priestess Enheduanna, The Book of the Dead of ancient Egypt, or even a Sumerian recipe for bread; all recreated in the language and script of the original artifact.

Artists:
Aylin Araiza
Sophie Arold
Sab Borders
Sophie Brabec
Madyssen Caverly
Adon Cough
Genevieve Curry
Carly Ellis
Amanda Frost
Karen Gerken
Darrien Haney
Addison Hensen
Lily Hendersen
Rachel Hove
Alyssa Kamp
Katherine Kneafsey
Ash Gordon
Trevor Maine
Elizabeth Mendiola
Alexander Pacheco
Andrew Rogers
Larissa Schwendiman
Gisselle Wallingford
Nan Whybark