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Topic: Ancient Sardis (Turkiye): rework, repurpose, recycle
Speaker: Sheila Nightingale
No longer large enough to be considered a proper town, the modern village of Sart in western Turkiyë is a collection of modest homes, small shops, vineyards, and olive orchards. But beneath and surrounding the village are the remains of ancient Sardis—the vast capital city of the Lydian empire (7th century BC), and variously vassal, adversary, and ally to subsequent powers. The archaeological record of the city itself spans over 3500 years. Through this time—across leaders and allegiances—existing structures, objects, landscapes, and deities were converted, recycled, or renewed to fit the purposes of new regimes and cultures. In this talk, we will visit the monumental tombs of Bin Tepe (“Thousand Mounds”), the Greek Temple of Artemis, early Christian churches, and other public and private spaces around the city to consider how the record of “the past” is incorporated into “the present.” Finally, we will address some of the challenges of modern archaeological research in the face of looting and the illegal antiquities trade, itself a form of reworking the past.
Sheila Nightingale is a chapter member and PhD Candidate in Archaeology (Anthropology) at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, and an adjunct lecturer of Anthropology at Hostos Community College (CUNY) in the Bronx.
MEETINGS: Our chapter meetings are normally held the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Arey Hall, at the Bridgewater Municipal Building, which is located at 201 Green Street, Bridgewater. View map here.
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We encourage everyone to consider joining the Archeological Society of Virginia.
The purposes of the ASV are:
- To promote the study of archeology and anthropology, especially but not limited to the prehistoric and historic periods in Virginia
- To work for the proper conservation and exploration of archeological sites and materials
- To encourage the scientific study of archeological sites and materials and to discourage careless, misdirected, or commercial collecting of artifacts
- To promote the spread of archeological knowledge through the media of publications, meetings, lectures, exhibits, etc.
- To collaborate with other organizations and agencies that serve the same purposes as those of this society
- To serve as a bond between individual members and as a link with similar organizations in other states