Latest news with #archaeological
The Age
3 days ago
- Science
- The Age
Seven things you must see at the world's largest archaeological museum
Seven wonders within the Grand Egyptian Museum The world's largest archaeological museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), is officially opening next month. Here are seven of the must-see highlights. 1 Hanging obelisk Of the GEM's 100,000 artefacts, only one is found outside. The 19-metre-tall obelisk, billed as the world's first hanging obelisk, stands in the entrance courtyard atop a basalt plinth. Step into the plinth and look up through a window to view a rare carving in the base of the obelisk – a cartouche bearing the name of King Ramses II. Until the 70-tonne obelisk was placed at this spot in 2018, the carving hadn't been seen for 3300 years. 2 Statue of Ramses II Dominating GEM's vast entrance hall, the 11-metre-high statue of one of the most famous of Egypt's pharaohs was discovered in six pieces in 1882 in the former Egyptian capital of Memphis. Rebuilt, it stood sentinel in a central Cairo square for 50 years, but is now the centrepiece of a hall so capacious that the 80-tonne red-granite statue almost loses its sense of scale. Stand beneath it, however, and you'll know you're in the presence of ancient greatness. 3 Pyramid view
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Science
- Sydney Morning Herald
Seven things you must see at the world's largest archaeological museum
Seven wonders within the Grand Egyptian Museum The world's largest archaeological museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), is officially opening next month. Here are seven of the must-see highlights. 1 Hanging obelisk Of the GEM's 100,000 artefacts, only one is found outside. The 19-metre-tall obelisk, billed as the world's first hanging obelisk, stands in the entrance courtyard atop a basalt plinth. Step into the plinth and look up through a window to view a rare carving in the base of the obelisk – a cartouche bearing the name of King Ramses II. Until the 70-tonne obelisk was placed at this spot in 2018, the carving hadn't been seen for 3300 years. 2 Statue of Ramses II Dominating GEM's vast entrance hall, the 11-metre-high statue of one of the most famous of Egypt's pharaohs was discovered in six pieces in 1882 in the former Egyptian capital of Memphis. Rebuilt, it stood sentinel in a central Cairo square for 50 years, but is now the centrepiece of a hall so capacious that the 80-tonne red-granite statue almost loses its sense of scale. Stand beneath it, however, and you'll know you're in the presence of ancient greatness. 3 Pyramid view
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Fountain of Youth' movie review: Guy Ritchie's Indiana Jones wannabe is a mealy mouthed bore
It is unbelievable that Guy Ritchie's archaeological heist film, Fountain of Youth, is just over two hours long. It felt way much longer. Starting promisingly in Bangkok, with the Thai version of 'Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)', and a man with a painting rolled up in a tube being chased by scary people, the movie swiftly dissolved into a muddy, derivative mess. The man with the painting is Luke (John Krasinski) and he is on the hunt for the titular Fountain of Youth for Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), a corporate raider and multi billionaire, who is dying of liver cancer and hopes the Fountain of Youth will give him a fresh lease of life. Fountain of Youth (English) Director: Guy Ritchie Cast: John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, Arian Moayed, Stanley Tucci Runtime: 125 minutes Storyline: A disgraced archaeologist and a dying corporate raider hunt for the Fountain of Youth The Fountain of Youth is protected by a secret society called the Protectors of the Path (see what I mean by a complete lack of imagination?). Luke is trying to find the Fountain of Youth from his father, Harrison's (gosh!) notes. While we do not know if Harrison was an archaeologist, grave robber or treasure hunter; the search for the mythical wellspring was his life's work. If any of this reminds of you of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, then it is surely intended, what with Luke talking in his sleep and all. As Luke flees Bangkok on a posh train, he is accosted by a mysterious woman, Esme (Eiza González) who also tries to take the painting from him but of course he escapes. Then we are in London where Luke's sister, Charlotte (Natalie Portman) is in the middle of a horrid divorce from Harold (Daniel de Bourg) and a custody battle for her 11-year-old son, Thomas (Benjamin Chivers) who is something of a musical prodigy. Charlotte works at a museum and up pops Luke to steal yet another painting (he stole a painting from gangsters in Bangkok, which is why the scary men were after him). We learn that the clue to the path was hidden in the works of six artists including El Greco, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Caravaggio and Ruben. There is no The Da Vinci Code-style detour into art history with our favourite symbologist. Also, why anyone would want to hide a path only for it to involve such treasure hunts in anyone's guess. Such secrets ways are best lost in the mists of time. After raising the Lusitania and shooting up the Austrian National Library, the merry band land up in Cairo and blast their way through pyramids that have not been opened for millennia and speed reading hieroglyphics to reach X, which marks the spot. Esme and her boss, the Elder (Stanley Tucci) as well as Inspector Jamal Abbas (Arian Moayed) from the Interpol are hot on their heels. Everything comes crashing down after the good guys have got the prize and the evil villains have earned their just desserts in the true tradition of adventure movies. Ritchie's trademark style of slo-mos, flying coats in a blaze of bullets and bone crunching violence are anaemically present. Fountain of Youth is short on everything — from action and humour to thrills and locations. Fountain of Youth is currently streaming on Apple TV
Time of India
17-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Entry to all ASI sites to be free on International Museum Day
Entry to all sites and museums under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) across the country will be free on Sunday in view of the International Museum Day . There are 3,698 protected monuments and sites, and 52 museums under the ambit of the ASI. "The ASI is pleased to announce that entry to all ASI monuments and museums across the country will be free on May 18, on the occasion of International Museum Day," the Culture Ministry said in a statement. The International Museum Day highlights the vital role that museums play in preserving cultural heritage , promoting education, and fostering dialogue across communities and generations. This year to encourage wider public participation, the ASI is offering free access to its network of 52 site museums and all ticketed monuments across the country, which house some of India's most treasured archaeological artefacts, from prehistoric tools and sculptures to medieval inscriptions, and more, the statement said. "This initiative seeks to deepen public engagement with India's rich cultural legacy and to provide a meaningful platform for people to reconnect with history and heritage," it said. Live Events The ASI also has a dedicated Museum Wing which deals with maintenance and management of its site museums, which includes one at Sarnath site (1910) being the earliest in the series of archaeological site museums located across the country, the ministry said. The concept of archaeological site museums sought to preserve and display the excavated and movable artefacts near the site so that the displayed objects don't lose its context and may be studied by researchers and visitors alike while visiting the site, it said. Recently, India's first underground museum at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Humayun's Tomb was inaugurated, along with the Virtual Experiential Museum at Man Mahal Observatory, Varanasi and Archaeological site of Lalitagiri at Odisha, the ministry added. ASI site museums are being upgraded to facilitate the need of every section of the society, and with modern interventions like AR-VR (augmented reality-virtual reality) also being incorporated to give visitors a holistic experience, officials said.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Split the Ground—And Brought an Ancient Structure to the Surface
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." An earthquake in central Myanmar just unearthed an ancient structure that may be part of a royal 'water palace,' experts say. Previously, only a staircase was visible. Now, after the earthquake, a railing, riser step, and brick platforms are all above the surface. Some experts suggest that the structure is more likely a wooden residence that resembles other monasteries with traditional Burmese architectural style. The Konbaung Dynasty (1752 to 1885)—also known as the Third Burmese Empire—was the last dynasty to rule Burma (now Myanmar), eventually toppled by the British. A recent natural disaster may give researchers a rare look into remnants of the empire, or at least one remnant in particular. On March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake revealed an ancient structure in Tada-U Township, Myanmar. According to a translated report from the Department of Archaeology and National Museum, some believe the remains could have been part of a royal 'water palace' from the Konbaung era. Part of the archaeological site—a set of stairs—was originally uncovered in 2009 while locals were baking bricks. But the recent earthquake caused a fissure that revealed more parts of the structure that were previously hidden beneath layers of soil. Exploratory excavations began on April 9, led by the Mandalay branch of the Department of Archaeology. Researchers say that additional ruins, including a handrail, brick platforms, and an 18-inch riser step, are now visible. According to the report, some of these features resemble sketches from ancient palm-leaf manuscripts called 'Pura-pike.' Historically, water has been a religious symbol in Myanmar culture, so water palaces served as important places for rituals, the Department of Archaeology and National Museum reports. The water palace described in the palm-leaf manuscript—supposedly penned by Minister Letwe Nawrahta (a prominent minister during the Burmese Kingdom)—has five grand staircases and 18 to 20 dormitories shaded by mango trees. Though the prospect of finding a royal water palace is exciting, it's much more likely the structure is something simpler. Researchers suggest the building may have been a wooden residence, spanning about 200-250 feet long and 200 feet wide. According to experts, the structure resembles the Inwa Varkara Wooden Monastery and the Shwenandaw (Golden Palace) Monastery in Mandalay. Some commenters are critical of researchers not unearthing the structure when it was initially discovered in 2009. Because of the possible religious significance of the site and how little is currently known, Myanmar's Department of Archaeology and National Museum reports that further research will continue and, in the future, the structure will be preserved for public education. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
