Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology
Penn Museum
University of Pennsylvania
3260 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-4000 • 746-8183 Groups • 898-4890 Family Pgms
http://www.penn.museum/

Founded in 1887, this outstanding museum offers visitors a glimpse into the past and around the world.

During the past 100 years the Museum has conducted more than 350 research expeditions around the world. It has collected more than one million objects, many obtained directly through its own field excavations or anthropological research.

These are exciting projects, and the discoveries are revealing, sometimes mysterious, and almost always quite beautiful. Best of all, visitors do not have to brave the perils of remote deserts and jungles to see them.

An example of the things to be enjoyed here is the Lower Egyptian Gallery Collection, featuring architectural pieces from the Palace of Merenptah (c. 1200 B.C.) and the 12-ton granite Sphinx of Ramesses II (c. 1293-1185 B.C.). The Upper Egyptian Gallery features the popular exhibition, Egyptian Mummy: Secrets and Science.

The Museum's ancient Mesopotamian excavations yielded, among other pieces, a rare, ancient bull-headed lyre from the 2600 B.C. site of Ur, near modern-day Iraq. Visitors will marvel at the Benin bronze collection from Nigeria and an Ancient Greek World Exhibition featuring classical pottery, coins, and other objects.

Raven's Journey: World of Alaska's Native People displays materials from the Inuit, Tlingit, and Athapaskan peoples. The oldest writing in the world, Mayan history written in stone, a feathered cloak of an Hawaiian Noble, and a Kifwebe mask from Zaire are representative of the many other wonderful objects to be found throughout the Museum's galleries.

Throughout the year families can enjoy a wide range of special events and programs, including traveling exhibitions, "world culture" days, musical performances, lectures, and children's programs. Children can even have a birthday party here (call the Women's Committee at (215) 898 9202).

Adult Groups are welcome for Guided or Self-Guided Tours. School Groups of all grade levels can enjoy a great Guided Tour focusing on one of the following topics: The Archaeologist's Work, Ancient Egypt, The Classical World, Mesopotamia, Africa, Pre-Columbian Indians, Raven's Journey: The World of Alaska's Native People, Native Americans, Oceania, China, or Buddhism: History and Diversity of a Great Religion. The last 2 are recommended for grades 6 and above. The others can be adapted for all levels. All programs include a gallery tour, and Museum staff will work with teachers to make a visit a memorable experience. Groups should have 10 or more people.