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Not a papyrologist? That doesn't mean that you can't decipher the writing of an ancient papyrus. This interactive exhibit guides visitors through the process of reading and examining four papyri from the Michigan collection: a Latin literary papyrus, a Latin documentary papyrus, a portion of the Pauline epistles, and a papyrus from the Zenon archive.
Documents such as letters, accounts, and contracts provide an intimate view of people's daily lives. That is the case for us today, as it was for people in history. We are therefore very fortunate that the dry sands of Egypt have preserved tens of thousands of written documents on papyrus and other writing materials that provide evidence for people's lives over a period of several thousands of years.
In ancient times, important documents were sealed to prevent tampering. In this photo exhibit, learn about seals and watch as an ancient seal is opened after a thousand years.
Learn about the modern papyrus-making process through this online photo exhibit.
Learn about the various languages, scripts, and methods of writing in the ancient world. This online exhibit, filled with images of papyri from the Colleciton as well as writing implements from the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, is a great introduction to ancient writing for anyone who is interested in the subject.
A rare collection of documents tracing the development of the Bible from ancient Egyptian manuscripts to the modern printed book is periodically on display at the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. Professor Traianos Gagos and Katherine Beam recently won the University of Michigan Press Book Award for incorporating this exhibit into a CD-ROM format, providing an interactive, guided tour of the evolution of biblical text and images over the course of sixteen centuries.
Magic played several important roles in ancient life, and many magical texts have survived on papyrus. This popular exhibit examines these ancient, mystical traditions.
Like our exhibits? Let us know what you think.
The exhibition Oxyrhynchus: A City and its Texts, currently in the Ashmolean Museum, celebrating a hundred years of The Oxyrhynchus Papyri, is now online.
PMich 1205r can now be examined in an entirely new light. William A. Johnson from the Department of Classics at the University of Cincinnati has put together this exciting page in which one is not only able to see the musical notation contained in the Papyrus, but also hear what that music might have sounded like when played.
Featuring several of our papyri, this exhibit, hosted by the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, explores the difficult task of deciphering ancient musical notation. See papyri with ancient musical notation.
Featuring papyri from the Michigan collection, this web-based feature allows visitors a first-hand glimpse into life in Karanis. Explore the family life of a Roman soldier or an Egyptian tax collector, through archives of their personal letters.
The Kelsey hosts many interesting exhibits related to the ancient world. Check their website for complete list.
Lectures arranged by the Classical Studies Department at the University of Michigan, scheduled/delivered for the current academic year.
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© The Regents of the University of Michigan, 2008.
