Objective
At the end of week one the students will have learned about pictography, ancient languages, modern languages and the first printing press. To see some actual examples of these is a perfect reinforcement activity.
The trip should begin at the Yale Art Museum on the corner of Chapel Street and York Street. Admission is free, however a donation is voluntary. On the basement level is an exhibit titled, “Dura-Europos.” This was an ancient Roman border—town which was excavated twenty years ago. Included in the exhibit are many examples of artifacts decorated or carved with pictographic figures. A check list and catalogue are available which explain the exhibit in detail.
From the Yale Art Museum it is a short walk to the Beinecke Yale Rare Book Library at 121 Wall Street. The library stores many old texts and manuscripts, but the highlight is the Gutenberg Bible which is on permanent exhibition. Other texts and manuscripts are on exhibition on a changing basis.
The third location for the field trip is the Peabody Museum. The museum is free on Tuesday’s so this would be a good day to plan the trip. The museum is located on the corner of Whitney Avenue and Sachem Street. Once inside the museum turn right, and you will enter the Plains Indians exhibit. It will be necessary to obtain the museum’s “Plains Indians: Guide to the Exhibit” pamphlet before the trip. In this way the information can be discussed with the students before the trip and they will know what to look for. Pay special attention to the indian clothing, tepee and totem pole reproductions for examples of pictography.