Ancient past meets technology of the future in new CD-ROM
Pharaohs, mummies and pyramids of an ancient time have been brought to life using technology of a new millennium.
A CD-ROM entitled Deciphering Antiquity is the result of five years' research by Classics and Ancient History Department former honours students Andrew Sneddon and Ilka Schacht and the former director of the Antiquities Museum Bruce Gollan. Ms Schacht is now working as an archaeologist in Egypt.
"The CD-ROM gives a fascinating insight into the stories behind the Museum's 50 or so ancient Egyptian and Western Asian artefacts. It's aimed at students from upper primary to secondary school as well as the general public," Department head Associate Professor Dorothy Watts said.
The project has been funded by the Friends of Antiquity within the University's Alumni Association and Queensland Arts (now known as the Queensland Arts Council). It is the first of a three-volume set. A second disk now underway focuses on Ancient Greek artefacts and the third will be on Ancient Roman pieces.
"This interactive tool is an important way to discover and explore our collection. It will be a spur to undergraduate study and future school visits," Associate Professor Watts said.
"It is an excellent study aid as it reaches out to students using the technology of their time. An amazing amount of information has been packed into the disk including 40,000 words of text and hundreds of colourful, detailed images.
"People can pick and choose what they wish to look at by clicking on an icon. For example, they may only be interested in a particular time or just the terracotta items in our collection."
The Department recently celebrated a near record first-year intake of 540 students reflecting that the fascination with ancient cultures was greater than ever, she said.
Museum education officer Dr Sonia Puttock said children as young as six had a surprisingly good knowledge of ancient Egypt. They loved nothing better than "putting the white gloves on and handling the Museum's artefacts".
"They love putting on a reproduction Mummy mask or a toga and asking a million questions about the pyramids and what life must have been like for ancient cultures. One group was more fascinated with an ancient child's tombstone than any of the weapons. The child was about their age and they related to this," she said.
The CD-ROM is being sold through the Queensland Education Department.
For more information, contact Associate Professor Dorothy Watts (telephone 07 3365 2633) or Dr Sonia Puttock (telephone 07 3365 2567).
.jpg)
