November 15 at 5pm / A Prehistory of Music by Member Christopher Kilgore.
Using art, historical images, ethnographic films, and archeological materials, Chris will present a compendium of evidence of early musical performance. Beginning at the dawn of the historical period and working backward, he will cover the musical cultures of ancient Rome, Greece, China, Egypt, Sumer, Africa, and Paleolithic Europe. Topics will include vocal performance, dance, early instruments, and hidden remnants of ancient musical traditions. Special attention will be given to the most recent scholarship.
December 13 5pm Zoom Lecture / How Archaeology of the Past is Pointing to Architecture of the Future by Charles A. Stewart, Ph.D.
Abstract: Today architecture students focus on so-called "Green Architecture", which is a style and method of construction that minimizes toxic manufacturing and chemicals, while being more fuel efficient. Besides recycling older buildings for modern uses, "Green Architects” also preserve and cleanse air, water, and earth by choosing eco-friendly materials and construction practices. These students are studying the work of archaeologists, since ancient building methods employ environmentally safe and renewable materials, such as mudbrick (adobe), rammed earth, and timber designs. In this lecture, Dr. Stewart, will share some of his research regarding these ancient technologies in Central Asia, and how they can be used to inspire architecture of the future. He will also discuss some of his work this year collaborating with his Excavation Team in Kazakhstan, despite the COVID-19 restrictions, and how “remote-archaeology” is conducted.