SCOTT VEIRS /REVEL PROGRAM

fat

‘In the Field

The Bulletin of

The Field Museum The Founders’

Exploring Council presents The Earth And lis Fernando Rubio del People Valle with Parker/Gentry Award.

he Field Museum

The Friends’ Groups — opening doors to new

5-8

A complete schedule of events in November &

December, including experiences and the Chicago opportunities at Humanities Festival. the Museum.

UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF HYDROTHERMAL VENTS

Contributed by Janet Voight Associate Curator of Zoology

bout 150 miles west of Washington

state and a mile below the deepest light

penetration, you might predict that ani-

mals on the Northeast Pacific Ocean floor

would be few and far between. Yet, at

hydrothermal vents along the Juan de Fuca

Ridge, chemicals released from the Earth’s

mantle support an abundance of animal life in this otherwise barren environment.

This summer, Janet Voight, associate cura-

tor of zoology at The Field Museum, sailed

aboard the University of Washington’s ship,

(Above) An octopus, a member of an undescribed species of the genus Graneledone, was photographed near the edge of a vent community during the 1996 cruise. Voight is attempting to assess whether predators, like this species, occur preferentially at hydrothermal vents like those in the Northeast Pacific.

L Thomas G. Thompson, to study life at the V

along the Ridge. Voight, with Canadian and American scientists, explored vent habitats 2,200 meters below the ocean’s surface using a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle).

Voight’s research, supported by a grant from the West Coast office of the National Undersea Research Program, focused on mobile predators such as octopuses, crabs and fishes. Most deep-sea predators roam the ocean depths in an unending search for nourishment and are thought to rely entirely on food that drops from the more productive water closer to the ocean’s surface. Her research questions whether these deep-sea predators feed at hydrothermal vents, or if, as it has been assumed, predators avoid the vents because of of the noxious chemicals that sustain these unique biological systems.

What makes hydrothermal vents so unique is that animals in these habitats survive using energy from a source other than the sun. Tec- tonic activity, like that depicted in The Field Museum’s “Moving Earth” exhibit, allows sea- water to penetrate pores and crevices in rocks where it mixes with and carries toxic chemicals from beneath the Earth’s surface. The mixture is then released in the form of hydrothermal vent fluid at mid-ocean ridges. Toxic chemicals in the fluid, especially hydrogen sulfide, serve as food for vent bacteria. Members of the vent community, even the largest ones, rely on the bacteria for food; without the bacteria, vent ani- mals would die — just as we would die without plants to convert sunlight into food.

DE DUVE SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON THE BEGINNING OF LIFE

obel Prize winner Dr. Christian de Duve,

a biochemical cytologist, doesn’t

believe Earth is the only place contain- ing the essential ingredients to sustain and pro- duce life. In last year’s September/October issue of American Scientist, Dr. de Duye wrote: “ there must be about as many foci of life in the universe. Life is a cosmic imperative. The uni- verse is awash with life.”

Dr. de Duve will be speaking at The Field Museum on Nov. 10 about the beginning of life on Earth, and whether it was a fateful accident or an inevitable outcome. His discussion is part of the Chicago Humanities Festival’s examination of birth and death and is one of seven events the Museum is sponsoring during the Festival (see “Calendar of Events” page).

In 1974, Dr. de Duve was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine with Albert Claude and George Palade for “discoveries concerning the structural and functional organization of cells.” Dr. de Duve is perhaps best know for the devel-

opment of high-resolution techniques for the separation and characterization of cellular organelles (a discrete structure in a cell) and for the discovery of two types of organelles: the lysosome, which is the cell’s “stomach,” and the peroxisome, which is involved in a cell’s metab- olism of fats.

Recently, however, Dr. de Duve turned his attention to the origins of life, a topic to which he has made a number of original contributions — earning him a membership in the International Society of the Origin of Life.

In his most recent book, Vital Dust: Life as a Cosmic Imperative (1995), Dr. de Duve exam- ines the origins of life from a biochemical stand- point. Publishers Weekly called Vital Dust “an awesome panorama of life on Earth, from the first biomolecules to the emergence of the human mind and our species’ future.”

Born in England in 1917, a citizen of Bel- gium, Dr. de Duve commuted for more than 30 years between Belgium, where he was professor

SONAR

NOV 27 1996

IBRARIES

November;

BAGPIPERS PREPARE TO INTRODUCE JOHN McCARTER, THE MUSEUM’S NEW PRESIDENT, TO GUESTS AT A SEPTEMBER WELCOMING RECEPTION

Coverage on page 2

€se bacteria coat everything from rocks to snails (like algae, only with a whitish fuzz). Some bacteria even live inside hosts, such as tube worms and clams, form- ing mutually beneficial relationships (a symbi- oses). In these cases, the hosts provide the chemi- cal nourishment for the bacteria and bacteria pro- ="

vide food in return. But not every vent animal is so friendly. For example, vent snails act like lit- tle lawn mowers cropping the bacteria that grow on rocks or on tube worms.

These snails appear to be relics — sur- vivors of an ancient group extinct everywhere else on Earth. To advance our understanding of yent snails and the evolution of modern lin- eages, Voight collected specimens of these relic taxa for Field Museum collections. Why these relics occur only at vents is unknown. It might be because hydrothermal vents are immune from climate changes (even those that blot out the sun) and to all but the most direct asteroid impacts. Some scientists think that these archa- ic animals have survived at vents because predators rarely prowl these habitats. The data Voight collected will address this theory.

It has been assumed that predators avoid vents because the fluid around the area contains Continued on page 3

of biochemistry at the Catholic University of Louvain, and the United States, where he was an Andrew W. Mellon professor emeri- |

tus of biochemical cytology at The Rocke- i 4 r

feller University in New York. In addition to Vital Dust, he wrote: A Guided Tour of the Living Cell (Scientific America, 1984) and Blueprint for a Cell (Neil Patterson, 1991).

ember 1996

2 cer x B 3S S 2 S 2 Ss z i & 2 aD = z = Ss

SCOTT VEIRS /REVEL PROGRAM

(Above) Research was carried out during the cruise using this machine, the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ROPOS from British Columbia’s Institute of Ocean Sciences. The ROV is linked to a ship by fiber-optic cables that carry com- mands from ship- board pilots to the ROV. These cables also carry images to the ship from the ROV‘s two video cameras and sensors. Although ROVs don’t have the glamour of manned submersibles in which scientists actually visit the ocean floor, they do allow all scientists on board to participate

in every dive. In con- trast, submersibles can carry at most

two scientists on

a visit to the

ocean floor.

TIFE AS aA fesmic iMPERATIVE

JOHN WeiNisTEIN /GN87991,26C

“We must convey to students of all ages ... that the Museum is their place: a sanctuary for learn- ing, exploration and discovery.”

McCARTER REAFFIRMS THE MUSEUM'S MISSION AT RECEPTION IN STANLEY FIELD HALL

More than 1,000 guests and members of the Chicago media attended a September 19, 1996 reception, hosted by President Emeritus Sandy Boyd, to wel- come John McCarter, the Muse- ums new president. Prior to McCarter’s introduction, visitors | talked to curators about their __ research and toured the Muse-

' um's research labs and collec- tions. After the tour, Leo F. Mullin, chairman of the Muse- um’ Board of Trustees, intro- || duced President John McCarter and thanked Sandy Boyd for his I5 years of dedication and ser- | vice to The Field Museum. The following column is based on John McCarter’s speech from that night.

or the past 15 years, Sandy Boyd led an exciting expansion and refocusing of the Museum’s mission and its achievements. Our work now encompasses advanced research, training, public education and action

to help improve stewardship of the natural world and to enhance intercultural understand- ing. These are great global issues of our time, and they are intimately related. I am thrilled to have the opportunity, as the Museum’s new president, to build on Sandy’s solid foundation and lead the Museum into the 21st century. Peter Raven of the Missouri Botanical Gar- dens, a recipient of the Field’s Award of Merit, communicates the significance of our species by extending his arm to represent the age of life on earth and then passing a file twice over his fin- gernail to represent the time that humans have been here. He asks, and we echo the question: How can we believe we are responsible stew- ards of this world if we undo four billion years of evolution’s work in a matter of generations?

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation

Filing date: October 1, 1996. Title: In the Field. Publication no, 898940. Frequency of publication: Bimonthly. Num- ber of issues published annually: 6. Annual subscription price: $6.00. Office: Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605.

Publisher: The Field Museum, Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, !L 60605. Editor: Robert Vosper, The Field Museum, Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr,, Chicago, IL 60605. Owner: The Field Museum, Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605, Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders: None. The purpose and function of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes have not changed during the preceding 12 months.

A B

Total copies printed 25,000 25,000 Paid and/or requested circulation (Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales) none none Paid and/or requested mail Subscriptions Total paid and/or requested circulation Free Distribution by mail Free Distribution outside mail none none Total free distribution 1,039 1,059 Copies not distributed, Office use, leftovers, spoiled Returns from news agencies none none Total 25,000 25,000 Percent paid and/or requested circulation 95.5 95.5

22,337 22,818

22,818 1,059

22,937 1,039

1,624 1,123

| certify that all information fumished above is true and complete. /s/ Jimmie W. Croft, vice president of finance and Museum services,

A= Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months B = Actual number of copies of single issue published nearest filing date

November/December 1996 2?

OUR RELEVANCE TO THE WORLD

When we build exhibits or design public programs for visitors, and when our scientists go into the field or work in their laboratories with our vast collections, we have an underlying message: The future of our world’s people, cul- tures and environments are all interconnected. Against the backdrop of environmental and cul- tural history, it is clear that the human-induced pressures of today threaten the ecological health of the planet. In every aspect of our work we are tackling these difficult problems by building understanding of biological and cultural diversi- ty, the human and natural causes of environ- mental degradation, species elimination and ecological collapse. In a world increasingly seg- mented into South and North, poor and rich, rapidly growing and economically mature, we seek solutions that will help sustain a planet under intense attack and that will help us live together despite burgeoning populations, increased urbanization and conflicting needs that place both civilizations and ecosystems at risk.

To give our aspirations concrete form, while at the same time using our collections and expertise in biological and cultural diversity in innovative ways, The Field Museum has become a leader in establishing local, national and international programs that address the cur- rent environmental and cultural crises in real- world arenas:

° Teamed with Conservation International and supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the W. Alton Jones Foundation and other donors, the Museum is headquarters for the Rapid Assess- ment Program, which has developed techniques to make quick but scientifically valid surveys of the relative biological importance of tropical areas being considered for development or preservation. The findings are made available within weeks or months to organizations in the regions concerned. An offshoot of this program is our training of biologists and conservationists

(Above) John McCarter welcomes Paul and Marianne Patten’s two children, Laird and Aaron, to the reception. Many of the families at the reception took the opportunity to meet the curators and talk with them about the Museums research. Children were especially fascinated

Editor: Robert Vosper

Art Director: Shi Yung

in Peru and Bolivia to integrate these techniques in their work in evaluating and setting conser- yation priorities in their countries.

* Here at home, we have joined with the Nature Conservancy and more than 30 other agencies and institutions in a breathtakingly innovative project called Chicago Wilderness. In and around this great city there remain small pock- ets of the tall-grass prairies, woodland savannas and the wetlands that once covered the Plains. There are, altogether, some 200,000 acres of

DIANE ALEXANDER WHITE /GN88002.

(Above) Left to Right: Chapurukha Kusimba, assistant curator of African archaeology and ethnology at The Field Museum, with Edward Yastrow, a Museum volunteer in the anthropology department.

open lands in our parks, forest preserves, river- banks and privately owned tracts that could be restored or conserved to preserve numerous endemic species of plants and animals that may otherwise fade into extinction. These local issues have global significance. Doug Stotz and Debbie Moskovits of the Museum’s Office of Environmental and Conservation Programs, and the late Ted Parker, joint authors of the path- breaking book, Neotropical Birds: Ecology and Conservation, have helped provide a basis for conservation priorities in Central and South America, but they also have demonstrated that nesting locations in Chicago and the Midwest are critical for the preservation of bird species whose migratory flights range throughout the Americas. Chicago Wilderness will set the stan- dard for other cities in many parts of the world with similarly endangered ecosystems. It will send the message that urbanization need not spell the death of natural communities.

MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

The Museum’s scientists and educators rec- ognize that traditional cultures are not static, and that societies in the process of economic development have a need, and a right, to use their land and resources to improve their mater- ial well-being. The task now is to find ways that the developing world can avoid the mistakes Continued on page 4

November/December 1996 Vol. 67, No. 6

The Field Museum Exploring

The Earth And Its People

with Assistant Curator Meenakshi Wadhwa’s discussions about her work with the Museum’s collection of rocks from Mars.

Editorial Assistant: Rhonda Jones

In the Field (ISSN #1051-4546) is published bimonthly by The Field Museum, Roosevelt Road al Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60605-2496. Copyright © 1995 The Field Museum. Subscriptions $6.00 annually, $3.00 for schools, Museum membership includes In the Field subscription. Opinions expressed by authors ae their own and do not necessarily reflect policy of The Field Museum. Museum phone (312) 922-9410. Notification of address change should include address label and should be sent to Membership Department. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to In the Field, The Field Museum, Roo- sevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605-2496. Second-class postage paid al Chicago, llinois.

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS

HYDROTHERMAL VENTS ... continued jrom page 1

noxious chemicals and no oxygen. Vent fluid, however, doesn’t linger at the sea floor. The warm or even hot fluid is buoyant, causing it to rise rapidly from the ocean floor, Even animals specialized at surviving at vents have to live at the vent’s edge where they are periodically bathed in cold, oxygen-rich water from the sur- rounding ocean. Even a predator repelled by the chemicals in vent fluid would seemingly be able to feast on the animals living on the edge of vents. Why don’t predators just reach in to where vent animals are literally piled on top of one another and grab some rich morsels to devour in the cold, chemically-clean water that surrounds these habitats?

No one has seen predators do this, but sci- entists have very little time to observe vent communities. The high cost of running ships and ROVs (or submersibles), the constraints imposed by bad weather and the limitations of working with a robot, all prevent deep-sea biol- ogists from doing what is simple for land-based biologists. If deep-sea predators do feed on vent animals, they may distribute vent-produced bio- mass broadly across the ocean floor — creating a biological link between these very small, but

special habitats and the ocean world. Vents are now thought to be similar to desert “oases” because in the midst of the barren ocean floor they are full of life. Just as water at a desert oasis has little effect on the humidity of the sur- rounding environment, hydrothermal vents are thought to have little impact on the food-starved ocean floor. This yiew may be challenged if deep-sea predators are found to raid vent com- munities. With more research, Voight may find that the biological impact of hydrothermal vents on the sea floor extends far beyond their physical limits.

WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXPEDITION?

A group of high-school and college teachers joined the scientists and kept a log of what hap- pened during the cruise. The log, profiles of the

scientists and summaries of their research are posted on the University of Washington's Web site: <<http:/Awww.ocean.washington.edu/ exploraquarium/revel/>>. The site also offers an educational journey to the Juan de Fuca Ridge via a ‘virtual field trip.”

FERNANDO RUBIO RECEIVES PARKER/GENTRY AWARD

By Robert Vosper

s a child, Fernando Rubio del Valle

became fascinated with the forests and

grasslands of his native Peru. As he got older, this fascination turned into devotion, In 1983, he graduated from the School of Forestry Sciences at the National University of La Moli- na; then in 1987 he joined the non-government organization PRO NATURALEZA (Fundacién Peruana para la Conservacién de la Natu- raleza/Peruvian Foundation for the Conservation of Nature). It was with PRO NATURALEZA that Rubio began his fight to preserve the natural habitats of Peru —a fight he continues today.

On Oct. 22, the Founders’ Council presented Rubio with the Museum’s inaugural Parker/Gen- try Award in recognition of his environmental and conservation efforts; especially for his work at the Santuario Nacional Pampas del Heath. This new award (see the September/October

issue of Jn the Field) recognizes conservationists whose innovative work in preserving the world’s rich natural habitats has yet to receive much publicity, and whose creative approach to conservation may serve as a model to others around the world.

When Rubio joined PRO NATURALEZA, he successfully coordinated the management plan for the National Park of the Amotape Mountains. He was then named the director of the Santuario Nacional Pampas del Heath, where he transformed 20,000 acres of mostly neglected natural savannas into one of the best-managed protected habitats in the Americas. The sanctuary harbors many animal species like the marsh deer and the maned wolf, both of which depend on the threatened grasslands. The sanctuary is also home to several species of birds and specialized plant communities.

A key to Rubio’s success has been his abili-

ty to gain the support and trust of the indige- nous communities and § other settlers that live adjacent to the sanctu- ary and who initially opposed the plan. Rubio not only gained | their support, but he also integrated them into the management of | the sanctuary.

Rubio is now plan- ning to develop a bio- logical station in the area of the sanctuary. He will be also sharing the management of the grasslands with the recently established Madidi National Park, located on the other side of the Rio Heath in Bolivia.

FERNANDO RUBIO DEL VALLE

ce tion in Siener a eld Hall on Sept. 26, Museum President Emeritus Sandy Boyd thanked all The Field

Ata staff-only re

Museum’s employees a lunteers for their hard work and — dedication over the years. Sandy Boyd retired at the end of — September after 15 years as the Museum’s president.

___ As president emeritus, Boyd Plans | to continue his work with the Museum as an honorary chai irman for the upcoming — funding campaign. He also will teach a course on non-profit organizations at the ersity of lowa ae he is president

_ emeritus and professor of law.

3 November/December 1996

DIANE ALEXANDER WHITE /GN87994,6C

(Above) From left to right: Peter Crane, vice president of Academic Affairs; John McCarter; Doug Stotz, conser- vation ecologist; and David Willard, collections manager of birds.

/GN87996,27C

Underground”:

(Right) Anna Roosevelt, curator of archaeology, displays a 11,000 year- old vertebra of a pirarucu fish found in her recent

expedition to Caverna da Pedra Pintada in the Brazilian rain forest.

McCA RTE R R EC EP Tl O N eee Continued from page 2

that Europe and North Ameri- ca made during their develop- ment. This requires mutual understanding among diverse cultures and raising concern _ for the common good of | humanity and its companions on the living Earth. Among our recent programs that address these issues are the Nuveen Forum series, “Conversations on Pluralism and Identity in America”; the two most recent Spring Symposia on human and environmental interactions m2 on Madagascar and in the Andes; exhibits like “Africa,” “Messages from the Wilder- ness,” the forthcoming “Liv- ing Together” and “Life and the Conservation Training Consortium, which brings promising young researchers, teachers and conservation workers from tropical countries to Chicago to study both the science and the political nuances of conserva- tion. Our curators also help local people in places like the Philippines, Borneo, Peru, Brazil and Madagascar to reconcile conservation and devel- opment priorities. Museum curators also apply their anthropological expertise to help understand the basis of low birth weights in our inner cities and appropriate forms of agricultural practices on steep tropical hillsides. In all of these activities, the Museum contributes to the global goal where different people live in mutual respect and where the needs of the present are properly balanced with the concerns for the future.

These are just a few of the more significant

Trustees.

(Left) President Emeritus Sandy Boyd and his wife, Susan, with John McCarter and his wife, Judy.

(Right) From left to right: Rosalind Kaye; Laura Gates, vice president of Museum Affairs; Hope Kaye; Nick Kaye; John McCarter; Michelle Kaye; and Ken Kaye.

DIANE ALEXANDER WHITE /GN88001.21C

(Left) Susan Crown and her husband, William C. Kunkler IIL, who is on the Museum’s Board of

ventures we have undertaken, and we plan to do more, around the world and especially here in Chicago. Our major teaching tool is, and will con- tinue to be, the collections and exhibits that enrich the Museum’s halls. We must convey to students of all ages — including the school group on tour, the retired person finally with time to explore, the serious scholar or the lonely teenager fascinated with science — that the Museum is their place: a sanctuary for learning, exploration and discovery. But we must also reach an audience beyond our walls. This means the use of staff and programs in Chicago’s parks, schools and neighborhoods and, increasingly, the technology of the Internet, publi- cations, CD-ROMs and video.

PARTNERSHIPS

With this ambitious research, teaching and action agenda, we clearly can’t work in isolation. Our relationship with the Committee on Evolutionary Biology at the University of Chicago, where 19 of our curators hold appoint- ments, and with the program in anthropology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where six of our curators hold appointments, are models for academic cooperation. Our shared mission with the American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian and Britain’s Natural History Museum will enable us to work economically in joint ventures. Our new museum campus and the nature park on Northerly Island will enable us to work more closely with the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium, as well as all of Chicago’s museums, zoos and gardens. The recent steps toward revitalization of Chicago’s schools are an enormous encouragement for the museum community. We must be deeply involved in enriching curriculum, helping students win

JOHN WEINSTEIN /GN87983.5AC

(Right) Leo F. Mullin, chairman of the Museum’s Board of Trustees and his wife, Leah.

Westinghouse Awards and reaching out to those who previously had little hope of academic achievement.

Our Museum institutions can be beacons to draw an increasingly segregated and diffuse Chicago together. The Field Museum in particular must serve all communities by showing we are more alike than different, and that Chicago can flourish only if we understand and appreciate the diversity that is our wonderful heritage but also our tough challenge.

THE MILLENNIUM

To this end, I’m pleased to report that the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees has approved a two-fold effort to celebrate the millennium:

First, we will mount a major exhibit focusing on 40,000 years of human history — our written record, our reflections on God and spirituality, on family, on law and government, on biological and industrial technology.

Second, we will collaborate with other Chicago institutions for a year-long exploration of human achievement involving astronomy, geolo- gy, biology, paleontology, anthropology, the arts, music and humanities. Already involved in dis- cussions are the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, the Oriental Institute, the Chicago Humanities Festival, the University of Chicago, the Art Institute and the Chicago Historical Society. The academic, foundation, and govern- ment leaders we have spoken with are uniformly enthusiastic. We will be contacting others to iden- tify how we can work as a team to center the world’s attention on Chicago at the time of the millennium.

We have great work to do.

(Left) John McCarter with John Rogers, president of the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park Dis- trict, and Melody Hobson, vice presi- dent of Ariel Capital.

JOHN WEINSTEIN /(

g 8 S E s & < FA Fs

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

ANCIENT ROME AND THE DeCOSTA COIN COLLECTION

By Rhonda Jones

The new exhibit, “Ancient Rome,” dis- plays, among other things, a sample of the beautiful Roman coin collection donated to the Museum in 1994 by Chicago native, Dr. Edwin J. DeCosta. He presented the Museum with several thousand prized coins that date back to 134 — 135 B.C. The coin collection will serve as a memorial to DeCosta who died in 1995.

Coin collecting was more than just a pas- time hobby for this busy doctor. His love for coins resulted from a strong interest in archae- ology and a feeling for the beauty of the coins. A talented amateur sculptor, DeCosta consid- ered his Roman coin collection to be miniature pieces of relief sculpture.

When DeCosta donated his collection, curators at the Museum had to confirm the authenticity of the “gems.” Each coin was weighed and measured, its inscriptions trans- lated and its images studied and compared. In most cases, the scientists were able to identify

each coin’s city of origin, denomination, year and often the workshop in which it was mint- ed. DeCosta’s gift to the Museum also includ- ed some funding for research and cataloging.

Romans produced a wealth of coins over an extended period of time, spreading them across much of the world including India, Rus- sia and northern Africa.

Also included in the exhibit are 1,900- year-old bronze kitchen wares found in the ruins of a villa outside Pompeii. This small, wealthy town in southern Italy, lay at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius. The volcano erupted in 79 A.D., killing many of the town’s 15 — 20 thou- sand residents.

The volcanic ash, which buried the city, also preserved many treasures of this ancient culture. Many of the items from the Pompeii ruins were extracted from their original posi- tions — pots still on stoves and plates still on tables.

Scientists can use coins, and other artifacts

HEAVEN ON EARTH: ortHopox

TREASURES OF SIBERIA AND NORTH AMERICA

“Heaven on Earth: Orthodox Treasures of Siberia and North America” features sacred objects and icons of the Orthodox church that date back to the early 6th century in Byzantium. It includes priceless liturgical objects from Siberia, Alaska and Orthodox churches through- out the United States and Canada.

This exhibit pays reverence to the founding saints, great martyrs and the constituents of the Orthodox church in America—Russian, Ser- bian, Greek, Rumanian, Ukrainian, Aleut and Eskimo.

Complementing the bicentennial anniver- sary celebration of the Orthodox Church’s incep- tion in North America, “Heaven on Earth” reflects the unique character and the cultural and spiritual role of the Orthodox faith. Since the first missionaries from Russia arrived in Alaska in 1794, the Orthodox liturgy has been an inte- gral part of North American culture.

This fascinating exhibit will continue through Jan. 5, 1997. Turn to the “Calendar of Events” page for a selection of educational pro- grams scheduled around this exhibit.

SACRED ARTS OF HAITIAN VODOU

COMING THIS FEBRUARY

The predominant religion of the Haitian people, vodou, was created out of several related traditions transported across the Atlantic by enslaved Africans who transformed their beliefs and rituals according to the conditions they faced in the New World.

“Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou” is the first major exhibit to explore the ritual arts produced within this Afro-Caribbean reli- gion. The exhibit displays more than 500 vodou-inspired art objects.

“Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou” will run from Feb. 1 to April 13, 1997.

like the ones in the exhibit, to gain insight into the early Roman peo- ple and their cul- ture — art, reli- gion, government — as well as their economics. The ancient artifacts fea- % tured in the exhibit, | originals and replicas, * were crafted of precious

fine alloys such as bronze and brass. Bronze, mixture of copper and tin, symbolized wealth in ancient Rome. Glass wares, fresco paint- ings, replicas of scientific instruments and examples of Roman influences on modern life are included in this exhibit.

“Ancient Rome” will be on display in the Searle Lounge until Feb. 3, 1997.

FAITH NET

The photographic exhibit, “Red White Blue and God Bless You,” offers a reverent portrayal of the people of the mountain villages of New Mexico.

Photographer Alex Harris’ images of yards, porches, stores, churches, cars, homes, friends and neighbors capture the unique ways in which the Hispanic community in this region use color to enhance their surroundings and adorn their possessions. Through the lens of his camera, Har- ris captures a blend of aesthetic, religious and familial devotion demonstrated by the people of the area.

This exhibit is being circulated by the Inter- national Center of Photography and is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and Lynne and Harold Hickman.

“Red White Blue and God Bless You” will be on display in the Museum’s South Gallery through Dec. 8. 1996.

ALEX HARRIS

(Above) Medal. Head of Emperor Napoleon with Roman laurel leaves. Bronze. Napoleon I, France, A.D. 1807.

(Left) Processional Cross, Belorus, early 19th century. Brass and enamel pigment.

(Left) “Hong Kong Lounge, Las Vegas, New Mexico, looking north from Richard Lucero’s 1972 Buick Centurion.”

FAITH NET

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

(Below):

St. Innocent of Irkutsk. Alaska, late 19th century. Oil paint on

canvas.

Saturday, Dec. 7 Orthodox Treasures

11/2 & 9 saturday Teen Workshop

10 a.m. — noon, (2 sessions). First introduced to Mexico by the Europeans, the art of “papier maché” was embraced and has continued to be used for a rich array of folk-art expressions — pifiatas, toys and sculpture. In this two-ses- sion workshop you will learn the basics of papier maché from creating free-form sculp- tures to the use of molds. After creating small figures or sculptures the first week, we will sand and paint our works in week two. For teens grade 7 and up ($24; $20 members). Call (312) 322-8854 for more information.

11/5 & 19 tuesday Medical Botany

6 — 8 p.m., (3 sessions). From Aristotle’s Greece to Zanzibar, this short course will pro- vide a historical survey of the use of plants in medicine. With slides, demonstrations and a tour of the Plant Hall, walk through world his- tory and mankind's unending search for plants that heal. During the last session we will dis- cuss present-day uses of medicinal plants and current research in finding plants with healing properties for AIDS and cancer. ($48; $42 members). Call (312) 322-8854 for more infor- mation.

1 1 } 8-9 Friday & Saturday Family Overnight

5:45 p.m. — 9 a.m. What is it like to be in a museum after the crowds have gone home and the doors have been locked? Overnights are designed for families (adults accompanied by children grades 1-6) and include two natural- science workshops, an evening snack, a story- telling performance, a self-guided flashlight tour of “Inside Ancient Egypt” exhibit and a continental breakfast. ($43; $38 members). Call (312) 322-8854 for more information.

11/10 & Uses Interpreting Archaeology

9 a.m. — noon. Learn how archaeologists use artifacts and environmental data to reconstruct past human behavior. During slide presenta- tions, in-class activities and on exhibit walk- through, you will learn how to think like an archaeologist piecing together clues about apy ancient diet and health, warfare, trade and reli- - gion. ($48; $42 members). © Call (312) 322-8854 for ' more information.

111/12 suesy

Friends of the Library

5:30 — 7 p.m, Dr. Rudiger Bieler, associate curator and head, invertebrates, department of zoology, will present a lecture on malacology. Call (312) 322-8874 for more infor- mation.

1 1 / 9 -1 0 Saturday & Sunday 7th Annual Chicago Humanities Festival

This year’s Chicago Humanities Festival features authors, scholars, policy makers and per- forming artists in an examination of the theme of birth and death. The festival, which is orga- nized by the Illinois Humanities Council, probes the social and ethical issues of birth and death, and provides opportunities for historical and cross-cultural comparisons. The Museum

will host seven of the Festival’s events:

Saturday, Nov. 9.

¢ What Assyrian Queens Wore on Their Way to Heaven. McGuire Gibson, world- renowned Mesopotamian archeologist at the Oriental Institute and The University of Chicago, presents a slide lecture interpreting how and why queens decked themselves out on their voyage to the next world. Montgomery Ward Lecture Hall, 10 — 11 a.m.

* Trapped in Amber. Field Museum scientists examine the big issue of birth and death — evidence for the origins of life, the rise of species and patterns of extinction throughout geo- logic time. Insects trapped in amber remain one of the most visible forms of prehistoric life, possibly containing evidence of DNA from other species — part of a lively debate since the publication of Jurassic Park. Montgomery Ward Lecture Hall, 11:30 — 12:30 p.m.

The Field Museum will exhibit amber jewelry from private collections and will have amber jewelry for sale in a trunk show from Nov. 8 — 10, at the Museum's store on the first floor.

e A Universe is Born! Debate Rages for Eons. Charles Rhodes, professor of physics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, assembles a panel of physicists to debate their different per- spectives on the “big bang” theory. Physicists include: The University of Chicago’s Angela Olinto and Stanford University’s Andrei Linde. Montgomery Ward Lecture Hall, 1 — 2 p.m.

e Birth Under Duress: Stories from Harlem. Alaka Wali, anthropologist at The Field Muse- um, tells stories drawn from her research in Harlem, N.Y., about what it means to be preg- nant and give birth under difficult circumstances where much of what happens is beyond the mother's control. Montgomery Ward Lecture Hall, 2:30 — 3:30 p.m.

e Passages to Everlasting Life: Ancient American Rituals. Anna Roosevelt, curator of archaeology at the Museum and professor of anthropology at The University of Illinois at Chicago, explores diverse rituals and practices surrounding birth and death in the Americas, linking death to deified ancestors and birth to life everlasting. Montgomery Ward

Lecture Hall, 4 — 5 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 10. .

e Life on Earth: Fateful Accident or Inevitable Outcome. Nobel Prize winner Christian de Duve (see page 1), professor emeritus at the University of Louvain and The Rockefeller University and author of Vital Dust: Life as a Cosmic Imperative, talks about the origin of life, from the early cell development to the complexity of the human mind. James Simpson

Theatre, 1 —2 p.m.

¢ Death in Our Time. Dr. Sherwin B. Nuland (“Get Smart” page), Yale University professor of medicine and author of the best-selling book, How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chap- ter, examines the physiology of the stages of death and reflects on the implications of this process. James Simpson Theatre, 2:30 — 3:30 p.m.

Tickets to the presentations are $3 and can be purchased through the Orchestra Hall Box Office, 220 S. Michigan Ave., or by phone at (312) 294-3000.

1 2/ 7 Saturday

Orthodox Treasures

10 a.m. — noon. After a guided tour of the “Heaven on Earth” exhibit, you will learn about the rituals involved in preparing and writing an icon. Families will create paper mosaic icons of saints using simple materials. For adults and children grades 2-6. ($10 per participant; $8 per member participant). Call (312) 322-8854 for more information.

1 2/ 1 | Wednesday Holiday Plants

6 — 8 p.m. Learn about the symbolic history of selected plants including juniper, fir, rosemary and yew. Then make a 12 inch diameter wreath using a variety of mixed evergreens with herbs and dried flowers added for accent. ($35: $30 members). Call (312) 322-8854 for more information.

1 2/ 1 1 Wednesday Sparkling Wine Taste

6 — 8 p.m. Celebrate the holidays at The Field Museum with the world’s most celebrated wines. Please join us in Stanley Field Hall for a reception-style tasting of champagnes and sparkling wines of the world, complemented by savory hors-d’oeuvres. The wine is compli- ments of Mary Ross, director of The Wine Academy of the North Shore. The Museum shop will be open and members will receive a 20 percent discount on all purchases. Advance reservations required by Dec. 4. ($40; $35 members). All participants must be at least 21 years of age. For reservations and for addition- al information call (312) 922-9410, ext. 453.

GET SMART

FACE IT: MASKS AT THE FIELD

asks connote mystery, hidden meanings and fun with a sense of

M fear. They are used in many societies

for religious, celebratory or even practical purposes.

Explore masks and find out what they mean to several different cultures. See how masks transform the people who wear them and learn how they come alive in theater and dance per- formances. Also, find out about the special masks worn by firemen, hockey players, divers and surgeons. Talk with the people who wear these specialized masks to find out what the masks accomplish.

Throughout the week, visitors will have a chance to make masks of their own. Talented artists will inspire (and help) as you create masks out of paper boxes, paper bags, or paper plates and then decorate them with bright and colorful accessories.

Your mask can transform you into a fero- cious animal, a whimsical character or a danger- ous monster. Other artists will help you create a new image with body paint. Once transformed, you will be asked to participate in a masked parade that will kick off each day at 2:30 p.m. in

Masks

the main hall.

Visit some of The Field Museum’s magnif- icent masks on a self-guided tour using a brochure available at the information booth. Or

JOHN WEINSTEIN /GNB7680.16AC

eo ee

take a tour led by a staff member or volunteer of

the various exhibits featuring masks.

Masks also will be available for purchase at the Museum Store. On selected days, local gal- leries will be exhibiting masks created by con- temporary artists.

“Masks At The Field” continues at the Museum through Dec. 31.

Each day of the six-day long festival will feature a special guest or performance at 1 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 26

Spiderman will be our special guest on the opening day of the festival.

Friday, Dec. 27

Members of the Gingarte Capoeira Club, transformed with masks and body paint, demonstrate Brazilian acro- batics, self-defense moves and traditional and popular dances.

Saturday, Dec. 28

ALLIED Chinese-American Association presents a Chinese Lion dance in which some participants become part of an enormous lion that paws and prances as it enters the Museum.

Sunday, Dec. 29

Ballet Folklorico de los Nermonos Avila will present the Mexican tradition of masked dancing.

Monday, Dec. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Chicago's acclaimed Redmoon Theater will reomblne mask making with performance.

DR. NULAND REFLECTS ON THE PROCESS OF DYING

r. Sherwin Nuland’s newest book, How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final

Chapter, pulls no punches in its exami-

nation of the process of death. Kirkus Review said that in the book, “Nuland succeeds in demythologizing death ... strong stuff: not for those who prefer to cling to comforting illusions about life’s end.” Dr. Nuland believes that hiding death behind the walls of hospitals creates the fear we all have about dying. The way to ease the fear is to unveil the mysteries behind dying and to explain it as a normal biological process.

On Nov. 10 at The Field Museum, Dr. Nuland will be talking about the physiology of the stages of death and the implications of this process. This discussion is part of the Museum’s contribution to the Chicago Humani- ties Festival’s examination of birth and death (for information about this and other Festival events see the “Calendar of Events” page).

In his book, which won the National Book Award for non-fiction, Dr. Nuland details how people die from a variety of ailments, using his own experience, including the death of his grandmother and caring for his older brother who was dying of cancer.

In addition to his most recent book, Dr. Nuland wrote two others: Doctors: The Biogra- phy of Medicine (Knopf, 1988) and Medicine: The Art of Healing (Hugh Lauter Levin Associ- ates, 1992).

ae Field Muscam and receive e these benefits:

he eee adiniesion :

_ Free priority admission to “Life OverT Time”

_ Priority admission to special exhibits

_ Free coat checking and strollers

__ Invitation to Members’ Night oe

_ Free subscription to In the Field _

10% discount at all Museum stores

10% discount at Picnic in the Field _

_ 13-month wall calendar featuring exhibit phowenohs Reduced subscription prices on selected 1 magazines __ Opportunity to receive the Museum’s annual report Use of our 250,000-volume natural history library

_ Discount on classes, field trips and | seminars for adults and : -Members-only tour gee

‘Childs S$ “dinosaur” birthday c card

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION __ New Members only. aes is nota renewal form.

OQ Please enroll me asa 2 Member of The Field Mecan : . Name oe

_ Business phone

Send form to: The ey seum, Roose lt Road at Lake Shore Drive Glee, . ae ‘ols G0605 oe

HELD MUSEUM

THE SMART WAY TO HAVE FUN.

- WINTER FIELD GUIDE. 6 COMING!

Wines 1997 Field Guides al be available by mid-December.

Upcoming events in the New Year include programs on the

"Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou" exhibit. It also includes the first Family Overnight of 1997, on Friday, Feb. 21, Call (312) 322-8854 to

request your free copy of the Adult, Family and Children’s Pro-

grams Field Guide for Senay ee March.

Saturday, Nov. 2

10 a.m. — 1 p.m. Adinkra activity. Learn about traditional designs from Ghana representing different African proverbs. Stamp your favorite.

11a.m. Stories from Around the World. Travel to distant lands through the magic of storytelling.

Sunday, Nov. 3 lla.m. & 1p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour.

1:30 p.m. The Early Maya Civiliza- tion tour. Explore the Mayan ances- tors’ art, architecture, technological innovations, math and writing sys- tems. Find out more about present- day Maya in Mexico and Central America.

Thursday, Nov. 7

12:45 p.m. The Aztec, The Maya and Their Predecessors tour. Learn about the diverse and complex Pre- Columbian cultures of Mexico and Central America.

Saturday, Nov. 9 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour.

11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. The Aztec Empire and Their Predecessors tour (English). Find out about the diversi- ty of languages and cultures from this region and how they built a mighty empire founded 3,000 years ago.

11 a.m. — 3 p.m. Iconography demonstration. Archbishop Alypy will demonstrate this art form which reveals the meaning behind reli- gious images.

11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Orthodox Influence on Indians of the North- west Coast tour. Sorrel Goodwin, a Tlingit Indian and woodcarver, will walk visitors through exhibits that reflect on the Orthodox/Native American connection.

1 p.m. El Imperio Azteca y sus Predecesores tour. Aprenda sobre la diversidad de lenguajes y culturas en esta region y como estas culturas construyeron un poderoso imperio que se fund6 hace 3,000 anos.

Sunday, Nov. 10 l1a.m. & 1 p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour.

1:30pm & 3pm Choirs from Ortho- dox Traditions performance. Music will fill Stanley Field Hall as chanters and choirs from four differ- ent congregations present their music.

VISITOR PROGRAMS

Mio rricay, ae lan and 2 p.m. Visit some of the exhibits that make this Muse- um one of the world’ 5 great est. Find out the sto . behind the exhil

weekend listings

and Sunday Highlights tours.

Thursday, Nov. 14 12:45 p.m. The Aztec, The Maya and Their Predecessors tour.

Friday, Nov. 15

10 a.m. —1 p.m. Rocks and Miner- als activity. Try and match minerals with the familiar products they pro- duce.

Saturday, Nov. 16

10 a.m. —1 p.m. African Metals activity. Learn about the ancient African art of metallurgy.

11 a.m. Stories from Around the world storytelling.

11 a.m. & 1p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour.

Thursday, Nov. 21 12:45 p.m. The Aztec, The Maya and Their Predecessors tour.

Friday, Nov. 22

10 a.m. —1 p.m. Pareus activity. Try out a Pacific Island style as you wrap a pareu-style dress.

Saturday, Nov. 23 11:30 a.m. The Aztec Empire and Their Predecessors tour (English)

1 p.m. The Early Maya Civilization tour.

2:30 p.m. El Imperio Azteca y sus Predecesores tour (Spanish).

Sunday, Nov. 24 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour.

Friday, Nov. 29

10 a.m. —1 p.m. Lava activity. Now that they're cool, touch some of the substances produced by a volcano.

Saturday, Nov. 30 10 a.m. —1 p.m. African Metals activity.

11 a.m. Stories from Around the World storytelling.

11 a.m.—1 p.m. Spiders activity and demonstration. See a live taran- tula and scorpion and find out why they’re related. Then make your own hanging spider.

11 a.m. — 3 p.m. Egg Decorating demonstration. Learn about Ukrain- ian pysansky (egg coloring), and about Rumanian egg beading. Watch as artists create these unusu- al and beautiful ornaments.

Sunday, Dec. 1 1 p.m. The Early Maya Civilization tour.

iy!

Friday, Dec. 6

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Native American Tools activity. Enjoy a game of chance or skill as you play tradi- tional Native American games.

Saturday, Dec. 7 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour.

11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. The Aztec, The Maya and Their Predecessors tour (English).

1:00 p.m. Los Aztecas, Los Mayas y sus Predecesores tour (Spanish).

Friday, Dec. 13

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Terrific Teeth activity. Can teeth tell you what an animal eats? Take part in this fun activity and find out!

Saturday, Dec. 14

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Adinkra activity. 11am Stories from Around the World storytelling.

11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour.

1:30 p.m. The Early Maya Civiliza- tion tour.

Saturday, Dec. 15

Performance:

1 p.m. Orthodox Hymns of the Nativity. The Pan Orthodox choir, a Greek Orthodox choir and the SLO- BODA Serbian Singing Society will sing Christmas carols.

1:30 p.m. — 3 p.m. Christmas Stars activity. Make a star of Alaskan Orthodox tradition for a deco- ration.

Dec. 30 & 31 Redmoon Th

Friday, Dec. 20

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Horns and Antlers activity. What's the difference between horns and antlers? Examine a variety of horns and antlers and discover their form and function.

Dec. 26 — 31 Face It: Masks At The Field Ongoing demonstrations, activities tours and performances. Explore masks and what they mean to sever- al different cultures. See how masks transform the people who wear them and how they come alive in theater or dance performances.

Thursday, Dec. 26 Performance:

1 p.m.

Spiderman

Friday, Dec. 27

Performance :

1 p.m. Gingarte Capoeira Club. Transformed with masks and body paint, the performers demonstrate Brazilian acrobatics, self-defense moves and traditional and popular dances.

Saturday, Dec. 28

Performance:

1 p.m. Chinese Lion Dance per- formed by ALLIED, a Chinese Amer- ican youth association in the Chica- go area.

Sunday, Dec. 29

Performance:

1 p.m. Mexican Mask Dances. The Ballet Folklorico de los Hermanos Avila will perform traditional mask dances from different regions in Mexico.

Monday, Dec. 30

Performance:

Noon — 3 p.m. Redmoon Theater presents mask-making activities and a performance,

Tuesday, Dec. 31

Performance:

Noon — 3 p.m. Redmoon Theater present mask making activities and a performance.

RESOURCE CENTERS

Daniel F. & Ada L. Rice

Wildlife Research Station

Learn more about the animal king- dom through videos, computer pro- grams, books, and activity boxes. Open daily 10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Webber Resource Center

Native Cultures of the Americas Use books, videos, tribal newspa- pers, and activity boxes to learn more about native peoples.

Open daily 10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Place for Wonder

Touchable objects let you : investigate fossil, shells, rocks, plants, and items of oe life in Mexico.

Weekdays: 1 p.m. — 4: 30 p. m. Weekends: 10 a.m. — ~ 4:30 p.m.

Pawnee Earth Fotiee

Visit a home of mid — 19th cen- ‘tury Pawnee people. Learn about these Native Americans and their life on the pl ains.

10 a.m—430 p.m. —

ELIZABETH BOUCHARD

ONE RIVER — TALES OF EXPLORATION

AND FRIENDSHIP IN THE AMAZON

By Michael Dillon Curator of Phanerograms

n Sept. 14, in The Field Muse-

um’s Montgomery Ward Theater,

Dr. Wade Davis introduced his

most recent literary effort: One

River: Explorations and Discov- eries in ie Amazon Rain Forest. This work chronicles the field experiences of two extraordi- nary tropical botanists. One of them is Dr. Richard Evans Schultes of Harvard University, who is better known as the father of modern eth- nobotanical research and who was Davis’ major professor. The other is Dr. Timothy Plowman, who was Professor Schultes’ most accomplished student and a curator of botany at The Field Museum from 1978 to his untimely death from AIDS in January, 1989.

Though Plowman and Davis were both students of Schultes, they were a generation.apart. But over the years they became close friends while traveling extensively together in Andean South America in the 1970s. At the discussion at the Museum, Dr. Davis delivered a fascinating account of Schultes’ and Plowman’s ethnobotani- cal studies in South America’s mighty Amazon River Basin and the Andes mountains from which it flows. One River is equally fascinating and

gripping.

Davis got the idea for One River after deliv- ering a eulogy at The Field Museum’s memorial service for Plowman. After the service, Davis made a personal commitment to tell the story of the two botanists that had forever changed his life.

In the ensuing years, Davis meticulously researched a variety of subjects, from Schultes’ early 1930s work among the peyote cult of the Kiowa Indians in Oklahoma, to expeditions in Oaxaca, Mexico (1928 — 1939) documenting the botanical sources of two enigmatic mysteries that sparked the psychedelic era: teonanacatl, the sacred mushrooms known as “Flesh of the Gods” and ololiuqui of the morning glory family known as “the Serpent Vine.” But perhaps the most revealing is the story of Schultes’ search during World War II for natural rubber and his other eth- nobotanical discoveries among the various native tribes within the Amazon rain forest. Woven into this is Wade’s own story of traveling for nearly a year with Plowman in search of the wild and cul- tivated Erythoxylaceae, or “coca” plant.

One River follows Davis’ critically acclaimed book, The Serpent and the Rainbow (1986), which was made into a feature-length film. Davis got the idea to write The Serpent and the Rainbow while researching his thesis on the botanical basis for Haitian vodou. In fact, Davis often met with Plowman at The Field Museum to

THE FIELD MUSEUM LIBRARY’S 1996 HOLIDAY WISH LIST

x : Field Museum Library invites i Museum members to support | the development of its collec- tions. This holiday “wish list” presents books that would be significant enhancements to the Library’s collections — which are an indispensible resources for the Museum’s research and public education pro- grams. Please consider a gift to help The Field Museum Library maintain the strength of its col- lections. A bookplate will record a donation made either on your behalf, or honoring a family member or friend. Even a small contribution toward the acquisition of one of these titles is a wish fulfilled.

Analytical Bibliography of the Prehistory and the Early Dynastic Period of Egypt and Northern Sudan, by Stan Hendrickx. (Leuven University Press, 1995) $77.

The Archaeology of Navajo Origins, edited by Ronald Towner. (University of Utah Press, 1996) $45.

Asian Voyages : Two Thousand Years of Con- structing the Other, by O. R. Dathorne. (Green- wood Publishing Group, 1996) $60.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes in Tropi- cal Forests, edited by G. H. Orians, R. Dirzo & J. H. Cushman. (Springer Verlag, 1996) $80.

Chinese Popular Prints, by John Lust. (E. J.Brill, 1996) $142.

Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems in Monsoon Asia, edited by T. Hirose & B. H.Walk- er. (Kluwer Academic, 1996) $119.

Global Monitoring of Terrestrial Ecosystems, edited by W. Schréder. (Ernst & Sohn, 1996) $90.

Humans at the End of the Ice Age: the Archaeol- ogy of the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition, edit- ed by Lawrence G. Straus. (Plenum Press, 1996) $65.

The Interwoven Lives of George Vancouver, Archibald Menzies, Joseph Whidbey, and Peter Puget; Exploring the Pacific Northwest Coast, by John Michael Naish. (Edwin Mellen Press, 1996) $120.

The Peoples of Africa: an Ethnohistorical Dic- tionary, by James Stuart Olson. (Greenwood Press, 1996) $100.

Picturing Knowledge: Historical and Philosoph- ical Problems Concerning the Use of Art in Sci- ence, edited by Brian S, Baigrie. (University of Toronto Press, 1996)

The Tectonic Evolution of Asia, edited by An Yin & T. Mark Harrison. (Cambridge University Press, 1996) $208

The Tropical Rainforest: an Ecological Study, by Paul W. Richards, (Cambridge University Press) $140.

Tropical Rainforest Research: Current Issues, edited by D. S. Edwards, W. E. Booth & S. C. Choy. (Kluwer Academic, 1996) $215.

Please use the following form to make a contribution to help the library acquire these titles. Please indicate the title to which your gift

discuss his thesis. Whe the two walked around the Museum, Plowman used to introduce Davis as “the only man I know to have. walked the Darien Gap” (that inhospitable and impenetrable strip of jung] between southern Panama and Colombia).

The respect and admira- tion that these men had for each other clearly shows. through in One River. But this book is not just a biography of these great botanists — it is a captivating story of tropical exploration and discovery in the 1800s and 1900s. It is also a book since Davis provides a full accounting of the various resources used in each chapter and valu- able links for a more detailed study of the book’s topics. In addition, One River is complemented with previously unpublished photographs and three very useful maps of Amazonian South America.

One River is a must read for anyone who is interested in South American anthropology, geography, history, politics or, for that matter, the human spirit.

AN THE AMANO OM

applies. Please print clearly the name(s) of the donor and/or honoree as they should appear on the Library’s gift bookplate (for example: your name only; honoree name only; both names with phrase “in honor of”).

Please send the form (with check made to The Field Museum) to: Development Depart- ment — Library Friends, The Field Museum, Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, Illinois 60605.

Turn to page 11 for more information about the Friends of Field Museum Library.

SSS eee

Your 2

"Address ee ee |

]

L i E ] LE i CC rr—“———i—S a 1 | O Check here to receive more information about i I the Friends of Field Museum Library. 1 eae eae a a

9 November/December 1996

GEOLOGY CURATOR, MATTHEW NITECKI, RETIRES

By Robert Vosper atthew Nitecki began his search for a M freedom as a young teenager escap- ing from Poland with his family at the start of World War II. Last summer, Nitecki may have discovered freedom in its purest form when he retired from The Field Museum after more than 30 years | as a geology curator. “IT have been a professional | man for a long time, but it was | quite a shock to suddenly become | the odd man out,” he says. “The 5 Field Museum is my life, I don’t have a social life outside this place, after all I have spent more than half of my waking hours here. But after the initial shock, I suddenly realized that I am a free

: For Matthew Nitecki “free- | dom” doesn’t mean getting on the next plane to Florida. It means = being able to continue his research on fossils without being distracted by administrative responsibilities or the pres- sures of publishing. And it means he can contin- ue to work in the one place he calls home: The Field Museum. As curator emeritus, he will still have an office at the Museum and all the resources he needs at his disposal. “I come here everyday and work the same long hours as I did before — if not more,” he says. “But I think I’m more productive now since I have retired.” If Nitecki is working the same hours, why did he retire? He explains: “When you are young you think that you are at the top a moun- tain. As you get older you suddenly begin to slip

down the continental shelf to the ocean floor. I am now at the edge of that shelf — below me is just a big drop. When you get to this point it is time for you to retire, to move on and to leave room for younger people. After all it is not my world anymore.”

Nitecki is a paleontologist, or as he likes to say an evolutionary biologist. His area of spe- cialty is “problematic” fossil from the lower Paleozoic Era (roughly 400 — 600 million years ago). These fossil are radically different from all living species — making standard techniques of identify them ineffective. What these fossils rep- resent is a record of early evolutionary experi- ments with life.

“He has always been instrumental in help- ing shepherd the geology department into becoming one of the finest in the world,” says John Flynn, chairman of the geology depart- ment. “But he also made major contributions in keeping The Field Museum in the public eye by founding, running and organizing the Spring Symposia for its first 14 years ... he has this wonderful knack of finding the most interesting topics.”

Most of the symposia that Nitecki orga- nized dealt with theoretical and philosophical topics such as: “Is evolution history?” Or, “Is history science?” Nitecki then edited the papers presented at the symposia into books — offering scientists a new forum for publishing.

One area that seems very dear to Nitecki’s heart is his interest in history and the sociology of science. He says it is very rare to get a chance to study a huge shift in intellectual or scientific theory, such as American scientists’ acceptance of plate tectonics or the. theory thatmeteorites contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs. By

The Women’s Board of The Field Museum cordially invites you and your family to a

HOLIDAY TEA CELEBRATION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1996 — 4 p.m. TO 6 p.m.

ACTIVITIES:

FOR EVERYONE

Peruvian Tops

Hanukkah Dreidls

Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Mexican Paper Flowers

Mr. Imagination

Pawnee Earth Lodge

Museum Scavenger Hunt

Origami

African Adinkra

Japanese Kites se.Wildlife Research Station

FEATURING:

The Stu Hirsh Orchestra

The Jesse White Tumblers

A Special arrival by Santa Claus Andy Head, Stiltwalker

Frank Birdsall, Stiltwalker

Mr. Imagination

Family Hol

The Wednesda

Adult Non-Members at $17.00 each

Name

Address

City/State/Zip

November/December 1996 10

AGES 5 AND UNDER Bean-Bag Toss

Face Painters Arachnid Assembling Place for Wonder

AGEs 6 To 12

Haitian Holiday Lanterns Polish Paper Cutting

Mask Making

Ojo de Dios — God’s Eyes

NUMBER OF TICKETS

Adult Members at $12.00 each

questioning scientists immediately after these shifts, Nitecki was able to get answers to ques- tions like: Who accepted it? and, Why did they accept it?

Nitecki is well-qualified to study shifts in history because he has experienced so many. For example, as a young boy growing up in Poland he watched the Germans and Russians tear his country in half. He fled with his family to France and eventually to England. At age 16, he joined the exiled Free Polish Army that was stationed in England. During the war he parachuted into the Netherlands as part of the unsuccessful allied invasion, known as Operation Market Garden, to secure Arnhem Bridge — made famous in Richard Attenborough’s film, “A Bridge Too Far.”

While talking about his days as a paratroop- er he says, “Nothing is more pleasurable than when your chute opens — that is the greatest pleasure in life — because you are scared. It is not normal to jump out of a plane, but I was young and stupid.”

After the war, with Poland controlled by the Soviets and Europe in shambles, Nitecki and his family emigrated to the United States. Eventual- ly he made his way to the University of Chicago where he entered the master’s program after testing out of undergraduate studies. In 1969, he became associate curator at The Field Museum and then curator in 1975.

Nitecki’s loyalty to the Museum was a major factor in his retirement. “In a sense: I could have stayed until I left the building hold- ing a walking stick,” he says. “But this wouldn’t have been good for the Museum. They need someone who is young, aggressive and full of energy — someone with new ideas.”

PHOTOS WITH SANTA

Reservations are limited and will be accepted in order received.

Party attire is encouraged.

Parking available in the East Lot.

No early admission to party.

No tickets sold at the door.

For further information, please call the

Women’s Board Office at (312) 322-8870

PRICE

Enclosed is my check for $

. Please make check payable to The Field Museum.

Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for tickets, and mail with this coupon to: Holiday Tea Celebration, The Field Museum, Women’s Board Office,

Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60605.

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS

EXPLORING THE MUSEUM THROUGH THE FRIENDS’ GROUPS

any people who visit The Field Muse- M um enjoy the members’ programs and

the exhibits, while others crave more knowledge about the Museum, its curators, col- lections and research. To meet the needs of these people, the Museum created four distinctive groups that stretch the limits of exploration and involvement in the world of The Field Museum. Although each group uses different methods to reach these objectives, they all have one thing in common: They open doors to new opportunities and experiences, while playing a vital role in sup- porting the Museum’s programs.

__ Richard Leakey

JOHN WEINSTEIN /GN887816,29AC.

The Founders’ Council focuses on the Museum’s research efforts. The Council presents the Award of Merit in recognition of outstanding achievement in bringing issues of biodiversity to public attention. This year’s award went to Richard Leakey, noted paleoanthropologist and conserva- tionist. In October, the Council pre- sented Fernando Rubio del Valle with the inaugural Parker/Gentry Award (see page 3). Members also participate in small, informative dinners, receptions, luncheons and presentations designed to bring

them in direct contact with curators ‘m#RY mzavex /GNB7978.5C

and visiting scientists.

Members of the Council contribute $1,500 or more each year for Museum operations, make a single or accumulated gift of $25,000 or more, or make a deferred gift of $50,000 or more. Call Patricia Stratton at (312) 322-8868 for more information.

Lavia Frons — the yellow-winged bat from East Africa. This is one of many animals William Stanley encountered on a recent trip to Eastern Tanzania.

The Friends of Field Museum Library explore the role of the Museum’s Library in global natur- al history research and public education, while enriching its collection of 250,000 volumes. By spearheading book and journal acquisitions, collection preservation, exhibitions and publica- § tions, this group helps support the Library — a vital resource for cura- tors, visiting scientists,

DIAI students, educators and

the public. Library Friends attend programs on topics ranging from collecting rare books to pre- views of major exhibits. Recently, members attended a reception with Dr. Douglas Stotz, co- author of the book, Neotropical Birds: Ecology and Conservation.

Library Friends make an annual, tax deductible contribution of $100 that is applied to acquisitions for the Library and the Mary W. Run-

ca’s Lake Titicaca region.

Annual dues are $50 per household, For | more information, call Sarah Highstone at (312) 322-8874.

_ The Nature Network appeals to those who enjoy exploring and investigating nature and the outdoors in the company of Museum curators and scientists. The 7 group’s goal is to learn more about the envi- ronment, while providing support for the Museum’s research, conservation and envi-

ronmental-biology programs. Members of

shops, informal discussions and ge behind-the-scenes tours of the Muse- um’s collections. The group recently joined ; Greg Mueller, chairman of the botany department, at the Indiana Dunes to help track down some elu- sive fungi he is studying.

The cost of joining the Nature Network is $150, of which $100 is tax deductible. For more

the group participate in field trips, work-

nells Rare Book Room. For more information, call Sarah Highstone at (312) 322-8874.

information, call Paul Baker at (312) 322-8881.

SSS

The Collections

Committee provides a forum for exchanging ideas and information on the anthropology depart- ment’s extraordinary ethnographic. collections

Name

million objects from around the world. This group is for people who collect or who are inter- ested in ethnographic art and cultural objects. Membership includes pro- grams with curators and other scholars, visits to private collections and access to the expertise of the Museum’s curators. In a recent event, Dr. Charles Stanish, chairman of the the Museum’s anthropology department, presented a program | about shawl pins and textiles from South Ameri- I

City

Phone (

Group

| OThe Founders’ Council ($1,500, or more) | O The Library Friends ($100, or more)

| OThe Collections Committee ($50)

| OThe Nature Network ($150, or more)

| OAll four groups ($1,800, or more)

| | I | I I of more than a quarter- | Address I I I I I I

If you are interested in joining one or more of the groups, please fill out this form and send it along with your check or money order payable to The Field Museum to: The Field Museum, Development Dept., Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605.

State Zip

)

Amount Enclosed

Total

[ee ee

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS

Members’ Lecture Series

SMALL MAMMALS OF THE EAM Nov. 14 = * 6:30 p.m. $6, $3 for members

William Stanley, collections manager, division of mammals, and his colleagues have been researching the small mammals of the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) for the past five years. Join us when Stanley describes how he works in these forests, as well as some of the fascinating mammals he has encountered there.

East Africa is known for spectacular mountain ranges such as Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Ruwenzoris, as well as the wildlife found in these mountain habitats. The EAM, located in Eastern Tanza- nia, are some of the lesser known mountains in this area. These ancient fault-block mountains support forests that contain an incredible number of endemic plants and animals. Unfortunately, these forests are rapidly being destroyed and the unique flora and fauna of this archipelago are severely threatened.

As a result of Stanley’s work, the list of small mammals known to occur in these forests have increased significantly and at least one new species of shrew has been discovered.

Tickets are available by mail through the membership depart-

ment or may be purchased on the day of the lecture beginning at 6 p.m. Send checks payable to: Membership Department, The Field Museum, Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605. For additional information, call (312) 922-9410, ext. 453.

Members’ Wine Tasting Series

“A SPARKLING CELEBRATION” Dec .11 *6p.m.—8 p.m. $35 for members, $40 for non-member guests

Celebrate the holidays at The Field Museum with the world’s most celebrated wines. Please join us in Stanley Field Hall for a reception-style tasting of champagnes and sparkling wines of the world, complemented by savory hors-d’oeuvres. The wine is compliments of Mary Ross, director of The Wine Academy of North Shore. The Museum shop will be open and members will receive a 20 percent discount on all purchases. Advance reservations are required by Dec. 4. Tickets are $35 for members and $40 for non-member guests. All participants must be at least 21 years of age. For reservations and information, call (312) 922- 9410, ext. 453.

11 November/December 1996

South Africa

Including a Journey on the Fabled Blue Train January 25 to February 10, 1997

outh Africa has been called “a world in one country”

because of its majestic mountain ranges, beautiful

beaches, endless plains teeming with wildlife and its awesome deserts. Its cities are lively and cosmopolitan, and its vineyards rival those in France and California.

In this 17-day environmental tour of South Africa, you'll explore the very best of this remarkable land that covers an area larger than California and Texas combined.

Everyday you'll experience fresh wonders like the spectacular scenery of the Cape of Good Hope, a region inhabited by baboons, elands and rheboks. You will also see the point where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean crash against the southernmost tip of South Africa and you'll wander throughout the astonishing Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a paradise of flowers and trees, lovely springs and distinctive landscaping. A quaint steam train will carry you to the idyllic lagoon of Knysna, deep in primeval forests. Included in the trip is travel aboard the world-

famous Blue Train, which meanders through the interior of South Africa from Johannesburg to Cape Town. But the undisputed highlight of the trip is three nights in Kruger National Park. Sprawling over 5 million acres, the park is one of the finest wildlife preserves in the world. Expect to see lions, elephants, white rhinos and hippos, and there is an excellent chance of seeing many rare species, including 15 varieties of eagles.

During the whole trip you'll be accompanied by Dr. Chapurukha Kusimba, assistant curator of African archaeology and ethnology at The Field Museum. He will give on-site commentary and educational lectures.

The cost of the trip is $5,695 per person, double occupancy, which includes accommodations, transfers and excursions ($1,190 single supplement). The Museum has arranged, through Travel Dynamics, a specially reduced fare of $1,880 per person aboard British Airways.

Time is running out, so make your reservations now for ... R TIC ADVENTURES ... January 31 to Rehtiee 16,1997

E PALA CE : ON WHEELS ... February 1 to 16, 1997 : autiful city of Rajasthan in the style of the maharajahs aboard the luxury train, Pai ally air-conditioned and finely decorated train is bound for a journey through a 0 r

doms once reigned.

.ND THE NILE BY YACHT... February 9 to 23, 1997 ent paths 1 of the pharaohs on the Nile aboard MS Nile Express and see the monumeni th pyrene the Sphinx, Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. _

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM BOARD