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Winter  2002 

February 

March 


The   Field    Museum's   Member   Publication 


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Chocolate 

Regional  Plants 
Growing  Online 


Stepping  Back  While  Looking  Ahead 


Cleopatra  is  bringing  in  unprecedented  crowds,  and  we  are  gearing  up  for  this  year's 
new  exhibitions.  Chocolate  will  open  on  Valentine's  Day,  Tiniest  Giants  on  March  15, 
Pearls  on  June  28  and  Bamboo  Masterworks  this  November.  The  quality  and  variety 
of  our  education  programs  are  drawing  increased  participation.  Our  scientists  have 
released  publications  on  important  topics,  such  as  primate  origins,  paleobotany,  fish 
and  turtle  locomotion  and  dinosaur  discoveries.  They  continue  to  enact  powerful  conser- 


1   vation  plans  for  some  of  the  Earth's  most  precious  and  biologically  diverse  regions. 


Architectural  rendering 
of  the  new  Collections 
Resource  Center 


We  are  all  aware,  however,  that 
daily  life,  as  we  knew  it,  has  been 
challenged  in  recent  months.  All 
of  us  are  looking  again  at  our 
priorities  with  regard  to  family, 
career,  health,  interests  and 
dreams.  I  doubt  there  is  one  per- 
son in  this  country  who  was  not 
somehow  affected  by  the  events 
of  Sept.  11.  The  Field  Museum 
is  certainly  no  exception. 

Across  the  country,  tourism  is 
down,  contributions  from  foun- 
dations and  corporations  have 
decreased  and  operating  support 
from  state  and  local  govern- 
ments has  declined.  While 
contributions  to  the  Museum 
were  steady  throughout  2001, 
we  have  seen  a  decrease  in  the 
value  of  our  endowment.  As  a 
result,  we  are  not  planning  to 
grow  as  rapidly  as  we  have  in 
the  past  few  years,  and  we  are 
evaluating  ways  to  do  our  jobs 
more  efficiently. 

Two  major  projects  that  we  are 
most  excited  about  this  year  are 
the  new  Collections  Resource 


Center  (see  page  19  for  a 
short  article)  and  the  new 
East  Entrance.  We  thank  Gov. 
George  Ryan,  House  Minority 
Leader  Lee  Daniels  and  the 
Illinois  General  Assembly  for 
their  generous  support  of  our 
renovation  plans.  With  their 
leadership,  the  state  approved 
$20  million  in  funding  last  year 
to  start  the  expansion  of  our 
facilities;  update  our  ability  to 
house,  research  and  conserve 
much  of  our  anthropology  and 
zoology  collections;  and  start  a 
new  entrance  that  allows  better 
access  for  schoolchildren  and 
special-use  visitors. 

We  are  now  seeking  an  addi- 
tional $20  million  in  funding 
from  the  state  as  part  of  a 
statewide  museum  initiative. 
On  your  next  Museum  visit, 
please  stop  by  the  booth  in 
Stanley  Field  Hall  to  create  a 
personalized  postcard  for  your 
elected  officials,  or,  in  the 
interim,  write,  call  or  email 
them  on  your  own.  (Visit 
www.elections.state.il.us  to 


identify  your  state  senator  and 
representative.)  We  have  also 
enclosed  two  postcards,  one  for 
Gov.  Ryan  and  one  for  Speaker 
of  the  House  Michael  Madigan, 
to  complete  and  mail  to  them. 
In  the  coming  weeks,  we  will  be 
meeting  with  our  state's  elected 
officials  and  will  ensure  that 
your  voice  is  heard.  We  hope  that 
you  and  your  family  and  friends 
continue  supporting  us  as  you  have 
done  wonderfully  so  far. 

Please  remember  that  your  par- 
ticipation made  a  difference  last 
year,  and  we  are  confident  that 
it  will  help  again  this  year. 
Without  everyone's  commit- 
ment— employees,  members  and 
visitors  alike — we  would  not  be 
able  to  continue  being  one  of  the 
great  natural  history  museums 
in  the  world. 


fou. 


)fa^-~£faj-t<v. — 


John  W.  McCarter,  Jr. 
President  &  CEO 


oo  o 


COURTESY  Of  SKIDMORE.  OW1NGS  &  MERRILL  LLP 


What  do  vnu  think  ahnut  Tn  the  Field? 


For  general  membership  inquiries,  including  address  changes,  call  312.665.7700.  For  questions  about 
In  the  Field,  call  312.665.7115,  email  acranch@fmnh.org,  or  write  Amy  E.  Cranch,  Editor,  The  Field 
Museum,  1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive,  Chicago,  IL  60605-2496. 


INTHEFIELD 

Winter  2002,  February-March,  Vol.73,  Mo.  2 

Editor: 

Amy  E.  Cranch,  The  Field  Museum 

Design: 

Depke  Design 

Copy  editor: 
Laura  F.  Nelson 

%<r  In  the  Field  is  printed  on  recycled  paper 
using  soy-based  inks.  All  images  ©  The 
Field  Museum  unless  otherwise  specified. 

In  the  Field  (ISSN  #1051-4546)  is  published 
quarterly  by  The  Field  Museum.  Copyright  2002 
The  Field  Museum.  Annual  subscriptions  are 
$20;  $10  for  schools.  Museum  membership 
includes  In  the  Field  subscription.  Opinions 
expressed  by  authors  are  their  own  and  do  not 
necessarily  reflect  the  policy  of  The  Field 
Museum.  Notification  of  address  change  should 
include  address  label  and  should  be  sent  to  the 
membership  department.  POSTMASTER:  Send 
address  changes  to  Membership,  The  Field 
Museum,  1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive, 
Chicago,  IL  60605-2496.  Periodicals  postage 
paid  at  Chicago,  Illinois. 

The  cover  image  highlights  Chocolate,  devel- 
oped by  The  Field  Museum  and  open  Feb.  14 
through  Dec.  31,  2002. 

The  Field  Museum  salutes  the  people  of 
Chicago  for  their  long-standing,  generous 
support  of  the  Museum  through  the 
Chicago  Park  District. 


X 


fa 


Eieki 


useum 


1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive 
Chicago,  IL  60605-2496 
312.922.9410 
www.fieldmuseum.org 


w^m 


Get  an  insider's  look  at  what  makes 
the  Museum's  Chocolate  exhibition  so 
mouthwateringly  unique. 
Top:  Cacao  seeds 


National  Geographic  Explorer-in-Residence 
Wade  Davis  discusses  what  traditional 
cultures  can  teach  us  about  living  and 
thinking  differently. 


16 


FM  botanists  team  up  with  area  institutions 
to  bring  local  plants  to  the  Internet. 
Center:  Pitcher's  thistle  (Cirsium  pitcheri) 


20 


From  the  mountaintops  to  the  ocean  floor, 
a  new  program  allows  you  to  follow  FM 
scientists  to  remote  sites  around  the  globe. 
Below:  The  Cordillera  Azul  region  of  central  Peru 


Volunteers  Need  a  Lift:  Since  Soldier  Field  construction 
began,  reserved  parking  for  the  Museum's  600-plus  volun- 
teers has  been  moved,  resulting  in  a  longer  walk  to  the 
Museum.  We  want  to  accommodate  our  volunteers  with  a 
van  shuttle  from  these  remote  parking  areas.  To  support  the 
Museum's  volunteer  van  fund,  please  send  your  tax-deductible 
contribution,  payable  to  The  Field  Museum,  to  Patricia 
Stratton,  Manager  of  Volunteer  Services,  The  Field  Museum, 
1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive,  Chicago,  IL  60605-2496. 
You  may  also  call  312.665.7277  for  information.  Thank  you 
for  supporting  our  volunteers. 


Museum  Campus  Neighbors 


Shedd  Aquarium  Get  in  touch  with 
Shedd's  animals  during  daily  touch  sessions. 
From  12:30  to  1pm,  touch  sea  stars,  chitons 
and  crabs  in  the  Oceanarium  tide  pool  and 
learn  how  these  animals  survive  in  the  surf 
zone.  Then  at  2pm,  encounter  an  Africa  bull- 
frog, a  red-tailed  boa  or  even  a  Chilean  rose 
tarantula.  Locations  are  posted  at  the  infor- 
mation booth.  Call  312.939.2438  or  check 
www.sheddaquarium.org. 


Adler  Planetarium  Throughout  2002, 

come  to  Far  Out  Fridays  on  the  first  Friday 
night  of  every  month  for  unlimited  shows  in 
the  Sky  Theater  and  the  StarRiderTM  Theater, 
telescope  viewing,  lectures,  hands-on  activities, 
demonstrations,  and  gallery  and  Doane 
Observatory  tours.  Admission  is  $15  for 
adults,  $12  for  children  and  seniors  and  $5 
for  Adler  members.  A  Family  Star  Pack  is 
$45.  Visitwww.adlerplanetarium.org,  or 
call  312. 922. STAR. 


Museum  Campus    In  2002,  a  new  free  day 
schedule  will  make  it  easier  for  Chicago-area 
families  to  enjoy  all  three  institutions  in  one 
day,  avoid  the  summer  crowds  and  take  advan- 
tage of  three-day  weekends.  Free  days  are  now 
on  Mondays  and  Tuesdays,  September  through 
February.  Also,  as  construction  projects  begin, 
go  to  www.museumcampus.org  for  the  latest 
news  on  parking  availability,  traffic  alerts  and 
construction  updates. 


WINTER  2002    February-March 


1 


INTHEFIELDFEATURE 


The  Story  Behind  Chocolate 


The  popular  uses  of  chocolate  are  familiar — an  expression  of  romance,  the  exclamation 
point  at  the  end  of  a  tasty  meal  or  a  panacea  for  tender  emotions.  What  is  not  well 
known  is  the  story  behind  this  legendary  treat,  which  is  every  bit  as  rich  and  captivat- 
ing as  chocolate  itself. 


IT 


>Z 


One  section  oj 
Chocolate  explores 
where  and  how  cacao 
is  grown  today,  and 

what  fanners  tire 
doing  to  preserve 
their  crops,  income 
and  the  rainforest. 


This  Valentine's  Day  will  be  particularly  sweet  for  The  Field  Museum  with  the  world  pre- 
miere of  Chocolate,  a  traveling  exhibition  almost  three  years  in  the  making.  Conceived, 
developed,  designed  and  produced  entirely  by  Field  Museum  exhibitions  and  scientific 
staff,  Chocolate  will  remain  at  the  Field  through  Dec.  31,  2002.  It  will  then  travel 
across  the  nation  in  a  10-city  tour,  including  stops  at  The  Natural  History  Museum  of 
Los  Angeles  County  and  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  in  New  York. 


IN  THE  FIELD 


Chocolate  was  originally  intended  to  be  a  smaller- 
scale  exhibition,  featuring  the  Museum's  Natural 
Products  Initiative,  a  program  that  develops  sound 
practices  for  using  plant  and  animal  resources.  But  a 
small  display  at  Members'  Nights  provoked  an 
unexpectedly  strong  response.  From  its  unique 
ecology  to  its  complex  cultural  history,  chocolate,  it 
seems,  is  the  perfect  natural  history  topic.  Besides  its 
mouthwatering  appeal,  chocolate  presents  a  fasci- 
nating case  study  of  how  human  life  interconnects 
with  the  environment. 

"This  subject  allows  us  to  talk  about  how  a  nat- 
ural product  becomes  a  world  commodity  under 
the  more  well-known  umbrella  of  chocolate,"  said 
Director  of  Exhibitions  Sophia  Siskel."We  knew  we 
had  a  home  run.  The  challenge  was  to  figure  out 
how  to  explore  a  topic  that's  so  important  to  science 
while  also  satisfying  the  needs  of  the  public." 

A  taste  of  chocolate 

The  resulting  Chocolate  exhibition  is  a  complete 
examination  of  the  plant,  products,  history  and  cul- 
ture of  chocolate  through  the  lenses  of  botany  and 
ecology,  anthropology  and  economics,  conservation 
and  popular  culture.  Presented  in  both  English  and 
Spanish,  the  bilingual  exhibition  takes  visitors 
through  a  series  of  immersive  environments — 
each  representing  a  time  and  place  relating  to  the 
ecology,  production  and  history  of  chocolate. 

"One  of  our  key  goals  with  this  exhibition  was 
to  present  a  series  of  walkthrough  experiences," 
Siskel  said.  "We  hope  that  the  visitor  will  be  able  to 
understand  the  story  at  an  intuitive  level,  even 
before  reading  a  single  text  panel.  An  exhibition 
should  unfold  like  an  opera,  where,  even  without 


reading  the  subtitles  or  understanding  the  singer, 
the  audience  knows  what's  happening." 

The  exhibition  begins  in  the  lush  tropical 
rainforest,  where  visitors  can  examine  a  replica  of 
a  cacao  tree  and  its  seedpods.  Visitors  then  explore 
how  the  Maya  used  cacao  seeds  in  a  favorite  drink, 
how  the  Aztecs  elevated  cacao  to  the  level  of 
treasure,  how  cacao  is  grown  and  how  it  became 
a  commodity  in  the  global  marketplace. 

As  the  exhibition  draws  to  a  close,  visitors 
encounter  a  chocolate  box  sized  for  a  giant. 
Monitors  nestled  amongst  enormous  bonbons  fea- 
ture short  video  segments  revealing  how  chocolate 
has  touched  the  lives  of  people  across  cultures. 
From  Word  War  II  veterans  in  occupied  Japan  to 
Chicago  chefs  preparing  mole,  these  vignettes 
demonstrate  the  passion  this  confection  inspires. 

Throughout  the  exhibition,  visitors  encounter 
scenic  environments,  rare  artifacts,  original  video 
and  interactive  exhibition  techniques.  To  engage 
the  senses,  the  smell  of  chocolate  wafts  through 
the  air  and  rhythmic  music  evokes  the  sounds  of  a 
chocolate  factory.  Text  panels  offer  deeper  levels 
of  information.  "For  a  traveling  exhibition,  this  is  as 
close  to  immersive  as  anyone  can  get,"  said  Anamari 
Golf,  lead  exhibition  developer.  "Chocolate  has  the 
look  and  feel  of  a  permanent  installation." 

Blending  the  ingredients 

The  Field  is  fortunate  to  be  one  of  a  small  number 
of  museums  with  the  ability  to  create  an  exhibition 
ot  this  size  and  scale.  The  topic's  complexity,  for 
example,  requires  scientific  expertise  across  multiple 
disciplines,  and  building  finely  detailed  exhibition 
elements  requires  an  experienced  and  diverse 


Chocolate  reveals  how 
invention,  advertising 
and  the  world  trade 
market  paved  the  way 
for  this  once-elite  treat 
to  be  enjoyed  worldwide. 


WINTER  2002  February-March 


production  staff.  With  these  and  other  resources 
in-house,  staff  collaborated  closely  to  effectively  and 
thoroughly  present  such  a  broad  topic.  "The  bot- 
tom line  of  any  exhibition  is  to  translate  academic 
messages  to  the  public,"  Golf  said. 

Key  contributors  from  the  scientific  staff 
included  lead  curator  Jonathan  Haas,  anthropology 
chair  Gary  Feinman,  botany  curator  emeritus  Bill 
Burger,  and  Sophia  Twichell  and  Gretchen  Baker 
from  environmental  and  conservation  programs. 

Altogether,  Chocolate  is  the  creative  work  of 
more  than  100  people,  ranging  from  scientists  to 
exhibition  developers,  graphic  artists  to  writers, 
museum  educators  to  guest  relations  representatives. 
The  Museum  has  also  created  other  opportunities 
that  further  investigate  chocolate's  impact  on 
human  cultures  and  tropical  systems:  a  12-lesson 
educational  curriculum;  two  companion  books,  one 
for  adults  and  one  for  children;  a  comprehensive 
website  (www.fieldmuseum.org/chocolate);  and  a 
variety  of  lectures,  workshops  and  fieldtrips. 

In  support  of  Chocolate,  The  Field  Museum 
received  a  generous  grant  from  the  National 
Science  Foundation — one  of  the  largest  ever  given 
to  a  temporary  exhibition. 

Creating  a  cacao  tree 

The  replica  of  the  Tlieobrotna  cacao  tree  that  greets 
visitors  to  Chocolate  offers  a  behind-the-scenes 
glimpse  at  how  such  exhibitions  come  together. 
The  seed  for  this  tree  was  planted  when  exhibition 
developers  surveyed  visitors  and  found  that  many 
people  don't  know  where  chocolate  comes  from. 

Months  went  into  carefully  creating  the  tree. 
Because  visitors  will  be  able  to  closely  observe  the 
tree,  it  was  imperative  that  its  scale,  form,  texture 
and  color  were  accurate.  "We  built  the  tree  much 
like  it  was  done  in  the  old  days  of  incredible  wax 
and  glass  models,"  said  Matthew  Groves,  replication 
shop  supervisor.  "But  we  had  to  make  it  more 
robust  and  collapsible,  in  less  time  and  with  new 
materials  that  weren't  available  in  the  1930s." 

To  ensure  that  the  tree  was  scientifically  correct, 
the  replication  team  studied  examples  from  the 
Field's  Hall  of  Plants  and  two  live  trees  in  the 


Left:  Diligent  care  and  skill  went  into  making  these 
replicated  cacao  seeds  look  authentic. 

Right:  Alan  Krahn  (left)  and  Matthew  Groves  of 
the  replication  shop  work  on  the  cacao  tree  located 
at  the  front  of  Chocolate. 


Garfield  Park  Conservatory.  Because  the  conserva- 
tory's trees  are  domestically  grown  and  pruned, 
the  team  also  gleaned  information  from  field 
researchers  and  scientists  in  the  Museum's  botany 
and  environmental  conservation  departments. 

The  team  debated  whether  or  not  to  include 
water  sprouts,  or  new  shoots,  on  the  trunk;  whether 
the  tree's  shape  should  widen  as  it  grew  upward;  the 
size  of  the  leaves;  the  color,  size  and  location  of  the 
pods;  and  the  size  of  the  flowers.  The  team  also  had 
to  decide  how  to  present  a  full-size  replica  of  a  tree 
that  usually  grows  30  to  40  feet  tall  within  the 
height  limits  of  the  gallery. 

"We  ended  up  with  a  life-size  replica,  but  not  a 
full  tree,"  Groves  said.  "It's  more  like  the  bottom 
half  of  a  tree.  Since  this  is  an  educational  tool,  that 
works  because  everything  we  want  to  teach  about 
cacao  production  occurs  on  the  lower  branches." 

The  metal  armature,  or  skeleton,  of  the  tree  con- 
sists of  26  hand-welded  pieces  that  slide  together 
gracefully  so  that  the  staff  at  other  institutions  can 
assemble  it  quickly  and  easily  as  the  exhibition 
tours  the  country.  All  of  the  nearly  1,500  leaves 
were  individually  custom-made  with  either 
polyester  or  synthetic  rubber  and  applied  by  hand. 
Some  modifications  were  made  to  underscore 
important  points.  While  a  real  tree  buds  on  nearly 
every  available  surface,  the  Field's  tree  sports  fewer 
yet  larger  flowers  so  they  can  be  seen  more  easily. 

At  least  five  people  worked  on  the  production 
of  the  tree — from  prototyping  live  trees  through 
final  detailing  of  the  replication — over  a  period  of 
nearly  nine  months.  And  that's  just  one  prop  in  the 
exhibition.  "The  detail  and  consistency  throughout 
the  exhibition  are  a  testament  to  how  strong  the 
entire  Chocolate  team  is,"  Golf  said. 

Dessert 

Bonbons,  hot  fudge,  frozen  chocolate  bars.  A  heav- 
enly craving  and  a  sublime  pleasure.  Most  of  us 
know  chocolate  today  as  a  candy  or  a  sweet  desert. 
It  is  all  this  . . .  and  much  more. 

From  chocolate's  origins  in  the  rainforest,  to  its 
deep  cultural  roots,  to  its  arrival  on  the  supermarket 
shelf,  The  Field  Museum's  latest  exhibition  reveals 
facets  of  this  delicious  food  that  we've  never 
thought  about  before.  What  a  treat!  For  more  infor- 
mation, see  the  calendar  section  in  In  the  Field,  or 
visit  www.fieldmuseum.org/chocolate. 

Chocolate  and  its  national  tour  were  developed  by  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago. 
This  project  was  supported,  in  part,  by  the  National  Science  Foundation. 


IN  THE  FIELD 


ONLINE  RESOURCES 


An  Electronic  Taste  of  Chocolat 


Before  you  visit  Chocolate,  or  afterward  to  enhance  your  exhibition  experience,  go  to 
www.fieldmuseum.org/chocolate,  your  one-stop  Internet  spot  to  learn  everything  you 
want  to  know  about  this  sumptuous  sweet.  In  the  website  you  will  find:  an  exhibition 
overview;  interactive  learning  experiences  that  test  your  knowledge  and  bring  choco- 
late's story  to  life;  event  and  program  listings;  historical  information;  an  in-depth  look 
at  growing,  eating  or  making  chocolate;  a  children's  section  with  recipes,  games  and 
educational  activities;  and  an  educators'  section  with  a  12-lesson  curriculum. 

Below  is  a  tiny  morsel  of  the  activities  you  can  find  on  www.fieldmuseum.org/choco- 
late.  Look  for  the  site  to  launch  shortly  after  the  exhibition  opens  on  Feb.  14. 


Mexican  Hot  Chocolate 

Reprinted  with  permission  from 
Elaine  Gonzalez. 

The  perfect  drink  for  a  cold  day, 
Mexican  hot  chocolate  is  similar 
to  the  flavorful  version  that  the 
Spanish  invented  more  than  400 
years  ago. 

Ingredients: 

1/2  cup  water 

3  ounces  semisweet  chocolate, 
coarsely  chopped 
2  cups  milk 
1  teaspoon  cinnamon 
1/8  teaspoon  almond  extract 


Instructions: 

Boil  the  water  in  a  medium, 
heavy-bottomed  saucepan. 
Remove  it  from  the  heat  and  add 
the  chocolate.  After  one  minute, 
whisk  the  chocolate  until  it  has 
completely  melted. 

Place  the  saucepan  over 
medium-high  heat  and  gradually 
whisk  in  the  milk,  cinnamon  and 
almond  flavoring.  Bring  to  a  boil, 
whisking  frequently.  Lift  the  pan 
off  the  burner  until  the  bubbling 
subsides.  Then  replace  the  pan  and 
bring  it  back  to  boil  again.  Repeat 
this  process  two  more  times. 


Lower  the  heat  and 
let  it  simmer  for 
another  five  minutes, 
stirring  constantly.  The 
chocolate  should  coat 
the  back  of  a  spoon. 
Turn  off  the  heat. 

Using  a  mixer, 
blender  or  molinillo 
(moh  lin  EE  oh),  a 
wooden  stirring  stick  invented  by 
the  Spanish,  beat  the  chocolate 
until  die  surface  is  covered  with 
thick  foam.  Serve  immediately. 


/ 


W—J—l 


Chocolate  Books  and  Films 

Here  are  some  books  and  films  recom- 
mended by  the  exhibition  and  education 
team.  See  the  website  for  more  resources. 

Non-Fiction  Books 

Chocolate— written  by  Ruth  Lopez  to 
complement  the  exhibition 

Tlie  True  History  of  Chocolate— by  Sophie  D. 
Coe  and  Michael  Coe 

Tlie  Chocolate  Tree:  A  Natural  History  of 
Cacao— by  Allen  M.Young 


Tlte  Emperors  of  Chocolate:  Inside  the 
Secret  World  of  Hershey  and  Mars—  by 
Joel  Glenn  Brenner 

For  Children  and  Families 

Chocolate:  Riches  from  the  Rainforest- 
written  by  Robert  Burleigh  to 
complement  the  exhibition 

Tlie  Cocoa  Commotion: A  Carmen  Sandiego 
Mystery-by  Melissa  Peterson 


Willy  Wonka  and  the  Chocolate  Factory- 
book  by  Roald  Dahl,  film  by  Mel  Stuart 

Cocoa  Ice-by  Diana  Appelbaum 

For  Adults 

Chocolat— book  by  Joanne  Harris,  film  by 
Lasse  Hallstrom 

The  Chocolate  War—  film  by  Keith  Gordon 

Like  Water  for  Chocolate— book  by  Laura 
Esquivel,  film  by  Alfonso  Arau 


Tlie  website  contains  three  interactive  learning 
experiences  that  explore  how  chocolate  is  grown 
and  made,  and  how  it  spread  through  history 
from  a  local  food  to  a  global  product.  From  Seed 
to  Sweet,  a  children's  activity  illustrated  here, 
asks  the  player  to  harvest  the  cacao  seeds  with 
a  machete  and  then  drag  them  into  a  basket. 


WINTER  2002  February-March 


I  NTH  E  FIELD  FEATURE 


Live. ..from  National  Geographic: 
An  interview  with  Wade  Davis 


From  the  mysteries  of  ancient  Egypt  to  the  frontiers  of  Africa,  you'll  meet  dynamic  individuals  this  spring 
in  Live... from  National  Geographic,  a  speaker  series  co-presented  by  National  Geographic  and  The  Field 
Museum.  (See  the  calendar  for  details.)  Below  are  excerpts  from  an  interview  with  National  Geographic 
Explorer-in-Residence  Wade  Davis.  A  renowned  anthropologist  and  plant  explorer,  Davis  has  written  on 
subjects  ranging  from  Haitian  voodoo  (Tlie  Serpent  and  the  Rainbow)  to  the  global  biodiversity  crisis  to  the 
ethnosphere — the  wealth  of  human  diversity  and  what  traditional  cultures  can  teach  us  about  different 
ways  of  living  and  thinking.  He  will  be  signing  his  newest  book,  Liglit  at  the  Edge  of  the  World,  on  Feb.  26. 


ITF:  What's  your  relationship  to 
The  Field  Museum? 

WD:  I  was  in  South  America 
in  the  '70s  doing  botanical  explo- 
ration when  I  connected  with 
Timothy  Plowman  (botany 
department  chairman,  1986-1988), 
one  of  the  finest  botanists  of  his 
generation.  He  was  beginning 
his  astonishing  study  of  coca  and 
invited  me  to  be  his  field  assis- 
tant. We  became  friends  and 
professional  partners  and  traveled 


together  for  more  than  a  year 
through  remote  parts  of  the 
Andes  and  the  northwest 
Amazon.  We  both  studied  under 
Richard  E.  Schultes,  and  I  even- 
tually wrote  a  book  about  them 
called  One  River. 

ITF:  How  do  you  explore  the 
relationship  between  people 
and  plants? 

WD:  As  an  anthropologist,  I  look 
for  ways  to  break  down  the  inher- 
ent barrier  that  exists  between 
me  and  the  people  with  whom 
I'm  living  as  a  guest.  The  Amazon, 


for  example,  is  a  place  of  plants, 
water  and  silence.  Every  aspect 
of  the  material  culture  is  derived 
from  a  plant.  Botany  is  the  perfect 
conduit  to  culture.  The  people 
know  their  plants — are  totally 
dependent  on  them,  and  proud  of 
them.  To  live  amongst  indigenous 
people,  I  had  to  understand  the 
botanical  realm,  and  to  under- 
stand the  botanical  realm,  I  had  to 
understand  something  about  the 
mythology  and  spiritual  intuitions 
of  the  people. 

ITF:  What  can  indigenous 
cultures  teach  us  about  our 
connection  to  plants? 

WD:  Schultes  asked  me  and  Tim 
to  look  for  new  medicinal  plants 
that  would  benefit  society,  but 
we  returned  with  a  new  vision  of 
life  itself.  Indigenous  people  con- 
nect to  the  natural  world  in  such 
a  deep,  respectful  way. 

ITF:  How  does  this  differ  from 
Westerners'  connection  to  plants? 

WD:  Our  lack  of  awareness  of 
how  important  plants  are  is 
remarkable  to  me. You'd  be  called 
foolish  if  you  didn't  know  who 
our  first  president  was.  But  how 
many  people  know  the  formula 
for  photosynthesis,  the  chemical 
equation  without  which  life  could 
not  exist?  Even  those  of  us  who 
love  our  plants  tend  to  sentimen- 
talize our  relationship  to  them. 

A  book  that  came  out  in  the 
'70s  suggested  that  plants  like  to 
listen  to  Mozart.  No  one  loved 
plants  more  than  Tim,  but  he 
hated  that.  He'd  say  things  like, 
"Why  would  a  plant  care  about 
Mozart?  And  even  if  it  did,  why 
should  that  impress  us?  They  can 
eat  light.  Isn't  that  enough?" 


ITF:  Tell  us  about  the  ethnosphere. 

WD:  If  the  biosphere  is  a  biologi- 
cal web  of  life,  the  ethnosphere  is 
the  web  of  intellectual  and  spiri- 
tual life  made  manifest  by  the 
myriad  cultures  of  the  world.  The 
biosphere  is  being  compromised, 
but  the  ethnosphere  is  in  far  more 
peril.  No  biologist  would  dare 
suggest  that  half  of  all  species  are 
on  the  brink  of  extinction;  yet  that 
most  apocalyptic  scenario  in  the 
realm  of  biological  diversity  repre- 
sents the  most  optimistic  scenario 
in  the  realm  of  cultural  diversity. 

The  key  indicator  is  the  loss  of 
language.  Of  the  6,000  languages 
spoken  when  we  were  born,  half 
aren't  being  taught  to  children, 
which  means  they  are  effectively 
dead  if  things  don't  change. 
Within  a  single  generation,  we're 
witnessing  the  loss  of  half  of 
humanity's  legacy. 

Indigenous  cultures  are  not 
destined  to  fade  away  because  of 
some  failed  attempt  at  modernity. 
They  are  being  driven  out  by 
external  forces,  which  is  both 
discouraging  and  encouraging.  If 
humans  are  the  source  of  cultural 
destruction,  then  can't  we  also 
facilitate  cultural  survival? 

Our  particular  culture  is  just 
one  model  of  reality.  Other  peo- 
ples around  the  world  —  the 
Penan  in  the  forests  of  Borneo 
or  the  yak  herders  in  Tibet,  for 
example — can  teach  us  new 
possibilities  for  thinking,  being 
and  interacting  with  the  Earth 
itself.  This  idea  can  only  fill  you 
with  hope.  We  live  in  a  wondrous 
society,  but  it's  not  the  paragon  of 
human  potential.  The  ethnosphere 
is  our  greatest  legacy,  and  it's  up  to 
us  to  protect  it.  ITF 


IN  THE  FIELD 


YOURGUIDETOTHEFIELD 


A  Pullout  Calendar  of  Events  for  Winter  2002  February-March 


Inside:    Exhibits       Festivals       Family    Programs       Adult    Programs 


World 
of  Words 
Literary 
Reading 

Birds  of  Heaven: 
Travels  with  Cranes 

Peter  Matthiesscn,  Naturalist /Author 


Traverse  the 
backwaters  of 
five  continents  in 
the  latest  literary 
adventure  of  world- 
renowned  naturalist 
Peter  Matthiessen, 
author  of  The  Snow 
Leopard.  Find  out 
just  how  difficult  it  is  to  track  all  15 
species  of  cranes,  11  of  which  are 
threatened  with  extinction.  In  his 
new  book,  The  Birds  of  Heaven: 
Travels  with  Cranes,  Matthiessen 
also  offers  a  birds-eye  view  of  the 
"craniacs" — specialists  from  the 
International  Crane  Foundation  who 
have  been  saving  these  exotic  crea- 
tures one  bird  at  a  time  for  more 
than  30  years.  A  book  signing  will 
follow  the  lecture. 

Saturday,  Feb.  9,  3pm 

$15,  students /educators  $12,  members  $10 

Co-presented  with  The  International  Crane  Foundation. 


New  Exhibition-Chocolate 

Feb.  14-Dec.  31,2002 

From  rainforest  treasure  to  luscious  treat — immerse  yourself 
in  the  world  of  chocolate. 

A  gift  for  the  gods.  A  symbol  of  wealth  and  luxury.  An  economic  livelihood.  Bonbons. 
Hot  fudge.  Candy  bars.  For  thousands  of  years  humans  have  been  fascinated  with 
the  delicious  phenomenon  that  we  call  "chocolate." 

Journey  through  history  to  get  the  complete  story  behind  the  tasty  treat  that  we 
crave  in  Chocolate,  an  exciting  new  exhibition  developed  by  The  Field  Museum. 

You'll  begin  in  the  rainforest  with  the  unique  cacao  tree  whose  seeds  started  it  all. 
Visit  the  ancient  Maya  civilization  of  Central  America  and  discover  what  choco- 
late meant  nearly  1,500  years  ago.  Then  travel  forward  in  time  and  northward 
to  the  Aztec  civilization  of  16th-century  Mexico,  where  cacao  seeds  were  so 
valuable  they  were  used  as  money.  Discover  chocolate's  introduction  into  the 
upper  classes  of  European  society  and  its  transformation  into  a  mass-produced 
world  commodity. 

Chocolate  will  engage  your  senses  and  reveal  facets  of  this 
sumptuous  sweet  that  you've  never  thought  about  before.  You'll 
explore  the  plant,  the  products  and  the  culture  of  chocolate 
through  the  lenses  of  science,  history  and  popular  culture. 

Chocolate  is  a  sweet  experience  for  all  ages!  Don't 
miss  its  world  premiere  at  The  Field  Museum. 

See  inside  for  lectures  and  events  that  delve 
further  into  this  delicious  topic. 

Chocolate  and  its  national  tour  were  developed  by  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago. 
This  project  was  supported,  in  part,  by  the  National  Science  Foundation. 


:i 


to 


Field 


useum 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410 

Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


WINTER  2002    February-March 


Your  Guide  to  the  Field:  A  pullout  calendar  of  events  for  February  and  March 


Delve  deeper  into  the  story  of  a 
sumptuous  rainforest  treasure. 


oce 


7* 


Unwrapping  Chocolate: 
History  and  Culture 

This  exciting  series  combines  the  depth  of 
a  college  course  with  the  flexibility  to  tailor 
your  studies  to  your  interests  and  schedule. 
Enjoy  Unwrapping  Chocolate  as  a  lecture 
series.  Or  enroll  in  it  as  a  credit  course, 
complete  with  lectures,  readings,  assignments 
and  discussion  labs,  offered  through  the 
University  of  Illinois  at  Chicago. 

Lectures  will  occur  on  Tuesday  evenings,  Feb.  19— April  23, 
except  March  19. 


Lecture  Series 

Individual  lectures:  $12,  students /educators  $10,  members  $8 

Attend  all  nine  lectures  and  save  20  percent:  $86, 
students /educators  $72,  members  $58. 

Attend  three  lectures  and  save  15  percent:  $30, 
students /educators  $25,  members  $20. 

Credit  Course 

Enrollment  information  for  Unwrapping  Chocolate  (LAS 
494  orANTH  494)  is  available  from  UIC  at  ivunv.oce.uic.edu 
or  312.996.8025. 


Lectures  include: 

Making  the  Chocolate  Exhibition 

Dr.  Jonathan  Haas,  TFM  Anthropology  Dept.,  and 
Anamari  GolfTFM  Exhibits  Dept. 

Glimpse  behind  the  scenes  to  see  how  anthropologists, 
botanists  and  exhibition  developers  created  Chocolate. 

Tuesday,  Feb.  19,  6pm 


Cacao  and  the  Maya 

Dr.  Joel  Palka,  University  of  Illinois  at  Chicago 

Discover  what  chocolate  meant  to  the  ancient  Maya,  who 
used  cacao  for  a  special  drink  in  sacred  ceremonies. 

Tuesday,  Feb.  26,  6pm 

The  Secret  World  of  Hershey  and  Mars 

Joel  Glenn  Brenner,  Author/Journalist 

Uncover  the  roles  that  rival  manufacturers  played  in  estab- 
lishing chocolate  as  part  of  our  popular  culture. 

Tuesday,  March  12,  6pm 

Chocolate  and  Nutrition 

Dr.  Carl  Keen,  University  of  California 

Imagine  if  chocolate  were  good  for  you!  Examine  the  health 
benefits  of  this  beloved  food. 
Tuesday,  March  26,  6pm 

For  a  complete  list  of  lectures  in  Unwrapping  Chocolate, 
check  our  website  at  www.fieldmuseum.org. 


Other  Chocolate  Events 

Chocolate  Celebration — The  Opening  Event 

Be  the  first  to  view  the  exhibition.  Explore  the 
history  of  this  delectable  treat  with  Museum 
scientists  and  witness  a  cooking  demonstration 
by  famed  chef  Wolfgang  Puck. 

Wednesday,  Feb.  13,  5:30pm,  $50 

Call  312.665.7135 for  tickets.  No  door  sales. 

This  event  is  hosted  by  the  Cultural  Collections  Committee  and  the  Women's  Board. 

The  True  History  of  Chocolate  Lecture 

Dr.  Michael  D.  Coe,  Yale  University 

Explore  the  rich  history  chocolate  has  had  in 
many  different  cultures,  from  the  ancient 
Maya  and  Aztec  civilizations  to  modern 
chocolate  production  today. 
Saturday,  March  9,  lpm,  $10 

This  lecture  is  part  of  a  two-day  symposium  designed  for 
anthropologists,  scientists,  chefs  and  anyone  interested  in  a 
rich  examination  of  cacao  and  the  production  of  chocolate. 
For  details  about  the  complete  symposium,  call  312.665.7400. 


8      IN  THE  FIELD  CALENDAR 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410;  Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


Final  Weeks  for  Cleopatra  of 
Egypt  Exhibition  and  Programs 


Cleopatra  of  Egypt: 
From  History  to  Myth 
Closes  March  3! 

The  Field  Museum  is  the  only  North  American 
venue  and  final  stop  for  this  exclusive  exhibition. 
After  March  3,  this  spectacular  collection  of  350 
Cleopatra-related  artifacts  from  the  world's  great 
Egyptian  and  classical  art  collections  will  be 
dispersed  to  more  than  75  museums  and  lenders 
worldwide.  Unravel  Cleopatra's  mystery  for 
yourself  and  discover  how  she  became  a  legend 
that  endures  2,000  years  after  her  tragic  death. 


This  exhibition  has  been  organized  by  The  British  Museum  in  collaboration  with 
The  Fondazione  Memmo,  Rome. 

International  Sponsor  BP 
National  Sponsor  Exelon 

Supported  by  an  indemnity  from  the  Federal  Council  on  the  Arts  and  the  Humanities. 


The  Field  Museum  (TFM)  and  the  University  of 
Chicago's  Oriental  Institute  (01)  are  collaborating 
on  the  following  series  of  programs. 


Programs  at  The  Field  Museum 

Heads  and  Tales  of  the  Ptolemies 
The  Coins  of  Cleopatra's  World 

Adult  Workshop 


Theresa  Gross-Diaz 

;  Examine  the  coins  of  Egypt 
j  and  the  Mediterranean  world 
|  for  clues  to  political  and  cul- 
1  tural  life  in  Cleopatra's  day. 

|  Saturday,  March  2, 
l()ani-2pm 
$30,  TFM  and  OI  members  $25 


Signs  of  Cleopatra:  History, 
Politics,  Representation  Lecture 

Dr.  Mary  Hamer,  Harvard  University 

Discover  how  different  representations  of 
Cleopatra — drawn  from  books;  films  and 
art — reveal  social  and  historical  influences. 

Sun  day,  March  3,  2pm 

$12,  students /educators  $10,  TFM  and 

OI  members  $&—  ■— • 

Programs  at  the  Oriental  Institute 

1155  E.  58th  St. 

Call  773.702.9507  for  information. 

Honey,  Where's  the  Asp? 
Cleopatra  in  Literature  Lecture 

Dr.  David  Bevington,  University  of  Chicago 

Discover  how  Plutarch,  Shakespeare  and  Shaw  used  Cleopatra's 
character  to  present  a  sharp  debate  about  the  opposite  sex. 

Sunday,  Feb.  10,  2pm,  FREE 

Co-sponsored  by  the  Oriental  Institute  and  the  Basic  Program  of  Liberal  Education  for  Adults  of 
the  University  of  Chicago's  Graham  School  of  General  Studies. 

Cleopatra  Goes  Hollywood  Film  Series 

Encounter  Egypt's  legendary  queen  as  a  Hollywood  star,  played  by 
Claudette  Colbert  in  1934  and  Elizabeth  Taylor  in  1963.  After  each 
screening,  Egyptologist  Michael  Bergerwill  discuss  how  the  films 
reflect  fact  and  fantasy. 

Sundays,  Feb.  17— March  3,  1:30pm 
Films:  $2  each  event 

Film /Seminar:  $15  each  event, 
TFM  and  OI  members  $12 
Pre -registration  required. 

Full  Series:  $40, 

TFM  and  OI  members  S30 

Pre-registration  required. 


MM  COURTESV  OF  THE  HUNTERIAN  MUSEUM,  GLASGOW 
STELA  COURTESY  OF  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM. 


Theda  Bara 


WINTER  2002    February-March 


African  Heritage  Festiva' 
Uncoven 


'frmU'lnlnI'Jil 

>in  us  for  story  telling,  scientific  demonstrations  and  hands-on 
activities  that  celebrate  connections  between  Africa  and  the 
United  States. 

Sattu. 

1  lam— 4pm 

■  4—5, 
10am—  1pm 
FREE  with  Museum  admission 

throng 
Abbott  .. 

Check  our  website  at 
www.fieldmuseum.org  for 
other  program  details. 


She  Never  Lost  a  Passenger 


:  scon  GC9BB1  28C 


Lectures 

Frances  Baxter: 

Scaling  Mount  Kilimanjaro 

Climb  the  peak  of  Africa's  highest  mountain  with  the  only 
woman  in  the  world  to  have  scaled  the  19,430-foot  summit 
eight  times. 

Saturday,  March  23,  2pm 

$12,  students /educators  $10,  members  $8 


Chicago  Opera  Theater 

This  uplifting  family  performance  commem- 
orates the  inspiring  heroism  of  Harriet  Tubman, 
who  led  scores  of  slaves  to  freedom  along 
the  Underground  Railroad. 

turday— Sunday,  Feb.  1& 
Adults:  $15,  members  X14 

Children:  $10.  me 
For  tickets  call  3 12. 704.  S414. 


Charles  Gallenkamp:  Dragon  Hunter 

World  of  Words 

Archaeologist  and  author  Charles 
Gallenkamp  chronicles  the  adven- 
tures of  Roy  Chapman  Andrews, 
who  captivated  the  country  in  the 
1920s  with  his  dramatic  expedi- 
tions to  search  for  fossils  in 
Central  Asia. 

March  16,  2pm 

$12,  students /educators  $10, 

members  $8 

Walking  on  Eggs: 

Discovering  Dinosaur  Eggs  in  Patagonia 

New  Discoveries  Series 

Dr.  Luis  Chiappe,  L.A.  County  Museum  of  Natural  History 
and  Co-curator  of  the  Tiniest  Giants  exhibition 

Hear  first-hand  about  the  astounding  scientific  expedition 
that  uncovered  tens  of  thousands  of  dinosaur  eggs  in  a 
desolate  desert  in  southern  Argentina. 

March  13,  6:30pm 

$12,  students  educators  $10,  members  $8 


Below  is  a  calendar  of  the  temporary  exhibitions  you  will  have  an  opportunity  to  visit  in  2002. 

Some  dates  may  change.  Remember  to  call  312.922.9410  or  visit  our  website  for  specific  information. 


Cleopatra  of  Egypt: 
From  History  to  Myth 

Through  March  3 


Urban  Gardens: 

Growing  Chicago's  Communities 

Through  July  7 


Chocolate 

February  14-December  31 


Family  Workshops 


They  crawl,  climb,  scurry  and  sometimes  make  us  scream  in  terror! 
Discover  the  fascinating  and  often  misunderstood  world  of  bugs.  Phi 
Parilio  will  take  you  behind  the  scenes  to  see  specimens  from  out- 
huge  collection. 

Families  with  children  grades  1  arid  up 
Friday,  March  22,  6- Spin 
S 1 5,  members  $ 12 


The  Paleozoic  Era  and  Beyond 


ueoiogy  LJept. 

time  600  million  years  and  meet  the 
creatures  that  lived  in  the  Paleozoic  Era.  Discover 
how  fossils  form  and  learn  how  and  where  fossi 
hunters  find  specimens.  Next,  journey  to  the  Mesozoic 
Era  with  a  model  of  a  life-size  Velociraptor! 

Saturday,  March  23 

10- 1 1 :30am, families  with  children  ages  4-6 
1 -2:30pm, families  with  children  ages  1-9 
$10,  members  $8 


Adult  Fieldtrips 

Spring  Bird  Watching:  Bald  Eagles 

Alan  Anderson,  Naturalist 

Journey  to  the  Illinois  banks  of  the  Mississippi  River 
to  view  these  breathtaking  birds  feeding,  flying  and 
roosting.  In  early  spring,  more  bald  eagles  can  be 
seen  along  the  Mississippi  River  in  Illinois  than 
anywhere  else  south  of  Alaska. 

Saturday,  March  9,  6am 
$60,  members  $50 


A  Celebration  of  Souls: 

Day  of  the  Dead  in  Southern  Mexico 

March  8,  2002-January  12,  2003 


■s&OHGBnRgHHnGHMgm 


Tiniest  Giants: 
Discovering  Dinosaur  Eggs 

March  15-September  2 


■■■■■■■HnRHMHi 

Pier  Walk  Maquettes 

March  26- May  13 


Adult  Courses 


Mining  the  Museum:  Special  Vessels 
Studio  Course 

Cyd  Engel,  Milwaukee  Art  Museum 

From  vases  to  mummy  coffins,  examine  all  sorts  of  containers, 
then  create  your  own  special  vessel.  Come  prepared  to  explore, 
experiment  and  have  fun! 

Saturdays,  Feb.  16  and  23,  10am—  lpm 
$72,  members  $64 


Egyptian  History:  Roman  and  Christian  Egypt 

Frank  Yurko,  Egyptologist 

Examine  Egyptian  history  after  conquest  by  the  Roman  Empire 
ended  a  3,000-year  tradition  of  dynastic  pharoahs.  Discover 
what  life  was  like  for  Egyptians,  Greeks  and  Jews  under  Roman 
and  Byzantine  rule  and  follow  the  rise  of  Christianity  in  this 
ancient  land. 

Wednesdays,  March  13— April  11,  6-  8pm 
$85,  members  $72 


Botanical  Illustration 

Marlene  Hill-Donnelly,  TFM  Geolog 

Connect  with  nature  in  a  whole 
new  way  as  you  portray  plants 
with  scientific  accuracy  and  artistic 
style.  All  experience  levels  are 
welcome. 

Tuesdays,  March  12— April  9, 

6— 8pm 

$80,  members  $68 


Dent 


Other  Programs 

Check  our  website  at  www.fieldmuseum.org  for  a  list  of 
Naturalist  Certificate  Program  classes,  exhibition  tours  and 
a  variety  of  other  programs. 


Pearls 

June  28,  2002-January  5,  2003 


Archaeology  News  from  the  Holy  Land 

July  9-October  6 


Bamboo  Masterworks:  Japanese  Baskets 
from  the  Lloyd  Cotsen  Collection 

November  16,  2002- February  23,  2003 


oneral  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410;  Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


Speaker  Series  Offers 
A  World  of  Adventure 


This  season  The  Field  Museum  is  collaborating  with  the  National  Geographic  Society  (NGS) 

to  present  the  Live. ..from  National  Geographic  series  as  part  of  our  annual  Voices  from  the 
Field  program.  Find  adventure,  insight  and  inspiration  from  real-life  encounters  with  the  world's 
top  photographers,  scholars  and  writers. 


I 


Vanishing  Cultures,  Enduring  Lives 

Wade  Davis,  Anthropologist  /Author 

Celebrate  life's  diversity  with  renowned  anthropol- 
ogist Wade  Davis,  author  of  the  international 
bestseller  The  Serpent  and  the  Rainbow.  Davis' 
latest  book  features  breathtaking  photographs  and  explores 
what  traditional  cultures  have  to  teach  us  about  different  ways 
of  living  and  thinking.  (See  a  one-on-one  interview  on  page  6.) 

Tuesday,  Feb.  26,  7:30pm 


Mysteries  of  Ancient  Egypt 

Zahi  Hawass,  Egypt's  Director  of  the  Pyramids 

Find  out  what  Egypt's  sands  reveal  about  an  ancient 
civilization's  mysteries  from  one  of  Egypt's  most  visible 
spokespeople.  Hawass  has  led  excavations  in  the"Valley  of 
the  Golden  Mummies"  at  the  Bahariya  Oasis  since  1999. 
Learn  about  his  November  2001  discovery  in  Cairo  of  a 
2,500-year-old  limestone  tomb,  possibly  of  a  palace  worker. 

Tuesday,  March  12,  7:30pm 

This  program  is  presented  with  support  from  the  Egyptian  Tourist 
Authority,  EgyptAir  and  Visions  Travel  and  Tours. 


Crossing  the  Heart  of  Africa 

Michael  "Nick"  Nichols,  NGS 
Photographer,  and  Michael  Fay, 
Conservationist  &&,.■  I 

Experience  the  adventure  of  a  lifetime 
with  award-winning  photographer  Nick 
Nichols  and  conservationist  Mike  Fay, 
who  trekked  2,000  miles  through  the 
heart  of  Africa. 

Tuesday,  April  9,  7:30pm 


~— Tlini, 


|  pr 


Filming  on  the  Edge 

Michael  "Mick"  Davie, 

See  the  world  through  the  eyes  of  this 
Emmy*  award-winning  filmmaker,  whose 
gritty  documentaries  reveal  life  on  the 
front  lines  of  political,  social  and      J^ 
environmental  change. 

Tuesday,  May  7,  7:30pm 
Four-part  Series  Subscription 

Patron  tickets:  sold  out 

General  admission:  S84;TFM,  NGS  and  Geographic  Society 
of  Chicago  members  $70;  students  $48 

Individual  Events 

Patron  tickets:  sold  out 

General  admission:  $24;TFM,  NGS  and  Geographic  Society  of 
Chicago  members  $22;  students  $15 

A  10  percent  discount  is  available  for  groups  of  10  or  more  with 
pre -registration. 


Educational  outreach  programs  related  to  the  series  are  being  presented  through 

a  collaboration  between  The  Field  Museum,  the  Geographic  Society  of  Chicago,  the  National 

Geographic  Education  Foundation  and  the  Illinois  Geographic  Alliance. 

The  National  Geographic  Society  and  The  Field  Museum  gratefully  acknowledge  the  support 
of  our  series  sponsor,  LaSalle  Bank,  and  media  sponsors  Pioneer  Press  and  Chicago  Public 
Radio  WBEZ-FM. 


Chicago  and  the 
World  Forum: 
Islam  and  the  West 

Join  us  for  an  important  and  timely  series  of 
forums  on  the  historical,  religious,  cultural  and 
political  relationships  between  the  Islamic  and 
Western  worlds.  For  an  in-depth  analysis  of  the 
issues,  each  event  includes  a  keynote  lecture, 
followed  by  breakout  discussion  forums  and  dinner. 

The  Field  Museum  and  the  Chicago  Council  on  Foreign  Relations  are  co-sponsoring  this  series. 


An  Evening  with  Ambassador  Frank  G.  Wisner 

Vice  Chairman,  External  Affairs,  American  International  Group 

Wisner  holds  the  rank  of  career  Ambassador — the  highest  grade 
in  the  Senior  Foreign  Service.  He  has  served  as  U.S.  ambassador 
to  India,  Egypt,  Zambia  and  the  Philippines  and  has  held  a  num- 
ber of  senior  posts  in  government. 

Future  speakers:  Tariq  Ramadan,  Europe's  leading  Islamic 
thinker,  author  and  lecturer;  Dr.  Rashid  Khalidi  of  the  Center  for 
International  Studies  at  the  University  of  Chicago;  Oleg  Grabar 
of  Princeton. 

Call  312.665. 7400  for  dates. 


t^V 


-4 


Series  Subscription  (includes  four  lectures) 

$90,TFM  and  Chicago  Council  on  Foreign  Relations  members 

Individual  Events 

Lecture:  $25,  members  S20 

Breakout  discussion  forums  (includes  dinner):  $25 

For  tickets  and  a  series  brochure  call  312.665.  7400. 


Visitor  Inform 


Hours:  Beginning  in  March,  our  public  hours  will  be  10am-5pm  daily. 
Closed  Christmas  and  New  Year's  Day.  Doors  open  at  9am  from  Memorial  Day 
weekend  to  Labor  Day.  Last  tickets  sold  at  4pm. 

New  Free  Day  Schedule:  The  Field  Museum  offers  free  basic  admission  on  Mondays 
and  Tuesdays  from  September  through  February.  This  schedule  replaces  the  Museum's 
previous  free  days  on  Wednesdays.  Remember,  members  receive  free  admission  every  day. 

To  get  tickets:  Cleopatra  of  Egypt  and  Chocolate  are  specially  ticketed  exhibitions. 
Member  passes  can  be  reserved  in  advance  by  calling  Ticketmaster  at  312.902.1500 
(service  charges  apply)  or  coming  to  the  membership  desk  near  the  Museum's  south 
entrance  (no  service  charges).  Non-member  tickets  can  also  be  reserved  in  advance  through 
Ticketmaster  or  in  person  at  the  Museum's  will  call  desks.  Day-of  tickets  are  available  at 
the  Museum,  while  supplies  last. 

Information:  312.922.9410  orwww.fieldmuseum.org 


14      IN  THE  FIELD  CALENDAR 


SCIENTIST'SPICK 


Illinois7  Illustrious  Insects 


"Hey,  guys,  look  at  this  giant  mosquito!"  Exclamations  like  this  always  draw  a  smile  out 
of  Phil  Parrillo,  a  collections  manager  in  insects.  While  its  size  might  arouse  great 
imaginings  about  giant  blood-sucking  monsters,  the  misidentified  creature  is  always  a 
crane  fly,  he  said. 

Artist-in-residence  Peggy  Macnamara  and  the  insects  division  are  collaborating  on  water- 
colors  of  200  Illinois  insects  from  the  Museum's  collections.  While  you  would  almost  never 
see  beetles  and  butterflies  illustrated  together  scientifically,  Macnamara  is  grouping  insects 
differently  so  that  anyone  can  learn  about  their  wondrous  diversity.  The  paintings  will  be 
published  as  an  introductory  field  guide. 

The  crane  fly  (Tipula  sp.,  upper  left)  may  resemble  mosquitoes,  but  it  does  not  feed  on 
blood.  Its  eggs  are  laid  in  wet  soil,  and  the  larvae  feed  on  organic  matter.  The  bessbug 
(Odontotaenius  disjunctus,  upper  right)  lives  in  family  groups  in  moist,  rotted  logs.  While 
most  bugs  do  not  exhibit  parenting  behaviors,  the  adult  bessbug  mixes  decaying  wood  with 
its  saliva  and  feeds  it  to  the  larvae.  The  nursery-web  spider  (Pisaurina  mira,  top  center) 
makes  a  web  not  to  catch  prey  but  for  its  babies.  The  mother  carries  the  egg  sac  in  her 
fangs  for  nearly  four  weeks,  and  when  it's  ready  to  hatch,  she  spins  a  web  atop  tall  grasses 
where  the  babies  live  before  dispersing  in  the  wind. 

Researchers  from  the  zoology  department's  insects  division  chose  this  Scientist's  Pick.  Peruse  www.jieldmuseum.otg  for 
more  information  on  our  insect  research. 

Macnamara's  Illinois  insect  paintings  will  he  on  display  at  the  Aron  Packer  Gallery,  118  N.  Peoria  in  Chicago, 
from  Feb.  15  through  March  21.  Call  312.226.8984  for  information. 


P.  MACNAMARA 


WINTER  2002  February-March   H 


1NTHEF1ELDFEATURE 


A  Virtual  Garden:  Regional  Plants  Growing  Online 


Amy  E.  Crauch,  Editor 

It's  the  kind  of  place  that  might  make  Peter  Rabbit  dizzy  with  delight.  On  the  Museum's 
infamous  third  floor,  in  what  look  like  ordinary  storage  cabinets,  are  2.7  million  plant 
specimens  representing  our  global  vegetation.  Some  are  common,  some  extinct.  Some  are 
tropical,  prairie  or  mountainous,  others  are  of  divine  beauty  or  frightening  deadly  power. 


Wliite  pine  \ 
(Pinus  strobus) 


Few  people  besides  scientists  have  seen  the  speci- 
mens, but  botanists  from  The  Field  Museum 
(TFM),  the  Chicago  Botanic  Garden  in  Glencoe 
and  the  Morton  Arboretum  in  Lisle  are  embarking 
on  a  grand  project,  vPlants,  to  bring  many  of  them 
into  worldwide  view.  With  an  unprecedented  grant 
from  the  Institute  of  Museum  and  Library  Services, 
the  partners  are  developing  an  online  herbarium 


that  will  provide  detailed  data  and  digital  images 
to  anyone  with  Internet  access.  The  website, 
www.vplants.org,  will  initially  contain  about 
110,000  specimens  of  Chicago-area  flora  from  the 
three  institutions'  collections,  and  may  later  be 
expanded  to  include  plants  from  the  Western  Great 
Lakes  and  beyond. 

It  is  not  a  new  challenge  to  find  ways  in  which 
different  databases — between  departments  or  insti- 
tutions or  individual  researchers — can  communicate 
with  one  another.  Everyone  wants  the  ability  to 
share  information,  but  it  gets  sticky  when  partners 
are  trying  to  determine  which  database  is  best  for 
their  combined  goals.  What  makes  vPlants  extraordi- 
nary is  its  use  of  state-of-the-art  computer  and 
Web-based  technology  that  allows  anyone  to  search 
through  one  portal  to  access  information  from  three 
different  sources.  While  this  is  becoming  a  standard 
elsewhere,  Gregory  Mueller,  chairman  of  TFM's 
botany  department,  said,  "To  our  knowledge,  we  may 
be  the  only  North  American  science  partnership  to 
use  this  format.  International  business  and  the  Web 
are  going  this  way.  Now  it's  our  turn." 

The  system  allows  you  to  take  institution- 
specific,  structured  data  and  transport  it  into  a  com- 
mon language.  While  each  partner  will  maintain  its 
own  database,  when  a  student  or  researcher  uses  a 
Web  browser  to  search  for  "Mead's  milkweed,"  for 
example,  the  information  from  all  three  institutions 
will  be  retrieved.  Some  information  will  be  stan- 
dardized, such  as  where  and  when  a  specimen  was 
collected,  who  collected  it  and  its  scientific  and 
common  names.  "Because  we're  using  extensible 
markup  language  (XML),"  said  Bil  Alverson,TFM 
adjunct  curator  in  botany,  "it  will  be  easy  to  pool 
the  common  information  that  most  users  want  to 
search.  And  for  additional  details  such  as  a  speci- 
men's habitat,  flower  color  or  associated  species, 
each  institution  can  decide  what  to  make  available 
without  compromising  the  strength  of  the  common 
XML  database." 

The  project's  collaborative  nature  adds  to  its 
uniqueness.  Other  online  herbaria  highlight  only  one 
institution's  collections  and  are  not  as  comprehensive 
or  regional  in  coverage.  By  pooling  data  from  three 
botanical  institutions,  the  website  will  include  infor- 
mation on  all  plant  species  within  the  Chicago 
Wilderness  region — a  regional  nature  reserve  of 
200,000  acres.  "We  live  in  this  incredible  place  with 


Top:  Garlic-mustard  (Alliaria  petiolata),  an  invasive  species,  creeps  into  Pitcher  Park 
nearjoliet,  squeezing  out  native  species.  Right:  Pitcher's  thistle  (Cirsium  pitcheri), 
endemic  to  the  dunes  of  Lakes  Huron  and  Michigan,  dies  when  flowering.  Here  you 
can  see  both  a  young  and  dying  plant. 


_J     : 


nature  just  around  the  corner,"  Mueller  said.  "We 
want  to  make  these  specimens  available  to  the  world." 

The  vPlants  website,  with  its  high-resolution 
images,  habitat  photos  and  other  tools,  will  benefit 
users  of  all  backgrounds.  "An  inner  city  school  class 
could  walk  into  the  lot  next  door  and  conduct  an 
ecology  experiment.  They  may  go  to  vPlants  first  to 
identify  the  plants  and  tie  it  all  together,"  said 
Alverson.  It  could  also  help  landowners  and  stew- 
ards make  informed  decisions  about  restoring 
habitats  that  have  been  damaged  or  managing  land 
without  compromising  the  species  that  live  there. 
By  looking  at  the  historical  data  of  a  plant,  you  can 
determine  changes  in  its  distribution,  the  effects  of 


pollution  and  other  factors  that  would  aid  in 
defining  the  goals  of  land  management. 

The  partners  are  meticulously  entering  the  data 
and  scanning  images.  They  expect  to  complete  the 
project  by  the  end  of  2002.  Not  only  will  it  serve  as 
an  excellent  model  for  other  organizations  and  part- 
nerships, it  will  be  easily  expandable  to  include  plants 
beyond  the  region  and  additional  partners/databases. 
We  are  already  discussing  vPlants 
with  the  Illinois  Natural  History 
Survey  in  Champaign,  the  Illinois 
State  Museum  in  Springfield  and 
the  University  of  Wisconsin  in 
Madison.  ITF 


■^y: 


■ 

V 


V 


Your  family  ivill  be  able  to 
identify  the  plants  you  find 
on  www.vplants.org. 


Examples  of  specimens  that  will  be  found  on  www.vplants.org 

Thismia  americana  This  odd,  colorless  plant  about  the  size  of  a  pencil  eraser  has  not  been  seen  alive  since  1913  and  is 
believed  to  be  extinct.  Its  only  known  location  in  the  world  was  in  a  wet  prairie  near  Lake  Calumet,  and  The  Field  Museum's 
specimen  is  the  only  known  collection.  The  closest  relative  to  this  species  occurs  in  Tasmania  and  New  Zealand.  There  is  a 
somewhat  legendary  annual  hunt  for  Thismia  near  Lake  Calumet. 

Prairie  rose-gentian  (Sabatia  campestris)  It's  now  wiped  out  of  the  Chicago  region.  The  Field  Museum's  herbarium  con- 
tains the  only  known  collected  specimen  from  the  area. 

Mead's  milkweed  (Asciepias  meadti)  Our  1888  specimen  is  one  of  the  only  collections  made  of  this  species,  now  federally 
listed  as  threatened,  from  Lake  County,  Ind.  The  only  other  known  site  in  the  Chicago  region,  near  Palatine,  was  destroyed. 

Pitcher's  thistle  (Cirsium  pitcheri)  Now  threatened,  this  endemic  thistle  only  grows  on  the  dunes  of  Lakes  Michigan  and 
Huron.  Unlike  other  thistles,  it  has  distinctive,  creamy-white  flowers  that  help  minimize  water  loss  in  the  harsh  conditions 
of  exposed  dunes. 

White  pine  (Pinus  strobus)  Once  a  dominant  tree  of  the  dune  landscapes  of  Chicago  and  northwest  Indiana,  the  white  pine 
barely  survives  today.  Its  population  was  especially  hit  hard  when  Chicago  was  rebuilt  after  the  Great  Chicago  Fire  of  1871. 

Garlic-mustard  (Alliaria  petiolata)  You  would  have  never  noticed  this  white  flower  in  the  1940s,  but  that's  because  it 
didn't  exist  in  the  area.  It's  an  invasive  plant,  and  it's  wiping  out  many  native  woodland  species  with  inexhaustible  speed. 


WINTER  2002  February-March    I 


17 


INTHEFIELDFEATURE 


Science  Essay  Asks  Museums  to  Step 
Up  to  Conservation  Plate 

Greg  Borzo,  Media  Manager,  Academic  Affairs 

When  it  comes  to  conservation,  museums  must  stop  being  wallflowers,  said  Field 
Museum  experts  in  a  groundbreaking  essay  published  in  Science  on  Dec.  7. 
They  must  step  into  the  limelight  and  lead. 


Children  from  the  Cofan 
community  in  Ecuador 
look  at  colorful  field 
guides  of  local  plants. 
Containing  both  scientific 
and  Cofan  plant  names, 
the  guides  help  preserve 
local  knowledge  of  the 
plants  and  reinforce  their 
traditional  uses. 


President  John  McCarter,  Georgie  Boge,  special 
assistant  to  the  president  for  environmental  initiatives, 
and  Gillian  Darlow,  manager  of  business  development 
and  operations  for  environmental  and  conservation 
programs,  coauthored  the  essay.  Called  Safeguarding 
the  World's  Natural  Treasures,  it  acknowledges  the 
challenge  of  breaking  through  old  perceptions  of 
museums  as  dusty  warehouses  for  dinosaurs,  mum- 
mies and  stuffed  animals.  Instead,  museums,  zoos  and 
botanic  gardens  are  critical  forces  not  only  for  under- 
standing the  world's  biological  and  cultural  diversity, 
but  also  for  conserving  it. 

With  the  aid  of  collections-based  research,  bio- 
logical inventories,  public  outreach,  advocacy  and 
partnerships,  "natural  history  museums  can  and 
should  directly  advance  conservation  goals."  Citing 
major  environmental  achievements  of  several  muse- 
ums around  the  world,  the  essay  said,  "When  science 
informs  conservation,  the  results  can  be  dramatic." 

Protecting  the  Earth's  living  heritage  can  be 
accomplished  in  many  ways.  Museums  must  con- 
tinue collecting  specimens;  make  collections  and 
data  more  accessible  to  others,  especially  through 
advanced  database  and  imaging  technologies;  dis- 


seminate information  faster  to  government  officials, 
scientists  and  community  leaders;  draw  new  audi- 
ences into  the  conservation  camp;  and  engage  local 
communities  everywhere  to  take  immediate  action. 

The  invaluable  information  that  collections 
worldwide  hold — anatomic,  morphologic,  genetic 
and  geographic — helps  us  understand  evolution, 
distribution  and  how  species  become  extinct.  Also, 
the  data  gleaned  from  collections-based  research 
inform  policy  makers  in  setting  conservation  prior- 
ities. For  example,  a  rapid  biological  inventory 
conducted  last  year  by  The  Field  Museum  and  sev- 
eral Peruvian  partners  in  the  Cordillera  Azul 
mountains  yielded  at  least  28  new  species.  "Armed 
with  critical  science  data,  the  Peruvian  government 
worked  hard  and  fast  to  create  a  5,212-square-mile 
park  barely  eight  months  after  the  team  left  the 
field,"  the  essay  said.  Events  like  establishing  this 
park  would  not  be  possible  if  it  were  not  for  collec- 
tions and  collections-based  research. 

While  exhibitions  draw  visitors  to  museums,  edu- 
cation programs  help  nurture  the  knowledge,  skills 
and  personal  commitment  needed  to  delve  deeper 
into  conservation  issues  and  become  involved. 
Whatever  the  outreach  effort — distance-learning  for 
children,  advanced  training  for  university  students,  or 
specialized  programs  for  groups  such  as  forest 
rangers  and  land  managers — museums  can  greatly 
increase  the  global  capacity  for  conserving  threat- 
ened environments. 

And  since  no  single  organization  can  protect  the 
Earth  alone,  museums  can  be  powerful  initiators  of 
productive,  lasting  partnerships.  For  example,  muse- 
ums, zoos  and  botanic  gardens  were  central  in 
creating  Chicago  Wilderness,  an  unprecedented  part- 
nership of  some  130  public  and  private  organizations 
dedicated  to  restoring  prairies  and  woodlands, 
marshes  and  meadows  in  the  Chicago  region.  (Visit 
www.chiwild.org  to  learn  how  you  can  help  protect 
our  native  plant  and  animal  communities.) 

The  economic  forces  that  drive  the  depletion  of 
our  natural  resources  are  strong  and  gaining  force. 
"Now  more  than  ever,"  the  essay  asserts,  "scientific 
leadership  is  necessary"  for  investigating,  preserving 
and  restoring  biologically  and  culturally  significant 
areas.  "Time  is  running  out."  ITF 


IN  THE  FIELD 


OFSPECIALINTEREST 


Our  Generous  Friends 


As  our  country  strives  to  regain  strength  from  the 
events  of  Sept.  1 1 ,  we  are  grateful  that  contributions 
to  The  Field  Museum  have  remained  strong. 
Throughout  2001,  we  received  continuous  support  for 
the  Museum's  Annual  Fund,  exhibition,  education  and 
research  programs. 

Thanks  to  thousands  of  caring  individuals,  the 
Annual  Fund  (annual  contributions  of  $100  to 
$1,499)  grew  by  23  percent,  providing  essential 
support  for  the  Museum's  everyday  operations. 
The  Founders'  Council  (Annual  Fund  donors  who 
contribute  $1,500  or  more  each  year)  contributed 
more  than  $1.6  million  in  unrestricted  support 
and  more  than  $1.2  million  in  restricted  support 
to  special  projects  in  education  and  anthropology. 

Sponsorships  accounted  for  more  than  $966,000. 
We  are  especially  grateful  to  BP  and  Exelon,  the 
international  and  national  sponsors  of  Cleopatra  of 
Egypt.  Other  corporate  gifts  exceeded  $740,000, 
and  foundation  support  surpassed  $785,000. 

Among  the  auxiliary  boards,  the  Women's  Board 
made  an  unrestricted  gift  of  $750,000  to  the 
Museum  and  an  additional  $100,000  to  the  new 
vice  president  for  academic  affairs,  Dr.  Robert 
Martin,  to  be  used  at  his  discretion  for  special  pro- 
jects. The  Field  Associates  supported  Wrapped  in  Pride 
with  $30,000  and  raised  more  than  $70,000 


Max  Farrell  (left)  and 
Liz  Martinez  (right), 
co-chairs  of  The  Cleopatra 
Ball,  with  Women's  Board 
President  Barbara 
Pearlman  (middle) 


through  its  Butterfly  Ball.  The  Cultural  Collections 
Committee  generated  more  than  $300,000  to 
endow  field-  and  collections-based  internships  in 
anthropology.  And  the  Friends  of  the  Library  trans- 
formed the  Museum's  third  floor  into  an  art  gallery 
showcasing  incredible  digital  reproductions  of 
Audubon's  50  best. 

We  deeply  appreciate  the  City  of  Chicago  for 
its  generous,  ongoing  commitment  to  the  Museum. 
In  particular,  the  Chicago  Park  District  gave  $7.5 
million  in  annual  operating  funds  in  2001. 

No  matter  how  much  you  give,  sustaining  and 
growing  the  Museum  would  not  be  possible  with- 
out you.  We  thank  all  our  supporters  for  helping 
to  keep  The  Field  Museum  an  invaluable  part  of 
Chicago's  heritage,  and  of  your  lives. 


Collections  Resource  Center  Commences 


Behind  the  Museum's  southeast  construc- 
tion fence,  you  might  find  archaeologist 
Scott  Demel  elbow-deep  in  mud.  As  is 
required  on  any  public  land,  he's  conduct- 
ing salvage  archaeology  and  searching  for 
clues  to  the  origin  of  the  lakefront's  landfill. 
Not  all  of  what  lies  beneath  the  top  15  feet 
is  rubble  from  the  Great  Chicago  Fire.  It 
consists  primarily  of  early  20th-century 
hotel  and  restaurant  debris.  Demel  even 
found  a  metal  baggage  claim  that  was 
x-rayed  to  determine  its  origin. 

That's  not  all  that  Demel  is  observing. 
Construction  has  just  begun  for  the  new 
Collections  Resource  Center  (CRC). 
Demel  will  be  coordinating  the  move 
of  portions  of  our  collections  into  the 
new  183,000-square-feet  facility. 

Designed  by  Skidmore,  Owings  & 
Merrill  LLP  (SOM),  the  CRC  will  house 
ethnographic  objects  and  archaeological 
artifacts,  rocks  and  paleobotanical  fossils, 


skeletal  specimens,  wet-preserved  animals 
and  oversized  items  such  as  totem  poles  and 
dinosaur  bones.  It  will  meet  exceptional 
environmental  standards  for  conserving 
organic  materials  and  provide  essential 
office,  lecture  and  laboratory  space.  It  will 
also  free  up  about  45,000  square  feet  for 
new  exhibition  and  program  areas  inside 
the  Museum.  Completing  the  CRC  will 
take  two  and  a  half  years  and  is  estimated 
to  cost  $50  million.  A  new  loading  dock, 
designed  by  Vernon  Williams  Architects, 
PC,  and  a  new  East  Entrance  will  be 
built  at  the  same  time. 

Last  year,  our  campaign  to  gain  support 
for  these  projects  amassed  more  than 
35,000  messages  to  Gov.  George  Ryan 
and  members  of  the  Illinois  General 
Assembly.  Thanks  to  you,  we  received  the 
first  $20  million  of  the  $40  million  that  we 
requested.  We  are  now  working  to  obtain 
additional  funding  through  a  coordinated 


campaign  with  our  Museums  in  the  Park 
colleagues. 

Visit  the  "Send  a  Message  from  the 
Queen"  booth  in  Stanley  Field  Hall  to 
create  personalized  postcards  for  your 
elected  officials.  Or,  fill  out  and  mail  the 
enclosed  postcards.  Your  participation 
ensures  that  our  collections  and  research 
remain  the  lifeblood  of  this  institution. 


Instead  of  the  current  shelves,  where  organic  materials  are  prone  to  damage  from  humidity, 
insects  and  other  risks,  the  new  CRC  will  utilize  space-saving,  mobile  cabinets. 


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WINTER  2002  February-March 


I  NT  HE  FIELD  FEATURE 


From  Mountaintops  to  the  Ocean  Floor, 
New  Program  Takes  You  There 

Note:  From  the  Archives  was  replaced  in  this  issue  with  breaking  news.  Tlie  Field  Museum  is  piloting  a  new 
program  in  March  that  will  allow  the  public  to  follow  our  scientists  to  remote  sites  around  the  globe.  We  want 
you,  our  members,  to  have  the  opportunity  to  participate. 


What  is  it  like  to  conduct  research  in  the  field? 

The  unexpected.  Dr.  Gary  Feinman  peers  over  four  long,  flat  stones  just  excavated  that 
had  been  hidden  under  the  plaster  floor  of  a  Classic-Period  house  in  Oaxaca,  Mexico. 

The  hard  work.  Patiently  waiting  for  her  equipment  to  rise,  with  watchful  eyes  on  the  rising 
swells  slapping  against  the  boat,  Dr.  Janet  Voight  knows  the  challenges  of  collecting 
deep-sea  animals  3,600  meters  below  on  the  Pacific  Ocean  floor. 

The  unknown.  Flying  over  high-altitude  lakes  among  eroded  red-rock  hills  and  impene- 
trable sheer  rock  walls,  Dr.  Debra  Moskovits  will  soon  be  with  a  team  of  biologists 
conducting  a  rapid  biological  inventory  of  the  animals  and  plants  in  an  unexplored 
region  of  central  Peru. 


-'. 


Above:  Tlie  Remotely 
Operated  Vehicle,  Jason, 
provides  Dr.  Voight  with 
real-time  video  of  deep- 
sea  octopuses. 


Right:  A  tomb  uncovered 
by  Dr.  Feinman  in 
Oaxaca,  Mexico 


IN  THE  FIELD 


Through  technology.  The  Field  Museum's  new  pilot 
project.  expeditions@f  ieldmuseum,  can  put  you 
there.  It  is  The  Field  Museum  at  work  . . .  shared 
through  the  eyes  of  scientists  on  field  expeditions. 
What  is  it  like  to  unexpectedly  uncover  a  tomb 


beneath  the  floor  of  a  house?  What  is  it  like  to  try 
to  understand  a  world  so  remote  that  no  one  can 
even  visit  it?  What  is  it  like  to  look  across  a  mountain 
ridge  brimming  with  plants  previously  unknown 
to  science?  And  what  is  it  like,  after  weeks  of  hard 
work,  to  find  nothing  at  all? 

Field  Museum  scientists  invite  you  to  become 
a  part  of  the  Museum's  working  science  by 
participating  in  the  2002  pilot  season  of 
expeditions@fieldmuseum.  Through  emails  and 
online  video  reporting  from  the  field,  scientists 
will  describe  their  work  as  they  explore  and  dis- 
cover. Project  Manager  Jennifer  Eagleton  said  the 
program's  immediacy  makes  it  unique.  "We  are  not 
presenting  our  research  results.  We  are  not  staging 
an  event,"  she  said.  "We  are  offering  the  public  an 
opportunity  to  come  behind  the  scenes  and  into 
the  field  with  small  groups  of  scientists  to  partici- 
pate in  the  process  of  discovery." 

Dr. Voight  said  that  while  there  are  many  ways 
to  learn  about  research  results,  expeditions@field- 
museum  is  a  unique  forum  for  scientists  to  share 
the  process  of  fieldwork  with  the  public.  The  pro- 
gram is  not  scripted,  and  with  fieldwork,  said  Dr. 
Voight,  "There  are  no  guarantees." 

Except  one. Through  expeditions® 
f  ieldmuseum  you  will  be  right  there. 

We  unll  launch  the  pilot  with  Dr.  Feiumau's  excavation  in 
Oaxaca,  Mexico,  in  March  and  Dr.  Voight 's  Pacific  cruise  in 
May.  To  sign  up  for  these  opportunities,  email  us  at  expedi- 
tions® fieldmuseum.org.  You  can  aho  check  the  2002 
expedition  schedule  at  www. fieldmuseum.org /expeditions. 

This  project  is  generously  funded  by  Tlie  Xegaunee 
Foundation. 


MEMBERSHIP/ANNUALFUN1) 


2002  Membership  Policy  Changes 


Call  the  membership  department  at  312.665.7700  with  questions  about  your  benefits. 

1)  Present  a  photo  I.D.  along  with  your  membership  card  for  admission. 

This  new  procedure  is  designed  to  protect  the  use  of  your  benefits.  Please  remember  that  memberships  are 
non-transferable  and  benefits  are  for  the  purchasing  individual  or  family. 

2)  Membership  Card  Replacement  Fee 

We  are  happy  to  replace  one  lost  membership  card  each  year  per  household  at  no  charge.  Additional 
replacement  cards  cost  $3. 

3)  Member  Passes  for  Special  Exhibitions 

When  you  request  member  passes  for  members'-only  viewing  nights,  they  will  be  subtracted  from  the 
total  number  of  free  passes  that  you  can  receive  during  the  exhibition's  run.  Family  members  and  Annual 
Fund  contributors  can  receive  four  passes,  and  senior,  student,  individual  and  National  Affiliate  members 
receive  two  passes. 


Chocolate  Previews 


Membership  Chocolate  Previews 

Feb.  15,  20,  21  and  24,  and  March  18  and  19 
All  preview  times  are  5  to  10pm. 
Invitation  and  details  to  come  in  the  mail. 
Call  312.665.7700 for  information. 


Annual  Fund  Chocolate  Preview 

For  donors  who  contribute  $100— $1,499 
Tuesday,  Feb.  19 

Invitation  and  details  to  come  in  the  mail. 
Call  312.665.7777 for  information. 


Steppenwolf  Theatre  Offers  Discount  Tickets 

Call  the  Steppenwolf  Theatre  box  office  at  312.335.1650  for  these  great  offers 
to  Field  Museum  members. 


Ensemble  member  Tina  Landau  directs  the  world 
premiere  of  Maria  Arndt,  a  story  of  passion,  unre- 
quited love,  loss  and  the  unbreakable  bond 
between  mother  and  daughter.  Mention  code 
FMU  to  receive  two  tickets  for  the  price  of  one 
($35  to  $50  full  price)  any  Tuesday,  Wednesday  or 
Thursday,  Feb.  7  to  March  3 1 . 


In  Sherwood  Anderson's  Winesburg,  Ohio,  a 
young  boy  is  surrounded  by  ordinary  people 
who  gradually  reveal  that  they  are  twisted, 
burdened  and  elated  by  extraordinary  passions. 
Fridays  and  Saturdays,  Feb.  22  to  March  16. 
Mention  code  FMU  for  $7.50  discounted  tickets. 


Hotel  Packages  for  Family  and  Friends 


JLL 


With  convenient  locations,  wonderful  amenities  and  a  range  of  options  for  every  budget,  several  Chicago 
hotels  are  offering  special  packages  that  include  tickets  to  Chocolate,  open  Feb.  14  through  Dec.  31,  2002. 


Chicago's  Essex  Inn 

800.621.6909 

The  Drake  Hotel 

312.787.2200 

Executive  Plaza  Hotel 

800.621.4005 

Fairfield  Inn  and  Suites 

800.228.2800 


Four  Seasons  Hotel  Chicago 

312.280.8400 

The  Hilton  Chicago 

800.HILT0NS 

Hotel  Burnham  Chicago 

877.294.9712  or 
312.782.1111 


Hyatt  Regency  McCormick 

800.233.1234 

Lenox  Suites  Hotel 

800.44.LEN0X 

Millennium  Knickerbocker 

800.621.8140 


The  Palmer  House  Hilton 

800.HILT0NS 

Park  Hyatt  Chicago 

312.335.1234 

Sheraton  Four  Points- 
Midway 

773.581.5300 


WINTER  2002  February-March    ■ 


Field  Museum  Tours  at  a  Glance 


For  information,  call  Field  Museum  Tours  at  800.811.7244  or  email  fmtours@sover.net.  Please  note  that 
rates,  prices  and  itineraries  are  subject  to  change  and  that  prices  are  per  person,  double  occupancy. 


Island  of  Legends: 
Circumnavigation  of  Crete 

April  2 1-May  2,2002 

Circumnavigate  Crete  on  a 
luxurious  34-passenger  yacht, 
and  discover  the  wonders  of  the 
Minoans. Visit  the  magnificent 
palaces  of  Knossos.  Phaestos, 
Mallia  and  Kato  Zakros.  and  the 
ruins  of  Gortyn  and  Lato.  Tour 
the  Heraklion  Museum,  historic 
Chania  and  the  monasteries  of 
Toplu  and  Preveli,  and  drive  through 
beautiful  Kourtaliotiko  Gorge. 

Galapagos  Islands  Adventure 

With  FM  President  John  McCarter 

July  5-July  15,  2002  (wait-listed) 

The  Best  of  Kenya: 

An  Exclusive  Field  Museum 

Luxury  Safari 

Auc.  24-  Sept.  8,2002 
Leader:  Dr.  Bruce  Patterson,  TFM 
A  Aii Arthur  curator  of  mammals  and 
president-elect  of  the  American  Society 
q)  Mammalovists 

Travel  in  comfortable,  roomy  land 
cruisers,  feast  on  excellent  cuisine 
and  camp  in  luxury  tents  that  pro- 
vide an  authentic  glimpse  into  the 
"bush  life"  of  historical  safaris.  Plus, 
Dr.  Patterson's  expertise  and  the 
camaraderie  of  your  driver-guides 
will  greatly  enhance  your  experi- 
ence of  these  safari  spectacles: 

The  Serengeti's  Maasai  Mara 
National  Reserve — Witness  one 

of  the  greatest  wildlife  spectacles 
in  the  world  as  countless  wilde- 
beest, zebra  and  gazelle  migrate 
across  the  plains. 


Tsavo  National  Park — Notorious 
for  its  man-earing  lions,  Tsavo  is 
home  to  more  than  400  bird 
species  and  at  least  1 28  mammal 
species,  including  elephant,  giraffe, 
buffalo,  gazelle,  hippo,  lesser  kudu, 
antelope  and  black  rhino.  Dr. 
Patterson,  an  expert  on  Tsavo  lions, 
will  offer  perspective  on  their  evo- 
lution, behavior  and  forensic  clues 
to  man-eating. 

Amboseli  National  Park — 

Dominated  by  Mt.  Kilimanjaro, 
this  park  supports  more  than  1,000 
elephants  and  other  large  mammals 
such  as  cheetahs,  leopards,  wilde- 
beest, zebra,  eland  and  buffalo. 

Samburu/Buffalo  Springs  Game 
Reserves — Experience  the  unique 
pastoral  culture  of  the  Samburu 
people,  and  see  such  distinctive 
animals  as  Beisa  oryx,  Grevy's  zebra, 
reticulated  giraffe  and  gerenuk. 

Rift  Valley  Lakes — Take  a  refresh- 
ing break  from  the  game  trails  to 
enjoy  teeming  flocks  of  flamingoes 
and  hippos  reveling  in  cool,  buoy- 
ant waters. 

Ancient  Wonders  of  Peru — 
Women's  Board  Trip 

Sept,  13-25,  2002  (sold  out) 


Egypt  Revisited 

Oct.  13-27,  2002 

Egypt  has  so  much  to  see  that  it  is 
worth  an  in-depth,  second  visit. 
Sites  include  Abusir,  Dashur, 
Maidum,  Faiyum,  Tanus,  Abydos, 
Dendara,  dawn  at  Abu  Simbel  and 
Amada,  plus  lesser  known  sites  in 
Cairo.  Luxor  and  Aswan.  Enjoy  a 
cruise  on  Lake  Nasser. 

The  Amazon  by  Riverboat 

Jan.  18-26,  2003 

Explore  the  Amazon,  Ucayali  and 
Tapiche  Rivers  in  Peru  for  eight 
days  aboard  a  14-cabin  riverboat. 
Search  for  river  dolphins:  bowler, 
squirrel  and  capuchin  monkeys: 
sloths;  capybaras;  and  unusual  birds. 
Optional  extension  to  Machu 
Picchu. 

Egyptian  Odyssey 

Jan.  26 -Feb.  9,  2003 

By  land  and  riverboat.  explore 
the  famed  pyramids  of  Giza.The 
Egyptian  Museum,  the  Valleys  of 
the  Kings  and  Queens,  Karnak, 
the  temples  of  Khnum,  Horus  and 
Isis,  and  Abu  Simbel's  three  colossi 
of  Ramses  II.  Five-star  accommo- 
dations throughout. 


Spring  2002 

April 

May 


The   Field    Museum's   Member   Publication 


Especie  nueva 
VRANTACEAE  Calyptranthes 


Especie  prob.  nueva 
OLACACEAE  Heisteria 


New  Ecuadorian 
Reserve  in  Cofan  Hands 

Fossils  Reveal  Extinct 
Lake  Community 


Especie  prob.  nueva 
USSIFL.  Passiflora  (arbol) 


Especie  nueva 
RUBIACEAE  Palicourea 


Especie  nueva 
RUBIACEAE  Psychotria 


Especie  prob.  nueva 
RUBIACEAE  Rudgea 


Genero  nuevo  para  Ecuador 
SCROPHULARIACEAE  Basistemon 


FRO.MTHE  PRESIDENT 


Field  Museum's  Got  It  Covered 


The  Field  Museum  is  blessed  with  an  extraordinarily  talented 
group  of  scientists.  Our  tradition  of  maintaining  world-class  col- 
lections and  conducting  research  around  the  world  dates  back  to 
1893.  But  our  team  of  curators,  collections  managers,  graduate 
students,  volunteers  and  other  academic  staff — nearly  400 — has 
come  to  full  fruition  in  the  past  two  decades  under  the  dynamic 
leadership  of  Willard  "Sandy"  Boyd,  Peter  Crane  and  now 
Robert  uBob"  Martin,  who  officially  joined  the  Museum  last  fall. 


Our  scientists  are  at  the  core  of  this  institution's 
success.  Without  them,  we  would  not  be  able  to 
collect  or  maintain  22  million  artifacts  and  speci- 
mens for  research  by  the  international  scientific 
community.  We  would  not  have  active  research  on 
every  continent  of  the  Earth.  We  would  not  be  able 
build  exhibitions  such  as  Sue,  Chocolate  or  the 
upcoming  Pearls,  which  was  created  in  collaboration 
with  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History 
(AMNH)  in  New  York. 

Field  Museum  scientists  have  distinguished  them- 
selves in  recent  years  with  overwhelming  financial 
support  from  major  funding  organizations,  including 
the  National  Science  Foundation,  NASA,  the 
National  Endowment  for  the  Humanities  and  the 
Institute  of  Museum  and  Library  Services.  Last 
year  alone,  the  Museum  received  $3.4  million 
in  restricted  support  for  academic  research  and 
conservation  education.  Over  the  past  few  years, 
other  major  foundation  support  for  science  has 
included  the  Regenstein 

Foundation,  Robert 

R.  McCormick 
Tribune  Foundation, 


| 

Patterns 

John  D.  and  Catherine  T.  MacArthur  Foundation, 
Gordon  and  Betty  Moore  Foundation  and  The 
Elizabeth  Morse  Charitable  Trust. 

Another  key  measure  of  productivity  is  publish- 
ing. Last  year,  Field  Museum  scientists  authored 
nearly  300  books  and  papers  in  a  variety  of  interna- 
tional journals.  The  photo  collage  and  list  below 
represent  our  scientists'  range  of  intellectual  and 
geographical  coverage: 

•  Pearls:  A  Natural  History— co-written  by  Riidiger 
Bieler,  zoology,  and  Bennet  Bronson,  anthropol- 
ogy, with  Neil  H.  Landman  and  Paula  M. 
Mikkelsen  of  the  AMNH 

•  The  Evolution  of  Plants— co-written  by  J.C.  "Jenny" 
McElwain,  geology 

•  Stress  and  Resilience:  Tlie  Social  Context  of 
Reproduction  in  Central  Harlan— co-written  by 
Alaka  Wali,  anthropology 

•  Tlie  fournal  of  Experimental  Biology— an  article 
on  turtle  mechanics  by  Mark  Westneat,  zoology 

•  Phylogenetic  Relationships  of  the  Earliest 
Anisostrophically  Coiled  Gastropods— Peter  J. 
Wagner,  geology 

•  From  Leaders  to  Rulers- Jonathan  Haas,  anthropology 

•  Evolutionary  Patterns:  Growth,  Form,  and  Tempo  on  the 
Fossil  Record-  co-edited  by  Scott  Lidgard,  geology 


^tev  x^^ut^ 


John  W  McCarter,  Jr. 
President  &  CEO 


What  do  vou  think  ahout  Tn  the  Field? 


For  general  membership  inquiries,  including  address  changes,  call  312.665.7700.  For  questions  about 
the  magazine  In  the  Field,  call  312.665.7115,  email  acranch@fmnh.org,  or  write  Amy  E.  Cranch, 
Editor,  The  Field  Museum,  1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive,  Chicago,  IL  60605-2496. 


INTHEFIELD 

Spring  2002,  April-May,  Vol.73,  Mo. 3 

Editor: 

Amy  E.  Cranch,  The  Field  Museum 

Design: 

Depke  Design 

Copy  editor: 
Laura  F.  Nelson 

V<r  In  the  Field  is  printed  on  recycled  paper 
using  soy-based  inks.  All  images  ©  The 
Field  Museum  unless  otherwise  specified. 

fn  the  Field  (ISSN  #1051-4546)  is  published 
quarterly  by  The  Field  Museum.  Copyright  2002 
The  Field  Museum.  Annual  subscriptions  are 
$20;  $10  for  schools.  Museum  membership 
includes  In  the  Field  subscription.  Opinions 
expressed  by  authors  are  their  own  and  do  not 
necessarily  reflect  the  policy  of  The  Field 
Museum.  Motification  of  address  change  should 
include  address  label  and  should  be  sent  to  the 
membership  department.  POSTMASTER:  Send 
address  changes  to  Membership,  The  Field 
Museum,  1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive, 
Chicago,  IL  60605-2496.  Periodicals  postage 
paid  at  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Cover:  These  rare  plant  species,  many  new  to 
science,  are  found  in  a  new  protected  reserve  in 
the  Andean  foothills  of  Ecuador.  All  cover  pho- 
tos by  Robin  Foster.  See  the  story  on  pages  2-3, 
or  visit  www.fieldmuseum.org/rbi. 

The  Field  Museum  salutes  the  people  of 
Chicago  for  their  long-standing,  generous 
support  of  the  Museum  through  the 
Chicago  Park  District. 


X 


fa 


Field 


useum 


1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive 
Chicago,  IL  60605-2496 
312.922.9410 
www.fieldmuseum.org 


2 


Ecuador's  government  establishes  a  new 
protected  reserve  based  on  FM  research. 
Top:Thc  Cofdn  will  be  managing  the  land. 
Here,  a  botanist  weaves  a  backpack  from 
Philodendron  roots. 


4 


An  FM  scientist  journeys  to  the  most 
exotic,  unknown  place  on  Earth — the 
deep,  dark  seafloor. 

Middle:  Velodona  togata,  from  a  report  of  the 
1898—1899  German  deep-sea  expedition  on 
board  the  Valdivia. 


16 


Stunningly  preserved  fossils  reveal  a  long- 
extinct  lake  community  in  Wyoming. 
Bottom:  Female  stingray  with  embryo 


21 


In  Membership/ Annual  Fund  news,  find 
out  the  dates  for  Members'  Nights,  how  to 
get  tickets  to  Chocolate  and  travel/parking 
options  for  Museum  Campus  during  the 
reconstruction  of  Soldier  Field. 


Museum  Campus  Neighbors 


Shedd  Aquarium    Just  for  the  preschool  set,  Shedd  offers  a  day  of 
special  activities  during  uTots  on  Tuesdays."  Between  9am  and  5pm 
every  Tuesday,  children  ages  3  to  5  can  take  part  in  story  times,  crafts, 
animal  touch  programs  and  videos,  all  related  to  an  aquatic  theme. 
Programs  are  ongoing;  locations  will  be  posted  in  the  main  foyer.  For 
more  information,  call  312.939.2438,  orvisitwww.sheddaquarium.org. 


Adler  Planetarium    In  Bringing  the  Heavens  to  Earth:  Cultural 
Astronomies  Around  the  World,  our  new  interactive  exhibition,  you 
can  become  an  Assyrian  king  determining  your  fate,  or  a  Polynesian 
navigator  using  the  starry  night  to  chart  your  path  home.  This  exhibition 
unveils  the  diverse  cultures  that  have  contributed  to  the  quest  to  under- 
stand humans'  place  in  the  Universe.  Also,  don't  miss  the  new  sky  show, 
Skywatchers  of  Africa.  Visit  www.adlerplanetarium.org,  or  call 
312. 922. STAR. 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


INTHEFIELDTl  ature 


In  the  Hands  of  the  People:  New  Ecuadorian 
Reserve  Under  Cofan  Management 

Greg  Bor:o.  Media  Manager,  Academic  Affairs,  and  Gillian  Darbw,  Managa 
Business  Development  and  (IneratLuis  F.mrittmmenta}  and 


Tlie  Agiiarico  1  alley 


On  Jan.  30,  Ecuador's  Minister  of  Environment,  Hon.  Lourdes  Lugue  de  Jaramillo, 
signed  a  decree  creating  a  new,  globally  outstanding  protected  area  in  Ecuador's 
Andean  foothills  at  the  Colombia  border.  The  biological  information  that  motivated  the 
Ecuadorian  government  to  take  this  important  step  came  from  the  results  and  recom- 
mendations of  a  rapid  biological  inventory  (RBI)  led  by  scientists  from  The  Field 
Museum  and  their  Cofan  counterparts. 


The  new  195-square-mile  Reserva  Ecologica  Cofan 
Bermejo  lies  in  rugged  terrain  previously  unmapped 
by  scientists  but  familiar  to  the  local  indigenous 
Cofan  residents.  These  are  the  Cofan  foothills  in 
northern  Ecuador  (Serranias  Cofan),  where  the 
worlds  most  diverse  mountain  range  rises  out 
of  Earths  biologically  richest  lowland  forests.  The 
Serranias  are  a  complex  tangle  of  topography  and 
biodiversity,  with  a  rich  mix  of  natural  communities 
found  nowhere  else  on  the  planet. 

"The  wet  slopes  of  the  Andes  pack  unique 
species  of  plants  and  animals  all  along  their  length 
from  Venezuela  south  to  Bolivia,"  said  Debra 
Moskovits,  Ph.D.,  director  of  the  Museum's 
Environmental  and  Conservation  Programs  (ECP), 
who  coordinated  the  biological  research  that  led  to 
the  governments  decision  to  protect  the  foothills. 


"The  new  Reserva  Ecologica  adds  a  vital  link  to 
the  chain  of  protected,  distinct  communities  along 
the  Andes." 

This  marks  the  first  time  in  Ecuador  that  federally 
protected  lands  have  been  placed  in  official  custody 
of  the  resident  indigenous  people,  in  this  case  the 
Cofan.  It  will  create  a  model  for  science-based 
stewardship  of  land  by  indigenous  people. 

"Finally,  we  are  getting  legal  support  for  pro- 
tecting one  of  the  wildest,  least  explored,  most 
beautiful  regions  left  on  the  globe,"  said  Randy 
Borman,  executive  director  of  the  Cofan  Survival 
Fund.  "Abundant  wildlife,  high  mountains,  thick 
forests,  crystalline  rivers,  a  culture  living  intimately 
with  its  environment:  This  is  a  major  victory  for 
conservation." 


8B    SPRING  2002    April-May 


BACKGROUND  AND  ABOVE  PHOTOS  BY  D.  MOSKOVIT: 


Science-Based  Collaboration  for  Conservation 

The  Cofan  have  long  considered  conservation  of 
natural  areas  as  key  to  their  long-term  survival. 
For  example,  a  recent  documentary  by  Bill  Kurtis 
that  aired  on  A&E's  Investigative  Reports,  called 
American  Chief  in  the  Amazon,  portrayed  how  the 
Cofan  successfully  stood  up  to  oil  companies  that 
were  devastating  their  lands  and  rivers. 

Borman,  who  was  raised  among  the  Cofan  by 
his  American  missionary  parents,  has  helped  focus 
international  attention  to  the  plight  of  this  indige- 
nous community.  In  1998, The  Field  Museum 
awarded  him  with  the  Parker/Gentry  Award  for 
Conservation  Biology.  Since  then,  Field  Museum 
scientists  have  worked  closely  with  the  Cofan  to 
boost  the  levels  of  dangerously  declining  populations 
of  Amazonian  river  turtles.  Roberto  Aguinda,  then 
president  of  the  Cofan  community  Zabalo,  also 
spent  weeks  working  in  the  Museum's  herbarium 
with  Dr.  Robin  Foster  and  other  scientists  to 
document  the  Cofan's  knowledge  of  local  plants. 
Additionally,  ECP's  Dan  Brinkmeier  has  developed 
a  series  of  illustrated  technical  booklets  to  help  the 
Cofan  extend  their  conservation  knowledge  to 
neighboring  communities. 

Scientific  Fieldtrip 

In  the  summer  of  2001,  ECP,  the  Cofan  Survival 
Fund,  the  Indigenous  Federation  of  the  Cofan 
Nation  in  Ecuador  and  other  Ecuadorian  and 
Peruvian  scientists  conducted  an  BJBI  of  the  regions 
plants  and  animals.  The  John  D.  and  Catherine  T 
MacArthur  Foundation,  which  also  supported  the 
RBI  that  led  to  the  creation  of  the  Parque  Nacional 
Cordillera  Azul  in  Peru  last  year  (see  May— June 
2001  In  the  Field),  funded  this  RBI  in  Ecuador. The 
Museum's  RBI  program  is  designed  to  catalyze 
effective  action  for  conservation  in  threatened 
regions  of  high  biological  diversity. 

In  the  Andean  foothills  of  Ecuador,  the  BJ3I  team 
found  a  spectacularly  diverse  mix  of  plants  and  ani- 
mals, including  at  least  12  species  new  to  science.  In 
just  three  weeks  in  the  field,  the  scientists  identified: 

•  800  species  of  plants,  including  129  species  in  the 
coffee  family  alone 


•  42  species  of  large  mammals,  including  12  species 
of  monkeys  and  eight  species  that  are  listed  as 
globally  threatened 

•  399  species  of  birds,  including  large  populations 
of  many  that  are  rare  or  threatened  elsewhere  in 
the  Andes 

•  31  species  of  amphibians  and  reptiles,  including 
one  lizard  new  to  science. 

"The  number  of  threatened  and  near-threatened 
bird  species  recorded  from  even  this  brief  survey 
of  the  Serranias  Cofan  make  this  region  one  of 
the  most  important  sites  for  bird  conservation  any- 
where in  the  eastern  Andes  of  Colombia,  Ecuador 
or  northern  Peru,"  said  Thomas  Schulenberg,  Ph.D., 
a  Field  Museum  conservation  ecologist. 

The  New  Reserva  Ecologica 

The  conservation  of  these  foothills  is  increasingly 
critical.  A  new,  interoceanic  highway  that  links  the 
Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  has  split  a  once  continuous 
expanse  of  forest.  Waves  of  colonists  already  are 
following  the  highway,  clearing  and  fragmenting 
the  area.  Illegal  hunting  and  fishing  have  increased. 
Commercial  logging  companies  have  begun  to  cut 
hardwoods  along  the  road,  their  chainsaws  audible 
throughout  the  mountains. 

Meanwhile,  Colombia's  civil  war  and  drug 
trafficking  problems  are  spilling  heavily  over  into 
Ecuador.  "Between  the  colonists,  guerillas,  warlords, 
oil  companies,  loggers  and  miners,  we  are  sitting  on 
a  bomb,"  Borman  said. 

Under  the  groundbreaking  governmental  decree, 
the  Cofan  residents  will  manage  the  reserve,  collab- 
orate with  research,  patrol  against  incursions  and 
monitor  progress  toward  conservation  goals.  "The 
Cofan's  determination  to  protect  the  spectacular 
biodiversity  that  is  central  for  their  survival  and  their 
knowledge  of  the  plants  and  animals  in  their  back- 
yard make  the  Cofan  critical  players  in  the  effective, 
long-term  conservation  of  this  region,"  said  Dr. 
Moskovits.  "The  Reserva  Ecologica  will  create  a 
model  of  successful,  science-based  stewardship  of 
ancestral  lands  by  an  indigenous  community."  ITF 

For  more  information,  visit  umtv.fieldmuseum.org/rbi. 


Top  left:  Hyla  phyllog- 
natha,  a  species  of  the 
upper  hill  forests 

Top  middle:  Earthworms 
can  grow  to  more  than 
a  meter  long. 

Top  right:  The  Cofan 
protect  Enyalioides 
cofanorum  and  other 
animals  driven  extinct. 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


IN  THEFIELDFEATURE 


lesearc 


Deeper 


Imagine  you  could  win  a  million  dollars  if, 
after  randomly  sticking  a  pin  in  a  globe, 
you  go  to  that  place  and  set  foot  on  the 
ground.  It  might  sound  like  a  pretty  sure 
bet,  but  your  chances  of  winning  are  less 
than  50:50.  That's  because  oceans  cover 
two-thirds  of  the  Earth's  surface,  and  90 
percent  of  them  are  deeper  than  300 
meters  (984  feet) — too  deep  for  anyone 
but  the  most  highly  skilled  and  properly 
equipped  diver  to  touch  bottom. 


Just  150  years  ago,  the  deep  sea  was  thought  to 
be  so  hostile  to  life  that  no  animals  could  live  there. 
Certainly  no  plants  could  live  below  200  meters 
(660  feet),  where  the  sunlight  they  require  for  pho- 
tosynthesis is  extinguished. The  1860  discovery  of 
deep-sea  animals  attached  to  seafloor  cables  that  had 
been  pulled  up  for  repair  was  among  the  first  con- 
tributions of  technology  to  deep-sea  biology.  Those 
animals  led  to  the  Challenger's  round-the-world 
trawling  cruise  in  1873,  launching  our  present 
fascination  with  and  discovery  of  the  deep  sea's 
enigmatic  inhabitants.  Deep-sea  biology  remains 
technology-dependent  because  the  habitat  is  one  of 
perpetual  cold,  inky  darkness  and  crushing  pressures 
from  the  overlying  water  column.  The  latter  fact  is 
critical,  as  breathable  air  is  of  no  use  at  2,000 
meters  depth  (6,560  feet)  if  the  ambient  pressure  of 
207  kilograms  per  square  centimeter  (2,940  pounds 
per  square  inch)  flattens  one's  lungs. 

Given  the  rigors  of  the  deep  sea,  why  go  there? 
Quite  simply,  the  deep  sea  hosts  the  most  exotic, 
unknown  fauna  on  the  planet.  It's  the  one  place  to 
go  for  a  zoologist  like  me  who  studies  cephalopod 
mollusks.  Only  a  tiny  part  of  the  deep  sea  and  its 
fauna  have  been  explored,  meaning  that  unimag- 
ined  squids,  octopuses  or  other  invertebrates  may 
live  undiscovered.  Air  breathers  like  us  or  insects  or 
birds  can't  occur  there,  but  representatives  of  nearly 
every  phylum  of  the  animal  kingdom  have  been 
found  on  the  seafloor. 

Technology  is  helping  to  improve  our  knowledge 
of  these  animals  and  their  habitat.  Until  40  years 
ago,  the  only  way  to  see  deep-sea  animals  was  to 
trawl — drag  a  net  through  the  water  column  or 
across  the  seafloor  and  pull  it  up  a  few  hours  later 
to  see  what's  inside.  Trawls  often  damage  the  fragile 
animals,  which  arrive  on  the  ship's  deck  jumbled 
together  in  densities  much  higher  than  would  ever 
occur  in  nature.  Most  animals  live  at  low  densities 


Tlie  LIS.  research  submersible  Alvin 

because  they  rely  on  bits  of  food  that  drift  down 
from  the  upper  ocean  where  plants  harvest  light  to 
make  sugars.  Looking  only  at  the  contents  of  a  trawl 
net  gives  an  unrealistic  view  of  deep-sea  animals. 

The  only  way  to  see  the  deep  seafloor  and  its 
inhabitants  with  your  own  eyes  and  come  back 
alive  is  via  one  of  the  world's  five  deep-diving, 
manned  research  submersibles.  Russia  has  two,  and 
Japan,  France  and  the  United  States  each  have  one. 
Military  submarines  carry  many  people  and  can 
stay  submerged  for  long  periods,  but  they  can 
typically  only  dive  to  a  few  hundred  meters  depth. 
Research  submersibles  are  small,  carry  three  people 
and  dive  for  just  a  day  to  depths  greater  than  4,000 
meters  (13,230  feet). 

The  U.S.  research  submersible,  Ah'in,  is  approved 
to  dive  to  4,500  meters  depth  (14,765  feet),  which 
is  only  750  meters  (461  feet)  deeper  than  the 
ocean's  average  depth.  During  37  years  of  service, 
Alvin  has  averaged  about  100  dives  each  year.  With 
a  maximum  speed  of  about  one  mile  an  hour — a 
slow  stroll  in  the  park — and  lights  that  only  pene- 
trate the  pitch  black  about  10  feet  ahead,  Alvin  may 
not  seem  to  be  the  best  vessel  to  explore  a  massive, 
unknown  world.  Its  abilities  are  proven,  however, 
even  though  it  only  dives  in  the  upper  half  of  the 
ocean.  To  use  Alvin,  one  also  needs  its  274-foot- 
long  mother  ship,  the  R/V Atlantis,  and  a  crew  of 
about  34  people — all  for  an  estimated  cost  of 
$35,000  a  day.  Scientists  apply  to  use  Alvin  and 


SPRING  2002    April- May 


other  national  research  vessels  through  competitive 
research  proposals.  A  panel  of  scientists  ranks  the 
quality  and  feasibility  of  a  proposal,  judged  in  part 
on  the  requester's  experience  in  deep-sea  research. 

This  summer,  I  will  lead  FIELD  (Focused 
Investigations  of  Environment  and  Life  at  Depth),  a 
1 2-day  research  cruise  using  Alvin.  I  developed  my 
deep-sea  research  experience  using  Alvin  with  help 
from  other  sea-going  scientists,  such  as  geologists 
and  physical  oceanographers,  who  let  me  join  their 
cruises.  This  both  allowed  me  to  learn  and  broad- 
ened the  impact  of  their  research.  Sampling  animals 
can  be  done  quickly,  or  is  unavoidable  if  the 
animals  live  on  rocks  that  they  are  collecting.  As 
a  sea-going  museum  curator,  I  preserve  biological 
samples  for  The  Field  Museum  and  make  them 
available  for  research  by  the  international  commu- 
nity. My  colleagues'  generosity  has  helped  me  gain 
considerable  at-sea  experience,  including  three 
dives  in  Alvin  as  deep  as  2,663  meters  (8,737  feet) 
since  1997. 

As  the  chief  scientist  of  FIELD,  funded  by  the 
National  Science  Foundation,  I  will  direct  Alvin  to 
collect  animals  from  hydrothermal  vents  at  Gorda 
Ridge  and  at  cold  seeps  in  the  canyon  off  Monterey, 
California.  Gorda  Ridge  lies  due  west  of  the 
California-Oregon  border,  and  like  the  Monterey 
Canyon  sites,  is  covered  by  more  than  3,000  meters 
(9,843  feet)  of  Pacific  Ocean  waters.  The  animals 
here  are  not  sustained  by  food  that  has  drifted 
down  from  the  sun-lit  waters  above,  but  by  bacteria 
that  convert  chemical  energy  percolating  from 
beneath  the  Earth's  crust  into  forms  that  animals 
can  use.  Scientists  in  Alvin  only  discovered 
hydrothermal  vents  and  their  animal  assemblages 
in  1977.  While  they  didn't  intend  to  change  our 
view  of  the  Earth's  diversity,  they  came  upon  the 
right  place  on  the  deep,  dark  seafloor  and  did  so. 
Overnight,  the  statement  "All  life  on  Earth  relies 
on  energy  from  the  Sun"  went  from  being  an 
absolute  truth  to  having  a  major  exception. 

The  FIELD  science  party  will  include  Alvin- 
experienced  and  neophyte  scientists,  chemists, 
geologists,  a  microbiologist  and  zoologists  such  as 
myself.  Our  discoveries  will  probably  not  change 
dogma,  but,  unless  rough  weather  prohibits  it,  some 
of  us  will  get  to  crouch  inside  the  7-foot  titanium 
sphere  that  is  Alvin  and  peer  out  its  thick  windows 
at  a  small  part  of  the  seafloor  that  has  never  before 
been  seen  by  human  eyes.  I've  done  it. There  is 
nothing  like  it.  ITF 

If  you  would  like  to  follow  Dr.  Voight  into  the  deep, 
dark  sea,  email  us  at  expeditions^ Jieldmusenm.org 
to  join  a  new  program  in  which  scientists  describe  their 
fieldwork  as  they're  conducting  it  through  emails  and 
online  video  reporting. 


M   % 
^ 


Cephalopod  illustrations  from 
a  report  of  the  1898-1899 
German  deep-sea  expedition 
on  board  the  Valdivia. 

Top:  Cirrothauma  murrayi 
Chun,  which  may  be  encoun- 
tered during  Dr.  Voight's  cruise 
this  summer. 

Bottom:  Bolitaena  diaphana 


*fe  X 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


INT  ME  FIELD  FEATURE 


New  Dinosaur  Species  Clarifies 
Bird-Dinosaur  Link 


Greg  Borzo,  Media  Manager,  Academic  Affairs 


The  discovery  and  analysis  of  an  early  carnivorous  dinosaur,  Sinovenator  chanqU, 
are  clarifying  the  evolutionary  relationship  between  dinosaurs  and  birds,  according 
to  a  paper  published  in  Nature  on  Feb.  14,  2002. 


The  small,  relatively  complete  fossil  was  found  in  the 
rich  Yixian  Formation  of  western  Liaoning  in  China, 
where  scientists  have  recently  discovered  many 
groundbreaking  fossils,  including  feathered  dinosaurs. 

"This  new  dinosaur,  which  was  probably  feath- 
ered, is  closely  related  to  and  almost  the  same  age  as 
the  oldest  known  bird,  Archaeopteryx"  said  Peter 
Makovicky,  Ph.D.,  Field  Museum 
assistant  curator  of  dinosaurs  and 
co-author  of  the  paper.  "It 
demonstrates  that  major  struc- 
tural modifications  toward  birds 
occurred  much  earlier  in  the 
evolutionary  process  than  previ- 
ously thought. 

"Furthermore,  these  findings 
help  counter,  once  and  for  all, 

the  position  of  paleontologists  who  argue  that  birds 
did  not  evolve  from  dinosaurs,"  he  added. 

The  fossil  is  more  than  130  million  years  old  and 
sheds  light  on  dinosaurs  during  the  transition  from 
the  Jurassic  period  to  the  Cretaceous  period. 
Sinovenator  changii  (sigh-no-ven-ay-tor  chang-eye) 
is  a  troodontid  (tro-don-tid),  a  type  of  theropod 
(tare-a-pod).  Although  many 
theropods,  such  as  Tyrannosaunis, 
are  large  animals,  theropods 
close  to  the  ancestry  of  birds 
show  an  evolutionary  trend 
toward  small  body  size. 

Accordingly,  an  adult 
Sinovenator  changii  would 
have  been  less  than  a  meter 
long.  This  particular  specimen, 
almost  fully  grown,  is  slightly 
larger  than  a  chicken. 
"Although  big 
dinosaurs  may  be  more 
spectacular,  we  can 
actually  learn  more  about  evo- 
lution from  the  often  overlooked  smaller  dinosaurs 
because  they  tend  to  be  more  primitive,"  said  Dr. 
Makovicky.  "Sinovenator  changii  is  more  basal  or 
primitive  than  any  other  known  troodontid." 

Troodontids  are  a  type  of  theropod  distinguished 
by  a  puzzling  combination  of  features,  such  as  large 
air-filled  spaces  surrounding  the  braincase,  small 


Although  big  dinosaurs 
may  be  more  spectacular, 
we  can  actually  learn 
more  about  evolution 
from  the  often  overlooked 
smaller  dinosaurs..." 


teeth  with  unusually  large  serrations  and  a  large 
sickle  claw  of  the  foot.  These  variations  can  occur 
in  different  types  of  theropods,  so  troodontids  have 
been  hard  to  place  on  the  evolutionary  tree.  In  the 
past,  they  have  been  classified  as  close  relatives  of 
therizinosaurs,  ornithomimods  and  dromaeosaurs. 
Being  a  primitive  troodontid,  Sinovenator  shows 
some  features  more  similar  to 
dromaeosaurs  than  to 
advanced  troodontids. 
Dromaeosaurs,  which  include 
Velociraptor,  and  troodontids 
are  related  to  birds. 

The  Sinovenator  changii 
fossil  is  preserved  three- 
dimensionally  because  it  was 
found  in  rocks  deposited  by 
a  river.  While  this  provides  more  data  on  the  ani- 
mal's three-dimensional  structure,  it  explains  why 
Sinovenator's  feathers  were  not  preserved.  The  feath- 
ered dinosaurs  recently  discovered  in  the  same  part 
of  China  were  found  in  rocks  at  the  bottoms  of 
lakes  that  were  derived  from  lake  sediment. 

Sinovenator  changii  is  named  after  Dr.  Meeman 
Chang,  a  leading  Chinese  paleontologist  who  spent 
more  than  a  year  time  studying  fossil  fishes  at  The 
Field  Museum  on  different  occasions,  most  recently 
in  1998. 

"As  head  of  the  Beijing's  Institute  of  Vertebrate 
Paleontology  and  Paleoanthropology  for  many 
years,  Dr.  Chang  has  helped  raise  the  standards 
for  paleontological  inquiry  in  China,"  said  Lance 
Grande,  Ph.D.,  curator  in  geology  at  the  Field. 
"She  is  dedicated  to  improving  the  quality  and 
productivity  of  Beijing's  natural  science  institutions 
through  training  students,  publishing  and  improving 
collection  and  research  facilities  in  China.  She  has 
also  played  an  important  role  in  making  it  easier  for 
foreign  paleontologists  to  work  in  China,  thereby 
broadening  the  scope  and  importance  of  paleonto- 
logical sciences  there." 

Dr.  Makovicky  plans  to  conduct  collaborative 
fieldwork  in  China  to  look  for  more  fossils.  "This 
area  is  yielding  extremely  important  information 
on  the  evolution  of  dinosaurs,  mammals,  insects  and 
flowering  plants,"  he  said.  "I  hope  to  find  even  more 
primitive  specimens  than  Sinovenator  changii^  ITF 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


YOURGUIDETOTHEFIELD 


Calendar  of  Events  for  Spring  2002  April-May 


Inside:    Exhibits       Festivals       Family    Programs       Adult    Programs 


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of  chocolate  and  reveals  how  this  luscious 
sweet  is  a  metaphor  for  pleasure,  passion 
and  life.  Half  British  and  half  French,  Harris 
was  born  in  her  grandparents'  candy  shop  in 
France  and  now  lives  in  England. 
Saturday,  April  6,  2pm 
$15,  students  /educators  $12,  members  $10 

Chocolat — a  movie         %e 

Live  from  the  Field!  Series 

View  the  2000  hit  film  Chocolat,  starring 
Juliette  Binoche,  Judi  Dench  and  Johnny 
Depp.  Joanne  Harris,  author  of  the  novel 
Chocolat,  will  introduce  the  film  and  be  avail- 
able for  questions  and  discussion  afterward. 
Sunday,  April  7,  2pm 
sit) 

See  inside  for  more  information  about  Tlu  Field 
Museum  !<  Chocolate  exhibition  and  n  lated  programs. 


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to 


Field 


useum 


;•*; 


New  Exhibition-Tiniest  Giants: 
Discovering  Dinosaur  Eggs 

Through  Sept.  2,  2002 

Imagine  being  a  scientist  on  one  of  the  most 
incredible  dino  digs  ever. 

In  1997  a  team  of  scientists  went  to  Patagonia  in  southern  Argentina  in  search 
of  ancient  birds.  Instead,  they  unearthed  the  largest  nesting  site  of  dinosaur  eggs 
ever  found.  More  than  a  mile  square,  the  site  held  tens  of  thousands  of  eggs,  some 
containing  fossilized  embryos  so  well  preserved  the  scientists  could  see  patterns 
of  reptilian  scales  in  their  skin. 

Experience  the  thrill  of  this  incredible  discovery  in  Tiniest  Giants:  Discovering 
Dinosaur  Eggs.  This  hands-on  exhibition  lets  you  take  on  the  roles  of  paleontolo- 
gists, curators  and  others  involved  in  the  expedition  and  the  lab  work  that  followed 
it.  See  what  it's  like  to  plan  an  expedition  and  get  your  hands  dirty  digging  for 
fossils.  Learn  how  scientists  transport  fossils  from  the  field  to  the  lab  and  prepare 
them  for  scientific  study.  Examine  real  specimens  of  dinosaur  embryo  bones  under 
the  magnifying  glass  and  make  your  own  rubbing  of  the  scale  patterns. 

As  you  pass  through  each  phase  of  the  research,  you'll  collect  an  expedition  stamp 
for  your  field  notebook. 

Join  the  Tiniest  Giants  team  and  find  out  what  life  is  really  like  as  a  fossil  hunter! 

This  exhibition  was  developed  by  the  Natural  History  Museum  of  Los  Angeles  County  and  the  Carmen  Funes  Museum 
of  Argentina. 


BACKGROUND:  ©  LOS  ANGELES  COUNTY  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  2001 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410 

Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


SPRING  2002    April- May 


Your  Guide  to  the  Field:  calendar  of  events  for  spring  2002  April-May 


Immerse  yourself  in 

the  story  of  a  luscious  treat. 


Chocolate- 
The  Exhibition 

Through  Dec.  31,  2002 

Where  does  chocolate  come  from?  How  is 
it  made?  And  how  has  it  sweet-talked  its 
way  into  our  hearts? 

Immerse  yourself  in  the  story  of  this 
luscious  treat  in  Chocolate,  the  traveling 
exhibition  developed  by  The  Field  Museum. 
Take  a  sweet  journey  for  all  ages — from 
the  rainforest  to  the  ancient  civilization  of 
the  Maya,  from  16th-century  Europe  to  a 
modern-day  candy  factory.  This  exciting 
exhibition  will  engage  your  senses  and 
reveal  facets  of  chocolate  that  you've  never 
thought  about  before. 

Chocolate  is  a  specially  ticketed  exhibition, 
with  all  labels  in  English  and  Spanish. 

Chocolate  and  its  national  tour  were  developed  by  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago. 

This  project  was  supported,  in  part,  by  the  National  Science  Foundation. 

Unwrapping  Chocolate: 
History  and  Culture 

Unless  otherwise  indicated,  individual 
lectures  are:  SI2,  students /educators  $  10. 
members  $8 

Attend  three  lectures  and  save  15  percent: 
$30,  students  educators  $23,  members  $20 

The  True  History  of  Chocolate 

Dr.  Michael  D.  Coe,Yale  University      ^ 

Explore  the  rich  history  chocolate 
has  had  in  many  different  cultures.       / 
Dr.  Coe's  book,  The  True  History 
of  Chocolate,  covers  everything  from 
the  ancient  Maya  and  Aztec  civiliza- 
tions, to  the  introduction  of 
chocolate  in  Europe,  to  modern 
chocolate  production  today. 
Tuesday,  April  2. 6pm 


IN  THE  FIELD  CALENDAR 


Chocolat — a  novel 

World  of  Words  Series 

See  calendar  cover  for  details. 

Saturday.  April  6,  2pm 

$13,  students /educators  $12.  member 

$10 

Chocolat — a  movie 

Live  from  the  Field!  Series 

See  calendar  cover  for  details. 

Sunday,  April  7,  2pm 

$10 


Chocolate  in  the  Spanish  Empire 

Dr.  Marcy  Norton,  George  Washington  University 

Travel  back  to  the  15th  century  to  understand  the  value  of 
chocolate  to  the  Spanish  empire  as  it  built  a  powerful  trade 
in  goods  from  the  New  World. 
'I ucs Jay,  April  16,  6pm 


The  Chocolate  Tree 

Dr.  Allen  M.Young,  Milwaukee 

Public  Museum  ^    _.       .     _ 

The  Chocolate  Tree 


r-"V*',*B 


Explore  the  natural 
history  of  cacao  with 
Dr.  Young,  author  of 
The  Chocolate  Tree. 
Dr.  Young  will  exam- 
ine the  rainforest 
environment  in  which 
the  cacao  tree  thrives 
and  illustrate  the  properties  of  this 
unique  tree  as  they  relate  to  the 
production  of  the  prized  cacao  bean. 

Tuesday,  April  23,  6pm 

Unwrapping  Chocolate  is  presented  by  The  Field  Museum 
in  collaboration  with  the  Humanities  Laboratory  at  the 
University  of  Illinois  at  Chicago. 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410;  Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


An  Old-Fashioned 
Chocolate  Good  Time 

Peter  George  Poulos,  Margie's  Candies 

Celebrate  the  child  in  all  of  us  at  a  legendary 
Chicago  ice  cream  parlor  and  sweet  shop. 
Discover  how  Margie's  Candies,  established 
in  1921,  makes  its  own  ice  cream,  hot  fudge 
sauce  and  chocolates.  &, 

Adults  and  families 

Saturday,  May  11,  1 0:30am— noon 

$30,  members  $25 

Meets  tit  Margie's  Candies,  I960  N.  Western  Ave. 

Truffle  Making:  A  Hands-on  Lesson 

Katrina  Markoff,  Vosges  Haut-Chocolat 

Savor  the  world's  finest  chocolate-making 

techniques  and  create  your  own  collection  of 

nine  exotic  truffles.  A  gourmet  chocolatier,         iS-few 

Markoff  is  famous  for  her  daring  combinations 

of  spices,  flowers  and  liqueurs  with  chocolate.  Bon  appetit! 

Adults 

Saturday,  May  4,  9-1  lam 

$55,  members  $47 

Meets  at  I  bsges,  520  N.  Michigan  Ave. 


% 


Celebrate  Chicago's  rich  natural  heritage  and  find  new  ways  to 
connect  with  nature.  The  theme  of  this  year's  festival  is  Chicago 
Wilderness:  Get  Into  It!  You'll  learn  about  our  region's  diversity  of 
plants  and  animals  and  meet  dozens  of  local  organizations  that  are 
devoted  to  protecting  and  restoring  its  natural  resources.  Discover 
how  you  can  get  into  nature — from  enjoyable  hikes  to  volunteer 
opportunities  to  exciting  classes. 

This  festival  is  organized  by  The  Field  Museum  and  the  Chicago  Wilderness  coalition,  which  brings 
more  than  140  local  organizations  together  to  promote  conservation  of  biological  diversity  in  the 
Chicago  region. 

Free  with  Museum  admission 
Saturday,  April  6,  Warn— 3pm 

Brazilian  Ecosystems 

Symposium 

Explore  the  history  of  and  environmental  challenges  in  Brazil's 
unique  but  threatened  ecosystems.  This  symposium  brings  together 
scientists  from  all  over  the  world  to  discuss  issues  ranging  from 
new  archaeological  findings,  to  the  history  and  impact  of  climate 
and  vegetation  changes,  to  efforts  to  document  aquatic  diversity 
of  vanishing  tropical  forests  and  savannas. 
Friday -Saturday,  May  10—11 
Call  312.665.7448  or  7730  for  details  and  registration. 

This  symposium  is  a  joint  effort  between  The  Field  Museum  and  the  Brazilian  Consulate 
General  of  Chicago. 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


Fossil  Hunt  at  Mazon  Creek 


David  Dolak,  Columbia  College 

Do  you  like  to  hunt  fossils?  Come  with  us  to  search  for 

clues  to  the  past  and  learn  about  Tully  monsters — 

bizarre,  unclassifiable  animals  that  are  the  official 

state  fossil  of  Illinois.  Plan  on  a  one-quarter 

mile  walk  to  fossil  locations. 

Families  with  children  ages  7—  12  .f.-:. 

Saturday,  April  6  or  Saturday,  April  20 

(Choose  one  date. I  J|    \ 

8am— 3pm 

$38,  members  $27 


Speaker  Series  Offers 
a  World  of  Adventure 

This  season  The  Field  Museum  is  collaborating 
with  the  National  Geographic  Society  (NGS) 
to  present  Live... from  National  Geographic 
as  part  of  our  annual  Voices  from  the  Field 
program.  Find  adventure,  insight  and  inspira- 
tion from  real-life  encounters  with  the  world's 
top  photographers,  scholars  and  writers. 


Crossing  the  Heart  of  Afric 


Nkk  Xichols,  Photographer,  and  Mike  Fay,  Conservationist 


V 


Experience  the  adventure  of  a  lifetime  as 
you  journey  through  the  heart  of  Africa. 
For  15  months,  Nichols  and  Fay  traveled 
2,000  miles  through  vast  swamps  and 
dense  tropical  forests  to  chronicle  Africa's 
unique  environments  before  their  greatness 
succumbs  to  civilization.  Hear  how  these 
travelers  braved  everything  from  parasites 
to  poachers  to  accomplish  their  goal. 
Tuesday,  April  9,  7:30pm 


liming  on 


.milk  LJaiu,  rummaKer 


See  the  world  through  the  eyes  of  Emmy'  award-winning 
filmmaker  Mick  Davie,  whose  gritty  documentaries  reveal  life 
on  the  front  lines  of  political,  social,  cultural  and  environ- 
mental change.  Davie  is  series  creator 
and  producer  for  the  National 
Geographic  Channel's  World  Diary. 
He  has  investigated  post- Apartheid 
poverty  in  South  Africa,  war  in  Kosovo 
and  examined  violence  against  women 
wi '▼  ■!    in  Pakistan. 

_Jm%k  ~~      x  lay  ~,  ' :30pm 


General  admission:  $24;TFM,  NGS  and  Geographic  So 
of  Chicago  members  $22;  students 

A  10  ■■tips  of  in  or  more 

with  pre-registration. 

Educational  outreach  programs  related  to  :  ?.  through  a  collabo- 

ration between  The  Field  Museum,  the  Geographic  Society  of  Chicago,  the  National 
Geographic  Education  Foundation  and  the  Illinois  Geographic  A! 

The  National  Geographic  Society  and  The  Field  Museum  gratefully  acknowledge  the  support 
of  our  sc  LaSalle  Bank,  and  media  sponsors  Pioneer  Press  and  Chicago  Public 

- 


Below  is  a  calendar  of  the  temporary  exhibitions  you  will  have  an  opportunity  to  visit  in  2002. 

Some  dates  may  change.  Remember  to  call  312.922.9410  or  visit  our  website  for  specific  information. 


Pier  Walk  Maquettes 
Through  May  13 


Urban  Gardens: 

Growing  Chicago's  Communities 

Through  July  7 


Tiniest  Giants: 
Discovering  Dinosaur  Eggs 

Through  September  2 


Family  Work 


Connie  Sulkiti,  TFM  Education  Dcpt. 

Join  us  for  an  eight-week  exploration  of  The  Field  Museum.  We'll  see  exhibitions, 

hear  stories,  sing  songs,  touch  objects,  make  art  projects  and  enjoy  snacks. 

Families  with  children  ages  3—5 

Tuesdays,  April  2— May  21 

10-1 1 :30am  or  1:30— 3pm  (Choose  one  time.) 

$95  per  child,  $80  per  member  child 

For  each  child,  one  adult  attends  at  no  charge. 

This  program  is  sponsored  by  The  Siragusa  Foundation  Early  Childhood  Initiative. 


Chicago  and  the  World 
Forum:  Islam  and  the  West 

Join  us  for  an  important  and  timely  series  of 
forums  on  the  historical,  religious,,  cultural  and 
political  relationships  between  the  Islamic  and 
Western  Worlds.  For  an  in-depth  analysis  of  the 
issues,  each  event  includes  a  keynote  lecture,  fol- 
lowed by  breakout  discussion  forums  and  dinner. 

The  Field  Museum  and  the  Chicago  Council  on  Foreign  Relations  are  co-sponsoring  this  series. 


Europe's  leading  Islamic 
ikers,  Tariq  Ramadan  is  working  to  create  an 
Islamic  identity  that  bridges  Islamic  values  with 
the  culture  of  Western  Europe.  Ramadan's  work 
is  particularly  intriguing  because  his  grandfather 
founded  an  Islamic  revival  movement  in  1928 
that  has  criticized  the  Western  secular  approach 

to  life  and  advocated  a  return  to  traditional  Muslim  values. 

Ramadan  currently  teaches  at  the  University  of  Fribourg  and 

the  College  of  Geneva. 

Thursday.  April  4 

Lecture:  6—  8pm 

Breakout  dinner  session:  8— 9:30pm 


lashid  Khalidi  is  professor  of  Near  Eastern 
Languages  and  Civilizations  and  director  of 
the  Center  for  International  Studies  at  the 
University  of  Chicago.  He  also  has  taught  at 
the  Lebanese  University  and  the  American 
University  in  Beirut.  Khalidi  is  currently  the 
president  of  the  American  Committee 
Jerusalem.  From  1991  to  1993,  he  served  as  an  advisor  to  the 
Palestinian  delegation  at  the  Madrid  and  Washington  Arab-Isra 
peace  negotiations. 

Tuesday,  April  30 

Lecture:  6— 8pm 

Breakout  dinner   ■  <Opm 


A  Celebration  of  Souls: 

Day  of  the  Dead  in  Southern  Mexico 

Through  January  12,  2003 


Chocolate 

Through  December  31 


Pearls 

June  28,  2002-January  5,  2003 


lay  and  Catching  Fli 


Heather  Hug,  Sculptor 

Get  caught  up  in  the  peculiar  and  puzzling  world  of  plant  predators. 
Learn  about  Venus  fly  traps  and  pitcher  plants,  then  create  your  own 
carnivorous  plant  out  of  clay,  pipe  cleaners,  felt  and,  of  course,  BUGS! 

Families  with  children  ages  7-  / 4 

Saturdays,  April  2~  and  May  1 I,  Wain  — noon,  $15,  members  $12 


Liz  Cruger,  TFM  Education  Dcpt. 

Explore  the  history  of  paper  from  the  ancient  Egyptians  to  the 
present  and  try  your  hand  at  the  craft  of  papermaking. 

Families  with  children  ages  7—12 
Saturday,  May  4,  Warn— noon 
members  $8 


amicartand 
:3  Grabar  is  a  profe- 

He  has  written 
18  books  and  has  received  the  Charles  L 
:he  Smiths 
ed  contribution  to  the  knowledge 

:f  Oriental  civilizations  as  reflected  in  their 
awarded  only  11  times  since  its 
tion  in  1956. 


•;;:  8—9:3 


Workshops  and  Courses 


cents  an 


THBiE 


rw i>  ■  .utnii 


cents  Aromatic  Creations 


Breathe  in  the  scents  of  time-honored  aromatic  ceremonies.  Explore 
how  ancient  cultures  brought  the  use  of  scents  to  a  high  art  that 
permeated  every  aspect  of  life. 
Saturday,  April  6,  1 1  am  -2pm 


liege 

Learn  about  fossils,  prepare  a  real 
fossil  fish  and  enjoy  Dolak's  own 
quirky  fossil  songs  in  this  introducti 
to  the  field  of  paleontology. 
Wednesdays,  April  24- May 
6- 8pm 
>42.  ma 


Archaeology  News  from  the  Holy  Land 

July  9-0ctober  6 


From  Prairie  to  Field: 
Photographs  by  Terry  Evans 

July  19,  2002-January  5,  2003 


Bamboo  Masterworks:  Japanese  Baskets 
from  the  Lloyd  Cotsen  Collection 
November  16,  2002- February  23,  2003 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410;  Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


hy  We  Study  Them 


Behind  the  Scenes 

Dr.  Meenakshi  Wadhwa, 

TFM  Geology  Dept. 

Where  do  meteorites  come  from?  How  are  they  formed? 
What  are  they  made  of?  Examine  meteorites  from  the 
Museum's  collections  and  learn  what  these  amazing  rocks 
teach  us  about  the  Earth  and  solar  system. 

Families  with  children  ages  8—14 
Friday,  May  3  I,  6—  8  pm 

•  15,  members  $12 


Summer  Worlds  Tour  2002 


Deen  Sea  Dives 


Don't  miss  the  exciting  and  unique  summer  camp 
organized  collectively  by  The  Field  Museum, 
Adler  Planetarium  and  Shedd  Aquarium.  This 
summer  camp  is  as  educational  as  it  is  fun! 

Children  ages  5—10 
Weekdays,  8:30am— 3pm 
Choose  from  one  offout  meek-long  sessions: 
July  8-12,  July  1 5- 19,  July  22-26  or  July  29- Aug.  2 
Register  through  the  Adler  Planetarium  at  312.322.0329. 
$200,  members  S  I  HO 


Fieldtrips 


Weekend  Birding  Trip 


Alan  Anderson,  Naturalist 

Join  us  for  an  exciting  weekend  of  hiking  and  birdwatching 
near  the  shores  of  Lake  Erie.  Look  for  wetland  birds,  shorebirds, 
ducks,  herons,  hawks,  warblers  and  nesting  bald  eagles. 

3pm,  Friday,  May  17- 4pm,  Sunday,  May  19 

SI  S3,  members  $170 

Includes  bus  transportation  and  lodging. 

The  Field  Museum  and  Chicago  Audubon 
Society  are  cosponsoring  this  trip. 


Me  you  he 


arls.' 


Coming  in  June... 


Dr.  living  Cutler,  Chicago  Slate  I  'niversit) 

Cruise  70  miles  of  Chicago's  waterways  for  a  unique  per- 
spective on  the  area's  ecological,  economic  and  historical 
development. 

Saturday, June  I,  8:45am— 4pm 

S50,  members  $43 

Meet  at  the  Wendella  Boat  Dock  at  Michigan  Avenue 

and  the  Chicago  River. 

Other  Programs 

Check  our  website  at  www.fieldmuseum.org 
for  information  about  the  Naturalist 
Certificate  Program,  which  offers  in-depth 
classes  about  ecology  and  the  environment, 
and  exhibition  tours  or  hands-on  activities 
to  enjoy  during  your  visit. 


/iscover  nature's  perfect  gem.  The  exhibition  Pearls,  which  opened  in  New  York  to  rave  reviews 
iy  the  New  York  Times  and  others,  will  appear  at  The  Field  Museum  from  June  28,  2002, 


i  fay  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  New  York,  in  collaboration  with  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago. 
itional  Sponsor  Tasaki  Shinju  Co.,  Ltd. 


Unique  photography  exhibitions 
feature  vibrant  communities. 


Urban  Gardens: 
Growing  Chicago's 
Communities 

Through  July  7 

See  how  vacant  lots  are  transformed  into  blooming  gardens 
as  neighbors  come  together  to  create  positive  change  in  their 
communities.  Combined  with  the  stories  of  the  gardeners 
themselves,  inspiring  photographs  tell  dramatic  stories  of 

empowerment  and  personal 

expression. 

This  exhibition  was  developed  by  The  Field 
Museum  in  partnership  with  Openlands 
Project,  and  with  the  generous  contributions 
of  photographers  Patricia  Evans,  Joan 
Hackett  and  Glenda  Kapsalis.  It  is  based  in 
part  on  the  U  rban  Research  Initiative  of  The 
Field  Museum's  Center  for  Cultural 
Understanding  and  Change. 


A  Celebration  of  Souls: 
Day  of  the  Dead  in 
Southern  Mexico 

Through  Jan.  12,  2003 

Celebrate  the  continuity  of  life  with  26  stunning  photographs 
of  the  uniquely  Mexican  holiday  that  honors  departed  relatives. 
See  images  of  candlelit  home  altars,  public  processions  and  rich 
offerings  of  food,  as  well  as  regional  folk  art  pieces,  as  you 

explore  the  history  and  signifi- 
cance of  this  ancient  ritual. 
This  exhibition  is  completely 
bilingual,  with  all  exhibition 
labels  presented  in  English 
and  Spanish. 

This  exhibition  was  developed  by  The  Field 
Museum  in  collaboration  with  Mars, 
Incorporated. 


Visitor  Informati 


Hours:  10am-5pm  on  weekdays;  9am-5pm  on  weekends.  Last  admission 
at  4pm.  Doors  open  at  9am  every  day  from  Memorial  Day  through  Labor  Day. 
Closed  Christmas  and  New  Year's  Day. 

New  Free  Day  Schedule:  The  Field  Museum  offers  free  basic  admission  on  Mondays 
and  Tuesdays  from  September  through  February.  This  schedule  replaces  the  Museum's 
previous  free  days  on  Wednesdays.  Remember,  members  receive  free  admission  every  day. 

To  get  tickets:  Chocolate  is  a  specially  ticketed  exhibition.  Member  passes  can  be  reserved 
in  advance  by  calling  Ticketmaster  at  312.902.1500  (service  charges  apply)  or  coming  to  the 
membership  desk  near  the  Museum's  south  entrance  (no  service  charges).  Non-member  tick- 
ets can  also  be  reserved  in  advance  through  Ticketmaster  or  in  person  at  the  Museum's 
admission  desks.  Day-of  tickets  are  available  at  the  Museum  while  supplies  last. 

Accessibility:  Visitors  using  wheelchairs  or  strollers  may  be  dropped  off  at  the  west 
entrance.  Handicapped  parking  and  wheelchairs  are  available  on  a  first  come,  first  served 
basis.  Strollers  may  be  rented.  Call  312.665.7400  to  check  on  the  accessibility  of  programs 
that  take  place  outside  of  the  Museum. 

Information:  312.922.9410  orwww.fieldmuseum.org 


SCIENTIST'SPICK 


K.  CULBERT  AGAILU 


Carved  by  a  Maya  artist  between  A.D.  800-1000,  this  exquisite  pearl  oyster  plaque  was  found  in  the  early  1880s 
at  the  Toltec  capital  of  Tula  in  central  Mexico,  far  away  from  the  Maya  areas  of  southeastern  Mexico,  Yucatan, 
Guatemala  and  Honduras.  It  may  shed  light  on  how  and  whether  the  Maya  and  Toltec  peoples  interacted,  a  con- 
tentious topic  in  the  annals  of  Mesoamerican  research.  Donald  McVicker,  research  associate,  and  Joel  Palka, 
adjunct  curator,  both  of  the  Museum's  anthropology  department,  were  the  first  to  examine  the  piece  in  depth 
and  decipher  its  hieroglyphs. 

On  the  front,  a  lord  sits  on  a  pillowed  throne,  donned  in  a  monster  maw  (war  or  fire  serpent)  headdress,  beads 
and  possibly  a  mirror  around  his  neck.  The  text  above  his  head  may  read  u  huch  (his  shell);  the  owner's  name  that 
would  have  followed  has  broken  off.  There  is  a  longer  text  on  the  opposite  side.  Interestingly,  the  plaque  has  to  be 
turned  upside  down  to  read  these  hieroglyphs,  which  were  deciphered  as  pul  (burn),  pumuw  (exhale/blow),  k  ak 
(fire)  and  k  inich  (sun-eyed  one).  This  text  most  likely  describes  a  sacred  fire  ritual  or  a  Maya  noble  who  used 
"fire"  in  his  epithets. 

The  plaque  closely  resembles  Maya  jade  plaques  that  have  been  found  from  central  and  southern  Mexico  to 
Guatemala.  These  objects  were  often  cached  or  left  as  offerings  during  ritual  ceremonies.  McVicker  and  Palka 
hypothesize  that  the  Maya  shell  plaque  was  a  sacred  offering  at  Toltec  Tula.  That  ceremonial  act,  however,  may 
have  followed  its  original  carving  by  decades,  if  not  centuries. 

Anthropology  curator  Gary  Feinman  chose  this  Scientist's  Pick.  This  text  was  derived  from  a  research  publication 
by  McVicker  and  Palka.  The  plaque  will  be  on  exhibit  at  The  Royal  Academy  of  Art  in  London  later  this  year.  Asa 
reminder,  Scientist's  Pick  showcases  artifacts  from  the  Museum's  collections  that  visitors  would  not  normally  have 
the  opportunity  to  view  on  exhibit — items  that  have  an  important  story  to  tell  or  that  are,  in  this  case,  held  aside 
for  research  by  the  international  scientific  community. 


SPRING  2002   April-May 


15 


INTHEFIELDFEATURE 


Portraits  of  Nature's  Past 

Lance  Grande,  Curator  of  Vertebrate  Paleontology,  Geology 
All  photos  by  John  Weinstein 

Some  fossil  localities  produce  specimens  of  great  scientific  value,  and  others  generate 
pieces  of  great  aesthetic  beauty.  The  Green  River  Formation  of  Fossil  Basin,  in  south- 
western Wyoming,  contains  a  mother  lode  of  fossils  with  both  of  these  qualities. 
Entombed  within  layers  of  high  mountain  desert  rock  are  some  of  the  most  scientifi- 
cally valuable  and  artistically  stunning  fossils  discovered  anywhere  in  the  world. 


Tins  female  stingray  is 
preserved  with  a  small 
embryo  coiled  up  inside 
the  pelvic  region. 


Beautiful  orange-to-brown  skeletons  on  pale, 
flat  limestone  slabs  offer  virtual  snapshots  of  an 
extinct  tropical  lake  community  that  flourished 
some  52  million  years  ago.  Since  the  site  was 
discovered  in  the  mid- 1880s,  millions  of  plant  and 
animal  specimens — all  long  extinct — have  been 
unearthed,  including  everything  from  microscopic 
bacteria,  pollen  and  tsetse  flies  to  13-foot  croco- 
diles, enormous  palms  and  banana  leaves.  Even 
after  25  years  of  fieldwork  there,  I'm  still  thrilled 
to  lift  up  a  slab  and  find  a  plant  or  animal  that 
has  not  seen  the  light  of  day  for  millions  of  years. 
Amphibians,  birds,  lizards,  snakes,  mammals  and 
a  wide  variety  of  fishes  are  preserved  in  exquisite 


detail  as  entire  skeletons  and  together  in  commu- 
nity associations.  In  one  slab  that's  in  Life  Over 
Time,  for  example,  you  can  see  a  turtle,  three  dif- 
ferent fish  species  and  several  different  insects.  The 
fossils'  unsurpassed  preservation  and  diversity  tell 
us  a  lot  about  the  evolution  of  North  American 
biota  (flora  and  fauna). 

Today  the  fossils  are  in  high  demand  from 
scientists  who  value  them  as  research  specimens, 
as  well  as  collectors,  art  galleries  and  interior 
decorators  who  value  them  as  collectibles  or  art 
objects.  And  there  is  the  rub  for  research  institu- 
tions. The  competition  to  obtain  the  fossils  is 
great,  particularly  for  animals  seldom  found  in  the 


I 


^^^^H 


J^!K 


H 


16       SPRING  2002    April-May 


Above  leff.Thc  first  frog  discovered  in  Fossil  Basin.  Above  middle:  This  complete  mammal  skeleton  is  truly  a  rare  find  in  Fossil  Lake. 
Above  right:The  world's  oldest  known  complete  bat  skeleton. 

Below  left:  An  extinct  relative  of  today's  snapping  turtle.  Below  middle:  Complete  bird  skeletons  are  extremely  rare  in  the  fossil  record. 

Below  right:  Olivier  Rieppel,  geology,  and  i  are  describing  this  veranid  lizard  species.  To  date,  it  was  known  only  by  jaw  fragments  and  a  few  other  bones. 


deposits.  Consider  the  remarkably  rare  probability 
that  a  bird,  mammal  or  non-fish  vertebrate  fell 
into  the  lake,  sank  to  the  bottom  and  was  quickly 
and  completely  buried  before  scavengers  ate  it  or 
bacteria  caused  it  to  decompose.  Part  of  The  Field 
Museum's  mission  is  to  bring  truly  important  speci- 
mens such  as  these  into  the  public  domain. 

The  Field  Museum  holds  by  far  the  world's  best 
collection  of  Fossil  Basin  specimens,  which  will  be 
preserved  under  our  care  for  public  exhibition  and 
research  by  present  and  future  generations  of  scien- 


tists. While  only  a  few  of  the  thousands  in  our 
collection  are  illustrated  here,  you  will  be  able  to 
view  several  of  these  in  Life  Over  Time  when  it  is 
renovated.  ITF 

Editor's  note:  In  the  Field  usually  publishes  a  species' 
scientific  name,  but  most  of  the  specimens  in  this  unique 
collection  are  new  to  science  and  have  yet  to  be  named. 
Scientists  from  The  Field  Museum  and  elsewhere  are 
studying  them  to  uncover  clues  to  a  biological  history 
long  past. 


This  gar  species 
appears  to  have  fed 
on  snails  and  other 
invertebrates. 


__ 


ROW  ONE  GE086335  3CGE086349  1C.  GE086336  2C 
ROW  TWO:  GE086340.1C.GE086338  1C.  GE086347 IC 
ROW  THREE:  GE086346.1C 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


17 


OFSPECIALINTEREST 


Help  Us  Build  the  Bushman  Files 


As  a  baby  in  West  Africa,  Bushman,  the  Museum's  well-loved 
gorilla,  got  daily  soap  baths  and  constant  adoring  attention. 
Missionaries  who  helped  raise  him  before  his  sale  to  Chicago's 
Lincoln  Park  Zoo  in  1930  took  this  photo  of  him  calmly 
submitting  to  his  scrubbing.  It  is  an  especially  delightful  piece 
of  our  "Bushman  File,"  a  compilation  of  everything  we  can  find 
about  his  life.  We'd  like  your  help  with  this  project. 


Because  of  hunting  and  habitat  loss,  gorillas  no  longer  live  in 
the  area  of  Cameroon  where  Bushman  was  born,  and  the  future 
of  gorillas  is  uncertain.  Beginning  with  tales  of  Bushman's  life  in 
West  Africa  and  Chicago,  Museum  researchers  would  like  to  tell 
the  whole  story  of  gorillas,  one  of  our  closest  relations  in  the 
animal  kingdom. 

Bushman,  a  western  lowland  gorilla  (Gorilla  gorilla),  lived  at 
Lincoln  Park  Zoo  from  1930  to  1951.  Those  who  knew  him 
recall  his  gentle  nature,  interest  in  people  and  the  excitement  he 
created,  whether  by  throwing  his  birthday  cake  at  photographers 
or  escaping  his  cage  during  his  last  year.  He  arrived  at  The  Field 
Museum  following  his  death  in  1 95 1 ,  and  lives  on  in  a  display 
on  the  ground  floor. 

Did  you  or  your  parents  visit  Bushman  at  Lincoln  Park  Zoo? 
Did  you  attend  any  of  his  parties,  watch  him  play  football  or  visit 
him  in  1950  when  he  was  ill?  Did  you  take  films  or  photographs? 
We're  interested  in  borrowing  your  materials  and  hearing  your 
remembrances. 

Help  us  build  the  Bushman  memoirs.  If  you  have  stories,  photos  or  films 
to  share,  please  contact  us  at  bushman@fmnh.org,  or  Bushman  Project, 
c/o  Academic  Affairs,  The  Field  Museum,  1400  South  Lake  Shore 
Drive,  Chicago,  IL  60605-2496. 


fames  and  Annie  Mary  Allen,  missionaries  in  West  Africa,  took  this  photograph 
of  baby  Bushman  in  the  late  1920s.Their  son,fohn,  donated  it  in  1992. 


Conservation  Reigns  in  Royal  Kingdom  of  Bhutan 


In  a  country  where  the  government  is 
stable,  the  people  are  devout  and  govern- 
ment policy  prioritizes  the  Gross  National 
Happiness  over  the  Gross  National 
Product,  a  new  agreement  has  legitimized  a 
national  reverence  for  nature's  wonders. 

In  January,  The  Field  Museum, 
Government  of  Bhutan  and  World  Wildlife 
Fund  (WWF)  signed  a  conservation  agree- 
ment to  save  one  of  the  most  pristine  and 
biologically  important  places  on  Earth — 
Bhutan,  nestled  in  the  Himalayas  between 
China  and  India.  (See  the  November- 
December  2001  In  the  Field.)  The 
agreement  calls  for  joint  scientific  studies  of 
Bhutan's  wildlife,  training  programs  for 
Bhutanese  conservationists  and  develop- 
ment of  the  country's  biodiversity  museum 
and  research  center.  Work  has  already 
begun,  with  two  Bhutanese  biodiversity 
specialists  having  visited  the  Museum 
in  March  to  train  in  conservation. 


Sangay  Wangchuck,  director  of  Bhutan's 
Nature  Conservation  Division,  said,  "With 
this  new  arrangement,  benefits  are  likely  to 
increase  manifold  to  help  the  Royal  gov- 
ernment manage  the  country's  rich 
biological  resources." 

While  a  powerful  Buddhist  ethic  has 
left  about  72  percent  of  the  land  undis- 
turbed, the  challenge  remains  to  preserve 
Bhutan  as  an  environmental  jewel.  The 
country  lies  at  the  crossroads  of  three 
great  biological  regions,  and  its  range  of 
elevations,  from  500  to  24,000-plus  feet, 
has  created  a  wealth  of  environmental 
niches  to  which  local  plants  and  animals 
have  adapted  in  remarkable  ways.  More 
than  50  species  of  rhododendron  have 
evolved,  and  exotic  animals  such  as  the 
takin  (a  goat-sheep-cow-like  mammal) 
or  tiny  black-throated  parrotbill  will  teach 
us  a  lot  about  evolutionary  and  biogeo- 
graphical  history. 


Sangay  Wangchuck,  director  of  Bhutan's  Nature  Conservation  Division,  Dr.  Robert  Martin, 
vice  president  of  academic  affairs  at  The  Field  Museum,  and  Kinzang  Namgay,  Bhutan 
representative  for  the  World  Wildlife  Fund,  at  the  conservation  agreement  signing  infanuary. 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


Field  Museum  scientists  surveyed 
Bhutan's  small  birds  and  mammals  last 
year.  While  it  yielded  tremendous 
results,  the  agreement  calls  for  the  first 
comprehensive  inventory.  "We  hope 
our  careful  documentation  of  birds  and 
mammals  will  help  determine  conserva- 
tion priorities  so  that  a  stable  balance 
can  be  achieved  between  humans  and 
wild  species,"  said  Lawrence  Heaney, 
associate  curator  of  mammals  at  The 
Field  Museum. 


OFSPECIA1. INTEREST 


Dive  into  Underwater  Fantasy  at  Pearls  Event 


From  an  opulent  symbol  of  wealth,  to  a  religious 
association  with  the  moon,  to  an  essential  element 
of  almost  every  American  and  European  woman's 
wardrobe,  pearls  have  enchanted  cultures  around 
the  world  for  thousands  of  years. 

Be  among  the  first  to  explore  your  own  fascina- 
tion with  pearls  at  Underwater  Peal  Jam  on  June 
28,  8pm  to  lam.  Hosted  by  The  Field  Associates, 
the  event  celebrates  Pearls,  an  exhibition  here 
from  June  28  through  Jan.  5,  2003.  The  event  will 
include  several  splendid  visual  elements,  cocktails, 
hors  d'oeuvres  and  live  music  and  dancing  with 
Underwater  People,  a  pop  band  favorite. 

"Stanley  Field  Hall  will  be  transformed  into  an 
underwater  fantasy,  complete  with  exotic  creatures, 
sea-inspired  decor  and  watery  sounds,"  said  Cathy 


Elward,  marketing  vice  president  for  Tiffany  &  Co., 
the  event  s  sponsor.  Meryl  Tankard,  who  choreo- 
graphed the  opening  ceremony  for  the  Sydney 
2000  Olympics,  will  compose  a  dreamlike  recre- 
ation of  a  pearl's  natural  habitat.  Dancers  in  flowing 
costumes  by  Angus  Strathie,  costume  designer  for 
the  film  Moulin  Rouge,  will  portray  imaginary  and 
real  sea  creatures  called  to  life  by  the  enchanting 
sounds  of  dolphins,  whales  and  water  drums. 

Jennifer  Krug  and  Colette  Cachey  are  co-chair- 
ing the  event.  Tickets  are  $55  for  Field  Associates 
members,  $65  for  non-members  and  $75  at  the 
door.  To  purchase  tickets,  please  call  312.665.7137. 

Pearls  was  organized  by  The  American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  New  York, 
in  collaboration  with  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago. 


National  Sponsor  Tasaki  Shinju  Co.  Ltd 


^ 


Halls  of  the  Americas  to  Fare  Sweeping  Renovation 


With  a  planning  grant  from  The  Brinson 
Foundation,  The  Field  Museum  has  begun  ambi- 
tious plans  to  renovate  the  Halls  of  the  Americas, 
which  focus  on  ancient  and  contemporary  peoples 
from  North,  Central  and  South  America  and  the 
Caribbean.  Major  funding  from  The  Robert  R. 
McCormick  Tribune  Foundation  will  go  a  signifi- 
cant way  toward  realizing  these  plans. 

The  new  galleries  will  draw  upon  our  extensive 
Americas  collection  of  more  than  225,000  objects, 
including  the  world's  largest  collection  of  prehis- 
toric artifacts  from  this  region;  archival 
photographs;  historic  field  notes  from  the  Museum's 
previous  notable  scientists;  and  current  archaeologi- 
cal investigations  throughout  the  area. 

This  comprehensive  reinterpretation  will  add  to 
our  understanding  of  cultural  change  and  bring 
new  wisdom  to  modern-day  concerns.  "This  is  a 
once-in-a-lifetime  opportunity  to  transform  peo- 
ple's understanding  of  the  Americas,"  said  Sophia 
Siskel,  director  of  exhibitions  and  education  pro- 
grams. "We  will  create  not  only  a  compelling 
exhibition  experience,  but  groundbreaking  educa- 
tional programs,  a  rich  website  and  relevant 
companion  publications." 

The  first  phase,  which  focuses  on  the  ancient 
Americas  before  the  Europeans  arrived,  is  scheduled 
to  be  complete  in  fall  2005  in  14,000  square  feet  of 
the  Museum's  east  wing.  It  will  help  visitors  under- 
stand that  the  ancient  Americas  were  brimming 
with  diverse  environments,  governments,  languages, 


economics,  religions  and  artistic  practices.  The  sec- 
ond phase,  a  7,000-square-foot  exhibition  also  in 
the  east  wing,  will  explore  1 492  to  the  present. 
Phase  two  planning  has  not  yet  begun,  and  an 
opening  date  has  yet  to  be  determined. 

"The  Americas  project  provides  the  Museum 
with  a  marvelous  forum  to  bring  together 
collections,  exhibitions,  education,  research  and  con- 
temporary technology  to  literally  redefine  the  way 
anthropology  exhibitions  are  presented  in  the  21st 
century,"  said  Jonathan  Haas,  the  exhibition's  co- 
curator  and  an  expert  on  southwestern  U.S.  cultures. 


Photo  of  Nootka  artisan 
from  Vancouver  Island, 
British  Columbia,  taken 
for  the  1904  Louisiana 
Purchase  Exposition 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


FROMTHEARCHIVES 


Nature  Rearranged— Construction 
Photos  of  the  Panama  Canal 


A  giant  tunnel  culvert 
under  constntction  at  the 
Pedro  Miguel  locks 


Mark  Schmeltzer,  Writer 

Nina  M.  Cummings,  Library  Photographic  Archives 

When  humans  rearrange  a  piece  of  geography,  the 
surrounding  environment  is  altered  forever.  This 
makes  documenting  the  area's  biodiversity  especially 
critical.  One  of  history's  most  monumental  geo- 
graphic rearrangements  was  the  construction  of  the 
Panama  Canal,  the  long-desired  shortcut  between 
the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  Oceans.  So,  in  1911  and 
1912,  while  U.S.  construction  equipment  was 
chewing  a  path  through  the  narrow  isthmus  of 
Panama,  an  ichthyologist  from  The  Field  Museum 
was  there. 

During  the  spring  of  both  years,  Field  Museum 
Assistant  Curator  of  Fishes  Seth  Meek  and  his 
assistant,  Samuel  Hildebrand,  took  part  in  the 


Smithsonian  Biological  Survey  of  the  Panama 
Canal  Zone,  a  cooperative  project  between  the 
Field,  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  the  U.S. 
Bureau  of  Fisheries.  The  team  surveyed  the  rivers 
and  streams  on  both  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  slopes 
of  the  isthmus,  collecting  hundreds  of  species  of 
fishes,  reptiles  and  crustaceans.  They  also  encoun- 
tered large  crocodiles,  caimans  and  several  species 
of  monkeys  while  exploring  the  dense  forests  of 
the  Canal  Zone. 

Meek  died  in  July  1914  while  he  and 
Hildebrand  were  drafting  their  report  on  the  expe- 
ditions, but  it  was  finally  published  in  1923  in  the 
Museum's  Fieldiana:  Zoology  series,  vol.  XV.  In  it, 
the  authors  explain  that  the  collecting  was  done 
after  the  natural  conditions  had  been  disturbed,  but 
before  the  water  was  allowed  to  flow  into  the  canal 
and  the  species  from  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  sides 
of  the  continental  divide  could  intermingle.  The 
report  included  some  expedition  photographs. 

In  2001,  a  scientist  in  Panama  conducting 
research  saw  the  Fieldiana  photographs  and  asked 
the  Museum  whether  there  were  any  more  images 
from  Meek  and  Hildebrand's  expeditions.  The 
request  led  to  the  discovery  of  a  catalogued  but 
undescribed  collection  of  black-and-white  negatives 
and  hand-colored  lantern  slides  in  the  Museum's 
photographic  archives.  The  images  depict  the 
environs  of  the  Panama  Canal  Zone  prior  to 
the  waterway's  opening  in  August  1914,  as  well  as 
glimpses  of  life  in  the  shadow  of  the  extraordinary 
undertaking. 

Some  photos  show  villages  on  the  verge  of  elim- 
ination as  the  waters  of  the  recently  dammed  Rao 
Charges  rose  to  create  the  artificial  422-square-mile 
Gatun  Lake,  85  feet  above  sea  level.  Others  show 
canal  workers  living  in  socially  and  racially  stratified 
housing,  standing  in  long  cues  to  the  railroad  cars 
that  brought  the  payroll  and  relaxing.  Other  images 
convey  the  scale  of  the  canal's  structures,  such  as 
the  massive  lock  gates,  before  the  water  filled  the 
trench.  Cables  laced  the  sky  while  giant  cranes  and 
steam  shovels  moved  unprecedented  amounts  of 
earth.  Meek  and  Hildebrand's  photos  also  docu- 
mented the  surrounding  forests  before  they 
disappeared.  Several  of  the  rivers  and  streams  they 
surveyed,  and  the  vegetation  that  grew  there,  today 
lie  buried  under  the  lake. 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


MEMBERSHIIVANNUALFUNI) 


Memhers'  Mights— Save  the  Date 


Something  to  look  forward  to  every  year  ...  the  49th  Annual  Members'  Nights 

June  5,  6  or  7,  5pm— 10pm 

•  Explore  parts  of  our  collections  that  are  normally  closed  to       •  Enjoy  special  children's  entertainment,  games  and  exhibits, 
the  public.  .  Qance  to  music  from  various  cultures. 

•  Meet  scientists  from  the  Museums  academic  departments.         .  Discover  where  exhibitions  are  developed. 

Your  invitation  will  arrive  in  the  mail  soon. 


If  You  Haven't  Yet  Tasted  Chocolate... 

Member  passes  and  advance  tickets  are  now  available  for  Chocolate.  Family  members  get 
four  passes,  and  senior,  student,  individual  and  national  affiliate  members  receive  two 
passes.  If  you  attended  the  members'  viewings,  those  tickets  were  deducted  from  the  total 
number  for  which  you  are  eligible.  For  information,  call  the  membership  office  at  312.665.7700. 


Additional  Tickets:  Chocolate  tickets  for 
an  additional  member  in  your  household 
are  $6  each,  or  $6  plus  general  admission 
for  a  non-member  guest. 


Ordering  Tickets  for  Future  Dates: 

To  guarantee  entry  at  the  time  of  your 
choice,  reserve  your  tickets  through 
Ticketmaster  at  312.902.1500  (additional 
fees),  or  visit  the  membership  desk  (no 
additional  fees).  Both  advance  and  same- 
day  tickets  are  available  on  a  first-come, 
first-served  basis. 


Exchanging  Tickets:  If  you  need 

to  exchange  your  tickets,  please  visit  the 
membership  desk  no  later  than  one  week 
before  the  date  you  currendy  hold.  No 
refunds  or  exchanges  are  available  for 
unused  tickets. 


Traveling  to  Museum  Campus  this  Spring 


With  Soldier  Field  construction  underway,  you  may  find  that  your  usual  route  to  Museum  Campus 
has  changed.  Here  are  some  tips  to  help  you  plan  your  travel: 

Public  transit:  Enjoy  the  ride  without  having  to  worry  about  traffic,  construc- 
tion or  parking.  Direct  bus  service  connects  Museum  Campus  to  downtown, 
Metra  stations  and  all  CTA  train  lines.  Call  the  transit  information  line  at 
312.836.7000. 

Free  trolleys:  Choose  from  two  routes: 

1:  Museum  Campus  trolleys  offer  daily  service  to  the  CTA  and  Metra  stations 
on  Roosevelt  Road,  running  every  half  hour  from  10am—  6pm. 

2:  The  City  of  Chicago's  trolleys  connect  Museum  Campus  to  downtown, 
Metra  s  Ogilvie  Center  and  Union  stations  and  the  CTA  Roosevelt  station. 
Throughout  spring,  these  trolleys  will  run  every  half  hour  from  10am— 6pm  on 
Saturdays  and  noon-6pm  on  Sundays.  Special  Spring  Break  daily  service  March 
23— April  7  and  April  13—21.  For  information,  visit  www.cityofchicago.org/trans- 
portation/trolleys. 

Driving:  Plenty  of  discounted  $6  parking  is  available  south  of  Soldier  Field; 
enter  via  McFetridge  Drive  or  1 8th  Street.  Limited,  closer-in  parking  is  also 
available  at  higher  rates,  accessible  by  McFetridge  Drive.  Download  a  map  from 
www.museumcampus.org.  Once  you've  parked,  take  a  free  trolley  from  the  lot 
to  any  of  the  three  museums.  Parking  lot  trolleys  operate  daily  from  10am-6pm. 

We  look  forward  to  seeing  you  at  Museum  Campus  soon. 


SPRING  2002    April-May 


21 


Field  Museum  Tours  at  a  Glance 


For  information,  call  Field  Museum  Tours  at  800.811.7244  or  email  fmtours@sover.net.  Please  note  that 
rates,  prices  and  itineraries  are  subject  to  change  and  that  prices  are  per  person,  double  occupancy. 

The  Best  of  Kenya: 

An  Exclusive  Field  Museum 

Luxury  Safari 

Sept.  7-22,  2002 

Leader:  Dr.  Bruce  Patterson,  TFM 
MacArthur  curator  of  mammals  and 
president-elect  of  the  American  Society 
of  Mammatogists 

The  Serengeti's  Maasai  Mara 
National  Reserve — Witness  one 
of  the  greatest  wildlife  spectacles 
in  the  world  as  coundess  wilde- 
beest, zebra  and  gazelle  migrate 
across  the  plains. 

Tsavo  National  Park — Notorious 
for  its  man-eating  lions,  for  which 
Dr.  Patterson  is  an  expert,  Tsavo 
is  home  to  more  than  400  bird 
species  and  at  least  128  mammal 
species,  including  giraffe,  lesser 
kudu,  antelope  and  black  rhino. 

Amboseli  National  Park — 

Dominated  by  Mt.  Kilimanjaro, 
this  park  supports  more  than  1,000 
elephants  and  other  large  mammals 
such  as  cheetahs,  leopards,  wilde- 
beest, zebra,  eland  and  buffalo. 

Samburu  Buffalo  Springs  Game 
Reserves — Experience  the  unique 
pastoral  culture  of  the  Samburu 
people,  and  see  such  distinctive 
animals  as  Beisa  oryx,  Grevy's 
zebra,  reticulated  giraffe  and 
gerenuk. 

Rift  Valley  Lakes — Take  a  refresh- 
ing break  from  the  game  trails  to 
enjoy  teeming  flocks  of  flamingoes 
and  hippos  reveling  in  cool,  buoy- 
ant waters. 

Ancient  Wonders  of  Peru — 
Women's  Board  Trip 

Sept.  13-25,  2002  (sold  out) 

Egypt  Revisited 

Oct.  13-27,  2002 

Sites  include  Abusir,  Dashur. 
Maidum,  Faiyum.Tanus,  Abydos, 
Dendara,  dawn  at  Abu  Simbel  and 
Amada,  plus  lesser-known  sites  in 
Cairo,  Luxor  and  Aswan.  Enjoy  a 
cruise  on  Lake  Nasser. 


The  Amazon  by  Riverboat 

fan.  18-26,  2003 

Explore  the  Amazon,  Ucayali  and 
Tapiche  Rivers  in  Peru  for  eight 
days  aboard  a  14-cabin  riverboat. 
Search  for  river  dolphins;  howler, 
squirrel  and  capuchin  monkevx: 
sloths;  capybaras;  and  unusual  birds. 
Optional  extension  to  Machu 
Picchu. 

Egyptian  Odyssey 

fan.  26-Feb.  9,  2003 

By  land  and  riverboat,  explore 
the  famed  pyramids  of  Giza.  The 
Egyptian  Museum,  the  Valleys  of 
the  Kings  and  Queens,  Karnak,  the 
temples  of  Khnum.  Horus  and  Isis, 
and  Abu  Simbel's  three  colossi  of 
Ramses  II.  Five-star  accommoda- 
tions throughout. 

The  Origins  of  Chocolate 
in  the  Americas 

Feb.  5-16,  2003 

Leader:  Dr.  Jonathan  Haas,  TFM 
MacArthur  curator  of  the  Americas 
and  the  lead  curator  ofChocolate, 
the  exhibition 

Trace  the  origins  of  chocolate 
and  legacies  of  pre-Columbian 
civilizations  in  Mexico.  Familiarize 
yourself  with  the  ancient  Olmecs, 
Teotihuacan,  Maya  and  Zapotec 
civilizations.  Visit  several  museums 
and  sites,  including:  The  Regional 
Museum  of  Oaxaca;  Mexico 
City's  world-class  Museum  of 


Anthropology;  Puebla,  a  UNESCO 
World  Heritage  Site;  and  the 
archaeological  sites  of  Palenque 
and  Teotihuacan. 

The  Seychelles  and  Madagascar 

Feb.  16- March  5.  2003 

Sail  with  us  to  sun-drenched  isles 
where  palm  trees  on  endless  white 
beaches  fringe  sparkling  coral 
lagoons  rich  with  sea  life.  The 
Sevchelles  islands  sparkle  like 
gems  in  the  vast  Indian  Ocean. 
Madagascar,  the  world's  "eighth 
continent."  harbors  wondrous 
plants  and  animals  that  have 
evolved  in  splendid  isolation. 


Also  Planned  for  2003: 

•  Rediscovering  the  New  World 

•  The  Pantanal  Region: 
Argentina,  Iguassu  Fall, 
Paraguay,  Bolivia  and  Brazil 

•  Behind  the  Scenes  in  Moscow 
and  St.  Petersburg 

•  Wonders  of  Ancient  China 

•  Great  Museums  of  Europe 


Summer  2002 
June-August 


The    Field    Museum's    Member   Publication 


«.:*" 


From  Mollusk  to  Museum: 
An  Exhibition  on  Pearls 

Lake  Calumet:  Where 
Industry  and  Nature  Meet 


FROMTHEPRESIDENT 


What's  Happening  Behind  the  Fences? 


The  Field  Museum  has  embarked  on  a  series  of  ambitious  expansion  and 
renovation  projects  that  will  enhance  both  the  public  experience  and  behind- 
the-scenes  operations.  The  projects  combined,  expected  to  be  completed  in 
2004,  will  add  more  than  230,000  square  feet  to  the  Museum's  1  million 
square  feet  and  cost  an  estimated  $97  million.  Our  1921  building  has 
served  us  well,  yet  success  and  growth  have  led  to  the  need  to  expand  our 
physical  facilities.  None  of  these  projects  will  significantly  change  the 
exterior  of  our  landmark  building. 


Construction  of  the 
new  central  plant 


An  east  entrance  will  be  built  to  provide  accessibility 
for  schoolchildren,  people  in  wheelchairs  and  families 
with  strollers.  It  will  also  have  its  own  visitor  services, 
such  as  admissions  desks,  restrooms  and  a  coat  check. 

The  Collections  Resource  Center  (CRC)  on  the 
southeast  side  will  provide  humidity-  and  tempera- 
ture-controlled, space-saving  units  for  storage  and 
research  of  our  collections.  Conservation  and  study 
of  our  22  million  specimens  are  at  the  core  of  our 
mission.  This  expansion  will  free  up  new  space  for 
public  exhibitions  and  provide  enough  room  for  the 
collections  to  grow  for  decades.  A  two-feet-thick 
slurry  wall  surrounding  the  area  will  serve  both  as  a 
foundation  for  a  landscaped  public  terrace  that  will 
cover  the  CRC,  as  well  as  a  waterproof  barrier  to 
protect  the  collections  from  Lake  Michigan. 

On  the  south  side,  the  loading  dock  will  be 
expanded  underground  to  accommodate  six  trucks 
instead  of  its  current  capacity  for  two.  This  will 


allow  for  year-round,  more  efficient  delivery  and 
reception  for  our  collections,  exhibitions,  special 
events  and  other  operational  enterprises.  We  will 
have  an  improved  system  for  sorting  recyclables 
and  large  walk-in  freezers  where  incoming 
artifacts  will  be  quarantined  to  eliminate  pests. 
Finally,  we  will  install  liquid  nitrogen  tanks  to 
preserve  the  40,000 — and  growing — tissue 
samples  for  DNA  analysis. 

A  new  central  plant  is  being  built  on  the  west  side. 
Efficient  gas-fired  boilers  will  replace  60-year-old 
boilers,  and  a  new  cooling  system  that  makes  ice 
at  night — when  electricity  costs  one-fifth  the  day 
rate — will  replace  aging  chillers.  We  are  also 
adding  more  solar  panels  to  the  roof.  (See  story 
on  page  19.) 

Your  well-being  and  convenience  are  a  priority 
throughout  the  construction  period.  We  have  added 
staff  and  directional  signs  to  ease  access  and  ensure 
safety.  Handicap  parking  is  available  in  all  the  lots 
on  a  first-come,  first-served  basis.  Finally,  take 
advantage  of  the  free  trolleys  running  from  the 
parking  lots  to  all  three  Museum  Campus  institu- 
tions. (See  the  map  on  the  Table  of  Contents  for 
travel  and  parking  information.) 

We  look  forward  to  keeping  you  updated  on  the 
Museum's  renovation  and  expansion  projects. 

John  W.  McCarter,  Jr. 
President  &  CEO 


A  Note  from  the  Fditor 


As  a  reminder,  In  the  Field  is  changing  from  six  to  four  issues  annually.  This  issue,  which  covers  June 
through  August,  is  the  first  one  in  the  new  quarterly  schedule.  Not  only  will  this  save  the  Museum  nearly 
$100,000  a  year  in  design,  printing  and  fulfillment  costs,  I  am  confident  that  four  issues  is  ample  for  sharing 
our  scientific  successes  and  giving  you  the  opportunity  to  participate  in  exhibitions  and  educational  programs. 

If  you  have  any  comments  about  the  magazine,  email  acranch@fmnh.org,  or  write  Amy  E.  Cranch, 
Editor,  The  Field  Museum,  1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive,  Chicago,  IL  60605-2496.  For  general  member- 
ship inquiries,  including  address  changes,  call  312.665.7700. 


INTHEFIELD 

Summer  2002,  June-August,  Vol.  73,  No.  4 

Editor: 

Amy  E.  Cranch,  The  Field  Museum 

Design: 

Depke  Design 

Copy  editor: 
Laura  F.  Nelson 

%<r  In  the  Field  is  printed  on  recycled  paper 
using  soy-based  inks.  All  images  ©  The 
Field  Museum  unless  otherwise  specified. 

In  the  Field  (ISSN  #1051-4546)  is  published 
quarterly  by  The  Field  Museum.  Copyright 
2002  The  Field  Museum.  Annual  subscriptions 
are  $20;  $10  for  schools.  Museum  membership 
includes  In  the  Field  subscription.  Opinions 
expressed  by  authors  are  their  own  and  do 
not  necessarily  reflect  the  policy  of  The  Field 
Museum.  Notification  of  address  change  should 
include  address  label  and  should  be  sent  to 
the  membership  department.  POSTMASTER: 
Send  address  changes  to  Membership,  The 
Field  Museum,  1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive, 
Chicago,  IL  60605-2496.  Periodicals  postage 
paid  at  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Cover:  Discover  nature's  perfect  gem  in 
Pearls,  open  June  28,  2002,  through  Jan. 
5,  2003.  Photo  by  Denis  Finnin  © 
American  Museum  of  Natural  History. 

The  Field  Museum  salutes  the  people  of 
Chicago  for  their  long-standing,  generous 
support  of  the  Museum  through  the 
Chicago  Park  District. 


X 


te 


Field 


useum 


1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive 
Chicago,  IL  60605-2496 
312.922.9410 

www.fieldmuseum.org 


The  natural  history  of  pearls  is  as  alluring  as 
their  association  with  wealth  and  purity. 
Top:  Queen  conch  (Strombus  gigas)  with  the 
pink  pearls  it  produces 


4 


In  Lake  Calumet,  outstanding  natural  com- 
munities are  juxtaposed  with  areas  seriously 
damaged  by  industrial  development. 
Middle:  Lake  Calumet  marsh 


16 


New  research  shows  that  primates  originated 
85  million  years  ago  (Mya)  rather  than  65  Mya. 
Bottom:  Proposed  reconstruction  of  primates'  earliest 
common  ancestor 

Expedition  Update:  Dr.  Janet  Voight's 
deep-sea  expedition  announced  in  the  spring 
issue  has  been  postponed  to  2003  because  of 
problems  with  the  mother  ship's  propulsion 
system. You  can  still  email  expeditions@fieldmu- 
seum.org  to  receive  updates  from  Dr.  Peter 
Makovicky,  who  will  be  visiting  Wyoming's 
Bighorn  Basin  in  July  in  search  of  Cretaceous 
dinosaur  fossils.  Check  www.fieldmuseum.org/ 
expeditions  for  the  latest  schedule. 


Museum  Campus  Neighbors 


While  Soldier  Field  construction  is  under  way,  check  www.fieldmuseum.org 
for  updated  travel  and  parking  information,  or  follow  these  helpful  tips: 


Public  transit:  Direct  bus 
service  from  Museum  Campus 
to  downtown,  Metra  stations 
and  all  CTA  train  lines. 


Free  trolleys:  Museum 

Campus  trolleys  run 
10am-6pm  daily  to  the 
Roosevelt  Road  CTA  and 
Metra  stations.  City  of 
Chicago  trolleys  connect 
Museum  Campus  to  downtown, 
the  CTA  Roosevelt  station  and 
Metra's  Ogilvie  Center  and 
Union  stations,  10am-6pm 
daily,  now  through  Labor  Day. 


Driving:  $6  parking  south 
of  Soldier  Field;  enter  via 
McFetridge  Drive  or  18th 
Street.  Limited,  closer-in 
parking  at  higher  rates; 
enter  via  McFetridge  Drive. 
Handicap  parking  in  all  lots 
on  a  first-come,  first-served 
basis.  Free  parking  lot 
trolleys  to  all  three  museums 
9am -6pm  daily. 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


INTHEFIELDFEATURE 


From  Mollusk  to  Museum:  An  Exhibition  on  Pearls 

Sections  of  this  ankle  are  derived  from  Pearls:  A  Natural  History,  the  accompanying  publication  co-authored  by  NeS 
H.  Landman  and  Paula  M.  Mikkelsen  of  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  and  Riidiger  Bieler  and  Beimel 
Bronsoii  ofTlie  Field  Museum. 


77ii5  Chinese  freshwater 
pearl  mussel,  Hyriopsis 
cumingii,  produced  a 
range  of  pearls  that 
attached  to  the  shell. 


Across  the  world  and  throughout  time,  the  shim- 
mering droplets  we  call  pearls  have  mesmerized 
humans  for  their  beauty  and  association  with 
wealth,  virtue,  purity  and  glamour.  Yet  unlike  any 
other  gem,  they  emerge  from  living  animals  and 
require  no  shaping  by  human  hands,  making  their 
natural  history  as  intriguing  as  their  cultural  history. 
As  leading  museums  and  research  institutions, 
The  Field  Museum  and  the  American  Museum  of 
Natural  History  (AMNH)  are  especially  suited  to 
present  a  joint  exhibition,  Pearls,  running  June  28, 
2002,  through  Jan.  5,  2003.  The  largest,  most  com- 
prehensive exhibition  ever  created  on  the  topic, 
Pearls  reveals  how  they  are  made,  cultured  and 
harvested  and  the  roles  they  have  played  through- 
out human  history.  Among  more  than  600  objects 
from  more  than  100  lenders  worldwide,  some  ot 
these  lustrous  items — from  ancient  fossil  pearls  to 
the  exquisite  adornments  of  queens  and 
celebrities — have  rarely  been  exhibited. 

A  pearl  of  an  idea 

Over  a  bottle  of  wine  in  a  New  York  cafe.  Riidiger 
Bieler,  chair  of  The  Field  Museum's  zoology  depart- 
ment, was  discussing  his  research  interest  in  mollusks 
with  his  colleagues  at  the  AMNH,  Paula  Mikkelsen, 
curator  of  invertebrate  zoology,  and  Neil  Landman, 
curator  of  paleontology.  They  discovered  a  common 
vision:  an  exhibition  on  pearls  for  their  museums. 
"By  the  time  we  had  emptied  the  borde."  Bieler 
said,  "we  had  outlined  a  joint  exhibit  that  would  use 

A  worker  near  Zliuji.  China,  implants  tissue  grafts  into 
Hyriopsis  cumingii  to  instigate  the  pearl-making  process. 


the  combined  strengths  of  our  institutions — biology, 
anthropology,  mineralogy  and  paleontology — to  tell 
the  story  of  pearls  and  the  mollusks  that  produce 
them."  To  complete  the  human  side  of  the  story, 
thev  called  on  Bennet  Bronson,  Field  Museum 
curator  of  Asian  archaeology  and  ethnology. 

Together  the  team  journeyed  to  the  world  s 
major  pearl-producing  regions,  co-authored  a 
book,  developed  a  far-reaching  exhibition  and 
cemented  a  relationship  between  these  two  grand 
museums.  "We're  a  well-matched  group  of  cura- 
tors," Bronson  said. 

A  natural  wonder 

Pearls  have  been  part  of  mollusks'  evolutionary 
history  since  the  Cambrian  Period  530  million 
years  ago.  Although  the  most  familiar  pearls  are 
flawlessly  spherical  and  creamy;  they  are  more 
commonly  irregular  and  come  in  a  variety  ot  col- 
ors— cotton-candy  pink,  black,  gold,  plum  purple 
or  fiery  red.  While  early  speculations  on  their 
origin  took  a  romantic  spin — the  offspring  of 
moonbeams  or  lightning  strikes,  for  example — 
science  pulled  us  back  to  Earth. 

"Pearl  formation  is  really  just  an  extension 
of  shell  formation,"  said  Bieler.  "Most  pearl  gems 
come  from  a  small  set  of  marine  and  freshwater 
mollusks.  pearl  oysters  and  pearl  mussels.  But  any 
mollusk  that  has  a  shell — abalone  and  conchs,  even 
land  snails  and  chambered  nautilus — can  theoreti- 
cally produce  a  pearl." 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


When  an  irritant  such  as  a  tiny  parasite  or  shell 
bit — rarely,  if  ever,  a  grain  of  sand — becomes 
lodged  in  the  mollusk,  the  mantle  secretes  alternat- 
ing layers  of  aragonite,  a  form  of  calcium  carbonate, 
and  conchiolin,  an  organic  material.  These  layers  are 
the  magic  behind  a  pearl's  shape  and  iridescence. 

A  limit  on  luxury 

Chinese  naturalists  from  the  5th  century  B.C.E.  are 
thought  to  have  produced  the  first  cultured  pearls 
by  inserting  a  small  object,  such  as  a  miniature 
Buddha,  into  a  mussel  to  jumpstart  the  pearl-making 
process.  In  the  18th  century,  Linnaeus,  known  for 
developing  the  way  we  scientifically  name  plants 
and  animals,  invented  a  technique  for  producing  the 
first  spherical  cultured  pearls.  In  the  20th  century, 
Japan's  pearl  farmers  refined  and  industrialized  cul- 
turing  techniques,  making  pearls  more  plentiful 
and  inexpensive. 

Despite  pearls'  abundance,  however,  the  animals' 
ecological  limits  are  testing  the  perliculture  indus- 
try. "Pearl-producing  mollusks  are  imperiled  by 
both  natural  and  human-induced  environmental 
factors,"  said  Bieler.  "Red  tides,  which  are  especially 
severe  in  Japan,  along  with  typhoons,  industrial  pol- 
lution and  human  activities  such  as  dredging  and 
damming  are  threatening  mollusk  populations." 

North  American  freshwater  pearl  mussels,  whose 
shells  are  cut  into  tiny  beads  and  implanted  in  pearl 
oysters  for  culturing,  are  among  the  most  endangered 
groups  of  animals  on  Earth.  More  than  35  species 
are  already  extinct  from  habitat  destruction  and  pol- 
lution, and  twice  that  number  are  endangered  or 
threatened.  The  industry  may  soon  be  forced  to  find 
a  substitute  material  for  the  beads. 

Increasing  efforts  to  protect  mollusks  are  largely 


dependent  on  research  gains. 
In  one  project  involving 
both  The  Field  Museum 
and  AMNH,  for  example, 
museum-based  researchers  are 
developing  a  comprehensive 
inventory  of  all  marine  mol- 
lusk species  in  the  Florida 
Keys.  Whereas  previous 
research  focused  on  vertebrates 
and  corals,  little  is  understood 
about  mollusks,  the  most  species-rich  group.  Since 
1995,  this  project  has  increased  the  number  of 
known  molluscan  species  in  the  Keys  from  630  to 
1,600,  many  of  which  are  new  to  science.  The 
knowledge  gained  from  collections  and  fieldwork  is 
crucial  for  devising  plans  that  will  preserve,  protect 
and  restore  our  near-shore  underwater  habitats. 

Unlike  most  major  exhibitions,  the  AMNH  and 
Field  Museum  curators  involved  in  creating  Pearls 
served  as  both  content  developers  and  subject  spe- 
cialists, supporting  everything  from  conception  to 
background  research,  initiating  the  loan  of  objects 
to  writing  labels.  What  started  off  as  a  research 
partnership  among  individual  scientists  has  evolved 
into  collaborations  between  many  areas  of  both 
museums.  Their  expertise  and  enthusiasm,  com- 
bined with  the  compelling  story  behind  pearls, 
make  this  exhibition  a  true  gem. 
Be  sure  to  visit  our  Museum  stores,  where  you  can  purchase 
Pearls:  A  Natural  History,  the  gorgeous  accompanying 
book  featuring  the  curators'  research.  Also,  check  the  maga- 
zine calendar  or  website  for  related  education  programs. 

Pearts  was  organized  by  The  American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  New  York, 
in  collaboration  with  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago. 

National  Sponsor  Tasaki  Shinju  Co,  Ltd. 


Rudiger  Bieler  unex- 
pectedly turns  up  a 
conch  during  his 
research  on  mollusks 
in  the  Florida  Keys. 


The  Leaend  of  Boeoole  the  Button  Maker 


Near  Hamburg,  Germany,  John  Frederick  Boepple  (1854-1912)  made  buttons  with 
Pacific  Ocean  seashells  until  he  received  a  box  of  North  American  freshwater  peari 
mussels  and  discovered  their  thick  layer  of  mother-of-pearl.  In  1887,  facing  his  wife's 
death  and  prohibitive  inflation,  he  decided  to  move  closer  to  the  source  and  ultimately 
settled  in  Muscatine,  Iowa. 

Boepple  started  producing  mother-of-pearl  novelty  items  and,  later,  buttons.  He  even- 
tually founded  the  J.  F.  Boepple  Company  and  was  soon  out-producing  Europe's  button 
centers.  Former  employees  copied  his  methods,  new  companies  sprang  up  and  by  1898, 
nearly  40  enterprises  were  established.  By  the  turn  of  the  century,  Boepple  had  trans- 
formed this  small  Iowa  town  into  the  "Pearl  Button  Capital  of  the  World." 

Boepple  was  a  master  craftsman  but  a  poor  businessman.  Resisting  automation  of 
his  plant  and  embroiled  in  legal  battles,  he  ultimately  lost  the  use  of  his  company 
and  most  of  his  financial  interest  in  the  factories.  By  1909,  he  held  a  government  position 
at  the  Fairport,  Iowa,  fishery,  where  he  assessed  pearl  mussel  quality  in  various  rivers, 
reseeded  depleted  riverbeds  and  developed  less  destructive  collecting  techniques.  The 
man  who  started  the  button-business  boom  had  become  a  spokesperson  for  conservation. 

In  1912,  in  an  ironic  twist  of  fate,  Boepple  cut  his  foot  wading  in  an  Indiana 
river  (on  a  pearl  mussel  shell?)  and  died  from  a  foot  infection  —  on  the  first  day  of 
a  pearl-button  workers'  strike. 


BOEPPLE   BUTTON   COMPANY 

MUSCATINE,    IOWA 

Pearl  Buttons 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


INTHFFIELDFEATURE 


Lake  Calumet:  Where  Industry  and  Nature  Meet 

Gillian  Darlow,  Manager,  Business  Development  and  Operations,  Environmental  and  Conservation  Programs 


lands  intermingle  with  various  human  communities  and  industrial  remnants  to  form  the 
Lake  Calumet  region.  Indeed,  more  than  200  species  of  birds  are  known  to  visit  Calumet 
annually,  and  ethnically  diverse  communities  surround  the  region's  industrial  core.  How 
can  there  be  so  much  life  in  so  little  space,  surrounded  by  the  vestiges  of  a  major 
manufacturing  center? 


The  answer  is  rooted  m  the  regions  history.  In 
:^_5.  famed  ornithologist  FAX.  Nelson  n< 
Calumet's  tremendous  bird  activity  and  described 
the  overall  region  as  "an  unusually  fertile  held  tor 

But  Nelson  would  live  to 
Calumet  become  a  major  transportation  hub. 
During  the  latter  half  of  the  19th  century,  nine 
railroad  comp  down  tracks  through 

Call  1900s,  the  lakt  phy 

that  ships  could  navi- 
the  shall  eel 


industry  grew  throughout  the  _Uth  century  and 
attracted  large  numbers  of  immigrants  to  its  fac- 
tory jobs,  resulting  in  a  vibrant  mix  of  cultures  — 
still  a  feature  of  the  area  today  despite  the  many 

luring  the  industry's  rapid  decline  in  the 
Is.  In  the  absence  of  government  regulation, 
waste  of  all  kinds  (industrial,  municipal,  liquid 

gate  mineral  byproduc 
production  called  slag  were  dumped  in  Calumet, 
creating  a  . [animated  topography. 


^^^^m 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


Yellow-headed  Blackbird,  Xanthocephalus 

...  a  threatened  species  for  Illinois 


Vital  patches  of  habitat  still  thrive 

Calumet  remains  a  study  in  contrasts — outstanding 
natural  communities  juxtaposed  with  areas  seriously 
damaged  by  industrial  development.  Stretching 
from  southeast  Chicago  to  northwest  Indiana,  the 
15,000-acre  Lake  Calumet  region  harbors  critical 
remnants  of  highly  endangered  ecosystems — small 
jewels  of  wetlands,  prairies  and  oak  woodlands 
with  an  amazing  amount  of  biodiversity. 

For  several  years,  ten  Field  Museum  scientists 
have  been  mapping  the  region's  biological  richness. 
By  documenting  birds  throughout  the  Calumet 
region,  they  have  determined  that  there  are  sizeable 
breeding  populations  of  at  least  seven  endangered 
or  threatened  species.  Despite  extensive  habitat 
degradation  and  pollution,  Calumet  is  among  the 
best  spots  in  the  state  for  migratory  shorebirds. 
In  addition,  Museum  scientists  have  conducted 
detailed  studies  of  fungi,  mosses,  beetles,  reptiles  and 
amphibians,  and  vegetation  at  Powderhorn  Prairie. 
They  report  significant  findings,  including  many 
first  records  for  the  region  and/or  the  state — a 
unique  set  of  fungi  and  a  population  of  Blanding's 
turtle,  a  threatened  species. 

The  biological  and  cultural  riches  of  Calumet 
have  captured  the  imagination  of  hundreds  of 
individuals,  research  and  cultural  institutions,  con- 
servation organizations  and  government  agencies. 
Chicago  Mayor  Richard  M.  Daley  and  Illinois 
Governor  George  H.  Ryan  recently  announced 
a  groundbreaking  collaboration  for  sustainable 
development  in  Calumet,  with  many  implications 
for  conservation — the  creation  of  the  4,800-acre 
Calumet  Open  Space  Reserve,  a  new  environmen- 
tal center  to  concentrate  on  habitat  restoration  and 
the  remediation  of  polluted  industrial  sites,  marshes 
and  wetlands. 

Field  Museum  President  and  CEO  John 
McCarter  is  one  of  four  chairs  of  the  Calumet 


Sustainable  Advisory  Committee.  "Through  this 
collaborative  effort,"  he  said,  "we  envision  thriving 
plant  communities,  abundant  migrant  and  breeding 
birds,  living  rivers  and  healthy  lakes  replete  with 
aquatic  life.  This  will  all  be  supported  through 
ongoing,  ecologically  sensitive  economic  develop- 
ment and  environmental  education." 

Enlisting  a  vibrant  community  of  stewards 

More  than  100,000  people  now  live  in  the 
Calumet  region.  Funded  by  the  USDA  Forest 
Service,  anthropologists  and  student  researchers  in 
the  Museum's  Center  for  Cultural  Understanding 
and  Change  (CCUC)  are  mapping  the  communi- 
ties' assets — social  relationships,  social  institutions 
and  community  events  and  activities — to  identify 
sites  for  environmental  activism  and  illuminate  ways 
to  involve  community  members  in  local  revitaliza- 
tion  efforts.  The  results  already  indicate  that 
residents  have  tremendous  pride  for  Calumet 
despite  the  landscape's  degraded  appearance. 

Using  the  Calumet  asset  maps,  The  Field 
Museum's  environmental  educators  and  several 
Chicago  Wilderness  members  are  building  partner- 
ships with  local  organizations.  The  Hegewisch 
community  is  already  participating  in  eight  stew- 
ardship, restoration,  environmental  leadership  and 
monitoring  programs. 

As  part  of  the  new  city-state  partnership,  The 
Field  Museum  is  contributing  its  scientific  expertise 
to  help  further  identify  Calumet's  biological  and 
cultural  values  and  involve  local  communities  in 
restoration  management  and  conservation  design. 

1  Nelson,  E.W.  1876.  Birds  of  north-eastern  Illinois.  Essex  Institute  Bulletin 
8  (9-12):  90-155. 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


INTHEFIELDFEATURE 


Get  Involved-the  Calumet  Biodiversity  Blitz 


A  lively  first  step  toward  widespread  community 
involvement  in  conservation  is  the  Calumet 
Biodiversity  Blitz  (BioBlitz).  From  2pm  on  Friday, 
August  23  until  2pm  on  Saturday,  August  24,  2002, 
a  multitude  of  scientists  will  descend  on  Calumet 
to  find  as  many  species  as  they  can  in  just  24  hours. 
Surveying  birds,  mammals,  plants,  fungi,  lichens, 
insects,  fish,  reptiles,  amphibians,  microbes  and 
more,  scientists  from  The  Field  Museum,  the  Illinois 
Natural  History  Survey,  Illinois  Department  of 
Natural  Resources  (IDNR)  and  Chicago  Wilderness 
organizations  will  evaluate  the  overall  biodiversity  of 
the  sites  inventoried. 

Everyone  can  participate  in  the  BioBlitz,  includ- 
ing you.  Watch  scientists  at  close  range  while  they 
identify  specimens  in  the  science  tent,  or  join 
special  tours,  presentations  and  round-the-clock 
programs — from  discussions  about  local  snakes, 
turtles  and  mammals  to  demonstrations  of  black- 
light  insect  netting  and  night  programs  for  bat 
banding  and  owl  identification.  Abundant  hands-on 
conservation  opportunities  will  include  cutting 


invasive  buckthorn,  collecting  native  seeds  for 
replanting,  releasing  beetles  to  control  loosestrife 
and  observing  the  quality  of  local  wetlands  and 
green  space. 

More  than  just  a  fun  opportunity  to  participate 
first-hand  in  a  biological  inventory,  the  BioBlitz 
will  also  provide  a  database  of  species  that  will  pin- 
point areas  of  high  diversity  in  three  sites.  During 
the  BioBlitz,  scientists  and  their  community  assis- 
tants will  enter  the  inventory  data  directly  into  a 
database  at  a  centralized,  on-site  field  station. These 
data  will  provide  critical  baseline  information  for 
conservation  management  decisions. 

The  concept  of  a  BioBlitz  is  not  new.  BioBlitz 
events  have  been  held  around  the  country  since 
1996  when  the  National  Park  Service  and  the 
National  Biological  Survey  sponsored  the  first 
BioBlitz  at  Kenilworth  Park  in  Washington,  DC. 
Closer  to  home,  Allerton  Park  in  central  Illinois 
hosted  a  BioBlitz  last  year,  with  more  than  160 
scientists  participating  and  a  record-breaking  1 ,957 
species  documented. 

What  makes  the  Calumet  BioBlitz  unique  is  that 
it  will  launch  a  variety  of  community-based  conser- 
vation initiatives.  For  example,  the  data  will 
establish  the  baseline  for  Urban  Watch,  a  partnership 
between  The  Field  Museum  and  IDNR  in  which 
high  school  students  and  adult  volunteers  inventory 
and  monitor  the  biological  quality  of  local  urban 
green  spaces.  We  have  learned  that  the  long-term 
success  of  efforts  such  as  those  in  Calumet  will 
depend  on  how  much  local  communities,  armed 
with  critical  scientific  data,  embrace  conservation 
management  plans  as  their  own.  ITF 

For  more  information  about  how  you  can  participate 
in  the  Calumet  BioBIit:  on  Aug.  23-24,  email 
bioblitz@JieldmHseum.org,  or  call  312.665.7450. 


i'jTtmwnv 


Journal  Entry  by  Doug  Stotz,  Environmental  ami  Conservation  Programs 

Field  Museum  volunteer  Peter  Cruikshank  and  I  are  finishing  a  trip  to  the  Lake  Calumet  region.  So 
hand,  I  crash  through  dense  brush  to  reach  a  chain-link  fence;  Peter  follows.  We  look  out  over  a  small 
pond,  where  dozens  of  old,  broken  trunks  of  drowned  trees  poke  out  of  the  water — the  aptly  named  Dead 
Stick  Pond.  I  don't  notice  the  big  smokestacks  off  to  the  east,  the  remnants  of  abandoned  steel  mills;  I  am 
too  interested  in  the  scene  unfolding  in  front  of  me.  There  are  hundreds  of  shorebirds  of  15  species  ranging 
in  size  from  the  tiny  Least  Sandpiper  on  the  mudflats  to  the  dowitchers  and  yellowlegs  feeding  in  a  few 
inches  of  water.  Along  the  far  shore,  a  Common  Moorhen,  one  of  the  11  state  threatened  species  that  breed 
in  the  Calumet  area,  drifts  with  her  two  chicks  among  the  reeds  behind  a  motionless  juvenile  Black-crowned 
Night-Heron.  There  are  many  other  herons  here,  including  Great  Egrets,  Snowy  Egrets,  Little  Blue  Herons 
and  one  Yellow-crowned  Night-Heron.  A  Virginia  Rail  calls  from  the  cattails,  startling  a  female  Blue- 
winged  Teal  and  her  brood  of  six  tiny  chicks  that  have  been  swimming  with  all  their  might  to  keep  up.  Five 
species  of  swallows  swoop  over  the  pond,  scooping  up  insects... 


SUMMER  2002  June- August 


YOURGUIDETOTHE  FIELD 


Calendar  of  Events  for  Summer  2002  June-August 


Inside:    Exhibits       Festivals       Family    Programs       Adult    Programs 


The  Making  of  the 
Pearls  Exhibition 

New  Discoveries  Series 

Dr.  Bcimet  Branson,  TFM  Anthropology 
Dcpt.,  and  Dr.  Riidiger  Bieler,  TFM 
Zoology  Dcpt. 

Meet  two  of  the  curators 
for  the  Pearls  exhibition. 
Field  Museum  scientists  will 
share  their  expertise  and  dis- 
cuss how  The  Field  Museum 
and  the  American  Museum  of 
Natural  History  in  New  York 
melded  science,  history  and 
culture  to  create  an  extraor- 
dinary exhibition  about  these 
natural  treasures. 

Saturday,  June  29,  2pm 
$15,  students /educators  $12, 
members  $10 


« 


New  Exhibition- Pearls 


t> 


June  28,  2002-Jan.  5,  2003 
Discover  nature's  perfect  gem. 

Magical  and  radiant,  pearls  are  unlike  any  other  gem  in  the  world. 
They  are  the  only  gems  to  be  formed  by  a  living  organism.  And 
from  the  bottom  of  the  world's  oceans,  lakes,  rivers  and  streams, 
they  emerge  perfectly  luminous,  not  needing  to  be  cut  and  polished. 

Dive  into  the  mysterious  realm  of  the  pearl,  from  its  watery  origins  to  its  history  as 

a  treasured  symbol  of  purity,  wealth  and  glamour.  Curated  by  scientists  at  The  Field 

Museum  and  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  in  New  York,  Pearls  is  the 

largest,  most  comprehensive  exhibition  ever  put  together  on  this  subject  and  has 

&     attracted  national  media  attention. 

The  most  spectacular  collection  of  pearls  ever  assembled,  Pearls  features  more 
than  600  objects  and  nearly  half  a  million  pearls.  See  some  of  the  world's  oldest, 
largest  and  most  valuable  pearls.  See  exquisite  ornaments  worn  by  Queen  Victoria, 
Marie  Antoinette,  Marilyn  Monroe  and  Elizabeth  Taylor.  See  pearls  of  every  size, 
shape  and  color-ranging  from  white  to  pink,  gold,  purple  and  black.  You'll  also  dis- 
cover the  wide  variety  of  mollusks  that  form  these  rare  treasures  and  trace  their 
cultivation  by  humans  throughout  history. 

Don't  miss  this  gorgeous  exhibition! 

Pearls  is  a  specially  ticketed  exhibition. 

Pearls  was  organized  by  The  American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  New  York,  in  collaboration  with  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago. 
National  Sponsor  Tasaki  Shinju  Co,  Ltd. 


DENIS  FINNIN/  AMERICAN  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY 


I 


fe 


Field 


useum 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410 

Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


SUMMER  2002  June-August       7 


Your  Guide  to  the  Field:  Calendar  of  Events  for  Summer  2002  June-August 


Enjoy  delicious  summer  f  f \  \ 
fun  with  Chocolate!         V       i\ 


Did  you  know  cacao  seeds  were  once  so  valuable  that  the  Aztecs  used  them  as  money? 

Immerse  yourself  in  the  story  of  a  luscious  treat  in  Chocolate,  an  exciting  exhibition  developed  by 
The  Field  Museum.  Take  a  sweet  journey  for  all  ages — from  the  rainforest  to  the  ancient  civilization 
of  the  Maya,  from  16th-century  Europe  to  a  modern-day  candy  factory.  This  exhibition  will  engage 
your  senses  and  reveal  facets  of  chocolate  that  you've  never  thought  about  before. 

Chocolate  is  a  specially  ticketed  exhibition.  All  labels  are  in  English  and  Spanish. 


s^%*"  -  -  4?& 


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■  ■•    ' 


Tty' 


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L.    • 


■*^**! 


Special  Summer  Activities 

Hands-on  activity  stations  around  the  Museum  let  you  learn 
more  about  rainforest  ecology  and  trace  chocolate's  journey 
from  a  bitter  seed  to  a  sweet  candy  bar.  Volunteers  will  facili 
tate  these  activities  daily  from  July  through  August. 


Chocolate  and  its  national  tour  were  developed  by  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago 
This  project  was  supported,  in  part,  by  the  National  Science  Foundation. 
Education  programs  supported  by  The  Chicago  Community  Trust 


Make  your  own  chocolate 
modeling  clay. 

Before  or  after  your  visit  to  Chocolate,  try  your 
hand  at  this  unusual  recipe.  For  sweet  and  sticky 
sculptures,  shape  the  clay  into  animals,  people  or 
anything  your  heart  desires.  For  delicious  pastry 
decorations,  create  leaves,  flowers,  baskets  and  vines! 

Ingredients: 

10  ounces  semi-sweet  chocolate, 
coarsely  chopped 
(Don't  use  chocolate  chips  or  expen- 
sive imported  chocolate.  They  won't 
have  the  right  consistency.) 

1/3  cup  light  corn  syrup 
Directions: 


1)  In  a  shallow  bowl,  melt  the  chocolate 
without  heating  it  above  100CF.  Do  this  by  placing  the  bowl 
of  chocolate  over  another  bowl  that  contains  hot — but  not 
boiling — water. 

2)  Once  the  chocolate  has  melted,  add  the  corn  syrup.  Using  a 
rubber  spatula,  stir  and  fold  the  mixture  until  the  shiny  syrup 
is  invisible  and  the  mixture  forms  a  thick  ball.  Do  not  overmix. 

3)  Turn  the  clay  out  onto  a  sheet  of  waxed  paper.  Using  the  rub- 
ber spatula,  pat  it  into  a  7-inch  square.  Let  it  sit  uncovered 
at  room  temperature  until  firm,  about  two  hours.  Use  the 
clay  at  once,  or  store  in  an  airtight  container  at  room  tem- 
perature for  up  to  one  month. 

For  special  tips  on  using  this  recipe,  visit 
www.fieldmuseum.org/Chocolate/kids. 

Recipe  reprinted  with  permission  from  Elaine  Gonzalez. 


IN  THE  FIELD  CALENDAR 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410;  Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


Plan  your  own 
Dino  Day! 


This  summer,  plan  a  special  expedition  into 
the  kingdom  of  the  dinosaurs.  From  Sue 
to  sauropod  eggs  just  discovered  in  South 
America,  we've  put  together  a  dynamic 
dinosaur  dual  presentation  that's  fun  for 
the  whole  family. 


Start  the  day  with 
a  visit  to  Tiniest  Giants: 
Discovering  Dinosaur  Eggs, 
open  through  Sept.  2. 

Imagine  being  a  scientist  on  one  of  the  most  incredible  dino 
digs  ever — a  site  in  Argentina  with  thousands  of  fossilized 
dinosaur  eggs.  You'll  see  what  it's  like  to  plan  an  expedition, 
get  your  hands  dirty  digging  for  fossils  and  examine  speci- 
mens under  the  magnifying  glass.  Collect  all  seven 
expedition  stamps  in  your  field  notebook! 

Then  say  hi  to  Sue,  the  world's  largest,  most  complete  and 
most  famous  T.  rex.  Even  if  you've  seen  Sue  before,  you'll 
enjoy  seeing  this  67-million-year-old  star  again.  Finish  off 
the  day  with  a  trip  to  the  Life  Over  Time  exhibition, 
which  traces  3.8  billion  years  of  life  on  Earth. 

Tiniest  Giants  was  developed  by  the  Natural  History  Museum 
of  Los  Angeles  County  and  the  Carmen  Funes  Museum  of 
Argentina. 

Sue  at  The  Field  Museum  is  made  possible  by 
McDonald's  Corporation.  A  major  sponsor  of  Sue  is 
Walt  Disney  World  Resort.  Additional  support  has 
been  provided  by  the  Illinois  Department  of  Natural 
Resources/Illinois  State  Museum.  The  Elizabeth 
Morse  Charitable  Trust  is  the  generous  sponsor  of 
this  exhibition. 


Get  involved  in  the 
Biodiversity  Blitz. 


v  S-, 


^: 


Help  scientists 

preserve  a  fragile  ecosystem. 

Join  scientists  to  learn  more  about  and  help  preserve  Chicago's 
valuable  natural  resources. 

The  Biodiversity  Blitz,  or  BioBlitz,  will  bring  scientists  to  one 
of  Chicago's  wilderness  areas  to  see  how  many  birds,  mammals, 
plants,  fungi,  insects,  amphibians  and  other  species  they  can 
identify  in  24  hours. 

From  2pm  on  Friday,  Aug.  23  until  2pm  on  Saturday,  Aug.  24, 
the  BioBlitz  will  focus  on  the  Lake  Calumet  region  on  Chicago's 
southeast  side.  One  of  the  most  heavily  industrialized  land- 
scapes in  the  city,  Calumet  is  also  home  to  rare  plants  and 
animals  that  survive  in  prairie,  wetland  and  woodland  frag- 
ments. The  valuable  data  collected  will  be  used  to  better 
understand  and  protect  these  fragile  ecosystems. 


The  BioBlitz  also  offers  exciting  ways  for  you  to  get 
involved.  Observe  scientists  working  in  the  field.  Enjoy 
special  tours  and  presentations,  ranging  from  discussions 
bout  local  turtles  to  night  programs  about  identifying  owls. 
Or  become  a  citizen  scientist  and  conservationist  yourself  by  col- 
ecting  native  seeds,  removing  invasive  plant  species  or  monitoring 
the  quality  of  local  wetlands  and  green  space. 

For  more  information  about  the  Calumet  BioBlitz,  email 
bioblitz@fieldmuseum.org  or  call  312.665.7450. 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


Family  Overnight 


Imagine  the  chance  to  roam  The  Field  Museum  at  night!  Bring 
your  sleeping  bags  to  one  of  the  most  exciting  spots  in  town  for 
an  evening  of  family  workshops,  performances,  hands-on  activi- 
ties, tours  and  fun.  Explore  a  mummy's  tomb  by  flashlight, 
prowl  an  African  savannah  with  man-eating  lions  and  travel 
back  in  time  to  the  Mesozoic  Era — all  in  one  evening.  An 
evening  snack  and  breakfast  are  included. 

Families  with  children  ages  6-12 

5:45pm  on  Friday,June  21,  to  9am  on  Saturday. June  22. 

or  5:45pm  on  Friday,  Aug.  30,  to  9am  on  Saturday,  Aug.  31 

(Choose  one  date.) 

$45  per  participant,  members  $38 


Lectures 


New  Discoveries  Series 

Saving  the  Last  Shangri-La — Bhutan 

Lam  Dorji,  Royal  Society  for  the  Protection  of  Nature, 
and  Hishey  Tshering,  Bhutan  Heritage  Travels 

Explore  the  pristine  wildernesses  of  Bhutan,  a  nation  visited 
by  few  outsiders.  For  centuries,  a  powerful  Buddhist  conser- 
vation ethic  has  left  about  72  percent  of  Bhutan's  natural 
forests  intact.  Nestled  in  the  Himalayas  between  China  and 
India,  these  forests  are  home  to  a  stunning  variety  of  species 
including  the  Bengal  tiger,  snow  leopard,  takin,  golden  langur 
and  black-necked  crane.  Now,  increased  population  and  con- 
nections with  the  outside  world  are  exerting  new  pressures 
on  these  precious  ecosystems.  Dorji  and  Tshering  will  intro- 
duce you  to  Bhutan's  people,  plants  and 
animals,  and  discuss  the  challenges  they  face 
in  preserving  this  environmental  jewel.  Dr. 
George  Archibald,  co-founder  of  the 
International  Crane  Foundation, 
will  introduce  the  speakers. 

Monday,  June  17,  7:30pm 
$10 

Co-presented  by  the  International  Crane 
Foundation. 


JOHNWEINSTEIN/87015  / 


Archaeological  News  from  the 
Holy  Land:  The  Beit  Shean  Hoard 

Professor  Gabriela  Bijovsky,  Curator, 
Tlie  Israel  Antiquities  Authority 

Hear  about  one  of  Israel's  most  incredible  archaeo- 
logical finds  in  recent  years,  on  display  at  The  Field 
Museum  this  summer.  Dr.  Bijovsky  will  discuss  an 
extraordinary  hoard  of  gold  coins  discovered  in  the  ancient 
city  of  Beit  Shean  in  the  Jordan  Valley,  a  cultural  cross- 
roads for  thousands  of  years. 


Friday,  June  28,  noon 

Free  with  Museum  admission 

Exhibition  organized  by  The  Israel 
Antiquities  Authority.  Made  possible 
by  the  Pritzker  Foundation. 


HAHALD  SCHUETZ 


1  the  temporary  exhibitions  you  will  have  an  opportunity  to  visit  in  2002. 
dates  may  change.  Remember  to  call  312.922.9410  or  visit  our  website  for  specific  information. 


Queen  Elizabeth  Medallion 

Through  June  23 


Urban  Gardens: 

Growing  Chicago's  Communities 

Through  July  7 


Tiniest  Giants: 
Discovering  Dinosaur  Eggs 

Through  September  2 


Family  Workshops 


e  iwo  o 


Connie  Sulkin,  TFM  Education  Dept. 

Join  us  for  a  two-week  exploration  of  The  Field  Museum. 
We'll  see  exhibitions,  hear  stories,  sing  songs,  touch  objects 
and  make  art  projects.  This  summer  we'll  learn  about  birds 
and  snakes. 


Families  with  children  ages  3-5 
Tuesdays, July  16  and  23,  1:30— 3pm 

$24  per  child,  $20  per  member  child 

For  each  child,  one  adult  attends  at  no  charge. 

This  program  is  sponsored  by  The  Siragusa  Foundation  Early  Childhood  Initiative. 


Evening  Concerts 

Play  the  Field — Where  Culture  and  Music  Come  Alive 

Experience  Chicago's  best  bands,  schmooze  with  Sue  and  mix 
culture  with  cocktails.  Join  us  on  the  Museum's  northeast  terrace 
to  unwind  after  work.  If  it  rains,  the  festivities  will  move  inside. 
Each  month  explore  a  new  exhibit  and  experience  a  new  band. 

Event  is  for  ages  21  and  over. 

Thursdays  June  13, July  18  and  Aug.  15 
6— 11pm 

Advance  tickets  are  $10  and  are  available  through  Ticketmaster  at 
3 12.559. 1212  or  wuw.tidtetmaster.com.  Tickets  may  also  be  pur- 
chased at  the  door  with  cash  or  credit  card.  Includes  two  drinks. 
Other  food  and  beverages  available  for  purchase. 

All  proceeds  benefit  Tlie  Field  Museum. 

For  more  details,  call  3 12. 665. 7600. 

Sponsored  by  FM93  WXRT  and  Big  Creek  Productions. 


Fieldtrip 

Fossil  Collecting  at  Thornton  Quarry 

David  Dolak,  Columbia  College 

Learn  techniques  for  finding  the  fossils  that  time  left  behind. 
Reconstruct  what  Illinois  was  like  425  million  years  ago,  when 
this  area  was  covered  by  a  shallow,  subtropical  sea.  This  is  an 
adults-only  trip. 

Saturday,  June  22,  8am—  3pm 
$48,  members  $41 


Chocolate 

Through  December  31 


A  Celebration  of  Souls: 

Day  of  the  Dead  in  Southern  Mexico 

Through  January  12,  2003 


Pearls 

June  28,  2002-January  5,  2003 


Summer  Camp 


Summer  Worlds  Tour  2002 


Explore  the  cosmos,  meet  creepy  creatures  from  the  ocean's  floor 
and  travel  the  world  to  unwrap  the  story  of  chocolate.  Organized 
collectively  by  The  Field  Museum,  Shedd  Aquarium  and  the  Adler 
Planetarium,  this  unique  summer  camp  offers  fascinating  activities 
and  exhibitions  that  are  as  educational  as  they  are  fun! 

Wen  ages  5-10 
I  i  'eekdays,  8:30am— 3pm 

se  from  one  of  four  week-long  sessions: 
July  8-12,  July  15- 19,  July  22-26  or  July  29-Aug.  2 
Register  through  the  Adler  Planetarium  at  312.322.0329. 
0,  members  $180 


.  '■-■.  :.:  :s~~  WGNB7J8 


Naturalist  Certificate  Program 


Deepen  your  knowledge  about  the  natural  environ- 
ment and  share  this  passion  with  others.  The  Field 
Museum,  The  Morton  Arboretum  and  the  Chicago 
Botanic  Garden  offer  an  integrated  program  of 
nature  study  for  naturalists  of  all  levels. 

Methods  in  Restoration  Ecology: 
Wetlands  and  Wetland  Prairies 

Brad  Woodson,  McHenry  County  Conservation  District 

Witness  the  changes  brought  about  by  wetland  restoration.  Once 
seen  as  a  nuisance,  wetlands  are  now  highly  valued  as  habitat  for 
a  rich  diversity  of  species  and  for  their  importance  in  water  man- 
agement. Bring  a  lunch  and  be  prepared  to  get  wet! 

Saturday,  June  1,  9am—  4pm 
$85,  members  $70 


Field  Ecology:  Summer 

Liane  Cochran-Stajira,  St.  Xavier  University 

Discover  the  genetic,  biological  and  ecologi- 
cal factors  that  affect  the  growth  of  plant 
and  animal  populations.  Learn  the  impor- 
tance of  these  factors  in  planning  for  species 
conservation. 

Wednesdays,  June  5  and  12,  7— 9pm 
Saturdays,  June  8  and  15,  9am— 1pm 
$140,  members  $116 

Introduction  to  Natural  Areas  Management 

Tom  Hintz,  TFM  Instructor 

Learn  how  a  land  manager  returns  fragmented  prairies,  woodlands 
and  wetlands  to  biologically  diverse  and  healthy  ecosystems.  We'll 
meet  environmental  professionals  at  a  variety  of  natural  areas. 

Tuesday,  Aug.  6,  6:30-8:30pm 
Sundays,  Aug.  11-25,  9am- noon 
Tuesday,  Aug.  27,  6:30-7:30pm 
$140,  members  $116 


Archaeological  News  from  the  Holy  Land: 
The  Beit  Shean  Hoard 

July  9 -October  6 


From  Prairie  to  Field: 
Photographs  by  Terry  Evans 

July  19,  2002-January  5,  2003 


Bamboo  Masterworks:  Japanese  Baskets 
from  the  Lloyd  Cotsen  Collection 

November  16,  2002- February  23,  2003 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410;  Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


Sound  and  Light  Show  During  Your  Visit.. 


Watch  Chicago's  fascinating  story  take  shape  in  an  outdoor 
sound  and  light  show  that  features  the  words  of  poet  Gwendolyn 
Brooks,  columnist  Mike  Royko,  novelist  Mark  Twain  and  other 
luminaries.  Historical  images  will  be  projected  onto  the 
Museum  as  these  legendary  voices  tell  Chicago's  story. 

Wednesdays— Sundays  in  August 

Presented  on  the  Museum's  north  facade  at  dusk, 
approximately  9pm 

Call  3 12.665.  7114  for  more  information. 


Summer  is  a  wonderful  time  for  families  to 
enjoy  hands-on  activities  at  The  Field  Mu: 
Experience  life  as  the  Pawnee  Indians  lived  out 
on  the  Great  Plains  when  you  join  us  inside  a 
full-size  replica  of  a  traditional  Pawnee  Earth 
Lodge,  daily  June  through  August.  Listen  to  a 
story,  sing  a  song  and  make  an  art  project 
take  home  at  Story  Time:  Facts,  Fables  and 
Fiction,  daily  July  through  August.  For  details 
and  other  fun  activities,  visit  our  website  at 
www.fieldmuseum.org,  or  ask  at  the  information 
desk  when  you  arrive. 


Insects  and  Their  Relatives 

Philip  Parillo,  TFM  Division  of  Insects 

Investigate  insects  and  their  close  relatives.  Visit 
different  habitats  to  observe  and  collect  specimens, 
enjoy  a  behind-the-scenes  look  at  The  Field 
Museum's  extensive  insect  collection  and  make  a 
collection  of  your  own  for  teaching  purposes. 


Wednesdays,  June  26-July  11,  6-8pm 
Saturdays,  June  29  and  July  13,  9am-noon 
$140,  members  $116 


Coming  Soon- 
Cultural  Connections 


SM 


Travel  the  world  and  experience  cultural 
diversity — without  ever  leaving  Chicago!  The 
Cultural  Connections  series  takes  you  to  area 
museums  to  share  cultural  traditions  and  partic- 
ipate in  lively  discussions  about  diversity.  Join 
us  at  The  Field  Museum  on  Sept.  12  for  the 
kickoff  of  this  fall's  exciting  season,  "With  Our 
Hands:  Crafting  Culture."  From  decorative  art 
to  woven  baskets  to  wedding  bread,  we'll  explore 
significant  traditions  we  create  with  our  hands. 
Nineteen  other  museums  and  cultural  centers 
have  joined  The  Field  Museum  to  present  this 
unique  series.  For  details  check  www.field- 
musuem.org  or  call  312.665.7474. 


The  Field  Museum  salutes  the  people  of  Chicago  for  their  long-standing,  generous  support 
of  the  Museum  through  the  Chicago  Park  District.  This  project  is  partially  supported  by  a 
CityArts  Program  4  Grant  from  the  City  of  Chicago  Department  of  Cultural  Affairs  and 
the  Illinois  Arts  Council,  a  state  agency.  This  project  was  made  possible  with  the  assis- 
tance of  the  Illinois  Department  of  Natural  Resources  and  Illinois  State  Museum. 


Coming  in  2003-Baseball  As  America 

February  8-July  20,  2003 

See  how  our  national  pastime  symbolizes  America's  spirit  when  you  rediscover  baseball  through  the  lenses  of  science,  economics  and 
popular  culture.  This  exhibition  represents  the  first  time  that  the  treasures  that  belonged  to  baseball's  legendary  heroes  have  left  the 
National  Baseball  Hall  of  Fame  and  Museum  in  Cooperstown,  NY. 

This  exhibition  was  organized  by  the  National  Baseball  Hall  of  Fame  and  Museum,  Cooperstown,  New  York. 
The  national  tour  of  Baseball  As  America  is  sponsored  by  Ernst  &  Young. 


From  Holy  Land  to  British  Isles,  single 
artifacts  reveal  centuries  of  history. 


This  summer,  look  for 
two  unusual  treasures 
at  The  Field  Museum. 

Admire  the  superb  workmanship  and  powerful 
symbolism  of  a  gold  medallion  created  in  1580  for 
England's  Queen  Elizabeth  I. 

On  display  through  June  23,  the  medal  reflects  the  enduring 
tradition  of  the  English  monarchy  and  is  on  loan  from  The 
British  Museum  in  honor  of  the  50th  anniversary  of  Queen 
Elizabeth  II's  ascension  to  the  throne. 


Exhibition  of  the  Queen  Elizabeth  medallion  was  organized  by  The  British  Museum,  the  British 
Consulate-General,  Chicago,  and  The  Field  Museum.  Support  was  provided  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Warwick 
Coppleson.  Additional  support  was  provided  by  British  Airways  and  Hampton  Inn  and  Suites. 


:C„"£S''  ~-i   S--t.  -T C  *:S  —." 


In  Archaeological  News  from  the  Holy  Land,  on  display 
from  July  9-0ct.  6,  you'll  discover  more  than  700 
gold  coins  that  lay  hidden  beneath  a  house  floor  for 
1,300  years. 

The  largest  hoard  of  gold  coins  ever  discovered  in  the  Jordan 
Valley,  this  is  one  of  the  most  incredible  archaeological  discoveries 
found  in  Israel  in  recent  years. 

This  exhibition  was  organized  by  The  Israel  Antiquities  Authority. 

Archaeological  News  from  the  Holy  Land  is  made  possible  by  the  Pritzker  Foundation. 


Jfafe 


Getting  Here:  With  construction  underway  at  nearby  Soldier  Field,  your 
usual  route  to  The  Field  Museum  may  have  changed.  Visit  our  website  at 
www.fieldmuseum.org  for  the  latest  information  on  parking,  free  trolleys  and  public  transit. 

Hours:  9am-5pm  every  day  from  Memorial  Day  through  Labor  Day.  Last  admission  at  4pm. 

New  Free  Day  Schedule:  In  2002  basic  admission  is  free  on  Mondays  and  Tuesdays 
from  January- February  and  Mondays  and  Tuesdays  from  Sept.  23-Dec.  24.  This  summer, 
the  Museum  is  offering  additional  free  days  from  Sunday,  June  9  through  Friday,  June  14 
for  Museum  Campus  Week.  Remember,  members  receive  free  admission  every  day. 

To  get  tickets:  Chocolate  and  Pearls  are  specially  ticketed  exhibitions.  Member  passes 
can  be  reserved  in  advance  by  calling  Ticketmaster  at  312.902.1500  (service  charges  apply) 
or  coming  to  the  membership  desk  near  the  Museum's  south  entrance  (no  service  charges). 
Non-member  tickets  can  also  be  reserved  in  advance  through  Ticketmaster  or  in  person  at  the 
Museum's  admission  desks.  Day-of  tickets  are  available  at  the  Museum  while  supplies  last. 

Accessibility:  Visitors  using  wheelchairs  or  strollers  may  be  dropped  off  at  the  west 
entrance.  Handicapped  parking  and  wheelchairs  are  available  on  a  first-come,  first-served 
basis.  Call  312.665.7400  to  check  on  the  accessibility  of  programs  that  take  place  outside 
of  the  Museum. 

Information:  312.922.9410  orwww.fieldmuseum.org 


14      IN  THE  FIELD  CALENDAR 


SCIENTIST'SPICK 


Your  carefully  tended  trees,  shrubs  and  flowers  may  serve  as  more  than  your  own  private  sanctuary.  A  hundred 
years  from  now,  they  could  tell  scientists  a  lot  about  Chicago's  plants  as  they  exist  today. 

Nationally  recognized  for  her  reflective  pictures  of  America's  heartland,  Chicagoan  Terry  Evans  has  been  pho- 
tographing prairie  specimens  from  the  botany  department's  herbarium.  In  From  Prairie  to  Field:  Photographs  by 
Terry  Evans,  color  photographs,  including  the  image  reproduced  here,  bring  to  life  Chicago-region  plants  from 
our  collection  of  more  than  2.6  million  specimens  from  around  the  world.  These  specimens  document  a  century 
of  prairie  plant  life  and  invaluably  enable  researchers  to  detect  changes  in  their  makeup  and  distribution. 

Representing  our  precious  urban  garden  species,  this  sunflower,  Helianthus  annus,  was  collected  in  1905  from 
Ravenswood,  a  neighborhood  in  Chicago's  north  side.  Gardens  do  more  than  beautify  the  city.  While  upholding 
the  motto  of  early  settlers — Urbs  in  Horto,  The  City  in  a  Garden — they  also  help  maintain  rich  diversity  among 
the  region's  flora  and  attract  butterflies,  which  complement  an  area's  splendor  and  are  critical  to  pollination. 
Daniel  Snydacker,  a  long-time  volunteer  and  prairie  steward,  wrote  the  tiny  annotation  along  the  bottom.  He 
confirmed  the  name  of  the  plant,  proving  the  critical  role  that  volunteers  often  play  in  the  Museum's  collections 
and  research  areas. 

Gregory  M.  Mueller,  chair  of  the  botany  department,  chose  this  Scientist's  Pick.  From  Prairie  to  Field: 
Photographs  by  Terry  Evans  was  developed  by  The  Field  Museum  in  collaboration  with  the  photographer. 
It  runs  July  19,  2002,  through  Jan.  5,  2003,  in  the  Marae  Gallery. 


SUMMER  2002  June-August    9» 


INTHEFIELDFEATURE 


Scientists  Push  Back  Primate  Origins 

20  Million  Years 

Greg  Borzo,  Media  Manager,  Academic  Affairs 

New  research  demonstrates  that  primates  originated  85  million  years  ago  (Mya)  rather 
than  65  Mya,  as  is  widely  accepted.  Using  a  new  approach  to  interpreting  fossils  and 
constructing  evolutionary  trees,  the  research,  co-authored  by  Dr.  Robert  D.  Martin,  Field 
Museum  vice  president  for  academic  affairs,  was  published  in  Nature  on  April  18,  2002. 


A  reconstruction  of 
what  the  earliest  com- 
mon ancestor  of  all 
primates  may  have 
looked  like 


The  implications  for  this  revision  stretch  through- 
out the  primate  evolutionary  tree,  including  when 
humans  evolved.  Accounting  for  gaps  in  the  fossil 
record,  the  key  findings  include: 

•  Primates  originated  while  dinosaurs  still  roamed 
the  Earth. This  challenges  the  widely  accepted  the- 
ory that  primates  could  not  establish  a  foothold 
until  the  end  of  the  Cretaceous  (65  Mya),  when 
an  asteroid  hit  the  Earth  and  wiped  out  dinosaurs. 

•  If  times  of  divergence  are  revised  accordingly,  it  is 
likely  that  humans  diverged  from  chimps  about  8 
Mya  rather  than  5  Mya. 

•  An  earlier  primate  origin  makes  it  very  likely  that 
continental  drift  played  an  important  part  in  sub- 
dividing primates  geographically. 


•  It  is  unreliable  to  date  the  origin  of  any 
group  for  which  the  fossil  record  is 
sparse,  including  certain  other  mam- 
mals, such  as  bats. 

"Current  interpretations  of  primate  and 
human  evolution  are  flawed  because  paleontolo- 
gists have  relied  too  heavily  on  direct  interpretation 
of  the  known  fossil  record,"  said  Dr.  Martin.  "Our 
calculations  indicate  that  we  have  fossil  evidence  for 
only  about  5  percent  of  all  extinct  primates,  so  it's  as 
if  paleontologists  have  been  trying  to  reconstruct  a 
1,000-piece  jigsaw  puzzle  using  just  50  pieces." 

New  statistical  approach 
fills  in  fossil  record 

The  earliest  unequivocal  primate  fossils  date 
from  55  Mya.  Most  paleontologists  interpret 
this  to  mean  that  primates  originated  no 
earlier  than  65  Mya.  "This  view  reflects  the 
common  procedure  of  dating  a  group  s  ori- 
gin according  to  the  estimated  stratigraphic 
age  of  the  first  fossil  representative,  and 
then  adding  a  few  million  years,"  Dr.  Martin 
explained.  "This  doesn't  work  well  for  primates 
because  so  few  fossils  have  been  found,  many  amount 
to  a  few  teeth  or  bone  fragments  and  many  species 
are  known  from  only  one  specimen." 

The  new  statistical  approach,  however,  estimates 
the  length  of  time  between  the  oldest  known  fossil 
and  the  earliest  common  ancestor  of  a  given  group. 
It  also  estimates  the  likely  number  of  extinct  fossil 
species  in  that  group.  It  is  based  on  an  assumed 
species  lifetime  of  2.5  million  years,  the  number  of 
fossil  species  known  in  each  stratigraphic  interval 
and  the  number  of  species  alive  today  (taken  as  235 
for  primates,  now  thought  to  be  a  minimum). 

A  painstaking  review  of  the  scientific  literature 
revealed  396  recorded  fossil  primate  species.  The 
new  approach  indicates  that  there  were  8,000  to 
9,000  extinct  primate  species. 


'It's  as  if  paleontologists  have  been  trying  to  reconstruct  a  1,000-piece  jigsaw 
puzzle  using  just  50  pieces." 


SUMMER  2002  June -August 


Broad  implications 

These  conclusions  have  ramifications  throughout 
paleontology,  anthropology,  primatology  and  other 
disciplines.  They  require  a  rewriting  of  the  story 
of  primate  evolution.  For  example,  if  primates 
originated  85  Mya,  then  continental  drift  that 
broke  up  Gondwanaland  during  the  Cretaceous 
probably  contributed  to  primate  divergence. 

Also,  the  earlier  date  indicates  that  primates 
probably  originated  in  southern  tropical/subtropi- 
cal regions  and  then  expanded  northward,  rather 
than  the  current  theory  that  they  originated  in 
northern  regions.  A  complete  lack  of  undoubted 
primate  fossils  from  the  southern  continents  during 
the  late  Cretaceous  (98—65  Mya)  has  traditionally 
been  taken  as  evidence  that  primates  did  not  exist 
there  during  that  time.   Meanwhile,  the  first  abrupt 
appearance  of  primate  fossils  in  the  northern  con- 
tinents about  55  Mya  is  often  taken  as  evidence 
that  they  originated  there  during  the  Paleocene 
(65-55  Mya). 

Contrary  to  this  accepted  theory,  the  authors 
attribute  the  dearth  of  primate  fossils  during  the 
Cretaceous  and  Paleocene  to  conditions  in  southern 
latitudes  that  did  not  favor  fossil  preservation.  The 
earliest  primates  were  presumably  quite  small,  which 
would  greatly  reduce  the  probability  of  fossilization 
and  discovery. 

New  dates  for  calibrating  trees 

Many  scientists  use  inferred  dates  of  origin  pro- 
vided by  paleontologists  as  temporal  anchors  for 
their  work.  Molecular  biologists  in  particular  rely 
heavily  on  derived  dates  to  construct  a  timescale 
for  evolutionary  trees  of  animals.  They  estimate  the 
length  of  time  along  branches  between  related 
species  by  estimating  the  number  of  changes  in 
DNA  sequences.  However,  there  is  no  known  way 
of  deriving  a  timescale  from  molecular  data  alone. 

The  standard  practice  for  attaching  a  timescale 
to  a  molecular  tree  has  been  to  calibrate  it  using 
usually  only  one  date  derived  from  the  fossil  record. 
If  a  group's  date  of  origin  based  on  the  fossil  record 
is  seriously  underestimated,  the  same  must  be  true 
for  any  molecular  tree  calibrated  using  that  date. 

"We  hope  our  research  will  help  reconcile  the 
discrepancies  between  the  various  dates  suggested 
by  paleontologists  and  molecular  biologists,  not  just 
for  primates  but  for  other  groups  of  organisms, 
too,"  Dr.  Martin  said. 

Earliest  common  ancestor  of  all  primates 

Existing  primates  can  be  divided  into  six  subgroups: 
lemurs,  lorises,  tarsiers,  New  World  monkeys,  Old 
World  monkeys,  and  apes  and  humans.  Their  85- 
million-year-old  earliest  common  ancestor  probably 
looked  like  a  primitive,  small-brained  version  of 


today's  dwarf  lemur,  according  to  Dr.  Martin,  who 
has  studied  primate  evolution  from  many  different 
perspectives  for  the  past  30  years. 

That  animal  would  probably  have  been  a  noc- 
turnal, tree-living  creature  weighing  about  one  to 
two  pounds,  with  grasping  hands  and  feet,  also  used 
by  the  infant  to  cling  to  the  mother's  fur.  It  proba- 
bly had  large  forward-facing  eyes  for  stereovision 
and  a  shortened  snout.  It  would  have  inhabited 
tropical/subtropical  forests  and  fed  on  a  mixed  diet 
composed  mainly  of  fruit  and  insects.  Like  humans, 
it  probably  had  a  slow  pace  of  breeding  character- 
ized by  heavy  investment  in  a  relatively  small 
number  of  offspring. 

These  conclusions  have  ramifications 
throughout  paleontology,  anthropology, 
primatology  and  other  disciplines. 
They  require  a  rewriting  of  the  story 
of  primate  evolution. 

The  research  published  in  Nature  represents  an 
unusual  combination  of  mathematicians'  statistical 
expertise  with  biologists'  knowledge  of  primate 
evolution.  In  addition  to  Dr.  Martin,  the  authors  are 
Dr.  Simon  Tavare  and  Dr.  Oliver  Will  (University  of 
Southern  California  in  Los  Angeles),  Dr.  Charles 
Marshal]  (Harvard  University)  and  Dr.  Christophe 
Soligo  (Natural  History  Museum  in  London).  ITF 


A  revised  evolutionary 
tree  for  primates, 
pushing  their  origin 
back  from  65  Mya  to 
85  Mya — before 
dinosaurs  went  extinct 


Millions  of 
Years  Ago 


Late  Cretaceous    Paleocene 

98  85  65  55 


Today's  Primates 


Earliest 
common  ancestor 


Extinction 
of  dinosaurs 


Apes  and  humans 


DAVID  QUEDNAU 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


OFSPECIALINTEREST 


Building  an  Anthropology  Legacy 


Hidden  among  dense  Papua  New  Guinea 
rainforests  is  a  small  group  known  to 
Westerners  only  since  the  1940s — the 
Usarufa.Vida  Chenoweth,  an  ethnomusi- 
cologist.  lived  among  them  from  1959  to 
1975,  assembling  hundreds  of  instruments, 
ritual  paraphernalia,  weapons,  canoes  and 
other  objects.  Purchased  in  1999,  the 
Chenoweth  Collection  has  become 
a  significant  case  study  in  collections 
management. 

As  part  of  the  Cultural  Collections 
Committee  (CCC),  you  can  be  intimately 
involved  in  making  such  vital  additions 
to  our  anthropology  collections.  The 
Museum  has  one  of  the  largest  material- 
culture  collections  in  the  world,  but  only 
about  3  percent  of  the  1.5  million  artifacts 
can  be  on  display  at  any  given  time.  For 
this  reason,  The  Field  Museum  formed 
the  CCC,  a  lively  and  dynamic  forum  that 
offers  its  members  an  unparalleled  chance 
to  learn  about  anthropological  collections, 


craftsmanship  and  conservation. 

The  CCC  is  open  to  Field  Museum 
members  of  all  ages  regardless  of  their 
expertise  or  experience  with  collecting. 
Through  behind-the-scenes  tours  and 
special  functions,  you  will  hear  firsthand 
from  our  curators  about  ethnographic 
research  under  way  at  the  Museum,  visit 
fellow  collectors'  homes  for  intimate  looks 
at  their  private  collections  or  take  a  tour 
that  might  otherwise  be  unavailable.  Your 
support  through  the  CCC  helps  the 
anthropology  department  purchase 
exquisite  collections  and  fund  internships 
for  future  anthropologists. 

Don't  miss  out  on  upcoming  trips  to 
key  archaeological  sites,  private  lectures 
with  curators  and  other  experts,  and 
exclusive  opportunities  related  to  the 
upcoming  exhibitions.  Pearls  and  Bamboo 
Mastaworks.  Existing  Museum  members 
can  join  the  CCC  at  $60  for  individuals 
or  $85  for  families.  Rates  to  join  both  The 


Field  Museum  and  the  CCC  are  $100 
for  individuals  and  $  1 35  for  families.  Call 
Megan  Sweeney  at  312.665.7136  or  email 
msweeney@finnh.org. 


Boar's  tusk  ornament  from  the  Vxda  Chenoweth  Collection 


Trash  or  Treasure:  What's  in  Our  Landfill? 


In  one  ravenous  fit  of  hunger,  the  Great 
Chicago  Fire  devoured  most  of  down- 
town Chicago  and  the  surrounding  areas 
on  Oct.  8  and  9,  1871.  Later,  the  rubble 
was  pushed  toward  the  lakeshore — but 
how  far  north  and  south  of  the  city? 
Contrary  to  popular  belief,  The  Field 
Museum  may  not  have  been  built  upon 
Chicago  Fire  landfill  after  all. 

As  is  required  for  public  land,  Scott 
Demel,  who  will  be  coordinating  the 
move  of  artifacts  and  specimens  into  the 
new  Collections  Resource  Center 
(CRC),  has  been  conducting  salvage 
archaeology  and  studying  the  lakefront  s 


landfill.  Sampling  from  different  construc- 
tion sites  around  the  Museum  and  at 
different  levels,  Demel  has  found  tea  pots, 
metals,  slag,  electrical  insulators,  shell, 
butcher  remnants,  ceramics,  stoneware  and 
bottles  (milk,  soda,  beer,  apothecary  and 
ink).  Intriguing  finds  include  a  rounded 
bullet  bottle  that  lay  on  its  side  so  that  the 
carbonation  wouldn't  blow  the  cork  top 
off,  and  a  corked  medicinal  bottle  that 
still  contains  liquid  inside. 

But  something  is  missing — household 
items.  "It's  most  likely  that  these  items 
came  from  restaurant  and  hotel  debris," 
said  Demel.  Chicago  Fire  landfill  would 
probably  include  charred  debris,  pocket 
watches,  toys  and  the  like,  while  these 
artifacts  display  hotel  names  and  dates 
circa  1910  to  1915,  about  40  years  after 
the  fire.  At  press  time,  digging  for  the  new 
central  plant  had  reached  down  31  feet. 
"We  haven't  found  anything  from  the 
Great  Chicago  Fire,"  said  Demel.  "We 
either  have  to  dig  deeper,  or  it  could  be 


Aboiv:  Demel  sunvys  our  landfill  for  artifacts,  such  as  an 
assortment  of  early  20th  century  apothecary  bottles  (right). 


further  north.  It's  quite  possible  that  it's 
not  out  this  far." 

Demel  will  continue  sampling  pockets 
of  fill  as  construction  progresses.  He  plans 
to  invite  DePaul  University  anthropology 
students  to  screen  for  smaller  artifacts. 
Also,  we  may  compare  our  fill  to  what 
was  uncovered  during  recent  Loyola 
University  construction,  considering  how 
polar  the  two  institutions  are  from  down- 
town. After  all  the  digging,  sifting  and 
sorting,  Demel  hopes  to  publish  research 
about  this  "narrow  window  into  the  early 
history  of  Chicago." 

Watch  for  upcoming  details  on  a  four-part  class 
in  Xovember  that  Demel  will  be  teaching  on 
Chicago  pre-  and  early  history. 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


Museum  Awards  "Statesman  of  Nature 


// 


Heralded  as  the  intellectual  architect  of  conservation 
science,  Dr.  George  Rabb  received  the  distinguished 
2002  Award  of  Merit,  presented  by  The  Founders' 
Council  for  educating  the  public  about  the  environ- 
ment. For  nearly  50  years,  Dr.  Rabb,  director  of 
Brookfield  Zoo  and  president  of  the  Chicago 
Zoological  Society  (CZS),  has  pioneered  efforts 
here  and  abroad  in  zoo-based  research,  conservation 
and  education. 

Dr.  Rabb  was  one  of  the  first  to  define  and 
advance  the  role  zoos  play  in  the  survival  of  ani- 
mal species.  From  living  cabinets  to  living  museums 
to  environmental  resource  centers,  zoos  are  critical 
to  instilling  in  people — particularly  children — a 
lifelong  understanding  and  commitment  to  con- 
servation. 

"George  clearly  recognizes  that  if  we  want 
people  to  emotionally  feel  conservation,  they  have 
to  grow  up  with  it,"  said  Dr.  Bob  Martin,  Field 
Museum  vice  president  for  academic  affairs.  The 
zoo's  recent  undertaking,  the  Hamill  Family  Play 
Zoo  and  Gardens,  inspires  children  to  develop  a 
caring  relationship  with  the  natural  world. 

Under  Dr.  Rabb's  guidance,  the  CZS  has 


garnered  massive  community 
involvement  in  conserving 
Australia's  million-hectare 
Bookmark  Biosphere  Reserve; 
studied  baboons  in  Kenya's 
Amboseli  National  Park;  and 
researched  dolphins  in  Florida 
and  Australia.  He  is  instrumental 
to  Chicago  Wilderness,  a  multi- 
organizational  effort  to  maintain 
the  region's  exceptional  biologi- 
cal diversity.  His  most  notable 
international  contribution  is  working  with  the 
Species  Survival  Commission,  the  world's  largest 
conservation  network,  to  develop  the  International 
Species  Information  System  (ISIS),  an  indispensable 
tool  for  capturing  and  sharing  data. 

Dr.  Rabb  has  received  numerous  other  presti- 
gious awards  throughout  his  career.  "We  are 
delighted  to  present  the  Award  of  Merit  to  a 
close  neighbor  and  friend,"  said  Dr.  Martin. 
Call  Kristen  Jacobs  at  312.665.7773  for  information 
on  The  Founders'  Council,  whose  members  contribute 
$1,500  or  more  annually. 


Dr.  George  Rabb  in 
1956  with  one  of 
his  favorite  animals, 
the  okapi,  a  relative 
of  the  giraffe  from 
central  Africa 


New  Energy  Initiatives  Draw  in  the  Elements 


People  don't  usually  think  about  heating 
and  cooling  systems  until  they've  stopped 
working.  To  decrease  costs  and  increase 
energy  efficiency,  The  Field  Museum 
is  rebuilding  its  60-year-old  systems. 
Whether  providing  freezing  temperatures 
for  DNA  samples,  an  even  72  degrees  and 
40  percent  humidity  in  the  collections 
areas  or  comfortable  temperatures  for 
visitors  and  staff,  the  new  central  plant 
will  better  modulate  the  building's  tem- 
perature and  humidity  year-round. 


With  support  from  the  Illinois 
Department  of  Natural  Resources, 
new  boilers  will  be  installed  for  heating, 
and  obsolete  coal  storage  bins  will  be 
reconfigured  into  chiller  rooms.  Using 
seemingly  old-fashioned  technology, 
ice  will  be  produced  at  night  when  the 
demand  for  electricity  is  lower  and 
energy  costs  one-fifth  the  day  rate.  Low- 
energy  blowers  will  circulate  the  cooled 
air  during  the  day.  The  new  equipment 
also  uses  a  refrigerant  with  lower  poten- 
tial for  ozone  depletion. 

Through  a  joint  agreement  with  the 
City  of  Chicago,  Illinois  Department  of 
Commerce  and  Community  Affairs  and 
Commonwealth  Edison,  the  Museum 
also  installed  solar  panels  on  the  roof 
that  produce  roughly  2  percent  of  the 
Museum's  annual  energy  budget.  This  is 
the  largest  solar  power  system  in  Illinois, 
generating  enough  electricity  for  approxi- 
mately 10  residential  homes.  With  partial 


Solar  installation  on  the 
Museum  roof 


support  from  the  Illinois  Clean  Energy 
Community  Foundation,  additional  solar 
panels  will  soon  be  installed  on  the 
Museum's  west  side.  Whereas  our  current 
capacity  for  solar  energy  reaches  50  kilo- 
watts, we  hope  to  reach  250  kilowatts, 
which  would  supply  about  8  percent 
of  the  Museum's  energy  usage. 

The  Museum  is  also  considering  wind 
energy,  and  reviewing  such  issues  as  a 
wind  turbine's  impact  on  wildlife  and 
whether  Chicago's  winds  flow  consis- 
tently and  fast  enough  to  generate 
electricity. 

"Our  goal  is  to  reduce  the  Museum's 
environmental  footprint,"  said  Lou  French, 
manager  of  facility  planning  and  opera- 
tions. "Our  commitment  to  conservation 
extends  beyond  international  research 
efforts.  Whether  we're  buying  recycled 
paper  or  using  natural  energy,  it's  equally 
important  to  evaluate  the  Museum's 
impact  right  here  in  Chicago." 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


INTHEFIELOFEATURE 


Global  Warming:  Insights  from  Fossil  Plants 


Dr.  Jenny  C.  McElwain,  Assistant  Curator  of  Paleobotany,  Geology 
Editor's  Note:  This  article  is  replacing  From  the  Archives. 

It's  undisputed  that  human  activity  in  the  past  250  years  has  increased  greenhouse 
gases — pollutants  that  trap  heat  in  the  Earth's  atmosphere — at  a  faster  rate  than  at 
any  time  over  the  past  several  thousand  years.  Practices  such  as  the  burning  of  fossil 
fuels  (coal,  oil  and  gas)  and  deforestation  have  increased  carbon  dioxide  by  more  than 
30  percent.  What's  not  as  clear — among  scientists  and  politicians  alike — is  whether 
or  not  the  increase  is  responsible  for  a  slight  but  significant  warming  of  Earth's  global 
temperatures  over  the  past  two  decades. 


A  1 78-million-year-old  leaf 
fragment  of  Pagiophyllum, 
a  species  of  conifer.  The 
number  ofstomata  (black 
dots)  indicates  tliat  carbon 
dioxide  levels  were  three  to 
five  times  higher  during  the 
Jurassic  period. 


As  a  result,  two  diametrically  opposed  interpreta- 
tions have  emerged.  Some  conclude  that  recent 
warming  trends  merely  reflect  natural  variability 
within  the  climate  system.  The  2002  Intergovern- 
mental Panel  on  Climate  Change,  however, 
concluded  that  a  human-induced  increase  in  green- 
house gases,  such  as  carbon  dioxide,  is  most  likely 
contributing  to  the  current  trend  of  global  warm- 
ing, which  has  the  potential  to  adversely  affect  our 
wildlife,  health,  agriculture,  water  resources,  forests 
and  coasts. 

One  powerful  method  to  resolve  this  discrepancy 
is  to  investigate  the  relationship  between  green- 
house gases  and  climate  in  the  recent  and 
geological  past.  We  have  only  recorded  global 
temperatures  and  atmospheric  carbon  dioxide  con- 
centrations since  1860,  so  scientists  rely  on  limited 
data  using  tree  rings,  pollen  records  and  air  pockets 
in  ancient  ice  to  reconstruct  Earth's  temperature 
and  greenhouse-gas  history.  I  am  studying  fossil 
plants  from  our  collections,  or,  more  precisely, 


the  changing  numbers  of  stomata,  microscopic 
breathing  pores  of  fossil  leaves. 

Plants  take  atmospheric  carbon  dioxide  into 
their  leaves  through  stomata  as  the  main  building 
block  in  photosynthesis  for  manufacturing  complex 
carbohydrates  such  as  sugars  and  starches.  Since 
carbon  dioxide  is  essential  to  plant  growth  and  sur- 
vival, it  is  not  surprising  to  learn  that  the  number 
ofstomata  on  a  leafs  surface  directly  relates  to  the 
atmosphere  s  concentration  of  carbon  dioxide.  As 
the  concentration  increases,  the  number  of  stomata 
decreases,  thereby  enabling  plants  to  lose  less  water 
and  vice  versa. 

By  tracking  changes  in  the  number  of  fossil  plant 
stomata  on  time  scales  of  decades  to  millions  of 
years,  my  colleagues  and  I  have  demonstrated  that 
the  current  carbon  dioxide  concentrations  are 
unprecedented  for  the  past  20  million  years.  We 
have  also  demonstrated  that  a  four-fold  increase  in 
greenhouse  gases  200  million  years  ago  caused 
severe  global  warming.  We  believe  this  may  have 
contributed  to  the  third  greatest  extinction  event 
in  Earth  history — the  Triassic-Jurassic  extinction — 
by  killing  95  percent  of  the  natural  vegetation  in 
Greenland  and  across  Europe  and  North  America. 

This  coming  summer,  I  will  lead  an  expedition 
funded  by  the  National  Geographic  Society  to 
Jameson  Land  in  East  Greenland  to  test  this 
hypothesis.  Using  fossil  plant  specimens  collected 
from  the  momentous  but  understudied  Triassic- 
Jurassic  period  (210  to  190  million  years  ago), 
we  will  reconstruct  the  changes  in  atmospheric 
composition  and  climate  that  occurred  during  this 
interval  by  tracking  the  changes  in  stomatal  pores 
of  the  fossil  plant  leaves. 

It  is  projected  that  the  current  concentration  of 
greenhouse  gases  will  double  by  the  end  of  this  cen- 
tury. Through  understanding  climate  and  vegetation 
responses  to  increases  in  carbon  dioxide  in  the  past, 
such  as  at  the  Triassic-Jurassic  boundary,  we  can 
make  more  accurate  predictions  on  how  climates 
and  life  on  Earth  will  respond  in  the  future. 

McElwain,  J.C.,  Beerling,  D.J.  &  Woodward,  F.I.  (1999).  Fossil  plants  and 
global  warming  at  the  Triassic-Jurassic  boundary.  Science  285,  1386-1390. 

IPCC  (2001)  Climate  Change  2001.  The  scientific  basis.  Cambridge  University 
Press,  Cambridge. 


SUMMER  2002  June-August 


MEMBERSHIP/ ANNUALFUND 

Discover  Nature's  Perfect  Gem  at  Pearls  Private  Viewings 

Dive  into  the  mysterious  realm  of  the  pearl — from  its  watery  origins  to  its  history  as  a  treasured 
symbol  of  purity,  wealth  and  glamour.  Marvel  at  the  dazzling  variety  of  these  lustrous  gems  and 
trace  their  cultivation  by  humans.  With  more  than  600  objects  and  nearly  half  a  million  pearls, 
this  gorgeous  exhibition  features  the  most  spectacular  collection  of  pearls  ever  assembled. 

Membership  Previews 

9am— 10pm  on  June  21,  or  5pm— 10pm  on  June  30,  July  7,  July  9  and  July  11 

Invitation  to  arrive  soon.  Call  the  membership  office  at  312.665.7700  for  information. 

Annual  Fund  Preview 

June  26 

Invitation  to  arrive  soon  for  donors  at  the  Field  Adventurer,  Field  Naturalist  and  Field  Explorer  levels 
(annual  contributions  of  $250  and  more).  Call  the  annual  fund  office  at  312.665.7777  for  information. 

When  You  Can't  Attend  the  Previews 

Family  members  get  four  passes,  and  senior,  student,  individual  and  national  affiliate  members  receive 
two  passes.  If  you  do  attend  the  previews,  those  tickets  will  be  deducted  from  the  total  number  for 
which  you  are  eligible.  For  information,  call  the  membership  office  at  312.665.7700. 


Additional  Tickets:  Each  addi- 
tional household  member  is  $6, 
or  $6  plus  general  admission  for 
a  non-member  guest. 


Advance  Tickets:  Reserve  future 
dates  through  Ticketmaster  at 
312.902.1500  (additional  fees), 
or  visit  the  membership  desk 
(no  additional  fees).  Both  advance 
and  same-day  tickets  are  available 
on  a  first-come,  first-served  basis. 


Exchanging  Tickets:  Visit  the 

membership  desk  no  later  than 
one  week  before  the  date  you 
currently  hold.  No  refunds  or 
exchanges  are  available  for 
unused  tickets. 


Hotel  Packages  for  Family  and  Friends 

With  convenient  locations,  wonderful  amenities  and  a  range  of  options  for 
every  budget,  several  Chicago  hotels  are  offering  special  packages  that 
include  tickets  to  Chocolate,  open  through  Dec.  31,  2002.  After  June  28, 
check  www.fieldmuseum.org  for  Pearls  packages  that  will  be  added.  A  great 
treat  for  family  and  friends  visiting  this  summer  and  fall! 


Chicago's  Essex  Inn 

800  S.  Michigan  Ave. 
800.621.6909 


Fairmont  Hotel 

200  N.  Columbus  Dr. 
800.441.1414 


Lenox  Suites  Hotel 

616  N.  Rush  St. 
312.337.1000 


Sutton  Place  Hotel 

21  E.  Bellevue  PI. 
312.266.2100 


The  Drake  Hotel 

140  E.  Walton  PI. 
800.55.DRAKE 

Executive  Plaza  Hotel 

71  E.  Wacker  Dr. 
800.621.4005 

Fairfield  Inn  and  Suites 
by  Marriott 

216  E.  Ontario 
312.787.3777 


Four  Seasons  Hotel  Chicago 

120  E.  Delaware 
312.280.8400 

Hotel  Burnham  Chicago 

1  W.  Washington  St. 
877.294.9712 

Hyatt  Regency 
McCormick  Place 

2233  S.  Martin  Luther 
King  Dr. 
800.233.1234 


Millennium 
Knickerbocker  Hotel 

163  E.  Walton  Place 
800.621.8140 

Palmer  House  Hilton 

17  E.  Monroe  St. 
800.HILT0NS 

Park  Hyatt  Chicago 

800  N.  Michigan  Ave. 
312.335.1234 


Swissotel 

323  E.  Wacker  Dr. 
888.737.9477 

Whitehall  Hotel 

105  E.  Delaware  PI. 
312.944.6300 


SUMMER  2002  June- August 


Field  Museum  Tours  at  a  Glance 


For  information,  call  Field  Museum  Tours  at  800.811.7244  or  email  fmtours@sover.net.  Please  note  that 
rates,  prices  and  itineraries  are  subject  to  change  and  that  prices  are  per  person,  double  occupancy. 


The  Best  of  Kenya: 

An  Exclusive  Field  Museum 

Luxury  Safari 

Aug.  24-Sept.  8,  2002 

Leader:  Dr.  Bruce  Patterson,  TFM 
MacArthur  curator  of  mammals  and 
president-elect  of  the  American  Society  of 
Mammalogists 

Enjoy  a  one-of-a-kind  natural 
history  safari  to  Kenya  with  its  amaz- 
ingly varied  wildlife,  sweeping  grassy 
plains  and  dramatic  struggles  between 
prey  and  predator.  Travel  and  camp  in 
luxury  and  learn  from  a  Museum 
expert  about  the  infamous  man-eat- 
ing Tsavo  lions. Visit  such  natural 
treasures  as  the  Serengeti's  Maasai 
Mara  National  Reserve,  Tsavo  and 
Amboseli  National  Parks, 
Samburu/Buffalo  Springs  Game 
Reserves  and  Rift  Valley  lakes. 


Ancient  Wonders  of  Peru — 
Women's  Board  Trip 

Sept.  13-24,  2002  (sold  out) 

Egypt  Revisited 

Oct.  12-26,  2002 

Leader:  Egyptologist  Stephen  Harvey. 
field  director  of  excavations  at  Abydos 

Egypt  has  so  much  to  see  that  it 
is  worth  a  second  in-depth  visit. 
Sites  include  Abusir,  Dashur, 
Maidum,  Faiyum.Tanus,  Abydos, 
Dendara,  dawn  at  Abu  Simbel, 
Amada,  and  lesser  known  sites  in 
Cairo,  Luxor  and  Aswan.  Enjoy  a 
cruise  on  Lake  Nasser. 


The  Amazon  by  Riverboat 

Jan.  18-26,2003 

Leader:  Dr.  Barry  Chemoff, 
TFM  curator  and  head  of  the  fishes 
division  of  zoology 

Explore  the  Amazon,  Ucayali  and 
Tapiche  Rivers  in  Peru  for  eight 
days  aboard  a  14-cabin  riverboat. 
Search  for  river  dolphins;  howler, 
squirrel  and  capuchin  monkeys; 
sloths;  capybaras;  and  unusual  birds 
such  as  the  jabiru  and  hoatzin. 
Optional  extension  to  Machu 
Picchu  and  other  magnificent 
archaeological  sites  around  Cuzco. 

Egyptian  Odyssey 

Jan.  25-Feh  8,  2003 

Leader:  Tliomas  MndloffTFM  lecturer 
and  instructor  of  Egyptology 

Explore  the  world  of  the  ancient 
pharaohs  by  land  and  riverboat. 
You'll  visit  the  famed  Pyramids  of 
Giza,  Egyptian  Museum,  Valleys  of 
the  Kings  and  Queens,  Karnak,  Abu 
Simbel's  three  colossi  of  Ramses  II, 
and  the  temples  of  Khnum,  Horus 
and  Isis.  Enjoy  five-star  accommoda- 
tions throughout. 

The  Origins  of  Chocolate 
in  the  Americas 

Feb.  5-16,  2003 

Leader:  Dr.  Jonathan  Haas, 
TFM  MacArthur  curator  of  the 
Americas  and  lead  curator  of 
Chocolate,  the  exhibition 

Trace  the  origins  of  chocolate  and 
legacies  of  pre-Columbian  civiliza- 
tions in  Mexico.  Familiarize 
yourself  with  the  ancient  Olmecs, 
Teotihuacan,  Maya  and  Zapotec  civ- 
ilizations. Visit  several  museums  and 
sites,  including:  The  Regional 
Museum  of  Oaxaca;  Mexico 
City's  world-class  Museum  of 
Anthropology;  Puebla,  a  UNESCO 
World  Heritage  Site;  and  the 
archaeological  sites  of  Palenque 
and  Teotihuacan. 


The  Seychelles  and 
Madagascar 

Feb.  16-March  5,  2003 

Sail  with  us  to  sun-drenched  isles 
where  palm  trees  on  endless 
white  beaches  fringe  sparkling 
coral  lagoons  rich  with  sea  life. 
The  Seychelles  islands  sparkle  like 
gems  in  the  vast  Indian  Ocean. 
Madagascar,  the  world's  "eighth 
continent,"  harbors  wondrous 
plants  and  animals  that  have 
evolved  in  splendid  isolation. 

Rediscovering  the  New  World 

March  1 3- April  2,  2003 

Leader:  Dr.  Jonathan  Haas,  TFM 
MacArthur  curator  of  the  Americas 

Travel  by  private,  first-class,  88- 
passenger  jet  to  the  lost  civilizations 
of  North,  Central  and  South 
America.  Sites  include  the  Inca 
ruins  at  Machu  Picchu,  Peru;  the 
Maya  ruins  of  Tikal,  Guatemala; 
Mesa  Verde  National  Park,  Colo.; 
Chaco  Canyon,  N.M.;  Palenque, 
Mexico;  the  Amazon  rainforest;  and 
the  Atacama  Desert,  Chile.  This  is  a 
remarkable  selection  of  archaeolog- 
ical and  anthropological  treasures 
linked  by  the  beauty  and  complexity 
of  their  art,  architecture  and  religions. 


Also  Planned  for  2003  and  2004: 

•  Tanzania  Safari:  The  Great  Migration 

•  The  Pantanal  Region:  Argentina,  Iguassu 
Falls,  Paraguay,  Bolivia  and  Brazil 

•  Behind  the  Scenes  in  Moscow  and  St. 
Petersburg 

•  Wonders  of  Ancient  China 

•  Prehistoric  Cave  Art  of  France 


Fall  2002 

September 

November 


INTHEFIELD 

Fall  2002,  September- November,  Vol.  73,  No.  5 


Editor:  Amy  E.  Cranch,  The  Field  Museum 

Design:  Depke  Design 

Copy  editor:  Laura  F.  Nelson 

m*  In  the  Field  is  printed  on  recycled  paper  using  soy-based 
inks.  All  images  ©The  Field  Museum  unless  otherwise 
specified. 

In  the  Field  (ISSN  #1051-4546)  is  published  quarterly 
by  The  Field  Museum.  Copyright  2002  The  Field  Museum. 
Annual  subscriptions  are  $20;  $10  for  schools.  Museum  mem- 
bership includes  In  the  Field  subscription.  Opinions  expressed 
by  authors  are  their  own  and  do  not  necessarily  reflect  the 
policy  of  The  Field  Museum.  Notification  of  address  change 
should  include  address  label  and  should  be  sent  to  the  mem- 
bership department.  POSTMASTER:  Send  address  changes 
to  Membership,  The  Field  Museum,  1400  South  Lake  Shore 
Drive,  Chicago,  IL  60605-2496.  Periodicals  postage  paid  at 
Chicago,  Illinois. 

Cover:  Collage  by  Jackye  Hartmann,  Depke  Design.  Ginseng 
photo  by  John  Weinstein/B83514.04D. 

The  Field  Museum  salutes  the  people  of  Chicago  for  their 
long-standing,  generous  support  of  the  Museum  through  the 
Chicago  Park  District. 


1400  South  Lake  Shore  Drive 
Chicago,  IL  60605-2496 
312.922.9410 
www.fieldmuseum.org 


Museum  Campus  Neighbors 

With  construction  under  way  at  nearby  Soldier 
Field,  your  usual  route  to  Museum  Campus  may 
have  changed.  Visit  www.fieldmuseum.org  for  the 
latest  information  on  parking,  free  trolleys  and 
public  transit. 

Shedd  Aquarium 

When  darkness  falls  on  Oct  31,  the  tall  ship  Shedd 
Aquarium  sets  sail  for  Spooky  Seas,  an  evening 
of  ghostly  sea  stories  and  deep-sea  delights.  This 
Halloween  bash  starts  at  6pm  with  a  costume 
parade  in  the  Oceanarium.  Then,  party  until  9pm 
with  ghosts,  goblins  and  a  skeleton  crew.  $18 
(public),  $15  (members),  children  age  2  and  under 
free.  For  information,  call  312.939.2438  or  visit 
www.sheddaquarium.org. 

Adler  Planetarium 

On  Oct.  26,  have  a  spook-tacular  time  in  your 
Halloween  costume  at  Haunted  Planetarium,  11am 
to  3pm.  Carve  your  favorite  constellation  on  a 
pumpkin.  Hear  monster  sky  tales,  featuring  Perseus 
and  the  Creepy  Sea  Monster  and  Werewolves  and 
Moon  Phases.  Enjoy  mad  scientist  demonstrations 
and  card  block  printing.  Free  with  general  admis- 
sion. Visit  www.adlerplanetarium.org  or  call 
312.922.STAR  for  information. 


Getting  to  !>n 

Gaoligongsh 

A  team  of  Chinese  and  Field 
Museum  scientists  inventoried 
the  animals,  plants  and  fungi  of 
Gaoligongshan,  setting  the  stage 
for  future  collaborations. 

Rhabdophis  nuchalis  * 


c 


0 


The  Great  Divide:  Living 
in  Two  Places  at  Once 

Field  Museum  botanists  are 
asking  why  certain  species  of 
ginseng  and  mushrooms  exist 
m  u*dy  eastern 
NortnXrnenca. 

Jun  Wen  stands  with  a  ginseng 
plant  she  discovered. 


19 


An  Extraordinary  Peek 
at  the  Forbidden  City 

Exquisite,  rarely  seen 
treasures  of  the  Forbidden 
City  are  soon  to  become 
part  of  a  major  Field 
Museum  exhibition. 


/ 

Older,  Smaller/ Relative 
of  Triceratops'  Found 
n  China       / 

A  Field  Museum  dinosaur 
specialist  co-authors 
research  on  the  recent  "" 

discovery  of  Liaoceratops 

• 
>anzi%oucmiss- 


4 


Turning  Points  in  the 
Human  Experience 

Through  two  research  projects, 
Field  Museum  archaeologists 
are  examining  how  early  civiliza- 
tions developed  in  China. 

Left:  Deborah  Bekken  labels  bones  s 
found  in  Panxian  Dadong. 

Right:  Overlooking  the  excavation 
of  a  house  at  Liangchengzhen. 


'// 


^ 


s 


FALL  2002    September-November 


INT  HE  FIELD  FEATURE 


The  Great  Divide:  Living  in  Two  Places  at  Once 

Greg  Mueller,  Curator  and  Chair,  Botany,  Jun  Wen,  Associate  Curator,  Botany,  and 
Edna  Daviou,  Research  Assistant,  Environmental  and  Conservation  Programs 

In  1716  in  lower  Canada,  armed  only  with  a  description  of  Chinese  ginseng,  a  missionary 
priest  searched  for  the  inscrutable  root  for  three  months  before  accidentally  discover- 
ing it— its  bright  red  berries  attracting  his  attention.  While  regional  tribes  had  used 
the  plant  for  countless  centuries,  Father  Joseph  Francois  Lafitau  is  generally  credited 
with  introducing  North  American  ginseng  to  China  and  Western  culture.  Highly  treasured 
as  a  panacea  in  China,  its  discovery  here  was  a  windfall,  jumpstarting  exports  that  were 
rivaled,  for  a  time,  only  by  the  size  of  the  fur  trade. 


Left :  Panax  vietnamensis, 

Yunnan 

Right:  Suillus  spraguei, 

Yunnan 


A  geographic  enigma 

To  this  day,  ginseng  is  still  known  to  live  only  in 
eastern  Asia  and  eastern  North  America.  This  pecu- 
liar occurrence  makes  it  one  of  the  most  famous 
organisms  that  shows  a  disjunct  distribution  pattern, 
in  which  a  once  continuously  distributed  species 
or  group  becomes  split  and  isolated.  Two  Field 
Museum  botanists,  Associate  Curator  Jun  Wen  and 
Curator  and  Chair  Greg  Mueller,  are  asking  what 
biologic  and  geologic  events  caused  the  pattern 
and  why  certain  species  exist  in  only  two  places  on 
Earth.  With  Wen's  focus  on  ginseng  and  Mueller's 
focus  on  mushrooms,  their  research  is  showing  that 
plants  and  fungi  show  the  same  types  of  distribu- 
tion patterns  and  have  responded  similarly  to  past 
geologic  and  climatic  changes. 

Imagine  a  squishy  stress  ball  in  your  palm.  Its 
shape  changes  as  you  squeeze  it,  indenting  in  some 
places,  rising  in  others  and  remolding  the  material 
inside.  The  Earth,  over  geologic  time,  behaves  simi- 
larly. Mountains  emerge,  seas  dry  up  and  continents 
shift,  for  example.  And  during  the  process,  the  flora 
and  fauna  that  live  there  also  change. 

This  might  help  explain  the  disjunct  pattern 
for  ginseng  and  mushrooms.  Scientists  suggest 
that  plants  and  fungi  migrated  between  Asia  and 
North  America  in  the  Tertiary  period  (10  to  60 
million  years  ago  [Mya])  via  two  ancient  land 


bridges  that  crossed  the  Pacific  and  Atlantic 
oceans.  Woody  plants  and  their  associated  mush- 
rooms and  herbaceous  plants,  such  as  ginseng, 
were  more  widely  distributed  in  ancient  times. 
Later  on,  glacial  activity  in  western  Europe  and 
mountain  building  in  western  North  America 
fragmented  these  communities,  leaving  remnants 
in  the  moist  forests  of  eastern  Asia  and  eastern 
North  America.  By  coupling  current  distribution 
data  on  ginseng  and  mushrooms  with  hypotheses 
about  their  evolutionary  relationships,  we  can 
begin  to  understand  how  species  migrated, 
evolved  and  became  locally  extinct  in  relation 
to  Earth's  changes. 

Charting  the  "essence  of  man" 

Part  of  the  human  apothecary  for  at  least  2,000 
years,  ginseng  has  found  its  way  into  the  Western 
mainstream  and  is  sold  in  many  forms,  including 
tea,  powder  and  liqueur.  Ancient  Chinese  doctrine 
says  a  plant  will  influence  the  part  of  the  body  that 
it  resembles.  Since  the  ideal  ginseng  root  looks  like 
a  human  form,  it  is  considered  the  sovereign  rem- 
edy for  the  entire  body  and  is  hailed  as  a  stimulant, 
aphrodisiac,  immune  enhancer  and  stress  reliever, 
among  other  properties.  Indeed,  ginseng  literally 
translates  into  "the  essence  of  man." 


IN  THE  FIELD 


Although  North  American  and  Chinese  ginsengs 
appear  similar,  recent  studies  have  shown  that 
they  are  two  different  species  of  the  plant  family 
Araliaceae.  Panax  ginseng  is  the  Asian  species,  and 
Panax  quinquefolius  is  the  North  American  species. 
Wen's  research  further  defines  the  difference:  The 
two  species  do  not  appear  to  be  as  closely  related 
as  previously  thought. 

The  DNA  data  imply  that  two  disjunctions 
occurred  at  different  geologic  times.  It  is  likely  that 
birds  migrating  across  the  north  Atlantic,  carrying 
Panax  ginseng  seeds,  caused  the  first  disjunction  in 
the  Oligocene  (40  Mya).The  second  disjunction 
occurred  during  the  middle  to  late  Miocene  (10 
Mya)  when  the  Bering  land  bridges  existed,  con- 
necting North  America  with  Asia  across  the  Pacific 
Ocean.  Wen  also  suggests  that  when  the  Indian 
geologic  plate  collided  with  the  Asian  plate,  causing 
many  isolated,  diverse  habitats  throughout  Asia, 
ginseng  species  rapidly  diversified  in  eastern  Asia 
and  the  Himalayas.  Through  her  research,  Wen  has 
recently  discovered  two  new  species  in  the  moun- 
tains of  western  China  and  areas  bordering  China 
and  India. 

Mapping  the  migration  of  mushrooms 

Across  the  world  and  throughout  time,  mushrooms 
have  evoked  everything  from  divine  adoration  to 
obsessive  fear.  With  more  than  15,000  species,  they 
produce  a  bewildering  array  of  uses  —  an  offering 
to  the  gods,  poison,  food,  hallucinogen  or  medicine. 
The  sheer  variety  among  such  species  as  portabella, 
oyster  and  morel  offers  distinct  flavors  and  textures 
to  enhance  any  cook's  concoction.  And  more  than 
100  species,  including  shiitake,  caterpillar  fungus  and 
maitake,  are  known  for  their  restorative  powers,  treat- 
ing a  range  of  ailments  from  colds  to  cancer  to  HIV. 
Like  ginseng,  certain  mushroom  species  are  only 
found  in  eastern  North  America  and  eastern  Asia. 
Essential  to  forests  and  grassland  ecosystems,  mush- 
rooms play  a  crucial  role  as  parasites,  decomposers 
and  symbionts,  which  means  another  organism 
cannot  grow  or  survive  without  their  help.  We 
understand  a  lot  about  mushrooms'  affinity  to  certain 


climates  and  plants,  but  little  has  been  studied  about 
their  current  habitats  and  evolutionary  relationships. 

Mueller  and  a  group  of  Chinese  and  American 
scientists  are  trying  to  identify  where  mushroom 
species  occur,  how  they  compare  and  what  caused 
the  observed  disjunct  distribution  patterns.  After 
evaluating  what  little  has  been  published,  they  have 
found  a  number  of  potentially  disjunct  species  and 
that  forests  in  eastern  North  America  and  eastern 
Asia  have  a  similar  composition  of  fungal  species. 

Using  three  genera  with  different  ecological 
roles — Armillaria,  Suillus  and  Xentla — Mueller  and 
his  collaborators  tested  their  biologic  and  geo- 
graphic relationships  within  an  evolutionary 
context.  Only  one  of  three  alleged  disjunct  species, 
X.  hispida,  stood  up  to  the  test.  Supposed  disjunct 
populations  of  S.  spraguei  were  shown  to  be  a 
separate  species  altogether  even  though  they  are 
similar  morphologically.  Another  assumed  disjunct 
pair,  S.  americanus  and  S.  sibiricus,  probably  represents 
a  single  widespread  species  and  is  not  a  distinct 
divergence  at  all.  The  genus  Armillaria  rapidly 
radiated  into  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  but  the 
relationships  among  these  species  could  not  be 
resolved  based  on  the  studied  DNA  and  the  distribu- 
tion patterns  could  not,  therefore,  be  tested. 

Defending  these  precious  species 

Why  does  it  matter  that  we  know  where  a  species 
came  from  and  how  it  evolved?  On  one  hand,  we 
learn  how  past  geologic  changes  altered  a  species 
forever.  On  the  other  hand,  which  is  the  basis  of 
much  Field  Museum  research  today,  we  become 
informed  about  how  to  save  a  species  and,  ulti- 
mately, preserve  biological  diversity.  If  ginseng  exists 
in  only  two  places  on  Earth,  and  those  two  places 
are  harmed  by  logging,  pollution  or  other  anom- 
alies, what  would  happen  if  ginseng  also  became 
threatened,  following  centuries  of  reverential  use? 
If  certain  mushroom  species  became  extinct,  how 
would  other  plants  survive  if  they  rely  on  them  to 
recycle  nutrients  or  grow?  It  is  only  through  collab- 
orative research  such  as  Wen's  and  Mueller's  that  we 
can  begin  to  address  such  conservation  issues.  ITF 


Left:  Calostoma  cinnaba- 
rina,  North  America 
Right:  Cantharellus 
cibarius,  China 


ai 


gjjSttMl    *■('-*  &&»&&'  '  '  ■'-■ 


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P. 


^^HE 


FALL  2002    September-November       3 


IN  i  ill  FIELDFEATURE 


ina  Points  in  :he  Human  Experience 


W£S" 


■nt  time  periods  and  locations,  two  Field  Museum  projects  in  China 
are  investigating  significant  turning  points  in  human  development.  The  Chinese  government 
has  permitted  international  collaborative  fieldwork  only  since  the  mid-1990s.  Fewer  than 
10  projects  have  been  implemented,  and  there  has  been  limited  access  to  valuable  compara- 
tive data  on  human  development.  The  first  project,  an  excavation  in  China's  southwestern 
province  of  Guizhou,  examines  how  early  human  ancestors  c.  200,000  years  ago  adapted  to 
a  dynamic  local  environment.  The  second  project,  involving  archaeological  survey  and  exca- 
vation in  the  north  coastal  province  of  Shandong,  focuses  on  social  change  during  the  late 
prehistoric  period  c.  2600-1900  BC. 


Panxian  Dadong  cave  site 


A  Cave's  Riches:  The  Panxian  Dadong 
Collaborative  Project 

To  better  understand  the  evolution  of  early 
humans,  Adjunct  Curator  Deborah  Bekken 
is  working  with  researchers  from  the  Institute 
of  Vertebrate  Paleontology  and  Paleoanthropology 
in  Beijing,  California  State  University  at  Stanislaus 
and  the  University  of  Cincinnati  on  the  Panxian 
Dadong  Collaborative  Project.  Funded  by 
the  National  Science  Foundation,  Henry  Luce 
Foundation  and  Chinese  National  Science 
Foundation,  this  project  is  focused  on  learning 
more  about  the  Middle  Pleistocene  occupation 
of  southern  China. 

The  team  is  excavating  a  large  cave  site,  Panxian 
Dadong  (or  Panxian  Grand  Cave),  on  the  western 
Guizhou  Plateau,  an  area  characterized  by  dramati- 
cally steep  mountains  interspersed  with  narrow,  flat 
Valleys.  Caves  are  common  here,  and  many  contain 
paleontological  and  archaeological  remains.  Dadong 
rests  in  the  middle  of  an  interconnecting  series  of 
three  caverns  stacked  within  a  230-meter-high 
mountain  (850  feet).  Fully  8,000  square  meters 
(26,250  square  feet)  in  area,  its  enormous  chamber 
holds  deposits  tli.it  range  in  age  from  150,000  to 
more  than  250,000  years  ago. 

We  have  found  several  hominid  teeth  in  Dadong 
that  represent  archaic  Homo  sapiens,  who  had  larger 


brow  ridges  and  greater  facial  dimensions  than 
modern  people.  Our  focus,  however,  is  on  what 
the  animal  bones  and  stone  tools  we  find  can  tell 
us  about  the  people  who  lived  there.  We  can  also 
recover  artifacts  from  unaltered  stratigraphic  con- 
texts— a  rare  opportunity  for  eastern  Asia. 

The  animal  bones  Bekken  studies  offer  clues  to 
the  site's  formation,  use  and  former  environmental 
conditions.  Guizhou  was  warmer  than  it  is  today, 
with  a  subtropical  to  tropical  climate,  and  patches 
of  bamboo  and  forest  surrounded  the  cave.  Animal 
species  found  here  include  rhinoceros,  giant  tapir, 
water  buffalo  and  stegodonts,  members  of  a  now- 
extinct  family  of  elephant-like  animals.  We  also 
have  identified  bamboo  rat,  porcupine,  panda, 
hyena  and  several  species  of  deer. 

Most  of  these  animals  do  not  ordinarily  inhabit 
caves,  so  one  line  of  inquiry  is  to  determine  how 
they  became  part  of  the  deposits.  The  porcupine, 
for  example,  creates  piles  of  bone  on  which  it  can 
gnaw  to  sharpen  and  shorten  its  incisors.  We  have 
found  porcupines  in  Dadong,  as  well  as  the  bones 
they  gnawed.  Similarly,  we  can  see  grooves  from 
stone  tools  in  the  bones,  demonstrating  the  scav- 
enging and  hunting  activities  of  hominids,  who 
likely  targeted  large-bodied  species.  Although  car- 
nivores commonly  use  caves  as  dens  or  lairs,  we 
have  found  little  evidence  of  them.  It  is  possible 
that  den  sites  were  established  before  hominid 


4       IN  THE  FIELD 


groups  arrived  and  may  be  located  further  back  in 
unexplored  areas  of  the  cave. 

Burned  remains  can  be  difficult  to  identify  since 
various  mineral  stains  mimic  the  discoloration  of 
burning,  yet  laboratory  examination  has  confirmed 
the  presence  of  fire  in  Dadong.  While  not  certain 
if  they  were  controlled,  it  is  interesting  that  these 
deposits  are  far  from  the  cave  mouth,  a  more  likely 
location  for  debris  from  natural  brush  fires. 

We  also  have  found  an  abundance  of  stone  tools 
made  of  limestone,  basalt  and  chert.  Limestone  and 
basalt  could  have  been  found  in  the  cave,  but  chert 
was  harder  for  people  to  gather.  It  occurs  as  small 
veins  within  limestone  outcrops  on  the  surround- 
ing hills  or  as  riverbed  cobbles.  Interestingly,  the 
tools  reflect  different  manufacturing  and  use 
choices.  Limestone  is  soft  and  does  not  hold  a 
sharp  edge  for  long,  yet  these  are  the  largest  tools 
and  appear  to  have  been  struck  from  a  core  when- 
ever a  basic  working  tool  was  needed.  The  basalts, 
a  more  fine-grained  stone,  are  smaller  and  show 
more  evidence  of  re-sharpening.  The  even  finer- 
grained  cherts  are  the  smallest  tools  and  show 
extensive  flaking.  We  think  they  were  repeatedly 
retouched  until  they  were  worn  down  to  small  size. 

The  cave  deposits  are  helping  us  understand 
how  early  people  adapted  to  the  area  and  used  the 
available  resources.  We  also  have  observed  how 
their  hunting  and  scavenging  capabilities  and  use  of 
high-quality  cherts  for  tools  increased  through  time. 
Though  still  centuries  before  the  advent  of  modern 
humans,  we  can  clearly  see  the  growing  complexity 
that  so  characterizes  the  human  family  tree. 

A  Regional  Picture:  Surveying  in  Shandong 

Through  regional  archaeological  survey  in  the 
Rizhao  area  of  Shandong,  Anne  Underhill,  Gary 
Feinman,  Linda  Nicholas  and  their  Shandong 
University  colleagues  are  investigating  how  and 
why  complex  societies  developed  in  southeastern 
Shandong  during  the  Longshan  period  (c.  2600— 
1900  BC).  After  c.  1900  BC,  state-level  societies 
with  bronze  metallurgy  developed  in 
northern  China,  followed  by  writing 
systems,  cities  and  other  hallmarks 
of  civilization.  Before  we  began  our 
research,  many  scholars  regarded 
southeastern  Shandong  as  a  kind 
of  cultural  backwater,  concluding 
that  all  of  the  most  important  social 
developments  had  occurred  further 
west  in  the  Yellow  River  valley. 

The  Rizhao  area  is  famous  for 
Liangchengzhen,  a  site  initially  exca- 
vated in  1936  where  archaeologists 
found  exquisitely  made  pottery  ves- 
sels and  jade  objects.  Little  fieldwork 
was  conducted  after  1936,  primarily 
due  to  war  and  a  focus  on  other  rich 


archaeological  sites  in  western  Shandong.  Regional 
survey,  which  is  critical  for  comparing  settlements 
and  understanding  how  they  changed  over  time, 
had  never  been  carried  out  in  most  of  China,  so 
Underhill  and  her  Shandong  University  colleagues 
invited  Feinman  and  Nicholas,  who  have  extensive 
survey  experience  in  Mexico,  to  join  the  expedition. 
The  research  has  been  funded  by  the  National 
Science  Foundation,  the  Wenner-Gren  Foundation 
for  Anthropological  Research,  the  Henry  Luce 
Foundation  and  The  Field  Museum. 

Crew  members,  spaced  about  50  meters  (165 
feet)  apart,  walk  over  the  countryside  during  winter 
when  vegetation  is  scarce  in  search  of  broken 
pottery  and  stone  tools.  Each  artifact  indicates  a 
site  where  human  activity  occurred,  whether  it  was 
a  short-term  hunting  spot  or  long-term  living  set- 
tlement. After  seven  field  seasons,  we  have  walked 
more  than  650  square  kilometers  (403  square  miles) 
and  have  identified  several  hundred  new  sites 
dating  primarily  to  the  Longshan  period  and  three 
early  historic  periods — late  Shang  (c.  1200—1046 
BC),  Zhou  (c.1046-206  BC)  and  Han  (206 
BC-AD  220). 

The  distribution  of  artifacts  reveals  that 
Liangchengzhen  was  not  only  the  largest  Longshan 
settlement  by  far  in  the  region  at  about  246,000 
square  meters  (807,100  square  feet),  but  also  one 
of  the  largest  Longshan  sites  in  all  of  China.  We 
also  have  identified  three  tiers  of  smaller  settle- 
ments, demonstrating  that  Liangchengzhen  was 
a  political,  religious  or  trade  center.  The  smaller 
settlements  likely  represent  subservient  villages 
that  provided  goods  and  services  to  the  center. 
The  greatest  variety  and  most  finely  made  pottery 
occur  at  Liangchengzhen. 

Hundreds  of  small,  dispersed  sites  from  the  Shang, 
Zhou  and  Han  periods  indicate  a  reorganization 
of  the  region  after  an  apparent  collapse  of  the  social 
system  at  Liangchengzhen.  Although  historical 
documents  recorded  in  larger  urban  centers  barely 


Left:  Deborah  Bekken  labels  bone  fragments  found  in  Panxian  Dadong.  Right:  Team  members  in  Shandong, 
spaced  about  50  meters  (165  feet)  apart,  survey  the  land  in  a  meticulous  search  for  artifacts. 


FALL  2002    Sept  ember- November 


This  elongated  white  struc- 
ture in  rural  Shandong 
may  look  like  a  fence,  but 
it's  homemade  noodles  that 
have  been  hung  out  to  dry. 


mention  the  rural  Rizhao  area,  our  survey  has 
shown  that  the  area  teemed  with  small  towns  and 
villages  that  would  have  contributed  significantly 
to  the  regional  economy. 


One  of  the  most  rewarding  aspects  of  this  field 
work  is  meeting  wonderful  people  who  allow  us 
to  walk  through  their  fields  and  villages.  Some  offer 
advice  on  where  to  find  ancient  sites,  and  some 
generously  invite  us  to  a  meal  of  delicious  flatbread, 
roasted  homegrown  peanuts  and  other  local  dishes. 
It  is  not  uncommon  for  us  to  be  the  first  foreigners 
they  have  ever  seen.  As  we  learn  about  the  past 
through  the  regional  survey,  we  also  have  enjoyed 
learning  a  great  deal  about  the  modern  culture  of 
eastern  Shandong. 

Email  expeditions@fieldmuseum.org  to  join  a  free  pro- 
gram in  which  you  receive  daily  updates  and  photos  from 

Gary  Feinman  during  the  survey  in  Shandong  late  this 
fall.  You  also  can  check  wwiv.fieldmuseum.org/expeditions 
for  a  composite  of  his  communiques. 


A  Shandong  colleague 
uncovers  a  beautiful  gui, 
or  tripod  vessel. 


Digging  Deeper  at  Liangchengzhen 

Underhill  and  her  Shandong  University  colleagues 
began  full-scale  excavations  at  Liangchengzhen  in 
1 999.  Although  previous  archaeological  focus  on 
burial  remains  has  shed  light  on  social  organization, 
there  has  been  insufficient  information  about  other 
components  of  life  such  as  housing,  agriculture  and 
craft  production.  Ongoing  analyses  are  affirming  that 
Liangchengzhen  is  one  of  the  largest,  most  dynamic 
settlements  ever  found  from  the  Longshan  period. 
Several  kinds  of  houses  were  found  at  varying 
degrees  of  preservation.  Most  were  rectangular 
foundations,  but  some  were  actual  living  floors 
where  people  cooked  and  slept.  We  also  discovered 
round  houses  made  of  adobe.  Some  structures  were 
____i p-b,    quite  small,  suggesting  that  a  family 
<     may  have  used  more  than  one,  and 
open  areas  were  used  for  other 
household  activities.  Unlike  other 
ancient  cultures  that  used  stone, 
the  ancient  Chinese  used  perishable 
materials  such  as  thatch,  sticks  and 
earth,  which  would  have  needed 
to  be  replaced  frequently.  Indeed,  a 
great  density  of  house  remains  were 
extensively  rebuilt  over  200  years  of 
\     occupation.  We  also  discovered  that 
the  ancient  townspeople  selected  nat- 
urally elevated  areas  for  housing  and 
hauled  in  soil  from  other  locations. 
We  found  several  burials,  most  of 
■     which  were  small  and  contained  few 
or  no  pottery  vessels.  During  the  late 
Dawenkou  period  (c.  3000-2600 
I3C),  people  had  distinct  burial  areas, 
yet  by  the  Longshan  period,  burials  were  more 
clearly  associated  with  houses,  suggesting  greater 


emphasis  on  individual  ownership  of  resources  over 
the  generations.  Observed  distinctions  in  house  and 
burial  size  indicate  some  differences  in  economic 
status  among  households.  In  addition,  we  discov7 
ered  two  ditches  or  moats  surrounding  the 
settlement's  core  area.  Originally  filled  with  water, 
they  were  later  used  as  trash  areas,  as  we  found  sev- 
eral hundred  nearly  whole  pottery  vessels  inside 
them.  People  later  built  houses  and  dug  storage  pits, 
cutting  into  the  ditches'  uppermost  layers.  All  of 
these  remains  point  to  a  settlement  with  a  fair 
amount  of  planning. 

A  network  of  supporting  scientists  is  helping 
us  analyze  other  excavated  materials.  Botanists  in 
Beijing  and  Toronto  have  revealed  that  the  towns- 
people grew  both  rice  and  millet.  A  specialist  in 
ceramic  technology  at  the  Smithsonian  Institution 
is  helping  us  identify'  the  varieties  of  relatively 
high-fired,  elegantly  shaped  earthen  pottery  vessels 
and  interpret  how  the  organization  of  labor 
changed.  We  hypothesize  that  potters  tried  to  pro- 
duce vessels  more  efficiently  for  Liangchengzhen's 
growing  population  by  standardizing  shapes  and 
reducing  decorative  techniques.  A  Yale  University 
graduate  student  whom  Underhill  advises  is  study- 
ing how  the  stone  tools  were  made  and  used. 
Finally,  we  have  found  several  rich  pits  containing 
nearly  whole  vessels — more  than  200  in  one  pit, 
for  example — that  do  not  appear  to  be  ordinary 
trash  pits.  A  University  of  Pennsylvania  chemist  has 
identified  traces  of  rice  wine  in  some  vessels,  sug- 
gesting that  important  ceremonies  were  held  there. 
Our  ongoing  analyses  and  future  excavations  will 
help  us  determine  how  Liangchengzhen  could 
have  functioned  as  a  ceremonial,  economic  and 
political  center.  ITF 


IN  THE  FIELD 


YOURGUIDETOTHE  FIELD 


Calendar  of  Events  for  Fall  2002  September-November 


Inside:        Exhibits       Festivals       Family    Programs       Adult    Programs 


Tony  Kushner, 
Pulitzer  Prize 
Winning 
Playwright 

Voices  from  the  Field  Lecture 

Hear  one  of  the  lead- 
ing artistic  voices  of 
our  day  discuss  the 
E  relationship  between 

I  ^ 

his  work  and  cultural 
understanding  in 
these  troubled  times.  Kushner's 
latest  play,  Homebody/Kabul,  has 
received  critical  acclaim  for  its 
exploration  of  the  lives  of  women 
in  Afghanistan.  Also  known  for 
the  award-winning  Angels  In 
America,  Kushner  focuses  his 
work  on  moral  responsibility 
and  intends  his  plays  to  be  part 
of  a  greater  political  movement. 
Join  Kushner  and  notable  Chicago 
journalist  Mara  Tapp  to  discuss 
the  pressing  issues  that  confront 
us,  especially  in  this  age  of  com- 
plexity and  hostility. 

Wednesday,  Nop.  13,  7pm 

$20,  students /educators  $18,  members  $15 


New  Exhibition- 
Bamboo  Masterworks: 
Japanese  Baskets 
from  the  Lloyd 
Cotsen  Collection 

Nov.  16,  2002- Feb.  23,  2003 

Contemplate  the  cherished  traditions 
woven  together  in  Japanese  basketry. 

Bamboo  Masterworks  features  treasures  from  the  world's  premiere 
collection  of  Japanese  baskets.  Because  this  collection  is  privately 
owned — cultivated  over  four  decades  by  American  businessman  Lloyd 
Cotsen — its  stunning  baskets  are  seldom  seen  by  the  public. This 
exhibition  offers  a  rare  look  at  100  masterpieces,  including  works  by 
Japan's  three  most  celebrated  basket  makers,  who  have  been  named 
"Living  National  Treasures"  by  the  Japanese  government. 

Selected  for  their  artistry,  originality  and  craftsmanship,  these  breathtak- 
ing baskets  transform  the  single  element  of  bamboo  into  an  infinite  variety 
of  forms  and  textures.  By  turns  they  are  elegant,  playful,  dramatic,  rough 
and  serene.  With  names  like  Sound  of  the  Whirlpool,  Phoenix  at  Nightfall, 
My  UFO  and  The  Shimmering  of  Heated  Air,  the  baskets  are  as  poetic  as 
they  are  sculptural. 

The  exhibition  also  explores  the  significance  of  basketry  in  Japanese 
culture  and  the  elevation  of  craft  into  art.  Discover  the  extraordinary 
qualities  of  bamboo,  the  years  that  apprentices  spend  learning 
their  craft  and  the  importance  of  baskets  in  Japanese 
flower  arranging  and  tea  ceremonies. 

This  exhibition  is  organized  by  The  Asia  Society  and  curated  by 
Mary  Hunt  Kahienberg. 

The  Sara  Lee  Foundation  is  the  Presenting  Sponsor. 

Additional  support  provided  by  the  Elizabeth  F.  Cheney  Foundation. 

Photos:  Pat  Pollard 


tv  Field 

Museum 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410 

Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


FALL  2002    Sept  ember- November 


Your  Guide  to  the  Field:  Calendar  of  Events  for  Fall  2002  September-November 


Celebrate  the  luxuries  of  life  with 
—      Pearls  and  Chocolate. 


Pearls 

The  Exhibition 

Though  Jan.  5,  2003 

Dive  into  the  mysterious  realm  of  the  pearl  —  from 
its  watery  origins  to  its  history  as  a  treasured 
symbol  of  purity,  wealth  and  glamour.  Marvel  at 
the  dazzling  variety  of  these  lustrous  gems  and 
trace  their  cultivation  by  humans.  With  more  than 
600  objects  and  nearly  half  a  million  pearls,  this 
gorgeous  exhibition  features  the  most  spectacu- 
lar collection  of  pearls  ever  assembled. 

Pearls  is  a  specially  ticketed  exhibition. 

Pearls  was  organized  by  The  American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  New  York, 
in  collaboration  with  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago. 

National  Sponsor  Tasaki  Shinju  Co.,  Ltd. 


The  Culture  of  Pearls 

Lecture  Series 

Explore  the  many  facets  of  pearls:  how  they 
are  created,  how  they  are  valued  as  objects  of 
beauty  and  their  significance  in  diverse  cul- 
tures. Enjoy  The  Culture  of  Pearls  as  a 
lecture  series,  or  attend  the  lectures  as 
part  of  Bedazzled:  Jewelry  as  Culture 
(LAS  494),  a  credit  course  with  assignments  and  dis- 
cussion sessions  offered  by  The  Humanities  Laboratory 
at  the  University  of  Illinois  at  Chicago. 

Lectures  at  TFM  on  Tuesdays,  Oct.  8—Dcc.3,  6pm. 

Lecture  Series 

Individual  lectures:  $12,  students /educators  $10,  members  $8. 

Full  series  subscription  (save  20  percent):  $86,  students /educators 

$12,  members  $58. 

Tickets  to  any  three  lectures  (save  15  percent):  $30,  students/ 

educators  $25,  members  $20. 

For  information  or  tickets  call  312.665.7400. 

Credit  Course 

Enrollment  information  is  available  from  UIC  at  www.oce.uk.edu 

or  312.996.8025.  Course  begins  Oct.  3. 

This  program  is  presented  by  The  Field  Museum  in  collaboration  with  The  Humanities 
Laboratory  at  the  University  of  Illinois  at  Chicago. 


Hidden  Treasures: 
The  Secrets  of  Natural  Pearls 
Dr.  Rudiger  Biclcr,  TFM  Zoology  Dept.,  and 
Dr.  Bennet  Bronson,  TFM  Anthropology  Dept. 

Join  two  curators  of  the  Pearls  exhibition  to  discover  how  natural 
pearls  are  formed  and  gathered,  and  how  they  have  been  used  in 
different  cultures. 
Tuesday,  Oct.  8,  6pm 

Creating  the  Perfect  Gem: 
The  History  of  Cultured  Pearls 

Dr.  Rudiger  Bieler,  TFM  Zoology  Dept.,  and  Dr.  Bennet  Bronson, 
TF}i  I A  nthropology  Dept. 

Explore  people's  desire  to  create  a  perfect  pearl  and  learn  how 
cultured  pearls  are  grown  and  harvested. 

Tuesday,  Oct.  15,  6pm 


8      IN  THE  FIELD  CALENDAR 


General  Museum  Information:  312.922.9410;  Family  and  Adult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


Georg  Simmel's  Theory  of  Adornment 

Dr.  Donald  Levine,  University  of  Chicago 

Could  the  whims  of  fashion  be  rooted  in  deep  psychoanalytic 
theory?  Examine  how  jewelry  reflects  personal  desires  and 
our  wishes  to  connect  with  others. 

Tuesday,  Oct.  22,  6pm 

American  Pearls:  The  Secret  of  Their  Success 

Rcnee  Latendresse,  American  Pearl  Company 

Hear  how  the  Latendresse  family  founded  the  first  freshwa- 
ter pearl  culturing  farm  in  the  United  States.  Watch  as  real 
shells  are  opened  to  reveal  their  treasures. 

Tuesday,  Oct.  29,  6pm 

Pearls  of  Wisdom 

Dr.  Richard  Klein,  Author 

Decipher  the  meaning  of  pearls  in  modern  society  with  the 
prominent  social  critic  who  wrote  Cigarettes  are  Sublime 
and  Jewelry  Talks:  A  Wove)  Thesis. 

Tuesday,  Nov.  5,  6pm 

The  Exploitation  and  Conservation 
of  Freshwater  Pearls 

Dr.  Richard  J.  Neves,  Virginia  Polytechnic  Institute 
and  State  University 

Learn  how  a  century  of  pearling  has  affected  mussels  in  the 
Mississippi  River  Basin  —  once  the  pearl  button  capital  of 
the  world. 

Tuesday,  Nov.  12,  6pm 

Pearls  of  the  Screen 

Milos  Stehlik,  Film  Critic 

See  how  pearls  have  starred  on  the  silver  screen  as  objects 
of  desire,  catalysts  for  tragedy  and  keys  to  solving  mysteries. 

Tuesday,  Nov.  19,  6pm 

The  Imagery  of  the  Pearl  in  Medieval  and 
Renaissance  Literature 

Dr.  Audrey  Becker,  University  of  Windsor 

Discover  how  pearls  came  to  symbolize  femininity 
and  purity  in  English  literature. 

Tuesday,  Nov.  26,  6pm 

Gems  and  Pearls:  From  the  Bible  to  Diamond  Row 

Dr.  Sander  Gilman,  University  of  Illinois  at  Chicago 


Cbecalate 


The  Exhibition 


Did  you  know  that  Aztec  ruler  Montezuma  supposedly 
drank  50  cups  of  chocolate  a  day?  Or  that  Europeans 
invented  saucers  to  keep  chocolate  off  their  fine 
clothes?  Immerse  yourself  in  the  story  of  a  luscious 
treat  in  Chocolate.  Take  a  sweet  journey  for  all  ages— 
from  the  rainforest  to  the  ancient  civilization  of  the 
Maya,  from  16th-century  Europe  to  a  modern-day 
candy  factory.  This  exhibition  will  reveal  facets  of 
chocolate  that  you've  never  thought  about  before. 

Chocolate  is  a  specially  ticketed  exhibition 

All  labels  are  in  English  and  Spanish. 


Chocolate  Spectacular! 

Family  Workshop 

Liz  Cruger  and  Tracy  Kwock, 
TFM  Education  Dept. 

Grind  cacao  beans  and  make  hot  chocolate  Aztec-style — with 
chili  pepper  and  cornmeal! 


Families  with  children  ages  7- 
Saturday,  Sept.  28,  I— 3pm 
$10,  members  $8 


12 


Life  Is  Like  a  Box  of  Chocolates:  Food  Goes  to  the  Movies 

Lecture 

Dr.  Ken  Hao 

Look  at  the  delicious  symbolism  of  food  and  chocolate  in  classic 
and  highly  memorable  food  films. 

Saturday,  Oct.  19,  2pm 

$12,  students  /educators  $10,  members  $8 

Chocolate  and  its  national  tour  were  developed  by  The  Field  Museum,  Chicago. 
This  project  was  supported,  in  part,  by  the  National  Science  Foundation. 
Education  programs  supported  by  The  Chicago  Community  Trust. 


Uncover  the  biblical  roots  for  many  Western  metaphors 
about  jewels  and  examine  the  contributions  of  Jewish 
merchants  to  the  global  jewelry  trade. 


FALL  2002    Sept  ember- November 


Fieldtrip 


Fossil  Hunt  at  Mazon  Creek 

David  Dolak,  Columbia  College 

Come  with  us  to  the  world-famous  Mazon  Creek  site 
to  collect  fossils  that  are  older  than  dinosaurs!  You'll 
discover  what  Illinois  was  like  300  million  years 
ago.  Plan  on  a  one-quarter  mile  walk  to  fossil 
locations. 

Families  with  children  ages  7—12 
Saturday,  Sept.  28,  8am— 3pm 
S38,  members  $27 


Lectures 


Natural  Disasters  and  Ancient  Oaxaca 

Dr.  Nelly  Robles  Garcia,  National  Institute  of  Anthropology 
and  History  in  Oaxaca,  Mexico 

Explore  the  impact  that  thousands  of  years  of  earthquakes 
have  had  on  Monte  Alban,  one  of  Mexico's  earliest  cities. 

Saturday,  Oct.  5,  3pm 

$12,  students  /educators  $10,  members  $8 

African  Ceremonies: 
A  Celebration  of  Life 

Carol  Bcckwith  and  Angela  Fisher, 
photographers  and  authors 

Discover  the  powerful  African  ceremonies 
that  mark  birth,  coming  of  age,  marriage, 
death  and  other  rites  of  passage.  Their 
30-year  quest  to  document  vanishing 

tribal  customs  has  taken  these  two  Western  women  deep  into 

tribal  Africa. 

Wednesday,  Oct.  16,  6:30pm 

$12,  students  /educators  $10,  members  $8 


african 

f* 

yra£pn,es 

J 

> 

# 

1  :  •-' 

The  Remarkable  Ryukyu 
Islands 

Dr.  Richard  Pearson,  United  British 
Columbia  I  University 

Transport  yourself  to  the  remarkable  Ryukyu  Islands  of 
southern  Japan  to  explore  the  history  of  this  archipelago, 
from  its  earliest  peoples  to  the  complex  position  of  Okinawa 
in  modern  times. 

Saturday.  Nor.  9,  1:30pm 

$12,  students /educators  $10.  members  $8 


The  Natural  History  of  Chicago 

Joel  Greenberg.  Naturalist  and  Author 


A  Xatxrdl  Hanrt 


*9£  I   I    Reflect  on  Mother  Nature's  influence, 
I    even  in  the  most  urbanized  landscapes. 
Greenberg's  book  tells  the  story  of  prairies 
plowed,  wetlands  drained,  species  driven 
extinct,  and  the  diversity  of  life  that  survives — even 
amidst  the  skyscrapers. 

Saturday,  Nov.  16,  2pm 

$12,  students/educators  SIO,  members  $8 


Belo.  an  opportunity  to  visit  in  2002  and  2003. 

Some  dates  may  change.  Remember  to  call  312.922.9410  or  visit  our  website  for  specific  information. 


Archaeological  News  from  the  Holy  Land: 
The  Beit  Shean  Hoard 

Through  October  6 


Chocolate 

Through  December  31 


Pearls 

Through  January  5,  2003 


Family  Workshops 


Behind-the-Scenes:  From  Spider 
Webs  to  Ostrich  Eggs 

Ruth  Norton,  TFM  Anthropology  Dept. 

From  tropical  feathers  to  animal  bones, 
find  out  how  people  around  the  world 
use  nature's  gifts.  See  objects  from  the 
Museum's  anthropology  collections  and 
then  make  your  own  special  object  with 
feathers,  beads,  clay  and  other  natural 
materials. 

Families  with  children  ages  8—14 
Friday,  Sept.  27,  6- 8pm 
$15,  members  $12 


Paleontology  A  to  Z: 

Fossil  Collecting  and  Cleaning 

Dr.  Wendy  Taylor  and  Jim  Holstein, 
TFM  Geology  Dept. 

Examine  fossils  close-up  and  see  what 
it's  like  to  be  a  paleontologist.  Find  out 
how  to  collect  fossils  and  read  these  time 
capsules  from  the  past. 

Saturday,  Oct.  12 

10— 1 1 :30am  for  families  with 

children  ages  7—10 

1— 2:30pm  for  children  ages  11-14 

(parents  not  required) 

$12,  members  $10 


The  Two  of  Us 

Joanna  Wakeland,  TFM  Education  Dept. 

Join  us  for  an  eight-week  exploration.  We'll 
travel  the  Museum's  exhibitions,  hear  stories 
sing  songs,  touch  objects,  make  art  project 
and  have  a  snack. 

Families  with  children  ages  3—5 

Tuesdays,  Oct.  1-Nov.  19 

10-1 1:30am  or  1:30 -3pm 

(Choose  one  time.) 

$95  per  child,  $80  per  member  child 

For  each  child,  one  adult  attends  at  no  charge 

This  program  is  sponsored  by  The  Siragusa  Foundation  Early 
Childhood  Initiative. 


Workshops 

Behind  the  Scenes:  Rare  Books 

Ben  Williams,  TFM  Library 

From  15th-century  volumes  to  the  work  of  Audubon  and  Darwin, 
glimpse  rare  and  fascinating  books  from  the  Museum's  library  and 
enjoy  the  glorious  imagery  of  scientific  illustration. 

Saturday,  Oct.  5  or  12,10am— noon 
(Choose  one  session.) 
$15,  members  $12 


CATHRYN  SCOn 


Preventive  Conservation 

(How  to  Take  Care  of  the  Stuff  You  Love) 

Betsy  Allaire,  TFM  Exhibitions  Dept.,  and  Katherine 
Ridgeway,  TFM  Anthropology  Dept. 

Extend  the  lifetime  of  your  precious  keepsakes  and  works 
of  art!  Find  out  how  Museum  conservators  slow  down  the 
ravages  of  time  and  learn  to  apply  these  same  techniques 
to  preserve  your  own  treasures. 

Saturday,  Nov.  16,  10am— noon 
$18,  members  $15 


H  TESTA/84478C 


From  Prairie  to  Field: 
Photographs  by  Terry  Evans 

Through  February  9,  2003 


A  Celebration  of  Souls: 

Day  of  the  Dead  in  Southern  Mexico 

Through  February  9,  2003 


Bamboo  Masterworks:  Japanese  Baskets 
from  the  Lloyd  Cotsen  Collection 

November  16,  2002- February  23,  2003 


A  Mixed-Up  Night  of  Basil  E.  Frankweiler's  Files 

Liz  Cruger  and  Tracy  Kwock,  TFM  Education  Dept. 

Solve  an  exciting  mystery  at  the  Museum — just  like  the  kids  in 
the  award-winning  book  From  the  Mixed-Up  Files  of  Mrs.  Basi\  E. 
Frankweiler,  by  E.  L.  Konigsburg.  You'll  decipher  clues,  find  cool 

hiding  places  and  piece  together  an 

intriguing  puzzle. 

Families  with  children  ages  8—12 
Monday,  Oct.  21,  6- 8pm 
$10,  members  $8 


Courses 


Archaeology  of  Chicago  and  The  Field  Museum 

Dr.  Scott  Demel, TFM  Anthropology  Dept. 

Investigate  Chicago's  fascinating  past  from  prehistoric  to  modern 
times.  Learn  how  to  identify  artifacts  and  record  a  prehistoric  site. 
Try  out  your  new  skills  at  the  Museum's  construction  site,  which 
has  already  turned  up  intriguing  finds  from  the  early  1900s. 

Wednesdays,  Nov.  6—20,  6—  8pm 
Saturday,  Nov.  9,  9am— noon 
$78,  members  $66 

Architectural  Drawing 

Peggy  Macnamara,  School  of  The  Art  Institute  of  Chicago 

Learn  basic  drawing  techniques  that  let  you  translate  3-D  space 
onto  a  2-D  page.  The  stately  columns  and  sculptural  details  of 
the  Museum's  neoclassical  building  will  be  our  inspiration. 
Beginners  welcome. 

Saturday,  Sept.  28  and  Sunday,  Sept.  29,  9am— 2pm 
$35,  members  $30 


Mexican  Day  of  the  Dead 

Mara  Cosillo-Starr,  TFM  Education  Dept. 

Celebrate  the  uniquely  Mexican  holiday  that  honors  departed 
loved  ones.  Create  your  own  decorations  for  the  day  from  flowers, 
banners,  sugar  skulls  and  figurines. 

Saturday,  Oct.  26 

10— 1 1 :30am  for  families  with  children  ages  4—7 
1— 2:30pm  for  families  with  children  ages  8—11 
$10,  members  $8 


Celebrate  American  Indian  Heritage  Month  with  us! 

Jovember,  explore  American  Indian  Heritage  Month  with  a  visit  to  The  Field  Museum.  Our  exhibition  halls  feature  more  than  14,000 
:an  Indian  artifacts  and  tell  fascinating  stories  about  cultures  from  coast  to  coast.  We  also  offer  guided  programs,  free  with  Museum 
iion,  all  year  round. 


Exhibition  Tour:  Northwest  Coast  Indians  and  Eskimos 

'sdays.  1 1 :30am  and  1:30pm 
days.  1 1 :30am 


Pawnee  Earth  Lodge  Family  Program 

Monday— Friday,  lpm 
Saturday— Sunday,  10am— 4pm 


ult  Program  Tickets  and  Information:  312.665.7400 


Music:  Science  and  Sound! 

David  Dolak,  Columbia  College 

See  fascinating  musical  instruments 
from  the  Museum's  collections  and 
explore  the  physics  of  woodwind, 
percussion  and  string  instruments. 
Then  build  your  own  panpipe  and 
hanging  xylophone.  Bring  a 
sack  lunch. 

Ages  11-14 

(parents  not  required) 
Saturday,  Nov.  9, 
10am— 2pm 
$17,  members  $15 


JOHN  WEINSTEIN/89142C 


Behind-the-Scenes  Workshop: 
Snakes  and  Legless  Lizards! 

Dr.  Maureen  Kearney, 

TFM  Reptiles  and  Amphibians  Dept. 

Join  a  zoologist  amidst  the  Museum's 
reptile  collections  to  explore  the  s-s- 
scinti I lating  and  s-s-slithery  world  of 
s-s-snakes  and  legless  lizards.  Bring 
your  curiosity,  questions  and  (if 
needed)  nerves! 

Families  with  children  ages  1-12 
Friday,  Nov.  15,  6— 8pm 
$15,  members  $12 


Fieldtrips 


The  Ancient  Near  East:  Myth  and  Magic  I 

Thomas  Mudloff,  Egyptologist 

Trace  the  development  of  human  thought  through  3,000  years 
of  myths,  epics,  magic  and  cosmological  contemplation  in 
Egypt  and  Mesopotamia. 

Wednesdays,  Sept.  2 5- Oct.  30,  6- 8pm 

S85,  members  $12 

Fossil  Basics 

David  Dolak,  Columbia  College 

Decipher  the  Earth's  geologic  history  to  reconstruct  lost  worlds! 
Prepare  a  fossil  fish  and  explore  the  significance  of  two  local 
fossil  sites.  Dolak's  enthusiasm  is  contagious — especially  when 
he  brings  out  the  guitar  to  sing  his  own  fossil  songs. 

Wednesdays,  Oct.  9-30,  6-8pm 
$10,  members  S60 


The  Return  of  the  Sandhill  Cranes 

Alan  Anderson,  Naturalist 

Journey  to  the  wetlands  of  northern  Indiana  to  visit  a  nature  pre- 
serve that  is  famous  for  attracting  10,000  migrating  cranes  each 
fall.  Bring  binoculars,  lunch  and  a  field  guide.  Transportation  is 
by  coach  bus. 

Saturday,  Oct.  26,  10am— 8pm 

$60,  TFM  or  Chicago  Audubon  members  $50 

City  Tour:  Chicago  Murals 

Juan  Chavez ,  Mural  Artist 

Get  an  insider's  view  into  the  community  history  and  cultural 
meaning  of  the  colorful  murals  throughout  our  city.  Lunch  will 
be  provided  at  a  local  restaurant. 

Saturday,  Sept.  28,  9am— 4pm 
Bus  will  depart  from  west  entrance. 
$55,  members  $41 


The  Field  Museum  salutes  the  people  of  Chicago  for  their  long-standing,  generous  support  of  the 
Museum  through  the  Chicago  Park  District.  This  project  is  partially  supported  by  a  CityArts  Program 
4  Grant  from  the  City  of  Chicago  Department  of  Cultural  Affairs  and  the  Illinois  Arts  Council,  a  state 
agency.  This  project  was  made  possible  with  the  assistance  of  the  Illinois  Department  of  Natural 
Resources  and  Illinois  State  Museum. 


oming  in  2003-Baseball  As  America 


maty  8-July  20,  2003 

how  our  national  pastime  symbolizes  America's  spirit  when  you  rediscover  baseball  through  the  lenses  of  science,  economics  and 
ular  culture.  This  exhibition  represents  the  first  time  that  the  treasures  that  belonged  to  baseball's  legendary  heroes  have  left  the 
tional  Baseball  Hall  of  Fame  and  Museum  in  Cooperstown,  NY. 

exhibition  was  organized  by  the  National  Baseball  Hall  of  Fame  and  Museum,  Cooperstown,  New  York, 
national  tour  of  Baseball  As  America  is  sponsored  by  Ernst  &  Young. 


Enjoy  a  cornucopia  of  autumn  festivals 


Celebrate  Latino  culture  at  the  Celebracion 
festival  with  Chicago's  premier  Mexican  folk 
music  group,  Sones  de  Mexico.  The  bright  vocal 

harmonies  and  acrobatic  dance  demonstrations  of  these 
master  musicians  recreate  the  atmosphere  of  a  traditional 
fandango — a  fiesta  where  colorful,  joyous  music  and 
dance  go  on  until  sunrise. 

Friday,  Sept.  27,  7pm 

$12,  students /educators  $10,  members  $8 

Celefaraci6n  is  made  possible  through  the  generosity  of 
Abbott  Laboratories.  A 

Don't  miss  the  Halloween 
Harvest  Festival,  featuring 
Chicago's  award-winning 
Redmoon  Theater.  Bring  your 
own  copies  of  photos,  poems  and 
trinkets  to  create  a  shrine  to  loved 
ones.  Then  join  in  an  indoor  parade  led 
by  a  dazzling  array  of  costumed  perform- 
ers, masks  and  musicians. 

Saturday,  Oct.  26 

Shrine  making  is  noon  —  2:30pm;  parade  starts  at  3pm 

Free  with  Museum  admission. 


TODD  WINTE  I 

Discover  why  being  a  ubirdbrain"  isn't  all  bad  when  the 
Museum  explores  how  birds  embody  the  "Brains  and  Beauty" 
theme  of  the  2002  Chicago  Humanities  Festival. 

Ponder  why  birds  capture  our  imagination,  learn  about  their 
zoology  and  see  how  they  inspired  17th-century  painting  and 
Mozart's  music. 

Saturday,  Nov.  2,  10am— 5pm 

For  program  details  and  tickets  contact  the  Chicago  Humanities 
Festival  at  uitnuchfestival.org  or  312.494.9509. 


Getting  Here:  With  construction  under  way  at  nearby  Soldier  Field,  your 
usual  route  to  The  Field  Museum  may  have  changed.  Visit  our  website  at 
www.fieldmuseum.org  for  the  latest  information  on  parking,  free  trolleys  and  public  transit. 

Hours:  9am-5pm  daily.  Last  admission  at  4pm. 

New  Free  Day  Schedule:  In  2002  basic  admission  is  free  on  Mondays  and  Tuesdays  from 
January-February  and  Mondays  and  Tuesdays  from  Sept.  23-Dec.  24.  This  fall  the  Museum  is 
offering  an  additional  free  day  on  Wednesday,  Sept.  11,  as  part  of  a  citywide  remembrance  day. 
Remember,  members  receive  free  admission  every  day. 

To  get  tickets:  Chocolate  and  Pear\s  are  specially  ticketed  exhibitions.  Member  passes  can  be 
reserved  in  advance  by  calling  Ticketmaster  at  312.902.1500  (service  charges  apply)  or  coming 
to  the  membership  desk  near  the  Museum's  south  entrance  (no  service  charges).  Non-member 
tickets  can  also  be  reserved  in  advance  through  Ticketmaster  or  in  person  at  the  Museum's 
admission  desks.  Day-of  tickets  are  available  at  the  Museum  while  supplies  last. 

Accessibility:  Visitors  using  wheelchairs  or  strollers  may  be  dropped  off  at  the  west  entrance. 
Handicapped  parking  and  wheelchairs  are  available  on  a  first-come,  first-served  basis.  Call 
312.665.7400  to  check  on  the  accessibility  of  programs  that  take  place  outside  of  the  Museum. 

Information:  312.922.9410  orwww.fieldmuseum.org 


14      IN  THE  FIELD  CALENDAR 


SCIENTIST'SPICK 


COURTESY  CHINESE  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES 


If  scientists  thought  an  extinct  animal  with  few  known  fossils  originated  in  Africa  and  didn't  fly  or  swim  much, 
it  might  be  unusual  to  suddenly  find  the  same  fossil  in  Canada,  for  example.  How,  then,  do  scientists  determine 
an  animal's  geographic  distribution  when  its  fossil  record  is  so  bare? 

With  no  living  descendents,  this  enigmatic  marine  reptile,  the  placodont,  has  largely  been  ignored  by  scientists, 
and  the  few  studies  that  have  been  done  are  meager.  Its  position  within  the  reptile  tree  is  controversial,  winning 
it  the  unfortunate  classification  of  incertae  sedis,  or  "of  uncertain  seat."  While  Field  Museum  scientists  and 
illustrators  imagined  this  placodont  to  help  us  create  a  mental  image,  we  do  know  that  it  had  a  stout,  armored 
body,  limited  paddling  abilities  and  enormous,  flattened  tooth  plates  for  crushing  hard-shelled  invertebrates, 
such  as  clams,  mussels  and  brachiopods.  It  lived  along  the  coastlines  of  Triassic  seas. 

Olivier  Rieppel,  chair  of  the  Museum's  geology  department,  has  reviewed  placodont  specimens  from  Europe, 
northern  Africa  and  the  Middle  East  to  assess  their  relationships  to  other  reptiles.  He  identified  them  as  a 
subgroup  of  Sauropterygia,  which  later  evolved  to  resemble  creatures  like  the  legendary  Loch  Ness  monster. 
Given  the  overall  pattern  of  relationships  among  sauropterygians,  Rieppel  daringly  predicted  that  the  group 
also  lived  in  China.  But  since  there  was  no  Chinese  specimen,  he  was  criticized  for  using  lack  of  evidence  as 
positive  support  that  something  existed  there. 

Indeed,  shortly  following  his  publication,  a  placodont  specimen  from  the  Guizhou  province  of  China  turned  up 
on  the  fossil  black  market,  substantiating  his  hypothesis.  Today,  several  specimens,  such  as  the  one  shown  here, 
are  available  for  study  in  public  repositories  in  China. 


FALL  2002    Sept  ember- November 


15 


INTHEFIELDFEATURE 


Older,  Smaller  Relative  of  Triceratops 
Found  in  China 

Greg  Borzo,  Media  Manager,  Academic  Affairs 

Two  fossils  of  a  newly  discovered  dinosaur — an  early,  distant  cousin  of  the  Triceratops 
—  have  been  found  in  China.  But  rather  than  weighing  ten  tons  and  being  studded  with 
massive  horns  and  a  wide  frill,  like  its  well-known  cousin,  the  new  dinosaur  weighed 
only  about  seven  pounds  and  shows  signs  of  only  rudimentary  horns  and  a  frill.  About 
the  size  of  a  hare,  Liaoceratops  yanzigouensis,  named  for  the  province  and  village  in 
which  it  was  collected  (Liaoning  and  Yanzigou),  is  the  smallest,  oldest  and  most  primitive 
neoceratopsian  ever  found. 


"jgeMICHAEL  5KREPNICK  2000 


Aii  artist's  re-creation  of 
an  adult  and  juvenile 
Liaoceratops  yanzigouen- 
sis, a  primitive  relative  of 
the  Triceratops  that  was 
about  the  size  of  a  hare. 


"This  dinosaur  is  actually  more  interesting  to 
science  in  many  ways  than  its  larger,  more  famous 
relatives  because  it  teaches  us  more  about  evolution," 
said  Dr.  Peter  Makovicky,  Field  Museum  assistant 
curator  of  dinosaurs  and  co-author  of  the  research, 
which  was  recendy  published  in  Nature.  "Basal  (prim- 
itive) dinosaurs  are  critical  because  they  help  us  tie 
different  groups  of  dinosaurs  together  and  map  out 
evolutionary  patterns." 

Long  ago,  ceratopsians  branched  into  two  lines: 
neoceratopsians,  the  main  line  that  includes  Triceratops, 
and  psittacosaurids,  parrot-beaked  dinosaurs. 

"Liaoceratops  establishes  that  this  split  occurred 


no  later  than  the  earliest  part  of  the  Cretaceous 
about  130  million  years  ago,"  said  Dr.  Makovicky. 
"Also,  it  indicates  that  ceratopsians  acquired  some 
of  their  distinctive  features  earlier  and  more  rapidly 
than  was  previously  recognized." 

Just  as  we  would  not  say  elephants  and  whales 
are  representative  of  all  mammals,  scientists  have 
long  known  that  celebrities  such  as  Tyrannosaurus  rex 
and  Triceratops  did  not  represent  all  dinosaurs.  It  may 
not  be  as  glamorous  to  exhibit  a  fossil  as  big  as  a 
Thanksgiving  turkey  in  the  center  of  a  museum 
hall,  but  smaller  dinosaurs  are  yielding  the  most 
information  on  evolution. 


16       IN  THE  FIELD 


" Liaoceratops  demonstrates  that  the  large,  spec- 
tacular species  that  grace  many  museum  exhibits 
are  descended  from  some  very  small  ancestors ," 
said  Dr.  Makovicky.  "We  see  this  common  pattern 
in  many  different  groups  of  dinosaurs." 

The  Nature  paper  described  a  juvenile  speci- 
men and  a  holotype — the  single  specimen  that  the 
authors  designated  as  the  definitive  example  of 
this  new  species.  The  adult  skull  is  11.1  centime- 
ters long  (4.4  inches),  and  an  adult  Liaoceratops 
(lee-ow-cer-a-tops)  stood  about  one  foot  tall  and 
measured  less  than  three  feet  long. 

What  purpose  did  the  horns  and  frill  serve? 

Scientists  have  long  debated  whether  the  ceratop- 
sians'  horns  and  frill  supported  large  jaw  muscles 
or  served  as  display  features  for  attracting  mates 
and/or  intimidating  rivals  and  predators.  Perhaps 
both  theories  are  correct. 

Liaoceratops  has  a  small  horn  facing  sideways 
under  each  eye  that  seems  to  be  a  display  structure, 
according  to  Dr.  Makovicky.  The  frill,  very  large  in 
advanced  ceratopsians,  is  often  considered  a  display 
structure.  But  a  pitted  surface  texture  on  the  rim  of 
the  frill  of  Liaoceratops  indicates  that  powerful  jaw 
muscles  were  attached  here. 

There  is  little  evidence  that  ceratopsians'  horns 
evolved  for  defensive  purposes,  according  to  Dr. 
Makovicky.  "Liaoceratops  appears  unable  to  protect 
itself  against  most  predators,  which  would  have 
included  carnivorous  dinosaurs  and  crocodiles. 
Instead,  it  probably  relied  on  concealment  or 
flight  to  defend  itself." 

Evidence  of  ginkgo,  horsetails  and  conifers  pre- 
served in  the  same  rock  unit  in  which  Liaoceratops 
was  found  indicate  that  it  may  have  eaten  these 
plants.  Its  teeth  were  built  primarily  for  slicing 
and  shearing  rather  than  grinding. 

"Liaoceratops  gives  us  a  great  window  on  the 
early  evolution  of  horned  dinosaurs  and  tells  us 
that  Triceratops  and  its  relatives  evolved  from  very 
small  Asian  ceratopsians,"  Dr.  Makovicky  concludes. 

The  Field  Museum,  National  Geographic 
Society,  American  Museum  of  Natural  History 
and  the  Institute  ofVertebrate  Paleontology  and 
Paleoanthropology  at  the  Chinese  Academy  of 
Sciences  supported  this  research. 

China  a  paleontological  powerhouse 

In  the  past  five  years,  well-preserved  dinosaur 
fossils  are  being  discovered  in  record  numbers 
throughout  China.  Liaoning  in  particular  is  yield- 
ing an  abundance  of  feathered  dinosaurs,  intriguing 
even  skeptics  of  the  bird-dinosaur  link.  This  is 
also  where  Sinovenator  changii  was  found,  which  is 
closely  related  to  and  almost  the  same  age  as  the 
oldest  known  bird,  Archaeopteryx .  (See  April— May 
2002  In  the  Field.) 


Rapid  tectonic  uplifts  splintered  the  area  into 
mountains  and  basins,  which  filled  in  rapidly, 
capturing  much  of  the  life  of  the  time.  In  some 
cases,  volcanic  explosions  quickly  covered  the 
area  with  ash,  fossilizing  life  in  unusual  degrees 
of  preservation.  The  Jurassic  and  Cretaceous  sedi- 
ments, particularly  in  former  lakes,  have  revealed 
many  paleontological  contributions:  the  first 
known  placental  mammal,  Eomaia,  or  "dawn 
mother";  the  first  flowering  plants;  startlingly 
lifelike  specimens  of  fishes  and  insects;  and  feathered 
dinosaurs,  the  first  of  which  was  discovered  in  1 996. 

"The  local  farmers  are  digging  up  a  lot  of  fos- 
sils, which  is  essentially  illegal,  but  they  are 
accomplishing  at  a  much  faster  rate  what  scientists 
and  research  institutions  could  not  handle,"  said  Dr. 
Makovicky.  "We  would  not  know  one-tenth  of 
what  we  have  learned  since  1996  if  it  weren't  for 
the  specimens  scientists  have  received  through 
farmers." 

While  the  counter  effect  of  this  fossil  fever 
is  a  proliferation  of  imitations  and  smuggling, 
the  authentic,  dramatic  finds  that  make  their  way 
to  scientists  are  a  boon  to  Chinese  paleontology. 
International  attention  is  fanning  the  nation's 
pride  in  its  ancient  history,  and  the  government 
is  aggressively  funding  research  and  fossil-hunting 
expeditions. 

Dr.  Makovicky  plans  to  conduct  more  collabo- 
rative fieldwork  in  China  to  look  for  more  fossils. 
"I  hope  to  find  even  more  primitive  specimens 
than  Liaoceratops,' 'he  said.  ITF 


Feathered  dinosaurs  such  as  this  one,  affectionately  called  "Dave,"  are  turning  up  in 
Liaoning,  near  Beijing.  Wliile  scientists  debate  the  use  of  feathers — as  an  insulation, 
display  or  maneuvering  mechanism — it  seems  unlikely  that  the  oldest  dinosaurs  used 
them  for  flight. 


FALL  2002   September-November 


17 


INTHEFIELDFEATURE 


Getting  to  Know  Gaoligongshan 

Amy  E.  Cranch,  Editor 

It  is  almost  as  if  one  could  drown  in  the  beauty  of  the  clouds  here.  Located  in  the  Gaoligongshan 
Mountains  of  Yunnan  near  Myanmar  (Burma),  the  Gaoligongshan  Nature  Reserve  is 
unquestionably  China's  most  species-rich  environment,  as  well  as  one  of  the  world's 
most  biologically  diverse  regions.  Blanketed  in  thick  forests  and  home  to  many  rare 
and  endangered  animals,  plants  and  fungi,  Gaoligongshan  contains  at  least  10  distinct 
ecological  zones  within  about  125,000  hectares  (483  square  miles).  It  has  remained 
remarkably  intact  because  of  its  remoteness  and  valiant  efforts  by  local  conservation- 
ists. But  development  pressures,  while  thwarted  by  reserve  officials  so  far,  present 
concerns  about  the  region's  sustainability. 


Left:  Rana  grahami 
R(g/if:Japulura  dimondi 


This  past  June,  14  Chinese  scientists,  five  Field 
Museum  scientists  and  a  University  of  California, 
Davis  herpetologist  conducted  a  rapid  biological 
inventory  (RBI)  in  three  Gaoligongshan  sites  to 
assess  what  species  live  there  and  make  recommen- 
dations for  management,  conservation  and  tourism. 
The  RBI  was  part  of  a  broader  initiative,  sponsored 
by  Columbia  University's  Center  for  United  States- 
China  Arts  Exchange,  to  preserve  the  cultures  and 
environments  of  Yunnan.  The  Museum  was  invited 
to  participate  following  a  decade  of  successful 
exchanges  with  Chinese  scientists  and  officials. 

Jerry  Adelmann,  who  sits  on  the  center's  advisory 
council  and  works  with  the  Museum  as  executive 
director  of  Chicago's  Openlands  Project,  said, 
"Through  several  visits  to  the  Museum,  the  Chinese 
are  continuously  impressed  with  its  collections, 
scientists  and  research  methods.  They  could  have 
chosen  other  partners,  but  they  respect  Field 
Museum  staff  and  really  wanted  to  work  with  them." 

Despite  constant  monsoon  rains  and  an  abun- 
dance of  land  leeches,  the  inventory  went  well. 
While  much  of  the  information  gathered  was  still 
being  processed  at  press  time,  we  can  report  these 
findings: 

•  Doubled  the  number  of  known  mushroom 
species,  including  several  species  potentially 
new  to  science 

Discovered  three  plant  species  new  to  science 


•  Recorded  27  mammal  species  listed  as  rare  or 
endangered  in  China 

•  Encountered  five  species  of  amphibians  and  rep- 
tiles new  for  the  reserve,  and  one  species  restricted 
to  Gaoligongshan 

•  Found  23  bird  species  new  for  the  reserve,  and 
nearly  40  bird  species  restricted  to  Gaoligongshan. 

The  inventory  lasted  two  weeks,  but  the  poten- 
tial for  future  collaborations  is  great.  Skidmore, 
Owings  &  Merrill  LLP  is  voluntarily  developing  a 
plan  for  an  eco-lodge  and  visitors'  center.  Museum 
anthropologists  later  met  with  neighboring  commu- 
nities to  determine  the  impact  future  development 
might  have  on  local  cultures  while  exploring  how 
they  can  be  involved  in  conservation.  Several  zoolo- 
gists and  botanists  have  discussed  project  ideas  with 
their  colleagues  in  Beijing  and  Kunming, Yunnan's 
capital.  The  Chinese  Academy  of  Sciences,  which 
funds  and  manages  the  country's  natural  science 
institutions  and  related  enterprises,  is  particularly 
interested  in  partnering  on  cross-disciplinary  studies. 

The  team  presented  its  initial  findings  to  reserve 
and  government  officials  at  the  end  of  the  trip.  In 
his  closing  remarks,  the  park  director  said  this  was 
the  most  significant  day  in  the  park's  18-year  his- 
tory. The  final  report,  which  can  help  guide  future 
management  of  this  distinguished  biological 
resource,  will  be  delivered  to  reserve  and  govern- 
ment officials  in  December.  ITF 


18        IN  THE  FIELD 


INTHEFIELDFEATURE 


An  Extraordinary  Peek  at  the  Forbidden  City 


Tiffany  Plate,  Writer,  Exhibits 

Treasures  of  the  Forbidden  City,  once  hidden  from 
everyone  except  the  highest-ranking  officials  in 
Beijing,  are  soon  to  become  part  of  a  major  exhibi- 
tion at  The  Field  Museum.  Since  its  conversion 
into  a  public  space  following  the  fall  of  the  empire 
in  1912,  the  Forbidden  City — now  home  to  the 
Palace  Museum — has  accumulated  nearly  1  million 
artifacts  from  centuries  of  Chinese  history  Some 
500  of  these  objects  will  be  on  display  in  Splendors 
of  China's  Forbidden  City:  The  Glorious  Reign  of 
Emperor  Qianlong,  opening  in  March  2004. 

Chuimei  Ho,  adjunct  curator  of  anthropology 
at  The  Field  Museum,  had  been  exploring  the  idea 
of  bringing  the  wonders  of  China's  Qing  (Ch'ing) 
dynasty  to  the  United  States  for  almost  10  years. 
During  a  research  trip  for  Pearls  in  2000,  Ho,  Pearls 
co-curator  Ben  Branson  and  Director  of  Exhibitions 
Sophia  Siskel  approached  the  Palace  Museum  about 
exhibiting  some  of  its  artifacts  in  the  United  States. 
Palace  curators  were  extremely  receptive,  and  The 
Field  Museum  quickly  began  working  with  them 
and  the  Chinese  Consulate  of  Chicago,  fostering 
strong  relationships  along  the  way. 

"What  is  important  about  an  exhibition  like  this 
is  that  it  proves  our  differences  aren't  insurmount- 
able. The  artifacts  and  collaboration  lend  themselves 
to  better  cultural  understanding,"  said  Siskel.  Though 
the  Palace  Museum  has  previously  lent  artifacts  to 
smaller  shows  and  museums  around  the  United 
States,  the  magnitude  of  this  exhibition  is  far  greater, 
requiring  more  organization  and  negotiation. 

Once  the  contract  was  signed  early  this  year, 
Ho,  Bronson  and  Exhibition  Developer  Matt 
Matcuk  began  developing  a  focus  within  the  Qing 
dynasty.  Emperor  Qianlong  (1736-1796),  who 
reigned  during  the  pinnacle  of  wealth  and  power 
in  the  Chinese  court,  embodied  some  extremely 
important  themes.  "He  is  depicted  in  vernacular 
literature  as  an  adventurous,  romantic  and  highly 
patriotic  figure.  Yet  he  was  often  under  the  shadow 
of  his  over-achiever  grandfather  and  father  in  terms 
of  political  and  cultural  history,"  said  Ho. 

Indeed,  his  complex  personality  and  challenging 
domestic  political  environment  lend  themselves  to 
great  storytelling.  First,  he  was  of  the  Manchu 
minority,  ruling  over  a  majority  of  Han  Chinese. 
The  Manchu  and  Mongolian  ethnicity  of 
Qianlong's  many  wives  serve  as  an  interesting 
example  of  the  court's  effort  to  safeguard  the  purity 
of  royal  blood.  His  unusually  close  relationship 
with  his  mother  illustrates  his  multiple  roles  as  the 
Son  of  Heaven  and  a  devoted  son.  Finally,  he  was 
a  scholar  of  China's  classical  arts,  yet  maintained  a 
keen  interest  in  experimenting  with  new  art  forms. 


To  give  visitors  a  fuller  sense  of  Chinese  court 
life,  Field  Museum  and  Palace  Museum  developers 
are  re-creating  actual  environments  found  within 
the  Forbidden  City.  An  imperial  throne  room 
will  express  the  emperor's  supreme  power.  A  family 
banquet  hall  will  demonstrate  the  size,  makeup 
and  strict  organization  of  the  emperor's  family. 
Qianlong's  Tibetan  Buddhist  shrine  will  reveal  his 
private  interest  in  the  religion  and  his  public  sup- 
port of  all  faiths. 

Additional  noteworthy  artifacts  are  six  paintings 
by  Jesuit  court  artist  Giuseppe  Castiglione,  whom 
Qianlong  handpicked  to  remain  at  court  because  he 
favored  the  realistic  style  of  Western  art.  Castiglione 
painted  scenes  of  court  life  and  chose  Qianlong  and 
first  empress  Xiao  Xian  as  subjects  for  one  of  the 
exhibition's  more  outstanding  works.  Other  signifi- 
cant pieces  include  a  carved  gold  lacquer  throne 
and  a  five-foot-high  gold  pagoda  given  by  Qianlong 
to  his  mother.  The  vast  majority  of  the  exhibition's 
500  artifacts  have  never  been  seen  in  North 
America,  and  one-third  have  never  even  been  out- 
side the  Palace  walls.  ITF 

For  further  reading,  see  Life  in  the  Imperial  Court 
of  Qing  Dynasty  China,  edited  by  Chuimei  Ho  and 
Cheri  fones. 

We  are  grateful  to  the  Elizabeth  F  Cheney  Foundation 
for  its  early  support  of  this  exhibition. 


This  detail  of  a  hang- 
ing scroll,  painted 
by  Jesuit  court  artist 
Giuseppe  Castiglione, 
depicts  a  young 
Emperor  Qianlong 
in  court  dress. 


FALL  2002    September-November 


19 


FROM  1  Hi  ARCHIVES 


Berthold  Laufer:  The  Unmatched  Sinologist 


Rosanne  Muttin,  Writer 

Regarding  the  research  of  Asian  cultures  in  the  early  20th  century,  Berthold  Laufer 
stood  alone  among  American  anthropologists.  The  legacy  he  left  The  Field  Museum 
holds  nearly  24,000  artifacts,  450  publications  and  a  shift  from  studying  and  present- 
ing collections  according  to  museum  values  to  upholding  the  values  of  the  people  who 
made  them.  During  his  lifetime,  no  other  American  sinologist  (China  specialist)  could 
match  Laufer's  contributions  to  museums  and  anthropology. 


Dr.  Berthold  Laufer  (front  row, 
right)  in  Hankow,  ca.  1904 


Laufer  was  born  and  educated  in  Germany  and 
spoke  at  least  1 0  languages  fluently,  most  of 
which  were  Asian.  He  conducted  four  expeditions 
throughout  his  career,  two  for  New  York's 
American  Museum  of  Natural  History  (1898-1899 
and  1901-1904)  and  two  forThe  Field  Museum 
(1908-1910  and  1923). While  his  first  Field 
Museum  expedition  was  supposed  to  focus  on 
Tibet,  several  failed  attempts  at  entering  the  region 
reinforced  his  already  strong  interest  in  China. 

Traveling  through  such  cities  as  Shanghai,  Xian 
and  Beijing,  to  name  a  few,  Laufer  accumulated 
ethnographic  and  archaeological  artifacts  of 
astonishing  variety — religious,  artistic  and  mun- 
dane— spanning  centuries  and  cultures  of  Chinese 
history.  He  also  collected  thousands  of  Chinese, 


Japanese,  Korean,  Tibetan  and  Mongolian  books 
and  rubbings.  He  published  an  average  of  10  to  20 
books  and  articles  a  year  on  such  diverse  topics  as 
keeping  crickets,  ancient  pottery,  Christian  art  in 
China,  the  prehistory  of  aviation  and  the  origin  of 
Chinese  writing.  And  while  he  was  chief  curator  of 
the  anthropology  department  (1915—1934),  Laufer 
oversaw  the  installation  of  more  than  20  exhibition 
halls  and  was  solely  responsible  for  two  of  them. 
This  was  an  extraordinary  feat  for  one  individual, 
as  he  changed  the  way  in  which  artifacts  and  infor- 
mation were  presented  from  a  traditional  Western 
view  of  Asian  culture  to  one  that  gave  voice  to  the 
heritage  on  display. 

Despite  this  immense  productivity,  however, 
Laufer  was  a  loner  who  struggled  with  his  personal 
identity  and  a  disdain  for  Western  culture.  Most 
of  his  expedition  notes  are  devoid  of  interpersonal 
contact.  It  seems  he  had  few  friends,  collaborators 
or  successors,  except  for  a  long-term  friendship 
with  Franz  Boaz,  who  is  considered  the  father  of 
American  anthropology.  In  later  years  he  enjoyed 
a  certain  amount  of  fame  in  museum  circles  here 
and  abroad,  befriended  several  prominent  Chicago 
families  and  pursued  his  private  interests  in  apprais- 
ing and  collecting.  Except  for  what  we  find  in 
his  letters  to  Boaz,  however,  little  remains  known 
about  his  personal  life.  The  elegant  manners  and 
customs  of  Asia  that  he  deeply  admired  never 
left  his  spirit.  He  once  said  of  China,  "I  have  come 
to  love  the  land  and  people.  ...  I  feel  myself  to 
be  better  and  healthier  as  a  Chinese  than  as 
a  European." 

Perhaps  Laufer's  passionate  commitment  to 
cultural  relativity — the  idea  that  other  cultures' 
values  matter  as  much  as  our  own — is  what  drove 
his  isolation.  By  the  time  he  committed  suicide 
in  1934,  supposedly  because  he  had  cancer,  he 
had  searched  in  vain  to  find  a  place  and  time  that 
would  suit  his  nature.  Maybe  China  shone  a  light 
on  that  reality  for  him,  sparking  his  spirit  into 
self-discovery.  If  not  for  his  unflagging  search, 
millions  of  anthropologists,  visitors,  linguists,  histori- 
ans and  others  would  not  have  benefited.  Indeed, 
his  contributions  are  the  foundation  of  much  of 
the  anthropology  department's  collections  and 
research  today. 


MEMBERSHIP/ANNUALFUNDNEWS 


Children's  Holiday  Celebration 


It's  a  festive  day — sparkling  lights  drape  the  walls, 
a  variety  of  entertainers  keep  guests  in  awe  and 
hundreds  of  children  merrily  enjoy  the  celebration! 

On  Wednesday,  Dec.  4,  from  4  to  6:30pm,  member 
families  are  invited  to  the  Women's  Board's  annual 
Children's  Holiday  Celebration. Celebrate  cultural 
diversity  and  enjoy  festive  food,  entertainment  and 
educational  craft-making  activities. 

Look  for  jugglers,  stilt  walkers,  Mr.  Imagination, 
a  merry  elf  and  Santa  Claus.  Wonderful  performances 
by  the  Stu  Hirsh  Orchestra,  Jessie  White  Tumblers, 
Ballet  Chicago  Studio  Company  and  the  Chicago 
Children's  Choir  await  all. 

Reservations  are  limited  and  tickets  will  not  be  sold  at  the  door.  For  tickets  call  312.665.7135. 


Spend  a  Weekend  in  the  City 


With  convenient  locations,  numerous  tempting  amenities  and  a  range  of  options  for 
every  budget,  several  downtown  Chicago  hotels  are  offering  discount  packages  for 
Field  Museum  members  that  include  tickets  to  Pearls  and  Chocolate.  Below  is  just 
one  amenity  of  many  offered  at  each  hotel.  Check  www.fieldmuseum.org/pearls/plan 
hotel.html  for  the  complete  information. 


Chicago's  Essex  Inn 

800.621.6909 

Complimentary  24-hour  valet 
parking 

Fairmont  Hotel 

800.441.1414 

Special  treat  created  by  the 

executive  pastry  chef 

Four  Seasons  Hotel  Chicago 

312.280.8400 

Perle  de  Caviar  Facial  or  Crushed 

Pearls  and  Lavender  Body  Polish 

Hilton  Garden  Inn  Chicago 
Downtown  North 

312.595.0000 

Buffet  breakfast  for  two 


Holiday  Inn  Chicago 
City  Centre 

312.787.6100 

Admission  to  the  Lake  Shore 

Athletic  Club 

Hotel  Burnham  Chicago 

312.782.1111 

European  handcrafted  dark  choco- 
late box  filled  with  white  chocolate 
pearls 

Lenox  Suites  Hotel 

312.337.1000 

Continental  breakfast  for  two 

Millennium 
Knickerbocker  Hotel 

800.621.8140 

20  percent  off  at  Elizabeth  Arden 

Red  Door  Salon  &  Spa 


Park  Hyatt  Chicago 

312.335.1234 

Continental  breakfast  for  two 

Swissotel  Chicago 

312.565.0565 

Breakfast  for  two  at  Geneva  or 

through  room  service 

Tremont  Hotel  Chicago 

312.751.1900 

Chocolate  martini  or  luscious 
dessert  for  two  at  Mike  Ditka's 
Restaurant 

Whitehall  Hotel 

312.944.6300 
Chocolate  truffles 


FALL  2002    Sept  ember- November 


21 


Field  Museum  Tours  at  a  Glance 


For  prices  and  other  information,  call  Field  Museum  Tours  at  800.811.7244  or  email  fmtours@sover.net. 
Itineraries  are  subject  to  change. 


Egypt  Revisited 
Oct.  12-26,  2002 

Leader:  Egyptologist  Stephen  Harvey, 
field  director  of  excavations  at  Abydos 

Egypt  has  so  much  to  see  that 
it's  worth  a  second  in-depth  visit. 
Sites  include  Abusir,  Dashur, 
Maidum,  Faiyum.Tanus,  Abydos, 
Dendara,  dawn  at  Abu  Simbel, 
Amada,  and  lesser  known  sites  in 
Cairo,  Luxor  and  Aswan.  Enjoy 
a  cruise  on  Lake  Nasser. 

The  Amazon  by  Riverboat 

Jan.  18-26,  2003 

Leader:  Dr.  Barry  Chernoff, 
TFM  curator  of  fishes 

Explore  the  Amazon,  Ucayali  and 
Tapiche  Rivers  in  Peru  for  eight  days 
aboard  a  1 4-cabin  riverboat.  Search 
for  river  dolphins;  howler,  squirrel 
and  capuchin  monkeys:  sloths;  capy- 
baras;  and  unusual  birds  such  as  the 
jabiru  and  hoatzin.  Optional  exten- 
sion to  Machu  Picchu  and  other 
magnificent  archaeological  sites 
around  Cuzco. 

Egyptian  Odyssey 

Jan.  25-Feh.  8,  2003 

Leader:  Tltomas  Mudlqff,  TFM  lecturer 
and  instructor  of  Egyptology 

Explore  the  world  of  the  ancient 
pharaohs  by  land  and  riverboat.  You'll 
visit  the  famed  Pyramids  of  Giza, 
Egyptian  Museum.  Valleys  of  the 
Kings  and  Queens,  Karnak,  the  tem- 
ples of  Khnum,  Horus  and  Isis,  and 
Abu  Simbel's  three 
colossi  of  Ramses  II. 
Enjoy  five-star 
accommodations 
throughout. 


Tanzania  Migration  Safari 

February  1-14,2003 

Leaders:  Bill  Stanley  and  Mary  Anne 
Rogers,  TFM  zoologists 

Travel  at  the  best  time  of  year  to 
see  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
wildebeest  and  tens  of  thousands 
of  zebras  and  antelope.  Catch  sight 
of  lions,  cheetahs,  hyenas  and  other 
predators.  Enjoy  four  days  in  the 
Serengeti.  then  three  days  at 
Ngorongoro  Crater. 


The  Seychelles  and 
Madagascar 

Feb.  16-March  5,  2003 

Sail  with  us  to  sun-drenched 
isles  where  palm  trees  on  endless 
white  beaches  fringe  sparkling 
coral  lagoons  rich  with  sea  life. 
The  Seychelles  islands  sparkle  like 
gems  in  the  vast  Indian  Ocean. 
Madagascar,  the  world's  "eighth 
continent,"  harbors  wondrous 
plants  and  animals  that  have 
evolved  in  splendid  isolation. 


I  would  recommend  to  anyone  wanting  to  visit  Africa 
to  go  at  this  time,  to  these  places,  with  these  people." 


The  Origins  of  Chocolate: 
A  Culinary  and  Archaeological 
Odyssey  in  Mexico 

Feb.  5-16,  2003 

Leader:  Dr.  Jonathan  Haas,  TFM 
MacArthur  airator  of  the  Americas  and 
lead  airator  of  Chocolate,  the  exhibition 

Trace  the  origins  of  chocolate 
among  Mexico's  pre-Columbian 
civilizations,  including  the  ancient 
Olmecs,  who  "invented"  chocolate, 
and  the  Teotihuacan,  Maya  and 
Zapotec.  Savor  culinary  delights  in 
the  company  of  an  expert.  Visit  sev- 
eral museums  and  sites,  including: 
Xalapa's  Museum  of  Anthropology; 
The  Regional  Museum  of  Oaxaca; 
Mexico  City's  world-class  Museum 
of  Anthropology;  Puebla,  a 
UNESCO  World  Heritage  Site; 
and  Palenque. 


Rediscovering  the  New  World 

March  13-April  2,  2003 

Leader:  Dr.  Jonathan  Haas,  TFM 
\  Ln  Arthur  airator  of  the  Americas 

Travel  by  private,  first-class,  88- 
passengerjet  to  ancient  New  World 
sites.  From  the  Inca  ruins  at  Machu 
Picchu,  Peru,  to  the  Maya  ruins  of 
Tikal,  Guatemala,  examine  the  power 
and  mystique  of  the  incredible  lost 
civilizations  that  inhabited  North, 
Central  and  South  America  for  mil- 
lennia. Also  visit  Mesa  Verde  National 
Park.  Colo.;  Chaco  Canyon,  N.M.; 
Palenque.  Mexico;  the  Amazon 
rainforest;  and  the  Atacama  Desert. 
Chile.  This  is  a  remarkable  selection 
of  archaeological  and  anthropological 
treasures,  linked  by  the  beauty  and 
complexity  of  their  art,  architecture 
and  religions,  left  behind  by  our 
ancestors. 

Also  Planned  for  2003  and  2004: 

•  The  Pantanal  Region:  Argentina,  Iguassu 
Falls,  Paraguay,  Bolivia  and  Brazil 

•  Behind  the  Scenes  in  Moscow  and 
St.  Petersburg 

•  Wonders  of  Ancient  China 

•  Prehistoric  Cave  Art  of  France