FALL 2010 t THE FIELD MUSEUM MEMBER’S MAGAZINE FALL 2010 SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER VOL. 81, NO. 4 EDITOR Emily J. Waldren, The Field Museum PHOTO CONTENT SPECIALIST Nina Cummings, The Field Museum Georgia Bockos, Bockos Design, Inc. Allimages © The Field Museum unless otherwise specified. IN THE FIELD (ISSN #1051-4546) is published three times a year by 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 ON THE COVER A keris (pronounced “crease”) handle found in Bali, Indonesia (c. late 1800s to early 19005), is just one of many glittering artifacts in Gold C. CHESEK / AMNH. AMNH DIVISION )F ANTHROPOLOGY 1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605-2496 312.922.9410 fieldmuseum.org The Field Museum salutes the people of Chicago for their long-standing support of the Museum through the Chicago Park District. Programming 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 JeSp It's been a banner year at The Field Museum. We've celebrated the 10th anniversary of SUE, welcomed the arrival of Lyuba, the world’s best preserved baby mammoth, and continued our research and conservation efforts here and around the world! The excitement continues this fall as we open Gold (Oct. 22 through Mar. 6, 2011), an in-depth look at the most sought- after precious mineral on Earth. The exhibition features a number of beautiful gold artifacts that span the centuries. Be sure to save the date for our exclusive Members’ showing of Gold on Saturday, Oct. 30. Read more about this exquisite exhibition and your chance to speak with Hilary Sanders, Gold project manager, on page 4. The Museum has been hard at work creating a new exhibition series, Straight from The Field, that will highlight the work of Field Museum scientists and researchers. Learn more about this exciting new series and our inaugural exhibition The Romance of Ants on page 6. And as you gear up for the holidays, which incredibly, are just around the corner, don’t forget that The Field Museum Stores specialize in fun and unique gifts. Turn to page 12 for a special preview of gifts for everyone on your list, and to learn more about all the holiday events at the Museum from our Annual Holiday Celebration to our new exhibition Traditions Retold: Mexican Nativity Scenes. Thank you for all your support in 2010. MICHELLE CLAYTON Director of Membership This gold box was recovered from the 1715 shipwreck of the San Roman, off the coast of Florida. Discover Climate Change Before it Leaves! IF YOU’VE YET TO USE YOUR FREE Membership tickets to Climate Change, Exelon Corporation is giving you one more reason to take advantage of this member benefit. In conjunction with Climate Change, Exelon is contributing $1 to The Field for every visitor to the exhibition, which means just by visiting, you're helping give back to the Museum. Climate Change (through Nov. 28) allows visitors to uncover the natural evidence of climate change, and discover how small, individual changes add up quickly to help reduce global warming. Discover how we can make an impact in reducing climate change, and learn about some of our best hopes for alternative energy sources. Climate Change is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, in collaboration with The Field Museum, Chicago; the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture @ Heritage, United Arab Emirates; The Cleveland Museum of Natural History; Instituto Sangari, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Junta de Castilla y Leon, Spain; Korea Green Foundation, Seoul; Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen; Papalote Museo del Nino, Mexico City; and the Saint Louis Science Center Sponsored by Exelon Corporation, Motorola Foundation, HSBC—North America, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Whole Foods Market JOHN WEINSTEIN / GN91370_069D Exelon is donating $1 to The Field Museum for every visitor who sees Climate Change, so don’t miss out on this thought-provoking exhibition! She's the world’s most famous T. rex and the world can’t get enough of her. Due to popular demand, The Field Museum has extended both RoboSUE: The T. rex Experience and Waking the T. rex 3-D: The Story of SUE through Jan. 2, 2011. If you're among the few people who haven't seen these two amazing experiences, then it’s time for a visit. SUE won't wait forever, you know! Purchase your discounted Member tickets at the Membership desk. D3D Cinema and The Field Museum present Waking the T. rex 3-D: The Story of SUE, sponsored by McDonald’s Corporation RoboSUE: The T. rex Experience was created by The Field Museum, in collaboration with KumoTek Robotics, INC and Kokoro Company LTD This experience is sponsored by Kenneth and Anne Griffin Field Museum Month at Gallery October is Field Museum Month at the Joel Oppenheimer Gallery (Wrigley Building, 410 N. Michigan Ave.). Throughout the month, the gallery will donate five percent of its art sales to The Field. With purchases above $1,000, the Gallery is offering you (or someone of your choosing) a top level Field Explorer Membership which entitles you to numerous Field Museum benefits for one year. Thank you for your support! The Story of the Metal that Shaped our World By Emily Scherker, Writer BE PREPARED TO BE DAZZLED by Gold (Oct. 22 through Mar. 6, 2011), an exploration of the world’s Above, left to right: A gold most desirable metal. Ilmmortalized in ancient mythology, gold was the first metal to be worked by humans Peruvian bottle, c. 900-200 BC; a Tiffany baby rattle with Since the beginning of recorded history, the rise of powerful and dominant societies has coincided with the mother-of-pearl handle, possession of this highly prized substance. Gold continues to reign eternal as a symbol of wealth, beauty, and manufactured around 1890; and power. The exhibition explores gold’s natural beauty, scientific value, and power to shape history. a pair of Greek earrings from the Hellenistic period show Gold offers visitors the opportunity to see over 550 objects mankind’s desire for gol mankind's desire Jor gold, that span centuries past and present. The exhibition is one has ranged the centuries of the most thorough explorations of this precious element ever displayed. Gold takes you on a journey from the metal’s formation in the Earth’s mantle to its incorporation into ancient and modern-day cultural traditions of dress, art, and religion. Where else will you have the opportunity to admire the salvaged treasures of American and Spanish shipwrecks alongside boulders of gold ore, together with Oscar® and Golden Globe® statuettes? From a Peruvian bottle, circa 900-200 BC to a 1959 Cartier necklace, the golden artifacts will amaze Visitors will also discover gold’s astounding physical properties: its extreme malleability, reflectivity, and conductivity. Marvel at a 132-square-foot room covered entirely with only three ounces of exquisitely thin gold leaf—the same volume as three U.S. half-dollar coins! Learn how gold is found, mined, and shaped into objects that are both beautiful and serviceable This hollow gold Inca figurine was probably used as an offering, and was originally wrapped in cloth of Gold Gold chronicles humankind’s age-old fascination with this enduring symbol of wealth and success, and culminates in an examination of our own contemporary relationship with the mineral. Visitors will have the chance to admire iconic golden awards that are near and dear to every Chicagoan’s heart: the White Sox 2005 World Series Championship Trophy and Shani Davis’ two Olympic gold medals in speed skating. Visitors to Gold are sure to leave this monumental exhibition with new knowledge of gold’s intriguing scientific and cultural significance. To reserve your free member tickets to Gold, please call 312.665.7705 or visit fieldmuseum.org. ITF Gold is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York in cooperation with The Houston Museum of Natural Science Proud Cultural Sponsor: Northern Trust Additional support provided by: Marsh Private Client Services A Byzantine gold Histamenon Nomis coin (1028-1034 AD) has a depiction of emperor Romanus III being crowned by the Virgin Mary. On the reverse, Christ enthroned (above). ABOVE CHESEK / AMNH SOX / RON VESELY © CHICAGO WHITE Two “Golden” Invitations AS A VALUED MEMBER, you are cordially invited to an exclusive event on Saturday, Oct. 30. Come join us for a continental breakfast from 8am to gam, followed by a talk in James Simpson Theater with Hilary Sanders, project manager of Gold. Hear about the wonderful artifacts you'll discover in Gold, and learn about up-and-coming exhibitions at The Field Museum. Reservations to this special event are required and can be made by contacting 312.665.7705, Mon. through Fri. from 8:30am to 4:30pm, or by visiting fieldmuseum.org/ membership/tickets.htm. Space is limited and is reserved ona first-come, first-served basis, so RSVP today! IF YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE are celebrating your 50TH ANNIVERSARY in 2010, you won't want to miss out on The Field Museum’s special Golden Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, Dec 4. fromioam to 2pm. By showing proof of marriage (marriage certificate, wedding invitation, or dated newspaper clipping), visitors will be entered ina raffle to win romantic prizes and are invited to celebrate with a champagne toast and wedding cake. All attending couples will have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows at ipm. Visit the Gold exhibition and celebrate so years of marriage surrounded by artifacts that span thousands of years. FALL 2010 5 EOEOeoOoOorreeeee EEE The Romance of Ants By Matt Matcuk, Exhibition Development Director THE ROMANCE OF ANTS, WHICH OPENED JULY 30, presents an eye- popping view of an insect that has been called the world’s first architect, first farmer, and first domesticator of other species. The exhibition uses oversized photographs of ants, coupled with comic-book style graphics, to tell the story of Field Museum scientist Corrie Moreau, PhD. The biography focuses on her fascination with ants through her childhood, adolescence, college years, and professional career. The leafcutter ant can lift up to 20 times its own weight. That's like a 200 pound man lifting two rhinoceroses! Although Moreau had a fascination with insects as a child, and ants in particular, this passion went underground, so to speak, during adolescence. For many teenage girls it isn't considered “cool” to like bugs and science, so it wasn't until she started college that she rediscovered her love of ants. Once her passion with ants and biology was rekindled she never turned back. This journey is highlighted in The Romance of Ants, including how Moreau came to join the scientific staff of The Field Museum. But the real stars of the exhibition are the ants themselves— over 300 live harvester ants are on display in three trans- parent ant “farms.” In addition, brilliant super-sized images of ants by biologist Alex Wild give visitors an even closer look at these amazing, beautiful, and sometimes creepy creatures. Visitors will learn that ants come in more colors than red and black, that almost every ant you ever see is female, and much more. The Romance of Ants is on view in the Rice Gallery (near the Tsavo Lions) and runs through December, 2010. rtF The Romance of ANTS A leafcutter ant Corrie Moreau, PhD shows ant specimens from the Museum’s collections. Moreau’s research is featured in the new exhibition The Romance of Ants. KAREN BE An Australian ant (Podomyrma adelaidae) protects and tends a caterpillar which secretes a liquid useful to ants as a source of food. The Romance of Ants is the first exhibition in a planned series of temporary shows entitled Straight from The Field, which will present Field Museum science in a way never seen before. The exhibitions in this innovative series will allow visitors to meet the people behind the science—our research staff—and explore the process of scientific discovery. Straight from The Field exhibitions will be created quickly, allowing us to present fresh, new stories. Shown in some of the Museum's smaller, more intimate galleries, they will feature fewer objects and will encourage visitors to contribute their own knowledge and experiences relating to the exhibition content. In The Romance of Ants, for example, visitors can use their web-enabled mobile phones to post their own ant-related stories and photos, submit their questions about ants, and even download the exhibition “comic book” to share with friends. The series of exhibitions will run in each of the Museum's four small special exhibitions galleries, each of which has its own theme: @ The Rice Gallery is devoted to exhibitions on wildlife research. e@ The Marae Gallery features exhibitions on the theme of community. e@ The Webber Gallery offers exhibitions on contemporary Native American culture. e And the Brooker Gallery presents exhibitions that feature the Museum's Archives and Library collections. Check out the Museum's website for the next in this series of fresh new exhibition experiences—Straight from The Field. Taking Science to the Community By Krystal Villanosa, Communications and Digital Learning Manager THE FIELD MUSEUM IS COMING TO A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU! Café Science is a program for adult audiences and is held on weekday evenings in cafés, bookstores, and pubs in areas such as Wicker Park, Pilsen, Lakeview, and Hyde Park. Stop by and discuss hot topics such as cloning, evolution, and the destruction of Iraq's historical treasures—all moderated by local scientists. Café Science provides a comfortable and informal forum for people to openly discuss everything from global warming to genetic engineering. Scientific advances have many social implications and have an impact on our lifestyles and daily decision making. Through these cafés, the Museum is engaging local communities in the economic, political, and ethical dimensions of science. Held in venues around the city for your convenience, on topics that are both current and have high impact, Café Science gives you a voice and allows your insights into the world to be heard. Science is a dialogue and we want to hear what you have to say The next series of Cafe Science programs are as follows: Leave No Child Inside featuring Kirk Ann Taylor Learn about Chicago Wilderness’s Leave No Child Inside Initiative, a regional effort to reconnect children with nature. September 23, 7pm Whole Foods, 1550 N. Kingsbury The East African Coast and the Indian Ocean Trade featuring Dr. Chap Kusimba Join Dr. Chap Kusimba as he discusses the Indian Ocean Trade’s impact on the East African Coast. November 18, 7pm Hopleaf Bar, 5148 N. Clark Clock-wise, from above Dr. Chap Kusimba during a research trip in Tsavo; Kirk Anne Taylor (ECCo) doing restoration at a Calumet Egyptian Gold featuring Dr. James Phillips ee en Join Dr. James Phillips as he discusses On a 2001 research trip the role that gold has played in Egyptian in Israel history and culture, past and present December 2, 7pm Hopleaf Bar, 5148 N. Clark All Café Science presentations are free. 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AjiLUeY INOA puke NOA WHOjsUeI | [IM JEU} SALUNJSOO axe PUe JAS-IUILW B PjINg 7:30pm Ocean Adventure: An Evening with Jean-Michel Cousteau Underwater Adventurer and Conservationist Since the age of seven—when he was “thrown overboard,” scuba gear and all, by his father, Jacques Cousteau—Jean- Michel Cousteau has been exploring the ocean realm. Join us for a celebration of the centennial of the older Cousteau’s birth through an intimate look at the life Jean-Michel shared with his father, and the legend he has taken it on himself to carry forward. 1 De 4 Tuesday > 7:30pm America’s Great Wildlife Migrations featuring Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photographer Veteran National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has tracked the annual migrations of several North American animal species, from terrestrial creatures to the amazing journey of the monarch butterfly to the spectacular mass airborne movements of sandhill cranes. Step behind the camera with this distinguished wildlife photographer as he shares amazing stories and images of animals on the move. 3.8 Tuesday > 7:30pm A Kenyan Woman's Dream featuring Kakenya Ntaiya, Educator and Community Activist Born into a traditional Maasai family in Kenya, National Geographic Emerging Explorer Kakenya Ntalya rebelled against tradition to define her destiny by pursuing an education, eventually attending a university in the U.S. Learn how she is providing educational opportunities for young girls through a school she has established in her home village—the region's first and only primary school for girls a, 5 Tuesday > 7:30pm Extreme Cave Diving: Exploring the Bahamas’ Blue Holes featuring Kenny Broad, Ecological Environmentalist National Geographic Emerging Explorer Kenny Broad, a diver and advocate for freshwater conservation, led a scientific expedition to the dangerous but fascinating flooded caves, or “blue holes” of the Bahamas. Delve into the discoveries s diverse Broad is making that have implications for fiel as microbiology, archaeology, and even astrophy Tickets go on sale September 7. Prices for series tickets range from $70-$360. Prices for single tickets range from $15-$30 Visit www.nglive.org to purchase tickets or for further program and pricing details In The News: Gulf Oil Spill By Janet R. Voight, Department of Zoology, Invertebrates SINCE THE OIL RIG EXPLOSION IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ON APRIL 20, NEWS OF THE DISASTER HAS DOMINATED THE HEADLINES. WE’VE SEEN DISTURBING IMAGES OF OIL-SOAKED BIRDS AND DEAD FISHES. HOWEVER, THE SPILL HAS ALSO IMPACTED SMALLER, LESSER KNOWN ANIMALS. MUSEUM ZOOLOGIST JANET VOIGHT EXPLAINS HOW SOME OF THE OLDEST LIVING CREATURES IN THE SEA—TUBE WORMS — MAY NOT SURVIVE. Humans aren't the first animals to exploit the oil and gas reserves of the Gulf of Mexico. Ranging deep in the Gulf—in fact, deeper than any of the nearly 4,000 oil wells there—are animals that can’t live without oil. Tube worms are among the sea creatures that thrive in “cold seep” communities and do not eat, but rely on bacteria living in their gut to fix energy by binding oxygen to substances that humans, and most animal life, would find toxic. Tube worms, first discovered in the Gulf in 1984, grow moderately fast for about a decade, extending their “roots” into the sea bed to tap needed chemicals. They also extend their plumes up into the water to get oxygen. Once well-situated, tube worms continue growing DIANE ALEXANDER WHITE / GN91215D_DSCFO004 slowly for a couple of centuries. During this time, other animals move in and colonize the tube worm communities. These animals, including snails, shrimps and microscopic crustaceans, can live in “bushes” of hundreds to thousands of individual tube worms. With time, and perhaps as the tube worms’ roots effectively block release of toxic chemicals from the sediment, other deep sea animals also colonize the bushes. Centuries old—the deep-sea equivalents of redwood trees—Gulf of Mexico tube worms are uniquely adapted to this oil-rich and stable habitat, but they are now at risk of suffocation due to deep oil plumes that reduce available oxygen. During trips to the Gulf of Mexico in 2003 and 2006, | collected tube worms for the Museum. It would be tragic Y OF ERIK CORDES AND THE MMS/NOAA LOPHELIA I! STUDY if these specimens came to represent an extinct species. IURTE Extermination of tube worms would likely have a domino effect. Loss of tube worms would eliminate potential homes for other invertebrate species that live only in the tube worm bushes. It would also mean that tube worm roots would no longer block the natural seeps of oil and gas into the Gulf. The world would not stop turning on its axis, but it would not be the same. rrr in their own words Women in Science Compiled by Emily Waldren, Editor MEMBERS OFTEN TELL US THAT THEY WANT TO KNOW MORE about the individuals who work at The Field Museum, and how they got their start. It's no wonder—our staff is made up of many talented people with interesting stories to share. In this issue, we spoke to some women scientists to learn more about their backgrounds and careers. ERICA ZAHNLE Educator Researcher, Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution “Look, a lady scientist! Have you ever seen a lady scientist?” This is how | was identified by an excited grandmother to her grandson. It made me realize how much | take for granted the trail that has been blazed for me as a woman in science. 2010 marks my third year in the DNA Discovery Center. My job is unique because in addition to performing molecular research, | communicate with the public about projects in the Pritzker Laboratory. One of the greatest joys of my job is to inspire and educate students about career paths in science. | am very fortunate to be surrounded by supportive and inspirational scientists who encourage my career goal of being an accomplished molecular researcher. In addition to working full time in the lab, on nights and weekends | am pursuing a Master's Degree in biology. CHRISTINE NIEZGODA Collections Manager, Botany Department My introduction to the Botany Department was in 1973, collecting samples from herbarium specimens for my thesis. Little did | know as | opened old cabinets, infused with mothballs, that one day | would work here! Upon finishing my Master's Degree my temporary position turned full-time, and | began my career here. Through the years, my job and the Museum’s herbarium, have evolved. Today the mothballs are gone and we have a newly renovated, climate-controlled storage space, and | am the Collections Manager responsible for 2.5 million flowering plants. What fascinates me ws every day is the excitement of discovery—a specimen from the 1700's collected by Captain Cook, a plant examined by Linneaus, and many more treasures. It is a privilege to be entrusted with conserving these collections for future generations. 0610 AKIKO SHINYA Chief Preparator, Fossil Vertebrates | prepare, conserve, mold, and cast vertebrate fossils for exhibition, education, research, and collection exchange, and participate in domestic and international fieldworks. As Chief Preparator, | manage three JOHN WEINSTEIN / GN91262 lab facilities, oversee multiple staff projects, and supervise and train interns, volunteers, and students. | began my career as a volunteer at the Royal Ontario Museum while | was a student at the University of Toronto. There | learned fossil preparation, molding, and casting techniques. Although | wish | had more muscles when opening a quarry or moving heavy specimens and equipment, I’m mostly unaware of my gender in this institution. Currently, I’m preparing a partial skull piece of an Ichthyosaur. This particular specimen, found in Nevada, was a huge predatory marine reptile that ruled the ocean million years ago. JENNIFER L. HIRSCH, PH.D. Urban Anthropology Director, Division of Environment, Culture, and Conservation (ECCo) | have worked at the Museum as an applied anthropologist since 2007, collaborating with commu- nity and government partners across the Chicago area on projects that strengthen the relationship between people and nature. Currently, my team is focused on getting communities involved in efforts to address climate change. Women bear a disproportionate burden in adapting to extreme climate events, since they are often responsible for their families. But this also means that women are key to developing innovative solutions. We work with community leaders throughout the region—the majority of whom are women—to help them develop climate change projects based in their personal experiences and local cultures, around issues such as gardening and access to healthy food. Our goal is to create models for climate action in urban areas that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve residents’ quality of life. PORTRAIT: HANNA PORST / THE FIELD MUSEUM SARAH SOMMERS EDNA DAVION PhD candidate, Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago and 2010-2011 Women’s Board Women in Science Fellow HARALD SCHUETZ | was born and raised in South Africa, where | developed a passion for primates. After graduating with an MSc, | joined the Museum, as a volunteer in 2000. To my delight | was quickly hired as staff. With encouragement and support from fellow museum scientists | followed my dream and am now pursuing a PhD through University of Chicago’s Committee on Evolutionary Biology. | conduct my PhD research in the Pritzker Lab. Here | use DNA from primates and their relatives to understand whether ancestral primates were active at night or during the day. | am honored to be the 2010-2011 Women’s Board Women in Science Fellow. | am very grateful to the Women’s Board for the support they provide to Field Museum scientists and particularly to Women in Science. OHN WEINSTEIN / GN906 FALL 2010 11 Museum Stores Make Holiday Shopping Easy By Emily Waldren, Editor IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON is just around the corner. In order to help you prepare, ITF spoke with Jeri Webb, director of museum stores, to get some of her favorite recommendations for everyone on your shopping list this year. Stop by the Museum stores or visit fieldmuseum.org/store to check out these and other terrific gifts! FOR HIM bt) Red Slate and Sterling Cufflinks FOR HER Red Tooled Leather Tote The art of leather tooling has flourished These handsome red slate cufflinks from throughout the Southwestern United our men’s collection are interesting and States, Central and South America for the elegant in their simplicity. Featuring red last 100 years. Our handy red leather tote is slate, one of Earth’s treasures, these made with hand-stamped and carved cufflinks offer a new perspective on this leather from Paraguay and features traditional building material. > $115 pockets galore. > $142 Tibetan Singing Bowl Black Bastet Cat Singing bowls have been made in various The Bastet cat was worshipped through- parts of Asia since the 12th century. They out ancient Egypt, and was known as the can be played either by rubbing a mallet goddess of joy and protector of women. around the rim of the bowl to produce a . Our sleek black Bastet is hand cast for you complex chord or by gently striking the zg in Egypt and stands seven inches high. bowl to produce a warm gong. Our s $38 hand-hammered singing bowls come with a wooden mallet. > $48 ALL MUSEUM STORE Children’s Holiday Celebration: December 9 Be sure to save the date for The Women’s Board annual Children’s Holiday Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 9 from 4pm to 6:30pm at The Field Museum. Children and adults are invited to explore and celebrate the many cultures of Chicago and the world at this festive event. A new addition to the fun is a scavenger hunt in The Ancient Americas. Crafts and entertain- ment from around the world and a visit with Santa Claus will create a memorable afternoon. Tickets are $17 for adults or $15 for adult Members and $10 for children ages 13 and under. Reservations are limited and tickets will not be sold at the door. For tickets or further information please call 312.665.7145. rrr FOR KIDS “| Never Forget a Face” Matching Game Discover that you truly never forget a face with our beautifully illustrated matching game. This fun game includes 24 matching pairs of images of children from around the world printed on quality heavy cardstock. Recommended for ages 5 and up. > $19.50 One Dinosaur Is Equal To a T-shirt Did you know that one Argentinosaurus weighed about 100 tons, give or take one Spinosaurus? Your kids will when they wear our high quality, cotton long sleeved dinosaur t-shirt, which is beautifully illustrated with no less than 14 different dinosaur species. > $22.95 GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK Haitian Tree Wall Hanging In the wake of the devastating earthquake that shook Haiti in January, 2010, the world reached out to find ways to support the victims of the disaster. One of the companies that we work with here in The Field Museum Stores is helping to restore the lives of its artists by donating back to the communities hardest hit. The artists whom we are supporting create wall art made from 55 gallon steel drums. The drums are cut and sculpted using only ahammer and a nail, and each piece is an original work of art. One of our favorites is this fluttering tree wall sculpture (approximately 20 inches in diameter) made by Cheribain Jean. > $88 Field Museum Memberships The perfect gift for the explorer on your list! No matter what the level, Field Museum memberships always comes with benefits like free general admission and special exhibition tickets, and an invitation to our special Members’ Nights in the spring. Membership pro- ceeds fund important work such as scientific research, public programs, and the creation of new exhibitions. > $60-$125 Traditions Retold: Mexican Nativity Scenes By Jackie Kenyon, Writer This holiday season, as you're enjoying your own family’s traditions, come to The Field Museum to discover a traditional Mexican way of celebrating Christmas. In Traditions Retold: Mexican Nativity Scenes, discover expressive nacimiento figurines that portray the key story of the Christian faith, the birth of Jesus, with visits of angels, animals, shepherds, and kings. Nacimientos are nativity scenes created by Mexican folk artists. Made with materials and symbols that reflect their own cultures and times, the artists celebrate the birth of Jesus in a way that reflects both pre-Hispanic and Catholic traditions. Brimming with wit and color, nacimiento sets are often installed as “dioramas” in homes and churches, and reverentially embellished with lights and other decorations. A highlight of the exhibition is a scene from Yucatan, Mexico (right). Each character has been fashioned from clay using figurine molds—a ceramic technique that dates back to the Aztecs. One of the angels plays a jarana, a traditional Mexican instrument adapted from Spanish guitars, and the pair of angels behind Mary and Joseph is dressed in clothing native to the region. Other nacimientos on display have been made from corn husks, fired clay, and palm fronds. Find out why the devil shows up in one nativity scene from Michoacan. And what's the Holy Family doing inside a squash? Finally, discover how Mexican-Americans in Chicago today create nacimientos that reflect their own experiences. ITF This exhibition was organized by The Field Museum, and is made possible with a generous gift from William Goldman This exhibition is presented in English and Spanish FALL 2010 13 Exploring Evolving Planet By Jackie Kenyon, Writer AS MUSEUM MEMBERS, ODDS ARE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE VISITED EVOLVING PLANET, BUT THIS AMAZING EXHIBITION DESERVES A SECOND — AND EVEN THIRD—LOOK. COVERING 27,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE, AND BILLIONS OF YEARS, THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE! Next time you visit, be sure to spend some time exploring some of these exhibition highlights Cambrian Sea Video This large-scale video sheds light on what an ancient ocean may have looked like, and will make you feel as though you are swimming among prehistoric sea creatures. Below the video, you'll discover a case filled with nearly 40 trilobite fossils. Trilobites lived 500 million to 250 million years ago; some are fossilized so well that scientists can study the lens on their eyes! The Tully Monster Did you know the Tully Monster is the Illinois state fossil? Thus far, these ancient invertebrates, who lived 300 million years ago, have only been found in Illinois. Though these animals are not monstrous—roughly ranging in size from six inches to one foot—Evolving Planet showcases one of the largest of these ancient creatures, found in Mazon Creek, located near Chicago Genius Hall of Dinosaurs Children and adults alike get a special thrill walking through our dinosaur hall. Take a look at the hungry Daspletosaurus torosus as it hovers over its fossilized dinner of duckbilled dinosaurs. Marvel at the massive Apatosaurus, whose massive body seems to fill the entire hall. This giant dinosaur is literally the largest animal on display in the Museum. Be sure not to miss the 18-foot Rapetosaurus krausei. A member of the sauropod dinosaurs (like Brachiosaurus) the Rapetosaurus is the only one on display in the world Short-Faced Bear ate You'll have to crane your neck to look up at the short-faced bear. While on Had || \ all fours, these bears were about five feet tall at the shoulder, but standing upright, they stood about 12 feet tall. Take a look at the bear’s massive paws and imagine running into him on your morning hike! Fortunately, Discover something new every time you the short-faced bear went extinct about 12,000 years ago and your family visit Evolving Planet Be sure to be on the look-out for all these and more the next time you visit Evolving Planet! tte Evolving Planet is made possible by Kenneth and Anne Griffin The E abeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust is the generous sponsor always be discovering: me Field useum Always be Discovering This year is the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the Brachiosaurus (see back cover for details). In honor of that, ITF has found some interesting facts about this amazing dinosaur. Amaze your friends and family with your new Brachiosaurus knowledge! @ Brachiosaurus was found in western Colorado on July 4th, 1900 by H. William Menke and a team of paleontologists. @ Brachiosaurus is one of the largest known land animals. These dinosaurs CHARLES CARPTENER / CSGEO8248 measured about 70 feet long, and were about 41 feet high. They weighed about 63,000 pounds, which is roughly the weight of 15 mid-sized cars. ® Brachiosaurus’s name means “arm-lizard” in Greek. It was named accordingly Field Museum because its front-legs are significantly (and unusually) longer than its back legs. Memberships Brachiosaurus actually shares this characteristic with the modern giraffe! Time to renew your membership? ® Many dinosaurs were fierce hunters, but Brachiosaurus was an herbivore. Call 312.665.7700 - Mon.—Fri., 8:30am—4:30pm Fossil evidence indicates that these plant-eating dinosaurs dwelled in Visit fieldmuseum.org/membership subtropical climates, where they dined on the vegetation provided Field memberships also make great gifts! by the lush environment. @ Brachiosaurus is a very old dinosaur, even older than SUE! While SUE lived about 67 million years ago, Brachiosaurus roamed Getting to The Field Museum the Earth nearly 80 million years earlier. Many buses and rail lines provide access to The Field @ Brachiosaurus is one of the rarest North American Muse Bro.) or rove wm onindzion yall ae NERC ual : visit www.transitchicago.com. Visit www.rtachicago.com sauropods and no complete fossil has ever been for regional transit information. found. The Field’s fossil (at 20 percent complete) holds the record for being the most complete Brachiosaurus ever discovered. They are even rarer than T. rex! What do you think about In The Field? For questions about the magazine, call 312.665.7107, email ewaldren@fieldmuseum.org or write Emily Waldren, Editor, For general membership inquiries, including address changes, call 866.312.2781. m vata pus @ighbors ADLER PLANETARIUM SHEDD AQUARIUM Climb, crawl and fly through Planet Explorers, a modern- This fall Shedd Aquarium celebrates its 80th anniversary day space adventure. The new permanent exhibition lets and, on Dec. 14, the first birthday of beluga calf Nunavik. explorers enter a world where they can learn what it takes Visit the calf at discounted admission during Shedd’s to be part of a mission to outer space. Also, don't miss community discount days on Mondays and Tuesdays, Journey to the Stars, a new show narrated by Whoopi Sept. through Nov. General admission to the galleries is free, Goldberg that takes visitors on a stunning voyage through and discounted admission is available for the Oceanarium, space and time to experience the life and death of stars. Wild Reef and Polar Play Zone. Check out more at www.sheddaquarium.org. Visit www.adlerplanetarium.org for details. NON-PROFIT : ORGANIZATION The le US POSTAGE = PAID useuin CHICAGO, IL 1400 South Lake Shore Drive PERMIT NO. 2309 Chicago, IL 60605-2496 Brachiosaurus Celebrates 100 Years By Emily Scherker, Writer SUE GETS ALL THE ATTENTION, but currently, there are two anniversaries to celebrate at The Field Museum. This year is the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Brachiosaurus. This dinosaur's discovery is especially important to The Field, as the Museum is home to the very JOHN WEINSTEIN / GN91324_011D first Brachiosaurus specimen ever unearthed. Brachiosaurus was discovered in 1900 by H. William Menke (pictured left with Brachiosaurus fossil), on a Field Museum expedition led by Elmer Riggs. The cast of this gigantic dinosaur Two casts of Brachiosaurus are on display, one at O’Hare was put on display in 1994, but was moved International Airport, and the other on The Field Museum’s to O'Hare International Airport in 1999 to make northwest terrace, overlooking the Chicago skyline. AAS WER AUWEIL Lieertaapene eine: the Brachiosaurus inside, on page 15. ELMER RIGGS / CSGEO3934 Take Home Gold’s Glow EXPERIENCE THE WARM GLOW of the Gold exhibition, then visit the Exhibition Store to discover gorgeous estate jewelry, gleaming cultural gifts from around the world, and of course, a little something for the children in your life. Remember to join us for the annual Members’ holiday shopping days from Mon., Nov. 29 through Sun., Dec. 5, when members receive a double-discount (20 percent) on all purchases. As always, you can shop 24 hours a day at fieldmuseum.org Remember that all proceeds from the Stores directly support the Museum’s public and scientific programs, and that all Field Museum members receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases in the Museum Stores