n ~ Hones Say, APTN) 4 FALL 2012 SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER VOL. 83, NO. 3 EDITOR Emily J. Waldren, The Field Museum ASSOCIATE EDITOR Franck Mercurio, mercunio-exhibits. com PHOTO CONTENT SPECIALIST Nina Cummings, The Field Museum DESIGN Georgia Bockos, Bockos Design, Inc. Allimages © The Field Museum tunfess otherwise specified. IN THE FIELD USSN #1051-4646) 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 atithors 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, {60605-2496 ON THE COVER PROCESSION OF RAM SINGH! OF ROTA; €.1850-O VICTORIA: AR: ALBERT MUSEU, LONDON 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 the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. AS I PREPARE TO LEAVE, I’M REMEMBERING the excitement of our times together—Members’ Nights, exploring the collections, exhibition openings, chance encounters, stopping for conversations—wonderful memories. So much has happened over these 16 years: thousands of scientific publications, thousands of new species identified, millions of visitors, hundreds of exhibitions and educational programs, hundreds of millions of philanthropic dollars raised, thousands of square feet of facility expansion and thousands of square miles of rainforest protected. Behind these statistics are nine fundamental core themes: One, strengthening our role in the grand tradition of natural history and science stretching back to Aristotle, Pliny, Buffon, Linnaeus, Darwin, and Mendel. Two, ensuring The Field’s ability to extend this tradition into new worlds, deepening our understanding of evolution, sustaining the environment, investigating the new science of molecular biology, and using digital capabilities to extend our reach and impact. Three, protecting the collection through new accessible, climate controlled, compactorized storage; digitizing these collections for sharing online across the world. Four, securing the opportunity to invest in new scientific technologies and facilities to advance learning. Five, building new exhibitions and educational programs to bring the world to Chicago while introducing young people to the wonders of science. Six, representing The Field in the Chicago community to enhance the Museum’s public profile. Seven, understanding the world economic context and protecting the Museum from financial and political volatility and enabling it to thrive and grow. Eight, extending our mission to the protection of the environment in Andes-Amazon, Africa, the oceans, and the natural areas of Chicago. Nine, building the Museum family by enlarging opportunities, bringing in new talent, watching personal growth, sending people on to outside opportunities, and enhancing the Museum as an organic structure of talented individuals. Thank you for your enthusiasm, involvement, ib 7) Soom iy) = a Fly i and support of this wonderful place. It has been a privilege to lead this great Museum. JOHN McCARTER President and CEO GN91345_028D / KAREN BEAN Museum Names New President By Shawn VanDerziel, Vice President Human Resources and Administration EARLIER THIS SPRING, THE FIELD MUSEUM BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD W. LARIVIERE AS PRESIDENT AND CEO of the Museum. Lariviere (pronounced lah-riv-yair) brings with him an outstanding record of scholarship, fundraising, and x institutional leadership. Most recently a professor of Sanskrit and Indian Studies at the University of Oregon, Lariviere also served as President of the university from 2009-2011. John Rowe, the Museum’s Board Chairman says “Richard Lariviere has demonstrated profound respect for institutional integrity and a fiery passion for the people and communities he serves. These are characteristics we highly value at The Field, and they are exactly what is needed to build upon the superb legacy of John McCarter and take the Museum into the future.” Prior to his role as President at the University of Oregon, Lariviere served as Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost at the University of Kansas, as well as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas. In addition to his academic achievements, which include a PhD in Asian Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in the History of Religion from the University of lowa, Lariviere is a prize-winning author. “The Field is an iconic museum and renowned throughout the world. It is an honor to be selected to serve as its president,” Lariviere says. “John McCarter is a tough act to follow, but | look forward to working with The Field’s incredibly talented team and partnering with the wonderfully supportive business and philanthropic communities here.” As Museum Members, we hope you share in our excitement as we GN91656_027D / JOHN WEINSTEIN welcome Dr. Lariviere to the Museum! rTF FALL 2012 3 Discover Viaharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts sors." By Emily Waldren, Editor DISCOVER THE DAZZLING WORLD OF INDIA’S LEGENDARY RULERS IN OUR LATEST EXHIBITION, Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts, from October 17 through February 3, 2013. The exhibition presents over 200 rare artifacts including elaborate jewelry, ornate weaponry, royal costumes, and gorgeous artworks. From the pomp and circumstance of a royal procession to the inner sanctum of a courtly palace, Maharaja explores the world of India’s rulers from the 1700s to the 1940s taking visitors through an era of great political change. Key artworks in Maharaja include exquisitely-detailed paintings of royal processions, regalia worn by kings and queens, ceremonial daggers, swords and matchlock guns, hand-crafted instruments and board games, and prized photographs by Man Ray and Cecil Beaton. A highlight of the exhibition is the Patiala necklace by Cartier which originally contained 2,930 diamonds (including the yellow 234.69-carat DeBeers diamond). The word maharaja, or “great king,” recalls a turbaned and bejeweled ruler with absolute authority and immense wealth. But this image fails to do justice to the maharaja’s complex role in the cultural and political history of India. The exhibition re-examines the world of the maharajas and their extraordinarily rich culture and will introduce visitors to the concept of royal duty in India. From military strength to administrative and diplomatic skills, maharajas were Visireis co aualala expected to adhere to a strict code of behaviors. Besides being wise and will discover paintings . : : depicting royal life, as well benevolent, the king was expected to be an excellent warrior and accomplished as clothing and jewels hunter. Visitors will discover swords and rifles encrusted with gemstones, from India's elite: as well as heavily decorated armor. IMAGES TOP TO BOTTOM, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT © VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON: PROCESSION OF AMAR SINGH AND SERFOJI Il OF TANJORE, C. 1797; WINE FLASK, MUGHAL COURT, 1600-1625, MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART, DOHA; SARI, 1850 4 IN THE FIELD Through their participation in elaborate public spectacles, maharajas signified their public authority and roles. Throughout the exhibition visitors will encounter dazzling ceremonial regalia—for example, a silver howdah, which the maharaja used atop a giant elephant during grand processions. Also included in this display is film footage of “dressing” the royal elephant, and an ankus—(an instrument to control the elephant) made of gold and bejeweled with colorless sapphires. Rare paintings in watercolors and gold chronicle royal rule and daily life: from the nearly 24-foot-long scroll depicting a procession of the ruler of Mysore to an intimate scene of a concert ina palace courtyard. Stunning clothing and jewelry illustrate how maharajas used opulence as a symbol of authority. One turban ornament from the mid-18th century, is made up of gold, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, a pearl, and an enormous sapphire. Such ornaments were originally worn only by the ruler, but by the 1700s, they were given as symbols of royal favor to select noblemen. © CARTIER Visitors will explore palace life, including entertainment and leisure. A beautiful peacock-shaped stringed instrument uses real peacock feathers to complete the design and a games box made from rosewood, ivory, and brass helped pass the time. The exhibition traces the decline of the Mughal Empire in the early 18th century, to the rise of smaller kingdoms, through the expansion of the English East India Company and British colonization in 1858. Ending with India’s independence movement and the collapse of British rule in 1947, Maharaja provides a better and nuanced understanding of the rich cultural traditions and complex political dimensions underlying India today. ITF Lead sponsors: BMO Harris Bank, Exelon Exhibition organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London NICK WELSH CARTIER COLLECTION SUIT OF ARMOR, 1700-1800 VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON Just for Members As a valued member, you are cordially invited to an exclusive event on Sunday, October 14 from 8:30am to noon. Join us for a light, continental breakfast followed by a talk in James Simpson Theater with Anna Jackson from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London at 9:30am. Then get a Members-only look at The Field's newest exhibition. Reservations to this special event are required and can be made by contacting 312.665.7705, Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm, or by emailing membership@fieldmuseum.org. A “Royal” Celebration FIELD MUSEUM’S 3RD ANNUAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY Celebrate 50 years of marriage at The Field Museum on Saturday, December 1. Couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2012* will receive FREE Basic admission with the purchase of a Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts ticket. (Exhibition tickets are free for Members.) Inside the exhibition, couples will discover the grandeur of the maharaja’s wedding, and be able to view a beautiful bridal gown from early 20th century India. At 1pm, couples can renew their wedding vows and partake in a special toast. Reservations are recommended by calling 312.665.7100. *Couples must provide proof of a 1962 wedding (marriage certificate, wedding invitation, or dated newspaper clipping). SWORD, C. 1800 © VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDON FALE 2012 5 Best Kept Secret Revealed By Jessica Hankey, School Partnerships and Programs Manager and Lindsey Snyder, Public Programs Coordinator DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN TAKE A PIECE OF THE MUSEUM HOME WITH YOU? From a skunk specimen to a cast of SUE’s tooth to a ceremonial mask from Cameroon, the N. W. Harris Learning Collection at The Field Museum allows educators and parents to borrow Museum treasures for their students and children. Previously named the Harris Educational Loan Center, the collection is the oldest education program in existence at the Museum. Endowed by Norman Wait Harris in 1911, the 100-year-old Learning Collection is like a lending library of specimens and artifacts. With over 400 unique Exhibit Cases (mini-dioramas) and 100 Experience Boxes (hands- on kits) your options are endless! Borrow an Angolan fruit bat hanging from a branch, a barn owl ready to swoop down on its prey, or many other animal, plant, and geology- Students at Jane A. Neil themed cases. You can also unpack an Experience Box on School explore shoes from our the ancient Egyptians including a model of the Museum's Living Together: Shoes me ; Experience Box. mastaba tomb. Or borrow our “Wild in Chicago” box to explore skulls, pelts, and specimens of Chicago-area wildlife. (Including rats and cockroaches!) Over the past year the collection has undergone renovation, and our re-imagined N.W. Harris Learning Collection will re-open soon with notable enhancements. Exhibit Cases now feature new and improved information labels designed to spark questions and observations; Experience Boxes are stocked with more hands-on objects and revised activity guides to facilitate object-based learning. Since its inception, the N. W. Harris Learning Collection has used these materials (rats and all!) to engage students In scientific practices and critical thinking skills, and to pique their curiosity about Earth’s natural and cultural diversity. We are excited to usher in another century of educational innovation with our grand re-opening on September 15. 1TF The Asian Long Horn Beetle Exhibit Case. Interested in bringing The Field Museum to your school or home? Visit fieldmuseum.org/schools/harris to become a registered borrower starting September 15. Teachers may attend the Educator Open House on October 16 and check out the Learning MAGES: ERNEST J. RAMON / THE FIELD MUSEUM 2012 Collection firsthand. More information is available at fieldmuseum.org/schools. 6 UN iE: RED, 22AD / JOHN WEINSTEIN 40BD / JOHN WEINSTEIN Z94584 Z94589 For the Birds: Renowned Bird Hall Gets Makeover By Tom Skwerski, Exhibitions Project Manager and John Bates, PhD, Associate Curator, Division of Birds PERHAPS NO OTHER ANIMALS INSPIRE AS MUCH PASSION FOR STUDY AS BIRDS. BIRDS ARE PART OF OUR DAILY LIVES—THROUGH SIGHT AND SOUND, THEY ARE A FREQUENT REMINDER OF THE NATURAL WORLD AROUND US. The Bird Hall at The Field Museum has long been one of the A number of display cases also received most outstanding displays of birds in the world. Last renovated interactive kiosks with digital labels. Using in the early 1990s, the hall received extensive upgrades this past iPad technology, visitors can now learn Above, left: Hoatzin axe ‘ (Opisthocomus hoazin) summer. The classic dioramas and displays were not changed, more about bird species through expanded Above, right: Great Gray but thanks to generous contributions from Ronald and Christina videos, photographs, and interactive Owl (Strix nebulosa) Gidwitz and the Grainger Digital Initiative, and extensive input activities like matching games, color and \ from the Division of Birds curators and staff, the shape activities geared for younger kids, exhibition’s content has been updated. The galleries quizzes, and maps. also received a new HVAC and fire suppression An “Artists’ Corner” was added, highlight- systems, as well as a fresh coat of paint. ing artists who express themselves through All of the exhibition reading rails received a new the subject of birds. Additionally, The Field a graphic design look, and new information about the Museum Exhibition Media Department : relationships between bird species (based on the created an engaging atmospheric projection work of Associate Curator Shannon Hackett, PhD, of sounds and images of flocking birds. : and her colleagues) is incorporated throughout. With over 1,000 different specimens on : display from Chicago, North America, and & around the world, visitors can experience and explore their passion for these beautiful “The Museum’s Bird Hall continues to be one of most and amazing animals in new ways in the comprehensive displays of birds in the world—bringing it Ronald and Christina Gidwitz Hall of Birds. up to date highlights how much we are still learning.” The renovated hall opens to the public on Dr. John Bates, Associate Curator, Division of Birds September 25. 1TF FALE 2012 7 DNA Residency Program By Franck Mercurio, Associate Editor, In The Field THIS PAST SUMMER, FOUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TWO SCIENCE TEACHERS completed the DNA Residency program at The Field Museum’s Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systemics and Evolution. The residency program provided the students and teachers with paid internships to actively participate in Museum-sponsored DNA research projects. The students—Jesse Kusimba, Luke O'Connor, Audrey Putman, Catherine Zhou—were chosen from a competitive candidate pool of over 50 applicants. Together with teachers, Tom Champion and Anna Simpson, they worked on real research projects for six weeks. The participants were subdivided into two teams (two students paired with one teacher). One team was led by Associate Curator of Birds Shannon Hackett, PhD, GN91688_007D / JOHN WEINSTEIN and the other by Lab Manager Kevin Feldheim, PhD. Hackett’s group worked on mammal genetic differentiation as part of the Emerging Pathogens Project, while Feldheim’s group worked on the population genetics of Sawfish. The Residency participants studied embryology and learned about the chemistry of DNA. They also spent time in the Museum’s fossil collections and GN91688_035D / JOHN WEINSTEIN the labs of the University of Chicago. Students and teachers sequencing DNA During weekdays, they talked with Museum in the DNA Discovery Center. visitors during “talk to the scientist hour” in the DNA Discovery Center. The students and teachers also participated in weekly discussions of Your Inner Fish (a great introductory book to evolutionary biology) with Museum scientists. When not conducting research in the Lab, each student worked on their own digital projects connected to their own interests in DNA. Past student interns of the DNA Residency program have gone on to pursue higher education in the sciences at leading universities throughout the United States including University of Illinois, Tufts University, and University of Pennsylvania. To learn more about the digital projects created by the Residency participants and the application process for Summer 2013, please visit the Pritzker Lab’s website: fieldmuseum.org/explore/department/ pritzkerlab. ttF This exhibition is generously supported by the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation. Catch up with the latest news about the Museum’s DNA research projects by visiting the DNA Discovery Center and Pritzker Lab on Facebook! 8 IN THE FIELD GN91688_089D / JOHN WEINSTEIN jjsoddns Anok sof NOK 4uvy I ummnosn GNN4 1VANNV 3HL edly UO |I9UN0D aouel||\V AbojodouyjuyE] = saveloossy pjalj4 ayif Bulaly pauuejqyy 1(Ajdde yey} |/e 42949) Gulmoj|o} ay}. jnoge uo!yeWOjU! aw puas asea|q *SU01}99|]/09 pue ¢ JO UOIING!I4}UO09 SUOIZIQIUXS ‘YDARASa4 ‘UOITEINPa Ul SWeAGOAd S\NasNy) ay} JOddns AayANy 0} UOIZIPPe US axe OF aI] P/NOM yng |I9UNDD ,sdapuNoy ay] 40 puny jenuUY ay, oddns AjjUas4nd aNA/] 666$ - 00S$ ysleanzeN Plats Of $ junowe 4ayi0 so 66v'2$ - 000'T$ ojdx9 play Of 66v$ - OSZ$ AddNJUBAPY Ple4 a4OW PU O0G'z$ JJ9UNOD sdapuno4 2]9A9] BuIMO|/O} 94} 72 puny jenuuY su 0} uolynq! 2e6 Wi Aq diyssaquia 4no/Aw puokag wnasny| pjal4 ay, qoddns 0} axl] pjnomam/] ‘j4oddns puv diyssaujavd anod sof nod yuvy T, Inpa puv ‘sjiqiyxa ‘YIVaSad ANO UIDISNS Sdjay puny jonuup ay] o} Wfis Y Cinematic Scientific Slips Compiled by Mark Alvey, Operations Administrator, Botany Department and Franck Mercurio, Associate Editor, In The Field IN THE RECENT RE-RELEASE OF TITANIC, DIRECTOR JAMES CAMERON MADE ONLY ONE SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO HIS EPIC MOVIE: he modified the nighttime sky to accurately reflect its appearance in April 1912—reportedly at the urging of “one very annoying astrophysicist.” In The Field polled our own museum curators about their favorite (or most irksome) scientific inaccuracies in the movies. Here are a few of their responses: CORRIE MOREAU Assistant Curator, Division of Insects Them! (1954) Them! is a great 1950s sci-fi movie—and not as bad as some. They actually call the ant scientist a myrmecologist (which is the correct term!). In the movie, exposure to atomic radiation causes ants to grow to supersize. In real life, giant ants could never survive. First, insects breathe passively through small openings on the sides of their bodies, called trachea, and this system is only effective for small animals. Second, the body mass of a giant insect would exceed the strength of its exoskeleton resulting in the collapse of the insect under its own weight and its inability to move. So fear not giant ants! In fact, ants and other insects are vital to a healthy planet. ABOVE, LEFT; © BETTMANN/CORBIS ABOVE, RIGHT: GETTY IMAGES BRUCE PATTERSON MacArthur Curator of Mammals The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) Zoological inconsistencies permeate Hollywood. Just think of Johnny Weismuller as Tarzan with South American capuchins and Australian cockatoos populating an African camp—standard fare in many old movies, but the use of consultants cleans up many of these slips in the modern era. One notable exception: the movie The Ghost and the Darkness which purports to present the final events in the lives of The Field Museum's Tsavo lions. The movie lions were heavily maned—only natural for “actors” raised in a cold-weather zoo in Bowmansville, Ontario, but not for the Tsavo man-eaters which were virtually maneless. In addition, the Michael Douglas character was purely fictional, created by the author to generate some dramatic male-bonding with protagonist, Val Kilmer. LEO SMITH Assistant Curator and Head of Fishes Finding Nemo (2003) To be clear, | really like the movie Finding Nemo. Nearly every fish in the movie is accurate down to the species— except for the deep-sea chimaera. Instead of depicting an actual species, the animators created a composite of several different types of deep-sea fish. The Disney chimaera has the lure of an anglerfish (Melanocoetus), the mouth, jaws, and teeth of a viperfish (Chauliodus), the eyes of a hatchetfish (Argyropelecus), and some crazy light organs on the side of its body similar to a lanternfish (family Myctophidae). Why create a mythical hybrid when there are so many awesome Species to choose from? And don't get me started on the sexual reproduction of clownfish—but that’s a topic best left for another article... 1TF FALL 2012 9 Zz a = n Zz a = zZ Er fe) 5 fez) (=) o (a) % = x A114811D_017 / JOHN WEINSTEIN Fashion and The Field Museum Collection: Viaria Pinto By Paola Bucciol, Exhibition Developer CO-CURATED BY MARIA PINTO, A NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED CHICAGO-BASED FASHION DESIGNER AND ARTIST, AND FIELD MUSEUM ANTHROPOLOGIST ALAKA WALI, PHD, Fashion and The Field Museum Collection: Maria Pinto (September 14—-June 13, 2013) features spectacular “fashion-able” garments and accessories. The exhibition invites visitors to react to the installation of the Museum’s artifacts alongside Pinto’s garments and takes us on a journey of inspiration and creativity. H A DESIGNER IN THE FIELD’S COLLECTIONS NATURE’S RESOURCES, | } Wali and Pinto met for the first time in 2009, and later collaborated PEOPLES’ FASHIONS | on a successful lecture at the 2010 Women’s Board outreach The Inuit seal-gut raincoat (pictured | luncheon. For the lecture, Pinto presented Museum pieces that above) is just one of the 25 artifacts i inspired her. This fits Wali’s goal as collections curator to bring that Pinto selected from the North different perspectives to bear on interpreting the collections. American, South American, Asian, | Wali has collaborated for many years with descendants of and African collections. It reflects her the peoples who crafted the artifacts and also with many artists fascination with the natural resources throughout Chicago. people have relied on to make garments and the creativity that has gone into their selection and use. The materials and craftsmanship resonate with her, including the use of transparency, texture, and color in her designs. Seal intestines, blue hides, and shredded bark are other examples of materials showcased in the exhibition. JANET HONG / THE FIELD MUSEUM Left to right: Ruth Norton (Chief Conservator, Anthropology), Maria Pinto, macaw feathers, stitched crocodile and Alaka Wali in the Museum’s Anthropology Collections area. | 10 IN THE FIELD COURTESY OF MARIA PINTO CONTRASTS AND CONNECTIONS Although the Museum’s objects reflect incredible differences in how femininity is expressed, acommon thread can be seen in Pinto’s selections, such as delicate beaded aprons from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela, or a Mongolian long, puffy-shouldered dress. Pinto drew connections between the Museum’s collections and her own designs. The fashion designer selected seven garments from her collections that evoke the shapes, textures, patterns, or qualities of The Field Museum's artifacts. Although this Kayla dress (pictured above) by Pinto is obviously feminine, she commented that she tries to provide women with “armor” to face their challenges. A114908D_005 / JOHN WEINSTEIN A112630C / DIANE ALEXANDER WHITE STITCHES AND KNOTS The details of the stitching on this crocodile armor vest from Cameroon are mesmerizing. Knots, stitches, edges, and all the other “little strange links” intrigued Pinto to explore how different materials are held together. The selection of the artifacts on display showcase the skilled virtuosity of craftspeople in the use of distinctive techniques. Some of the pieces on display took many months to make and are masterpieces of design. COLLECTIONS INSPIRATIONS COURTESY OF MARIA PINTO TRANSPARENCIES, LAYERS, AND STRIPES The Tema dress (pictured above) designed by Pinto mimics the shape of the Inuit raincoat (facing page, top); the transparency of its chiffon resembles the translucency of the seal intestines of which the raincoat is made. The enduring qualities of transparency | and meticulous craftsmanship, reflected in both the Museum’s artifacts and Pinto’s | garments, demonstrate that some aesthetic | principles can transcend time and space. The exhibition reflects the two curators’ view that museum collections can be timeless sources of inspiration for designers and artists. Inspired by the colors and materials of this Chinese theatrical headdress, Pinto created a new ensemble just for this exhibition. Visit the exhibition and experience a once-in-a-lifetime view into an extraordinary collection. Let spectacular clothing and adornments inspire your creativity too. ITF Major Sponsor: Sara Lee Foundation FALL 2012 11 Shrinking Giants By Lawrence Heaney, Curator and Head of the Division of Mammals WHEN POPULATIONS OF LARGE MAMMALS PERMANENTLY MOVE FROM CONTINENTS TO ISLANDS, dramatic changes in body size can take place in succeeding : generations. My colleagues and | examined a clear case of this phenomenon—known as aa LH “island dwarfism”— several years ago, when we studied the partially fossilized bones A and teeth of an animal from Cebu Island in the Philippines. We identified the mysterious Mindoro Ss v f° > P \ mammal as a previously unknown species of dwarf water buffalo (Bubalus cebuensis). Long extinct, this tiny buffalo stood about two feet tall at the shoulder and weighed about 330 pounds—only one-sixth the size of a domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)! The extinct Cebu species was even smaller than a living species of dwarf water buffalo from the Philippine island of Mindoro. Island dwarfism is not confined to the Philippines. Other well-known examples THE PHILIPPINES include extinct dwarf elephants from Sicily and Siberian dwarf mammoths from Wrangel Island. The reasons for this “shrinkage” are hot topics for current research; most evidence supports the hypothesis that food on small islands is highly limited, so smaller animals are better adapted to survive on fewer resources. Isolated islands often lack large predators, so there is no benefit in having bigger bodies to fight off tigers or packs of wolves. If these conditions persist over hundreds of generations, and the usual amount of natural genetic variation in a population is present, body size of large mammals—like water buffalo and There is still time to experience the elephants—will eventually shrink. extraordinary—and often surprising—world of Extreme Mammals (closing January 6, 2013). Why are so many of these “island dwarfs” extinct? This also is a hot topic— The exhibition explores the ancestry and evolution of with too few data to make the answer certain. Perhaps it was rapid natural climate mammal species ranging from the huge to the tiny. change at the end of the most recent ice age; or subsequent rising sea levels caused One featured evolutionary adaption is “island by melting ice, inundating some islands; or the arrival of humans as predators; dwarfism” where, over time, giant species or maybe all of these reasons. Whatever the cause, many of the most extreme shrink to smaller proportions. mammals disappeared recently, and the world is a poorer place for it. 1TF 12 Three species of Philippine buffalo show dramatic changes in body size due to island dwarfism: = domestic water buffalo = living dwarf species from Mindoro Island » fossil species from Cebu Island ILLUSTRATION BY VELIZAR SIMEONOVSKI TNE REED. “snowAuoue aq 0} 3415 S14} 40} YSIM NOA J! aday 49aY9 aseajq TIVAW-3 3NOHd a nee eS ssayaqv ee SSS —ee———— (umouy $1) # YASWIAW Se ee on ee eS ee ee Ea IPEUAOjU! BulmMoyjO} a4} a}a/dwi0d asea|d (paainbaa) 3YNLVNOIS 3009 AAD Biva dx3 YagWNN LNNODIV ee en ee SS SS ssa4dxg ueddawyt 4aA00sigO paegsajseno esIAQ Aw abseyd aseajig “wnasny plal4 ayL 0} ajqeAed apew 49049 = ready uawiAed $ 40 UOl}NG!4}U0d ANO/AW Ss! pasojauyZ x tiel The Annual Fund BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRST — CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 7401 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE THE FIELD MUSEUM The Annual Fund — 40308 1400 S Lake Shore Dr Chicago IL 60605-2496 NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED INTHE UNITED STATES IMAGES: COURTESY PATRICK R. LEACOCK By Patrick R. Leacock, Adjunct Curator, Botany But what is a mushroom? Neither plant nor animal, a mushroom is a temporary reproductive structure of a fungus that produces spores. Fungi are recognized as their own kingdom of life. Unlike plants, fungi do not produce their own food. But unlike animals, they lack an internal digestive system. Fungal cells grow as extremely thin threads, called hyphae, literally growing through their food by secreting enzymes outside of their cells and absorbing the breakdown products. In hunting wild mushrooms, you should always be accompanied by an expert. There are no fool-proof methods for knowing which mushrooms are safe. Each kind is learned individually. The Illinois Mycological Society, based in Chicago, provides programs and forays, and its members have contributed greatly to our knowledge of the diversity of fungi in the region. Clockwise, from left: Honey mushrooms (Armillaria mellea); Giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea); Patrick R. Leacock with chicken mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus). MUSHROOM HUNTERS KEEP THEIR EYES ON THE WEATHER. THEY KNOW GOOD RAINS ARE FOLLOWED BY MUSHROOMS. This fall they will search their favorite haunts for mushrooms known as “hens” and “honeys.” Winter is for testing dried mushroom recipes and dreaming of the next hunt. Mushrooms produce a wide array of chemicals and organic compounds, often of unknown structure or function, that can be dangerous. The nine types of mushroom poisoning range from liver-destroying amanitins, to hallucinogens, to poisons that cause gastrointestinal havoc. Pet owners should be aware that dogs are much more sensitive to mushroom poisoning. From the Museum Campus to the region’s woodlands and prairies, scientists have documented over 1,000 species of mushrooms and other macro-fungi each with its own ecological function. In the woodlands, many mushrooms are critical decomposers of dead trees. Some of them form symbiotic partnerships with tree roots that provide increased nutrient and water uptake for the trees. Others, such as the giant puffball, decay leaf litter or organic matter in the soil. A small percentage of native mushrooms live as full or partial parasites on live trees or roots. Some mushrooms may be cultivated; your favorite edibles are available as mushroom kits, letting you grow your own oyster mushrooms, lion’s mane, shiitake, and others. ITF FALL 2012 13 Toys (and More) By Franck Mercurio, Associate Editor, In The Field at The Field CHILDHOOD TOYS AND GAMES ARE UNIVERSAL IN HUMAN SOCIETIES—EXAMPLES SPAN ACROSS TIME, CULTURE, AND GEOGRAPHY. Since its founding, The Field Museum has collected examples of toys from around the world in addition to objects that appear to be toys, but in reality were not intended as playthings. Some of the most engaging toys are located in the North American Indian Hall. Toys in these societies not only entertained, but functioned as educational tools that taught children basic skills that they would need as grown-ups. Toy hunting weapons—like bows, arrows, and slingshots—were used by children to hunt small mammals and birds, perfecting the survival skills they would need as adults. Dolls helped children imitate child-rearing activities; kids practiced making miniature clothes, baskets, and pots for their dolls—skills that would be perfected as they reached adulthood. There are many miniatures in the Museum’s collections that were not created as toys. Case in point: ivory figurines carved by native Alaskans in the late 1800s and early 1900s for the tourist trade. These Arctic societies had centuries-old carving traditions and originally created portable objects with ritual purposes such as whaling charms and ceremonial masks. But as more outsiders traded (and eventually settled) in Alaska, the locals began to carve miniature animals, boats, and other figurines for trade with the outside world. You can see examples of these early tourist souvenirs in the Alsdorf Hall of Northwest Coast and Arctic Peoples. There is another set of objects in the Museum’s collections that appear A114639D_001 / KAREN BEAN Seminole doll from the 1920s or 30s. to be toys, but in reality functioned as ritual objects. Clay-fired animals with wheeled feet (pictured below) were excavated at the site of Kish (in present day southern Iraq) and date from approximately 2800 BC. To our modern eyes, these miniature wheeled animals look like children’s toys—all that is missing is a string to pull them. But they are actually funerary objects from an adult's grave with a yet-unknown ritual or religious function. ITF A103881 / RON TESTA igth century Native Alaskan seal figurine. A108447C / RON TESTA Sumerian funerary figurine from Kish, Iraq. IN RAE PEL _ at The Field Holiday Shopping By Jeri Webb, Director of Museum Stores THE HOLIDAYS ARE AROUND THE CORNER, AND THE FIELD MUSEUM HAS YOU COVERED. BELOW IS A SAMPLING OF UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS FROM THE MUSEUM STORES. CHEETAH The world’s fastest land mammal, the cheetah, has long been a symbol of grace and power. In the wild, EGYPTIAN CHESS SET they can\run up to 75 miles per hour Egypt enthusiasts of all ages will love our as they hunt their prey. Handcrafted highly detailed Egyptian chess set. The heavily by artisans using custom fabrics weighted resin pieces have felt pads to protect the oak and designed in collaboration with clad board and are hand-painted with exacting detail. The chess wildlife experts, our life-sized, pieces feature a pharaoh as the king and the goddess Isis as the plush cheetah sits a majestic three queen with a variety of deities in attendance including the falcon- feet tall. The cheetah comes with headed Horus, Anubis the jackal, and Bastet the cat. ($125) an educational tag that describes in detail the animal's behavior, lifestyle and habitat, making it truly a toy that teaches and touches the hearts of children of all ages. ($625) DINOSAUR ROBOT Combine two things kids love—dinosaurs and robots—and you've got our raging dinosaur | robot! Built-in sensors enable our ferocious raptor robot to avoid obstacles, detect move- | ment, and obey controller commands. Includes three modes of play: in autonomous mode your “raptor-bot” patrols his environment using advanced object avoidance to hunt his prey; in guard mode he will stand and wait for intruders, chasing them off if they get too close; and in remote control mode, you control your dinosaur robot's every move! ($68) INDIAN DOLL Our lovely handmade doll was created by a unique collective by rebuilding the community and supporting the artists’ of rural women living on the edge of the great salt desert, households. Each doll is one-of-a-kind, using traditional the Rann, in Gujarat, India. This region was devastated by fabrics in favorite colors of the region, and showcases a massive earthquake in 2001. The collective aims to keep hand-embroidery techniques that have been handed down the art of handwork alive while keeping its artisans together through generations of Indian families. ($25) IMAGES: LINDSAY SILK-KREMENAK / THE FIELD MUSEUM FALL 2012 15 & wT \i j y < Wary 2 ARGS SUS es ¢ Ena er USS ANI WRN oot GER TAY SESS SS ee Te . > ase 2a AY : Ne Ss at A ,'s VER i } me UN RSL STILL FROM T/TANS OF THE ICE AGE 3-D The Ice Age Comes to The Field Museum In 3-DE 5 sci seme writer TITANS OF THE ICE AGE 3-D IS THE FIELD MUSEUM’S NEWEST FILM, OPENING IN ITS ERNST & YOUNG 3-D THEATER ON NOVEMBER 9. With dazzling computer-generated landscapes that depict the frozen landscapes of North America, Europe, and Asia, and vivid imagery of majestic Ice Age beasts, the movie is sure to delight amateur paleontologists of all ages. In 2010, The Field Museum organized and opened a popular temporary exhibition, Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age (now touring museums around the country) and the star Lyuba also has a starring role in Titans of the Ice Age 3-D, and she’s co-starring with a friend— a Columbian Mammoth skeleton named Zed who was recently discovered in the ground under a parking lot in Los Angeles. ; | ! i ’ | : of that show is Lyuba, the world’s best-preserved baby mammoth. Forty-thousand-year-old In the movie, paleontologist and mammoth expert Dan Fisher, PhD, a professor at the University of Michigan, explains the significance of recent discoveries like Lyuba and Zed. Other animals featured in the film include saber-toothed cats, wolves, and giant sloths that lived 10,000 years before modern civilization. Shot largely in and around picturesque Yellowstone National Park, Titans of the Ice Age 3-D also explores our ancient ancestors who were developing art, language, and hunting skills as they sought to understand and survive in the harsh world around them. | Titans of the Ice Age 3-D is an unforgettable journey back in time—be sure not to miss it! Tickets can be purchased at the Membership desk and are $5 for Museum Members. ITF 16 IN THE FIELD Unlock the Vaults... by becoming an Annual Fund donor today. EDUCATION. EXHIBITIONS. SCIENCE. CONSERVATION. These are the cornerstones of The Field Museum. Tax-deductible gifts to the Annual Fund ensure that education programs, exhibitions, research, and collections continue to thrive. Your support maintains our position as one of the leading natural history museums in the world. As the “Your Dollar in Action” chart indicates, The Field Museum uses every gift wisely, maximizing the impact of your support. Annual Fund donors and their families enjoy exclusive access to exhibitions, Field Museum scientists, and special after-hours events. But one of the most exciting parts about being a donor is seeing the 99 percent of the collection that is behind the scenes. Many of our specimens and artifacts, instead of being on display, are used in research and labs accessed daily by scientists from all over the world. Do you want to know what is being studied? Do you want insight on the next big break in science? Support The Field Museum today, and unlock the secrets of our vaults! For more information, contact Madalyn Kenney, Manager of Annual Giving, at 312.665.7801 or mkenney@fieldmuseum.org. Double your impact! Did you know that matching gifts can double the impact of your donation to The Field Museum? Many companies support their employees’ philanthropic giving by matching their contributions. Check with your human resources department to see if your company has a matching-gifts program, or visit our website and use ‘our search tool to determine whether your employer offers a matching-gifts program (fieldmuseum.org/support/matchinggifts). ats Cam pus"shbers SHEDD AQUARIUM Shedd’s Jellies special exhibit has been extended through 2013. Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing world where simple bell-shaped forms are the result of complex biological processes. Even though they don’t have blood, bones, or brains, jellies aren't as simple Your dollar in action. Source: 2010 990 tax form and audited financial statements 43¢ Public Programs 5¢ Fundraising 41¢ Science and 11¢ Conservation Management and General Expenses Field Museum Memberships Time to renew your membership? Call 312.665.7700 - Mon.—Fri., 8:30am—4:30pm Visit fieldmuseum.org/membership Field memberships also make great gifts! ADLER PLANETARIUM In Welcome to the Universe, audiences travel a billion light-years and back as they orbit the Moon, fly through the canyons of Mars and soar through the cosmic web on their way to the far reaches of the Universe. The Universe: A Walk through Space and Time is an interactive as they look! Then, belugas dance, dolphins soar and magic happens in the Holiday Fantasea aquatic show. Visit www.sheddaquarium.org for more. exhibition that allows visitors to walk through time and experience how the Universe evolved over 13.7 billion years. Visit www.adlerplanitarium.com for more. FALL 2012 17 progig 9.14-9.16, 11am-2pm > Join us for a special dino-sized party as we september % Artists and Authors* family program celebrate the Crown Family PlayLab’s fifth anniversary! Meet Caldecott- winning author Peter McCarty, listen to master storyteller Linda Gorham, design your own birthday dinosaur hat, and view dinosaur bones and fossils from the Museum’s collections (more info on the right). october Artists and Authors* family program 10.20, 11am-2pm > Calling all artists! Join us in the Crown Family PlayLab as we participate in The Big Draw Chicago, a citywide program that invites people of all ages to draw, think, and share. Begin the day at the East Entrance just outside of the PlayLab and create your own sketchbook. Take it along with you as you meet and work with local artists throughout the Museum on a drawing scavenger hunt. november Leakey Lecture: Human Biogeography with Dr. Alexander Harcourt* adult program 11.17, 1pm > Join us for a fascinating lecture on human migrations. Through the lens of anthropology and biogeography, discover the impact human and non-human communities have had on each other's geographic distribution. Dr. Harcourt will take you on an exploration of how and why humans came to be distributed around the world as well as make comparisons to the global distribution of primate populations. Artists and Authors* family program 11.17, 11am-2pm > Join us for a fashion-inspired event as we look at clothing found in the Museum’s collections through the eyes of fashion designer Maria Pinto. Use these clothes as inspiration to create your own wearable art! december Artists and Authors* family program 12.15 & 12.29, 11:30am & 1:30pm > Meet artists and dancers from Kalapriya, an Indian dance and music company, as they visit the Crown Family PlayLab in conjunction with the exhibition Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts. Kalapriya Performances* adult @ family program 12.29, 11:30am & 1:30pm > Enjoy breathtaking performances by the Kalapriya Center for Performing Arts that lead you on a journey through India. *FREE with Museum Admission iy) inthe Crown Family PlayLab event details are available online! Program Tickets + Info 312.665.7400 General Museum Info 312.922.9410 Celebrate the PlayLab’s 5th Anniversary! Saturdays, 9.8-9.29,* 11am-2pm > Come celebrate the Crown Family PlayLab’s fifth anniversary! We have fun-filled events designed to introduce young families to the four science areas of the Museum: anthropology, geology, zoology, and botany. Children will jam with folk musicians, listen as storytellers create masterpieces with local artists, and meet with Field Museum scientists showcasing specimens from the collections. *extended weekend programming September 14, 15 and 16 Badge Day at The Field Saturdays, 9am-3:30pm > Badge Day at The Field will have Boy Scouts trekking across the Museum with fun scavenger hunts, exploring natural sciences through hands-on activities, and experiencing a behind-the-scenes tourwith a Field Museum scientist. Session Dates: 9.22 > Mammal Study or Indian Lore 10.6 > Mammals Study or Indian Lore 10.20 > Environmental Science Part 1 11.3. > Environmental Science Part 1 or Geology 11.17 > Environmental Science Part 2 or Geology 12.1 > Environmental Science Part 20r Mammal Study $25 per Saturday session for scouts, $5 per Saturday session for chaperones Please visit fieldmuseum.org/happening/badge-day-field to purchase tickets. Hurry—spaces are filling quickly! 9 s 8 Saturday Get a close look at the field of botany, the study of plants. Listen to the classic book, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert, then visit the Art Studio to create your very own herbarium sheet. Stick around for a special performance by musician Linda Robertson, from the Old Town School of Folk Music, and percussionist James Warner. lebrate! 9 1 4 Friday Meet Field Museum geologists and explore dinosaur and fossil specimens from the collections. Stop in the Art Studio to make a dinosaur birthday hat, then take part in fun storytelling sessions as Linda Gorham spins her favorite tales. 9.1 5 Saturday Visit with Caldecott-winning author Peter McCarty as he reads from his award- winning books, including the dinosaur tale Tis for Terrible. Meet Field Museum geologists as they showcase dinosaur and fossil specimens from the collections, then go on a fossil hunt! 9.1 6 Sunday Stop in the Art Studio to make a dinosaur birthday hat, then take part in fun story- telling sessions as Linda Gorham spins her favorite tales. Overnights at the Museum 9 a 2 2 Saturday Music plays a big role in anthropology, the study of people and cultures. Hear the story My Family Plays Music by Judy Cox, then jam with Old Town School of Folk Music musician Yahvi Pichardo. Let the rhythm move you as you head into the Art Studio to make your own clay flute to take home. 9 2 2 9 Saturday Visit us for a one-of-kind insect experience as we look into the field of zoology. Listen to a reading of The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle, then use your knowledge of insects to sculpt your very own bug in the Art Studio. Meet with Field Museum scientists and view insects from our collections, including live tarantulas, cockroaches and scorpions! SUE the T. rex is having a sleepover! Join us for a night of family workshops, self-guided tours and fun activities. Explore ancient Egypt by flashlight, prowl an African savannah with man-eating lions and take a stroll through the Royal Palace in Bamum, Africa. Then spread your sleeping bag amidst some of our most popular exhibitions. The event includes an evening snack and continental breakfast in the morning. Fridays at 5:45pm to 9am the following morning. Ticket Options Standard: $63/$53 Members Premium Package 1: $75/$65 Members; allows guests to sleep upstairs in Evolving Planet—with the dinosaurs! Premium Package 2: $87/$77 Members; allows guests to sleep in Evolving Planet and go on a behind-the-scenes tour with a Field Museum scientist! 2013 DATES January 11 ¢ February 1 & 8 e March 1, 8 & 15 April 5 & 12 « May 10 e June 7 Visit fieldmuseum.org or call 312.665.7400 to register. IMAGES: THE FIELD MUSEUM Don’t miss these exhibitions before they close! The Romance of Ants Closes October 30 Learn about the ecology of ants in this \ innovative exhibition featuring large scale photographs, videos, and a comic book style biography of the Museum’s resident i myrmecologist, Dr. Corrie Moreau. Nature’s Toolbox: Biodiversity, Art, and Invention Closes December 2 Take a new look at biodiversity—and its importance to human existence—through the eyes of contemporary artists in this exhibition featuring sculpture, illustration, video and photography, all informed by science. Art Works for Change presents Nature’s Toolbox: Biodiversity, Art, and Invention, with generous support from: The Nathan Cummings Foundation; the National Endowment for the Arts; The Adobe Foundation; and the Sprint Foundation. Extreme Mammals Closes January 6, 2013 Explore the ancestry and evolution of some of the biggest, smallest, and most amazing mammals of all time in this exhibition featuring spectacular fossils and vivid reconstructions of diverse—and sometimes bizarre —species. Organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada; and Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Major Sponsor: Discover Getting to The Field Museum Many buses and rail lines provide access to The Field Museum. For more information, call 888.YOURCTA or visit www.transitchicago.com. Visit www.rtachicago.com for regional transit information. 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. always be discovering: Witaseuan useum 1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605-2496 LINDSAY SILK-KREMENAK / THE FIELD MUSEUM NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID CHICAGO, IL PERMIT NO. 2309 Shop Like Royalty Enter the world of Indian royalty when you visit our Maharaja exhibition store. Delight in the rich history of India through our selection of stunning jewelry, luxurious textiles, and amazing one-of-a-kind pieces, such as this hand-carved frame and painting. Explore Indian cuisine with an array of spices, cookbooks and kitchen accoutrements. Immerse yourself in the culture with our carefully chosen collection of books, music, and media. Plan to join us for our annual Members’ Double Discount Holiday Sale this year beginning Monday, November 26, and continuing through Sunday, December 2, when all members will receive 20 percent off store purchases. And, as always, you can shop the Museum Stores 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 10 percent off their purchases in the Museum Stores. Give the Gift of Membership this Holiday Season! As a current Museum Member, you already know the benefits of a Museum Membership. For the holidays, why not share the gift of discovery with someone special in your life? The holidays only come around once a year, but a Field Museum membership brings joy and excitement to your loved one all year long. Gift memberships include: e Free admission and free tickets to our temporary exhibitions e Tickets to our famed Members’ Nights e Discounts on education programs and in the Museum's stores and restaurants ¢ One-year subscription to In The Field member magazine e And more! You can order online, over the phone (312.665.7700), or on your next visit to The Field Museum.