History
The project which became the “Museum of Antiquities” began in 1974. It was initiated by ancient history historian Michael Swan and art historian Nicholas Gyenes, both professors of the University of Saskatchewan. The collection began with a small group of replicas purchased from the Louvre, but grew to include replicas from other museums and workshops, as well as original artifacts. The collection grew through the generosity of the university and private benefactors until, in 1981, new facilities in the Murray Library were acquired, the collection was officially opened as the “Museum of Antiquities”, and Catherine Gunderson became the first curator and director of the museum. In 2005, the ever-expanding Museum moved to a larger space in the newly renovated College Building now known as the Peter MacKinnon Building. Tracene Harvey became director in 2009.Aims
The long-term aim of the museum is to offer a reliable and critical account of the artistic accomplishments of major Western civilizations and epochs from approximately 3000 BC to 1500 CE. The first step in this endeavor was the presentation of a dependable picture of ancient Greco-Roman sculptural art, as it has heavily influenced much later Western art. The present collection focuses on items from the Middle Helladic (c. 1500 BCE) to the Late Antique (c. 500 CE) period and now has expanded to include pieces from the ancient Near East and ancient Egypt.Pieces
The museum's pieces mainly consist ofFeature exhibitions
The Hanson Collection: Early Islamic Artifacts (2013) Masks as Mirrors: Reflections on Therapeutic Uses of Masks in Ancient Greek and Modern Times (2013) Euphonia: Music for the Masses in the Middle Ages (2013) The Minden Collection: Ancient Glass and Artifacts (2012) Coinstantinople: An exploration of early coins that helped define the new Byzantine capital (2011) Buildings of The Past: Scale Models of Ancient Buildings and Monuments (2011) Optimi Principes: New acquisitions of Roman Imperial Art Unveiled (2010) Sex? in the City: Images of Sexuality in Roman Domestic Space (2009) Bene Merenti: Inscriptions from the Roman Catacombs (2008) Wondrous Print: Renaissance Books in Saskatchewan Collections (2007) Oasis: Civilizations of the Desert (2007) Art of Adornment (2006) The Stonecarver's Craft (2005) Greece Then & Now (2003)Activities
The museum also runs "Living History" Children's Summer Camps. As part of its community outreach initiatives the museum takes part in many cultural festivals such as the Heritage Festival of Saskatoon, Folkfest and Culture Days. The museum has a volunteer program for university students that allows them to learn about researching for and running a museum. The museum has partnered with the Canadian Light Source to research ancient coins.References
External links
* {{authority control Museum of Antiquities (Saskatoon) Archaeological museums in Canada Museums established in 1974 University museums in Canada Museums in Saskatoon Museums of ancient Greece in Canada Museums of ancient Rome in Canada Museum of Antiquities (Saskatoon)