Press Release
Fla. Museum exhibit features photographs from Horn of Africa
For Immediate Release March 30, 2007
Contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Assistant Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Christine Eschenfelder
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The Florida Museum is displaying "African Pathways to Urbanism: Photographs by Peter Schmidt," through July 22. This exhibit showcases archaeologist Peter Schmidt's documentation of ancient urban centers in the Horn of Africa. Schmidt, a University of Florida anthropology professor, and has been engaged in African archaeology for nearly 40 years.
The images begin with the Ancient Ona civilization that prospered about 2,800 to 2,300 years ago and continues through later prominent major urban centers including a huge garden city with its marvelous stone-cut dam and dozens of podium buildings with columns, called "temples" by the first European visitors. Finally, visitors will see Keskese, a community that appears influenced by southern Arabia.
Schmidt has authored seven books on archaeology and cultural studies in Africa. He uses photography to document ancient communities and the landscapes they occupied.
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The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $8.50 for adults ($7.50 Fla. residents) and $4.50 for children ages 3-12. Prices subject to change. For more information, including directions and parking, call (352) 846-2000, or visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu.