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Document Details : Title: Bab adh-Dhra' Tomb A 72 South, Jordan Subtitle: Object Biography and Object-Based Learning Author(s): JAMIESON, Andrew , LEE, Gemma Journal: Ancient Near Eastern Studies Volume: 57 Date: 2020 Pages: 313-336 DOI: 10.2143/ANES.57.0.3288620 Abstract : In 1978 the University of Melbourne acquired 44 pots from Tomb A 72 South at Bab adh-Dhra', Jordan, excavated by Paul Lapp in 1965. In response to archaeological collection management concerns, Nancy Lapp, in consultation with the Jordanian Department of Antiquities, had innovatively proposed that the tomb groups from the original Lapp excavations be distributed to interested American Schools of Oriental Research member institutions for the purposes of display and education. The University of Melbourne was one of 24 institutions to receive material from Bab adh-Dhra'. This paper discusses the biography of the objects from Tomb A 72 South. It begins at the start of the Early Bronze Age in Jordan, then follows the journey of the 44 pots from Tomb A 72 South, first to Amman and then to Melbourne, where the objects are used for curriculum and community engagement purposes. The evolving life of the objects from Tomb A 72 South is discussed: manufacture and mortuary use, looting and salvage excavations, the curation crisis and archaeological collections management practices, museum exhibits and displays, and aids for research, teaching and object-based learning. The biography of the objects reveals they are not static, they are animated by our ongoing relations with them. |
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