Sahil Sidhu
Pronouns: He/Him
Research Mentor(s): Irene Soto Marin, Assistant Professor/ Assistant Curator
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Classical Studies / Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 2 (11am – 11:50am)
Breakout Room: Room 9
Presenter: 2
Abstract
In the 1910s and -20s, Prof. Francis Kelsey of the University of Michigan kept close contact with Dr. David L. Askren to acquire ancient papyri and other artifacts in Egypt and the Middle East. The research focuses on the letters exchanged between Dr. Kelsey, Dr. Askren, and other associates with whom they communicated. The purpose of the project is to transcribe all of the available letters and make them easily accessible. Scans of the paper copies are used, and they are transcribed via Google Docs. The data will be collected and stored in a shared drive. The current main objective is to transcribe as many letters as possible. Eventually, the letters will be organized chronologically and published online. Biweekly meetings ensure the quality and accuracy of transcriptions. The letters have never been analyzed as a corpus from a chronological and material perspective. With a chronological analysis, we expect to discover new information on the University of Michigan’s collection houses in the Kelsey Museum, and of Cairo and other Middle Eastern related objects, as well as uncover patterns in Dr. Kelsey’s and Dr. Askren’s acquisitions of these artifacts. The University of Michigan has one of the most prestigious collections of ancient objects, papyri and archival documents from Roman Egypt in the world, and the Askren letters are important documentation of these material stored in Hatcher, the Bentley, and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. When the letters are transcribed and posted, graduate students, instructors, or other faculty could use the letters in their own papers or research. These letters will also be very beneficial to researchers around the world.
Authors: Irene Soto MarÃn, Sahil Sidhu
Research Method: Library/Archival/Internet Research
