Meghan Levitt
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Mentor(s): Irene Soto Marin
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Classical Studies / Kelsey / LSA
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 5 – 3:40pm – 4:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Meghan Levitt, Irene Soto MarÃn
Presenter: 28
Abstract
Dr. David L. Askren and Professor Francis W. Kelsey shared countless communications over the early 20th century regarding their papyri purchases for the University of Michigan’s library. By analyzing these messages, this project aims to piece together a picture of the operation of the market of artifacts and the currencies used for purchase. It will also give us a look into how excavations were conducted in the 1920s, which continued to take place during the first world war. To do so, we digitally transcribed over 160 scanned documents, including written and typed letters, telegrams, and receipts. These include letters from other individuals involved in the project, such as Charles L. Freer, Maurice Nahman, Sir E. A. Wallace Budge. After completing these transcriptions, they were compiled in chronological order. Through this organization, we will be able to more easily examine them to understand the project’s progress over this two decade period. We are also learning more about the lives of the people involved and how their professional relationship evolved into a longtime academic partnership. This research will be beneficial for many in the academic research sphere, specifically those who specialize in the study of Egyptian history, currency, papyri, and the trading of ancient artifacts.
Arts and Humanities
