Last summer, Smith’s Classics and Geosciences departments collaborated to lead a Global Engagement Seminar. Led by Scott Bradbury and John Brady, the seminar, titled “From Labyrinth to Parthenon: Greek Myth & History in their Geological Context” began in the spring at Smith and then continued in Greece over the summer. After three weeks in the Greek islands and Athens, students participated in 6-week internships that further explored their areas of interest— some focused on geology, others on archaeology, and some in museums.
The seminar investigated the relationships between Greek geology and history, in particular the discovery in the 5th century BCE of an enormous vein of silver at Lavrion. The silver from these mines funded the Athenian ships responsible for the victory over the Persians at Salamis. By turning the Persians back, the Athenians allowed the Greek cultural “miracle” that led to developments in philosophy, tragedy, monuments, and democracy. Another location the seminar visited is Delphi, site of one of the ancient world’s most famous oracles. French excavators in 1900 found no evidence to support the conventional explanation that “vapors” were responsible for the oracle. However, recent scientific explorations have revived the original theory, since two large fault lines run below the temple and earthquakes could have closed the fissures.
Critical thinking aspects of the seminar included discussing other examples of archaeology and history against Greece’s background of intense geological activity. The students also visited archaeological sites and considered the problems of differentiating between originals and reconstruction, as well as how decisions are made when reconstructing. Although the seminar will not be offered this coming summer, it is tentatively scheduled to run again in 2014.
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