In
honor of the publication of his latest book, Bodies
from the Ice: Melting glaciers and the recovery of the past, James M.
Deem is offering a special rate for school or library visits this fall
(until December 15, 2008).
Travel
expenses are additional.
If
you are interested in more information about booking a visit this fall, please
contact him by e-mail.
He generally gives
one of the following talks:
Pompeii
He discusses what life was like in Pompeii
before the famous eruption of AD 79. He describes the eruption of Vesuvius and
its effect on the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. He explains what happened
to Pompeii afterwards and why it remained buried for 1700 years. he described
how Pompeii was accidentally uncovered and the types of objects and remains
that were found there. He explains how the rediscovery of Pompeii has enabled
scientists and historians to understand better what life was like in ancient
Rome times. His PowerPoint presentation includes many rare images that he
discovered in the photographic archive at Pompeii during his research for Bodies
from the Ash.
Ötzi
Deem introduces students to the Iceman, showing them how he was
discovered in the remains of a melting glacier and the fascinating objects and
clothing that accompanied him. He explains how scientists eventually uncovered
the cause of his death. He compares the archaeological discovery of the Iceman
to other finds in melting glaciers. His PowerPoint includes many rare images
that he located when researching his forthcoming book, Bodies
from the Ice.
Melting
Glaciers He
introduces students to the subject of glaciers, by describing how they are
formed, how they move, and where they are found. He
discusses what people thought of glaciers long ago, in the days before science,
and how, more recently, scientists have
studied glaciers. He explains why scientists are concerned about the melting of
glaciers now. He shows comparison photos of glaciers (then and now) to show how
much they have melted in recent years.
He discusses the positive side of
melting glaciers from an archaeological standpoint. He
describes how glaciers were explored like long-lost continents, how people who
have died while crossing or climbing glaciers have been discovered at the
melting edge of glaciers now that they are thawing. He discusses what scientists
have found out about these discoveries by studying their remains and the
artifacts that accompanied them.
He also discusses the problems
that may be caused by the melting of glaciers (lack of drinking water and
possible rise in the sea level). His PowerPoint includes many rare images that I
located when researching my book, Bodies
from the Ice.
Bog people He defines what a bog is,
explain its "birth" and development, and discusses how and why early
European people placed objects and bodies in bogs (and other watery places).
He shows about 40 images, including many rare images
that he discovered during his research for Bodies
from the Bog.
Egyptian
mummies Deem takes the audience on a 3000-year tour of
mummification, showing how mummies (and their coffins and their canopic jars)
changed over that period of time. He has approximately 70 images--many of them
rare--from museums
around the world that illustrate this evolution.
For
further information about scheduling a visit, please see his
author website or contact
him by e-mail.
