Learn about ancient civilizations at Barrington's White House
Would it surprise you to know that beer and bread were the staples of the Babylonian diet? Or that under ancient Egyptian law, women had the same rights as men and that married couples could divorce?
If you're fascinated by ancient civilizations, you won't want to miss Barrington's White House Curious Mind Series: Connecting with Antiquity, presented by the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute Sundays, March 1 and 8.
From mummies to Sanskrit, learn about some of the world's earliest civilizations and deepest secrets. Founded by James Henry Breasted - the original "Indiana Jones" - the Oriental Institute's collection of antiquities includes ancient artifacts from archaeological sites around the world, saved from grave robbers and modern construction and rivaling exhibits at the Louvre and British Museum.
The first event, "Beer and Bread: Eating and Drinking in Ancient Babylonia," explores the diet of this ancient culture, where beer and bread were staples and eating locusts was a delicacy.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, March 1, Assistant Professor of Assyriology Susanne Paulus will provide a peek into the diets and eating habits of this ancient culture - recipes included.
On Sunday, March 8, also at 3 p.m., Brian Muhs, associate professor of Egyptology, will present an engaging talk on daily life in Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman Egypt, illustrated with passages from ancient texts and archaeological explorations of ancient settlements.
Tickets for each individual event are $20 or $35 for a two-session ticket.
For information and tickets, visit www.barringtonswhitehouse.com/events or call (224) 512-4066 for ticketing assistance.
Tickets for all events can be purchased at www.barringtonswhitehouse.com/events. Barrington's White House is at 145 W. Main St., in downtown Barrington.
Cultural programming at the White House is underwritten, in part, by generous sponsors, including the Willow Springs Charitable Trust, Kim Duchossois, Mary B. Galvin, Wayne and Nan Kocourek, Barrington Bank and Trust, Barrington 220, Mr. and Mrs. Earle Combs and Northern Trust.
For information, call (224) 512-4066 or visit www.barringtonswhitehouse.com.