Dear Travelers,

There is probably no other area on this planet where our understanding ofpast history is changing so fast as in Cambodia. Many of the discoveriesmirror that of another powerful rain forest society, the ancient Maya ofMexico and Central America. To understand the similarities of the Khmerand the Maya, we have confirmed the celebrated Mayanist, Michael D.Coe, and the deputy director of the Greater Angkor Project (GAP), DamianEvans, to join us onboard a privately-chartered luxurious river vessel withonly 12 cabins to cruise up the mighty Mekong River from the Vietnamdelta to the unique environment of Cambodia’s Tonle Sap, the huge lakethat swells to cover one fifth of the country during the monsoons. As wesearch for out-of-the-way pagodas and gracefully incised sanctuaries, theseeminent scholars will enlighten and entertain us with stories of these greatcivilizations. Save the dates - November 9 - 25, 2015!

Our first trip to Sudan returned a month ago, and group members havebeen raving about the exciting temples to be seen there. Don’t miss joiningBob Brier and Patricia Remler in January 2015 when a group will againtravel into the deserts of northern Sudan. Bob is a Great Courses (formerlyTeaching Company) lecturer. As you go through our schedule of trips, youwill find many of our study leaders are lecturers for the same company –Tom Noble, Steven Tuck, Bill Cook, Alexis Castor, Bob Bucholtz, GarrettFagan. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from these outstanding scholarswhile viewing the actual masterpieces of architecture, religion, and art youhave been studying at home.

You may ask, what is archaeoastronomy? This study of the beliefs andpractices concerning astronomy that existed in prehistoric cultures frequently can be seen in alignments of former cities, within shrines and inrock art. Dr. E.C. Krupp, the director of Los Angeles’ Griffith Observatory,will take us on two truly unique journeys: September 27 - October 15, 2014traverse Central Asia - Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan , and thenSeptember 12 - 27, 2015, delve into the remote areas of the Western AsiaTranscaucasus - Armenia, northwestern Iran and eastern Turkey - both in search of astronomical features in archaeological remains.

I hope you enjoy our latest newsletter and will pass it along to friends. And keep watching our blog where you can read tales from our travelers,along with ‘DID YOU KNOW?’ where we post interesting tidbits on thelatest archaeological and historic discoveries.

Happy travels,

Mary Dell LucasFounding Director

NEWSLETTERFAR HORIZONS ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL TRIPS

Volume 19, Number 1 • Spring 2014Published Erratically by Far Horizons • P.O. Box 2546 • San Anselmo, CA 94979 USA

(800) 552-4575 • (415) 482-8400 • fax (415) 482-8495 • www.farhorizons.com • email: journey@farhorizons.com

FEATUREDJOURNEYS

Follow us on

Travel with Bob Brier!Join Bob on one of his four trips – Majesty of Egypt

features private visits to tombs that are closed to the

public, including the gloriously painted Nefatari’s final

resting place and the chamber high in the Great

Pyramid. On Oases of Egypt, explore the six verdant

spring-fed oases: Siwa, Dakhla, Bahariya, Farafra,

Karga, and the Fayoum. Or join Undiscovered Egypt

to view areas of Egypt that even savvy tourists do not

see - Alexandria; remote areas of Saqqara to view

some of Egypt’s most isolated and spectacular royal

mortuary temples; Meidum; Beni Hasan Abydos, and

Amarna, to spend a day with local archaeologists. Then

board a dahabiya, a beautiful private yacht, for a four

day sail down river with stops to examine several

glorious sanctuaries along the way. Finally, learn about

the Nubians in Sudan January 4 - 17, 2015.

The Archaeology of the Yucatan

Deep in the remote southern area along the border with

Guatemala, recent excavations have exposed remains

of pyramids and cities that until recently, were nearly

impossible to visit. Hieroglyphic texts found here are

changing our knowledge of the Maya by giving us

history that has been hidden for more than one

thousand years. Of course, a trip to this area would

not be complete without visits to Chichén Itzá, Uxmal,

and Tulum, and we will see them. Explore Calakmul,

Dzibanché, Muyil, Balamkú, Ek Balam, Santa Rosa

Xtampak, and more. Led by Maya writing specialist,

Stanley Guenter. February 14 - 25, 2015.

A Voyage Through History

By Garrett Fagan

What do the ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates, the Knights of St. John, and the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World havein common? Well, this: we’ll be visiting sites connected withall three on the wonderful Voyage Through History tour.Traveling on a private yacht – a traditional Turkish woodenboat called a gulet – we visit four Greek islands and varioussites dotting the spectacular southwestern coast of Turkey.

Among the Greek islands where we stop is Kos, closely associated with the healing god Asklepios and birthplace ofHippocrates, the originator of rational medicine. Whereas the cult of Asklepios involved healing by means of divinevisions combined with remedial regimens prescribed bypriests, Hippocrates pioneered the close observation and documentation of patients’ symptoms, insisting that illnessstemmed from natural, not supernatural sources. With thisinsistence, medical treatment started its long march fromancient supersition to its modern, scientific form.

We also visit Rhodes, home to one of the Seven Wonders ofthe Ancient World, the marvelous 100-foot high bronze statueof the sun god Helios, raised by Chares of Lindos in 280 BCE.Contrary to popular imaginings, the Colossus did not bestridethe harbor entrance, but likely stood inland in the sanctuaryof Helios, near where the Grand Master of the Knights of St.John’s palace is today. The Colossus stood for a mere 54 yearsbefore it collapsed in an earthquake and lay there, broken atthe knees, as a tourist attraction until an Arab merchant cartedit away for scrap in the 7th century CE.

The host city of another Wonder, the Mausoleum ofHalicarnassus, was also a base for the Knights of St. John.Located on the Turkish mainland, Bodrum is the jumping offpoint for our tour, but we return to the magnificent Turkishcoastline after touring the Greek islands and visit a series of spectacular sites with dramatic histories – places like Myra, Xanthos, and Telmessos – with plenty of options forswimming in the azure waters of the eastern Aegean. History has never been so alluring!

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A Voyage Through History

Travel with Professor Fagan on

Voyage through History,

September 28 - October 11, 2014.

www.farhorizons.com  •   3

As the easternmost stop on the so-called Silk Road, Xi’an isthe logical starting point for anyone wishing to explore thehistory of this famous trade route. It was one of four greatancient Chinese capitals, particularly important for the Hanand Tang dynasties, although perhaps best known as thelocation of the “Terracotta Warriors” that guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of a unified China.Indeed, Xi’an is an apt place to begin an exploration of theastonishingly multi-faceted society that existed in northernChina over a millennium ago, and that continues to have an impact today.

As the study leader for the Far Horizons China Silk Road inOctober 2014, I am particularly delighted that participants onour tour will have the opportunity to visit two museums inXi’an that display the funerary monuments of SogdianZoroastrian community leaders, who lived and died in thecity in the 6th century CE. Such artifacts are vivid remindersthat Eastern Iranian merchants traveled over 2300 miles from their homes in Samarkand or Kesh (Shakhri Sabz) – to set up a business in China. Others, who were converts toBuddhism, followed the same route, in order to translatetexts from Sanskrit and Prakrit into Chinese. Yet others – inparticular “Nestorian” Christians and Manichaeans – fled

to China from religious persecution under the Persian Zoroastrians – just as some of those Zoroastrians later took refuge in the Tang court after the arrival of Islam in Iran.

A couple of weeks ago, I spent the morning visiting a fascinating exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles entitled “Traveling the Silk Road.” The exhibition follows the flow of merchants and scholars - commodities and concepts - along the ancient trade routesbeginning at the east in the city of Xi’an, North China, moving through the oasis town of Turfan in Xinjiang and theSogdian capital of Samarkand in modern Uzbekistan, beforeterminating in Baghdad. The exhibition highlighted thediversity of religions, musical instruments, languages, artisticmotifs and technologies (particularly in relation to silk andpaper production) that accompanied those who traversedthese routes on camel or on foot… And we will witness thistoo as we explore the Silk Road in Western China, starting in Xi’an!

Silk Road Connections

Travel with Dr. Rose on China: Along

the Silk Road, October 9 - 26, 2014.

The Ness of Brodgar Excavations, Orkney, Scotland

Reported by Nick Card,

Project Manager

Described as one of the most important Neolithic

discoveries in the last 50 years, the award winning

excavations at the Ness of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland

are revealing a unique 5,000 year old Neolithic

temple complex. Situated in the Heart of Neolithic

Orkney World Heritage Site, the Ness is surrounded

by several iconic prehistoric monuments: the stone

circles of the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of

Stenness, and Maeshowe, the finest chambered

tomb in Europe. Ongoing work each summer by

the Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology has

uncovered a large walled precinct enclosing several

monumental decorated stone buildings, representing

some of the oldest architecture in Europe and

rivalling the famous temples in Malta. An equally

impressive assemblage of Neolithic decorated

pottery, art and polished stone tools compliment

these structures. These discoveries are challenging

many of our perceptions of Neolithic life – and yet

less than 10% of the site has so far been investigated

– what wonders still await discovery! The excavations

can be followed on www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/

nessofbrodgar/ or through the American Friends of

the Ness of Brodgar on Facebook.

Visit the Ness of Brodgar as a special

guest of Nick Card on Far Horizons’

trip to Scotland, August 2 - 17, 2014.

By Jenny Rose

Photo by Hugo Anderson Whymark

By Charlotte Galloway

Travelling in Myanmar always includes the unexpected, something new that I call my

‘Burmese day’! My last visit, in September 2013 during the end of the wet season, was no

exception. This was the first time I had crossed the Irrawaddy by bridge from Pagan to

Pakkoku – what had previously been a slow ferry crossing was now a one hour drive. The

major upside was being able to visit temples around Pakkoku and travel to the Archaeology

Museum at Pakkangyi in a little more than half a day, which still left plenty of time for more

temple visits at Pagan!

Other events that have marked a ‘Burmese day’ over the years included a visit to the

Three Snake Pagoda near Mandalay – yes, there are three snakes that reside in the main

Buddha shrine, and you can touch them! Sometimes I come across a novitiation ceremony

where a young boy, dressed as a prince, is paraded around local temples in a procession

that concludes with him entering a Buddhist monastery for a short period. This is considered

to be an act worthy of great merit, and occurs throughout the country. One year I happened

to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda during the Full Moon festival – everyone was there. Families

sit in the shade of the pavilions eating their meals, monks gather in groups, and are always

interested in talking to foreigners, people make offerings to the many Buddha shrines, and

gather for prayer, others circumambulate the main shrine, sweeping the ground before them

as an act of merit-making.

These are just a few of the delightful unexpected surprises that seem to go hand in hand

with a visit to Myanmar. It is always more than visiting historic sites and Buddhist temples –

it is a vibrant place, with histories and cultural traditions that are there to be noticed, the

trick is to remember to look. I hope to share a Burmese day with you this December.

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Travel with Dr. Galloway on

Myanmar: Land of Golden

Pagodas, December 1 - 19, 2014

By Enda O’Flaherty, PhD

There is no doubting that the diverse and gripping cultural and physical landscapes of the

island of Ireland are intrinsically intertwined. To the west of the island, the wild and rugged

Atlantic coastline was once the edge of the known world. The earliest human settlement

here dates to the Mesolithic Period, with the islands and inlets of this coast becoming

populated by tribal societies though the Bronze and Iron Ages. The landscape forms a

dramatic backdrop to some of the most ambitious settlements in Europe; from Dunluce

Castle, perched on the edge of a basalt outcropping in Co. Antrim, to Dursey Island Castle –

accessed from the mainland by cable car, and crossing a steep sea-gorge filled by the

Atlantic Ocean 450 feet below.

The western stone forts are a common element of the archaeological remains in the west

of Ireland, built as defendable homesteads during the period 500 - 800AD. Architecturally

many of the Irish sites are comparable to Iron Age stone forts along the Atlantic seaboard

of Western Europe. Dun Aonghasa on the Aran Islands is among the most imposing and

impressive fortifications on the west coast. Located 300 feet above the ragging Atlantic, and

on the very edge of a sheer cliff-face, radiocarbon dating of food remains found in the inner

enclosure date the earliest activity at the site to around 1500BC. The presence of a chevaux

de frise for example suggests links with stone forts in Northern Spain, Portugal, Scotland

and Wales where this feature also occurs.

The arrival of Christianity in Ireland during the first half of the first millennium AD brought a

monastic population that sought solitude on this coast. Perhaps the most striking of these

ecclesiastical places of solitude are the Skellig Islands, situated 8 miles off the west coast of

the Iveragh Peninsula. The monastery's exact date of foundation is not known, though first

definite reference to monastic activity on the island is a record of the death of Suibhini of

Skelig dating from the 8th century. However, Saint Fionán is claimed to have founded the

monastery in the 6th century. Skellig Michael was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage

List in 1996.

The Road to Myanmar

Treasures of Ireland

Explore Ireland

with Dr. O’Flaherty,

July 5 - 20, 2014.

(800) 552-4575 • (415) 482-8400 • fax (415) 482-8495 • email: journey@farhorizons.com • web page: www.farhorizons.com

EUROPE & TURKEYEastern Turkey’s Lost Kingdoms

From the mountains of eastern Anatolia, to the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates, to the Cilician plain, experience the history and culture of thiscrossroad of civilizations.May 16 - 31, 2015 with Professor John France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995.00

Glorious GreeceExplore both celebrated and more remote remains of the many civilizations that have passed across this land.May 24 - June 7, 2014 with Professor Thomas F. X. Noble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,495.00

Sicily: Art and ArchaeologyLearn about the rich history of this beautiful isle with visits to glorious Greek temples, magnificent cathedrals, Roman Amphitheaters, and more! May 16 - 30, 2015 with Professor Alexis Castor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995.00

Cathedrals of FranceSince the Christianization of Europe, cathedrals have served both as centers of ecclesiastical authority and marvels of architectural genius and innovation. Explore the evolution of the Gothic cathedrals, both in Paris and the surrounding area.May 29 - June 8, 2015 with Professor William R. Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CALL

Cyprus, Bodrum, Rhodes and Malta: In the Path of the Crusader KnightsAfter the fall of Jerusalem, the Knights of the Order of Saint John the Hospitaller sought refuge in the Kingdom of Cyprus, and then Rhodes. Two hundred years later, Sultan Suleiman’s forces drove the Knights from that island and they were then established on Malta where they fought piratesinstead of the infidels.March 15 - 29, 2015 with Professor John France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,995.00 + air

An Exploration of Wales and EnglandView the remnants of prehistoric, Roman, medieval and industrial sites in Wales and Western England. June 6 - 20, 2014 with Dr. James Bruhn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,695.00 + air

Greek Isles of Myth: Crete, Santorini and the CycladesTraveling by ferry, embrace the culture of Crete, Santorini, and of the Cycladic islands: Paros, Naxos, and Delos.June 8 - 21, 2014 with Professor Steven L. Tuck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,595.00 May 17 - 30, 2015 with Study Leader to be Announced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,795.00

The Archaeology of IrelandDiscover mythic fortresses, inspiring monasteries, and forgotten relics that stand as evidence of the astonishingly rich and varied story of the enchantedland of Éire.July 5 - 20, 2014 with Dr. Enda O’Flaherty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,495.00 + air

The Riches of Scotland From the English border to the Orkney Islands, enjoy prehistoric stone circles and chambered tombs, glorious abbeys and cathedrals, and medieval castles.August 2 - 17, 2014 with archaeologist Brian Buchanan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,495.00 + airJuly 19 - August 3, 2015 with archaeologist Brian Buchanan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,695.00 + air

Turkish TreasuresEnjoy private tours of Hattusha, capital of the Hittites; Troy, and Ephesus. Visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Sagalassos, Pergamum,Cappadocia, and more.September 4 - 19, 2015 with Professer Garrett Fagan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995.00

An Archaeological Pub Crawl of Great BritainExplore prehistoric stone circles and chambered tombs, walk in the footsteps of Roman armies along Hadrian’s Wall, and savor the view from battlementsof medieval castles in remote and beautiful areas of Britain - and rarely be far distant from a source of liquid replenishment.September 14 - 26, 2014 with Dr. James Bruhn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,995.00 + air

Greece & Turkey: a Voyage through HistorySail by private yacht from the Turkish coast to the Greek Dodecanese Islands of Kos, Nisyros, Tilos, Simi, Rhodes.September 28 - October 11, 2014 with Professor Garrett Fagan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,295.00

Turkey: Sail the Sapphire SeasOnboard a private yacht, cruise the southwestern coast of Turkey to explore ancient cities, sunken ruins, fortified castles, and tiny traditional villages.September 26 - October 11, 2015 with study leader to be announced. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995.00

Armenia, Iran & Turkey:  ArchaeoastronomyLed by the director of Los Angeles County’s Griffith Observatory, traverse three countries in the Transcaucasus. Visit Göbekle Tepe, Sogmatar, and NemrudDag, Qarahunge, Sevsar, Takte-é Soleiman, Marageh Observatory and more, and along the way see how the visions in the sky united ancient peoples.September 12 - 27, 2015 with Dr. E. C. Krupp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CALL

OCEANIAChile and Easter Island’s Tapati Festival

Immense stone statues, perplexing petroglyphs, vibrant cave paintings, and the Tapati Festival, a time of revelry and of honoring the culture - both past and present.January 29 - February 9, 2015 with Dr. Sidsel Millerström . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,695.00 + air

THE MIDDLE EAST & ARABIAThe Grandeur of Petra, The Splendors of Jordan

View celebrated mosaics of Madaba; Roman Jerash; elegant Umayyad fortress-palaces; the unique statues of ‘Ain Ghazal; and two full days in 2,500 year old Petra.March 15 - 28, 2015 with Professor Gary Rollefson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,995.00

Iran: Empires of Everlasting FireEmbrace the cultural diversity of Pasargad, Persepolis, Isfahan, Shiraz, and other sites, and witness the way in which previous empires have left their indelible mark.May 12 - 28, 2015 with Dr. Jennifer Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995.00

Far Horizons Schedule of TripsAll Dates and Prices Subject to Change • Revised 2/20/14

Far Horizons Schedule of TripsAll Dates and Prices Subject to Change • Revised 2/20/14

(800) 552-4575 • (415) 482-8400 • fax (415) 482-8495 • email: journey@farhorizons.com • web page: www.farhorizons.com

INDIA,  ASIA and CHINASri Lanka and the Perahera Festival

Enjoy the festive processions honoring the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and visit Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka; the Royal Palace in Polonnaruwa; Fortified Galle; the sacred city of Kandy, and Dambulla Cave Temple – all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.August 7 - 24, 2014 with Dr. Ruth Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995.00

Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan: A Journey through Central AsiaFollow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Genghiz Khan, Marco Polo, and Tamerlane. Experience Merv, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand. September 27 - October 15, 2014 with Dr. E. C. Krupp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,995.00

China: Along the Silk RoadMogao Caves’ ornate Buddhist paintings, the world’s oldest continuous market in Kashgar, the Taklamakan Desert, Turpan, Kuqa and Urumqi and so much more.October 9 - 26, 2014 with Dr. Jennifer Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995.00

Burma (Myanmar)Land of the Golden Pagodas - Yangon, Mrauk-U, Pindaya Caves, Inle Lake, and Bagan where more than two thousand spires rise above the horizonDecember 1 - 19, 2014 with Dr. Charlotte Galloway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,395.00 + air

South India: Temples and TraditionsFrom Hampi to Karaikudi to Tanjore, the temples visited contain some of the greatest architectural and sculptural achievements in India.January 1 - 18, 2015 with Professor Daud Ali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,995.00

Angkor Wat and LaosHistorically-rich Cambodia and Laos including six full days at Angkor, and in Laos, see Vat Phou, Vientiane, and the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang.January 4 - 20, 2015 with Dr. Damian Evans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,995.00

Vietnam & Cambodia: The Mekong by Private YachtOnboard a privately chartered river vessel with only 12 cabins, learn of the similarities of the Maya and the Khmer civilizations as told by Drs. Coe and Evans as we cruise up the Mekong from Saigon to Siem Reap. Along the way stop to explore temples, pagodas, and ancient cities, many hidden for centuries and rarely visited. November 9 - 25, 2015 with Professor Michael D. Coe and Dr. Damian Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CALL

EGYPT AND AFRICAEthiopia: The Wonders of the Horn of Africa

Ethiopians developed a sophisticated culture based on a deep love of Christianity. Revel in Gondar, Bahir Dar, the Simien Mountains, the undergroundchurches of Lalibela, and colorful Good Friday celebrations in Axum.April 4 - 18, 2015 with Dr. Cinzia Perlingieri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,695.00

The Oases of Western EgyptTravel through the Great Sand Sea of the western desert to see the six spring-fed oases, Siwa, Dakhla, Bahariya, Farafra, Karga, and the Fayoum.October 3 - 20, 2014 with Professor Bob Brier and Art Historian Patricia Remler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,995.00

The Majesty of EgyptCairo to Luxor to Aswan to Abu Simbel, enter sites closed to the public - the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari, the Red Pyramid, Sakkara’s Unas Temple, and the burial chamber in the Great Pyramid.November 1 - 14, 2014 with Professor Bob Brier and Art Historian Patricia Remler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,995.00

Sudan: An Exploration of Ancient KushIn northern Sudan in the land of Kush towering pyramids, painted rock-cut tombs, and ornately carved temples await discovery. January 4 - 17, 2015 with Professor Bob Brier and Art Historian Patricia Remler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995.00 + air

Undiscovered EgyptExplore Tanis, Alexandria, Amarna (with a private tour by the project director), tombs closed to the public, and cruise aboard our own traditional yacht.February 14 - 27, 2015 with Professor Bob Brier and Art Historian Patricia Remler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,995.00

THE AMERICASGuatemala: Lost Cities of the Ancient Maya

Hidden within the lowland rainforest of the Peten of Guatemala are ancient Maya cities so isolated that they are scarcely ever seen - Cancuen, Dos Pilas, Aguateca, Ceibal, Holmul. Recent discoveries here are proving their importance, and accompanied by a hieroglyphic specialist, you will learn their secret history.January 31 - February 9, 2015 with epigrapher Stanley Paul Guenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,395.00

Mexico: The Archaeology of the YucatanExplore out of the way Maya cities - Santa Rosa Xtampak, Balamku, Dzibanche, Balankanche, and Calakmul. Visit Tulum, Chichén Itzá, Uxmal and Ek Balam.February 14 - 25, 2015 with epigrapher Stanley Paul Guenter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,995.00

Capital Cities of the Ancient MayaCopan, Tikal’s towering temples, Yaxchilán, Bonampak’s murals, and Palenque. Spend two days in the colonial town of San Cristobal de las Casas.March 1 - 13, 2015 with study leader to be announced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,895.00

In the Path of the Snake Kingdom: El Mirador, La Corona, HolmulFly by helicopter to La Corona, Waqa, and El Mirador, and then to Holmul and learn how hieroglyphic texts proclaim the power of the mighty Ka’an, or Snake Kingdom. April 4 - 10, 2015 with Professor David Freidel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995.00 + air

Peru: Inkas & Their AncestorsFrom the nrothern Moche cities to the highland Inka sites, experience Peru’s past. Caral, Chanquillo, ChanChan, Machu Picchu, and the Nazca Lines.June 18 - July 3, 2014 with Dr. William Sapp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,395.00

Mexico: Oaxaca’s Day of the DeadEnjoy magical revelries as families welcome the spirits of the departed during their annual visit home. See demonstrations by artists and Oaxaca’sarchaeological sites.October 26 - November 3, 2015 with Dr. Khristaan Villela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CALL

Dear Seth,

It’s hard to pick a highlight of our trip to Turkey so far.Istanbul is an amazing city, full of life and activity. Our cruiseon the Bosphorus during sunset was magical, capped off with adelectable fish dinner on the European waterfront, with the Asianseafront as the backdrop. Then we flew to Ankara, the capital, and journeyed to Cappadocia, a place where the landscape seemslike a scene from a science fiction film. The chimney-like rock formations jet upwards in this arid place and brightly-colored hot air balloons hover above them in hoards. Here we walkedthrough Byzantine churches cut into the rocks. They are unassumingat first, but once you enter and shed light on the walls, the brilliance and beauty of these frescos is awe-inspiring… And then there’s the Lycian coast where turquoise waters lap gentlyagainst the shores of terraced towns filled with fine seafoodrestaurants and a laid back, tranquil atmosphere.

Perhaps most special has been the private events we have been fortunate enough to experience as guests of archaeologists at the three most important projects in the eastern Mediterranean. At Hattusas, the excavation team hosted our group for a BBQ dinner at the dig house and we were able to pick their brains and learnabout the current field season. The next day, the project directorpersonally accompanied us through the reconstructions and wecould see how this fortified city allowed the Hittites to be one ofthe most powerful empires of its time. At Ephesus it is easy to getlost in the crowds and the stunning architecture of this ancientGreek city. But with one of the archaeologists giving us a privatetour of the ruins, the crowds faded away and we were able to absorbthe history without impediment, especially when going behind thescenes to view the mosaic floors at the terraced houses. Finally, at Troy - a place whose name is well-known, but where the remainscan be underwhelming at first glance - the project director madethe history come alive with his detailed explanations and stories…some more juicy and fascinating than the Iliad itself!

With all we’ve see thus far, one can’t help but wonder if there isanything that Turkey doesn’t have to offer its visitors…

Prior to the development of engraved metal instrumentsinscribed with highly accurate scales, astronomers, intheir quest for precision, built ever larger measuringarcs. In the fifteenth century, Ulugh Beg constructed thelargest meridian arc the world had yet seen, 131 feethigh from the bottom of the arc to the tower roof inSamarkand. Ulugh Beg was the grandson of Tamerlane,who conquered much of Asia, and while still a teenager,Ulugh Beg was installed as a provincial governor atSamarkand.

The observatory Ulugh Beg built in what is nowUzbekistan, influenced not only Turkestan and the restof the Islamic world, but Europe as well. Some of mod-ern astronomy’s DNA can be traced to Ulugh Beg. Frommeasurements made at Samarkand, he compiled a starcatalog that tabulated the world’s most accurate posi-tions for 1018 celestial objects. His work astonished theastronomers of Europe and inspired Jan Hevelius, inGdansk, who propelled astronomical observation forward in the 17th century.

It is remarkable anything of Ulugh Beg’s observatorysurvives. After he was assassinated by his son in 1449,the observatory fell into neglect and ruin. It was lost forcenturies and not recovered until archaeological investi-gation located it in 1908. Today, a subterranean sectionof the enormous meridian arc can still be seen where itwas originally constructed and used six centuries ago. Itis a monument of our abiding bond with the sky. I amdelighted we’ll have this chance to salute Ulugh Beg onhis own astronomical ground. We’ll also try to have alook at some of those stars Ulugh Beg mapped. They arestill shining in Central Asia skies.

Starstruck in Samarakand

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Travel with Dr. Krupp on Under Central

Asia Skies: Culture and Stars through

Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan,

September 27 - October 15, 2014.

Travel on Far Horizons’

Turkish Treasures,

September 6 - 21, 2014.

By E.C. KruppGriffith Observatory, Los Angeles

from Turkey

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By Bob Brier

Pat and I have just returned from a spectacular tour of Sudan, the“safe Sudan” in the North—Nubia—a land full of sand, pyramidsand ancient sites. Sudan is like what Egypt must have been 150years ago. There are no guards, no fees, no tourist buses. Wetoured in eight Toyota trucks—all air-conditioned with seat beltsand excellent drivers. At almost every site, we were the only onesthere—imagine having the entire Meroe pyramid field to yourself!Friends, Timothy Kendall and Joyce Haynes, were excavating witha large team at Jebel Barkal, once the Southern dwelling of theEgyptian God Amun. Timothy and Joyce walked us through thesite, explaining what they were working on this season. We had

plenty of time to askall the questions wehad, and they laterjoined us for dinner at the Nubian RestHouse, a true oasis in the desert. We arelooking forward to the January 2015 trip,before tourism findsSudan and the peaceand serenity of thedesert sites give wayto tour buses.Photos by Steve Stubblefield