"Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas," slated to open at the Peabody in January 2003, will include a Curator's Tour, a video guiding visitors through a large-scale three-dimensional model of Machu Picchu (left) and an Orientation Theatre introducing visitors to the former country palace through a six-minute film about Peru and its diverse geographic environment, as well as Inca politics and history.

Peabody receives grant for Machu Picchu exhibit

The Connecticut Humanities Council (CHC) awarded Yale's Peabody Museum of Natural History a Cultural Heritage Development grant of $75,250 in support of the museum's upcoming exhibit "Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas." The funding, designated to cover a significant portion of the exhibit's audiovisual production costs, is the third and by far the largest grant the CHC has given the museum in support of the Machu Picchu project. According to Peabody Director Richard L. Burger, "This grant is especially significant because it funds the construction of two important components of the exhibition: the Orientation Theatre and the large model of the site that serves as the focus of the Curator's Tour video." Slated for a January 2003 opening, the exhibit is in part a reflection of the research and findings of Burger and archaeologist Lucy Salazar-Burger about the renowned archaeological site Machu Picchu. A country palace located in the highlands of Peru, Machu Picchu was used by the Inca elite as a retreat from the empire's capital, Cuzco. Burger and Salazar-Burger are co-curators of the exhibit, which will provide the museum with a permanent venue to display its extensive Machu Picchu collections, excavated in 1912 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham. The exhibition will draw on the latest technology to provide an interactive learning experience that explores the scientific methodology behind the archaeological process. The CHC is an independent, publicly supported foundation, established in 1973 as a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, with the objective of increasing public appreciation for, understanding of, and exposure to the humanities in Connecticut. The CHC's mission was enlarged in 1995, when the Connecticut General Assembly charged the CHC with administering the Cultural Heritage Development Fund, monies targeted to promote Connecticut's cultural heritage as a significant resource for the tourism industry. According to Burger, the CHC grant has been a key element in bringing the project to fruition. "The support of the Connecticut Humanities Council throughout the planning process has been crucial and for it we are deeply grateful," he said. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Zedillo named head of Center for Study of Globalization Other International Initiatives at Yale University SOM Institute to explore how corporations are regulated by world's governments Journalists covering Latin America will discuss the region's 'global reach' HUD secretary to visit as a Chubb Fellow Visiting architect describes his creative process In Focus: Yale Recycling Exhibition features art by 'consummate storyteller' Peabody receives grant for Machu Picchu exhibit Difficult quest for black education explored in forum Noted psychologist Neal E. Miller, pioneerin research on brain and behavior, dies Study estimates the likelihood of stroke in elderly patients who have had heart attacks Biotechnology companies are thriving in Connecticut with help from Yale science Lecture to explore how biomaterials 'will change our lives' Conference on 'God and the Ethics of Belief' pays tribute . . . Event to explore latest research on mental illness Gustav Ranis reappointed as Henry R. Luce Director of YCIAS 'Hot Flashes' explores world of womanhood after 50 Museum spearheading annual cleanup of New Haven Harbor At the powwow Transatlantic polo Campus Notes Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News|Bulletin Board Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page