6A
Tuesday, March 14, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Students study hieroglyphs
Ancient texts gain popularity
By Matthew Friedrichs Kansan staff writer
By reading about and trying to draw hieroglyphs in his free time, David Mora-Marin, Moravia, Costa Rica, junior, taught himself epigraphy.
Epigraphy, or the study of ancient texts, of hieroglyphs is growing in popularity among KU students, said John Hoopes, assistant professor of anthropology.
Mora-Marin became interested in various ancient writings, including Mayan hieroglyphics, after he took a course about meso-American anthropology taught by Hoopes.
"There aren't any courses at KU that teach epigraphy of Mayan hieroglyphs," Mora-Marin said. "I have learned how to interpret ancient texts by reading other people's work on the subject."
With help from an honors program grant, Mora-Marin studied the Jade Plaque hieroglyphs found in Costa Rica.
Working mostly from photographs, Mora-Marin is hand-drawing the hieroglyphics and working to interpreting them.
As a result of Mora-Marin's research, he has been asked by Dorie Reents-Budet of Duke University to update the interpretation of hieroglyphs in a book to be published next fall.
Hoopes said the number of KU students interested in hieroglyphics was growing.
Last year, Hoopes attended a conference at the University of Texas at Austin with six KU students. This year, nine students traveled to the "Mava Meetings in Texas."
Jennifer Kremer, Bartlesville, Okla., junior, went to the conference last weekend at the recommendation of Hoopes, her anthropology professor.
The conference this year focused on the terminal classic period, the decline of Mayan civilization, from 600 to 800 A.D.
Thursday and Friday were dedicated to the presentation of scholarly papers and research. A short workshop about hieroglyphics was offered Saturday and Sunday, and a second workshop is ongoing through Friday, Kremer said.
Both hieroglyphic workshops focused on the epigraphy of the the hieroglyphs.
Linda Shele, a professor of art history at the University of Texas, and Nicoli Grube, also a leading expert of Mayan hieroglyphs, led the workshops.
Kremer said the conference allowed students a chance to meet and talk with experts in their fields.
"It's really interesting to go and see scholars who wrote the textbooks we're using," Kremer said.
The informal atmosphere of the conference and the accessibility of the scholars impressed Kremer.
"It blew my whole image of what a scholar is." Kremer said.
Kremer, who only stayed for the weekend activities, said seven KU students stayed for the second workshop.
Hoopes said that while the students at the long conference weren't receiving credit, they would learn a
"Olmec spoon"
incised with
Mayan
hieroglyphs
The text is comprised of two clauses. The first is possibly the name of the original owner. The second probably narrates an event. Both refer to a place or royal lineage in glyphs three and eight, which would be read as "divine night lord" or "divine darkness lord."
lot from the intensive study at the conference.
"They are basically skipping classes so they can study hieroglyphs pretty much 24 hours a day," Hoops said.
Salvation remembered by Jews
Traditions, festival honor deliverance
By Eduardo A. Molina Kansan staff writer
In the fifth century B.C., Jews in Persia were marked for death by their Persian rulers. Haman, the minister of King Ahasuerus, convinced the king to carry out the plan by telling him that the Jews were rebellious.
But Esther, the Jewish wife of the king, convinced the king that Haman's goals were wicked and selfish. The king agreed, and the Jews were spared.
Tomorrow night, this salvation will be commemorated with the festival of Purim, a celebration of the Jews' delivery from the massacre. Events at the Jewish Community Center, 917 Highland Drive, will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Beth Bckerman, Dallas sophomore, said the event had a special
"The story of Esther shows the strength of women."
Amy Leffko Sioux City, Iowa,junior
meaning for Jews because of the traditions associated with the festival.
"People dress up in costumes, especially children," she said. "We read the Megillah, or the Book of Esther, during the celebration. Every time the name of Haman is mentioned, people make a lot of noise with greggers."
Greggers are hand-held noisemakers that are spun around by a handle.
"We have special cookies with jelly or fruits inside called Hamantaschen," she said. "It is customary to have them." The three-cornered cookies are named for Haman's ears.
Exchanging food and gifts is an important part of the festival, Ackerman said.
This year's celebration will include discussion of the history of Purim and its meaning for women.
"The story of Esther shows the strength of women," said Amy Lefko, Sioux City, Iowa junior. "So, part of the discussion will focus on feminism and Judaism."
Lefkos said the festival was not mentioned in the Torah, but the story of Esther had an important meaning because of her heroism.
Purim is celebrated in February or March on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. The word Purim comes from the Hebrew word "pur," meaning lot. Haman had cast lots to determine the day of execution for the Jews.
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