"Ancient Earth: Making History Everlasting" (1940)
Category: Produced Film
Length: 23:17
| Film ID | F16-4015 |
| Film Description | Completed Film-- an introduction to the University Museum. Narration - Lowell Thomas Using segments of films made at several Penn Museum sites, this film documents the process of archaeological discovery and also describes the return of objects to the Museum for processing and exhibition, as of 1940. This is a useful document for the purposes of Museology or the history and study of museums. Producer UPMAA, Ted Nemeth (prod), Mary E. Bute (asst prod) Audio/Visual sound, b&w Credits Produced, filmed and edited by Ted Nemeth Co-producer, Mary Ellen Bute Narrator, Lowell Thomas Some footage from Tepe Hissar may have been taken by Erich Schmidt, the archaeologist leading the dig Shotlist A 1940 documentary and promotional film on the University Museum (Penn Museum) filmed and edited by Ted Nemeth, an independent producer, and his wife and partner Mary Ellen Bute, better known for her animations. For more on Nemeth and Bute, please see the Yale University Film Archives. The film provides an introduction to the functions of the Museum as a research institution and world renowned collection of archaeological and cultural artifacts, using the Museum's Tepe Hissar, Iran Expedition as an example of the trajectory from field to Museum. There are cutaways to various international locations that do not seem to originate in Penn Museum collections, perhaps they are stock footage These are followed by a segment on Tepe Hissar, Iran, an expedition sponsored by the Museum. This 1930s footage may have come from Erich Schmidt, who is known to have used film cameras on previous occasions. |
| Video Category | Produced Film |
| Film Creator | Ted Nemeth, producer |
| Topics | University Museum expeditions, Schmidt, Eric, Tepe Hissar, Museology, Penn Museum, University Museum, Palestine, Baghdad, Iran, Conservation, Conservators, Curators, Registrars, Pottery shards, Paul Casci, Leon Legran, Geraldine Bruckner, Reuben Goldberg |
| Contributor(s) | Mary E. Bute, asst. producer |