Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'artifacts'

Missing A Masterpiece... Call FBI's Art Crime Team

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:57:00 EST

The FBI used to treat cases of art theft just like any other case involving stolen property. But today a team of special agents at the FBI is devoted to tracking down priceless cultural artifacts. Dina Temple-Raston explores the world of real-life art heists.

The 'Unholy Business' Of Biblical Forgeries

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:31:00 EST

In 2002, archaeologists claimed a box of ancient bones held the remains of Jesus' brother. Nina Burleigh discusses her book, Unholy Business: The True Tale of Faith, Greed and Forgery in the Holy Land, which explores how forgers create fake artifacts to "prove" Biblical stories to be true.

Smithsonian To Recreate Obama Field Office

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:24:00 EST

America's newly elected president won't be sworn in for weeks, but already the Smithsonian Institution is gathering objects for a Barack Obama exhibit. And just what are those precious artifacts? Campaign mailers, election maps and a Lazy Boy chair. They were headed for the trash until curators called. The Smithsonian plans to recreate an Obama field office. It has collected so much, that some of the campaign stuff is being stored in the garage of an Obama volunteer.

A Check On The New Head of the Smithsonian

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

It's not easy trying to modernize a massive institution known more for historic artifacts than cutting-edge technology. Wayne Clough, head of the Smithsonian, talks about his first 100 days in office with Ari Shapiro. They discuss fundraising, education and keeping pace with technological change.

Fort Ticonderoga In Trouble

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:54:00 EDT

Fort Ticonderoga, in upstate New York, saw bloody action in the French and Indian Wars and the Revolutionary Wars But now the privately owned museum and battleground is fighting for its own existence. The fort could be forced to shut down or sell off key artifacts.

Fires Pose Risks For Archaeological Sites

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

With drought, high temperatures and bark beetle infestations, conditions are ripe across the West for catastrophic forest fires. And that's making archaeologists very nervous. Fires may destroy thousands of ancient Native American artifacts and may expose other sites to looters.

Childhood Home Of George Washington Excavated

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

George Washington slept there for years — it's the Virginia house he grew up in. Archaeologists have excavated the house, or what's left of it, and they say they've found artifacts that suggest that the Washingtons started out genteel but fell on hard times.

National Parks' Civil War Relics Tempt Thieves

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:44:00 EDT

Many historical artifacts can be found in National Parks, which are often tempting to thieves. Some say stealing these relics may help preserve history rather than hurt it. As part of our series on National Parks, NPR's Laura Sullivan has the story.

Cedar Rapids Museum Recovers from Floods

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:26:00 EDT

During the recent floods in Iowa, Cedar Rapids' National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library was surrounded by 15 feet of water. Stefanie Kohn, the museum's curator, tells Michele Norris about the effort to clean and preserve soaked artifacts.

Flood Museum Underwater in Iowa

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:14:00 EDT

The flood of 1993 was thought to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for residents of Fort Madison, Iowa. They even filled a downtown museum with artifacts of that historical Mississippi River flood. But 15 years later, history has repeated itself.

How to Make a Painting Last Forever

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EDT

Light, temperature, and air pollution can wreck works of art. How do museums protect and preserve artistic and historic artifacts for the ages? Experts from the Getty Conservation Institute discuss the finer points of paint makeup and how to optimize conditions in museum galleries.

Afghanistan's Hidden Treasures on Display in D.C.

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:38:00 EDT

Centuries ago, Afghanistan was a vital stop along the ancient Silk Road where cultures of the East and West converged. Artifacts from that rich cultural crossroads are currently on display at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. — after being hidden away for more than two decades in Kabul.

Who's the Brain Behind 'Aztec' Crystal Skulls...

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:29:00 EDT

Dozens of crystal skulls exist around the world, but none has proved to be a genuine Aztec artifact. Scientists remain puzzled: Where did they come from?

Hunt for World's Fair Artifacts Turns Up Junk

Mon, 19 May 2008 09:41:00 EDT

Archaeologists are digging in a Chicago park that was the scene of the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Experts want to find traces of that grand exposition, attended by millions. So far they've mainly found beer cans.

Spain Battles for Treasure Raised from Shipwreck

Mon, 19 May 2008 08:49:00 EDT

A court in Tampa, Fla., is studying evidence presented by Spain to claim the biggest treasure ever salvaged from a shipwreck. Last year, a Tampa-based company raised 17 tons of silver and gold coins and other artifacts from the bottom of the ocean and it refuses to hand it over.

New Orleans Museum to Reclaim Artifacts

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT

After Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans' French Quarter evacuated 200,000 artifacts to Baton Rouge, where they've sat in storage ever since. Now the artifacts are all coming home.

Peru Questions Yale on Inventory of Artifacts

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EDT

A former Peruvian first lady's criticism of Yale University and the government of Peru for a tentative agreement to return Incan artifacts led to a review of Yale's inventory. Now, the Peruvian government wants to revise the deal.

Kennedy Artifacts Found in Dallas Courthouse

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:20:00 EST

Artifacts related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy have been discovered in a safe in the Dallas County courthouse. However, the most fascinating -- and controversial -- document found is unlikely to be what it appears to be.

Museums Suspected in Tax Fraud, Stolen Artifacts

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:29:00 EST

Federal agents have raided the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and the Mingei International Museum in San Diego, and a warrant was issued for Pasadena's Pacific-Asia Museum. Authorities say the museums received looted Asian and Native American artifacts.

Egypt Seeks to Copyright Pyramids

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:17:00 EST

Egypt is considering a bill that would copyright its antiquities, from the pyramids to scarab beetles, in an attempt to get paid from the sale of replicas. Under the law, anyone seeking to make an exact replica of a copyrighted Pharaonic artifact would have to seek permission and pay a fee.

Yale Returns Peruvian Antiquities

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:03:00 EDT

Yale University agrees to return to Peru hundreds of artifacts from the Incan site of Machu Picchu. The objects have been at the center of a debate that has lasted almost a century, and culminated last year when the government of Peru threatened to sue Yale to get the artifacts back.

Web Site Reveals the Dark Side of Roomies

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:00:00 EDT

Many college freshmen are about to have their first roommate experience. Many of them may experience their new cohabitant's unfortunate inability to communicate directly. A Web site, Passiveaggressivenotes.com, collects all kinds of notes, among them the artifacts from domestic arrangements gone wrong.

New Artifacts Brought Up from Pirate Shipwreck

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:10:00 EDT

A team of explorers has recovered cannons and other artifacts from the Whydah, the only authenticated pirate ship ever found. The shipwreck was discovered off Cape Cod in 1984.

Getty Museum Strikes Deal to Surrender Antiquities

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:30:00 EDT

The Getty Museum will return 40 artifacts the Italian government says were looted. The deal allows the Getty Â� the wealthiest U.S. arts institution, with an endowment of over $5 billion Â� to keep one key sculpture, a limestone-and-marble Aphrodite, until 2010.

Wes Cowan and 'History Detectives'

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EDT

Do you have a piece of American history in the attic? Wes Cowan, star of the public television series History Detectives, talks about how his team of experts separate fact from myth in their exploration of historical artifacts.