The Origins of the Classical Artifact Research Center (CLARC)

In summer 2006, about eight hundred ancient archaeological objects were wrapped, boxed, and gently transferred from the Rose Art Museum to the new Classical Artifact Research Center (CLARC) in Golding so that Classical Studies students (and NEJS, Fine Arts, and other undergraduates as well) can identify and trace the origins and earlier expeditions of these unique and fragile artifacts -- studying art and history experientially. The generous gift of Dr. James Rush of Clearwater, Florida made possible a new, state-of-the-art security system to protect the collection. The Center also owes much to the support of Brandeis Provost Marty Wyngaarden Krauss, whose office generously secured and helped fund the establishment of our new home for these objects, including marble and bronze figurines, ceramics, weapons, jewelry, and medical instruments from 1500 B.C.E. to the Byzantine period. These objects, mostly gifts to the university, were gathered into the current collection more than 20 years ago under the curatorship of Classical Studies. A further gift from Dr. James Sussman [see below] expanded the collection impressively. Regarding the collection itself, Director Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow calls it "astonishing," saying: "The students' amazement at the artifacts is palpable. We hope it will captivate and inspire our students and archaeological scholars for years to come."

In fall term 2006, Classical Studies began a formal internship program for three undergraduates each academic year. The internship comprises a year-long class, as interns work with, research, and document the ancient artifacts in CLARC. Terms of the program require that each intern be a Classical Studies major able to meet during the fall and spring semesters for 4 hours each week for a total of 100 hours. The course (92a/b) earns 2 credit units per semester. Each spring term, competition for the three slots is fierce, with new interns announced at the end of April. Over the course of the next academic year, all meet weekly at the CLARC center with Classical Studies archaeologist Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow. For more information on internships, check out our page on the University's internship website: http://www.brandeis.edu/programs/internships/pages/clas.html, or contact Jessica Paquin, Academic Internships Administrator, at paquin@brandeis.edu. Professor Cheryl Walker, the Classical Studies faculty contact for internships, is also available for consultation at (cwalker@brandeis.edu). Selected Eunice M. Lebowitz Cohen Fellows may also be eligible to work in the Center. Applications and complete information about the fellowship program are available on our Research Classics page.

N.B.: Applications for the 2010-11 program may be downloaded here: CLARC 2010/11 Internship Application.

Classical Studies Interns at Work in CLARC and Elsewhere

2009-10 CLARC INTERNS. Classical Studies is delighted to announce our newly selected CLARC Interns for 2009-10: L. Aimée Birnbaum '10; Blake Kasan '11; Jessica Schaengold '11. Sarah A. Costrell '10, who was an intern last year, will be CLARC supervisor for 2009-10. Congratulations to the new crew! Photos of our previous interns and the 2006 move follow, below.

The Sussman Artifacts

In September 2006, the Center received a generous gift of artifacts from Brandeis biologists Raquel and Maurice Sussman (he was formerly Goldman Professor of Biology here). Professor Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow met former Brandeis Professor Maurice Sussman [below] in Falmouth, Massachusetts, prior to transporting the Sussman collection of artifacts back to CLARC. The collection of 24 ancient artifacts consists of bowls, pitchers, cups, and perfume and oil vials that range in age from middle Bronze Age (2,000 B.C.E.) to the late Roman period (500 C.E.). Collected while the Sussmans lived in Israel from 1973-1976, the objects have enriched our increasingly important teaching collection of artifacts. We are immensely grateful to them for their generosity.

A Sampling of the CLARC Artifacts

In preparation for launching the premier issue of Dialogue, Brandeis's new School of Humanities magazine, our Chief Photographer Mike Lovett visited the Ancient Artifacts Center in March 2006. Classical Studies was honored to have a tableau of the new Center's ancient artifacts featured on the magazine's front and back covers. The collection ranges from the ancient Mediterranean cultures to the Middle East, including: Greek, Cypriot, Roman, Assyrian, Egyptian, Byzantine, Hurrian, Hittite, Syrian, and Persian. Here is a brief photographic sampling:

Photographs [above, from left to right]: (1) Terracotta Fertility Figurine, Near Eastern; (2) Terracotta Figurine, perhaps Hurrian; (3) Grouping of Near Eastern Terracotta Fertility Figurine, Terracotta Figurine, and Winged Terricotta Figurine; (4-5): Different Views of a Winged Terracotta Figurine, perhaps Syrian.

Photographs [above]: (6-8) Different Aspects of a Geometric Vase, ca. 9th century B.C.E.

Photographs [above, from left to right]: (9) Bronze Furniture Boss with Birds, perhaps Byzantine; (10-11) Two Aspects of Large Terracotta Storage Jug, Byzantine.

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Photographs: [top] tableau of artifacts in the Center, March 2006 by Mike Lovett. [N.B. A close-up of this photograph was used as the cover of the spring 2006 Dialogue magazine, the new journal of the Brandeis School of Humanities.] Photographs of The Classics Artifact Research Center move: [left to right] Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow with Chris Farrell and Josh Bernstock unloaded boxes [photo by Zac Shipkin]; Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow and Zac Shipkin taking a break in the unloading process [photo by Chris Farrell]; Chris Farrell and Josh Bernstock do the heavy lifting [photo by Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow]; Josh Bernstock, Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow, and Chris Farrell at the end of the move [photo by Zac Shipkin]. Photograph of Maurice Sussman and Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow by Susan J. Koloski. Photographs in the "March 2006 Photo Shoot" and "A Sampling of Artifacts" were taken at the Center in March 2006 by Brandeis's Mike Lovett, Chief Photographer, Office of Communications.


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Department of Classical Studies, 2009.