The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology

Tuesday 25^th October: Hercules. Fact or Fiction?

Learn about the twelve tasks of the might hero, Hercules, using your detective skills to separate the facts from the fiction after watching the movie.

Plus – make your own Herculean shield to take home with you! Booking required. Lunch not provided.

Thursday 27^th October: Make an ancient Egyptian mask

Come along to the Ure museum and transform yourself with a mask inspired by the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs. Booking required.

 

 

Researchers Night - Friday 23 September 2011

The Ure Museum took part in this Europe-wide event inviting you to discover our innovative research in arts and humanities.

There was a Family Workshop between 2pm-3.30pm travelling through the mythical world of the ancient Greek Gods

The Museum was til 8pm allowing visitors to explore Egypt and Greece through objects after hours.

 

Encountering the Divine

The Classics department hosted an international conference  "Encountering the Divine: between gods and men in the ancient world" on 1st-3rd September 2011.

It included a temporary exhibition at the Ure Museum

 

 

Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece - Family events

In January 2011 we started the series of Saturday Special events entitled Gods and Goddesses. Since then we have enjoyed learning about the Olympian Gods:

On the 22^nd January visitors heard myths about Zeus, King of the Gods and made a lighting bolt.

On the 19^th February it was the turn of Zeus’ wife Hera, Queen of the Gods, and children and families had the chance to hear about her and to make their own crown.

On the 26^th March the special guest of the event was Dionysos, God of Wine and each visitor made a mask of a character from a myth they learned about during the day.

On the 16th April we met Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, and made a quiver-pencil case to bring home.

On the 21st May visitors heard stories about Aphrodite, Goddess of love, and, inspired by the beautiful goddess, they made and decorated a mirror.

On the 18th June it was the turn of Apollo, God of the Sun, with his myths and the chance to make our own laurel wreath to wear in his honour.

On the 16th July families made soft toy owls in honour of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom

On the 19th September families were transformed into Hermes, Messenger God, with wings and a lyre.

On 22nd October families designed and made cold porcelain coins to give to Hades, God of the Underworld

The penultimate event on 19th November saw families making beautiful modroc pots to celebrate the skill of Hephaistos, God of Craftsmen

Our final event of 2011 was focused on Poseidon, God of the Sea and families made fearful tridents

Scarabs of Egypt

Tuesday 12th April 2011. Families were able to find out why scarab beetles were so important to the Ancient Egyptians and make their own scarab beetle to take home.

Traditional Greek Dance Workshop

To celebrate the 'Museum at Night' the Ure Museum was pleased to offer a Greek dance workshop with professional dance teacher, Xenia Preveziotis on Friday, 13 May

Singles, couples and families were all welcome to enjoy the dancing and the refreshments.

Pyramid Power

Thursday 24th February 2011. Families were able to find out more about the treasures which could be found inside the ancient pyramids and had the chance to make their own pyramid to take home with them.

Pots! Pots! Pots!

Tuesday 22nd February 2011. Visitors were given the chance to handle real ancient Greek objects and to find out more about them. A new updated 'Spot a Pot' trail was also introduced.

Journey through the Underworld

Thursday 28th October 2010. Museum staff and volunteers led this Halloween special which looked at the Ancient Egyptian beliefs about the Underworld. Visitors then made their own figure of Anubis, the jackal headed god of mummification.

Beauty and the Beast

Tuesday 26th October 2010. Visitors found out about the creatures from Ancient Greek mythology such as the spectacular Sphinx and the gruesome Gorgons. Groups were then able to make a flying Pegasus (the winged horse) or a scary Siren (half woman, half bird) and decorate them with feathers to complete the effect!

Spectacular Shabti's

Saturday 17th July 2010. Visitors found out about the Shabti's of the Ure Museum and the role which they played in Ancient Egypt as servants to the dead. Using modroc and paint the group made their own Shabti's as well as a special case to keep them in.

Gods and Goddesses

Saturday 24th July 2010. The Ancient Greeks had many different Gods and Goddesses, such as Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Zeus, the King of the Gods. Visitors found out about the roles of these Gods and Goddesses and then used their imagination to create their own God or Goddess with different powers and accessories and their own individual background story.

Marvellous Myths

Saturday 31st July 2010. Visitors were able to learn about some of the myths which appear on the pots housed in the Ure Museum and to look at the different symbols associated with Gods and Goddesses which can be used to help identify them on the pots. The group then made their own magnetic version of a specific God or Goddess which they were able to take home to hang on the fridge or the radiator!

Gods of Egypt

Tuesday 1st June 2010. Visitors found out about the Egyptian Gods which are on display at the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology, including the dwarf God Bes who was thought to bring good luck and protection to children; Anubis, who was believed to be the God of the Underworld; and Horus, the God of the sky. Children were able to make their own Bes figure to take home with them.

Giddy-up Horsey!

Thursday 3rd June 2010. Animals played an important role in ancient Greece and visitors were invited to join the Museum staff and find out more about the role of horses and their importance. Families were able to explore the collection to find all the horse figurines as well as other animals such as pigs and a tortoise. Visitors left with their own horse figurine inspired by the collection.

Afterlife of the Ancients

Tuesday 13th April. Following the popularity of previous sessions, the Ure Museum once again hosted an event based on the beliefs of the Egyptians and what happened when they died. The highlight of the day was the mummification of a fish in front of an audience. The group then had the chance to explore the collection further and to look at the Egyptian objects which are displayed.

Egyptian Evils

Wednesday 14th April. Visitors found out about Egyptian superstitions and made their own talismans to ward away evil. There was also the opportunity to explore the collection by doing a trail to find the real Egyptian objects.

Pick A Side: Growing up in Ancient Greece

Thursday 15th April. Visitors had the chance to look at the difference in lifestyle between Athens or Sparta and had the chance to choose which city they would like to grow up in. Families then made toys depending on which side they decided on

 

'Panteles Eniautos: Time, Seasons, and the Cycle of Life in the Ancient
Greek World'

Thursday 11th February.  Ure Museum friends and visitors explored aspects of time and the seasons as they appear in Archaic and Classical Greek poetry and art

in an illustrated lecture by Alan Shapiro, the W. H. Collins Vickers Professor of Archaeology at Johns Hopkins University.  The lecture included an exploration of the ideas surrounding the figure of Eniautos (the year in its recurring cycle), who now appears depicted for the first time on a remarkable vase made in South Italy at the time of Alexander the Great.

 

Pick Up a Pot

Tuesday 16th February.  Families got the change to hold real Ancient Greek objects. We learnt about the different styles and designs of Ancient Greek pots and followed a pot trail around the Museum.

 

Treasures of Egypt

Thursday 18th February. Families found out about the objects which were buried in the tombs of Ancient Egyptians by designing their own tomb and treasures to take home.

 

Mythical Monsters

Tuesday, 27th October. We looked at the mythical monsters of ancient Greece such as the singing sirens, the gruesome griffins and the spectacular sphinx. Visitors designed and made their own monster to take home.

 

Enter the Underworld

Friday, 30th October. Ure Museum staff led a Halloween special and visitors found out about the Ancient Greek Underworld. Visitors also heard some of the ancient myths which took place there and made their own model of Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guarded the entrance to the Underworld.

 

National Archaeology Week - July 2009:

Picture Perfect

Saturday 18^th July, 11 am - 3 pm.  We learned about the mythical images on the pots of the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology. Participants made their own red figure and black figure pots to take home. They also learn about the Gods of Olympus and the monsters of the Underworld through the myths that were written about them.

Hook of the Dead!

Saturday 25^th July, 11 am - 3 pm. We learned about Ancient Egyptian beliefs surrounding death and what was written in the Book of the Dead. Members of staff mummified a fish, and each participant made their own mummy and sarcophagus to take home, complete with canopic jars and scarab beetles.

 

Mythical Creatures

Tuesday 26^th May, 11 am - 3 pm. We found out about the mythical creatures from the Ancient Greek world. Can you spot a Satyr? Can you picture Pegasus?

 

Spectacular Shabtis!

Thursday 28th May, 11 am - 3 pm. We found out about the Shabtis of the Ure Museum and role which they played in Ancient Egypt. Each participant designed his or her own Shabti to take home, and decorated it with Ancient Egyptian spells.

 

Pick up a pot - Egyptian style

Tuesday 17^th February, 2 pm - 4 pm. Following the popularity of our Pick up a Pot event where members of the public were given the chance to hold and learn about Ancient Greek objects, the Ure Museum presented 'Pick up a Pot Egyptian Style'.

They learned about Ancient Egyptian objects and how they were used, and held Ancient Egyptian objects from the Ure Museum's collection.

 

Strike a Pose!

Thursday 19^th February, 2 - 4 pm. We learned about some of the Ancient Greek myths which are shown on the pots of the Ure Museum and the problems of trying to show a myth through an image on a pot. Learn about black figure and red figure decoration and design your own image based on a myth.

Death and the Underworld

Friday 31^st October: 2 - 4.30 pm. In this Halloween event we learned about the ghosts, vampires and werewolves of Ancient Greece. Participants design and made their own paper stained glass windows to take home.

Superstitious Egyptians

Tuesday 28^th October: 2 pm - 4 pm. We found out about some of the many superstitions and beliefs held by the Ancient Egyptians. Participants designed and made their own ancient Egyptian style amulets to ward off evil or to bring good luck.

Pick up a Pot

Thursday 21st August: 2 pm – 4 pm. Participants had the chance to hold Ancient Greek objects. They learned about different styles and designs and follow our pot-trail around the Ure Museum.

Pyramid Power

Thursday 7th August: 2 pm - 4.30 pm. We found out about the Ancient Egyptian Pyramids and the ideas behind them. Participants designed and decorated their own pyramids to take home.

Death on the Nile

Saturday 12th July 2008: 11 am - 3 pm. We learned about Ancient Egyptian beliefs surrounding death and watched as members of staff mummified a fish. Participants made their own mummies, complete with sarcophagus, amulet and canopic jars to take home.

Beautiful Creatures: From Pegasus to the Sirens

Tuesday 27th May 2008: 1 pm - 4 pm. We found out about the beautiful mythical creatures of Ancient Greece and created our own Pegasus the flying horse.

Gruesome Creatures: From Medusa to the Minotaur

Thursday 29th May 2008: 1 - 4 pm. We found out about the gruesome mythical creatures of Ancient Greece and created our own Medusa masks.

Aphrodite Revealed: the goddess disclosed

Thursday 8th - Saturday 10th May 2008. An international interdisciplinary conference. See conference website at www.reading.ac.uk/ure/Aphrodite.

Gods and Goddesses

Wednesday 9th April 2008: 2 - 5 pm. Find out about Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses - who was the God of Wine, who was born wearing armour? Design and make your own God or Goddess and give them a special background story.

Suitable for children ages 6 and up. £3.00 per child, accompanying adult free.

Booking is required. Please contact Jennifer Allison on 0118 378 6990 or email ure.education@reading.ac.uk.

Mythical Monsters and Ancient Heroes

Tuesday 15th April 2008: 1 - 4 pm. Learn about Greek heroes and the monsters which they fought. Make a hero and monster to take home.

Suitable for children ages 6 and up. £3.00 per child, accompanying adult free.

No booking required, please feel free to drop in between 1 pm and 4 pm. For more information please contact Jennifer Allison on 0118 378 6990 or email ure.education@reading.ac.uk.

Attack! Ancient Greek Warfare

Thursday 17th April 2008: 2 pm - 5 pm. Learn about Ancient Greek warfare and training. Make your own shield and sword to take home with you.

Suitable for children ages 6 and up. £3.00 per child, accompanying adult free.

Booking is required. Please contact Jennifer Allison on 0118 378 6990 or email ure.education@reading.ac.uk.

Egyptian Jewellery

Thursday 21st February 2008: 2 - 5 pm. Learn about Ancient Egyptian jewellery from the collection of the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology and make your own Egyptian style jewellery fit for an Egyptian Queen or Pharaoh

Suitable for children ages 5 and up. £2.50 per child, accompanying adult free.

No booking required, please feel free to drop in between 2 pm and 5 pm. For more information please contact Jennifer Allison on 0118 378 6990 or email ure.education@reading.ac.uk.

Mummies!

Tuesday 19th February 2008: 2 - 5 pm. Learn about the Ancient Egyptian process of mummification and watch and learn as members of staff mummify a fish.Design and make your own mummy coffin case to take home with you.

Suitable for children ages 6 and up. £2.50 per child, accompanying adult free.

Booking is required. Please contact Jennifer Allison on 0118 378 6990 or email ure.education@reading.ac.uk.

People Power

Friday 4 January 2008: 2 - 5 pm. Make your own Ancient Greek pot or mask based on the collection of the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology. Be selected for an Ancient Greek jury and decide on who will be crowned the victor.

Suitable for children ages 6 and up. £2.50 per child, accompanying adult free.

Booking is required. Please contact Jennifer Allison on 0118 378 6990 or email ure.education@reading.ac.uk.

Mandili Madness: Greek Dance Workshop

Tuesday 17 and Tuesday 24 July: 1.30 - 4.30 pm. Our family dance workshop, including an opportunity to decorate a Greek mandili and even learn some Greek dances! See http://www.reading.ac.uk/ure/ mandilimadness.html for pictures of this event.

Opa! Greek Dance workshop

Thursday 19 July: 5:00 - 7:00 pm An evening of traditional Greek dance. Our teacher, Elizabeth Stamoulis, a professional Greek dancer, took us through the steps, in a fun and exciting evening. All University staff and students were invited to a traditional panigyri, with Greek dancing, wine, and Greek appetizers.

Loony looms

Friday 1 June: 1.30 - 4 pm. Ever wondered where and how the ancient Greeks and Egyptians got their clothes? What sort of materials they used and how they were made? Visitors saw real ancient loom weights, a pair of Egyptian sandals and a collection of Coptic textiles over a thousand years old! They also tried their hands at working wool and weaving cloth like an ancient Greek, and turned old T-shirts into ancient masterpieces!

Fake Beards and Bling

Tuesday 3rd April: 1:30 - 4:00 pm. Visitors made their own Egyptian wigs, painted their faces like pharaohs , wrote in hieroglyphics and saw real ancient Egyptian artefacts used in the production of make-up!

Monsters from Myth

Monday 12th February: 1:30 - 4:00 pm. Greek Mythology for families, including a fact-finding trail and the opportunity to make a monstrous mask!

Under Siege

Thursday 15th February: 1.30 - 4 pm. From the story of the Trojan horse to the siege of Tyre by Alexander the Great, we discovered how Greek armies captured great cities. Visitors learn about Odysseus and his plan and built their own siege towers to take home!

Floors and Frescoes in the Ancient World

Wednesday October 25, 2006: 1 - 4 pm. Families discovered ancient decorating techniques, made mosaic or plaster frescoes based on ancient designs using Ure Museum artefacts as inspiration. No trip to the DIY store will ever be the same again.

Why was Alexander so Great?

Saturday July 15, 2006: 10 am - 12.30 pm and 1.30 - 4 pm. Visitors discovered how one of history's most enigmatic individuals changed the world. They built their own siege engines, made weapons, tested battle strategies and handled genuine Hellenistic artefacts.

Oil and Olympics: Athletics in Ancient Greece

Thursday August 3, 2006: 11 am - 4 pm In 776 BC the first Olympic games were held at Olympia in Greece. Visitors experienced the glory of being Greek athletes, made their own aryballoi (oil jars) and strigils and took part in races... winners were crowned!

Children's launch of the Ure Museum

We celebrated the renewal of our learning environment and the publication of Sophie's World of Pots (a trail for the under 5s) with cake, other yummies, and crafts, on 6 June 2006. Our mascot, Sophie the Owl, and other little ones made their own owl masks, coloured pictures of Sophie the Owl, and followed Sophie's trail with guides. See the pictures of this event at http://www.rdg.ac .uk/ure/childrens_launch.

Comic capers in cloud-cuckoo land

April 11, 2006 (11 am - 4.30 pm). All you need to know about ancient Greek comedy, with mask and costume making in the morning and a drama workshop.

Egyptian Jewellery Making

April 20, 2006 (2 - 4 pm). We made jewellery fit for a pharaoh in this bead and pasta extravaganza!

The Ure Museum: A Retrospective

The Ure Museum launched its renewed learning environment on 26 October 2005. This event marked the completion of a year-long refurbishment of its displays, and was celebrated with a colloquium entitled 'The Ure Museum: a Retrospective'. The event was introduced by Prof. Emertus Jane Gardner, who spoke particularly about Annie Ure's role as Curator of the Museum during its first 54 years. The invited speakers were Dr. Victoria Sabetai (Academy of Athens) who spoke on 'R.M. Burrows and P.N. Ure in Boeotia' and Prof. Brian Sparkes (University of Southampton) who spoke on 'Troilos in Tuscany.'

Images of the launch are available at http://www.rdg.ac.uk/ ure/launch_pix/

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For more information about any of our events e-mail ure.education@rdg.ac.uk.

The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology is in Rm 38 on the ground floor of the Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS) building, on the Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading.

Map of the Whiteknights campus:

www.info. rdg.ac.uk/maps/maps-display.asp

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