Archaeology Collection
Dewey & Marion Beegle Archaeological Collection
This collection is largely made up of artifacts found by Dewey and Marion Beegle during excavations. Dewey began his post as a professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Wesley in 1965. His wife Marion worked at American University. Together, they spent nearly ten seasons excavating the ancient sites of Shechem and Heshbon, and assembled a large collection containing pottery, stoneware, metalwork, glassware, coins, and other objects, which they donated to mark twenty years of service to Wesley. Such archaeological finds provide opportunities for critical reflection on biblical narratives and near eastern history.
Location: Kresge main floor display cases.
James & Marjorie Akins
Ancient Glass Collection
James & Marney Akins’ collection contains an assortment of items acquired around the Middle East, including during James’ service as U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. They represent a life of engagement with local cultures in the 1960s and 70s when it was commonplace to purchase artifacts in local markets. The pieces in this collection are examples of Roman glassware. The Romans, before the first century BCE, did not have much glass. It was a high luxury. However, as a result of Roman expansion into the Levant, they discovered and invested in Phoenician glass working technology. This technology included better furnaces and the cultivation of glassblowing. These new techniques and technologies stimulated a huge increase in the range of shapes and designs that could be produced, as seen here. These items are primarily free-blown or mold-blown glass pieces representing some of that creativity from the 3rd century BCE to the 6th century CE.
Location: Kresge main floor vitrines, adjacent to the Dadian Gallery.