The special exhibition Urban Biographies, Ancient and Modern will be on view at the Kelsey Museum from August 24, 2018, to January 6, 2019.

This exhibition showcases three Classical cities where the University of Michigan sponsors field projects: Gabii in Italy, Olynthos in Greece, and Notion in Turkey. The archaeologists excavating these cities, in collaboration with students and faculty from U-M’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, are comparing their findings to projects of urban rebuilding in contemporary Detroit, asking two main questions: How do contemporary archaeological methods facilitate the study of both ancient and modern cities? And how can the study of the past help illuminate the challenges and opportunities facing Detroit today? 

The exhibition is curated by Professor Christopher Ratté, in collaboration with Professors Nicola Terrenato, Lisa Nevett, and Kathy Velikov. 

View the Exhibition Website
Interview with Professor Christopher Ratté