New Haven Society of the Archaeological Institute of America Lecture Series, Gala Dinner Sponsored at Yale University

In 1899, the New Haven Society of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) held its first general meeting on the Yale campus, where the institute will celebrate its centennial year in coming weeks with a number of talks by Yale faculty members and a gala dinner.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, John Darnell, a newly appointed assistant professor of Egyptology at the University, and his wife, Deborah Darnell, will open the society’s fall lecture series with a talk on “Ancient Roads and Warfare in the Western Egyptian Desert.” Their talk will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Rm. 200 of the Old Art Gallery, 56 High St.

The event, which will be followed by a reception, is free and open to the public. Cosponsoring the event with the AIA are the Yale history of art and classics departments. The series will continue with two more talks on campus in November and December.

The AIA will celebrate its centennial on Friday, Oct. 30, with a gala dinner at 7 p.m. in the Presidents’ Room of Woolsey Hall, corner of Grove and College streets. At this event, titled “An Evening at the Dig House,” Yale archaeologists Frank Hole and Elizabeth Stone will entertain dinner guests with tales from the field. All attendees are encouraged to come to the dinner dressed as their favorite archaeologist or artifact.

The AIA is a nonprofit cultural and educational organization chartered by Congress and dedicated to the encouragement and support of archaeological research and publication. The oldest and largest archaeological organization in North America, it currently has more than 10,000 members around the world.

Tickets, which must be purchased by Thursday, Oct. 1, are $28; $18 for students. Checks should be made payable to AIA - New Haven Society, P.O. Box 200301 Yale Station, New Haven, CT 06520-0301. Students should enclose a copy of their I.D. Further information can be found at the AIA New Haven Society’s website at http://www.yale.edu/aia , or call Madeleine Fitzgerald at 436-2831.