Incredible, may be cutting the sports program will benefit the University more, if you run a University like a business then why keep any program that is not self sustainable? Maybe that will make a University look more like a Internet-Based school/Football company. Research and knowledge is not a business, it is an investment. The benefit of this decision will be felt in 20 or 30 years when nothing may be recovered.

I thought this debate was about them, as opposed to featuring them. Whoops.

I thank you for the opportunity to share a portion of my moments in time with future generations.

Nice review! Thanks!

What an awesome article! You must have spent a lot of time and effort on it-needless to say, awesome job!

Indeed an informative article.

Although I am not well-versed in all the details that Dr. Muscarella states, I second him in his overall conclusions. I am appalled that Dr. C. Brian Rose, being the president of the Archaeological Institute of America (a reputable professional association chartered by the US Congress in 1906), could actively participate in the myopic, scandalous destruction of the archaeological research institution that MASCA is. They have indeed pioneered a lot of the methods for the scientific material analysis of archaeological objects. I am no graduate of PennÃ?actually a UCLA graduateÃ?but in the strongest terms protest this decision. Even when I was a beginning graduate student in my native country Belgium, I knew of the famous MASCA. Shame on you! Francis Deblauwe Director, The Iraq War & Archaeology Project Program developer, Alexandria Archive Institute

As an archaeologist living in Philadelphia and working in the area, I have found the museum to be a useful resource. I even took the trouble to support the museum through membership. I think that these firings are ill-advised, and reflect a very poor understanding of what makes an institution great. Curators are not scholars. They base their work entirely on the research of others. Students are not scholars (yet). Without a solid archaeological backstop, I wouldn't expect much. Given the lack of transparency in the museum's operations, and the reportedly close connections between some staff members and antiquities dealers, there should be some form of independent oversight to ensure the safety and security of the collections.

Dear Colleague: The recent precipitate firing of researchers at the Penn Museum includes another world-class scholar and scientist in Near Eastern archaeology and archaeological science among its casualties. Why was Patrick McGovern, who heads MASCAÃ?s Biomolecular Archaeology Laboratory, fired? McGovern, who received his Ph.D. at Penn in Near Eastern Archaeology, has made a series of stunning discoveries and set a standard for how the sciences and the humanities can be effectively integrated together in his 40+ year career at Penn (C.V. posted on his personal website, below). Indeed, McGovernÃ?s academic achievements embody the interdisciplinary research that the university espouses in The Penn Compact and its new PIK (Ã?Penn Integrates KnowledgeÃ?) Professorships. His Vita reads like a compendium of major scientific breakthroughs and accomplishments: Pioneered the rapidly developing, interdisciplinary field of Biomolecular Archaeology. This field is at the technological cutting-edge of modern archaeology. Discovered the earliest Royal Purple (the famous dye of the Phoenicians), grape wine, barley beer, alcoholic beverages generally (China, ca. 7000 B.C.), and chocolate. Published these findings in high-impact scientific journals, including three in Nature (one as the cover story) and two in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (one as the cover story) . Published 10 peer-reviewed books, most recently Ancient Wine (Princeton University Press), which garnered numerous awards. Uncorking the Past (University of California), in press, traces alcoholic beverages around the world and as far back in time as possible from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Published 50 peer-reviewed articles, ranging from geophysical prospecting for archaeological sites to some of the earliest steel ever found to the earliest DNA evidence for wine yeast, and another 70 additional articles, reviews, and book chapters. Directed major excavations in Jordan, and collaborated on archaeological projects throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. His Baq`ah Valley Project was one of the first excavations in the Near East to successfully incorporate scientific methodology in the field and the laboratory (published as a museum monograph). An older excavation (Beth Shan, Israel), part of the museumÃ?s Near East collection, was subjected to similar scientific scrutiny (published as a museum monograph). Built up a state-of-the-art laboratory in MASCA for archaeological chemical research (with Fourier-transform Infrared Spectrometer, High-performance Liquid Chromatograph, and other instruments). It is one of the few such facilities in the U.S., and is staffed by Ph.D. chemists and Penn students. Numerous close collaborations with laboratories at Penn and around the world have given his lab access to the latest, most sensitive instrumentation. Developed an innovative, cost-effective ceramic analysis program which combines multiple analytical techniques (Neutron Activation Analysis, petrography and heavy-mineral analysis, xeroradiography, etc.) to solve important anthropological questions. Established an academic program in the archaeological sciences by teaching (cross-listed in Penn archaeological and science departments). Students, who were trained in his lab, have gone on to careers in archaeology and conservation science. Received grants from the NEH, NSF, American Philosophical Society, Wine Institute, Fulbright Foundation, universities, and many other funding agencies and private individuals world-wide, together with in-kind contributions (i.e., equipment donations, gratis analyses at outside labs, and the expertise of volunteer chemists). These monies, combined with the value of his publicity for the museum and university, amount to millions of dollars. He has leveraged a very small budget into a very productive research program. Re-created the Ã?King MidasÃ? funerary feast, the first time that a historic meal has been reconstructed by chemical analysis of ancient organic residues His ground-breaking research has resulted in 15 international stories, and widespread public and scholarly exposure and acclaim. It has been profiled in ten video programs, including a full-length feature filmed at the Midas Tumulus in Turkey, and has been the focus of museum exhibits in Philadelphia, Athens, the Napa Valley, France, and elsewhere. Given keynote addresses around the world (most recently at the National Museum in Tblisi, Georgia, after the Russian invasion), and has collaborated with over 400 scientists and archaeologists in museum and academic institutions in more than 30 countries. On-going studies include testing ancient compounds for their anti-cancer and medicinal effects (Abramson Cancer Center and Penn Medical School), grape and yeast DNA, prehistoric Chinese fermented beverages, New World chocolate, and early wine, ranging from Neolithic villages in the Taurus and Caucasus Mountains to Iron Age shipwrecks in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. In short, McGovern has made a huge contribution to both Near Eastern Archaeology and archaeological science. Few other museum researchers has the distinction of so many peer-reviewed books and articles, which is the ultimate measure of research success. At a time when science and technology have become increasingly important in our society, why would a museum, which is supposedly looking to the future, fire a researcher of McGovernÃ?s caliber? To destroy a laboratory which took years to create, in a matter of days, is not only short-sighted, it is contradictory to the very essence of a university and museum in advancing human knowledge and preserving the past. The loss in human capital and facilities is incalculable, and not easily rebuilt. Why werenÃ?t other, less draconian, measures explored before firing McGovern? During the Great Depression, all Penn employees pulled together and took an across-the-board 10% pay cut. Some of the fired researchers might even have been willing to take larger cuts, to continue their careers. Moreover, if McGovern had been evaluated as an individual, based on his annual performance evaluations, peer-reviewed publications, grants received, teaching, etc., he could never have been fired. We urge our colleagues, who have benefitted from Dr. McGovernÃ?s research, to not let this decision stand, but to express their objections to the museum Director Richard Hodges, the Deputy Director Brian Rose, university President Amy Gutmann, and Provost Ronald Daniels (addresses, below). Specifically, we encourage our colleagues to stress that by firing McGovern, the professions of Near Eastern archaeology and the archaeological sciences, the museum, the university, and the academic world generally will suffer serious losses. The Penn administration needs to find another solution in keeping with McGovernÃ?s significant contributions and world-wide reputation. If enough colleagues register their dissatisfaction with the decision and highlight different aspects of McGovernÃ?s career, the combined effect might well provide a compelling argument for the administration to find another solution. Please consider submitting one such letter, and feel free to forward this request to other colleagues. Sincerely, Ofer Bar-Yosef MacCurdy Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology Department of Anthropology Harvard University Garman Harbottle Research Professor Department of Geosciences Stony Brook University Timothy Harrison Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology University of Toronto President of the American Schools of Oriental Research Victor H. Mair Professor of Chinese Language and Literature Consulting Scholar, Museum Asian Section University of Pennsylvania Jennifer L. Mass Director, Scientific Research and Analysis Laboratory Winterthur Museum Winterthur Delaware Lawrence E. Stager Dorot Professor of the Archaeology of Israel Director of the Semitic Museum Harvard University. News releases on Penn firings: Daily Pennsylvanian (also look for responses under Article Tools): http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2008/11/26/News/Financial.Crisis.Forces.Firing.Of.18.Penn.Museum.Researchers-3562067.shtml http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2008/12/04/News/Museum.Researchers.Speak.Out.Against.Firings-3569218.shtml Philadelphia Inquirer: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/36286004.html Dr. Patrick McGovernÃ?s websites Personal website: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~mcgovern/ http://www.upenn.edu/museum/Wine/wineintro.html http://www.museum.upenn.edu/Midas/intro.html http://www.upenn.edu/museum/News/beer.html http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/7591.html http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/research/Exp_Rese_Disc/masca/jiahu/jiahu.shtml : Addresses of Penn administrators: Dr. Richard Hodges, Director rhodges@sas.upenn.edu University of Pennsylvania Museum 3260 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 Dr. Brian Rose, Deputy Director and Chief-of-Curators roseb@sas.upenn.edu University of Pennsylvania Museum 3260 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 Dr. Amy Gutmann president@pobox.upenn.edu Office of the President University of Pennsylvania 100 College Hall Philadelphia, PA 19104-6380 Ronald Daniels, Provost provost@upenn.edu University of Pennsylvania 122 College Hall Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303

Philologists and archaeologists agree that the work done by the scientific staff of the Penn musea was very important for their research. I myself specially want to mention the excellent research and meticulous work done for the reconstruction of musical instruments.

It is difficult to understand how the budgetary cuts that included firing of 18 scientists from the MASCA, the scientific division of the University of Pennsylvania Museum, would make the Penn Museum more profitable and be run like a business! Very few museums in the World, and let alone the University ones, are run like profitable businesses and are heavily subsidized and funded in various ways. Why doing scientific research on the MuseumÃ?s own artifacts and participating in the MuseumÃ?s and UniversityÃ?s research projects is less valuable and profitable than cataloguing and curating the Museum pieces? Some of the major world discoveries about food that we ate and beverages that we drank in the past were made by the MASCA scientists, e.g., Dr. Patrick McGovern and Naomi Miller, who made the Penn Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology famous. Thanks to them, the Museum become the beacon of the scientific research in archeology. What will happen to these scientists in whose work and the equipment millions of dollars were invested? Using the current financial jargon: Ã?IsnÃ?t it too big to be let down?Ã?

It is difficult to conceive how the budgetary cuts that included firing of 18 scientists from the MASCA, the scientific division of the University of Pennsylvania Museum, would make the Penn Museum more profitable and be run like a business. Very few museums in the World, and let alone the University ones, are run like profitable businesses and are heavily subsidized and funded in various ways. Why doing scientific research on the MuseumÃ?s own artifacts and participating in the MuseumÃ?s and UniversityÃ?s research projects is less valuable and profitable than cataloguing and curating the Museum pieces? Some of the major world discoveries about food that we ate and beverages that we drank in the past were made by the MASCA scientists, e.g., Dr. Patrick McGovern and Naomi Miller, who made the Penn Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology famous. Thanks to them, the Museum become the beacon of the scientific research in archeology. What will happen to these scientists in whose work and the equipment millions of dollars were invested? Using the current financial jargon: Ã?IsnÃ?t it too big to be let down?Ã?

The basic problem dogging MASCA throughout its existence was the lack of a director with full faculty standing. In fact, no untenured person can officially direct a center at Penn. Without this, the "scientific director" had all the responsibility but none of the authority to help MASCA grow and fend off the wolves. It would be relatively easy to get funding for this center with a strong central figure, but this money has always been diverted to other areas of the University and Museum viewes as higher priorities by the powers to be. The PUM has fallen a long way since the time of Froelich Rainey.

It'm struck by this statement: "They fired everyone, handed them a folder, explained what was going to happen and told them they weren't allowed to talk to anyone." What basis does the university administration have for imposing a gag rule on someone AFTER they have let them go? Absoultely none. It is highly unlikely that they would take legal action against anyone for what might be viewed as questionable grounds. That's why they got in trouble with the water buffalo case. That's why they backed down when they tried--someone in the Office of Student Coneduct--to take action against the student that took a photo of an astonishingly stupid woman who showed her behind out a high-rise window. The only reason that the University gets away with depriving people of basic civil rights and then using initmidation to prevent their actions from being broadly reported is that enough aggrieved individuals fail to step up to the line and call a foul a foul.

Brian Rose: December 1, 2008 Both you and your Administrator partner have fired 17 (or 18?) working people at the University Museum, as announced in an Internet message (sent only to those who were not fired!) and published in The Daily Pennsylvanian. This action demonstration to the UM staff the power of the new UM Managing Team of Hodges and Rose. The President and Provost of the University must be pleased by the money being saved_not to mention the UM Board of Overseers, some very rich, and not one of whom can be fired in the same manner. The UM Overseers and the University of Pennsylvania President and Provost would never consider as a money saving tactic to reduce the salary of Hodges or his housing, Ã?businessÃ? and travel expenses to allow some of those fired to remain on the payroll. ShouldnÃ?t these data have been made public, at least discussed, by the powers at the UP before the workers were fired? And I am sure that Ellen Kohler, a researcher_not a Keeper (she had only a farm girl background)_being on the UM payroll would have been among those fired by the new regime. You as the only (why?) archaeologist member of the UM Search Committee played a crucial role in bringing Hodges to the UM. You voted for his appointment (I was informed that you also collaborated with him before the election) even though you, an archaeologist, knew in advance that he was an archaeologist who had worked together for years with an antiquities dealer and his dealer/antiquity collector magazine, both as contributor and Advisor. Your vote for his appointment also informed the world boldly that only a European antiquities-dealer/antiquities collector collaborator could be elected as the Director of the UM, that nowhere in all the United States was there a qualified candidate for the position. To you, no honest, intelligent, knowledgeable and uncorrupted scholar was available, not in any of the 50 States: for, indeed, no American citizen could then have his name published in Expedition as Ã?Dr. Richard Hodges, O.B.E.Ã? The OBE title and its concomitant Royal connection made it essential to those who control the UM to get Hodges elected. (I can only state in your defense that to my knowledge no faculty member at the UM, which includes archaeologists and former UM Directors, publicly protested neither HodgesÃ? appointment nor his and your staff firings). As his first official act, Hodges awarded you for your decisive role in his selection as Director: he appointed you his Deputy Director in controlling the UM, an action soon followed by another award, his appointing you Chief Curator. Your first official act together was to fire 17/18 employees, all working people, some of whom have been employed at the UM for decades. If saving money was a necessity in this matter, how then do/will you explain that the UP Administration accepted your demand that your friend Robert Ousterhout be given a full professorship before you would accept the UM professor/curator titles offered to you? How did this save the UP money, when many scores of thousands of dollars are being shelled out annually_for two full professorsÃ? salaries, not one? The UP administration was/is not concerned here about saving money, but they did find it easy to accept your firing 17/18 working people_to save money. I notice that Maude de Schauensee was not among those fired, and everyone inside and outside the UM very well knows why. She, a wealthy Main Liner Woman has never been paid a salary while holding a position at the UM for decades and housed in a nice office, thereby depriving a qualified scholar a paying position at the UM. She never needed a salary to pay rent and buy food, and in her non-salaried position she saved the UM money. Thus, you and Hodges would never fire this UM money saver (and no doubt donor). . I have no power whatsoever to deal with this, except, as a UP/UM graduate and a grateful participant in two major UM archaeological excavations, to protest openly that you and Hodges in addition to the Board of Governors, the President and Provost of the University have concurred that the firings are acceptable behaviors. Oscar White Muscarella University of Pennsylvania G 65 Cc: Jeremy Sabloff Richard Leventhal Amy Guttmann Ronald J. Daniels

Great--another example of the dumbing down of America! I am not an archeologist, but am a fan--I love reading about new discoveries. I think understanding our past is important for modern civilization. We are a sum of everthing that has gone before. Seems to me that colleges and universities get too caught up in sports teams and getting alumni to donate money for stadiums and gyms named after them, no money for research grants. (I am thinking of my alma mater, a small college in the midwest, which now has a nice new ballfield and dorms named after a former football player. I can't see why that has anything to do with education. . . .)

The firings of these professionals is shocking. As an archaeological relic myself (with no education or experience in the field), I speak from a purely amateur and non-academic point of view. It stinks. While it's true that some field archaeologists have been subverted to "the other side" (commercial archaeology), to see a wannabe Ivy League administrator decimate an entire department is unfathomable. How can a university expect to be taken seriously when it's obvious that it's personalities and politics that are at work here. Certainly, prudent financial decisions are crucial in a tight economy. However, cutting the head off for a scalp wound hardly seems prudent....more like political maneuvering that has long been in the works. To see a respected academic department gutted in such a barbaric manner is depressing and reason for grave concern. Is it possible that the obvious distrust and hatred engendered by Bush and his fellow conservatives has infiltrated the administration of Penn? Fear, jealousy and subterfuge are the hallmarks of small minded people with little or no understanding of what it takes to lead, inspire and discover. There's a movie called "People Will Talk" starring Cary Grant. It's about small minded, jealous people and their attempts to see a great man fall. Hume Cronyn played the protagonist. I think Penn's administration is peopled with his clones.

Brains is brains, the movie zombie said, "mustard or ketchup." One fool's budget crisis might be a better fool's brain trust. I'm making phone calls, myself, just in case the dosage doesn't wear off in time for Penn to come to its collective senses. Three hundred years of expertise pushed out the (back) door, calibrated, works out to MASCA hitting the ground again just in time to see Blom pick the first garrapata off his ass in Chiapas. This kind of behavior, in this day and time, coming from Penn, of all places, should remind us of that unknown member of that much-storied first wandering vangard stumbling across that ridiculous "land bridge," who, after listening to the same child ask are we there yet for the nthteen time, threw down his Clovis kit in disgust, and said, "I've got two questions: What jackass came up with this plan? And what's a jackass?" w/d

Lets talk about the museum researcher work criteria. Archivists, curators, and museum technicians work for museums, governments, zoos, colleges and universities, corporations, and other institutions that require experts to preserve important records and artifacts. These workers preserve important objects and documents, including works of art, transcripts of meetings, photographs, coins and stamps, and historic objects. Archivists and curators plan and oversee the arrangement, cataloguing, and exhibition of collections . They also maintain collections with technicians and conservators. They acquire and preserve important documents and other valuable items for permanent storage or display. They also describe, catalogue, and analyze, valuable objects for the benefit of researchers and the public.