Penn Museum lecture sexes up ancient history

Jennifer Wegner, professor and curator of the Egyptian section of the Penn Museum, discussed the sexually deviant behavior of the ancient Egyptians.

Attendees of last night’s lecture at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology learned Mrs. Robinson has nothing on the cougars of the ancient world. Lil’ Wayne can’t compete with the “playas” of old Egyptian thrones. The rift between Courtney Love and her daughter stands trivial next to the drama between the babies and mamas of the Middle Eastern lands long ago.

Jennifer Wegner, Penn professor and curator of the Egyptian section of the museum, spoke at last night’s Valentine’s Day lecture, “Cougars, Playas and Baby Mama Drama in the Ancient World.” The lecture attracted approximately 125 people, according to Nicole Stach, co-chairwoman of the event and Young Friends Board member.

The Young Friends Board, a Penn Museum committee of abut 20 professionals in Philadelphia, organized the annual event, said Sam Brewer, co-chairwoman of the event and Wharton Graduate alumna.

“We usually highlight a more scandalous part of history for Valentine’s Day,” Brewer said. “Wegner blends funny anecdotes and her deep knowledge of ancient history very well to make for a very entertaining presentation.”

Wegner began the talk with a picture of a rather salacious Egyptian statue. “Obviously, the ancient Egyptians were quite creative and acrobatic,” she said, soliciting laughter from the crowd. “And from similar types of work, we can assume the art from that time period represented the sexual relationships that existed in Egypt at that time.”

She went on to narrate stories about “cougars” and drama between parents and children in ancient Egyptian society. “And since I am approaching the age of a cougar, I, of course, had to look up the definition of ‘playa’ online,” she added.

“Wegner is really a dynamic and well-spoken presenter,” Stach said. “Her presentations are always highly entertaining, especially to younger audiences.”

The lecture drew mostly Penn faculty, graduate students and many young, local professionals, according to Bea Jarocha-Ernst, the Penn Museum’s administrative assistant of membership and annual giving.

Shaun O’Brien, a biomedical studies graduate student, said he had a pleasant time out of the lab and at the event. “Most of what Dr. Wegner talked about is usually swept under the rug when it comes to history,” he added.

The Membership Office and the Young Friends group want younger people to become involved with the museum, according to Emily Winetz-Goldsleger, assistant director of Membership and Annual Giving.

“They’re our future audience,” she added. “An event like this helps draw these younger audiences to the museum and get them interested in what the museum has to offer.”

Comments (16)

I am really happy to see the young people enjoying their education. I am a huge fan of this website and I think this articles was very interesting and helpful. Sex has been a big part of human life since there was humans.

Thanks Lori Mansfield Expert

Sexual relationships as well as sexual intercourse topics have a long history. It is not a big secret that many uncensored hot pics existed in Egypt at that time. And I believe young girls and boys must know the truth about sex in the ancient period.

This is a good topic for discussion. It is appropriate to discuss this in the context of art and history. It's not meant to be degrading. Penelope Rep

This is such a great article. I think many colleges follow the same old routine. I am a big fan of this website and I think this was a great story and fun to read.

Thanks Lisa Wilson Manager

I think this was an awesome lecture. I wish I had a quality education like this. Hopefully we can pursue a quality education for all persons in society like this.

Thanks Crissy Carson Expert

Public transport can be expensive here so in Madrid is the best option if you want to head out of town for day trips. Once behind the wheel, you can travel to the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, which is just 50km north west of Madrid and has a vaulted library with more than 60,000 ancient books. Also accessible to those with a car rental is Toledo, the former capital of Spain, which has retained its medieval charm and striking city gates. Another essential day trip is the town of Segovia, which has a fairytale castle and Roman Aqueduct. Considered one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, Segovia is just 91km from Madrid.

Finding cheap is straightforward if you book in advance as there are many car hire companies that offer pick-up points in the area, particularly from Madrid's Barajas Airport, a two-and-a-half hour flight from most UK airports.

Great information share with us about museum.

Car hire from Heathrow, around seventeen miles west of London, and one of the busiest airports in the world, is the perfect addition to any holiday starting from this airport. Whether you are flying into Heathrow from elsewhere in the UK, or have arrived from abroad for your holiday, Heathrow car hire gives you the ability to explore the UK with freedom and independence.

Heathrow is a gateway to the south of the UK...

Heathrow is a gateway to the south of the UK, and from here you can take in cities as diverse as London, Bath, Windsor, Winchester, Canterbury, Cambridge and Oxford. UK cities are often congested and parking within the city centres themselves can be limited, but park and ride facilities allow you to make good use of your . Remember that driving in London is particularly expensive and difficult - so why not leave your hire car at a station and catch the train or tube into the centre?

The UK has many landmarks and points of interest, including the Eden Project in Cornwall, and Stonehenge in Wiltshire. A car rental allows you to visit many more of these than public transport, which is inefficient in many areas of the UK.

You can arrange to collect your from your arrival terminal at Heathrow airport. Cheap car hire is best sourced using our price comparison facility and booked in advance.

I really love to read articles that have good information and ideas to share to each reader. I hope to read more from you guys and continue that good work that is really inspiring to us.

Interesting article, thanks for sharing with us. | | |

Now sex is being used to sell museums? I understand wanting to get people involved. However it would be nice to think I could go to a museum to get away from the sexy marketing so prevalent today.

But is this really interesting? Honestly, do you want hear about sex back in ancient Egypt? It's like watching a nature program and they invariably go to sex, as if I really want to learn about mating habits of antelope or whatever.

I think this is very knowledgeable lecture... and important too...for the student.

I can only agree to what Lisa32 just said. I love it here!!

museums are better, you can't see the history in photos

Comments are closed for this item.