Set in Stone: 2000 Years of Gem and Mineral Trade in the Southwest
A new exhibition at Arizona State Museum/Tucson runs through February 2010
The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show has grown enormously over the years along with its impact on the local economy. But the lure of the minerals beneath our soil has generated trade for much longer than that. Gems, minerals, copper, and even sea shells and other exotic goods have been carried across the Southwest along well-established and well-worn routes for more than 2000 years.
Arizona State Museum’s (ASM) newest exhibition “Set in Stone: 2000 Years of Gem and Mineral Trade in the Southwest” brings this long history to light, featuring 300 objects and audio-visual displays.
With Native jewelry and mining tools from across the span of time, and with mineral samples, photographs, and recordings, the viewer is transported on a journey of deep historical resonance along routes that trace how the quest for mineral wealth has shaped the identity of the Southwest. Designed to complement and coincide with the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, “Set in Stone” gives context and perspective to our community’s annual gathering. Read more...
Set in Stone: 2000 Years of Gem and Mineral Trade in the Southwest
Soft opening Dec 14, 2007
Opening celebration Feb 1, 2008
This exhibition will run through Feb 2010.
More information on the 2008 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
Image courtesy Arizona State Museum/Jannelle Weakly, photographer
Permanent Exhibition at Arizona State Museum
WALL OF POTS
An 18-ft, floor-to-ceiling, glass case vividly exhibits more than 150 select specimens from Arizona State Museum’s premier and nationally recognized collection. The vessels trace the development of Southwest pottery traditions from earliest times to the present.
Watch for the opening of The Pottery Project in March 2008! Exhibition features include a multimedia version of the pottery vault’s interior, through which you will be able to walk and access virtual, three dimensional specimens. Try hands-on activities, peek into the conservation laboratory, and see interviews with archaeologists and Native potters.
Through February 2009
SET IN STONE: 2000 Years of Gem and Mineral Trade in the Southwest
Explore how the quest for turquoise, shell, copper - and eventually silver and gold - shaped the character of the Southwest. Discover how turquoise, Arizona's state gem, has brought trade and influence to the Southwest for centuries. You will learn how it all began more than 2000 years ago.
Check our web site for new and exciting short-term exhibitions throughout the year!