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May 12, 2023
MoAW
presents
A FOCUS ON THE
HISTORY OF HUMANKIND
Tools, Fire, Ritual, Art, and High Technology
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THE CENOZOIC ERA
from 65 million years ago to the present
A series of glaciations distinguishes the era that includes the present. By the time the dust settled on top of the last Cretaceous sediment, another era had dawned, the Cenozoic ("Recent Life"), giving rise to rapidly diversifying groups of mammals. No longer relying on their diminutive size for survival in a world dominated by giants, the mammals immediately assumed the roles of chief competitors for supremacy over the newly abundant territory left by the passing of the dinosaurs, producing such giants of their own as the great wooly mammoths of the Ice Age.
As the early mammals diversified throughout the Paleocene ("Ancient Recent") and the subsequent Eocene ("Recent Dawn") epochs, from 64 to 36 million years ago, many of the modern mammal groups began to appear in the fossil record. Of these early mammals, several became extinct as rainforests retreated from the frost during the Oligocene ("Few Recent"), which ended 26 million years ago. The Miocene ("Less Recent"), which followed, lasted until 6 million years ago. Along with the appearance of large, new mountain ranges, the spreading of grasslands during this period gave rise to a vast radiation of grazing animals.
As the climate became colder throughout the Pliocene ("More Recent"), from 6 to 1.6 million years ago, numerous mammals became extinct while modern plants and animals appeared, including early humankind. During the Pleistocene ("Most Recent") epoch, from 1.6 million to 10,000 years ago, vast continental glaciers spread and receded as over half of the giant mammals became extinct following the appearance of modern humans.
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Order Primates,
Family Hominidae
Australopithecus boisei
Late Pliocene, Tanzania
From a specimen discovered by Mary Leakey in the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania and named Zinjanthropus (“East African Human”) by Louis Leakey, this early hominid was subsequently renamed to include it in the closely related groups of australopiths. 1.8 million years old, it was the first fossil of an australopith to be successfully dated. Ranging in height from 5 to nearly 6 feet, they were about the size of modern humans.
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Australopithecus boisei (“Boise’s Southern Ape”) was named for one of the Leakey’s benefactors, Charles Boise. Despite their significantly smaller brains and apelike skulls (with a pronounced sagittal crest for anchoring powerful jaw muscles), in many ways “Zinj” resembled humans. Apparently the largest of the 5-million-year-old line of australopiths, “Zinj” was also the last. Possibly killed off by the more advanced Homo habilis, whose chipped tools are sometimes found with the remains of these hominids, the species became extinct about 1 million years ago. Skull from the National Museum of Tanzania | |
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Order Primates,
Family Hominidae
Homo habilis
Late Pliocene, Kenya
Contemporary with “Zinj” and descended from a common ancestral australopith, these ancient, more advanced hunter-scavengers are the earliest to be classed in our genus, Homo (Man), due to the abundant evidence of their tools found in the Olduvai Gorge. It is from these primitive tools that Homo habilis (“Handy Man”) derives his name. An early form of habilis, this 2-million-year-old individual is separately classified by some as Homo rudolfensis.
Ranging from 4 to 5 feet in height and living perhaps 30 years, they were sexually mature and reproducing by their early teens, with all of their adult molars by age 3. Their elongated, apelike arms were extremely adapted for climbing, but with their facile hands, long freed by walking upright, they were prolific makers of stone tools for breaking open bones and scraping meat, as well as the first known to favor one hand over the other. The long-held belief that Homo habilis was the first hominid to make stone tools may have been dispelled by the discovery of the Ethiopian Australopithecus garhi (“Surprise Southern Ape”) fossils, found in the vicinity of fossil animal bones that had been scraped with stone implements 2.6 million years ago. The famous 1470 skull was collected at Koobi Fora by Bernard Ngeneo and Richard Leakey. Kenya National Museum.
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Order Primates,
Family Hominidae
Homo erectus
Late Pliocene, Kenya
Although possessing the thickest skull of any hominid, the superior intelligence of Homo erectus (“Upright Man”) enabled this Early Stone Age hunter to venture from the ancient habitats of its African ancestors to thinly populate such diverse regions as Europe and Southern Asia, perhaps following the migrating herds of large mammals as they hunted.
Descended from Homo habilis 1.7 million years ago and credited with the discovery of fire, their improved hunting methods appear to have included the use of brush fires to drive herds of big game into ravines. Homo erectus sites yield abundant evidence of tent dwellings, hearths, and sophisticated stone tools. Possibly growing to heights of 6 feet, their brains were substantially larger than those of their more primitive predecessors. One of the earliest known erectus skulls, separately identified by some as Homo ergaster, dated 1.7 million years. No. KNM-ER 3733, collected at Koobi Fora by Bernard Ngeneo and Richard Leakey. Kenya National Museum
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Order Primates,
Family Homindae
Homo sapiens neanderthalensis
Middle Pleistocene, Israel
First discovered in the Neander Valley, West Germany, this short rugged subspecies, with its thick skull and heavy brow ridges, had a larger brain than modern humans and probably spoke a primitive language. Despite their big bones and heavy build, Neanderthals grew to a height of 5 feet, 7 inches.
Appearing about 200,000 years ago, their advanced intelligence and adaptability enabled them to survive in the harsh arctic climate of the last Ice Age. Clothed in animal skins cut with stone tools, they hunted in groups, apparently sharing the kill. Remains of crippled individuals hint at the compassionate nature of their society. Showing remarkable self-awareness, their ritual burials with floral offerings are the oldest known. Bear skulls found enshrined in their caves suggest the emergence of primitive mystical expression.
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Order Primates
Family Hominidae
Homo sapiens sapiens
Middle Pleistocene, France
First appearing in Africa, this subspecies of wandering hunter-gatherers eventually colonized every continent except Antarctica. Interbreeding with archaic local populations throughout the world may have produced the variety of races known today. Collectively known as Cro-Magnon Man (named for fossil remains found at Cro-Magnon in southern France), this race of early Homo sapiens sapiens of 40,000 to 10,000 years ago were fully modern members of our own subspecies. Surviving the harsh climates of the Ice Age, these Late Stone Age hunters were the ancestors of present-day European Caucasoids.
With sophisticated and often elaborately decorated implements fashioned from stone and bone, Cro-Magnon culture appears to stress hunting, as evidenced by their artful paintings, engravings and sculptures of such big game animals as reindeer, oxen, and horses. Advanced weapons and hunting methods enabled these people to double the hurling range of their spears in hunting big game and to introduce freshwater fish to their diets. Nourished by the availability of vast herds of wild game, the explosive growth of their population succeeded even in the severe arctic climate. Dated at 30,000 years and known as Cro-Magnon I, this classic skull of an elderly individual was recovered from Les Eyzies. Musee de l’Homme.
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CURRENT EXHIBTIONS ON DISPLAY | |
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ALL UNDER HEAVEN
Earth, Heaven,
and the Afterlife
A Very Special Gift From
Marlene and Bruce Kanter,
Heather James Fine Art
Tim Walsh
Michael H. Healy
Tianxia (天下) or, All Under Heaven, is the ideal of a perfect and harmonious empire in the eyes of the people.
50 original antiquities spanning millennia (3,600 B.C.E. to 1920s C.E.) of ancient Asian cultures, from mysterious funerary objects and life-size protective temple guardians, to delicate terracotta sculptures created for the tombs of the deceased. A tapestry of silk and gold thread, a rare lacquered cosmetic box, earthen vessels, and bronze statues, these ancient treasures from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, celebrate everlasting happiness, remembrance, and eternal life.
This grand collection of 50 Asian antiquities is divided into three sections: Earthly possessions, objects used by the living, the temple icons of Buddha and Shiva (Heaven), and funerary goods, objects found in the tombs of the elite (the Afterlife). Representing China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, MoAW premieres these dazzling artifacts for the first time together in one exhibition All Under Heaven: Earth, Heaven, and the Afterlife.
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PALEO: The Story of Life
4.6 billion years of fossil history
Drawn from the world’s foremost fossil collections, the unprecedented treasury of fossil casts known as PALEO: The Story of Life brings together in one exhibition some of the most exciting finds in the history of paleontology from over a century of worldwide excavations, exhibited in geological, chronological order.
From 2.5 billion-year-old single cellular cyanobacteria responsible for the oxygenation of the atmosphere to the first multicellular life of 700 million years ago, PALEO: The Story of Life spans 4.6 billion years in scope. From the Precambrian to the Paleozoic Era, from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous Periods of the Mesozoic Era to mammals and prehistoric humans of the Cenozoic Era (including the famous Lucy skeleton), this internationally acclaimed, comprehensive collection dramatically illustrates the awesome story of prehistoric life on Earth.
Displaying casts of rare fossils from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, this prestigious collection includes skeletons, skulls, claws, and eggs gathered from such revered museums as the Smithsonian Institution, the American Museum of Natural History, The Royal Ontario Museum, the Carnegie Museum, and the National Museums of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, as well as many others.
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Town Gossips by Samuel Dewalt Arner
Cathedral City
Historical Society
presents
Then and Now
A 40th-year anniversary exhibition of the history of Cathedral City
A comprehensive photographic and artifact-rich timeline of the history of Cathedral City greets you upon entering the lobby of the Museum of Ancient Wonders. This is an exhibition of recollections of the people and places that created Cathedral City's early history and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its burgeoning progress, from the past to the present, THEN AND NOW is a loving tribute to the City of Cathedral City. This exhibition has been held due to popular demand through May 31, 2023.
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THE CRAB NEBULA (M1) IN TAURUS.
Photographed with the 26-inch Crossley Reflector at Lick Observatory. Copyright Regents, University of California. Lick Observatory photograph.
STARSCAPE:
A Journey To The
Beginning of Time
This spectacular collection of 33 space photographs combines breathtaking digitalized images from the historic Mariner, Viking, and Voyager probes with stunning photographs from the Apollo lunar missions, the Hubble Space Telescope, and ground-based observatories. Gathered from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the California Institute of Technology, the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, and the Hansen Planetarium, this awesome display of cosmic spectacles is a journey to the early days of the cosmos.
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TUTANKHAMUN
"Wonderful Things"
Treasures From The Pharaoh's Tomb
2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon. To share in the commemoration, MoAW's "Wonderful Things" exhibition is on a nationwide tour. Click on the link below to see the installation on the banks of the Sacramento River at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding CA.
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Become A Member of MoAW
THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
The newest perk of membership: Free admission to more than 1,200 museums nationwide through the North American Reciprocal Museum Program (NARM) Plus, discounts at their museum shops and restaurants (if given to their members). Local museums include the Palm Springs Art Museum and Cabot's Pueblo Museum, several museums in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, throughout California, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia, including Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda. This is available to all members at the Donor Level ($125.00) or higher. Members who qualify will be receiving new membership cards with the NARM logo to be used at participating museums.
Current members who would like to upgrade their membership to take advantage of this new benefit please give us a call, (442) 268-5004.
Click below for more information and to join.
THANK YOU
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MoAW's mission is to educate a diverse audience about the history of ancient civilizations and prehistoric life using fossils and artifacts from a variety of cultures and time periods; to enhance universal curriculum development for local and surrounding school districts, colleges, and universities, establishing museum diversity for the Coachella Valley.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
The last admission is taken one hour before closing.
Admission:
$15.00 Adults
$12.00 Students, Seniors, & Military
$ 3.00 Discount available for Coachella Valley Residents
$10.00 Group Rate for 10 or more individuals.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, MoAW is a member of the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, the American Alliance of Museums, and the California Association of Museums. Contributions are tax-deductible and gratefully accepted.
MoAW IS SPONSORED WITH FINANCIAL
CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE FOLLOWING:
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Alberto Acosta, Executive Director & Chief Curator
Joseph McCabe, Director of Development
DEW FOUNDATION
By contributing financial support, DEW Foundation joins hands with effective charitable organizations to meet human needs and promote the common good worldwide, encouraging and empowering our family’s personal involvement.
Art Laboe Foundation, Inc.
A beloved resident of Palm Springs, Art Laboe was an American disc jockey, songwriter, record producer, and radio station owner. He was generally credited with coining the term "Oldies but Goodies".
Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation
The mission of the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation is to support Arts & Culture, Youth, Educational, Medical, Social Servies, and Community activities that enhance the quality of life.
Municipalities & Societies
Cathedral City Historical Society
City of Rancho Mirage
Members and Patrons
Townsend Public Affairs
Christopher Townsend
Niccolo De Luca
Anastasia Heaton
Heather James Fine Art, Palm Desert
Marlene and Bruce Kanter
Tim Walsh
Mike Healy
Bjorn Kielman
Lynne Tucker
Zachary Weingart
Mark Walsh
Karen Speros
Nancy Dobrozdravic
Mary Madison
Carla San Miguel, CSM Traducciones
Margie St. Anthony
Skot Jones
Dean Kieffer
Leo Stevens
Barbara Kerr
Steven Biller
Joe Smith
Kip Serafin
Sandie Newton
Sarah and Malcolm Beresford
KESQ Eye On The Desert
Tarek & Mohamed Ragab, the Egyptian Art Center
Marty Martin, CEO of Origins Institute, Inc.
Scott Robertson & Staff, New Leaf Caterers, Cathedral City
Willie Rhine & Albert Gonzales, 849 Restaurant, Palm Springs
Jack and Sandra Rivers, Canyon Printing, Cathedral City
Please make a charitable tax-deductible contribution to the Museum of Ancient Wonders to support our efforts in creating museum diversity in the Greater Palm Springs Area.
THANK YOU
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