New Harvard Art Museums Initiative Lets Students Touch Ancient Artifacts

Harvard Art Museums opened their doors Friday for a hands-on display of ancient Egyptian artifacts, the first in a series of “First/Hand Fridays” that allows Harvard students to touch items in the museum’s private collection.

At the inaugural event, held in the Art Study Center, 10 attendees were permitted to hold and examine ushabtis — small human figurines historically buried with ancient Egyptians — during a presentation by curator and Egyptologist Jen Thum.

The interactive events are planned for the first Friday of each month through the spring semester, showcasing different parts of the Harvard collection. Curators will present stencils from “Jazz” by Henri Matisse in November and display ancient coins in December.

Thum, also the Associate Director of Academic Engagement and Campus Partnerships, said the program is meant to educate Harvard affiliates on their access to artifacts owned by the University but not displayed in the museums.

“A lot of people don’t know that they can request things from storage to see,” Thum said. “So it’s sort of a way of getting students to know that this space exists.”

The vast majority of the University’s 250,000-piece collection is not displayed in its galleries, though Harvard students and faculty can request and view pieces privately.

Harvard Art Museums’ Manager of Campus Partnerships Ana M. Barros ’16 said she hopes the program can “humanize” and “demystify” the museums.

“This is really a unique opportunity to be able to see works that you may not ever get to see within your four years at Harvard,” Barros said.

“People here are really eager to connect with you and share their expertise and share their passion with students,” she added.

Emiliano G. Berlanga ’28 said he was drawn to the event by the museums’ newsletter and appreciated the opportunity to interact with the artifacts.

“I could just let my mind wander and just enjoy the presence of this important history,” Berlanga said. “I used to be obsessed with ancient Egypt.”

“I’m very privileged in this sense to be at Harvard and to be able to touch these figurines and artifacts and just be that close to world history,” he added.

Thum also presented two other artifacts — an Egyptian canopic jar used to store human remains and a stele believed to cure snake bites — though attendees were only permitted to touch the ushabtis.

Thum discussed the ethics of excavating the artifacts and storing them outside Egypt with participants, inviting students to share their opinions.

“Most of this group came from this one group burial, where the Egyptian government actually distributed these objects to places around the world,” Thum said. “We get to talk about how students feel about a group of objects that were supposed to be together in one person’s tomb being split up around the world.”

Jane J. Josefowicz ’25, who also attended the event, said the program is another opportunity to explore Harvard before she graduates.

“I want to do as much stuff as I can while it’s still available and free,” Josefowicz said. “So, I’m trying to make an effort to go to as much stuff that the museum puts together for us.”

Though the event drew a small crowd, Berlanga said he would recommend First/Hand to his friends.

“It was just a very great experience,” Berlanga said. “Even if it wasn’t as action-packed as a football game, I still feel like I got equal enjoyment.”