After five decades of collecting ancient artifacts, Dr. Marie Spiro wanted to donate her collection to an institution that would continue her approach of interactive learning, and she selected UMBC three years ago. Spiro, an associate professor emerita of art and archaeology at the University of Maryland, College Park, recently visited UMBC to attend Ancient Studies Associate Professor and Chair Marilyn Goldberg’s retirement party.
The Spiro Artifact Collection features Greek, Roman and Byzantine artifacts and contains mosaics, pottery, figurines and other pieces that date back as far as 15,000 years. The collection has provided a hands-on learning opportunity for ancient studies students and enables them to physically interact and study ancient artifacts without leaving campus.
During the celebration, Goldberg thanked Spiro for her donation and presented her with a gift from the ancient studies department. The Spiro Artifact Collection is expected to be housed in the new Art and Archaeology Lab in the Performing Arts and Humanities Building. During the retirement party, research projects presented at URCAD were on display that students conducted on artifacts as part of the archaeological museum studies course. Marilyn Goldberg was honored by colleagues for her service as a professor and chair of the department and for her enthusiasm and dedication to her students since the Ancient Studies Department began at UMBC.
You can read an article about Dr. Spiro’s donation in the Fall 2011 edition of UMBC Magazine by clicking here.
Tags: AncientStudies, CAHSS
