A rainy Good Friday, with the day off from work, yielded a visit to the Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. The special exhibit area on Friday was focused on the ancient peoples of Panama and their use of gold, which was plentiful in the area some 1,300 years ago. Equally interesting was the display of colorful fabrics and clothing that is still woven in the area by indigenous people.
This particular Mola panel depicts the beliefs of the Kuna Yala people regarding the earthly and the heavenly realms. Note the flying figure in the uppermost part of the fabric. Perhaps an early visitor from another world?
On to the Museum’s renowned collection of Eqyptian mummies, and a brief explanation of the conservator’s process for restoring and preserving these marvelous specimens. One of these “guests” was in the process of restoration during our visit.
