3-D laser scanning is helping solve ancient mysteries at the Smithsonian
Science Spotlight
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Geisha Hairstyling, ca. 1927, a silent black & white archival film clip from the Smithsonian’s Human Studies Film Archives
Silent black & white archival film clip from “Japan: Promotional and Theatrical Footage, ca. 1927″. The full film, which is 17 minutes long, includes segments from what are believed to be a theatrical film, a promotional film and, possibly, amateur film – all of unknown origin.
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Construction of Mount Rushmore National Memorial from the Smithsonian’s Human Studies Film Archives
Clip from silent edited film “Bryson Jones Travelogue: Lure of the West” (ca. 1927) shows Mount Rushmore National Memorial under construction, including blasting off cliff face, scaffolding, men working, and the completed monument.
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Beautiful Japan: Benten Festival 1917-1918, from the Smithsonian’s Human Studies Film Archive
This film is from the collections of the Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution. Clip from silent film, Beautiful Japan (1917-18), by travel-lecturer Benjamin Brodsky. Benten Festival is celebrated on Shiraishi Island. Benten (Benzaiten) is the Goddess of the Sea and one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan.
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Fossil pollen used to augment climate record of Egypt’s Nile Delta
Ancient pollen and charcoal preserved in deeply buried sediments in Egypt’s Nile Delta document the region’s ancient droughts and fires, including a huge drought 4,200 years ago associated with the demise of Egypt’s Old Kingdom.
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Report paints a new picture of early human impact on the Amazon River Basin
The newly reported reconstruction of Amazonian prehistory by a Smithsonian scientist, Dolores R. Piperno, and her colleagues suggests that large areas of western Amazonia were sparsely inhabited.
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Japanese acrobats ca. 1927, footage from the Smithsonian’s Human Studies Film Archive
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Pam Wintle, senior film archivist, describes the moving image collection of the Human Studies Film Archives
