Old Beans

This is really cool: 4,000 year old lentils ready to be planted. Scientists at a Turkish university are attempting to transfer 17 lentil plants from the lab to the outdoors. Those 17 plants? Were germinated from three - just three - seeds found during an archaeological dig. Amazing.

Museums in the News

Some interesting news stories about museums from the last week or so. From the NY Times, as usual.

• New York Museum Showcases Custom-Made Bicycles

• At a Roman Museum, Jazz Joins the Mix

• A Lower East Side History Show, in the First Person

• Melvin the Mummy's New Clothes

Radio Silence

My apologies for not checking in here for a little while. I recently had a death in the family and have been busy elsewhere. Hope to be posting again soon. Thanks for your patience!