Explore fascinating discoveries about the oldest map of the world, which shows the most important cities and rivers. New research has opened up a wide range of insights about the piece. Does it also contain directions to the location of Noah’s Ark?

Post-event book-signing and reception. 

Dr. Irving Finkel, Assistant Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian Script, British Museum

FREE ADMISSION

Julia Ideson Library, The Reading Room

550 McKinney St

Parking underneath Jesse J. Jones Central Library 500 McKinney St. (Lamar St. Entrance)

Introductory Session: How Script Began

Don’t miss an opportunity to learn from international scholar and beloved “superstar” Assyriologist Prof. Irving Finkel, who brings the ancient world of Mesopotamia to life. Join classes at the Jung Center. Join us as Dr. Irving Finkel, the Assistant Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian script, languages, and cultures in the Middle East Department of the British Museum, uncovers how script began and what people wrote about in their now extinct languages. Generously co-sponsored by the Jung Center in partnership with The British Consulate-Houston.

Dr. Irving Finkel, Assistant Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian Script, British Museum

ADMISSION: $30

The Jung Center

5200 Montrose Blvd.

Don’t miss an opportunity to learn from international scholar and beloved “superstar” Assyriologist Prof. Irving Finkel from the British Museum. This engaging workshop, includes three sessions and a box lunch. This cycle of intimate talks shows what we have learned about the culture of ancient Mesopotamia thanks to the survival of clay tablets in cuneiform writing. Each talk features a PowerPoint presentation of images. No prior knowledge is required. NOTE – each session is one hour. Generously co-sponsored by the Jung Center in partnership with The British Consulate-Houston.

Session 1: Great Cuneiform Inscriptions | 10 - 11a CT
A voyage through some of the world's most iconic cuneiform texts: Gilgamesh; Inanna's Descent; modern-sounding astrological texts; royal and private letters; songs and music and recipes for beer.

Session 2: Amulets and Magic Spells | 11:15 - 12:15p CT
Demons, devils and witches could be troublesome for ancient Mesopotamians, but expert exorcists were available with pocketfuls of magic spells and knowledge of rituals to drive them out and leave their clients in peace. We will investigate some of their repertoire.

Lunch | 12:15 – 1:00p CT

Session 3: On Ghosts | 1:00 – 2:00 CT
Like all peoples of the world the ancient inhabitants of Iraq knew all about ghosts. Many texts and descriptions inform us what they were like, what they did, how to get rid of them or how to summon one up to confide information about the future for a wealthy client.

ADMISSION: $120 (Lunch is included)

The Jung Center

5200 Montrose Blvd.

Luncheon and Talk

Introduced by Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean of National School of Tropical Medicine.

Join us for a luncheon and talk to discover cutting edge medicine from ancient Mesopotamia. A journey through time introduces science and medicine of the ancient world .

Dr. Hotez appears remotely.

$30

The Health Museum

1515 Hermann Drive

Free Parking

Discover connections between Europe’s largest archaeological site, Madinat al-Zahra, and the stunning architecture and archaeology of the Alhambra, which it influenced.

Dr. Antonio Vallejo Triano, Director of Archaeology, Madinate al-Zahra. Dr. Farshid Emami, Architectural Historian, Rice University

Dr. Triano appears remotely.

FREE ADMISSION

Hudspeth Auditorium, Rice University

Entrance #8 at the Intersection of West University and Stockton Street.

Paid Parking Available in West Lot 4. Information HERE

America’s Spanish Revival architectural movement of the 1920s left us remarkable structures heavily influenced by the world of al-Andalus. We will travel by bus to explore beautiful examples in Houston. Tour followed by a wine and tapas reception. 

Stephen Fox, Architectural Historian

Stephen Fox is a fellow of the Anchorage Foundation of Texas and teaches architectural history at Rice University and University of Houston. He is widely published and the author of "The Country Houses of John Staub" and co-author of the noted "Galveston Architectural Guidebook" with Ellen Beasley. Anchorage Foundation

TICKETS: $70

Departing: Heritage Soc., 212 Dallas, not West Dallas, next to the historic Kellum-Noble house.

Free parking, at the Heritage Society parking lot next to the historic Kellum-Noble house

An extraordinary synthesis took place in medieval al-Andalus, where spirited, enchanting music was created, enriched by many cultures from Northern Africa and around the Mediterranean. Reception and CD sale follows the concert. 

Musica Antigua

FREE ADMISSION, FREE PARKING

Julia Ideson Library, Reading Room

550 McKinney Street

Free Parking Available in Garage Underneath Main Library.

Is it poetry?  Is it music?  Either way, it’s absolutely enchanting. The voices of three cultures reach across the centuries, telling captivating stories through poetry, dance, and song with the addition of Flamenco to create an evening appealing to the whole family.

Children from the Arabic and Spanish Immersion Schools will participate in performing pieces they have learned in the classroom in a residency with the ensemble.

FREE ADMISSION

Location to be Announced

Explore the rich intersection of art, science, and nature in the medieval Muslim gardens of al-Andalus. This engaging program delves into how landscape, architecture, and water worked together to create spaces that were both sustainable and beautiful. Learn how these gardens reflected a deep understanding of ecology and design.

Following the presentation, enjoy a guided stroll through McGovern Centennial Gardens with Hermann Park Conservancy staff to see how the same timeless principles continue to shape modern landscapes today.

FREE ADMISSION

McGovern Centennial Gardens

Your hands-on work will help preserve and restore a historic African American cemetery in Houston, saving and commemorating the past. Archaeology Now has made a multiple-year commitment to Evergreen Negro Cemetery because there is such need. Please join us to help preserve important Houston stories and memories.

In partnership with PROJECT RESPECT

FREE ADMISSION

Saturday, April 25, 2026

10am - 2pm. Lunch Provided

Maximum 20 volunteers

5499 Market Street at Lockwood

The cuisine of medieval Spain blended Muslim, Jewish, and Christian traditions, and drew on India, Persia, the Spice Islands, and Africa for ingredients. A feast with music awaits!  Book sale and signing.

Featuring the culinary artistry of Nawal Nasrallah and Cotton Catering

Tickets: $150

Parador Historical Landmark - 2021 Binz Street, Houston, TX 77004