Mitch Brown

Dr. Jeremy Rutter visited Wabash College Monday March 17 and Tuesday March 18. Dr. Rutter is a Professor of Classics and Humanities at Dartmouth College and also the creator of the groundbreaking online textbook “Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean.” His trip included a lunch with Classics students and a lecture on properly naming Minoan “Palaces” on Monday, and lecture in Dr. Leslie Day’s Classics 212 class on gender identity and age in frescoes from the Bronze Age society of Akrotiri. I am a student of that class and we have used Dr. Rutter’s site all semester.

At lunchtime on Monday Dr. Rutter met and conversed with the Classics faculty and students. During that time the students taught him a little bit about Wabash so that he was acquainted with the campus when he gave his lectures.

Dr. Rutter’s lecture on Monday was in Baxter 101 where he gave an in depth analysis of large Minoan complexes that have been called “palaces” since Arthur Evans first excavated one at Knossos in 1900. The palaces, located all over Crete, are large multistoried complexes characterized by a central courtyard. Archaeologists have theorized as to their function for years. He ended his speech by saying the he felt that palace is a misnomer and that the Minoan complexes should be called “Community Centers” since they were used by a large group of people rather than just one family or ruling class. Baxter 101 was full with Wabash students and faculty along with a group of students and a teacher from Depauw.

After the lecture there was a question and answer session and a reception in which those present at the lecture conversed with Dr. Rutter and each other about the topics discussed during the presentation. Dr. Rutter spent much of his time answering the questions of Classics students such as myself who have been researching the topic all semester. He is very knowledgeable on the subject and was willing the stay and talk to us long after most others had left.

The lecture the next day in Classics 212 was interesting and interactive. We went over the ways to identify age and gender in art, which include clothing, body proportions, and hair styles. Dr. Rutter showed us how much we can determine just by examining these things. For me, being able to listen to and be taught by an author of texts used in class was a new experience and an excellent opportunity. Dr. Rutter ended his visit by having dinner with the Classics faculty Tuesday night at Dr. Kubiak’s house. His visit to Wabash College was an exciting event for the Classics Department and the entire campus.