USNM CURATORS ANNUAL REPORTS -- Department of Oriental Antiquities: Annual Report, 1888-89

Have you ever heard of Biblical archaeology? The Smithsonian’s Department of Oriental Antiquities defined it as the “history, archaeology, languages, arts, and religions of the peoples of Western Asia and Egypt” in 1888. Read more about this collecting practice, and the establishment of the department, in this annual curator’s report from 1888-89. Then join other digital volunteers in transcribing this piece of Smithsonian history!