'Weapons throughout Time' exhibit ends Sept. 19 at NU State Museum

Time is running out to see the University of Nebraska State Museum's "Weapons Throughout Time," an exhibit that explores weapons spanning more than 9,000 years of history. The exhibit, shown in the Cooper Gallery on the third floor of Morrill Hall, is set to end Sept. 19.

"Weapons Throughout Time" features select artifacts from the museum's extensive collection of weapons that have been used for defense, survival, and ceremony. Visitors have a close-up look at the technology and cultural influences found in weapons used throughout time and across the world, from 13th-century Samurai swords to World War I automatic weapons.

Objects on display include prehistoric stone arrow points used in the Great Plains, Amazonian blow guns and darts, Zulu hunting spears, Japanese and Samoan armor, and Middle Eastern, Asian and Western firearms. Ceremonial weapons include swords, clubs, shields, and spears. Other examples presented include helmets, crossbows, boomerangs, bayonets, knives, and more.

The exhibit was curated by anthropology division staff Susan Curtis and Paul Erickson, with assistance from Alan Osborn, anthropology research associate professor and curator, and exhibit specialists Joel Nielsen and Ron Pike.

The exhibit is made possible in part by the many donors and lenders, including Gary Muckel and the Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Nebraska, who support the museum by entrusting these cultural treasures in the care of the anthropology division staff.

The University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years, 4 and under are free), and $10 for families (up to two adults and children). There is an additional charge for planetarium shows. Parking is free. For more information, contact Dana Ludvik at (402) 472-3779 or by e-mail, or visit www.museum.unl.edu.

WRITER: Dana Ludvik