Tales From Digging at the Old North Crypt [Photos]
Posted onAuthorMatt ContiComments Off on Tales From Digging at the Old North Crypt [Photos]
It may be snow season, but digging out in the North End takes on new meaning at the underground crypt of the Old North Church. Boston archeologist Joe Bagley is overseeing a new dig this week under the walkways surrounding the colonial era tombs. It’s a guarantee that many artifacts will be found, but the big question is whether human remains will be uncovered. There are historical records of an Old North Church vicar who gave a sermon mentioning a human burial under the crypt walkway. Along with Bagley, on site is osteoarchaeologist Jane Lyden Rousseau as the team looks for clues and potential bone fragments.
Old North Church Vicar and Foundation President Stephen T. Ayres said, “The archeological dig is necessary in preparation of repairing the brick tombs and to install a dehumidification system to prevent further damage.” The restoration is part of an $11 million capital campaign and restoration of the historic church, partially funded by the National Park Service. (contributions welcome here.)
There are 37 tombs under Old North Church in use from 1730 to the mid-1800’s. The crypt has actually seen over 1,100 burials because the tombs were reused many times (and then some). Follow along with the Old North crypt dig at the City of Boston Archaeology Facebook page.
Dr. Carlo Cipollone, the Educational Director of the Italian Consulate, presented the following article, Galileo’s Educational Legacy, at a recent symposium at Harvard University. The event was in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the invention of the telescope. Many thanks to the author for his permission to republish it and North End resident, Nancy Caruso, for the submission.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In occasion of the Week of Celebration of the Italian Language in the World, the Consulate General of Italy in Boston in collaboration with Harvard University and the Italian Space Agency present a symposium. Galileo’s Telescope and the Beginning of the Scientific Revolution and Space Exploration ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Galileo’s Educational Legacy by Dr. Carlo Cipollone Educational Director of the Italian Consulate
As an educator, I can confirm that Galileo continues to generate great curiosity today, even among the youngest members of our society. A few days ago I received an email from a nine year-old student. With her mother’s help, young Ashley asked to address some simple questions to scientists and experts on Galileo. She also requested to meet with me for a chat about this icon of scientific discovery. While reviewing Ashley’s questions I realized that children, in their ingenuity, manage to raise complex topics and queries – challenging most adults to give a suitable answer.
The question that struck me the most was probably the most difficult to answer: “Why is Galileo so important today”?
I hope that I can give an answer to Ashley’s question. I will aim to give the best response I can, trying to offer a perspective based on the man behind the telescope, the man who influenced countless disciplines.
Galileo’s ideas not only sparked a scientific revolution, they initiated a large-scale revolution in human thinking. He changed the way we see the world and more importantly, how we perceive ourselves within it.
Between the snow storms, a night of romantic opera music was the destination for the crowd at 3rd Annual AMORE Opera Concert, held on Valentine’s Day in Boston’s North End. Sponsored by NEMPAC and Old North Church, it was a romantic evening of arias, opera scenes and musical theatre celebrating the passions, delights and joys Read More…
A while ago I wrote an essay entitled A North End Mystery featuring the above photograph of what is likely depicting George Scigliano’s funeral procession. You may recall that there was some discussion as to whether the picture was taken in Boston and what street it was. I’ve been doing some further research and I may Read More…
