Museum of Cultural History

Visited the Museum of Cultural History today.  It's in a hugh old stately building which they are renovating (as they are most buildings here).  There are only two exhibits open at this time, other rooms were sealed so I'm not sure what they are working on. 

Up two flights of stairs with no one in sight I found the display of the Russian occupation.  One heart stopping display was the written appeal begging the United States for help which we did not render for whatever reasons.  There was actual footage of the bombings, the looting by officials, the executions and the emigration over the mountains on foot and in snow.  And these mountains are up!  The Russians first killed the wealthy and the religous leaders.  Then the not so wealthy peasants and the  intellectuals. 

The counter revolution was actually started by two fourteen old boys who were executed in their twenties.  But before that the were able to stir up hope in the nation.  These were basically 8th graders!  As some of you know the final step, not in the display, was the War of the Roses.  Turns out when the Russian came back to jack around the Georgians to keep them under control the school I'm teaching at was right between the two armies.  And school went on, no days off for a war.

Three flights down was the archeology display.  The first person I saw was the guard, sound asleep  agains the wall.  Then a guide showed up with her enterage.  I was reading the pictures (sure can't read Georgian) of what not to do inside he room and was trying to decide if the one picture meant no talking or no spitting.  Since the guide continued her speel inside the room and the two guards in there did nothing it must have meant no spitting.  Since there was no such sign for the other display I guess you could spit on the Russians if you so desired.

The  second display was of artifacts found in tombs dating back to 200 BC.  Most were made out of gold with silver coming in second.  They said that very fine flakes of gold floated on the rivers of Tbilisi.  The gold flacks were mined by floating a shaggy goat skin on the water.  The gold flakes would adher to the hairs and could be then harvested.  May be that was where Jason's Golden Fleece originated?!  The craftsmanship on the jewlery was exquisit.  Some of the later peices were imported from Egypt. 

The top floor was somber, the the basement was inspiring.  One the walk home I found an art display of local artisits' works and the artist in attendance.  Going to explore that more closely when I have my budget figured out.