Throughout the world today, the body is used by some as an empty canvas to express many things, such as culture beliefs, identity within a culture or individual expressions of beauty. The Anthropology Museum captures all of this for display, located in Old Main Room 252. Opening this Saturday is a brand new exhibit called “Message On a Body.”

Holly Andrew, a recent graduate of Anthropology who works at the museum, said, “It’s really a fun exhibit because it makes people think.” The display takes visitors on a visual journey through many cultures’ portrayal of their concept of beauty, she said.

Some of the artifacts included are large tattooing needles, tiny shoes from feet binding, human branding irons, lip-stretching plates, quill scarifiers, and many colorful pictures representing several different cultures.

Andrew said, “We have a lot of people who do piercing and tattoos. Our own culture may not think that’s necessarily beautiful, great or fun, but there are reasons why people do what they do and instead of being judgmental why don’t you learn why they do it.”

The museum’s artifacts were brought here by professors and people in the community that have traveled throughout the world and offered these great finds to share with all interested observers. Holly said all displays are put together by students of the anthropology department.

Holly wants students to know about the museum, saying, “It’s really encouraging to students because they are trying to have something that students can be informed about. It would be fun for students to get involved and we are going to have some really fun topics this fall.”

One activity is Super Hero Day, where people can dress up and talk about cultural myths and legends and what the concept is behind the hero, as well as a graduate student who will speak about all the heroes there have ever been, Another Saturday topic will be the anthropology of warfare, exploring how scientists can study trauma through human bones.

In addition to these topics they will also have “Myths and Magic,” focusing on how cultures view magic and more specifically the magical world of Harry Potter. The public is invited to dress up as wizards for the Harry Potter presentation.

The museum hours through the week are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Let your mind come alive through history as you view this historical masterpiece in the Anthropology Museum.

-delayne.locke@aggiemail.usu.edu