Uncovering the layers of Cambridge’s history
- Release Date: 23/09/2009
- Country of Issue: United Kingdom
- Category: Corporate
A brand new puzzle uncovering layers of Cambridge’s intriguing history is being launched in Cambridge tomorrow (Thursday, 23 September 2009).
Each layer of the puzzle, A Cambridge Palimpsest, tells the story of how Cambridge and its surroundings were shaped, and shows what has been lost and forgotten. Geology shaped where people first settled and built, and the map highlights the importance of the river to Cambridge past and present.
A map from 1798 illustrates a compact centre with its tight medieval streets, crowded alleys and yards, but also shows the growth of the University and Colleges. By the 1940s Cambridge had spread beyond its medieval core, the suburbs expanding into the farmland fields, which for so long had surrounded it. And, finally today, a picture of a modern city, still with many green spaces and reminders of its past.
Palimpsest is a word with Greek origins and historically meant a page from a scroll or book that had been scraped off and used again. Today it is used in a similar context in a variety of disciplines – mainly architectural archaeology, where it refers to an object, place or area that shows signs of its history.
The limited edition of 800 palimpsests was the inspiration of Issam Kourbaj, artist-in-residence at Christ’s College. Issam was helped in making his vision a reality by the expertise of the Cambridge Archeological Unit.
The puzzle invites participants to look back in time, uncovering the layers of Cambridge and discovering why some places have changed whilst others remained the same.
A Cambridge Palimpsest has been produced in time for the annual Cambridge Alumni event this weekend, when hundreds of former students from all over the world come to Cambridge to enjoy tours and talks around the University.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
About Issam Kourbaj
Issam Kourbaj comes from a fine art, architecture and theatre design background. He was born in Syria, and trained in Damascus, Leningrad and London. Some of his work is in the Collection of the Department of the Middle East and of Prints and Drawings of the British Museum; he has exhibited in three continents. Since 1989 he has lived in Cambridge and is now a Bye-Fellow at Christ’s College and Artist in Residence.
About Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s leading research institutions. It is the oldest publisher and printer in the world, having been operating continuously since 1584.
Throughout its history, the Press has maintained a reputation for innovation and enterprise, through publishing the latest research, and through supporting the latest methodologies for teaching and learning. Its purpose is to advance learning, knowledge and research worldwide. It publishes 240 journals and over 2,500 books annually for distribution in nearly every country in the world.
About A Cambridge Palimpsest
800 signed and Limited Edition versions of A Cambridge Palimpsest are available from the Cambridge University Press Bookshop, at 1 Trinity Street, Cambridge CB2 1SZ or from www.cambridge.org/uk/bookshop.A Cambridge Palimpsest (Limited Edition) | £75 | ISBN: 978-0-521-15543-4
If you would like more information, contact the Press Office:
- Telephone: +44 (0)1223 325544
- Fax: +44 (0)1223 325062
- Email: press@cambridge.org
- Post: The Press Office, University Printing House, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8BS, United Kingdom