Mark Your Calendar

The American Turkish Society Presents a Film Screening and Discussion

Queen of the Mountain: Theresa Goell’s Work in Turkey

Martha Goell Lubell
Producer/Director

Donald H. Sanders, Ph.D.
President, Learning Sites, Inc.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
6:00pm – 8:30pm
Following registration at 6:00pm, program will start promptly at 6:30pm.

Temple Emanu-El
One East 65th Street (between 5th and Madison Avenues)
New York City

Theresa Goell abandoned the comfortable lifestyle of her conservative Jewish family in Brooklyn to study archeology. Beginning in 1953, Goell excavated the spectacular burial site of King Antiochus I on Nemrud Dagi, a 7,000-foot-high mountain three days’ walk from the nearest post office. The virtually unknown mountaintop site in Southeastern Turkey became her life’s passion. Struggling with a hearing disability, her work was nothing short of extraordinary, bringing roads, tourists and employment to the impoverished local population.

In the film “Queen of the Mountain,”Theresa Goell’s saga comes to life through breathtaking National Geographic archival footage of the excavations, hundreds of family photographs and finally Goell’s stunning oral history and letters, read by acclaimed actress Tovah Feldshuh. The screening will be followed by a discussion on Goell’s life and the archeological site of Nemrud Dagi, with her niece Martha Goell Lubell, who produced and directed the film in 2005, and Dr. Donald H. Sanders, who coordinated the full publication of Goell’s excavation report following her passing in 1985.

The Sanctuary of Nemrud Dagi is one of the most remarkable, best preserved, but least known monuments of Asia Minor. The site, called by its builder a hierothesion, or "common dwelling place of all the gods next to the heavenly thrones," is situated 2150m above sea level, atop one of the highest peaks in the Anti-Taurus Mountains of southeastern Turkey near the banks of the Euphrates River. The monument is one of the premier sites of the Late Hellenistic period. It was constructed by King Antiochus I of Commagene in the mid-1st century BC to command a 360o view of the ranges, plains, and towns that comprised his ancient kingdom.

Special Thanks to National Organization for Hearing Research Foundation, Women Make Movies, and Temple Emanu-El.

Space is limited. Pre-registration and ID is strictly required for entry. No walk-ins will be allowed. To RSVP, please register online or fill out the registration form and fax to 212.583.7615 by Friday, February 20, by 5:00 pm. Press attendance is limited; members of the press wishing to cover the event, please contact The Society.
For questions, please call 212.583.7614 or email http://us.mc382.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@americanturkishsociety.org.