Royal Ontario Museum Blog
Monthly Archive: December
Weapon Wednesday: Frankish "Seax" swords
In the 3rd century of the current era the term "Frank" was used by Romans and others to describe a group of Germanic tribes living in the Rhine valley. In the 4th century Franks settled within territory ruled by the Romans and were a recognised kingdom. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire the Frankish kingdom under their Merovingian kings spread over all of France (which to this day is named after this confederation of Germans).
The Children's Miracle Network at The ROM!
![Making fossil molds © ROM 2013 Making fossil molds](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/img_0724.jpg?itok=mo3dTtUg)
Twelve children and their families were welcomed at the ROM for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience.
Weapon Wednesday: the "djanbīyya" dagger
![Janbīyah from Mughal India (2004x5.151) Janbīyah from Mughal India (2004x5.151)](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/2004x5.151_2.jpg?itok=xlLXdsHs)
The Middle Eastern two-edged curved dagger is one of the most recognizable weapon forms. Typically it is known by the Arab term djanbīyya sometimes Anglicised as "jambiya", or also often the Arabic term khandjar, but these curved daggers are found across the Middle East.
Ben & Bruno’s Excellent Trilobite Adventure
Event highlights of the ROM’s popular bimonthly Rock, Gem, Mineral, Fossil, and Meteorite Identification Clinics!
Fossil-finding Tour at Evergreen Brick Works
![Don Valley lookout from which you can see the whole north slope of sediments (and the downtown skyline). Group stands with Toronto skyline in Background](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/kseymour_img_3297.jpg?itok=tBbdenbo)
In July, ROM Assistant Curator Dr. Kevin Seymour offered an enthusiastic group of 25 ROM members a guided tour of the famous fossil site at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto’s Don Valley. Beautiful weather was the order of the day (after days of rain), giving all participants an enjoyable if somewhat muddy outing.
Tips for toddlers visiting the ROM
![Tiny Times visits the ROM! Tiny Times visits the ROM!](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/rom-museum-toronto-kids_1.jpg?itok=yu7o1dGO)
Recently we had a visit from Karla Courtney and her son Marshall who run an internationally awarded blog, The [Tiny} Times (www.tinytimes.com).
Weapon Wednesday: a Romano-Egyptian sword hilt
![Romano-Egyptian sword hilt number 910.175.328 (ROM Photography) Romano-Egyptian sword hilt number 910.175.328 (ROM Photography)](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/rom2011_11878_6.jpg?itok=38a-3TdO)
A look at a cast bronze sword hilt, acquired before 1910 in Cairo by Charles Currelly and presently in the Eaton Gallery of Rome.
Weapon Wednesday
![Sword of Babylonian King Marduk-shapik-zeri, 1081-1069 BC Sword of Babylonian King Marduk-shapik-zeri, 1081-1069 BC](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/rom2007_9215_1.jpg?itok=S5D8zVk3)
Weapons are one of the most politically-incorrect subjects there are, associated with brutality and violence. But they are also important, and have often defined the cultures that made them....
Amarna Artifacts in the ROM’s Ancient Egypt Collection
![Amarna Artifacts in the ROM’s Ancient Egypt Collection Gallery shot of Eye of the Beholder with collar and relief sculpture in foreground under spotlight, W. Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/rom2007_9291_21.jpg?itok=-40k9PzM)
A look at the ROM's massive collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, specifically those from the Armana collection.
LIFE! CAMERAS! ANIMALS! Neighbourhood Nature Watch
![](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/rom2007_9322_8_neighbourhood_watch.jpg?itok=rCV2Ay4v)
During the intense light of a summer afternoon a group of determined photographers particapated in the Neighbourhood Nature Watch, hosted by the ROM.