May lay off 18 researchers in Penn Archaeology Museum:

Philadelphia:

A venerable archaeology museum plans to lay off 18 researchers and focus on upgrading to its exhibits in an efforts to an attract more visitors and shore up its finances.
Several prominent scientists are among to the researchers being laid off from in the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, though some could keep to their jobs then if grant money to cover their salaries is found.
Museum director Richard Hodges said the institution’s finances are unsustainable, and that it must refurbish its “tired exhibits” and increase income.
“We were living beyond our means” Hodges said,
The 120 years old museum has a worldwide reputation for its scholarship and for supporting expeditions, from the tombs of Egypt to the temples of the Mayans to the remains of Babylon, Gordion and Troy.
Outside scholars questioned Hodges’ decision to cut so much research. One scientist slated for layoff, chemical archaeologist Patrick McGovern, has made headlines with his analyzes of stains on ancient vessels, some revealing the world’s oldest wines and beers.

“He is firing the very people who are making the university museum an important academic institution,” said Oscar Muscarella, a Penn museum trained archaeologist who is a retired curator from the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

The Penn museum‘s chief operating officer, Melissa Smith, said she could not disclose the size of the museum’s endowment or its deficits. She said the museum has had to dig into reserves, which are eroding fast.

The museum received $7 million from Penn to balance its $16.4 million budget in 2008, according to the annual report.

The layoffs were first reported by Penn’s student newspaper, The Daily Pennsylvanian.