david meadows
2020-12-13 15:22:32 UTC
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explorator 23.34 December 13, 2020
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You can read explorator online at:
https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/
Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
Chag Chanukah sameach to all those celebrating!
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EARLY HOMINIDS
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Some new evidence that Neanderthals buried their dead:
http://www.cnrs.fr/en/new-evidence-neandertals-buried-their-dead
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/c-nen120920.php
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-evidence-neandertals-dead.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201209140358.htm
https://www.livescience.com/neanderthal-child-burial-solves-mystery.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-neanderthal-mystery-solved-by-a-child-s-bones-from-40-000-years-ago
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/new-evidence-that-neanderthals-buried.html
https://www.archaeology.org/9304-201210-neanderthal-france-burial
Theorizing on the evolutionary development of homo floresiensis:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uom-ane120920.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201209170647.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/researcher-adds-to-timeline-of-human.html
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AFRICA
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A pre-Roman 'Libyan' artifact from an Algerian site:
https://www.libyaobserver.ly/art/libyan-artefact-found-algerian-province-batna
Artifact-looting concerns in Mali:
https://issafrica.org/iss-today/inside-the-illegal-trade-in-west-africas-cultural-heritage
Feature on the last queen of Madagascar (Ranavalona III):
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/madagascars-extraordinary-last-queens-objects-are-sale-180976467/
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/dec/06/remarkable-story-of-madagascars-last-queen-emerges-from-surrey-attic
... related:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/09/madagascar-relics-queen-ranavalona-iii
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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
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A 4th millenium BCE petroglyph from Wadi el Malik is being touted as the oldest place name sign:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-oldest-place-name-sign-in-world.html
Recently-identified as separate pieces from the same statue of Ramesses VI have been reunited:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/07/pharaohs-statue-pieces-held-in-two-different-museums-are-now-matched/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/ramses-statue-pieces-held-in-two.html
The lists of 'major finds of 2020' started appearing this week ... here's the first from Egypt:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95112/Enani-reviews-Egypt%E2%80%99s-archaeological-accomplishments-in-2020-to-France-24
Marking the 108th anniversary of the discovery of the bust of Nefertiti:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95056/Dec-7-marks-the-108th-anniversary-of-discovering-Nefertiti%E2%80%99s-head
Of course the Saqqara finds made Archaeology Magazine's 'top ten' list:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95241/Colourful-coffins-of-Saqqara-among-the-10-most-important-archaeological
More on that 'counterfeit silver' from Canaan (which is being given an Egyptian spin this week):
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egyptian-hoard-counterfeit-dirty-money.html
Feature on chariot use by women in ancient Egypt:
http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2020/12/nefertiti-chariot
Feature on the Saqqara Saite tombs project:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/agenta/the-saqqara-saite-tombs-project/
Feature on the 'tug of war' over the Rosetta Stone:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-tug-of-war-over-the-rosetta-stone
Feature on the discovery of Tut's tomb:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/finding-tutankhamuns-tomb-a-historical-account/
Feature on Alexandria:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/alexandria-the-greatest-city-in-the-ancient-world/
Feature on life in Hellenistic Egypt:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/life-in-hellenistic-egypt/
Hyping the upcoming 'Royal Parade' of Egyptian mummies:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95170/Video-Sneak-Peak-on-current-location-of-Egypt%E2%80%99s-Royal-Mummies
I think we mentioned this theory seeking proof by drilling into the Great Pyramid:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1368322/egypt-great-pyramid-giza-drill-archaeology-construction-workers-pharaoh-khufu-spt
There's apparently a major announcement coming from Saqqara in January:
https://dailynewsegypt.com/2020/12/06/major-archaeological-discovery-at-saqqara-to-be-revealed-in-january-egyptologist/
The French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Egypt is celebrating its 140th anniversary:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/396505.aspx
Not sure what to think about Egypt opening a major replicas factory:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95024/Egypt%E2%80%99s-tourism-antiquities-min-visits-Archaeological-Replicas-Factory
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1774516/art-culture
A theory about 'missing blocks' from the Great Pyramid:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1369693/egypt-breakthrough-great-pyramid-giza-white-limestone-blocks-bent-engineer-archaeology-spt
Latest survey work in Iran reveals prehistoric links between Iran, Anatolia, the Caucasus, and Mesopotamia:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455513/Survey-reveals-prehistorical-links-between-Iran-Anatolia-Caucasus
Brief item on a 'massive underground city' beneath modern-day Tafresh:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455562/Archaeologists-shed-more-light-on-massive-underground-city-central
Suggestion that writing began on the Iranian plateau:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455638/Iranian-plateau-gave-birth-to-writing-French-archaeologist
Feature on the importance of the fortress at Machaerus:
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/fortress-machaerus-holds-clues-regions-past
Interesting real and virtual excavation of a Neolithic site off the Carmel coast of Israel:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/archaeologists-explore-secrets-of.html
Just in time for Hanukkah, kinda sorta, comes a find (actually a few decades ago) of a Hasmonean-era menorah petroglyph:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/rare-menorah-engraving-dates-back-to-hasmonean-era-651379
https://www.jns.org/wire/bar-ilan-university-archaeologist-rare-engraved-menorah-discovered-on-tomb-facade-could-date-back-to-the-hasmonean-era/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/rare-second-temple-menorah-drawing-from-biblical-maccabean-site-brought-to-light/
... and some explainers on Hanukkah:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/hanukah-maccabees-and-apocrypha/?mqsc=E4124166&dk=ZE05D0ZF0
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/wherefore-the-hanukkah-scroll-651714
... and the story told with a 500 elephants spin and no Macabees:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/500-drunken-elephants-the-untold-hanukkah-story-with-no-macabees-651731
This 2000 years bp lantern find might be in a similar Hanukkah spirit:
https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/12/13/jerusalem-archeologists-reveal-2000-year-old-candle/
A 2300 years bp (or so) seal impression purchased from an Israeli market 40 years ago is been declared genuine:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/2300-year-old-iron-age-seal-found-in-israeli-market-651591
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2700-years-ago-tiny-clay-piece-sealed-deal-for-bibles-king-jeroboam-ii/
https://www.ynet.co.il/environment-science/article/BkecpL6oD (Hebrew)
Israel is opening up some previously-unseen structures in the Herodium:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201210-israel-unveils-parts-of-herod-s-palace-buried-by-judean-king
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/king-herods-buried-palace-is-slowly-resurrected-wtjk5kvrj
https://gulfnews.com/photos/news/israel-unveils-parts-of-herods-palace-buried-by-judean-king-1.1607601866949
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3113599/parts-king-herods-spectacular-hilltop-palace-where-roman
I think we mentioned this find of a Second Temple era gaming die fro Khirbet Kfar Mor:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/daily-life-and-practice/ancient-game-die-discovered/?mqsc=E4123989&dk=ZE05D0ZF0
Fatamid and Byzantine gold coins (and other things) from Caesarea:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/08/cache-of-rare-gold-coins-discovered-at-caesarea-israel/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/cache-of-rare-gold-coins-and-900-year.html
More on the purported find of Jesus' childhood home:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/jesus-childhood-home-nazareth-1234578353/
... and an interesting feature on the role of 19th century nuns in the excavation:
https://www.livescience.com/house-of-jesus-uncovered-by-sisters-of-nazareth.html
More on the rethinking of Goliath's height:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/tall-tales-research-examines-goliaths-true-height-651597
A rather strange 'tunneling award' for an archaeological project in Israel:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/israel-wins-international-tunneling-award-for-archaeology-651274
Pondering the evidence for Solomon's Temple:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/was-king-solomons-temple-a-real-place
Feature on the House of Wisdom (destroyed in the 13th century) and Islam's role in establishing several modern math concepts:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201204-lost-islamic-library-maths
The Council of Europe has condemned the conversion of Hagia Sophia:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/07/council-of-europe-hagia-sophia/
43 facts about the Assyrian Empire:
http://www.aina.org/ata/20201211055507.htm
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ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
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A Bronze age settlement, including mass burials from an ongoing dig on Cyprus:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/3500-year-old-place-of-worship-with.html
Phrygian era inscriptions and later (Greek) finds from a site in Turkey's Zonguldak province:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/phrygian-inscriptions-doric-headers-found-in-turkeys-zonguldak-province/news
7th century BCE finds from a dig on Lesvos:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/12/09/seventh-century-bc-artifacts-found-in-lesvos-archaeological-dig/
Remains of a Phoenician moat find from Spain's Costa Blanca:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/archaeologists-discover-giant-phoenician-defensive-moat/136417
https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/202145?returnurl=https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/202145
https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2020/12/13/fantastic-find-of-old-phoenician-moat-gets-archaeologists-excited-on-spains-costa-blanca/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/archaeologists-unearth-huge-phoenician.html
... and related concerns:
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/12/11/fears-for-villaricos-phoenician-site/
A 4th century BCE Scythian burial near the Don River:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/burial-mound-of-scythian-warlord-from.html
New finds at a Temple of Zeus in Qanawat (Syria):
https://sana.sy/en/?p=213372
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/12/new-archaeological-zeus-syria/
Remains of a 'pile dwelling' village dating to 400 BCE at Desenzano del Garda (article in Italian):
http://www.meteoweb.eu/2020/12/scoperta-archeologica-desenzano-del-garda-villaggio-palafitte/1519421/
An Illyrian helmet from a burial in Croatia:
https://greekreporter.com/ancient-greek-helmet-found-in-stone-burial-chamber-in-croatia/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/07/greek-illyrian-helmet-croatia/
Railway work near Caltanisetta revealed traces of a 1st century CE settlement (Italian):
https://www.siciliareport.it/cultura/ferrovia-catania-palermo-scoperto-nel-nisseno-insediamento-rurale-del-i-secolo-d-c/
https://www.siciliaweekend.info/2020/12/09/archeologia-scoperta-a-vallelunga-pratameno/
https://www.ragusanews.com/cultura-archeologia-scoperto-in-sicilia-insediamento-romano-foto-115737/
https://www.lasicilia.it/news/cultura/377421/archeologia-sicilia-terra-di-tesori-scoperto-insediamento-del-i-secolo-d-c-a-vallelunga-pratameno.html
https://www.siciliaogginotizie.it/2020/12/09/vallelunga-pratameno-scoperto-importante-insediamento-rurale-del-i-secolo-d-c/
Examination of a 4th-6th century CE burial from Vaste reveals possible evidence of leukemia (all coverage in Italian):
https://www.lecceprima.it/attualita/antica-forma-di-leucemia-studiata-su-scheletro-del-parco-archeologico-di-vaste.html
https://messina.gazzettadelsud.it/articoli/cronaca/2020/12/10/morto-tra-il-iv-e-il-vi-secolo-d-c-di-leucemia-limportante-scoperta-di-una-ricercatrice-messinese-d6729ed6-d869-479c-b648-685b0987582f/
https://www.messinatoday.it/cronaca/leucemia-sito-archeologico-salento-papardo-collaborazione.html
A Roman-era statue head of Venus from Chieti:
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-roman-head-of-venus-unearthed-in-chieti.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/roman-venus-head-unearthed-in-chieti.html
https://www.chietitoday.it/attualita/scavi-piazza-san-giustino-venere-lavori-riqualificazione.html
A reinterpretation of a site at Priors Hall suggests it might be a Romano-Celtic temple/mausoleum:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/romano-celtic-temple-mausoleum-found-at.html
A dig on the via Alessandrina in Rome has revealed a new section of the Imperial Fora (Italian):
https://www.terzobinario.it/scavo-archeologico-di-via-alessandrina-alla-luce-nuova-porzione-dei-fori-imperiali/
https://abitarearoma.it/concluso-scavo-archeologico-di-via-alessandrina/
Overviewish thing on the dig at the 2000 years bp site of Hypaipa:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hypaipa-ancient-city-comes-to-surface-160663
A Late Antiquity 'plaza' find from Aquileia (article in Italian):
https://www.udinetoday.it/attualita/scoperta-piazza-aquileia-tardo-anitca-dicembre-2020.html
A 5th century CE (!) mosaic find from Cotswalds:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/10/stunning-dark-ages-mosaic-found-at-roman-villa-in-cotswolds
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-55256415
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/uk-archaeologists-make-startling-discovery-4783655
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/446/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/446/pub/446/page/12/article/111877
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/roman-mosaic-chedworth-britain-scli-intl-gbr-scn/index.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/archaeologists-find-britains-only-5th-century-roman-mosaic/136424
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/britains-first-known-5th-century-mosaic.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mosaic-shows-some-britain-lived-luxury-during-dark-ages-180976535/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9306-201211-england-dark-ages
... and a feature on some mosaic sites in Britain:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/fishbourne-roman-palace-chedworth-roman-mosaics-visit-explore-where-in-britain/
I think we mentioned this metal-detectorist-found hoard of Roman silver from Hertfordshire:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55213688
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/rare-hoard-offers-hint-of-boudicas-rebel-booty-g0c77j30s
More on that altar to Pan from a Byzantine church in Israel:
https://www.livescience.com/pan-altar-found-in-israel.html
Plans to restore Pheidias' workshop:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/10/pheidias-workshop-to-be-restored/
A real estate development on the 'palace of Hasdrubal' site on Cartagena is controversial:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-12-05/se-venden-pisos-sobre-el-palacio-de-asdrubal.html
A new (sort of) theory on the Antikythera mechanism:
https://hackaday.com/2020/12/12/hackers-discovery-changes-understanding-of-the-antikythera-mechanism/
Feature on Roman dining practices:
https://mymodernmet.com/what-did-the-romans-eat-drink/
... with a slightly different spin:
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/lying-down-and-vomiting-between-courses-this-is-how-ancient-romans-would-feast-3167642.html
Feature on Termessos:
https://www.dailysabah.com/gallery/termessos-the-ancient-city-alexander-the-great-could-not-conquer/images
Feature on Saturnalia:
https://cdapress.com/news/2020/dec/12/io-saturnalia/
Feature on Herodotus:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/we-can-thank-herodotus-the-father-of-history-for-our-knowledge-of-the
Feature on the impact of Alexander:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/how-did-alexander-the-great-change-the-course-of-history/
Feature on decline and prosperity in Late Antiquity:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/late-antiquity-opposing-views-of-decline-and-prosperity/
Feature on barbarian invasion v settlement in Late Antiquity:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/late-antiquity-barbarian-invasion-or-settlement/
Feature on religious and intellectual movements in Late Antiquity:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/religious-and-intellectual-movements-of-late-antiquity/
Tim Winters is named to the board of the Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy:
https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2020/12/08/austin-peay-state-universitys-dr-tim-winters-named-to-board-of-hellenic-institute-of-cultural-diplomacy/
Angus Smith has published his work on his dig at Ayia Sotira:
https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2020/12/archaeological-dig-leads-to-prestigious-award/
Reviewish of *Greek Slave Women in Ancient India*:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/greek-slaves-and-flute-girls-in-gujarat/articleshow/79597283.cms
Review of Mike Duncan, *The Storm before the Storm*:
https://prosportsextra.com/ancient-armageddonthe-storm-before-the-storm-and-the-fall-of-the-roman-republic/
In case you were wondering, a Roman warship is the next LEGO thing being hyped:
https://www.brickfanatics.com/roman-warship-rows-into-lego-ideas-review/
More on efforts to make the Acropolis of Athens more accessible:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/08/%CE%B1cropolis-the-slope-lift-and-new-routes-have-been-delivered/
... meanwhile, there was some flooding on the Acropolis this week:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/11/acropolis-flooded-downpour
... but it wasn't as bad as the press made it out to be, apparently:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/12/11/greek-ministry-of-culture-responds-to-flooding-on-acropolis/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
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EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
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Interesting study of a Neolithic skull from Spain revealing a violent death:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-violent-death-in-cova-foradada-in.html
A Bronze Age princely burial from Normandy:
https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2020/12/08/l-age-du-bronze-s-eclaire-grace-a-la-decouverte-en-normandie-d-une-nouvelle-tombe-princiere_6062610_1650684.html
Finds from various periods, including a bronze Celtic figurine with gold eyes from a site in Slovakia:
https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22549642/archaeologists-discover-bronze-celtic-statue-with-golden-eyes.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9308-201211-slovakia-bronze-figurine
Apparently gardening during lockdown has revealed a number of Tudor gold coins (and more):
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/09/world/europe/uk-treasure-lockdown-gardening.html
https://www.livescience.com/gold-coin-hoard-english-monarchs.html
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lockdown-garden-archaeology-trnd/index.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2020/12/12/sacred-mysteries-ancient-treasures-dug-garden/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/09/tudor-coins-dedicated-to-three-of-henry-viiis-wives-found-in-family-garden
https://standard.co.uk/news/uk/medieval-coins-apartheid-gold-treasure-finds-b230365.html
http://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/2020/12/09/news/gardener-finds-15th-century-gold-coins-while-pulling-weeds-2155450/
https://www.startribune.com/lockdown-gardeners-in-britain-unearth-ancient-treasures/573349611/
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18932616.new-forest-family-finds-tudor-gold-coins-horde/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/gardeners-unearth-trove-coins-inscribed-initials-henry-viiis-first-three-wives-180976538/
Pondering an Anglo-Saxon silver cross which was part of the Galloway Hoard:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/13/fit-for-a-king-true-glory-of-1000-year-old-cross-buried-in-scottish-field-is-revealed-at-last
Interesting finds from various periods (Bronze Age, Roman, and ?), including a mystery 'pit skeleton' in various digs in Bishops Stortford:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55176242
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/oxford-archaeology-dig-skeleton-hertfordshire-b1767027.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9298-201208-england-sitting-skeleton
Some 1000 years bp murals have been found in Augsburg Cathedral:
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-1000-year-old-murals-discovered-in-augsburg-cathedral/a-55885970
An Iron Age stone tower at Caithness has been conserved:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-55230814
A previously-unknown Pictish stone covered with mythical beasties is now on display:
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/lost-pictish-stone-decorated-massive-mythical-beasts-goes-show-first-time-3064967
The 500 years bp Rathmullan Abbey at Donegal has been restored:
https://www.derryjournal.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/500-year-old-donegal-abbey-reopens-public-after-huge-restoration-project-3064237
Apparently there was flooding in Venice again:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55239719
https://elpais.com/sociedad/2020-12-09/el-sistema-de-diques-no-logra-proteger-a-venecia-de-las-inundaciones-por-un-error-en-las-previsiones.html
Feature on the Spanish Armada:
https://elpais.com/babelia/2020-12-08/toda-la-verdad-sobre-la-armada-invencible.html
A dispute over the sale of the Abbaye de Pontigny:
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bourgogne-franche-comte/yonne/vente-du-domaine-abbaye-pontigny-yonne-region-doit-designer-nouvel-acquereur-cette-semaine-1903828.html
More on plans to redefine 'Treasure' in the UK:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-makes-something-treasure-uk-government-proposes-new-standard-180976457/
... and a related op-Ed:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/10/the-guardian-view-on-treasure-laws-time-for-reform
More on the rethinking of the purpose of Venus figurines:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/researcher-offers-new-theory-on-venus-figurines/136369
More on the Gjellestad ship excavations:
https://www.livescience.com/viking-ship-fit-for-royalty-unearthed.html
----------
Archaeology in Europe News:
http://archaeology-in-europe.blogspot.com/
Medievalists.net:
https://www.medievalists.net/category/news/
Viking Archaeology Blog:
http://viking-archaeology-blog.blogspot.com/
================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
5000 years bp bronze remains from the Tontiandong site in China's Xinjian Uygur Autonomous Region:
http://www.ecns.cn/news/2020-12-11/detail-ihaetmvy3495545.shtml
Finds from China made Archaeology mag's top ten list:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-12-07/China-s-oldest-carving-artwork-among-top-10-discoveries-of-2020-W1n3wVC1uo/index.html
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2020-12/10/content_76997763.htm
Assorted jewellery from a royal 5th century CE Silla Tomb in South Korea:
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20201207007051315
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/unearthed-ornaments-link-tomb-to-5th.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/ornate-treasures-discovered-in-tomb-of-silla-princess/136429
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9299-201208-korea-silla-beetles
A study of pot residues suggests the Indus Civilization had a meat-heavy diet:
https://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/news/whats-cooking-analysis-fatty-residues-ancient-pottery-sheds-light-food-habits-indus
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uoc-fro120720.php
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-fatty-residues-ancient-pottery-reveal.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201209094247.htm
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indus-valley-civilisation-diet-had-dominance-of-meat-finds-study-7098819/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/fatty-residues-on-ancient-pottery.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9303-201210-indus-valley-diet
An 11th century CE relief of a follower of Lord Shiva from Akaram (India):
https://telanganatoday.com/ancient-sculpture-found-in-akaram-sun-temple
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9305-201210-india-sun-temple
Latest plans to help the Taj Mahal deal with pollution damage:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55216729
Pondering the continued existence of tigers and elephants in India:
https://news.yale.edu/2020/12/08/why-do-elephants-and-tigers-still-roam-india-study-offers-clues
Feature on those skeletons in a Himalayan lake that were in the news a few months ago:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/12/14/the-skeletons-at-the-lake
Gold Rush-associated burials from Otago:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/123646206/graveyard-dig-uncovers-burial-plots-of-12-people-who-died-during-otagos-gold-rush
Rio Tinto has to restore the caves it blew up:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-55250137
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/446/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/446/pub/446/page/69/article/111980
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/09/juukan-gorge-inquiry-rio-tintos-decision-to-blow-up-indigenous-rock-shelters-inexcusable
More on palaeolithic migration to Japanese islands being a choice, not an accident:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/07/ancient-migration-was-choice-not-chance/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/palaeolithic-people-likely-colonised.html
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
An 'intermontane stemmed point' find from near Kamloops:
https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/community/dig-it-a-notable-archaeology-discovery-near-kamloops-1.24252220
A sinkhole has revealed a 19th century well in a Boston park:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/10/metro/sinkhole-ronan-park-found-be-caused-by-collapsed-historic-well/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/archaeologists-discover-forgotten-well-inside-sinkhole-in-dorchesters-ronan-park/34931536
https://www.wcvb.com/article/archaeologists-find-19th-century-well-inside-boston-sinkhole/34934885
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/12/10/historic-well-discovered-boston-ronan-park-sinkhole/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9307-201211-boston-well-sinkhole
Burials from that First Baptist Church dig at Colonial Williamsburg:
https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-remains-firstbaptist-1209-20201207-r5ga5xjmtjcczjuzjceb5qajxy-story.html
Somewhat vague press release on a 17th century shipwreck find (maybe) off Florida:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seafarer-announces-discovery-of-historic-period-shipwreck-material-301190675.html
Mid-19th century finds from a construction site in Lexington:
https://www.wkyt.com/2020/12/10/century-old-artifacts-discovered-during-town-branch-commons-project-in-lexington/
Evidence that the founder of JHU was a slave owner:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/12/09/johns-hopkins-university-person-slavery-name-change/3866364001/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/johns-hopkins-slavery/2020/12/09/cf0744f6-3a30-11eb-98c4-25dc9f4987e8_story.html
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/10/944906903/johns-hopkins-long-believed-an-abolitionist-actually-owned-slaves-university-say
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/09/john-hopkins-university-founder-slave-owner-baltimore
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/johns-hopkins-once-thought-be-abolitionist-actually-enslaved-people-180976515/
... and a related oped:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/12/09/johns-hopkins-university-founder-enslaved-people/
Latest episode of the Cerutti Mastodon site interpretation:
https://www.sciencealert.com/mastodon-residue-supports-controversial-theory-about-the-first-settlers-in-america
Interesting feature (podcastish) on a 300 years bp farmhouse in Brooklyn:
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/13/934236641/alyssa-loorya-what-can-a-300-year-old-farmhouse-tell-us-about-metropolitan-new-y
Feature on a famous photo associated with the extermination of bison:
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-images-bison-bones-window-cultural.html
Feature on Abigail Adams having her kids inoculated against smallpox:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/12/12/abigail-adams-smallpox-coronavirus-vaccine/
Feature on how a flu outbreak in 1872 affected the US economy:
https://www.livescience.com/flu-virus-shut-down-economy-by-infecting-horses.html
On the evolution of the US public health system:
https://knowablemagazine.org/article/health-disease/2020/evolution-us-public-health-system-a-timeline
Feature on assorted presidential transitions:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts/special-series/how-rocky-presidential-transitions-have-shaped-american-history
Changes in circulation in the North Pacific at the end of the last Ice Age had human migration implications, perhaps:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uow-woh120820.php
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/warm-oceans-helped-first-human.html
More on ancient Puebloans finding water in lava tubes:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/drought-puebloans-ice-lava-tubes
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancestral-puebloans-got-water-melting-ice-tubes-180976516/
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
More sections of an Aztec skull tower from downtown Mexico City have come to light:
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-mexican-experts-skulls-aztec-trophy.html
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/13/934236641/alyssa-loorya-what-can-a-300-year-old-farmhouse-tell-us-about-metropolitan-new-y
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55283313
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/12/12/mexican-archaeologists-find-remains-119-people-aztec-tower-skulls/
Feature on Tomas Cruz and his work in Tenochitlan:
https://elpais.com/mexico/2020-12-10/el-cemento-y-los-pinceles-de-tomas-cruz.html
During the past years, some 1800 Maya artifacts have been found in the Yucatan:
https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2020/12/during-2020-the-inah-found-more-than-1800-mayan-archeological-pieces-in-yucatan-towns/
Some sort of 'treasure frenzy' going on in Venezuela after some gold jewellery washed up on a beach (probably recent):
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/12/world/venezuela-gold-rush-fishing-village.html
More on the 'planned layout' settlements revealed in the Brazilian rainforest:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_829836_en.html
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-newly-ancient-villages-laid-clock.html
https://www.livescience.com/clock-face-shaped-villages-amazon-rainforest.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/newly-discovered-ancient-villages-laid.html
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/circular-mound-villages-09144.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/lidar-scans-reveal-hidden-ancient-amazonian-villages-arranged-like-clock-faces
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/09/ancient-amazonian-villages-laid-out-like-a-clock/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9302-201209-brazil-rainforest-villages
More on the petroglyphs in Colombia:
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/12/08/ancient-cliff-art-amazon
-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:
http://goo.gl/1VdeA
Ancient MesoAmerica News:
http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/
================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
================================================================
More lists of top archaeological finds of 2020:
https://gulfnews.com/world/infographic-the-best-archaeological-discoveries-made-in-2020-1.1607255519284
https://gizmodo.com/the-most-intriguing-archaeological-discoveries-of-2020-1845776060
Finds from 2020 that 'fundamentally altered' our understanding of human history:
https://www.businessinsider.com/discoveries-changed-understanding-human-history-evolution-2020-12
A painting in a Brussels town hall has been identified as being painted by Jacques Jordaens:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55244347
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/445/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/445/pub/445/page/58/article/111737
Some statuary removed from Notre Dame for restoration just before the fire are returning:
https://fr.aleteia.org/2020/12/06/trois-apotres-de-la-fleche-viollet-le-duc-bientot-de-retour-a-paris/
... while restoration of the organ is a major project:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/notre-dames-voice-will-sound-again-180976524/
On the arab ancestor of the guitar:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/origins-of-the-oud
General features on Hanukkah:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/35030671
https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2020/12/06/some-little-known-facts-about-hanukah/
https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/local_news/what-is-the-story-of-chanukah/article_10f6a329-7ef1-5932-a830-220b71698ac8.html
https://www.jns.org/opinion/hanukkah-guide-for-the-perplexed-2020/
... and the Hanukkah scroll:
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/wherefore-the-hanukkah-scroll-651714
... and the origins of Christmas tree decorations:
https://www.sent-trib.com/community/ancient-romans-started-tree-decorating/article_f7d75e24-3969-11eb-8f54-27e513b68a38.html
... and the precursors to Christmas carols:
https://aleteia.org/2020/12/10/before-christmas-carols-christians-sang-these-holiday-hymns/
Hype for a book on Nazi-looted libraries in Belgium:
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/publication-details-nazi-looted-libraries-during-holocaust-in-belgium-651484
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/online-project-documents-libraries-looted-nazis-180976486/
Feature on 'love settlements' in 12th century law:
https://psyche.co/ideas/the-language-of-love-in-a-12th-century-english-law-book
Feature on cave art:
https://aeon.co/essays/ice-age-art-making-was-a-tactile-joyous-exploration-of-the-world
Feature on Linnaeus:
https://www.livescience.com/carl-linnaeus.html
Feature on Hugo Grotius:
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/who-was-hugo-grotius-and-what-is-grotian-world
Feature on Waldemar Haffkine and his work with vaccines:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55050012
Feature on abortion and contraception in the Middle Ages:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/abortion-and-contraception-in-the-middle-ages/
Interesting study of 7 centuries of wind in the Southern Hemisphere:
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55260908
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-020-00059-6
What archaeology reveals about past epidemics:
https://menafn.com/1101265292/What-the-archaeological-record-reveals-about-epidemics-throughout-history-and-the-human-response-to-them&source=29
Feature on assorted bat-borne viruses in history:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/opinion/covid-bats.html
On modern math and a lost Islamic library:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201204-lost-islamic-library-maths
The NYT best historical fiction list for 2020:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/books/review/best-historical-fiction.html
... and NPR's list of history books for 2020:
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/06/943604660/2020-book-concierge-books-for-history-lovers
Review of Francesca Fiorani's book on why Leonardo was a great artist:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/books/review-shadow-drawing-science-leonardo-francesca-fiorani.html
Review of Judith Schalansky's book on things lost to history:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/books/review/judith-schalansky-inventory-losses.html
Reviewish of a book on the Chinese diaspora:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/books/article/3112979/history-chinese-coolies-one-poverty-piracy-and
More on that find of an enigma machine in the Baltic:
https://www.livescience.com/nazi-enigma-machine-discovered-baltic-sea.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/04/germany-museum-to-restore-enigma-machine-found-seabed
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/300178425/divers-discover-lost-nazi-coding-machine-under-baltic-sea
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/divers-discover-rare-nazi-enigma-cipher-machine-wwii-180976469/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9297-201207-enigma-encryption-machine
More on Isaac Newton's thoughts on the Great Pyramid:
https://www.livescience.com/burnt-great-pyramid-fragments-reveal-isaac-newton-occult-apocalypse-theories.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/burnt-great-pyramid-fragments-reveal-isaac-newton-s-occult-apocalypse-theories
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/notes-revealing-isaac-newtons-occult-theory-great-pyramids-sold-180976478/
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Jewish Resistance to the Holocaust:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/modern-maccabees-scope-of-jewish-resistance-to-nazis-highly-underestimated/
Antiquarianism and Philhellenism:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/10/exhibition-antiquarianism-and-philhellenism/
Towards the Mosque:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95242/Egypt-participates-with-84-islamic-artifacts-in-%E2%80%9CTowards-the-mosque
Searching for Shakespeare (virtual):
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-relics-shakespeare-home-virtual.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/su-rfs121020.php
A 19th century cabriolet has arrived at the Royal Chariots Museum for restoration:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95172/Al-Qaseer-cabriolet-arrives-at-the-Royal-Chariots-Museum-for
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/396597.aspx
The museum in Mosul has finally reopened:
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/12/iraq-mosul-museum-antiquities-islamic-state-assyrian-reopen.html
Feature on the Benaki museum:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/260129/article/ekathimerini/whats-on/benaki-collections--ongoing
Greece is willing to lend items to foreign museums for up to 50 years, apparently:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/10/greece-lend-artifacts-50-years/
The politics of museums in the US:
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/11/945389843/sen-mike-lee-blocks-legislation-for-latino-womens-museums
More on the British Museum's Great Court:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/dec/07/how-we-made-the-british-museum-great-court
================================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
================================================================
Those Isaac Newton notes mentioned above were actually up for auction and fetched a huge price:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/dec/09/isaac-newton-notes-almost-destroyed-by-dog-sell-for-380000-pyramid-egypt
Some 180 year old photos of Rome are coming to auction:
https://www.metro.news/180-year-old-roman-photos-set-to-sell-for-colossal-120k/2249077/
An Elizabeth Barrett Browning letter:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/dec/10/elizabeth-barrett-browning-letter-describing-lonely-quarantine-up-for-sale
================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
The lingering effects of Neanderthal DNA on modern humans:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/09/health/neanderthal-genes-human-health-covid19-scn-wellness/index.html
https://www.sapiens.org/biology/neanderthals-covid-19/?ct=t()
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-impact-of-neandertal-dna-on-human.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/08/the-impact-of-neandertal-dna-on-human-health/
DNA from some Spring and Autumn period tomb occupants in Henan is being examined to determine the 'ethnic mix':
https://www.shine.cn/news/nation/2012101433/
DNA suggests that all humans are immigrants of some sort, apparently:
https://www.livescience.com/are-all-humans-immigrants.html
================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
Interesting re-examination of the GI tracts of a number of mummies found decades ago in Arizona:
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-mummy-gi-tracts-yield-evidence.html
https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/mummy-gi-tracts-yield-evidence-of-early-hospice-care/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/mummy-gi-tracts-yield-evidence-of-early.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9301-201209-mummy-intestine-foods
I think we mentioned the x-ray diffraction examination of a 1900 years bp mummy of a 5 year old girl from Egypt:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201210112137.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/under-wraps-x-rays-reveal-1900-year-old.html
Using AI to recreate the faces of some of China's emperors:
https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3112919/video-game-developer-uses-ai-recreate-faces-ancient-chinese-emperors
================================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
================================================================
A study of stratigraphy in Finland is causing a bit of a rethink of the last European Ice Age:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/new-geological-findings-from-finland.html
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Fogo Island:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201207-canadas-little-known-emerald-isle
Timgad:
https://happinesstimes.com/g/anthropology-and-history/places/africa-roman-ghost-city-sunk-desert/
Llanelly:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201210-llanelly-an-abandoned-welsh-town-in-australia
Baalbek:
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201212-discover-baalbek-lebanon/
================================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
================================================================
Black Swans:
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/08/944287525/black-swans-new-collection-features-recordings-of-early-black-classical-musician
Reviewish of Barbarians:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/netflixs-barbarians-taught-me-those-romans-had-it-coming
Feature on the roots of Tejano:
https://www.dw.com/en/netflix-honors-selena-and-the-german-origins-of-tejano/a-55859126
================================================================
TV/DOCUMENTARY HYPISH THINGS
================================================================
Some documentary about the 'cradle of civilization':
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1369390/archaeology-news-ancient-mesopotamia-bible-iraq-babylonia-exile-christianity-sumerians-spt
================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
A bust on Kalymnos for possession of ancient amphorae:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/10/arrest-on-kalymnos-for-possession-of-ancient-amphorae/
On Facebook as a font of the illegal antiquities trade:
https://slate.com/technology/2020/12/facebook-stolen-antiquities-art-black-market.html
Feature on the illegal antiquities trade in West Africa:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-12-09-inside-the-illegal-trade-in-west-africas-cultural-heritage/
https://allafrica.com/stories/202012100017.html
----------
conflict antiquities:
http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/
anonymous swiss collector:
http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/
Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues:
http://paul-barford.blogspot.ca/
Looting Matters:
http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/
Illicit Cultural Property:
http://illicit-cultural-property.blogspot.com/
SAFE:
http://www.savingantiquities.org/blog/
================================================================
REPATRIATION AND RECOVERY
================================================================
After a long legal battle with a collector, Turkey is repatriating a Cybele statue:
https://art-crime.blogspot.com/2020/12/restitution-cybele-anatolia-goddess-of.html
A Norman tower key 'borrowed' fifty years ago was returned:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-55243080
Turkey wants a number of items back from German museums:
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/germany-resists-calls-for-return-of-artifacts-smuggled-from-turkey-decades-ago/news
A 10th century gospel is returning to the monastery it was stolen from:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/rare-handwritten-gospel-looted-in-wwi.html
A missing surrealist painting was found in a German recycling bin:
https://www.dw.com/en/german-police-rescue-280000-painting-tossed-in-trash-at-airport/a-55899847
Dutch museums are being encouraged to be more proactive in returning their Nazi-looted items:
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/439/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/439/pub/439/page/48/article/111301
A Nazi-loot case before the US Supreme Court:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55193792
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55193792
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/us-supreme-court-hears-world-war-two-era-jewish-property-claims-651446
Feature on colonial-related repatriation:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dpd9x/the-colonized-world-wants-its-artifacts-back-from-museums-v27n4
Feature on some 'once-stolen' artifacts that haven't been returned yet:
https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/these-oncestolen-ancient-artifacts-have-yet-to-be-returned-to-their-home-countries/
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
On reading ancient Roman coins:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/reading-ancient-roman-coins/
Feature on the 'most important' ancient coins ever minted:
https://www.thecollector.com/important-ancient-coins/
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v23n49.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v23n50html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
================================================================
OBITUARIES
================================================================
Ian Jenkins:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2020/12/07/ian-jenkins-british-museum-curator-opposed-calls-return-elgin/
Tom Winnifrith:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/nov/29/tom-winnifrith-obituary
Allen C. Myers:
http://eerdword.com/2020/12/09/in-memoriam-allen-c-myers/
Ralph Hester:
https://news.stanford.edu/today/2020/12/10/stanford-french-professor-ralph-hester-dies/
Beatrice Andre-Salvini:
https://www.lemonde.fr/disparitions/article/2020/12/08/l-archeologue-beatrice-andre-salvini-grande-specialiste-de-la-mesopotamie-est-morte_6062658_3382.html
Jim Flynn:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123686012/worldrenowned-otago-professor-and-giant-amongst-scholars-jim-flynn-dies
================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3008-audio-news-from-archaeologica-november-29-through-december-5-2020
================================================================
GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS
================================================================
Archaeology Magazine News Page:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/
About.com Archaeology:
http://archaeology.about.com/
Archaeology Briefs:
http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/
Atlas Obscura:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/
Heritage Daily:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/
Sapiens Archaeology:
https://www.sapiens.org/category/archaeology/
Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:
http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/
================================================================
PODCASTS/VODCASTS
================================================================
Archaeosoup:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Archaeos0up?feature=watch
Archaeology Podcast Network:
http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/
================================================================
EXPLORATOR is a free weekly newsletter bringing you the latest
news of archaeological finds, historical research and the like.
Various on-line news and magazine sources are scoured for news of
the 'ancient world' (broadly construed: practically anything relating
to archaeology or history up to a century or so ago is fair
game) and every Sunday they are delivered to your mailbox free of
charge!
================================================================
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================================================================
You can read Explorator online at:
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Explorator is Copyright (c) 2020 David Meadows. Feel free to
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making use of content gathered in Explorator. Thanks!
================================================================
explorator 23.34 December 13, 2020
===============================================================
You can read explorator online at:
https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/
Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
Chag Chanukah sameach to all those celebrating!
================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Some new evidence that Neanderthals buried their dead:
http://www.cnrs.fr/en/new-evidence-neandertals-buried-their-dead
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/c-nen120920.php
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-evidence-neandertals-dead.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201209140358.htm
https://www.livescience.com/neanderthal-child-burial-solves-mystery.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-neanderthal-mystery-solved-by-a-child-s-bones-from-40-000-years-ago
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/new-evidence-that-neanderthals-buried.html
https://www.archaeology.org/9304-201210-neanderthal-france-burial
Theorizing on the evolutionary development of homo floresiensis:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uom-ane120920.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201209170647.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/researcher-adds-to-timeline-of-human.html
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
A pre-Roman 'Libyan' artifact from an Algerian site:
https://www.libyaobserver.ly/art/libyan-artefact-found-algerian-province-batna
Artifact-looting concerns in Mali:
https://issafrica.org/iss-today/inside-the-illegal-trade-in-west-africas-cultural-heritage
Feature on the last queen of Madagascar (Ranavalona III):
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/madagascars-extraordinary-last-queens-objects-are-sale-180976467/
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/dec/06/remarkable-story-of-madagascars-last-queen-emerges-from-surrey-attic
... related:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/09/madagascar-relics-queen-ranavalona-iii
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
A 4th millenium BCE petroglyph from Wadi el Malik is being touted as the oldest place name sign:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-oldest-place-name-sign-in-world.html
Recently-identified as separate pieces from the same statue of Ramesses VI have been reunited:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/07/pharaohs-statue-pieces-held-in-two-different-museums-are-now-matched/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/ramses-statue-pieces-held-in-two.html
The lists of 'major finds of 2020' started appearing this week ... here's the first from Egypt:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95112/Enani-reviews-Egypt%E2%80%99s-archaeological-accomplishments-in-2020-to-France-24
Marking the 108th anniversary of the discovery of the bust of Nefertiti:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95056/Dec-7-marks-the-108th-anniversary-of-discovering-Nefertiti%E2%80%99s-head
Of course the Saqqara finds made Archaeology Magazine's 'top ten' list:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95241/Colourful-coffins-of-Saqqara-among-the-10-most-important-archaeological
More on that 'counterfeit silver' from Canaan (which is being given an Egyptian spin this week):
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egyptian-hoard-counterfeit-dirty-money.html
Feature on chariot use by women in ancient Egypt:
http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2020/12/nefertiti-chariot
Feature on the Saqqara Saite tombs project:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/agenta/the-saqqara-saite-tombs-project/
Feature on the 'tug of war' over the Rosetta Stone:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-tug-of-war-over-the-rosetta-stone
Feature on the discovery of Tut's tomb:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/finding-tutankhamuns-tomb-a-historical-account/
Feature on Alexandria:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/alexandria-the-greatest-city-in-the-ancient-world/
Feature on life in Hellenistic Egypt:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/life-in-hellenistic-egypt/
Hyping the upcoming 'Royal Parade' of Egyptian mummies:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95170/Video-Sneak-Peak-on-current-location-of-Egypt%E2%80%99s-Royal-Mummies
I think we mentioned this theory seeking proof by drilling into the Great Pyramid:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1368322/egypt-great-pyramid-giza-drill-archaeology-construction-workers-pharaoh-khufu-spt
There's apparently a major announcement coming from Saqqara in January:
https://dailynewsegypt.com/2020/12/06/major-archaeological-discovery-at-saqqara-to-be-revealed-in-january-egyptologist/
The French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Egypt is celebrating its 140th anniversary:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/396505.aspx
Not sure what to think about Egypt opening a major replicas factory:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95024/Egypt%E2%80%99s-tourism-antiquities-min-visits-Archaeological-Replicas-Factory
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1774516/art-culture
A theory about 'missing blocks' from the Great Pyramid:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1369693/egypt-breakthrough-great-pyramid-giza-white-limestone-blocks-bent-engineer-archaeology-spt
Latest survey work in Iran reveals prehistoric links between Iran, Anatolia, the Caucasus, and Mesopotamia:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455513/Survey-reveals-prehistorical-links-between-Iran-Anatolia-Caucasus
Brief item on a 'massive underground city' beneath modern-day Tafresh:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455562/Archaeologists-shed-more-light-on-massive-underground-city-central
Suggestion that writing began on the Iranian plateau:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455638/Iranian-plateau-gave-birth-to-writing-French-archaeologist
Feature on the importance of the fortress at Machaerus:
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/fortress-machaerus-holds-clues-regions-past
Interesting real and virtual excavation of a Neolithic site off the Carmel coast of Israel:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/archaeologists-explore-secrets-of.html
Just in time for Hanukkah, kinda sorta, comes a find (actually a few decades ago) of a Hasmonean-era menorah petroglyph:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/rare-menorah-engraving-dates-back-to-hasmonean-era-651379
https://www.jns.org/wire/bar-ilan-university-archaeologist-rare-engraved-menorah-discovered-on-tomb-facade-could-date-back-to-the-hasmonean-era/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/rare-second-temple-menorah-drawing-from-biblical-maccabean-site-brought-to-light/
... and some explainers on Hanukkah:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/hanukah-maccabees-and-apocrypha/?mqsc=E4124166&dk=ZE05D0ZF0
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/wherefore-the-hanukkah-scroll-651714
... and the story told with a 500 elephants spin and no Macabees:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/500-drunken-elephants-the-untold-hanukkah-story-with-no-macabees-651731
This 2000 years bp lantern find might be in a similar Hanukkah spirit:
https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/12/13/jerusalem-archeologists-reveal-2000-year-old-candle/
A 2300 years bp (or so) seal impression purchased from an Israeli market 40 years ago is been declared genuine:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/2300-year-old-iron-age-seal-found-in-israeli-market-651591
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2700-years-ago-tiny-clay-piece-sealed-deal-for-bibles-king-jeroboam-ii/
https://www.ynet.co.il/environment-science/article/BkecpL6oD (Hebrew)
Israel is opening up some previously-unseen structures in the Herodium:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201210-israel-unveils-parts-of-herod-s-palace-buried-by-judean-king
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/king-herods-buried-palace-is-slowly-resurrected-wtjk5kvrj
https://gulfnews.com/photos/news/israel-unveils-parts-of-herods-palace-buried-by-judean-king-1.1607601866949
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3113599/parts-king-herods-spectacular-hilltop-palace-where-roman
I think we mentioned this find of a Second Temple era gaming die fro Khirbet Kfar Mor:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/daily-life-and-practice/ancient-game-die-discovered/?mqsc=E4123989&dk=ZE05D0ZF0
Fatamid and Byzantine gold coins (and other things) from Caesarea:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/08/cache-of-rare-gold-coins-discovered-at-caesarea-israel/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/cache-of-rare-gold-coins-and-900-year.html
More on the purported find of Jesus' childhood home:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/jesus-childhood-home-nazareth-1234578353/
... and an interesting feature on the role of 19th century nuns in the excavation:
https://www.livescience.com/house-of-jesus-uncovered-by-sisters-of-nazareth.html
More on the rethinking of Goliath's height:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/tall-tales-research-examines-goliaths-true-height-651597
A rather strange 'tunneling award' for an archaeological project in Israel:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/israel-wins-international-tunneling-award-for-archaeology-651274
Pondering the evidence for Solomon's Temple:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/was-king-solomons-temple-a-real-place
Feature on the House of Wisdom (destroyed in the 13th century) and Islam's role in establishing several modern math concepts:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201204-lost-islamic-library-maths
The Council of Europe has condemned the conversion of Hagia Sophia:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/07/council-of-europe-hagia-sophia/
43 facts about the Assyrian Empire:
http://www.aina.org/ata/20201211055507.htm
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
A Bronze age settlement, including mass burials from an ongoing dig on Cyprus:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/3500-year-old-place-of-worship-with.html
Phrygian era inscriptions and later (Greek) finds from a site in Turkey's Zonguldak province:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/phrygian-inscriptions-doric-headers-found-in-turkeys-zonguldak-province/news
7th century BCE finds from a dig on Lesvos:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/12/09/seventh-century-bc-artifacts-found-in-lesvos-archaeological-dig/
Remains of a Phoenician moat find from Spain's Costa Blanca:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/archaeologists-discover-giant-phoenician-defensive-moat/136417
https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/202145?returnurl=https://www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Display/ItemId/202145
https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2020/12/13/fantastic-find-of-old-phoenician-moat-gets-archaeologists-excited-on-spains-costa-blanca/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/archaeologists-unearth-huge-phoenician.html
... and related concerns:
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/12/11/fears-for-villaricos-phoenician-site/
A 4th century BCE Scythian burial near the Don River:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/burial-mound-of-scythian-warlord-from.html
New finds at a Temple of Zeus in Qanawat (Syria):
https://sana.sy/en/?p=213372
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/12/new-archaeological-zeus-syria/
Remains of a 'pile dwelling' village dating to 400 BCE at Desenzano del Garda (article in Italian):
http://www.meteoweb.eu/2020/12/scoperta-archeologica-desenzano-del-garda-villaggio-palafitte/1519421/
An Illyrian helmet from a burial in Croatia:
https://greekreporter.com/ancient-greek-helmet-found-in-stone-burial-chamber-in-croatia/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/07/greek-illyrian-helmet-croatia/
Railway work near Caltanisetta revealed traces of a 1st century CE settlement (Italian):
https://www.siciliareport.it/cultura/ferrovia-catania-palermo-scoperto-nel-nisseno-insediamento-rurale-del-i-secolo-d-c/
https://www.siciliaweekend.info/2020/12/09/archeologia-scoperta-a-vallelunga-pratameno/
https://www.ragusanews.com/cultura-archeologia-scoperto-in-sicilia-insediamento-romano-foto-115737/
https://www.lasicilia.it/news/cultura/377421/archeologia-sicilia-terra-di-tesori-scoperto-insediamento-del-i-secolo-d-c-a-vallelunga-pratameno.html
https://www.siciliaogginotizie.it/2020/12/09/vallelunga-pratameno-scoperto-importante-insediamento-rurale-del-i-secolo-d-c/
Examination of a 4th-6th century CE burial from Vaste reveals possible evidence of leukemia (all coverage in Italian):
https://www.lecceprima.it/attualita/antica-forma-di-leucemia-studiata-su-scheletro-del-parco-archeologico-di-vaste.html
https://messina.gazzettadelsud.it/articoli/cronaca/2020/12/10/morto-tra-il-iv-e-il-vi-secolo-d-c-di-leucemia-limportante-scoperta-di-una-ricercatrice-messinese-d6729ed6-d869-479c-b648-685b0987582f/
https://www.messinatoday.it/cronaca/leucemia-sito-archeologico-salento-papardo-collaborazione.html
A Roman-era statue head of Venus from Chieti:
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-roman-head-of-venus-unearthed-in-chieti.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/roman-venus-head-unearthed-in-chieti.html
https://www.chietitoday.it/attualita/scavi-piazza-san-giustino-venere-lavori-riqualificazione.html
A reinterpretation of a site at Priors Hall suggests it might be a Romano-Celtic temple/mausoleum:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/romano-celtic-temple-mausoleum-found-at.html
A dig on the via Alessandrina in Rome has revealed a new section of the Imperial Fora (Italian):
https://www.terzobinario.it/scavo-archeologico-di-via-alessandrina-alla-luce-nuova-porzione-dei-fori-imperiali/
https://abitarearoma.it/concluso-scavo-archeologico-di-via-alessandrina/
Overviewish thing on the dig at the 2000 years bp site of Hypaipa:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hypaipa-ancient-city-comes-to-surface-160663
A Late Antiquity 'plaza' find from Aquileia (article in Italian):
https://www.udinetoday.it/attualita/scoperta-piazza-aquileia-tardo-anitca-dicembre-2020.html
A 5th century CE (!) mosaic find from Cotswalds:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/10/stunning-dark-ages-mosaic-found-at-roman-villa-in-cotswolds
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-55256415
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/uk-archaeologists-make-startling-discovery-4783655
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/446/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/446/pub/446/page/12/article/111877
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/roman-mosaic-chedworth-britain-scli-intl-gbr-scn/index.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/archaeologists-find-britains-only-5th-century-roman-mosaic/136424
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/britains-first-known-5th-century-mosaic.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mosaic-shows-some-britain-lived-luxury-during-dark-ages-180976535/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9306-201211-england-dark-ages
... and a feature on some mosaic sites in Britain:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/fishbourne-roman-palace-chedworth-roman-mosaics-visit-explore-where-in-britain/
I think we mentioned this metal-detectorist-found hoard of Roman silver from Hertfordshire:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55213688
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/rare-hoard-offers-hint-of-boudicas-rebel-booty-g0c77j30s
More on that altar to Pan from a Byzantine church in Israel:
https://www.livescience.com/pan-altar-found-in-israel.html
Plans to restore Pheidias' workshop:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/10/pheidias-workshop-to-be-restored/
A real estate development on the 'palace of Hasdrubal' site on Cartagena is controversial:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-12-05/se-venden-pisos-sobre-el-palacio-de-asdrubal.html
A new (sort of) theory on the Antikythera mechanism:
https://hackaday.com/2020/12/12/hackers-discovery-changes-understanding-of-the-antikythera-mechanism/
Feature on Roman dining practices:
https://mymodernmet.com/what-did-the-romans-eat-drink/
... with a slightly different spin:
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/lying-down-and-vomiting-between-courses-this-is-how-ancient-romans-would-feast-3167642.html
Feature on Termessos:
https://www.dailysabah.com/gallery/termessos-the-ancient-city-alexander-the-great-could-not-conquer/images
Feature on Saturnalia:
https://cdapress.com/news/2020/dec/12/io-saturnalia/
Feature on Herodotus:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/we-can-thank-herodotus-the-father-of-history-for-our-knowledge-of-the
Feature on the impact of Alexander:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/how-did-alexander-the-great-change-the-course-of-history/
Feature on decline and prosperity in Late Antiquity:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/late-antiquity-opposing-views-of-decline-and-prosperity/
Feature on barbarian invasion v settlement in Late Antiquity:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/late-antiquity-barbarian-invasion-or-settlement/
Feature on religious and intellectual movements in Late Antiquity:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/religious-and-intellectual-movements-of-late-antiquity/
Tim Winters is named to the board of the Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy:
https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2020/12/08/austin-peay-state-universitys-dr-tim-winters-named-to-board-of-hellenic-institute-of-cultural-diplomacy/
Angus Smith has published his work on his dig at Ayia Sotira:
https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2020/12/archaeological-dig-leads-to-prestigious-award/
Reviewish of *Greek Slave Women in Ancient India*:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/greek-slaves-and-flute-girls-in-gujarat/articleshow/79597283.cms
Review of Mike Duncan, *The Storm before the Storm*:
https://prosportsextra.com/ancient-armageddonthe-storm-before-the-storm-and-the-fall-of-the-roman-republic/
In case you were wondering, a Roman warship is the next LEGO thing being hyped:
https://www.brickfanatics.com/roman-warship-rows-into-lego-ideas-review/
More on efforts to make the Acropolis of Athens more accessible:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/08/%CE%B1cropolis-the-slope-lift-and-new-routes-have-been-delivered/
... meanwhile, there was some flooding on the Acropolis this week:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/11/acropolis-flooded-downpour
... but it wasn't as bad as the press made it out to be, apparently:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/12/11/greek-ministry-of-culture-responds-to-flooding-on-acropolis/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
Interesting study of a Neolithic skull from Spain revealing a violent death:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-violent-death-in-cova-foradada-in.html
A Bronze Age princely burial from Normandy:
https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2020/12/08/l-age-du-bronze-s-eclaire-grace-a-la-decouverte-en-normandie-d-une-nouvelle-tombe-princiere_6062610_1650684.html
Finds from various periods, including a bronze Celtic figurine with gold eyes from a site in Slovakia:
https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22549642/archaeologists-discover-bronze-celtic-statue-with-golden-eyes.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9308-201211-slovakia-bronze-figurine
Apparently gardening during lockdown has revealed a number of Tudor gold coins (and more):
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/09/world/europe/uk-treasure-lockdown-gardening.html
https://www.livescience.com/gold-coin-hoard-english-monarchs.html
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lockdown-garden-archaeology-trnd/index.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2020/12/12/sacred-mysteries-ancient-treasures-dug-garden/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/09/tudor-coins-dedicated-to-three-of-henry-viiis-wives-found-in-family-garden
https://standard.co.uk/news/uk/medieval-coins-apartheid-gold-treasure-finds-b230365.html
http://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/2020/12/09/news/gardener-finds-15th-century-gold-coins-while-pulling-weeds-2155450/
https://www.startribune.com/lockdown-gardeners-in-britain-unearth-ancient-treasures/573349611/
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18932616.new-forest-family-finds-tudor-gold-coins-horde/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/gardeners-unearth-trove-coins-inscribed-initials-henry-viiis-first-three-wives-180976538/
Pondering an Anglo-Saxon silver cross which was part of the Galloway Hoard:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/13/fit-for-a-king-true-glory-of-1000-year-old-cross-buried-in-scottish-field-is-revealed-at-last
Interesting finds from various periods (Bronze Age, Roman, and ?), including a mystery 'pit skeleton' in various digs in Bishops Stortford:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55176242
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/oxford-archaeology-dig-skeleton-hertfordshire-b1767027.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9298-201208-england-sitting-skeleton
Some 1000 years bp murals have been found in Augsburg Cathedral:
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-1000-year-old-murals-discovered-in-augsburg-cathedral/a-55885970
An Iron Age stone tower at Caithness has been conserved:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-55230814
A previously-unknown Pictish stone covered with mythical beasties is now on display:
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/lost-pictish-stone-decorated-massive-mythical-beasts-goes-show-first-time-3064967
The 500 years bp Rathmullan Abbey at Donegal has been restored:
https://www.derryjournal.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/500-year-old-donegal-abbey-reopens-public-after-huge-restoration-project-3064237
Apparently there was flooding in Venice again:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55239719
https://elpais.com/sociedad/2020-12-09/el-sistema-de-diques-no-logra-proteger-a-venecia-de-las-inundaciones-por-un-error-en-las-previsiones.html
Feature on the Spanish Armada:
https://elpais.com/babelia/2020-12-08/toda-la-verdad-sobre-la-armada-invencible.html
A dispute over the sale of the Abbaye de Pontigny:
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bourgogne-franche-comte/yonne/vente-du-domaine-abbaye-pontigny-yonne-region-doit-designer-nouvel-acquereur-cette-semaine-1903828.html
More on plans to redefine 'Treasure' in the UK:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-makes-something-treasure-uk-government-proposes-new-standard-180976457/
... and a related op-Ed:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/10/the-guardian-view-on-treasure-laws-time-for-reform
More on the rethinking of the purpose of Venus figurines:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/researcher-offers-new-theory-on-venus-figurines/136369
More on the Gjellestad ship excavations:
https://www.livescience.com/viking-ship-fit-for-royalty-unearthed.html
----------
Archaeology in Europe News:
http://archaeology-in-europe.blogspot.com/
Medievalists.net:
https://www.medievalists.net/category/news/
Viking Archaeology Blog:
http://viking-archaeology-blog.blogspot.com/
================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
5000 years bp bronze remains from the Tontiandong site in China's Xinjian Uygur Autonomous Region:
http://www.ecns.cn/news/2020-12-11/detail-ihaetmvy3495545.shtml
Finds from China made Archaeology mag's top ten list:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-12-07/China-s-oldest-carving-artwork-among-top-10-discoveries-of-2020-W1n3wVC1uo/index.html
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2020-12/10/content_76997763.htm
Assorted jewellery from a royal 5th century CE Silla Tomb in South Korea:
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20201207007051315
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/unearthed-ornaments-link-tomb-to-5th.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/ornate-treasures-discovered-in-tomb-of-silla-princess/136429
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9299-201208-korea-silla-beetles
A study of pot residues suggests the Indus Civilization had a meat-heavy diet:
https://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/news/whats-cooking-analysis-fatty-residues-ancient-pottery-sheds-light-food-habits-indus
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uoc-fro120720.php
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-fatty-residues-ancient-pottery-reveal.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201209094247.htm
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indus-valley-civilisation-diet-had-dominance-of-meat-finds-study-7098819/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/fatty-residues-on-ancient-pottery.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9303-201210-indus-valley-diet
An 11th century CE relief of a follower of Lord Shiva from Akaram (India):
https://telanganatoday.com/ancient-sculpture-found-in-akaram-sun-temple
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9305-201210-india-sun-temple
Latest plans to help the Taj Mahal deal with pollution damage:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55216729
Pondering the continued existence of tigers and elephants in India:
https://news.yale.edu/2020/12/08/why-do-elephants-and-tigers-still-roam-india-study-offers-clues
Feature on those skeletons in a Himalayan lake that were in the news a few months ago:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/12/14/the-skeletons-at-the-lake
Gold Rush-associated burials from Otago:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/123646206/graveyard-dig-uncovers-burial-plots-of-12-people-who-died-during-otagos-gold-rush
Rio Tinto has to restore the caves it blew up:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-55250137
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/446/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/446/pub/446/page/69/article/111980
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/09/juukan-gorge-inquiry-rio-tintos-decision-to-blow-up-indigenous-rock-shelters-inexcusable
More on palaeolithic migration to Japanese islands being a choice, not an accident:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/07/ancient-migration-was-choice-not-chance/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/palaeolithic-people-likely-colonised.html
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
An 'intermontane stemmed point' find from near Kamloops:
https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/community/dig-it-a-notable-archaeology-discovery-near-kamloops-1.24252220
A sinkhole has revealed a 19th century well in a Boston park:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/10/metro/sinkhole-ronan-park-found-be-caused-by-collapsed-historic-well/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/archaeologists-discover-forgotten-well-inside-sinkhole-in-dorchesters-ronan-park/34931536
https://www.wcvb.com/article/archaeologists-find-19th-century-well-inside-boston-sinkhole/34934885
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/12/10/historic-well-discovered-boston-ronan-park-sinkhole/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9307-201211-boston-well-sinkhole
Burials from that First Baptist Church dig at Colonial Williamsburg:
https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-remains-firstbaptist-1209-20201207-r5ga5xjmtjcczjuzjceb5qajxy-story.html
Somewhat vague press release on a 17th century shipwreck find (maybe) off Florida:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seafarer-announces-discovery-of-historic-period-shipwreck-material-301190675.html
Mid-19th century finds from a construction site in Lexington:
https://www.wkyt.com/2020/12/10/century-old-artifacts-discovered-during-town-branch-commons-project-in-lexington/
Evidence that the founder of JHU was a slave owner:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/12/09/johns-hopkins-university-person-slavery-name-change/3866364001/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/johns-hopkins-slavery/2020/12/09/cf0744f6-3a30-11eb-98c4-25dc9f4987e8_story.html
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/10/944906903/johns-hopkins-long-believed-an-abolitionist-actually-owned-slaves-university-say
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/09/john-hopkins-university-founder-slave-owner-baltimore
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/johns-hopkins-once-thought-be-abolitionist-actually-enslaved-people-180976515/
... and a related oped:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/12/09/johns-hopkins-university-founder-enslaved-people/
Latest episode of the Cerutti Mastodon site interpretation:
https://www.sciencealert.com/mastodon-residue-supports-controversial-theory-about-the-first-settlers-in-america
Interesting feature (podcastish) on a 300 years bp farmhouse in Brooklyn:
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/13/934236641/alyssa-loorya-what-can-a-300-year-old-farmhouse-tell-us-about-metropolitan-new-y
Feature on a famous photo associated with the extermination of bison:
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-images-bison-bones-window-cultural.html
Feature on Abigail Adams having her kids inoculated against smallpox:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/12/12/abigail-adams-smallpox-coronavirus-vaccine/
Feature on how a flu outbreak in 1872 affected the US economy:
https://www.livescience.com/flu-virus-shut-down-economy-by-infecting-horses.html
On the evolution of the US public health system:
https://knowablemagazine.org/article/health-disease/2020/evolution-us-public-health-system-a-timeline
Feature on assorted presidential transitions:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts/special-series/how-rocky-presidential-transitions-have-shaped-american-history
Changes in circulation in the North Pacific at the end of the last Ice Age had human migration implications, perhaps:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uow-woh120820.php
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/warm-oceans-helped-first-human.html
More on ancient Puebloans finding water in lava tubes:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/drought-puebloans-ice-lava-tubes
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancestral-puebloans-got-water-melting-ice-tubes-180976516/
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
More sections of an Aztec skull tower from downtown Mexico City have come to light:
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-mexican-experts-skulls-aztec-trophy.html
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/13/934236641/alyssa-loorya-what-can-a-300-year-old-farmhouse-tell-us-about-metropolitan-new-y
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55283313
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/12/12/mexican-archaeologists-find-remains-119-people-aztec-tower-skulls/
Feature on Tomas Cruz and his work in Tenochitlan:
https://elpais.com/mexico/2020-12-10/el-cemento-y-los-pinceles-de-tomas-cruz.html
During the past years, some 1800 Maya artifacts have been found in the Yucatan:
https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2020/12/during-2020-the-inah-found-more-than-1800-mayan-archeological-pieces-in-yucatan-towns/
Some sort of 'treasure frenzy' going on in Venezuela after some gold jewellery washed up on a beach (probably recent):
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/12/world/venezuela-gold-rush-fishing-village.html
More on the 'planned layout' settlements revealed in the Brazilian rainforest:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_829836_en.html
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-newly-ancient-villages-laid-clock.html
https://www.livescience.com/clock-face-shaped-villages-amazon-rainforest.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/newly-discovered-ancient-villages-laid.html
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/circular-mound-villages-09144.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/lidar-scans-reveal-hidden-ancient-amazonian-villages-arranged-like-clock-faces
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/09/ancient-amazonian-villages-laid-out-like-a-clock/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9302-201209-brazil-rainforest-villages
More on the petroglyphs in Colombia:
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/12/08/ancient-cliff-art-amazon
-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:
http://goo.gl/1VdeA
Ancient MesoAmerica News:
http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/
================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
================================================================
More lists of top archaeological finds of 2020:
https://gulfnews.com/world/infographic-the-best-archaeological-discoveries-made-in-2020-1.1607255519284
https://gizmodo.com/the-most-intriguing-archaeological-discoveries-of-2020-1845776060
Finds from 2020 that 'fundamentally altered' our understanding of human history:
https://www.businessinsider.com/discoveries-changed-understanding-human-history-evolution-2020-12
A painting in a Brussels town hall has been identified as being painted by Jacques Jordaens:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55244347
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/445/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/445/pub/445/page/58/article/111737
Some statuary removed from Notre Dame for restoration just before the fire are returning:
https://fr.aleteia.org/2020/12/06/trois-apotres-de-la-fleche-viollet-le-duc-bientot-de-retour-a-paris/
... while restoration of the organ is a major project:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/notre-dames-voice-will-sound-again-180976524/
On the arab ancestor of the guitar:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/origins-of-the-oud
General features on Hanukkah:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/35030671
https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2020/12/06/some-little-known-facts-about-hanukah/
https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/local_news/what-is-the-story-of-chanukah/article_10f6a329-7ef1-5932-a830-220b71698ac8.html
https://www.jns.org/opinion/hanukkah-guide-for-the-perplexed-2020/
... and the Hanukkah scroll:
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/wherefore-the-hanukkah-scroll-651714
... and the origins of Christmas tree decorations:
https://www.sent-trib.com/community/ancient-romans-started-tree-decorating/article_f7d75e24-3969-11eb-8f54-27e513b68a38.html
... and the precursors to Christmas carols:
https://aleteia.org/2020/12/10/before-christmas-carols-christians-sang-these-holiday-hymns/
Hype for a book on Nazi-looted libraries in Belgium:
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/publication-details-nazi-looted-libraries-during-holocaust-in-belgium-651484
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/online-project-documents-libraries-looted-nazis-180976486/
Feature on 'love settlements' in 12th century law:
https://psyche.co/ideas/the-language-of-love-in-a-12th-century-english-law-book
Feature on cave art:
https://aeon.co/essays/ice-age-art-making-was-a-tactile-joyous-exploration-of-the-world
Feature on Linnaeus:
https://www.livescience.com/carl-linnaeus.html
Feature on Hugo Grotius:
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/who-was-hugo-grotius-and-what-is-grotian-world
Feature on Waldemar Haffkine and his work with vaccines:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55050012
Feature on abortion and contraception in the Middle Ages:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/abortion-and-contraception-in-the-middle-ages/
Interesting study of 7 centuries of wind in the Southern Hemisphere:
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55260908
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-020-00059-6
What archaeology reveals about past epidemics:
https://menafn.com/1101265292/What-the-archaeological-record-reveals-about-epidemics-throughout-history-and-the-human-response-to-them&source=29
Feature on assorted bat-borne viruses in history:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/opinion/covid-bats.html
On modern math and a lost Islamic library:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201204-lost-islamic-library-maths
The NYT best historical fiction list for 2020:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/books/review/best-historical-fiction.html
... and NPR's list of history books for 2020:
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/06/943604660/2020-book-concierge-books-for-history-lovers
Review of Francesca Fiorani's book on why Leonardo was a great artist:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/books/review-shadow-drawing-science-leonardo-francesca-fiorani.html
Review of Judith Schalansky's book on things lost to history:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/books/review/judith-schalansky-inventory-losses.html
Reviewish of a book on the Chinese diaspora:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/books/article/3112979/history-chinese-coolies-one-poverty-piracy-and
More on that find of an enigma machine in the Baltic:
https://www.livescience.com/nazi-enigma-machine-discovered-baltic-sea.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/04/germany-museum-to-restore-enigma-machine-found-seabed
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/300178425/divers-discover-lost-nazi-coding-machine-under-baltic-sea
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/divers-discover-rare-nazi-enigma-cipher-machine-wwii-180976469/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9297-201207-enigma-encryption-machine
More on Isaac Newton's thoughts on the Great Pyramid:
https://www.livescience.com/burnt-great-pyramid-fragments-reveal-isaac-newton-occult-apocalypse-theories.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/burnt-great-pyramid-fragments-reveal-isaac-newton-s-occult-apocalypse-theories
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/notes-revealing-isaac-newtons-occult-theory-great-pyramids-sold-180976478/
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Jewish Resistance to the Holocaust:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/modern-maccabees-scope-of-jewish-resistance-to-nazis-highly-underestimated/
Antiquarianism and Philhellenism:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/10/exhibition-antiquarianism-and-philhellenism/
Towards the Mosque:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95242/Egypt-participates-with-84-islamic-artifacts-in-%E2%80%9CTowards-the-mosque
Searching for Shakespeare (virtual):
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-relics-shakespeare-home-virtual.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/su-rfs121020.php
A 19th century cabriolet has arrived at the Royal Chariots Museum for restoration:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95172/Al-Qaseer-cabriolet-arrives-at-the-Royal-Chariots-Museum-for
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/396597.aspx
The museum in Mosul has finally reopened:
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/12/iraq-mosul-museum-antiquities-islamic-state-assyrian-reopen.html
Feature on the Benaki museum:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/260129/article/ekathimerini/whats-on/benaki-collections--ongoing
Greece is willing to lend items to foreign museums for up to 50 years, apparently:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/10/greece-lend-artifacts-50-years/
The politics of museums in the US:
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/11/945389843/sen-mike-lee-blocks-legislation-for-latino-womens-museums
More on the British Museum's Great Court:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/dec/07/how-we-made-the-british-museum-great-court
================================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
================================================================
Those Isaac Newton notes mentioned above were actually up for auction and fetched a huge price:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/dec/09/isaac-newton-notes-almost-destroyed-by-dog-sell-for-380000-pyramid-egypt
Some 180 year old photos of Rome are coming to auction:
https://www.metro.news/180-year-old-roman-photos-set-to-sell-for-colossal-120k/2249077/
An Elizabeth Barrett Browning letter:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/dec/10/elizabeth-barrett-browning-letter-describing-lonely-quarantine-up-for-sale
================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
The lingering effects of Neanderthal DNA on modern humans:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/09/health/neanderthal-genes-human-health-covid19-scn-wellness/index.html
https://www.sapiens.org/biology/neanderthals-covid-19/?ct=t()
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-impact-of-neandertal-dna-on-human.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/08/the-impact-of-neandertal-dna-on-human-health/
DNA from some Spring and Autumn period tomb occupants in Henan is being examined to determine the 'ethnic mix':
https://www.shine.cn/news/nation/2012101433/
DNA suggests that all humans are immigrants of some sort, apparently:
https://www.livescience.com/are-all-humans-immigrants.html
================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
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Interesting re-examination of the GI tracts of a number of mummies found decades ago in Arizona:
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-mummy-gi-tracts-yield-evidence.html
https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/mummy-gi-tracts-yield-evidence-of-early-hospice-care/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/mummy-gi-tracts-yield-evidence-of-early.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9301-201209-mummy-intestine-foods
I think we mentioned the x-ray diffraction examination of a 1900 years bp mummy of a 5 year old girl from Egypt:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201210112137.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/under-wraps-x-rays-reveal-1900-year-old.html
Using AI to recreate the faces of some of China's emperors:
https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3112919/video-game-developer-uses-ai-recreate-faces-ancient-chinese-emperors
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CLIMATE MATTERS
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A study of stratigraphy in Finland is causing a bit of a rethink of the last European Ice Age:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/new-geological-findings-from-finland.html
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TOURISTY THINGS
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Fogo Island:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201207-canadas-little-known-emerald-isle
Timgad:
https://happinesstimes.com/g/anthropology-and-history/places/africa-roman-ghost-city-sunk-desert/
Llanelly:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201210-llanelly-an-abandoned-welsh-town-in-australia
Baalbek:
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201212-discover-baalbek-lebanon/
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PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
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Black Swans:
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/08/944287525/black-swans-new-collection-features-recordings-of-early-black-classical-musician
Reviewish of Barbarians:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/netflixs-barbarians-taught-me-those-romans-had-it-coming
Feature on the roots of Tejano:
https://www.dw.com/en/netflix-honors-selena-and-the-german-origins-of-tejano/a-55859126
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TV/DOCUMENTARY HYPISH THINGS
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Some documentary about the 'cradle of civilization':
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1369390/archaeology-news-ancient-mesopotamia-bible-iraq-babylonia-exile-christianity-sumerians-spt
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CRIME BEAT
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A bust on Kalymnos for possession of ancient amphorae:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/10/arrest-on-kalymnos-for-possession-of-ancient-amphorae/
On Facebook as a font of the illegal antiquities trade:
https://slate.com/technology/2020/12/facebook-stolen-antiquities-art-black-market.html
Feature on the illegal antiquities trade in West Africa:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-12-09-inside-the-illegal-trade-in-west-africas-cultural-heritage/
https://allafrica.com/stories/202012100017.html
----------
conflict antiquities:
http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/
anonymous swiss collector:
http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/
Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues:
http://paul-barford.blogspot.ca/
Looting Matters:
http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/
Illicit Cultural Property:
http://illicit-cultural-property.blogspot.com/
SAFE:
http://www.savingantiquities.org/blog/
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REPATRIATION AND RECOVERY
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After a long legal battle with a collector, Turkey is repatriating a Cybele statue:
https://art-crime.blogspot.com/2020/12/restitution-cybele-anatolia-goddess-of.html
A Norman tower key 'borrowed' fifty years ago was returned:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-55243080
Turkey wants a number of items back from German museums:
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/germany-resists-calls-for-return-of-artifacts-smuggled-from-turkey-decades-ago/news
A 10th century gospel is returning to the monastery it was stolen from:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/rare-handwritten-gospel-looted-in-wwi.html
A missing surrealist painting was found in a German recycling bin:
https://www.dw.com/en/german-police-rescue-280000-painting-tossed-in-trash-at-airport/a-55899847
Dutch museums are being encouraged to be more proactive in returning their Nazi-looted items:
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/439/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/439/pub/439/page/48/article/111301
A Nazi-loot case before the US Supreme Court:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55193792
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55193792
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/us-supreme-court-hears-world-war-two-era-jewish-property-claims-651446
Feature on colonial-related repatriation:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dpd9x/the-colonized-world-wants-its-artifacts-back-from-museums-v27n4
Feature on some 'once-stolen' artifacts that haven't been returned yet:
https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/these-oncestolen-ancient-artifacts-have-yet-to-be-returned-to-their-home-countries/
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NUMISMATICA
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On reading ancient Roman coins:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/reading-ancient-roman-coins/
Feature on the 'most important' ancient coins ever minted:
https://www.thecollector.com/important-ancient-coins/
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v23n49.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v23n50html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
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OBITUARIES
================================================================
Ian Jenkins:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2020/12/07/ian-jenkins-british-museum-curator-opposed-calls-return-elgin/
Tom Winnifrith:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/nov/29/tom-winnifrith-obituary
Allen C. Myers:
http://eerdword.com/2020/12/09/in-memoriam-allen-c-myers/
Ralph Hester:
https://news.stanford.edu/today/2020/12/10/stanford-french-professor-ralph-hester-dies/
Beatrice Andre-Salvini:
https://www.lemonde.fr/disparitions/article/2020/12/08/l-archeologue-beatrice-andre-salvini-grande-specialiste-de-la-mesopotamie-est-morte_6062658_3382.html
Jim Flynn:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123686012/worldrenowned-otago-professor-and-giant-amongst-scholars-jim-flynn-dies
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AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
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Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3008-audio-news-from-archaeologica-november-29-through-december-5-2020
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GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS
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Archaeology Magazine News Page:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/
About.com Archaeology:
http://archaeology.about.com/
Archaeology Briefs:
http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/
Atlas Obscura:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/
Heritage Daily:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/
Sapiens Archaeology:
https://www.sapiens.org/category/archaeology/
Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:
http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/
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PODCASTS/VODCASTS
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Archaeosoup:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Archaeos0up?feature=watch
Archaeology Podcast Network:
http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/
================================================================
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