david meadows
2021-01-10 15:40:43 UTC
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explorator 23.38 January 10, 2021
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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, Jona Lendering,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
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EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
A study of adaptations to environmental changes made by hominins at Olduvai:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/mpif-oho010421.php
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-oldest-hominins-olduvai-gorge-persisted.html
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-tanzania-olduvai-gorge-reveal-ancient.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210107083754.htm
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-discovery-of-two-million-year-old-tools-shows-human-adaptability-2/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/tools-homo-sapiens-habilis-nature-journal-discovery-calgary-1.5864472
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/this-is-how-hominins-adapted-to-a-changing-world-2-million-years-ago/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/oldest-hominins-of-olduvai-gorge.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/08/hominins-of-olduvai-gorge-coped-with-ecological-changes/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9361-210108-tanzania-oldowan-toolkits
200 000 years bp tools from Saudi Arabia (we may have mentioned this):
https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/200000-year-old-tools-from-stone-age-unearthed-in-saudi-arabia-s-qassim/ar-BB1cnTFa
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9349-210104-migration-arabian-peninsula
Review of a book suggesting we weren't evolved to exercise:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/books/review/exercised-daniel-lieberman.html
https://www.npr.org/2021/01/05/953249677/exercised-explains-why-it-can-be-hard-to-commit-to-working-out-and-why-we-should
More on that Neanderthal child burial from a few weeks ago:
https://www.wral.com/neanderthal-childs-skeleton-buried-41-000-years-ago-may-solve-long-standing-mystery/19457560/
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AFRICA
================================================================
Seeking pirate treasure in the Seychelles:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/seychelles-pirates-treasure/index.html
More on baboon skulls as a possible link to the Kingdom of Punt:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-this-baboon-skull-a-clue-to-egypts-lost-kingdom-of-punt?source=articles&via=rss
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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
The tomb of Ramses I has reopened for tourists:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/photos-after-its-restoration-egypt-reopens-ramses-i-tomb-in-luxor-for-visitors/
Ram statues at Karnak's temple of Amun Ra are being restored:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/rams-statues-behind-first-pylon-in-temple-of-amun-ra-in-karnak/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/restoration-project-of-rams-statues.html
Restoration work on the Clock Tower of the Mohammed Ali Mosque in Cairo has commenced:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96122/What-is-the-truth-behind-the-Clock-Tower-of-Mohammad
Once again, Egypt announces that an announcement about Saqqara is coming:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96160/1st-archeological-discovery-in-2021-to-be-announced-from-Egypt
Feature on the Amarna letters:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2020/11-12/pharaohs-amarna-letters-expose-politics-3300-years-ago/
Feature on Tut's 'multi layered' sarcophagi:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96029/Acquaint-yourself-with-Tutankhamun%E2%80%99s-multi-layered-sarcophagi
Feature on Egyptian purple pigments:
https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/news/science-notes-parsing-the-properties-of-egyptian-purple-pigments.htm
Feature on Newton's 'obsession' with the Great Pyramid:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96131/Newton-the-Egyptian-Antiquities-What-is-the-secret-of-his
Not sure if we mentioned the additional tourist facilities going in by the Giza pyramids:
https://www.euronews.com/2021/01/07/egypt-s-giza-pyramids-are-getting-a-revamp-to-boost-tourism
Assorted items from various periods have been added to Iran's heritage list:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456660/Prehistorical-clay-heads-griffin-earthen-mask-added-Iran-national
... and Iran is seeking UNESCO Heritage status for the Teymareh petroglyphs:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456797/Iran-seeks-UNESCO-recognition-for-millennia-old-petroglyphs
Finds from various periods from the Amida mound (Diyarbakir, Turkey) excavations:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amida-mound-reveals-diyarbakirs-history-161402
A (possibly archaizing) seal bearing the name of Thutmose III from the site of Comana Pontica (Turkey):
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/ancient-egyptian-seal-sheds-light-on-northern-turkeys-ancient-city-comana-pontica/news
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/ancient-egyptian-seal-found-by-archeologists-in-turkey-3558181
Remains of 1500 years bp cisterns from Metropolis:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cisterns-unearthed-in-metropolis-ancient-city-161235
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/late-roman-cisterns-unearthed-in.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/huge-cisterns-provided-water-ancient-city-metropolis-discovered-180976685/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9350-210104-turkey-metropolis-cisterns
Remains of a Crusader-era ramp at Ashkelon have been identified:
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/crusader-era-siege-ramp-protecting-israeli-city-from-the-desert-1.9421886
More on that Severan 'bribe' inscription:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/10/roman-town-paid-huge-amount-silver-bribe-new-emperor-inscription/
More on the 'dance floor' where John the Baptist was condemned (this has been spun in various ways over the past weeks):
https://www.thedailybeast.com/have-archaeologists-found-historys-deadliest-dance-floor
https://www.livescience.com/dance-floor-john-the-baptist-execution.html
https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/archaeologists-believe-theyve-found-where-the-dance-that-killed-john-the-baptist-happened/
More on the Byzantine-era church and the 2000 years bp mikveh from the environs of Gethsemane:
https://www.livescience.com/ritual-bath-gethsemane-judas-betrayed-jesus.html
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/gethsemane-church-mikveh-09216.html
More on that 1700 years bp lamp workshop from Beit Nattif:
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/beit-nattif-oil-lamp-workshop-09214.html
A podcast featuring Aren Maeir chatting about the Philistines:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/podcast-everything-you-know-about-the-philistines-is-wrong-says-archaeologist/
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ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
A burial ground from Larnaca (used from the 12th century BCE to Roman times, apparently):
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2021/01/08/ancient-cemetery-discovered-under-street-in-larnaca-cyprus/
A Messapic necropolis from Alezio is being excavated (all coverage in Italian so far):
https://www.corrieresalentino.it/2021/01/prima-campagna-di-ricerche-archeologiche-ad-alezio-nuove-scoperte-sui-riti-funerari-della-civilta-messapica/
https://leccezionale.it/2021/01/08/messapi-nuove-scoperte-archeologiche-ad-alezio/
https://www.bonculture.it/news-comunicati/archeologia-civilta-messapica-scoperta-la-tomba-di-un-bambino-in-salento/
http://www.artemagazine.it/attualita/item/12329-archeologia-civilta-messapica-scoperta-la-tomba-di-un-bambino-in-salento
https://www.agi.it/cultura/news/2021-01-08/archeologia-scoperta-necropoli-salento-10940593/
Sculptures of Asclepius and Serapis from Kibyra (Turkey):
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/statuette-of-asklepios-bust-of-serapis-found-in-kibyra-161432
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/10/statue-ancient-greek-god-turkey/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9362-210108-turkey-kibyra-sculptures
A Roman aqueduct near Troy has been restored and there are tourism hopes (dating issues in all of these articles):
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-aqueduct-of-troy-under-restoration-161481
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/troys-3500-year-old-kemerdere-aqueduct-poised-to-boost-tourism-after-restoration
A Byzantine-era Greek inscription/tombstone from the Negev region of Israel:
https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/History/Pages/Ancient-Greek-inscription-discovered-near-Nitzana-6-January-2021.aspx
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/ancient-greek-inscription-found-by-chance-in-the-negev-654472
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-byzantine-tombstone-inscribed-blessed-maria-found-in-southern-israel-1.9428845
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/01/08/burial-stone-inscribed-in-ancient-greek-discovered-in-negev-desert/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/1400-year-old-tombstone-of-christian-woman-discovered-at-negev-park/
https://world.greekreporter.com/2021/01/09/byzantine-tombstone-with-greek-inscription-found-in-israel/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/07/israel-burial-stone-greek/
https://aleteia.org/2021/01/09/1400-year-old-christian-tombstone-found-in-israel-reads-blessed-maria/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/byzantine-greek-inscription-discovered.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tombstone-inscribed-in-ancient-greek-is-found-in-southern-israel-180976711/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9358-210107-israel-byzantine-tombstone
Plans are afoot to restore that Alexander mosaic found at Pompeii many years ago:
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2021/01/07/pompeiis-alexander-the-great-mosaic-set-to-be-restored_5f40bc6a-203f-4d86-b2ff-9dee459bf0bb.html
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-pompeiis-alexander-mosaic-to-be-restored.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/pompeiis-alexander-great-mosaic-set-to.html
Those Roman baths recently found in Amman are to be reburied:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/jordan-s-newly-discovered-roman-baths-to-be-covered-back-up-1.1143082
Greek archaeologists are not in favour of government plans for lending artifacts:
https://hellenicnews.com/greek-civilization-treasures-are-not-for-export-or-sale/
Feature on the Colosseum in the current COVID situation:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/2021/01/08/rome-colosseum-tourists-covid/
Overviewish thing on British and Czech excavations in Constantinople over the past decade or so:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/hagia-sophia-roman-constantinople-istanbul-archaeology-b1782059.html
Ancient Greece had a market economy some 3000 years earlier than previously thought, apparently (I think we this a while ago):
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/ancient-greece-market-economy-3-000-years-earlier-aegean-interdependence-integration-1.9345453
A study of Silphium:
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/1/102
More on that 2500 years bp Temple of Aphrodite unearthed in Izmir:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/2-500-year-old-aphrodite-temple-discovered-in-turkey-161339
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/2500-year-old-aphrodite-temple.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2500-year-old-temple-aphrodite-found-turkey-180976694/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9352-210105-turkey-aphrodite-temple
(Much) more on that Greek inscription 'slab' found in an English garden:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-roman-slab-found-english-garden.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-55532249
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/roman-slab-mystery-gbr-scli-intl-scn/index.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9111159/Marble-slab-dug-bungalow-garden-revealed-rare-Roman-relic-worth-15-000.html
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/06/ancient-greek-marble-slab-england/
https://boingboing.net/2021/01/05/ancient-inscribed-marble-slab-from-rome-mysteriously-found-in-england-garden.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/marble-block-dug-up-in-uk-garden-found.html
More on remains of 66 Roman military camps in northern Spain being found:
https://www.livescience.com/roman-army-camps-infamous-conquest.html
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/archaeologists-found-dozens-ancient-roman-144400792.html
More on plans for a floor for the remains of the Colosseum:
https://www.thelocal.it/20210106/romes-colosseum-to-get-high-tech-floor-like-in-gladiator-times
https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/engineers-sought-to-build-new-floor-for-romes-colosseum-07-01-2021/
More on remains of a Roman road in Northumberland:
https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/roman-road-pre-dating-hadrians-wall-discovered-northumberland-3082660
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9351-210104-england-roman-frontier
More on the thermopolium revealed recently at Pompeii:
https://napoli.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/12/26/news/pompei_ritrovato_un_termopolio_intatto-279921637/
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-street-shop-in-pompeii/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/archaeologists-uncover-fast-food-counter-at-pompeii/
Review of Robin Lane Fox, *The Invention of Medicine*:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattsalyer/2021/01/07/book-review-robin-lane-foxs-the-invention-of-medicine-from-homer-to-hippocrates/
What William Fortenbaugh is up to:
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/533985269/professor-emeritus-of-classics-captures-an-a-cat-s-journey
Rick Lafleur on augury, Augustus, and related words:
https://www.hollandsentinel.com/opinion/20210108/secret-lives-of-words-column-augury-inauguration-and-caesar-augustus/1
Feature on garum:
http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/01/fish-sauces
Feature on reaction to Roman finds from South Shields back in Victorian times:
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/how-roman-finds-south-shields-19565255
Feature on Hagia Sophia:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hagia-sofia-lord-preserve-us-wrote-builders-of-56m-high-dome-sn9wmk9wv
Feature on gender roles in ancient Sparta:
https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/what-history-books-never-told-you-about-gender-roles-in-ancient-sparta-6ace0a004b79
Feature on the Antonine Wall:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/vallum-antonini-the-antonine-wall/136706
Feature on Hadrian's Wall:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/vallum-aulium-hadrians-wall/136689
Feature on Greek fire:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/09/greek-fire-the-ancient-weapon-sti-ll-a-mystery-today/
Feature on the Riace bronzes and their museum (Italian):
http://www.meteoweb.eu/2021/01/i-bronzi-di-riace-ed-il-museo-nazionale-archeologico-di-reggio-calabria/1530402/
Feature on some Roman wine barrels found at Reims back in 2008:
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2021/01/preserved-roman-wine-barrels-reveal-ancient-coopers-art/
https://vinepair.com/booze-news/ancient-wine-barrels-champagne/
Feature on the 'aesthetic prejudice' towards white classical statuary:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-aesthetic-prejudice-towards-white-classical-statues
Feature on Messalina:
https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday/messalina-aa0bd471608a
Feature on food eaten in the Roman military:
https://medium.com/exploring-history/food-that-conquered-the-world-roman-legions-fields-and-fury-f78eb4bd2e75
Feature on the 'dog demon' of Ephesus:
https://blog.oup.com/2021/01/was-the-dog-demon-of-ephesus-a-werewolf/
Applying lessons of Greek mythology to civil strife today:
https://www.brandeis.edu/now/2021/january/athenian-justice-christensen.html
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2021/0106/1187967-leadership-managers-greek-gods/
On the relevance of the Trojan Women:
https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2021/01/08/an-ancient-still-relevant-play-about-wars-ravages/
On epicureanism v stoicism in today's times:
https://www.newstatesman.com/international/2021/01/why-epicureanism-not-stoicism-philosophy-we-need-now
In case you haven't heard what's happening to Classics at UVM:
https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2020/12/02/uvm-announces-plan-to-eliminate-more-than-two-dozen-academic-programs
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
Remains of at least 17 Iron Age roundhouses (and more) from Tye Green:
https://gizmodo.com/iron-age-settlement-with-large-roundhouses-and-roman-tr-1845986689
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/01/iron-age-settlement-with-large-roundhouses-and-roman-trinkets-found-in-the-uk/
A 600 years bp hoard of 6500 silver coins and other items from a Polish field:
https://observer.com/2021/01/polish-treasure-found-silver-coins-sluszkow/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/medieval-treasure-trove-found-in-polish-field/136638
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/medieval-treasure-trove-found-in-polish-field/
The remains of a 13h century French cleric from Saint-Medard de Soissons:
https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/01/06/le-corps-dun-abbe-du-xiiie-siecle-retrouve-a-labbaye-de-soissons/
Construction in Tartu (Estonia) has revealed remains of houses damaged during the Great Northern War:
https://news.err.ee/1227481/archaeologists-discover-medieval-early-modern-objects-in-tartu-city-center
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9356-210106-estonia-tartu-war
Excavations in Cruas (France) have revealed a 19th century covent with some flood response features:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/romanesque-convent-excavated-france-1234580879/
A Victorian-era bathhouse beneath a Manchester car park:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/10/victorian-mayfield-bathhouse-uncovered-archaeologist-beneath-manchester-car-park
A search for prehistoric and later remains near Plympton:
https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/search-underway-pre-historic-roman-4869248
Centuries-old paw prints from a Florence cathedral roof:
https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/search-underway-pre-historic-roman-4869248
Interesting study reveals 'plastic contamination' at the Castell Henllys Iron Age village site in Wales:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/world/iron-age-roundhouses-plastic-scn/index.html
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeologists-just-found-a-lot-of-plastic-at-an-archaeological-site/
https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/29001/20210108/calling-card-future-plastic-waste-found-iron-age-site.htm
https://earther.gizmodo.com/archaeologists-uncover-disturbing-amount-of-plastic-was-1846001570
... see also: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/iron-age-in-the-plastic-age-anthropocene-signatures-at-castell-henllys/716DAC98547C4A4D971E2E916589B8A3
On slave trade links to Scotland's Glenfinnan:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/07/history-of-scotlands-glenfinnan-memorial-rewritten-after-to-slave-trade-revealed
Pondering the purpose of Stonehenge:
https://www.livescience.com/why-were-henges-built.html
A study of Neolithic goat herding in the south Pyrenees:
https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-01-07/la-primera-trashumancia-de-europa.html
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0244139
Feature on the restoration of the chapel at Versailles:
https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/01/04/video-apres-1000-jours-de-restauration-la-chapelle-de-versailles-retrouve-ses-dorures/
Feature on Sutton Hoo:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/639394/sutton-hoo-ship-burial-facts
----------
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/
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ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
An 1840 years bp stone vessel has helped identify the tomb of six (maybe) Han Dynasty emperors:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/chinese-discover-remains-of-six-emperors-in-ancient-tomb-95nt76g5q
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/1800-year-old-stone-vessel-helps.html
A 1400+ years bp burial from Henan featuring (inter alia) a white marble bed:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202101/04/WS5ff3014fa31024ad0baa05de.html
https://unb.com.bd/category/World/1400-yr-old-tomb-reveals-religious-exchanges-on-silk-road/62855
https://www.inform.kz/en/across-china-1-400-yr-old-tomb-with-white-marble-bed-reveals-religious-exchanges-on-silk-road_a3737194
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/schools/a-1-400-year-old-tomb-discovered-in-chinas-henan-194039
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9354-210105-china-tomb-porcelain
Tang Dynasty murals from tombs in Shaanxi:
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-01/09/content_77097036.htm
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-01-09/Rare-Tang-Dynasty-murals-unearthed-in-NW-China-s-Shaanxi-WU0jcwtf1K/index.html
Feature on China's Belt and Road Initiative (relating to the Silk Road):
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-ancient-silk-roads-historical-significance-and-its-role-in-inspiring-joint-development-of-the-belt-and-road-initiative-301202677.html
Feature on the restoration of the Dazu Rock Carvings:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202101/08/WS5ff798c3a31024ad0baa13ac_4.html
Plans for an Angkor theme park:
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3116290/angkor-theme-park-siem-riep-smart-city-boost-cambodia
Plans for a geophysical/archaeological survey in Panchkhal:
http://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/department-of-archaeology-to-conduct-geophysical-survey-in-panchkhal/
I think we mentioned this 12th century Mahayana Buddhist monastery found in Bihar:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/first-hilltop-monastery-of-gangetic-valley-found-in-lakhisarai/articleshow/80086276.cms
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/first-hilltop-buddhist-monastery-found.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/11th-12th-century-buddhist-monastery-headed-woman-found-eastern-india-180976700/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9355-210106-india-buddhist-monastery
Seven bronze (it appears) idols revealed during planting at a coconut grove in Tiruvar:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/idols-unearthed-at-coconut-grove-in-tiruvarur-district/article33518302.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/idols-unearthed-at-coconut-grove/article33522323.ece
Possible evidence of earthquake-resistant structures in Gujarat some 1500 years bp:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/earthquake-resistant-buildings-in-gujarat-1500-yrs-ago/articleshow/80181421.cms
In case you missed the study demonstrating evidence of trade of spices and bananas from South Asia to the Mediterranean:
http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2021/01/05/bananas-and-soy-consumed-in-mediterranean-3700-years-ago_e76fe8e8-53b3-4f20-800b-14130281a951.html
Feature on the impact of Aboriginal collaboration in archaeology in Australia:
https://visual.artshub.com.au/news-article/features/museums/the-conversation/how-aboriginal-perspectives-are-transforming-archaeological-histories-261699
Seeking World Heritage status for New Zealand's Aotearoa site:
https://theconversation.com/why-aotearoa-new-zealands-early-polynesian-settlement-should-be-recognised-with-world-heritage-site-status-149981
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Finds from the excavations of a house associated with a 19th century African American resident of Huntington (NY):
https://huntingtonnow.com/archaeological-dig-underway-at-crippen-house-property/
https://www.pix11.com/news/local-news/long-island/archaeologists-hope-to-save-li-home-once-owned-by-free-slave
https://news.yahoo.com/archaeologists-hope-save-long-island-001359439.html
Assorted 19th century items from a dig in Lexington (KY):
https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article248267215.html
A golf course built on a Hopewell earthwork in Ohio is the subject of a lawsuit:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ohio-golf-course-hopewell-earthwork-subject-lawsuit-180976653/
Feature on L'Anse aux Meadows:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/lanse-aux-meadows-the-viking-settlement-in-canada/136630
Feature on the lost history of Yellowstone:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/lost-history-yellowstone-180976518/
Feature on archaeological activities (?) in Onion Creek Metropolitan Park (Texas):
https://www.statesman.com/news/
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
Farmers working in a citrus grove on Mexico's Gulf Coast came across a large 15th/16th statue of a woman/goddess:
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-mexican-farmers-rare-female-statue.html
https://www.startribune.com/mexican-farmers-find-rare-female-statue-in-citrus-grove/600008456/
https://wcyb.com/news/offbeat/mexican-farmers-find-rare-female-statue-in-citrus-grove
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60427
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/300201460/mexican-farmers-find-rare-largerthanlife-female-statue
More on the additional skulls from at the 'skull tower' at Huei Tzompantli:
https://hyperallergic.com/611595/119-human-skulls-unearthed-in-15th-century-aztec-shrine/
More on recent ideas about Easter Island:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/new-findings-about-prehistoric-easter-island/
Nice list of some zoom lectures this month:
http://mikeruggerisevents.tumblr.com/
-----
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
================================================================
Celebrating 1700 years of Jewish life in Germany:
https://www.dw.com/en/celebrating-1700-years-of-jewish-life-in-germany/a-56131698
Reflecting/predicting archaeology trends in 2021:
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology-in-2021.html
... and 2020 was apparently a good year for archaeologists:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/260787/gallery/ekathimerini/life/for-archaeologists-at-least-2020-was-a-good-year
Feature on the lessons of cholera:
https://www.wired.com/story/what-a-victorian-disease-detective-proved-about-urban-health/
https://grist.org/justice/how-can-we-heal-a-fractured-america-this-victorian-era-disease-detective-offers-clues/
... and what vaccinations of WWI soldiers reveals:
https://www.wired.com/story/yes-to-masks-no-to-parties-2021-will-be-a-lot-like-2020/
Feature on Queen Charlotte's ethnicity:
https://elpais.com/gente/2021-01-07/la-abuela-negra-de-isabel-ii-de-inglaterra.html
What Dante and Homer have to do with COVID-19:
https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/2021/01/05/dante-home-covid-19-pandemic-patience-column/4129052001/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/01/05/dante-home-covid-19-pandemic-patience-column/4129052001/
Napoleon's doctor gave him a note:
https://www.wral.com/rare-doctors-note-reveals-napoleon-bonapartes-poor-health-in-later-years/19461591/
Feature on Gibb's translations of Ottoman poetry:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/entering-the-world-of-ottoman-poetry-through-elias-john-wilkinson-gibbs-translations/news
Feature on a 432 years bp 'social isolation manual':
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210107-the-432-year-old-manual-on-social-distancing
Feature on the search for the 'Island of King Solomon' in the 16th century:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-01-06/los-navegantes-derrotados-por-el-oro-de-los-mares-del-sur.html
Feature on Japan's Kintsugi art:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210107-kintsugi-japans-ancient-art-of-embracing-imperfection
Feature on Japan dealing with European culture:
https://aeon.co/videos/farcical-situations-and-culture-clashes-when-japan-met-modern-europe-in-1862
Featre on Vere Gordon Childe:
http://isj.org.uk/v-gordon-childe-prehistory/
Feature on the 'invention' of the alphabet:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/inventing-alphabet-180976520/
Pondering Degas' ballet pictures:
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/edgar-degas-ballet-dancers-artsy/index.html
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-sordid-truth-degass-ballet-dancers
On the discovery of zero:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/how-we-discovered-the-number-zero
Feature on feminist responses to Artemisia Gentileschi:
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/01/feminist-rediscovery-artemisia-gentileschi-uk-national-gallery/617327/
Marking the completion of Grimm's German dictionary (60 years ago):
https://www.dw.com/en/brothers-grimm-german-dictionary-celebrates-60th-jubilee/a-56125658
On the history of the colour orange:
https://mymodernmet.com/history-color-orange/
Incident at the SHA conference the other day:
https://www.thedp.com/article/2021/01/nazi-salute-phrase-archaeology-conference-penn-professor-robert-schuyler
Review of Douglas, *Himalaya*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/books/review/himalaya-a-human-history-ed-douglas.html
More on that Nazi Enigma machine find:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/found-a-nazi-enigma-machine-at-the-bottom-of-a-bay
================================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
================================================================
Events this week drew comparisons to assorted events of the late Roman Republic, including the Gracchi:
https://www.newstatesman.com/world/2021/01/fall-roman-republic-warning-about-today-s-degenerate-populists
... Marius:
https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2021/01/08/rome-violent-mob-capitol/ideas/essay/
... Catilina:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-gops-replaying-the-conspiracy-that-predicted-romes-fall
... Clodius:
https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/assaults-roman-democracy-blog-post-mary-beard/
Civil war comparisons were also made:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/09/trump-maga-us-american-civil-war
Curators were documenting the damage:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/arts/design/us-capitol-damage.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/arts/design/us-capitol-art-damage.html
Feature on previous attacks on the Capitol:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/history-violent-attacks-capitol-180976704/
Feature on the word 'sedition':
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/arts/what-are-sedition-charges.html
Feature on the Confederate flag:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/confederates-in-the-capitol/617594/
================================================================
ANIMAL AND PLANT DOMESTICATIONS
================================================================
A theory on meat sharing contributing to early dog domestication:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/science/wolves-dogs-domestication.html
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-leftover-meat-contributed-early-dog.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/sr-asl123120.php
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ice-age-hunters-leftovers-may-have-fueled-dog-domestication
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/dog-domestication-may-have-begun-because-paleo-humans-couldnt-stomach-the-original-paleo-diet/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/sharing-leftover-meat-may-have.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tossing-wolves-our-leftovers-could-have-led-their-domestication-new-study-finds-180976713/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9360-210108-humans-wolves-meat
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Greek Royal carriages:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/09/royal-carriages-renovations/
Royal Academy of Dance:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/arts/dance/royal-academy-history-exhibition-london.html
The 'hanging obelisk' has been installed in the Grand Egyptian Museum:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/grand-egyptian-museum-is-home-to-the-worlds-first-hanging-obelisk/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96189/World-s-1st-hanging-obelisk-installed-in-the-Grand-Egyptian
... and construction of the GEM is 97% complete, apparently:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96204/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Grand-Egyptian-Museum-construction-work-is-about-97-complete
There's a controversy at Taiwan's National Palace Museum:
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3115954/why-taiwans-national-palace-museum-controversy-more-storm-teacup
More on the Digital Acropolis Museum:
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/42711-digital-acropolis-museum-a-new-world-in-the-greek-capital-of-athens.html
https://www.ekathimerini.com/260964/article/ekathimerini/life/acropolis-museum-launches-impressive-digital-edition
================================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
================================================================
Virginia Woolf's 'literary confessions' are coming to auction:
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/virginia-woolfs-literary-confessions-to-be-sold-at-auction-1060211.html
An interesting early 20th century 'micromosaic brooch':
https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/18989670.tiny-mosaic-brooch-set-sell-800-auction/
================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
A study of ancient DNA reveals much about migrations and diseases in northeastern Asia over various times (mostly Neolithic):
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/su-ada010721.php
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/ancient-dna-analysis-reveals-asian.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/08/ancient-dna-analysis-reveals-asian-migration-and-plague/
================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
Studying Buddhist paintings in China's Mogao Caves using RSI:
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-trent-university-researchers-uncover-4762312
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9359-210107-buddhist-cave-temples
How archaeologists are using Cold War era spy satellite photos:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/corona-spy-satellite-photographs-1935836/amp-page
On archaeology and digital humanities:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/archaeology-is-going-digital-to-harness-the-power-of-big-data/
On what folks are learning from tooth tartar:
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/tooth-tartar-could-uncover-drug-habits-ancient-people
================================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
================================================================
Mangrove 'collapse' in Oman some 6000 years bp is being linked to climate change:
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-climate-mangrove-collapse-oman.html
A study of drought and links to climate in the Middle Ages:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/drought-of-century-in-middle-ages-with.html
A study of 800 years of paleoclimate patterns to understand past Asian monsoons:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/largest-study-of-asias-rivers-unearths.html
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Thuringia (corrected from last week):
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-16-states-thuringia/a-45260059
Westphalia:
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-16-states-north-rhine-westphalia/a-45215517
Mesopotamia's 'Golden Triangle':
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/golden-triangle-of-mesopotamia-awaits-eager-tourists-161384
Tenea:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/ancient-teneas-enduring-fascination.html
Olympia:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/food_travel_travel/arthro/my_great_greek_adventure_ancient_olympia-1541363/
================================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
================================================================
Medea:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2021/01/07/euripides-medea-to-be-streamed-by-national-theatre/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/culture/arthro/the_national_theatre_of_greece_presents_medea_by_euripides_english_subs_available-1524547/
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/events/42766-the-national-theatre-of-greece-pesents-medea-by-euripides-with-english-subtitles.html
https://www.ekathimerini.com/260942/article/ekathimerini/life/national-theatre-to-live-stream-euripides-medea-on-dec-10
Pondering Beethoven's Fur Elise':
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/arts/music/beethoven-fur-elise-igor-levit.html
================================================================
TV/DOCUMENTARY HYPISH THINGS
================================================================
My Rembrandt:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/movies/my-rembrandt-review.html
================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
A major bust in Tel Aviv:
https://www.livescience.com/cache-stolen-artifacts-recovered-israel.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-antiquities-authority-recovers-thousands-of-stolen-items-in-major-bust/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/israeli-authorities-take-down-gang-engaged-in-the-illegal-antiquities-trade/2021/01/05/
https://www.albawaba.com/editors-choice/thousands-stolen-antiquities-found-israeli-occupied-palestine-1404014
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-vast-cache-of-stolen-antiquities-found-in-central-israel-1.9424209
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/israeli-authorities-recover-thousands.html
480 ancient coins from a bust in Istanbul:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/nearly-480-ancient-coins-seized-in-istanbul-161522
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-nearly-480-ancient-coins-seized-in-istanbul/2104760
One of the folks who was looking for the Forrest Fenn prize was charged for an illegal dig in a Yellowstone cemetery:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/treasure-hunter-admits-digging-yellowstone-cemetery-while-looking-forrest-fenn-n1253619
https://www.sweetwaternow.com/treasure-hunter-pleads-guilty-to-damaging-fort-yellowstone-cemetery/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/utah-man-pleads-guilty-in-yellowstone-dig-seeking-treasure/2021/01/05/4163b98a-4f94-11eb-a1f5-fdaf28cfca90_story.html
Gaza is struggling with antiquities smuggling:
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/12/gaza-hunger-tourism-antiquities-museum.html
COVID-19 is contributing to a rise of looting in Iraq:
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20210107-covid-19-pandemic-sees-sharp-rise-in-looting-of-antiquities-in-iraq
Germany has developed an app to help in the fight against looted cultural heritage:
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/germany-develops-app-to-identify-looted-heritage
Latest on the investigation to the 'Green Vault heist' in Dresden:
https://www.dw.com/en/dresden-heist-suspect-evades-capture-after-berlin-raid/a-56138043
More on the US legislation regulating the antiquities market:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/arts/design/antiquities-market-regulation.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/what-will-stricter-us-oversight-of-the-antiquities-trade-look-like-1935081
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=dfc7d08f-c399-4aa4-bcdc-63667a556437
... while the UK isn't going to continue with UK rules about importation of antiquities:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/britain-abandons-eu-regulations-cultural-heritage-1935331
----------
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
================================================================
A Revolutionary War sword stolen from a Westfield (Mass) museum 40 years ago was returned:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/us/massachusetts-statue-sword-returned-trnd/index.html
An ancient Buddhist statue found in Arizona will be returned:
https://fronterasdesk.org/content/1648483/feds-ancient-buddhist-statue-found-arizona-be-returned
Latest efforts (in Dresden) regarding the Benin Bronzes return:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/dresden-poster-campaign-draws-attention-to-benin-bronzes-in-city-s-museum
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Feature on coins of Nero:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/ancient-roman-coins-the-many-faces-of-nero/
Feature on coins of Caesar's killers:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/the-coins-of-caesars-killers/
Feature on Greek influences on Iberian coins:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/greek-influences-on-early-iberian-coins-catawiki/
In case you missed the Celtic hoard found by a bird-watcher in the UK:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/639474/bird-watcher-england-coin-hoard
In case you missed the 11th century Chinese coin found in Hampshire and its implications:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ancient-chinese-coin-found-in-uk-1934987
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/medieval-chinese-coin-found-england-suggests-vast-medieval-trade-route-180976675/
Complaints about an HG Wells commemorative coin:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/world/europe/hg-wells-coin-royal-mint.html
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v24n01.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v24n02.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
================================================================
OBITUARIES
================================================================
Nathlie Badian:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/wickedlocal-hingham/obituary.aspx?n=nathlie-a-badian&pid=197428208
Isidore Epstein:
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2021/01/talmud-translator-isidore-epstein-1894.html
Shlomo Bunimovitz:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=328030973979711&story_fbid=3615813058534803
Reginald Foster:
https://catholicherald.org/local/fr-reginald-foster-former-vatican-latinist-dies-at-81/
https://www.thebostonpilot.com/opinion/article.asp?ID=189155
Bryan Sykes:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/science/bryan-sykes-dead.html
Sunil Kothari:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/arts/dance/sunil-kothari-dead.html
Shamsur Rahman Faruqi:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/world/asia/shamsur-rahman-faruqi-dead.html
Otto Schondube:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/otto-schondube-dies/
================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3013-audio-news-from-archaeologica-december-27-through-january-2-2021
================================================================
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/
================================================================
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explorator 23.38 January 10, 2021
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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, Jona Lendering,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
A study of adaptations to environmental changes made by hominins at Olduvai:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/mpif-oho010421.php
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-oldest-hominins-olduvai-gorge-persisted.html
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-tanzania-olduvai-gorge-reveal-ancient.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210107083754.htm
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-discovery-of-two-million-year-old-tools-shows-human-adaptability-2/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/tools-homo-sapiens-habilis-nature-journal-discovery-calgary-1.5864472
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/this-is-how-hominins-adapted-to-a-changing-world-2-million-years-ago/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/oldest-hominins-of-olduvai-gorge.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/08/hominins-of-olduvai-gorge-coped-with-ecological-changes/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9361-210108-tanzania-oldowan-toolkits
200 000 years bp tools from Saudi Arabia (we may have mentioned this):
https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/200000-year-old-tools-from-stone-age-unearthed-in-saudi-arabia-s-qassim/ar-BB1cnTFa
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9349-210104-migration-arabian-peninsula
Review of a book suggesting we weren't evolved to exercise:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/books/review/exercised-daniel-lieberman.html
https://www.npr.org/2021/01/05/953249677/exercised-explains-why-it-can-be-hard-to-commit-to-working-out-and-why-we-should
More on that Neanderthal child burial from a few weeks ago:
https://www.wral.com/neanderthal-childs-skeleton-buried-41-000-years-ago-may-solve-long-standing-mystery/19457560/
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Seeking pirate treasure in the Seychelles:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/seychelles-pirates-treasure/index.html
More on baboon skulls as a possible link to the Kingdom of Punt:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-this-baboon-skull-a-clue-to-egypts-lost-kingdom-of-punt?source=articles&via=rss
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
The tomb of Ramses I has reopened for tourists:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/photos-after-its-restoration-egypt-reopens-ramses-i-tomb-in-luxor-for-visitors/
Ram statues at Karnak's temple of Amun Ra are being restored:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/rams-statues-behind-first-pylon-in-temple-of-amun-ra-in-karnak/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/restoration-project-of-rams-statues.html
Restoration work on the Clock Tower of the Mohammed Ali Mosque in Cairo has commenced:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96122/What-is-the-truth-behind-the-Clock-Tower-of-Mohammad
Once again, Egypt announces that an announcement about Saqqara is coming:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96160/1st-archeological-discovery-in-2021-to-be-announced-from-Egypt
Feature on the Amarna letters:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2020/11-12/pharaohs-amarna-letters-expose-politics-3300-years-ago/
Feature on Tut's 'multi layered' sarcophagi:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96029/Acquaint-yourself-with-Tutankhamun%E2%80%99s-multi-layered-sarcophagi
Feature on Egyptian purple pigments:
https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/news/science-notes-parsing-the-properties-of-egyptian-purple-pigments.htm
Feature on Newton's 'obsession' with the Great Pyramid:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96131/Newton-the-Egyptian-Antiquities-What-is-the-secret-of-his
Not sure if we mentioned the additional tourist facilities going in by the Giza pyramids:
https://www.euronews.com/2021/01/07/egypt-s-giza-pyramids-are-getting-a-revamp-to-boost-tourism
Assorted items from various periods have been added to Iran's heritage list:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456660/Prehistorical-clay-heads-griffin-earthen-mask-added-Iran-national
... and Iran is seeking UNESCO Heritage status for the Teymareh petroglyphs:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456797/Iran-seeks-UNESCO-recognition-for-millennia-old-petroglyphs
Finds from various periods from the Amida mound (Diyarbakir, Turkey) excavations:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amida-mound-reveals-diyarbakirs-history-161402
A (possibly archaizing) seal bearing the name of Thutmose III from the site of Comana Pontica (Turkey):
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/ancient-egyptian-seal-sheds-light-on-northern-turkeys-ancient-city-comana-pontica/news
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/ancient-egyptian-seal-found-by-archeologists-in-turkey-3558181
Remains of 1500 years bp cisterns from Metropolis:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cisterns-unearthed-in-metropolis-ancient-city-161235
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/late-roman-cisterns-unearthed-in.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/huge-cisterns-provided-water-ancient-city-metropolis-discovered-180976685/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9350-210104-turkey-metropolis-cisterns
Remains of a Crusader-era ramp at Ashkelon have been identified:
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/crusader-era-siege-ramp-protecting-israeli-city-from-the-desert-1.9421886
More on that Severan 'bribe' inscription:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/10/roman-town-paid-huge-amount-silver-bribe-new-emperor-inscription/
More on the 'dance floor' where John the Baptist was condemned (this has been spun in various ways over the past weeks):
https://www.thedailybeast.com/have-archaeologists-found-historys-deadliest-dance-floor
https://www.livescience.com/dance-floor-john-the-baptist-execution.html
https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/archaeologists-believe-theyve-found-where-the-dance-that-killed-john-the-baptist-happened/
More on the Byzantine-era church and the 2000 years bp mikveh from the environs of Gethsemane:
https://www.livescience.com/ritual-bath-gethsemane-judas-betrayed-jesus.html
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/gethsemane-church-mikveh-09216.html
More on that 1700 years bp lamp workshop from Beit Nattif:
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/beit-nattif-oil-lamp-workshop-09214.html
A podcast featuring Aren Maeir chatting about the Philistines:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/podcast-everything-you-know-about-the-philistines-is-wrong-says-archaeologist/
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
A burial ground from Larnaca (used from the 12th century BCE to Roman times, apparently):
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2021/01/08/ancient-cemetery-discovered-under-street-in-larnaca-cyprus/
A Messapic necropolis from Alezio is being excavated (all coverage in Italian so far):
https://www.corrieresalentino.it/2021/01/prima-campagna-di-ricerche-archeologiche-ad-alezio-nuove-scoperte-sui-riti-funerari-della-civilta-messapica/
https://leccezionale.it/2021/01/08/messapi-nuove-scoperte-archeologiche-ad-alezio/
https://www.bonculture.it/news-comunicati/archeologia-civilta-messapica-scoperta-la-tomba-di-un-bambino-in-salento/
http://www.artemagazine.it/attualita/item/12329-archeologia-civilta-messapica-scoperta-la-tomba-di-un-bambino-in-salento
https://www.agi.it/cultura/news/2021-01-08/archeologia-scoperta-necropoli-salento-10940593/
Sculptures of Asclepius and Serapis from Kibyra (Turkey):
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/statuette-of-asklepios-bust-of-serapis-found-in-kibyra-161432
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/10/statue-ancient-greek-god-turkey/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9362-210108-turkey-kibyra-sculptures
A Roman aqueduct near Troy has been restored and there are tourism hopes (dating issues in all of these articles):
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-aqueduct-of-troy-under-restoration-161481
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/troys-3500-year-old-kemerdere-aqueduct-poised-to-boost-tourism-after-restoration
A Byzantine-era Greek inscription/tombstone from the Negev region of Israel:
https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/History/Pages/Ancient-Greek-inscription-discovered-near-Nitzana-6-January-2021.aspx
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/ancient-greek-inscription-found-by-chance-in-the-negev-654472
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-byzantine-tombstone-inscribed-blessed-maria-found-in-southern-israel-1.9428845
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/01/08/burial-stone-inscribed-in-ancient-greek-discovered-in-negev-desert/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/1400-year-old-tombstone-of-christian-woman-discovered-at-negev-park/
https://world.greekreporter.com/2021/01/09/byzantine-tombstone-with-greek-inscription-found-in-israel/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/07/israel-burial-stone-greek/
https://aleteia.org/2021/01/09/1400-year-old-christian-tombstone-found-in-israel-reads-blessed-maria/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/byzantine-greek-inscription-discovered.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tombstone-inscribed-in-ancient-greek-is-found-in-southern-israel-180976711/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9358-210107-israel-byzantine-tombstone
Plans are afoot to restore that Alexander mosaic found at Pompeii many years ago:
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2021/01/07/pompeiis-alexander-the-great-mosaic-set-to-be-restored_5f40bc6a-203f-4d86-b2ff-9dee459bf0bb.html
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-pompeiis-alexander-mosaic-to-be-restored.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/pompeiis-alexander-great-mosaic-set-to.html
Those Roman baths recently found in Amman are to be reburied:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/jordan-s-newly-discovered-roman-baths-to-be-covered-back-up-1.1143082
Greek archaeologists are not in favour of government plans for lending artifacts:
https://hellenicnews.com/greek-civilization-treasures-are-not-for-export-or-sale/
Feature on the Colosseum in the current COVID situation:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/2021/01/08/rome-colosseum-tourists-covid/
Overviewish thing on British and Czech excavations in Constantinople over the past decade or so:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/hagia-sophia-roman-constantinople-istanbul-archaeology-b1782059.html
Ancient Greece had a market economy some 3000 years earlier than previously thought, apparently (I think we this a while ago):
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/ancient-greece-market-economy-3-000-years-earlier-aegean-interdependence-integration-1.9345453
A study of Silphium:
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/1/102
More on that 2500 years bp Temple of Aphrodite unearthed in Izmir:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/2-500-year-old-aphrodite-temple-discovered-in-turkey-161339
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/2500-year-old-aphrodite-temple.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2500-year-old-temple-aphrodite-found-turkey-180976694/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9352-210105-turkey-aphrodite-temple
(Much) more on that Greek inscription 'slab' found in an English garden:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-roman-slab-found-english-garden.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-55532249
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/roman-slab-mystery-gbr-scli-intl-scn/index.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9111159/Marble-slab-dug-bungalow-garden-revealed-rare-Roman-relic-worth-15-000.html
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/06/ancient-greek-marble-slab-england/
https://boingboing.net/2021/01/05/ancient-inscribed-marble-slab-from-rome-mysteriously-found-in-england-garden.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/marble-block-dug-up-in-uk-garden-found.html
More on remains of 66 Roman military camps in northern Spain being found:
https://www.livescience.com/roman-army-camps-infamous-conquest.html
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/archaeologists-found-dozens-ancient-roman-144400792.html
More on plans for a floor for the remains of the Colosseum:
https://www.thelocal.it/20210106/romes-colosseum-to-get-high-tech-floor-like-in-gladiator-times
https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/engineers-sought-to-build-new-floor-for-romes-colosseum-07-01-2021/
More on remains of a Roman road in Northumberland:
https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/roman-road-pre-dating-hadrians-wall-discovered-northumberland-3082660
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9351-210104-england-roman-frontier
More on the thermopolium revealed recently at Pompeii:
https://napoli.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/12/26/news/pompei_ritrovato_un_termopolio_intatto-279921637/
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-street-shop-in-pompeii/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/archaeologists-uncover-fast-food-counter-at-pompeii/
Review of Robin Lane Fox, *The Invention of Medicine*:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattsalyer/2021/01/07/book-review-robin-lane-foxs-the-invention-of-medicine-from-homer-to-hippocrates/
What William Fortenbaugh is up to:
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/533985269/professor-emeritus-of-classics-captures-an-a-cat-s-journey
Rick Lafleur on augury, Augustus, and related words:
https://www.hollandsentinel.com/opinion/20210108/secret-lives-of-words-column-augury-inauguration-and-caesar-augustus/1
Feature on garum:
http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/01/fish-sauces
Feature on reaction to Roman finds from South Shields back in Victorian times:
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/how-roman-finds-south-shields-19565255
Feature on Hagia Sophia:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hagia-sofia-lord-preserve-us-wrote-builders-of-56m-high-dome-sn9wmk9wv
Feature on gender roles in ancient Sparta:
https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/what-history-books-never-told-you-about-gender-roles-in-ancient-sparta-6ace0a004b79
Feature on the Antonine Wall:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/vallum-antonini-the-antonine-wall/136706
Feature on Hadrian's Wall:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/vallum-aulium-hadrians-wall/136689
Feature on Greek fire:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/09/greek-fire-the-ancient-weapon-sti-ll-a-mystery-today/
Feature on the Riace bronzes and their museum (Italian):
http://www.meteoweb.eu/2021/01/i-bronzi-di-riace-ed-il-museo-nazionale-archeologico-di-reggio-calabria/1530402/
Feature on some Roman wine barrels found at Reims back in 2008:
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2021/01/preserved-roman-wine-barrels-reveal-ancient-coopers-art/
https://vinepair.com/booze-news/ancient-wine-barrels-champagne/
Feature on the 'aesthetic prejudice' towards white classical statuary:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-aesthetic-prejudice-towards-white-classical-statues
Feature on Messalina:
https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday/messalina-aa0bd471608a
Feature on food eaten in the Roman military:
https://medium.com/exploring-history/food-that-conquered-the-world-roman-legions-fields-and-fury-f78eb4bd2e75
Feature on the 'dog demon' of Ephesus:
https://blog.oup.com/2021/01/was-the-dog-demon-of-ephesus-a-werewolf/
Applying lessons of Greek mythology to civil strife today:
https://www.brandeis.edu/now/2021/january/athenian-justice-christensen.html
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2021/0106/1187967-leadership-managers-greek-gods/
On the relevance of the Trojan Women:
https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2021/01/08/an-ancient-still-relevant-play-about-wars-ravages/
On epicureanism v stoicism in today's times:
https://www.newstatesman.com/international/2021/01/why-epicureanism-not-stoicism-philosophy-we-need-now
In case you haven't heard what's happening to Classics at UVM:
https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2020/12/02/uvm-announces-plan-to-eliminate-more-than-two-dozen-academic-programs
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
Remains of at least 17 Iron Age roundhouses (and more) from Tye Green:
https://gizmodo.com/iron-age-settlement-with-large-roundhouses-and-roman-tr-1845986689
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/01/iron-age-settlement-with-large-roundhouses-and-roman-trinkets-found-in-the-uk/
A 600 years bp hoard of 6500 silver coins and other items from a Polish field:
https://observer.com/2021/01/polish-treasure-found-silver-coins-sluszkow/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/medieval-treasure-trove-found-in-polish-field/136638
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/medieval-treasure-trove-found-in-polish-field/
The remains of a 13h century French cleric from Saint-Medard de Soissons:
https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/01/06/le-corps-dun-abbe-du-xiiie-siecle-retrouve-a-labbaye-de-soissons/
Construction in Tartu (Estonia) has revealed remains of houses damaged during the Great Northern War:
https://news.err.ee/1227481/archaeologists-discover-medieval-early-modern-objects-in-tartu-city-center
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9356-210106-estonia-tartu-war
Excavations in Cruas (France) have revealed a 19th century covent with some flood response features:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/romanesque-convent-excavated-france-1234580879/
A Victorian-era bathhouse beneath a Manchester car park:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/10/victorian-mayfield-bathhouse-uncovered-archaeologist-beneath-manchester-car-park
A search for prehistoric and later remains near Plympton:
https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/search-underway-pre-historic-roman-4869248
Centuries-old paw prints from a Florence cathedral roof:
https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/search-underway-pre-historic-roman-4869248
Interesting study reveals 'plastic contamination' at the Castell Henllys Iron Age village site in Wales:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/world/iron-age-roundhouses-plastic-scn/index.html
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeologists-just-found-a-lot-of-plastic-at-an-archaeological-site/
https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/29001/20210108/calling-card-future-plastic-waste-found-iron-age-site.htm
https://earther.gizmodo.com/archaeologists-uncover-disturbing-amount-of-plastic-was-1846001570
... see also: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/iron-age-in-the-plastic-age-anthropocene-signatures-at-castell-henllys/716DAC98547C4A4D971E2E916589B8A3
On slave trade links to Scotland's Glenfinnan:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/07/history-of-scotlands-glenfinnan-memorial-rewritten-after-to-slave-trade-revealed
Pondering the purpose of Stonehenge:
https://www.livescience.com/why-were-henges-built.html
A study of Neolithic goat herding in the south Pyrenees:
https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-01-07/la-primera-trashumancia-de-europa.html
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0244139
Feature on the restoration of the chapel at Versailles:
https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/01/04/video-apres-1000-jours-de-restauration-la-chapelle-de-versailles-retrouve-ses-dorures/
Feature on Sutton Hoo:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/639394/sutton-hoo-ship-burial-facts
----------
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
================================================================
An 1840 years bp stone vessel has helped identify the tomb of six (maybe) Han Dynasty emperors:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/chinese-discover-remains-of-six-emperors-in-ancient-tomb-95nt76g5q
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/1800-year-old-stone-vessel-helps.html
A 1400+ years bp burial from Henan featuring (inter alia) a white marble bed:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202101/04/WS5ff3014fa31024ad0baa05de.html
https://unb.com.bd/category/World/1400-yr-old-tomb-reveals-religious-exchanges-on-silk-road/62855
https://www.inform.kz/en/across-china-1-400-yr-old-tomb-with-white-marble-bed-reveals-religious-exchanges-on-silk-road_a3737194
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/schools/a-1-400-year-old-tomb-discovered-in-chinas-henan-194039
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9354-210105-china-tomb-porcelain
Tang Dynasty murals from tombs in Shaanxi:
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-01/09/content_77097036.htm
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-01-09/Rare-Tang-Dynasty-murals-unearthed-in-NW-China-s-Shaanxi-WU0jcwtf1K/index.html
Feature on China's Belt and Road Initiative (relating to the Silk Road):
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-ancient-silk-roads-historical-significance-and-its-role-in-inspiring-joint-development-of-the-belt-and-road-initiative-301202677.html
Feature on the restoration of the Dazu Rock Carvings:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202101/08/WS5ff798c3a31024ad0baa13ac_4.html
Plans for an Angkor theme park:
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3116290/angkor-theme-park-siem-riep-smart-city-boost-cambodia
Plans for a geophysical/archaeological survey in Panchkhal:
http://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/department-of-archaeology-to-conduct-geophysical-survey-in-panchkhal/
I think we mentioned this 12th century Mahayana Buddhist monastery found in Bihar:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/first-hilltop-monastery-of-gangetic-valley-found-in-lakhisarai/articleshow/80086276.cms
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/first-hilltop-buddhist-monastery-found.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/11th-12th-century-buddhist-monastery-headed-woman-found-eastern-india-180976700/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9355-210106-india-buddhist-monastery
Seven bronze (it appears) idols revealed during planting at a coconut grove in Tiruvar:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/idols-unearthed-at-coconut-grove-in-tiruvarur-district/article33518302.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/idols-unearthed-at-coconut-grove/article33522323.ece
Possible evidence of earthquake-resistant structures in Gujarat some 1500 years bp:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/earthquake-resistant-buildings-in-gujarat-1500-yrs-ago/articleshow/80181421.cms
In case you missed the study demonstrating evidence of trade of spices and bananas from South Asia to the Mediterranean:
http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2021/01/05/bananas-and-soy-consumed-in-mediterranean-3700-years-ago_e76fe8e8-53b3-4f20-800b-14130281a951.html
Feature on the impact of Aboriginal collaboration in archaeology in Australia:
https://visual.artshub.com.au/news-article/features/museums/the-conversation/how-aboriginal-perspectives-are-transforming-archaeological-histories-261699
Seeking World Heritage status for New Zealand's Aotearoa site:
https://theconversation.com/why-aotearoa-new-zealands-early-polynesian-settlement-should-be-recognised-with-world-heritage-site-status-149981
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Finds from the excavations of a house associated with a 19th century African American resident of Huntington (NY):
https://huntingtonnow.com/archaeological-dig-underway-at-crippen-house-property/
https://www.pix11.com/news/local-news/long-island/archaeologists-hope-to-save-li-home-once-owned-by-free-slave
https://news.yahoo.com/archaeologists-hope-save-long-island-001359439.html
Assorted 19th century items from a dig in Lexington (KY):
https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article248267215.html
A golf course built on a Hopewell earthwork in Ohio is the subject of a lawsuit:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ohio-golf-course-hopewell-earthwork-subject-lawsuit-180976653/
Feature on L'Anse aux Meadows:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/lanse-aux-meadows-the-viking-settlement-in-canada/136630
Feature on the lost history of Yellowstone:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/lost-history-yellowstone-180976518/
Feature on archaeological activities (?) in Onion Creek Metropolitan Park (Texas):
https://www.statesman.com/news/
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
Farmers working in a citrus grove on Mexico's Gulf Coast came across a large 15th/16th statue of a woman/goddess:
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-mexican-farmers-rare-female-statue.html
https://www.startribune.com/mexican-farmers-find-rare-female-statue-in-citrus-grove/600008456/
https://wcyb.com/news/offbeat/mexican-farmers-find-rare-female-statue-in-citrus-grove
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60427
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/300201460/mexican-farmers-find-rare-largerthanlife-female-statue
More on the additional skulls from at the 'skull tower' at Huei Tzompantli:
https://hyperallergic.com/611595/119-human-skulls-unearthed-in-15th-century-aztec-shrine/
More on recent ideas about Easter Island:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/new-findings-about-prehistoric-easter-island/
Nice list of some zoom lectures this month:
http://mikeruggerisevents.tumblr.com/
-----
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
================================================================
Celebrating 1700 years of Jewish life in Germany:
https://www.dw.com/en/celebrating-1700-years-of-jewish-life-in-germany/a-56131698
Reflecting/predicting archaeology trends in 2021:
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology-in-2021.html
... and 2020 was apparently a good year for archaeologists:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/260787/gallery/ekathimerini/life/for-archaeologists-at-least-2020-was-a-good-year
Feature on the lessons of cholera:
https://www.wired.com/story/what-a-victorian-disease-detective-proved-about-urban-health/
https://grist.org/justice/how-can-we-heal-a-fractured-america-this-victorian-era-disease-detective-offers-clues/
... and what vaccinations of WWI soldiers reveals:
https://www.wired.com/story/yes-to-masks-no-to-parties-2021-will-be-a-lot-like-2020/
Feature on Queen Charlotte's ethnicity:
https://elpais.com/gente/2021-01-07/la-abuela-negra-de-isabel-ii-de-inglaterra.html
What Dante and Homer have to do with COVID-19:
https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/2021/01/05/dante-home-covid-19-pandemic-patience-column/4129052001/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/01/05/dante-home-covid-19-pandemic-patience-column/4129052001/
Napoleon's doctor gave him a note:
https://www.wral.com/rare-doctors-note-reveals-napoleon-bonapartes-poor-health-in-later-years/19461591/
Feature on Gibb's translations of Ottoman poetry:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/entering-the-world-of-ottoman-poetry-through-elias-john-wilkinson-gibbs-translations/news
Feature on a 432 years bp 'social isolation manual':
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210107-the-432-year-old-manual-on-social-distancing
Feature on the search for the 'Island of King Solomon' in the 16th century:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-01-06/los-navegantes-derrotados-por-el-oro-de-los-mares-del-sur.html
Feature on Japan's Kintsugi art:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210107-kintsugi-japans-ancient-art-of-embracing-imperfection
Feature on Japan dealing with European culture:
https://aeon.co/videos/farcical-situations-and-culture-clashes-when-japan-met-modern-europe-in-1862
Featre on Vere Gordon Childe:
http://isj.org.uk/v-gordon-childe-prehistory/
Feature on the 'invention' of the alphabet:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/inventing-alphabet-180976520/
Pondering Degas' ballet pictures:
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/edgar-degas-ballet-dancers-artsy/index.html
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-sordid-truth-degass-ballet-dancers
On the discovery of zero:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/how-we-discovered-the-number-zero
Feature on feminist responses to Artemisia Gentileschi:
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/01/feminist-rediscovery-artemisia-gentileschi-uk-national-gallery/617327/
Marking the completion of Grimm's German dictionary (60 years ago):
https://www.dw.com/en/brothers-grimm-german-dictionary-celebrates-60th-jubilee/a-56125658
On the history of the colour orange:
https://mymodernmet.com/history-color-orange/
Incident at the SHA conference the other day:
https://www.thedp.com/article/2021/01/nazi-salute-phrase-archaeology-conference-penn-professor-robert-schuyler
Review of Douglas, *Himalaya*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/books/review/himalaya-a-human-history-ed-douglas.html
More on that Nazi Enigma machine find:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/found-a-nazi-enigma-machine-at-the-bottom-of-a-bay
================================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
================================================================
Events this week drew comparisons to assorted events of the late Roman Republic, including the Gracchi:
https://www.newstatesman.com/world/2021/01/fall-roman-republic-warning-about-today-s-degenerate-populists
... Marius:
https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2021/01/08/rome-violent-mob-capitol/ideas/essay/
... Catilina:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-gops-replaying-the-conspiracy-that-predicted-romes-fall
... Clodius:
https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/assaults-roman-democracy-blog-post-mary-beard/
Civil war comparisons were also made:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/09/trump-maga-us-american-civil-war
Curators were documenting the damage:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/arts/design/us-capitol-damage.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/arts/design/us-capitol-art-damage.html
Feature on previous attacks on the Capitol:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/history-violent-attacks-capitol-180976704/
Feature on the word 'sedition':
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/arts/what-are-sedition-charges.html
Feature on the Confederate flag:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/confederates-in-the-capitol/617594/
================================================================
ANIMAL AND PLANT DOMESTICATIONS
================================================================
A theory on meat sharing contributing to early dog domestication:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/science/wolves-dogs-domestication.html
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-leftover-meat-contributed-early-dog.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/sr-asl123120.php
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ice-age-hunters-leftovers-may-have-fueled-dog-domestication
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/dog-domestication-may-have-begun-because-paleo-humans-couldnt-stomach-the-original-paleo-diet/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/sharing-leftover-meat-may-have.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tossing-wolves-our-leftovers-could-have-led-their-domestication-new-study-finds-180976713/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9360-210108-humans-wolves-meat
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Greek Royal carriages:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/09/royal-carriages-renovations/
Royal Academy of Dance:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/arts/dance/royal-academy-history-exhibition-london.html
The 'hanging obelisk' has been installed in the Grand Egyptian Museum:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/grand-egyptian-museum-is-home-to-the-worlds-first-hanging-obelisk/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96189/World-s-1st-hanging-obelisk-installed-in-the-Grand-Egyptian
... and construction of the GEM is 97% complete, apparently:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96204/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Grand-Egyptian-Museum-construction-work-is-about-97-complete
There's a controversy at Taiwan's National Palace Museum:
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3115954/why-taiwans-national-palace-museum-controversy-more-storm-teacup
More on the Digital Acropolis Museum:
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/42711-digital-acropolis-museum-a-new-world-in-the-greek-capital-of-athens.html
https://www.ekathimerini.com/260964/article/ekathimerini/life/acropolis-museum-launches-impressive-digital-edition
================================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
================================================================
Virginia Woolf's 'literary confessions' are coming to auction:
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/virginia-woolfs-literary-confessions-to-be-sold-at-auction-1060211.html
An interesting early 20th century 'micromosaic brooch':
https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/18989670.tiny-mosaic-brooch-set-sell-800-auction/
================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
A study of ancient DNA reveals much about migrations and diseases in northeastern Asia over various times (mostly Neolithic):
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/su-ada010721.php
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/ancient-dna-analysis-reveals-asian.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/08/ancient-dna-analysis-reveals-asian-migration-and-plague/
================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
Studying Buddhist paintings in China's Mogao Caves using RSI:
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-trent-university-researchers-uncover-4762312
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9359-210107-buddhist-cave-temples
How archaeologists are using Cold War era spy satellite photos:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/corona-spy-satellite-photographs-1935836/amp-page
On archaeology and digital humanities:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/archaeology-is-going-digital-to-harness-the-power-of-big-data/
On what folks are learning from tooth tartar:
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/tooth-tartar-could-uncover-drug-habits-ancient-people
================================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
================================================================
Mangrove 'collapse' in Oman some 6000 years bp is being linked to climate change:
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-climate-mangrove-collapse-oman.html
A study of drought and links to climate in the Middle Ages:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/drought-of-century-in-middle-ages-with.html
A study of 800 years of paleoclimate patterns to understand past Asian monsoons:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/largest-study-of-asias-rivers-unearths.html
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Thuringia (corrected from last week):
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-16-states-thuringia/a-45260059
Westphalia:
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-16-states-north-rhine-westphalia/a-45215517
Mesopotamia's 'Golden Triangle':
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/golden-triangle-of-mesopotamia-awaits-eager-tourists-161384
Tenea:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/ancient-teneas-enduring-fascination.html
Olympia:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/food_travel_travel/arthro/my_great_greek_adventure_ancient_olympia-1541363/
================================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
================================================================
Medea:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2021/01/07/euripides-medea-to-be-streamed-by-national-theatre/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/culture/arthro/the_national_theatre_of_greece_presents_medea_by_euripides_english_subs_available-1524547/
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/events/42766-the-national-theatre-of-greece-pesents-medea-by-euripides-with-english-subtitles.html
https://www.ekathimerini.com/260942/article/ekathimerini/life/national-theatre-to-live-stream-euripides-medea-on-dec-10
Pondering Beethoven's Fur Elise':
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/arts/music/beethoven-fur-elise-igor-levit.html
================================================================
TV/DOCUMENTARY HYPISH THINGS
================================================================
My Rembrandt:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/movies/my-rembrandt-review.html
================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
A major bust in Tel Aviv:
https://www.livescience.com/cache-stolen-artifacts-recovered-israel.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-antiquities-authority-recovers-thousands-of-stolen-items-in-major-bust/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/israeli-authorities-take-down-gang-engaged-in-the-illegal-antiquities-trade/2021/01/05/
https://www.albawaba.com/editors-choice/thousands-stolen-antiquities-found-israeli-occupied-palestine-1404014
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-vast-cache-of-stolen-antiquities-found-in-central-israel-1.9424209
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/israeli-authorities-recover-thousands.html
480 ancient coins from a bust in Istanbul:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/nearly-480-ancient-coins-seized-in-istanbul-161522
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-nearly-480-ancient-coins-seized-in-istanbul/2104760
One of the folks who was looking for the Forrest Fenn prize was charged for an illegal dig in a Yellowstone cemetery:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/treasure-hunter-admits-digging-yellowstone-cemetery-while-looking-forrest-fenn-n1253619
https://www.sweetwaternow.com/treasure-hunter-pleads-guilty-to-damaging-fort-yellowstone-cemetery/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/utah-man-pleads-guilty-in-yellowstone-dig-seeking-treasure/2021/01/05/4163b98a-4f94-11eb-a1f5-fdaf28cfca90_story.html
Gaza is struggling with antiquities smuggling:
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/12/gaza-hunger-tourism-antiquities-museum.html
COVID-19 is contributing to a rise of looting in Iraq:
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20210107-covid-19-pandemic-sees-sharp-rise-in-looting-of-antiquities-in-iraq
Germany has developed an app to help in the fight against looted cultural heritage:
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/germany-develops-app-to-identify-looted-heritage
Latest on the investigation to the 'Green Vault heist' in Dresden:
https://www.dw.com/en/dresden-heist-suspect-evades-capture-after-berlin-raid/a-56138043
More on the US legislation regulating the antiquities market:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/arts/design/antiquities-market-regulation.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/what-will-stricter-us-oversight-of-the-antiquities-trade-look-like-1935081
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=dfc7d08f-c399-4aa4-bcdc-63667a556437
... while the UK isn't going to continue with UK rules about importation of antiquities:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/britain-abandons-eu-regulations-cultural-heritage-1935331
----------
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
================================================================
A Revolutionary War sword stolen from a Westfield (Mass) museum 40 years ago was returned:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/us/massachusetts-statue-sword-returned-trnd/index.html
An ancient Buddhist statue found in Arizona will be returned:
https://fronterasdesk.org/content/1648483/feds-ancient-buddhist-statue-found-arizona-be-returned
Latest efforts (in Dresden) regarding the Benin Bronzes return:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/dresden-poster-campaign-draws-attention-to-benin-bronzes-in-city-s-museum
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Feature on coins of Nero:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/ancient-roman-coins-the-many-faces-of-nero/
Feature on coins of Caesar's killers:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/the-coins-of-caesars-killers/
Feature on Greek influences on Iberian coins:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/greek-influences-on-early-iberian-coins-catawiki/
In case you missed the Celtic hoard found by a bird-watcher in the UK:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/639474/bird-watcher-england-coin-hoard
In case you missed the 11th century Chinese coin found in Hampshire and its implications:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ancient-chinese-coin-found-in-uk-1934987
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/medieval-chinese-coin-found-england-suggests-vast-medieval-trade-route-180976675/
Complaints about an HG Wells commemorative coin:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/world/europe/hg-wells-coin-royal-mint.html
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v24n01.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v24n02.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
================================================================
OBITUARIES
================================================================
Nathlie Badian:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/wickedlocal-hingham/obituary.aspx?n=nathlie-a-badian&pid=197428208
Isidore Epstein:
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2021/01/talmud-translator-isidore-epstein-1894.html
Shlomo Bunimovitz:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=328030973979711&story_fbid=3615813058534803
Reginald Foster:
https://catholicherald.org/local/fr-reginald-foster-former-vatican-latinist-dies-at-81/
https://www.thebostonpilot.com/opinion/article.asp?ID=189155
Bryan Sykes:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/science/bryan-sykes-dead.html
Sunil Kothari:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/arts/dance/sunil-kothari-dead.html
Shamsur Rahman Faruqi:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/world/asia/shamsur-rahman-faruqi-dead.html
Otto Schondube:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/otto-schondube-dies/
================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3013-audio-news-from-archaeologica-december-27-through-january-2-2021
================================================================
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/
================================================================
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