david meadows
2021-12-26 16:48:56 UTC
===========================================================
explorator 24.36 December 26, 2021
===========================================================
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).
============================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
============================================================
Study suggests 1.5 million years of early humans hunting animals to extinction in Israel:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-early-humans-largest-animals-extinction.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211221102708.htm
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-689385
https://www.timesofisrael.com/early-humans-repeatedly-killed-out-the-biggest-beasts-around-israeli-study-finds/
cf: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277379121005230
Questioning the 'superiority' of homo sapiens:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/debunking-the-myth-of-homo-sapiens-superiority
Latest feature on the path(s) taken by homo sapiens out of Africa:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-africa-path-homo-sapiens.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/938884
More on Neanderthals modifying the environment in Germany some 125 000 years bp:
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/neanderthal-landscapes-10386.html
https://scitechdaily.com/neanderthals-changed-ecosystems-125000-years-ago-were-not-primal-hippies/
More on the 215 000 years bp mammoth butchery site near Swindon:
https://www.livescience.com/ice-age-mammoth-graveyard-uk
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-59702237
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/19/five-ice-age-mammoths-unearthed-in-cotswolds-after-220000-years
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10326245/Archaeologists-unearth-skeletons-five-prehistoric-elephants-finding-Neanderthal-axe.html
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/48645/20211222/mammoth-graveyard-mammoth-remains-200-000-years-ago.htm
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/neanderthal-tools-mammoth-graveyard/
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/19795029.swindon-couple-unearth-five-220-000-year-old-ice-age-mammoths-site-near-town/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10241-211221-england-mammoth-tools
============================================================
AFRICA
============================================================
Using 50 000 years bp eggshell beads to track trade and social networks in Africa:
https://www.shh.mpg.de/2080930/beads-social-network-africa?c=1935799
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-ostrich-eggshell-beads-reveal-year-old.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/23/africa/africa-beads-stone-age-social-network-scn/index.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/ostrich-eggshell-beads-reveal-50000-year-old-social-network-across-africa/142314
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03681-2
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/21/ostrich-eggshell-beads-reveal-50000-year-old-social-network-across-africa/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10243-211221-ostrich-eggshell-beads
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04227-2
More on the Ethiopian government recovering the site of Lalibela from rebel hands:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59726191
============================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
============================================================
The search for Nefertiti's tomb has resumed:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/12/egypt-resumes-hunt-nefertitis-tomb-amid-historical-debate
More on 'golden tongued' mummies:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/golden-tongued-mummies-might-have-talked-with-ancient-gods
More on the 'garbage dump' in the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egyptian-garbage-dump-discovered-in-temple
More on the 13 000 ostraca from various periods found near Sohag:
https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/446523.aspx
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10238-211220-egypt-sohag-ostraca
Feature on major archaeological 'events' of 2021 in Egypt:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/111224/What-are-the-major-archeological-events-in-2021-Part-Two
French archaeologists have returned to Egypt:
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20211209-french-archaeological-missions-make-post-pandemic-return-to-egypt
An Elamite-era tablet from the Burnt City:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468385/Elamite-clay-tablet-unearthed-in-mysterious-Burnt-City
Efforts to preserve the archaeological site at a hill in Ramezan are under way:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468377/Archaeologists-to-safeguard-ancient-mount-in-western-Iran
Feature on efforts to conserve archaeological remains revealed during pre-dam rescue operations iin western Iran:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468314/Archaeologists-tell-of-efforts-to-conserve-ancient-culture-near
Feature on Austen Henry Layard:
https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/12/rethinking-austen-henry-layard
A cave and 5000 years bp petroglyphs from Turkey's Aydin province:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cave-rock-paintings-found-in-aydin-170173
Remains of 4500 years bp rope from Turkey's Seyitomer Mound:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/4500-year-old-rope-remains-found-in-turkeys-seyitomer-mound/news
Ongoing excavations at Dara have revealed a hitherto unknown mound:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-mound-found-in-ancient-dara-170200
Feature on mummies from Anatolia (not really ancient, it seems):
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/mummies-in-anatolia-expect-the-unexpected-52987
A 14th century inscription from Giresun Island:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/14th-century-inscription-found-on-turkeys-giresun-island/news
Again I'm not sure where to put this item on Turkish forces shelling archaeological sites:
https://hawarnews.com/en/haber/turkish-forces-shell-sherawas-archaeological-sites-h28187.html
Feature/documentary hype on a film about Gobeklitepe:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/gobeklitepe-should-be-passed-on-to-future-generations-170303
7000 years bp evidence of social beer drinking from Tel Tsaf:
https://www.independent.co.uk/world/first-beer-drank-israel-7000-years-ago-b1980176.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/prehistoric-israelis-enjoyed-their-booze-some-7000-years-ago-689184
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-study-finds-first-evidence-of-social-beer-consumption-in-7000-year-old-town/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/22/copper-age-residents-of-jordan-valley-were-social-drinkers-research-reveals/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/haifa-u-archaeologists/2021/12/21/
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-12/22/content_77945584.htm
Evidence suggests Pontius Pilate built a Jerusalem aqueduct:
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-notorious-pontius-pilate-is-the-one-who-built-jerusalem-aqueduct-study-finds-1.10478621
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/jerusalem/hebrew-u-study-credits-pontius-pilate-with-building-the-sophisticated-biar-aqueduct-in-jerusalem/2021/12/19/
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/pontius-pilate-and-the-jerusalem-aqueduct/
Lawrence Schiffman on the Damascus Document:
http://lawrenceschiffman.com/s-d-fraades-the-damascus-document-the-oxford-commentary-on-the-dead-sea-scrolls/
A medieval (?) fortress site from Azerbaijan:
https://www.azernews.az/culture/187218.html
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:
https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/
============================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
============================================================
Study suggests that Myceneans may have been the earliest to make use of coal:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-archaeologists-identify-oldest-use-of-fossil-fuels-in-europe-1.10480844
Eight 4th century burials from Turkey's Ordu province:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/4th-century-tombs-unearthed-near-turkeys-black-sea-coast/2456773
A pair of shipwrecks off the coast of Caesarea; most coverage is on a 'Good Shepherd' ring from the Roman-era one (the other is later):
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-israeli-archaeologists-treasures-ancient-shipwrecks.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/22/israeli-archaeologists-find-treasure-trove-among-mediterranean-shipwrecks
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-ship-wreck-good-shepherd-ring-b1981236.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ancient-ring-jesus-found-shipwrecks-coast-of-israel-chq557cgm
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-689444
https://www.timesofisrael.com/underwater-treasure-1700-year-old-coins-among-shipwrecked-items-found-off-caesarea/
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/gold-rings-coins-and-early-christian-art-found-in-shipwrecks-off-israel-s-coast-1.10485635
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/rkde88xik
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/319062
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/spectacular-ancient-treasure-discovered-in-shipwrecks-off-the-coast-of-caesarea/2021/12/22/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/22/hundreds-of-coins-gold-rings-found-in-sunken-ships-off-israeli-coast/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10336363/Stunning-Good-Shepard-ring-depicts-young-Jesus-holding-Roman-era-shipwrecks.html
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/centuries-old-good-shepherd-ring-recovered-shipwrecks-off-israel-2021-12-22/
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211222-good-shepherd-gold-ring-found-in-roman-era-wreck-off-israel
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/23/good-shepherd-ring-israel/
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/treasures-found-in-ancient-shipwrecks-170284
https://www.dw.com/en/israeli-archeologists-find-christian-good-shepherd-ring-in-roman-shipwreck/a-60233874
https://apnews.com/article/science-business-lifestyle-middle-east-israel-36fe1e17dbcb53c8518bb7542331767f
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/23/israel-antiquities-shipwreck-caesarea/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gold-ring-jesus-treasure-trove-ancient-shipwreck-israel/
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/caesarea-shipwrecks-10397.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/israeli-divers-trove-antiquities-shipwrecks-2054381
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/underwater-archaeologists-recover-treasures-from-ancient-shipwrecks/142332
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/early-christian-ring-found-in-third-century-shipwreck-near-Israel-180979282/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10247-211222-israel-shipwrecks-coins
A 1900 years bp sarcophagus lid was found in a garbage dump in Ashkelon:
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/1900-year-old-sarcophagus-lid-rescued-from-ashkelon-garbage-dump/2021/12/21/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/21/antiquities-inspectors-find-1900-year-old-sarcophagus-lid-in-dump/
https://www.jns.org/1900-year-old-sarcophagus-lid-rescued-from-ashkelon-garbage-dump/
I think we mentioned this find of a Caligula-era Roman camp from Velsen a while ago:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/26/roman-fort-built-by-caligula-discovered-velsen-near-amsterdam
A Roman military diploma from a dig in Bratislava:
https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22807426/ancient-diploma-found-by-archaeologists-in-bratislava.html
We may have mentioned this altar site associated with Demeter from Blaundus:
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/archaeology/archeologists-unearth-altar-site-for-greek-goddess-in-western-turkey-3586443
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/altar-site-for-greek-goddess-demeter-found-in-turkeys-blaundus/news
https://greekherald.com.au/news/altar-site-greek-goddess-demeter-unearthed-western-turkey/
A Hellenic-era unfinished statue find from Veria:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/23/hellenic-era-statue-found-in-veria-greece/
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/hellenic-statue-veria-greece/
Remains Roman-era (wide date range) structures from Corsica:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62985
More on the find of a possible sanctuary of Melqart/Temple of Hercules near Cadiz:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10329795/Long-lost-Temple-Hercules-Gaditanus-9th-century-BC-coast-Spain.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lost-temple-of-hercules-discovered-off-coast-of-spain-mvr62s2jx
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/22/temple-of-hercules-gaditanus-where-the-god-was-worshipped-by-the-ancient-greeks-and-romans-in-the-9th-century-bc-may-have-been-discovered-off-the-coast-of-spain/
More on the torso of Hercules found at Aizanoi:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/20/statue-heracles-ancient-greek-aizanoi/
More on the pair of Roman statues from Blaundus:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/2000-year-old-statues-hellenic-blaundos/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/12/archaeologists-unearth-2000-year-old.html
More on the sources for Roman silver on the Iberian peninsula:
https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/News/pr/2021/21-74.aspx
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211217123811.htm
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10244-211221-roman-silver-coins
More on reuse of Roman building material in a Serbian village:
https://menafn.com/1103398322/UK-Held-up-by-history-Roman-ruins-provide-building-blocks-forSerbian-village&source=25
More on the 'protection' of a recently-revealed mosaic in Izmir:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/experts-protect-roman-era-mosaic-love-story-in-turkeys-izmir/news
... and another feature on how it was found as a result of illegal excavations:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/illegal-excavations-unearth-roman-villa-170252
More on that recent find of a victim of Vesuvius at Herculaneum:
https://www.livescience.com/man-vaporized-by-vesuvius
More on evidence of crucifixion from Roman Britain:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/rare-evidence-for-roman-crucifixion-found-in-second-century-britain/?mqsc=E4140182&dk=ZE14D0ZF0
Plans to restore the 'Macedonian Tower' (I think that's what it's called; it's actually Roman) in Turkey's Erdine province:
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/roman-era-tower-in-northwestern-turkey-set-for-restoration-3586648
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/edirnes-roman-era-tower-to-serve-as-cultural-space/news
Fendi revealed their restoration of Rome's Temple of Venus and Rome:
https://wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/fendi-unveils-restoration-of-romes-temple-of-venus-and-rome-1235021689/
The 'Pompeii Chariot' as one of the 'greatest' archaeological finds of 2021:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/20/pompeii-chariot-2021s-greatest-archaeological-finds/
A top ten list of ancient Greek finds for 2021:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/20/ancient-greek-archaeological-discoveries-2021/
Feature on the Huntingdon Hoard:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-59665406
Feature on the House of Menander in Pompeii:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/21/house-menander-pompeii-ancient-greek-themes/
Feature on the early life of Cleopatra:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/the-early-life-of-cleopatra/142343
... and a feature on the fall of Mark Antony and Cleopatra:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/the-fall-of-mark-anthony-and-cleopatra/142323
Feature on snakes and healing in ancient Greece:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/23/snakes-ancient-greece/
Feature on the shield of Achilles:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/23/the-legendary-shield-of-achilles/
Feature on Athens' Tower of the Winds:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/24/tower-winds-oldest-meteorological-station/
Another feature on the Antikythera Mechanism:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/24/ancient-greece-antikythera-mechanism/
A 3d flythrough tour of Classical Athens:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1174291/watch-a-3d-flythrough-tour-of-classical-athens/
Latest Pasts Imperfect newsletter:
https://pastsimperfect.substack.com/p/pasts-imperfect-122321
A former UK culture minister thinks the Parthenon Sculptures should be returned:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/12/22/parthenon-marbles-should-be-returned-to-greece-former-uk-culture-minister-says
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/uk-culture-minister-parthenon-marbles-returned/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/parthenon-marbles-restitution-2053596
Nice backgrounder on the Parthenon Sculptures debate:
https://www.dw.com/en/parthenon-marbles-a-200-year-old-restitution-dispute/a-60146803
OpEd from the New York Times on the situation in the times of museum repatriation efforts:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/arts/design/parthenon-marbles-restitution.html
... and similar from the Independent:
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/artefacts-british-museum-elgin-parthenon-marbles-b1980643.html
... and some reactions:
https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/12/21/new-york-times-gia-glypta-parthenona-i-vretania-ypostirizei-oti-i-tychi-toys-den-tin-afora/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/new-york-times-article-addresses-parthenon-marbles/
... and more on the younger Boris Johnson advocating for their return:
https://neoskosmos.com/en/2021/12/22/news/young-boris-johnson-was-passionately-advocating-for-the-return-of-the-parthenon-marbles/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
============================================================
Remains of an Iron Age settlement found during roundabout construction near Upton upon Severn:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-59755844
https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/news/article/2727/iron_age_settlement_unearthed_on_site_of_upton_a38_roundabout_works
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/stunning-drone-footage-archaeologists-unearthing-22545747
A 1400-1700 years bp 'neck ring' from Jutland:
https://cphpost.dk/?p=130253
Carbon dating suggests Viking-era trade began in 775 CE:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-dates-viking-age.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222153037.htm
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04240-5
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03769-9
A pair of 1000 years bp brooches from the Isle of Man are being used to suggest there were Viking women there too:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/isle-of-man-settled-by-female-vikings-along-with-the-men-2052230
12th/13th century finds (including a birch bark letter) from Novgorod:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/archaeologists-unearth-birch-bark-letter-in-novgorod/142348
Vague item on possible medieval waste from a housing development site in Lindal:
https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/19793700.archaeologists-reveal-findings-35-house-development-site-lindal/
A 14th/15th century 'item of archaeological interest' from Alicante:
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/24/artifact-of-high-archaeological-interest-uncovered-in-alicante/
Remains of a medieval castle tower at Auckland Castle:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tees-59740527
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/durham-university-archaeology-auckland-castle-22522738
A King David the Builder coin find from Georgia:
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/4044
A metal detectorist found a huge hoard of 220 years bp forged coins in Staffordshire:
https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/local-news/britains-biggest-ever-hoard-forged-6404269
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/12/22/novice-metal-detectorist-unearths-britains-largest-haul-forged/
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/825/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/825/pub/825/page/39/article/253434
The Island of Jersey has purchased the Le CatillonII hoard (70 000 Celtic coins found back in 2012) from the Queen:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jersey-coin-hoard-found-by-metal-detectors-is-sold-for-4m-hbsg8c2v6
More on the 10 000 years bp female child burial dubbed 'Neve':
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2021/12/earliest-modern-female-human-infant-burial-found-in-europe
More on the large Viking/Norse longhouse found at the Gjellestad site in Norway:
https://www.livescience.com/norse-longhouse-discovered-viking-ship-burial
More on folks reaching the Faroe Islands earlier than previously thought:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211216145936.htm
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-sheep-poop-tells-the-tale-of-the-faroe-islands-first-inhabitants-180979265/
More on the possible reality of the Viking 'Blood Eagle' ritual:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-disturbing-viking-ritual.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/brutal-viking-torture-method-anatomically-possible-concludes-new-research
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/23/disturbing-viking-ritual-could-have-really-happened-say-researchers/
More on the restoration of that reused Roman rock crystal jar from the Galloway Hoard:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/17/extraordinary-restoration-of-roman-rock-crystal-jar-from-galloway-hoard
https://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/galloway-hoard-yields-exciting-discovery-3501093
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/treasure-discovery-roman-gold-crystal-archeology-scli-intl/index.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-gold-wrapped-jar-may-reveal-the-splendor-of-early-medieval-britain-180979266/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10240-211220-scotland-galloway-hoard
More on that 13th century 'falconry figurine' from Oslo:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/one-oldest-depictions-falconry-in-scandinavia-is-discovered-180979261/
Another 2021 'treasure finds' piece ... this one focuses on Cambridge and Peterborough:
https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/dozens-of-buried-treasure-troves-found-in-cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-last-year-3506250
Suggestion that rising sea levels may have contributed to the Vikings leaving Greenland:
https://www.livescience.com/agu-floods-drove-vikings-from-greenland
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10239-211220-greenland-viking-climate
Feature on the megalithic site of the Cromlech of the Almendres (Portugal):
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0bbrfm1/the-mysteries-of-portugal-s-7-000-year-old-stonehenge-
Feature on the origins of Venice on Torcello:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/torcello-venice-island/index.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
============================================================
Brief item on some recently-found Neolithic finds from various sites in China:
https://ukranews.com/en/news/819132-china-releases-five-archaeological-discoveries-dating-back-to-neolithic-age
Evidence of 5000 years bp cultural exchange from the Suyang site in Henan:
http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2021-12/21/content_77943928.htm
A Western Zhou Dynasty vessel from the outskirts of Beijing which is being associated with a similar find from the 1970s:
http://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2021-12-21/detail-ihatyfhf5832592.shtml
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-22/New-archaeological-discoveries-unravel-mystery-of-ancient-Yan-kingdom-16cQFGc1goU/index.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1243102.shtml
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62959
A Warring States period royal tomb from Jiangxi:
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20211225/e0a73822aa274631b4b068b1302ce105/c.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1243396.shtml
Tang Dynasty cliff statues and other sites found in China's Shaanxi province:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-23/Tang-dynasty-grotto-sites-and-cliff-statues-discovered--16dGpyt0Iz6/index.html
A Jin Dynasty tomb from Shaanxi with 'prayer murals':
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20211224/65e540e659724d5cb2a8c4373f170451/c.html
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2021-12/25/content_77952125.htm
57 Qing Dynasty burials from Hunan:
https://ukranews.com/en/news/819185-57-ancient-tombs-unearthed-in-central-china-s-hunan
Tombs from various time periods from Chenzhou:
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-12/20/content_77941036.htm
More on 8000 years bp evidence of alcohol use in China:
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/chinese-archaeologists-unearth-liquor-brewing-pots-from-8000-years-ago-4572908.html
https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-one-of-the-world-s-oldest-alcohol-8000-year-old-evidence-found-in-china-2924736
More on the find of Emperor Wen of Han's tomb:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62941
Neolithic petroglyphs from a site in Madurai:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/rock-paintings-petroglyphs-discovered-in-madurai-cave/articleshow/88482262.cms
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/dec/24/3000-year-old-rock-cave-art-found-in-madurai-2399213.html
A 4th/5th century CE 'hero stone' from Villapuram:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/hero-stone-unearthed-in-villupuram-district/article38007982.ece
5th century CE sculptures from Chengalpattu:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/centuries-old-sculptures-found-in-chengalpattu/article37993163.ece
A 13th century temple find from Guntur in Andra Pradesh:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/andhra-pradesh-13th-century-temple-found-in-guntur-district/articleshow/88392536.cms
Several sites found in a survey of Pakistan's Mohmand district:
https://dailytimes.com.pk/858468/pre-historic-archaeological-sites-discovered-in-mohmand/
More on the charred food remains from the 800 years BCE site of Kadebakele:
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/938345
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10245-211221-india-charred-lumps
More on that 2300 years bp apsidal Buddhist temple from Swat:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1664783
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/2300-year-old-buddhist-temple-unearthed-in-pakistan/news
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/22-Dec-2021/oldest-buddhist-temple-discovered-in-pakistan
https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/2300yearold-buddhist-temple-treasure-found-in-pakistan-what-you-should-know-1639995575-1
https://english.newstracklive.com/news/2300yearold-temple-found-during-excavation-in-pakistan-several-rare-artifacts-also-recovered-ta303-1199439-1.html?s=aprp
============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
============================================================
Expansion of the Boral sand mine was approved despite the find of Indigenous artifacts:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-24/government-rejects-indigenous-calls-to-stop-dunmore-sand-mine/100724678
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
Possible First Nations burial found during sewer construction in Surrey (BC):
https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/must-reads/25-human-bone-fragments-found-in-surrey-sewer-dig-4884103
Sewer construction also has revealed unspecified archaeological artifacts in Ephrata (Washington):
https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2021/dec/23/pause-ephrata-halts-work-sewer-improvements-after-/
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/business/on-pause-ephrata-halts-work-on-sewer-improvements-after-archaeological-find/article_c1036470-3113-5883-b305-036521da501c.html
Another 'forgotten'/unmarked African American cemetery from a building site in Clearwater, Florida:
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065178753/florida-fourth-black-cemetery-discovered
https://www.gpb.org/news/2021/12/20/thank-god-you-found-me-florida-officials-unearth-fourth-forgotten-black-cemetery-0
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/special-reports/erased/archaeologists-graves-clearwater-business/67-90f1609f-b5e7-4b08-8cf5-cbcdcaaff5f9
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10246-211221-florida-clearwater-cemetery
The wreck of the Clotilda is better preserved than folks thought:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-slave-ship-intact-coast.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/25/us/clotilda-slaveship-africa-alabama.html
https://apnews.com/article/science-alabama-atlantic-ocean-mobile-e385a066591f675fc0129cdb16a59836
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wreck-last-us-slave-ship-mostly-intact-alabama-coast-researchers-find-rcna9739
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/americas-last-slave-ship-is-more-intact-than-anyone-thought
Concerns for Inuvialuit sites dealing with coastal erosion:
https://www.nnsl.com/news/race-is-on-to-preserve-inuvialuit-archaeology/
Feature on the 'Sun Temple' at Mesa Verde:
https://coloradosun.com/2021/12/19/sun-temple-mesa-verde-observatory-solstice/
https://www.ksut.org/news/2021-12-20/is-southwest-colorado-home-to-an-ancient-astronomical-observatory-the-question-is-testing-archaeological-limits
Feature on Michele Troutman's work with Early Archaic stone tools:
https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/3438/when-rocks-were-tools-research-offers-insights-into-the-deep-past
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
A pre-Columbian stone sphere from Palmar Sur de Osa:
https://thecostaricanews.com/tico-archaeologists-find-a-new-pre-columbian-sphere-in-palmar-sur-de-osa/
LiDAR detected some unknown structures in Machu Picchu National Park:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/archaeologists-reveal-unknown-structures-in-the-machu-picchu-national-park/142317
Feature on the Chachabamba complex at Machu Picchu:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archaeologists-uncover-ceremonial-water-structures-machu-picchu-2053699
Feature on Chavin de Huantar:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/unraveling-the-mysterious-traditions-within-chavin-de-huantar
Interesting theory on the purpose of the Nazca lines:
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/12/23/could-this-southern-california-man-have-solved-the-mystery-of-the-nazca-lines/
-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:
http://goo.gl/1VdeA
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas lecture channels on Youtube:
https://mikeruggerisyoutube.tumblr.com/
Ancient MesoAmerica News:
http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/
============================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
============================================================
Four of the important 'advancements' of archaeology in 2021:
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/24/1063057224/archeology-science-discovery-2021-dna-mammoth
Other lists of top finds from 2021 (focus varies; most are 'top ten'):
https://www.livescience.com/biggest-archaeological-discoveries-of-2021
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/december/biblical-archaeology-top-10-discoveries-new-artifacts-2021.html
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-21/CMG-releases-list-of-top-10-intl-archaeological-discoveries-of-2021-16asSCZhP0I/index.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/TIMELINE-jerusalem-discovery-unleashes-biblical-bedlam-top-archaeology-stories-of-2021-1.10494373
https://vervetimes.com/top-10-most-fascinating-archaeological-discoveries-of-2021/
https://www.wpr.org/look-worlds-most-important-archaeological-discoveries
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/a-hidden-roman-mosaic-ice-age-mammoths-and-more-ancient-discoveries-made-in-2021/ss-AAS7tV1?li=BBnbklE
https://gizmodo.com/the-11-coolest-archaeological-finds-of-2021-1848192560
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/24/1063057224/archeology-science-discovery-2021-dna-mammoth
Xray analysis confirms a forged date on a Lincoln pardon of a Civil War soldier:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/12/x-ray-analysis-confirms-forged-date-on-lincoln-pardon-of-civil-war-soldier/
They managed to do the reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware this year:
https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-511942bcfc62454fe68b65f18e7bdcda
A study of the importance of limpets in various contexts:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/20/no-longer-just-famine-food-and-the-fish-of-death/
A study of Mediterranean migration via shipwreck evidence:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-ephemeral-evidence-mediterranean-mobility.html
Feature on volunteering on a dig:
https://theconversation.com/volunteer-on-a-dig-for-the-thrill-of-digging-up-the-past-youll-also-learn-to-hate-buckets-171214
On the erotic origins of cannoli:
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210113-the-erotic-origins-of-italys-most-famous-sweet
On the history of doughnuts:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211214-doughnuts-the-fried-treat-that-conquered-the-modern-world
Marking the anniversary of Passchendaele:
https://www.48thhighlanders.ca/104th-anniversary-passchendaele/
Review of Joe Moshenska's biography of Milton:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/01/john-milton-making-darkness-light/620847/
Feature on Sanora Babb's *Whose Names are Unknown*:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/forgotten-dust-bowl-novel-rivaled-grapes-wrath-180959196/
Feature on the 'grandmother hypothesis':
https://english.elpais.com/usa/2021-12-21/the-grandmother-hypothesis-how-humankind-owes-its-success-to-matriarchs.html
On the death of China's purported oldest woman:
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3160416/chinas-oldest-living-person-uygur-woman
A major fundraiser to preserve a 'lost' Bronte library:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/24/arts/honresfield-library-bronte.html
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
They opened that 'time capsule' associated with the Robert E Lee statue in Richmond:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/19/us/time-capsule-richmond-lee-statue.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/22/us/virginia-lee-time-capsule-open-trnd/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/1067064001/experts-find-books-a-coin-and-an-envelope-in-robert-e-lee-statues-base
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/contents-time-capsule-removed-robert-e-lee-statue-pedestal-revealed-rcna9738
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/time-capsule-found-beneath-richmond-robert-lee-monument-confound-historians-180979295/
... and it might not be the one they were looking for, apparently:
https://richmond.com/news/local/the-box-found-inside-the-robert-e-lee-pedestal-is-a-time-capsule-but-its/article_7e1e3f75-a780-5511-9177-2e583ff7d602.html
Meanwhile, descendents of John C. Calhoun are suing after Charleston removed his statue:
https://abcnews4.com/news/local/descendants-of-john-c-calhoun-sue-city-of-charleston-over-removal-of-monument-wciv
Feature on the Winter Solstice:
https://www.wired.com/story/winter-solstice/
... and coverage of solstice-related events:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/d19b0-opw-announces-live-streaming-of-winter-solstice-at-newgrange/
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-12-21/stonehenge-se-reencuentra-con-el-solsticio-de-invierno-sus-druidas-y-sus-misterios-paganos.html
Feature on the 'sordid origins' of Christmas:
https://theconversation.com/the-sordid-underbelly-of-christmas-past-172873
https://www.rawstory.com/the-sordid-underbelly-of-christmas-past/
https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2021/12/22/christmas-origin-history-pagan-holiday-saturnalia-meaning/6499348001/
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-12-23/las-saturnales-las-navidades-como-se-celebraban-antes-de-cristo.html
... and one on Greek and Roman origins:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/24/the-greek-and-roman-origins-of-christmas-traditions/
Feature on Christmas cake origins:
https://www.dw.com/en/traditional-christmas-cake-dresdens-stollen/av-60086425
Feature on the WWI Christmas truce:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnists/2021/12/25/christmas-truce-world-war-i/8908782002/?gnt-cfr=1
Backgrounder on mistletoe:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/12/20/why-do-we-kiss-under-mistletoe/8632116002/
On the history of glass decorations for Christmas trees:
https://theconversation.com/the-chemistry-of-christmas-baubles-and-the-great-scientist-who-made-them-possible-173944
Feature on assorted Santa-related items in the Beinecke archives:
https://news.yale.edu/2021/12/20/santas-mirth-and-merriment-resound-beinecke-archives
Feature on Victorian Christmas cards:
https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/12/victorian-christmas-cards-history-goodall-company.html
Feature on Mary:
https://theconversation.com/5-things-to-know-about-mary-the-mother-of-jesus-172483
A philosophical defense of Christmas merriment:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/12/christmas-merriment-hedonism-philosophy/621010/
First 'New Year's history' item:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-new-year-once-started-in-march-heres-why
Not really sure where this item on modern reactions to the Dreyfus Affair should be put:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/dreyfus-affair-france-far-right-zemmour-macron-antisemitism-rcna8869
Another item on Catherine the Great and smallpox vaccinations:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/12/that-time-catherine-the-great-championed-smallpox-vaccinations/
Latest on the cuts to archaeology at USheffield:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59747456
Advocating for diversity in archaeology:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-underwater-archaeologist-advocates-diversity-field.html
============================================================
LANGUAGE RELATED
============================================================
An artist's efforts to save endangered alphabets:
https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/writer-tim-brookes-creates-works-of-art-to-save-the-worlds-endangered-alphabets/Content?oid=34464528
More linguistic items relating to omicron:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/14/greek-alphabet-covid-variant/
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/comma-queen/a-linguistic-look-at-omicron
More on the agriculture-connected spread of languages in Asia some 10 000 years bp:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/new-evidence-for-how-languages-spread-10-000-years-ago
============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Rubens: Picturing Antiquity:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/rubens-and-the-inspiration-of-ancient-greece-and-rome/
Gold to Gold:
https://www.croatiaweek.com/photos-artefacts-from-6th-century-bc-found-in-a-burial-mound-in-northern-croatia/
Ancient Greeks:
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7556283/jury-duty-to-drinking-games-what-you-didnt-know-about-ancient-greece/
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7560962/fearsome-mythology-and-a-touch-of-marble/?cs=14231
Robert Caro:
https://slate.com/podcasts/working/2021/12/robert-caro-museum-exhibition-curating?
The Horse in Ancient Athens:
https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/12/23/ippos-to-alogo-stin-archaia-athina-amerikaniki-scholi-klasikon-spoydon-stin-athina/
Feature on the restoration of the Mosul Museum:
https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20211220-mosul-museum-restores-artefacts-destroyed-by-islamic-state-jihadists-in-iraq
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/iraqi-museum-restores-treasures-destroyed-by-jihadists-170195
The Nelson-Atkins Museum has acquired a very early daguerreotype portrait:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/12/20/nelson-atkins-museum-acquires-early-daguerreotype-portrait
Latest transfers to the Grand Egyptian Museum:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/111056/Grand-Egyptian-Museum-receives-269-huge-artifacts-from-Egyptian-Museum
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/446723/Antiquities/Ancient-Egypt/Grand-Egyptian-Museum-receives-collection-of-ancie.aspx
British Museum remains stubborn regarding removing items from display:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/art/what-to-see/no-intention-removing-anything-display/
Hyping the new archaeological museum for Cyprus:
https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/12/22/new-cyprus-museum-will-be-islands-biggest-cultural-project-with-video/
The National Gallery is confronting slavery-related items in its collection:
https://elpais.com/eps/2021-12-24/la-national-gallery-enfrenta-el-esclavismo-en-su-coleccion.html
============================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
============================================================
Ongoing media fascination with that estate sale Durer:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/24/arts/albrecht-durer-drawing-discovered.html
https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-travel-london-museums-massachusetts-0e051e8e59e8a250a63e1819c42970e6
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/18/1065433105/opinion-albrecht-durers-lesson-for-all-of-us-today
A Rodin is coming to auction:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/24/arts/design/rodin-grave-memorial-auction.html
A (purported) Caravaggio rescued from an auction earlier this year was given protected status by Spain:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/22/suspected-caravaggio-work-given-protected-status-in-spain
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-12-22/la-comunidad-de-madrid-otorga-la-maxima-proteccion-al-eccehomo-y-refuerza-la-teoria-de-que-es-de-caravaggio.html
============================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
============================================================
DNA suggests there was a large-scale migration to Britain from France some 3000 years bp:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2021/12/ancient-dna-study-reveals-large-scale-migrations-into-bronze-age-britain
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-harvard-geneticists-ancient-britain-insights.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222153107.htm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59741723
https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2021/research/ancient-dna-study-migration-bronze-age/
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211223-france-possible-source-of-half-of-britain-s-ancient-genes-study
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-genetic-study-detects-unknown-vast-migration-to-britain-3-000-years-ago-1.10470103
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/22/science/archaeology-britain-migration-dna-reich.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2302954-bronze-age-migration-may-have-brought-celtic-languages-to-britain/
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04287-4
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03770-2
Interesting study of the DNA-revealed kin relationships of people buried in the 5700 years bp Hazleton North long cairn:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-ancient-dna-reveals-world-oldest.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222153113.htm
https://www.livescience.com/neolithic-tomb-family-relationships
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-archaeologists-oldest-family-tree-b1980852.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/22/worlds-oldest-family-tree-costwolds-tomb-hazleton-north-long-cairn-dna
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59774315
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/22/uk/worlds-oldest-family-tree-scli-scn-intl-gbr/index.html
https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-12-22/descubierta-la-familia-mas-antigua-conocida-un-hombre-y-cuatro-mujeres-de-hace-5700-anos-con-su-descendencia.html
https://scitechdaily.com/ancient-dna-from-neolithic-tombs-in-britain-reveals-the-worlds-oldest-family-tree/
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/48681/20211224/6000-year-old-tomb-england-world-s-oldest-known-family-tree.htm
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/ancient-dna-reveals-the-worlds-oldest-family-tree/142340
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04241-4
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03799-3
============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
Feature on how art restorers find 'hidden' details:
https://www.dw.com/en/how-art-restorers-uncover-hidden-details-in-artworks/a-60242165
I think we mentioned this 'algorithm-based' restoration of a Jewish text:
https://www.haaretz.com/science-and-health/.premium-with-an-algorithm-researchers-piece-together-a-jewish-text-lost-centuries-ago-1.10483030
More on technology being use in Hong Kong conservation efforts:
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3160305/drones-other-new-technology-join-front-line-hong-kong
============================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
============================================================
European churches:
https://www.dw.com/en/europes-most-beautiful-churches/g-60151402
Nineveh:
http://www.aina.org/ata/20211224153412.htm
============================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
============================================================
Recreating the Church of the Nativity's medieval music:
https://www.jpost.com/christian-news/article-689353
Macbeth:
https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-movies-oscar-isaac-joel-coen-926464971330ffcf8c73c188e7ae7e26
https://theweek.com/culture/1005400/macbeth-is-a-christmas-movie
Feature on Gilbert and Sullivan:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-689503
Celebrating Rumi and Sufism in Turkey:
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/25/1068016227/whirling-dervishes-rumi
What Egypt thinks of Aida:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/23/travesty-or-tragedy-what-egypt-thinks-of-verdi-aida-opera
============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
A bust of 'treasure hunters' in Sri Lanka:
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_21B/Dec20_1639980900CH.php
A group was caught plundering a cave site in Judea:
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/26/antiquities-thieves-busted-plundering-ancient-cave-in-southern-judea/
A father/daughter team was busted in possession of 500+ ancient coins in Serres:
https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/12/22/serres-pateras-kai-kori-eichan-stin-katochi-toys-perissotera-apo-500-nomismata-megalis-archaiologikis-axias/
Spain has recovered a pile of looted art:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-12-21/stonehenge-se-reencuentra-con-el-solsticio-de-invierno-sus-druidas-y-sus-misterios-paganos.html
More on the 500 years bp shrunken heads found during a bust in Turkey:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/500-year-old-shrunken-jivaroan-heads-under-examination-in-izmir/news
More on Steinhardt-related items to be returned to Greece:
https://news.gtp.gr/2021/12/20/stolen-antiquities-return-to-greece-from-the-united-states/
... and Almagia items:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/23/greek-roman-artifacts-repatriated-italy/
... and some answers to some questions about the agreement with Steinhardt:
https://culturalheritagelawyer.blogspot.com/2021/12/Manhattan-District-Attorney-Prosecution-Agreement-Antiquities-Collector-Michael-Steinhardt.html
OpEd on the criminal art trade:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/its-time-to-crack-down-on-the-illegal-art-trade/
----------
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
============================================================
Libya and Brazil are coordinating to return smuggled antiquities:
https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/libya-coordinates-brazil-restore-smuggled-antiquities
Iraq and Germany seem to be having similar discussions:
https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraqi-and-german-authorities-meet-in-berlin-to-discuss-retrieving-smuggled-artifacts/
15 items stolen from Pennsylvania museums in the 60s and 70s were returned:
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/FBI-Artifacts-stolen-from-museums-in-1960s-16713990.php
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62969
Spain returned a number of items to Egypt:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-retrieves-36-artifacts-smuggled-to-madrid/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/111063/In-pics-Egypt-s-Public-Prosecution-restores-36-antiquities-smuggled
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/446723/Antiquities/Ancient-Egypt/Grand-Egyptian-Museum-receives-collection-of-ancie.aspx
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/spain-returns-smuggled-figurines-funeral-jars-egypt-2021-12-20/
http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2021-12/21/content_77942893.htm
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10242-211221-spain-egypt-repatriation
Russia returned some Nazi-looted archives to the Jewish community in Greece:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/greek-jewish-archives-stolen-by-nazis-returned-after-nearly-80-years/
============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Feature on the coinage of Larissa:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/ngc-ancients-coinage-of-larissa/
Feature on the influence of historic and ancient coin designs:
https://coinweek.com/education/numismatic-history/the-influence-of-historic-and-ancient-coin-designs/
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v24/club_nbs_esylum_v24n51.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Vassos Karageorgis:
https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/12/22/renowned-archaeologist-vassos-karageorghis-dies/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/prominent-cypriot-archaeologist-vassos-karagiorgis-dies-at-92/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/24/vassos-karagiorgis/
Thomas Kinsella:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/23/books/thomas-kinsella-dead.html
Edward D. Shames:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/24/us/edward-d-shames-dead.html
============================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
============================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3126-audio-news-from-archaeologica-december-12th-through-december-18th-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/
============================================================
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!
============================================================
Useful Addresses
============================================================
You can read Explorator online at:
https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/
Past issues of Explorator are also available on the web via our
groups.io page:
https://groups.io/g/explorator
To subscribe to Explorator, send a blank email message to:
explorator+***@groups.io
To unsubscribe, send a blank email message to:
Unsubscribe: explorator+***@groups.io
To send a 'heads up' to the editor or contact him for other
reasons:
***@gmail.com
===========================================================
Explorator is Copyright (c) 2021 David Meadows. Feel free to
distribute these listings via email to your pals, students,
teachers, etc., but please include this copyright notice. These
links are not to be posted to any website by any means (whether
by direct posting or snagging from a usenet group or some other
email source) without my express written permission. I think it
is only right that I be made aware of public fora which are
making use of content gathered in Explorator. Thanks!
===========================================================
explorator 24.36 December 26, 2021
===========================================================
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).
============================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
============================================================
Study suggests 1.5 million years of early humans hunting animals to extinction in Israel:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-early-humans-largest-animals-extinction.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211221102708.htm
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-689385
https://www.timesofisrael.com/early-humans-repeatedly-killed-out-the-biggest-beasts-around-israeli-study-finds/
cf: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277379121005230
Questioning the 'superiority' of homo sapiens:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/debunking-the-myth-of-homo-sapiens-superiority
Latest feature on the path(s) taken by homo sapiens out of Africa:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-africa-path-homo-sapiens.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/938884
More on Neanderthals modifying the environment in Germany some 125 000 years bp:
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/neanderthal-landscapes-10386.html
https://scitechdaily.com/neanderthals-changed-ecosystems-125000-years-ago-were-not-primal-hippies/
More on the 215 000 years bp mammoth butchery site near Swindon:
https://www.livescience.com/ice-age-mammoth-graveyard-uk
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-59702237
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/19/five-ice-age-mammoths-unearthed-in-cotswolds-after-220000-years
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10326245/Archaeologists-unearth-skeletons-five-prehistoric-elephants-finding-Neanderthal-axe.html
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/48645/20211222/mammoth-graveyard-mammoth-remains-200-000-years-ago.htm
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/neanderthal-tools-mammoth-graveyard/
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/19795029.swindon-couple-unearth-five-220-000-year-old-ice-age-mammoths-site-near-town/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10241-211221-england-mammoth-tools
============================================================
AFRICA
============================================================
Using 50 000 years bp eggshell beads to track trade and social networks in Africa:
https://www.shh.mpg.de/2080930/beads-social-network-africa?c=1935799
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-ostrich-eggshell-beads-reveal-year-old.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/23/africa/africa-beads-stone-age-social-network-scn/index.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/ostrich-eggshell-beads-reveal-50000-year-old-social-network-across-africa/142314
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03681-2
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/21/ostrich-eggshell-beads-reveal-50000-year-old-social-network-across-africa/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10243-211221-ostrich-eggshell-beads
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04227-2
More on the Ethiopian government recovering the site of Lalibela from rebel hands:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59726191
============================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
============================================================
The search for Nefertiti's tomb has resumed:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/12/egypt-resumes-hunt-nefertitis-tomb-amid-historical-debate
More on 'golden tongued' mummies:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/golden-tongued-mummies-might-have-talked-with-ancient-gods
More on the 'garbage dump' in the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egyptian-garbage-dump-discovered-in-temple
More on the 13 000 ostraca from various periods found near Sohag:
https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/446523.aspx
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10238-211220-egypt-sohag-ostraca
Feature on major archaeological 'events' of 2021 in Egypt:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/111224/What-are-the-major-archeological-events-in-2021-Part-Two
French archaeologists have returned to Egypt:
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20211209-french-archaeological-missions-make-post-pandemic-return-to-egypt
An Elamite-era tablet from the Burnt City:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468385/Elamite-clay-tablet-unearthed-in-mysterious-Burnt-City
Efforts to preserve the archaeological site at a hill in Ramezan are under way:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468377/Archaeologists-to-safeguard-ancient-mount-in-western-Iran
Feature on efforts to conserve archaeological remains revealed during pre-dam rescue operations iin western Iran:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468314/Archaeologists-tell-of-efforts-to-conserve-ancient-culture-near
Feature on Austen Henry Layard:
https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/12/rethinking-austen-henry-layard
A cave and 5000 years bp petroglyphs from Turkey's Aydin province:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cave-rock-paintings-found-in-aydin-170173
Remains of 4500 years bp rope from Turkey's Seyitomer Mound:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/4500-year-old-rope-remains-found-in-turkeys-seyitomer-mound/news
Ongoing excavations at Dara have revealed a hitherto unknown mound:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-mound-found-in-ancient-dara-170200
Feature on mummies from Anatolia (not really ancient, it seems):
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/mummies-in-anatolia-expect-the-unexpected-52987
A 14th century inscription from Giresun Island:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/14th-century-inscription-found-on-turkeys-giresun-island/news
Again I'm not sure where to put this item on Turkish forces shelling archaeological sites:
https://hawarnews.com/en/haber/turkish-forces-shell-sherawas-archaeological-sites-h28187.html
Feature/documentary hype on a film about Gobeklitepe:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/gobeklitepe-should-be-passed-on-to-future-generations-170303
7000 years bp evidence of social beer drinking from Tel Tsaf:
https://www.independent.co.uk/world/first-beer-drank-israel-7000-years-ago-b1980176.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/prehistoric-israelis-enjoyed-their-booze-some-7000-years-ago-689184
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-study-finds-first-evidence-of-social-beer-consumption-in-7000-year-old-town/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/22/copper-age-residents-of-jordan-valley-were-social-drinkers-research-reveals/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/haifa-u-archaeologists/2021/12/21/
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-12/22/content_77945584.htm
Evidence suggests Pontius Pilate built a Jerusalem aqueduct:
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-notorious-pontius-pilate-is-the-one-who-built-jerusalem-aqueduct-study-finds-1.10478621
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/jerusalem/hebrew-u-study-credits-pontius-pilate-with-building-the-sophisticated-biar-aqueduct-in-jerusalem/2021/12/19/
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/pontius-pilate-and-the-jerusalem-aqueduct/
Lawrence Schiffman on the Damascus Document:
http://lawrenceschiffman.com/s-d-fraades-the-damascus-document-the-oxford-commentary-on-the-dead-sea-scrolls/
A medieval (?) fortress site from Azerbaijan:
https://www.azernews.az/culture/187218.html
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:
https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/
============================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
============================================================
Study suggests that Myceneans may have been the earliest to make use of coal:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-archaeologists-identify-oldest-use-of-fossil-fuels-in-europe-1.10480844
Eight 4th century burials from Turkey's Ordu province:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/4th-century-tombs-unearthed-near-turkeys-black-sea-coast/2456773
A pair of shipwrecks off the coast of Caesarea; most coverage is on a 'Good Shepherd' ring from the Roman-era one (the other is later):
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-israeli-archaeologists-treasures-ancient-shipwrecks.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/22/israeli-archaeologists-find-treasure-trove-among-mediterranean-shipwrecks
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-ship-wreck-good-shepherd-ring-b1981236.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ancient-ring-jesus-found-shipwrecks-coast-of-israel-chq557cgm
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-689444
https://www.timesofisrael.com/underwater-treasure-1700-year-old-coins-among-shipwrecked-items-found-off-caesarea/
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/gold-rings-coins-and-early-christian-art-found-in-shipwrecks-off-israel-s-coast-1.10485635
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/rkde88xik
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/319062
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/spectacular-ancient-treasure-discovered-in-shipwrecks-off-the-coast-of-caesarea/2021/12/22/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/22/hundreds-of-coins-gold-rings-found-in-sunken-ships-off-israeli-coast/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10336363/Stunning-Good-Shepard-ring-depicts-young-Jesus-holding-Roman-era-shipwrecks.html
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/centuries-old-good-shepherd-ring-recovered-shipwrecks-off-israel-2021-12-22/
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211222-good-shepherd-gold-ring-found-in-roman-era-wreck-off-israel
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/23/good-shepherd-ring-israel/
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/treasures-found-in-ancient-shipwrecks-170284
https://www.dw.com/en/israeli-archeologists-find-christian-good-shepherd-ring-in-roman-shipwreck/a-60233874
https://apnews.com/article/science-business-lifestyle-middle-east-israel-36fe1e17dbcb53c8518bb7542331767f
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/23/israel-antiquities-shipwreck-caesarea/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gold-ring-jesus-treasure-trove-ancient-shipwreck-israel/
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/caesarea-shipwrecks-10397.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/israeli-divers-trove-antiquities-shipwrecks-2054381
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/underwater-archaeologists-recover-treasures-from-ancient-shipwrecks/142332
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/early-christian-ring-found-in-third-century-shipwreck-near-Israel-180979282/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10247-211222-israel-shipwrecks-coins
A 1900 years bp sarcophagus lid was found in a garbage dump in Ashkelon:
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/1900-year-old-sarcophagus-lid-rescued-from-ashkelon-garbage-dump/2021/12/21/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/21/antiquities-inspectors-find-1900-year-old-sarcophagus-lid-in-dump/
https://www.jns.org/1900-year-old-sarcophagus-lid-rescued-from-ashkelon-garbage-dump/
I think we mentioned this find of a Caligula-era Roman camp from Velsen a while ago:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/26/roman-fort-built-by-caligula-discovered-velsen-near-amsterdam
A Roman military diploma from a dig in Bratislava:
https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22807426/ancient-diploma-found-by-archaeologists-in-bratislava.html
We may have mentioned this altar site associated with Demeter from Blaundus:
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/archaeology/archeologists-unearth-altar-site-for-greek-goddess-in-western-turkey-3586443
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/altar-site-for-greek-goddess-demeter-found-in-turkeys-blaundus/news
https://greekherald.com.au/news/altar-site-greek-goddess-demeter-unearthed-western-turkey/
A Hellenic-era unfinished statue find from Veria:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/23/hellenic-era-statue-found-in-veria-greece/
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/hellenic-statue-veria-greece/
Remains Roman-era (wide date range) structures from Corsica:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62985
More on the find of a possible sanctuary of Melqart/Temple of Hercules near Cadiz:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10329795/Long-lost-Temple-Hercules-Gaditanus-9th-century-BC-coast-Spain.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lost-temple-of-hercules-discovered-off-coast-of-spain-mvr62s2jx
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/22/temple-of-hercules-gaditanus-where-the-god-was-worshipped-by-the-ancient-greeks-and-romans-in-the-9th-century-bc-may-have-been-discovered-off-the-coast-of-spain/
More on the torso of Hercules found at Aizanoi:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/20/statue-heracles-ancient-greek-aizanoi/
More on the pair of Roman statues from Blaundus:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/2000-year-old-statues-hellenic-blaundos/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/12/archaeologists-unearth-2000-year-old.html
More on the sources for Roman silver on the Iberian peninsula:
https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/News/pr/2021/21-74.aspx
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211217123811.htm
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10244-211221-roman-silver-coins
More on reuse of Roman building material in a Serbian village:
https://menafn.com/1103398322/UK-Held-up-by-history-Roman-ruins-provide-building-blocks-forSerbian-village&source=25
More on the 'protection' of a recently-revealed mosaic in Izmir:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/experts-protect-roman-era-mosaic-love-story-in-turkeys-izmir/news
... and another feature on how it was found as a result of illegal excavations:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/illegal-excavations-unearth-roman-villa-170252
More on that recent find of a victim of Vesuvius at Herculaneum:
https://www.livescience.com/man-vaporized-by-vesuvius
More on evidence of crucifixion from Roman Britain:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/rare-evidence-for-roman-crucifixion-found-in-second-century-britain/?mqsc=E4140182&dk=ZE14D0ZF0
Plans to restore the 'Macedonian Tower' (I think that's what it's called; it's actually Roman) in Turkey's Erdine province:
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/roman-era-tower-in-northwestern-turkey-set-for-restoration-3586648
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/edirnes-roman-era-tower-to-serve-as-cultural-space/news
Fendi revealed their restoration of Rome's Temple of Venus and Rome:
https://wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/fendi-unveils-restoration-of-romes-temple-of-venus-and-rome-1235021689/
The 'Pompeii Chariot' as one of the 'greatest' archaeological finds of 2021:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/20/pompeii-chariot-2021s-greatest-archaeological-finds/
A top ten list of ancient Greek finds for 2021:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/20/ancient-greek-archaeological-discoveries-2021/
Feature on the Huntingdon Hoard:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-59665406
Feature on the House of Menander in Pompeii:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/21/house-menander-pompeii-ancient-greek-themes/
Feature on the early life of Cleopatra:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/the-early-life-of-cleopatra/142343
... and a feature on the fall of Mark Antony and Cleopatra:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/the-fall-of-mark-anthony-and-cleopatra/142323
Feature on snakes and healing in ancient Greece:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/23/snakes-ancient-greece/
Feature on the shield of Achilles:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/23/the-legendary-shield-of-achilles/
Feature on Athens' Tower of the Winds:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/24/tower-winds-oldest-meteorological-station/
Another feature on the Antikythera Mechanism:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/24/ancient-greece-antikythera-mechanism/
A 3d flythrough tour of Classical Athens:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1174291/watch-a-3d-flythrough-tour-of-classical-athens/
Latest Pasts Imperfect newsletter:
https://pastsimperfect.substack.com/p/pasts-imperfect-122321
A former UK culture minister thinks the Parthenon Sculptures should be returned:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/12/22/parthenon-marbles-should-be-returned-to-greece-former-uk-culture-minister-says
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/uk-culture-minister-parthenon-marbles-returned/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/parthenon-marbles-restitution-2053596
Nice backgrounder on the Parthenon Sculptures debate:
https://www.dw.com/en/parthenon-marbles-a-200-year-old-restitution-dispute/a-60146803
OpEd from the New York Times on the situation in the times of museum repatriation efforts:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/arts/design/parthenon-marbles-restitution.html
... and similar from the Independent:
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/artefacts-british-museum-elgin-parthenon-marbles-b1980643.html
... and some reactions:
https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/12/21/new-york-times-gia-glypta-parthenona-i-vretania-ypostirizei-oti-i-tychi-toys-den-tin-afora/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/new-york-times-article-addresses-parthenon-marbles/
... and more on the younger Boris Johnson advocating for their return:
https://neoskosmos.com/en/2021/12/22/news/young-boris-johnson-was-passionately-advocating-for-the-return-of-the-parthenon-marbles/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
============================================================
Remains of an Iron Age settlement found during roundabout construction near Upton upon Severn:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-59755844
https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/news/article/2727/iron_age_settlement_unearthed_on_site_of_upton_a38_roundabout_works
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/stunning-drone-footage-archaeologists-unearthing-22545747
A 1400-1700 years bp 'neck ring' from Jutland:
https://cphpost.dk/?p=130253
Carbon dating suggests Viking-era trade began in 775 CE:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-dates-viking-age.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222153037.htm
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04240-5
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03769-9
A pair of 1000 years bp brooches from the Isle of Man are being used to suggest there were Viking women there too:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/isle-of-man-settled-by-female-vikings-along-with-the-men-2052230
12th/13th century finds (including a birch bark letter) from Novgorod:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/archaeologists-unearth-birch-bark-letter-in-novgorod/142348
Vague item on possible medieval waste from a housing development site in Lindal:
https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/19793700.archaeologists-reveal-findings-35-house-development-site-lindal/
A 14th/15th century 'item of archaeological interest' from Alicante:
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/24/artifact-of-high-archaeological-interest-uncovered-in-alicante/
Remains of a medieval castle tower at Auckland Castle:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tees-59740527
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/durham-university-archaeology-auckland-castle-22522738
A King David the Builder coin find from Georgia:
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/4044
A metal detectorist found a huge hoard of 220 years bp forged coins in Staffordshire:
https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/local-news/britains-biggest-ever-hoard-forged-6404269
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/12/22/novice-metal-detectorist-unearths-britains-largest-haul-forged/
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/825/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/825/pub/825/page/39/article/253434
The Island of Jersey has purchased the Le CatillonII hoard (70 000 Celtic coins found back in 2012) from the Queen:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jersey-coin-hoard-found-by-metal-detectors-is-sold-for-4m-hbsg8c2v6
More on the 10 000 years bp female child burial dubbed 'Neve':
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2021/12/earliest-modern-female-human-infant-burial-found-in-europe
More on the large Viking/Norse longhouse found at the Gjellestad site in Norway:
https://www.livescience.com/norse-longhouse-discovered-viking-ship-burial
More on folks reaching the Faroe Islands earlier than previously thought:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211216145936.htm
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-sheep-poop-tells-the-tale-of-the-faroe-islands-first-inhabitants-180979265/
More on the possible reality of the Viking 'Blood Eagle' ritual:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-disturbing-viking-ritual.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/brutal-viking-torture-method-anatomically-possible-concludes-new-research
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/23/disturbing-viking-ritual-could-have-really-happened-say-researchers/
More on the restoration of that reused Roman rock crystal jar from the Galloway Hoard:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/17/extraordinary-restoration-of-roman-rock-crystal-jar-from-galloway-hoard
https://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/galloway-hoard-yields-exciting-discovery-3501093
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/treasure-discovery-roman-gold-crystal-archeology-scli-intl/index.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-gold-wrapped-jar-may-reveal-the-splendor-of-early-medieval-britain-180979266/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10240-211220-scotland-galloway-hoard
More on that 13th century 'falconry figurine' from Oslo:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/one-oldest-depictions-falconry-in-scandinavia-is-discovered-180979261/
Another 2021 'treasure finds' piece ... this one focuses on Cambridge and Peterborough:
https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/dozens-of-buried-treasure-troves-found-in-cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-last-year-3506250
Suggestion that rising sea levels may have contributed to the Vikings leaving Greenland:
https://www.livescience.com/agu-floods-drove-vikings-from-greenland
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10239-211220-greenland-viking-climate
Feature on the megalithic site of the Cromlech of the Almendres (Portugal):
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0bbrfm1/the-mysteries-of-portugal-s-7-000-year-old-stonehenge-
Feature on the origins of Venice on Torcello:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/torcello-venice-island/index.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
============================================================
Brief item on some recently-found Neolithic finds from various sites in China:
https://ukranews.com/en/news/819132-china-releases-five-archaeological-discoveries-dating-back-to-neolithic-age
Evidence of 5000 years bp cultural exchange from the Suyang site in Henan:
http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2021-12/21/content_77943928.htm
A Western Zhou Dynasty vessel from the outskirts of Beijing which is being associated with a similar find from the 1970s:
http://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2021-12-21/detail-ihatyfhf5832592.shtml
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-22/New-archaeological-discoveries-unravel-mystery-of-ancient-Yan-kingdom-16cQFGc1goU/index.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1243102.shtml
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62959
A Warring States period royal tomb from Jiangxi:
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20211225/e0a73822aa274631b4b068b1302ce105/c.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1243396.shtml
Tang Dynasty cliff statues and other sites found in China's Shaanxi province:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-23/Tang-dynasty-grotto-sites-and-cliff-statues-discovered--16dGpyt0Iz6/index.html
A Jin Dynasty tomb from Shaanxi with 'prayer murals':
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20211224/65e540e659724d5cb2a8c4373f170451/c.html
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2021-12/25/content_77952125.htm
57 Qing Dynasty burials from Hunan:
https://ukranews.com/en/news/819185-57-ancient-tombs-unearthed-in-central-china-s-hunan
Tombs from various time periods from Chenzhou:
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-12/20/content_77941036.htm
More on 8000 years bp evidence of alcohol use in China:
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/chinese-archaeologists-unearth-liquor-brewing-pots-from-8000-years-ago-4572908.html
https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-one-of-the-world-s-oldest-alcohol-8000-year-old-evidence-found-in-china-2924736
More on the find of Emperor Wen of Han's tomb:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62941
Neolithic petroglyphs from a site in Madurai:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/rock-paintings-petroglyphs-discovered-in-madurai-cave/articleshow/88482262.cms
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/dec/24/3000-year-old-rock-cave-art-found-in-madurai-2399213.html
A 4th/5th century CE 'hero stone' from Villapuram:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/hero-stone-unearthed-in-villupuram-district/article38007982.ece
5th century CE sculptures from Chengalpattu:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/centuries-old-sculptures-found-in-chengalpattu/article37993163.ece
A 13th century temple find from Guntur in Andra Pradesh:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/andhra-pradesh-13th-century-temple-found-in-guntur-district/articleshow/88392536.cms
Several sites found in a survey of Pakistan's Mohmand district:
https://dailytimes.com.pk/858468/pre-historic-archaeological-sites-discovered-in-mohmand/
More on the charred food remains from the 800 years BCE site of Kadebakele:
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/938345
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10245-211221-india-charred-lumps
More on that 2300 years bp apsidal Buddhist temple from Swat:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1664783
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/2300-year-old-buddhist-temple-unearthed-in-pakistan/news
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/22-Dec-2021/oldest-buddhist-temple-discovered-in-pakistan
https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/2300yearold-buddhist-temple-treasure-found-in-pakistan-what-you-should-know-1639995575-1
https://english.newstracklive.com/news/2300yearold-temple-found-during-excavation-in-pakistan-several-rare-artifacts-also-recovered-ta303-1199439-1.html?s=aprp
============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
============================================================
Expansion of the Boral sand mine was approved despite the find of Indigenous artifacts:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-24/government-rejects-indigenous-calls-to-stop-dunmore-sand-mine/100724678
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
Possible First Nations burial found during sewer construction in Surrey (BC):
https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/must-reads/25-human-bone-fragments-found-in-surrey-sewer-dig-4884103
Sewer construction also has revealed unspecified archaeological artifacts in Ephrata (Washington):
https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2021/dec/23/pause-ephrata-halts-work-sewer-improvements-after-/
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/business/on-pause-ephrata-halts-work-on-sewer-improvements-after-archaeological-find/article_c1036470-3113-5883-b305-036521da501c.html
Another 'forgotten'/unmarked African American cemetery from a building site in Clearwater, Florida:
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065178753/florida-fourth-black-cemetery-discovered
https://www.gpb.org/news/2021/12/20/thank-god-you-found-me-florida-officials-unearth-fourth-forgotten-black-cemetery-0
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/special-reports/erased/archaeologists-graves-clearwater-business/67-90f1609f-b5e7-4b08-8cf5-cbcdcaaff5f9
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10246-211221-florida-clearwater-cemetery
The wreck of the Clotilda is better preserved than folks thought:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-slave-ship-intact-coast.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/25/us/clotilda-slaveship-africa-alabama.html
https://apnews.com/article/science-alabama-atlantic-ocean-mobile-e385a066591f675fc0129cdb16a59836
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wreck-last-us-slave-ship-mostly-intact-alabama-coast-researchers-find-rcna9739
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/americas-last-slave-ship-is-more-intact-than-anyone-thought
Concerns for Inuvialuit sites dealing with coastal erosion:
https://www.nnsl.com/news/race-is-on-to-preserve-inuvialuit-archaeology/
Feature on the 'Sun Temple' at Mesa Verde:
https://coloradosun.com/2021/12/19/sun-temple-mesa-verde-observatory-solstice/
https://www.ksut.org/news/2021-12-20/is-southwest-colorado-home-to-an-ancient-astronomical-observatory-the-question-is-testing-archaeological-limits
Feature on Michele Troutman's work with Early Archaic stone tools:
https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/3438/when-rocks-were-tools-research-offers-insights-into-the-deep-past
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
A pre-Columbian stone sphere from Palmar Sur de Osa:
https://thecostaricanews.com/tico-archaeologists-find-a-new-pre-columbian-sphere-in-palmar-sur-de-osa/
LiDAR detected some unknown structures in Machu Picchu National Park:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/archaeologists-reveal-unknown-structures-in-the-machu-picchu-national-park/142317
Feature on the Chachabamba complex at Machu Picchu:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archaeologists-uncover-ceremonial-water-structures-machu-picchu-2053699
Feature on Chavin de Huantar:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/unraveling-the-mysterious-traditions-within-chavin-de-huantar
Interesting theory on the purpose of the Nazca lines:
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/12/23/could-this-southern-california-man-have-solved-the-mystery-of-the-nazca-lines/
-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:
http://goo.gl/1VdeA
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas lecture channels on Youtube:
https://mikeruggerisyoutube.tumblr.com/
Ancient MesoAmerica News:
http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/
============================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
============================================================
Four of the important 'advancements' of archaeology in 2021:
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/24/1063057224/archeology-science-discovery-2021-dna-mammoth
Other lists of top finds from 2021 (focus varies; most are 'top ten'):
https://www.livescience.com/biggest-archaeological-discoveries-of-2021
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/december/biblical-archaeology-top-10-discoveries-new-artifacts-2021.html
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-21/CMG-releases-list-of-top-10-intl-archaeological-discoveries-of-2021-16asSCZhP0I/index.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/TIMELINE-jerusalem-discovery-unleashes-biblical-bedlam-top-archaeology-stories-of-2021-1.10494373
https://vervetimes.com/top-10-most-fascinating-archaeological-discoveries-of-2021/
https://www.wpr.org/look-worlds-most-important-archaeological-discoveries
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/a-hidden-roman-mosaic-ice-age-mammoths-and-more-ancient-discoveries-made-in-2021/ss-AAS7tV1?li=BBnbklE
https://gizmodo.com/the-11-coolest-archaeological-finds-of-2021-1848192560
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/24/1063057224/archeology-science-discovery-2021-dna-mammoth
Xray analysis confirms a forged date on a Lincoln pardon of a Civil War soldier:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/12/x-ray-analysis-confirms-forged-date-on-lincoln-pardon-of-civil-war-soldier/
They managed to do the reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware this year:
https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-511942bcfc62454fe68b65f18e7bdcda
A study of the importance of limpets in various contexts:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/20/no-longer-just-famine-food-and-the-fish-of-death/
A study of Mediterranean migration via shipwreck evidence:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-ephemeral-evidence-mediterranean-mobility.html
Feature on volunteering on a dig:
https://theconversation.com/volunteer-on-a-dig-for-the-thrill-of-digging-up-the-past-youll-also-learn-to-hate-buckets-171214
On the erotic origins of cannoli:
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210113-the-erotic-origins-of-italys-most-famous-sweet
On the history of doughnuts:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211214-doughnuts-the-fried-treat-that-conquered-the-modern-world
Marking the anniversary of Passchendaele:
https://www.48thhighlanders.ca/104th-anniversary-passchendaele/
Review of Joe Moshenska's biography of Milton:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/01/john-milton-making-darkness-light/620847/
Feature on Sanora Babb's *Whose Names are Unknown*:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/forgotten-dust-bowl-novel-rivaled-grapes-wrath-180959196/
Feature on the 'grandmother hypothesis':
https://english.elpais.com/usa/2021-12-21/the-grandmother-hypothesis-how-humankind-owes-its-success-to-matriarchs.html
On the death of China's purported oldest woman:
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3160416/chinas-oldest-living-person-uygur-woman
A major fundraiser to preserve a 'lost' Bronte library:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/24/arts/honresfield-library-bronte.html
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
They opened that 'time capsule' associated with the Robert E Lee statue in Richmond:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/19/us/time-capsule-richmond-lee-statue.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/22/us/virginia-lee-time-capsule-open-trnd/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/1067064001/experts-find-books-a-coin-and-an-envelope-in-robert-e-lee-statues-base
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/contents-time-capsule-removed-robert-e-lee-statue-pedestal-revealed-rcna9738
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/time-capsule-found-beneath-richmond-robert-lee-monument-confound-historians-180979295/
... and it might not be the one they were looking for, apparently:
https://richmond.com/news/local/the-box-found-inside-the-robert-e-lee-pedestal-is-a-time-capsule-but-its/article_7e1e3f75-a780-5511-9177-2e583ff7d602.html
Meanwhile, descendents of John C. Calhoun are suing after Charleston removed his statue:
https://abcnews4.com/news/local/descendants-of-john-c-calhoun-sue-city-of-charleston-over-removal-of-monument-wciv
Feature on the Winter Solstice:
https://www.wired.com/story/winter-solstice/
... and coverage of solstice-related events:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/d19b0-opw-announces-live-streaming-of-winter-solstice-at-newgrange/
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-12-21/stonehenge-se-reencuentra-con-el-solsticio-de-invierno-sus-druidas-y-sus-misterios-paganos.html
Feature on the 'sordid origins' of Christmas:
https://theconversation.com/the-sordid-underbelly-of-christmas-past-172873
https://www.rawstory.com/the-sordid-underbelly-of-christmas-past/
https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2021/12/22/christmas-origin-history-pagan-holiday-saturnalia-meaning/6499348001/
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-12-23/las-saturnales-las-navidades-como-se-celebraban-antes-de-cristo.html
... and one on Greek and Roman origins:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/24/the-greek-and-roman-origins-of-christmas-traditions/
Feature on Christmas cake origins:
https://www.dw.com/en/traditional-christmas-cake-dresdens-stollen/av-60086425
Feature on the WWI Christmas truce:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnists/2021/12/25/christmas-truce-world-war-i/8908782002/?gnt-cfr=1
Backgrounder on mistletoe:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/12/20/why-do-we-kiss-under-mistletoe/8632116002/
On the history of glass decorations for Christmas trees:
https://theconversation.com/the-chemistry-of-christmas-baubles-and-the-great-scientist-who-made-them-possible-173944
Feature on assorted Santa-related items in the Beinecke archives:
https://news.yale.edu/2021/12/20/santas-mirth-and-merriment-resound-beinecke-archives
Feature on Victorian Christmas cards:
https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/12/victorian-christmas-cards-history-goodall-company.html
Feature on Mary:
https://theconversation.com/5-things-to-know-about-mary-the-mother-of-jesus-172483
A philosophical defense of Christmas merriment:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/12/christmas-merriment-hedonism-philosophy/621010/
First 'New Year's history' item:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-new-year-once-started-in-march-heres-why
Not really sure where this item on modern reactions to the Dreyfus Affair should be put:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/dreyfus-affair-france-far-right-zemmour-macron-antisemitism-rcna8869
Another item on Catherine the Great and smallpox vaccinations:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/12/that-time-catherine-the-great-championed-smallpox-vaccinations/
Latest on the cuts to archaeology at USheffield:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59747456
Advocating for diversity in archaeology:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-underwater-archaeologist-advocates-diversity-field.html
============================================================
LANGUAGE RELATED
============================================================
An artist's efforts to save endangered alphabets:
https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/writer-tim-brookes-creates-works-of-art-to-save-the-worlds-endangered-alphabets/Content?oid=34464528
More linguistic items relating to omicron:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/14/greek-alphabet-covid-variant/
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/comma-queen/a-linguistic-look-at-omicron
More on the agriculture-connected spread of languages in Asia some 10 000 years bp:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/new-evidence-for-how-languages-spread-10-000-years-ago
============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Rubens: Picturing Antiquity:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/rubens-and-the-inspiration-of-ancient-greece-and-rome/
Gold to Gold:
https://www.croatiaweek.com/photos-artefacts-from-6th-century-bc-found-in-a-burial-mound-in-northern-croatia/
Ancient Greeks:
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7556283/jury-duty-to-drinking-games-what-you-didnt-know-about-ancient-greece/
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7560962/fearsome-mythology-and-a-touch-of-marble/?cs=14231
Robert Caro:
https://slate.com/podcasts/working/2021/12/robert-caro-museum-exhibition-curating?
The Horse in Ancient Athens:
https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/12/23/ippos-to-alogo-stin-archaia-athina-amerikaniki-scholi-klasikon-spoydon-stin-athina/
Feature on the restoration of the Mosul Museum:
https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20211220-mosul-museum-restores-artefacts-destroyed-by-islamic-state-jihadists-in-iraq
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/iraqi-museum-restores-treasures-destroyed-by-jihadists-170195
The Nelson-Atkins Museum has acquired a very early daguerreotype portrait:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/12/20/nelson-atkins-museum-acquires-early-daguerreotype-portrait
Latest transfers to the Grand Egyptian Museum:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/111056/Grand-Egyptian-Museum-receives-269-huge-artifacts-from-Egyptian-Museum
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/446723/Antiquities/Ancient-Egypt/Grand-Egyptian-Museum-receives-collection-of-ancie.aspx
British Museum remains stubborn regarding removing items from display:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/art/what-to-see/no-intention-removing-anything-display/
Hyping the new archaeological museum for Cyprus:
https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/12/22/new-cyprus-museum-will-be-islands-biggest-cultural-project-with-video/
The National Gallery is confronting slavery-related items in its collection:
https://elpais.com/eps/2021-12-24/la-national-gallery-enfrenta-el-esclavismo-en-su-coleccion.html
============================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
============================================================
Ongoing media fascination with that estate sale Durer:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/24/arts/albrecht-durer-drawing-discovered.html
https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-travel-london-museums-massachusetts-0e051e8e59e8a250a63e1819c42970e6
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/18/1065433105/opinion-albrecht-durers-lesson-for-all-of-us-today
A Rodin is coming to auction:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/24/arts/design/rodin-grave-memorial-auction.html
A (purported) Caravaggio rescued from an auction earlier this year was given protected status by Spain:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/22/suspected-caravaggio-work-given-protected-status-in-spain
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-12-22/la-comunidad-de-madrid-otorga-la-maxima-proteccion-al-eccehomo-y-refuerza-la-teoria-de-que-es-de-caravaggio.html
============================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
============================================================
DNA suggests there was a large-scale migration to Britain from France some 3000 years bp:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2021/12/ancient-dna-study-reveals-large-scale-migrations-into-bronze-age-britain
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-harvard-geneticists-ancient-britain-insights.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222153107.htm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59741723
https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2021/research/ancient-dna-study-migration-bronze-age/
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211223-france-possible-source-of-half-of-britain-s-ancient-genes-study
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-genetic-study-detects-unknown-vast-migration-to-britain-3-000-years-ago-1.10470103
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/22/science/archaeology-britain-migration-dna-reich.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2302954-bronze-age-migration-may-have-brought-celtic-languages-to-britain/
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04287-4
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03770-2
Interesting study of the DNA-revealed kin relationships of people buried in the 5700 years bp Hazleton North long cairn:
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-ancient-dna-reveals-world-oldest.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222153113.htm
https://www.livescience.com/neolithic-tomb-family-relationships
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-archaeologists-oldest-family-tree-b1980852.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/22/worlds-oldest-family-tree-costwolds-tomb-hazleton-north-long-cairn-dna
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59774315
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/22/uk/worlds-oldest-family-tree-scli-scn-intl-gbr/index.html
https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-12-22/descubierta-la-familia-mas-antigua-conocida-un-hombre-y-cuatro-mujeres-de-hace-5700-anos-con-su-descendencia.html
https://scitechdaily.com/ancient-dna-from-neolithic-tombs-in-britain-reveals-the-worlds-oldest-family-tree/
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/48681/20211224/6000-year-old-tomb-england-world-s-oldest-known-family-tree.htm
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/ancient-dna-reveals-the-worlds-oldest-family-tree/142340
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04241-4
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03799-3
============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
Feature on how art restorers find 'hidden' details:
https://www.dw.com/en/how-art-restorers-uncover-hidden-details-in-artworks/a-60242165
I think we mentioned this 'algorithm-based' restoration of a Jewish text:
https://www.haaretz.com/science-and-health/.premium-with-an-algorithm-researchers-piece-together-a-jewish-text-lost-centuries-ago-1.10483030
More on technology being use in Hong Kong conservation efforts:
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3160305/drones-other-new-technology-join-front-line-hong-kong
============================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
============================================================
European churches:
https://www.dw.com/en/europes-most-beautiful-churches/g-60151402
Nineveh:
http://www.aina.org/ata/20211224153412.htm
============================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
============================================================
Recreating the Church of the Nativity's medieval music:
https://www.jpost.com/christian-news/article-689353
Macbeth:
https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-movies-oscar-isaac-joel-coen-926464971330ffcf8c73c188e7ae7e26
https://theweek.com/culture/1005400/macbeth-is-a-christmas-movie
Feature on Gilbert and Sullivan:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-689503
Celebrating Rumi and Sufism in Turkey:
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/25/1068016227/whirling-dervishes-rumi
What Egypt thinks of Aida:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/23/travesty-or-tragedy-what-egypt-thinks-of-verdi-aida-opera
============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
A bust of 'treasure hunters' in Sri Lanka:
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_21B/Dec20_1639980900CH.php
A group was caught plundering a cave site in Judea:
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/26/antiquities-thieves-busted-plundering-ancient-cave-in-southern-judea/
A father/daughter team was busted in possession of 500+ ancient coins in Serres:
https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/12/22/serres-pateras-kai-kori-eichan-stin-katochi-toys-perissotera-apo-500-nomismata-megalis-archaiologikis-axias/
Spain has recovered a pile of looted art:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-12-21/stonehenge-se-reencuentra-con-el-solsticio-de-invierno-sus-druidas-y-sus-misterios-paganos.html
More on the 500 years bp shrunken heads found during a bust in Turkey:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/500-year-old-shrunken-jivaroan-heads-under-examination-in-izmir/news
More on Steinhardt-related items to be returned to Greece:
https://news.gtp.gr/2021/12/20/stolen-antiquities-return-to-greece-from-the-united-states/
... and Almagia items:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/23/greek-roman-artifacts-repatriated-italy/
... and some answers to some questions about the agreement with Steinhardt:
https://culturalheritagelawyer.blogspot.com/2021/12/Manhattan-District-Attorney-Prosecution-Agreement-Antiquities-Collector-Michael-Steinhardt.html
OpEd on the criminal art trade:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/its-time-to-crack-down-on-the-illegal-art-trade/
----------
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
============================================================
Libya and Brazil are coordinating to return smuggled antiquities:
https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/libya-coordinates-brazil-restore-smuggled-antiquities
Iraq and Germany seem to be having similar discussions:
https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraqi-and-german-authorities-meet-in-berlin-to-discuss-retrieving-smuggled-artifacts/
15 items stolen from Pennsylvania museums in the 60s and 70s were returned:
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/FBI-Artifacts-stolen-from-museums-in-1960s-16713990.php
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62969
Spain returned a number of items to Egypt:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-retrieves-36-artifacts-smuggled-to-madrid/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/111063/In-pics-Egypt-s-Public-Prosecution-restores-36-antiquities-smuggled
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/446723/Antiquities/Ancient-Egypt/Grand-Egyptian-Museum-receives-collection-of-ancie.aspx
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/spain-returns-smuggled-figurines-funeral-jars-egypt-2021-12-20/
http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2021-12/21/content_77942893.htm
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10242-211221-spain-egypt-repatriation
Russia returned some Nazi-looted archives to the Jewish community in Greece:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/greek-jewish-archives-stolen-by-nazis-returned-after-nearly-80-years/
============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Feature on the coinage of Larissa:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/ngc-ancients-coinage-of-larissa/
Feature on the influence of historic and ancient coin designs:
https://coinweek.com/education/numismatic-history/the-influence-of-historic-and-ancient-coin-designs/
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v24/club_nbs_esylum_v24n51.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Vassos Karageorgis:
https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/12/22/renowned-archaeologist-vassos-karageorghis-dies/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/prominent-cypriot-archaeologist-vassos-karagiorgis-dies-at-92/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/24/vassos-karagiorgis/
Thomas Kinsella:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/23/books/thomas-kinsella-dead.html
Edward D. Shames:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/24/us/edward-d-shames-dead.html
============================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
============================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3126-audio-news-from-archaeologica-december-12th-through-december-18th-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/
============================================================
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!
============================================================
Useful Addresses
============================================================
You can read Explorator online at:
https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/
Past issues of Explorator are also available on the web via our
groups.io page:
https://groups.io/g/explorator
To subscribe to Explorator, send a blank email message to:
explorator+***@groups.io
To unsubscribe, send a blank email message to:
Unsubscribe: explorator+***@groups.io
To send a 'heads up' to the editor or contact him for other
reasons:
***@gmail.com
===========================================================
Explorator is Copyright (c) 2021 David Meadows. Feel free to
distribute these listings via email to your pals, students,
teachers, etc., but please include this copyright notice. These
links are not to be posted to any website by any means (whether
by direct posting or snagging from a usenet group or some other
email source) without my express written permission. I think it
is only right that I be made aware of public fora which are
making use of content gathered in Explorator. Thanks!
===========================================================