david meadows
2023-02-19 17:48:21 UTC
===========================================================
explorator 25.44 February 19, 2023
===========================================================
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
============================================================
Using radiocarbon 3.0 to study interactions between sapiens and neanderthals:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-radiocarbon-method-interaction-homo-sapiens.html
Feature on what we know about Neanderthals' sense of smell:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/neanderthal-dna-what-genomes-tells-us-about-their-sense-of-smell
Feature on Neanderthal hunting strategies/methods:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/ancient-predators-a-guide-to-the-neanderthal-hunt
Study suggests Neanderthal genes have helped modern humans adapt to the length of the day:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-neanderthal-genes-early-humans-differences.html
General discussion about Neanderthals:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct38tq
More on the possibility paranthropus was making tools in Kenya some 2.9 million years bp:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-stone-age-discovery-fuels-mystery.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64595418
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11231-230213-paranthropus-oldowan-tools
More on crab-eating Neanderthals:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/science/neanderthals-crab-portugal.html
============================================================
AFRICA
============================================================
More on the 500 years bp Khoisan horn container from South Africa:
https://www.modernghana.com/news/1213023/cowabunga-horn-reveals-herbal-mixtures-used-by.html
============================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
============================================================
Saite Period column remains from a site at Buto:
https://the-past.com/news/columns-of-a-7th-century-bc-hall-uncovered-at-buto/
A pair of New Kingdom tombs from Dra Abu El-Naga are now open to the public:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/13/two-dra-abu-el-naga-tombs-open-to-the-public/
... as is the Middle Kingdom tomb of Meru on Luxor's West Bank:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/middle-kingdom-meru-opens-luxor-egypt
Carter and his Egyptian excavators opened Tutankhamun's tomb 100 years ago this week:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/king-tut-tomb-opening-100-years-artifacts-2256730
Feature on Tutankhamun's pectoral jewellery origins:
https://www.iflscience.com/unusual-yellow-gem-in-king-tut-s-tomb-created-by-meteor-crash-in-sahara-67593
Zahi Hawass was encouraging the signing of a UK law to allow the return of Egyptian antiquities:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/zahi-hawass-supports-petition-to-repatriate-rosetta-stone-and-other-antiquities/
https://see.news/zahi-hawass-urges-arabs-to-sign-amendment-to-uk-law-for-returning-egyptian-antiquities
OpEd on whether major institutions should be acquiring Egyptian antiquities:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/louvre-trafficking-case-egyptian-antiquities-acquisitions-reconsideration-1234657255/
Review of Lynne Olson, *Empress of the Nile*:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/02/16/empress-of-the-nile-book/
More on the 'digital unwrapping' of the 2300 years bp 'Golden Boy' mummified person:
https://scitechdaily.com/golden-boy-researchers-digitally-unwrap-2300-year-old-undisturbed-mummy/
More on the recently-found 16 metre papyrus copy of the Book of the Dead from a Saqqara tomb:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/52-foot-long-ancient-egyptian-papyrus-discovered
A Roman-era lead sarcophagus from a necropolis in Gaza:
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/roman-era-sarcophagus-uncovered-gaza-2023-02-14/
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/gaza-mime-intl/index.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731574
https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/02/15/archeologists-discover-roman-era-sarcophagus-in-gaza-strip/
https://thearabweekly.com/experts-uncover-roman-era-sarcophagus-northern-gaza
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230215-roman-era-lead-coffin-found-in-gaza/
A Sassanid-era petroglyph of 'moral teachings' from Marvdasht (Iran):
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/481889/Sassanid-petroglyph-on-moral-teachings-discovered-in-Marvdasht
A 4500 years bp Sumerian palace find at Girsu:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/feb/17/discovery-of-4500-year-old-palace-in-iraq-may-hold-key-to-ancient-civilisation
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ancient-palace-of-sumerian-kings-uncovered-in-iraq-dlqvzm2w7
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/17/british-museum-unearth-sumerian-king-gudea-palace-iraq/
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1250/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1250/pub/1250/page/10/article/NaN
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11765351/Girsu-Project-archaeologist-accused-making-finding-lost-palace.html
https://www.irishnews.com/news/uknews/2023/02/17/news/archaeologist_who_discovered_lost_iraq_temple_people_said_i_was_making_it_up-3069798/
https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/cia-cold-war-spy-plane-british-museum-palace-iraqi-desert-b1061032.html
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2253141/middle-east
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iraq/2023/02/17/ancient-sumerian-palace-found-in-southern-iraq/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/royal-sumerian-palace-and-temple-uncovered-in-ancient-girsu/146226
More on the 5000 years bp 'tavern' from Lagash:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-iraq-uncovers-year-pub-restaurant.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/sumerian-tavern-oven-beer-recipe-iraq-b2283354.html
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230215-iraq-dig-uncovers-5-000-year-old-pub-restaurant
https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20230215-iraq-dig-uncovers-5-000-year-old-pub-restaurant
https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-dig-up-5000-year-old-pub-in-iraq-frequented-by-regular-people/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/5000-year-old-tavern-beer-recipe-found-archaeologists-iraq/
https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0215/1356723-iraq-ancient-tavern-discovered/
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/iraq-dig-uncovers-5-000-year-old-pub-restaurant-180906
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230216-archaeologists-uncover-5000-year-old-sumerian-tavern-in-iraq/
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2023/02/14/archaeologists-find-5000-year-old-tavern-in-ancient-city-of-lagash/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66503
More on the 4000 years bp cuneiform tablets written in Amorite:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/4axjqm/a-lost-language-translated-from-ancient-tablets-reveals-names-of-gods-in-stunning-find
More on the excavations of an 8th/9th century BCE palace structure at Nimrud:
https://the-past.com/news/assyrian-palace-excavated-in-the-ancient-city-of-nimrud/
More on climate change contributing to the collapse of the Hittite empire:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-climate-toppled-hittite-empire.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/02/08/climate-change-drought-history/
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-eastern-world/drought-and-the-fall-of-the-hittite-empire/?mqsc=E4150063&dk=ZE3120ZF0
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/severe-drought-may-have-contributed-to-the-decline-of-the-hittites-180981636/
Feature on cuneiform mathematics:
https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2023/02/cuneiform-mathematics
Feature on some 5000 years bp 'drinking straws' from Maikop (we had this a year or so ago):
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/5000-year-old-scepters-may-actually-be-the-oldest-drinking-straws-in-the-world/
An overview of recent finds of a dig at the long-occupied Tell Bleibil site in Jordan:
https://menafn.com/1105568852/Archaeologist-Reflects-On-Tell-Bleibil-Excavations-After-Pandemic-Induced-Pause
Musnad inscriptions and other finds from Najran (Saudi Arabia):
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/15/02/2023/pre-islamic-inscriptions-rare-archaeological-finds-discovered-in-saudi-arabia
https://arkeonews.net/saudi-archaeologists-have-discovered-a-pre-islamic-musnad-inscription-and-a-bronze-bullhead/
Overview of a symposium on recent finds by French archaeologists in Oman:
https://timesofoman.com/article/126897-national-museum-hosts-symposium-on-discoveries-of-french-archaeologists-in-oman
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:
https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/
============================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
============================================================
Roundabout construction in Abruzzo revealed a 1st/2nd century Roman portrait stele:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66510
https://www.stilearte.it/imponente-stele-romana-con-ritratto-emerge-durante-gli-scavi-di-una-rotatoria-in-abruzzo/
Remains of a 1st/2nd century Roman road and domus from Villevielle:
https://www.inrap.fr/un-quartier-inedit-de-l-agglomeration-antique-se-revele-villevieille-gard-17074
https://www.stilearte.it/scavi-per-una-casa-di-campagna-portano-alla-luce-domus-romana-strada-selciata-ed-edificio-pubblico/
Remains of a Roman 'hall' from a villa excavation in Posillipo:
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article272535972.html
A Roman silver ring find from the Netherlands (article in Dutch):
https://www.rtvkrimpenerwaard.nl/site/verrassende-vondst-in-krimpen-aan-den-lek-geeft-inkijkje-op-romeinse-uitstapjes-langs-de-hollandsche-ijssel/
A fragment of a lion's head sculpture dating to 30 CE or so from Pisa (Italian):
https://www.stilearte.it/una-testa-di-leone-del-30-a-c-trovata-nello-scavo-di-piazza-del-sarto-a-pisa-a-cosa-serviva/
A 1900 years bp Roman soldier's 'payslip' from Masada:
https://arkeonews.net/roman-soldiers-1900-year-old-payslip-uncovered-in-masada/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/archaeologists-uncover-roman-soldiers-paycheck-at-masada/146215
A ca 300 CE Roman kiln found during Genoa metro works:
https://www.stilearte.it/una-fornace-romana-del-300-d-c-riemerge-durante-i-lavori-per-la-metropolitana-di-genova/
Not sure about this story of someone in the UK finding a Greek coin in their garden:
https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/15/man-digs-up-greek-coin-while-weeding-in-the-garden-18289026/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/02/18/british-man-ancient-greek-coin/
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/18/man-finds-ancient-greek-coin-garden/
More on the sanctuary of Mithras revealed in Spain:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/13/ancient-sanctuary-god-mithras-found-spain/
More on the 4th century glass item depicting Roma (maybe) found during Metro C construction:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/construction-workers-unearthed-this-golden-glass-depicting-the-goddess-of-rome-180981629/
More on the Getty acquiring a bust of Antoninus Pius:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/14/getty-to-acquire-bust-of-roman-emperor-antoninus-pius/
More on the dodecahedron find from Belgium:
https://arkeonews.net/1600-year-old-fragment-of-enigmatic-roman-artifact-discovered-in-belgium/
Plans for an upgrade of the Knossos Research Centre:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1204748/knossos-research-center-in-for-overhaul/
Review of Carlo Rovelli, *Anaximander and the Nature of Science*:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/anaximander-and-the-nature-of-science-by-carlo-rovelli-review-the-greatest-philosopher-youve-never-heard-of-v5jjl03jg
Sarah Iles Johnston has a new book out on Medea:
https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/medea-again
Feature on the Scythians:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/who-were-the-ancient-scythians
Feature on the comeback of spoken Latin:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-spoken-latin-is-making-a-comeback-180981621/
Feature on what happened to the Library of Alexandria:
https://boingboing.net/2023/02/17/what-really-happened-to-the-library-of-alexandria.html
Feature on Corinthia:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/society/1204571/unearthing-the-secrets-of-a-lost-ancient-city/
Feature on Lucian and diversity:
https://theconversation.com/what-a-second-century-roman-citizen-lucian-can-teach-us-about-diversity-and-acceptance-196726
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/what-a-second-century-roman-citizen-lucian-can-17780954.php
Feature on the Lapis Niger:
https://www.iflscience.com/the-lapis-niger-was-a-mystery-even-in-ancient-times-the-truth-was-even-stranger-67494
Feature on Roman Londinium:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/londinium-ad-47/146190
Feature on some Roman emperors:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/roman-emperors-guide-facts/
Feature on some myths associated with Caligula:
https://www.thecollector.com/roman-emperor-caligula-myths/
Feature on the Lotus Eaters:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/11/fruit-lotus-eaters-odyssey/
Feature on a sculpture of Eros:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/14/ancient-greek-sculpture-eros-purity-love/
Feature on some love stories from Greek mythology:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/14/love-stories-greek-mythology/
In Parthenon Sculptures news, the week began with a Greek offer of a loan of antiquities in exchange for the return:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/greece-offers-british-museum-antiquities-loan-for-marbles-return/
... and then we were reading of some sort of sharing proposal:
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/parthenon-marbles-could-be-seen-both-london-athens-museum-chair-says-2023-02-16/
http://apnews.com/article/greece-government-british-museum-george-osborne-london-2ba7f901d0389cb11d106e51e93d69c3
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1249/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1249/pub/1249/page/13/article/NaN
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/17/british-museums-chairman-suggests-new-hybrid-deal-with-greece-over-parthenon-marbles
https://greekherald.com.au/news/british-museum-hints-at-sharing-parthenon-marbles-with-greece/
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/museum-london-athens-share-parthenon-marbles-deal-97258957
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/02/16/Parthenon-marbles-could-be-seen-both-in-London-and-Athens-Museum-chair
https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/02/16/greek-government-and-british-museum-looking-to-strike-deal-over-parthenon-marbles/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/british-museum-offers-greece-loan-sharing-of-parthenon-marbles/
... and more secret meetings:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/podcasts/1205036/the-secret-meetings-between-mitsotakis-and-osborne-on-the-parthenon-marbles/
... and the British Museum was 'reasonably optimistic':
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/16/british-museum-deal-greece-parthenon-sculptures/
... and there were OpEds:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/17/parthenon-marbles-loan-greece-repatriation/
https://menafn.com/1105580819/Debate-Sorry-British-Museum-A-Loan-Of-The-Parthenon-Marbles-Is-Not-A-Repatriation
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
============================================================
Study of a Bronze Age necropolis in Bosnia:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/kopilo-a-newly-discovered-late-bronze-and-iron-age-burial-ground-in-bosnia/8C254B43FE083FC85995C80F1FE5DA3D#.Y-0d-EtSGqR.facebook
A school construction site in Co Down has revealed a major prehistoric settlement site:
https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/02/13/news/archaeologists_uncover_one_of_ireland_s_largest_prehistoric_settlements_at_site_of_new_downpatrick_school-3054623/
Not sure if we've mentioned this Unetice culture site in Poland:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/archaeologists-find-lost-stronghold-of-unetice-culture/146211
A study of the 1300 years bp skull of a woman from Italy had undergone trepanation at least twice:
https://arkeonews.net/unlucky-medieval-woman-underwent-at-least-two-skull-surgeries-in-longobard-italy/
https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/02/t-is-for-trepanation-this-medieval-woman-had-two-brain-surgeries-skull-shows/
Evidence of a Saxon presence in the Peak District:
https://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/this-is-really-exciting-news-discoveries-made-at-a-peak-district-archeologist-site-are-of-national-importance-4025537
Studying finds from a medieval rubbish dump in Cartama (Spain):
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/guadalhorce-valley/archaeological-remains-constitution-20230215110602-nt.html
Crop marks at Hartlebury Castle reveal a possible Civil War bastion:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-64569080
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/archaeologists-drone-kidderminster-village-unearths-26235042
The Time Team folks may have found a Knights Hospitaller site in Shropshire:
https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/attractions/2023/02/14/archaeologists-tease-a-major-announcement-following-hunt-for-knights-hospitaller-site-in-north-shropshire/
Investigating a boat buried beneath a Wirral pub parking lot:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-scientists-ancient-boat-pub-car.html
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/viking-boat-could-found-underneath-26265606
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/archaeologists-investigate-ancient-boat-buried-beneath-car-park/146219
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/16/ancient-boat-buried-under-a-pub-car-park-investigated/
A 'silver wedding dress' and other luxury goods from the wreck of the Palmwood:
https://www.eastcoastdaily.in/2023/02/19/archaeologists-unearth-a-stunning-silver-wedding-gown-from-a-shipwreck-from-the-seventeenth-century.html
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/17/world/dutch-palmwood-shipwreck-finds-scn/index.html
Remains of a 300 years bp wooden mikveh from a site in Poland:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/excavations-in-poland-have-uncovered-a-jewish-mikveh/146223
A detectorist found a 17th century mourning ring in Wiltshire:
https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/23312674.detectorist-stunned-treasure-find-wiltshire/
Another detectorist found a 250 years bp gold ring in Canterbury:
https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2023/02/13/novice-treasure-hunter-unearths-250-year-old-ring/
Still yet another found a 14th century silver gilt strap end:
https://www.medievalists.net/2023/02/medieval-artefact-displaying-fantastic-beasts-discovered-in-england/
More on the Spanish hospital that became a church that became a bar turning out to have once been a medieval synagogue:
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/367348
More on the medieval fort found by LiDAR in Spain:
https://www.livescience.com/lasers-reveal-ruins-of-5th-century-fortress-in-spanish-forest
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11232-230213-spain-medieval-fort
More on the spices found on the 15th century wreck of the Gribshunden:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-trove-spices-world-sunken-fifteenth-century.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731250
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66467
https://arkeonews.net/denmark-kings-spice-cabinet-discovered-on-gribshunden/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/royal-medieval-pantry-spices-500-year-old-shipwreck-180981630/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11230-230213-royal-ship-spices
More on the Tudor-era pendant associated with Katherine of Aragon:
https://the-past.com/news/tudor-treasure-exploring-an-artefact-rich-in-royal-imagery/
More on the 500 years bp burial of an 'anchoress' who suffered from syphilis:
https://www.livescience.com/medieval-religious-hermit-buried-in-extremely-unusual-position-had-syphilis
https://www.sciencealert.com/religious-hermit-found-buried-in-the-fetal-position-and-archeologists-arent-sure-why
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66478
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/13/mysterious-skeleton-revealed-to-belong-to-an-anchoress/
More on the resilience English monasteries displayed in response to Viking attacks:
https://aleteia.org/2023/02/15/how-medieval-monasteries-survived-viking-raids/
A memorial to St Cuthbert has been restored to Lindisfarne:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/17/memorial-to-st-cuthbert-restored-to-lindisfarne-after-nearly-500-years
A 9th century Viking Raider stone is going on display:
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1249/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1249/pub/1249/page/23/article/388155
A Tudor gold signet ring associated with the Boleyns has gone on display:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66485
Finds from the wreck of the Gloucester are going on display:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-64651507
Pondering the future of derelict listed buildings in Grimsby:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-humber-64626137
A 19th century shipwreck full of pottery headed for New Zealand has been given UK protection:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-64650670
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/167-year-old-shipwreck-carrying-rare-ceramics-gains-historical-protection-180981639/
Plans for a dig at the former bus depot site in Colchester:
https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23328221.colchester-former-bus-depot-set-archaeological-dig/
Feature on finds made during construction of the Amsterdam metro:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/underground-amsterdam-treasures-rokin/index.html
Feature on living during the Ice Age:
https://aeon.co/essays/what-was-it-like-to-grow-up-in-the-last-ice-age
Fines for some Yorkshire 'amateur archaeologists' who reburied some 700 years bp bones:
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/yorkshire-amateur-archaeologists-landed-with-ps3000-bill-for-illegal-burial-of-700-year-old-bones-4028587
----------
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
============================================================
Eight (maybe 7) Zhou dynasty burials with feudal implications from Shaanxi:
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1285384.shtml
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2023-02/14/content_85105755.htm
A 2400 years bp flush toilet find from a site in Shaanxi:
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/16/WS63ed04ada31057c47ebaf009.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1285532.shtml
https://www.modbee.com/news/nation-world/world/article272529260.html
https://arkeonews.net/2400-year-old-unearthed-flush-toilet-in-china/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66520
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11241-230217-xian-flush-toilet
A pair of Warring States Period palace structures from Shaanxi:
https://www.shine.cn/news/nation/2302196380/
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2023-02/19/content_85114575.htm
21 Western Han Dynasty tombs from Hunan:
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/17/WS63eed02aa31057c47ebaf4d4.html
A Western Xia Dynasty kiln site from northwest China:
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2023-02/17/content_85111553.htm
http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0217/c90000-10209082.html
https://sana.sy/en/?p=301078
Overview piece on recent finds from Shanxi:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/15/WS63ec9c67a31057c47ebaef96.html
Feature on purported 'booby traps' in Qin's tomb:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-booby-traps-of-qin-shi-huangs-tomb-fact-fiction-or-something-even-better
3000 years bp traces of milk residue from Tibet:
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/14/WS63eade74a31057c47ebae956.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11237-230215-tibet-milk-residue
Feature on five sites/finds in China:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-02-16/Five-archaeological-discoveries-showcase-the-splendor-of-ancient-China-1htg2kJoBXi/index.html
A 1600 years bp Sivalinga from Andhra Pradesh:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/arthanariswara-sivalinga-dating-back-to-4th-century-found-at-pedakonduru-in-guntur-district/article66512202.ece
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/feb/16/ancient-sivalinga-found-at-anandeswara-temple-in-andhra-pradesh-2547875.html
An 11th century sculpture find from Kumta:
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/180223/exciting-archaeological-discovery-at-ulluru-mutta.html
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2023/feb/18/karnataka-11th-century-sculpture-found-inkumta-expertsto-unearth-history-2548632.html
Temple construction in Ahmedabad revealed remains of a step-well and idols:
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/ancient-step-well-idols-unearthed-digging-temple-ahmedabad-8453175/
Plans to restore the Tripolia Gateway in Delhi:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/neglected-tripolia-gate-set-for-restoration-work-by-asi-101676228413593.html
A 400 years bp Christian chapel in India may be demolished to make way for a football stadium:
https://www.licas.news/2023/02/14/400-year-old-chapel-in-india-faces-demolition-to-give-way-to-football-stadium/
The ASI approved digs in various sites:
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/archaeological-survey-of-india-approves-excavations-at-rakhigarhi-in-haryana-several-other-sites-479987
Feature on Gandharan buddhism spread:
https://theprint.in/the-fineprint/buddhism-did-not-spread-by-the-sword-but-the-empires-that-helped-it-grow-did/1373559/
============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
============================================================
Funding to study heritage sites in Linmen National Park:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/13/exploring-heritage-sites-at-nt-national-park/
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
A possible Revolutionary War veteran burial on Rhode Island:
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/good-news/2023/02/17/historical-cranston-ri-cemetery-may-hold-revolutionary-war-soldier/69905745007/
Remains of a home associated with enslaved persons near the site of Harriet Tubman's birthplace:
https://wtop.com/maryland/2023/02/home-unearthed-near-maryland-birthplace-of-abolitionist-harriet-tubman/
https://www.wrde.com/news/new-home-discovered-by-archaeologists-at-harriet-tubmans-birthplace/article_47dfa436-ac99-11ed-b69c-e764644bf180.html
... including some West African religious items:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/02/14/eastern-shore-discovery-harriet-tubman/
https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/harriet-tubman-west-african-spirit-cache-found-dorchester-county-maryland/
https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/black-history/maryland-archaeologists-uncover-african-religious-artifacts-near-where-harriet-tubman-was-born/285-9307c7a9-ab03-4965-83c4-3716f2b90b2e
https://www.wboc.com/news/archaeologists-find-artifacts-from-enslaved-people-at-blackwater-national-wildlife-refuge/article_3099aba0-acc1-11ed-9ee7-d3c8de52598e.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/west-african-spirit-cache-discovered-at-harriet-tubmans-maryland-birthplace-180981655/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11235-230215-maryland-spirit-cache
A 19th century shipwreck has washed up on a Nantucket beach:
https://www.newsweek.com/shipwreck-massachusetts-nantucket-video-preserved-1781666
More on the find of an unexploded 160 years bp artillery shell at Gettysburg:
https://www.livescience.com/archaeologists-find-unexploded-artillery-shell-under-gettysburg-battlefield
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/civil-war-artillery-shell-found-gettysburg-180981642/
A 19th century crypt in Old North Church in Boston is undergoing restoration:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/02/18/metro/historic-crypt-old-north-church-with-parts-unopened-since-1860-undergoing-restoration/
A followup on the FBI search for Civil War-era gold in Pennsylvania:
https://apnews.com/article/politics-war-and-unrest-pennsylvania-clearfield-ec6f923036d4da94d0d8b07a6e0e82bb
Feature on the role of a pair of enslaved persons in Boston's pottery industry:
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/two-enslaved-men-played-major-roles-in-bostons-pottery-industry/
Feature on Oswego churches' role in the Underground Railroad:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2023/02/12/owego-homes-churches-underground-railroad-black-history-month-2023
More on climate change and migration to the Americas:
https://www.livescience.com/bering-land-bridge-was-only-passable-during-2-brief-windows-study-finds
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11236-230215-north-america-migration
... and a feature on how folks arrived in the Americas:
https://www.livescience.com/how-did-humans-first-reach-the-americas
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
A 1200 years bp temple site from Pakaytambo (Peru):
https://today.uic.edu/1200-year-old-temple-discovery-in-peru/
Not sure how 'new' this find of Maya 'superhighways' by LiDAR in Guatemala is:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/16/world/maya-civilization-causeways-lidar-discovery-scn/index.html
cf: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ancient-mesoamerica/article/lidar-analyses-in-the-contiguous-miradorcalakmul-karst-basin-guatemala-an-introduction-to-new-perspectives-on-regional-early-maya-socioeconomic-and-political-organization/31075DFA8ADBAA5E7C7320CA6DB93E5E
A study of a 15th century tunic (unku) from Chile:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-unique-discovery-glimpse-provincial-culture.html
https://arkeonews.net/researchers-excavating-the-burial-site-along-caleta-vitor-bay-in-northern-chile-found-an-inka-tunic-or-unku/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11238-230216-chile-inca-tunic
An elite Maya tomb from Chichen Viejo:
https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2023/02/experts-discover-an-ancient-maya-tomb-of-elite-personage-in-yucatan/
... from the same place come remains of a housing complex of some sort:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/chichen-itza-chichen-viejo-discovery/index.html
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/elite-residences-uncovered-at-chichen-itza-in-mexico-1234657637/
Excavations of four Classic Period mounds at El Naranjo:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731737
https://www.iflscience.com/shell-and-green-quartz-flowers-found-in-1-000-year-old-mexican-burial-site-67596
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/13/mexico-el-naranjo-inah-excavations-archaeological-discoveries
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11233-230214-mexico-mound-earrings
A 16th century cemetery in Mexico City's Chapultepec Park:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/archaeologists-find-16th-century-cemetery-chapultepec-park/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11242-230217-mexico-transition-cemetery
Machu Picchu has reopened to the public:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-64648641
https://apnews.com/article/peru-government-caribbean-dina-boluarte-833ba4a8df14f5cfca2ccb62d84db73b
https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2023/02/the-archaeological-site-of-machu-picchu-re-opens-after-one-month/
https://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/machu-picchu-officially-reopens-to-travellers/
-----
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
============================================================
Not sure where to put this item on the Book of Revelation being influenced by curse tablets:
https://www.livescience.com/book-of-revelations-vision-of-the-apocalypse-inspired-by-pagan-curses-researcher-claims
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-02-15/ty-article/new-testaments-book-of-revelation-was-influenced-by-curse-tablets-scholar-deduces/00000186-5466-d603-a7bf-def7deb50000
cf: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/458878862?language=en
Feature on the 'rediscovery' of the site of filming DeMille's 'Ten Commandments' in California's Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes:
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230212-a-city-under-the-sand-the-lost-city-of-cecil-b-demille
Feature on artists' attempts to deal with shadows properly:
https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-art-of-the-shadow-how-painters-have-gotten-it-wrong-for-centuries/
Feature on Matisse's 'Piano Lesson':
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/interactive/2023/henri-matisse-piano-lesson/
Copernicus had to deal with censorship:
https://www.wdsu.com/article/clarified-how-copernicus-fought-censorship-over-500-years-ago/42962257
They've figured out what the monkey-mermaid in a Japanese temple is:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/epzy9m/scientists-finally-found-out-what-a-monkey-mermaid-mummy-really-is
https://www.iflscience.com/scientists-have-tested-the-enjuin-mummy-to-find-out-what-it-really-is-67565
A response to one of the frequent arguments made by pseudoarchaeology fans:
https://ahotcupofjoe.net/2023/02/a-response-to-a-strawman-argument-of-pseudoarchaeology/
Marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-64651007
On the history of condoms (vary degrees of accuracy in this one i think):
https://www.dw.com/en/international-condom-day-a-brief-history-of-rubbers/a-64668190
On how a Scottish missionary started the first Chinese-language magazine:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/february-web-only/milne-scottish-missionary-china-press-journalism.html
On researching historic tsunamis:
https://hakaimagazine.com/news/paleotsunami-detectives-hunt-for-ancient-disasters/
cf: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0012825222002781
Interview with Robert Ballard about the Titanic:
https://apnews.com/article/titanic-rare-footage-released-c429fad5ff9eae14f7dc110881bf0697
More on the deciphering of Mary, Queen of Scots' letters:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-codebreakers-decipher-lost-letters-mary.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11234-230214-mary-cipher-letters
More on da Vinci and gravity:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/17/science/leonard-da-vinci-gravity.html
https://arkeonews.net/lost-sketches-by-leonardo-da-vinci-show-that-he-understood-gravity-long-before-newton/
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
The Habib-i Neccar Mosque was destroyed in recent earthquake:
https://arkeonews.net/habib-i-neccar-mosque-one-of-the-first-mosques-in-anatolia-was-destroyed-in-the-earthquake/
... as was much of ancient Antioch:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230213-once-home-to-civilisations-fabled-antioch-left-in-ruins
... but Gobekli Tepe survived:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/02/prehistoric-world-heritage-site-gobekli-tepe-survives-turkey-earthquakes
https://gizmodo.com/gobekli-tepe-turkey-earthquake-undamaged-archaeology-1850107303
... as did the Arslantepe Mound:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-02-13/Arslantepe-Mound-holds-fast-after-quake-catastrophe-1hone2JHczu/index.html
... a centuries-old scroll of the Book of Esther was found during rescue efforts:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731913
Damaged cultural assets in Turkiye have been protected:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/damaged-cultural-heritages-taken-under-protection-ministry-180905
https://www.siasat.com/damaged-historical-sites-to-be-restored-in-turkeys-earthquake-zone-minister-2-2529753/
Feature on ancient earthquakes in Asia Minor:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/11/ancient-earthquakes-asia-minor/
... and a 12th century one that hit Antakya:
https://theconversation.com/buildings-tumbling-survivors-living-in-tents-medieval-descriptions-of-an-1114-ce-earthquake-in-present-day-turkey-and-syria-feel-eerily-familiar-199866
https://theconversation.com/turkeys-historic-city-of-antakya-known-in-roman-and-medieval-times-as-antioch-has-been-flattened-by-powerful-earthquakes-in-the-past-and-rebuilt-itself-199579
Assorted features on the origins of Valentine's Day:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/valentines-day-facts-history.html
https://retrospectjournal.com/2023/02/12/the-history-of-valentines-day/
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/14/valentines-day-greek-saint-valentine/
https://ca.style.yahoo.com/valentines-day-background-history-120011464.html
https://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day
https://www.news18.com/news/explainers/valentines-day-2023-dark-history-explained-7017931.html
... and the influence of Greek myth:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/02/14/the-deep-influence-of-greek-mythology-on-valentines-day/
... and Cupid:
https://theconversation.com/dont-underestimate-cupid-hes-not-the-chubby-cherub-you-associate-with-valentines-day-197735
https://www.umass.edu/hfa/news/professor-classics-debbie-felton-explores-origins-cupid-conversation
The Met is 'de-Russifying' Ukrainian artwork:
https://www.dw.com/en/the-de-russification-of-ukrainian-art/a-64731253
============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Golden Mummies of Egypt:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/feb/16/mummy-issues-the-ancient-faces-that-open-a-window-to-the-beyond
Gandhara art:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1736870/173-gandhara-art-pieces-from-museums-in-pakistan-loaned-to-china
Natural Histories:
https://environment.yale.edu/news/article/natural-histories-yse-scientists-collaborate-new-landscape-art-exhibit
Christopher Wren:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-64667316
Pompeii:
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/pompeii-the-exhibition-museum-of-science-and-industry/
Spain and the Hispanic World:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanneshurvell/2023/02/13/new-york-collection-of-spanish-treasures-on-show-in-uk-for-first-time/
Thomas Commeraw:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/feb/15/thomas-commeraw-the-black-19th-century-potter-who-historians-assumed-was-white
cf: https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/crafting-freedom-thomas-commeraw1
Islanders (ancient Cyprus):
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64682924
Golden Worlds:
https://www.doaks.org/visit/museum/exhibitions/a-beautiful-dichotomy
Divinity in Maya Art:
https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/gods-divinity-maya-art
Labyrinth:
https://greekherald.com.au/culture/history/never-before-seen-minoan-artefacts-go-on-display-in-the-uk/
Vermeer:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/feb/12/vermeer-rijksmuseum-amsterdam-review-one-of-the-most-thrilling-exhibitions-ever-conceived
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/vermeer-retrospective-sells-out-rijksmuseum-1234657151/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/vermeer-exhibition-amsterdam-delft-2254119
Last year's finds in Bulgaria:
https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/407214-last-year-s-archaeological-discoveries-in-bulgaria-go-on-display-in-sofia
Feature on recent updates to the Manchester Museum:
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1248/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1248/pub/1248/page/71/article/NaN
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/17/arts/design/manchester-museum-reopening-diversity.html
An Iron Age shield found in Yorkshire Wolds has been gifted to East Riding Museums:
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/spectacular-iron-age-shield-found-in-pocklington-donated-back-to-yorkshire-by-housebuilder-whose-land-it-was-discovered-on-4028429
Talk about broadening the definition of 'treasure' in the UK to help museums:
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64677364
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/18/change-to-uk-treasure-law-will-keep-more-artefacts-in-museums
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1250/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1250/pub/1250/page/9/article/NaN
The British Museum's Hieroglyphs exhibition is going on tour:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2023/02/15/sample-of-british-museums-hieroglyphs-exhibition-to-go-on-uk-tour/
A new law in Greece would make it legal for Greek antiquities to be displayed outside the country:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230213-greece-approves-disputed-museum-law-seen-as-antiquity-export-plan
https://www.rfi.fr/en/people-and-entertainment/20230213-greece-approves-disputed-museum-law-seen-as-antiquity-export-plan
... which resulted in some museums closing in protest:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/13/greek-museums-protest-against-new-law/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/02/14/archaeologists-close-five-most-prominent-museums-in-greece-to-protest-status-change/
https://hyperallergic.com/801464/controversial-new-law-prompts-greek-museums-to-shutter/
https://www.apollo-magazine.com/art-news-greek-museums-closed-protest/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/greek-museums-closed-protest-government-appointed-boards-2256163
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/greek-archaeologists-strike-law-museums-export-plan-1234657360/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/16/protests-erupt-in-athens-over-fears-of-increasing-privatisation-in-greeces-museum-sector
... and there are plans for a major renovation of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/16/athens-museum-unveils-design-for-major-renovation
https://en.protothema.gr/national-archaeological-museum-this-is-how-it-will-look-after-reconstruction-impressive-photos-video/
https://apnews.com/article/david-chipperfield-athens-greece-design-62b06f067042d7efbd7726c673597146
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/major-renovation-planned-athens-archaeological-museum-97242689
https://www.wral.com/major-renovation-planned-for-athens-archaeological-museum/20723045/
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/48440-national-archaeological-museum-in-athens-the-new-look-after-reconstruction-video.html
Review of Patrick Bringley, *All the Beauty in the World*:
https://apnews.com/article/reviews-book-business-entertainment-c735f3de5a1d4c659666eace1ea12801
https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/2023/0216/Behind-the-velvet-ropes-Thoughts-from-a-Met-museum-guard
============================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
============================================================
High expectations for the Codex Sassoon Hebrew Bible:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/arts/hebrew-bible-auction-sothebys.html
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2023-02-16/ty-article/worlds-oldest-hebrew-bible-could-sell-for-up-to-50-million-at-a-new-york-auction/00000186-593e-db0c-add6-7d7ff0810000
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1248/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1248/pub/1248/page/32/article/NaN
A Nguyen Dynasty imperial seal was acquired by a Vietnamese collector with repatriation in mind:
https://vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnamese-collector-successfully-purchases-royal-seal-2110139.html
A chip off Cleopatra's Needle came to auction:
https://www.itv.com/news/central/2023-02-13/fragments-of-cleopatras-needle-sold-in-birmingham
Feature on the 'big' auctions of January 2023:
https://news.artnet.com/news-pro/here-are-the-15-most-expensive-artworks-sold-around-the-world-in-january-2023-2253427
============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
A facial 'approximation' of a Brazilian man from 9600 years bp:
https://www.livescience.com/see-the-lifelike-face-of-zuzu-a-man-who-lived-9600-years-ago-in-brazil
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/16/face-man-lived-9600-years-ago/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11240-230217-brazil-zuzu-reconstruction
... and a 2000 years bp Nabataean woman:
https://www.livescience.com/meet-hinat-a-nabataean-woman-who-lived-2000-years-ago-in-what-is-now-saudi-arabia
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2253626/saudi-arabia
... and the 'lonely boy' from 8300 years bp Norway:
https://www.livescience.com/stunning-reconstruction-reveals-lonely-boy-with-deformed-skull-who-died-in-cave-in-norway-8300-years-ago
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/17/lonely-boy-from-norways-western-coast-reconstructed/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11239-230216-norway-mesolithic-teen
============================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
============================================================
A lost composition of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor has been found:
https://rackham.umich.edu/discover-rackham/reviving-the-lost-work-of-a-groundbreaking-black-composer/
============================================================
TV/DOCUMENTARY HYPISH THINGS
============================================================
Emily:
https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-movies-entertainment-34288303e4373ed1f96baf7748139fe1
https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/02/emily-bronte-movie-2022-emma-mackey-review/673071/
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/17/1157468414/emily-review-bronte-biopic-wurthering-heights
============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
A stolen Capitoline Wolf sculpture was recovered in Libya:
https://libyaobserver.ly/news/capitoline-wolf-artifact-recovered-libyan-stability-support-apparatus
... but there seems to be some confusion about it:
https://libyaobserver.ly/news/antiquities-authority-says-seized-capitoline-wolf-not-same-one-tripoli
... and it's possibly part of a larger bust/recovery:
https://libyaobserver.ly/news/300-artifacts-seized-mans-possession-east-libya
A couple in Drama were arrested in possession of ancient coins:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1205048/couple-arrested-for-illegal-possession-of-ancient-coins/
A group in Egypt apparently created a fake tomb/necropolis to defraud antiquities dealers:
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/1/488283/Egypt/Arrest-warrant-issued-for-suspects-who-created-fak.aspx
https://www.egyptindependent.com/authorities-identify-scammers-in-ancient-egyptian-tomb-fraud/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/122610/Photos-Prosecution-orders-arresting-suspects-who-created-fake-pharaonic-tomb
https://egyptindependent.com/fugitive-suspects-create-fake-ancient-cemetery-to-defraud-antiquities-dealers/
https://globeecho.com/politics/the-monument-in-the-name-of-the-pharaohs-in-egypt-a-completely-fake-underground-cemetery/
A 61-year-old in Spoleto was arrested with a number of ancient items:
https://www.perugiatoday.it/cronaca/spoleto-carabinieri-reperti-archeologici.html
https://www.virgilio.it/italia/spoleto/notizielocali/spoleto_carabinieri_sequestrano_18_reperti_archeologici_in_una_casa_privata-70586225.html
The Manhattan DA seems to be focusing on Shelby White:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-york-antiquities-trafficking-unit-focuses-on-us-patron-of-israeli-archaeology/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731948
Egypt reduced the sentences imposed on some antiquities smugglers:
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/1233/488236/Egypt/Courts--Law/Egypt-court-reduces-prison-sentence-for-antiquitie.aspx
----------
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
============================================================
Sweden returned a fragment of a 4000 years bp seal to Greece:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/16/sweden-returns-greece-4000-year-old-seal/
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/greek-news/culture/48454-4-000-year-old-seal-returned-to-greece-by-the-swedish-embassy-in-athens.html
Hopes the US will return a major 'cache' of stolen antiquities to India:
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/17/1157468414/emily-review-bronte-biopic-wurthering-heights
Feature on the return of a large number of Native American artifacts seized by the FBI:
https://nativenewsonline.net/sovereignty/it-was-surreal
Swiss museums are apparently open to repatriation of art now:
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/looted-colonial-art---there-is-no-limit-to-restitution-/48282022
The Musee D'Orsay has been ordered to return some Nazi-looted items:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/16/paris-court-orders-musee-dorsay-to-return-four-nazi-looted-masterpieces-by-renoir-cezanne-and-gauguin
Feature on Michael Steinhardt's 'exile':
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/michael-steinhardt-antiquities-stolen-artifacts.html
============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Feature on coins of ancient Greek Troas:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/coins-of-ancient-greek-troas-troad-part-4/
Coins of the Cairo Geniza:
https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/genizah-fragments/posts/exhibition-coins-cairo-geniza
Coins of Khirbet el-Aqd:
https://cris.iucc.ac.il/iw/publications/the-coins-of-khirbet-el-aqd-a-hellenistic-roman-stronghold-in-wes
Concerns for the ongoing survival of ancient coin collecting:
https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2023/2/18/23604528/ancient-coin-collecting-us-import-restrictions
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n07.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n08.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Mario Vitti:
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/48448-leading-italian-greek-literature-historian-and-translator-mario-vitti-has-passed-away.html
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1204795/leading-italian-hellenist-dies/
Andrew Stewart:
https://www.archaeological.org/in-memoriam-andrew-f-stewart/
John Ellis Jones:
https://le.ac.uk/about/history/obituaries/2023/john-ellis-jones
============================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
============================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3260-audio-news-from-archaeologica-february-4th-through-the-11th-2023
============================================================
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) 2023 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 25.44 February 19, 2023
===========================================================
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
============================================================
Using radiocarbon 3.0 to study interactions between sapiens and neanderthals:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-radiocarbon-method-interaction-homo-sapiens.html
Feature on what we know about Neanderthals' sense of smell:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/neanderthal-dna-what-genomes-tells-us-about-their-sense-of-smell
Feature on Neanderthal hunting strategies/methods:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/ancient-predators-a-guide-to-the-neanderthal-hunt
Study suggests Neanderthal genes have helped modern humans adapt to the length of the day:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-neanderthal-genes-early-humans-differences.html
General discussion about Neanderthals:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct38tq
More on the possibility paranthropus was making tools in Kenya some 2.9 million years bp:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-stone-age-discovery-fuels-mystery.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64595418
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11231-230213-paranthropus-oldowan-tools
More on crab-eating Neanderthals:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/science/neanderthals-crab-portugal.html
============================================================
AFRICA
============================================================
More on the 500 years bp Khoisan horn container from South Africa:
https://www.modernghana.com/news/1213023/cowabunga-horn-reveals-herbal-mixtures-used-by.html
============================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
============================================================
Saite Period column remains from a site at Buto:
https://the-past.com/news/columns-of-a-7th-century-bc-hall-uncovered-at-buto/
A pair of New Kingdom tombs from Dra Abu El-Naga are now open to the public:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/13/two-dra-abu-el-naga-tombs-open-to-the-public/
... as is the Middle Kingdom tomb of Meru on Luxor's West Bank:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/middle-kingdom-meru-opens-luxor-egypt
Carter and his Egyptian excavators opened Tutankhamun's tomb 100 years ago this week:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/king-tut-tomb-opening-100-years-artifacts-2256730
Feature on Tutankhamun's pectoral jewellery origins:
https://www.iflscience.com/unusual-yellow-gem-in-king-tut-s-tomb-created-by-meteor-crash-in-sahara-67593
Zahi Hawass was encouraging the signing of a UK law to allow the return of Egyptian antiquities:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/zahi-hawass-supports-petition-to-repatriate-rosetta-stone-and-other-antiquities/
https://see.news/zahi-hawass-urges-arabs-to-sign-amendment-to-uk-law-for-returning-egyptian-antiquities
OpEd on whether major institutions should be acquiring Egyptian antiquities:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/louvre-trafficking-case-egyptian-antiquities-acquisitions-reconsideration-1234657255/
Review of Lynne Olson, *Empress of the Nile*:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/02/16/empress-of-the-nile-book/
More on the 'digital unwrapping' of the 2300 years bp 'Golden Boy' mummified person:
https://scitechdaily.com/golden-boy-researchers-digitally-unwrap-2300-year-old-undisturbed-mummy/
More on the recently-found 16 metre papyrus copy of the Book of the Dead from a Saqqara tomb:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/52-foot-long-ancient-egyptian-papyrus-discovered
A Roman-era lead sarcophagus from a necropolis in Gaza:
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/roman-era-sarcophagus-uncovered-gaza-2023-02-14/
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/gaza-mime-intl/index.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731574
https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/02/15/archeologists-discover-roman-era-sarcophagus-in-gaza-strip/
https://thearabweekly.com/experts-uncover-roman-era-sarcophagus-northern-gaza
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230215-roman-era-lead-coffin-found-in-gaza/
A Sassanid-era petroglyph of 'moral teachings' from Marvdasht (Iran):
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/481889/Sassanid-petroglyph-on-moral-teachings-discovered-in-Marvdasht
A 4500 years bp Sumerian palace find at Girsu:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/feb/17/discovery-of-4500-year-old-palace-in-iraq-may-hold-key-to-ancient-civilisation
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ancient-palace-of-sumerian-kings-uncovered-in-iraq-dlqvzm2w7
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/17/british-museum-unearth-sumerian-king-gudea-palace-iraq/
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1250/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1250/pub/1250/page/10/article/NaN
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11765351/Girsu-Project-archaeologist-accused-making-finding-lost-palace.html
https://www.irishnews.com/news/uknews/2023/02/17/news/archaeologist_who_discovered_lost_iraq_temple_people_said_i_was_making_it_up-3069798/
https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/cia-cold-war-spy-plane-british-museum-palace-iraqi-desert-b1061032.html
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2253141/middle-east
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iraq/2023/02/17/ancient-sumerian-palace-found-in-southern-iraq/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/royal-sumerian-palace-and-temple-uncovered-in-ancient-girsu/146226
More on the 5000 years bp 'tavern' from Lagash:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-iraq-uncovers-year-pub-restaurant.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/sumerian-tavern-oven-beer-recipe-iraq-b2283354.html
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230215-iraq-dig-uncovers-5-000-year-old-pub-restaurant
https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20230215-iraq-dig-uncovers-5-000-year-old-pub-restaurant
https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-dig-up-5000-year-old-pub-in-iraq-frequented-by-regular-people/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/5000-year-old-tavern-beer-recipe-found-archaeologists-iraq/
https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0215/1356723-iraq-ancient-tavern-discovered/
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/iraq-dig-uncovers-5-000-year-old-pub-restaurant-180906
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230216-archaeologists-uncover-5000-year-old-sumerian-tavern-in-iraq/
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2023/02/14/archaeologists-find-5000-year-old-tavern-in-ancient-city-of-lagash/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66503
More on the 4000 years bp cuneiform tablets written in Amorite:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/4axjqm/a-lost-language-translated-from-ancient-tablets-reveals-names-of-gods-in-stunning-find
More on the excavations of an 8th/9th century BCE palace structure at Nimrud:
https://the-past.com/news/assyrian-palace-excavated-in-the-ancient-city-of-nimrud/
More on climate change contributing to the collapse of the Hittite empire:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-climate-toppled-hittite-empire.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/02/08/climate-change-drought-history/
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-eastern-world/drought-and-the-fall-of-the-hittite-empire/?mqsc=E4150063&dk=ZE3120ZF0
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/severe-drought-may-have-contributed-to-the-decline-of-the-hittites-180981636/
Feature on cuneiform mathematics:
https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2023/02/cuneiform-mathematics
Feature on some 5000 years bp 'drinking straws' from Maikop (we had this a year or so ago):
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/5000-year-old-scepters-may-actually-be-the-oldest-drinking-straws-in-the-world/
An overview of recent finds of a dig at the long-occupied Tell Bleibil site in Jordan:
https://menafn.com/1105568852/Archaeologist-Reflects-On-Tell-Bleibil-Excavations-After-Pandemic-Induced-Pause
Musnad inscriptions and other finds from Najran (Saudi Arabia):
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/15/02/2023/pre-islamic-inscriptions-rare-archaeological-finds-discovered-in-saudi-arabia
https://arkeonews.net/saudi-archaeologists-have-discovered-a-pre-islamic-musnad-inscription-and-a-bronze-bullhead/
Overview of a symposium on recent finds by French archaeologists in Oman:
https://timesofoman.com/article/126897-national-museum-hosts-symposium-on-discoveries-of-french-archaeologists-in-oman
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:
https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/
============================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
============================================================
Roundabout construction in Abruzzo revealed a 1st/2nd century Roman portrait stele:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66510
https://www.stilearte.it/imponente-stele-romana-con-ritratto-emerge-durante-gli-scavi-di-una-rotatoria-in-abruzzo/
Remains of a 1st/2nd century Roman road and domus from Villevielle:
https://www.inrap.fr/un-quartier-inedit-de-l-agglomeration-antique-se-revele-villevieille-gard-17074
https://www.stilearte.it/scavi-per-una-casa-di-campagna-portano-alla-luce-domus-romana-strada-selciata-ed-edificio-pubblico/
Remains of a Roman 'hall' from a villa excavation in Posillipo:
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article272535972.html
A Roman silver ring find from the Netherlands (article in Dutch):
https://www.rtvkrimpenerwaard.nl/site/verrassende-vondst-in-krimpen-aan-den-lek-geeft-inkijkje-op-romeinse-uitstapjes-langs-de-hollandsche-ijssel/
A fragment of a lion's head sculpture dating to 30 CE or so from Pisa (Italian):
https://www.stilearte.it/una-testa-di-leone-del-30-a-c-trovata-nello-scavo-di-piazza-del-sarto-a-pisa-a-cosa-serviva/
A 1900 years bp Roman soldier's 'payslip' from Masada:
https://arkeonews.net/roman-soldiers-1900-year-old-payslip-uncovered-in-masada/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/archaeologists-uncover-roman-soldiers-paycheck-at-masada/146215
A ca 300 CE Roman kiln found during Genoa metro works:
https://www.stilearte.it/una-fornace-romana-del-300-d-c-riemerge-durante-i-lavori-per-la-metropolitana-di-genova/
Not sure about this story of someone in the UK finding a Greek coin in their garden:
https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/15/man-digs-up-greek-coin-while-weeding-in-the-garden-18289026/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/02/18/british-man-ancient-greek-coin/
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/18/man-finds-ancient-greek-coin-garden/
More on the sanctuary of Mithras revealed in Spain:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/13/ancient-sanctuary-god-mithras-found-spain/
More on the 4th century glass item depicting Roma (maybe) found during Metro C construction:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/construction-workers-unearthed-this-golden-glass-depicting-the-goddess-of-rome-180981629/
More on the Getty acquiring a bust of Antoninus Pius:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/14/getty-to-acquire-bust-of-roman-emperor-antoninus-pius/
More on the dodecahedron find from Belgium:
https://arkeonews.net/1600-year-old-fragment-of-enigmatic-roman-artifact-discovered-in-belgium/
Plans for an upgrade of the Knossos Research Centre:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1204748/knossos-research-center-in-for-overhaul/
Review of Carlo Rovelli, *Anaximander and the Nature of Science*:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/anaximander-and-the-nature-of-science-by-carlo-rovelli-review-the-greatest-philosopher-youve-never-heard-of-v5jjl03jg
Sarah Iles Johnston has a new book out on Medea:
https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/medea-again
Feature on the Scythians:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/who-were-the-ancient-scythians
Feature on the comeback of spoken Latin:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-spoken-latin-is-making-a-comeback-180981621/
Feature on what happened to the Library of Alexandria:
https://boingboing.net/2023/02/17/what-really-happened-to-the-library-of-alexandria.html
Feature on Corinthia:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/society/1204571/unearthing-the-secrets-of-a-lost-ancient-city/
Feature on Lucian and diversity:
https://theconversation.com/what-a-second-century-roman-citizen-lucian-can-teach-us-about-diversity-and-acceptance-196726
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/what-a-second-century-roman-citizen-lucian-can-17780954.php
Feature on the Lapis Niger:
https://www.iflscience.com/the-lapis-niger-was-a-mystery-even-in-ancient-times-the-truth-was-even-stranger-67494
Feature on Roman Londinium:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/londinium-ad-47/146190
Feature on some Roman emperors:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/roman-emperors-guide-facts/
Feature on some myths associated with Caligula:
https://www.thecollector.com/roman-emperor-caligula-myths/
Feature on the Lotus Eaters:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/11/fruit-lotus-eaters-odyssey/
Feature on a sculpture of Eros:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/14/ancient-greek-sculpture-eros-purity-love/
Feature on some love stories from Greek mythology:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/14/love-stories-greek-mythology/
In Parthenon Sculptures news, the week began with a Greek offer of a loan of antiquities in exchange for the return:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/greece-offers-british-museum-antiquities-loan-for-marbles-return/
... and then we were reading of some sort of sharing proposal:
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/parthenon-marbles-could-be-seen-both-london-athens-museum-chair-says-2023-02-16/
http://apnews.com/article/greece-government-british-museum-george-osborne-london-2ba7f901d0389cb11d106e51e93d69c3
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1249/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1249/pub/1249/page/13/article/NaN
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/17/british-museums-chairman-suggests-new-hybrid-deal-with-greece-over-parthenon-marbles
https://greekherald.com.au/news/british-museum-hints-at-sharing-parthenon-marbles-with-greece/
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/museum-london-athens-share-parthenon-marbles-deal-97258957
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/02/16/Parthenon-marbles-could-be-seen-both-in-London-and-Athens-Museum-chair
https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/02/16/greek-government-and-british-museum-looking-to-strike-deal-over-parthenon-marbles/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/british-museum-offers-greece-loan-sharing-of-parthenon-marbles/
... and more secret meetings:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/podcasts/1205036/the-secret-meetings-between-mitsotakis-and-osborne-on-the-parthenon-marbles/
... and the British Museum was 'reasonably optimistic':
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/16/british-museum-deal-greece-parthenon-sculptures/
... and there were OpEds:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/17/parthenon-marbles-loan-greece-repatriation/
https://menafn.com/1105580819/Debate-Sorry-British-Museum-A-Loan-Of-The-Parthenon-Marbles-Is-Not-A-Repatriation
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
============================================================
Study of a Bronze Age necropolis in Bosnia:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/kopilo-a-newly-discovered-late-bronze-and-iron-age-burial-ground-in-bosnia/8C254B43FE083FC85995C80F1FE5DA3D#.Y-0d-EtSGqR.facebook
A school construction site in Co Down has revealed a major prehistoric settlement site:
https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/02/13/news/archaeologists_uncover_one_of_ireland_s_largest_prehistoric_settlements_at_site_of_new_downpatrick_school-3054623/
Not sure if we've mentioned this Unetice culture site in Poland:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/archaeologists-find-lost-stronghold-of-unetice-culture/146211
A study of the 1300 years bp skull of a woman from Italy had undergone trepanation at least twice:
https://arkeonews.net/unlucky-medieval-woman-underwent-at-least-two-skull-surgeries-in-longobard-italy/
https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/02/t-is-for-trepanation-this-medieval-woman-had-two-brain-surgeries-skull-shows/
Evidence of a Saxon presence in the Peak District:
https://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/this-is-really-exciting-news-discoveries-made-at-a-peak-district-archeologist-site-are-of-national-importance-4025537
Studying finds from a medieval rubbish dump in Cartama (Spain):
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/guadalhorce-valley/archaeological-remains-constitution-20230215110602-nt.html
Crop marks at Hartlebury Castle reveal a possible Civil War bastion:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-64569080
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/archaeologists-drone-kidderminster-village-unearths-26235042
The Time Team folks may have found a Knights Hospitaller site in Shropshire:
https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/attractions/2023/02/14/archaeologists-tease-a-major-announcement-following-hunt-for-knights-hospitaller-site-in-north-shropshire/
Investigating a boat buried beneath a Wirral pub parking lot:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-scientists-ancient-boat-pub-car.html
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/viking-boat-could-found-underneath-26265606
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/archaeologists-investigate-ancient-boat-buried-beneath-car-park/146219
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/16/ancient-boat-buried-under-a-pub-car-park-investigated/
A 'silver wedding dress' and other luxury goods from the wreck of the Palmwood:
https://www.eastcoastdaily.in/2023/02/19/archaeologists-unearth-a-stunning-silver-wedding-gown-from-a-shipwreck-from-the-seventeenth-century.html
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/17/world/dutch-palmwood-shipwreck-finds-scn/index.html
Remains of a 300 years bp wooden mikveh from a site in Poland:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/02/excavations-in-poland-have-uncovered-a-jewish-mikveh/146223
A detectorist found a 17th century mourning ring in Wiltshire:
https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/23312674.detectorist-stunned-treasure-find-wiltshire/
Another detectorist found a 250 years bp gold ring in Canterbury:
https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2023/02/13/novice-treasure-hunter-unearths-250-year-old-ring/
Still yet another found a 14th century silver gilt strap end:
https://www.medievalists.net/2023/02/medieval-artefact-displaying-fantastic-beasts-discovered-in-england/
More on the Spanish hospital that became a church that became a bar turning out to have once been a medieval synagogue:
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/367348
More on the medieval fort found by LiDAR in Spain:
https://www.livescience.com/lasers-reveal-ruins-of-5th-century-fortress-in-spanish-forest
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11232-230213-spain-medieval-fort
More on the spices found on the 15th century wreck of the Gribshunden:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-trove-spices-world-sunken-fifteenth-century.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731250
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66467
https://arkeonews.net/denmark-kings-spice-cabinet-discovered-on-gribshunden/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/royal-medieval-pantry-spices-500-year-old-shipwreck-180981630/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11230-230213-royal-ship-spices
More on the Tudor-era pendant associated with Katherine of Aragon:
https://the-past.com/news/tudor-treasure-exploring-an-artefact-rich-in-royal-imagery/
More on the 500 years bp burial of an 'anchoress' who suffered from syphilis:
https://www.livescience.com/medieval-religious-hermit-buried-in-extremely-unusual-position-had-syphilis
https://www.sciencealert.com/religious-hermit-found-buried-in-the-fetal-position-and-archeologists-arent-sure-why
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66478
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/13/mysterious-skeleton-revealed-to-belong-to-an-anchoress/
More on the resilience English monasteries displayed in response to Viking attacks:
https://aleteia.org/2023/02/15/how-medieval-monasteries-survived-viking-raids/
A memorial to St Cuthbert has been restored to Lindisfarne:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/17/memorial-to-st-cuthbert-restored-to-lindisfarne-after-nearly-500-years
A 9th century Viking Raider stone is going on display:
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1249/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1249/pub/1249/page/23/article/388155
A Tudor gold signet ring associated with the Boleyns has gone on display:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66485
Finds from the wreck of the Gloucester are going on display:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-64651507
Pondering the future of derelict listed buildings in Grimsby:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-humber-64626137
A 19th century shipwreck full of pottery headed for New Zealand has been given UK protection:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-64650670
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/167-year-old-shipwreck-carrying-rare-ceramics-gains-historical-protection-180981639/
Plans for a dig at the former bus depot site in Colchester:
https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23328221.colchester-former-bus-depot-set-archaeological-dig/
Feature on finds made during construction of the Amsterdam metro:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/underground-amsterdam-treasures-rokin/index.html
Feature on living during the Ice Age:
https://aeon.co/essays/what-was-it-like-to-grow-up-in-the-last-ice-age
Fines for some Yorkshire 'amateur archaeologists' who reburied some 700 years bp bones:
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/yorkshire-amateur-archaeologists-landed-with-ps3000-bill-for-illegal-burial-of-700-year-old-bones-4028587
----------
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
============================================================
Eight (maybe 7) Zhou dynasty burials with feudal implications from Shaanxi:
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1285384.shtml
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2023-02/14/content_85105755.htm
A 2400 years bp flush toilet find from a site in Shaanxi:
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/16/WS63ed04ada31057c47ebaf009.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202302/1285532.shtml
https://www.modbee.com/news/nation-world/world/article272529260.html
https://arkeonews.net/2400-year-old-unearthed-flush-toilet-in-china/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66520
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11241-230217-xian-flush-toilet
A pair of Warring States Period palace structures from Shaanxi:
https://www.shine.cn/news/nation/2302196380/
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2023-02/19/content_85114575.htm
21 Western Han Dynasty tombs from Hunan:
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/17/WS63eed02aa31057c47ebaf4d4.html
A Western Xia Dynasty kiln site from northwest China:
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2023-02/17/content_85111553.htm
http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0217/c90000-10209082.html
https://sana.sy/en/?p=301078
Overview piece on recent finds from Shanxi:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/15/WS63ec9c67a31057c47ebaef96.html
Feature on purported 'booby traps' in Qin's tomb:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-booby-traps-of-qin-shi-huangs-tomb-fact-fiction-or-something-even-better
3000 years bp traces of milk residue from Tibet:
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/14/WS63eade74a31057c47ebae956.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11237-230215-tibet-milk-residue
Feature on five sites/finds in China:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-02-16/Five-archaeological-discoveries-showcase-the-splendor-of-ancient-China-1htg2kJoBXi/index.html
A 1600 years bp Sivalinga from Andhra Pradesh:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/arthanariswara-sivalinga-dating-back-to-4th-century-found-at-pedakonduru-in-guntur-district/article66512202.ece
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/feb/16/ancient-sivalinga-found-at-anandeswara-temple-in-andhra-pradesh-2547875.html
An 11th century sculpture find from Kumta:
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/180223/exciting-archaeological-discovery-at-ulluru-mutta.html
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2023/feb/18/karnataka-11th-century-sculpture-found-inkumta-expertsto-unearth-history-2548632.html
Temple construction in Ahmedabad revealed remains of a step-well and idols:
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/ancient-step-well-idols-unearthed-digging-temple-ahmedabad-8453175/
Plans to restore the Tripolia Gateway in Delhi:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/neglected-tripolia-gate-set-for-restoration-work-by-asi-101676228413593.html
A 400 years bp Christian chapel in India may be demolished to make way for a football stadium:
https://www.licas.news/2023/02/14/400-year-old-chapel-in-india-faces-demolition-to-give-way-to-football-stadium/
The ASI approved digs in various sites:
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/archaeological-survey-of-india-approves-excavations-at-rakhigarhi-in-haryana-several-other-sites-479987
Feature on Gandharan buddhism spread:
https://theprint.in/the-fineprint/buddhism-did-not-spread-by-the-sword-but-the-empires-that-helped-it-grow-did/1373559/
============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
============================================================
Funding to study heritage sites in Linmen National Park:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/13/exploring-heritage-sites-at-nt-national-park/
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
A possible Revolutionary War veteran burial on Rhode Island:
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/good-news/2023/02/17/historical-cranston-ri-cemetery-may-hold-revolutionary-war-soldier/69905745007/
Remains of a home associated with enslaved persons near the site of Harriet Tubman's birthplace:
https://wtop.com/maryland/2023/02/home-unearthed-near-maryland-birthplace-of-abolitionist-harriet-tubman/
https://www.wrde.com/news/new-home-discovered-by-archaeologists-at-harriet-tubmans-birthplace/article_47dfa436-ac99-11ed-b69c-e764644bf180.html
... including some West African religious items:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/02/14/eastern-shore-discovery-harriet-tubman/
https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/harriet-tubman-west-african-spirit-cache-found-dorchester-county-maryland/
https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/black-history/maryland-archaeologists-uncover-african-religious-artifacts-near-where-harriet-tubman-was-born/285-9307c7a9-ab03-4965-83c4-3716f2b90b2e
https://www.wboc.com/news/archaeologists-find-artifacts-from-enslaved-people-at-blackwater-national-wildlife-refuge/article_3099aba0-acc1-11ed-9ee7-d3c8de52598e.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/west-african-spirit-cache-discovered-at-harriet-tubmans-maryland-birthplace-180981655/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11235-230215-maryland-spirit-cache
A 19th century shipwreck has washed up on a Nantucket beach:
https://www.newsweek.com/shipwreck-massachusetts-nantucket-video-preserved-1781666
More on the find of an unexploded 160 years bp artillery shell at Gettysburg:
https://www.livescience.com/archaeologists-find-unexploded-artillery-shell-under-gettysburg-battlefield
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/civil-war-artillery-shell-found-gettysburg-180981642/
A 19th century crypt in Old North Church in Boston is undergoing restoration:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/02/18/metro/historic-crypt-old-north-church-with-parts-unopened-since-1860-undergoing-restoration/
A followup on the FBI search for Civil War-era gold in Pennsylvania:
https://apnews.com/article/politics-war-and-unrest-pennsylvania-clearfield-ec6f923036d4da94d0d8b07a6e0e82bb
Feature on the role of a pair of enslaved persons in Boston's pottery industry:
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/two-enslaved-men-played-major-roles-in-bostons-pottery-industry/
Feature on Oswego churches' role in the Underground Railroad:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2023/02/12/owego-homes-churches-underground-railroad-black-history-month-2023
More on climate change and migration to the Americas:
https://www.livescience.com/bering-land-bridge-was-only-passable-during-2-brief-windows-study-finds
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11236-230215-north-america-migration
... and a feature on how folks arrived in the Americas:
https://www.livescience.com/how-did-humans-first-reach-the-americas
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
A 1200 years bp temple site from Pakaytambo (Peru):
https://today.uic.edu/1200-year-old-temple-discovery-in-peru/
Not sure how 'new' this find of Maya 'superhighways' by LiDAR in Guatemala is:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/16/world/maya-civilization-causeways-lidar-discovery-scn/index.html
cf: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ancient-mesoamerica/article/lidar-analyses-in-the-contiguous-miradorcalakmul-karst-basin-guatemala-an-introduction-to-new-perspectives-on-regional-early-maya-socioeconomic-and-political-organization/31075DFA8ADBAA5E7C7320CA6DB93E5E
A study of a 15th century tunic (unku) from Chile:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-unique-discovery-glimpse-provincial-culture.html
https://arkeonews.net/researchers-excavating-the-burial-site-along-caleta-vitor-bay-in-northern-chile-found-an-inka-tunic-or-unku/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11238-230216-chile-inca-tunic
An elite Maya tomb from Chichen Viejo:
https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2023/02/experts-discover-an-ancient-maya-tomb-of-elite-personage-in-yucatan/
... from the same place come remains of a housing complex of some sort:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/chichen-itza-chichen-viejo-discovery/index.html
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/elite-residences-uncovered-at-chichen-itza-in-mexico-1234657637/
Excavations of four Classic Period mounds at El Naranjo:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731737
https://www.iflscience.com/shell-and-green-quartz-flowers-found-in-1-000-year-old-mexican-burial-site-67596
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/13/mexico-el-naranjo-inah-excavations-archaeological-discoveries
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11233-230214-mexico-mound-earrings
A 16th century cemetery in Mexico City's Chapultepec Park:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/archaeologists-find-16th-century-cemetery-chapultepec-park/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11242-230217-mexico-transition-cemetery
Machu Picchu has reopened to the public:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-64648641
https://apnews.com/article/peru-government-caribbean-dina-boluarte-833ba4a8df14f5cfca2ccb62d84db73b
https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2023/02/the-archaeological-site-of-machu-picchu-re-opens-after-one-month/
https://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/machu-picchu-officially-reopens-to-travellers/
-----
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
============================================================
Not sure where to put this item on the Book of Revelation being influenced by curse tablets:
https://www.livescience.com/book-of-revelations-vision-of-the-apocalypse-inspired-by-pagan-curses-researcher-claims
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-02-15/ty-article/new-testaments-book-of-revelation-was-influenced-by-curse-tablets-scholar-deduces/00000186-5466-d603-a7bf-def7deb50000
cf: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/458878862?language=en
Feature on the 'rediscovery' of the site of filming DeMille's 'Ten Commandments' in California's Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes:
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230212-a-city-under-the-sand-the-lost-city-of-cecil-b-demille
Feature on artists' attempts to deal with shadows properly:
https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-art-of-the-shadow-how-painters-have-gotten-it-wrong-for-centuries/
Feature on Matisse's 'Piano Lesson':
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/interactive/2023/henri-matisse-piano-lesson/
Copernicus had to deal with censorship:
https://www.wdsu.com/article/clarified-how-copernicus-fought-censorship-over-500-years-ago/42962257
They've figured out what the monkey-mermaid in a Japanese temple is:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/epzy9m/scientists-finally-found-out-what-a-monkey-mermaid-mummy-really-is
https://www.iflscience.com/scientists-have-tested-the-enjuin-mummy-to-find-out-what-it-really-is-67565
A response to one of the frequent arguments made by pseudoarchaeology fans:
https://ahotcupofjoe.net/2023/02/a-response-to-a-strawman-argument-of-pseudoarchaeology/
Marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-64651007
On the history of condoms (vary degrees of accuracy in this one i think):
https://www.dw.com/en/international-condom-day-a-brief-history-of-rubbers/a-64668190
On how a Scottish missionary started the first Chinese-language magazine:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/february-web-only/milne-scottish-missionary-china-press-journalism.html
On researching historic tsunamis:
https://hakaimagazine.com/news/paleotsunami-detectives-hunt-for-ancient-disasters/
cf: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0012825222002781
Interview with Robert Ballard about the Titanic:
https://apnews.com/article/titanic-rare-footage-released-c429fad5ff9eae14f7dc110881bf0697
More on the deciphering of Mary, Queen of Scots' letters:
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-codebreakers-decipher-lost-letters-mary.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11234-230214-mary-cipher-letters
More on da Vinci and gravity:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/17/science/leonard-da-vinci-gravity.html
https://arkeonews.net/lost-sketches-by-leonardo-da-vinci-show-that-he-understood-gravity-long-before-newton/
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
The Habib-i Neccar Mosque was destroyed in recent earthquake:
https://arkeonews.net/habib-i-neccar-mosque-one-of-the-first-mosques-in-anatolia-was-destroyed-in-the-earthquake/
... as was much of ancient Antioch:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230213-once-home-to-civilisations-fabled-antioch-left-in-ruins
... but Gobekli Tepe survived:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/02/prehistoric-world-heritage-site-gobekli-tepe-survives-turkey-earthquakes
https://gizmodo.com/gobekli-tepe-turkey-earthquake-undamaged-archaeology-1850107303
... as did the Arslantepe Mound:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-02-13/Arslantepe-Mound-holds-fast-after-quake-catastrophe-1hone2JHczu/index.html
... a centuries-old scroll of the Book of Esther was found during rescue efforts:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731913
Damaged cultural assets in Turkiye have been protected:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/damaged-cultural-heritages-taken-under-protection-ministry-180905
https://www.siasat.com/damaged-historical-sites-to-be-restored-in-turkeys-earthquake-zone-minister-2-2529753/
Feature on ancient earthquakes in Asia Minor:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/11/ancient-earthquakes-asia-minor/
... and a 12th century one that hit Antakya:
https://theconversation.com/buildings-tumbling-survivors-living-in-tents-medieval-descriptions-of-an-1114-ce-earthquake-in-present-day-turkey-and-syria-feel-eerily-familiar-199866
https://theconversation.com/turkeys-historic-city-of-antakya-known-in-roman-and-medieval-times-as-antioch-has-been-flattened-by-powerful-earthquakes-in-the-past-and-rebuilt-itself-199579
Assorted features on the origins of Valentine's Day:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/valentines-day-facts-history.html
https://retrospectjournal.com/2023/02/12/the-history-of-valentines-day/
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/14/valentines-day-greek-saint-valentine/
https://ca.style.yahoo.com/valentines-day-background-history-120011464.html
https://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day
https://www.news18.com/news/explainers/valentines-day-2023-dark-history-explained-7017931.html
... and the influence of Greek myth:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/02/14/the-deep-influence-of-greek-mythology-on-valentines-day/
... and Cupid:
https://theconversation.com/dont-underestimate-cupid-hes-not-the-chubby-cherub-you-associate-with-valentines-day-197735
https://www.umass.edu/hfa/news/professor-classics-debbie-felton-explores-origins-cupid-conversation
The Met is 'de-Russifying' Ukrainian artwork:
https://www.dw.com/en/the-de-russification-of-ukrainian-art/a-64731253
============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Golden Mummies of Egypt:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/feb/16/mummy-issues-the-ancient-faces-that-open-a-window-to-the-beyond
Gandhara art:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1736870/173-gandhara-art-pieces-from-museums-in-pakistan-loaned-to-china
Natural Histories:
https://environment.yale.edu/news/article/natural-histories-yse-scientists-collaborate-new-landscape-art-exhibit
Christopher Wren:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-64667316
Pompeii:
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/pompeii-the-exhibition-museum-of-science-and-industry/
Spain and the Hispanic World:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanneshurvell/2023/02/13/new-york-collection-of-spanish-treasures-on-show-in-uk-for-first-time/
Thomas Commeraw:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/feb/15/thomas-commeraw-the-black-19th-century-potter-who-historians-assumed-was-white
cf: https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/crafting-freedom-thomas-commeraw1
Islanders (ancient Cyprus):
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64682924
Golden Worlds:
https://www.doaks.org/visit/museum/exhibitions/a-beautiful-dichotomy
Divinity in Maya Art:
https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/gods-divinity-maya-art
Labyrinth:
https://greekherald.com.au/culture/history/never-before-seen-minoan-artefacts-go-on-display-in-the-uk/
Vermeer:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/feb/12/vermeer-rijksmuseum-amsterdam-review-one-of-the-most-thrilling-exhibitions-ever-conceived
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/vermeer-retrospective-sells-out-rijksmuseum-1234657151/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/vermeer-exhibition-amsterdam-delft-2254119
Last year's finds in Bulgaria:
https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/407214-last-year-s-archaeological-discoveries-in-bulgaria-go-on-display-in-sofia
Feature on recent updates to the Manchester Museum:
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1248/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1248/pub/1248/page/71/article/NaN
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/17/arts/design/manchester-museum-reopening-diversity.html
An Iron Age shield found in Yorkshire Wolds has been gifted to East Riding Museums:
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/spectacular-iron-age-shield-found-in-pocklington-donated-back-to-yorkshire-by-housebuilder-whose-land-it-was-discovered-on-4028429
Talk about broadening the definition of 'treasure' in the UK to help museums:
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64677364
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/18/change-to-uk-treasure-law-will-keep-more-artefacts-in-museums
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1250/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1250/pub/1250/page/9/article/NaN
The British Museum's Hieroglyphs exhibition is going on tour:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2023/02/15/sample-of-british-museums-hieroglyphs-exhibition-to-go-on-uk-tour/
A new law in Greece would make it legal for Greek antiquities to be displayed outside the country:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230213-greece-approves-disputed-museum-law-seen-as-antiquity-export-plan
https://www.rfi.fr/en/people-and-entertainment/20230213-greece-approves-disputed-museum-law-seen-as-antiquity-export-plan
... which resulted in some museums closing in protest:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/13/greek-museums-protest-against-new-law/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/02/14/archaeologists-close-five-most-prominent-museums-in-greece-to-protest-status-change/
https://hyperallergic.com/801464/controversial-new-law-prompts-greek-museums-to-shutter/
https://www.apollo-magazine.com/art-news-greek-museums-closed-protest/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/greek-museums-closed-protest-government-appointed-boards-2256163
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/greek-archaeologists-strike-law-museums-export-plan-1234657360/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/16/protests-erupt-in-athens-over-fears-of-increasing-privatisation-in-greeces-museum-sector
... and there are plans for a major renovation of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/16/athens-museum-unveils-design-for-major-renovation
https://en.protothema.gr/national-archaeological-museum-this-is-how-it-will-look-after-reconstruction-impressive-photos-video/
https://apnews.com/article/david-chipperfield-athens-greece-design-62b06f067042d7efbd7726c673597146
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/major-renovation-planned-athens-archaeological-museum-97242689
https://www.wral.com/major-renovation-planned-for-athens-archaeological-museum/20723045/
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/48440-national-archaeological-museum-in-athens-the-new-look-after-reconstruction-video.html
Review of Patrick Bringley, *All the Beauty in the World*:
https://apnews.com/article/reviews-book-business-entertainment-c735f3de5a1d4c659666eace1ea12801
https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/2023/0216/Behind-the-velvet-ropes-Thoughts-from-a-Met-museum-guard
============================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
============================================================
High expectations for the Codex Sassoon Hebrew Bible:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/arts/hebrew-bible-auction-sothebys.html
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2023-02-16/ty-article/worlds-oldest-hebrew-bible-could-sell-for-up-to-50-million-at-a-new-york-auction/00000186-593e-db0c-add6-7d7ff0810000
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1248/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1248/pub/1248/page/32/article/NaN
A Nguyen Dynasty imperial seal was acquired by a Vietnamese collector with repatriation in mind:
https://vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnamese-collector-successfully-purchases-royal-seal-2110139.html
A chip off Cleopatra's Needle came to auction:
https://www.itv.com/news/central/2023-02-13/fragments-of-cleopatras-needle-sold-in-birmingham
Feature on the 'big' auctions of January 2023:
https://news.artnet.com/news-pro/here-are-the-15-most-expensive-artworks-sold-around-the-world-in-january-2023-2253427
============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
A facial 'approximation' of a Brazilian man from 9600 years bp:
https://www.livescience.com/see-the-lifelike-face-of-zuzu-a-man-who-lived-9600-years-ago-in-brazil
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/16/face-man-lived-9600-years-ago/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11240-230217-brazil-zuzu-reconstruction
... and a 2000 years bp Nabataean woman:
https://www.livescience.com/meet-hinat-a-nabataean-woman-who-lived-2000-years-ago-in-what-is-now-saudi-arabia
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2253626/saudi-arabia
... and the 'lonely boy' from 8300 years bp Norway:
https://www.livescience.com/stunning-reconstruction-reveals-lonely-boy-with-deformed-skull-who-died-in-cave-in-norway-8300-years-ago
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/02/17/lonely-boy-from-norways-western-coast-reconstructed/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11239-230216-norway-mesolithic-teen
============================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
============================================================
A lost composition of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor has been found:
https://rackham.umich.edu/discover-rackham/reviving-the-lost-work-of-a-groundbreaking-black-composer/
============================================================
TV/DOCUMENTARY HYPISH THINGS
============================================================
Emily:
https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-movies-entertainment-34288303e4373ed1f96baf7748139fe1
https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/02/emily-bronte-movie-2022-emma-mackey-review/673071/
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/17/1157468414/emily-review-bronte-biopic-wurthering-heights
============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
A stolen Capitoline Wolf sculpture was recovered in Libya:
https://libyaobserver.ly/news/capitoline-wolf-artifact-recovered-libyan-stability-support-apparatus
... but there seems to be some confusion about it:
https://libyaobserver.ly/news/antiquities-authority-says-seized-capitoline-wolf-not-same-one-tripoli
... and it's possibly part of a larger bust/recovery:
https://libyaobserver.ly/news/300-artifacts-seized-mans-possession-east-libya
A couple in Drama were arrested in possession of ancient coins:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1205048/couple-arrested-for-illegal-possession-of-ancient-coins/
A group in Egypt apparently created a fake tomb/necropolis to defraud antiquities dealers:
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/1/488283/Egypt/Arrest-warrant-issued-for-suspects-who-created-fak.aspx
https://www.egyptindependent.com/authorities-identify-scammers-in-ancient-egyptian-tomb-fraud/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/122610/Photos-Prosecution-orders-arresting-suspects-who-created-fake-pharaonic-tomb
https://egyptindependent.com/fugitive-suspects-create-fake-ancient-cemetery-to-defraud-antiquities-dealers/
https://globeecho.com/politics/the-monument-in-the-name-of-the-pharaohs-in-egypt-a-completely-fake-underground-cemetery/
A 61-year-old in Spoleto was arrested with a number of ancient items:
https://www.perugiatoday.it/cronaca/spoleto-carabinieri-reperti-archeologici.html
https://www.virgilio.it/italia/spoleto/notizielocali/spoleto_carabinieri_sequestrano_18_reperti_archeologici_in_una_casa_privata-70586225.html
The Manhattan DA seems to be focusing on Shelby White:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-york-antiquities-trafficking-unit-focuses-on-us-patron-of-israeli-archaeology/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-731948
Egypt reduced the sentences imposed on some antiquities smugglers:
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/1233/488236/Egypt/Courts--Law/Egypt-court-reduces-prison-sentence-for-antiquitie.aspx
----------
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
============================================================
Sweden returned a fragment of a 4000 years bp seal to Greece:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/02/16/sweden-returns-greece-4000-year-old-seal/
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/greek-news/culture/48454-4-000-year-old-seal-returned-to-greece-by-the-swedish-embassy-in-athens.html
Hopes the US will return a major 'cache' of stolen antiquities to India:
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/17/1157468414/emily-review-bronte-biopic-wurthering-heights
Feature on the return of a large number of Native American artifacts seized by the FBI:
https://nativenewsonline.net/sovereignty/it-was-surreal
Swiss museums are apparently open to repatriation of art now:
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/looted-colonial-art---there-is-no-limit-to-restitution-/48282022
The Musee D'Orsay has been ordered to return some Nazi-looted items:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/16/paris-court-orders-musee-dorsay-to-return-four-nazi-looted-masterpieces-by-renoir-cezanne-and-gauguin
Feature on Michael Steinhardt's 'exile':
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/michael-steinhardt-antiquities-stolen-artifacts.html
============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Feature on coins of ancient Greek Troas:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/coins-of-ancient-greek-troas-troad-part-4/
Coins of the Cairo Geniza:
https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/genizah-fragments/posts/exhibition-coins-cairo-geniza
Coins of Khirbet el-Aqd:
https://cris.iucc.ac.il/iw/publications/the-coins-of-khirbet-el-aqd-a-hellenistic-roman-stronghold-in-wes
Concerns for the ongoing survival of ancient coin collecting:
https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2023/2/18/23604528/ancient-coin-collecting-us-import-restrictions
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n07.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n08.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Mario Vitti:
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/48448-leading-italian-greek-literature-historian-and-translator-mario-vitti-has-passed-away.html
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1204795/leading-italian-hellenist-dies/
Andrew Stewart:
https://www.archaeological.org/in-memoriam-andrew-f-stewart/
John Ellis Jones:
https://le.ac.uk/about/history/obituaries/2023/john-ellis-jones
============================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
============================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3260-audio-news-from-archaeologica-february-4th-through-the-11th-2023
============================================================
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) 2023 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!
===========================================================