david meadows
2023-04-02 15:22:50 UTC
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explorator 25.50 April 2, 2023
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You can read explorator online at:
https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/
Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay, Chris Hopkins,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
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EARLY HOMINIDS
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Not sure if we've mentioned the No 3 skull of Yunxian county man from Hubei:
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/24/WS641d4f2ca31057c47ebb6660.html
A study of the behaviour of Neanderthal hunting parties:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-clues-behavioral-variability-neanderthal-parties.html
A study of 40 000 years bp teeth excavated in the 1930s at Ksar Akil (Lebanon):
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-archaeological-rediscovery-clues-distant-human.html
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AFRICA
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A study of the trade in copper from South Africa to Central Africa from the 5th century CE onwards:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/146718/146718
More on the 7000 years bp bone tools from Sudan:
https://naukawpolsce.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C95683%2Csudan-na-cmentarzysku-sprzed-7-tys-lat-odkryto-narzedzia-do-upuszczania
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11313-230329-sudan-bone-tools
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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
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Studying 2000 years of ancient graffiti in Egypt:
https://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2023/03/researchers-use-21st-century-methods-to-record-2-000-years-of-an.html
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-21st-century-methods-years-ancient-graffiti.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-736117
https://scienceblog.com/537135/ancient-graffiti-revealed-in-3d-detail/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/study-records-2000-years-of-ancient-graffiti-in-egypt/146713
A study of a cache of severed hands found in pits from Tell el-Dab'a:
https://arkeonews.net/severed-right-hands-reveal-trophy-taking-practices-in-ancient-egypt/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/study-shows-osteological-evidence-of-severed-hands-in-ancient-egypt/146725
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-32165-8
More on the 2000 mummified rams' heads (and more) from the Rameses II temple site in Abydos:
https://www.livescience.com/2000-mummified-rams-heads-were-gifted-to-long-dead-ancient-egyptian-pharaoh-ramesses-ii
https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/492386.aspx
https://egyptindependent.com/photos-archaeological-team-uncovers-2000-mummified-ram-heads-and-more-in-sohag/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/123359/The-American-mission-from-New-York-University-uncover-a-large
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/03/26/Researchers-unearth-2-000-ram-heads-in-Egypt-temple
https://menafn.com/1105883351/Archaeologists-Discover-More-Than-2000-Rams-Heads-at-Temple-of-Pharaoh-Ramses-II
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/ancient-egypt-excavation-uncovers-2000-mummified-ram-heads-abydos-2023-03-25/
https://www.thedailybeast.com/researchers-find-2000-rams-skulls-inside-ancient-egyptian-kings-temple
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230326-researchers-unearth-2-000-ram-heads-in-egypt-temple
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/mummified-ram-heads-ancient-egyptian-intl-scli-scn/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/egypt-king-ramses-ii-ram-skulls-mummified-discovery-abydos-temple-ancient-pharaoh/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11907643/Mummified-heads-2-000-rams-killed-tribute-pharaoh-Ramesses-II-discovered-Egypt.html
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-27/ancient-egypt-excavation-uncovers-2-000-mummified-ram-heads/102150534
https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/staggering-archaeological-find-in-egypt-exposes-cult/news-story/a04b7c351ae382a91220f52d6154be68
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/egypt-discovers-2-000-mummified-ram-heads-in-ancient-temple/2856188
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/27/mummified-rams-heads-egypt/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/131618792/2000-mummified-ram-heads-discovered-in-ancient-temple-in-egypt-what-were-they-for
https://www.iflscience.com/2000-mummified-ram-heads-discovered-at-ancient-egyptian-temple-of-ramesses-ii-68170
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/2000-ram-heads-uncovered-at-temple-of-rameses-ii-in-abydos/146662
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discovered-2000-ram-skulls-temple-pharaoh-ramses-ii-180981911/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11307-230327-egypt-abydos-ram
More on the statue fragments found at Helopolis:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egyptian-pharaoh-sphinx-statues-unearthed-at-sun-temple
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11305-230324-egypt-heliopolis-temple
Feature on who ruled Egypt after the death of Tutankhamun:
https://www.livescience.com/who-ruled-ancient-egypt-after-king-tut-died
Feature on Nefertiti:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/was-nefertiti-egypts-leading-lady-before-king-tut
Feature on the project to map the royal necropolis on Thebes' West Bank:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-egypt/mapping-egypts-new-kingdom-royal-necropolis/
The Valley of the Queens now has online access:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/29/egypts-valley-of-the-queens-is-now-accessible-online/
Feature on the 'Egyptian' king of Moab:
https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2023/03/egyptian-king-moab
Review of Lynne Olson, *Empress of the Nile*:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/apr/02/empress-of-the-nile-by-lynne-olson-review-the-unsung-heroine-of-eygptology-unearthed
Feature/reading of the Epic of Gilgamesh in the original language:
https://www.openculture.com/2023/03/listen-to-the-epic-of-gilgamesh-being-read-in-its-original-ancient-language-akkadian.html
Overview of archaeology finds in Turkiye in March:
https://turkisharchaeonews.net/article/march-2023-turkish-archaeology
An 1100 years bp amulet associated with Simeon the Great's march on Constantinople:
https://arkeonews.net/a-1100-year-old-lead-amulet-of-bulgarian-soldiers-sieges-constantinople-found/
Feature on conserving a Roman fort at Qasr Bshir:
https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-115/Around-Jordan/Qasr-Bshir-Conserving-a-special-Roman-fort-27842
A 6000 years bp copper fish hook (large) from Ashkelon:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-fish-hook-suggests-sharks-were-hunted-off-israels-coast-6000-years-ago
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-03-29/ty-article/israeli-archaeologists-find-one-of-worlds-oldest-metal-fishhooks-and-its-for-sharks/00000187-1e8c-d4ca-afff-1f8c11da0000
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-735762
https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/03/29/6000-year-old-copper-fishhook-unlocks-ashkelons-ancient-past/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/369375
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-jaws-recently-found-6000-year-old-copper-fishhook-was-likely-for-sharks/
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/hy1q8vz11h
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/31/a-6000-year-old-copper-fishing-hook-found-in-ashkelon/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11315-230330-israel-copper-fishhook
3800-3500 years bp kilns from Yavneh found to have been used for internment purposes:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-03-30/ty-article/strange-ancient-burials-found-in-southern-israel/00000187-31bc-db91-adcf-3fbf43be0000
A study of the size of talmudic Passover eggs in various periods:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-735936
Feature on the people who inhabited Tel Hazor:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/the-ancient-people-of-tel-hazor/
More on the mosaic (re)uncovered at Shoham:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/31/ancient-mosaic-floor-re-uncovered-along-the-israel-national-trail/
More on the remains of the sixth century CE (or so) 'pearling town' on Siniyah Island:
https://apnews.com/article/science-travel-world-news-ap-top-news-middle-east-e22516065e1a596eabaa5dad27e2b28f
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11302-230323-siniyah-island-pearling
Feature marking the birthday (maybe) of Pliny the Elder:
https://knowablemagazine.org/article/society/2023/pliny-elder-first-encyclopedia
Feature on plaster casts of victims of Pompeii:
https://mymodernmet.com/pompeii-casts/
Feature on the surge in popularity of Boudicca:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/02/boudicca-returns-as-a-21st-century-feminist-2000-years-after-her-death
Feature on the restoration and display of Yemen weapons from various periods:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ancient-weapons-yemen-restored-display-062459864.html
Feature on the huge camel petroglyphs at Al-Jouf:
https://www.iflscience.com/these-saudi-camel-carvings-are-older-than-stonehenge-68251
More on the Neolithic mustatils in Saudi Arabia:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/mustatil-excavation-alula-saudi-arabia-2271897
The Parthia.com website is celebrating 25 years:
http://www.parthia.com/
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:
https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/
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ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
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A 3400 years bp Minoan tomb find from Crete (I think this is old news):
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/03/27/a-3400-year-old-minoan-tomb-has-been-uncovered-in-crete/
Gold and other finds in a 4th century CE burial from Calabria:
https://www.stilearte.it/trovati-pizzini-doro-e-un-biberon-in-una-tomba-calabrese-del-iv-secolo-a-c-ora-si-lavora-col-microscopio/
https://www.calabriamagnifica.it/arte-e-cultura/scoperta-tomba-romana-in-calabria/
Assorted 3rd/2nd century BCE votives dedicated to Hercules from Passo Corese:
https://www.ilmessaggero.it/rieti/passo_corese_scavi_polo_logistica-7309808.html
https://www.stilearte.it/trovati-nei-cunicoli-di-corese-ex-voto-degli-antichi-romani-indicano-un-vicino-e-sepolto-santuario-di-ercole/
Not sure if we've mentioned this find of a Roman military camp at Villeneuve-sur-Lot:
https://www.stilearte.it/meraviglioso-scoperto-in-gallia-possente-accampamento-romano-lapparizione-di-pegaso-i-tesori-dei-legionari/
Evidence of Roman structures in the cloister garden at Exeter Cathedral:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-65124213
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/archaeologists-unearth-exciting-exeter-roman-8309919
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/roman-remains-uncovered-at-exeter-cathedral/146699
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11318-230331-roman-exeter-fortress
A Roman road find from Spain:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/spanish-council-digs-up-roman-road-r9bjxdzd3
The text of Ptolemy's *Meteoroscope* has been detected in a medieval manuscript:
https://www.newsweek.com/ptolemy-lost-manuscript-discovered-medieval-abbey-1790809
Archaeologists are seeking help identifying a Roman (?) gilded silver fragment found by a detectorist in Norfolk:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-65044932
https://arkeonews.net/roman-gilded-silver-fragment-uncovered-in-norfolk-baffles-researchers/
Strange find of a pair of Roman coins on a Baltic island:
https://www.sh.se/english/sodertorn-university/news/research/2023-03-24-two-roman-coins-found-on-gotska-sandon
https://www.stilearte.it/impressionante-2-monete-romane-e-misteriosi-focolari-scoperti-sullisola-che-non-ce-nel-mar-baltico/
More on the 1st/2nd century CE Venus figurine (and more) from a rubbish dump site in Rennes:
https://www.livescience.com/roman-era-trash-dump-containing-naked-venus-statue-and-other-artifacts-unearthed-in-france
https://www.macon.com/news/nation-world/world/article273693115.html
https://arkeonews.net/naked-venus-statue-discovered-in-a-roman-garbage-dump-in-france/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11314-230329-france-venus-figurines
More on the 'contest' to decipher Herculaneum scrolls:
https://mymodernmet.com/vesuvius-challenge-scroll/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-30/competitors-decode-ancient-herculaneum-papyri-using-ai/102166022
More on the 'dishes' found at Civita Giuliana:
https://news.yahoo.com/2-000-old-artifacts-unearthed-214451501.html
https://www.bnd.com/news/nation-world/world/article273647565.html
More on the Colchester vase and matters gladiatorial:
https://the-past.com/news/re-examination-of-the-colchester-vase-reveals-it-was-made-locally/
More on the copper trade-related finds from Hala Sultan Tekke:
https://www.gu.se/en/news/cypruss-copper-deposits-created-one-of-the-most-important-trade-hubs-in-the-bronze-age
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11309-230328-cyprus-copper-trade
Items found during construction of the Thessaloniki metro are being put on display at the station:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/newsasset/1207627/antiquities-being-repositioned-at-thessaloniki-metro-station/
Review of Peter Stothard, *Palatine*:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/palatine-an-alternative-history-of-the-caesars-by-peter-stothard-review-how-to-get-ahead-in-ancient-rome-xwcx93xhf
An 11th grade student has published a novel written entirely in Latin:
https://morganton.com/news/local/eleventh-grader-publishes-novel-written-entirely-in-latin/article_6b09add0-ca80-11ed-b60d-ab3ec3e87436.html
Feature on Martin VIzzotti's talk on ancient science fiction:
https://www.utdailybeacon.com/arts_and_culture/argentina-professor-martin-vizzotti-presents-lecture-on-popular-iconic-literary-journeys-to-space/article_ac93e576-cd7e-11ed-8ae7-2772925ac257.html
Feature on Amazons and Scythians in Greek art:
https://www.thecollector.com/amazons-scythians-greek-art/
Feature on a Roman senator's day:
https://www.thecollector.com/roman-senator-daily-life/
Feature on the Locus Ludi project:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-games-glimpses-life-death-ancient.html
Feature on the Eleusinian mysteries:
https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2023/march/eleusinian-mysteries
Feature on some current takes on the Medusa story:
https://www.publicbooks.org/when-medusa-meets-metoo/
Feature on Greek and Roman artisan signatures:
https://hyperallergic.com/715290/the-meaning-of-ancient-greek-and-roman-artisan-signatures/
Feature on Classical reception in modern music:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/a-journey-through-classical-reception-in-modern-music/
Feature on the Ephebe of Agde (on the occasion of its discoverer's death):
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/occitanie/herault/agde/l-ephebe-en-bronze-d-agde-est-orphelin-le-plongeur-qui-l-a-decouvert-dans-le-fleuve-herault-est-decede-2739642.html
Feature on the Praetorian Guard:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/the-fall-of-the-praetorian-guard/146672
Feature on the Pyramid of Cestius:
https://www.thetravel.com/who-built-the-pyramid-of-cestius-in-rome/
Feature on Greek theatres in Turkiye:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/03/30/majestic-ancient-greek-theatres/
Feature on the origins of the Etruscans:
https://www.thecollector.com/where-the-etruscans-come-from/
Feature on a guy in Athens who recreates ancient Greek armour:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/29/ancient-greek-armor/
Feature on ancient Greek helmets:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/26/ancient-greek-helmets/
Feature on Alexander's speech at Opis:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/26/alexander-the-great-mutiny-speech/
Feature on Eros and Psyche:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/27/eros-cupid-psyche-love-story-greek-mythology/
Another feature on the small penis size of ancient statues:
https://www.dw.com/en/why-do-ancient-statues-have-such-small-penises/a-65151780
Another retrial of Socrates is in the works:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/29/socrates-famous-trial-recreated/
More on the Vatican's return of Parthenon sculptures to Greece:
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-735372
https://news.gtp.gr/2023/03/28/greece-welcomes-parthenon-fragments-returned-by-the-vatican/
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/28/greece-thanks-pope-francis-return-parthenon-fragments/
... meanwhile there's some sort of 'fundraising' to repay the UK for the money it spent on Parthenon Sculptures in the British Museum:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/27/fundraising-repay-money-spent-uk-parliament-buy-parthenon-marbles/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
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EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
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Possible Lusatian finds (an axe and some hoops) from Poland:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/bronze-age-treasure-found-in-poland/146680
Bronze Age and Iron Age burials from a site in France:
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/grand-est/haut-rhin/mulhouse/une-vaste-necropole-de-l-age-du-bronze-et-de-l-age-du-fer-decouverte-dans-le-haut-rhin-2743426.html
Remains of a medieval well beneath a Winchester car park:
https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/23417276.archaeologists-find-medieval-well-beneath-upper-brook-street-car-park/
A medieval watermill was revealed in Buckinghamshire:
https://the-past.com/news/medieval-watermill-revealed-in-buckinghamshire/
A medieval tombstone from a Govan cemetery:
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/medieval-tombstone-found-govan-graveyard-26531250
A tartan found 40 years ago in a Highlands bog might date to the 16th century:
https://www.livescience.com/oldest-scottish-tartan-ever-found-was-preserved-in-a-bog-for-over-400-years
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65081312
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/scotlands-oldest-tartan-found-highlands-peat-bog-rcna76765
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-735741
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66890
https://arkeonews.net/scotlands-oldest-tartan-discovered-in-highlands-bog/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11316-230330-scotland-tartan-bog
An 18th century painting hidden in the bell tower of the chruch of Saint Cornier des Landes:
https://fr.aleteia.org/2023/03/26/un-tableau-du-xviiie-siecle-cache-dans-le-clocher-dune-eglise-depuis-plus-de-100-ans/
More on the suggestion Stonehenge wasn't a calendar:
https://www.livescience.com/was-stonehenge-an-ancient-calendar-a-new-study-says-no
https://www.sciencealert.com/nope-stonehenge-isnt-an-ancient-calendar-after-all-scientists-say
More on the 3200 years bp 'golden tomb' find from Armenia:
https://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C95491%2Cpolish-armenian-team-discovers-3200-year-old-golden-tomb.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archaeologists-in-armenia-discover-ancient-golden-tomb-2278370
https://arkeonews.net/archaeologists-uncovered-a-golden-tomb-during-excavations-in-armenia/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/30/polish-armenian-team-discovers-3200-year-old-golden-tomb/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11311-230328-armenia-metsamor-cist
More on plans for a study of Lowbury Woman:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/forgotten-lowbury-woman-burial-to-reveal-her-secrets/146321
More on that Iron Age comb made from human bone:
https://the-past.com/news/iron-age-comb-made-from-human-skull-bone-among-a14-finds/
Hyping an upcoming A417 construction-associated dig in Gloucestershire:
https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/digging-begins-major-road-project-8298119
A Bronze Age gold penannular ring found by a metal detectorist has been donated to a Norfolk museum:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-65056570
Coventry's medieval Charterhouse is reopening after 11 years of restoration:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/27/coventry-medieval-charterhouse-opens-to-public-after-11-year-rescue-effort
A restored Tudor building in Ipswich:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crgqekqve4do
Feature on the Celts:
https://www.thecollector.com/were-celts-barbarians/
----------
Archaeology in Europe News:
http://archaeology-in-europe.blogspot.com/
Medievalists.net:
https://www.medievalists.net/category/news/
Viking Archaeology Blog:
http://viking-archaeology-blog.blogspot.com/
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ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
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45 Western Zhou Dynasty tombs from Baoji (Shaanxi):
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288320.shtml
A Southern Song Dynasty building complex find from Chongqing:
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2023-03/30/content_85200674.htm?f=pad&a=true
China is still showing off its top finds from 2022:
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/28/WS64228498a31057c47ebb6fde.html
https://www.shine.cn/news/nation/2303282608/
... one of which is the Dasonshan tomb site in Guizhou:
http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0401/c90000-20000097.html
More on the Western Han Dynasty bamboo slips from Yunnan:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66877
https://arkeonews.net/2000-year-old-bamboo-slips-discovered-in-yunnan/
More on the Jin Dynasty brick chamber tomb from Shanxi:
https://www.livescience.com/1000-year-old-brick-tomb-discovered-in-china-is-decorated-with-lions-sea-anemones-and-guardian-spirits
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/world/article273516690.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11312-230329-china-carved-tomb
A study of yak milk consumption among Mongol Empire elites:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-yak-consumption-mongol-empire-elites.html
An inscription of Hoysala king at Hemavati in Andhra Pradesh:
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/mar/29/historian-identifies-inscription-of-hoysalas-at-hemavati-in-ap-2560576.html
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-04723-3
============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
============================================================
Search for unmarked burials at the York Cemetery near Perth:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-02/york-cemetery-scientists-archaeologists-burial-site/102167504
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
Feature on dogs in pre-contact British Columbia:
https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/community/dig-it-the-dog-days-of-pre-contact-bc-6773548
Feature on the potential for underwater archaeology in North America:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/biggest-clues-lives-early-americans-hidden-underwater-submerged-prehistory-180981891/
Feature on ancient phallic objects:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/03/ancient-rome-sex-toy-history-archaeology-research/673548/
Study suggests horses were present in North American prairies in the early 1600s:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-untold-history-horse-american-plains.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230330172129.htm
https://www.livescience.com/indigenous-people-of-the-american-west-used-sacred-horses-a-half-century-earlier-than-previously-thought
https://apnews.com/article/horses-arrive-north-america-indian-indigenous-archaeology-ae077bba7a456cf6de7d655314fb8a0a
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230330-horses-part-of-native-american-life-earlier-than-thought-study
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-11921287/Horses-came-American-West-early-1600s-study-finds.html
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/native-americans-spanish-horses
https://www.sciencealert.com/horses-transformed-native-american-life-far-earlier-than-we-thought-new-study-reveals
https://news.yahoo.com/archaeology-genomics-together-indigenous-knowledge-180734339.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/hidden-history-of-horses-in-the-american-west/146694
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/31/exhaustive-study-probes-hidden-history-of-horses-in-the-american-west/
cf: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adc9691
Searching for burials at a historic house in Charlotte:
https://www.wbtv.com/2023/03/29/archaeologists-searching-gravesites-historical-rock-house-east-charlotte/
https://www.kwch.com/video/2023/03/29/archaeologists-searching-gravesites-historical-rock-house-east-charlotte/
A 13 000 years bp sabertooth cat skull find from Iowa might be of interest:
https://www.ketv.com/article/iowa-state-archaeologists-sabertooth-cat-skull/43472097
https://www.thegazette.com/environment-nature/sabertooth-cats-once-roamed-iowa-archaeology-discovery-confirms/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66896
Studying the Kenwood Academy fire in Albany:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/albany-officials-return-site-huge-fire-former-17857909.php
... and trying to prevent similar occurrences:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/albany-historians-work-prevent-another-kenwood-17871484.php
Feature on ancient Native American textiles in Kentucky:
https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2023/03/uncovering-kentucky-history-ancient-american-indian-textiles/
Feature on the discovery of Etzanoa and what's been found there:
https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/news/2023/03-march/quivira_3.php
Feature on federalism in the US:
http://hnn.us/article/185319
Feature on Ulysses Grant's great grandfather:
http://hnn.us/article/185269
The Franklin Expedition site is getting historic site status:
https://www.nunavutnews.com/news/lost-franklin-expedition-ships-to-become-nunavuts-first-national-historic-sites/
Mike Ruggeri's listing of lectures and conferences this month:
https://mikeruggerisevents.tumblr.com/
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
Study suggests folks living in the Andes some 3000 years bp may have adapted to tuberculosis:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-03-genomic-reveals-tuberculosis-ancient-andeans.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11319-230331-andean-ecuador-tuberculosis
Pondering Mesoamerican peoples living 'among the ruins':
https://www.science.org/content/article/ancient-people-lived-among-ruins-too-what-did-they-make-them
INAH is taking legal action to prevent the sale of a Maya archaeological site (on Facebook):
https://yucatanmagazine.com/archaeological-site-for-sale-goes-viral-in-yucatan/
https://arkeonews.net/maya-archaeological-site-for-sale-on-facebook-has-stirred-controversy-in-yucatan-and-across-mexico/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/inah-takes-legal-action-against-illegal-sale-of-maya-archaeological-site-on-facebook/146704
Health concerns arising from a travelling mummified persons display in Mexico:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-mexican-experts-mummy-pose-health.html
Feature on hygiene amongst the Aztecs:
https://www.ranker.com/list/aztec-hygiene/melissa-sartore?pgid=1215806301835805
-----
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 one on rotting meat being a staple in several early cultures' diets:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/meat-rotten-putrid-paleo-diet-fire-neanderthal
Feature asking for an end of 'alternative histories' in TV shows:
https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2023/03/30/science-indigenous-americans-alternative-histories/ideas/essay/
The Eiffel Tower may have inspired Van Gogh's *Starry Night*:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/mar/26/vincent-van-gogh-starry-night-eiffel-tower-inspired-expert
Studying the use of eggs in oil paintings:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/28/scientists-old-master-artists-egg-tempera-oil-paintings
On whether Monet's impressionistic style may have been connected to climate change:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/monet-impressionistic-style-air-pollution-2274090
Exerting 'copyright' status on the Vitruvian Man:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ravensburger-da-vinci-vitruvian-man-puzzle-ruling-gallerie-dell-accademia-2276738
The Getty and London's National Portrait Gallery purchased the *Portrait of Omai*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/31/arts/design/portrait-of-omai-getty-national-portrait-gallery.html
Feature on Jennie Ross Cobb and her Native American photographs:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-life-and-legacy-of-native-photographer-jennie-ross-cobb
Feature on studying the scents of the past:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/27/world/decoding-how-the-past-smells-scn/index.html
On the history of poisoned wine:
https://www.winemag.com/2023/03/29/austrian-wine-poisoning-antifreeze/
On the search for Shackleton's Endurance:
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/03/27/how-shackletons-endurance-inspired-a-modern-expedition-to-find-the-sunken-ship/
Latest item on the Villa Aurora:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/caravaggio-art-hidden-villa-aurora
Feature on the first round-the-world passenger cruise 100 years ago:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/laconia-world-cruise-1922-1923-eleanor-claudia-phelps/index.html
More on the possible enslaved status of DaVinci's mother:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-leonardo-da-vinci-mother-slave.html
https://theconversation.com/leonardo-da-vincis-mother-might-have-been-a-slave-heres-what-the-discovery-reveals-about-renaissance-europe-202576
More on Beethoven's DNA:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-genetic-mutation-that-plagued-beethoven
Review of Adrienne Mayor, *Flying Snakes and Griffin Claws*:
https://www.historytoday.com/archive/review/ancient-outtakes
Review of Annie Cohen-Solal, *Picasso the Foreigner*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/01/books/picasso-the-foreigner-annie-cohen-solal.html
Review of David Waldstreicher, *Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/books/review/the-odyssey-of-phillis-wheatley-david-waldstreicher.html
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
The Vatican repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery:
https://apnews.com/article/vatican-indigenous-papal-bulls-pope-francis-062e39ce5f7594a81bb80d0417b3f902
Some reactions to the Florida school v David thing:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/27/michelangelo-david-florida-florence-museum-school
https://www.indonewyork.com/breaking/too-prudish-for-michelangelo-munich-museum-director-nudity-in-h80162.html
https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/michigan/hillsdale-ends-partnership-with-school-over-the-david-issue/69-45251ff7-f2e2-4fc6-81c0-9b301b795b28
Features on the origins of April Fool's Day:
https://www.realsimple.com/history-of-april-fools-day-7370530
============================================================
PHILOSOPHERS AND MATTERS PHILOSOPHICAL
============================================================
Pondering the authenticity of Plato's letters:
https://aeon.co/essays/what-the-controversial-letters-of-plato-reveal-about-us
Feature on Plato's Theaetetus:
https://www.thecollector.com/plato-theaetetus-how-do-we-know/
Feature on Platonic love:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/202303/the-true-meaning-of-platonic-love
============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Terracotta Warriors:
http://t.m.china.org.cn/convert/c_moC1VxYd.html
https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2023-03-30/China-s-incredible-life-size-Terracotta-Army-marches-into-Alicante-1iyg4mE8Kcw/index.html
The Pergamon Museum in Berlin will be closing for 14 years (!) for repairs:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/germanys-famous-pergamon-museum-closes-for-4-years-amid-concerns/news
https://globeecho.com/news/europe/germany/berlins-pergamon-museum-closes-completely-a-part-will-only-open-again-in-14-years/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/berlins-pergamon-museum-to-close-for-14-years-in-1-6bn-repair-xb9xkj0gr
https://www.indonewyork.com/lifestyle/museum-island-berlin-s-pergamon-museum-is-completely-closed-for-h79546.html
The headless bronze statue of a Roman emperor (maybe) was seized at the Met this week:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/arts/met-museum-statue-seized.html
============================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
============================================================
That Brueghel the Younger painting found 'behind a door' in a family house in France is coming to auction:
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/brueghel-painting-discovered-france-auction/index.html
============================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
============================================================
Using DNA to trace enslaved peoples' heritage in South Carolina:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-stories-lost-slavery-dna.html
https://apnews.com/article/dna-slavery-charleston-africa-c0aeabe3c0ab74ea34c074ba20479d99
Using DNA to discern the origins of Swahili people:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-life-uncovers-ancient-dna-swahili.html
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-ancient-dna-story-swahili-people.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/29/science/ancient-swahili-dna.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-03-29/ty-article/ancient-dna-provides-solomonic-solution-to-mystery-of-swahili-origins/00000187-2211-d4ca-afff-331966060000
https://www.science.org/content/article/dna-shows-persian-princes-helped-found-medieval-african-trading-culture
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/30/asian-ancestry-introduced-to-east-africa-in-early-modern-times/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-dna-confirms-the-origin-story-of-the-swahili-people-180981909/
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00941-1
============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
A project to map underwater Palaeolithic sites in the Adriatic:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-65082281
https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/25/archaeologists-on-first-of-its-kind-mission-to-map-underwater-cities-18501528/
============================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
============================================================
Reconstructing the temperatures in Alaska over a 14 000 year span:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-reconstruction-prehistoric-temperatures-oldest-archaeological.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/30/a-reconstruction-of-prehistoric-temperatures-for-sites-in-north-america/
cf: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379123000276?via%3Dihub
============================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
============================================================
Uncrowded archaeological sites in Mexico:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/mexico-uncrowded-archaeological-sites/index.html
============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
That smuggled Sassanian relief recovered at a UK airport a while ago has been restored and will soon return to Iran:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/01/smuggled-iranian-carving-worth-30m-seized-at-airport-by-uk-border-patrol
Vandalism at the Ten Broeck Mansion site in Albany:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/vandals-destroy-outdoor-exhibits-albany-s-ten-17862533.php
Assorted Bronze Age pottery found during a drug bust in Israel:
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/ryzbm8x113
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/israeli-police-discover-3500-year-old-antiquities-during-drug-bust/2023/03/28/
----------
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
============================================================
Turkiye received a number of items from the Met:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/new-york-authorities-return-12-artifacts-met-to-turkeys-1234662189/
Italy returned 40 pre-Hispanic items to Mexico:
https://riviera-maya-news.com/mexico-recovers-43-illegal-archaeological-pieces-from-government-of-italy/2023.html
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/83-ancient-mexican-artifacts-returned-from-italy-germany-france/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11317-230331-mexico-repatriation-artifacts
A Courbet in the Fitzwilliam Museum appears to be Nazi loot:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/nazi-looted-courbet-painting-fitzwilliam-museum-returned-1234662793/
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/28/arts/courbet-nazi-restitution-cambridge.html
More on the US returning items to Greece:
https://www.manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-returns-29-antiquities-to-greece/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11308-230327-greece-repatriation-artifacts
... including that Eid Mar coin:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/eid-mar-coin-repatriated-to-greece-2275126
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/new-york-repatriation-greece-gold-coin/index.html
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/gold-coin-minted-by-brutus-to-honor-caesars-murder-returned-to-greece-1234662098/
More on the Met returning items to India:
https://indianexpress.com/article/express-exclusive/after-court-in-new-york-orders-seizure-met-says-will-transfer15-antiques-to-india-8531430/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/us-museum-to-return-15-antique-sculptures-linked-to-subash-kapoor/article66683728.ece
https://hyperallergic.com/811472/met-museum-repatriates-15-objects-to-india/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/03/30/metropolita-museum-repatriates-15-sculptures-subhash-kapoor-india
The Manhattan DA also effected the return of a Khmer lintel to Cambodia:
https://www.manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-returns-11th-century-antiquity-to-cambodia/
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/manhattan-district-attorney-office-returns-11th-century-antiquity-cambodia-1234662978/
Prosecutors are looking at more items from the Met:
https://www.icij.org/investigations/hidden-treasures/prosecutors-eye-new-seizures-of-old-art-at-the-met/
Leiden archaeologists returned human remains to St Eustatius:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2023/03/leiden-archaeologists-repatriate-human-remains-to-st.-eustatius
Feature on Matthew Bogdanos and his work identifying and returning stolen antiquities:
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/rescuing-stolen-art-and-antiquities/
https://menafn.com/1105867190/New-Yorks-Role-in-Recovering-Stolen-Antiquities
... in a similar vein:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/art-repatriation-fighting-traffickers-in-an-illicit-global-trade/
Some repatriated Native American human remains were reburied in Michigan:
https://www.mlive.com/news/2023/03/native-remains-robbed-from-graves-across-the-country-laid-to-rest-by-michigan-tribe.html
============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Feature on the faces on ancient coins:
https://www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/from-gods-to-commoners-the-faces-on-coins
Feature on the cult of Mithras on ancient coins:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/the-cult-of-mithras-on-ancient-coins/
Feature on the Athenian silver tetradrachm:
https://www.numismaticnews.net/coin-market/a-coin-to-stand-the-test-of-time
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n13.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n14.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Karin Willemse:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2023/03/in-memoriam-dr.-karin-willemse-1962-2023
============================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
============================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3267-audio-news-from-archaeologica-march-18th-through-the-25th-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:
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Explorator is Copyright (c) 2023 David Meadows. Feel free to
distribute these listings via email to your pals, students,
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links are not to be posted to any website by any means (whether
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making use of content gathered in Explorator. Thanks!
===========================================================
explorator 25.50 April 2, 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, Chris Hopkins,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
============================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
============================================================
Not sure if we've mentioned the No 3 skull of Yunxian county man from Hubei:
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/24/WS641d4f2ca31057c47ebb6660.html
A study of the behaviour of Neanderthal hunting parties:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-clues-behavioral-variability-neanderthal-parties.html
A study of 40 000 years bp teeth excavated in the 1930s at Ksar Akil (Lebanon):
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-archaeological-rediscovery-clues-distant-human.html
============================================================
AFRICA
============================================================
A study of the trade in copper from South Africa to Central Africa from the 5th century CE onwards:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/146718/146718
More on the 7000 years bp bone tools from Sudan:
https://naukawpolsce.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C95683%2Csudan-na-cmentarzysku-sprzed-7-tys-lat-odkryto-narzedzia-do-upuszczania
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11313-230329-sudan-bone-tools
============================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
============================================================
Studying 2000 years of ancient graffiti in Egypt:
https://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2023/03/researchers-use-21st-century-methods-to-record-2-000-years-of-an.html
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-21st-century-methods-years-ancient-graffiti.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-736117
https://scienceblog.com/537135/ancient-graffiti-revealed-in-3d-detail/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/study-records-2000-years-of-ancient-graffiti-in-egypt/146713
A study of a cache of severed hands found in pits from Tell el-Dab'a:
https://arkeonews.net/severed-right-hands-reveal-trophy-taking-practices-in-ancient-egypt/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/study-shows-osteological-evidence-of-severed-hands-in-ancient-egypt/146725
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-32165-8
More on the 2000 mummified rams' heads (and more) from the Rameses II temple site in Abydos:
https://www.livescience.com/2000-mummified-rams-heads-were-gifted-to-long-dead-ancient-egyptian-pharaoh-ramesses-ii
https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/492386.aspx
https://egyptindependent.com/photos-archaeological-team-uncovers-2000-mummified-ram-heads-and-more-in-sohag/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/123359/The-American-mission-from-New-York-University-uncover-a-large
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/03/26/Researchers-unearth-2-000-ram-heads-in-Egypt-temple
https://menafn.com/1105883351/Archaeologists-Discover-More-Than-2000-Rams-Heads-at-Temple-of-Pharaoh-Ramses-II
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/ancient-egypt-excavation-uncovers-2000-mummified-ram-heads-abydos-2023-03-25/
https://www.thedailybeast.com/researchers-find-2000-rams-skulls-inside-ancient-egyptian-kings-temple
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230326-researchers-unearth-2-000-ram-heads-in-egypt-temple
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/mummified-ram-heads-ancient-egyptian-intl-scli-scn/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/egypt-king-ramses-ii-ram-skulls-mummified-discovery-abydos-temple-ancient-pharaoh/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11907643/Mummified-heads-2-000-rams-killed-tribute-pharaoh-Ramesses-II-discovered-Egypt.html
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-27/ancient-egypt-excavation-uncovers-2-000-mummified-ram-heads/102150534
https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/staggering-archaeological-find-in-egypt-exposes-cult/news-story/a04b7c351ae382a91220f52d6154be68
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/egypt-discovers-2-000-mummified-ram-heads-in-ancient-temple/2856188
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/27/mummified-rams-heads-egypt/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/131618792/2000-mummified-ram-heads-discovered-in-ancient-temple-in-egypt-what-were-they-for
https://www.iflscience.com/2000-mummified-ram-heads-discovered-at-ancient-egyptian-temple-of-ramesses-ii-68170
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/2000-ram-heads-uncovered-at-temple-of-rameses-ii-in-abydos/146662
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discovered-2000-ram-skulls-temple-pharaoh-ramses-ii-180981911/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11307-230327-egypt-abydos-ram
More on the statue fragments found at Helopolis:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egyptian-pharaoh-sphinx-statues-unearthed-at-sun-temple
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11305-230324-egypt-heliopolis-temple
Feature on who ruled Egypt after the death of Tutankhamun:
https://www.livescience.com/who-ruled-ancient-egypt-after-king-tut-died
Feature on Nefertiti:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/was-nefertiti-egypts-leading-lady-before-king-tut
Feature on the project to map the royal necropolis on Thebes' West Bank:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-egypt/mapping-egypts-new-kingdom-royal-necropolis/
The Valley of the Queens now has online access:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/29/egypts-valley-of-the-queens-is-now-accessible-online/
Feature on the 'Egyptian' king of Moab:
https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2023/03/egyptian-king-moab
Review of Lynne Olson, *Empress of the Nile*:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/apr/02/empress-of-the-nile-by-lynne-olson-review-the-unsung-heroine-of-eygptology-unearthed
Feature/reading of the Epic of Gilgamesh in the original language:
https://www.openculture.com/2023/03/listen-to-the-epic-of-gilgamesh-being-read-in-its-original-ancient-language-akkadian.html
Overview of archaeology finds in Turkiye in March:
https://turkisharchaeonews.net/article/march-2023-turkish-archaeology
An 1100 years bp amulet associated with Simeon the Great's march on Constantinople:
https://arkeonews.net/a-1100-year-old-lead-amulet-of-bulgarian-soldiers-sieges-constantinople-found/
Feature on conserving a Roman fort at Qasr Bshir:
https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-115/Around-Jordan/Qasr-Bshir-Conserving-a-special-Roman-fort-27842
A 6000 years bp copper fish hook (large) from Ashkelon:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-fish-hook-suggests-sharks-were-hunted-off-israels-coast-6000-years-ago
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-03-29/ty-article/israeli-archaeologists-find-one-of-worlds-oldest-metal-fishhooks-and-its-for-sharks/00000187-1e8c-d4ca-afff-1f8c11da0000
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-735762
https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/03/29/6000-year-old-copper-fishhook-unlocks-ashkelons-ancient-past/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/369375
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-jaws-recently-found-6000-year-old-copper-fishhook-was-likely-for-sharks/
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/hy1q8vz11h
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/31/a-6000-year-old-copper-fishing-hook-found-in-ashkelon/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11315-230330-israel-copper-fishhook
3800-3500 years bp kilns from Yavneh found to have been used for internment purposes:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-03-30/ty-article/strange-ancient-burials-found-in-southern-israel/00000187-31bc-db91-adcf-3fbf43be0000
A study of the size of talmudic Passover eggs in various periods:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-735936
Feature on the people who inhabited Tel Hazor:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/the-ancient-people-of-tel-hazor/
More on the mosaic (re)uncovered at Shoham:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/31/ancient-mosaic-floor-re-uncovered-along-the-israel-national-trail/
More on the remains of the sixth century CE (or so) 'pearling town' on Siniyah Island:
https://apnews.com/article/science-travel-world-news-ap-top-news-middle-east-e22516065e1a596eabaa5dad27e2b28f
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11302-230323-siniyah-island-pearling
Feature marking the birthday (maybe) of Pliny the Elder:
https://knowablemagazine.org/article/society/2023/pliny-elder-first-encyclopedia
Feature on plaster casts of victims of Pompeii:
https://mymodernmet.com/pompeii-casts/
Feature on the surge in popularity of Boudicca:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/02/boudicca-returns-as-a-21st-century-feminist-2000-years-after-her-death
Feature on the restoration and display of Yemen weapons from various periods:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ancient-weapons-yemen-restored-display-062459864.html
Feature on the huge camel petroglyphs at Al-Jouf:
https://www.iflscience.com/these-saudi-camel-carvings-are-older-than-stonehenge-68251
More on the Neolithic mustatils in Saudi Arabia:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/mustatil-excavation-alula-saudi-arabia-2271897
The Parthia.com website is celebrating 25 years:
http://www.parthia.com/
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:
https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/
============================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
============================================================
A 3400 years bp Minoan tomb find from Crete (I think this is old news):
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/03/27/a-3400-year-old-minoan-tomb-has-been-uncovered-in-crete/
Gold and other finds in a 4th century CE burial from Calabria:
https://www.stilearte.it/trovati-pizzini-doro-e-un-biberon-in-una-tomba-calabrese-del-iv-secolo-a-c-ora-si-lavora-col-microscopio/
https://www.calabriamagnifica.it/arte-e-cultura/scoperta-tomba-romana-in-calabria/
Assorted 3rd/2nd century BCE votives dedicated to Hercules from Passo Corese:
https://www.ilmessaggero.it/rieti/passo_corese_scavi_polo_logistica-7309808.html
https://www.stilearte.it/trovati-nei-cunicoli-di-corese-ex-voto-degli-antichi-romani-indicano-un-vicino-e-sepolto-santuario-di-ercole/
Not sure if we've mentioned this find of a Roman military camp at Villeneuve-sur-Lot:
https://www.stilearte.it/meraviglioso-scoperto-in-gallia-possente-accampamento-romano-lapparizione-di-pegaso-i-tesori-dei-legionari/
Evidence of Roman structures in the cloister garden at Exeter Cathedral:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-65124213
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/archaeologists-unearth-exciting-exeter-roman-8309919
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/roman-remains-uncovered-at-exeter-cathedral/146699
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11318-230331-roman-exeter-fortress
A Roman road find from Spain:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/spanish-council-digs-up-roman-road-r9bjxdzd3
The text of Ptolemy's *Meteoroscope* has been detected in a medieval manuscript:
https://www.newsweek.com/ptolemy-lost-manuscript-discovered-medieval-abbey-1790809
Archaeologists are seeking help identifying a Roman (?) gilded silver fragment found by a detectorist in Norfolk:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-65044932
https://arkeonews.net/roman-gilded-silver-fragment-uncovered-in-norfolk-baffles-researchers/
Strange find of a pair of Roman coins on a Baltic island:
https://www.sh.se/english/sodertorn-university/news/research/2023-03-24-two-roman-coins-found-on-gotska-sandon
https://www.stilearte.it/impressionante-2-monete-romane-e-misteriosi-focolari-scoperti-sullisola-che-non-ce-nel-mar-baltico/
More on the 1st/2nd century CE Venus figurine (and more) from a rubbish dump site in Rennes:
https://www.livescience.com/roman-era-trash-dump-containing-naked-venus-statue-and-other-artifacts-unearthed-in-france
https://www.macon.com/news/nation-world/world/article273693115.html
https://arkeonews.net/naked-venus-statue-discovered-in-a-roman-garbage-dump-in-france/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11314-230329-france-venus-figurines
More on the 'contest' to decipher Herculaneum scrolls:
https://mymodernmet.com/vesuvius-challenge-scroll/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-30/competitors-decode-ancient-herculaneum-papyri-using-ai/102166022
More on the 'dishes' found at Civita Giuliana:
https://news.yahoo.com/2-000-old-artifacts-unearthed-214451501.html
https://www.bnd.com/news/nation-world/world/article273647565.html
More on the Colchester vase and matters gladiatorial:
https://the-past.com/news/re-examination-of-the-colchester-vase-reveals-it-was-made-locally/
More on the copper trade-related finds from Hala Sultan Tekke:
https://www.gu.se/en/news/cypruss-copper-deposits-created-one-of-the-most-important-trade-hubs-in-the-bronze-age
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11309-230328-cyprus-copper-trade
Items found during construction of the Thessaloniki metro are being put on display at the station:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/newsasset/1207627/antiquities-being-repositioned-at-thessaloniki-metro-station/
Review of Peter Stothard, *Palatine*:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/palatine-an-alternative-history-of-the-caesars-by-peter-stothard-review-how-to-get-ahead-in-ancient-rome-xwcx93xhf
An 11th grade student has published a novel written entirely in Latin:
https://morganton.com/news/local/eleventh-grader-publishes-novel-written-entirely-in-latin/article_6b09add0-ca80-11ed-b60d-ab3ec3e87436.html
Feature on Martin VIzzotti's talk on ancient science fiction:
https://www.utdailybeacon.com/arts_and_culture/argentina-professor-martin-vizzotti-presents-lecture-on-popular-iconic-literary-journeys-to-space/article_ac93e576-cd7e-11ed-8ae7-2772925ac257.html
Feature on Amazons and Scythians in Greek art:
https://www.thecollector.com/amazons-scythians-greek-art/
Feature on a Roman senator's day:
https://www.thecollector.com/roman-senator-daily-life/
Feature on the Locus Ludi project:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-games-glimpses-life-death-ancient.html
Feature on the Eleusinian mysteries:
https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2023/march/eleusinian-mysteries
Feature on some current takes on the Medusa story:
https://www.publicbooks.org/when-medusa-meets-metoo/
Feature on Greek and Roman artisan signatures:
https://hyperallergic.com/715290/the-meaning-of-ancient-greek-and-roman-artisan-signatures/
Feature on Classical reception in modern music:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/a-journey-through-classical-reception-in-modern-music/
Feature on the Ephebe of Agde (on the occasion of its discoverer's death):
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/occitanie/herault/agde/l-ephebe-en-bronze-d-agde-est-orphelin-le-plongeur-qui-l-a-decouvert-dans-le-fleuve-herault-est-decede-2739642.html
Feature on the Praetorian Guard:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/the-fall-of-the-praetorian-guard/146672
Feature on the Pyramid of Cestius:
https://www.thetravel.com/who-built-the-pyramid-of-cestius-in-rome/
Feature on Greek theatres in Turkiye:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/03/30/majestic-ancient-greek-theatres/
Feature on the origins of the Etruscans:
https://www.thecollector.com/where-the-etruscans-come-from/
Feature on a guy in Athens who recreates ancient Greek armour:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/29/ancient-greek-armor/
Feature on ancient Greek helmets:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/26/ancient-greek-helmets/
Feature on Alexander's speech at Opis:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/26/alexander-the-great-mutiny-speech/
Feature on Eros and Psyche:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/27/eros-cupid-psyche-love-story-greek-mythology/
Another feature on the small penis size of ancient statues:
https://www.dw.com/en/why-do-ancient-statues-have-such-small-penises/a-65151780
Another retrial of Socrates is in the works:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/29/socrates-famous-trial-recreated/
More on the Vatican's return of Parthenon sculptures to Greece:
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-735372
https://news.gtp.gr/2023/03/28/greece-welcomes-parthenon-fragments-returned-by-the-vatican/
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/28/greece-thanks-pope-francis-return-parthenon-fragments/
... meanwhile there's some sort of 'fundraising' to repay the UK for the money it spent on Parthenon Sculptures in the British Museum:
https://greekreporter.com/2023/03/27/fundraising-repay-money-spent-uk-parliament-buy-parthenon-marbles/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
============================================================
Possible Lusatian finds (an axe and some hoops) from Poland:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/bronze-age-treasure-found-in-poland/146680
Bronze Age and Iron Age burials from a site in France:
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/grand-est/haut-rhin/mulhouse/une-vaste-necropole-de-l-age-du-bronze-et-de-l-age-du-fer-decouverte-dans-le-haut-rhin-2743426.html
Remains of a medieval well beneath a Winchester car park:
https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/23417276.archaeologists-find-medieval-well-beneath-upper-brook-street-car-park/
A medieval watermill was revealed in Buckinghamshire:
https://the-past.com/news/medieval-watermill-revealed-in-buckinghamshire/
A medieval tombstone from a Govan cemetery:
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/medieval-tombstone-found-govan-graveyard-26531250
A tartan found 40 years ago in a Highlands bog might date to the 16th century:
https://www.livescience.com/oldest-scottish-tartan-ever-found-was-preserved-in-a-bog-for-over-400-years
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65081312
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/scotlands-oldest-tartan-found-highlands-peat-bog-rcna76765
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-735741
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66890
https://arkeonews.net/scotlands-oldest-tartan-discovered-in-highlands-bog/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11316-230330-scotland-tartan-bog
An 18th century painting hidden in the bell tower of the chruch of Saint Cornier des Landes:
https://fr.aleteia.org/2023/03/26/un-tableau-du-xviiie-siecle-cache-dans-le-clocher-dune-eglise-depuis-plus-de-100-ans/
More on the suggestion Stonehenge wasn't a calendar:
https://www.livescience.com/was-stonehenge-an-ancient-calendar-a-new-study-says-no
https://www.sciencealert.com/nope-stonehenge-isnt-an-ancient-calendar-after-all-scientists-say
More on the 3200 years bp 'golden tomb' find from Armenia:
https://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C95491%2Cpolish-armenian-team-discovers-3200-year-old-golden-tomb.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archaeologists-in-armenia-discover-ancient-golden-tomb-2278370
https://arkeonews.net/archaeologists-uncovered-a-golden-tomb-during-excavations-in-armenia/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/30/polish-armenian-team-discovers-3200-year-old-golden-tomb/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11311-230328-armenia-metsamor-cist
More on plans for a study of Lowbury Woman:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/forgotten-lowbury-woman-burial-to-reveal-her-secrets/146321
More on that Iron Age comb made from human bone:
https://the-past.com/news/iron-age-comb-made-from-human-skull-bone-among-a14-finds/
Hyping an upcoming A417 construction-associated dig in Gloucestershire:
https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/digging-begins-major-road-project-8298119
A Bronze Age gold penannular ring found by a metal detectorist has been donated to a Norfolk museum:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-65056570
Coventry's medieval Charterhouse is reopening after 11 years of restoration:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/27/coventry-medieval-charterhouse-opens-to-public-after-11-year-rescue-effort
A restored Tudor building in Ipswich:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crgqekqve4do
Feature on the Celts:
https://www.thecollector.com/were-celts-barbarians/
----------
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
============================================================
45 Western Zhou Dynasty tombs from Baoji (Shaanxi):
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1288320.shtml
A Southern Song Dynasty building complex find from Chongqing:
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2023-03/30/content_85200674.htm?f=pad&a=true
China is still showing off its top finds from 2022:
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/28/WS64228498a31057c47ebb6fde.html
https://www.shine.cn/news/nation/2303282608/
... one of which is the Dasonshan tomb site in Guizhou:
http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0401/c90000-20000097.html
More on the Western Han Dynasty bamboo slips from Yunnan:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66877
https://arkeonews.net/2000-year-old-bamboo-slips-discovered-in-yunnan/
More on the Jin Dynasty brick chamber tomb from Shanxi:
https://www.livescience.com/1000-year-old-brick-tomb-discovered-in-china-is-decorated-with-lions-sea-anemones-and-guardian-spirits
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/world/article273516690.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11312-230329-china-carved-tomb
A study of yak milk consumption among Mongol Empire elites:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-yak-consumption-mongol-empire-elites.html
An inscription of Hoysala king at Hemavati in Andhra Pradesh:
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/mar/29/historian-identifies-inscription-of-hoysalas-at-hemavati-in-ap-2560576.html
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-04723-3
============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
============================================================
Search for unmarked burials at the York Cemetery near Perth:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-02/york-cemetery-scientists-archaeologists-burial-site/102167504
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
Feature on dogs in pre-contact British Columbia:
https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/community/dig-it-the-dog-days-of-pre-contact-bc-6773548
Feature on the potential for underwater archaeology in North America:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/biggest-clues-lives-early-americans-hidden-underwater-submerged-prehistory-180981891/
Feature on ancient phallic objects:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/03/ancient-rome-sex-toy-history-archaeology-research/673548/
Study suggests horses were present in North American prairies in the early 1600s:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-untold-history-horse-american-plains.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230330172129.htm
https://www.livescience.com/indigenous-people-of-the-american-west-used-sacred-horses-a-half-century-earlier-than-previously-thought
https://apnews.com/article/horses-arrive-north-america-indian-indigenous-archaeology-ae077bba7a456cf6de7d655314fb8a0a
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230330-horses-part-of-native-american-life-earlier-than-thought-study
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-11921287/Horses-came-American-West-early-1600s-study-finds.html
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/native-americans-spanish-horses
https://www.sciencealert.com/horses-transformed-native-american-life-far-earlier-than-we-thought-new-study-reveals
https://news.yahoo.com/archaeology-genomics-together-indigenous-knowledge-180734339.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/hidden-history-of-horses-in-the-american-west/146694
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/31/exhaustive-study-probes-hidden-history-of-horses-in-the-american-west/
cf: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adc9691
Searching for burials at a historic house in Charlotte:
https://www.wbtv.com/2023/03/29/archaeologists-searching-gravesites-historical-rock-house-east-charlotte/
https://www.kwch.com/video/2023/03/29/archaeologists-searching-gravesites-historical-rock-house-east-charlotte/
A 13 000 years bp sabertooth cat skull find from Iowa might be of interest:
https://www.ketv.com/article/iowa-state-archaeologists-sabertooth-cat-skull/43472097
https://www.thegazette.com/environment-nature/sabertooth-cats-once-roamed-iowa-archaeology-discovery-confirms/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66896
Studying the Kenwood Academy fire in Albany:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/albany-officials-return-site-huge-fire-former-17857909.php
... and trying to prevent similar occurrences:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/albany-historians-work-prevent-another-kenwood-17871484.php
Feature on ancient Native American textiles in Kentucky:
https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2023/03/uncovering-kentucky-history-ancient-american-indian-textiles/
Feature on the discovery of Etzanoa and what's been found there:
https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/news/2023/03-march/quivira_3.php
Feature on federalism in the US:
http://hnn.us/article/185319
Feature on Ulysses Grant's great grandfather:
http://hnn.us/article/185269
The Franklin Expedition site is getting historic site status:
https://www.nunavutnews.com/news/lost-franklin-expedition-ships-to-become-nunavuts-first-national-historic-sites/
Mike Ruggeri's listing of lectures and conferences this month:
https://mikeruggerisevents.tumblr.com/
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
Study suggests folks living in the Andes some 3000 years bp may have adapted to tuberculosis:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-03-genomic-reveals-tuberculosis-ancient-andeans.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11319-230331-andean-ecuador-tuberculosis
Pondering Mesoamerican peoples living 'among the ruins':
https://www.science.org/content/article/ancient-people-lived-among-ruins-too-what-did-they-make-them
INAH is taking legal action to prevent the sale of a Maya archaeological site (on Facebook):
https://yucatanmagazine.com/archaeological-site-for-sale-goes-viral-in-yucatan/
https://arkeonews.net/maya-archaeological-site-for-sale-on-facebook-has-stirred-controversy-in-yucatan-and-across-mexico/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/inah-takes-legal-action-against-illegal-sale-of-maya-archaeological-site-on-facebook/146704
Health concerns arising from a travelling mummified persons display in Mexico:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-mexican-experts-mummy-pose-health.html
Feature on hygiene amongst the Aztecs:
https://www.ranker.com/list/aztec-hygiene/melissa-sartore?pgid=1215806301835805
-----
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 one on rotting meat being a staple in several early cultures' diets:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/meat-rotten-putrid-paleo-diet-fire-neanderthal
Feature asking for an end of 'alternative histories' in TV shows:
https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2023/03/30/science-indigenous-americans-alternative-histories/ideas/essay/
The Eiffel Tower may have inspired Van Gogh's *Starry Night*:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/mar/26/vincent-van-gogh-starry-night-eiffel-tower-inspired-expert
Studying the use of eggs in oil paintings:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/28/scientists-old-master-artists-egg-tempera-oil-paintings
On whether Monet's impressionistic style may have been connected to climate change:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/monet-impressionistic-style-air-pollution-2274090
Exerting 'copyright' status on the Vitruvian Man:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ravensburger-da-vinci-vitruvian-man-puzzle-ruling-gallerie-dell-accademia-2276738
The Getty and London's National Portrait Gallery purchased the *Portrait of Omai*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/31/arts/design/portrait-of-omai-getty-national-portrait-gallery.html
Feature on Jennie Ross Cobb and her Native American photographs:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-life-and-legacy-of-native-photographer-jennie-ross-cobb
Feature on studying the scents of the past:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/27/world/decoding-how-the-past-smells-scn/index.html
On the history of poisoned wine:
https://www.winemag.com/2023/03/29/austrian-wine-poisoning-antifreeze/
On the search for Shackleton's Endurance:
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/03/27/how-shackletons-endurance-inspired-a-modern-expedition-to-find-the-sunken-ship/
Latest item on the Villa Aurora:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/caravaggio-art-hidden-villa-aurora
Feature on the first round-the-world passenger cruise 100 years ago:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/laconia-world-cruise-1922-1923-eleanor-claudia-phelps/index.html
More on the possible enslaved status of DaVinci's mother:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-leonardo-da-vinci-mother-slave.html
https://theconversation.com/leonardo-da-vincis-mother-might-have-been-a-slave-heres-what-the-discovery-reveals-about-renaissance-europe-202576
More on Beethoven's DNA:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-genetic-mutation-that-plagued-beethoven
Review of Adrienne Mayor, *Flying Snakes and Griffin Claws*:
https://www.historytoday.com/archive/review/ancient-outtakes
Review of Annie Cohen-Solal, *Picasso the Foreigner*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/01/books/picasso-the-foreigner-annie-cohen-solal.html
Review of David Waldstreicher, *Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/books/review/the-odyssey-of-phillis-wheatley-david-waldstreicher.html
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
The Vatican repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery:
https://apnews.com/article/vatican-indigenous-papal-bulls-pope-francis-062e39ce5f7594a81bb80d0417b3f902
Some reactions to the Florida school v David thing:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/27/michelangelo-david-florida-florence-museum-school
https://www.indonewyork.com/breaking/too-prudish-for-michelangelo-munich-museum-director-nudity-in-h80162.html
https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/michigan/hillsdale-ends-partnership-with-school-over-the-david-issue/69-45251ff7-f2e2-4fc6-81c0-9b301b795b28
Features on the origins of April Fool's Day:
https://www.realsimple.com/history-of-april-fools-day-7370530
============================================================
PHILOSOPHERS AND MATTERS PHILOSOPHICAL
============================================================
Pondering the authenticity of Plato's letters:
https://aeon.co/essays/what-the-controversial-letters-of-plato-reveal-about-us
Feature on Plato's Theaetetus:
https://www.thecollector.com/plato-theaetetus-how-do-we-know/
Feature on Platonic love:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/202303/the-true-meaning-of-platonic-love
============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Terracotta Warriors:
http://t.m.china.org.cn/convert/c_moC1VxYd.html
https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2023-03-30/China-s-incredible-life-size-Terracotta-Army-marches-into-Alicante-1iyg4mE8Kcw/index.html
The Pergamon Museum in Berlin will be closing for 14 years (!) for repairs:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/germanys-famous-pergamon-museum-closes-for-4-years-amid-concerns/news
https://globeecho.com/news/europe/germany/berlins-pergamon-museum-closes-completely-a-part-will-only-open-again-in-14-years/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/berlins-pergamon-museum-to-close-for-14-years-in-1-6bn-repair-xb9xkj0gr
https://www.indonewyork.com/lifestyle/museum-island-berlin-s-pergamon-museum-is-completely-closed-for-h79546.html
The headless bronze statue of a Roman emperor (maybe) was seized at the Met this week:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/arts/met-museum-statue-seized.html
============================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
============================================================
That Brueghel the Younger painting found 'behind a door' in a family house in France is coming to auction:
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/brueghel-painting-discovered-france-auction/index.html
============================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
============================================================
Using DNA to trace enslaved peoples' heritage in South Carolina:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-stories-lost-slavery-dna.html
https://apnews.com/article/dna-slavery-charleston-africa-c0aeabe3c0ab74ea34c074ba20479d99
Using DNA to discern the origins of Swahili people:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-life-uncovers-ancient-dna-swahili.html
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-ancient-dna-story-swahili-people.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/29/science/ancient-swahili-dna.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-03-29/ty-article/ancient-dna-provides-solomonic-solution-to-mystery-of-swahili-origins/00000187-2211-d4ca-afff-331966060000
https://www.science.org/content/article/dna-shows-persian-princes-helped-found-medieval-african-trading-culture
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/30/asian-ancestry-introduced-to-east-africa-in-early-modern-times/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-dna-confirms-the-origin-story-of-the-swahili-people-180981909/
cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00941-1
============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
A project to map underwater Palaeolithic sites in the Adriatic:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-65082281
https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/25/archaeologists-on-first-of-its-kind-mission-to-map-underwater-cities-18501528/
============================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
============================================================
Reconstructing the temperatures in Alaska over a 14 000 year span:
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-reconstruction-prehistoric-temperatures-oldest-archaeological.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/03/30/a-reconstruction-of-prehistoric-temperatures-for-sites-in-north-america/
cf: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379123000276?via%3Dihub
============================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
============================================================
Uncrowded archaeological sites in Mexico:
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/mexico-uncrowded-archaeological-sites/index.html
============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
That smuggled Sassanian relief recovered at a UK airport a while ago has been restored and will soon return to Iran:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/01/smuggled-iranian-carving-worth-30m-seized-at-airport-by-uk-border-patrol
Vandalism at the Ten Broeck Mansion site in Albany:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/vandals-destroy-outdoor-exhibits-albany-s-ten-17862533.php
Assorted Bronze Age pottery found during a drug bust in Israel:
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/ryzbm8x113
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/israeli-police-discover-3500-year-old-antiquities-during-drug-bust/2023/03/28/
----------
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
============================================================
Turkiye received a number of items from the Met:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/new-york-authorities-return-12-artifacts-met-to-turkeys-1234662189/
Italy returned 40 pre-Hispanic items to Mexico:
https://riviera-maya-news.com/mexico-recovers-43-illegal-archaeological-pieces-from-government-of-italy/2023.html
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/83-ancient-mexican-artifacts-returned-from-italy-germany-france/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11317-230331-mexico-repatriation-artifacts
A Courbet in the Fitzwilliam Museum appears to be Nazi loot:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/nazi-looted-courbet-painting-fitzwilliam-museum-returned-1234662793/
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/28/arts/courbet-nazi-restitution-cambridge.html
More on the US returning items to Greece:
https://www.manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-returns-29-antiquities-to-greece/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11308-230327-greece-repatriation-artifacts
... including that Eid Mar coin:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/eid-mar-coin-repatriated-to-greece-2275126
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/new-york-repatriation-greece-gold-coin/index.html
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/gold-coin-minted-by-brutus-to-honor-caesars-murder-returned-to-greece-1234662098/
More on the Met returning items to India:
https://indianexpress.com/article/express-exclusive/after-court-in-new-york-orders-seizure-met-says-will-transfer15-antiques-to-india-8531430/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/us-museum-to-return-15-antique-sculptures-linked-to-subash-kapoor/article66683728.ece
https://hyperallergic.com/811472/met-museum-repatriates-15-objects-to-india/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/03/30/metropolita-museum-repatriates-15-sculptures-subhash-kapoor-india
The Manhattan DA also effected the return of a Khmer lintel to Cambodia:
https://www.manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-returns-11th-century-antiquity-to-cambodia/
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/manhattan-district-attorney-office-returns-11th-century-antiquity-cambodia-1234662978/
Prosecutors are looking at more items from the Met:
https://www.icij.org/investigations/hidden-treasures/prosecutors-eye-new-seizures-of-old-art-at-the-met/
Leiden archaeologists returned human remains to St Eustatius:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2023/03/leiden-archaeologists-repatriate-human-remains-to-st.-eustatius
Feature on Matthew Bogdanos and his work identifying and returning stolen antiquities:
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/rescuing-stolen-art-and-antiquities/
https://menafn.com/1105867190/New-Yorks-Role-in-Recovering-Stolen-Antiquities
... in a similar vein:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/art-repatriation-fighting-traffickers-in-an-illicit-global-trade/
Some repatriated Native American human remains were reburied in Michigan:
https://www.mlive.com/news/2023/03/native-remains-robbed-from-graves-across-the-country-laid-to-rest-by-michigan-tribe.html
============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Feature on the faces on ancient coins:
https://www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/from-gods-to-commoners-the-faces-on-coins
Feature on the cult of Mithras on ancient coins:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/the-cult-of-mithras-on-ancient-coins/
Feature on the Athenian silver tetradrachm:
https://www.numismaticnews.net/coin-market/a-coin-to-stand-the-test-of-time
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n13.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n14.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Karin Willemse:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2023/03/in-memoriam-dr.-karin-willemse-1962-2023
============================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
============================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3267-audio-news-from-archaeologica-march-18th-through-the-25th-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
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