david meadows
2020-11-08 16:31:06 UTC
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explorator 23.29 November 8, 2020
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You can read explorator online at:
https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/
Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
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EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Tooth analysis suggests Neanderthal children grew and were weaned similarly to modern homo sapiens:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-neanderthal-children-grew-weaned-similarly.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/udb-ncg102920.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201102150850.htm
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/03/neanderthal-children-grew-and-were-weaned-similar-to-us/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/neanderthal-children-grew-and-were.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9185-201104-italy-neanderthal-children
Pondering whether there were wars between Neanderthals and homo sapiens:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201102-did-neanderthals-go-to-war-with-our-ancestors
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8909025/Neanderthals-humans-fought-brutal-guerrilla-style-global-warfare-100-000-years.html
https://theconversation.com/war-in-the-time-of-neanderthals-how-our-species-battled-for-supremacy-for-over-100-000-years-148205
Review of Rebecca Wragg Sykes, *Kindred*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/07/books/review/kindred-neanderthals-rebecca-wragg-sykes.html
More on the 260 000 years bp Florisbad skull study:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-traits-of-florisbad-skull-reinforce.html
https://alkhaleejtoday.co/international/5262698/Archaeological-News-The-260000-Year-Old-Florisbad-Skull-Could-Be-Key.html
More on traces of Denisovan DNA found in a 34 000 years bp burial from Mongolia:
https://www.mpg.de/15938812/1026-evan-019609-denisovan-dna-in-the-genome-of-early-east-asians
https://www.asiaone.com/china/dna-proof-ancient-humans-found-gansu
https://www.smh.com.au/national/in-a-tibetan-cave-australian-archeologists-find-evidence-of-a-mysterious-ancestor-20201102-p56aow.html
https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/archaeology/study-puts-denisovans-on-roof-of-the-world/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/03/denisovan-dna-in-the-genome-of-early-east-asians/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/denisovan-dna-found-in-sediments-of.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9180-201102-salkhit-valley-skullcap
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AFRICA
================================================================
Not sure where to put this one -- feature on five ways African antiquities end up in Europe:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/93801/Five-ways-Africa%E2%80%99s-antiquities-end-up-in-Europe
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
ARCE has created some virtual tours of Egyptian artifacts and sites:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/04/new-virtual-tours-kv-55-coffin-c-ware-vessel/
Plans to boost tourism at the Giza pyramids:
https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/06/egypt-s-giza-pyramids-are-getting-a-revamp-to-boost-tourism
The 800 years bp Shali Fortress is opening to the public to boost tourism in Siwa:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/93940/Opening-of-Shali-Fortress-to-help-transform-Siwa-into-global
Review of Netflix's documentary on the recent finds at Saqqara:
https://egyptindependent.com/netflixs-secrets-of-the-saqqara-tomb-takes-egyptians-on-a-journey-into-their-own-civilization/
... I think this is late coverage of that find:
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/egypt-unveils-59-newly-unearthed-ancient-coffins
Feature on some monastic rules in 4th/5th century CE Egypt:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/daily-life-and-practice/pray-and-work-like-an-egyptian-monk/
More on inks used by Egyptian scribes:
https://nation.com.pk/06-Nov-2020/ancient-writings-discovered-from-egyptian-papyri
Assyrian soldiers some 3000 years bp may have exhibited the first recorded symptoms of PTSD (this seems like something from a few years ago):
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/3000-year-old-ptsd-43423/
An archaeology survey has resumed at Tappeh Gerdi-Gouran (Iran):
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/454221/Archaeological-survey-resumed-at-ancient-hill-with-Bronze-Age
Remains of ramparts and towers (maybe) of a Parthian fortess from northern Iran:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/454322/Ramparts-of-ancient-fort-unearthed-in-northeast-Iran
Studying Achaemenid water management efforts:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/454376/Archaeologists-to-unravel-enigma-of-Achaemenid-dams-water-management
Feature on using AI to restore and reconstruct broken cuneiform tablets:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-israeli-scientists-use-ai-to-reconstruct-broken-babylonian-tablets-1.9284653
... related feature (maybe) on cuneiform:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/decoding-cuneiform-one-of-the-earliest-forms-of-writing
Tracking the effects of the search for water in the UAE and Oman over the past 10 000 years:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/environment/how-migration-in-search-of-water-shaped-arabia-over-10-000-years-1.1103484
Finds from a wide range of periods (5200 - 1200 BCE at least) from AlUla (Saudi Arabia):
https://www.salaamgateway.com/story/new-archaeological-finds-in-saudi-arabias-alula-fill-missing-links-in-regions-history
More on humans dealing with climate change at Tel Tayinat 4500 years bp and 3000 years bp:
https://www.utoronto.ca/news/resilience-and-climate-change-archaeologists-reveal-human-adaptability-ancient-turkey
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201029171632.htm
https://washingtonnewsday.com/top-stories/the-people-in-old-turkey-adapted-to-the-climate-change-and-prospered/
https://www.haaretz.com/science-and-health/.premium-the-lesson-of-the-ancient-town-that-survived-climate-change-1.9279344
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/03/human-resilience-in-the-face-of-climate-change-in-ancient-turkey/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/archaeologists-reveal-human-resilience.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/11/new-study-fills-gaps-in-chronological-timelines-of-bronze-and-iron-age-societies/135985
A Byzantine church in the Golan Heights appears to have been built on an earlier temple of Pan:
https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/11/01/byzantine-era-church-on-golan-heights-likely-replaced-greek-temple/
The IAA is showing off some of its coin collection:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/watch-israel-antiquities-authority-coin-head-displays-treasures-from-the-vault/
I think we mentioned this Crusader-era 'escape tunnel' revealed at the Tower of David:
https://themedialine.org/life-lines/jerusalem-excavation-yields-mysterious-medieval-escape-tunnel/
Not sure if we've mentioned the renewed claims about purported nails used in Jesus' crucifixion:
https://www.livescience.com/roman-era-nails-crucifixion-jesus.html
More on the 'facelift' at the Tower of David:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-visitors-away-jerusalems-tower-of-david-undergoes-major-facelift/
Latest example of politics and archaeology clashing in the Palestinian territories:
https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/120864
The Syrian Orthodox Church has put a 4th century church up for sale in Mardin:
http://www.fides.org/en/news/68939-ASIA_TURKEY_A_4th_century_church_put_up_for_sale_as_a_tourist_hostel
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
Latest finds from the Mycenean necropolis at Trapeza:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-mycenaean-necropolis-of-trapeza.html
Remains of the forum of Castrum Novum were revealed at Santa Marinella recently (Italian):
https://www.terzobinario.it/scoperto-il-foro-di-castrum-novum-a-santa-marinella/
https://www.centumcellae.it/cultura/castrum-novum-nuove-eccezionali-scoperte-archeologiche-a-santa-marinella/
4th-2nd century BCE figurines of Demeter and Persephone from Anapa (Russia):
https://thetimeshub.in/statuettes-of-the-goddess-demeter-and-her-daughter-were-found-at-a-construction-site-in-anapa/10692/
Several interesting finds from various periods from Kythnos:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/06/ancient-city-on-remote-islet-in-aegean-reveals-fascinating-secrets-in-new-dig/
A 1st century CE Roman military inscription from Alus (Bulgaria):
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/07/sad-story-of-roman-veteran-who-served-44-years-in-military-revealed-by-tombstone-from-almus-in-bulgarias-danube-town-lom/
An appeal is allowing property development on a potentially significant Roman site in Milton Keynes:
https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/environment/company-wins-appeal-build-140-acre-employment-site-site-historic-roman-ruins-milton-keynes-3026336
I think we mentioned this intact amphora found off the coast of Hvar (Croatia):
https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/47817-hvar-archaeological-discovery
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9183-201103-croatia-adriatic-amphora
In case you missed the coverage of the 2000 years bp seal stone depicting Apollo found in Jerusalem:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-gem-apollo-jerusalem-western-wall.html
https://www.thedailybeast.com/rare-gem-discovery-in-jerusalem-has-two-mysteries
https://www.livescience.com/seal-of-apollo-jerusalem.html
Chemical concerns for Pompeiian frescoes:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d43978-020-00017-y
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/pompeiis-paintings-imperilled-by-precipitates/4012676.article
Some preliminary assessment of the earthquake damage done to sites and museums in Samos, Ikaria, and Chios:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/04/first-estimation-of-damages-on-samos-ikaria-and-chios/
... and a project to protect Mycenae better from potential fires in the future:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/04/completion-of-system-for-the-fire-protection-of-mycenae/
Latest results of investigations at the Temple of Neptune at Paestum (Italian):
https://www.lacittadisalerno.it/cultura-e-spettacoli/tempio-di-nettuno-ora-si-riscrive-la-storia-1.2524398
The Colosseum has closed again:
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/covid-19-romes-colosseum-closes-to-visitors.html
Concerns for Roman mosaics in a Roman villa in Bulgaria:
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/02/scandal-erupts-as-roman-mosaics-get-trampled-on-in-villa-armira-mansion-near-bulgarias-ivaylovgrad/
On the synagogue at Ostia:
https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/324240/a-classicists-encounter-with-the-synagogue-at-ostia/
Feature on wines and vineyards of Pompeii:
https://theconversation.com/pompeii-is-famous-for-its-ruins-and-bodies-but-what-about-its-wine-147011
https://menafn.com/1101072966/Pompeii-is-famous-for-its-ruins-and-bodies-but-what-about-its-wine&source=25
https://news.yahoo.com/scientists-recreate-wine-ancient-rome-184741524.html
Feature on Nicopolis ad Istrum:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/11/ancient-nicopolis-ad-istrum-the-city-of-victory/136004
Feature on ancient Greek graffiti left in Egypt:
https://world.greekreporter.com/2020/11/03/ancient-greeks-left-their-mark-in-egypt-in-591-bc-in-graffiti/
Feature on paying taxes in ancient Athens:
https://theconversation.com/only-the-richest-ancient-athenians-paid-taxes-and-they-bragged-about-it-147249
https://news.holycross.edu/blog/2020/11/04/how-to-tax-the-rich-holy-cross-professor-shares-lessons-from-ancient-greece/
Interesting feature on gold and silver Roman coins found in India:
https://canadafreepress.com/article/gold-and-silver-coins-stored-as-bullion-in-india-during-roman-times
Feature on some important Greek sculptures that aren't in Greece:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/07/greek-sculptures-away-motherland/
Feature on Archimedes and the siege of Syracuse:
https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-brilliant-scientist-who-stopped-the-roman-army-f85f295063c3
Feature on chariot racing in ancient Rome:
http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2020/11/sound-and-fury
Feature on the Etruscans:
https://medium.com/@fcameronlister/why-the-romans-dont-want-you-to-know-about-the-etruscans-2a0ddb26233
Feature on life in a Roman legion:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/life-in-a-roman-legion-and-life-after-leaving/
... and how legions 'worked':
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/how-did-a-legion-of-the-roman-army-function/
... and one on the growth of the Roman army:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-roman-army-its-evolution-and-growth/
Feature on the mausoleum of Augustus:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mausoleum-of-augustus
... and the Augustus of the Primaporta:
https://smarthistory.org/augustus-of-primaporta/
Interesting podcast on the eruption of Vesuvius:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2020/nov/05/investigating-the-historic-eruption-of-mount-vesuvius-podcast
Feature on some musical versions of the Eurydice story:
https://eidolon.pub/echoes-of-eurydice-47c3578f050c
Feature on Hannibal's elephants (I think we had this a while ago):
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-03-21/a-la-busca-de-los-elefantes-de-anibal-junto-al-tajo.html?rel=mas
Feature on some of the ancient items highlighted at the latest TEFAF (virtual) Arts Fair:
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/11/aphrodite-heracles-and-an-ephebe-in-a-virtual-arts-fair/
Features on the aftermath of Caesar's assassination:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hunt-julius-caesars-assassins-marked-last-days-roman-republic-1-180976185/
https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/history/search-for-the-conspirators-in-julius-caesars-assassination
Feature on Xena's use of Greek myth:
https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/how-xena-warrior-princess-used-greek-myth/
The lessons of the Antonine plague:
https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2020/11/lesson-of-the-antonine-plague/
A virtual tour of ancient Olympia:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/08/a-virtual-tour-in-ancient-olympia/
Herica Valladares has a new book out:
https://classics.unc.edu/2020/11/06/professor-herica-valladares-publishes-new-book/
BU Classics marked Halloween with a virtual reading of ancient ghost stories:
https://dailyfreepress.com/2020/11/02/classics-enthusiasts-celebrate-halloween-via-dramatic-virtual-readings-of-greek-tragedy/
Latest comparison of the US and the Roman republic:
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/03/donald-trump-julius-caesar-433956
Feature on the influence ancient Greece and Rome had on the US 'Founding Fathers':
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/noble-virtues-bad-history-how-greece-and-rome-influenced-americas-founders/2020/11/05/b8f6d054-13d0-11eb-bc10-40b25382f1be_story.html
Review of Peter Stothard, *The Last Assassin*:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-last-assassin-review-avenging-a-conspiracy-11604446908
Seeking a return to use of Latin in scientific naming:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/realestate/yes-you-can-learn-to-speak-the-language-of-plants.html
Remembering when Sean Connery called for the return of the Parthenon Marbles:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/01/when-sean-connery-called-for-the-return-of-the-parthenon-marbles-to-greece/
... and Stephen Fry has now asked the British Museum to 'stand on the right side of history' and return them:
https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/04/stephen-fry-asks-uk-return-elgin-marbles-from-british-museum-13534742/
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/music/stephen-fry-wants-parthenon-marbles-returned-to-greece/ar-BB1aEA52
https://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news/entertainment/18844019.stephen-fry-calls-elgin-marbles-returned-athens-british-museum/
More coverage of the controversy over plans to 'cement the Acropolis':
https://neoskosmos.com/en/178950/archaeologists-and-the-disabled-blast-greeces-decision-to-cement-the-acropolis/
... although it is connected with disability access, it seems:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/02/acropolis-to-become-entirely-accessible-to-disabled-for-first-time/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/02/acropolis-accessible/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
Remains of an 8000 years bp dwelling and child burial from Molise (Italian):
https://www.newnotizie.it/2020/10/31/scoperto-sito-archeologico-straordinario-italia-resti-abitazioni-strade-sepoltura-bimbo/
https://www.zazoom.it/2020-10-31/scoperto-un-sito-archeologico-straordinario-in-italia-resti-di-abitazioni-strade-e-la-sepoltura-di-un-bimbo/7490013/
Remains of a 7000 years bp ceramics 'workshop' (kilns) from the Bazovets Settlement Mound in Bulgaria:
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/03/7000-year-old-kilns-from-prehistoric-ceramics-workshop-dug-up-at-bazovets-settlement-mound-in-northeast-bulgaria/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/59960
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9187-201104-bulgaria-kilns-chalcolithic
2500 BCE apparently saw a 'boom' in construction of henges, as a study of the Mount Pleasant henge in Dorset suggests:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-neolithic-boom-large-scale-mega-henges.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/04/dorset-mega-henge-stone-age
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8916765/Archaeology-Mount-Pleasant-mega-henge-Dorset-built-125-years.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stone-age-beaker-migrants-got-britain-building-grwvnvw6k
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/neolithic-construction-boom-led-to.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9194-201106-dorset-henge-dating
Interesting study of the 5000 years bp 'Lady of Bietikow' skeleton from Gemany:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-ancient-skeleton-germany-clues-prehistoric.html
A 3300 years bp bronze sword find in the Czech Republic seems to have sparked dig plans:
https://english.radio.cz/archaeologists-prepare-dig-jesenicko-after-mushroom-picker-finds-rare-bronze-age-8699022
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9188-201105-bronze-sword-ax
A tooth wear study of burials from 4000 years bp sites in Spain suggests the existence of gender differentiation of tasks:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-years-tasks-specialized-gender.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9190-201105-spain-teeth-tools
An Iron Age burial from a Sutherland estate:
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/2628421/iron-age-skull-and-bones-found-by-workmen-on-a-highland-estate/
Plenty of finds from a Pictish site in Shetland:
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/van-load-artefacts-taken-pictish-era-site-shetland-3025449
A medieval church inscription from Zavala (Bosnia Herzegovina):
http://www.sarajevotimes.com/relief-plate-from-the-9th-century-found-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9181-201103-zavala-medieval-plaque
Remains of a medieval monkey from a latrine in Basel:
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/medieval-monkey-found-in-basel-loo/46143640
North Yorkshire villagers doing some cobble restoration came across a pre-16th century well:
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/how-north-yorkshire-villagers-found-pre-16th-century-well-while-re-laying-cobbles-3025385
Workers fixing a lamp in the Palace of Westminster revealed a Henry VIII-era window:
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/409/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/409/pub/409/page/58/article/100046
The remains of the hexagonal tower keep of the Rosocastro Fortress (Bulgaria) have been excavated:
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/04/massive-hexagonal-tower-keep-horn-workshop-excavated-in-medieval-fortress-rusocastro-in-southeast-bulgaria/
Overviewish thing on finds made during A14 construction in the UK:
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/a14-upgrade-ancient-discoveries-found-19206973
Feature on 16th-18th century witch trials in Denmark and other Nordic countries:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-exhibition-rewrites-story-nordic-witch-trials-180976205/
Feature on the shipwreck of the San Giacomo di Galizia:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-11-01/al-rescate-de-la-espana-invencible-que-se-fue-a-pique.html
Searching for the grave of Britain's first black army officer:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/07/historian-finds-clues-to-grave-of-britains-first-black-army-officer
Feature on the Battle of Brunanburh:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/02/forgotten-battle-ofbrunanburh-forged-english-nation/
Feature on how Norwich Castle was built:
https://www.edp24.co.uk/going-out/how-norwich-castle-and-other-structures-were-built-in-medieval-times-1-6918434
Feature on plans for Dublin and York archaeologists to study Vikings together:
https://dublininquirer.com/2020/11/04/archaeologists-from-dublin-and-york-team-up-to-explore-a-shared-viking-past
Finds from various periods from a dig in Polotsk (Belarus, I think):
https://www.tvr.by/eng/news/obshchestvo/poltory_tysyachi_artefaktov_obnaruzhili_arkheologi_v_polotske/
Excavations of a 15th century synagoge in Buda begin next week:
https://www.budapesttimes.hu/arts/preparations-start-for-archaeological-excavation-of-buda-synagogue/
Plans to move a stave church in Stiege:
https://www.dw.com/en/german-village-rescues-historical-church-by-moving-it/a-55500308
The Spanish defence ministry is purchasing a ship to help search for shipwrecks:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spain-treasure-ships-b1645088.html
Funding for St Paul's Cathedral:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54837441
Concerns for archaeological sites at a housing development site in Wales:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cosmeston-vale-glamorgan-homes-plan-19222546
More on 'Gravettian Art Culture' being revealed in some Paleolithic bison paintings from Spain:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201028143112.htm
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/02/ancient-gravettian-art-culture-much-more-widespread-than-thought/
More on the remains of the Ancrum Old Bridge found in the Teviot River:
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/lost-medieval-bridge-transported-kings-and-queens-re-emerges-3018150
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9179-201102-ancrum-old-bridge
More on that 11th century stonemason's 'selfie' in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral:
https://www.livescience.com/medieval-mason-left-selfie-cathedral.html
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/nov/01/a-selfie-set-in-stone-hidden-portrait-by-cheeky-mason-found-in-spain-900-years-on
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mason-created-hidden-portrait-famous-spanish-cathedral-180976200/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9184-201104-medieval-cathedral-carving
More on the find of the Henry VIII-associated jousting field:
https://www.livescience.com/henry-viii-jousting-tiltyard-found.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/jousting-henry-viii-tudor-history-180976221/
A possible decision on the Stonehenge tunnel may be coming this week:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/07/druids-face-defeat-as-bulldozers-get-set-for-stonehenge-bypass
Review of a book on the Visigoths:
https://elpais.com/babelia/2020-11-01/todo-comenzo-con-los-godos.html
----------
Archaeology in Europe News:
http://archaeology-in-europe.blogspot.com/
Medievalists.net:
https://www.medievalists.net/category/news/
Viking Archaeology Blog:
http://viking-archaeology-blog.blogspot.com/
================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
Cooking preferences were apparently a major driver of acceptance of crop staples in prehistoric China:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-local-cooking-drove-crop-staples.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/wuis-lcp102820.php
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/local-cooking-preferences-drove.html
Interesting study revealing Bronze Age travel routes of herders in Xinjiang:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-bronze-age-routes-revealed-method.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uos-ba102620.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201104143624.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/bronze-age-travel-routes-in-north.html
Plans to rebuild the Shuri Castle in Okinawa:
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3107780/one-year-after-okinawas-historic-shuri-castle-was
... semi related is the story of a descendent of Ryukyu royalty insisting on independence from Japan:
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3108715/okinawa-ryukyu-royalty-descendant-stands-firm
Plenty of coverage of a 8000 years bp dismembered child burial from Alor Island (Indonesia):
https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/rare-8000-year-old-child-burial-reveals-secrets-of-the-dead
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-rare-year-child-burial-reveals.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/anu-rac110420.php
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-child-burial-no-leg-arm-bones.html
https://www.ibtimes.com/rare-8000-year-old-burial-site-reveals-child-buried-without-arms-legs-3075874
https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/28043/20201104/scientists-reveal-rare-burial-practice-dismembered-child-8-000-years.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/rare-8000-year-old-child-burial.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/06/rare-ancient-child-burial-reveals-8000-year-old-secrets-of-the-dead/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-burial-child-arms-and-legs-removed-found-indonesia-180976227/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9189-201105-indonesia-hunter-gatherer
On the importance of horses in building the Mongolian empire:
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/horse-mastery-helped-mysterious-mongolian-warriors-build-multiethnic-empire
Feature on the effectiveness of China's Great Wall:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/uncategorized/did-the-great-wall-of-china-actually-keep-invaders-out
Feature on Fiona Foley's work studying First Nations in Queensland:
https://news.griffith.edu.au/2020/11/04/meet-the-first-nations-researcher-uncovering-queenslands-hidden-histories/
I think we mentioned this 'stencil graffiti' from Australia a while ago:
https://boingboing.net/2020/11/05/new-kind-of-ancient-graffiti-found-in-northern-australia.html
Feature on 'Observation Post Rock' (Afghanistan):
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/31/world/asia/afghanistan-haunted-outpost.html
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
A possible Acadian settlement site in Louisiana:
https://www.iberianet.com/people/features/after-decades-of-mystery-and-research-original-settlers-homestead-may-be-found/article_435f0b58-1bdd-11eb-bd47-ab5d0be6f784.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9182-201102-louisiana-acadian-homestead
Latest on the search for graves associated with the Tulsa Race Massacre:
https://www.livescience.com/tulsa-race-massacre-victims-possibly-found.html
The wreck of the Pere Marquette 18 has been located:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ship-branded-titanic-great-lakes-22942987?ccid=1827630
More on the latest theory on the Lost Colony:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/11/newfound-survivor-camp-may-explain-lost-colony-roanoke/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archaeologists-mystery-lost-roanoke-lost-colony-1921594
More on the 300 years bp slave quarters being excavated on a Maryland plantation site:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8910703/Slave-quarters-dating-18th-century-unearthed-Jesuit-plantation-Maryland.html
https://www.foxnews.com/science/archaeologists-unearth-300-year-old-slave-quarters-at-historic-southern-maryland-plantation
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/archaeologists-slave-quarters-maryland-trnd/index.html
https://kyrnews.com/archaeologists-unearth-300-year-old-slave-quarters-at-historic-southern-maryland-plantation/
https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/42854273/archaeologists-discover-300yearold-slave-quarters-almost-entirely-preserved
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/us-archaeologists-uncover-300-year-old-preserved-slave-quarters-in-maryland-3040436.html
Feature on the Electoral College:
https://www.livescience.com/who-invented-electoral-college.html
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
Evidence women participated in 'big game hunting' in the Andes, some 9000 years bp:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-early-big-game-hunters-americas-female.html
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/45/eabd0310
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uoc--ebh102920.php
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-burial-female-hunter-peru.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/science/ancient-female-hunter.html
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/04/americas/prehistoric-female-hunter-burial-scn/index.html
https://news.yahoo.com/ancient-remains-peru-reveal-young-201921991.html
https://elpais.com/ciencia/2020-11-04/las-mujeres-prehistoricas-tambien-cazaban-grandes-animales.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-women-hunted-as-much-as-men-in-prehistoric-americas-anthropologists-say-1.9288195
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/11/prehistoric-female-hunter-discovery-upends-gender-role-assumptions/
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/woman-hunter-ancient-andean-remains-challenge-old-ideas-who-speared-big-game
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/female-game-hunters-ancient-americas
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/burial-hunter-female-peru-094235/
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/this-ancient-big-game-hunter-was-a-woman/
https://theconversation.com/did-prehistoric-women-hunt-new-research-suggests-so-149477
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/early-big-game-hunters-of-americas-were.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/9000-year-old-big-game-hunter-peru-prompts-questions-about-hunter-gatherer-gender-roles-180976218/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9193-201106-peru-female-hunter
Someone has figured out some Inca units of measurement (maybe):
https://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C84563%2Cpolish-architect-proves-existence-two-inca-measurement-systems.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9186-201103-inca-measurement-system
More on Maya water filtration:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201020105549.htm
https://www.nhpr.org/post/new-excavations-uncover-sophisticated-mayan-water-filtration-systems
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-uncover-2000-year-old-mayan-water-filtration-system-180976186/
Machu Picchu has reopened:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-54775061
A listing of some zoom talks that are available this week:
https://mikeruggerisevents.tumblr.com/
-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:
http://goo.gl/1VdeA
Ancient MesoAmerica News:
http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/
================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
================================================================
Explaining what the 'common era' is:
https://earthsky.org/human-world/definition-common-era-bce-ce-bc-ad
Feature on the collapse of civilizations:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/magazine/societal-collapse.html
On Van Gogh likely suffering from alcohol withdrawal:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54780434
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/van-gogh-delirium-intl-scli/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/nov/03/study-links-van-goghs-bouts-of-delirium-to-alcohol-withdrawal
https://www.umcg.nl/EN/corporate/News/Paginas/research-vincent-van-goghs-psychiatric-illnesses.aspx
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-11-04/el-sindrome-de-abstinencia-del-alcohol-provoco-psicosis-a-van-gogh.html
Feature on the veracity of the King Arthur tales:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/mount-badon-how-much-king-arthur-story-true/
Feature on the Turin Shroud:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-shroud-of-turin-created-by-miracle-or-medieval-forgers
Feature on Mortimer Wheeler in India:
https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/the-class-of-taxila-how-mortimer-wheeler-mn-deshpande-set-up-first-archaeology-school/536896/
Arguing over who had the largest empire:
https://www.livescience.com/worlds-biggest-empire.html
Mexico is seeking an apology from the Vatican for the Church's role in the Spanish conquest:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mexico-asks-vatican-return-indigenous-objects-180976178/
On one of the Salvation Army's battles ... against skeletons:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-54251256
Feature on the woman who made Beethoven's pianos:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/arts/music/beethoven-piano.html
Marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederich Engels:
https://www.theguardian.com/focus/2020/nov/08/engels-comes-of-age-the-socialist-who-wanted-a-joyous-life-for-everyone
Feature on political parties and elephants and donkeys:
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/why-democrats-are-donkeys-republicans-are-elephants-artsy/index.html
Feature on 'bad words' in the Middle Ages:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/by-gods-bones-bad-words-in-the-middle-ages-were-nothing-like-todays
Feature on Robert Musil:
https://www.dw.com/en/a-giant-of-modernist-literature-robert-musil-born-140-years-ago/a-55507768
If you haven't seen the video of that 19th century snowball fight in Paris:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/magazine/snowball-video-fight.html
On the birth of the animal rights movement:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/books/review/podcast-traitor-to-his-species-animal-rights-ernest-freeberg-christian-robinson.html
Feature on Milton's Lycidas:
https://medium.com/ostraka-a-durham-university-classics-society-blog/pastoral-perfection-why-miltons-lycidas-is-a-classicist-s-masterpiece-3bc6db3550f4
Feature on Pope Alexander VI's scandalous party in 1501:
https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday/the-banquet-of-the-chestnuts-the-popes-halloween-party-turned-orgy-c22e88fe25f9
I think we mentioned that Darwin's theories needed some tweaking:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/answer-to-darwins-question.html
Feature on the Mahabharata:
https://aeon.co/essays/the-indian-epic-mahabharata-imparts-a-dark-nuanced-moral-vision
Pondering archaeology:
https://psyche.co/ideas/archaeology-excavates-the-layers-of-meaning-we-leave-behind
Review of Wilson, *The Mystery of Charles Dickens*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/books/review/mystery-of-charles-dickens-a-n-wilson.html
Review of Allport, *Britain at Bay*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/books/review/alan-allport-britain-at-bay.html
================================================================
ANIMAL AND PLANT DOMESTICATIONS
================================================================
On the role of the horse in human prehistory:
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6517/646
More on dog varieties in the Ice Age:
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/five-dog-lineages-paleolithic-09012.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/02/study-of-ancient-dog-dna-traces-canine-diversity-to-the-ice-age/
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Pompeii:
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/os-et-orlando-science-center-pompeii-exhibit-tips-20201104-frdk4yeaynhqlewilcjx3jc5ai-story.html
Role of the Woman in Ancient Rome:
https://www.sardegnareporter.it/2020/11/il-ruolo-della-donna-nellantica-roma-in-esposizione-agli-uffizi-di-firenze/356381/
Turner:
https://www.easterneye.biz/turners-india-paintings-part-of-latest-tate-display/
Cezanne:
https://www.artfixdaily.com/news_feed/2020/11/04/7578-take-a-peak-at-highlights-of-mfa-bostons-captivating-c%C3%A9zanne-show
Conservation concerns for mummies in museums during the pandemic:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/egyptian-mummies-museum--closings/2020/11/06/37218dd0-1939-11eb-aeec-b93bcc29a01b_story.html
Feature on the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/93846/National-Museum-of-Egyptian-Civilization-a-multi-purpose-entity
Some recent museum openings in Egypt:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1207/389938/AlAhram-Weekly/Heritage/Egypt-Three-museums-open.aspx
Plans to make a 19th century British rail building into a museum:
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-54731548
UK museums are closing again:
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/second-covid-lockdown-england
================================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
================================================================
More hype for that Caratacus coin coming to auction:
https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/news/32519/iron-age-coin-found-in-field-near-newbury-could-sell-for-30-000.html
... while a 12th century coin found near Pickering by a metal detectorist fetched a very large price:
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/12th-century-coin-found-amateur-leeds-metal-detectorist-near-pickering-sells-nearly-ps30000-3024156
================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
DNA suggests 'trench fever' is much older than previously thought:
https://www.usf.edu/news/2020/new-research-traces-the-origins-of-trench-fever.aspx
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uosf-nrt110420.php
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-trench-fever.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201104194701.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/new-research-traces-origins-of-trench.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9191-201106-trench-fever
A study spanning 6000 years of the population dynamics of nomadic empire folks on the eastern Eurasian Steppe:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-population-dynamics-empires-asia.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/mpif-pda103020.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201105113009.htm
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/06/population-dynamics-and-the-rise-of-empires-in-inner-asia/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/population-dynamics-and-rise-of-empires.html
A study of medieval genetic data from the Ural region coupled with Hungarian archaeological evidence:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75910-z
Feature on African 'gene migration':
https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/a-great-african-gene-migration/
More on that Viking DNA story from a few weeks ago:
https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/news/delving-into-viking-dna.htm
================================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
================================================================
Postulating a climate change connection as a driver of hominin extinctions:
https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/hominin-extinctions/
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Aegina:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/07/swimming-among-the-ruins-of-a-glorious-ancient-greek-military-harbor/
Colombres:
https://elviajero.elpais.com/elviajero/2020/10/29/actualidad/1603965636_187298.html
San Bartolome hermitage:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201105-the-templar-hermitage-at-the-heart-of-the-iberian-peninsula
Xanten:
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-from-a-to-z-xanten/g-54097237
================================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
================================================================
Bacchae:
https://www.arkansastechnews.com/atus-production-of-the-bacchae-feted-by-scholars/
Schubert:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/arts/music/ian-bostridge-schubert-music.html
On how White Russian dancers revolutionized dance in China:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3107622/how-white-russian-ballet-dancers-sparked
Feature on a 100 years bp recording of Yiddisher Black cantors:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/yiddisher-black-cantors-from-100-years-ago-rediscovered-thanks-to-rare-recording/
================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Strange tale of a busted sale of an 'Aladdin's lamp' in India:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/01/two-men-arrested-india-aladdin-lamp-con
Arrests of a Dakahlia resident excavating antiquities at home:
https://alkhaleejtoday.co/egypt/5288340/The-seizure-of-a-person-while-excavating-antiquities-at-his-home.html
Bulgarian police seized the collection of an 'exiled oligarch':
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/05/vast-artifact-collection-seized-from-exiled-oligarch-to-be-appraised-by-german-italian-experts-bulgarias-prosecution-says/
A (replica) cannon in Schenectady was stolen:
https://dailygazette.com/2020/11/07/who-steals-a-350-400-pound-cannon-thats-what-the-folks-at-historic-fort-klock-would-like-to-know/
----------
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
================================================================
The US returned 45 stolen items to Pakistan:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1588510/pakistan-receives-45-stolen-relics-from-us
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/04-Nov-2020/stolen-antiquities-recovered-in-us-handed-back-to-pakistan
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/11/04/us-returns-45-stolen-relics-worth-250000-to-pakistan/
Italy returned a piece of a sarcophagus to Egypt:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/390136/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egypt-recovers-part-of-sarcophagus-from-Italy.aspx
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/93942/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Ambassador-to-Italy-receives-part-of-Egyptian-sarcophagus-from
Latest opinion on the Benin Bronzes and their return:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/05/benin-bronzes-must-returned-africa-says-curator-oxfords-pitt/
A Nazi-looted Pissarro dispute is back in court:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/01/arts/pissarro-oklahoma-nazi-looters.html
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Feature on Roman coins from the Hannibalic War era:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/roman-coins-from-the-war-against-hannibal/
In case you missed the results of that Ides of March coin auction:
https://www.coinnews.net/2020/11/06/ngc-ancients-certified-eid-mar-aureus-of-brutus-sells-for-4-188-million/
https://www.numismaticnews.net/article/eid-mar-brutus-aureus-sells-for-nearly-4-2-million
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v23n44.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v23n45.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
================================================================
OBITUARIES
================================================================
Jim Coulton (pdf):
https://cucd.blogs.sas.ac.uk/files/2020/11/BARBER-Jim-Coulton-1940-2020.pdf
================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3002-audio-news-from-archaeologica-october-25-through-october-31-2020
================================================================
GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS
================================================================
Archaeology Magazine News Page:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/
About.com Archaeology:
http://archaeology.about.com/
Archaeology Briefs:
http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/
Atlas Obscura:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/
Heritage Daily:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/
Sapiens Archaeology:
https://www.sapiens.org/category/archaeology/
Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:
http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/
================================================================
PODCASTS/VODCASTS
================================================================
Archaeosoup:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Archaeos0up?feature=watch
Archaeology Podcast Network:
http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/
================================================================
EXPLORATOR is a free weekly newsletter bringing you the latest
news of archaeological finds, historical research and the like.
Various on-line news and magazine sources are scoured for news of
the 'ancient world' (broadly construed: practically anything relating
to archaeology or history up to a century or so ago is fair
game) and every Sunday they are delivered to your mailbox free of
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================================================================
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================================================================
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================================================================
explorator 23.29 November 8, 2020
===============================================================
You can read explorator online at:
https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/
Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Tooth analysis suggests Neanderthal children grew and were weaned similarly to modern homo sapiens:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-neanderthal-children-grew-weaned-similarly.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/udb-ncg102920.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201102150850.htm
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/03/neanderthal-children-grew-and-were-weaned-similar-to-us/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/neanderthal-children-grew-and-were.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9185-201104-italy-neanderthal-children
Pondering whether there were wars between Neanderthals and homo sapiens:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201102-did-neanderthals-go-to-war-with-our-ancestors
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8909025/Neanderthals-humans-fought-brutal-guerrilla-style-global-warfare-100-000-years.html
https://theconversation.com/war-in-the-time-of-neanderthals-how-our-species-battled-for-supremacy-for-over-100-000-years-148205
Review of Rebecca Wragg Sykes, *Kindred*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/07/books/review/kindred-neanderthals-rebecca-wragg-sykes.html
More on the 260 000 years bp Florisbad skull study:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-traits-of-florisbad-skull-reinforce.html
https://alkhaleejtoday.co/international/5262698/Archaeological-News-The-260000-Year-Old-Florisbad-Skull-Could-Be-Key.html
More on traces of Denisovan DNA found in a 34 000 years bp burial from Mongolia:
https://www.mpg.de/15938812/1026-evan-019609-denisovan-dna-in-the-genome-of-early-east-asians
https://www.asiaone.com/china/dna-proof-ancient-humans-found-gansu
https://www.smh.com.au/national/in-a-tibetan-cave-australian-archeologists-find-evidence-of-a-mysterious-ancestor-20201102-p56aow.html
https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/archaeology/study-puts-denisovans-on-roof-of-the-world/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/03/denisovan-dna-in-the-genome-of-early-east-asians/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/denisovan-dna-found-in-sediments-of.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9180-201102-salkhit-valley-skullcap
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Not sure where to put this one -- feature on five ways African antiquities end up in Europe:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/93801/Five-ways-Africa%E2%80%99s-antiquities-end-up-in-Europe
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
ARCE has created some virtual tours of Egyptian artifacts and sites:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/04/new-virtual-tours-kv-55-coffin-c-ware-vessel/
Plans to boost tourism at the Giza pyramids:
https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/06/egypt-s-giza-pyramids-are-getting-a-revamp-to-boost-tourism
The 800 years bp Shali Fortress is opening to the public to boost tourism in Siwa:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/93940/Opening-of-Shali-Fortress-to-help-transform-Siwa-into-global
Review of Netflix's documentary on the recent finds at Saqqara:
https://egyptindependent.com/netflixs-secrets-of-the-saqqara-tomb-takes-egyptians-on-a-journey-into-their-own-civilization/
... I think this is late coverage of that find:
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/egypt-unveils-59-newly-unearthed-ancient-coffins
Feature on some monastic rules in 4th/5th century CE Egypt:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/daily-life-and-practice/pray-and-work-like-an-egyptian-monk/
More on inks used by Egyptian scribes:
https://nation.com.pk/06-Nov-2020/ancient-writings-discovered-from-egyptian-papyri
Assyrian soldiers some 3000 years bp may have exhibited the first recorded symptoms of PTSD (this seems like something from a few years ago):
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/3000-year-old-ptsd-43423/
An archaeology survey has resumed at Tappeh Gerdi-Gouran (Iran):
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/454221/Archaeological-survey-resumed-at-ancient-hill-with-Bronze-Age
Remains of ramparts and towers (maybe) of a Parthian fortess from northern Iran:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/454322/Ramparts-of-ancient-fort-unearthed-in-northeast-Iran
Studying Achaemenid water management efforts:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/454376/Archaeologists-to-unravel-enigma-of-Achaemenid-dams-water-management
Feature on using AI to restore and reconstruct broken cuneiform tablets:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-israeli-scientists-use-ai-to-reconstruct-broken-babylonian-tablets-1.9284653
... related feature (maybe) on cuneiform:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/decoding-cuneiform-one-of-the-earliest-forms-of-writing
Tracking the effects of the search for water in the UAE and Oman over the past 10 000 years:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/environment/how-migration-in-search-of-water-shaped-arabia-over-10-000-years-1.1103484
Finds from a wide range of periods (5200 - 1200 BCE at least) from AlUla (Saudi Arabia):
https://www.salaamgateway.com/story/new-archaeological-finds-in-saudi-arabias-alula-fill-missing-links-in-regions-history
More on humans dealing with climate change at Tel Tayinat 4500 years bp and 3000 years bp:
https://www.utoronto.ca/news/resilience-and-climate-change-archaeologists-reveal-human-adaptability-ancient-turkey
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201029171632.htm
https://washingtonnewsday.com/top-stories/the-people-in-old-turkey-adapted-to-the-climate-change-and-prospered/
https://www.haaretz.com/science-and-health/.premium-the-lesson-of-the-ancient-town-that-survived-climate-change-1.9279344
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/03/human-resilience-in-the-face-of-climate-change-in-ancient-turkey/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/archaeologists-reveal-human-resilience.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/11/new-study-fills-gaps-in-chronological-timelines-of-bronze-and-iron-age-societies/135985
A Byzantine church in the Golan Heights appears to have been built on an earlier temple of Pan:
https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/11/01/byzantine-era-church-on-golan-heights-likely-replaced-greek-temple/
The IAA is showing off some of its coin collection:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/watch-israel-antiquities-authority-coin-head-displays-treasures-from-the-vault/
I think we mentioned this Crusader-era 'escape tunnel' revealed at the Tower of David:
https://themedialine.org/life-lines/jerusalem-excavation-yields-mysterious-medieval-escape-tunnel/
Not sure if we've mentioned the renewed claims about purported nails used in Jesus' crucifixion:
https://www.livescience.com/roman-era-nails-crucifixion-jesus.html
More on the 'facelift' at the Tower of David:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-visitors-away-jerusalems-tower-of-david-undergoes-major-facelift/
Latest example of politics and archaeology clashing in the Palestinian territories:
https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/120864
The Syrian Orthodox Church has put a 4th century church up for sale in Mardin:
http://www.fides.org/en/news/68939-ASIA_TURKEY_A_4th_century_church_put_up_for_sale_as_a_tourist_hostel
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
Latest finds from the Mycenean necropolis at Trapeza:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-mycenaean-necropolis-of-trapeza.html
Remains of the forum of Castrum Novum were revealed at Santa Marinella recently (Italian):
https://www.terzobinario.it/scoperto-il-foro-di-castrum-novum-a-santa-marinella/
https://www.centumcellae.it/cultura/castrum-novum-nuove-eccezionali-scoperte-archeologiche-a-santa-marinella/
4th-2nd century BCE figurines of Demeter and Persephone from Anapa (Russia):
https://thetimeshub.in/statuettes-of-the-goddess-demeter-and-her-daughter-were-found-at-a-construction-site-in-anapa/10692/
Several interesting finds from various periods from Kythnos:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/06/ancient-city-on-remote-islet-in-aegean-reveals-fascinating-secrets-in-new-dig/
A 1st century CE Roman military inscription from Alus (Bulgaria):
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/07/sad-story-of-roman-veteran-who-served-44-years-in-military-revealed-by-tombstone-from-almus-in-bulgarias-danube-town-lom/
An appeal is allowing property development on a potentially significant Roman site in Milton Keynes:
https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/environment/company-wins-appeal-build-140-acre-employment-site-site-historic-roman-ruins-milton-keynes-3026336
I think we mentioned this intact amphora found off the coast of Hvar (Croatia):
https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/47817-hvar-archaeological-discovery
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9183-201103-croatia-adriatic-amphora
In case you missed the coverage of the 2000 years bp seal stone depicting Apollo found in Jerusalem:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-gem-apollo-jerusalem-western-wall.html
https://www.thedailybeast.com/rare-gem-discovery-in-jerusalem-has-two-mysteries
https://www.livescience.com/seal-of-apollo-jerusalem.html
Chemical concerns for Pompeiian frescoes:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d43978-020-00017-y
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/pompeiis-paintings-imperilled-by-precipitates/4012676.article
Some preliminary assessment of the earthquake damage done to sites and museums in Samos, Ikaria, and Chios:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/04/first-estimation-of-damages-on-samos-ikaria-and-chios/
... and a project to protect Mycenae better from potential fires in the future:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/04/completion-of-system-for-the-fire-protection-of-mycenae/
Latest results of investigations at the Temple of Neptune at Paestum (Italian):
https://www.lacittadisalerno.it/cultura-e-spettacoli/tempio-di-nettuno-ora-si-riscrive-la-storia-1.2524398
The Colosseum has closed again:
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/covid-19-romes-colosseum-closes-to-visitors.html
Concerns for Roman mosaics in a Roman villa in Bulgaria:
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/02/scandal-erupts-as-roman-mosaics-get-trampled-on-in-villa-armira-mansion-near-bulgarias-ivaylovgrad/
On the synagogue at Ostia:
https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/324240/a-classicists-encounter-with-the-synagogue-at-ostia/
Feature on wines and vineyards of Pompeii:
https://theconversation.com/pompeii-is-famous-for-its-ruins-and-bodies-but-what-about-its-wine-147011
https://menafn.com/1101072966/Pompeii-is-famous-for-its-ruins-and-bodies-but-what-about-its-wine&source=25
https://news.yahoo.com/scientists-recreate-wine-ancient-rome-184741524.html
Feature on Nicopolis ad Istrum:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/11/ancient-nicopolis-ad-istrum-the-city-of-victory/136004
Feature on ancient Greek graffiti left in Egypt:
https://world.greekreporter.com/2020/11/03/ancient-greeks-left-their-mark-in-egypt-in-591-bc-in-graffiti/
Feature on paying taxes in ancient Athens:
https://theconversation.com/only-the-richest-ancient-athenians-paid-taxes-and-they-bragged-about-it-147249
https://news.holycross.edu/blog/2020/11/04/how-to-tax-the-rich-holy-cross-professor-shares-lessons-from-ancient-greece/
Interesting feature on gold and silver Roman coins found in India:
https://canadafreepress.com/article/gold-and-silver-coins-stored-as-bullion-in-india-during-roman-times
Feature on some important Greek sculptures that aren't in Greece:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/07/greek-sculptures-away-motherland/
Feature on Archimedes and the siege of Syracuse:
https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-brilliant-scientist-who-stopped-the-roman-army-f85f295063c3
Feature on chariot racing in ancient Rome:
http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2020/11/sound-and-fury
Feature on the Etruscans:
https://medium.com/@fcameronlister/why-the-romans-dont-want-you-to-know-about-the-etruscans-2a0ddb26233
Feature on life in a Roman legion:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/life-in-a-roman-legion-and-life-after-leaving/
... and how legions 'worked':
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/how-did-a-legion-of-the-roman-army-function/
... and one on the growth of the Roman army:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-roman-army-its-evolution-and-growth/
Feature on the mausoleum of Augustus:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mausoleum-of-augustus
... and the Augustus of the Primaporta:
https://smarthistory.org/augustus-of-primaporta/
Interesting podcast on the eruption of Vesuvius:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2020/nov/05/investigating-the-historic-eruption-of-mount-vesuvius-podcast
Feature on some musical versions of the Eurydice story:
https://eidolon.pub/echoes-of-eurydice-47c3578f050c
Feature on Hannibal's elephants (I think we had this a while ago):
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-03-21/a-la-busca-de-los-elefantes-de-anibal-junto-al-tajo.html?rel=mas
Feature on some of the ancient items highlighted at the latest TEFAF (virtual) Arts Fair:
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/11/aphrodite-heracles-and-an-ephebe-in-a-virtual-arts-fair/
Features on the aftermath of Caesar's assassination:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hunt-julius-caesars-assassins-marked-last-days-roman-republic-1-180976185/
https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/history/search-for-the-conspirators-in-julius-caesars-assassination
Feature on Xena's use of Greek myth:
https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/how-xena-warrior-princess-used-greek-myth/
The lessons of the Antonine plague:
https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2020/11/lesson-of-the-antonine-plague/
A virtual tour of ancient Olympia:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/08/a-virtual-tour-in-ancient-olympia/
Herica Valladares has a new book out:
https://classics.unc.edu/2020/11/06/professor-herica-valladares-publishes-new-book/
BU Classics marked Halloween with a virtual reading of ancient ghost stories:
https://dailyfreepress.com/2020/11/02/classics-enthusiasts-celebrate-halloween-via-dramatic-virtual-readings-of-greek-tragedy/
Latest comparison of the US and the Roman republic:
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/03/donald-trump-julius-caesar-433956
Feature on the influence ancient Greece and Rome had on the US 'Founding Fathers':
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/noble-virtues-bad-history-how-greece-and-rome-influenced-americas-founders/2020/11/05/b8f6d054-13d0-11eb-bc10-40b25382f1be_story.html
Review of Peter Stothard, *The Last Assassin*:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-last-assassin-review-avenging-a-conspiracy-11604446908
Seeking a return to use of Latin in scientific naming:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/realestate/yes-you-can-learn-to-speak-the-language-of-plants.html
Remembering when Sean Connery called for the return of the Parthenon Marbles:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/01/when-sean-connery-called-for-the-return-of-the-parthenon-marbles-to-greece/
... and Stephen Fry has now asked the British Museum to 'stand on the right side of history' and return them:
https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/04/stephen-fry-asks-uk-return-elgin-marbles-from-british-museum-13534742/
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/music/stephen-fry-wants-parthenon-marbles-returned-to-greece/ar-BB1aEA52
https://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news/entertainment/18844019.stephen-fry-calls-elgin-marbles-returned-athens-british-museum/
More coverage of the controversy over plans to 'cement the Acropolis':
https://neoskosmos.com/en/178950/archaeologists-and-the-disabled-blast-greeces-decision-to-cement-the-acropolis/
... although it is connected with disability access, it seems:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/02/acropolis-to-become-entirely-accessible-to-disabled-for-first-time/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/02/acropolis-accessible/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
Remains of an 8000 years bp dwelling and child burial from Molise (Italian):
https://www.newnotizie.it/2020/10/31/scoperto-sito-archeologico-straordinario-italia-resti-abitazioni-strade-sepoltura-bimbo/
https://www.zazoom.it/2020-10-31/scoperto-un-sito-archeologico-straordinario-in-italia-resti-di-abitazioni-strade-e-la-sepoltura-di-un-bimbo/7490013/
Remains of a 7000 years bp ceramics 'workshop' (kilns) from the Bazovets Settlement Mound in Bulgaria:
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/03/7000-year-old-kilns-from-prehistoric-ceramics-workshop-dug-up-at-bazovets-settlement-mound-in-northeast-bulgaria/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/59960
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9187-201104-bulgaria-kilns-chalcolithic
2500 BCE apparently saw a 'boom' in construction of henges, as a study of the Mount Pleasant henge in Dorset suggests:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-neolithic-boom-large-scale-mega-henges.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/04/dorset-mega-henge-stone-age
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8916765/Archaeology-Mount-Pleasant-mega-henge-Dorset-built-125-years.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stone-age-beaker-migrants-got-britain-building-grwvnvw6k
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/neolithic-construction-boom-led-to.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9194-201106-dorset-henge-dating
Interesting study of the 5000 years bp 'Lady of Bietikow' skeleton from Gemany:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-ancient-skeleton-germany-clues-prehistoric.html
A 3300 years bp bronze sword find in the Czech Republic seems to have sparked dig plans:
https://english.radio.cz/archaeologists-prepare-dig-jesenicko-after-mushroom-picker-finds-rare-bronze-age-8699022
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9188-201105-bronze-sword-ax
A tooth wear study of burials from 4000 years bp sites in Spain suggests the existence of gender differentiation of tasks:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-years-tasks-specialized-gender.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9190-201105-spain-teeth-tools
An Iron Age burial from a Sutherland estate:
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/2628421/iron-age-skull-and-bones-found-by-workmen-on-a-highland-estate/
Plenty of finds from a Pictish site in Shetland:
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/van-load-artefacts-taken-pictish-era-site-shetland-3025449
A medieval church inscription from Zavala (Bosnia Herzegovina):
http://www.sarajevotimes.com/relief-plate-from-the-9th-century-found-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9181-201103-zavala-medieval-plaque
Remains of a medieval monkey from a latrine in Basel:
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/medieval-monkey-found-in-basel-loo/46143640
North Yorkshire villagers doing some cobble restoration came across a pre-16th century well:
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/how-north-yorkshire-villagers-found-pre-16th-century-well-while-re-laying-cobbles-3025385
Workers fixing a lamp in the Palace of Westminster revealed a Henry VIII-era window:
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/409/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/409/pub/409/page/58/article/100046
The remains of the hexagonal tower keep of the Rosocastro Fortress (Bulgaria) have been excavated:
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/04/massive-hexagonal-tower-keep-horn-workshop-excavated-in-medieval-fortress-rusocastro-in-southeast-bulgaria/
Overviewish thing on finds made during A14 construction in the UK:
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/a14-upgrade-ancient-discoveries-found-19206973
Feature on 16th-18th century witch trials in Denmark and other Nordic countries:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-exhibition-rewrites-story-nordic-witch-trials-180976205/
Feature on the shipwreck of the San Giacomo di Galizia:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-11-01/al-rescate-de-la-espana-invencible-que-se-fue-a-pique.html
Searching for the grave of Britain's first black army officer:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/07/historian-finds-clues-to-grave-of-britains-first-black-army-officer
Feature on the Battle of Brunanburh:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/02/forgotten-battle-ofbrunanburh-forged-english-nation/
Feature on how Norwich Castle was built:
https://www.edp24.co.uk/going-out/how-norwich-castle-and-other-structures-were-built-in-medieval-times-1-6918434
Feature on plans for Dublin and York archaeologists to study Vikings together:
https://dublininquirer.com/2020/11/04/archaeologists-from-dublin-and-york-team-up-to-explore-a-shared-viking-past
Finds from various periods from a dig in Polotsk (Belarus, I think):
https://www.tvr.by/eng/news/obshchestvo/poltory_tysyachi_artefaktov_obnaruzhili_arkheologi_v_polotske/
Excavations of a 15th century synagoge in Buda begin next week:
https://www.budapesttimes.hu/arts/preparations-start-for-archaeological-excavation-of-buda-synagogue/
Plans to move a stave church in Stiege:
https://www.dw.com/en/german-village-rescues-historical-church-by-moving-it/a-55500308
The Spanish defence ministry is purchasing a ship to help search for shipwrecks:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spain-treasure-ships-b1645088.html
Funding for St Paul's Cathedral:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54837441
Concerns for archaeological sites at a housing development site in Wales:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cosmeston-vale-glamorgan-homes-plan-19222546
More on 'Gravettian Art Culture' being revealed in some Paleolithic bison paintings from Spain:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201028143112.htm
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/02/ancient-gravettian-art-culture-much-more-widespread-than-thought/
More on the remains of the Ancrum Old Bridge found in the Teviot River:
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/lost-medieval-bridge-transported-kings-and-queens-re-emerges-3018150
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9179-201102-ancrum-old-bridge
More on that 11th century stonemason's 'selfie' in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral:
https://www.livescience.com/medieval-mason-left-selfie-cathedral.html
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/nov/01/a-selfie-set-in-stone-hidden-portrait-by-cheeky-mason-found-in-spain-900-years-on
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mason-created-hidden-portrait-famous-spanish-cathedral-180976200/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9184-201104-medieval-cathedral-carving
More on the find of the Henry VIII-associated jousting field:
https://www.livescience.com/henry-viii-jousting-tiltyard-found.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/jousting-henry-viii-tudor-history-180976221/
A possible decision on the Stonehenge tunnel may be coming this week:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/07/druids-face-defeat-as-bulldozers-get-set-for-stonehenge-bypass
Review of a book on the Visigoths:
https://elpais.com/babelia/2020-11-01/todo-comenzo-con-los-godos.html
----------
Archaeology in Europe News:
http://archaeology-in-europe.blogspot.com/
Medievalists.net:
https://www.medievalists.net/category/news/
Viking Archaeology Blog:
http://viking-archaeology-blog.blogspot.com/
================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
Cooking preferences were apparently a major driver of acceptance of crop staples in prehistoric China:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-local-cooking-drove-crop-staples.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/wuis-lcp102820.php
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/local-cooking-preferences-drove.html
Interesting study revealing Bronze Age travel routes of herders in Xinjiang:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-bronze-age-routes-revealed-method.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uos-ba102620.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201104143624.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/bronze-age-travel-routes-in-north.html
Plans to rebuild the Shuri Castle in Okinawa:
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3107780/one-year-after-okinawas-historic-shuri-castle-was
... semi related is the story of a descendent of Ryukyu royalty insisting on independence from Japan:
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3108715/okinawa-ryukyu-royalty-descendant-stands-firm
Plenty of coverage of a 8000 years bp dismembered child burial from Alor Island (Indonesia):
https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/rare-8000-year-old-child-burial-reveals-secrets-of-the-dead
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-rare-year-child-burial-reveals.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/anu-rac110420.php
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-child-burial-no-leg-arm-bones.html
https://www.ibtimes.com/rare-8000-year-old-burial-site-reveals-child-buried-without-arms-legs-3075874
https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/28043/20201104/scientists-reveal-rare-burial-practice-dismembered-child-8-000-years.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/rare-8000-year-old-child-burial.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/06/rare-ancient-child-burial-reveals-8000-year-old-secrets-of-the-dead/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-burial-child-arms-and-legs-removed-found-indonesia-180976227/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9189-201105-indonesia-hunter-gatherer
On the importance of horses in building the Mongolian empire:
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/horse-mastery-helped-mysterious-mongolian-warriors-build-multiethnic-empire
Feature on the effectiveness of China's Great Wall:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/uncategorized/did-the-great-wall-of-china-actually-keep-invaders-out
Feature on Fiona Foley's work studying First Nations in Queensland:
https://news.griffith.edu.au/2020/11/04/meet-the-first-nations-researcher-uncovering-queenslands-hidden-histories/
I think we mentioned this 'stencil graffiti' from Australia a while ago:
https://boingboing.net/2020/11/05/new-kind-of-ancient-graffiti-found-in-northern-australia.html
Feature on 'Observation Post Rock' (Afghanistan):
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/31/world/asia/afghanistan-haunted-outpost.html
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
A possible Acadian settlement site in Louisiana:
https://www.iberianet.com/people/features/after-decades-of-mystery-and-research-original-settlers-homestead-may-be-found/article_435f0b58-1bdd-11eb-bd47-ab5d0be6f784.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9182-201102-louisiana-acadian-homestead
Latest on the search for graves associated with the Tulsa Race Massacre:
https://www.livescience.com/tulsa-race-massacre-victims-possibly-found.html
The wreck of the Pere Marquette 18 has been located:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ship-branded-titanic-great-lakes-22942987?ccid=1827630
More on the latest theory on the Lost Colony:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/11/newfound-survivor-camp-may-explain-lost-colony-roanoke/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archaeologists-mystery-lost-roanoke-lost-colony-1921594
More on the 300 years bp slave quarters being excavated on a Maryland plantation site:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8910703/Slave-quarters-dating-18th-century-unearthed-Jesuit-plantation-Maryland.html
https://www.foxnews.com/science/archaeologists-unearth-300-year-old-slave-quarters-at-historic-southern-maryland-plantation
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/archaeologists-slave-quarters-maryland-trnd/index.html
https://kyrnews.com/archaeologists-unearth-300-year-old-slave-quarters-at-historic-southern-maryland-plantation/
https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/42854273/archaeologists-discover-300yearold-slave-quarters-almost-entirely-preserved
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/us-archaeologists-uncover-300-year-old-preserved-slave-quarters-in-maryland-3040436.html
Feature on the Electoral College:
https://www.livescience.com/who-invented-electoral-college.html
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
Evidence women participated in 'big game hunting' in the Andes, some 9000 years bp:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-early-big-game-hunters-americas-female.html
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/45/eabd0310
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uoc--ebh102920.php
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-burial-female-hunter-peru.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/science/ancient-female-hunter.html
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/04/americas/prehistoric-female-hunter-burial-scn/index.html
https://news.yahoo.com/ancient-remains-peru-reveal-young-201921991.html
https://elpais.com/ciencia/2020-11-04/las-mujeres-prehistoricas-tambien-cazaban-grandes-animales.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-women-hunted-as-much-as-men-in-prehistoric-americas-anthropologists-say-1.9288195
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/11/prehistoric-female-hunter-discovery-upends-gender-role-assumptions/
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/woman-hunter-ancient-andean-remains-challenge-old-ideas-who-speared-big-game
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/female-game-hunters-ancient-americas
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/burial-hunter-female-peru-094235/
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/this-ancient-big-game-hunter-was-a-woman/
https://theconversation.com/did-prehistoric-women-hunt-new-research-suggests-so-149477
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/early-big-game-hunters-of-americas-were.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/9000-year-old-big-game-hunter-peru-prompts-questions-about-hunter-gatherer-gender-roles-180976218/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9193-201106-peru-female-hunter
Someone has figured out some Inca units of measurement (maybe):
https://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C84563%2Cpolish-architect-proves-existence-two-inca-measurement-systems.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9186-201103-inca-measurement-system
More on Maya water filtration:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201020105549.htm
https://www.nhpr.org/post/new-excavations-uncover-sophisticated-mayan-water-filtration-systems
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-uncover-2000-year-old-mayan-water-filtration-system-180976186/
Machu Picchu has reopened:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-54775061
A listing of some zoom talks that are available this week:
https://mikeruggerisevents.tumblr.com/
-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:
http://goo.gl/1VdeA
Ancient MesoAmerica News:
http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/
================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
================================================================
Explaining what the 'common era' is:
https://earthsky.org/human-world/definition-common-era-bce-ce-bc-ad
Feature on the collapse of civilizations:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/magazine/societal-collapse.html
On Van Gogh likely suffering from alcohol withdrawal:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54780434
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/van-gogh-delirium-intl-scli/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/nov/03/study-links-van-goghs-bouts-of-delirium-to-alcohol-withdrawal
https://www.umcg.nl/EN/corporate/News/Paginas/research-vincent-van-goghs-psychiatric-illnesses.aspx
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-11-04/el-sindrome-de-abstinencia-del-alcohol-provoco-psicosis-a-van-gogh.html
Feature on the veracity of the King Arthur tales:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/mount-badon-how-much-king-arthur-story-true/
Feature on the Turin Shroud:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-shroud-of-turin-created-by-miracle-or-medieval-forgers
Feature on Mortimer Wheeler in India:
https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/the-class-of-taxila-how-mortimer-wheeler-mn-deshpande-set-up-first-archaeology-school/536896/
Arguing over who had the largest empire:
https://www.livescience.com/worlds-biggest-empire.html
Mexico is seeking an apology from the Vatican for the Church's role in the Spanish conquest:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mexico-asks-vatican-return-indigenous-objects-180976178/
On one of the Salvation Army's battles ... against skeletons:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-54251256
Feature on the woman who made Beethoven's pianos:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/arts/music/beethoven-piano.html
Marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederich Engels:
https://www.theguardian.com/focus/2020/nov/08/engels-comes-of-age-the-socialist-who-wanted-a-joyous-life-for-everyone
Feature on political parties and elephants and donkeys:
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/why-democrats-are-donkeys-republicans-are-elephants-artsy/index.html
Feature on 'bad words' in the Middle Ages:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/by-gods-bones-bad-words-in-the-middle-ages-were-nothing-like-todays
Feature on Robert Musil:
https://www.dw.com/en/a-giant-of-modernist-literature-robert-musil-born-140-years-ago/a-55507768
If you haven't seen the video of that 19th century snowball fight in Paris:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/magazine/snowball-video-fight.html
On the birth of the animal rights movement:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/books/review/podcast-traitor-to-his-species-animal-rights-ernest-freeberg-christian-robinson.html
Feature on Milton's Lycidas:
https://medium.com/ostraka-a-durham-university-classics-society-blog/pastoral-perfection-why-miltons-lycidas-is-a-classicist-s-masterpiece-3bc6db3550f4
Feature on Pope Alexander VI's scandalous party in 1501:
https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday/the-banquet-of-the-chestnuts-the-popes-halloween-party-turned-orgy-c22e88fe25f9
I think we mentioned that Darwin's theories needed some tweaking:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/10/answer-to-darwins-question.html
Feature on the Mahabharata:
https://aeon.co/essays/the-indian-epic-mahabharata-imparts-a-dark-nuanced-moral-vision
Pondering archaeology:
https://psyche.co/ideas/archaeology-excavates-the-layers-of-meaning-we-leave-behind
Review of Wilson, *The Mystery of Charles Dickens*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/books/review/mystery-of-charles-dickens-a-n-wilson.html
Review of Allport, *Britain at Bay*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/books/review/alan-allport-britain-at-bay.html
================================================================
ANIMAL AND PLANT DOMESTICATIONS
================================================================
On the role of the horse in human prehistory:
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6517/646
More on dog varieties in the Ice Age:
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/five-dog-lineages-paleolithic-09012.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/02/study-of-ancient-dog-dna-traces-canine-diversity-to-the-ice-age/
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Pompeii:
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/os-et-orlando-science-center-pompeii-exhibit-tips-20201104-frdk4yeaynhqlewilcjx3jc5ai-story.html
Role of the Woman in Ancient Rome:
https://www.sardegnareporter.it/2020/11/il-ruolo-della-donna-nellantica-roma-in-esposizione-agli-uffizi-di-firenze/356381/
Turner:
https://www.easterneye.biz/turners-india-paintings-part-of-latest-tate-display/
Cezanne:
https://www.artfixdaily.com/news_feed/2020/11/04/7578-take-a-peak-at-highlights-of-mfa-bostons-captivating-c%C3%A9zanne-show
Conservation concerns for mummies in museums during the pandemic:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/egyptian-mummies-museum--closings/2020/11/06/37218dd0-1939-11eb-aeec-b93bcc29a01b_story.html
Feature on the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/93846/National-Museum-of-Egyptian-Civilization-a-multi-purpose-entity
Some recent museum openings in Egypt:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1207/389938/AlAhram-Weekly/Heritage/Egypt-Three-museums-open.aspx
Plans to make a 19th century British rail building into a museum:
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-54731548
UK museums are closing again:
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/second-covid-lockdown-england
================================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
================================================================
More hype for that Caratacus coin coming to auction:
https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/news/32519/iron-age-coin-found-in-field-near-newbury-could-sell-for-30-000.html
... while a 12th century coin found near Pickering by a metal detectorist fetched a very large price:
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/12th-century-coin-found-amateur-leeds-metal-detectorist-near-pickering-sells-nearly-ps30000-3024156
================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
DNA suggests 'trench fever' is much older than previously thought:
https://www.usf.edu/news/2020/new-research-traces-the-origins-of-trench-fever.aspx
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uosf-nrt110420.php
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-trench-fever.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201104194701.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/new-research-traces-origins-of-trench.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9191-201106-trench-fever
A study spanning 6000 years of the population dynamics of nomadic empire folks on the eastern Eurasian Steppe:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-population-dynamics-empires-asia.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/mpif-pda103020.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201105113009.htm
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/06/population-dynamics-and-the-rise-of-empires-in-inner-asia/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/population-dynamics-and-rise-of-empires.html
A study of medieval genetic data from the Ural region coupled with Hungarian archaeological evidence:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75910-z
Feature on African 'gene migration':
https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/a-great-african-gene-migration/
More on that Viking DNA story from a few weeks ago:
https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/news/delving-into-viking-dna.htm
================================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
================================================================
Postulating a climate change connection as a driver of hominin extinctions:
https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/hominin-extinctions/
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Aegina:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/07/swimming-among-the-ruins-of-a-glorious-ancient-greek-military-harbor/
Colombres:
https://elviajero.elpais.com/elviajero/2020/10/29/actualidad/1603965636_187298.html
San Bartolome hermitage:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201105-the-templar-hermitage-at-the-heart-of-the-iberian-peninsula
Xanten:
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-from-a-to-z-xanten/g-54097237
================================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
================================================================
Bacchae:
https://www.arkansastechnews.com/atus-production-of-the-bacchae-feted-by-scholars/
Schubert:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/arts/music/ian-bostridge-schubert-music.html
On how White Russian dancers revolutionized dance in China:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3107622/how-white-russian-ballet-dancers-sparked
Feature on a 100 years bp recording of Yiddisher Black cantors:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/yiddisher-black-cantors-from-100-years-ago-rediscovered-thanks-to-rare-recording/
================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Strange tale of a busted sale of an 'Aladdin's lamp' in India:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/01/two-men-arrested-india-aladdin-lamp-con
Arrests of a Dakahlia resident excavating antiquities at home:
https://alkhaleejtoday.co/egypt/5288340/The-seizure-of-a-person-while-excavating-antiquities-at-his-home.html
Bulgarian police seized the collection of an 'exiled oligarch':
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/05/vast-artifact-collection-seized-from-exiled-oligarch-to-be-appraised-by-german-italian-experts-bulgarias-prosecution-says/
A (replica) cannon in Schenectady was stolen:
https://dailygazette.com/2020/11/07/who-steals-a-350-400-pound-cannon-thats-what-the-folks-at-historic-fort-klock-would-like-to-know/
----------
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
================================================================
The US returned 45 stolen items to Pakistan:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1588510/pakistan-receives-45-stolen-relics-from-us
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/04-Nov-2020/stolen-antiquities-recovered-in-us-handed-back-to-pakistan
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/11/04/us-returns-45-stolen-relics-worth-250000-to-pakistan/
Italy returned a piece of a sarcophagus to Egypt:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/390136/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egypt-recovers-part-of-sarcophagus-from-Italy.aspx
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/93942/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Ambassador-to-Italy-receives-part-of-Egyptian-sarcophagus-from
Latest opinion on the Benin Bronzes and their return:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/05/benin-bronzes-must-returned-africa-says-curator-oxfords-pitt/
A Nazi-looted Pissarro dispute is back in court:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/01/arts/pissarro-oklahoma-nazi-looters.html
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Feature on Roman coins from the Hannibalic War era:
https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/roman-coins-from-the-war-against-hannibal/
In case you missed the results of that Ides of March coin auction:
https://www.coinnews.net/2020/11/06/ngc-ancients-certified-eid-mar-aureus-of-brutus-sells-for-4-188-million/
https://www.numismaticnews.net/article/eid-mar-brutus-aureus-sells-for-nearly-4-2-million
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v23n44.html
... and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v23/club_nbs_esylum_v23n45.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
================================================================
OBITUARIES
================================================================
Jim Coulton (pdf):
https://cucd.blogs.sas.ac.uk/files/2020/11/BARBER-Jim-Coulton-1940-2020.pdf
================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3002-audio-news-from-archaeologica-october-25-through-october-31-2020
================================================================
GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS
================================================================
Archaeology Magazine News Page:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/
About.com Archaeology:
http://archaeology.about.com/
Archaeology Briefs:
http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/
Atlas Obscura:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/
Heritage Daily:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/
Sapiens Archaeology:
https://www.sapiens.org/category/archaeology/
Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:
http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/
================================================================
PODCASTS/VODCASTS
================================================================
Archaeosoup:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Archaeos0up?feature=watch
Archaeology Podcast Network:
http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/
================================================================
EXPLORATOR is a free weekly newsletter bringing you the latest
news of archaeological finds, historical research and the like.
Various on-line news and magazine sources are scoured for news of
the 'ancient world' (broadly construed: practically anything relating
to archaeology or history up to a century or so ago is fair
game) and every Sunday they are delivered to your mailbox free of
charge!
================================================================
Useful Addresses
================================================================
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