===============================================================
explorator 23.37 January 3, 2021
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You can read explorator online at:

https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/


Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo, Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
350 000 years bp evidence of use of grinding tools by hominids from Tabun Cave (Israel):

https://www.timesofisrael.com/stone-found-in-israel-is-oldest-known-tool-used-for-delicate-abrading/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/haifa-university-350000-years-ago-fire-and-tools-were-used-to-play-games-653377
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-a-350-000-year-old-turning-point-in-human-evolution-found-in-israel-1.9402735
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/r1JoK7LTv https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/12/28/tool-pre-dating-modern-humans-identified-in-northern-israel/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/haifa-u-researchers-discover-oldest-vessel-made-by-humanoids/2020/12/27/
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/27/c_139622388.htm https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/350000-year-stone-found-in-israel-is.html

A study of the 'little foot' australopithecus' curved forearm:

https://phys.org/news/2020-12-forearm-curvature-foot-australopithecus-natural.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9348-201230-little-foot-arms

Some roundups (different) of human origins-related finds from 2020:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/ten-new-things-we-learned-about-human-origins-2020-180976632/
https://www.livescience.com/human-ancestors-discoveries-2020.html

Review of a couple of books on the 'cutthroat world of paleoanthropology':

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/22/books/review/fossil-men-kermit-pattison-the-sediments-of-time-maeve-leakey.html

================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
A project to restore a number of sphinxes (sphinges) at Karnak:

https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-launches-sphinx-restoration-project-at-luxors-karnak-temple/
https://dailynewsegypt.com/2021/01/02/egypt-restores-famous-ram-statues-at-karnak-temple/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96000/Karnak https://menafn.com/1101373786/Egypt-restores-famous-ram-statues-at-Karnak-Temple

The tomb of Ramses I has reopened after restoration:

https://dailynewsegypt.com/2021/01/03/egypt-reopens-tomb-of-ramses-i-following-restoration/
https://www.egyptindependent.com/photos-after-its-restoration-egypt-reopens-ramses-i-tomb-in-luxor-for-visitors/

Again, Egypt announces that they will be announcing something:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95802/New-archaeological-discovery-in-Saqqara-to-be-announced-early-2021
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95941/In-2021-Saqqara-will-continue-to-reveal-its-secrets-amaze

Overview of archaeology finds in Egypt this year:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1207/397248/AlAhram-Weekly/Heritage/Yearender--Egypts-Archaeological-extravaganza-.aspx

More on Egypt dealing with increased illegal digging during COVID times:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/28/c_139622582.htm https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2020/12/28/feature-egypt-faces-increased-home-illegal-digging-for-antiquities-amid-covid-19-pandemic

Feature on the Edwin Smith surgical papyrus:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/medical-papyrus-the-guide-for-ancient-egyptian-physicians/

Feature on the ritual of embalming papyrus and Herodotus' account:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-ritual-of-embalming-papyrus-and-herodotus-account/

Feature on the Rhind bilingual papyri:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-rhind-bilingual-papyri-mourning-and-magic-numbers/

Feature on Djoser's pyramid:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-pyramid-of-djoser-the-worlds-oldest-pyramid-is-often-overshadowed

Feature on Thutmose IV (including a facial reconstruction):

https://www.greenprophet.com/2020/12/meet-pharaoh-thutmoses-iv/

Opeddish on the hoped-for return of the bust of Nefertiti:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/nefertiti-will-iconic-berlin-resident.html

7000 years bp (and later) petroglyphs from a site near Nimvar (Iran):

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456345/Petroglyphs-dating-back-to-9th-millennium-BC-discovered-in-Iran

Speculation that the Jelogir Mound (Iran) may contain a ruined Achaemenid castle of some sort:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456318/Ancient-hill-may-contain-ruined-castle-near-Persepolis-archaeologist

A rock-cut relief of the 3rd century CE king Bahram II will be preserved:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456479/Royal-bas-relief-being-restored-preserved-for-future-generations

Feature on work going on at Tepe Hesar (Iran) which has evidence of three major periods of occupation:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456342/7-000-year-old-Tepe-Hesar-being-demarcated

Feature on various archaeological structures at Iraq Al Amir (Jordan):

https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/caves-structures-iraq-al-amir-hold-clues-distant-past
https://en.ammonnews.net/article/45517 https://menafn.com/1101358675/Jordan-Caves-structures-of-Iraq-Al-Amir-hold-clues-to-distant-past

Feature on the rebuilding of Mosul:

https://www.dw.com/en/iraq-rebuilding-mosul-for-the-future/a-56053549

Feature on Assyrian art:

https://mymodernmet.com/what-is-ancient-assyrian-art/

Feature on Assyrian torture:

https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/assyrians-torture-60fabb7a9642

More on the apparent deciphering of Elamite:

https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/12/30/french-archaeologist-deciphers-ancient-language/

A roundup of the top 'biblical archaeology' stories of 2020:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-jesus-crucifixion-a-cursed-king-and-mysterious-giant-mounds-top-biblical-archaeo-1.9404675

Analysis of a jar lid from Qumran suggests there may have been many more DSS (and maybe are still):

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/dead-sea-scrolls/decayed-papyrus-hints-that-more-dead-sea-scrolls-remain/?mqsc=E4125009&dk=ZE05D0ZF0

Feature on Israel Finkelstein's work at Kiryat Ye'arim:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-one-man-s-quest-for-the-ark-of-the-covenant-led-to-a-completely-different-find-1.9305352

Something about a deal to 'streamline' archaeological excavations at development sites in Israel:

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/new-deal-to-streamline-archaeological-excavations-at-development-sites-653967

More on evidence of a tsunami hitting the coast near Tel Dor some 10 000 or so years (give or take) bp:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/archaeologists-discover-massive-tsunami-hit-israel-during-neolithic-era-653754
https://gizmodo.com/archaeologists-find-evidence-that-a-massive-tsunami-hit-1845935925
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9342-201228-israel-neolithic-tsunami

More on the finds (including the 3800 years bp baby jar burial) from Jaffa:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/israeli-dig-uncovers-bronze-age-baby-in-jar-d33gs68kb
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/archaeological-dig-in-jaffa-unearths-3800-year-old-baby-buried-in-a-jar-654116
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-remove-3800-year-old-baby-skeleton-jar-180976647/

More on the 2000 years bp mikveh from near Gethsemane:

https://aleteia.org/2020/12/29/2000-year-old-jewish-ritual-bath-discovered-under-israeli-highway/
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/remains-found-at-gethsemane/

More on evidence of Canaanites importing exotic foods from Asia:

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/turmeric-banana-soybean-near-east-09198.html

Feature on rejection of idolatry in ancient Israel:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-why-jews-don-t-worship-statues-of-god-1.9405116

Feature on gluttony and drunkennes in Ancient Israel:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/hebrew-bible/eat-drink-and-be-merry/

A dispute over the identification of Jesus as 'Palestinian' by the BBC:

https://www.jpost.com/international/bbc-jesus-was-palestinian-despite-terms-use-century-after-crucifixion-653453

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
Remains of a 2500 years bp temple of Aphrodite (and other finds from various periods) from Izmir:

https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/2500-year-old-aphrodite-temple-discovered-in-turkeys-izmir
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/03/2500-year-old-greek-aphrodite-temple-discovered-in-turkeys-izmir-smyrna/
https://www.albawaba.com/node/1402595

I think we mentioned this 12th century BCE necropolis find from Larnaca:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/12th-century-bc-cemetery-found-during.html

Remains of a section of Roman road in Northumberland:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-55497755 https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/roman-road-pre-dating-hadrians-wall-discovered-northumberland-3082660
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hidden-part-roman-road-uncovered-19532420
https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/18976915.settlingstones-roman-road-remains-uncovered-northumbrian-water/

A 'lost' sanctuary of Apollo which had been excavated in the 1800s on Cyprus was relocated (we mentioned this):

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/12/31/archaeologists-locate-the-lost-sanctuary-of-apollo-in-cyprus/
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/12/31/sanctuary-of-apollo-located-by-archaeologists-at-lefkosia-cyprus/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/02/sanctuary-of-apollo-found/ https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/sanctuary-of-apollo-at-pera-oreinis.html

An Archaic necropolis found during house construction in Gela (Italian):

https://www.lasicilia.it/news/caltanissetta/382014/gela-rinvenuta-una-necropoli-arcaica-durante-i-lavori-per-realizzare-una-casa.html
https://www.ragusanews.com/2021/01/02/cultura/sicilia-fanno-fondamenta-casa-trovano-necrepoli/116989

Power line construction in the Mendip hills have revealed remains of a Roman settlement:

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/remains-roman-settlement-unearthed-route-4790240
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/roman-pottery-among-finds-made-archaeologists-working-cable-route-worlds-largest-offshore-wind-farm-3082482

Not reading much about this find of a cache of Roman weapons (including shields) from Albacete (Spain):

https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/12/31/roman-weapons-uncovered-in-central-spain/
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-12-29/hallado-en-albacete-un-excepcional-conjunto-de-armas-de-epoca-romana.html

A roundup of the digging at Anavarzna (Turkey) with finds from various periods:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/findings-in-anavarza-excite-archaeologists-161290

A major 2000 years bp Celtic coin hoard find (last September?) from Suffolk is being connected to Boudicca (we mentioned this):

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/war-coins-linked-to-ancient-rebellion-led-by-queen-boudicca-found-in-uk-653367
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/amateur-treasure-hunter-discovered-2000-year-old-coins-180976658/

In case you missed the Roman baths find from Amman:

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-jordan-antiquities-idUKKBN2931GH https://www.reuters.com/article/jordan-antiquities/drainage-works-unearth-roman-baths-in-heart-of-jordans-capital-idUSL8N2J925J
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/12/jordan-amman-roman-ruins-baths-archeology-excavation.html
https://news.yahoo.com/roman-ruins-discovered-downtown-amman-180034661.html https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/12/30/baths-from-ancient-philadelphia-dug-up-in-modern-day-amman/

Feature on the 'rehabilitation' of the Roman tabernae in Trajan's Market:

https://www.archdaily.com/953939/rehabilitation-of-roman-tabernae-in-the-trajans-market-labics

More on the Regio V thermopolium excavation at Pompeii:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/dec/27/snack-bar-pompeii-offers-insights-ancient-eating-habits-video-report
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/26/exceptionally-well-preserved-snack-bar-unearthed-in-pompeii
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/27/950645473/whats-on-the-menu-in-ancient-pompeii-duck-goat-snail-researchers-say
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/29/951026718/archaeologists-in-ancient-city-of-pompeii-dig-up-a-roman-food-counter
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/26/world/europe/pompeii-snack-bar-thermopolium.html
https://www.thedailybeast.com/newly-unearthed-pompeii-snack-stand-still-has-bits-of-old-food
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-mallard-pompeii-fast-food-reveals.html https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pompeii-archaeologists-ancient-thermopolium-street-food-volcanic-eruption/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/mallard-to-go-dig-of-pompeii-fast-food-place-reveals-tastes/2020/12/26/8970c090-479e-11eb-ac2a-3ac0f2b8ceeb_story.html
https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2020/12/28/pompeii-ancient-snack-bar-newsource-orig-vpx.cnn
https://www.dw.com/en/archaeologists-in-pompeii-discover-ancient-snack-bar/a-56064831
https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-12-26/un-restaurante-de-comida-rapida-de-pompeya-el-nuevo-descubrimiento-bajo-las-cenizas-de-la-ciudad.html
https://www.ntd.com/archaeologists-unearth-roman-era-food-stall-in-pompeii-ruins_545690.html
https://www.wionews.com/videos/archaeologists-unearth-frescoed-food-shop-in-the-ancient-city-of-pompeii-352690
https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2020/12/29/22205141/ancient-fast-food-restaurant-discovered-in-pompeii
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/93wde8/an-ancient-roman-snack-bar-was-unearthed-in-pompeii
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-rome/pompeii-fast-food-restaurant-uncovered/?mqsc=E4124854&dk=ZE05D0ZF0
https://mashable.com/article/pompeii-snack-stand-thermopolium-discovery-photos/ https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/12/archaeologists-excavate-ancient-roman-takeout-counter-at-pompeii/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/archaeologists-uncover-fast-food-counter-at-pompeii/136591
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fast-food-joint-pompeii-served-snails-fish-and-wine-new-finds-suggest-180976651/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/street-food-shop-emerges-in-pompeii.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9345-201229-pompeii-snack-bar

More on the mosaics found in a Baalbek market:

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1781856/middle-east https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/workers-uncover-roman-mosaic-in-baalbek.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9343-201228-lebanon-baalbek-mosaic

More on plans to rebuild the Colosseum floor:

https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/42630-colosseum-in-rome-will-have-a-floor-for-the-first-time-in-1500-years.html
https://www.designboom.com/architecture/rome-rebuild-colosseum-retractable-floor-restoration-italy-01-02-2021/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/italy-plans-install-floors-colosseum-1-180976635/

More on plans to restore Pheidias' workshop at Olympia:

https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/42602-workshop-of-iconic-sculptor-pheidias-to-be-restored-in-ancient-olympia-of-greece.html

An auction house needs help with a Greek inscription found in an English garden:

https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/18981510.help-needed-find-roman-slab-found-whiteparish/

Mary Beard reminiscing about the Sather Lectures and Elagabalus:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/the-sather-lectures-and-the-emperor-elagabalus/

Feature/virtual tour/hype for the reopening of the Mausoleum of Augustus:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mausoleum-romes-first-emperor-set-reopen-public-2021-180976645/

Feature on Diogenes:

https://greekreporter.com/was-greek-philosopher-diogenes-the-cynic-the-first-anarchist/

Feature on that Severan 'bribery inscription' from a few weeks ago:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-severus-inscription-and-how-ancient-political-losers-had-to-bribe-roman-emperors-for-peace

Feature on Kyniska:

https://neoskosmos.com/en/177935/hidden-women-of-history-kyniska-the-first-female-olympian/

Feature on being a Roman soldier:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/being-a-soldier-in-the-roman-army/

... and the challenges Roman soldiers faced:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/challenging-life-of-a-roman-soldier/

... and general Roman army stuff:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/roman-soldier-life-in-the-army-and-beyond/

Feature on Roman slavery:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/roman-slavery-who-were-the-roman-slaves/

Feature on the life of Roman enslaved persons:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/duties-and-life-of-a-roman-slave/

Feature on Roman freedmen:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/a-roman-slaves-life-after-freedom/

Another feature on the Greeks and perception of blue:

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2021/01/01/did-the-ancient-greeks-see-blue-like-we-do/

Feature on some ancient Greek vase types:

https://ourculturemag.com/2020/12/31/6-types-of-ancient-vases-styles-facts/

The baths at Bath had to close for pandemic reasons:

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/roman-baths-pump-room-forced-4846458

Interesting Classical reception in a statue of Cornelia in Ohio:

https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/opinion/2020/12/28/were-statue-cornelia-and-her-jewels-honor-ohio-leaders/4060761001/

They've put some lighting on the Temple of Hephaestus and the Philopappos Monument:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/30/temple-hephaestus-illuminated/

-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
Plans to restore a recently-found priest's effigy that had been damaged by Henry VIII's soldiers:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/dec/27/desecrated-and-hidden-for-centuries-priests-effigy-is-restored-to-glory
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/derbyshire-resident-uncovered-earliest-alabaster-effigy-english-priest-180976636/

Remains of a possible medieval settlement beneath a Gloucester golf course:

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/medieval-settlement-found-underneath-gloucester-4837647

A medieval Chinese coin find from a Hampshire field has obvious trade implications:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/chinese-coin-hints-at-vast-medieval-trade-route-z9hq8rb20

An intact medieval jug from a dig in Dublin:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/medieval-jug-found-on-ship-street-great-site-is-pitcher-perfect-9zchhzpmx

Assorted 'treasure' finds from Staffordshire:

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/more-treasure-given-up-soil-19520122

... and a 2400 years bp (maybe) gold 'ornament' find from near Alson:

https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/18982395.gold-ornament-discovered-near-alston-declared-treasure/

An illegal New Year's Eve party at a 500 years bp church in East Hordon caused quite a bit of damage:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-55514853

Feature on restoring mosaics at St John Lateran:

https://www.osvnews.com/2020/12/28/come-to-the-water-mosaicists-bring-renewal-to-romes-first-baptistery/

... and the first known Nativity scene figurines were on display at Santa Maria Maggiore:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/first-known-nativity-scene-figurines-can-now-be-seen-in-st-mary-major-basilica-68998

Feature on restoration of a Spanish town's 'evil angels' church:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/spanish-town-looks-to-its-evil-angels-to-boost-its-fortunes

Feature on recent finds from various periods in North Wales:

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/archaeological-secrets-unearthed-north-wales-19506972

Feature on restoration work going on at the Palazzo Silvestri-Rivaldi in rome:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/frescoes-of-romes-palazzo-silvestri-rivaldi-dazzle-once-again-0s09jd60w

Neil Price offers some Viking revisionism:

https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-12-26/vikingos-queer-transculturales-y-bastante-inclusivos.html

More on 7000 years bp arrows made from (human) bones from 'Doggerland':

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/7000-year-old-arrows-made-from-human.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 ================================================================
I think we mentioned this 3500 years bp tomb with evidence of sun worship from China's Xinjian Uygur Autonomous region:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/3500-year-old-tomb-in-nw-china.html

From the same area comes the find of a 3300 years bp settlement site:

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2020-12/30/content_77064817.htm http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/30/c_139628812.htm

An 1800 years bp stone vessel has helped identify a mausoleum in Henan as belonging to the emperor Liu Zhi:

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/ruins-of-1800-year-old-vessel-helps-confirm-imperial-tomb-in-central-china/ar-BB1cjTyl
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2020-12/29/content_77061468.htm https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mausoleum-identified-resting-place-second-century-chinese-emperor-liu-zhi-180976668/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9347-201230-china-emperor-tomb

Feature on restoration work at China's Old Summer Palace:

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-12-27/Old-Summer-Palace-starts-new-round-of-cultural-relic-restoration-Wz7ijD4dS8/index.html

A Neolithic axe from Somasila in Telangana:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/neolithic-tool-surfaces-at-somasila/articleshow/79980565.cms
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/neolithic-axe-dated-4000-2000-bc-discovered-in-nagarkurnool-district/articleshow/79982865.cms
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/neolithic-celt-discovered-in-a-nagarkurnool-village/article33432593.ece

Studying Indus Valley civilization water use:

https://www.eurasiareview.com/30122020-mapping-water-use-of-indus-valley-civilization/

Another Tami Brahmi inscription find from near Madurai:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/another-tamil-brahmi-inscription-stone-found-in-a-shambles/articleshow/79998508.cms

Hyping an impending dig at a mid-19th century hotel site near Melbourne:

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/walls-can-t-talk-but-dig-on-1853-hotel-ruin-may-yield-historical-gems-20201231-p56r0l.html

Feature on Australia's Peter Taylor, dubbed 'one of Australia's greatest shipwreck hunters':

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/holding-for-sunday-meet-the-retired-stonemason-who-has-become-one-of-australia-s-greatest-shipwreck-hunters-20200418-p54kzc.html

================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
The US Senate passed a bill to protect historic Black cemeteries:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/legislation-protect-african-american-burial-grounds-passes-senate-180976642/

... and semi-related, I guess, is legislation to apply banking regulations to the antiquities market:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/arts/design/antiquities-market-regulation.html

Not sure if we mentioned the threat to a Native American archives in Seattle:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/30/seattle-national-archives-indigenous-people-property-sale

Feature on an enslaved person name Caesar, who was a chef in colonial Virgina:

https://theconversation.com/oppression-in-the-kitchen-delight-in-the-dining-room-the-story-of-caesar-an-enslaved-chef-and-chocolatier-in-colonial-virginia-151356

================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
A study questioning whether Columbus found early Caribs when he arrived:

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/12/facial-profiling-ancient-dna-tell-two-tales-of-early-caribbean-islanders/

Latest Easter Island study suggests deforestation happened after earlier postulated societal collapse:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/12/new-findings-about-prehistoric-easter-island/136619

Squatters have issued death threats to the archaeologist who found the remains of Caral (!):

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/03/squatters-ancient-ruins-peru-death-threats-archeologist-caral

Feature on Maya religion being more than just sacrifices:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-maya-civilizations-religion-was-more-than-just-ritual-sacrifices

Feature on crystal skulls:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-real-story-behind-aztec-crystal-skulls

Feature on how European viruses brought down the Aztec and Inca empires:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/european-viruses-aztec-inca-empires/

Peru is putting in place a reservation system to visit Machu Picchu:

https://www.elmostrador.cl/generacion-m/2020/12/30/peru-inicia-reserva-y-venta-de-entradas-para-visitar-machu-picchu/

More on the arrangement of ancient Amazonian villages:

https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1370294/archaeology-discovery-ancient-amazon-villages-native-american-cosmos-evg

-----
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 ================================================================
Assorted roundups of top archaeology stories of 2020 (not specific to any particular country):

https://www.livescience.com/biggest-archaeological-findings-2020.html https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-ghostly-genes-gal-gadot-and-stone-balls-best-archaeology-of-2020-1.9407261
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ninety-fascinating-finds-revealed-2020-180976608/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/best-art-and-archaeology-discoveries-2020-1930552

... and one focusing on ancient weapons:

https://www.livescience.com/ancient-weapons-swords-found-in-2020.html

Feature on the impact of dams on the cultural heritage of the Middle East and North Africa:

http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2020/12/orientdams

How various famous authors might have described 2020:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/12/23/various-authors-describe-2020/

Latest frozen animal find is a 20 000 to 50 000 years bp wooly rhino from Siberia:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/30/siberia-permafrost-yields-well-preserved-ice-age-woolly-rhino
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/well-preserved-ice-age-woolly-rhino.html

Britain is putting together a database of everyone who was an investor in the slave trade:

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/12/28/uk/britain-slave-trade-dictionary-scli-gbr-intl/index.html

Feature on all the recent 'women warrior' finds:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/opinion/man-the-hunter-woman-andes-viking-women-leaders-feminism.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/opinion/women-hunter-leader.html

On why the year begins on January 1:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/why-is-january-1-the-beginning-of-a-new-year

Feature on some ancient hangover cures:

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/ancient-hangover-cures-can-you-19543892
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2021-01-01-ancient-hangover-cures-to-get-you-through-the-new-year/
https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/ancient-hangover-cures-you-through-19544497

Pondering whether 2020 was the worst year ever:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/12/30/ranking-2020-worst-year-history/

Marking the 500th anniversary of Luther's excommunication:

https://www.dw.com/en/500-years-after-martin-luthers-excommunication-a-chance-for-ecumenical-christianity/a-56099590

Pondering whether Jews and Christians have the same Bible:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-bible-without-jesus-how-two-faiths-can-read-the-same-text-in-dissonant-ways/

Feature on EP Thompson:

https://aeon.co/essays/what-shaped-e-p-thompson-historian-and-champion-of-working-people

In search of Renaissance women artists:

https://www.npr.org/2021/01/02/951479764/where-are-the-women-uncovering-the-lost-works-of-female-renaissance-artists

Pondering the continuing appeal of the Great Gatsby:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/books/great-gatsby-fitzgerald-copyright.html

On Jefferson's attempts at figuring out Christianity:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/04/what-thomas-jefferson-could-never-understand-about-jesus

More on Banjo Paterson's chocolate:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-australia-55421008

More on Thomas Beckett's 'little book' identification (maybe):

https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55370722 ================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Solomon's Temple:

https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/metkids/2020/solomons-temple-model-judaica

Pictorial tumours:

https://elpais.com/ciencia/2020-12-24/tumores-pictoricos.html

Dante:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/01/italy-year-long-celebration-dante-700-anniversary-drawings

Chinese Maritime Relics:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/29/c_139625214.htm

Sededunum Roman Fort:

https://segedunumromanfort.org.uk/whats-on/obscurum-lux-see-segedunum-in-a-different-light

Arbeia Roman Fort:

https://arbeiaromanfort.org.uk/whats-on/flesh-on-the-bones

Seeing Color:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/31/arts/design/nature-of-color-natural-history-museum.html

Feature on assorted goings-on at the Met:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/24/arts/design/metropolitan-museum-european-paintings-skylights.html

Egypt's Museum of Islamic Art launched a 3d virtual platform:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95845/Egypt-s-Min-of-Tourism-Antiquities-launches-virtual-visit-to
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/95837/Video-Enjoy-a-tour-inside-Egypt%E2%80%99s-Museum-of-Islamic-Art

How the art world is adapting to COVID 19:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/events/how-art-world-adapts-to-global-pandemic-concept-during-covid-19

The Edward Valentine museum is confronting its Confederate past:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/richmond-sculptor-edward-valentine-created-many-of-the-statues-that-defined-lost-cause-mythology-now-his-familys-museum-is-confronting-the-legacy/2020/12/31/e9ed90c0-4b7b-11eb-a9d9-1e3ec4a928b9_story.
html

More on Germany and it's colonial past in museums:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/germany-confronts-its-own-imperial-past-x33td5lsk
================================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED ================================================================
Feature on coins in the upcoming NYINC coin auction:

https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/ancient-coin-highlights-of-the-heritage-january-2021-nyinc-auction/


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