===============================================================
explorator 23.40 January 24, 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
================================================================
A study of 2 million+ bp 'chopping tools' from Revadim (Israel):
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/tu-ehu012021.php https://phys.org/news/2021-01-early-humans-tools-animal-bones.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210121132129.htm https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/prehistoric-ashdodites-used-chopping-tools-to-eat-bone-marrow-study-656035
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israelis-crack-2-million-year-old-mystery-about-stone-tools-1.9465132
https://www.freepressjournal.in/science/humans-used-chopping-tools-half-million-years-ago-study
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/22/early-humans-used-chopping-tools-to-break-animal-bones/
Feature on the 'pit of bones' found at Atapuerca in the 1980s:
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p094g55v/the-murder-mystery-of-spain-s-pit-of-bones-
Studying how early hominids adapted to various environmental changes:
http://www.themanitoban.com/2021/01/early-humans-adapted-to-rapidly-changing-environment/41227/
Pondering why early humans left Africa:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/why-did-early-humans-leave-africa
Pondering the early human diet:
https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/-que-tenian-en-su-plato-nuestros-antepasados--202111515510
Trying to figure out the number of early human species:
https://www.livescience.com/how-many-human-species.html
Suggestion that spitting cobras evolved their spitting behaviour because of contact with early humans:
https://theconversation.com/spitting-cobras-may-have-evolved-unique-venom-to-defend-from-ancient-humans-153570
More on that 'abrading tool' from Tabun Cave:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/oldest-known-abrading-tool-archaeology-tabun-cave
More on the 'pig' petroglyph from Indonesia:
https://www.india.com/viral/worlds-oldest-known-cave-painting-made-45500-years-ago-found-in-indonesia-4336854/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60483 https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/19/the-most-ancient-cave-painting-of-an-animal-found-in-indonesia/
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Concerns for Egypt's 'Ark of the Covenant' in the ongoing hostilities:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/24/fabled-ark-could-be-among-ancient-treasures-in-danger-in-ethiopias-deadly-war
Feature on the wreck of the Bom Jesus, which was found back in 2008 off the coast of Namibia:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/homeandoutdoors/arid-40206188.html ================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
More on the funerary temple, coffins, and other items most recently found at Saqqara:
https://www.livescience.com/queen-temple-book-of-dead-found-egypt.html https://phys.org/news/2021-01-egypt-unveils-ancient-funerary-temple.html http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1207/399232/AlAhram-Weekly/Heritage/New-discoveries-at-Saqqara-Necropolis.aspx
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/17/archaeologists-uncover-new-treasure-trove-at-egypts-saqqara-necropolis
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/egypt-unveils-ancient-funerary-temple-south-cairo-75307566
https://abcnews.go.com/International/egypt-unlocks-secrets-saqqara-discovery-temple-sarcophagi/story?id=75322551
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/egypt-saqqara-coffins-intl-scli/index.html https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saqqara-tomb-egypt-4000-year-old-queen-neit-id-remarkable-archaeology-discoveries/
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/archaeologists-unearthed-27-sarcophagi-ancient-212500439.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/book-of-the-dead-texts-unearthed-in-ancient-egypt-necropolis/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/01/20/egypt-unearths-3000-year-old-treasures-in-ancient-memphis/
https://www.reuters.com/article/egypt-antiquities/egypt-unveils-3000-year-old-coffins-in-latest-archaeological-discovery-idUSL1N2JS0C8
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-18/archaeologists-unearth-3000-year-old-coffins-in-egypt/13066274
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/egypt-sarcophagi-discovery-1937997 https://www.maariv.co.il/news/viral/Article-815878 https://www.sciencealert.com/13-foot-long-book-of-the-dead-scroll-found-in-burial-shaft-in-egypt
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-egypt/funerary-temple-found-in-saqqara/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/18/egyptian-archaeologists-brought-to-light/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/egypt-makes-major-discoveries-at.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-unearth-50-more-sarcophagi-saqqara-necropolis-180976794/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9380-210120-egypt-saqqara-sarcophagi
More on the reopening of the restored Temple of Isis:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/399231.aspx https://dailynewsegypt.com/2021/01/19/ancient-egypts-newly-restored-temple-of-isis-opens-to-visitors/
https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/life/story/Ancient_Egypts_newly_restored_Temple_of_Isis_opens_to_visitors-SNG_198076381/
More on plans to excavate Alexandria's underwater heritage:
https://cairoscene.com/Buzz/Alexandria-University-Launches-Underwater-Heritage-Initiative-to-Unc
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/01/egypt-alexandria-underwater-antiquities-preserve-heritage.html#ixzz6kITAtLx7
https://scoopempire.com/egypts-underwater-heritage-alexandria-university-introduces-new-efforts-to-preserve-sunken-artifacts/
Feature on the ongoing restoration of the temple at Esna:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/cleaning-egyptian-temple-at-esna
Zahi Hawass on the fatwa against displaying mummies:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/egyptologist-zahi-hawass-criticizes-fatwa-prohibiting-display-of-mummies-excavating-graves/
Feature on the Amarna letters:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2020/11-12/pharaohs-amarna-letters-expose-politics-3300-years-ago/
Interesting feature on the geography of the Sinai:
http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/01/sinai-ten-maps
Feature on writing cuneiform:
https://blog.britishmuseum.org/how-to-write-cuneiform/
Feature on the antiquities lost in the 'Qurnah Disaster' (and not all were recovered after):
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/the-qurnah-disaster/
A survey of the Tchogha Zanbil site (Iran) is under way (various periods of occupation):
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/457088/Archaeological-survey-starts-on-ruined-palaces-of-Tchogha-Zanbil
A late 5th century Greek inscription from el-Taiyiba mentioning Jesus and Mary:
https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/History/Pages/Ancient-inscription-dedicated-to-Jesus-son-of-Mary-discovered-in-the-Jezreel-Valley-20-January-2021.aspx
https://www.livescience.com/christ-born-of-mary-church-artifact.html https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/ancient-christ-born-of-mary-inscription-unearthed-in-northern-israel-656071
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/21/ancient-greek-inscription-israel/ https://aleteia.org/2021/01/20/christ-born-of-mary-inscription-found-in-ancient-church-in-israel/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/1500-year-old-byzantine-greek.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-uncover-christ-inscription-israeli-village-180976810/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9387-210122-israel-greek-inscription
Remnants of a possibly 7th century mosque on the outskirts of Tiberias:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/ancient-marketplace-turned-mosque-uncovered-near-tiberias-656502
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1797196/middle-east
Plenty of attention being given to an 'Arab family' invading/squatting at the Hirbat Parsin site in northern Samaria:
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/police-news/arab-squatters-commandeer-temple-era-archaeological-site-and-turn-it-into-their-private-home/2021/01/18/
https://www.jns.org/wire/squatters-commandeer-an-archaeological-site-and-turn-it-into-a-private-residence/
https://thejewishvoice.com/2021/01/arab-family-invades-biblical-era-archeological-site-turns-it-into-home/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/295179
More on reestimating the length of Torah (and related) scrolls:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/did-qumran-jews-use-torah-scrolls-2000-years-ago-plot-thickens-study-655875
More on Herod's 'bonssai garden' (I think we mentioned this):
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-archaeologists-discover-king-herod-had-a-bonsai-garden-1.9446182
Feature on the Nag Hammadi library:
https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday/another-jesus-was-found-in-egypt-62b2708d00f9
Turkey is planning a national archaeological institute of some sort:
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/turkeys-1st-national-archaeological-institute-in-the-offing/news
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
Interesting find of 3300 years bp Canaanite jars at Tiryns:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-3-300-year-old-canaanite-jars-found-in-tiryns-rewrite-history-of-trade-1.9458856
Restoration work at the Palazzo Dorta at Udine has revealed Bronze Age and late Republican era structures (Italian):
https://www.ansa.it/friuliveneziagiulia/notizie/2021/01/18/archeologia-resti-capanna-eta-bronzo-riemersi-a-udine_371ab9f1-0086-4f23-ba78-34f41d9eaebb.html
Remains of a Roman fort in Aswan:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/egyptian-archaeological-mission-discovers-roman-fort-remains-in-aswan/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96667/Explore-the-finds-uncovered-at-Aswan%E2%80%99s-partial-Roman-fort
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/168728/Remains-of-Roman-fort-uncovered-in-Egypt http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-01/19/c_139678342.htm
Remains of a Roman villa beneath an Islamic tower in Alicante:
https://ruvid.org/ri-world/roman-villa-appears-under-an-islamic-tower-excavated-on-a-beach-in-alicante-spain/
Remains of a Roman structure found during work at a Gloucester church:
https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/remains-roman-building-discovered-outside-4907566
Remains of columns and other architectural elements from the forum excavations at Brescia (Italian):
http://www.ticinolive.ch/2021/01/17/colonna-romana-e-tre-cippi-miliari-e-altri-resti-rinvenuti-a-brescia-durante-i-lavori/
A Roman shipwreck (and more) off Kas(s)os Island (Greek waters):
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/42972-roman-shipwreck-filled-with-ancient-treasures-discovered-off-greek-island-of-kassos.html
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/20/ancient-roman-shipwreck-kassos/ https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/01/21/ancient-spanish-vases-found-of-greek-island-of-kasos/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/21/marine-archeologists-discover-ancient-shipwrecks-island-aegean/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/roman-era-shipwreck-discovered-off.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/22/underwater-archaeological-research-off-kasos-in-2020/
A 5th century Roman marble table from the Petrich Kale Fortress (Bulgaria):
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2021/01/19/rare-5th-century-ad-late-roman-marble-table-discovered-in-petrich-kale-fortress-near-bulgarias-varna/
More on that child/puppy burial from France:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2000-year-old-grave-child-and-puppy-found-france-180976782/
More on the Horti Lamiani opening to the public:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/caligulas-garden-of-delights-unearthed.html
https://www.salon.com/2021/01/16/a-garden-of-delights-for-romes-creepiest-emperor-caligulas-purported-hangout-open-to-public/
Review of Daniel Mendelsohn, *Three Rings*:
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/unknown-cities-on-daniel-mendelsohns-three-rings/
Review of Stephen Dando-Collins, *Caligula*:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-01-15/caligula-no-tan-malo-en-realidad.html
Feature on some Roman armour fragments found at Kalkriese a couple years ago:
https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/en-allemagne-decouverte-de-l-armure-romaine-la-plus-ancienne-de-l-histoire-20210118
Feature on Bert Hodge Hill and his work at Corinth:
https://www.archaeological.org/archaeologists-you-should-know-bert-hodge-hill/
Feature on the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96669/Story-of-the-Ptolemaic-era-What-did-the-Macedonians-do
... and one on Arsinoe:
https://medium.com/ostraka-a-durham-university-classics-society-blog/arsinoe-of-egypt-a-retelling-of-the-royal-rebel-against-rome-aa961f99b8e7
Feature on the beginning of Greece's efforts to regain the Parthenon Marbles:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-55664796
Feature on the discovery of the Segedunum Roman baths site:
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/segedunum-roman-baths-discovery-wallsend-19643173
Feature on the Norchia necropolis:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/norchia-necropolis
Feature on the Temple of Portunus:
https://smarthistory.org/temple-of-portunus/
Feature on ancient Roman heating systems:
http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/keeping-warm-the-roman-way/
Feature on the Benwell Roman Temple:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/benwell-roman-site
Feature on Heliodorus' Pillar at Vidisha:
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/columnists/heliodorus----pillar-at-vidisha.html
Feature on the Cynics:
https://aeon.co/videos/cynicism-was-born-when-diogenes-rejected-materialism-and-manners
... and another on Stoicism:
https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/life-examined/stoicism-philosophy-parenting/what-is-stoic-philosophy-ryan-holiday-interview
In Our Time this week was about the plague of Justinian:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000rc43
Feature on poverty in ancient Rome:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/a-poor-roman-definition-and-implications/
... and the challenges of being poor:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/ancient-rome-the-challenges-of-being-a-poor-man/
... and daily life for the poor:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-life-of-a-poor-man-in-ancient-rome/
Feature on women in Roman society:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/women-in-ancient-roman-society/
Feature on Roman roads:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2021/01-02/200000-miles-roman-roads-provided-framework-empire/
Feature on how the Spartans would deal with COVID-19:
https://neoskosmos.com/en/183622/how-the-spartans-would-fight-covid-19/
Another feature on the veracity of Gladiator:
https://www.looper.com/315516/is-gladiator-based-on-a-true-story/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
A Neolithic cursus monument on the Isle of Arran:
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/new-stone-age-discovery-massive-island-ritual-site-3105420
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technology/new-stone-age-discovery-of-massive-island-ritual-site-where-people-gathered-5500-years-ago/ar-BB1cT9lF
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9390-210122-scotland-arran-neolithic
Interesting suggestion that some 'standardized' bronze objects found in early Bronze Age Europe may have been a form of currency:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2021/01/leiden-archaeologists-discover-an-early-form-of-money-from-prehistoric-europe
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0240462 https://phys.org/news/2021-01-money-ancient-european-hoards-full.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/p-oto011321.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210120151015.htm https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/science/bronze-rings-money.html https://www.livescience.com/earliest-money-bronze-age.html https://www.dw.com/en/archaeological-discovery-first-common-currency-in-europe/a-56316203
https://www.9news.com.au/world/archaeology-bronze-ribs-axes-and-rings-were-the-oldest-form-of-money/4b43c94f-8ec6-4a7c-a69c-033474f9e9c6
https://www.sciencealert.com/these-weird-bronze-loops-may-be-what-bronze-age-europeans-used-for-money
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/on-origins-of-money-ancient-european.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/21/ancient-european-hoards-full-of-standardized-bronze-objects/
Iron Age burials from a pre-water-project excavation near Navenby:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-55695860
Study based on burial practice changes between the 6th can 8th centuries CE suggests a 'highly unified' culture existed across Europe at the time:
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-burial-interconnected-early-medieval-europe.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/uoc-bpp012121.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210121131715.htm https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/22/burial-practices-point-to-an-interconnected-early-medieval-europe/
Plenty of grave goods from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery excavation in Northamptonshire:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/archaeologists-excavating-anglo-saxon-cemetery-reveal-3000-ornate-grave-goods/136829
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60495 https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/19/3000-ornate-grave-goods-found-in-anglo-saxon-cemetery/
Interesting remains of a 9th century CE village with plenty of 'dugouts' in northeastern Bulgaria:
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2021/01/21/80-newly-found-dugouts-offer-glimpse-into-9th-century-rural-life-in-first-bulgarian-empire/
A GPR survey in Norway has revealed a number of burial mounds and 32 'Viking Age mysteries':
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-georadar-reveals-burial-mounds-viking.html https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/georadar-reveals-15-burial-mounds-and.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9388-210122-norway-mounds-ditches
A major mostly-medieval coin hoard from Hungary:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-gold-coins-discovered-hungary.html http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60514 https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/archaeologists-discover-massive.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9386-210121-hungary-coin-cache
Hundreds of animal footprints have been found in the tiles of Florence's cathedral roof:
https://www.euronews.com/2021/01/17/hundreds-of-animal-footprints-found-on-florence-s-medieval-cathedral-roof
Plans/hopes to return to dig at Bamburgh Castle this summer:
https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/archaeologists-making-cautious-plans-summer-return-bamburgh-castle-3106442
On Swedish archaeologists' efforts to protect Baltic shipwrecks:
https://www.courthousenews.com/swedish-archaeologists-take-to-the-waves-to-protect-baltic-wrecks/
Feature on the role of Viking women in raids:
https://sciencenorway.no/archaeology-gender-and-society-viking-age/viking-women-played-an-important-role-in-raids/1797859
Feature on Windsor Castle:
https://mymodernmet.com/history-of-windsor-castle/
Feature on Iron Age peoples of Britain:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/the-iron-age-tribes-of-britain/136847
Feature on how Derby got its name:
https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/how-derby-name-almost-1000-4871156
Review of Alisha Rankin, *the Poison Trials*:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00077-0
More on those Victorian-era baths beneath a Manchester car park:
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/perfectly-preserved-under-manchester-car-19618037
More on COVID-19 delaying a dig on Orkney:
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technology/the-ancient-orkney-site-where-picts-and-vikings-settled-now-under-threat-from-pandemic/ar-BB1cNIOX
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9382-210120-orkney-island-erosion
----------
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 ================================================================
Evidence of China's oldest (maybe) palatial structure is in Henan:
http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202101/18/WS6004c38ba31024ad0baa324c.html http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-01/18/content_77126172.htm
A possible palace belonging to Qin Shi Huang from Shaanxi:
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202101/1213287.shtml
2300 years bp burials including some skulls encased in pottery from China's Hezhang region:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/25-ancient-tombs-with-encased-skulls.html
A 9th century temple complex from Yunnan:
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/ancient-temple-complex-found-in-southwest-china/ar-BB1cP4Cy
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60501 http://www.archaeology.org/news/9381-210120-china-nanzhao-temple
More on Tang Dynasty murals from Shaanxi:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/tang-dynasty-murals-unearthed-in-chinas.html
12th century inscriptions on a Chola temple on the Kollidam River (I think we mentioned this a while ago):
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/remains-of-12th-c-temple-on-kollidam-banks-unearthed/articleshow/80396415.cms
A Mughal-era cistern and fountain from near Agra:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/asi-discovers-ornamented-water-tank-of-16th-century-mughal-era-in-fatehpur-sikri/articleshow/80351664.cms
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9389-210122-india-water-tank
Feature on the intersection between indigenous archaeology and oral history in Papua New Guinea:
https://lens.monash.edu/@politics-society/2021/01/19/1382694/indigenous-archaeology-and-the-landscape-knowledge-that-sustains-oral-histories
Damage to a Maori site near Oamaru:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/434977/destruction-at-archaeological-site-ignorant-and-misinformed
Feature on the astronomical knowledge of the first Australians:
https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/astronomy/learning-the-star-knowledge-of-first-australians
More on evidence of Neolithic dependency on elk in Russia:
https://www.eurasiareview.com/18012021-teeth-pendants-speak-of-elks-prominent-status-in-stone-age/
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/language-culture/teeth-pendants-speak-of-the-elks-prominent-status-in-the-stone-age
https://www.wral.com/burial-ground-reveals-stone-age-people-wore-clothing-covered-in-elk-teeth/19486133/
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-prehistoric-northern-russians-were-obsessed-with-elks-1.9461599
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Feature on the Gault site and the 14 000 years bp remains of a 'home' there:
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/01/19/14000-year-old-texas-archaeological-site-believed-to-be-oldest-home-in-north-america/
Feature on excavations under way at a Treasure Coast cemetery:
https://www.wptv.com/news/region-martin-county/hobe-sound/unearthing-history-at-a-treasure-coast-cemetery
Overviewish thing on the excavations of the First Baptist Church at Colonial Williamsburg:
https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-phasetwo-fbc-0123-20210121-7vhndq5tfbdpzb7j4b5fdy3ude-photogallery.html
... and the second phase of the excavation is under way:
https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-phasetwo-first-baptist-church-0123-20210122-jqgdp37bdncl5iuxkg63k2md5e-story.html
Concerns for Tulsa's Black Wall Street:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/01/17/tulsa-massacre-greenwood-black-wall-street-gentrification/
Concerns for some 19th century homes in Saratoga Springs:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Neighbors-speak-out-to-prevent-demolition-in-15877173.php
https://dailygazette.com/2021/01/18/preservation-foundation-locals-look-to-halt-demolition-of-two-historic-buildings-in-saratoga/
Grant's former cottage is now on the National Register of Historic Places:
https://dailygazette.com/2021/01/21/national-park-service-approves-grant-cottage-as-national-historic-landmark/
https://www.saratogian.com/news/local-news/grant-cottage-designated-as-national-historic-landmark/article_3728508a-5bff-11eb-9166-b76bb39aa892.html
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Grant-Cottage-named-National-Historic-Landmark-15888233.php
https://www.wamc.org/post/grant-cottage-placed-national-register-historic-places
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
Not sure if we've mentioned this 500 years bp 'noble' burials at Huaca de las Abejas in Peru:
https://www.reuters.com/article/peru-archaeology/refile-children-of-incan-nobles-found-entombed-in-peru-after-500-years-idUSL1N2JW2NT
https://www.trtworld.com/life/tombs-containing-children-of-incan-nobles-discovered-in-peru-43465
A large Maya stucco mask found in the Yucatan in 2017 is finally being announced:
https://yucatanexpatlife.com/grad-student-uncovers-colossal-ancient-maya-mask-in-yucatan/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9384-210121-mexico-maya-stucco
The Tren Maya project has revealed thousands of artifacts in the Yucatan:
https://yucatanmagazine.com/tren-maya-leads-to-amazing-discovery-of-over-8000-archaeological-remains-in-yucatan/
Feature on the site and horrific conquistador-inflicted butchery at Tecoaque:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/19/mexico-archaeologists-cannibalism-reprisal-conquest-aztec
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/the-place-where-they-ate-them-horror-of-aztec-and-spanish-conflict-revealed/GTPUA2RZ645V6T2GPK6ZIHPLO4/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mexican-archaeologists-reveal-story-cannibalism-and-conquest-180976805/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9383-210121-mexico-tecoaque-zultepec
More on the contents of some Maya 'drug containers':
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60491 https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/archaeologists-ancient-mayan-drugs https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/scientists-identify-contents-of-ancient-maya-drug-containers/136809
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/scientists-identify-contents-of-ancient.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/18/scientists-identify-contents-of-ancient-maya-drug-containers/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9378-210119-mexico-maya-plants
More on squatters at Caral:
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-oldest-city-americas-threat-squatters.html https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210119-oldest-city-in-the-americas-under-threat-from-squatters
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/tobacco-mexican-marigold-ancient-maya-flasks-09260.html
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/perus-caral-oldest-city-in-the-americas-under-threat-from-squatters
Pondering the purpose of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/why-was-the-pyramid-of-the-sun-built
-----
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 ================================================================
The argument over the Nebra Sky Disk has broken out anew:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/science/nebra-sky-disk.html https://news.artnet.com/art-world/debate-nebra-sky-disk-intensifies-1938104 https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/a-bitter-archaeological-feud-over-an-ancient-vision-of-the-cosmos-940674.html
Not sure where to put this one on slavery in the (modern) Persian Gulf:
https://aeon.co/essays/are-the-persian-gulf-city-states-slave-societies
Pondering art in Germany:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/jan/19/germany-europes-greatest-artistic-nation-richter-klee-dix-hoch
Interesting feature on Darwin's issues with the origins of flowering plants:
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55769269
Feature on the origins of tops:
https://jacksonvillefreepress.com/atop-of-history-the-origin-of-spinning-tops/
Apparently six Enigma machines have been found in the Baltic:
https://rmx.news/article/article/german-divers-find-six-enigma-machines-in-baltic-sea
Feature on Carlos III's 'secret map' of South America:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-01-22/el-mapa-secreto-de-carlos-iii-a-subasta.html
Funding for a major collection of Hebrew documents at Oxford:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/major-donation-secures-oxford-universitys-famous-hebrew-collections-656450
Interesting goings-on at a Jewish cemetery in Amsterdam:
https://m.jpost.com/diaspora/a-dutch-jewish-cemetery-has-become-a-black-pilgrimage-site-656142
On the history of consumerism:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210120-how-the-world-became-consumerist
In case yo want to buy Lizzie Borden's former home:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/us/lizzie-borden-museum.html
On the search for the bones of Pedro Calderon:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/24/a-key-a-casket-and-the-hunt-for-spanish-dramatist-pedro-calderons-bones
Some archaeological humour from the Onion:
https://www.theonion.com/archaeologists-uncover-separate-team-of-archaeologists-1846096402
Feature on a frequently-stolen painting in a tiny Netherlands museum:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/18/arts/design/frans-hals-stolen-painting.html
Feature on Napoleon's archaeology activities in Egypt:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2021/01-02/napoleon-military-defeat-egypt-yielded-victory-history/
Marking Robert Burns' birthday:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/22/books/bagpipes-for-a-bards-birthday.html
Review of a book on 'territorial battles' throughout history and their aftermath:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/22/books/review/land-simon-winchester.html
Review of a book about the US's first woman doctors:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/22/books/review/the-doctors-blackwell-janice-p-nimura.html
More on archaeology in the anthropocene:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/mpif-ana011221.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210118113132.htm https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/a-new-archaeology-for-anthropocene-era.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/19/new-archaeology-for-anthropocene-era/
================================================================
CURRENT EVENTS: ================================================================
Feature on medieval imagery in racist politics:
https://theconversation.com/why-the-far-right-and-white-supremecists-have-embraced-the-middle-ages-and-their-symbols-152968
Feature on fighting white supremacy prior to the Civil War:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/25/the-pre-civil-war-fight-against-white-supremacy
Putting the attack on the US Capitol in context:
https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/living-in-the-age-of-the-white-mob
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