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explorator 24.33 December 5, 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, Elizabeth Bartman,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).

============================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
============================================================
3.7 million years bp footprints from Laetoli once thought to belong to a bear are now thought to belong to an early human of some sort (maybe):

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-mystery-footprints-site-laetoli-tanzania.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211201111934.htm https://www.livescience.com/unknown-human-ancestor-footprints-walked-near-lucy https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/01/science/hominin-footprints-tanzania.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fossil-footprints-puzzle-scientists-bear-or-ancient-human/2021/12/01/4e32f3e2-52d6-11ec-83d2-d9dab0e23b7e_story.html
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/fossil-footprints-puzzle-scientists-bear-or-ancient-human/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/300468581/fossil-footprints-puzzle-scientists-bear-or-ancient-human
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/unknown-hominin-detected-from-odd-3-6m-year-old-footprints-in-africa-1.10431246
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/tanzania-footprints-offer-clues-on-origin-of-human-upright-walking-687552
https://theconversation.com/a-new-species-of-early-human-why-we-should-be-cautious-about-new-fossil-footprint-findings-172912
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/01/1060208486/ancient-footprints-mistakenly-attributed-to-bears-were-made-by-early-humans
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/ancient-footprints-hint-at-mysterious-human-relative-with-a-strange-walk
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/01/africa/footprints-early-hominin-bear-scn/index.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/02/footprints-from-laetoli-tanzania-are-from-early-humans-not-bears/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-set-of-ancient-footprints-may-have-belonged-to-an-unknown-human-ancestor-180979157/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10178-211203-laetoli-a-prints

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04187-7

The oldest examples of Denisovan fossils have been found in a cave in Siberia:

https://phys.org/news/2021-11-molecular-analysis-reveals-oldest-denisovan.html https://www.livescience.com/oldest-denisovan-fossils-in-siberian-cave https://www.sciencealert.com/oldest-fossils-of-the-mysterious-denisovans-unearthed-in-a-siberian-cave
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/01/molecular-analysis-reveals-the-oldest-denisovan-fossils-yet/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10169-211201-denisova-cave-fossil

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-021-01581-2

Feature on the differences between Neanderthals and Denisovans:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/how-do-you-tell-a-neanderthal-from-a-denisovan

More on the cause of death of the (Neanderthal) 'Old Man of La Chapelle':

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/25/europe/ancient-spillover-neanderthal-brucellosis-disease-human-scn/index.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10177-211203-neanderthal-brucellosis-diagnosis

More on early Neanderthal tooth development:

https://www.kent.ac.uk/news/science/30455/teeth-of-neanderthal-infants-developed-sooner-than-modern-humans
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-02462-1 http://www.archaeology.org/news/10174-211202-neanderthal-baby-tooth

More on the renaming of homo rhodesiensis to bodoensis:

https://www.themanitoban.com/posts/phd-student-contributes-to-project-renaming-hominins

More on bipedal sediba:

https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/palaeontology/ancient-hominin-shows-evolution-of-bipedalism/
============================================================
AFRICA
============================================================
The World Heritage site of Lalibela in Ethiopia was recovered from rebels:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-59493729 ============================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ============================================================
A tomb full of garbage from a rock-cut tomb below the Temple of Hatshepsut (not sure if we mentioned this one):

https://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C90293%2Cancient-garbage-dump-reveals-hundreds-artefacts-dating-back-thousands-years.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10167-211130-luxor-temple-debris

The second phase of a project documenting stones at Persepolis is under way:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/467707/Persepolis-stone-fragments-being-documented-preserved-for-future

A sort of overviewish thing on various archaeological activities in Iraq:

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/12/archaeologists-make-new-discoveries-ancient-iraqi-cities

Feature on the teams working to restore Palmyra:

https://tass.com/society/1370293

Overview of finds in Turkey in November:

https://turkisharchaeonews.net/article/november-2021-turkish-archaeology

Remains of a 5th century CE baptistery from Kusadasi:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/baptistery-unearthed-during-excavations-in-turkish-resort-town-169808

More on 255 finds underwater from Turkey this past year:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/underwater-excavations-unearth-255-artifacts-this-year-169704

Feature on various folks digging in turkey right now:

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/volunteers-from-around-the-globe-dig-up-turkeys-history/news

Feature on Mesopotamian health care:

https://blog.britishmuseum.org/ancient-healthcare-fit-for-a-king/

A Hellenistic farm site in the heart of Tel Aviv:

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-11/29/content_77898806.htm https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202111/1240159.shtml

Latest find from Yavne is a structure and cemetery associated with the time of the Sanhedrin:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/israeli-archaeologists-dig-up-new-info-on-sanhedrin-era-in-yavne-687288
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-sanhedrin-era-building-found-in-yavne-where-assembly-fled-temples-ruin/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/first-ever-remains-of-sanhedrin-era-building-uncovered-in-coastal-city-of-yavneh/2021/11/29/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/11/30/yavne-finds-tell-story-of-sanhedrin-after-jews-fled-jerusalem/
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/ritual-cups-cemetery-shed-light-ancient-jewish-retreat-yavne-2021-11-29/
https://www.euronews.com/2021/11/30/us-archaeology-israel-yavne http://www.china.org.cn/photos/2021-11/30/content_77901963.htm https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/11/archaeologists-discover-building-from-the-time-of-the-exiled-sanhedrin/142132
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/01/building-from-the-time-of-the-exiled-sanhedrin-discovered-in-yavne/

A Hasmonean era sling stone (being connected with Hanukkah, of course) from the South Hebron hills area:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/historic-hanukkah-sling-stone-discovered-in-south-hebron-hills-687251
https://www.timesofisrael.com/sling-stone-from-hasmonean-period-found-in-southern-hebron-hills/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/tryphon-was-here-archeological-find-in-hebron-hills-testifies-to-hasmonean-days/2021/11/29/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/11/29/idf-civil-administration-unveils-ancient-ammunition-bearing-name-of-seleucid-ruler/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10255413/Hanukkah-sling-stone-used-against-Jewish-rebels-2-000-years-ago-Israel.html

Similarly connected, a 2000 years bp oil lamp from the City of David:

https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/11/30/2000-year-old-oil-lamp-comes-to-light-in-city-of-david/

Feature on the various sites being identified as Bethsaida:

https://www.livescience.com/biblical-city-bethsaida-jesus-walked-on-water-debate

Feature on six finds associated with the Maccabees:

https://thejewishvoice.com/2021/11/six-ancient-findings-in-the-footsteps-of-the-maccabees/

Feature on assorted finds from Israel which 'line up' with biblical accounts:

https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/11/29/israeli-archaeological-treasures-align-with-hebrew-bible-accounts/

Feature on the Hasmoneans:

https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/history/articles/who-were-the-hasmoneans

More on that Hellenistic structure from the Lachish Forest:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/did-archaeologists-just-find-evidence-of-hanukkah-stories
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/did-archaeologists-just-evidence-hanukkah-085147411.html?src=rss

More on that silver coin found by an 11-year-old girl:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/the-riches-of-the-second-temple/

-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

============================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ============================================================
Bronze Age tombs from Cyprus include jewellery and other luxury items from assorted Mediterranean cultures:

https://www.gu.se/en/news/gold-jewellery-from-the-time-of-nefertiti-found-in-bronze-age-tombs-in-cyprus
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-gold-jewelry-nefertiti-bronze-age.html https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/936507 https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/priceless-trove-of-gold-jewelry-from-nefertiti-era-found-in-cyprus
https://egyptindependent.com/gold-jewelry-from-queen-nefertiti-era-found-in-tombs-in-cyprus/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10265011/Stunning-gold-jewelry-era-Nefertiti-inside-two-3-000-year-old-Bronze-tombs.html
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62807 https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/gold-jewellery-from-the-time-of-nefertiti-found-in-bronze-age-tombs/142144
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/02/jewellery-from-the-time-of-nefertiti-found-in-bronze-age-tombs-in-cyprus/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10175-211202-cyprus-bronze-age

Bronze Age and Roman finds from Izmir:

https://www.insideedition.com/fascinating-ancient-roman-and-bronze-age-archaeological-finds-discovered-in-izmir-71468

Wealthy burials 8th-4th century BCE from Bilsk (Ukraine):

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/graves-of-rich-powerful-women-found-in-lost-city-of-herodotus-1.10421477

A Hellenistic-era sanctuary with some Iliad references from a site near Mount Mavrovouni:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/11/hellenistic-sanctuary-mentions-city-from-homers-iliad/142120
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/11/30/hellenistic-sanctuary-came-to-light-in-kato-polydendri/

The latest victim of Vesuvius from Herculaneum was presented to the press this week:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/01/world/europe/vesuvius-victim-herculaneum-ruins.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/last-fugitive-boiled-alive-vain-attempt-flee-vesuvius-79ad-762d3q93z
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/12/02/last-fugitive-ancient-skeleton-sheds-light-roman-vapourised/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/01/eruption-of-vesuvius-on-herculaneum-like-hiroshima-bomb-pompei
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10265421/First-look-Fugitive-Skeleton-man-killed-79AD-Vesuvius-eruption-unveiled.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/skeleton-reveals-secrets-herculaneum-ancient-roman-town-obliterated-ve-rcna7363
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-12-02/el-tragico-final-del-ultimo-fugitivo-de-la-erupcion-de-vesubio.html
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/12/02/herculaneum-fugitive-skeleton-discovery
https://www.sciencealert.com/man-feeling-vesuvius-eruption-stared-down-the-oncoming-volcanic-matter-that-vaporized-him
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/12/partially-mutilated-herculaneum-skeleton-was-fugitive-of-vesuvius-eruption/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/archaeologists-find-victim-of-vesuvius-eruption-on-herculaneum-beach/142152

A 1700 years bp weaving workshop from Perre:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/roman-era-weaving-workshop-discovered-in-perre-169814
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/1600-year-old-weaving-workshop-discovered-in-turkeys-perre/news
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/archeologists-unearth-1-600-year-old-weaving-workshop-in-southeastern-turkey/2437289
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211203-archaeologists-unearth-1600-year-old-weaving-workshop-in-south-eastern-turkey/

A 1600 years bp steelyard weight from Hadrianopolis:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/1600-year-old-steelyard-weight-found-in-turkeys-hadrianopolis/news

A project looking for Roman (and other?) sites along the path of the A66 construction route:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/digging-for-roman-riches-on-trans-pennine-route
https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/19749677.dig-aims-uncover-archaeological-finds-part-a66-northern-trans-pennine-project/
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/how-team-40-archaeologists-digging-22316448
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/11/digging-for-roman-riches-on-trans-pennine-route/142129

More on the Iliad mosaic from Rutland:

https://le.ac.uk/news/2021/november/rutland-mosaic https://www.livescience.com/roman-mosaic-discovered-on-uk-farm https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/28/rutlands-roman-mosaics-bring-the-trojan-wars-to-life-in-the-east-midlands
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211130121655.htm https://www.npr.org/2021/11/26/1059341809/leicester-england-archaeologists-ancient-roman-mosaic
https://www.trtworld.com/life/the-most-exciting-roman-mosaic-discovery-in-the-uk-in-the-last-century-52210
https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/features/2021/11/30/schoolboys-role-in-spectacular-roman-find/
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/11/uk-farmer-went-for-a-walk-stumbled-on-remains-of-rare-roman-mosaic-and-villa/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/huge-roman-mosaic-found-under-uk-farmers-field-180979127/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10164-211130-england-iliad-mosaic

More on the Caligula-mosaic-coffee-table:

https://www.npr.org/2021/11/29/1059706117/priceless-roman-mosaic-was-found-in-a-new-york-city-apartment
https://video.repubblica.it/mondo/new-york-mosaico-antico-come-tavolo-da-caffe-l-autore-del-ritrovamento-ecco-come-e-tornato-a-roma/402441/403151
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-roman-mosaic-was-used-as-coffee-table-in-nyc-apartment-180979142/

More on that fragment of a Roman cavalry mask from Hadrianopolis:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/11/30/iron-mask-ancient-hadrianopolis/

More on the Roman military camp at Velsen:

https://nltimes.nl/2021/11/20/traces-large-roman-army-camp-discovered-velsen http://www.archaeology.org/news/10168-211130-netherlands-roman-camp

More on the recent Scythian silver finds:

https://www.livescience.com/silver-plate-shows-scythian-goddess

More on the Roman aqueduct find from Armenia:

https://www.rferl.org/a/easternmost-roman-aqueduct-uncovered-armenia/31590655.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10148-211116-armenia-roman-aqueduct

I think we mentioned this piece on Pompeii graffiti (they changed the headline):

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/largest-collection-of-ancient-graffiti-ever-found-in-pompeii-some-are-hysterically-funny-1.10408749

McDonald's is renewing efforts to open a drive through near the Baths of Caracalla:

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/mcdonalds-rome-drive-thru-ancient-baths-b1967742.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mcdonalds-tries-to-flip-ban-on-roman-baths-restaurant-zbmgz6wfd
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-11-30/mcdonalds-desafia-al-imperio-romano.html

In case you missed the silliness about ancient Rome not existing:

https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/internet/roman-empire-never-existed-tiktok
https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/ancient-rome-isnt-real-tiktok-momllennial/

Italy is returning a fragment of the Parthenon frieze to Greece:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/03/italy-parthenon-sculpture-loan/ https://greekherald.com.au/news/greece/italy-return-piece-parthenon-frieze-greece/
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/03/italy-returns-parthenon-marble-greece-piling-pressure-british-museum/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/parthenon-greece-swap-italy-2042252 https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/11/30/fragment-of-the-parthenon-frieze-has-been-returned-from-italy/

... come background:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/01/towards-the-reunification-of-the-parthenon-gods/

Meanwhile, George Osborne is possibly open to the 'loan' idea:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/05/british-museum-parthenon-marbles/

... but it might be wishful thinking:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/12/04/george-osborne-british-museum-will-not-shrink-face-culture-wars/

Feature on assorted ancient insurrections and the lessons for today:

https://www.thebulwark.com/ancient-insurrections-and-ours/

Feature on recent finds from Elgin's shipwreck:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/03/lord-elgins-shipwreck-yields-impressive-discoveries/

Feature on 'one-liners' origin in Greek epic:

https://www.salon.com/2021/11/27/the-ancient-history-of-adding-insult-to-injury_partner-2/

Feature on Rome's rise to empire:

https://www.livescience.com/ancient-rome

Feature on Aquis Querquennis:

https://elpais.com/elpais/2021/12/01/paco_nadal/1638378681_950854.html

Feature on Coventina's Well near Hadrian's Wall:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/29/country-diary-the-underground-secret-by-hadrians-wall

Interesting feature on underground Rome and assorted problems caused by it:

https://www.itv.com/news/2021-11-30/why-are-the-many-layers-of-history-hidden-beneath-modern-rome-causing-a-problem

Feature on Kathleen Martinez and her search for Cleopatra's tomb:

https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2021/12/04/meet-the-lawyer-turned-archaeologist-leading-the-search-for-cleopatras-tomb/

Feature on the ancient Greek alphabet:

https://www.historyextra.com/period/ancient-greece/ancient-greek-alphabet-letters-symbols-how-pronounce-origin/

Feature on Philo of Alexandria:

https://philosophynow.org/issues/147/Philo_of_Alexandria_c20BCE-c50CE

Feature on Julius Caesar:

https://www.livescience.com/julius-caesar

Feature on the Battle of Salamis:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/01/how-ancient-greeks-harnessed-wind-power-to-win-the-battle-of-salamis/

Feature on Demosthenes:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/02/demosthenes/

Feature on the Milesian school:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/02/ancient-greece-milesian-school/

Some busts of Roman emperors (were they ancient?) stolen in the 1990s in Oxfordshire have been recreated:

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/19744838.roman-emperor-statues-recreated-stolen-90s-coleshill/

A Roman numeral mystery at Arlington National Cemetery:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/arlington-national-cemetery-roman-numerals/2021/12/04/7f5f33bc-5471-11ec-9267-17ae3bde2f26_story.html

Review of Peter Singer, *Apuleius: The Golden Ass*:

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/my-fellow-beasts-of-burden-my-cohabitants-on-peter-singers-edition-of-apuleuiss-the-golden-ass/

Latest Pasts Imperfect newsletter:

https://pastsimperfect.substack.com/p/pasts-imperfect-12221
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ============================================================
Latest digs around Stonehenge suggest they were (also) eating foraged fruit and nuts:

https://www.livescience.com/energy-bars-stonehenge https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-59476402 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/01/stonehenge-builders-may-have-enjoyed-mince-pies
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/try-a-mince-pie-that-stonehenges-builders-might-have-enjoyed-180979146/

A Knights-era painting from behind a bricked-up arch at Malta's Museum of Archaeology:

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/knights-era-painting-found-behind-bricked-up-arch-at-museum-of.918082

Study suggests Viking camps may have led to their success (we may have had this before):

https://phys.org/news/2021-11-hideouts-harbours-homes-vikings-success.html

Feature on the Iron Age dig at Culduthel:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/13-year-old-girl-finds-bronze-age-axe-hoard-in-english-field-180979132/

More on that 41 500 years bp mammoth ivory pendant from Poland:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62783 https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/01/the-most-ancient-decorative-pendant-in-europe-made-of-mammoth-ivory/
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03534-y

More on the Bronze Axe hoard found by a UK teen metal detectorist:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-59453780 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/03/world/europe/metal-detector-axe.html http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62836 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/13-year-old-girl-finds-bronze-age-axe-hoard-in-english-field-180979132/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10172-211201-bronze-age-hoards

More on the human-made pits near Stonehenge:

https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/history/archaeologists-ancient-pits-near-stonehenge

That recently-found Anglo Saxon coin hoard from Norfolk has been given a major price:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-59414615

... while a local museum is looking to buy a Celtic hoard found in Lymington three years ago:

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/19753166.st-barbe-museum-aims-buy-ancient-coins-found-field/

Time Team is using technology to poke around Sutton Hoo:

https://www.eadt.co.uk/lifestyle/heritage/time-team-sutton-hoo-national-trust-investigations-8535926

Feature on medieval Dutch flood control methods:

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211129-the-medieval-dutch-solution-to-flooding
----------
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 ============================================================
Latest finds from a 5000 years bp site in China's Gansu province:

https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202112/02/WS61a81f9ba310cdd39bc78cf8.html http://www.ecns.cn/video/2021-12-03/detail-ihatipfi6638481.shtml

I think we mentioned these Yuan Dynasty village remains from China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region:

https://ukranews.com/en/news/815753-centuries-old-village-ruins-found-in-inner-mongolia

... and the disappearance of Liangzhu being tied to climate change 4000 years bp:

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/chinese-civilisation-liangzhu-climate-change-b1965819.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/mysterious-vanishing-of-advanced-chinese-civilization-4-000-years-ago-finally-solved
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/stone-age-liangzhu-civilization-collapsed-due-to-climate-change-study-687801
https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/civilisations/liangzhu-city-flooding-stalagmites-caves/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/climate-change-was-culprit-in-collapse-of-ancient-chinese-culture-180979149/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10173-211201-china-liangzhu-stalagmites

A study of Warring States era brewed plant materials from Shandong has identified the earliest known 'tea relics':

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-02/Archaeological-finding-traces-Chinese-tea-culture-back-to-400-BC-15F607k9E5i/index.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1240346.shtml

China and Italy are discussing protection of cultural relics:

http://www.ecns.cn/news/2021-11-30/detail-ihatipfi6636658.shtml http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-11/30/content_77901286.htm

More on that 99 000 years bp ivory tool from Shandong:

https://ukranews.com/en/news/816445-99-000-yr-old-bone-tool-believed-to-be-oldest-in-china

More on those child urn burials in northern China:

https://ukranews.com/en/news/815856-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-urn-burial-tombs-for-children-in-north-china

More on that 'cold case' homicide in a tomb shaft:

https://today.tamu.edu/2021/12/01/texas-am-professor-uncovers-1300-year-old-murder-case/

Feature on five significant sites that have been found in China over the years:

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1240408.shtml http://www.ecns.cn/news/2021-12-02/detail-ihatipfi6637798.shtml

Feature on the techy side of Chinese archaeology:

https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/chinas-archaeology-becomes-more-and-more-tech-ish

More on a possible site associated with the Tale of Genji from Kyoto:

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14482615

Studying ancient graffiti in North Korea:

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-author-documents-ancient-graffiti-north.html

A cache of oil lams from Korea's Unified Silla period:

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_entertainment/1021966.html

2000 years bp artifacts from Kabul:

https://thekabultimes.gov.af/officials-discover-over-70-ancient-artifacts-dating-back-2-thousand-years/

A pot full of Mughal era coins from Madhya Pradesh:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-pot-full-of-ancient-coins-found-in-tikamgarh-mine/articleshow/88040702.cms
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-look-at-these-antique-coins-found-in-jcb-digging-in-mp-possibly-from-mughal-era/403476

Feature on synagoge in Kolkata:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/stories-of-a-syncretic-past-from-kolkatas-synagogues/article37738417.ece

Evidence from along the 'lost' Saraswati trail that support claims fo 1600 years of 'continued habitation':

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/1-600-yr-old-archaeological-site-found-in-haryana/ar-AARheh8?ocid=BingNewsSearch
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/1600-yr-old-archaeological-site-found-in-haryana-7648193/
https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/a-1600-year-old-site-found-in-haryana-that-claims-of-continued-habitation-around-lost-saraswati-river/2379278/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10171-211202-india-haryana-settlement

A guy in Madhya Pradesh built a Taj Mahal replica for his wife:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59383558

... another guy did the same thing for his wife a few years ago:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-23339485

============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ============================================================
An 'unknown substance' found among archaeological material at a dig in Invercargill:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/127155546/unknown-substance-discovered-amongst-archaeological-material-in-invercargill

A group of Bininj people are documenting petroglyphs in western Arnhem Land:

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/05/original-archaeologists-arnhem-land-traditional-owners-take-charge-of-priceless-rock-art

More on the Batavia shipwreck:

https://theconversation.com/we-studied-the-tree-rings-of-the-batavia-shipwreck-timbers-they-told-us-much-about-global-seafaring-history-171495
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
5000-9000 years bp artifacts from a Baltimore park:

https://baltimorebrew.com/2021/12/04/discovered-in-a-baltimore-park-native-american-artifacts-5000-9000-years-old/

A 'volcanic winter' drove the cultural developments of the Pueblo people living on the Colorado Plateau:

https://www.sciencealert.com/one-american-culture-actually-benefitted-the-worst-year-in-human-history
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/how-volcanic-winter-drove-the-adoption-of-farming-in-america-1.10428176

cf: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/volcanic-climate-forcing-extreme-cold-and-the-neolithic-transition-in-the-northern-us-southwest/71D617E1984CEE9597660990873C09F1

They are finding more bones beneath a Guelph parking lot ahead of a massive redevelopment project:

https://globalnews.ca/news/8413574/bone-fragments-guelph-parking-lot-archaeologiy/

Remains of a possible military hospital at Niagara-on-the-Lake:

https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/local-niagara-falls/life/2021/12/04/archeologists-in-niagara-on-the-lake-dig-up-possible-remains-of-military-hospital.html

The oldest cemetery in Saratoga Springs will be getting some preservation:

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Saratoga-s-oldest-cemetery-gets-new-leadership-16653921.php

A dig is going on at Ohiopyle State Park:

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/archaeology-crew-sifting-through-ohiopyle-state-parks-past-search-cultural-treasure/NZUGKYIILNGDBETYNQLGYAPVQQ/

... and at the At James AME Zion church, which is associated with the Underground Railroad:

https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2021/12/freedom-church-unearths-its-underground-railroad-history

The Penobscot people are trying to set the record straight on scalping:

https://apnews.com/article/penobscots-indigenous-history-scalping-colonial-america-adf590d261599302207b8c377b711169

Feature on the enslaved people who lived in Walden Woods before Thoreau got there:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/11/28/thoreau-walden-brister-freeman-slavery/

Feature on the slave ship Uncas:

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/12/domestic-slave-trade-us-history-uncas.html

More on sustainable fishing in the Pacific Northwest:

https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/2000-year-old-salmon-dna-reveals-secret-to-sustainable-fisheries-69466

More on that 1200 years bp dugout canoe from Wisconsin:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/preservation-work-begins-on-dugout-canoe-found-at-the-bottom-of-wisconsins

More on petroglyphs revealed by bison in Saskatchewan:

https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/bison-uncover-ancient-petroglyphs-saskatchewans-wanuskewin-heritage-park

Feature on Vikings in North America:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/yes-vikings-really-did-live-in-the-americas-1-000-years-ago

Review of Brett Baier, *To Rescue the Republic*:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/dec/05/to-rescue-the-republic-review-grant-1876-brett-baier-fox-news-donald-trump-6-january-us-capitol-attack
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ============================================================
That 800 years bp pre-Inca mummy we mentioned last week seems to be the same as one labelled 1200 years bp this week and tied with ropes:

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-peru-archeologists-mummy-years.html https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/27/archaeologists-unearth-mummy-estimated-to-be-at-least-800-years-old-in-peru
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/12/01/tomb-horror-mummy-found-hands-bound-covering-face/
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/804/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/804/pub/804/page/63/article/246653
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10253673/Archaeology-Weird-mummy-Peruvian-tomb-tied-ROPES-hands-covering-face.html
https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2021/11/29/peru-mummy-discovery-lon-orig-mrg.cnn
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/mummy-up-to-1200-years-old-unearthed-in-peru
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/archaeologists-find-800-year-old-mummy-peru-2021-11-27/
https://www.euronews.com/culture/2021/11/30/terrified-looking-ancient-mummy-discovered-by-archeologists-in-peru
https://www.sciencealert.com/1-200-year-old-mummy-of-a-young-man-tied-with-rope-discovered-in-peru

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