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explorator 24.36 December 26, 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
============================================================
Study suggests 1.5 million years of early humans hunting animals to extinction in Israel:

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-early-humans-largest-animals-extinction.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211221102708.htm https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-689385 https://www.timesofisrael.com/early-humans-repeatedly-killed-out-the-biggest-beasts-around-israeli-study-finds/

cf: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277379121005230

Questioning the 'superiority' of homo sapiens:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/debunking-the-myth-of-homo-sapiens-superiority

Latest feature on the path(s) taken by homo sapiens out of Africa:

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-africa-path-homo-sapiens.html https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/938884

More on Neanderthals modifying the environment in Germany some 125 000 years bp:

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/neanderthal-landscapes-10386.html https://scitechdaily.com/neanderthals-changed-ecosystems-125000-years-ago-were-not-primal-hippies/

More on the 215 000 years bp mammoth butchery site near Swindon:

https://www.livescience.com/ice-age-mammoth-graveyard-uk https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-59702237 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/19/five-ice-age-mammoths-unearthed-in-cotswolds-after-220000-years
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10326245/Archaeologists-unearth-skeletons-five-prehistoric-elephants-finding-Neanderthal-axe.html
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/48645/20211222/mammoth-graveyard-mammoth-remains-200-000-years-ago.htm
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/neanderthal-tools-mammoth-graveyard/ https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/19795029.swindon-couple-unearth-five-220-000-year-old-ice-age-mammoths-site-near-town/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10241-211221-england-mammoth-tools ============================================================
AFRICA
============================================================
Using 50 000 years bp eggshell beads to track trade and social networks in Africa:

https://www.shh.mpg.de/2080930/beads-social-network-africa?c=1935799 https://phys.org/news/2021-12-ostrich-eggshell-beads-reveal-year-old.html https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/23/africa/africa-beads-stone-age-social-network-scn/index.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/ostrich-eggshell-beads-reveal-50000-year-old-social-network-across-africa/142314
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03681-2 https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/21/ostrich-eggshell-beads-reveal-50000-year-old-social-network-across-africa/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10243-211221-ostrich-eggshell-beads

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04227-2

More on the Ethiopian government recovering the site of Lalibela from rebel hands:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59726191 ============================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ============================================================
The search for Nefertiti's tomb has resumed:

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/12/egypt-resumes-hunt-nefertitis-tomb-amid-historical-debate

More on 'golden tongued' mummies:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/golden-tongued-mummies-might-have-talked-with-ancient-gods

More on the 'garbage dump' in the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari:

https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egyptian-garbage-dump-discovered-in-temple

More on the 13 000 ostraca from various periods found near Sohag:

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/446523.aspx https://www.archaeology.org/news/10238-211220-egypt-sohag-ostraca

Feature on major archaeological 'events' of 2021 in Egypt:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/111224/What-are-the-major-archeological-events-in-2021-Part-Two

French archaeologists have returned to Egypt:

https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20211209-french-archaeological-missions-make-post-pandemic-return-to-egypt

An Elamite-era tablet from the Burnt City:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468385/Elamite-clay-tablet-unearthed-in-mysterious-Burnt-City

Efforts to preserve the archaeological site at a hill in Ramezan are under way:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468377/Archaeologists-to-safeguard-ancient-mount-in-western-Iran

Feature on efforts to conserve archaeological remains revealed during pre-dam rescue operations iin western Iran:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468314/Archaeologists-tell-of-efforts-to-conserve-ancient-culture-near

Feature on Austen Henry Layard:

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/12/rethinking-austen-henry-layard

A cave and 5000 years bp petroglyphs from Turkey's Aydin province:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cave-rock-paintings-found-in-aydin-170173

Remains of 4500 years bp rope from Turkey's Seyitomer Mound:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/4500-year-old-rope-remains-found-in-turkeys-seyitomer-mound/news

Ongoing excavations at Dara have revealed a hitherto unknown mound:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-mound-found-in-ancient-dara-170200

Feature on mummies from Anatolia (not really ancient, it seems):

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/mummies-in-anatolia-expect-the-unexpected-52987

A 14th century inscription from Giresun Island:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/14th-century-inscription-found-on-turkeys-giresun-island/news

Again I'm not sure where to put this item on Turkish forces shelling archaeological sites:

https://hawarnews.com/en/haber/turkish-forces-shell-sherawas-archaeological-sites-h28187.html

Feature/documentary hype on a film about Gobeklitepe:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/gobeklitepe-should-be-passed-on-to-future-generations-170303

7000 years bp evidence of social beer drinking from Tel Tsaf:

https://www.independent.co.uk/world/first-beer-drank-israel-7000-years-ago-b1980176.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/prehistoric-israelis-enjoyed-their-booze-some-7000-years-ago-689184
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-study-finds-first-evidence-of-social-beer-consumption-in-7000-year-old-town/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/22/copper-age-residents-of-jordan-valley-were-social-drinkers-research-reveals/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/haifa-u-archaeologists/2021/12/21/ http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-12/22/content_77945584.htm

Evidence suggests Pontius Pilate built a Jerusalem aqueduct:

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-notorious-pontius-pilate-is-the-one-who-built-jerusalem-aqueduct-study-finds-1.10478621
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/jerusalem/hebrew-u-study-credits-pontius-pilate-with-building-the-sophisticated-biar-aqueduct-in-jerusalem/2021/12/19/
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/pontius-pilate-and-the-jerusalem-aqueduct/

Lawrence Schiffman on the Damascus Document:

http://lawrenceschiffman.com/s-d-fraades-the-damascus-document-the-oxford-commentary-on-the-dead-sea-scrolls/

A medieval (?) fortress site from Azerbaijan:

https://www.azernews.az/culture/187218.html
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

============================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ============================================================
Study suggests that Myceneans may have been the earliest to make use of coal:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-archaeologists-identify-oldest-use-of-fossil-fuels-in-europe-1.10480844

Eight 4th century burials from Turkey's Ordu province:

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/4th-century-tombs-unearthed-near-turkeys-black-sea-coast/2456773

A pair of shipwrecks off the coast of Caesarea; most coverage is on a 'Good Shepherd' ring from the Roman-era one (the other is later):

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-israeli-archaeologists-treasures-ancient-shipwrecks.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/22/israeli-archaeologists-find-treasure-trove-among-mediterranean-shipwrecks
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-ship-wreck-good-shepherd-ring-b1981236.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ancient-ring-jesus-found-shipwrecks-coast-of-israel-chq557cgm
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-689444 https://www.timesofisrael.com/underwater-treasure-1700-year-old-coins-among-shipwrecked-items-found-off-caesarea/
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/gold-rings-coins-and-early-christian-art-found-in-shipwrecks-off-israel-s-coast-1.10485635
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/rkde88xik https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/319062 https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/spectacular-ancient-treasure-discovered-in-shipwrecks-off-the-coast-of-caesarea/2021/12/22/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/22/hundreds-of-coins-gold-rings-found-in-sunken-ships-off-israeli-coast/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10336363/Stunning-Good-Shepard-ring-depicts-young-Jesus-holding-Roman-era-shipwrecks.html
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/centuries-old-good-shepherd-ring-recovered-shipwrecks-off-israel-2021-12-22/
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211222-good-shepherd-gold-ring-found-in-roman-era-wreck-off-israel
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/23/good-shepherd-ring-israel/ https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/treasures-found-in-ancient-shipwrecks-170284 https://www.dw.com/en/israeli-archeologists-find-christian-good-shepherd-ring-in-roman-shipwreck/a-60233874
https://apnews.com/article/science-business-lifestyle-middle-east-israel-36fe1e17dbcb53c8518bb7542331767f
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/23/israel-antiquities-shipwreck-caesarea/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gold-ring-jesus-treasure-trove-ancient-shipwreck-israel/
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/caesarea-shipwrecks-10397.html https://news.artnet.com/art-world/israeli-divers-trove-antiquities-shipwrecks-2054381
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/underwater-archaeologists-recover-treasures-from-ancient-shipwrecks/142332
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/early-christian-ring-found-in-third-century-shipwreck-near-Israel-180979282/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10247-211222-israel-shipwrecks-coins

A 1900 years bp sarcophagus lid was found in a garbage dump in Ashkelon:

https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/1900-year-old-sarcophagus-lid-rescued-from-ashkelon-garbage-dump/2021/12/21/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/12/21/antiquities-inspectors-find-1900-year-old-sarcophagus-lid-in-dump/
https://www.jns.org/1900-year-old-sarcophagus-lid-rescued-from-ashkelon-garbage-dump/

I think we mentioned this find of a Caligula-era Roman camp from Velsen a while ago:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/26/roman-fort-built-by-caligula-discovered-velsen-near-amsterdam

A Roman military diploma from a dig in Bratislava:

https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22807426/ancient-diploma-found-by-archaeologists-in-bratislava.html

We may have mentioned this altar site associated with Demeter from Blaundus:

https://www.yenisafak.com/en/archaeology/archeologists-unearth-altar-site-for-greek-goddess-in-western-turkey-3586443
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/altar-site-for-greek-goddess-demeter-found-in-turkeys-blaundus/news
https://greekherald.com.au/news/altar-site-greek-goddess-demeter-unearthed-western-turkey/

A Hellenic-era unfinished statue find from Veria:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/23/hellenic-era-statue-found-in-veria-greece/
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/hellenic-statue-veria-greece/

Remains Roman-era (wide date range) structures from Corsica:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62985

More on the find of a possible sanctuary of Melqart/Temple of Hercules near Cadiz:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10329795/Long-lost-Temple-Hercules-Gaditanus-9th-century-BC-coast-Spain.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lost-temple-of-hercules-discovered-off-coast-of-spain-mvr62s2jx
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/22/temple-of-hercules-gaditanus-where-the-god-was-worshipped-by-the-ancient-greeks-and-romans-in-the-9th-century-bc-may-have-been-discovered-off-the-coast-of-spain/

More on the torso of Hercules found at Aizanoi:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/20/statue-heracles-ancient-greek-aizanoi/

More on the pair of Roman statues from Blaundus:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/2000-year-old-statues-hellenic-blaundos/ https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/12/archaeologists-unearth-2000-year-old.html

More on the sources for Roman silver on the Iberian peninsula:

https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/News/pr/2021/21-74.aspx https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211217123811.htm https://www.archaeology.org/news/10244-211221-roman-silver-coins

More on reuse of Roman building material in a Serbian village:

https://menafn.com/1103398322/UK-Held-up-by-history-Roman-ruins-provide-building-blocks-forSerbian-village&source=25

More on the 'protection' of a recently-revealed mosaic in Izmir:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/experts-protect-roman-era-mosaic-love-story-in-turkeys-izmir/news

... and another feature on how it was found as a result of illegal excavations:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/illegal-excavations-unearth-roman-villa-170252

More on that recent find of a victim of Vesuvius at Herculaneum:

https://www.livescience.com/man-vaporized-by-vesuvius

More on evidence of crucifixion from Roman Britain:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/rare-evidence-for-roman-crucifixion-found-in-second-century-britain/?mqsc=E4140182&dk=ZE14D0ZF0

Plans to restore the 'Macedonian Tower' (I think that's what it's called; it's actually Roman) in Turkey's Erdine province:

https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/roman-era-tower-in-northwestern-turkey-set-for-restoration-3586648
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/edirnes-roman-era-tower-to-serve-as-cultural-space/news

Fendi revealed their restoration of Rome's Temple of Venus and Rome:

https://wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/fendi-unveils-restoration-of-romes-temple-of-venus-and-rome-1235021689/

The 'Pompeii Chariot' as one of the 'greatest' archaeological finds of 2021:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/20/pompeii-chariot-2021s-greatest-archaeological-finds/

A top ten list of ancient Greek finds for 2021:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/20/ancient-greek-archaeological-discoveries-2021/

Feature on the Huntingdon Hoard:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-59665406

Feature on the House of Menander in Pompeii:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/21/house-menander-pompeii-ancient-greek-themes/

Feature on the early life of Cleopatra:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/the-early-life-of-cleopatra/142343

... and a feature on the fall of Mark Antony and Cleopatra:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/the-fall-of-mark-anthony-and-cleopatra/142323

Feature on snakes and healing in ancient Greece:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/23/snakes-ancient-greece/

Feature on the shield of Achilles:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/12/23/the-legendary-shield-of-achilles/

Feature on Athens' Tower of the Winds:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/24/tower-winds-oldest-meteorological-station/

Another feature on the Antikythera Mechanism:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/24/ancient-greece-antikythera-mechanism/

A 3d flythrough tour of Classical Athens:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1174291/watch-a-3d-flythrough-tour-of-classical-athens/

Latest Pasts Imperfect newsletter:

https://pastsimperfect.substack.com/p/pasts-imperfect-122321

A former UK culture minister thinks the Parthenon Sculptures should be returned:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/12/22/parthenon-marbles-should-be-returned-to-greece-former-uk-culture-minister-says
https://greekreporter.com/2021/12/22/uk-culture-minister-parthenon-marbles-returned/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/parthenon-marbles-restitution-2053596

Nice backgrounder on the Parthenon Sculptures debate:

https://www.dw.com/en/parthenon-marbles-a-200-year-old-restitution-dispute/a-60146803

OpEd from the New York Times on the situation in the times of museum repatriation efforts:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/arts/design/parthenon-marbles-restitution.html

... and similar from the Independent:

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/artefacts-british-museum-elgin-parthenon-marbles-b1980643.html

... and some reactions:

https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/12/21/new-york-times-gia-glypta-parthenona-i-vretania-ypostirizei-oti-i-tychi-toys-den-tin-afora/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/new-york-times-article-addresses-parthenon-marbles/

... and more on the younger Boris Johnson advocating for their return:

https://neoskosmos.com/en/2021/12/22/news/young-boris-johnson-was-passionately-advocating-for-the-return-of-the-parthenon-marbles/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ============================================================
Remains of an Iron Age settlement found during roundabout construction near Upton upon Severn:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-59755844 https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/news/article/2727/iron_age_settlement_unearthed_on_site_of_upton_a38_roundabout_works
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/stunning-drone-footage-archaeologists-unearthing-22545747

A 1400-1700 years bp 'neck ring' from Jutland:

https://cphpost.dk/?p=130253

Carbon dating suggests Viking-era trade began in 775 CE:

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-dates-viking-age.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211222153037.htm

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04240-5 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03769-9

A pair of 1000 years bp brooches from the Isle of Man are being used to suggest there were Viking women there too:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/isle-of-man-settled-by-female-vikings-along-with-the-men-2052230

12th/13th century finds (including a birch bark letter) from Novgorod:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/archaeologists-unearth-birch-bark-letter-in-novgorod/142348

Vague item on possible medieval waste from a housing development site in Lindal:

https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/19793700.archaeologists-reveal-findings-35-house-development-site-lindal/

A 14th/15th century 'item of archaeological interest' from Alicante:

https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/24/artifact-of-high-archaeological-interest-uncovered-in-alicante/

Remains of a medieval castle tower at Auckland Castle:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tees-59740527 https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/durham-university-archaeology-auckland-castle-22522738

A King David the Builder coin find from Georgia:

https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/4044

A metal detectorist found a huge hoard of 220 years bp forged coins in Staffordshire:

https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/local-news/britains-biggest-ever-hoard-forged-6404269
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/12/22/novice-metal-detectorist-unearths-britains-largest-haul-forged/
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/825/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/825/pub/825/page/39/article/253434

The Island of Jersey has purchased the Le CatillonII hoard (70 000 Celtic coins found back in 2012) from the Queen:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jersey-coin-hoard-found-by-metal-detectors-is-sold-for-4m-hbsg8c2v6

More on the 10 000 years bp female child burial dubbed 'Neve':

https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2021/12/earliest-modern-female-human-infant-burial-found-in-europe

More on the large Viking/Norse longhouse found at the Gjellestad site in Norway:

https://www.livescience.com/norse-longhouse-discovered-viking-ship-burial

More on folks reaching the Faroe Islands earlier than previously thought:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211216145936.htm https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-sheep-poop-tells-the-tale-of-the-faroe-islands-first-inhabitants-180979265/

More on the possible reality of the Viking 'Blood Eagle' ritual:

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-disturbing-viking-ritual.html https://www.sciencealert.com/brutal-viking-torture-method-anatomically-possible-concludes-new-research
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/12/23/disturbing-viking-ritual-could-have-really-happened-say-researchers/

More on the restoration of that reused Roman rock crystal jar from the Galloway Hoard:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/17/extraordinary-restoration-of-roman-rock-crystal-jar-from-galloway-hoard
https://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/galloway-hoard-yields-exciting-discovery-3501093
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/treasure-discovery-roman-gold-crystal-archeology-scli-intl/index.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-gold-wrapped-jar-may-reveal-the-splendor-of-early-medieval-britain-180979266/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10240-211220-scotland-galloway-hoard

More on that 13th century 'falconry figurine' from Oslo:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/one-oldest-depictions-falconry-in-scandinavia-is-discovered-180979261/

Another 2021 'treasure finds' piece ... this one focuses on Cambridge and Peterborough:

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/dozens-of-buried-treasure-troves-found-in-cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-last-year-3506250

Suggestion that rising sea levels may have contributed to the Vikings leaving Greenland:

https://www.livescience.com/agu-floods-drove-vikings-from-greenland http://www.archaeology.org/news/10239-211220-greenland-viking-climate

Feature on the megalithic site of the Cromlech of the Almendres (Portugal):

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0bbrfm1/the-mysteries-of-portugal-s-7-000-year-old-stonehenge-

Feature on the origins of Venice on Torcello:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/torcello-venice-island/index.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 ============================================================
Brief item on some recently-found Neolithic finds from various sites in China:

https://ukranews.com/en/news/819132-china-releases-five-archaeological-discoveries-dating-back-to-neolithic-age

Evidence of 5000 years bp cultural exchange from the Suyang site in Henan:

http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2021-12/21/content_77943928.htm

A Western Zhou Dynasty vessel from the outskirts of Beijing which is being associated with a similar find from the 1970s:

http://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2021-12-21/detail-ihatyfhf5832592.shtml https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-22/New-archaeological-discoveries-unravel-mystery-of-ancient-Yan-kingdom-16cQFGc1goU/index.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1243102.shtml http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62959

A Warring States period royal tomb from Jiangxi:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20211225/e0a73822aa274631b4b068b1302ce105/c.html
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1243396.shtml

Tang Dynasty cliff statues and other sites found in China's Shaanxi province:

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-23/Tang-dynasty-grotto-sites-and-cliff-statues-discovered--16dGpyt0Iz6/index.html

A Jin Dynasty tomb from Shaanxi with 'prayer murals':

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20211224/65e540e659724d5cb2a8c4373f170451/c.html
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2021-12/25/content_77952125.htm

57 Qing Dynasty burials from Hunan:

https://ukranews.com/en/news/819185-57-ancient-tombs-unearthed-in-central-china-s-hunan

Tombs from various time periods from Chenzhou:

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-12/20/content_77941036.htm

More on 8000 years bp evidence of alcohol use in China:

https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/chinese-archaeologists-unearth-liquor-brewing-pots-from-8000-years-ago-4572908.html
https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-one-of-the-world-s-oldest-alcohol-8000-year-old-evidence-found-in-china-2924736

More on the find of Emperor Wen of Han's tomb:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62941

Neolithic petroglyphs from a site in Madurai:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/rock-paintings-petroglyphs-discovered-in-madurai-cave/articleshow/88482262.cms
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/dec/24/3000-year-old-rock-cave-art-found-in-madurai-2399213.html

A 4th/5th century CE 'hero stone' from Villapuram:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/hero-stone-unearthed-in-villupuram-district/article38007982.ece

5th century CE sculptures from Chengalpattu:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/centuries-old-sculptures-found-in-chengalpattu/article37993163.ece

A 13th century temple find from Guntur in Andra Pradesh:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/andhra-pradesh-13th-century-temple-found-in-guntur-district/articleshow/88392536.cms

Several sites found in a survey of Pakistan's Mohmand district:

https://dailytimes.com.pk/858468/pre-historic-archaeological-sites-discovered-in-mohmand/

More on the charred food remains from the 800 years BCE site of Kadebakele:

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/938345 https://www.archaeology.org/news/10245-211221-india-charred-lumps

More on that 2300 years bp apsidal Buddhist temple from Swat:

https://www.dawn.com/news/1664783 https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/2300-year-old-buddhist-temple-unearthed-in-pakistan/news
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/22-Dec-2021/oldest-buddhist-temple-discovered-in-pakistan
https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/2300yearold-buddhist-temple-treasure-found-in-pakistan-what-you-should-know-1639995575-1
https://english.newstracklive.com/news/2300yearold-temple-found-during-excavation-in-pakistan-several-rare-artifacts-also-recovered-ta303-1199439-1.html?s=aprp
============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ============================================================
Expansion of the Boral sand mine was approved despite the find of Indigenous artifacts:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-24/government-rejects-indigenous-calls-to-stop-dunmore-sand-mine/100724678
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
Possible First Nations burial found during sewer construction in Surrey (BC):

https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/must-reads/25-human-bone-fragments-found-in-surrey-sewer-dig-4884103

Sewer construction also has revealed unspecified archaeological artifacts in Ephrata (Washington):

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2021/dec/23/pause-ephrata-halts-work-sewer-improvements-after-/
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/business/on-pause-ephrata-halts-work-on-sewer-improvements-after-archaeological-find/article_c1036470-3113-5883-b305-036521da501c.html

Another 'forgotten'/unmarked African American cemetery from a building site in Clearwater, Florida:

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065178753/florida-fourth-black-cemetery-discovered
https://www.gpb.org/news/2021/12/20/thank-god-you-found-me-florida-officials-unearth-fourth-forgotten-black-cemetery-0
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/special-reports/erased/archaeologists-graves-clearwater-business/67-90f1609f-b5e7-4b08-8cf5-cbcdcaaff5f9
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10246-211221-florida-clearwater-cemetery

The wreck of the Clotilda is better preserved than folks thought:

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-slave-ship-intact-coast.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/25/us/clotilda-slaveship-africa-alabama.html https://apnews.com/article/science-alabama-atlantic-ocean-mobile-e385a066591f675fc0129cdb16a59836
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wreck-last-us-slave-ship-mostly-intact-alabama-coast-researchers-find-rcna9739
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/americas-last-slave-ship-is-more-intact-than-anyone-thought

Concerns for Inuvialuit sites dealing with coastal erosion:

https://www.nnsl.com/news/race-is-on-to-preserve-inuvialuit-archaeology/

Feature on the 'Sun Temple' at Mesa Verde:

https://coloradosun.com/2021/12/19/sun-temple-mesa-verde-observatory-solstice/ https://www.ksut.org/news/2021-12-20/is-southwest-colorado-home-to-an-ancient-astronomical-observatory-the-question-is-testing-archaeological-limits

Feature on Michele Troutman's work with Early Archaic stone tools:

https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/3438/when-rocks-were-tools-research-offers-insights-into-the-deep-past
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ============================================================
A pre-Columbian stone sphere from Palmar Sur de Osa:

https://thecostaricanews.com/tico-archaeologists-find-a-new-pre-columbian-sphere-in-palmar-sur-de-osa/

LiDAR detected some unknown structures in Machu Picchu National Park:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/archaeologists-reveal-unknown-structures-in-the-machu-picchu-national-park/142317

Feature on the Chachabamba complex at Machu Picchu:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archaeologists-uncover-ceremonial-water-structures-machu-picchu-2053699

Feature on Chavin de Huantar:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/unraveling-the-mysterious-traditions-within-chavin-de-huantar

Interesting theory on the purpose of the Nazca lines:

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/12/23/could-this-southern-california-man-have-solved-the-mystery-of-the-nazca-lines/
-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:

http://goo.gl/1VdeA

Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas lecture channels on Youtube:

https://mikeruggerisyoutube.tumblr.com/

Ancient MesoAmerica News:

http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/ ============================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST ============================================================
Four of the important 'advancements' of archaeology in 2021:

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/24/1063057224/archeology-science-discovery-2021-dna-mammoth

Other lists of top finds from 2021 (focus varies; most are 'top ten'):

https://www.livescience.com/biggest-archaeological-discoveries-of-2021 https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/december/biblical-archaeology-top-10-discoveries-new-artifacts-2021.html
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-21/CMG-releases-list-of-top-10-intl-archaeological-discoveries-of-2021-16asSCZhP0I/index.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/TIMELINE-jerusalem-discovery-unleashes-biblical-bedlam-top-archaeology-stories-of-2021-1.10494373
https://vervetimes.com/top-10-most-fascinating-archaeological-discoveries-of-2021/
https://www.wpr.org/look-worlds-most-important-archaeological-discoveries https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/a-hidden-roman-mosaic-ice-age-mammoths-and-more-ancient-discoveries-made-in-2021/ss-AAS7tV1?li=BBnbklE
https://gizmodo.com/the-11-coolest-archaeological-finds-of-2021-1848192560

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