===============================================================
explorator 23.33 December 6, 2020
===============================================================
You can read explorator online at:

https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/


Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo, Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay, David Standing,
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 Neanderthal teeth:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/p-vao112520.php https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/02/europe/neanderthal-teeth-altamura-man-italy-scn/index.html

Feature on Neanderthals:

https://www.historyextra.com/period/prehistoric/history-neanderthals-who-facts-guide/

A podcast on Denisovans in China:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/the-denisovans-expand-their-range-into-china/

More on Neanderthals and their tolerance of smoke:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/30/genetic-study-reveals-neanderthals-could-tolerate-smoke/

More on Neanderthal thumb capabilities:

https://www.inverse.com/science/ancient-human-thumbs https://gizmodo.com/neanderthals-didn-t-use-their-thumbs-like-we-do-new-re-1845765079
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9240-201130-neanderthal-thumbs-grip

More on that Paranthropus robustus skull that was found a couple years ago:

https://www.capetownetc.com/news/fossil-skull-discovered-in-south-africa-shines-light-on-human-evolution/
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Glass beads from medieval sites are helping to map out African trade routes:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/p-gbf112520.php https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/udg-at120120.php https://phys.org/news/2020-12-african-routes-mediaeval-beads.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201202192802.htm https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/03/african-trade-routes-sketched-out-by-medieval-beads/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/african-trade-routes-sketched-out-by.html

Feature on Cushites in the Hebrew Bible:

http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2020/12/cushites-hebrew-bible ================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
An instagram model had an 'inappropriate' photoshoot at Saqqara and apparently caused some trouble:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/94810/Saqqara-Model-under-investigation https://www.egyptindependent.com/controversial-photo-shoot-in-saqqara-prompts-investigation/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/egyptian-model-ancient-pyramid-photos-lands-her-and-photographer-arrested/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/01/egypt-detains-photographer-after-dancer-shoot-at-pyramid
https://nypost.com/2020/12/02/model-photographer-arrested-after-pyramid-shoot-in-egypt/
https://hyperallergic.com/605659/egyptian-model-arrested-over-inappropriate-photoshoot-at-archaeological-site/

Interesting feature on Isaac Newton's view of the pyramids:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/06/revealed-isaac-newtons-attempts-to-unlock-secret-code-of-pyramids

An engineer is suggesting the number of stones required to build the pyramids may be overestimated:

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1367273/egypt-great-pyramid-giza-quarry-discovery-construction-pharaoh-khufu-archaeology-spt

Egypt seems to be starting to hype the impending 'Royal Mummies Parade':

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/94767/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Tourism-Antiquities-Min-Date-of-the-Royal-Mummies-Parade
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/11/egypt-transfer-royal-mummies-museum-tourism.html

Some century-old footage of the Nile Valley might be of interest:

https://aeon.co/videos/stunning-century-old-footage-of-the-nile-valley-carries-echoes-from-the-ancient-past

A 5th century church site in northern Iran is being restored:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455266/5th-century-church-being-restored-in-northwestern-Iran

Feature on the Code of Hammurabi:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/how-the-ancient-code-of-hammurabi-reveals-a-society-both-similar-and-alien

Feature on Cyrus and the beginnings of the Persian Empire:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/king-cyrus-and-the-beginnings-of-the-persian-empire/

Feature on being a subject of the Persian Empire:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/being-persian-being-a-subject-of-the-persian-empire/

More on that 4200 years bp goddess figurine from Kultepe:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/4200-year-old-goddess-statue-unearthed.html

Feature on sites in Instanbul:

https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2020/12/why-istanbuls-ancient-imperial-legacy-lies-hidden-in-plain-sight

An update on the dig(s) at the site of Persepolis:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455258/Absolute-limits-of-magnificent-Persepolis-being-documented

The ancient gateway of Tus is being restored:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455306/Ancient-gateway-of-Tus-being-restored-to-former-grandeur

General feature/slide show on sites in the UAE:

https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-archaeological-sites-fascinating-treasures-of-the-past-1.1606289670467

Review of a book on an ancient Assyrian doctor:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uoc--nbp113020.php

On UNESCO's restoration of the al-Nuri mosque in Mosul:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201129-a-50m-danger-filled-restoration

I think we mentioned this 'game dice' find from Beit El:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/292027 http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/02/c_139556637.htm

Pondering Judean 'Pillar Figurines':

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.HIGHLIGHT.MAGAZINE-why-ancient-hebrews-made-figurines-of-naked-women-1.9339933

Podcast/interview with Amit Re'em about the Tower of David site:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/listen-medieval-poop-chute-exposed-in-renovations-at-jerusalems-tower-of-david/

Feature on the four oldest New Testament manuscripts:

https://aleteia.org/2020/12/04/where-to-find-the-four-oldest-new-testament-manuscripts/

More on claims of finding Jesus' childhood home:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/archaeologist-hopes-jesuss-home-will-focus-attention-on-cave-churches-651057

More on that Temple Mount Sifting Project gold bead find:

https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/jerusalem/sifting-project-yields-rare-gold-bead-from-first-temple-period/2020/11/29/
https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/history-ideas/2020/12/a-nine-year-old-boy-discovers-a-bead-from-the-era-of-the-first-temple-in-jerusalem/
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/first-temple-period-gold-bead-09107.html

More on petroglyphs at Mount Karkom:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-rock-etchings-on-remote-negev-plateau-evoke-the-bible-draw-new-interest/

More on those 1000 years bp gold coins found near the Western Wall a few weeks ago:

https://www.jerusalemonline.com/millenium-old-gold-coins-discovered-near-western-wall/

Interview with Christopher Rollston on how fake DSS are made:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/november-web-only/dead-sea-scrolls-bible-fakes-forgeries-frauds.html

Suggestion that Goliath might not have been so gigantic after all:

https://www.livescience.com/was-biblical-goliath-a-giant.html https://aleteia.org/2020/12/03/archaeologist-disputes-biblical-height-of-goliath/

More on Saudi Arabia opening the site of Hegra to the public:

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/rest-of-the-world-news/saudi-arabia-opens-its-first-unesco-world-heritage-site-hegra-after-2000-years.html

UNESCO wants to inspect what's going on at Hagia Sophia:

https://ahvalnews.com/hagia-sophia/unesco-requests-inspection-changes-hagia-sopia-chora

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
An 8th century BCE burial site with burned wood from Gela (Italian):

https://www.ragusanews.com/attualita-sicilia-trovate-antiche-tombe-con-la-legna-bruciata-per-il-rito-funebre-115423/

Eight burials (Classical/Hellenistic) from a site on private land in Ilia:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/259734/article/ekathimerini/news/ancient-tombs-discovered-in-ilia-southern-greece
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/30/archaeologists-discover-eight-ancient-graves-in-western-peloponnese/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/01/ancient-greek-tombs-discovered-ilia/ https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/02/eight-graves-came-to-light-in-ilia/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/04/the-excavation-at-avgeio-in-ilia-is-very-important/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/eight-graves-from-classical-to.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9245-201201-greece-elis-tombs

The head from a statue of a Hellenistic priest from a dig at the theatre site at Laodicea:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/2-000-year-old-statue-of-priests-head-unearthed-in-turkeys-west-160428
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/hellenistic-priest-bust-unearthed-in.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9250-201202-turkey-laodicea-sculpture

Buildings from various periods (mostly Archaic) from a dig at Antissa:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/01/important-finds-in-ancient-antissa/

A child burial and statuary (among other things; various periods) from Prusias ad Hypium:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/infant-grave-statues-in-ancient-city-of-prusias-ad-hypium-excite-archaeologists/news

A dig prior to coal mining in southern Bulgaria has revealed evidence of three settlement sites (Thracian, Roman, Byzantine):

http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/26/early-thracian-roman-medieval-settlements-athena-statuette-found-in-rescue-digs-by-bulgarian-coal-mining-company/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9248-201202-bulgaria-settlements-unearthed

Remains of a Roman-era sewage system from the Amida Tumulus/Syedra:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-city-of-syedra-comes-to-light-160492 https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/a-secret-ancient-city-history-of-syedra-brought-to-life-through-excavations/news
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/ancient-roman-sewer-system-discovered-in-se-turkey/2060472

Remains of a Roman villa (and some medieval burials) found during electricity grid construction at Venafro (Italian):

https://www.rainews.it/tgr/molise/articoli/2020/12/mol-archeologia-Venafro-scoperta-78aa6d13-59d1-42c7-b9b4-52610ef7701a.html
https://www.isnews.it/cultura/74338-archeologia-scoperta-nella-piana-di-venafro-un-antica-villa-romana-e-4-sepolture.html
https://www.primopianomolise.it/citta/valle-del-volturno/95323/scoperta-una-villa-romana-nella-piana-di-venafro-rinvenuto-pure-un-anello-del-governatore-della-provincia-del-sannio/

I think we've mentioned this altar to Pan embedded in a Byzantine church wall in Banias:

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-altar-to-pan-used-as-brick-in-byzantine-church-wall-in-israel-1.9335068
https://world.greekreporter.com/2020/11/30/altar-to-greek-god-pan-discovered-in-ruins-of-byzantine-church-in-israel/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/altar-to-greek-god-found-in-wall-of-byzantine-church-raises-questions-650825
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/03/greek-god-byzantine-church-golan/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-altar-pan-found-israel-180976447/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9249-201202-israel-altar-pan

A study of sediment cores from six sites over 1600 years in Greece suggest there was an integrated market economy and more:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/mpif-co112720.php https://phys.org/news/2020-11-cereal-olive-vine-pollen-reveal.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201130113601.htm https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/01/cereal-olive-and-vine-pollen-reveal-market-integration-in-ancient-greece/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/cereal-olive-and-vine-pollen-reveal.html

A study suggests pyroclasts protected Pompeii paintings while buried, but damage them once they are exposed:

https://phys.org/news/2020-11-pyroclasts-pompeii-unearthed.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uotb-ppt113020.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201130131453.htm https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-ancient-greece-had-market-economy-3-000-years-earlier-than-thought-1.9345453
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/pyroclasts-protect-paintings-of-pompeii.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/02/the-paintings-of-pompeii/ https://www.archaeology.org/news/9252-201203-pompeii-salts-murals

Feature on structural remains found at a Romano-Celtic site at Priors Hall, Corby:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/features/building-a-roman-villa.htm

A Roman burial site from York Station:

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18915021.human-remains-unearthed-roman-burial-site-building-work-york-station/
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18918674.human-remains-found-york-station-roman-period/
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18918674.human-remains-found-york-station-deemed-archaeological-find/

Analysis of some burials from a 3rd/4th century site in Sicily (?) suggests 'trench fever' existed long before WWI:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9011115/Trench-fever-teeth-ancient-Romans-reveals-disease-began-2-000-years-ago.html
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/found-trench-fever-ancient-rome https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/trench-fever-found-2000-year-old-roman-skeletons-180976450/

An interview with Emma Pomeroy and Jess Johnson about recent finds at Pompeii:

https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/unearthing-pompeii

Another feature on recent finds from Pompeii:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/pompeii-new-excavations-looting/index.html

A tourist-free Pompeii is allowing for more finds:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/new-discovery-tourist-free-pompeii-proof-pandemic-has-upsides/

A 1500 years bp kiln from Silistra (Bulgaria):

https://www.novinite.com/articles/206896/Roman+Furnace+Almost+1%2C500+Years+Old+Unearthed+in+Bulgaria

Funding to make some ancient Greek theaters more accessible:

https://www.thenationalherald.com/culture/arthro/ancient_greek_theaters_get_more_funds_to_improve_access_by_visitors-1308947/
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/42205-theaters-of-ancient-of-sikyon-and-messene-get-more-funds-to-improve-access-by-visitors.html

The University of Palermo is returning to digging at Sabratha and other sites near Leptis Magna:

https://www.libyaobserver.ly/culture/antiquities-authority-university-palermo-review-resuming-work-ancient-sabratha

A campaign to further investigate the Roman villa site at Norton Disney:

https://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/appeal-launched-for-villa-site-survey-9143113/

Reviewish think of a study of the Celtiberico-Romano site of Los Rodiles:

https://elpais.com/cultura/2020-11-30/los-ultimos-dias-de-la-gran-capital-celtibera.html

More on that dig at a Roman legion headquarters site in Serbia:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-serbia-archaeology-idUSKBN2861SJ https://www.jpost.com/omg/buried-under-serbian-cornfield-roman-military-hq-sheds-its-secrets-650640
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/buried-under-serbian-cornfield-roman.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9243-201130-serbia-legion-headquarters

Feature on an inscription from Septimius Severus from Bulgaria which expresses his gratitude for a gift/bribe the town gave him:

https://www.livescience.com/roman-inscription-bribery-corruption.html

Feature on John Travlos' work:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/259885/gallery/ekathimerini/life/john-travlos-anatomist-of-ancient-greece

Feature on preserving historical scents:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/04/arts/design/smell-archives-preservation.html

Feature on Hadrian:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2020/11-12/roman-emperor-hadrian-spared-no-expense-all-things-greek/

Feature on Boudicca:

https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/incredible-story-how-boudica-destroyed-4744149

Feature on an amulet/anti-curse tablet/magical thing found in London a while ago:

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/12/04/greek-immigrant-in-roman-era-london-used-amulet-to-ward-off-plague/

Pondering the assassination of Julius Caesar:

https://www.thecollector.com/julius-caesar-assassination/

... and an interesting artistic recreation project based on same:

https://verne.elpais.com/verne/2020/11/24/articulo/1606233857_980442.html#?sma=newsletter_diaria_noche20201127m

Feature on theories about the fall of the Roman Empire:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-fall-of-the-roman-empire-possible-dates-and-theories/

... and when the Roman Empire fell:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/when-did-the-roman-empire-fall/

... and why the Roman Empire fell:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/why-did-the-roman-empire-fall/

Pondering how long it actually took to build Rome:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/if-rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day-how-long-did-it-take

Opeddish thing on the importance of Homer and Virgil:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/hooked-classics-homer-virgil-still-essential/

Natalie Haynes on lessons for Donald Trump from Roman emperors:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/dec/04/decline-and-fall-what-donald-trump-can-learn-from-the-roman-emperors

Review of *The Invention of Medicine: From Homer to Hippocrates*:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/03/arts/examining-ancient-healers-invention-medicine-homer-hippocrates/

Review of *The Socrates Express*:

https://www.wbaa.org/post/book-review-socrates-express

In case you were wondering, the LEGO Colosseum is already sold out:

https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/lego-rolled-out-intricate-9000-piece-model-of-roman-colosseum-on-black-friday-its-sold-out-already-3127529.html

... but in case you were wondering what it was like to build it:

https://www.ign.com/articles/we-build-the-lego-roman-colosseum-the-biggest-set-in-history
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
Rethinking the purpose of 'Venus figurines':

https://phys.org/news/2020-12-theory-venus-figurines.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uoca-car113020.php https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/anthropology/shaped-for-the-times/ https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/researchers-offer-new-theory-on-venus.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/02/cu-anschutz-researcher-offers-new-theory-on-venus-figurines/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9251-201202-venus-figurines-obesity

Study suggests Doggerland survived an tsunami:

https://phys.org/news/2020-12-sediment-cores-dogger-littoral-island.html https://www.livescience.com/lost-island-north-sea-ancient-tsunami.html https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/01/evidence-life-on-doggerland-after-devastating-tsunamis-study
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tiny-islands-survived-tsunami-almost-separated-britain-europe-study-finds-180976430/

.... but someone thinks it was destroyed from climate-change related factors:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-doggerland-wasn-t-destroyed-by-tsunami-but-by-climate-change-new-study-suggests-1.9338111

A mystery 'pit' skeleton (site has Bronze Age and Roman finds) from dig at Bishop's Stortford:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55176242

An early Celtic tomb excavation near Hueneburg:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/block-excavation-of-early-celtic-tomb.html

A Viking-era silver hoard from Stockholm:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/viking-silver-treasure-hoard-discovered.html

Latest from the Gjellesad ship excavation:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55145985

A metal detectorist found a medieval knife near Penicuik:

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/metal-detectorist-unearths-rare-medieval-knife-near-penicuik-3050603

Remains of a medieval settlement, hitherto unknown, at Vidin (Bulgaria):

http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/12/03/unknown-medieval-settlement-from-second-bulgarian-empire-bronze-age-settlement-discovered-near-danube-city-vidin/

A 'murder mystery' medieval burial found during Edinburgh tram construction:

https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/murder-mystery-over-remains-medieval-woman-dumped-pit-beneath-site-edinburgh-tram-line-3057071

17th-19th century burial of a woman found on an Aberdeen-area beach:

https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/mystery-woman-and-coffin-found-buried-aberdeen-beach-3052670
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9247-201201-scotland-beach-burial

A dig is just underway at the Thanet Parkway Station site:

https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2020/12/04/archaeological-excavation-begins-at-site-of-thanet-parkway-station/

... as is a dig hoping for Romano-British finds at Plympton:

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/archaeologists-hoping-dig-up-ancient-4763153

Plans for a dig in Glasgow to find the first Hampden Stadium:

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18912055.glasgow-archaeological-dig-planned-uncover-site-first-hampden-stadium/

More on prehistoric arrows (and more) emerging from melting ice/snow in Norway:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/26/europe/ancient-norwegian-arrows-found-scli-intl-scn/index.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/prehistoric-arrow-bonanza-revealed-by.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9242-201201-norway-glacier-archaeology

More on that possibly medieval mass grave found during moat exavations in the Netherlands:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/mass-grave-containing-20-medieval.html

More on that Islamic necropolis from Tauste:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/necropolis-muslim-intl-scli-scn/index.html https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/spanish-archaeologists-uncover-islamic-graves-of-al-andalus/news
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/archeologists-discover-ancient-islamic-necropolis-in-ne-spain-3555442
https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/01/archaeologists-discover-ancient-islamic-necropolis-in-northern-spain
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8998717/Archaeologists-4-500-bodies-ancient-Islamic-necropolis-Spain.html

Pondering the disappearance of Greenland's Vikings:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-greenland-vikings-vanished-180962119/

The UK is redefining 'treasure' to protect more artifacts found by the public:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55179360 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/dec/04/definition-of-treasure-trove-to-be-recast-to-protect-uks-rare-artefacts
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-redefines-treasure-to-increase-protection-for-archaeological-finds
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/artefacts-made-of-bronze-to-be-classed-as-treasure-alongside-those-containing-gold-and-silver-j0nkm7srr
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55179360

There were some major protests about the Stonehenge decision this week, leading to the closure of the site:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-55198970 https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/national/18923669.stonehenge-protesters-mass-trespass-show-opposition-1-7bn-tunnel/
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Mass-trespass-closes-UK-heritage-site-of-15778441.php
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/05/anti-roads-protesters-sing-drum-stonehenge-mass-trespass
https://www.ksat.com/news/world/2020/12/05/mass-trespass-closes-uk-heritage-site-of-stonehenge/
----------
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 from a Xia Dynasty site in Henan for a multigrid settlement pattern:

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202011/30/WS5fc44e70a31024ad0ba9848f.html

A late Spring and Autumn period noble burial from Henan:

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202012/03/WS5fc83e46a31024ad0ba997e7.html

Eastern Han Dynasty muralled tombs from Dezhou:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/1800-year-old-brick-tombs-with.html

120 Xiongnu burials (nomads) from China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region:

http://en.people.cn/n3/2020/1204/c90000-9796014.html

Study suggests Palaeolithic migration to the Ryukyu islands of Japan was deliberate (i.e. not accidental):

https://phys.org/news/2020-12-ancient-migration-choice-chance.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/sr-aps112520.php https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uot-amw113020.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201203113254.htm https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-humans-sea-voyage-japan-ryukyu-island-migration

Hero stones from a site in Sentharapatti:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/hero-stones-found-in-sentharapatti-village-in-salem/article33234312.ece

A Chola period inscription from near Sankarapuram:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/dec/03/chola-period-inscription-on-canals-found-near-sankarapuram-2231141.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9254-201204-india-inscription-canal

Feature on 19th century Osaka:

https://blog.britishmuseum.org/historical-city-travel-guide-osaka-in-the-early-19th-century/

Angkorian-era (or later) pottery kiln from a dig at Angkor Thom:

https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ancient-pottery-kiln-unearthed-angkor https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50787409/apsara-authority-excavates-pottery-north-of-angkor-thom/

Plans to rebury some 19th century individuals in Perth:

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/06/perths-hidden-graveyard-an-archeological-gem-and-the-human-remains-being-put-to-proper-rest
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Latest on the search for the home of Harriet Tubman's father (and her birthplace):

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/harriet-tubman-birthplace-dorchester-county-archeologists-find-clues/34822745

Latest finds from the dig at Colonial Williamsburg's Custis Square:

https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-custis-update-1128-20201202-65fnvqeqvzc6no7rb53aax7sau-story.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9256-201204-virginia-williamsburg-custis

Ancestral Puebloan finds from a site in Nevada:

https://vegasnews.com/206173/native-american-artifacts-recovered-from-nevada-caves.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9246-201201-nevada-anasazi-artifacts

Some 19th century garbage/trash from the site of a new bus maintenance facility in Salt Lake City:

https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/12/03/buried-trash-uta/ https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/100-year-old-relics-unearthed-in-salt-lake-county/
https://www.ksl.com/article/50060783/construction-workers-dig-up-unique-century-old-artifacts-in-downtown-salt-lake-city
https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/historic-artifacts-found-at-uta-construction-site-in-salt-lake-city

Fire destroyed a 128 year old East Village church:

https://gothamist.com/news/five-alarm-fire-destroys-128-year-east-village-church
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55205385 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/12/05/middle-collegiate-church-new-york-city-destroyed-fire/3839102001/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/05/new-york-middle-collegiate-church-liberty-bell-fire

More on Alexander Hamilton as slave-owner (or not):

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/She-turned-a-spotlight-on-Alexander-Hamilton-s-15766091.php

More on that Puebloan turkey feather blanket:

https://news.wsu.edu/2020/11/25/ancient-blanket-made-11500-turkey-feathers/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/800-year-old-blanket-holds-clues-turkey-farming-american-southwest-180976438/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9238-201130-turkey-feather-blanket

More on hallucinogenic plant depictions in California petroglyphs:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55070442 https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/research-shows-how-hallucinogens-shaped.html

Feature on the debate over when people came to the Americas:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/stones-mastodon-bones-debate-america-first-settlers
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
Studying population size and centralization of power in Peru 10 000 - 1000 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2020-11-explore-population-size-density-centralized.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201130155838.htm https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/researchers-explore-population-size.html

Study of earthworks in southwestern Amazonia is causing a rethink of how humans altered the rainforest fome 2000 years bp:

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_829836_en.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uoh-ehl120120.php https://phys.org/news/2020-12-early-human-landscape-modifications-amazonia.html https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/early-human-landscape-modifications.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/02/early-human-landscape-modifications-discovered-in-amazonia/

Studying 'informal commerce' in the colonial Caribbean:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/upf--aap120220.php https://phys.org/news/2020-12-archaeological-commerce-colonial-caribbean.html https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/archaeological-project-analyzes.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/12/03/analysis-of-informal-commerce-in-the-colonial-caribbean/

A structure beneath the Main Plaza at Monte Alban:

https://www.normantranscript.com/news/local_news/ou-archaeologists-pinpoint-buried-building-in-mexico/article_5607e9b3-dddb-5399-8714-6df1d45a4044.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9255-201204-mexico-monte-alban

More on that huge Ice Age petroglyph find in Colombia:

https://www.livescience.com/ice-age-rock-art-amazon.html https://phys.org/news/2020-12-newly-amazon-art-rainforest-earliest.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-55172063 https://www.cnn.com/style/article/amazon-rainforest-ice-age-paintings-scli-intl/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/29/sistine-chapel-of-the-ancients-rock-art-discovered-in-remote-amazon-forest
https://www.timesofisrael.com/sistine-chapel-of-the-ancients-rock-art-found-in-amazon-forest/
https://hyperallergic.com/605541/archaeologists-discover-eight-miles-of-prehistoric-rock-art-the-sistine-chapel-of-the-ancients/
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/ice-age-megafauna-rock-drawings-colombian-amazon-09117.html
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/528005-archeologists-discover-thousands-of-ancient-rock-wall-paintings-in-amazon

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