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explorator 25.03 May 8, 2022
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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, Adrienne Mayor,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
Apologies for lateness this week!
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CUT AND PASTE CORRIGENDA
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In our previous issue, I messed up the url for the DNA history of the Patagonian sheepdog:
https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1010160
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EARLY HOMINIDS
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A study of ancient predators to figure out how ancient humans did (and did not) find food:
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-ancient-predators-humans-didor-didntfind.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/951615
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2022/05/04/study-sheds-light-on-how-humans-did-or-didnt-find-food/
cf:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-09480-7
A study of paleolithic tools and the role of visual perception in their use:
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-paleolithic-tools-visual-perception.html
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AFRICA
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Feature on archaeological work at Tombos (Sudan):
https://theconversation.com/archaeological-site-along-the-nile-opens-a-window-on-the-nubian-civilization-that-flourished-in-ancient-sudan-174575
https://www.sapiens.org/biology/reinterpreting-life-and-death-in-ancient-nubia/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ancient-sudan-archaeology-tombos
Feature on Great Zimbabwe:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/05/great-zimbabwe/143523
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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
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A 6th dynasty burial of an Egyptian royal clerk at Saqqara:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/05/archaeologists-discover-tomb-of-ancient-egyptian-royal-clerk-at-saqqara/143476
Ptolemaic-era burials and structures from Sohag:
https://egyptindependent.com/checkpoint-remains-of-archaeological-temple-from-the-ptolemaic-era-discovered-in-sohag/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/115511/Huge-archaeological-discoveries-in-Gabal-el-Haridi-area-of-Sohag
https://menafn.com/1104159927/85-Ancient-Tombs-Unearthed-In-Egypt&source=30
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/06/tombs-egypt-death-certificates-greek/
https://www.thestatesman.com/world/85-ancient-tombs-unearthed-egypt-1503068188.html
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/272539706/85-ancient-tombs-unearthed-in-upper-egypt
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/05/new-archaeological-discoveries-at-gabal-el-haridi/143508
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2022/05/05/85-ancient-egyptian-tombs-isis-temple-and-tower-house/
More on the 4500 years bp Canaanite statue from the Gaza Strip:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/04/4500-year-old-canaanite-statue-discovered-gaza
More on smells of Egyptian tombs:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-smell-odor-artifacts-texts-egypt-archaeology
Again we're reading of plans to do a muon scan of the Great Pyamid:
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/innovation/scientists-want-use-cosmic-rays-map-great-pyramid-gizas-secrets-rcna24839
Egypt plans on restoring/renovating a Muhammad Al Pasha era weapons factory/warehouse for tourist purposes:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/04/egypt-launches-renovation-rare-weapon-cache-dating-back-muhammad-ali-pasha-era
Feature on the Hawara Pyramid:
https://egyptianstreets.com/2022/05/05/tales-from-the-past-the-hawara-pyramid-and-egypts-lost-labyrinth/
Feature on the Giza Pyramids:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/115569/The-endless-secrets-of-the-Great-Pyramids-of-Giza
Review of Toby Wilkinson, *Tutankhamun's Trumpet*:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tutankhamuns-trumpet-by-toby-wilkinson-review-egypts-secrets-revealed-drcjspfl2
Excavations at the 9000 years bp settlement site in the Ahranjan mound (Iran) are under way:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/472331/Archaeologists-to-find-more-about-what-is-called-oldest-settlement
Feature on Middle Bronze Age 'warrior burials' in the Near East:
https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2022/05/warrior-burials-near-east
Overviewish piece on the ongoing digs at Kardamis (Assyrian/Hittite):
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/digs-shed-light-on-hittite-assyrian-history-of-turkeys-karkamis
Feature on Karahan Tepe:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/does-an-unknown-extraordinarily-ancient-civilisation-lie-buried-under-eastern-turkey-
A Hellenistic-era lamp from Samaria:
https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/05/02/clay-candle-dating-back-to-hellenistic-period-discovered-in-samaria/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-705674
https://www.jwire.com.au/2300-year-old-clay-candle-uncovered-at-samaritan-high-priesthood-compound-in-samaria/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/ancient-samaritan-clay-candle-found-near-stone-bath-at-mount-gerizim-site/2022/05/02/
Study of the sources of Herod the Great's bathtubs:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-11651-5
More on those possible Crusader-era hand grenades from Jerusalem:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-705882
https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/archeo-paleo/archeologie/l-ancetre-du-cocktail-molotov-utilise-pendant-les-croisades-retour-sur-une-decouverte-fascinante_163244
https://aleteia.org/2022/05/03/archaeologists-find-crusader-era-hand-grenade-in-jerusalem/
https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/05/could-this-pottery-shard-be-a-1000-year-old-hand-grenade-signs-point-to-yes/
Another feature on the Ebal Amulet (nothing new, it seems):
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-705816
James VanderKam has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences:
https://al.nd.edu/news/latest-news/notre-dame-scholar-of-dead-sea-scrolls-elected-to-american-academy-of-arts-and-sciences/
Review of Andrew Lawler, *Under Jerusalem*:
https://jewishreviewofbooks.com/jewish-history/12261/the-treasure-of-the-jews/
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:
https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/
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ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
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A pair of 3000 years bp 'boxer' statues from Mont'e Prama (Sardinia):
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2022/05/07/two-more-giants-discovered-at-monte-prama_1df5612a-8f6e-4b4c-8c0b-291a9091ffcd.html
https://www.thelocal.it/20220507/two-more-statues-of-iron-age-boxers-unearthed-in-sardinia
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/08/iron-age-boxer-statues-torsos-discovered-in-sardinian-necropolis
https://english.alarabiya.net/variety/2022/05/07/Archaeologists-unearth-two-more-statues-of-Iron-Age-boxers-in-Sardinia
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/torsos-of-2-iron-age-boxer-statues-unearthed-in-sardinia-italy/news
A 2nd century funerary altar dedicated to a young girl from Rome:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-705848
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/workers-in-rome-dig-up-second-century-childs-luxury-tomb-vv2jlxz0x
https://www.casilinanews.it/200252/cultura/archeologia/roma-trovata-ara-funeraria-valeria-ii-secolo-d-c.html
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/63981
A 2nd-4th century sarcophagus from Izmit, belonging to 'The Protector of the Divine Flank':
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/63995
A hoard of 4th-7th century Roman coins found by metal detectorists in Wiltshire:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/roman-wiltshire-essex-britain-mayfair-b2071563.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/wiltshire-essex-britain-mayfair-roman-empire-b997976.html
https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/20117020.metal-detectorists-find-ancient-roman-coins-wiltshire/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10778183/Three-metal-detectorist-friends-stumbled-hoard-150-Roman-coins.html
https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/05/metal-detectorists-find-40000-worth-of-roman-coins-next-to-tent-16589224/
https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20117185.canvey-man-helps-find-ancient-roman-coins-worth-around-40k/
https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2022/05/04/hoard-of-161-roman-coins-found-beneath-campsite-in-wiltshire/
Plenty of press attention for a bust of Germanicus (maybe) that turned up in a Texas Goodwill:
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-woman-bought-sculpture-goodwill-ancient.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/06/us/roman-bust-goodwill-san-antonio-museum.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ancient-roman-sculpture-bought-goodwill-texas-germany-wwii/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/woman-bought-sculpture-goodwill-3499-was-actually-missing-ancient-roma-rcna27617
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10787021/Texas-antiques-dealer-bought-priceless-2-000-year-old-Roman-bust-local-Goodwill-store-35.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61357483
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/05/07/2000-year-old-roman-bust-sold-3499-us-charity-shop/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bargain-hunter-picks-up-2-000-year-old-roman-bust-for-35-5wh2b6xsz
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roman-general-thrift-store-texas-b2072223.html
https://www.npr.org/2022/05/07/1097376953/she-found-a-2-000-year-old-sculpture-at-goodwill-it-took-years-to-get-rid-of-it
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/goodwill-find-in-texas-turns-out-to-be-ancient-roman-bust/2022/05/06/78eab5d2-cd67-11ec-b7ee-74f09d827ca6_story.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2022/05/05/this-ancient-roman-bust--which-may-have-been-looted-by-an-american-soldier-in-germany--will-return-home-after-selling-for-35-at-a-texas-goodwill/
https://www.tpr.org/arts-culture/2022-05-04/so-the-35-sculpture-you-got-at-an-austin-goodwill-was-looted-from-a-museum-during-wwii-now-what
https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/07/us/ancient-roman-statue-bought-texas-goodwill-trnd/index.html
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article261085032.html
https://www.kut.org/life-arts/2022-05-04/so-the-35-sculpture-you-got-at-an-austin-goodwill-was-looted-from-a-museum-during-wwii-now-what
https://www.sheltonherald.com/news/houston-texas/article/Missing-Roman-bust-Texas-goodwill-sculpture-17148302.php
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/roman-bust-goodwill-san-antonio-museum-of-art-1234627574/
https://www.sanantoniomag.com/the-crazy-story-of-a-first-century-roman-bust-now-on-display-at-the-san-antonio-museum-of-art/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/05/04/roman-bust-germany-goodwill-store-texas-restitution
https://www.newsweek.com/texas-woman-buys-priceless-roman-bust-goodwill-store-1703705
https://boingboing.net/2022/05/05/priceless-ancient-roman-bust-sold-for-34-99-at-a-texas-goodwill.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-roman-sculpture-likely-looted-during-wwii-turns-up-at-texas-goodwill-180980045/
In case you missed the 1800 years bp marble bathtub from Aphrodisias seized from smugglers:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-705869
https://greekreporter.com/2022/04/25/ancient-marble-bathtub-greek-city-aphrodisias/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/63988
Latest study trying to pin down the date of the eruption of Thera:
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-home-thera-volcano-eruption-date.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2022/05/researchers-home-in-on-thera-volcano.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2022/05/03/researchers-home-in-on-thera-volcano-eruption-date/
A study of board gaming materials (maybe) from Mycenae:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360191197_Why_so_Serious_An_Extraordinary_Cone_Shell_Group_from_Mycenae_and_the_Problem_of_Identifying_Mycenaean_Board_Gaming_Material
cf:
https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/advance-article/doi/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac048/6575909
More on the greco-roman pottery workshop from the outskirts of Alexandria:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/04/egyptian-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-amphora-workshop-alexandria
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2022/04/graeco-roman-pottery-workshop-found-in.html
More on the Temple of Zeus found at the site of Pelusium:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/05/ancient-temple-zeus-uncovered-sinai
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-egypt/temple-of-zeus/
More on the Phoenician necropolis found during waterworks in Spain:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2022/04/phoenician-necropolis-discovered-in.html
More on the looting of a 2200 years bp shipwreck off Cannes:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2022/04/outrage-as-2200-year-old-shipwreck.html
More on the hoard of Constantinian-era coins from Switzerland:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/metal-detectorist-pot-of-gold-switzerland-2109857
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/roman-coins-constantine-the-great-uncovered-by-amateur-1234627938/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/amateur-archaeologist-in-switzerland-stumbles-onto-trove-of-coins-dated-to-constantine-the-greats-reign-180980025/
More on evidence of Roman beer production in Bedfordshire:
https://the-past.com/news/evidence-of-roman-beer-production-in-bedfordshire/
More on the restoration of the theatre at Laodicea:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/04/28/ancient-greek-amphitheater-laodicea/
More on the Phoenician 'sacred pool' in Motya:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-harbor-sacred-pool-scanning-stars-180979997/
More on that 'portable Roman toilet' story from a month or more ago:
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/roman-storage-vessels-turn-out-to-be-portable-toilets/
More on phallic graffiti on Hadrian's Wall:
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/hadrians-wall-penises-archaeology-30032019/
Ancient Nemea was given European Heritage Status:
https://news.gtp.gr/2022/05/04/ancient-nemea-gets-european-heritage-label-status/
... while Italy is seeking UNESCO Heritage status for the Appian Way:
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-unesco-world-heritage-status-appian-way.html
Review of Daisy Dunn, *Not Far from Brideshead*:
https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/book-of-the-day/2022/05/gilbert-murray-the-oxford-don-who-made-greek-chic
Another feature on using AI to figure out Greek inscriptions:
https://aeon.co/videos/how-machine-learning-can-help-historians-decode-ancient-inscriptions
Feature on taberna in Pompeii:
https://the-past.com/feature/lets-go-on-a-pub-crawl-round-pompeii/
A series of videos on the last days/hours of Pompeii:
https://www.openculture.com/2022/05/the-last-morning-in-pompeii-the-night-pompeii-died.html
Feature on the Iseum Savariense:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/05/the-iseum-savariense/143503
Feature on the greco-roman Anfushi tombs in Alexandria:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/115498/Anfushi-Tombs-one-of-the-most-important-Greco-Roman-monuments
Feature on Bishop's Stortford's Roman past:
https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/fascinating-finds-reveal-bishops-stortfords-past-as-a-roma-9251991/
Feature on assorted bits of Latin in Gloucestershire:
https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/latin-names-associated-gloucestershire-what-7008184
Feature on the Christian chapel in Rome's Colosseum:
https://aleteia.org/2022/05/04/the-secret-chapel-inside-romes-colosseum/
Feature on folks using Virgil for prophecy purposes:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/virgil-poetry-predicted-future
Feature on Pausanias:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/07/pausanias-cultural-geographer-of-ancient-greece/
Feature on Alexander's plans to conquer Arabia:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/05/01/alexander-the-great-arabia/
Feature on Odysseus' bow:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/03/how-does-odysseus-bow-fare-against-modern-versions-of-the-weapon/
Feature on Alexander and the Opis Mutiny:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/05/03/alexander-the-great-opis-mutiny/
Feature on Medusa:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/04/medusa-fearsome-goddess-greek-mythology/
Feature on love magic in ancient Greece and Rome:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/04/spells-charms-erotic-dolls-love-magic-in-ancient-greece-and-rome/
Feature on Jason and the Argonauts:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/05/03/jason-and-the-argonauts-video/
Another feature on Taylor Swift and Latin (UK):
https://mancunion.com/2022/05/04/taylor-swift-teachers-latin-more-accessible/
Feature on Heinrich Schliemann:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/02/heinrich-schliemann-discoverer-troy/
Feature on what teeth studies reveal about the Battle of the Himera (we had this a while ago):
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/02/millennia-old-teeth-military-history-ancient-greece/
Similarly old news is a feature on the Celts importing Greek olive oil and wine some 2600 years bp:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/04/28/celts-imported-greek-pottery-olive-oil-and-wine-2600-years-ago/
cf:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0218001
Varying coverage of a legal case arising from a Temple of Athena in Turkey being used as a gateway to a nightclub:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/05/05/turks-temple-of-athena-nightclub/
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/nightclub-opening-door-to-side-temple-ends-up-in-court-173528
Feature on the Parthenon sculptures:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/05/03/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-parthenon-sculptures-and-are-not-afraid-to-ask/
... and Stephen Fry was pushing for giving them the scanning treatment:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/03/stephen-fry-return-parthenon-marbles-greece/
Michael Cosmopoulos was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/07/greek-archaeologist-cosmopoulos-elected-american-academy/
Tiziana D'Angelo is now the director of the temples at Paestum:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/08/i-wept-with-joy-young-director-made-guardian-of-italys-temples-of-paestum
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/
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EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
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Three 'pile dwelling' sites (with range of mostly Neolithic dates) from Lake Ohrid:
https://balkaninsight.com/2022/05/05/lost-world-prehistoric-houses-found-in-lake-ohrid-thrill-archeologists/
A Neolithic warrior (including a woman) burial ground from Fleury-sur-Orme:
https://www.livescience.com/neolithic-woman-warrior-burial-france
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-dna-analysis-norman-neolithic-monumental.html
A medieval coin hoard from Poland:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2022/04/dog-digs-up-huge-haul-of-medieval-coins.html
Medieval finds from a dig at Hyde Abbey:
https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/20123056.major-archaeological-discovery-hyde-abbey/
A water project on the Isle of Lewis revealed medieval structures and assorted small finds:
https://www.thenational.scot/news/20118098.important-glimpse-medieval-life-lewis-outer-hebrides-water-project-find/
Remains of a 16th century barbican from Trnava:
https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22887244/archaeologists-uncover-part-of-a-trnava-barbican.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10519-220503-slovakia-defensive-gate
Plenty of graffiti found from various periods in a 'hunt' in Orkney's Magnus Cathedral:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-61284844
More on the study suggesting Bronze Age daggers were functional, not just status symbols:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10774565/Bronze-Age-daggers-NOT-status-symbols-study-claims.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/how-were-bronze-age-daggers-used-to-kill-animals-and-maybe-humans-1.10777764
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2022/04/research-finally-answers-what-bronze.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2022/05/03/research-finally-answers-what-bronze-age-daggers-were-used-for/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10518-220502-bronze-age-daggers
More on the pre-Stonehenge (Mesolithic) landscape:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-61258455
https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/05/this-is-what-the-salisbury-plain-looked-like-before-stonehenge/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2022/05/03/study-reveals-stonehenge-landscape-before-the-world-famous-monument/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10517-220502-stonehenge-mesolithic-environment
More on 6000 years bp 'friendship ornaments' from Finland:
https://www.livescience.com/stoneage-friendship-ornaments
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2022/05/05/friendship-ornaments-from-the-stone-age/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10521-220503-broken-slate-rings
cf:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10816-022-09556-8
More on the diet of Anglo Saxon royalty:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/29/world/europe/anglo-saxon-kings-diet.html
https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/05/europe/meat-vegetables-anglo-saxon-england-kings-scn/index.html
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-did-kings-eat
cf:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/anglo-saxon-england/article/food-and-power-in-early-medieval-england-a-lack-of-isotopic-enrichment/46263E5BB81F455CD873220C0B7601B9
More on the apparent influx of continental European women to Orkney during the Bronze Age:
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-skeletal-bronze-age-orkney-cemetery.html
More on that 1700 years bp sandal from Norway:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ice-age-sandal-norway-2105130
More on that 18th century shipwreck from Estonia:
https://www.connaissancedesarts.com/monuments-patrimoine/archeologie/en-estonie-decouverte-dun-exceptionnel-navire-du-xiiie-siecle-enfoui-sous-terre-11173165/
A hoard of Iron Age coins found in the 1990s has been declared treasure:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-61348636
Concerns for sites in Scotland arising from the 'detecting boom':
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/detecting-boom-puts-ancient-sites-in-peril-mcvzw89jm
Latest news on Anglo-Saxon reconstructions at Butser Farm:
https://the-past.com/news/butser-ancient-farm-launches-latest-reconstruction/
Feature on that bust of a 'Bohemian Druid' which you will probably recognize:
https://english.radio.cz/czech-archaeologys-greatest-discoveries-8748606/2
Feature on a project to reconstruct the Sutton Hoo ship:
https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2022/research/sutton-hoo-carver/
Feature on a project building a replica Iron Age roundhouse at Flag Fen:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-61322631
Feature on the burial of a medieval Kukruse 'lord' (Estonia) ... not sure when it was found:
https://news.err.ee/1608587605/grave-of-kukruse-lord-provides-clues-about-medieval-estonians-lives
Feature on what medieval peasant life was like:
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/05/medieval-history-peasant-life-work/629783/
----------
Archaeology in Europe News:
http://archaeology-in-europe.blogspot.com/
Medievalists.net:
https://www.medievalists.net/category/news/
Viking Archaeology Blog:
http://viking-archaeology-blog.blogspot.com/
============================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
============================================================
I think we mentioned these 'ritually beheaded' crocoduies from Guangdong:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/63966
A high altitude (5000 metres) cave site (1700-2300 years bp) from Tibet:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-05-01/New-archaeological-findings-reveal-prehistoric-civilization-in-Tibet-19Gu1WlPxbq/index.html
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-05-01/China-s-highest-altitude-archaeological-site-excavated-in-Tibet--19G7bPxXb7a/index.html
Remains of 12th century 'fairy carvings' from the Takav Gate at Angkor:
http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2022-05/02/content_78198174.htm
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501067853/puzzling-apsara-carvings-found-on-angkor-thom-gate/
https://www.nationmultimedia.com/international/40015184
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10522-220504-cambodia-angkor-apsara
A 5000 years bp 'jewellery factory' site in a Haryana Indus Valley site:
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/haryana/story/5000-year-old-jewellery-factory-haryana-indus-valley-site-rakhi-garhi-asi-1946740-2022-05-08
A terracotta lamp (uncertain date) from a dig at Vembakottai (Tamil Nadu):
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/ancient-terracotta-lamp-unearthed-at-vembakottai-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/91285656.cms
Chola-era inscriptions from Villupuram:
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/may/04/archeologists-discover-inscriptions-dating-back-to-chola-period-in-villupuram-2449441.html
Plans for an underwater survey of the Korkai port:
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/tamil-nadu-to-conduct-offshore-reconnaissance-survey-of-ancient-port-1106761.html
DNA from a pair of human burials from Harrapan-era Rakhigarhi have been sent for analysis:
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/dna-samples-from-2-human-skeletons-found-in-burial-pits-at-harappan-era-rakhigarhi-sent-for-analysis-392985
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
Plenty of press coverage of high-tech detection of 1000+ bp cave art from northern Alabama:
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-3d-photogrammetry-reveals-ancient-native.html
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-ancient-cave-art-hi-tech-archaeology.html
https://www.livescience.com/3d-scans-uncover-native-american-cave-art
https://theconversation.com/ancient-cave-art-how-new-hi-tech-archaeology-is-revealing-the-ghosts-of-human-history-182168
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/americas-largest-cave-figures-discovered-alabama-rcna26203
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/cave-drawings-spirits-archaeology-1234627524/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/05/largest-us-cave-figures-alabama-carvings?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/05/06/alabama-caves-ancient-drawings-digital-scan-technology/9644676002/
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/alabama-cave-drawings-native-americans-b2071688.html
https://www.science.org/content/article/largest-native-american-cave-art-revealed-3d-scans
https://mymodernmet.com/mud-glyphs-3d-mapping-cave-art/
https://www.thedailybeast.com/3d-tech-is-helping-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-indigenous-art
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/archaeologists-find-large-scale-mud-art-in-alabama-cave-1.10777099
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/3d-scans-reveal-largest-cave-art-in-north-america
https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/largest-known-native-american-cave-art-revealed-by-3d-images/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/05/largest-native-american-cave-art-discovered-using-3d-scanning-technology/143493
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/3-d-scans-reveal-gigantic-native-american-cave-art-in-alabama-180980004/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10525-220505-alabama-cave-art
cf:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/discovering-ancient-cave-art-using-3d-photogrammetry-precontact-native-american-mud-glyphs-from-19th-unnamed-cave-alabama/695DFD2980B69D520A56A320D6549E76
They're back looking at the Clotilda:
https://apnews.com/article/business-alabama-united-states-mobile-trending-news-fba06900c0966fe7d795ef448a7d71f7
... and the Franklin Expedition wreck sites:
https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2022/05/research-resumes-franklin-expedition-wreck-sites
Searching for another Black cemetery in Tampa:
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/special-reports/erased/archaeologists-search-black-cemetery-graves-tampa-st-joseph-aid-walker-stone/67-41ca4842-cd8c-4832-8bde-268566654c93
'Mystery' markings on some bricks found at George Washington's birthplace:
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article261080007.html
More on the 19 cannons found in the Savannah River:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2022/04/revolutionary-find-19-cannons-in-river.html
A study of an Abenaki site in Vermont will be getting underway soon:
https://www.wcax.com/2022/05/02/history-abenaki-site-vermont-be-rewritten-by-native-americans/
I think we mentioned this study questioning claims related to 'Ohio's oldest house':
https://www.dispatch.com/story/opinion/2022/04/27/archaeology-new-research-casts-doubt-ohios-oldest-house/7450904001/
Latest idea about the 'Lost Colony':
https://www.obxtoday.com/new-discovery-by-croatoan-archaeological-society-helps-to-further-dispel-the-myth-of-the-lost-colonists/
Latest feature questioning the primacy of Clovis culture:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/was-clovis-culture-the-first-sign-of-humans-in-the-americas-after-all-1.10773710
A round up of Ancient America's zoom lectures for the month:
https://mikeruggerisancientamericasevents.wordpress.com/
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
A 5000 years bp burial of a woman who engaged in fishing, apparently, from Aspero (Peru):
https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-peru-ancient-remains-of-fisherwoman-found-in-aspero-caral-civilizations-fishing-town-891634.aspx
Carvings possibly depicting ballcourts from Quiechapa:
https://www.livescience.com/ballcourt-carvings-mexico-ritual-bloodletting
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10524-220504-mexico-ritual-ballcourts
Remains of a Late Postclassic Aztec house and later colonial-era structures from a site in Mexico City:
https://www.livescience.com/aztec-house-discovered-mexico
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/05/excavations-discover-aztec-house-and-elements-of-colonial-and-industrial-past/143500
More on the 900 years bp tzompantli skull rack site found in Mexico City:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/05/world/americas/mexico-skulls-cave.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mexico-skulls-not-crime-scene-human-sacrifice-ad-900/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/skulls-thought-to-belong-to-modern-murder-victims-actually-date-to-the-pre-hispanic-period-180980015/
More on drugs and Inca child sacrifices:
https://www.zmescience.com/science/the-incas-drugged-young-children-with-coca-leaves-and-ayahuasca-before-sacrificing-them-to-calm-them-down/
More on the earliest evidence (maybe) of a Maya calendar:
https://bigthink.com/the-past/mayan-calendar-hieroglyphs/
Feature on La Quemada:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/04/la-quemada-the-mysterious-mesoamerican-complex/143441
Latest Aztlander Magazine of the Americas (pdf):
https://aztlander.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/aztlander-v2-n5.pdf
-----
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
============================================================
Not sure where to put this one: the fifth installment of a series on Homer and the Hebrew Bible:
https://mosaicmagazine.com/observation/history-ideas/2022/05/not-everything-is-a-charging-boar/
A study of oyster management among First Nations peoples in Australia and North America:
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-indigenous-peoples-shucked-billions-oysters.html
https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/03/world/ancient-humans-oysters-scn/index.html
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/ancient-oyster-fisheries-10770.html
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/04/precolonial-first-nations-oyster-fisheries-sustained-millennia-of-intense-harvests-study-shows
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2022/05/04/indigenous-oyster-fisheries-were-hugely-productive/
cf:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-29818-z
Feature on the 500 year old Fuggerei social housing project:
https://www.dw.com/en/fuggerei-the-worlds-oldest-social-housing-project/a-58928076
Feature on relics in medieval Spain:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2022-05-03/dinero-milagros-fetichismo-y-robos-las-pasiones-que-desataron-las-reliquias-en-la-espana-de-la-edad-media.html
Feature on women artists in Venice:
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61297129
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006mk25/newsnight
Feature on how Victorian medicine contributed to modern ideas about race:
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-victorian-medicine-modern-concepts.html
Feature on book collectors:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/style/rare-used-book-collectors.html
cf:
https://academic.oup.com/jvc/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jvcult/vcac015/6561765
Feature on life in early cities:
https://aeon.co/essays/life-in-early-cities-on-neighbourhoods-and-energised-crowding
Feature on the history of Basque ball games:
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220505-euskal-pilota-the-basque-countrys-centuries-old-ball-games
Feature on the ten oldest known sculptures:
https://listverse.com/2022/04/30/ten-oldest-known-sculptures-in-the-world/
Feature (possibly a review of a book) on Freemasonry:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2022-05-05/la-masoneria-el-culto-que-se-invento-sus-secretos.html?mid=DM115362&bid=1025429534
On the importance of archaeologists at development sites:
https://www.sanantoniomag.com/why-archeologists-can-be-just-as-important-as-developers/
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
Apology for the 800 years bp laws which expelled Jews from England:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/08/apology-800-years-on-for-laws-that-expelled-jews-from-england
Feature on Ben Franklin's abortion recipe:
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/05/ben-franklin-american-instructor-textbook-abortion-recipe.html
... and commentary on Judge Alito's knowledge of abortion in ancient and medieval times:
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/alitos-roe-v-wade-abortion-draft-ruling-betrays-medieval-ignorance-anc-rcna27473
Feature on 'My Old Kentucky Home':
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/03/books/review/my-old-kentucky-home-emily-bingham.html
More on Russian looting of museums in Ukraine:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/05/03/greece-condemns-russian/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/30/world/europe/ukraine-scythia-gold-museum-russia.htmlhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-30009-z
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/02/ancient-greek-artifacts-looted-ukraine-russia/
... and accusations that Russia destroyed Scythian tombs in Ukraine:
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-706117
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russian-troops-are-destroying-ancient-nomadic-tombs-5g00c96xs
============================================================
ANIMAL AND PLANT DOMESTICATIONS
============================================================
Feature on horse domestication:
https://knowablemagazine.org/article/living-world/2022/tale-domesticated-horse
============================================================
LANGUAGE RELATED
============================================================
More on the spread of Uralic languages:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220427100508.htm
============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Persia:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-the-classical-world-persias-powers-rivaled-greece-and-rome-180980008/
Art and Sensuality in the Houses of Pompeii:
https://www.thelocal.it/20220504/phallus-of-pompeii-italian-art-exhibition-reveals-ancient-sexuality/
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220504-pulses-race-at-new-erotic-pompeii-exhibition
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3176569/sex-and-nudity-abound-erotic-pompeii-exhibition-showing
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pulses-race-at-new-erotic-pompeii-exhibition-173541
Pharaoh of the Two Lands:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2022/05/03/pharaoh-of-the-two-lands-at-the-louvre/
Pompeii in Color:
https://brooklynrail.org/2022/05/artseen/Pompeii-in-Color-The-Life-of-Roman-Painting
Stonehenge:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/may/04/stonehenge-exhibition-explores-parallels-with-japanese-stone-circles
The Smithsonian has announced plans to return looted items:
https://news.yahoo.com/smithsonian-announces-plans-return-looted-163532172.html
https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/museums-reckon-with-their-finders-keepers-problem
The Museum of Natural History's Northwest Coast Hall is reopening:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/05/arts/design/museum-natural-history-indigenous-art.html
============================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
============================================================
The Louvre is bidding to try to keep a Chardin:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/04/arts/design/louvre-kimbell-art-museum-chardin.html
A lost Titian is coming to auction:
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/3242474/norman-watson-titian/
============================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
============================================================
Using DNA to determine how the black rat colonized Europe in the Roman and Medieval periods:
https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2022/research/black-rat-europe/
https://phys.org/news/2022-05-black-rat-colonized-europe-roman.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220503141339.htm
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/951573
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/scientists-are-using-ancient-rat-remains-to-retrace-human-history
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10526-220505-black-rat-dna
cf:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-30009-z
============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
Latest scan of a (bird) mummy found in storage (at Cornell) reveals a probable Ibis:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egypt-ibis-bird-mummy
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/archaeologists-stunned-as-ancient-egyptian-mummy-turns-out-to-be-1-500-year-old-sacrificial-bird-2958600
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10529-220506-egypt-mummy-ibis
... related feature:
https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/01/world/mummified-bird-cornell-museum-exhibit-scn/index.html
Using satellite technology to track Islamic State's destruction of sites:
https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/society/satellite-tracking-isis/
Feature on GPR use in the search for Saarema settlements in Estonia:
https://news.err.ee/1608586132/ground-penetrating-radar-sheds-light-on-ancient-saaremaa-settlements
... and St George (Bermuda):
https://www.royalgazette.com/education/news/article/20220504/radar-digs-deep-into-st-georges-history/
Feature on radiocarbon dating:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/archaeology-today/radiocarbon-dating/?mqsc=E4143831&dk=ZE2250ZF0
============================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
============================================================
Climate change-related concerns for Jamestown:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61315343
https://wydaily.com/news/2022/05/04/we-are-being-inundated-jamestown-endangered-by-climate-change/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/05/04/jamestown-climate-change-floods-endangered/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10528-220506-virginia-jamestown-flooding
... and the Fortress of Louisbourg:
https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/news/archaeologists-race-to-preserve-fortress-of-louisbourg-history-from-climate-change-100725092/
Studying the historical climate of the Estero Derecho Natur Sanctuary (Chile):
https://www.elmostrador.cl/destacado/2022/05/02/investigacion-cientifica-muestra-que-la-alta-cordillera-del-norte-tiende-a-la-aridez-desde-hace-cinco-siglos/
============================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
============================================================
Cornwall tunnels:
https://www.thetravel.com/discover-cornwall-fogous-tunnels/
Limes Germanicus:
https://www.thetravel.com/explore-the-limes-germanicus-of-roman-fortier-forts-in-germany/
Milan:
https://www.thetravel.com/see-roman-ruins-in-milan/
Conimbriga:
https://www.thetravel.com/visit-the-roman-ruins-of-conmbriga-in-portugal/
Samos:
https://greekreporter.com/2022/05/02/exploring-samos-island-greece/
Historical sites in Israel:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-705934
Latvia:
https://www.dw.com/en/exploring-eastern-europe-latvia/g-61582162
Divided Church:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/geteilte-kirche-am-kreuzbichl
============================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
============================================================
Das Rheingold:
https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-europe-music-arts-and-opera-a5af1a566faecfb54344a8e6274ed989
An Odyssey production is in the works:
https://www.thewrap.com/ralph-fiennes-juliette-binoche-the-return-english-patient-reunion/
Age of Rage:
https://www.thewrap.com/ralph-fiennes-juliette-binoche-the-return-english-patient-reunion/
Review of Lynn Garafola, *La Nijinska*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/05/books/review/la-nijinska-lynn-garafola.html
============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
More on the British national facing (apparently) the death penalty in Iraq for smuggling some potsherds:
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/british-tourist-accused-of-smuggling-artifacts-in-iraq-faces-death-penalty-1234627261/
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/british-man-found-ancient-shards-iraq-84493513
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/british-man-found-with-ancient-shards-could-be-tried-in-iraq/2022/05/04/837155a0-cbba-11ec-b7ee-74f09d827ca6_story.html
... and his family accuses Iraq of politicizing the case:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iraq/2022/05/05/family-of-british-man-detained-in-iraq-say-iran-militias-politicising-smuggling-case/
... and the Foreign Office of not helping:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/05/family-of-man-at-risk-of-execution-in-iraq-say-foreign-office-is-not-helping
----------
conflict antiquities:
http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/
anonymous swiss collector:
http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/
Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues:
http://paul-barford.blogspot.ca/
Looting Matters:
http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/
Illicit Cultural Property:
http://illicit-cultural-property.blogspot.com/
SAFE:
http://www.savingantiquities.org/blog/
============================================================
REPATRIATION AND RECOVERY
============================================================
Items associated with Chief Poundmaker were returned to his family:
https://www.wellandtribune.ca/ts/news/canada/2022/05/04/these-items-have-life-chief-poundmakers-leadership-staff-returned-to-family.html
A stolen Nostradamus manuscript was returned to a library in Rome:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/05/stolen-nostradamus-manuscript-is-returned-to-library-in-rome?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
An Argentine museum is returning human remains of the Wichi people:
https://elpais.com/internacional/2022-05-03/el-largo-regreso-de-tres-indigenas-guardados-como-trofeo-en-un-museo-argentino.html
More on Libya seeking return of temple remains from Windsor Castle:
https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/queen-threatened-libyan-lawsuit-stolen-23783768
https://www.thenationalnews.com/weekend/2022/05/06/the-lawyer-on-a-mission-to-return-libyas-stolen-roman-heritage/
============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/v25/club_nbs_esylum_v25n18.html
... and the one which should appear later today (actually is available already since i'm late):
http://www.coinbooks.org/v25/club_nbs_esylum_v25n19.html
------------------------
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Konrad Kinzl:
https://www.cac-scec.ca/2022/05/obituary-professor-emeritus-konrad-kinzl/
Abdulamir Al-Hamdani:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/05/04/abdulamir-al-hamdani-obituary-archaeologist-iraq-culture-minister
Irving Rosenthal:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/03/books/irving-rosenthal-dead.html
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AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
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Audio News from Archaeologica:
https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3173-audio-news-from-archaeologica-april-24th-2022-through-april-30th-2022
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GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS
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Archaeology Magazine News Page:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/
About.com Archaeology:
http://archaeology.about.com/
Archaeology Briefs:
http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/
Atlas Obscura:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/
Heritage Daily:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/
Sapiens Archaeology:
https://www.sapiens.org/category/archaeology/
Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:
http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/
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PODCASTS/VODCASTS
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Archaeosoup:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Archaeos0up?feature=watch
Archaeology Podcast Network:
http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/
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