===========================================================
explorator 26.15 July 30, 2023
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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, Caroline Tully,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).

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EARLY HOMINIDS
============================================================
Excavations at the Yuanmou Man homo erectus site have resumed:

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294918.shtml

A follow-up dig at a cave in Iran where Neanderthal evidence was found:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/487273/Iranian-archaeologists-pursue-excavation-in-Neanderthal-cave

Arguing against the idea that homo floresiensis used fire:

https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/homo-floresiensis-fire/

More on the Hula Valley site where early humans obtained flint some 750 000 years bp:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/ancient-humans-made-expeditions-to-this-750-000-year-old-workshop
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/07/24/unearthing-ancient-intelligence-in-israels-hula-valley/

More on 300 000 years bp evidence of 'woodworking' from Shoningen:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/deadly-stick-recovered-from-germany-dates-to-300-000-years-ago

More on homo naledi purportedly intentionally burying their dead:

https://www.wisconsin.edu/all-in-wisconsin/story/archaeologists-uncover-evidence-of-intentional-burial-cave-engravings-by-early-human-ancestor/
https://www.iflscience.com/homo-naledi-documentary-adds-fuel-to-already-heated-scientific-debate-69964

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AFRICA
============================================================
The tombs of three celebrated 17th/18th century rabbis were found in Morocco:

https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-752508

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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
============================================================
More on xray/chemical imaging of Egyptian tomb paintings:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-hidden-ancient-egyptian-tomb-revealed.html

A survey suggests the Viranshahr site (Iran) was occupied during the Parthian and Sassanian eras:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/487169/Iranian-French-archaeological-survey-suggests-Viranshahr-inhabited

Feature on Enheduana's poetry:

https://aeon.co/essays/ancient-sumerian-poetry-turns-instability-into-cosmic-insight

Feature on 'heartbreak' in ancient Mesopotamia:

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2023/07/heartbreak-distress-mesopotamia

An 8000 years bp 'number stone' from Yesilova Hoyuk near Izmir:

https://arkeonews.net/an-8000-year-old-number-stone-found-in-yesilova-mound/

Excavations in Istanbul's Bathonea site have revealed remnants of two ancient harbours and a lighthouse:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/lost-ancient-harbors-lighthouse-found-in-istanbuls-bathonea-excavations/news
https://arkeonews.net/turkeys-second-ancient-lighthouse-unearthed-in-the-ancient-city-of-bathonea/

Recent finds are sparking new excavations at Turkiye's Zerzevan Castle site:

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/discoveries-under-turkiyes-zerzevan-castle-spark-new-excavations/news

125+ Roman-era burials from Gaza:

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/least-125-tombs-discovered-roman-era-cemetery-gaza-officials-2023-07-24/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-752264
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-at-least-125-tombs-discovered-at-roman-era-cemetery-in-gaza-officials/
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2023/07/24/skeletons-found-at-roman-era-cemetery-in-gaza-as-125-tombs-discovered/
https://gulfnews.com/photos/news/photos-125-tombs-most-with-skeletons-intact-discovered-at-cemetery-in-gaza-1.1690209294875
https://www.palestinechronicle.com/a-pompei-in-gaza-major-archeological-discovery-announced/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/25/gaza-discovery-roman-cemetery-tombs/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-25/125-tombs-discovered-at-roman-era-cemetery-in-gaza/102642722
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/over-125-tombs-with-2-rare-sarcophagi-found-in-gazas-roman-era-cemetery/news
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/07/25/At-least-125-tombs-discovered-in-Gaza-s-2-000-year-old-Roman-cemetery-
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/more-than-125-tombs-uncovered-at-intact-roman-necropolis-ard-al-moharbeen-gaza-1234675524/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/07/26/rare-intact-roman-burial-site-with-more-than-125-tombs-discovered-in-the-gaza-strip
https://hyperallergic.com/835597/over-100-ancient-roman-tombs-unearthed-in-palestine/

The Ramtha Antiquities office has taken responsibility for the Tell Al Rumayth site:

https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/ramtha-antiquities-assumes-authority-over-tell-al-rumayth-archaeological-site-%E2%80%94-official

A study of the fire in Jerusalem in 586 BCE:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-ancient-pottery-shards-reveals-siege.html
https://www.newsweek.com/science-recreates-biblical-fire-reveal-secrets-jerusalems-destruction-1815258

A coin associated with the Jewish Revolt (66/67 CE) from a cave in Israel:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/half-shekel-coin-from-revolt-against-romans-2-millennia-ago-uncovered-in-desert-cave/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-752394
https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/07/25/rare-great-revolt-era-against-romans-found-in-desert-cave/
https://www.jns.org/jns/jerusalem/23/7/27/305961/
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/r1tk7dac3
https://www.newsweek.com/rare-silver-coin-first-jewish-revolt-roman-empire-discovered-1815591
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/07/29/evidence-of-second-temples-destruction-unearthed-in-jerusalem/
https://arkeonews.net/researchers-find-evidence-of-the-destruction-of-the-second-temple-at-the-hands-of-roman-soldiers/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/rare-half-shekel-silver-coin-from-first-jewish-revolt-found-in-the-judean-desert/148126

Evidence of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem from the Jerusalem Walls National Park:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/archaeologists-find-evidence-of-the-roman-destruction-of-jerusalem/148121

More on the analysis of the Crusader-era sword found off the coast of Israel a while ago:

https://www.newsweek.com/ancient-sword-found-israel-crusades-800-years-old-1814806
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/medieval-sword-found-on-seabed-was-likely-lost-during-naval-battle/148077

More on the latest mosaic finds from Huqoq:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/mosaic-roman-synagogue-2335491

More on the 'witches' cave' at Teomim:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/gateway-to-the-underworld/?mqsc=E4153835&dk=ZE3270ZF0

Feature on what happened to Jerusalem's Temple treasures:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/temple-at-jerusalem/the-jerusalem-temple-treasures-where-are-they/

Israel stepped in on construction purportedly being done at the Tel Aroma site (Area B):

https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/07/25/illegal-palestinian-construction-on-biblical-site-prompts-rare-israel-action/
https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/illegal-construction-on-biblical-site-prompts-rare-israeli-action/

A study of the 4000 yeers bp towers that are scattered around Oman:

https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/arabian-archaeology-tourism/

Islamic-era finds from excavations at Makkah's Dhi Al-Majaz market site:

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2342926/saudi-arabia

Feature on AlUla's standing stone circles:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/paid-content-standing-stone-circles-the-most-ancient-builders-of-northwest-arabia

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

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

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ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
============================================================
A Neolithic clay female (?) figurine from a cave in Lazio:

https://arkeonews.net/rare-clay-figurine-found-in-italian-cave-dating-back-7000-years/

Bronze Age structures from western Romania:

https://www.romania-insider.com/archeologists-unearth-bronze-age-homes-western-romania-2023
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11612-230726-romania-bronze-age

A Thracian horseman votive relief from Bulgaria (date?):

https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/497391-thracian-horseman-votive-tablet-discovered-in-heraclea-sintica
https://arkeonews.net/thracian-horseman-votive-tablet-discovered-in-bulgaria/

A Punic-era burial ground from Zawiya (really vague):

https://libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/ancient-cemetery-dating-back-punic-era-discovered-zawiya

An Etruscan ditch full of ceramics from Populonia (Italian):

https://www.stilearte.it/una-misteriosa-fossa-etrusca-piena-di-ceramiche-scoperta-ora-a-populonia-a-cosa-serviva-perche-fu-scavata/

Hotel construction near the Vatican has revealed the site of Nero's private theater:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-ancient-nero-theater-garden-future.html
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/ruins-of-ancient-roman-emperor-neros-theater-unearthed-in-exceptional-discovery-in-rome
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/30/world/europe/rome-nero-theater.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jul/27/emperor-neros-lost-theatre-found-under-site-of-hotel-in-rome
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12347975/Emperor-Neros-lost-theatre-Archaeologists-discover-ancient-venue-garden-Four-Seasons-hotel-built-just-steps-away-Vatican.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/archaeologists-find-theatre-where-nero-fiddled-as-rome-burnt-kxld7w33w
https://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/centuries-old-mystery-solved-as-ruins-of-neros-theatre-discovered-near-vatican/a1937487433.html
https://apnews.com/article/italy-four-seasons-c3723a4f66ddba7a2a5161881398d76e
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/26/italy-four-seasons/201affae-2bbf-11ee-a948-a5b8a9b62d84_story.html
https://abcnews.go.com/International/superb-dig-archeologists-uncover-ruins-believed-roman-emperor/story?id=101668620
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/emperor-nero-theater-rome-scn-scli-intl/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/lost-for-centuries-emperor-neros-theater-is-unearthed-in-rome/
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-unveils-ancient-ruins-of-lost-theatre-of-nero.html
https://www.thelocal.it/20230728/a-great-shock-archeologists-unearth-romes-legendary-theatre-of-nero
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2023/07/26/remains-of-ancient-theatre-of-nero-found-in-rome_cb5c8e78-4428-421d-8551-ab108101e36f.html
https://www.newsweek.com/long-lost-theater-emperor-nero-found-1815769
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ruins-of-ancient-neros-theater-discovered-near-vatican/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-752883
https://www.forbes.com/sites/willskipworth/2023/07/28/neros-ancient-theater-discovered-in-rome/
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/researchers-discover-lost-neros-theater-under-hotel-near-vatican
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-28/neros-theatre-discovered-in-rome-under-four-seasons-garden/102659190
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/07/28/ancient-ruins-of-emperor-neros-theatre-found-in-rome
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67919
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/archaeologists-uncover-remains-of-the-theatrum-neroni-used-by-nero/148103
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11613-230727-rome-nero-theater

A 1st/2nd century Roman shipwreck with plenty of intact amphorae from near Civitavecchia:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/28/ancient-roman-cargo-ship-found-on-bottom-of-mediterranean
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66337902
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/italy-rome-shipwreck-roman-mediterranean-b2383807.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/29/roman-cargo-ship-2000-years-old-discovered-italy/
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/wreck-ancient-roman-cargo-ship-found-off-coast-near-rome-2023-07-28/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-752891
https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/29/ancient-roman-shipwreck-italy/
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/ancient-roman-shipwreck-with-intact-artifacts-discovered-in-italy

A 1st/2nd century mosaic depicting Medusa from Merida:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/07/27/archaeologists-medusa-merida/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67901
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/archaeologists-excavate-roman-townhouse-in-ancient-melite/148116
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11617-230728-spain-roman-mosaic

A 1st BC-2nd CE Roman domus from Melite (Malta):

https://www.usf.edu/news/2023/uncovering-ancient-history-usf-team-discovers-2000-year-old-roman-house-during-excavation-in-malta.aspx
https://phys.org/news/2023-07-team-year-old-roman-house-excavation.html
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article277753728.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/archaeologists-excavate-roman-townhouse-in-ancient-melite/148116

A steelyard beam find from near the Magna fort on Hadrian's Wall:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67910

A 2nd century CE Roman military diploma from Alba Julia (Italian):

https://www.stilearte.it/straordinario-scoperta-a-alba-iulia-la-ricca-domus-di-un-veterano-romano-e-il-diploma-che-concedeva-privilegi-a-lui-alla-moglie-e-ai-6-figli/

An 1800 years bp marble figurine of a nymph from the Roman bath site at La Alcudia in Spain:

https://www.newsweek.com/beatuful-water-nymph-marble-statue-found-ruins-roman-baths-1815264

1800 years bp remains of a very small Roman dog from a Roman villa dig in Oxfordshire:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-66294261
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/roman-lap-dog-points-to-early-pets-in-british-villa-dxvpdwndn
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/23680034.amazing-discovery-near-wittenham-clumps-oxfordshire/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/remains-of-chihuahua-sized-dog-unearthed-at-roman-britain-villa-180982624/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11611-230726-england-small-dog

A study of the ecological effects of Roman construction/expansion in Pergamon:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-07-26/ty-article-magazine/ancient-rome-tried-to-tame-nature-in-pergamon-with-catastrophic-results/00000189-9150-d5eb-abcb-f9d62ce70000

More on recent finds from Pompeii:

https://www.insider.com/pompeii-kitchen-shrines-bakeries-pizza-fresco-archeology-russo-snake-find-2023-7

More on the shipwreck full of Roman glass found off Corsica:

https://www.newsweek.com/perserved-roman-glass-found-2000-year-old-shipwreck-1814837
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67862
https://arkeonews.net/2000-year-old-glass-treasure-in-roman-shipwreck-discovered-by-an-underwater-robot-in-mediterranean/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/archaeologists-recover-ornate-glassware-from-roman-shipwreck/148062
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/glassware-2000-year-old-roman-shipwreck-180982615/

More on the Roman baths site found in Merida:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article277600808.html
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67874
https://arkeonews.net/huge-ancient-roman-public-baths-in-excellent-state-discovered-in-augusta-emerita/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/large-public-baths-found-in-augusta-emerita/148057

More on the Roman mausoleum from Southwark a while back:

https://the-past.com/news/rare-roman-mausoleum-unearthed-in-southwark/

More on the study of those Roman gypsum burials:

https://the-past.com/news/3d-scan-sheds-light-on-unusual-roman-gypsum-burials/

More on the opening of the Largo Argentina site to the public:

https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-07-24/rome-opens-the-site-of-the-most-famous-political-assassination-in-history.html

More on the latest finds from the Antikythera shipwreck site:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-discoveries-antikythera.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11610-230726-greece-antikythera-shipwreck

More on the identification of a 2000 years bp Roman perfume from Spain:

https://scitechdaily.com/unmasking-ancient-aromas-scientists-identify-composition-of-2000-year-old-roman-perfume/

More on the winemaking at the Villa of the Quintilii:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2023/07/21/ancient-roman-winery-villa-quintillii/

cf: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/spectacle-of-production-a-roman-imperial-winery-at-the-villa-of-the-quintilii-rome/C3BFAFED7E6C5F14DBAFEB443EDB6CC2

More on the Hala Sultan Tekke burials in Cyprus:

https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/07/24/royal-tombs-found-in-cyprus-among-most-luxurious-in-mediterranean/

Plans to resume the dig at the Carlisle Cricket Club:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-66326516

Plans/hopes for a dig at Burscough Roman fort:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/most-important-buried-roman-fort-27402278

On efforts to preserve Athens' oldest Byzantine church:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1216323/effort-to-save-athens-oldest-byzantine-church/

Review of Robin Lane Fox, *Homer and His Iliad*:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/homer-and-his-iliad-by-robin-lane-fox-review-the-best-poem-ever-r66lsm368

Review of Tom Holland, *Pax*:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-12345827/Stripped-naked-pelted-filth-stabbed-death-tough-especially-Roman-Emperor.html
https://www.historytoday.com/archive/review/emperors-job

Feature on Calliope Limneos-Papakosta's search for the tomb of Alexander:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/29/alexander-the-great-tomb-greek-archaeologist/

Another feature on the Antikythera Mechanism:

https://www.openculture.com/2023/07/how-the-ancient-greeks-invented-the-first-computer.html

Feature on the find of the Thracian Malomirovo-Zlatinitsa tomb 18 years ago:

https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/495377-the-treasure-of-malomirovo-zlatinitsa-a-rare-victory-for-archaeologists-in-the-

Feature on the Battle of Artemisium:

https://www.thecollector.com/battle-of-artemisium/

Feature on the origins of the Spartans:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/23/sparta-origin/

Feature on polychromy of Greek and Roman statues:

https://bigthink.com/high-culture/greek-statues-painted/

Correcting the 'popular' image of the Spartans:

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/22/sparta-popular-culture-united-states-military-bad-history/

Feature on the 'ugly side' of Homer's Iliad:

https://neoskosmos.com/en/2023/07/22/dialogue/ancient-greece/diatribe-the-ugly-side-of-homers-iliad/

Feature on the Heliodorus Pillar in Madhya Pradesh:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/heliodorus-pillar-a-2000-year-old-legacy-in-madhya-pradesh/articleshow/102143982.cms

Feature on Eleusis:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/29/eleusis-religious-sites-ancient-greece/

Feature on the sanctuary at Dodona:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/29/ancient-greek-dodona/

Feature on the theaters at Messene and Sicyon:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/30/ancient-greek-theaters-of-sicyon-and-messene-are-treasures-of-the-peloponnese/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/
============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
============================================================
Overview of the find of a series of Mesolithic pits in Bedfordshire:

https://theconversation.com/extensive-mesolithic-discovery-in-bedfordshire-shows-the-importance-of-pits-for-understanding-early-britain-209752
https://phys.org/news/2023-07-extensive-mesolithic-discovery-bedfordshire-importance.html

4th/3rd millennium BCE megalithic dolmens from the La Lentejuela Teba necropolis near Malaga:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/megalithic-dolmens-discovered-at-the-la-lentejuela-teba-necropolis/148131

A girl out for a walk in Surrey came across a 6000 years bp flint axe head:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/archaeologists-left-stunned-girl-dog-153903552.html

A Bronze Age meteoric iron arrowhead from Switzerland:

https://www.iflscience.com/bronze-age-arrowhead-made-from-meteorite-found-in-switzerland-70026

A study of a 2000 years bp warrior burial's teeth found on the Isles of Scilly in 1999 have been determined to probably be a woman:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jul/27/isles-of-scilly-remains-iron-age-female-warrior-grave-bryher-sword-mirror
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-66314179
https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/07/28/decades-long-mystery-of-ancient-isle-of-scilly-burial-remains-finally-revealed-as-a-female
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/27/iron-age-grave-england-scilly-isles/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/27/iron-age-grave-england-scilly-isles/
https://arkeonews.net/isles-of-scilly-iron-age-warrior-buried-with-a-mirror-and-sword-was-probably-a-woman/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/old-iron-age-female-warrior-scilly-iburial-rcna96595
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/07/27/riddle-of-the-iron-age-warrior-buried-with-a-mirror-and-sword-is-solved
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11618-230728-iron-age-warrior

cf: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352409X23002742

A Viking Age "Patrice" find by a metal detectorist in Falster (Denmark):

https://arkeonews.net/rare-ancient-stamps-found-in-falster-may-show-way-to-an-unknown-kings-home/

Not sure where to put this 'possible Pagan burial site' find near Lincolnshire:

https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/history/suspected-pagan-burial-site-among-8630291

Improved carbon dating is revealing important insights at the Viking site of Ribe:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/viking-age-ancient-solar-flare-trade-archaeology

Remains of a hidden gate and stone mason marks from excavations at Snodhill Castle in Herefordshire:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-66291360

A medieval seal matrix used to authenticate indulgences found in Lockerley:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/28/rare-stamp-that-offered-fast-track-to-heaven-to-go-on-display-in-uk
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-66328253

Overview of a dig at a medieval monastery site in Posa (Germany):

https://arkeonews.net/an-architectural-gem-from-the-medieval-monastery-of-posa-germany/

A medieval pocket sundial find from Hesse:

https://www.newsweek.com/very-rare-medieval-pocket-sundial-1815182

Medieval and Victorian finds from a dig in downtown Winchester:

https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/23688164.archaeologists-share-victorian-medieval-finds-winchester-site/

Overview of the excavations at Exeter Cathedral:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-66336019
https://www.englishcathedrals.co.uk/latest-news/archaeological-excavations-at-exeter-cathedral/

Metal detectorists in Romania found a hoard of 4800+ 16th century coins:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67854

A possible mass burial near the site of the Battle of Waterloo:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/25/war-veterans-one-of-waterloos-biggest-finds/

Possible remains of a large Georgian glasshouse from Attingham Park near Shrewsbury:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-66311545

More on the 4000 years bp burial ground found at a rocket launch site in Scotland:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/4000-year-old-cemetery-discovered-at-future-rocket-launch-site-in-uk
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/bronze-age-remains-uk-space-launch-pad-saxavord-2340952

More on the Iron Age glass workshop site at Nemcice:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/2300-year-old-glass-workshop-littered-with-celtic-coins-is-oldest-known-north-of-the-alps
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-752678
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/ancient-glass-workshop-discovered-in-czech-republic-may-have-hosted-sacred-rituals-archaeologists-say-1234675676/
https://arkeonews.net/earliest-glass-workshop-north-of-the-alps-unearthed-in-nemcice/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11607-230724-europe-glass-amber

Plans to challenge the Stonehenge tunnel decision again:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-66324417

In case you're in the market for Tregonning Hill, which has plenty of archaeological interest and is for sale:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-66292887

Heritage status for Bradgate Park:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-66318834

A campaign to save and restore an 18th century manor house in Shropshire:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-66309989

A Shropshire man donated a Neolithic arrowhead to the Shrewsbury Museum:

https://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/23681005.shropshire-man-gives-neolithic-arrowhead-shrewsbury-museum/

----------
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
============================================================
A project to reconstruct composite tile roofs dating back to the Longshan culture:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-reconstruct-earliest-composite-tiled-roofs.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/07/25/the-worlds-earliest-composite-tiled-roofs/

8000-10 000 years bp prehistoric small finds from caves in Bac Kan (Viet Nam):

https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1551750/nearly-200-prehistoric-relics-found-in-bac-kan.html

More on evidence of 2000 years bp curry use from Viet Nam:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/22/2000-year-old-curry-scientists-discover-evidence-of-ancient-recipe-in-south-east-asia
https://phys.org/news/2023-07-evidence-year-old-curry-oldest-southeast.html
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3229230/remnants-curry-dating-back-1800-years-found-stone-tools-southeast-asia-oldest-outside-india
https://www.sci.news/archaeology/ancient-curry-vietnam-12118.html
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/25/asia/curry-vietnam-earliest-outside-india-scn/index.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/curry-evidence-unearth-outside-india-b2381264.html
https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/07/26/archaeologists-discover-oldest-evidence-of-curry-outside-of-india
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-752391
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-uncover-oldest-evidence-of-curry-outside-of-india-180982589/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11608-230724-vietnam-curry-powder

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02340-y

17th century hero stones and sati stone sculptures from near Rajapalayam:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/jul/24/17th-century-hero-stones-sati-stone-sculptures-found-near-rajapalayam-2597843.html

More on the 12th century stone quarries in Nagarkurnool:

https://m.timesofindia.com/city/hyderabad/800-year-old-quarries-found-in-nagarkurnool/articleshow/102066059.cms
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/twelfth-century-quarries-unearthed-at-mannanur/article67112768.ece

More on the 2300 years bp elephant statue from Puri:

https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/73963/did-you-know

Complaints about the slow pace of documentation of antiquities:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/documentation-of-antiquities-moving-too-slowly-panel/article67116325.ece

... and recommendations to set up a 'cultural heritage squad' to recover stolen Indian antiquities:

https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/parliamentary-panel-recommends-setting-up-dedicated-cultural-heritage-squad-to-recover-stolen-antiquities-1240472.html
https://www.ptinews.com/news/national/parl-panel-recommends-setting-up-dedicated-cultural-heritage-squad-to-recover-stolen-antiquities/615891.html

============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
============================================================
A possible 19th century prison from Lawley Park:

https://www.notredame.edu.au/news-items/possible-remains-of-187-year-old-gaol-uncovered-in-albany
https://phys.org/news/2023-07-year-old-uncovered-albany.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11615-230727-lawley-park-jail

Feature on the popularity of playing Quoits in mid-19th century Geelong:

https://geelongindy.com.au/news/27-07-2023/quoits-was-popular-in-the-1860s/
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
Overview of a dig at a First Nations site near Saanich:

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/saanich-archaeological-dig-reveals-centuries-of-indigenous-history-1.6496470

Pondering the Native American remains that are still held by various North Carolina archaeology centers:

https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2023-07-25/unc-chapel-hill-archeology-labs-hold-remains-hundreds-native-americans

============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
A 5th-7th century CE Teotihuacan village site in Mexico City:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/archaeologists-uncover-teotihuacano-village-in-mexico-city/148111

Six possibly pre-Columbian burials found beneath a school 180 miles from Mexico City:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article277595048.html

Pre-Columbian (?) burials feature heart-shaped modified skulls from Mexico's La Ferreria Archaeological Zone:

https://www.newsweek.com/ancient-human-remains-heart-shaped-skulls-discovered-1815575

A pre-Columbian burial ground found at a hospital construction site in Pereira (Columbia):

https://www.newsweek.com/ancient-cemetery-uncovered-axes-chisels-1816039

More on the 'thunder floor' at a Peruvian temple at Viejo Sangayaico:

https://arkeonews.net/in-peru-archaeologists-discovered-an-ancient-dance-floor-that-can-imitate-rumbling-of-thunder/

More on the sites being revealed by LiDAR in Guatemala:

https://www.iflscience.com/thousands-of-ancient-maya-structures-revealed-by-jungle-penetrating-lasers-70021

More on Ocomtun:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/20/world/americas/maya-city-yucatan-archaeology-ocomtun.html

A study of 'resilience' in ancient Mesoamerican cities:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-clues-urban-resiliency-ancient-cities.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/07/26/mesoamerica-a-model-for-modern-metropolises/

cf: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2211558120

Concerns arising from the number of sites being revealed in Peru:

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/29/1190062559/peru-archaeology-lima-inca-cultural-heritage

Feature on the Llullaillaco mummified children from Argentina:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/24/sacrificed-inca-children-reveal-more-macabre-secrets/

Latest Aztlander Magazine of the Americas:

https://aztandler.tumblr.com/
https://aztlander.wordpress.com/
-----
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
============================================================
Feature on veterans digging with Operation Nightingale:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1388/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1388/pub/1388/page/39/article/NaN

Pondering that Oppenheimer quotation:

https://www.wired.com/story/manhattan-project-robert-oppenheimer/

Scholar's have rejected an AI attributed Raphael:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/07/26/clearly-a-copy-from-the-19th-centuryold-masters-scholars-reject-ai-attributed-raphael
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/exhibition-of-ai-attributed-raphael-2341923

Feature on Gilbert White:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/27/augustin-mouchot-french-pioneer-solar-power-engine

cf: https://selbornelandscapepartnership.org.uk/wildlifereport

Feature on Augustin Mouchot:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/27/augustin-mouchot-french-pioneer-solar-power-engine

Pondering DH Lawrence, *Studies in Classic American Literature*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/29/books/review/dh-lawrence-american-classics-literature-soul.html

Feature on John Godward's 'Sweet Idleness':

https://www.mutualart.com/Article/Sweet-Idleness--The-Paintings-of-John-Wi/CE52AFA14234A85D

More on Beethoven skull fragments returning to Vienna:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/beethoven-skull-fragments-vienna-180982613/

More on the 24-year restoration of the Tudor tapestries at Hardwick Hall:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67879
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-stunning-tudor-tapestries-restored-to-their-former-glory-180982584/?
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/07/26/national-trust-completes-longest-running-conservation-project/

More on women hunters, not just gatherers:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/women-hunters-were-extremely-common-in-ancient-and-modern-day-foraging

Review of Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, *Theodoric the Great*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/books/review/theoderic-the-great-hans-ulrich-wiemer.html
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
On damage to heritage sites in Odesa:

https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-odesa-grain-port-cathedral-055bd34b40ba271e89084fda83c34fb0
https://apnews.com/article/odesa-missile-grain-deal-ukraine-russia-adc78b45e74e0236125b1ec706e5d7da
https://www.dw.com/en/odesa-damaged-cultural-sites-of-universal-importance/a-66332353

Feature on sites being revealed after the dam breach in Ukraine:

https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-receding-dnieper-archaeology-cossack-atlantis/32521289.html

Fires in Italy came very close to the temple at Segesta (Italian):

https://meridionews.it/incendio-parco-archeologico-segesta/
https://www.ilgiornaledellarte.com/articoli/le-fiamme-circondano-senza-danneggiare-il-tempio-di-segesta/142997.html
============================================================
ANIMAL AND PLANT DOMESTICATIONS
============================================================
On the history of the pineapple:

https://www.cnn.com/style/pineapples-luxury-symbol-britain/index.html

============================================================
LANGUAGE RELATED
============================================================
A study of the origins of Indo-European languages:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-insights-indo-european-languages.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230727143913.htm
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/07/28/new-insights-into-the-origin-of-the-indo-european-languages/

cf: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2385057-origin-of-indo-european-languages-traced-back-to-8000-years-ago/
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abg0818

============================================================
PHILOSOPHERS AND MATTERS PHILOSOPHICAL
============================================================
Feature on Plato:

https://www.thecollector.com/who-was-plato/

Feature on Plato and the US constitution:

https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/plato-the-constitutionalist-and-the-supreme-court

Feature on Epictetus:

https://philosophynow.org/issues/157/The_Three_Disciplines_of_Epictetus

Feature on modern Stoicism:

https://philosophynow.org/issues/157/Stoicism_in_History_and_Modern_Life

============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Treasure of Notre Dame:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2023/07/27/le-tresor-de-notre-dame-de-paris-sera-expose-au-louvre-a-lautomne/

Munch:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/27/arts/design/edvard-munch-clark-art-institute.html

Buddhist Art from India:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/arts/design/buddhist-art-india-metropolitan-met.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/arts/design/buddhist-art-india-met.html

Women's Hairstyles:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/28/arts/design/hair-paris.html

Ancient Lives: Insights from the Classics and Archaeology Collection:

https://art-museum.unimelb.edu.au/exhibitions/ancient-lives/

Sade: Freedom or Evil:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/jul/25/marquis-de-sade-freedom-or-evil-barcelona-sexual-depravity

cf: https://www.cccb.org/en/exhibitions/file/sade/240940

Raphael:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-66291225

Hartwig Fischer is stepping down as director of the British Museum:

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66338417
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jul/28/british-museum-director-hartwig-fischer-step-down-after-eight-years
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1387/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1387/pub/1387/page/49/article/NaN
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/british-museum-director-hartwig-fischer-step-down-next-year-2342951
https://www.apollo-magazine.com/hartwig-fischer-british-museum-director-stepping-down/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/07/28/british-museum-director-hartwig-fischer-to-step-down-in-2024

The Sanxingdui Museum has opened:

http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0727/c90000-20050108.html
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202307/28/WS64c30cb5a31035260b818f58.html

More on Antalya's ancient necropolis becoming a museum:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/antalyas-rich-heritage-unearthed-necropolis-area-opens-as-museum/news
https://arkeonews.net/the-ancient-necropolis-area-in-turkeys-antalya-becomes-a-museum/

============================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
============================================================
Another EID MAR denarius is coming to auction:

https://coinweek.com/eid-mar-denarius-of-brutus-offered-by-stacks-bowers/

============================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
============================================================
Seven generations of a Neolithic family's DNA in France mapped:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-family-trees-european-neolithic-social.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230726113054.htm
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/07/27/family-trees-from-the-european-neolithic/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11616-230727-france-neolithic-family

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02402-1
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-023-01668-9
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02117-3

A DNA study suggests a diverse population at Machu Picchu at its height:

https://news.tulane.edu/pr/ancient-dna-reveals-diverse-community-lost-city-incas
https://phys.org/news/2023-07-ancient-dna-reveals-diverse-community.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230726171255.htm
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/ancient-dna-reveals-diverse-community-in-inca-empire/148096
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/07/27/ancient-dna-reveals-diverse-community-in-lost-city-of-the-incas/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11614-230727-peru-inca-genomes

Not sure how recent this study of Minoan and Mycenean DNA is:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/21/minoan-mycenaean-dna/

============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
More on the facial reconstruction of the Vasa shipwreck woman:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/woman-who-died-in-deadly-vasa-warships-wreck-400-years-ago-reconstructed-in-lifelike-detail
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11609-230725-vasa-shipwreck-passenger

============================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
============================================================
Paphos:

https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/07/27/paphos-a-step-back-in-time/

Stack Rock Fort:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-66256941

Boston's hidden history:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230725-the-best-of-bostons-hidden-history-with-author-and-guide-dina-vargo

============================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
============================================================
Review of Harvey Sachs, *Shoenberg: Why he Matters*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/28/books/review/schoenberg-why-he-matters-harvey-sachs.html

============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
Arrests following illegal excavations in Caserta (Italian):

https://www.ilmattino.it/caserta/traffico_di_reperti_verso_la_svizzera_22_indagati-7545184.html
https://casertasera.it/2023/07/27/caserta-sequestrati-vari-reperti-archeologici/
https://it.euronews.com/2023/07/27/beni-archeologici-trafugati-sequestri-in-tre-regioni
https://tuttoggi.info/scavi-clandestini-a-caserta-ingente-sequestro-di-reperti-archeologici/769497/

Another feature rethinking the financial value of the illegal antiquities trade:

https://hyperallergic.com/835894/challenging-a-50-year-old-factoid-about-the-illegal-antiquities-trade/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/07/28/antiquities-trafficking-third-largest-illicit-trade-report-debunks

----------
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
============================================================
A stolen letter written by Hernan Cortes was returned to Mexico:

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-returns-16th-century-letter-from-spanish-conquistador-to-mexican-government

... and a stolen Christopher Columbus letter was returned to Italy:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/christopher-columbus-letter-stolen-italy-180982586/

Another study reveals more unprovenanced Indian items at the Met:

https://www.thenewsnow.co.in/newsdet.aspx?q=153351

Trump said he would return some lamps at his Florida residence to Israel:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/us/politics/trump-israel-antiquities.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-752394

... and apparently he did (?):

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/flashes/612169
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-07-26/ty-article/.premium/trump-returns-israel-archaeological-treasures-held-in-his-florida-estate/00000189-92a6-d430-a59b-b7af4c160000

OpEd on why stolen African art should not be returned:

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/25/benin-bronzes-african-art-stolen-looted-germany-europe-repatriation-colonization-slavery/

============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Feature on bees on coins:

https://theconversation.com/bees-have-appeared-on-coins-for-millennia-hinting-at-an-age-old-link-between-sweetness-and-value-208912

cf: (pdf):

https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/assets.mmxgroup.com.au/ACR/Bee+Article.pdf

Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n30.html

... and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n31.html
------------------------

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Raffaella Cribiore:

https://classicalstudies.org/scs-news/memoriam-raffaella-cribiore-1948-2023

Gerard A Besson:

https://newsday.co.tt/2023/07/25/historian-gerard-a-besson-has-died/

Gail Smith-Keizer:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/gail-smith-keizer-obituary?id=52543361

Jean Fagan Yellin:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/28/books/jean-fagan-yellin-dead.html

============================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
============================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:

https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3301-audio-news-from-archaeologica-july-16th-through-the-22nd-2023
============================================================
GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS
============================================================
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/
============================================================
PODCASTS/VODCASTS
============================================================
Archaeosoup:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Archaeos0up?feature=watch

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/
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