===============================================================
explorator 24.04 May 16, 2021
===============================================================
You can read explorator online at:

https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/

Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
A 350 000 years bp Acheulean site from Saudi Arabia:

https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/606576/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-Arabia-discovers-new-archaeological-site-dating-back-to-350000-years
https://www.thenationalnews.com/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-discovers-a-350-000-year-old-archaeological-site-in-hail-1.1221864

Neanderthals adapted to eating starches at least 100 000 years bp (earlier than previously thought):

https://phys.org/visualstories/2021-05-reconstruct-oral-microbiomes-neanderthals-primates.amp
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/hu-tod051021.php
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/mpif-tse050521.php
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-neanderthals-ate-carbs-too-fossil-plaque-study-finds-1.9807046
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/neanderthals-carb-loaded-helping-grow-their-big-brains
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/researchers-reconstruct-oral.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/11/the-surprising-evolutionary-history-of-our-oral-bacteria/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9693-210514-oral-microbiome-starches

Linking climate change to the demise of various early human species:

https://now.northropgrumman.com/climate-change-may-have-pushed-ancient-humans-into-extinction/

Study suggests 'iconic sounds' may have led to early human language development:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210512083414.htm
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/ancestors-may-have-created-iconic.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/14/ancestors-may-have-created-iconic-sounds-as-bridge-to-first-languages/

Something about a trio of Neanderthals apparently having relatives alive today in Bulgaria:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/earliest-modern-humans-in-europe-had-neanderthals-in-the-family-1.9690167

What we're learning about Neanderthals from DNA gleaned from cave sediments:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/16/tiny-traces-of-dna-found-in-cave-dust-may-unlock-secret-life-of-neanderthals

Feature on human fire use and modification of the landscape:

https://www.sciencealert.com/we-can-still-see-the-effects-of-early-humans-changing-the-landscape-with-fire-even-85-000-years-later

More on Neanderthal remains from a cave near Rome:

https://www.npr.org/2021/05/09/995214254/an-extraordinary-discovery-archeologists-find-neanderthal-remains-in-cave-near-r
https://www.wral.com/gnawed-bones-of-9-neanderthals-found-in-italian-cave-in-extraordinary-discovery/19672128/
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/11/world/neanderthal-remains-italy-scn/index.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/caves-in-rome-contain-remains-of-neanderthals-less-than-70000-years-old-667606
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61340
https://news.yahoo.com/archaeologists-uncover-extraordinary-neanderthal-remains-055730180.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/remains-of-nine-neanderthals-discovered.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/italian-cave-holds-clues-neanderthal-life-180977687/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9684-210511-italy-neanderthal-hyenas

More on that 80 000 years bp child burial in Kenya:

https://www.france24.com/en/video/20210513-archaeologists-in-kenya-discover-oldest-known-human-burial-site-in-africa
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/09/the-buried-truths-that-say-so-much-about-our-ancestors
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/childs-burial-site-tells-early-mans-emotional-life-kenyan-archaeologist-2021-05-12/

More on human origins stories not matching up to the fossil record:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/10/most-human-origins-stories-are-not-compatible-with-known-fossils/
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Feature on the search for the source of the Nile:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-source-of-the-nile-river-a-mystery-that-spanned-three-millennia

More on evidence of ancient honey collecting in West Africa:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/honey-in-africa-1968772
https://scitechdaily.com/archaeologists-discover-oldest-direct-evidence-for-honey-collecting-in-africa-in-ancient-clay-pots/
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
A new cluster of 250 Old Kingdom and Ptolemaic rock-cut tombs from Sohag:

https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/9/410963/Heritage/Collection-of-rockcut-tombs-uncovered-in-AlHamidiy.aspx
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/103832/Discovery-of-several-tombs-in-Al-Hamdiya-necropolis-east-of
https://dailynewsegypt.com/2021/05/13/egypt-discovers-several-ancient-tombs-in-sohags-al-hamdiya-necropolis/
https://egyptindependent.com/photos-archaeological-team-uncovers-over-250-rock-tombs-at-al-hamdiya-necropolis-east-of-sohag/
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1857826/art-culture
https://africa.cgtn.com/2021/05/11/egypt-discovers-250-ancient-tombs-in-new-archaeological-find/
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2021-05/11/c_139939335.htm
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9686-210512-upper-egypt-tombs

More on that pregnant mummy identification:

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/05/polish-scientists-discover-pregnant-egyptian-mummy
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-mysterious-case-of-the-body-swapping-pregnant-mummy

Feature on who built the pyramids:

https://www.livescience.com/who-built-egypt-pyramids.html

Feature on Amarna:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/12/amarna-a-guide-to-the-ancient-city-of-akhetaten/

Feature on how Napoleon's invasion 'revealed Egypt':

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/how-napoleons-invasion-revealed-egypt.html

Archaeologists in Iran are excavating the Seljuk-era bazaar of Ardebil:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/460813/Archaeologists-excavate-bazaar-of-Ardebil

.... while work has resumed at the Sassanid site of Vigol:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/460839/Archaeologists-resume-work-on-Sassanid-site-of-Vigol

3000-3500 BCE kurgan-style burials from downtown Istanbul:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/prehistoric-tombs-found-during-excavations-in-istanbuls-busiest-square-164611
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9688-210513-turkey-istanbul-burials

Feature on Mesopotamian demons:

http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/meet-the-mesopotamian-demons/

Feature on the polychromy of Mesopotamian sculptures:

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/05/mesopotamian-sculpture

Renewed/ongoing concerns for Iraq's heritage:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/iraqs-heritage-battered-by-desert-sun.html

Photoessay of sites in southern Iraq:

https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/archaeological-sites-of-southern-iraq-in-pictures-1.1221526

There are plenty of sites in Jordan's Ghor Safi region, but it is dealing with a lot of looting:

http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/ghor-safi-region-abundant-archeological-sites-badly-looted-treasure-hunters-%E2%80%94-researcher

Rioters attacked the Old City of Acre and the Lod Mosaic museum this week:

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-arab-rioters-attack-two-major-symbols-of-israel-s-ancient-heritage-1.9806311

Interview with Itzick Shai on the Tel Burna excavations:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/publication-push-at-tel-burna/

That recently-found mosaic from Tel Yavne is going on display:

https://thejewishvoice.com/2021/05/1600-year-old-mosaic-to-go-on-display-in-yavne/

Pondering the performance of Psalms in the First Temple era:

https://aleteia.org/2021/05/14/how-were-the-psalms-performed-in-the-first-temple-era/

Feature on the books that didn't make it into the New Testament:

https://www.baslibrary.org/collections/gospels-didnt-make-cut

Feature on the Al-Aqsa Mosque:

https://www.opindia.com/2021/05/the-history-of-al-aqsa-mosque-and-the-second-jewish-temple/

More on the 'graffiti crosses' in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre:

https://www.livescience.com/crosses-church-of-the-holy-sepulchre.html

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

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
Plenty of interest in the 'identification' of one of the victims at Herculaneum as an 'elite Roman soldier' (with plenty of speculation attached):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57055163
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/10/heroic-fate-herculaneum-skeleton-revealed/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9566821/Skeleton-Herculaneum-Roman-officer-trying-help-Mt-Vesuvius-eruption.html
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2021/05/09/herculaneum-dig-sees-plinys-officer-who-died-trying-to-help_3b7cdcb3-bdca-4188-9266-54c211585539.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/clue-that-ancient-romans-were-close-to-being-saved-from-vesuvius-tdfxkxjf0
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/2-000-year-old-skeleton-identified-senior-roman-soldier-vesuvius-n1267056
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61364
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/mount-vesuvius-victims-died-just-moments-away-from-rescue/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/vesuvius-victim-identified-elite-soldier-attempting-rescue-mission-180977734/

... and Mary Beard's spin:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/putting-a-name-on-a-roman-skeleton-blog-post-mary-beard/

Remains of a 2nd century CE Roman aqueduct from Armenia:

https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/292815/2nd_century_Roman_aqueduct_discovered_in_Armenia

In case you missed the find of a 1900 years bp bronze 'half face' lamp in the City of David:

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/second-temple-period-bronze-oil-lamp-09640.html

... and now a matching 'other half' (not from the same lamp, obviously) from Hungary is getting attention too:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/does-hungary-have-the-missing-piece-of-2000-year-old-luck-lamp-667686
https://www.timesofisrael.com/matching-half-of-2000-year-old-lamp-found-in-jerusalem-said-located-in-budapest/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/05/10/hungarian-archaeologist-might-have-missing-piece-of-rare-lamp-found-in-jerusalem/

Seven burials, including a 1600 years bp military burial featuring a bent sword in an early Christian basilica in Thessaloniki:

https://www.livescience.com/roman-soldier-buried-with-folded-sword.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9578541/Folded-iron-sword-discovered-Roman-soldiers-grave.html
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61375
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9690-210513-greece-christianity-army

A Roman burial (date?) from an excavation at Lucy Cavendish College:

https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/21417
https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2021-05-12/archaeological-dig-in-cambridge-unearths-roman-human-remains
https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2021/05/13/human-remains-found-during-archaeological-excavation-at-lucy-cavendish-college-cambridge-150642

A 4th century CE Roman coin and a knife (date?) from the lake at Bolsena (Italian):

http://www.newtuscia.it/2021/05/13/reperti-archeologici-ritrovati-nel-lago-bolsena/
https://www.civonline.it/2021/05/13/straordinaria-scoperta-archeologica-sul-lago-di-bolsena-ritrovati-un-coltello-e-una-moneta-del-iv-secolo-dopo-cristo/
http://www.tusciaweb.eu/2021/05/dal-lago-riemergono-unantica-moneta-un-coltello/
https://corrierediviterbo.corr.it/news/viterbo/27221680/lago-bolsena-moneta-romana-coltello-epoca-protostorica-ritrovamento-sommozzatori.html

A nice section of a Roman road dating to Trajan's era from Tebisacce (Italian):

https://www.corrieredellacalabria.it/2021/05/13/a-trebisacce-venuti-alla-luce-cinque-metri-di-strada-di-epoca-traianea-lipotesi-di-masneri/
https://www.quotidianodelsud.it/calabria/cosenza/cronache/la-storia/2021/05/14/resti-archeologici-svelati-da-uno-scavo-in-provincia-di-cosenza/

A home extension on a Roman site in Warrington was approved:

https://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/2021/05/12/home-extension-approved-on-ancient-roman-site/

I think we mentioned this 3rd-5th century necropolis of 'jar burials' from Corsica:

https://www.livescience.com/tombs-skeletons-in-pots-corsica.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/40-tombs-with-humans-buried-in-pots-discovered-in-corsica

A (possibly) Roman burial of a family (two adults and a child) found during sewer construction in Como (Italian):

https://www.corrieredicomo.it/nellantica-tomba-ladulto-abbraccia-il-bambino/

Overviewish thing on digs going on in Catania (Italian):

https://catania.liveuniversity.it/2021/05/10/sicilia-primavera-archeologia-scavi-catania/

Plans for more digs at that unique Roman structure site in Scarborough:

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/archaeologists-dig-further-unlock-mysteries-20580320

Not sure where to put this one on the find of a silver seal in Norfolk which incorporates a much earlier Roman gemstone:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-57024803

Study suggests marble slab production during the Roman empire produced less waste than its modern counterparts:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-wastage-production-marble-slabs-roman.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/jgum-lwd051421.php
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X21002042?via%3Dihub
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/less-wastage-during-production-of.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/05/analysis-of-wall-decoration-dating-to-the-second-century-a-d-provides-new-insights-into-marble-extraction-and-processing/139172

An isotope analysis study suggests the Greeks had non-Greek mercenaries at the Battle(s) of the Himera:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-fought-ancient-greek-himera-chemical.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/p-wfi050521.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210512142852.htm
https://www.livescience.com/herodotus-lied-about-greek-battle.html
https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/13/millennia-old-teeth-challenge-military-history-ancient-greece/
https://www.inverse.com/science/ancient-greek-warriors-identities
https://theconversation.com/teeth-of-fallen-soldiers-hold-evidence-that-foreigners-fought-alongside-ancient-greeks-challenging-millennia-of-military-history-160512
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/who-fought-in-ancient-greek-battles-of.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2277380-isotope-study-hints-ancient-greeks-used-foreign-fighters-in-key-battle/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9691-210514-greece-himera-soldiers

Interesting study of water management features of the aqueduct of Constantinople:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-aqueduct-constantinople-longest-channel-ancient.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210511081147.htm
https://www.sciencealert.com/research-shows-how-the-ancient-world-s-longest-water-channel-was-smartly-managed
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-aqueduct-of-constantinople-managing.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/13/managing-the-aqueduct-of-constantinople/

Roundup sort of thing on the excavations at Hippos with a focus on the Roman theatre:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-excavating-hippos-and-the-last-roman-theater-in-the-world-1.9799525

More on that head of Augustus found in Molise:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/marble-head-of-emperor-augustus.html

Concerns for antiquities found during Thessaloniki metro construction:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1161117/open-letter-to-the-pm-thessaloniki-metro-antiquities-in-peril/

Reconstruction in the wake of an earthquake in Albania is apparently destroying sites:

https://balkaninsight.com/2021/05/13/in-rebuilding-after-an-earthquake-albania-is-destroying-archaeological-treasures/

Mary Beard is leaving a nice gift to future Cambridge students on her retirement:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/may/14/mary-beard-to-fund-classics-students-from-under-represented-groups
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-57102489
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-classicist-mary-beard-retire-20588723
https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/professor-mary-beard-s-retirement-present-will-fund-cambri-9199167/
https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/21446
https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2021/05/13/mary-beard-to-fund-two-cambridge-classics-undergraduates-from-underrepresented-backgrounds-150645

Review of Robert Kanigel's biography of Milman Parry:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/hearing-homers-song-undying-melody-11620999349

Feature on Mary Ross Ellingson:

https://www.archaeological.org/archaeologists-you-should-know-ellingson/

Feature (repeat?) on Christos Tsirogiannis:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/15/the-greek-archaeologist-going-after-auction-houses-for-looted-antiquities/

More responses to Howard University's plans to close the Classics department:

https://www.npr.org/2021/05/10/995340963/uproar-follows-howard-universitys-decision-to-close-classics-department
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/10/995389117/howard-universitys-decision-to-cut-classics-department-prompts-an-outcry
https://www.thedailybeast.com/howard-university-is-going-to-lose-its-classics-department-congress-could-save-it-for-peanuts
https://www.bet.com/news/national/2021/05/13/howard-university-classics-department-closing-opinion-sarena-straughter.html

Reaction to plans for a floor for the Colosseum:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/colosseum-floor
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-industry-news-may-11-2021-1967207

Plans for an underwater archaeological part at Amathus (Cyprus):

https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/05/15/tourism-to-go-under-water-with-visits-to-submerged-ancient-port/

Not sure why this genetic similarities between ancient and modern Greeks is making the rounds again:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/05/10/researchers-genetic-similarities-greeks/

... or this mask of Dionysus from Turkey:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/13/2400-year-old-mask-of-ancient-greek-god-dionysus-found-in-western-turkey/

... or this study of the links between Linear A and Linear B:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/13/minoan-language-linear-a-linked-to-linear-b-in-groundbreaking-new-research/

Feature on the earthquake of AD 365 that affected much of the eastern Mediterranean:

https://eos.org/editor-highlights/was-the-ad-365-mediterranean-earthquake-normal

Feature on Schliemann:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/11/the-life-heinrich-schliemann-discoverer-troy/

Feature on the Lupanar:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/books/erotic-secrets-heart-pompeii/

Feature on the Romans' 'tender side':

https://hyperallergic.com/644215/tenderness-in-early-roman-empire/

Feature on books inspired by Greek myth:

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/86316-10-essential-books-inspired-by-greek-myth.html

Feature on Baia:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baia-ancient-rome-60-minutes-plus-2021-05-11/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/baia-exploring-real-life-atlantis-184519257.html

Feature on Vie Cave (Etruscan):

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-vie-cave

Feature on Scythian burial mounds in the Ukraine:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/09/world/europe/ukraine-burial-mounds.html

Feature on Kouroi and Korai:

https://smarthistory.org/kouroi-korai/

Feature on the Torlonia Marbles:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-57030067

Feature on the Laocoon:

https://www.thecollector.com/laocoon-and-his-sons-antiquity-artwork/

Feature on Medusa:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/15/medusa-the-most-fearsome-goddess-of-greek-mythology/

Feature on the Plutonium at Hierapolis:

https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-roman-gate-to-hell-killed-victims-with-its-deadly-lake
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/technology/science/ancient-roman-gateway-to-hell-cave-still-exists-today/news-story/11bfb502462de71ed1bdfd9b240af9f2
https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/ancient-roman-gateway-to-hell-cave-still-exists-today/news-story/11bfb502462de71ed1bdfd9b240af9f2

Feature on Pompeii:

https://www.thetravel.com/what-happened-to-the-people-of-pompeii/

Factoid piece on Pompeii:

https://www.thetravel.com/what-happened-to-the-people-of-pompeii/

Feature on Pytheas of Massalia:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/12/pytheas-of-massalia-the-first-greek-to-reach-britain-and-the-arctic/

Feature on Cleopatra:

https://www.newsgram.com/cleopatra-last-queen-of-the-nile/

Feature on Milo of Croton:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/10/what-an-ancient-greek-wrestler-taught-us-about-building-strength/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/05/12/milo-of-croton-the-worlds-best-athlete/

Feature on garum:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/aylin-oney-tan/garum-the-rotten-delicacy-164594

Feature on the Palace of Knossos:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/05/09/knossos-palace-before-ruins/

Another feature on the Antikythera mechanism:

https://hellenicnews.com/the-antikythira-mechanism-the-worlds-first-computer-invention-by-ancient-greeks/

Some interesting Discobolus reception:

https://neoskosmos.com/en/198951/dark-days-of-disco-bolus/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/
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EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
A cairn of indeterminate age found with Google Earth imagery in Co Laois:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/new-cairn-discovered-by-amateur-archaeologists-in-co-laois-1.4563978

The Cerne Giant has been dated to no earlier than 700-1000 CE:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/12/cerne-giant-in-dorset-dates-from-anglo-saxon-times-analysis-suggests
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-57076224
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2021/05/12/cerne-abbas-giants-likely-age-revealed-but-air-of-mystery-remains/
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/new-dates-for-the-cerne-abbas-giant
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/cerne-abbas-giant-uks-largest-chalk-figure-revealed-as-medieval-art-%E2%80%93-and-not-an-insult-to-oliver-cromwell/ar-BB1gCV8C
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61368
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/cerne-giant-anglo-saxon-may-originally-worn-pants-1967774
https://www.newsweek.com/archeologists-solve-generations-old-mystery-britains-180-foot-tall-chalk-figure-1590970
https://nypost.com/2021/05/12/scientists-solve-mystery-of-when-giant-penis-man-was-erected/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2277255-cerne-abbas-giant-may-have-been-carved-into-hill-over-1000-years-ago/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scholars-are-one-step-closer-solving-mystery-enormous-chalk-figure-180977725/

Evidence of wine drinking from the Tap O'Noth Pictish site in Aberdeenshire:

https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/picts-boozed-on-wine-at-huge-hill-settlement-which-may-have-been-a-festival-site-3234594

Remains of two medieval logboats from the River Boyne:

https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2021/0510/1220791-logboats-louth/

A medieval jug from a dig at Jesus College:

https://cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk/medieval-jug-from-jesus-college/

A metal detectorist found a reliquary associated with Richard III:

https://aleteia.org/2021/05/14/a-metal-detector-discovered-this-reliquary-belonging-to-richard-iii/

... and another found a medieval 'mount' from Cheswardine:

https://www.whitchurchherald.co.uk/news/19290656.treasure-discovered-north-shropshire-key-understanding-regions-medieval-history/

Identifying medieval Jewish homes in Oxford:

https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/archaeologists-identify-medieval-jewish-homes-in-ancient-oxford-1.9694484

A 13-year-old digging in her garden found a 200 years bp soldier's button:

https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/youngster-unearths-battle-souvenir-at-gordon-castle-gardens-237812/

Georgian-era monkey bones found at Nottingham Castle:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-57059361
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9574827/Archaeology-Remains-three-MONKEYS-dating-Georgian-times-discovered-Nottingham-Castle.html
https://inews.co.uk/culture/monkey-bones-nottingham-castle-reveal-exotic-pet-choices-eccentric-regency-resident-996658
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9687-210512-england-castle-monkey

Remains of the 'Great Stink' of the 19th century apparently can still be found in the mud of the Thames:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/599/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/599/pub/599/page/20/article/174598

Peat decline is causing concerns for bog bodies:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/599/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/599/pub/599/page/20/article/174598

The wreck of a 112 years bp submarine has been identified off the coast of Devon:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/submarine-d1-devon-ww1-b1847088.html

... while a wreck off Malta is confirmed to be a WWII submarine:

https://www.livescience.com/hms-urge-submarine-identified-no-secret-mission.html
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/confirmed-wreck-off-malta-is-the-submarine-sunk-in-1942.870478
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9685-210511-malta-british-submarine

Plans for a dig at an Iron Age hillfort site at Pen Dinas:

https://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=135986&headline=Trust%20hopes%20dig%20will%20reveal%20secrets%20of%20Iron%20Age%20hillfort&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2021

Navy divers were checking out the archaeological remains (various periods) of L'Aquilica:

https://murciatoday.com/navy-divers-help-to-protect-the-underwater-archaeological-heritage-of-aguilas_1597932-a.html

Feature on mudlarking:

http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/180167

Feature on Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210509-londons-centre-of-intrigue-and-scandal

Feature on Britain's first aristocrats of colour:

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210429-race-royalty-and-the-black-aristocrats

Feature on the Paris catacombs:

https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/paris-catacombs

Feature on the 16th century meeting of kings at the Field of Cloth of Gold:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/599/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/599/pub/599/page/81/article/174660

Feature on the Red Lady and her burial:

https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-05-10/el-misterio-de-las-bacterias-de-una-mujer-enterrada-con-honores-hace-19000-anos.html

More on the use of bronze 'scrap' as currency in Bronze Age Europe:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/scrap-for-cash-before-coins.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/10/scrap-for-cash-before-coins/

More on 1500 years bp bracteates from a hoard in Norway:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1500-year-old-pendants-found-norway-180977705/

More on WWI artifacts being revealed as a glacier in Italy melts:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/melting-glacier-italian-alps-reveals-world-war-i-artifacts-180977703/
----------
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
================================================================
China is apparently angry the west is ignoring all its recent archaeological finds:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/05/11/chinese-archaeology-egyptian-bias-sanxingdui/

Qinshihuangs chariots and horses have a new museum:

http://t.m.china.org.cn/convert/c_titFUIGC.html

Feature on jade burial suits:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/05/the-jade-burial-suits/139175

Finds dating back to the 8th century BCE or so from the Qulong Site (Tibet):

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-16/Archaeologists-unveil-new-findings-at-Tibet-Qulong-Site-10j5vNIUWsM/index.html

The impact of recent archaeological finds on Buddhist history:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/discovery-channels-how-new-finds-are-changing-buddhist-history-101621060757051.html

Sculptures of rani Rudrama Devi from a site in a Khammam village:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/rare-sculptures-of-rani-rudrama-devi-unearthed/article34522374.ece

Concerns for inscriptions in Warandal:

https://telanganatoday.com/apathy-leaves-inscriptions-unsolved-in-erstwhile-warangal

As might be expected, COVID concerns have brought the Keezhadi excavations to a halt:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/11/keezhadi-excavations-suspended-across-tn-due-to-covid-2301056.html

Feature on Harappa:

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/835228-harappa-an-ancient-archaeological-site-of-pakistan

More on population estimates for Angkor prior to its abandonment:

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2021/05/210510-sarah-klassen-angkor-en
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/05/angkor-cambodia-gentrification/618848/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/angkor-wat-ancient-population-1966958
https://around.uoregon.edu/content/uo-archaeologist-helps-nail-population-ancient-angkor
https://gizmodo.com/ancient-city-of-angkor-was-jam-packed-with-people-1846845408
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/archaeologists-pinpoint-population-for.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/11/archaeologists-pinpoint-population-for-the-greater-angkor-region/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/13th-century-angkor-was-home-more-people-boston-today-180977719/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9681-210510-cambodia-angkor-population

================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
A 1200-2700 years bp arrowhead from a Connecticut back yard:

https://www.westport-news.com/news/article/Arrowhead-found-in-Monroe-backyard-hints-at-16163223.php

An Indigenous astronomical site (date?) from Los Angeles County:

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/human-interest/2021/05/11/archaeologist-discovers-ancient-indigenous-astronomical-site

Not sure where to put this one: latest paleofaces study of samples from Utah and Mexico suggest ancient folks had more diverse gut microorganisms:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/tuom-rra051221.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210512115639.htm
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/health/human-gut-microbiome-study-scli-intl-scn-wellness/index.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-fossil-feces-analysis-shows-how-human-diet-changed-over-2-000-years-1.9806702
https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-05-12/heces-humanas-de-hace-2000-anos-explican-por-que-ahora-sufrimos-mas-enfermedades-cronicas.html
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/piles-ancient-poop-reveal-extinction-event-human-gut-bacteria
https://www.sciencealert.com/2-000-year-old-feces-fossils-reveal-mass-extinction-in-the-human-gut
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/research-reveals-ancient-people-had.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/13/research-reveals-ancient-people-had-more-diverse-gut-microorganisms/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9689-210513-gut-dna-coprolites

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03532-0

An interesting (possibly Hopewell culture) copper mask from Iowa:

https://www.timesrepublican.com/news/todays-news/2021/05/mysterious-antique-mask-found-in-marshall-county/

The Hopewell folks weren't eating corn, apparently:

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/columns/2021/05/16/no-corn-menu-ancient-ohioans/5066655001/

17th century colonial items from a site at Jug Bay:

https://www.capitalgazette.com/news/ac-cn-artifacts-jug-bay-0516-20210516-hyzetauxfrftfjimjmilarpduu-story.html

A student has possibly identified the location of Fort George:

https://oswegocountytoday.com/lead-story/suny-oswego-anthropology-student-potentially-discovers-historic-fort-george-location/

Archaeologists have identified the site of the Battle of Medina (1813):

https://www.tpr.org/arts-culture/2021-05-15/vets-help-researchers-pinpoint-the-site-of-the-bloodiest-battle-in-texas-history

A rush to record petroglyphs along the Rio Grande out of flooding fears:

http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/archaeologists-record-rio-grande-art

... and they're dealing with sea level rise at the Jamestown site too:

https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-jamestowne-climate-change-0506-20210511-5nzccqy345copbvz5zxvbm5iqy-story.html

Renovations at the Alamo are having difficulties dealing with slavery:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/alamo-renovation-slavery/2021/05/07/ec8fe402-ae83-11eb-b476-c3b287e52a01_story.html

OpEdditsh sort of thing on the recent 'spree' of petroglyph destruction in Utah:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/can-anybody-solve-the-spree-of-petroglyph-destruction

A nice catch up on the Bears Ears site:

https://www.kuer.org/politics-government/2021-05-14/what-the-history-of-the-antiquities-act-could-mean-for-the-future-of-bears-ears

Revisions to a book on the transcontinental railroad in Utah:

https://www.ksl.com/article/50163558/historians-revise-book-on-transcontinental-railroad-in-utah-for-1st-time-in-27-years

... and perhaps more will come after this dig in the railroad town of Terrace:

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/archaeology-project-underway-at-historical-utah-railroad-town

Mohicans in New York have recovered some of their ancestral territory:

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Mohicans-reclaim-a-key-part-of-their-New-York-16161219.php
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4b5d61785b064ff49ceff158e05e89fb

Not sure where to put this item on the history of Jewish prayers in Congress:

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/archaeology-project-underway-at-historical-utah-railroad-town

On the history of Black voter suppression in the US:

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2021/05/politics/black-voting-rights-suppression-timeline/

Feature on assorted myths associated with the Confederacy:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/06/confederate-lost-cause-myth/618711/
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
A study of how folks on Easter Island lived in isolation:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-ancient-easter-island-insights-successful.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/bu-aei050321.php
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/ancient-easter-island-communities-offer.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/14/rapa-nui-communities-offer-insights-for-successful-life-in-isolation/

Study suggests the Maya made extensive changes to wetlands in northwestern Belize:

https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2021/05/13/archaeologists-studying-maya-find-widespread-changes-to-wetlands-in-northwestern-belize/

113 pre-Columbian burials from Guadaloupe:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61347

Feature on the site of Coba:

https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2021/05/the-tallest-pyramid-in-the-yucatan-peninsula-is-in-the-amazing-archaeological-zone-of-coba/

The history of Cubagua and Margarita islands off Venezuela as a microcosm of the history of the Americas:

https://elpais.com/babelia/2021-05-10/la-historia-de-america-contada-en-solo-dos-islas.html

Feature on Aztec writing:

https://elpais.com/internacional/2021/05/12/la_serpiente_emplumada/1620845410_336138.html

Controversy over government plans to commemorate the founding of Tenochtitlan early:

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/archaeologist-sees-manipulation-of-history-for-political-ends-in-tenochtitlan-event/
https://elpais.com/mexico/2021-05-13/la-provocacion-historica-de-lopez-obrador-sobre-la-fundacion-de-tenochtitlan.html

Zoom lectures on the ancient Americas this month:

https://mikeruggerisevents.tumblr.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
================================================================
I messed up the url last week of this item on the origins of 'sic semper tyrannis':

https://medium.com/in-medias-res/the-real-source-behind-sic-semper-tyrannis-b2bc3ddc70dc

An interesting 186 years bp account of an American diplomatic mission to Palestine:

https://www.jpost.com/international/186-year-old-account-of-american-diplomatic-trip-to-palestine-found-667569?_ga=2.73080405.793362501.1619991941-1616753860.1607604451

Feature on what archaeology reveals about ancient women in various cultures:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ancient-women-archaeology-1967915

Renovating a 14th century shrine in St Alban's Cathedral with a COVID-19 spin:

https://www.livescience.com/st-albans-cathedral-face-mask-carving.html

Feature on the historical impact of clothing:

https://aeon.co/essays/how-clothing-and-climate-change-kickstarted-agriculture

What George Washington might look like if he were alive today:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/05/15/world/george-washington-today/

Feature on the history of beer:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p09h36ld/the-ancient-drink-serving-the-world-for-13-000-years

... in a similar vein, but including wine too:

https://www.winemag.com/2021/05/11/beer-wine-history-archeology/

The Tate Modern is calling Rodin out for sexism and appropriation of looted artifacts:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/11/rodin-accused-new-tate-modern-exhibition-sexism-appropriating/

Feature on Darwin's childhood home:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-shropshire-57022907

In case you were thinking about being a live-in castle officer in Cornwall:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-57076163

Feature on myths as evidence of past disasters:

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210507-the-myths-that-hint-at-past-disasters

On the need to rethink Mary Todd Lincoln's grief:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/exhibition-explores-mary-todd-lincolns-oft-misunderstood-grief-180977735/

A portrait of Catherine de Medici is going on view:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/catherine-de-medici-portrait-painted-height-her-power-returns-west-london-180977718/

On the Islamic roots of modern science:

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/how-an-8th-century-islamic-library-laid-the-foundations-of-modern-science-46625

Feature on Benjamin Bannerker:

https://www.npr.org/2021/05/11/995898681/a-black-scientist-was-an-early-cicada-researcher-his-work-has-been-mostly-overlo

Feature on body modification in various times and places:

https://www.insidehook.com/article/history/sacred-male-body-modification-practices

Feature on Napoleon and the Wedding Feast at Cana:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/napoleon-s-plunderand-the-theft-of-veronese-s-feast-by-cynthia-saltzman-review-8xgthl0rr

Feature on 500 years of 'youth slang' in Germany:

https://www.dw.com/en/krass-babo-and-fuzzi-500-years-of-youth-slang-in-germany/a-57543083

Anton van Leeuwenhoek led his colleagues astray, apparently:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-antoni-van-leeuwenhoek-rivals-astray.html

Feature on assorted 'legendary weapons' made from meteorites:

https://elpais.com/eps/2021-05-08/del-martillo-de-thor-a-la-daga-de-tutankamon.html

Feature on the Imperial Crown:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/14/uk/royal-news-newsletter-05-14-21-scli-gbr-cmd-intl/index.html

There are plenty of 'hidden penises' in the Bayeux Tapestry, apparently:

https://nypost.com/2018/07/13/professor-finds-dozens-of-hidden-penises-on-ancient-tapestry/

Review of Janice Nimura, *The Doctors Blackwell*:

https://yalealumnimagazine.com/articles/5299-span-class-article-reviews-may-june-2021-span

Review of a book on Asian anti-colonialism:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/17/asias-anti-colonialist-journey

Review of a book about six Victorian-era spiritualists:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/books/review/out-of-the-shadows-emily-midorikawa.html

More on the possible Caravaggio in Spain:

https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-05-12/una-delegacion-del-prado-la-academia-y-la-comunidad-de-madrid-visita-el-posible-caravaggio.html
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-05-13/el-informe-del-prado-tras-la-visita-al-supuesto-caravaggio-afianza-la-declaracion-de-bien-de-interes-cultural-del-cuadro.html

More on that purported message in a bottle from the Titanic:

https://www.newsweek.com/canada-quebec-titanic-shipwreck-mathilde-1589457

================================================================
ANIMAL AND PLANT DOMESTICATIONS
================================================================
On the history of humans feeding animals:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/science/animal-feeding-humans.html

Interesting item on the domestication of fish (especially Betta):

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/science/betta-fish-breeds.html
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Nero:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-new-look-at-a-wicked-emperor-11621020758
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nero-at-the-british-museum-tyrant-sadist-celebrity-the-man-behind-the-myth-vrwbhptqd
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-myth-of-roman-emperor-nero-hnwqdr2bh

Epic Iran:

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/exhibitions/epic-iran-v-a-victoria-albert-exhibition-preview-b933431.html

Cycladic Art:

https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/events/44537-the-museum-of-cycladic-art-in-greece-opens-may-14-with-two-new-exhibitions.html

Becket:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/may/09/british-museum-show-thomas-becket-murder-shook-europe
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/art/reviews/cathedral-window-fragment-skull-retelling-murder-st-thomas-becket/
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/601/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/601/pub/601/page/77/article/173644
https://www.apollo-magazine.com/thomas-becket-murder-and-the-making-of-a-saint/
https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/exhibitions/thomas-becket-murder-and-the-making-of-a-saint-british-museum-review-b934868.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/thomas-becket-review-a-multifaceted-show-about-the-life-and-legacy-of-a-martyr-nsbsspskk

Canterbury stained glass:

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/stained-glass-windows-from-canterbury-cathedral-go-on-display-at-british-museum-40414297.html

Mesopotamia:

https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/mesopotamia/

Byzantine art:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/05/14/la-beaute-de-lart-byzantin-sexpose-a-lyon/

The Acropolis Museum was one of many opening in Greece this week:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/14/athens-acropolis-museum-reopens-to-the-world/

Tut's 3rd shrine has been installed at the GEM:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/103860/Re-installation-of-King-Tutankhamun-s-3rd-shrine-at-Egypt

Feature on how Napoleon's conquests led to the rise of national museums:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/glory-of-arms-and-art-napoleonic.html
================================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
================================================================
A drawing of a bear by Leonardo daVinci is coming to auction:

https://www.livescience.com/leonardo-da-vinci-head-of-bear-will-be-auctioned.html
https://www.artfixdaily.com/artwire/release/9517-leonardo-da-vincis-head-of-a-bear-drawing-will-star-in-christies-
https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/leonardo-da-vinci-bear-sketch/index.html

================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
A genomic-type study of Chalcolithic/Bronze Age inhabitants of Italy tracking migrations and the like:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-bronze-age-migrations-societal-genomic.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/bronze-age-migrations-changed-societal.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/14/genetic-similarities-between-the-first-bronze-age-aegean-cultures/
================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
Not sure where this one is going: a study of rare earth elements from a prehistoric cave in Spain:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-chemical-analysis-rare-earth-elements.html

Using technology to spot some medieval 'plagiarism':

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-medieval-writers-plagiarism-resurrected-technology.html

cf: https://arts.st-andrews.ac.uk/fontes/about

Feature on assorted digital tools in archaeology:

https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/04/28/1022982/data-archaeology-ancient-city-grid-burial-site/
================================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
================================================================
Climate change is apparently a major threat to Indonesian petroglyphs:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-climate-ancient-art-degradation.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/sr-acc050721.php
https://news.griffith.edu.au/2021/05/14/climate-change-could-erase-ancient-indonesian-cave-art/
https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/archaeology/disappearing-ancient-indonesian-rock-art/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/climate-change-could-erase-ancient.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9692-210514-indonesia-climate-art
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Roma World has opened:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/ancient-roman-theme-park-opens-154847414.html
https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/ancient-roman-theme-park-opens-its-doors-id729774713

Delos:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/europe/2021-05/12/c_139941431.htm

Thouria:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/13/the-spectacular-and-long-lost-ancient-greek-city-of-thouria/

Sagalassos:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/enchanting-sagalassos-draws-tourists-164761

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210509-londons-centre-of-intrigue-and-scandal

Capri:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/capri-covid-free-vaccination/index.html

Bran Castle is offering COVID vaccinations:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/dracula-castle-covid-vaccination-center-scli-intl/index.html

Indigenous sites:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/travel/immerse-yourself-in-indigenous-culture.html
================================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
================================================================
Iphigenia in Splott:

https://aussietheatre.com.au/news/neoliberalism-at-what-cost-iphigenia-in-splott-an-examination-of-the-morality-of-austerity

The Epidaurus Festival is resuming:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/11/athens-epidaurus-festival-returns-with-80-performances/

Trojan Women:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/san-diego/article/The-UC-San-Diego-Department-Of-Theatre-And-Dance-Presents-TROJAN-WOMEN-A-VERSION-20210514

On Bach's inventions:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/arts/music/bach-piano-inventions-tepfer.html

================================================================
TV/DOCUMENTARY HYPISH THINGS
================================================================
A statue of Livia Drusilla 'mysteriously' appeared in Rome to hype the Domina series:

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/domina-a-mysterious-statue-of-livia-drusilla-appears-in-rome.html

... and some hype and reviews of the first episode:

https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/sky-domina-ancient-rome-female-1234969655/
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/may/14/tv-tonight-domina-a-game-of-thrones-in-ancient-rome
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/may/14/sky-atlantic-domina
https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/domina-sky-atlantic-review-ancient-rome-livia-drusilla-1002669
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/no-roman-holiday-for-augustus-caesar-s-wife-in-sword-and-sandal-epic-20210507-p57pw9.html
================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Feature on fake ancient jewellery flooding the market:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/16/all-that-glisters-flood-of-fake-ancient-jewellery-dupes-buyers

Interpol announced the achievements of its ongoing Pandora operation last year:

https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2021/More-than-56-400-cultural-goods-seized-and-67-arrested
https://www.europol.europa.eu/newsroom/news/over-56-400-cultural-goods-seized-and-67-arrests-in-action-involving-31-countries
https://www.occrp.org/en/27-ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/14403-european-authorities-crack-down-on-illegal-antiquities-trafficking
https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/more-than-60-arrested-in-31-countries-in-raids-to-recover-10m-of-stolen-artefacts-1.1221770
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/more-than-56400-cultural-goods-seized.html

... and various Italian newspapers covered the local side of things, e.g. Modena:

https://www.lapressa.it/notiziario/la_nera/modena-recuperati-beni-archeologici-per-100mila-euro
https://www.modena2000.it/2021/05/11/i-carabinieri-del-nucleo-tutela-patrimonio-culturale-di-bologna-presentano-i-risultati-dellattivita-operativa-relativi-allanno-2020/
https://gazzettadimodena.gelocal.it/modena/cronaca/2021/05/14/news/modena-confiscati-57-vasi-di-2-500-anni-fa-un-eredita-illecita-da-100mila-euro-1.40269614

... Foggia:

https://www.immediato.net/2021/05/11/prezioso-ritrovamento-a-foggia-agenti-recuperano-31-reperti-archeologici-trafugati-nel-corso-di-scavi-illeciti-nel-territorio/

... Bologna:

https://www.gazzettadellemilia.it/cronaca/item/32430-i-carabinieri-del-nucleo-tutela-del-patrimonio-culturale-recuperano-preziosi-reperti-archeologici.html

... Puglia:

https://www.immediato.net/2021/05/12/mercato-nero-dei-reperti-archeologici-cresce-il-business-in-puglia-boom-di-affari-illeciti-con-le-commerce/
http://www.ilikepuglia.it/notizie/cronaca/bari/12/05/2021/furti-darte-nel-2020-ritrovati-1329-beni-tra-puglia-e-basilicata.html

... Bari:

https://m.brindisisera.it/dettaglio.asp?id_dett=41540
https://www.dabitonto.com/cronaca/beni-archeologici-nel-2020-sono-stati-quasi-1-200-quelli-recuperati-e-90-le-persone-denunciate-oltre-1-300-i-sequestri.htm

... Palermo:

https://dedalomultimedia.it/notizie/ultime/26119-palermo-%E2%80%93-l-attivit%C3%A0-operativa-del-2020-del-nucleo-tutela-patrimonio-culturale-carabinieri.html
https://www.ilmattinodisicilia.it/le-mani-dei-criminali-sui-beni-archeologici-nel-2020-sequestri-dei-carabinieri-per-63-milioni/

... Sardinia:

https://www.vistanet.it/cagliari/2021/05/10/1-120-beni-archeologici-sequestrati-in-sardegna-nel-2020-lazione-dei-carabinieri-del-tpc/
https://www.castedduonline.it/1120-reperti-archeologici-sequestrati-61-denunce-e-7-arresti-il-bilancio-2020-dei-carabinieri-ntpc-di-cagliari/

... Napoli:

https://www.ilmattino.it/napoli/cronaca/beni_culturali_recuperati_napoli_466_241_nel_2020-5957394.html

... Campania:

https://www.ildenaro.it/tutela-del-patrimonio-in-campania-nel-2020-recuperato-quasi-mezzo-milione-di-opere/

More on that 16th century bronze cannon recovered by Spanish police:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/missing-16th-century-spanish-armada.html
----------
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
================================================================
The US returned a shrunken head to Ecuador:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-authentication-repatriation-ceremonial-shrunken-ecuador.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/bc-aar050621.php
<a href="https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/authentication-and-repatriation-of.html">Authentication and repatriation of ceremonial shrunken head from the USA to Ecuador - The Archaeology News Network</a>

The Netherlands returned a number of items to Iraq:

https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2021/05/06/the-netherlands-is-cooperating-in-the-return-of-archaeological-objects-to-iraq
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9682-210510-iraq-artifacts-repatriated

Plans to return Mayan items found in a German basement:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/601/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/601/pub/601/page/60/article/173600

Apparently the British Museum has 700 Benin items:

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/05/16/campbell-british-museum-holds-over-700-pieces-of-benin-bronzes/

A Nazi-looted Pissarro is being sought for return:

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/camille-pissarro-painting-nazi-loot-restitution-lawsuit-1234592975/

Mexico seeks the return of some items spotted in New York:

https://elpais.com/mexico/2021-05-14/mexico-denuncia-la-subasta-de-mas-de-20-piezas-prehispanicas-en-nueva-york.html

More on the return of that Persephone statue to Libya (with the help of the British Museum):

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/may/10/british-museum-helps-return-2000-year-old-looted-statue-to-libya
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/looted-libyan-sculpture-heads-back-home
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/persephone-statue-returned-libya-british-museum-1234592469/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/05/15/abduction-of-persephone/
https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/10/british-museum-returns-looted-ancient-greek-statue-to-libya/
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/british-museum-libya-statue-scli-intl-gbr/index.html
https://www.libyanexpress.com/ancient-statue-of-greek-goddess-returned-home-to-libya/
https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2021/05/illegally-excavated-statue-returned-to-libya/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9683-210511-libya-repatriation-persephone

More on Germany's plans to return Benin bronzes:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/05/10/benin-bronzes-germany-nigeria-looted-art/
https://www.cfr.org/blog/germany-return-some-african-art-nigeria

... and the Nigerian Museum being set up to house such things:

https://hyperallergic.com/645096/how-a-new-nigerian-museum-can-help-repatriate-the-benin-bronzes/
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Feature on coins of the Bar Kochba and Omer periods:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/what-do-ancient-coins-tell-us-about-bar-kochba-and-the-omer-period-667775

Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v24/club_nbs_esylum_v24n19.html

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

http://www.coinbooks.org/v24/club_nbs_esylum_v24n20.html
------------------------

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

================================================================
OBITUARIES
================================================================
Simon Keay:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/09/simon-keay-obituary

Chad Kalepa Baybayan:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/obituaries/chad-kalepa-baybayan-dead.html

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

https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3071-audio-news-from-archaeologica-may-2-through-may-8-2021
================================================================
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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