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explorator 26.08 June 11, 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, Christopher Kimberley,
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
============================================================
Study suggests homo naledi buried their dead in caves (and other things):

https://news.wisc.edu/archeologists-uncover-evidence-of-intentional-burial-cave-engravings-by-early-human-ancestor/
https://phys.org/news/2023-06-small-brained-ancient-human-cousins-dead.html
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/extinct-human-relative-buried-their-dead-100000-years-before-modern-humans-did-study-claims
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/05/science/ancient-humans-homo-naledi-buried-dead.html
https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/05/world/homo-naledi-burials-carvings-scn/index.html
https://apnews.com/article/human-ancestor-burial-africa-homo-naledi-ca7cca3f0f5bd9e84da2ce5da33ef2fe
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1270/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1270/pub/1270/page/36/article/NaN
https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2023/06/05/homo-naledi-burial
https://www.newsweek.com/prehistoric-human-species-remains-homo-naledi-1804780
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/06/05/burial-markings-show-extinct-humans-remembered-dead/
https://theconversation.com/major-new-research-claims-smaller-brained-homo-naledi-made-rock-art-and-buried-the-dead-but-the-evidence-is-lacking-207000
https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/06/anthropologists-find-evidence-that-homo-naledi-buried-their-dead-used-symbols/
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/homo-naledi-dug-cave-graves-carved-marks
https://www.science.org/content/article/was-small-brained-human-relative-world-s-first-gravedigger-and-artist
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/this-small-brained-human-species-may-have-buried-its-dead-controlled-fire-and-made-art/
https://arkeonews.net/paleontologists-say-worlds-oldest-known-burial-site-found-in-south-africa/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/06/07/evidence-of-intentional-burial-cave-engravings-by-early-human-ancestor/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-human-relatives-may-have-buried-their-dead-180982308/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11485-230606-homo-naledi-burials

cf: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.06.01.543135v1
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.06.01.543127v1
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.06.01.543133v1

... but there's already pushback on the claim:

https://theconversation.com/major-new-research-claims-smaller-brained-homo-naledi-made-rock-art-and-buried-the-dead-but-the-evidence-is-lacking-207000

Study suggests Neanderthals had more complex adhesive creation techniques than previously thought:

https://phys.org/news/2023-05-neanderthals-synthetic-material-underground-distillation.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11490-230607-neanderthal-adhesive-production

Latest study suggesting Neanderthals and sapiens may have lived together in Europe 54 000 years bp:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/europes-first-humans-may-have-arrived-in-three-waves-180982107/

A 30 000 years bp site in Spain suggests humans were wearing seashells (and freshwater ones) as ornaments:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article276163511.html
https://arkeonews.net/freshwater-and-marine-shells-used-as-ornaments-30000-years-ago-discovered-in-spain/

Interview with Ludovic Slimak:

https://phys.org/news/2023-06-qa-ludovic-slimak-archaeologist-rewrite.html

On Neanderthal DNA in modern humans and its effects:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230608195656.htm

More on the 700 000 years bp site with tools and animal bones from Greece:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/oldest-evidence-of-humans-in-greece-is-700000-years-old-a-quarter-of-a-million-years-older-than-previously-thought
https://apnews.com/article/greece-archaeology-oldest-site-stone-tools-3e84007cde4d77a2725b7877b9b38335
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-745227
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/the-oldest-greek-archaeological-site/

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AFRICA
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A DNA study is being used to suggest farming in Africa arrived from Iberia 7400 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2023-06-ancient-genomes-farming-africa-ignited.html

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01768-6
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06166-6

Feature on queens of ancient Nubia:

https://theconversation.com/never-mind-cleopatra-what-about-the-forgotten-queens-of-ancient-nubia-206828
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/lost-treasures-of-desert-djados-abandoned-ksars-hold-ancient-mysteries

Feature on lost cities of the Nigerian Sahara:

https://www.france24.com/en/video/20230605-mystery-of-the-desert-the-lost-cities-of-the-nigerien-sahara
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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
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Feature on a 3300 years bp mural depicting an awful lot of Egyptian bird species (I think we mentioned this a while ago):

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/science/ancient-egypt-birds.html

Interesting study of the contents of a Ptolemaic-era Bes vase:

https://arkeonews.net/ancient-egyptian-cult-drank-a-trippy-mix-of-drugs-human-blood-and-bodily-fluids/

Archaeologists in Cairo are trying to prevent the demolition of tombs:

https://egyptindependent.com/archaeologists-appeal-to-stop-demolition-of-tombs-in-historic-cairo/
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/longform/2023/6/7/battling-bulldozers-cairos-historic-necropolises-under-threat

Leiden's National Museum of Antiquities is no longer allowed to excavate in Saqqara because of an exhibition:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-65835611
https://egyptianstreets.com/2023/06/08/egypt-allegedly-bans-dutch-archaeologists-over-kemet-exhibition/
https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2023/06/08/egypt-bans-dutch-archaeologist-from-saqqara-over-afrocentric-exhibition-blackwashing/
https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-06-08/dutch-museum-of-antiquities-banned-from-further-excavation-of-egyptian-necropolis-for-showing-beyonce-and-rihanna-as-queen-nefertiti.html
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/egypt-bans-archaeology-team-mime-scli-intl/index.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12166047/Egypt-bans-Dutch-curators-accused-falsifying-history-portrayal-black-celebrities.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/egypt-bans-curators-for-showing-beyonce-as-ancient-queen-nefertiti-85dtvh9gd
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/06/07/egypt-cancels-dutch-museums-dig-licence-for-exhibition-exploring-black-culture
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2317181
https://nltimes.nl/2023/06/06/leiden-museum-barred-egypt-excavations-kemet-exhibition
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/dutch-archaeologists-banned-from-saqqara-site-due-to-controversial-exhibit/news
https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/08/egypt-bans-dutch-archaeology-team-afrocentric-exhibition/
https://www.artdependence.com/articles/egypt-imposes-punishment-on-dutch-museum-rmo-for-afrocentric-exhibition/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/egypt-bans-archaeologists-kemet-exhibition-2317450
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/egypt-bans-dutch-archaeologists-leiden-museum-afrocentric-exhibition-1234670731/

More on the mummified persons' portraits recently found in Fayoum:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/06/07/archaeologists-greek-mummies/

More on the mummification workshop revealed at the Saqqara necropolis:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/mummification-workshops-saqqara-egypt-2312435

7000 years bp relics from Sufian Hill (Iran):

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/485546/Archaeologists-hail-find-of-7-000-year-old-relics-in-northwest

Evidence of Chalcolithic settlements in Tepe Kohneh Sufian (Iran):

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/485483/Traces-of-Chalcolithic-settlements-discovered-in-northwest-Iran

Remains of 4500 years bp structures and a cemetery from Kalat-e Yavor:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/485548/4-500-year-old-ruins-and-cemetery-found-in-northeast-Iran

Using AI to identify new sites in Mesopotamia:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/archaeologists-use-ai-to-identify-new-archaeological-sites-in-mesopotamia/147592

... and more on using AI to read ancient Mesopotamian texts:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/485596/Archaeologists-use-AI-to-read-ancient-Mesopotamian-texts

Drought in Iraq has revealed remains of a submerged settlement (we may have had this):

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/drought-in-iraq-reveals-3400-year-old-city-180980188/

Suggestion that a drought was behind the 'Bronze Age Collapse':

https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/11/a-drought-may-be-behind-the-bronze-age-collapse/

More on the study of Dmanisis Gora to understand its resilience in the transition from Bronze to Iron Ages:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/06/06/examining-societal-resilience-in-the-transition-from-the-bronze-to-iron-age/

Remains of a Roman (? ... date seems off) garrison found at the Zerzevan Castle dig:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/ancient-roman-garrison-unearthed-at-zerzevan-castle-in-turkiye/news
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/massive-structures-discovered-under-3-000-year-old-garrison-183733

Turkiye has unveiled a new ship word underwater excavation purposes:

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/turkiye-unveils-state-of-art-archaeological-ship-for-underwater-excavations/news

12 000 years bp bone 'flute'/bird whistles from a site in Israel:

https://phys.org/news/2023-06-prehistoric-instruments-levant.html
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/12000-year-old-flutes-carved-of-bone-are-some-of-the-oldest-in-the-world-and-sound-like-birds-of-prey
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-65853740
https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-discover-and-replicate-earliest-musical-instrument-in-the-middle-east/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/hebrew-u-archaeologists-discover-ancient-tiny-flutes-that-imitate-predatory-bird-calls/2023/06/10/
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-06-09/ty-article/12-000-year-old-flutes-found-in-israel-may-be-earliest-bird-call-whistles-in-the-world/00000188-9f2b-db59-a19a-ff6b48560000
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-bone-flute-lure-falcon
https://arkeonews.net/archaeologists-say-12000-year-old-flutes-discovered-in-northern-israel-may-have-been-used-to-lure-falcons/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/hunter-gatherers-used-bone-flutes-to-imitate-raptors/147597

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35700-9

Study suggests David's Jerusalem wasn't where it is currently thought to have been:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-06-09/ty-article/king-davids-jerusalem-wasnt-where-we-thought-new-study-argues/00000188-9649-d3a7-adcf-b74f01390000

More on evidence of dysentery in Iron Age Jerusalem:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/jerusalem-parasite-dysentery-180982278/

More on Bronze Age burial practices at Megiddo:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/canaanite-burial-customs-and-wine/?mqsc=E4152709&dk=ZE3260ZF0

Feature on wine making in ancient Judea and environs:

https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-745670

More on 4300 years bp copper ingots from Oman:

https://phys.org/news/2023-06-archaeologists-year-old-copper-ingots-oman.html
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/h1y1s002l3
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/06/07/4300-year-old-copper-ingots-discovered-in-oman/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11484-230602-oman-copper-ingots

More on 8000 years bp 'blueprints' from Saudi Arabia:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/worlds-oldest-blueprints-for-desert-mega-structures/
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

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ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
============================================================
Remains of a Greek town (found last year) near Grevena:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/05/ancient-greek-town-greece-grevena/

2000 or so votive offerings from a sanctuary site on Kythnos:

https://apnews.com/article/greece-archaeology-temple-ancient-offerings-kythnos-island-238f05ae4944f5ed2f5356386f076136
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/greek-island-temple-complex-reveals-countless-offerings-183785
https://www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/6a79cb1d64f54e2485c46fd924f8d96e/
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/greek-island-temple-complex-reveals-countless-offerings-left-99904202
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1212765/greek-island-temple-complex-reveals-countless-offerings-left-by-ancient-worshippers/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/06/08/archaeologists-discover-countless-pottery-offerings-at-hilltop-sanctuary-on-island-of-kythnos/
https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/07/ancient-items-kythnos-island-greece/
https://arkeonews.net/countless-votive-offerings-discovered-at-ancient-sanctuary-on-greek-island-kythnos/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11491-230608-kythnos-persephone-figurines

A Roman-era shipwreck is among three wrecks found off the coast of Tunisia:

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/08/world/unesco-skerki-bank-shipwrecks-scn/index.html
https://www.9news.com.au/world/three-historical-shipwrecks-found-in-the-mediterranean-sea/bc601906-d679-407a-99ca-a84a229ac3a6
https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/10/historical-shipwrecks-mediterranean/
https://arkeonews.net/archaeologists-have-discovered-on-tunisian-coast-three-shipwrecks-one-of-which-2000-years-old/

Roman finds from Alston Moor are going to be analyzed:

https://cwherald.com/news/roman-artefacts-found-at-alston-moor-to-be-analysed/

More on Legio X Fretensis coins from Apsaros:

https://scienceinpoland.pl/en/news/news%2C96718%2Cgeorgiapolish-scientists-legio-x-fretensis-was-stationed-apsaros-colchis.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11489-230607-roman-coins-countermarks

More on that study of Roman 'liquid gypsum' burials:

https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/research/3d-scans-mysterious-roman-burial-practice/
https://phys.org/news/2023-06-3d-scans-mysterious-roman-burial.html
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/liquid-gypsum-burial-from-roman-britain-scanned-in-3d-revealing-1700-year-old-secrets
https://arkeonews.net/3d-scans-reveal-details-of-unusual-roman-burial-ritual/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/06/07/3d-scans-shed-new-light-on-mysterious-roman-burial-practice/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11486-230606-britain-gypsum-casing

More on the study of the contents of a Roman perfume from Spain:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12157967/Scientists-vial-Roman-perfume-Spain-preserved-2-000-years-smells-like-hippies.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/roman-perfume-patchouli-180982305/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11475-230531-spain-roman-perfume

More on all the Roman-era tweezers found at Wroxeter:

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/roman-tweezers-discovery-gbr-scli-intl/index.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ancient-roman-tweezers-2312193

More on the Pan figurine found during a dig at the St Polyeuctos church in Istanbul:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/figurine-greek-god-pan-ruins-istanbul-2315180

More on the carving of a face, cornucopia, and phallus at a Roman fort in Spain:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/benidorm-fort-roman-rock-with-face-phallus-2309315

Cyprus has launched a digital heritage website:

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/news/local/digital-heritage-website-launched-in-effort-to-preserve-shared-cypriot-cultural-treasures/

FSU is marking fifty years of digging at Cetamura del Chianti:

https://news.fsu.edu/news/fsuglobal/2023/06/09/fsu-celebrates-50-years-of-archaeological-excavations-at-cetamura-del-chianti-with-inauguration-of-new-museum/

The domus of Titus Macro in Aquileia has reopened to the public:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67418

Feature on professional athletes in ancient Greece and Rome:

https://theconversation.com/sportsmen-in-ancient-greece-and-rome-were-celebrities-who-won-grand-prizes-toured-and-even-unionised-204487

Feature on the restoration of a recently-rediscovered underwater mosaic at Baiae:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/underwater-archaeologists-conduct-restoration-works-of-submerged-roman-mosaic/147552

Honor Cargill-Martin on Messalina:

http://hnn.us/article/185813

Joel Christensen on Greek heroic myth and western education:

https://neoskosmos.com/en/2023/06/07/dialogue/opinion/the-dangerous-hero-the-disturbing-parallels-between-ancient-greek-myth-and-current-us-politics/

Feature on some Roman armour from Kalkriese:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lost-legions-f8mvkhjnm

Feature on male nudity in Greek art:

https://aeon.co/essays/why-are-men-seemingly-always-naked-in-ancient-greek-art

Pondering the location of Cleopatra's tomb:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/will-we-ever-find-cleopatras-tomb

Feature on Tartessos:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0fsc7kn/how-an-advanced-civilisation-vanished-2-500-years-ago

Feature on the San Casciano dei Bagni bronzes:

https://www.theflorentine.net/2023/06/08/supporting-restoration-research-san-casciano-bronzes/

Feature on Tarquinius Superbus:

https://bigthink.com/the-past/seven-kings-rome-republic/

Feature on Etruscan sea power:

https://www.thecollector.com/etruscans-at-sea/

Feature on Icarus:

https://www.thecollector.com/why-did-icarus-fly-to-the-sun/

Feature on Pontevedra being founded by Trojans:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/10/city-spain-greek-hero-trojan-war/

Feature on Alexander's preparations to fight the Persians:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/07/alexander-the-great-gaugamela-battle-persians/

Feature on the location of Troy:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/06/where-troy-was/

Feature on lions in ancient Greece:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/09/the-lions-den-when-big-cats-roamed-the-land-in-ancient-greece/

Another modern trial of Socrates where he was found 'not guilty':

https://www.thenationalherald.com/philosopher-socrates-found-not-guilty-at-national-hellenic-museum-mock-trial/

We're reading of eruption concerns for the Campi Flegrei:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-023-00842-1

Latest Pasts Imperfect:

https://pastsimperfect.substack.com/p/pasts-imperfect-6823
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/
============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
============================================================
Neolithic textiles and dwellings from the submerged La Marmotta site near Rome:

https://arkeonews.net/rare-textiles-and-dwellings-discovered-in-the-submerged-neolithic-settlement-near-rome/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/rare-textiles-basketry-and-cordage-discovered-at-submerged-neolithic-settlement/147559

Plenty of outcry over the removal of 7000 years bp standing stones from Carnac to build a hardware store:

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230608-anger-as-pre-historic-stones-destroyed-for-french-diy-store
https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/06/08/a-carnac-au-moins-trente-huit-menhirs-detruits-pour-construire-un-mr-bricolage_6176658_3224.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12173517/Fury-France-40-ancient-standing-stones-destroyed-make-way-DIY-store.html
https://www.newsweek.com/ancient-stone-monuments-destroyed-build-store-france-1805584
https://www.dreuz.info/2023/06/a-carnac-la-destruction-de-39-menhirs-pour-construire-un-mr-bricolage-ne-passe-pas-282080.html
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/archaeology-ancient-stones-france-removed-hardware-store-mr-bricolage-1234670924/
https://www.rawstory.com/anger-as-pre-historic-stones-destroyed-for-french-diy-store/

... while someone set the Men Scryfa standing stone on fire:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-65811471

Drones have revealed 7000 years bp petroglyphs in caves in Spain:

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/drone-prehistoric-cave-paintings-spain-scli-intl-scn/index.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/drone-prehistoric-cave-paintings-spain-2310253
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11487-230606-spain-drone-artwork

cf: https://lucentum.ua.es/article/view/23467

Bronze Age/Chalcolithic petroglyphs from near Monblanc (Spain):

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/archaeologists-discover-hundreds-of-ancient-carvings/147573
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/06/09/hundreds-of-prehistoric-engravings-found-in-the-prades-mountains/

A piece of decoratively-carved piece of oak found in peat during construction in Wales has been dated between 4640 and 4605 BCE:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jun/07/oldest-carved-piece-of-wood-to-be-found-in-britain-dates-back-6000-years
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/britain-romans-timber-historic-england-b2352810.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/stonehenge-origins-prehistoric-discovery-timber-b2352560.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-65824134
https://news.sky.com/story/remarkable-discovery-as-6-000-year-old-carved-wood-found-in-uk-12897489
https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/07/wood-carvings-made-4500-years-before-the-romans-arrived-found-18904957/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12168477/Oldest-carved-piece-wood-Britain-dates-6-000-years-2-000-years-older-Stonehenge.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/07/wood-carving-berkshire-oak-mesolithic-workshop-boxford/
https://arkeonews.net/britains-oldest-decoratively-piece-of-carved-wood-discovered-in-a-layer-of-peat/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67438
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/oldest-wood-artifact-in-britain-dates-back-to-neolithic-era-180982323/

A Bronze Age barrow burial ground near Stonehenge:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article276114761.html
https://news.yahoo.com/massive-circular-burials-over-3-203007053.html
https://www.iflscience.com/in-stonehenges-neighborhood-a-giant-new-cemetery-has-been-unearthed-69245
https://arkeonews.net/excavations-near-stonehenge-uncover-bronze-age-barrow-cemetery/

Kitchen renovations in Denmark revealed a large rune stone (date?):

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67460
https://arkeonews.net/a-massive-rune-stone-found-under-a-kitchen-floor-in-denmark-declared-treasure/

An 1100 years bp scramasax (sword) find from an excavation in Skalby (Sweden):

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67467

Excavations in Ria de Vigo (Spain) have revealed a medieval stone phallus claimed to have been used to sharpen weapons:

https://hyperallergic.com/826780/medieval-stone-penis-weapon-sharpener-says-a-lot-about-men/
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/six-inch-penis-shaped-stone-found-in-spain-1234670513/
https://arkeonews.net/stone-penis-found-in-medieval-spanish-ruins-had-violent-purpose/

Remains of Chichester's Norman castle have been revealed:

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/remains-of-chichesters-norman-castle-uncovered-for-first-time-since-the-middle-ages-4174821

An 18th century cast iron headstone from Shropshire:

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/shropshire/bridgnorth/2023/06/05/forgotten-iron-tombstone-of-eighteenth-century-foundry-owner-unearthed-in-church/

Excavations of a 19th century burial ground in Poland have revealed a number of 'vampire burials':

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12178139/Grave-containing-450-VAMPIRES-discovered-roadworks-Poland.html

More on petroglyphs from Sweden:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/2700-year-old-petroglyphs-depicting-people-ships-and-animals-discovered-in-sweden
https://www.archaeology.org/issues/503-2303/digs/11213-digs-sweden-viking-swords

More on the find of the submerged medieval church of Rungholt:

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/rungholt-church-discovery-1.6870278
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12159779/Germanys-Atlantis-Experts-discover-lost-city-Rungholt.html
https://www.medievalists.net/2023/06/researchers-discover-medieval-church-lost-to-sea-in-1362/
https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5yygw/archaeologists-discover-remnant-of-lost-village-buried-under-the-ocean-for-600-years

More on evidence of bubonic plague in Bronze Age England:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-745149

Mont-Saint-Michel is celebrating its 1000th anniversary:

https://apnews.com/article/france-montsaintmichel-millenium-macron-unesco-cab19b5ad1be469921448df7d7737f6e

Feature on the Sweet Track roadway in Somerset:

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/whats-on/somerset-roadway-one-oldest-anywhere-8490637

Feature on witch trials in 16th/17th century Scotland:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0fr45qh/witch-trials-scotland-s-loneliest-grave
----------
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 6000 years bp pottery pig whistle from Jiangsu:

http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0609/c90000-20029846.html
https://english.news.cn/20230609/cfcfbfd092e14a0b982e676a1c72cbdc/c.html
http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2023-06/09/content_86803697.htm

Plenty of Western Zhou Dynasty finds from an excavation at Dushan in Zhejiag:

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2023-06/07/content_86562084.htm?f=pad&a=true

Overview of finds from a Shang Dynasty site in Handan:

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202306/1292242.shtml

Feature on the submerged 1400 years bp ruins in Qiandao Lake:

https://arkeonews.net/explore-1400-year-old-ruins-submerged-in-eastern-china-atlantis-of-china/

Feature on oracle bone inscriptions:

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202306/05/WS647d396fa31033ad3f7ba699.html
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-06-04/Oracle-bone-inscriptions-stir-passion-of-veteran-archaeologist-1kmr3Q8tamI/index.html
https://arkeonews.net/oracle-bone-inscriptions-the-worlds-oldest-writing-system-that-has-not-disappeared-in-history/

A 3rd century BCE Buddhist elephant sculpture from Odisha:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/2300-year-old-buddhist-elephant-statue-from-india-is-one-of-the-oldest-known
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11488-230607-india-elephant-statue

A 5th century CE Mahishasura Mardhini plaque from Deerghasi:

https://m.timesofindia.com/city/visakhapatnam/5th-century-mahishasura-mardhini-plaque-found/amp_articleshow/100807691.cms

A 13th century 'tomb-like' structure from a dig at the Siri Fort:

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/asi-stumbles-upon-13th-century-tomb-like-structure-in-siri-fort-8653527/

Some pieces of gold were found during the excavations at Viudhunagar's Vembakottai site:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/archeologists-strike-gold-at-vembakottai-excavation-site/articleshow/100796961.cms
https://m.timesofindia.com/city/madurai/2-gold-pieces-found-during-excavation-at-vembakottai/amp_articleshow/100808086.cms
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/jun/07/two-gold-pieces-unearthed-in-second-phase-of-vembakottai-excavation-2582499.html

A dig at the historic port of Palur is underway:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2023/jun/10/excavation-work-at-palur-port-in-odishas-ganjam-begins-2583704.html

The ASI has restored a pair of domes in the 16th century Purana Qila that collapsed in the 1990s:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/domes-in-arched-cells-at-purana-qila-all-set-to-return-to-full-glory/articleshow/100749539.cms

Feature on plans (a century ago) for an underwater train at Kolkata:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65773871

============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
============================================================
More on Australian petroglyphs depicting Moluccan boats:

https://phys.org/news/2023-05-archaeologists-moluccan-boats-australia-indonesia.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11483-230602-australia-indonesia-art
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
A mastodon tooth from a California beach:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/woman-finds-mastodon-tooth-on-california-beach-180982302/

An Ice Age site in the Kisatchie National Forest:

https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/ani-archaeological-site-in-kisatchie-forest-in-vernon-parish/70278982007/

10 000 years bp (maybe) quartz tools from a site in Lac Philippe (Quebec):

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-indigenous-artifacts-found-near-ottawa-give-clues-to-settlement-dating/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11495-230609-canada-quartz-tools

Study suggests folks in Alaska during the Ice Age survived on freshwater fish:

https://phys.org/news/2023-06-native-populations-survived-younger-dryas.html

Overview of a dig at a 6000 years bp site in Washington associated with the Kalispel tribe:

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jun/05/newly-unearthed-6000-year-old-archaeology-site-nea/
https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2023-06-06/kalispel-tribe-archeological-site-provides-new-insight-on-history-cultural-practices

Latest finds from the Sarabay site on Big Talbot Island includes indigenous and Spanish pottery:

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/archaeology-lab-unf-unveils-new-finds-about-lost-indigenous-town-sarabay/V2RA6FADAFGW3GOCGMLWDSC4PI/
https://www.wokv.com/news/local/archaeology-lab-unf-unveils-new-finds-about-lost-indigenous-town-sarabay/V2RA6FADAFGW3GOCGMLWDSC4PI/

Feature on excavating a 19th century Detroit saloon:

https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/urban-archaeology-detroit-saloon/

Feature on a field school dig on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology:

https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/archaeology-students-dig-iit-bronzeville/

Feature on the search for sites associated with Old French Peoria:

https://www.wcbu.org/local-news/2023-06-07/archaeologists-are-on-a-quest-to-unearth-hints-of-old-french-peoria

... perhaps semi-related dig in East Peoria:

https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/2023/06/09/archeologists-excavate-native-american-home-in-tazewell-county/70298901007/

A time capsule found under Philip Schuyler's statue when it was removed in Albany:

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/time-capsule-found-albany-s-gen-philip-schuyler-18145959.php
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/signs-point-possible-saturday-removal-schuyler-18145222.php
https://www.wamc.org/news/2023-06-10/schuyler-statue-removed-from-outside-albany-city-hall

The Biden administration has banned drilling near Chaco Canyon:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/02/climate/chaco-canyon-biden-protection.html
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
A cache of Late Classic Maya ritual offerings from Uxmal:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article276198411.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/maya-ritual-offerings-discovered-at-uxmal/147564

Evidence of a Toltec settlement near Tula:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/toltec-settlement-uncovered-near-tula/147579

A pre-Spanish-conquest stone glyph from a church in Puebla:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/stone-glyph-with-spiral-representation-found-beneath-mexican-church/147587

A study of the Muralla la Cumbre suggest the Chimu people built it to protect Chan Chan from El Nino effects:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/chimu-culture-constructed-10-km-wall-to-protect-capital-against-el-nino-events/147603

AI used to find more Nazca geoglyphs:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article276121181.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/nazca-geoglyphs-peru-ai-2316856
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11494-230609-peru-artificial-intelligence

A project mapping shipwrecks in the Bahamas:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/shipwrecks-bahamas-research-map-180982314/

Feature on the Olmecs:

https://theconversation.com/aztec-and-maya-civilizations-are-household-names-but-its-the-olmecs-who-are-the-mother-culture-of-ancient-mesoamerica-206380
-----
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
============================================================
Pondering the origins of idolatry:

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2023/06/who-invented-idolatry

Feature on the diary of a York woman writing during the Napoleonic Wars:

https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/research/spotlight-diary-york-woman-1800s/
https://phys.org/news/2023-06-spotlight-thrown-diary-york-woman.html

Feature on what we learn from grave goods:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/grave-goods-reveal-beliefs-about-the-afterlife

A grant to restore Armenian manuscripts:

https://www.armenianmuseum.org/news/rare-armenian-manuscripts-to-be-restored-through-bank-of-america-art-conservation-project-grant

A possible identification of a 15th century manuscript of a medieval comedy act:

https://www.salon.com/2023/06/04/scholars-may-have-an-authentic-manuscript-of-a-medieval-comedy-show-and-its-pretty-funny/

Feature on the oldest maps in the world:

https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/oldest-maps-world

Feature on the history of tattoos:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/tattoos-mummies-ancient-cultures-symbols-meaning

Feature on the history of dyes:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/06/06/purple-nosed-dogs-a-haemorrhoid-cure-and-a-sunken-fleet-a-history-of-dyes-as-colourful-as-its-subject

Feature on Galileo's artsy side:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/galileo-galileis-legacy-went-beyond-science

The lead tablets of the Oracle of Dodona have been added to UNESCO's 'Memory of the World' listings:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/06/06/dodona-oracle-unesco-register/

... as was the Kyrgyz epic 'Manas':

https://arkeonews.net/the-kyrgyz-epic-manas-manuscripts-were-included-in-the-unesco-memory-of-the-world/

On the history of the Crostata di ricotta e visciole:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230608-the-italian-tart-that-tricked-the-pope

An 18th century harp played by Jane Austen's cousin has been restored:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jun/11/jane-austen-cousin-harp-restored

Review of J.C. Hallman, *Say Anarcha*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/09/books/review/say-anarcha-jc-hallman.html
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
The Dutch Supreme Court has ruled that Crimean artifacts that were at a Dutch museum should be returned to Ukraine:

https://fortune.com/2023/06/09/dutch-supreme-court-crimean-artifacts-returned-to-ukraine/

Concerns for sites arising from the Kakhovka flooding:

https://news.yahoo.com/unique-cultural-heritage-sites-destroyed-121027193.html

Feature on a dozen items Russia has looted from Ukraine:

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-society/3719312-stolen-history-twelve-archaeological-treasures-that-russia-looted-from-ukraine.html

Concerns for sites and artifacts in Sudan:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/05/sudan-officials-fear-for-historical-artefacts-threatened-by-fighting
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-11/race-is-on-to-protect-sudan-s-pyramids-and-tombs-as-war-rages

The British Museum's relationship with BP seems possibly fuzzy:

https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2023/06/british-museum-says-no-decisions-taken-about-bp-deal/

============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/a-us-china-collaboration-a-century-ago-helped-find-riches-of-a-lost-civilization-180982272/

Luxury and Power:

https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-06-09/the-british-museum-debunks-greek-myths-about-decadent-persia.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/luxury-power-persia-greece-british-museum-2310565

Picasso:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/09/arts/design/hannah-gadsby-picasso-brooklyn-museum-debate.html

Kurgan Stela:

https://www.dailysabah.com/life/kurgan-stela-discovered-3-years-ago-to-be-displayed-in-turkiyes-erzurum-museum/news

Pallas Athena:

https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/471049-1st-c-bronze-bust-of-pallas-athena-exhibit-of-the-month-for-june-of-national-arc

A Surya idol:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2023/jun/11/13th-century-idol-gets-back-pre-eminent-spot-in-museum-in-delhi-2583795.html

Thoma Cromwell's prayer book:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jun/09/hever-castle-to-display-16th-century-prayer-book-believed-to-be-thomas-cromwells-from-holbein-portrait

Sana'a's National Museum has reopened:

https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/pictures-sanaa-national-museum-reopens-after-decade

The Manchester Jewish Museum revealed the contents of a 150 years bp time capsule:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-65823174

More on the Met and provenance:

https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-06-05/the-met-in-new-york-takes-on-the-cultural-property-debate.html

============================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
============================================================
Tracing Chile's indigenous roots through DNA (and linguistics):

https://phys.org/news/2023-06-chile-indigenous-roots-genetics-linguistics.html
============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
The latest facial reconstruction of Tutankhamun:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ancient-egyptians/king-tuts-likeness-revealed-in-vivid-new-facial-approximation-of-ancient-egyptian-pharaoh
https://www.newsweek.com/tutankhamuns-face-revealed-stunning-detail-new-3d-reconstruction-1804501
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11492-230608-tutankhamun-facial-approximation

Feature on assorted tech used by archaeologists:

https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2023/06/the-tech-helping-debunk-long-held-archaeological-beliefs/

============================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
============================================================
Italian archaeology sites:

https://italicsmag.com/2023/06/07/unearthing-italy-forgotten-archaeological-sites/
============================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
============================================================
A study of medieval music:

https://phys.org/news/2023-06-medieval-music-wasnt-beautiful.html

Orlando Consort:

https://bemf.org/2023-festival/festival-concerts/orlando-consort/

Reviews of Patrick Mackie, *Mozart in Motion*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/books/review/mozart-in-motion-patrick-mackie.html
https://apnews.com/article/mozart-motion-mackie-book-review-a3c2f8492543793fda81c5daaeeef655

============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
A thief in Israel was caught with a number of ancient coins, including one of Mattathias Antigonus:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/looted-rare-coin-from-last-hasmonean-king-seized-in-raid-on-suspected-thief/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-745520
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/rare-2000-yr-old-coin-minted-by-mattathias-antigonus-seized-in-eastern-jerusalem-raid/2023/06/07/

Someone attacked a painting of Jesus in Hamburg:

https://medforth.biz/germany-jesus-painting-in-hamburg-city-church-has-its-throat-cut/
https://journalistenwatch.com/2023/06/02/hamburger-stadtkirche-beklagt-jesus-mit-durchschnittener-kehle/

More on Israel police seizing a number of clay pavement bricks marked with Legio X symbols:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/06/police-seize-dozens-of-clay-pavement-bricks-with-imprints-of-the-legio-x-equestris/147539
----------
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 15th century panel stolen 44 years ago was recovered in Southampton:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-65810296
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/67431
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/uk-museum-recovers-15th-century-altar-panel-almost-50-years-after-it-was-stolen-180982322/

Germany returned a number of stolen artifacts to Italy:

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/germany-returns-14-stolen-artifacts-italy-ancient-gold-roman-coins-stolen-archaeology-museum-1234670501/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/06/06/germany-returns-stolen-artefactsincluding-a-corinthian-bronze-helmet-and-a-venetian-jewellery-boxto-italy

More on Symes-related items being returned to Italy:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/books/review/mozart-in-motion-patrick-mackie.html
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/italy-displays-750-objects-worth-recovered-from-disgraced-antiquities-dealer-robin-symes-1234670467/

... and the problem of obvious fakes being among them:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/06/05/easily-recognisable-fakes-among-artefacts-repatriated-to-italy-from-the-us
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/a-good-percentage-of-ancient-artifacts-recently-repatriated-to-italy-are-fakes-according-to-an-antiquities-expert-2315839

German museums have 40 000 artifacts looted from Cameroon:

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/german-museums-hold-40000-artifacts-looted-from-cameroon-1234670469/

On African Americans seeking reparations for past losses:

https://nytimes.com/2023/06/08/us/black-americans-family-land-reparations.html

More on the problematic ownership issues of the Benin Bronzes:

https://artdaily.com/news/158036/Who-owns-the-Benin-Bronzes--The-answer-just-got-more-complicated-
https://www.ekathimerini.com/nytimes/1212592/who-owns-the-benin-bronzes-the-answer-just-got-more-complicated/

... and probably related:

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230610-row-erupts-in-germany-over-restitution-of-benin-bronzes
============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Part 2 of a feature on Tunisian coinage:

https://www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/tunisian-coinage-part-2

Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n23.html

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

http://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n24.html
------------------------

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Dennis E. Groh:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/milestones/milestones-dennis-e-groh-1939-2023/

Ilan Sharon:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/milestones/milestones-ilan-sharon-1953-2023/

Michael Rogers:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/professor-michael-rogers-87-expert-on-islamic-art-and-curator-of-sell-out-show-6lwmd9drw

Clive Roffee:

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23562983.obituary-clive-roffee-87-led-campaign-burial-bones/

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AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
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Audio News from Archaeologica:

https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3288-audio-news-from-archaeologica-may-28th-through-june-3rd-2023
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GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS
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Archaeology Magazine News Page:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/

About.com Archaeology:

http://archaeology.about.com/

Archaeology Briefs:

http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/

Atlas Obscura:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/

Heritage Daily:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/

Sapiens Archaeology:

https://www.sapiens.org/category/archaeology/

Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:

http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/
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PODCASTS/VODCASTS
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Archaeosoup:

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

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/
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