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explorator 26.28 October 29, 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,
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
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Neanderthal stone tools from Poland's Moravian Gate area:

https://scienceinpoland.pl/en/news/news%2C98539%2Cneanderthal-stone-tools-discovered-raciborz.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11862-231026-poland-neanderthal-tools

Evidence of shoes (flip flops?) being used in the Mesolithic:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-earliest-evidence-flip-flops-middle.html

Study suggests early hominids might have had a cannibalistic side 1.45 million years bp:

https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/ancient-human-cannibalism/

Study suggests Neanderthals knew how to start a fire and regularly used it:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-10-22/ty-article/neanderthals-in-spain-started-the-fire-researchers-deduce/0000018b-57c2-d2b2-addf-77fa1d650000

Study suggests part of the Neanderthal genome came from an extinct lineage of modern humans:

https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/neanderthals-carried-genes-acquired-ancient-interactions-cousins-modern-humans
https://phys.org/news/2023-10-neanderthals-inherited-genome-now-extinct-lineage.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11848-231019-neanderthals-extinct-humans

... another paper in a similar vein it seems:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-encounter-neanderthals-homo-sapiens-told.html

Mone on Neanderthal/sapiens interbreeding:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/humans-and-neanderthals-mated-250000-years-ago-much-earlier-than-thought

Suggestion that Neanderthals were a 'different human form' rather than a separate species:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/neanderthals-different-human-form-not-species-b2434280.html

Study of when the first modern humans reached Europe (60 000 years bp?):

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-modern-humans-europe.html
https://archaeonewsnet.com/who-were-the-first-modern-humans-to-settle-in-europe/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/first-modern-humans-in-europe-are-associated-with-the-gravettian-culture/148967
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AFRICA
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More on the chi-rho tattoo found on a medieval body excavated in Sudan:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/christ-tattoo-discovered-on-1300-year-old-body-in-sudan
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/10/23/a-rare-medieval-christogram-tattoo-from-ghazali-sudan-reveals-greek-letters/
https://arkeonews.net/a-rare-medieval-christogram-tattoo-from-ghazali-sudan/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/rare-christogram-tattoo-found-in-nubian-burial/148957
https://archaeonewsnet.com/a-rare-medieval-tattoo-from-ghazali-sudan/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/10/24/a-rare-medieval-tattoo-from-ghazali-sudan/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11854-231023-sudan-medieval-tattoo

A study of South African pots (137 CE - 1643 CE) sheds light on herders' diets:

https://theconversation.com/ancient-pots-hold-clues-about-how-diverse-diets-helped-herders-thrive-in-southern-africa-211462
https://phys.org/news/2023-10-ancient-pots-clues-diverse-diets.html
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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
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Brief item on the find of a pair of tombs from the Valley of the Kings (date?):

https://see.news/hawass-2-new-tombs-discovered-in-luxor

A genetic study of mummified baboons from Egypt suggests inter alia the regions of Punt and Andulis may have been the same place but at different times:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-exploring-history-baboons-early-egypt.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/10/231024110554.htm
https://archaeonewsnet.com/examining-the-geographic-origin-of-mummified-baboons-in-ancient-egypt/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/genetic-analysis-of-baboons-provides-evidence-that-ancient-punt-and-adulis-were-the-same-place/148999

More on venomous snakes in ancient Egypt:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-ancient-egypt-venomous-snakes-country.html

More on the recent finds at Tuna al-Gebel:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ancient-egyptians/ancient-egyptian-cemetery-holds-rare-book-of-the-dead-papyrus-and-mummies

More on additional rooms found in Sahura's pyramid:

https://www.sci.news/archaeology/egyptian-pharaoh-sahure-pyramid-hidden-rooms-12307.html

Feature on the Pharos of Alexandria:

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2023/10/pharos-lighthouse-alexandria

Researchers have recreated the scent of an ancient mummified person:

https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/10/23/scent-of-the-afterlife-scientists-recreate-the-fragrance-of-an-ancient-egyptian-mummy
https://www.artdependence.com/articles/scientists-recreate-the-fragrance-of-an-ancient-egyptian-mummy/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/egyptian-mummies-edible-perfumes

Folks went out to watch the sun alignment at Abu Simbel:

https://www.egyptindependent.com/video-3000-tourists-observe-sun-alignment-on-king-ramses-iis-face-at-abu-simbel/

Feature on the sarcophagus of Ramses II (currently on tour):

https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/i-want-that-coffin-how-australia-secured-ancient-egyptian-treasure-20231014-p5ec78.html

Study suggests the existence of human settlements in the area of Isfahan some 5000 years bp:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/490481/Human-settlements-established-in-Isfahan-5-000-years-ago-study

Remains of a 'royal' wall/gateway associated with Cyrus the Great from southwestern Iran:

https://arkeonews.net/a-new-finding-in-persepolis-reveals-a-royal-wall/

A Sassanian funerary complex of some sort from the area to be flooded by the Chaparabad Dam:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/490571/Archaeologists-uncover-Sassanian-funerary-ruins-in-northwest

Overview of this year's excavations at Tell Muhammad (Iraq):

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/new-discoveries-at-tell-muhammad/149033

A massive 2700 years bp Lamassu sculpture (missing the head, but it's already in a museum) from near Mosul:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/490639/2-700-year-old-massive-sculpture-unearthed-in-Iraq
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/iraq-unveils-ancient-assyrian-lamassu-statue-nineveh-province
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231025-iraq-dig-unearths-2-700-year-old-winged-sculpture-largely-intact
https://greekreporter.com/2023/10/25/ancient-assyrian-deity-statue-iraq/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/10/27/ive-never-unearthed-anything-this-big-in-my-life-assyrian-sculpture-with-rich-history-unearthed-in-northern-iraq
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/archaeologists-excavate-a-lamassu-at-ancient-khursbad/148982
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11863-231027-iraq-headless-lamassu

Feature on Yale's tablet with a portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh:

https://www.ctinsider.com/connecticutmagazine/history/article/yale-ancient-gilgamesh-tablet-18424498.php

A 5000 years bp 'mother goddess' figurine from Izmir's Yesilova Mound:

https://bianet.org/haber/ancient-goddess-statue-unearthed-in-izmir-286955
https://arkeonews.net/5000-years-old-mother-goddess-statuette-unearthed-in-yesilova-mound/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/68603

A pair of cuneiform inscriptions an a Urartian temple from Turkiye's Van province:

https://arkeonews.net/excavations-at-korzut-castle-unearth-2-cuneiform-inscriptions-and-a-new-urartian-susi-temple/

On the use of 'nano lime' to protect the sculptures at Nemrut:

https://arkeonews.net/nano-lime-protects-nemrut-throne-of-the-gods/

... and a feature on Mount Nemrut:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0gndvlg/mount-nemrut-turkey-s-mystical-stone-monoliths

Feature on some students working on the Cape Gelidonya shipwreck site:

https://news.ecu.edu/2023/10/23/oldest-shipwreck/

More on the 11 000 years bp sculptures found at Karahan Tepe:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/11000-year-old-statue-of-giant-man-clutching-penis-unearthed-in-turkey
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/prehistoric-sculptures-turkey-2374962
https://hypebeast.com/2023/10/archaeologiests-discover-ancient-sculpture-turkey-karahan-tepe
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ancient-statue-man-holding-penis-2381399
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11855-231024-turkey-sculpture-deceased

... and the 11 000 years bp boar sculpture from Gobekli Tepe:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/11000-year-old-boar-statue-uncovered-at-gobekli-tepe/

More on violence in the MIddle East 4500-3300 BCE:

https://archaeonewsnet.com/is-violence-a-natural-part-of-human-nature/

15 000 years bp beads from Israel are the oldest-known use of plant-based red pigments:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-beads-israel-oldest-red-pigments.html
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-770260
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-worlds-oldest-known-organic-paint-was-red-180983132/
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

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ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
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An update on recent finds (I think) at the excavations at the Minoan palace at Archanes:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/10/27/majestic-minoan-palace-archanes-crete/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/archanas-minoan-palace-sparkled-with-gypsum/149042

Overview of the excavations at Kouklia-Marchella (various periods) on Cyprus:

https://archaeonewsnet.com/results-of-the-2023-excavations-at-kouklia-marchello-cyprus/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/10/23/excavations-at-kouklia-marchello-2023/

An intact Etruscan tomb from the Osteria necropolis (Italian):

https://stilearte.it/trovata-e-aperta-unaltra-tomba-etrusca-nella-necropoli-dellosteria-a-montalto-di-castro-apparteneva-alla-citta-di-vulci/

Archaeologists are excavating a 4th century BCE stoa found partially submerged at Salamis:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/10/28/archaeologists-discovered-submerged-stoa-complex-in-ancient-salamis-greece/
https://arkeonews.net/archaeologists-discovered-submerged-stoa-complex-in-ancient-salamis-greece/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/archaeologists-excavate-a-partially-submerged-stoa-complex-in-ancient-salamis/149020

... and with a focus on an image of Ajax found during the excavations:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/depiction-of-trojan-war-hero-ajax-found-in-1800-year-old-submerged-building-in-greece

A Roman burial and 2000 years bp coin found during water pipeline work in Hampshire:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-67158304

A 2000 years bp section of Roman road from Altino (Italian):

https://stilearte.it/un-tratto-di-strada-romana-portato-alla-luce-ad-altino-trovata-pinzetta-chirurgica-nella-cloaca-di-2000-anni-fa/

A 1900 years bp or so Greek inscription found in the Roman baths at Hisarya (Bulgaria):

https://greekreporter.com/2023/10/24/ancient-greek-inscription-bulgaria/

Overview piece on finds made over the past while at Magna Roman Fort:

https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/skeleton-discovered-among-other-unexpected-surprises-from-a-hadrians-wall-excavation-project-4387051

A 2nd century 'headless barbarian' statue from Athens (?) was revealed (not a lot of details here):

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1223039/ephorate-presents-rare-headless-barbarian/

A sealed 2nd century Roman sarcophagus from Reims (we may have mentioned this a few weeks ago):

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/roman-sarcophagus-discovered-in-reims-france-2371626
https://www.artdependence.com/articles/a-roman-sarcophagus-discovered-by-french-archaeologists-in-reims/
https://www.thecollector.com/a-roman-sarcophagus-discovered-by-french-archaeologists/

A Roman-era 'cube burial' (?) from Yalova (Turkiye):

https://www.turkiyenewspaper.com/culture/16936

A 2nd-4th century CE building complex with mosaics from central Athens:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1223380/ancient-complex-unearthed-in-central-athens/

I think we mentioned these Roman coin hoards found in Wales back in 2018 which have been declared treasure:

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/world/2023/10/25/roman-coins-field-wales/71301037007/

Declassified Cold War satellite images have revealed hundreds of Roman 'forts' (there's a rethink happening) in the Syrian desert:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-spy-satellites-reveal-hundreds-undiscovered.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1006228
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/cold-war-satellite-images-reveal-nearly-400-roman-forts-in-the-middle-east
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/oct/26/cold-war-satellite-images-hundreds-unknown-roman-forts
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/26/declassified-images-us-cold-war-roman-frontier/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12674499/Declassified-images-American-Cold-War-spy-satellites-reveal-HUNDREDS-lost-Roman-forts-Syria-Iraq.html
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2398011/middle-east
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-10-26/ty-article-magazine/spy-satellites-over-syria-reveal-hundreds-of-ancient-roman-forts/0000018b-624e-d288-afef-f2deff9e0000
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/25/world/roman-forts-spy-satellite-photos-scn/index.html
https://www.deseret.com/2023/10/26/23933361/from-biplanes-to-cold-war-satellites-new-study-unlocks-mysteries-of-ancient-roman-forts
https://www.vice.com/en/article/3akj5b/declassified-spy-images-just-upended-what-we-know-about-the-roman-empire
https://www.science.org/content/article/spy-photos-syrian-desert-reveal-ancient-roman-forts
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/roman-forts-archaeology-cold-war-spy-satellite-photos
https://arkeonews.net/declassified-cia-satellite-spy-program-reveals-lost-ancient-roman-forts/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/lost-roman-forts-discovered-using-cold-war-spy-satellites/149010

cf: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/wall-or-a-road-a-remote-sensingbased-investigation-of-fortifications-on-romes-eastern-frontier/8FE59FB0D5476EA329614EEC6DC414FD

Possible/claimed find of the bronze pupil of one of the Riace bronzes:

https://www.calabriadirettanews.com/2023/10/22/riace-una-nuova-luce-sui-bronzi-ritrovata-una-pupilla-in-bronzo/
https://reggio.gazzettadelsud.it/articoli/cultura/2023/10/27/locchio-di-uno-dei-bronzi-di-riace-la-soprintendenza-frena-sui-reperti-trovati-ad-agosto-a18506b0-b72a-4cd8-bad4-913447941493/

More on the remains of a 2300 years bp Celtic (and later Roman) settlement at Munich:

https://arkeonews.net/2300-years-old-first-complete-ancient-celtic-village-and-roman-settlement-discovered-in-munich/

More on traces of pigment being found on the Parthenon Sculptures:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/parthenon-marbles-painted-2377443

More on the Greek helmet found at Elea-Velia:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/ancient-greek-helmet-found-at-elea-velia/148946

More on political graffiti inside a Pompeii residence:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/pompeii-political-inscripton-2372386
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11857-231024-pompeii-campaign-message

More on the 'ornate' Roman sandal found in a well in Spain:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/2000-year-old-decorated-roman-sandal-unearthed-in-spain
https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-10-17/the-roman-well-cleaner-who-lost-a-sandal-2000-years-ago-in-spain.html
https://archaeonewsnet.com/uniquely-decorated-roman-sandal-discovered-in-spain/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11860-231026-spain-roman-sandal

More on what a Greek papyrus revels about ancient trade routes:

https://archaeonewsnet.com/the-greek-papyrus-muziris-reveals-ancient-trade-routes/

Plans to resume the excavations at Carlisle's Roman Bath:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-67213827

The Medusa mosaic in Burdur is to be covered to protect it from winter weather:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/medusa-mosaic-to-be-shielded-for-winter-protection-187247

The Mithraeum of Santa Maria Capua Vetere in Caserta has reopened to the public:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/68585

Reviews of Mary Beard, *Emperor of Rome*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/books/review/emperor-of-rome-mary-beard.html
https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-10-28/mary-beards-emperor-of-rome-explores-the-exploits-its-pitiless-rulers.html

... and related interview:

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/10/26/mary-beard-roman-empire-book/

A mock trial of Cicero regarding his execution of Catiline resulted in his (Cicero's) acquittal:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cicero-cleared-at-supreme-court-of-murdering-five-opponents-in-2-086-year-old-case-696bnxmbj
https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/1502/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/1502/pub/1502/page/12/article/NaN

On how the Iliad still resonates with people:

https://retrospectjournal.com/2023/10/22/why-does-homers-iliad-still-resonate/

Not sure where to put this item on Greek kingdoms in ancient China:

https://greekreporter.com/2023/10/26/ancient-greek-kingdom-china/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/
============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
============================================================
A farmer in Poland came across some Neolithic (probably Funnelbeaker culture) points:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/10/26/farmer-finds-ancient-weapons-while-ploughing-field/

A 4000 years bp hand axe found during an 'archaeology event' in Knaresborough:

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/tribal-chieftans-hand-axe-4-091507147.html

More on the 5000 years bp multi-room tomb found on Orkney:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/5000-year-old-tomb-holding-hugging-skeletons-in-scotland-is-neolithic-feat-of-engineering
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/21/a-neolithic-feat-of-engineering-orkney-dig-reveals-ruins-of-huge-tomb
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-67195563
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/neolithic-tomb-skeletons-discovered-5000-years-old-orkney-islands-scotland/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/68591
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11851-231023-scotland-orkney-tomb

Iron Age finds from Bedford are leading to changes in plans for a solar farm:

https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/politics/council/significant-archaeological-find-means-change-of-plans-for-solar-farm-site-near-bedford-4384472

Remains of an Iron Age settlement and burial from Worcestershire:

https://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/23878219.iron-age-settlement-skeleton-found-evesham/

A 2200 years bp Celtic 'die' from Poland:

https://scienceinpoland.pl/en/news/news%2C98486%2Carchaeologists-find-2000-year-old-dice-southern-poland.html
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/68597
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11852-231023-poland-celtic-die

Pipeline construction near a church in Freising (Germany) revealed a 15th century burial with a skeleton with a prosthetic hand:

https://arkeonews.net/archaeologists-found-a-medieval-skeleton-with-a-prosthetic-hand-in-freising-germany/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/68609
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/archaeologists-find-a-medieval-skeleton-with-a-prosthetic-hand/149026

400 piece of Reformation-era stained glass from a dig at St Matthew's Church in Coldridge:

https://www.creditoncourier.co.uk/news/400-pieces-of-glass-found-during-archaeological-excavations-at-coldridge-645636

Fragments of a 17th century Iconostasis from the attic of a Polish church:

https://arkeonews.net/fragments-of-unique-17th-century-iconostasis-discovered-in-polish-church/

More on the find of a Crusader-era sword in a burial in Finland:

https://archaeonewsnet.com/crusader-era-sword-and-cemetery-unearthed-in-finland/

More on the 18th century cold bath found under Bath Assembly Rooms:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/oct/08/archaeologists-uncover-rare-18th-century-cold-bath-under-bath-assembly-rooms
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/18th-century-cold-bath-found-in-bath-assembly-rooms/148977
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/10/24/18th-century-cold-bath-found-in-an-assembly-room-in-bath/

More on European seaweed consumption:

https://theconversation.com/people-in-europe-ate-seaweed-for-thousands-of-years-before-it-largely-disappeared-from-their-diets-new-research-216184
https://phys.org/news/2023-10-menu-europeans-ate-seaweed.html

More on the coin of Esunertos:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/rare-2100-year-old-gold-coin-bears-name-of-obscure-ruler-from-pre-roman-britain

More on that cross-shaped medieval reliquary from Poland:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/rare-cross-shaped-reliquary-unearthed-from-medieval-knights-home-in-poland

More on the possibly Shakespeare-trodden floorboards revealed at St George's Guildhall:

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67007980
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11785-231009-england-theater-floorboards

More on that 17th century 'child vampire burial' from Poland:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/400-year-old-child-remains-found-in-locked-grave-poland-2367569

The Ninfeo della Poggia has reopened on Rome's Palatine Hill:

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-rome-restored-ninfeo-della-pioggia-reopens.html

Subsiding concerns for a 12th century 'leaning tower' in Bologna:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/bologna-garisenda-tower/index.html

Hyping a CT scan study of some gold bracteates from Vindelev (Denmark):

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-3d-scans-uncover-secrets-iron.html

Plans (and funding) to investigate submerged 'Stone Age' settlements in the Baltic and North Seas:

https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/research/stone-age-settlements/

A study of 800 years bp teeth have revealed remains of assorted antibodies:

https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/centuries-old-antibodies-recovered-from-ancient-teeth/
----------
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
============================================================
Not sure where this item on 'early Holocene' finds from Mongolia should go:

https://scienceinpoland.pl/en/news/news%2C98653%2Carchaeologists-mongolia-discover-remains-prehistoric-hearths-pottery-and-ostrich
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/10/26/remains-of-prehistoric-hearths-pottery-and-ostrich-eggs/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11858-231025-mongolia-hunter-gatherer

A sheep-drawn chariot from Qin's Mausoleum site in Xi'an:

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202310/26/WS653a3b80a31090682a5eaf07.html
http://www.ecns.cn/news/2023-10-27/detail-ihcuhukc3888740.shtml
https://arkeonews.net/a-rare-sheep-carriage-and-ancient-chariots-found-near-mausoleum-of-chinas-first-emperor/

More on ancient grenades found stashed near the Great Wall:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/dozens-of-centuries-old-stone-grenades-from-ming-dynasty-discovered-at-great-wall-of-china
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3239099/dozens-ancient-stone-grenades-found-first-its-kind-discovery-great-wall-china-weapons-storehouse
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/great-wall-ancient-grenades/

The Sizhou Ruins site will soon open to the public:

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202310/1300412.shtml

7000 years bp shark-tooth knives from Indonesia:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-shark-knife-year-old-shark-tooth-knives.html
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/indonesia-shark-tooth-knives/
https://arkeonews.net/archaeologists-discover-7000-year-old-tiger-shark-tooth-knives-in-indonesia/

Neolithic petroglyphs from Andra Pradesh:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/rock-art-dating-back-to-neolithic-period-found-in-palnadu-district-of-andhra-pradesh/article67454436.ece

A 3rd century BCE ring well from Puducherry:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/puducherry/3rd-century-bce-ring-well-excavated-in-puducherry/articleshow/104743771.cms

The archway of a 12th century Qutub mosque in Delhi was restored:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/archway-of-12th-century-qutub-mosque-restored-in-delhi-101698430886966.html

The ASI has started restoration work in Balban's tomb in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/13th-century-balbans-tomb-inside-mehrauli-park-goes-under-the-knife/articleshow/104744526.cms

Concerns for a Mauryan period assembly hall in Patna:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/archaeologists-flag-concern-over-buried-mauryan-period-assembly-hall-demand-immediate-restoration/articleshow/104797863.cms?from=mdr

============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
============================================================
More on that dingo burial:

https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2023/10/23/archaeologists--barkindji-custodians-excavate-dingo-burial.html
https://archaeonewsnet.com/dingoes-given-almost-human-status-in-pre-colonial-australia/
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
Road construction in Oshkosh is delayed after the find of an 'extensive' Native American village:

https://fox11online.com/news/local/oshkosh-road-construction-delayed-as-archaeologists-unearth-extensive-native-american-village

Feature on a former slave quarters in Roxbury:

https://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2023/10/23/boston-history-slavery-roxbury-shirley-eustis-house

Feature on a number of the oldest sites in the Americas (both North and South):

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/the-oldest-archaeological-sites-in-the-americas

More on that 19th century shipwreck under a street in St Augustine:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/florida-road-workers-uncover-19th-century-shipwreck-180983113/

Plans to restore a Russian Orthodox church in Anchorage:

https://apnews.com/article/alaska-anchorage-russian-orthodox-church-5ab2d9bd06d56f354f815b246fafc2d3
============================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
============================================================
Lower water levels in the Amazon have revealed a number of 2000 years bp carved human faces:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-drought-brazil-amazon-reveals-ancient.html
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/severe-drought-reveals-more-than-100-rock-carvings-in-amazonian-tributary-that-may-be-up-to-2000-years-old
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/oct/24/brazil-amazon-climate-change-rock-carvings-petroglyphs
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67204409
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/67217961
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/ancient-human-face-rock-carvings-amazon-b2435518.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/24/ancient-rock-carvings-on-amazon-river-after-drought/
https://www.dw.com/en/amazon-drought-exposes-prehistoric-rock-carvings/g-67213075
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ancient-amazon-river-rock-carvings-exposed-by-drought-2023-10-23/
https://apnews.com/article/amazon-drought-negro-river-petroglyphs-19ef695e7c3bed3849735ff00f09ef30
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/severe-drought-amazon-reveals-millennia-carvings-104452749
https://www.cnn.com/style/brazil-amazon-face-carvings-scn/index.html
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-25/ancient-amazon-river-rock-carvings-exposed-by-drought/103020814
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/10/25/ancient-rock-carving-amazon-revealed-drought-brazil
https://arkeonews.net/2000-year-old-stone-faces-and-engravings-emerge-amid-severe-drought-in-amazon/
https://archaeonewsnet.com/drought-in-brazils-amazon-reveals-ancient-engravings/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/severe-drought-in-the-amazon-reveals-ancient-face-carvings-180983143/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11856-231024-brazil-exposed-carvings

More on the Amazon having 10 000 pre-Columbian earthworks to find:

https://www.science.org/content/article/laser-mapping-reveals-hidden-structures-in-amazon-hints-thousands-more
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/10-000-pre-columbian-structures-could-be-hidden-beneath-amazon-rain-forest/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/10/24/amazonian-rainforest-hides-thousands-of-records-of-ancient-indigenous-communities/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11825-231011-amazon-lidar-earthworks

More on the giant Aztec snake head revealed after an earthquake in Mexico City:

https://www.zmescience.com/science/earthquake-in-mexico-unearths-spectacular-aztec-serpents-head-relic/
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/inah-aztec-snake-head-earthquake/
https://www.sciencealert.com/giant-aztec-snake-head-surfaces-in-mexico-city-after-earthquake
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/68577
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-preserve-a-giant-colorful-aztec-snakehead-uncovered-by-an-earthquake-180983127/

Study suggests immigrants in pre-Hispanic Cancun were treated like locals:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-prehispanic-cancun-immigrants-maya-locals.html

Feature on Zelia Nuttall:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/zelia-nuttall-globe-trotting-scholar-unlocked-secrets-aztecs-180983049/
-----
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
============================================================
How early science fiction imagined aliens:

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231019-the-weird-aliens-of-early-science-fiction

Pondering when humans began burying their dead:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/when-did-humans-start-burying-their-dead

Marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio:

https://www.columbian.com/news/2023/oct/28/exhibits-and-collectors-editions-mark-400th-anniversary-of-shakespeares-first-folio/
https://apnews.com/article/shakespeare-first-folio-400th-anniversary-fa2e28a06a15fd649c2d905cd148b8db
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/exhibits-collectors-editions-mark-400th-anniversary-shakespeares-folio-104221579

Feature on some seminal science books:

https://news.yale.edu/2023/10/23/reaching-across-centuries-these-seminal-science-books-speak-volumes

Feature on Gladstone's library:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231022-gladstones-the-uks-only-residential-library

Feature on weird medieval art:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/oct/26/weird-medieval-guys-olivia-m-swarthout-art-rabbits

The Swedish Academy Dictionary is officially completed but not quite done:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/25/official-swedish-dictionary-completed-after-140-years

On the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/27/arts/theodore-roosevelt-presidential-library.html

More on women as hunters:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-prehistoric-gender-roles-women-hunters.html
https://archaeonewsnet.com/new-study-challenges-the-narrative-that-only-men-were-hunters/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/10/23/research-article-woman-the-hunter-the-archaeological-evidence/
============================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:
============================================================
Some gold jewelry stolen from Ukraine was recovered in Spain:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67195215
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2023/10/23/stolen-ancient-ukrainian-gold-jewelry-worth-millions-seized-by-police-in-spain/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-24/stolen-artefacts-ukraine-spanish-police/103013884
https://apnews.com/article/jewelry-ancient-gold-spain-ukraine-57334d5f8c33709ceb46950db9031bb5
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/spanish-police-seize-alleged-ukrainian-artifacts-expert-doubt-their-authenticity-2385011

... but there do seem to be questions:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/24/world/europe/spain-gold-jewelry-artifacts-ukraine.html

Concerns for sites in Nagorno-Karabakh:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2023/10/28/haut-karabagh-la-fin-du-patrimoine-armenien/

Concerns for sites in Gaza:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12649597/The-archaeological-sites-risk-wiped-Israeli-Palestinian-conflict-oldest-Christian-Church-Gaza-unprecedented-Roman-necropolis-containing-130-tombs.html

============================================================
LANGUAGE RELATED
============================================================
Using AI to figure out what ancient languages sounded like:

https://mymodernmet.com/listen-to-ancient-languages-equator-ai/

Trying to reconcile a couple theories about Indo-European language origins:

https://theconversation.com/indo-european-languages-new-study-reconciles-two-dominant-hypotheses-about-their-origin-216098
https://phys.org/news/2023-10-dominant-indo-european-language.html

============================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
============================================================
Laughing Cavalier:

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20231019-the-laughing-cavalier-the-masterpiece-that-became-a-meme

cf: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/the-credit-suisse-exhibition-frans-hals

Bonnie Prince Charlie's sword:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-67193435

Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs:

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/510795.aspx

Land Carries our Ancestors:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/10/26/national-gallery-of-art-the-land-carries-our-ancestors/

Secret Room Drawings (Michelangelo?):

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/26/travel/florence-michelangelo-drawings.html

Hans Holbein:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/oct/25/hans-holbein-drawings-tudor-court-queens-gallery-london

cf: https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/holbein-at-the-tudor-court/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace

Mickalene Thomas:

https://news.yale.edu/2023/10/20/yale-exhibition-immerses-viewers-pre-emancipation-settings

More on the reopening of the Greco-Roman museum of Alexandria:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1223142/the-greco-roman-museum-of-alexandria-has-reopened/
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/44/510052/Antiquities/Museums/Renowned-GraecoRoman-Museum-in-Alexandria-has-fina.aspx

More on a missing Rodin sculpture:

https://hyperallergic.com/852514/how-did-a-museum-misplace-an-auguste-rodin-sculpture/

More on items missing from Scotland's museums:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-67084059

The AMNH is removing human remains from its exhibits:

https://apnews.com/article/human-remains-museum-natural-history-new-york-858a947b067a941a57523e6967302152

============================================================
AUCTIONS AND SALES RELATED
============================================================
An 18th century Bristol Old Vic theatre token is coming to auction and might still be valid:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-67194169

============================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
============================================================
Using DNA to make links between skulls stolen from Africa a century ago and their descendents:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/skulls-stolen-from-africa-a-century-ago-have-been-genetically-linked-with-living-people

============================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
============================================================
Interesting robotic GPR device:

https://partner.sciencenorway.no/archaeology-cultural-history-niku/this-robot-is-on-the-hunt-for-norways-hidden-cultural-heritage/2268359

Plenty of coverage of the facial reconstruction of Peru's 'Ice Maiden':

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-experts-reconstruct-peru-famous-mummy.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67215649
https://www.reuters.com/science/scientists-unveil-recreation-sacrificed-inca-maiden-peru-2023-10-25/
https://apnews.com/article/peru-mummy-face-reconstruction-3052c25426b5393dc93fa36861516b63
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/peru-mummy-inca-ice-maiden-juanita-face-reconstructed/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-12669067/Experts-reconstruct-face-Peru-s-famous-mummy-teenage-Inca-sacrificed-Andean-snow.html
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/ice-maiden-ampato-inca-mummy-facial-reconstruction
https://archaeonewsnet.com/experts-reconstruct-the-face-of-perus-most-famous-mummy-a-teenage-inca-sacrificed-in-andean-snow/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/10/researchers-reconstruct-face-of-inca-girl-sacrificed-at-volcano/149005
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-face-of-an-inca-teenager-killed-during-a-ritual-sacrifice-some-500-years-ago-180983139/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11861-231026-peru-facial-reconstruction

Feature on how they do facial reconstructions:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/facial-reconstruction-ancient-people-archaeology
============================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
============================================================
A study of the impact of climate change on human populations in Europe during the Neolthic and Bronze Ages:

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-climate-impacted-human-populations-neolithic.html
============================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
============================================================
Belize caves:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/ancient-maya-underworld-belizean-caves

'Weird' walks in the UK:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/oct/28/in-search-of-strange-and-sacred-sites-the-uks-weirdest-walks

Latest tourists behaving badly involves a large group having a BBQ on West Kennet Long Barrow:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-67204359
============================================================
PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC RELATED
============================================================
Israel in Egypt:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/27/arts/music/new-york-philharmonic-israel-in-egypt-review.html

Rodelinda:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/22/arts/music/rodelinda-hudson-hall-review.html

Partnership:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/theater/partnership-review-mint-theater.html

============================================================
CRIME BEAT
============================================================
Monza police recovered five ancient coins that were for sale on a website:

https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2023/10/23/monza-art-cops-recover-greek-coins-on-sale-on-web_5022e145-6818-4dee-930a-0457c177bc29.html
https://www.ilgiorno.it/monza-brianza/cronaca/monete-greche-restituite-icnzyope

Roman and Ottoman coins found in a Bulgarian treasure hunter's luggage:

https://www.romaniajournal.ro/society-people/three-bulgarians-caught-while-trying-to-flee-romania-with-rare-treasure-hidden-in-a-bottle/
https://www.stiripesurse.ro/roman-ottoman-coins-discovered-at-border-in-bulgarian-treasure-hunters-luggage_3117639.html

Nice background piece on the thefts at the British Museum:

https://www.wsj.com/style/british-museum-ittai-gradel-heist-efec0847
----------
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 Met (and others?) are about to return 1400+ items to India, apparently:

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/antiquities-from-met-set-to-return-as-us-hands-over-1414-objects-9003866/
https://www.wionews.com/india-news/met-museum-to-return-antiquities-to-india-as-part-of-1414-objects-to-be-sent-by-us-652582
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/oct/29/india-to-expectantiquities-as-us-offers1440-artefacts-forrepatriation-2628113.html

Australia returned a number of smuggled items to China:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-67224568

A stolen painting missing since 1945 was recovered and returned to the Bavaria State Painting Collection:

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/stolen-painting-missing-1945-recovered-fbi-chicago-bavaria-us-army-soldier-1234683748/

Wounded Knee descendants are trying to get items back from the American Museum of Natural History:

https://www.propublica.org/article/wounded-knee-american-museum-natural-history

Feature on repatriation of artifacts by Mexico:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/23/science/archaeology-mexico-jaguar-chalcatzingo.html

Feature on Nepal's recent repatriation successes:

https://www.cnn.com/style/nepal-itumbaha-monastery-treasures-repatriation-rubin-museum/index.html

Feature on the Acropolis Research Group and their repatriation efforts:

https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/10/26/repatriating-greeces-stolen-heritage/

More on the Cleveland MoA fighting the seizure of a statue by the New York district attorney:

https://www.cnn.com/style/cleveland-museum-art-statue-seizure/index.html
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/10/23/cleveland-museum-art-sues-manhattan-district-attorney-bronze-statue-seizure
============================================================
NUMISMATICA
============================================================
Feature on Hera on ancient coins:

https://coinweek.com/hera-on-ancient-coins-queen-of-the-gods/

Latest e-Sylum:

https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n43.html

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

https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/club_nbs_esylum_v26n44.html
------------------------

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

============================================================
OBITUARIES
============================================================
Janet Martin:

https://www.princeton.edu/news/2023/10/23/janet-martin-medieval-latinist-and-gracious-generous-mentor-dies-84

Joseph Solodow:

https://news.yale.edu/2023/10/23/joseph-solodow-erudite-scholar-memorable-classics-professor

Natalie Zemon Davis:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/23/books/natalie-zemon-davis-dead.html

Petros Themelis:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1223573/renowned-archaeologist-petros-themelis-whose-work-restored-ancient-messene-dies/
https://greekreporter.com/2023/10/28/greek-archaeologist-petros-themelis-ancient-messene-dies/
============================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
============================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:

https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/3321-audio-news-from-archaeologica-october-15th-through-the-21st-2023
============================================================
GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS
============================================================
Archaeology Magazine News Page:

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

About.com Archaeology:

http://archaeology.about.com/

Archaeology Briefs:

http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/

Atlas Obscura:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/

Heritage Daily:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/

Sapiens Archaeology:

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

Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:

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

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

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/
============================================================
EXPLORATOR is a free weekly newsletter bringing you the latest
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