===============================================================
explorator 23.45 February 28, 2021
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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).
================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Studying the hand structure of Ardipithecus ramidus (Ardi):
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/tau-ash022421.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210225082500.htm https://phys.org/news/2021-02-million-year-old-skeleton-reveal-early-humans.html
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/ardipithecus-ramidus-hand-09397.html https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/44-million-year-old-ardi-skeleton-could.html
Some revisionary claims about Dawson's involvement in the Piltdown Man thing:
https://menafn.com/1101650023/A-new-twist-to-whodunnit-in-sciences-famous-Piltdown-Man-hoax
A new theory on human brain evolution:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-researchers-offer-new-theory-on-human-brain-evolution-we-were-hungry/
More on Neanderthal connections to COVID-19:
https://www.pnas.org/content/118/9/e2026309118 ================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Feature on the legend of the 'flying African':
https://theconversation.com/how-a-mass-suicide-by-slaves-caused-the-legend-of-the-flying-african-to-take-off-153422
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
A study of the 4600 years bp painting of the Meidum Geese suggest it depicts an extinct/unknown species:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egypt-art-extinct-goose.html https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2021/02/ancient-art-reveals-extinct-goose https://phys.org/news/2021-02-ancient-art-reveals-extinct-goose.html https://news.artnet.com/art-world/extinct-goose-egypt-mona-lisa-1947028 https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/ancient-egyptian-art-reveals-extinct.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/26/extinct-goose-revealed-by-ancient-art-study/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/4600-year-old-egyptian-painting-may-show-extinct-goose-180977101/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9490-210224-egypt-extinct-goose
A study of a 3500 years bp medical papyrus is being used to recreating the mummification process:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/uoc--aem022621.php https://phys.org/news/2021-02-ancient-egyptian-manual-reveals-mummification.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9304751/Ancient-Egyptian-embalming-instructions-reveals-process-wrapping-dead-persons-face.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/ancient-egyptian-manual-reveals-new-details-about-mummification/137416
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/ancient-egyptian-manual-reveals-new.html
More on the beer factory at Abydos:
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/02/egypt-archaeology-discovery-beer-brewery-pharaos-tourism.html
The sun shone on the Ramses III statue in Abu Simbel:
https://www.egyptindependent.com/video-biannual-sun-illumination-shines-on-ramses-ii-statue-in-abu-simbel/
... and a statue at the GEM has been aligned to commemorate the same phenomenon:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/98886/The-sun-rays-shine-on-statue-of-King-Ramesses-II
... while there's now a virtual tour of the Abu Simbel Temples as well:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/98948/Egypt-s-Min-of-Tourism-Antiquities-presents-virtual-tour-of
https://www.egyptindependent.com/tourism-and-antiquities-ministry-launches-virtual-tour-of-ramses-ii-temple/
There's also a virtual tour of the tomb of Kheti:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/99035/Enjoy-virtual-tour-in-tomb-of-Kheti-in-Egypt%E2%80%99s-Beni
Development plans for the Temple of Atripps:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/99077/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Minister-of-Tourism-Antiquities-inaugurates-two-development-projects-of
Recreating Egyptian breadmaking:
https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/history-ideas/2021/02/a-french-researcher-recreates-how-ancient-egyptians-made-their-bread/
Egypt has opened its first archaeological replicas factory:
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/02/egypt-factory-antique-replicas-chinese-products-archaeology.html
Once again, Egypt is announcing it will make an announcement of a 'huge discovery' (in March):
https://dailynewsegypt.com/2021/02/28/egypt-to-announce-huge-archaeological-discovery-in-luxor-this-march-zahi-hawas/
I think we mentioned thes 1st millennium BCE (maybe) petroglyphs from Lorestan:
https://ifpnews.com/new-historical-rock-carvings-found-in-western-iran
Plans to restore a 1200 years bp cemetery in Shiraz:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/458422/Archaeologists-to-restore-ancient-cemetery-in-Shiraz
Feature on the Jiroft civilization:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/jiroft-culture-iran-lost-civilzation
Feature on Shalmaneser III:
https://www.haaretz.com/amp/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-when-ancient-israel-and-the-arabs-united-against-a-common-enemy-1.9562023
Feature on Queen Kubaba:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/queen-kubaba-the-tavern-keeper-who-became-the-first-female-ruler-in-history
Feature on the role of women in war in the ancient Near East:
https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/02/genderbending-performances
'Unusual decorations' (kinda sorta) from a 1500 years bp dwelling in Sardis:
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/puppy-paws-on-the-walls-ancient-house-featured-unusual-decorations/
Feature on the Silver Scrolls of Ketef Hinnom:
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/archaeology-how-the-most-significant-biblical-texts-were-hidden-for-thousands-of-years/ar-BB1dVEJn
Feature on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/jerusalem/inside-the-church-of-the-holy-sepulchre/
More on claims of Palestinians damaging an Iron Age site on Mount Ebal and related events:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/settlers-take-on-west-bank-archaeology-as-ancient-joshua-wall-tumbles-down/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/joshuas-forgotten-altar-is-now-a-land-battle-659847
Plans to resume digs at Saudi sites:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1814636
Izmir is seeking Heritage Status for four sites:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/izmir-seeks-world-heritage-status-for-four-zones-162621
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
The big news this week was the announcement of a find of an intact 'ceremonial carriage' at Pompeii:
http://pompeiisites.org/en/comunicati/the-four-wheeled-processional-chariot-the-last-discovery-of-pompeii/
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2021/02/27/eros-and-marriage-new-carriage-discovered-at-pompeii_b0c9b47e-cba7-4567-80dc-d9517d15d9b9.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/27/archaeologists-find-unique-ceremonial-vehicle-near-pompeii
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56222992 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pompeii-chariot-ceremonial-villa-civita-giuliana-b1808530.html
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210227-roman-chariot-unearthed-almost-intact-near-pompeii
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/pompeii-chariot-discovery-intl-scli-scn/index.html
https://www.dw.com/en/ancient-chariot-unearthed-at-pompeii/a-56726684 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/archeologists-find-intact-ceremonial-chariot-near-pompeii/2021/02/27/5bcc24dc-7920-11eb-9489-8f7dacd51e75_story.html
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/27/972118983/a-lamborghini-of-chariots-is-discovered-at-pompeii-archaeologists-are-wowed
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-pompeii/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-ceremonial-carriage-near-pompeii-idUSKBN2AR0E1
https://www.yahoo.com/news/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-ceremonial-carriage-124916690.html
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Archeologists-find-intact-ceremonial-chariot-near-15984760.php
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ancient-ceremonial-carriage-uncovered-archaeologists-near-pompeii-n1259067
https://abc11.com/science/archeologists-find-intact-ceremonial-chariot-near-pompeii/10375722/
https://menafn.com/1101672750/Roman-chariot-unearthed-almost-intact-near-Pompeii&source=19
https://phys.org/news/2021-02-roman-chariot-unearthed-intact-pompeii.html http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60854 https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/four-wheeled-processional-chariot-found.html
... and that news seems to have eclipsed the restoration of spectacular frescoes in the House of the Ceii at Pompeii:
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/pompeii-fresco-in-house-of-ceii-glows-with-vivid-colours-after-restoration.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fresco-restorers-reveal-a-brush-with-death-in-pompeii-fwwg38vvq
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/pompeii-fresco-restoration-intl-scli-scn/index.html
https://www.9news.com.au/world/restoration-of-pompeiis-house-of-the-ceii-reveals-roman-frescoes-glowing-with-colour/8bef9184-48ab-49a3-b37f-5a75d480d10a
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/large-pompeii-fresco-restored-to-former.html
In case you missed the news that there was a new director at Pompeii:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccahughes/2021/02/23/pompeiis-new-director-brings-innovation-to-italys-archeological-treasure/
https://phys.org/news/2021-02-italy-german-archaeologist-oversee-pompeii.html https://www.abc27.com/news/italy-taps-german-archaeologist-to-oversee-pompeii-ruins/
https://www.dw.com/en/a-fresh-vision-for-pompeii-as-new-director-is-appointed/a-56663403
... and some folks weren't happy with the appointment, apparently:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/26/pompeii-vexes-board-with-appointment-of-german-director
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/row-erupts-over-pompeiis-appointment-of-german-chief-d3g7h97kw
A pair of high status Roman domus from Nimes:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/archaeologists-discover-ornate-roman-domus-in-central-nimes/137276
https://www.finestresullarte.info/archeologia/nimes-trovate-due-ricche-domus-romane
A sarcophagus for a possible child burial at Torre Spaccata [bad translation]:
https://www.italy24news.com/en/2021/02/excavations-for-optical-fiber-in-rome-a-sarcophagus-resurfaces-in-torre-spaccata-buried-perhaps-a-child.html
A 2000 years bp mosaic from a Roman domus site in Todi (Italian):
https://www.iltamtam.it/2021/02/24/todi-recuperato-mosaico-di-una-domus-romana/
2300 years bp Punic remains (maybe) from Cartagena:
https://murciatoday.com/2300_year_old-shield-and-compass-discovered-at-the-punic-wall-in-cartagena_1563269-a.html
Some restoration of the Temple of Hecate at Langina (Turkey) is under way:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/02/22/2050-year-old-columns-rise-again/
... as is the second phase of the restoration of the Gymnasium at Olympia:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/22/restoration-of-the-gymnasium-of-ancient-olympia/
Archaeologists are returning to the Demosion Sema in Athens:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/25/demosion-sema-excavating-the-ancient-necropolis/
in case you missed the 1st century CE Celtic figurine from Cambridgeshire:
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/19111205.figure-found-oxford-archaeology-national-trust-site-reveals-iron-age-style/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/19/when-mullets-rocked-figurine-suggests-ancient-britons-favoured-hairstyle
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9484-210222-england-metal-figurine
In case you missed the news of an important inscription of Tiberius recovered by Spanish police at an auction:
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/02/19/police-recover-rare-ancient-roman-legal-document-before-auction/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/19/spanish-police-seize-rare-2000-year-old-bronze-roman-tablet/
Some ancient coins seized at the US/Canada border will be studied at the University of Washington:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/university-to-study-ancient-coins-seized-at-u-s-canada-border/
https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/University-to-study-ancient-coins-seized-at-15963052.php
https://mynorthwest.com/2612445/mysterious-ancient-coins-uw-blaine-border/ https://www.coinworld.com/news/precious-metals/confiscated-coins-at-canadian-border-become-opportunity
New techniques have revealed some 'hidden scenes' in the Etruscan 'Tomb of the Monkey':
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-etruscan-paintings-hidden-images.html https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/hidden-scenes-in-ancient-etruscan.html
High tech scanning is also confirming details about the site of the Roman port of Altinum:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/roman-port-of-altinum-in-venice-lagoon.html
Latest finds from the wreck of the Mentor:
https://www.livescience.com/greek-shipwreck-parthenon-elgin-marbles-discoveries.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/flintlock-among-the-treasures-found-on-elgins-ship-027c3rpjf
An interview with Giorgio Russo about the dig at Positano (Italian):
https://www.positanonews.it/2021/02/positano-proseguono-i-lavori-di-scavo-alla-villa-romana-intervista-esclusiva-a-giorgio-russo/3468928/
Reports of 'Turkish-backed factions* digging at a possible Roman amphitheatre site in Nebi Huri:
https://www.syriahr.com/en/206676/
A petrified tree from Lesbos might be of interest:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/25/unique-petrified-tree-up-to-20m-years-old-found-intact-in-lesbos
More on that phallus-festooned millstone from Cambridgeshire:
https://www.livescience.com/roman-era-phallus-carving-uk.html https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/carved-phallus-found-at-godmanchester-7564764 https://metro.co.uk/2021/02/19/2000-year-old-roman-millstone-found-with-massive-penis-engraved-on-it-14111204/
https://www.9news.com.au/world/penis-millstone-archaeology-roman-phallus-excavation-english-highway-dig/fca2176e-0768-4f3c-928a-6a580f621746
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/2000-year-old-millstone-engraved-with.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9481-210219-england-phallus-millstone
More on the pair of sarcophagi from the Ramat Gan Safari site:
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/02/19/2-roman-era-sarcophagi-uncovered-during-work-on-wildlife-clinic-at-ramat-gan-safari/
https://www.israel21c.org/ancient-sarcophagi-get-lost-at-zoo-then-unearthed-anew/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/builders-rediscover-two-1800-year-old.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/two-1800-year-old-sarcophagi-may-have-held-husband-and-wife-180977068/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9483-210219-israel-stone-sarcophagi
More on that Antoninus Pius coin find in Israel:
https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/History/Pages/Rare-1800-Year-Old-Roman-coin-found-on-southern-Carmel-9-February-2021.aspx
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9480-210222-israel-roman-coin
More on the Iron Age settlement and Roman villa found at Oxfordshire:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-archaeological-dig-reveals-details-about-life-iron-age-180977090/
Development (etc) plans for York's 'Roman quarter' were rejected:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-56194522 https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/19115876.refused-plans-huge-roman-quarter-development-rejected/
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/yorkshire/mixed-use-roman-attraction-plans-refused-consent
Review of Shadi Bartsch's translation of the *Aeneid*:
https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v43/n05/rebecca-armstrong/all-kinds-of-unlucky
Review of Peter Stothard, *The Last Assassin*:
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/revenge-trip-how-caesar%E2%80%99s-assassins-were-hunted-down-178867
Review of Alan Mongomery, *Classical Caledonia*:
https://archaeology.co.uk/articles/reviews/books/review-classical-caledonia-roman-history-and-myth-in-18th-century-scotland.htm
Review of Guy de la Bedoyere, *Gladius*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/books/review/gladius-guy-de-la-bedoyere-eagle-down-jessica-donati.html
What Dr Stacie Raucci is up to:
https://www.union.edu/news/stories/202102/catching-withstacie-raucci
Honours for Dr Jane Waldbaum:
https://www.archaeological.org/jane-waldbaum-honored-as-the-2021-joukowsky-award-winner/
Feature on the Roman remains of Londinium:
https://www.mylondon.news/news/nostalgia/gallery/incredible-pictures-show-ruins-ancient-19922529
Feature on the Bredon Hills Roman coin hoard:
https://inews.co.uk/culture/arts/the-bredon-hills-roman-coin-hoard-birmingham-museums-review-879550
Feature on Porchester Castle:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/porchester-castle-the-roman-saxon-shore-fort/137296
Feature on ancient Greek cosmetics:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/02/27/ancient-greeks-used-exotic-dangerous-cosmetics-in-eternal-search-for-beauty/
Feature on Greek warriors and what they wore into battle:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/history-magazine/article/arms-armor-ancient-greece-full-display-the-iliad
Feature on Aristophanes:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/aristophanes-review-laughter-on-the-acropolis-11613749976
Feature on Roman emperors:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/roman-emperors-everything-you-wanted-know-shushma-malik-podcast/
Feature on Diogenes the Cynic:
https://greekreporter.com/2021/02/27/greek-philosopher-diogenes-the-cynic-the-first-anarchist/
Pondering what might have happened if Julius Caesar hadn't been assassinated:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/what-if-julius-caesar-not-assassinated-ides-of-march-alternate-history/
Questionable claim that the Greeks made it to Iceland:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/food_travel_travel/arthro/greeks_discovered_iceland_10_centuries_before_the_vikings_study_shows-1879790/
On how ancient Greeks approached 'risk':
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/An-ancient-Greek-approach-to-risk-and-the-lessons-15969072.php
https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/An-ancient-Greek-approach-to-risk-and-the-lessons-15969072.php
On Plato and 'fake news':
https://theconversation.com/fake-news-was-a-thing-long-before-donald-trump-just-ask-the-ancient-greeks-155867
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED2102/S00030/fake-news-is-ancient-just-ask-plato.htm
OpEddish thing on why Classics should be studied:
https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/02/what-makes-the-classics-worth-studying/
First 'classical comparison' of the new US president is making Claudius allusions:
https://fpif.org/the-claudius-presidency/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
Pottery residues from a prehistoric site on Malta is shedding light on the diets of folks there 2500-700 BCE:
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/pottery-reveals-culinary-habits-of-ancient-maltese.852962
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9489-210224-malta-prehistoric-diet
Remains of a Bronze Age 'cemetery' from the New Forest nature reserve:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/mesolithic-encampment-unearthed-in-wales.html
A metal detectorist on the Isle of Man found a trove of 1000 years bp Viking jewellery:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/isle-of-man-viking-jewellery-found-by.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/amateur-metal-detectorist-discovers-hoard-1000-year-old-viking-artifacts-180977066/
A study of medieval containers suggest there was a thriving wine industry in Islamic Sicily:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/uoy-mch021821.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210222164227.htm https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/culture/medieval-tipples/ http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/517/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/517/pub/517/page/54/article/144733
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9487-210223-sicily-wine-jars
Finds from various periods from a Thomastown (Ireland) dig:
https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/gallery/south-kilkenny/612853/fascinating-discoveries-unearthed-in-thomastown-archaeological-dig.html
A Derbyshire metal detectorist came across a 400 years bp gold ring (and it's coming to auction):
https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/gallery/buried-treasure-worth-thousands-pounds-5030831
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/uk-world-news/400-year-old-gold-ring-5031308
The search for the remains of King Matthias in Hungary has commenced:
https://hungarytoday.hu/king-mathias-matyas-kiraly-mathias-i-hungarian-kings-archaeology/
More on the remains of a 12th century bathhouse from Seville:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/twelfth-century-islamic-bathhouse.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/bar-owners-discover-12th-century-bathhouse-during-renovations-180977058/
More on the 9000 years bp artifacts found at a development site in Wales:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/mesolithic-encampment-unearthed-in-wales.html
More on the 4000 years bp burial (maybe) from Skara Brae:
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/mystery-of-prehistoric-skeleton-found-by-farmer-close-to-skara-brae-on-orkney-3140939
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9488-210223-orkney-burial-cist
More on 17 000 year old conch music:
https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/civillisations/conch-shell-tones/
Conservators at Shrewsbury Cathedral came across some Victorian-era paintings:
https://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/national-news/19107420.victorian-paintings-uncovered-conservators-shrewsbury-cathedral/
There are plenty of digs going on in Almeria, apparently:
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/02/25/archaeological-excavations-are-booming-in-almeria/
Feature on the Ghillies:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210222-ghillies-scotlands-little-known-highlanders
----------
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 dozen or so terracotta figurines dating to the Western Han Dynasty from Henan:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/terracotta-figures-unearthed-in-henan.html
More on the thousands of burials found at that airport site in Xian:
https://www.asiaone.com/china/thousands-ancient-tombs-uncovered-construction-sites-xian-home-terracotta-army
https://www.scmp.com/video/china/3123148/cultural-relics-recovered-ancient-tombs-china-race-against-airport-construction
Feature on Bronze Age Hong Kong:
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3121969/trek-through-hong-kongs-bronze-age-history-visiting-its
Feature on the Plain of Jars:
https://www.sciencealert.com/mysterious-jars-scattered-across-laos-are-thousands-of-years-old-scientists-say
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/the-mysterious-plain-of-jars/137425
Feature on Angkor Wat in modern times:
https://thediplomat.com/2021/02/john-burgess-on-the-modern-life-of-angkor-wat/
Neolithic/Iron Age finds from a dig at Vellore:
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/feb/26/antiquities-potsherds-tools-found-at-vellore-excavation-site-2269130.html
A possible 10th century Buddhist monastery site from Jharkhand:
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/10th-century-buddha-vihar-discovered-in-jharkhand-e2-80-99s-hazaribag/ar-BB1dW1w5
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1000-year-old-monastery-found-india-180977111/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/tenth-century-buddhist-monastery-found.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9492-210225-india-buddhist-monastery
... and a Gautam Buddha statue was found during excavations of a 9th century Buddhist shire at Sitaghara:
https://www.telegraphindia.com/jharkhand/asi-team-digs-out-large-buddha-statue-at-hazaribagh-village/cid/1807370
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/asi-team-digs-out-large-buddha-statue.html
A decorated platform from a 13th century temple excavation at the Sari Deula:
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/feb/27/excavation-unravels-buried-platform-of-sari-deula-2269702.html
Feature on the Roophund/Skeleton Lake:
https://www.livescience.com/roopkund-skeleton-lake-mystery.html
New dating techniques for Australia's oldest petroglyph -- a kangaroo from Kimberley -- at 17 600 years bp:
https://phys.org/news/2021-02-dating-techniques-reveal-australia-oldest.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/uom-ndt021921.php https://www.livescience.com/kangaroo-art-australia-oldest.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-56164484 https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/feb/23/17300-year-old-kimberley-kangaroo-becomes-australias-oldest-rock-artwork
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2021-02-23/oldest-rock-art-australia-kimberley-kangaroo-mud-wasp-nest/13173792
https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/archaeology/really-ancient-art/ http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/australias-oldest-known-rock-painting-09381.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/australias-oldest-rock-painting-is.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/17000-year-old-kangaroo-painting-oldest-known-australian-rock-art-180977079/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9485-210223-australia-kangaroo-image
Plans to explore the wreck of the HMS Buffalo (1815) in Whitianga Harbour:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/437243/archaeologists-dive-into-exploring-old-shipwreck-at-whitianga
On the role of enslaved persons in Western Australia's early pearl industry:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3117690/indigenous-and-asian-slaves-were-lifeblood
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Analysis of a piece of bone from Alaska dating to 10 200 years bp is being connected to human migrations:
https://phys.org/news/2021-02-dogs-americas-ancient-bone-fragment.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/uab-hdd021821.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210223192442.htm https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/oldest-dog-remains-in-americas-discovered-alaska
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/remains-oldest-american-dog-bolster-idea-first-humans-arrived-along-coast
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00477-2 https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/how-did-dogs-get-to-americas-ancient.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/26/how-did-dogs-get-to-the-americas/ http://www.archaeology.org/news/9491-210225-americas-domesticated-dog
cf:
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2020.3103
Studying fossilized ancient dog feces at Cahokia to see what they were eating:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/crwi-uam022421.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210224120338.htm https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/using-multipronged-approach-to.html
Human remains from the excavations at that Baptist Church site in Colonial Williamsburg:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/virginia-archeological-dig-human-remains-b1806140.html
https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-first-baptist-church-0224-20210223-2ioalaw235ailj7wawmdafagdq-story.html
https://www.wtkr.com/news/evidence-of-human-remains-uncovered-in-excavation-where-historic-church-stood
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/02/22/human-remains-williamsburg-black-church/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9486-210223-williamsburg-first-baptist
Excavations at the Miller Grove site in Illinois are revealing artifacts associated with a freed enslaved persons' community:
https://dailyegyptian.com/106192/news/archaeological-investigations-of-freed-slave-community-uncover-black-history-in-southern-illinois/
Boston Archaeology asked the public for help identifying an item dug up at the Paule Revere House:
https://whdh.com/news/boston-archaeology-asks-public-for-help-identifying-mysterious-artifact-found-at-paul-revere-house/
https://www.masslive.com/boston/2021/02/boston-archaeology-shares-photos-of-mystery-object-excavated-on-paul-reveres-house-property.html
... and they got their answer:
https://whdh.com/news/boston-archaeology-identifies-mysterious-artifact-found-at-paul-revere-house/
Evidence of a paved-over African-American cemetery in DeKalb County (GA):
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/dekalb-county/2-dozen-possible-graves-found-paved-over-by-dekalb-county-channel-2-investigation-finds/XGWM33N7H5GPLPNMXZT7EZYKBE/
Not sure when this Bray School site, which educated Black students in the 18th century, was excavated:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/us/william-mary-bray-school-northam.html
Feature on relocating a Victorian house in San Francisco:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/22/victorian-house-rolls-through-san-francisco-new-address
A time capsule from the John C. Calhoun monument in Charleston was opened:
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/time-capsule-found-under-charlestons-calhoun-monument-opened-after-more-than-a-century/article_2dfe4f0e-7776-11eb-84b5-33030f34a1d8.html
Chicago has a list of monuments to review:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/us/chicago-statues-abraham-lincoln.html
Feature on the Underground Railroad in the Hudson Valley:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2021/02/26/upstate-new-york-s-key-role-in-the-underground-railroad-
Feature on the Draft Riots:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/opinion/draft-riots-racism.html ================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
Machu Picchu will reopen next month:
https://andina.pe/Ingles/noticia-peru-machu-picchu-will-reopen-to-tourists-in-march-835184.aspx
https://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/mercosur/machu-picchu-in-peru-will-reopen-to-tourists-on-march-1st/
Feature on finding a pile of sites in the Guatemalan rainforest using LiDAR:
https://mymodernmet.com/maya-civilization-laser-mapping/
-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:
http://goo.gl/1VdeA
Ancient MesoAmerica News:
http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/ ================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST ================================================================
Not sure where to put this one on the 'evolution' of humans and pathogens:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/fu-dts022521.php http://www.archaeology.org/news/9493-210226-infection-disease-adaptation
A 15th century megillah donated to the Israel National Library:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/mid-15th-century-esther-scroll-from-spanish-empire-finds-a-home-in-israel-659762
https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/in-time-for-purim-megillah-dating-from-1460s-donated-to-israel-national-library/
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