===========================================================
explorator 24.31 November 21, 2021
===========================================================
You can read explorator online at:

https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/


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

============================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
============================================================
Feature on homo longi:

https://www.rawstory.com/homo-longi-extinct-human-species-that-may-replace-neanderthals-as-our-closest-relatives-found-in-china/

Feature on the 'unsustainable population' theory of the demise of the Neanderthals:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/a-leading-theory-behind-neanderthal-extinction-may-surprise-you

More on implication of 400 000 years bp deer remains from Qesem Cave:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/oh-deer-archaeologists-reveal-culinary-taste-of-prehistoric-israelis-684970

More on homo naledi:

https://bigthink.com/the-past/homo-naledi-skull-rising-star/ ============================================================
AFRICA
============================================================
150 000 years bp (maybe) shell jewelry from Morocco's Bizmoune cave was revealed this week:

https://www.dw.com/en/worlds-oldest-jewelry-unveiled-in-morocco/g-58291898 https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/archaeologists-unveil-worlds-oldest-jewelry-in-morocco
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/oldest-jewelry-in-history-unveiled-in-morocco-169484
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/11/19/shells-are-forever-archaeologists-in-morocco-unearth-worlds-oldest-jewelry/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/worlds-oldest-jewelry-morocco-2037635 https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/oldest-jewelry-history-unveiled-morocco

Feature on an 'outlawed' (by an Ethiopian king) magical manuscript in the British Museum:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0b530f3/the-exceptionally-rare-text-outlawed-by-an-ethiopian-king
============================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ============================================================
A study of reliefs at the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut provides hints about various workers' roles in the reliefs' creation:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/110048/Recent-study-reveals-ancient-Egyptians-worked-in-teams-to-carve
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/11/17/temple-reliefs-provide-a-rare-glimpse-into-the-making-of-ancient-egyptian-art
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10208661/Archaeology-3-500-year-old-Egyptian-reliefs-reveal-masters-apprentices-shared-work.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-imperfect-carvings-in-egyptian-tomb-may-indicate-interns-messed-up-here-1.10390809
https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/ancient-egyptian-art-gives-researchers-glimpse-into-how-artists-worked-1.5669106
https://www.science.org/content/article/female-pharaoh-s-tomb-reveals-how-egypt-s-ancient-masters-carved-their-art
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/11/temple-provides-a-snapshot-of-how-ancient-egyptian-art-was-made/142035

A study of Egypt's sacred baboons:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mysteries-of-ancient-egypts-sacred-baboons-revealed/

Plans to reenact the Opet festival to hype sites in Luxor:

https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1201/440812/AlAhram-Weekly/Egypt/Luxor-The-great-procession.aspx

... not sure if this reopening of the Avenue of the Sphinxes next week is the same as the previous item:

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/441896.aspx https://egyptianstreets.com/2021/11/21/avenue-of-sphinxes-unveiled-in-spectacular-re-opening-ceremony/

Marking the anniversary of the opening of Tut's tomb to the public in 1939:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/109937/Memory-of-the-day-Tutankhamun-s-tomb-is-opened-to

More on the find of a 5th century 'sun temple' at Abu Gorab:

https://egyptindependent.com/one-of-6-missing-sun-temples-unearthed-in-egypt/ https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/egypt-sun-temple-scli-intl-scn/index.html https://www.trtworld.com/life/4-500-year-old-rare-sun-temple-found-in-egypt-51712
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archeologists-may-discovered-one-four-never-found-egyptian-sun-temples-2035762
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/11/study-reveals-new-insight-into-ancient-egyptian-matariya-sun-temple/142011
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-find-lost-4500-year-old-egyptian-sun-temple-180979077/

Remains of a Median-era fort from northeast Iran:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/467146/Fort-remnants-associated-with-Median-empire-discovered-in-northeast

Archaeologists are back digging at the Burnt City:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/467190/Iranian-Italian-archaeologists-begin-work-on-Burnt-City

Iranian and German archaeologists are discussing further cooperation:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/467040/Iranian-German-archaeologists-discuss-further-cooperation

Not sure if this is a 'really new' find of a 2700 years bp wine press and several reliefs associated with an irrigation canal at Faida (Iraq):

https://phys.org/news/2021-10-archaeologists-iraq-ancient-wine.html

The site of Karahan Tepe suggests people were 'settling down' before the development of agriculture:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/11/17/discovery-turkey-karahan-tepe

A 3200+ years bp seal belonging to a Hittite prince and a cuneiform tablet from Turkey's Hatay province:

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/3-250-year-old-seal-belonging-to-hittite-prince-discovered-in-southern-turkey/2425481
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/3250-year-old-seal-unearthed-in-southern-turkey

More on that study of Neolithic cloth from Catal Huyuk:

https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/this-is-one-of-the-oldest-pieces-of-cloth-in-the-world-and-its-made-from-something-surprising/
https://partner.sciencenorway.no/archaeology-cultural-history-history/youre-looking-at-one-of-the-oldest-pieces-of-cloth-in-the-world/1935038

Remains of a Hellenistic-era fort destroyed by the Hasmoneans from the Lachish Forest:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/ahead-of-hanukkah-fortress-testifying-maccabees-victory-revealed-685122
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/317000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/fortified-structure-is-tangible-evidence-of-hanukkah-story-archaeologists-say/
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/hjcy3xbuf https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/israeli-archaeologists-find-hellenistic-stronghold-destroyed-by-the-hasmoneanss-1.10390851
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/hellenistic-fort-destroyed-by-the-hasmoneans-uncovered-in-lachish-forest/2021/11/16/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/11/16/story-of-the-maccabees-comes-to-life-in-lachish-forest/
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/hanukkah-stories-brought-to-light/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/11/18/greek-building-lachish-forest-israel/ https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ruins-shed-light-on-greek-empires-last-stand-2dcc3m2xf
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211116-israel-unveils-remains-of-ancient-hellenistic-fortress
https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/11/16/israels-archaeologists-unearth-evidence-of-hanukkah-stories/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/11/archaeologists-reveal-hellenistic-fortress-destroyed-by-the-hasmoneans/142046

More on the Sennacherib-era siege ramp at Lachish:

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/archaeologists-reveal-secrets-of-assyrian-war-machine-that-conquered-ancient-judah-1.10366408

More on the so-called Church of the Apostles at one of the sites proposed to be Bethsaida:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/church-of-the-apostles-in-bethsaida-mysteriously-buried-archaeologists-discover-1.10310760

Pondering whether the Old Testament is historically accurate (Solomon's mines related):

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/archaeological-dig-reignites-debate-old-testament-historical-accuracy-180979011/

Pondering what King David's Israel looked like:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/what-did-king-davids-israel-look-like-the-answer-is-not-set-in-stone-683823

Interesting feature/book excerpt on Rabbi Getz and the Ark of the Covenant:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/indiana-jones-rabbi-thought-he-found-the-ark-of-the-covenant-and-nearly-started-a-war/ar-AAQNDxm?li=BBnb7Kz
https://www.thedailybeast.com/indiana-jones-rabbi-thought-he-found-the-ark-of-the-covenant-and-nearly-started-a-war

Feature on child sacrifice in biblical Phoenicia:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/child-sacrifice-in-biblical-phoenicia/

Feature on angels in ancient Judaism:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/angels-in-antiquity-judaisms-long-relationship-with-heavens-haloed-helpers/

Feature on how archaeology is shaping the UAE:

https://www.thenationalnews.com/podcasts/recorded/2021/11/18/uae-at-50-how-the-emirates-is-discovering-itself-through-archaeology/

Interview with Matthew Adams about his work at Megiddo:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/twenty-years-at-megiddo/

Review of Marc David Baer, *The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs*:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/were-the-ottoman-turks-as-european-as-they-thought-themselves-

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

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

============================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ============================================================
4th century BCE burials and a plate depicting Scythian divinities from a site on the Middle Don:

https://phys.org/news/2021-11-winged-gods-griffons-plate-depiction.html https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/11/warriors-grave-reveals-ornate-scythian-treasures/142057
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10222489/Ancient-plate-adorned-winged-gods-griffins-tomb-4th-century-BC-warrior.html

Three pits full of 4th century BCE Greek amphorae from a site in Marseille:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/11/15/greek-prime-minister-ramps-up-demands-for-return-of-parthenon-marbles

Illegal excavations in Izmire revealed a 2700 years bp mosaic:

https://www.trtworld.com/turkey/centuries-old-mosaic-found-in-western-turkey-51729

Remains of an unfinished Roman aqueduct from Armenia:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/11/17/easternmost-roman-aqueduct-discovered-in-armenia/
https://phys.org/news/2021-11-easternmost-roman-aqueduct-armenia.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211115103445.htm https://news.am/eng/news/672574.html https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2021/11/water-surprise-ancient-aqueduct-unearthed-at-edge-of-roman-empire/
https://www.zenger.news/2021/11/16/water-surprise-ancient-aqueduct-unearthed-at-edge-of-roman-empire/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62698 https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/11/roman-aqueduct-discovered-in-armenia/142015
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/11/17/easternmost-roman-aqueduct-discovered-in-armenia/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10148-211116-armenia-roman-aqueduct

Remains of a major Roman army camp at Velsen:

https://nltimes.nl/2021/11/20/traces-large-roman-army-camp-discovered-velsen

Sewer repairs in Volterra revealed the site of a an Augustan-era amphitheatre (Italian):

https://video.repubblica.it/gediwatch/l-anfiteatro-ritrovato-riparando-una-fogna/401709/402419

cf: https://publications.dainst.org/journals/index.php/aa/article/view/3402

A hoard of 22 Roman coins (and some medieval ones) from Craven have been deemed treasure:

https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/19720482.roman-medieval-coins-found-craven/

A 1600 years bp basilica from Ashdod with plenty of burials indicating the prominence of women clergy:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-byzantine-basilica-with-female-ministers-and-baffling-burials-found-in-israel-1.10387014
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/11/17/1600-year-old-byzantine-basilica-with-mass-burials-uncovered-in-israel/
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/bjopjmmok https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/11/17/archeological-discovery-of-byzantine-church-in-israel-reveals-existence-of-clergywomen/

A project to rebuild the Basilica Ulpia in Rome:

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-rebuilds-basilica-ulpia-in-trajans-forum.html

An update of sorts on the excavation of the Temple of Zeus in Magnesia:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/zeus-temple-partially-unearthed-in-western-turkey-169495

Not sure about this one ... remains of a hitherto unknown ancient city near Kilkis:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/11/20/ancient-city-kilkis-greece/

A study of the stones chosen for Roman milling purposes:

https://eos.org/articles/roman-era-millstone-and-mixer-makers-knew-their-rocks

More on that metal-detectorist find of a Roman battlefield in Switzerland (with a focus on a dagger that was found):

https://www.livescience.com/metal-detectorist-finds-dagger-ancient-roman-battle http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62704

More (English) coverage of the massive Roman-era silver coin hoard from Augsburg:

https://www.livescience.com/massive-silver-coin-hoard-germany https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/34578/20211118/more-5-500-roman-era-silver-coins-found-buried-river.htm
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hoard-of-5500-roman-era-coins-found-in-germany-180979086/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10151-211118-germany-coin-hoard

More on Roman-era shops being excavated at Aizanoi:

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/bone-workshop-oil-lamp-shop-unearthed-in-ancient-city-in-turkey/2419892
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/roman-era-shops-statue-heads-found-in-ancient-city-in-turkey-180979071/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/10143-211115-turkey-aizanoi-agora

Russia has started the restoration of the Arch of Triumph in Palmyra:

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/11/russia-begins-restoration-arc-triumph-syrias-palmyra

A photogrammetric map of Iasos has been made:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/photogrammetric-map-of-iasos-made-169379

In case you missed it, some American tourists were given heavy fines for breaking into the Colosseum to drink beer:

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-tourists-climb-into-colosseum-at-night-to-drink-beer.html
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/nov/17/us-tourists-fined-800-for-breaking-into-colosseum-for-beer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59325398

France is bringing back the teaching of Latin and Greek in schools:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/french-bring-back-teaching-of-latin-and-ancient-greek-to-schools-v2pxg3w7q
https://www.lunion.fr/id313174/article/2021-11-15/jean-michel-blanquer-souhaite-renforcer-lenseignement-du-latin-et-du-grec
https://greekreporter.com/2021/11/17/latin-ancient-greek-schools/

... and Cyprus likes the idea:

https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/11/17/cyprus-joins-bid-to-promote-ancient-greek-latin/

... and some opEds:

https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/11/20/our-view-focus-on-ancient-languages-a-wonderful-idea-but-is-it-practical/
https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/19726113.issue-day-france-fights-latin-greek/

Interview with Thomas Ricks on the influence of Classics on the US founding fathers:

https://www.tpr.org/podcast/the-source/2021-11-14/old-world-literature-influenced-americas-founders-visions-for-the-nation-can-classical-knowledge-help-remedy-our-21st-century-political-ills

Feature on the Romans in Hull:

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/what-romans-ever-hull-new-6186159

Feature on how Roman latrines worked:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-the-ancient-romans-went-to-the-bathroom-180979056/
https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/history/ancient-roman-bathrooms-design-sewers

Feature on Alexander Hardcastle's work in Sicily:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/nov/21/rescued-from-obscurity-uk-archaeologist-who-restored-sicilys-glories

Feature on Roman mourning clothes and political resistance:

https://daily.jstor.org/in-rome-mourning-clothes-as-political-resistance/

Feature on the myth of the Classically-educated elite:

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-myth-of-the-classically-educated-elite/

Feature on dealing with work of eminent scholars with questionable personal reputations:

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/where-do-we-draw-the-line-addressing-eminent-scholars-imperfect-pasts/

Feature on Musonius Rufus:

https://psyche.co/ideas/musonius-rufus-roman-stoic-and-avant-garde-feminist

Feature on the House of Orpheus (Cyprus) mosaic's conservation:

https://www.getty.edu/news/orpheus-mosaic-restoration-cyprus/

Feature on the Pharos of Alexandria:

https://egyptianstreets.com/2021/11/14/a-monument-lost-to-time-the-pharos-of-alexandria/

Feature on Greek theatre masks:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/11/16/ancient-greek-theater-masks/

Feature on UNESCO heritage sites in Greece:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/11/16/unesco-world-heritage-sites-greece/

Feature on Dispilio:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/11/16/prehistoric-settlement-greece/

Feature on Samothrace:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/11/20/ancient-greek-sanctuary-samothrace/

Feature on Olympia:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/11/17/ancient-greek-sanctuaries-temples-olympia/

Feature on the Thracians and wine:

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2021/11/17/thracians-why-wine-integral-culture

Feature on the Duino MIthraeum:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/duino-mithraeum

The Parthenon sculptures saga had major media coverage during the week, beginning with the Greek PM saying he was bringing the matter up with Boris Johnson:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/11/15/greek-prime-minister-ramps-up-demands-for-return-of-parthenon-marbles
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/nov/15/greek-pm-kyriakos-mitsotakis-parthenon-marbles-boris-johnson
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/greece-to-renew-pressure-on-uk-to-return-ancient-sculptures/2021/11/15/f1d1cb04-4610-11ec-beca-3cc7103bd814_story.html
https://apnews.com/article/europe-arts-and-entertainment-greece-london-athens-9a400840c52c71e2d0adcf9eb762a087
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/athens-to-keep-pressure-on-uk-to-return-ancient-sculptures/news
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/greece-renew-pressure-uk-return-ancient-sculptures-81176243
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10204431/Boris-braces-Greek-PM-demand-return-Elgin-Marbles-talks.html

... although we were told the British Museum would be 'defiant':

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/british-museum-elgin-marbles-london-greece-b966283.html

... the Greek PM suggested it was an issue of 'values':

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1171926/mitsotakis-return-of-parthenon-sculptures-an-issue-of-values/

... and, as often, Boris Johnson said the return was the decision of the Museum:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/nov/16/return-of-parthenon-marbles-is-up-to-british-museum-says-no-10
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/11/16/boris-johnson-deflects-greek-pms-demand-return-elgin-marbles/
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/789/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/789/pub/789/page/10/article/240140
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/11/17/boris-johnson-says-british-museum-trustees-must-decide-fate-of-the-parthenon-marbles
https://www.euronews.com/culture/2021/11/15/elgin-marbles-greece-places-pressure-on-british-museum-to-return-ancient-sculptures
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/greek-leader-in-london-seeks-return-of-ancient-sculptures/2021/11/16/300e2098-4701-11ec-beca-3cc7103bd814_story.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10208627/Greek-PM-demands-return-Elgin-Marbles-awkward-clash-Boris-Johnson-Downing-Street.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/boris-johnson-greek-british-museum-prime-minister-london-b966576.html
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/uk-s-johnson-rebuffs-greek-pm-s-demand-for-talks-on-parthenon-marbles/47116612
https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/uk-govt-not-responsible-for-returning-parthenon-to-greece

... even though the Greek pm apparently offered a 'swap' of other artifacts:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/art/what-to-see/greeces-elgin-marbles-swap-would-bad-deal-britain/

... and the Greek prime minister said he was going to appeal to the British public:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/nov/17/greek-prime-minister-to-appeal-to-british-public-for-return-of-parthenon-marbles

... while Boris Johnson said he wouldn't stand in the way of discussions between Greece and the BM:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10225473/Boris-pressure-Elgin-Marbles-Greek-PM-insists-promised-not-stand-way-talks.html

... and it appears the public would support the return:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1172230/telegraph-british-public-opinion-supports-return-of-parthenon-marbles/
https://greekreporter.com/2021/11/20/parthenon-sculptures/

... in any event it all spawned a few opEds:

https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/talking-point-should-london-return-elgin-marbles-greece-b966539.html
https://www.newstatesman.com/the-explainer/2021/11/where-do-the-elgin-marbles-belong-britain-or-greece
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/11/17/the-issue-of-the-return-of-the-parthenon-sculptures-raised-by-k-mitsotakis/
https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/2/21029/the-elgin-marbles-stealing-beauty https://hyperallergic.com/693201/the-parthenon-sculptures-should-be-repatriated-immediately/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/11/19/lose-elgin-marbles/ https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/20/parthenon-marbles-greece-british-museum
https://www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1172088/there-s-always-alexander-the-great/

... and a piece by the Greek PM in the Daily Mail:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-10225535/GREEK-PM-KYRIAKOS-MITSOTAKIS-Boris-unique-opportunity-return-Parthenon-Sculptures.html

... in case you need some background:

https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/19719418.elgin-marbles-greece-demanding-return/
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/what-elgin-marbles-they-greek-22178722
https://www.thewestonforum.com/the-long-battle-of-the-greeks-for-the-sculptures-of-the-acropolis/

... meanwhile, a leaky roof has prevented folks from visiting the sculptures in the BM for a few months:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/11/17/parthenon-marbles-off-limits-british-museum/

Lates Pasts Imperfect newsletter:

https://pastsimperfect.substack.com/p/pasts-imperfect-111821

-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ============================================================
Earliest evidence of mercury poisoning comes from Copper Age Iberia:

https://phys.org/news/2021-11-world-oldest-mercury-poisoning-revealed.html https://www.livescience.com/earliest-evidence-mercury-poisoning https://www.zmescience.com/science/oldest-mercury-poisoning-humans-18112021/ https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/11/the-worlds-oldest-mercury-poisoning-revealed-in-copper-age-iberia/142021
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/love-of-wine-leads-to-chance-discovery-of-widespread-mercury-poisoning-in-copper-age-180979091/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10147-211116-spain-cinnabar-mercury

cf: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3056

A possible (pending Carbon dating) Iron Age settlement/hillfort site near Cotherstone:

https://www.teesdalemercury.co.uk/news/dig-may-have-unearthed-ancient-hill-fort

I think we mentioned this West Norfolk hoard of 130 Anglo Saxon coins being found over a period of 30 years:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/03/norfolk-treasure-newly-declared-as-englands-biggest-anglo-saxon-coin-hoard
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/west-norfolk-hoard-10270.html https://www.archaeology.org/news/10144-211115-england-gold-coins

Plenty of Merovingian-era pottery finds from Sevrey (France):

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/62710

I think we mentioned these 16th century 'grotesque' frescoes reveal during renovations at a medieval manor house in West Yorkshire:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/nov/09/tudor-wall-paintings-uncovered-in-yorkshire-discovery-of-a-lifetime
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10145-211115-yorkshire-wall-paintings

A Celtic 'kettle' from the Malomerice site which might depict the stars over Brno has gone on display:

https://english.radio.cz/unique-celtic-kettle-which-may-depict-stars-over-brno-goes-display-moravian-8734358

Remains of a 19th century tannery found in Edinburgh prior to hotel construction:

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/history/archaeologists-edinburgh-uncover-fascinating-evidence-22206278

More on the Vikings reaching the Azores:

https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/the-vikings-and-their-mice-were-the-first-to-reach-this-idyllic-portuguese-islands/

More on the 15th century tiny gold book pendant from York, touting possible Richard III connections:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/small-gold-charm-found-by-metal-detectorist-in-england-could-be-600-years-old-180979084/

Plans to restore a Venetian castle in Zakynthos:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1172236/venetian-castle-in-zakynthos-to-be-restored/

More on the Mesolithic finds from Aberdeenshire (not sure about the numbers any more):

https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/discovery-of-11000-pieces-of-stone-tool-illuminate-scotlands-early-people-3460298
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10178225/Archaeology-1-200-Mesolithic-tools-unearthed-Aberdeenshire-river.html

Feature on the fate of Doggerland:

https://www.livescience.com/the-real-brexit-how-britain-became-an-island

Feature/study of Viking encampments:

https://theconversation.com/hideouts-harbours-and-homes-how-vikings-may-have-owed-their-success-to-their-encampments-148550

Feature on the Viking Great Army:

https://www.historyextra.com/period/viking/viking-heathen-great-army-what-when-size-how-big-how-defeated/

Feature on the replica of the Sutton Hoo ship:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-59233062
----------
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 5500 years bp structure from Shaanxi is sheeding light on the 'painted pottery culture' (I think we mentioned this:

https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/social-welfare/article/3156726/discovery-5500-year-old-structure-central-china
)
Remains of a road and drainage pipe dating to the Western Zhou Dynasty from the site of Haojing:

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-11/18/content_77879682.htm http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2021-11-19/detail-ihaswzpc6924058.shtml http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/1119/c90000-9921805.html

Remains of a Yuan Dynasty village from China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region:

http://t.m.china.org.cn/convert/c_M68vz311.html http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-11/17/content_77877819.htm

29 burials, 11 of which date to the Eastern Han Dynasty from Shandong:

https://ukranews.com/en/news/812951-29-ancient-tombs-unearthed-in-china-s-shandong

China has launched a website to help in the fight against illicit sale of antiquities:

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202111/1238959.shtml

More on the 'homicide victim' dumped in a tomb raider's shaft:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1-300-year-old-murder-mystery-glimpse-at-history-and-prehistory-of-homicide-1.10383615

A study of skeletal remains reveals high consumption of game birds and social stratification in ancient Korea:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-01798-y

More on a possible 8th century dwelling associated with an empress on Honshu:

https://phys.org/news/2021-11-revisited-parramatta-archaeological-reveal-deep-time.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/10136-211111-japan-heian-kyo

Feature on the 'hidden Christians' of Japan:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0b3frjr/the-secret-world-of-japan-s-hidden-christians-

Finds from various ancient periods from the Barikot area in Swat:

https://nation.com.pk/21-Nov-2021/relics-dating-back-3-000-years-from-alexander-era-discovered-in-swat

Feature on megaliths:

https://www.deccanherald.com/spectrum/the-mystery-behind-the-megaliths-1052898.html
============================================================
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ============================================================
A Maori cutting tool from an Invercargill construction site:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127017201/historic-mori-cutting-tool-found-on-invercargill-construction-site

Feature on marine archaeologist Maddy McAllister:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-15/museum-of-tropical-queenslands-underwater-shipwreck-explorer/100612884
============================================================
NORTH AMERICA
============================================================
1000+ years bp petroglyphs found in Wanuskewin Heritage Park (Saskatchewan) with the help of bison:

https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/sask-archaeologist-makes-very-unusual-discovery-at-wanuskewin-1.5673700

A dig at the Ashbridge Estate (Toronto) has found evidence of a 17th century 'temporary structure':

https://beachmetro.com/2021/11/17/archaeological-dig-on-ashbridge-estate-site-discovers-evidence-of-early-temporary-shelter-dating-back-to-late-1700s/

Plenty of 19th century 'grave shafts' from an ongoing dig in Guelph:

https://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/10520525-human-remains-found-in-archaeological-dig/
https://saultonline.com/2021/11/human-remains-grave-shafts-found-in-archaeological-dig-underway-in-guelph-ont/
https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/human-remains-grave-shafts-found-in-archaeological-dig-underway-in-guelph-ont
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/11/17/human-remains-grave-shafts-found-in-archaeological-dig-underway-in-guelph-ont.html

An update on the dig at the Dielman Inn site in New Windsor:

https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-diehlman-inn-archaeological-survey-vg-20211119-hzoaid2omvdalpi7n4aphvvxpq-photogallery.html

An update on what was found at the Alamo's Long Barrack during its closure:

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/11/15/alamo-archaeologist-shares-what-teams-discovered-at-long-barrack-while-it-was-closed-for-two-years/

They're pondering some revisionism about the power magazine at Colonial Williamsburg:

https://www.pilotonline.com/virginiagazette/va-vg-cw-powder-magazine-update-1108-20211115-nocncrvrgbguflhql5f65nt624-story.html

More on sustainable fishing practices in the Pacific Northwest:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/11/15/dna-analysis-confirms-2000-year-old-sustainable-fishing-practices/

Features on the latest ponderings of the fate of the Roanoke Colony:

https://www.livescience.com/vanished-colonists-at-roanoke https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-lingering-mystery-behind-the-lost-roanoke-colony

Feature on the folks keeping an eye on Maine shipwrecks:

https://bangordailynews.com/2021/11/15/homestead/the-maine-explorers-who-find-and-preserve-shipwrecks-joam40zk0w/

Feature on the Windover Pond 'bog people' found a few decades ago in Florida:

https://spacecoastdaily.com/2021/11/windovers-ancient-bog-people-made-history/

[continued in next message]

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)