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explorator 25.39 January 15, 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, Floris Strijbos,
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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Evidence that early hominids were meat eaters:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/which-animals-did-early-humans-mainly-hunt
Study of evidence for 60 000 years bp hunting in Israel:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-01-12/ty-article/archaeologists-find-surprising-moment-in-the-life-of-prehistoric-hunters-in-israel/00000185-a110-ddab-adff-e71591cd0000
Interview with Svante Paabo about perceptions of Neanderthals:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jan/12/svante-paabo-interview-nobel-prize
More on the million-year-old homo erectus skull from China:
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202301/1283493.shtml
More on early humans 'sailing' across the Mediterranean:
https://www.zmescience.com/science/human-ancestors-may-have-sailed-across-the-mediterranean-sea-half-a-million-years-ago/
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AFRICA
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UNESCO protection for Meroe:
https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Archaeological_Sites_of_Island_of_Meroe_a_semi_desert_landscape_in_Sudan_protected_by_UNESCO-2443067
More on the Slave Wrecks Project at various African sites:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/08/a-search-for-ourselves-shipwreck-becomes-focus-of-slavery-debate
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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ============================================================
A Thutmosis-era royal tomb from Luxor:
https://phys.org/news/2023-01-egypt-unveils-ancient-royal-tomb.html https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/484227/Antiquities/Ancient-Egypt/Royal-tomb-from-Thutmosid-period-discovered-on-Lux.aspx
https://www.egyptindependent.com/ancient-egyptian-royal-tomb-uncovered-in-luxor/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/121899/Egypt-announces-the-discovery-of-royal-tomb-in-the-Western
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/ancient-royal-burial-chamber-unearthed-in-egypts-luxor
https://www.trtworld.com/art-culture/egypt-unveils-royal-tomb-in-luxor-dating-back-around-3-500-years-64517
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/egypt-says-ancient-royal-tomb-unearthed-in-luxor/2023/01/14/ef26531c-941a-11ed-90f8-53661ac5d9b9_story.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ancient-royal-tomb-unearthed-in-luxor-by-archaeologists/
https://www.dw.com/en/egypt-unearths-new-royal-tomb-in-luxor/a-64394999 https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-728571 https://www.rfi.fr/en/middle-east/20230114-egypt-unveils-ancient-royal-tomb-in-luxor
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230114-egypt-unveils-ancient-royal-tomb-in-luxor
Genetic analysis/calculations suggest smallpox may go back at least to Egypt, some 3800 years bp:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230109112755.htm http://www.archaeology.org/news/11124-230112-smallpox-virus-evolution
A study of illustrated papyrus from ancient Egypt:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-27761-7
Egypt is reconstructing a shrine to the Old Kingdom ruler Winnie:
https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/483946/Antiquities/Ancient-Egypt/Reconstruction-of-shrine-to-regional-Old-Kingdom-r.aspx
More on funerary finds from Fayum:
https://the-past.com/news/funerary-finds-in-fayum/
More on crocodile skulls from a pair of tombs near the Temple of Hatshepsut:
https://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C94751%2Cpolish-archaeologists-find-nine-crocodile-heads-ancient-egyptian-tombs.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/01/10/nine-crocodile-heads-found-in-ancient-egyptian-tombs/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11116-230110-egypt-crocodile-skulls
Feature on Tutankhamun's tomb and the 'curse':
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3206655/how-grave-pharaoh-tutankhamun-was-found-and-mummys-curse-media-peddled-when-digs-sponsor-died-soon
Ramses II's sarcophagus is going on tour to France:
https://www.rfi.fr/en/culture/20230113-sarcophagus-of-egyptian-pharaoh-ramses-ii-returns-to-france-in-rare-loan
Clay tablets from a Seljuk era site at the Jameh Mosque of Nushabad (Iran):
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/480816/Ancient-clay-tablet-fragments-discovered-in-mosque
On the use of AI to read cuneiform Hittite tablets:
https://arkeonews.net/turkish-researchers-use-artificial-intelligence-to-read-cuneatic-hittite-tablets/
I think we've mentioned these 2700 years bp reliefs from Nineveh:
https://www.zmescience.com/other/did-you-know/2700-year-old-rock-carvings-tell-the-story-of-nineveh-the-wondrous-assyrian-city-youve-never-heard-of/
A medieval Muslim burial ground from Arakul (Azerbaijan):
https://www.azernews.az/nation/204973.html
Feature on the salt trade in Seleucid Babylonia:
https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2023/01/salt-traders-seleucid-babylonia
Remains of a Byzantine church with preserved mosaic floor from near Jericho:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spectacular-byzantine-church-mosaics-uncovered-near-jericho/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-728243 https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/01/ornate-collection-of-mosaics-uncovered-near-jericho/145920
A Byzantine woman's burial at Kadikalesi Castle in Turkiye:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/female-skeleton-unearthed-in-kadikalesi-179955
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11120-230111-turkey-castle-grave
Finds from excavations at Satala over the years are now on display:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/artifacts-of-satala-ancient-city-on-display-for-first-time-180100
Some 10 500 artifacts were 'added' to Turkish museums this past year:
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/around-10500-new-artifacts-added-to-turkish-museums-in-2022/news
More on Upper Paleolithic 'stone bladelet' production at the Al-Ansab 1 site in Jordan:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/01/11/mass-production-of-bladelets-shows-cultural-shift-in-levantine-paleolithic/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/01/cultural-shift-in-stone-tool-production-40000-years-ago/145893
A study of 'sedintarization' in the Bronze Age Levant:
https://jordantimes.com/news/local/archaeologist-explores-sedintarisation-southern-levant
8 ostrich eggs (4000-7000 years bp) next to a fire pit site in the Negev:
https://phys.org/news/2023-01-ancient-ostrich-eggs-southern-israeli.html https://www.timesofisrael.com/8-ostrich-eggs-over-4000-years-old-found-near-excavated-firepit-in-south/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-728309 https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-01-12/ty-article/israeli-archaeologists-discover-first-ever-cooked-ostrich-eggs-maybe/00000185-a53d-d7a2-a1af-a73d8cb70000
https://egyptindependent.com/ostrich-eggs-up-to-7500-years-old-found-next-to-ancient-fire-pit-in-israel/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-64248488 https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/13/middleeast/ostrich-eggs-discovery-israel-scn-scli-intl/index.html
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230112-ancient-ostrich-eggs-found-in-southern-israeli-desert
https://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2023/01/12/archaeology-4500-year-old-ostrich-eggs-found-in-israel_899fa202-941d-4520-8be4-28397c1d89fc.html
https://arkeonews.net/8-ostrich-eggs-over-4000-years-old-discovered-near-excavated-firepit-in-negev-desert/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/01/ancient-campsite-where-people-cooked-ostrich-eggs/145925
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/01/13/4000-year-old-ostrich-eggs-uncovered-in-the-negev-dunes/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11126-230113-israel-ostrich-eggs
The 'House of David' reference in the Mesha Stele was 'confirmed' this week:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-728354 https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/inscriptions/the-mesha-stele-and-king-david-of-the-bible/?mqsc=E4149201&dk=ZE3410ZF0
More on use of silver as currency in the Levant:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/study-claims-hoards-of-3600-year-old-cut-silver-pieces-are-first-currency-in-levant/
https://www.haaretz.com/2023-01-08/00000185-90aa-d94b-ad8d-beefc4410000 https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-727956 https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/hylnmhkci https://israel247.org/2023/01/decouverte-de-pieces-dargent-utilisees-dans-lancien-israel-il-y-a-3-600-ans-et-toujours-rien-sur-le-passe-palestinien/
https://arkeonews.net/israeli-researchers-uncover-earliest-evidence-silver-used-as-currency-in-levant/
cf:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305440322001637
The Palestinian Authority is said to be planning to build on the Joshua's Altar site:
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/365841
Feature on Michael Langlois' use of technology to expose ancient text forgeries:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-unorthodox-scholar-uses-technology-expose-biblical-forgeries-180981290/
Feature on Gath:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/philistine-capital-judahite-city/
Feature on ritual sacrifice in ancient Israel:
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/ritual-sacrifice-in-ancient-israel/
More on plans for the Pilgrimage Road in Jerusalem:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-726942
Excavations are underway at the King Khalid Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2230961/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia registered 41 new historical sites:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2229336/saudi-arabia
UNESCO protection for petroglyphs in the Hail region of SA:
https://azertag.az/en/xeber/Rock_Art_in_the_Hail_Region_of_Saudi_Arabia___rich_array_of_ancient_art_protected_by_UNESCO-2441252
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:
https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/
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ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ============================================================
Remains of a Roman wall and tiled floor from Gabes:
https://www.msn.com/fr-xl/afrique-du-nord/tunisie-actualite/d%C3%A9couverte-%C3%A0-gab%C3%A8s-des-vestiges-dun-mur-et-dun-sol-carrel%C3%A9-datant-de-l%C3%A9poque-romaine/ar-AA16a7zV?li=AAGN08W
A Roman 'ritual centre' from near Northampton:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9z0pj7vd1o https://www.northantslive.news/news/northamptonshire-news/ancient-roman-shrine-bronze-age-8017550
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/archaeology-news-roman-ritual-center-unearthed-in-england-1234653283/
https://arkeonews.net/roman-ritual-center-discovered-in-england/ https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/01/roman-ritual-centre-found-near-northampton/145908
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11119-230111-england-ritual-center
Remains of several Roman cisterns from Maxula (Tunisia):
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/01/roman-cisterns-found-in-ancient-maxula/145905
The latest HS2 construction-related find is remains of Roman town near Blackgrounds:
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/world/article271067732.html https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/world/article271067732.html https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article271067732.html
A Roman dodechedron find from Flanders:
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2023/01/10/second-mysterious-dodecahedron-found-in-flanders/
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2023/01/11/dodecahedron-linked-to-the-occult-the-underground-and-the-celts/
Drought in Spain is allowing archaeologists to reexamine the site of Augustobriga:
https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-01-11/drought-helps-expose-the-secrets-of-a-roman-city.html
https://elpais.com/cultura/2023-01-10/la-sequia-desvela-los-secretos-de-la-ciudad-romana-de-augustobriga.html
Plenty of coverage of the reopening of the restored House of the Vettii in Pompeii:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/10/astonishing-pompeii-home-of-men-freed-from-slavery-reopens-to-public
https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2023/jan/11/casa-dei-vettii-pompeii-reopens-after-20-years-in-pictures
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64225813 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-11618543/Newly-restored-house-Pompeii-offers-glimpse-elite-life.html
https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-europe-ap-top-news-world-news-arts-and-entertainment-4f7d78b61fb39b5fd3f71cd07ff3eded
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/newly-restored-house-in-pompeii-offers-glimpse-of-elite-life/2023/01/10/ae87bee6-90d6-11ed-90f8-53661ac5d9b9_story.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pompeii-house-restored-rare-look-life-ancient-elites-volcano-pummelled-city/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/newly-restored-house-pompeii-offers-glimpse-elite-life-rcna65067
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/newly-restored-house-pompeii-offers-glimpse-elite-life-96332320
https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/01/10/ancient-pompeii-slave-home-reopens-cprog-orig-aw.cnn
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article271051947.html https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/Newly-restored-house-in-Pompeii-offers-glimpse-of-17707009.php
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2160053315521 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-11/pompeii-restored-house-of-vettii-revealed/101845912
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccahughes/2023/01/12/elite-life-and-erotic-art-pompeii-house-reveals-its-secrets-after-20-year-restoration/
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/pompeii-reopens-casa-dei-vettii-after-20-years.html
https://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2023/01/10/pompeii-reopens-its-sistine-chapel-house-of-the-vettii_4f64bf1b-60ec-4fce-96fa-4b0b91bc4f15.html
https://www.artnews.com/gallery/art-news/news/pompeii-house-of-the-vetiii-refurbished-frescos-1234653314/
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/01/11/vast-pompeii-residence-unveiled-with-panel-depicting-a-giant-penis
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/01/13/house-of-the-vettii-in-pompeii-re-opened/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/after-decades-of-restoration-lavish-pompeii-house-reopens-to-public-180981419/
A 2000 years bp sarcophagus from Istanbul:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/2-000-year-old-sarcophagus-found-in-istanbul-179988
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/2000-year-old-sarcophagus-with-human-remains-uncovered-in-istanbul-1234653711/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11118-230112-istanbul-roman-sarcophagus
More on the reasons for the durability of Roman concrete:
https://phys.org/news/2023-01-secrets-self-healing-roman-concrete.html https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/scientists-chip-away-how-ancient-roman-concrete-stood-test-time-2023-01-09/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/still-standing-researchers-crack-secret-of-ancient-romes-self-healing-concrete/
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/ancient-master-engineers-roman-concrete-stands-test-of-time
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/researchers-dig-up-secrets-of-self-healing-roman-concrete-180004
https://www.npr.org/2023/01/14/1149245238/why-architectural-marvels-from-ancient-rome-are-still-standing
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article270962742.html https://www.cnn.com/style/article/roman-concrete-mystery-ingredient-scn/index.html
https://www.zmescience.com/science/researchers-uncover-the-secrets-behind-the-insane-durability-of-roman-concrete/
https://bigthink.com/the-past/roman-concrete/ https://boingboing.net/2023/01/10/researchers-reverse-engineer-roman-concrete.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/01/12/riddle-solved-why-was-roman-concrete-so-durable/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/self-healing-concrete-may-have-preserved-ancient-roman-structures-180981411/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11122-230111-roman-concrete-quicklime
More on the Temple of Poseidon at Samikon (not sure why this is back in the news):
https://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/16929_ENG_HTML.php https://phys.org/news/2023-01-discovery-temple-poseidon-kleidi-site.html https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/976343 https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-728358 https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/01/13/archaeologists-believe-they-found-the-temple-of-poseidon-in-greece/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/temple-of-poseidon-remains-further-revealed-at-peloponnesian-site/
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/ancient-greek-temple-of-poseidon-identified-in-samikon-archaeologists-believe-1234653493/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11128-230113-greece-archaic-temple
More on Greek text on a rock in Tajikistan:
https://greekherald.com.au/culture/how-ancient-greek-letters-were-carved-on-a-rock-in-central-asia/
More on the Gallo-Roman mausoleum (maybe) find from Neris-les Bains:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/gallo-roman-mausoleum-archaeology-2240371
More on the translation of the 'hand of Irulegi' and its Basque connections:
https://www.ksut.org/history/2023-01-09/archaeological-artifact-sheds-light-on-mysterious-basque-language
Car parks in Colchester will be closed to allow excavation of a Roman wall:
https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/two-colchester-car-parks-closing-8015670
Plans for the San Casciano bronzes to go on display:
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2023/01/09/san-casciano-bronzes-to-be-shown-at-quirinale-culture-min_1b54b261-ce99-4f06-a4db-aa50b32f6e8a.html
Seeking Heritage Status for the Appian Way:
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2023/01/10/appian-way-bids-for-unesco-status_eb7117d6-3ca1-4565-829d-e3081b94de99.html
On the PLATINUM project to collect Latin texts on papyrus:
https://arkeonews.net/ancient-latin-texts-written-on-papyrus-reveal-new-information-about-the-roman-world/
Elizabeth Greene is the new president of the AIA:
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2023/01/12/brock-professor-elizabeth-greene-named-president-of-archaeological-institute-of-america.html
https://www.thestar.com/nd/news/niagara-region/2023/01/12/brock-professor-elizabeth-greene-named-president-of-archaeological-institute-of-america.html
Mathias Hanses is the new president of CAAS:
https://www.psu.edu/news/liberal-arts/story/mathias-hanses-elected-president-classical-association-atlantic-states/
Feature on Yale's Athena:
https://yalealumnimagazine.org/articles/5603-greek-drama
Feature on ancient homeric reunions:
https://theconversation.com/reunions-can-be-nostalgic-and-painful-as-well-as-happy-as-the-ancient-greek-heroes-achilles-and-odysseus-show-us-197379
https://news.yahoo.com/reunions-nostalgic-painful-well-happy-132201291.html
Feature on restoring Roman mosaics:
https://www.susqu.edu/live/news/1538-a-new-way-to-restore-ancient-roman-mosaics
Feature on the founding of Rome:
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2023/01/how-was-rome-founded-not-in-a-day-and-not-by-twins
Feature on polarization and civil strife in ancient Greece:
https://theconversation.com/ancient-greece-had-extreme-polarization-and-civil-strife-too-how-thucydides-can-help-us-understand-jan-6-and-its-aftermath-196928
Feature on ancient Greek burial practices:
https://www.thecollector.com/ancient-burial-practices-greece/
Feature on some ancient stadiums:
https://www.history.com/news/ancient-stadiums-football
Feature on ancient Rome and trade with Africa:
https://www.thecollector.com/rome-trade-ancient-africa/
Feature on Roman auxiliary units:
https://www.thecollector.com/auxiliary-units-the-roman-army/
Feature on Plutarch:
https://www.upr.org/show/undisciplined/2023-01-12/undisciplined-the-2000-year-old-modern-scholar
Feature on Cleopatra Selene:
https://www.historyextra.com/period/ancient-egypt/cleopatras-daughter-who-what-life/
Feature on Zeno of Citium:
https://www.thecollector.com/who-is-zeno-of-citium-father-of-stoicism/
Feature on the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus:
https://www.thecollector.com/mausoleum-of-halicarnassus-ancient-wonders/
Feature on Gallia Placida:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/misunderstood-roman-empress-willed-way-to-top-180981294/
Feature on ancient mercenaries:
https://www.thecollector.com/mercenary-military-units-ancient-greece/
Feature on the Venus de Milo:
https://christopherpjones.medium.com/whats-so-special-about-the-venus-de-milo-41d80abdc92c
Feature on an ivory Yakshi figurine from Pompeii:
https://smarthistory.org/indian-ivory-statuette-pompeii/
Feature on ancient horses:
https://www.thecollector.com/history-of-ancient-horses/
Feature on Thessaloniki:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/01/metro-construction-reveals-the-rich-history-of-thessaloniki/145871
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/01/09/thessaloniki-metro-ancient-city/
Pondering what the ancients would have thought of Harry and Meghan:
https://www.spectator.com.au/2023/01/family-fortunes/
Cleopatra was apparently 2022's most-viewed Wikipedia page for some reason:
https://theconversation.com/2022-wasnt-the-year-of-cleopatra-so-why-was-she-the-most-viewed-page-on-wikipedia-197350
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/2022-wasnt-cleopatra-why-she-055409625.html
The Parthenon Sculptures saga continued with a former British lawmaker opposing the return:
https://www.thenationalherald.com/british-ex-lawmaker-opposes-sending-parthenon-marbles-to-greece/
... and the UK's Culture Secretary saying the sculptures belong in the UK:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64235854 https://news.yahoo.com/uk-minister-rules-permanent-return-172742787.html https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/11/elgin-marbles-belong-uk-says-culture-secretary/
https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/01/12/uk-culture-secretary-says-parthenon-sculptures-belong-in-britain
https://neoskosmos.com/en/2023/01/12/news/greece/uk-minister-rules-out-permanent-return-of-parthenon-marbles-to-greece/
While we also read that a deal was close:
https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20230108-british-museum-reportedly-close-to-deal-to-return-parthenon-marbles-to-greece
... but not easy:
https://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2023/01/09/ongoing-talks-on-parthenon-marbles-not-easy-athens_2d050a61-e703-4afe-8afe-88fa7328dbc2.html
https://greekreporter.com/2023/01/10/parthenon-marbles-loaned-greece-never-return/
... and Greece apparently rejected the 'deal':
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greek-pm-dashes-hopes-swift-return-parthenon-marbles-2023-01-11/
https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/01/11/greek-pm-dashes-hopes-of-swift-return-of-parthenon-marbles/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/greece-rejects-british-museum-loan-deal-parthenon-marbles-2241261
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/uk-rejects-permanent-return-of-parthenon-marbles-to-greece
https://tvpworld.com/65600146/dispute-over-parthenon-marbles-continues https://www.artforum.com/news/greek-officials-refuse-british-museum-s-parthenon-marble-loan-offer-89964
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/01/13/british-museums-hopes-of-a-loan-arrangement-for-the-return-of-the-parthenon-marbles-imperilled-ahead-of-greek-elections
... and Greece reasserted the importance of 'ownership':
https://www.rfi.fr/en/health-and-lifestyle/20230109-greece-seeks-definitive-return-of-parthenon-marbles
https://neoskosmos.com/en/2023/01/10/news/greece/greece-seeks-definitive-return-of-parthenon-marbles/
https://www.thenationalherald.com/changing-story-greece-now-says-parthenon-marbles-return-talks-on/
... and will continue to seek the return of the sculptures:
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1202261/greece-will-continue-to-demand-the-return-of-the-parthenon-marbles-mendoni-says/
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1201896/sculpture-talks-ongoing-says-government-spokesman/
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/48216-minister-greece-will-continue-to-demand-the-return-of-the-parthenon-marbles.html
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230113-greece-insists-parthenon-marbles-return-debate-not-closed
There was pondering whether Osborne has the authority to return them:
https://theconversation.com/the-parthenon-marbles-george-osborne-wants-to-return-the-statues-to-athens-but-can-he-a-legal-expert-explains-197364
... and there were several OpEds of varying points of view:
https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2023/01/andrew-marr-elgin-marbles-greece-british-museum
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/01/11/elgin-marbles-greek-professor/ https://www.thenationalherald.com/irish-columnist-makes-moral-case-for-the-parthenon-marbles-return/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11616975/Elgin-Marbles-remain-Britain-better-preserved-Greek-academic-says.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/14/george-osborne-playing-risky-game-political-chess-elgin-marbles/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/10/what-george-osbornes-game-marbles/ https://inews.co.uk/opinion/the-british-museum-return-elgin-marbles-offer-british-artefacts-2074332
https://www.thenationalherald.com/letter-from-athens-you-cant-loan-the-marbles-the-essence-of-greekness/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/14/british-museum-loses-marbles-nationalism-triumphs-humanitys/
Latest Pasts Imperfect newsletter:
https://pastsimperfect.substack.com/p/pasts-imperfect-11223
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/ ============================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ============================================================
A 7 000 years bp (or so) mass burial of headless people from a site in Slovakia:
https://www.uni-kiel.de/en/details/news/003-headless-skeletons https://phys.org/news/2023-01-headless-skeletons-settlement-trench-year-old.html
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66159 https://arkeonews.net/headless-skeletons-discovered-in-prehistoric-mass-grave/ https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/01/archaeologists-find-prehistoric-mass-grave-with-headless-skeletons/145934
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11127-230113-slovakia-mass-grave
A 3 000 years bp 'sacrificial well' from Germering (Germany):
https://www.livescience.com/bronze-age-wishing-well-bavaria https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-728090 https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article270969882.html http://www.archaeology.org/news/11123-230112-germany-wooden-well
Remains of an Iron Age communal feast of some sort near Cambridge:
https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/world/article271064082.html https://www.centredaily.com/news/nation-world/world/article271064082.html
A study of the 'tradition' associated with bog bodies:
https://phys.org/news/2023-01-europe-famous-bog-bodies-tradition.html https://www.livescience.com/bog-bodies-overview-europe https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/11/europe/bog-bodies-study-scn/index.html https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/10/mystery-of-europes-bog-bodies-fascinates-scientists-in-new-study-18070871/
https://arkeonews.net/a-new-study-reveals-that-bog-bodies-were-part-of-a-millennia-old-tradition/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/01/13/bogs-reveal-millennia-old-stories-about-violence-and-religion/
A 'princely' Hun burial from Romania:
https://www.livescience.com/princely-tomb-hun-warrior-romania
A high status Viking burial from an Oslo garden:
https://www.livescience.com/viking-age-burial-discovered-oslo
Preliminary exploration of the site of the 13th century Sheffield Castle:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-64221478
Possible medieval burials beneath a Lindisfarne car park:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-64276417 https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2023-01-13/seven-skeletons-found-under-holy-island-car-park
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/holy-island-skeletons-car-park-25973502
I think we mentioned these possible remains of the original Thames River wall at Westminster:
https://the-past.com/news/possible-section-of-original-thames-river-wall-unearthed-beneath-palace-of-westminster/
A 17th century gold ring found by a metal detectorist in Walton-on-Trent has been declared treasure:
https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/local-news/historic-ring-found-field-man-8003168
A pair of iron cannons and ammunition from the Bulgarian Northern Black Sea:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/01/10/ship-cannons-retrieved-from-the-bulgarian-northern-black-sea/
Construction workers in Poland came across a major cache of preWWII Jewish artifacts in Lodz:
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-728088 https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2023-01-11/ty-article/.premium/hundreds-of-jewish-items-hidden-at-start-of-wwii-uncovered-in-lodz/00000185-9c09-d2b7-afd7-fc6db1970000
https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/01/13/hundreds-of-personal-items-owned-by-jews-during-world-war-ii-found-in-polish-home/
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66134 https://www.jta.org/2023/01/09/global/massive-trove-of-prewar-jewish-artifacts-unearthed-by-construction-workers-in-poland
A major 'ship graveyard' off the southern coast of Norway:
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/196075/Huge-ship-graveyard-with-dozens-of-wrecks-discovered
More on purported 'writing' on ancient cave paintings:
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/history/archaeologists-cave-art-markings-language-25922986
https://www.npr.org/2023/01/13/1149135787/amateur-archaeologist-deciphers-20-000-year-old-cave-writing
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/ice-age-cave-symbols-1.6708025 https://www.sciencealert.com/mysterious-symbols-could-represent-the-earliest-writing-ever-found
More on that large Viking Hall, possibly connected to Harald Bluetooth, from Denmark:
https://www.livescience.com/viking-hall-bluetooth-denmark
More on the Elizabethen shipwreck found in a quarry in Kent:
https://www.livescience.com/ship-discovered-from-queen-elizabeth-reign https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-16th-century-ship-unearthed-in-england-180981414/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/11113-230109-england-elizabethan-ship
Bells from a 16th century church in Cumbria have been removed for restoration:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-64203740
Plans to digitize and put online the archives associated with Avebury monuments:
https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/news/2023-01-10/unique-archive-avebury-world-heritage-site-be-digitised-shared-first-time
https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/research/avebury-site-online-for-first-time/
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/york-archaeologist-to-help-share-the-secrets-of-the-worlds-largest-stone-circle-3977111
Coastal erosion concerns at various UK sites:
https://www.theguardian.com/focus/2023/jan/14/washed-away-can-britains-crumbling-castles-be-saved-from-the-sea
Feature on Patxi Perez Ramallo's work in the necropolis of the Compostela cathedral:
https://elpais.com/cultura/2023-01-09/el-vendedor-de-tiques-que-investiga-la-historia-del-camino-de-santiago-en-esqueletos-y-caracoles.html
Feature on the Red Lady of Paviland:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-64264413
Feature on being 'filthy rich' in three different eras in Europe:
https://bigthink.com/the-past/wealth-history-inequality/
Review of Flora Fraser, *Flora Macdonald*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/10/books/review/flora-macdonald-fraser.html ----------
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/
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