===============================================================
explorator 23.30 November 15, 2020
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You can read explorator online at:
https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/
Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo, Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
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EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Latest theories arising from a recent find of a Paranthropus robustus fossil in South Africa:
https://source.wustl.edu/2020/11/newly-discovered-fossil-documents-small-scale-evolutionary-changes-in-an-extinct-human-species/e
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-newly-fossil-small-scale-evolutionary-extinct.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/wuis-ndf110420.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201109120640.htm https://www.livescience.com/microevolution-in-human-relative.html https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/science/skull-south-africa-climate-change.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-54882214 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/10/two-million-year-old-skull-of-human-cousin-found-by-australian-team-in-south-african-cave
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-10/archaeologists-find-skull-of-human-cousin-two-million-years-old/12869110
https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/evolution/well-preserved-addition-to-the-evolution-story/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/newly-discovered-fossil-shows-small.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/newly-unearthed-skull-reveals-how-ancient-hominids-evolved-survive-changing-climate-180976282/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9196-201109-paranthropus-robustus-fossil
A possible 2 million years bp toolmaking site in Iran:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/454583/Remains-of-Stone-Age-artifacts-unearthed-in-northern-Iran
Feature suggesting human evolution continues:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/human-evolution-isnt-over-yet
Review of Sykes, *Kindred*:
http://www.beachwoodreporter.com/books/the_lives_loves_deaths_art_of.php
More on traces of Denisovans in Tibet:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-midnight-holy-tibetan-cave-window.html
More on the Florisbad skull:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/13/florisbad-skull-reinforces-the-mosaic-hypothesis-of-human-evolution/
More on the possibility of war between homo sapiens and Neanderthals:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-humans-war.html https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1358041/Neanderthals-humans-war-archaeology-news-history-evg
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
The British Museum is partners in a major excavation project in Benin City:
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54933273 https://news.yahoo.com/british-museum-help-dig-nigerian-163929812.html
... some coverage emphasizes the building of a new museum as part of the project:
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/nov/14/new-museum-in-nigeria-raises-hopes-of-resolution-to-benin-bronzes-dispute-david-adjaye
https://blog.britishmuseum.org/major-new-archaeology-project-on-site-of-new-museum-in-benin/
Feature on Al-Musawwarat as-Safra:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/11/al-musawwarat-as-safra-the-ancient-meroitic-city-of-temples/136073
There's an alphabet dispute in NIgeria:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54935804 ================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
At least a hundred more 2500 years bp sarcophagi (and other items) emerge from the sands of Saqqara:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/393774.aspx https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/94209/Egypt-announces-huge-discovery-of-100-human-sealed-coffins-40
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-egypt-unveils-ancient-coffins-statues.html https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/14/nearly-100-coffins-buried-over-2500-years-ago-found-in-egypt
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-54947258 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8949011/Egyptian-officials-unveil-100-sarcophagi-vast-necropolis-near-Cairo.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypt-finds-treasure-trove-of-over-100-sarcophagi-near-cairo/
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-11/15/c_139516725.htm https://news.sky.com/story/100-ancient-coffins-some-containing-mummies-discovered-in-egyptian-necropolis-12132478
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1763026/middle-east https://menafn.com/1101126855/Egypt-discovers-scores-of-ancient-coffins-funerary-statues-in-Saqqara&source=246
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/egypt-finds-treasure-trove-of-over-100-sarcophagi-160048
https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/14/egypt-discovers-2-500-year-old-tomb-containing-at-least-100-mummies
https://www.euronews.com/video/2020/11/14/watch-archaeologists-find-at-least-100-coffins-from-egypt-s-ptolemaic-dynasty
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-11-14/egypt-unveils-ancient-coffins-statues-found-in-saqqara
https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-egyptian-necropolis-yields-more-than-100-sealed-coffins-from-2-500-years-ago
https://www.startribune.com/egypt-unveils-ancient-coffins-statues-found-in-saqqara/573074301/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egypt-unveils-ancient-coffins-statues-found-in-saqqara/2020/11/14/b086605a-2673-11eb-9c4a-0dc6242c4814_story.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ancient-mummies-antiquities-unveiled-egypt-over-2-500-years-after-n1247836
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-14/egypt-unveils-ancient-coffins-statues-found-in-saqqara
https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/national/18871997.egypt-unveils-ancient-coffins-mummies-found-huge-necropolis/
https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-egyptian-necropolis-yields-more-than-100-sealed-coffins-from-2-500-years-ago
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/archaeologists-are-just-beginning-unearth-mummies-and-secrets-saqqara-180976301/
... and it is clear that Egypt now has a policy of announcing that there will be an announcement:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/94052/Egypt-to-announce-discovery-of-100-more-coffins-in-Saqqara
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/391380/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egypt-to-announce-biggest-archaeological-discovery.aspx
https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/egypt-teases-biggest-discovery-of-the-year-from-ancient-city-of-the-dead/news-story/8f0bea2fb6fadcdf177eb7f0caeaab95
Restoration work on the Temple of Esna has revealed inscriptions and evidence of the original colours of the temple:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-reveals-pigments-year-old-inscriptions-temple.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/original-pigments-of-2000-year-old.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9206-201113-egypt-esna-temple
Abbasid-era coins from a dig in the Fayoum:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/393714/Heritage/Islamic/A-collection-of-gold-dinars-from-the-Abbasid-era-u.aspx
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/94186/Egypt-uncovers-28-gold-dinars-dating-back-to-Abbasid-era
A study of Djoser's step pyramid (not sure how new this is):
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1359366/egypt-step-pyramid-djoser-pharaoh-found-saqqara-great-pyramid-chamber-spt
Feature on five ancient Egyptian tombs:
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/94252/Acquaint-Yourself-with-5-ancient-Egyptian-tombs-discovered-with-entire
ARCE has put up some virtual tours of the KV55 sarcophagus and the 'C-Ware Vessel':
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/04/new-virtual-tours-kv-55-coffin-c-ware-vessel/
Feature on Italian archaeologists working in Iran:
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/454428/Journey-to-the-past-a-glimpse-of-Tehran-Rome-projects-in-archaeology
Feature on Gobekli Tepe:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/11/gobekli-tepe-the-oldest-known-mesolithic-temple-complex/136103
Remains of a 3000 years bp fortress in the Golan is being connected with the reign of David:
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/fort-from-the-king-david-era-found-in-the-golan-648732
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-massive-3-000-year-old-fort-of-biblical-geshur-found-in-israeli-golan-1.9303547
https://www.timesofisrael.com/king-david-era-fort-found-in-golan-may-be-1st-evidence-of-bibles-geshurites/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/king-davids-era-fortified-complex-discovered-on-golan-heights/2020/11/11/
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/291007 https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20201112-israeli-archaeologists-uncover-fortress-from-time-of-king-david
https://www.ibtimes.sg/archaeologists-discover-3000-year-old-fort-golan-that-could-be-first-evidence-geshurites-53300
https://www.christianpost.com/news/archaeologists-find-3000-year-old-fortress-king-david.html
https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/a-rare-and-exciting-find-3000-year-old-fortress-from-time-of-king-david-unearthed-by-israeli-archeologists.html
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/geshurite-fort-excavated/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fort-king-davids-time-found-golan-heights-180976279/
... and an interesting stone stele to a Mesopotamian moon god was found there:
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-fort-figures-biblical-geshur-kingdom-discovered.html
Elevator construction in the Western Wall Plaza revealed a 'juglet' containing four 1000 years bp gold coins:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/thousand-year-old-gold-coins-found-in-jerusalems-old-city-648486
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-four-1-000-year-old-gold-coins-unearthed-near-jerusalem-s-western-wall-1.9299424
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-gold-coins-discovered-in-jerusalem.html https://www.albawaba.com/editors-choice/treasure-trove-450-gold-coins-dating-back-abbasid-islamic-period-found-jerusalems
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1760761/offbeat https://www.arabnews.com/node/1760761/art-culture https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/290839 https://www.timesofisrael.com/cache-of-gold-coins-from-islamic-period-discovered-at-western-wall-dig/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/11/09/pottery-juglet-containing-1000-year-old-gold-coins-unearthed-in-jerusalem/
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/Hy9Ij5LFw https://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/25a453526be6e6dc4b1188cf417a557a/Workers-From-Israel-Antiquities-Authority-Work-At-Excavation-Site-In-Old-City-Jerusalem/
https://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/493ebad36a75dc6924b1ad8f574f7333/Archeologist-David-Gellman-Holds-A-Gold-Coin-And-Juglet-In-Old-City-Jerusalem/
https://www.friendsofiaa.org/news https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/pottery-juglet-containing-four-1000.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9200-201111-jerusalem-gold-coins
Concerns for Second Temple remains due to expansion of the Beit El settlement:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/beit-el-settlement-expansion-threatens-to-bury-jewish-second-temple-heritage/
Feature on the Tekhelet industry at Tell es Samak:
https://www.archaeology.org/issues/403-2011/letter-from/9133-israel-purple-dye
Feature on Bathsheba as 'kingmaker':
https://www.thetorah.com/article/bathsheba-the-kingmaker
Feature on the Patriarchs having access to camels:
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/yes-virginia-the-patriarchs-really-did-ride-on-camels/
https://www.aish.com/ci/sam/Yes-Virginia-the-Patriarchs-Really-Did-Ride-on-Camels.html
Feature on Mesopotamia as cradle of civilization:
https://www.history.com/news/how-mesopotamia-became-the-cradle-of-civilization
Feature on the Sumerians:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/who-were-the-ancient-sumerians-and-what-are-they-known-for
More on evidence for metallurgy in Israel some 6500 years bp:
https://www.ami-universite-telaviv.com/index.php/2013-05-26-08-41-51/recherche/sciences-humaines-et/archeologie/1312-le-four-m%C3%A9tallurgique-a-probablement-%C3%A9t%C3%A9-invent%C3%A9-en-isra%C3%ABl-il-y-a-6-500-ans,-d%E2%80%99apr%C3%A8s-les-arch%C3%
A9ologues-de-l%E2%80%99universit%C3%A9-de-tel-aviv
Not sure where to put this one ... overcrowding at refugeee camps have led one family in northern Syria to take up residence in a Roman temple:
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201111-syria-family-sets-up-camp-in-roman-ruins-in-northwest/
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1761396/middle-east https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-nowhere-else-to-go-syrian-refugees-pitch-camp-on-ruins-of-ancient-temple/
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201110-uprooted-by-war-syrians-settle-on-ruins-of-roman-temple
... in the same category is a new film questioning the historical existence of the Kingdom of Israel:
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-one-man-s-quest-for-the-ark-of-the-covenant-led-to-a-completely-different-find-1.9305352
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
A head, possibly Hermes?, found during construction in Athens:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/14/construction-workers-unearth-ancient-greek-gem-in-downtown-athens/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/construction-workers-unearth-ancient.html
A 7th century BCE site from Falerii (Italian):
http://www.tusciaweb.eu/2020/11/nuovi-scavi-a-falerii-trovati-materiali-risalenti-alleta-del-ferro/
A 2nd century Roman villa from Bacoli (Italian):
https://www.napolidavivere.it/2020/11/10/scoperta-una-villa-romana-depoca-imperiale-del-ii-secolo-d-c-nel-centro-di-bacoli/
Figurines of Demeter and Persephone from a Russian site:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/figurines-of-demeter-and-persephone.html
More on the excavations of the Temple of Neptune at Paestum (Italian):
https://www.infocilento.it/2020/11/11/video-paestum-dagli-scavi-riemerge-la-storia-del-tempio-di-nettuno/
An illegal excavation near Aphrodisias revealed a 2500 years bp sarcophagus:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/treasure-hunters-unearth-2-500-year-old-history-159844
https://www.yerepouni-news.com/2020/11/09/treasure-hunters-unearth-2500-year-old-history/
Remains of a Roman villa near Rossett (Wales):
http://www.wrexham.com/news/roman-villa-found-near-rossett-first-of-its-kind-ever-to-be-discovered-in-north-east-wales-196014.html
https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/18866596.archaeologists-make-remarkable-roman-discovery-wrexham/
https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/18868907.archaeologists-make-remarkable-roman-discovery-wrexham/
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/remarkable-roman-villa-found-buried-under-a-field-in-north-wales/ar-BB1aXdvK
https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1360139/archaeology-news-romans-britain-roman-villa-wrexham-evg
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9207-201113-roman-period-wales
A 1st/2nd century CE mosaic being dubbed the 'Mona Lisa' of Oasmaniye:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/mona-lisa-of-ancient-age-found-in-osmaniye-159902
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9203-201112-turkey-mosaic-portrait
A 1700 years bp Roman chamber tomb burial from southeastern Turkey:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/1-700-year-old-roman-tombs-unearthed-in-turkey-159891
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/burial-chambers-found-in-heart-of-diyarbakir-159891
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/1700-year-old-roman-tomb-excavated-in-southeastern-turkey
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/turkey-1-700-year-old-roman-tombs-unearthed-/2037480
Some 1600 years bp Roman mosaics from Sinop are going on display:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/roman-era-mosaics-under-protection-159941
A late 2nd century (or so) CE inscription from Nicopolis ad Istrum has been 'decoded':
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/12/roman-emperor-lied-thanked-city-for-bribe-reveals-newly-decoded-inscription-from-ancient-nicopolis-ad-istrum-in-bulgaria/
Evidence of 3rd/4th century Christianity from a necropolis in Autun:
https://fr.aleteia.org/2020/11/14/les-premiers-chretiens-de-france-retrouves-a-autun/
... and from the same dig (I think) comes an important Roman glass vase:
https://www.science.lu/fr/un-vase-exceptionnel-decouvert-dans-les-fouilles-dautun
A 4th century sarcophagus find from Arras:
https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/a-arras-un-sarcophage-du-ive-siecle-decouvert-sous-un-parking-dans-un-etat-de-conservation-exceptionnel-20201110?#Echobox=1605011131
Latest finds from the 'maritime quarter' at Ostia (Italian):
https://magazine.unibo.it/archivio/2020/11/10/nell2019antica-ostia-gli-archeologi-unibo-riscoprono-il-quartiere-marittimo
Feature/study of the theatre of Epidaurus:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/15/study-shows-ancient-theatre-of-epidaurus-has-the-most-perfect-aesthetics-and-acoustics-in-the-world/
In case you missed the Apollo sealstone found in Jerusalem:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1358136/archaeology-news-gem-seal-greek-god-apollo-jerusalem-western-wall-evg
In case you missed the excavation of a Byzantine church at Banias which was built on the site of a temple of Pan:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2000-years-ago-a-believer-came-hundreds-of-miles-to-erect-an-altar-at-banias/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/byzantine-church-discovered-in-banias-nature-reserve-647223
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-it-looks-like-the-pilgrims-left-graffiti-byzantine-church-found-in-golan-1.9269546
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8938075/
A bottle from Pompeii currently in the MANN apparently has olive oil in it:
http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2020/11/09/at-mann-in-naples-experts-find-oldest-olive-oil-in-the-world_da5ac0ab-e8be-4814-9c7f-a96c45cc80b3.html
The Council of State was discussing the temporary transfer of antiquities found during Thessaloniki metro construction:
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/12/council-of-state-discusses-transfer-of-thessaloniki-metro-antiquities/
Plans to restore 19 monuments and sites in Cyprus before the end of the year:
https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/11/10/nineteen-historical-monuments-set-to-be-renovated-by-end-of-year/
Some revisionism about Nero's fire:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/nero-great-fire-rome-romans-b1719706.html
Interesting study of the hydraulics behind the Barbegal watermills:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/jgum-tuh111320.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201113141812.htm
Feature on Athens after the empire:
https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/178132
Feature on a rhyton from Phaistos:
https://www.ancientworldmagazine.com/articles/equid-phaistos/
Feature on Baiae:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/11/baiae-the-hedonistic-harbour-of-vice/136094
Feature on women as gladiators:
https://medium.com/exploring-history/fighting-without-clothes-roman-female-gladiators-5142618e0612
Feature on Goths and Huns:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-goths-and-the-huns-the-barbarian-pressure-on-rome/
Feature on Aegean-Indus trade (largely based on monkeys):
http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2020/11/monkey-business
Feature on the Piraeus Lion in Venice:
https://eu.greekreporter.com/2020/11/11/ancient-greek-lion-from-the-port-of-piraeus-now-adorns-venices-arsenal/
Feature on the Roman legion during the Republic:
https://eaglesanddragonspublishing.com/an-introduction-to-the-republican-roman-legion/
Feature on London's oldest Roman road:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/london/discover-the-secrets-of-the-citys-oldest-roman-road/
Feature on HBO's Rome:
https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/rome-long-road-original-hbo-epic/
Feature on Carrie Murray:
https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2020/11/faculty-focus-carrie-murray-unearths-her-archaeology-roots/
Olympia can now be toured virtually:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/11/14/tour-ancient-olympia-from-home-via-new-digital-platform/
Heritage recognition for the Antonine Wall:
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18871079.antonines-wall-project-first-uk-listed-european-heritage-body/
Review of Thomas E. Ricks, *First Principles*:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/10/books/review/first-principles-thomas-e-ricks.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-principles-review-classically-constituted-11605282661
Review of Greg Woolf, *Life and Death of Ancient Cites*:
https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/knossos-to-cuzco-via-cairo-and-carthage/
Review of Peter Stothard, *Last Assassin*:
https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/the-last-assassin-peter-stothard-review-roy-gibson/
A bunch of MEP's called on Boris Johnson to return the Parthenon Marbles:
https://eu.greekreporter.com/2020/11/11/meps-call-on-boris-johnson-to-return-parthenon-marbles-to-greece/
https://inews.co.uk/news/world/elgin-marbles-greece-eu-boris-johnson-12-countries-return-755399
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/13/meps-johnson-parthenon-sculptures/ https://www.thenationalherald.com/greece_politics/arthro/30_meps_ask_boris_johnson_to_return_parthenon_marbles_to_greece-1199428/
In case you've missed all the hype for the LEGO Colosseum:
https://www.brickfanatics.com/lego-teases-rumoured-colosseum-as-largest-product-ever-made
https://archinect.com/news/article/150237284/lego-to-release-9-035-piece-set-of-the-colosseum-in-rome
https://www.brickfanatics.com/rumoured-lego-10276-colosseum-may-get-a-free-bonus-set/
https://www.brickfanatics.com/free-lego-roman-chariot-with-10276-colosseum/ https://www.brothers-brick.com/2020/11/13/lego-reveals-10276-colosseum-ancient-roman-stadium-will-be-biggest-lego-set-ever-news/
https://gizmodo.com/at-9-036-pieces-the-roman-colosseum-is-officially-the-l-1845665286
https://nypost.com/2020/11/13/largest-lego-set-ever-of-roman-colosseum-to-debut-on-black-friday/
In case you missed the results of the auction of that Ides of March coin:
https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/rare-coin-commemorating-caesars-death-fetches-high-price-at-auction/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:
http://romanarc.blogspot.com/
Rogueclassicism:
http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
30 000 years bp burial of twins from a site in Austria:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-year-old-twin-ancient-grave-austria.html https://www.livescience.com/oldest-twin-burial-on-record.html http://www.archaeology.org/news/9208-201113-austria-paleolithic-infants
Evidence for a much lower level of the Black Sea some 5000 years bp:
http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/10/6000-year-old-submerged-prehistoric-settlement-reveals-black-sea-level-was-5-meters-lower-5000-years-ago/
An Iron Age burial from the Lofoten Islands:
https://www.lifeinnorway.net/archaeologists-discover-amazing-iron-age-grave-on-lofoten/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9205-201113-iron-age-norway
An investigation of what was thought to be a souterrain in Lifford turned out to be a ring fort:
https://donegalnews.com/2020/11/lifford-souterrain-leads-to-discovery-of-ring-fort/
A metal detectorist found a hoard of Anglo Saxon gold coins:
https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/18856404.hoard-rare-gold-coins-unearthed-metal-detectorist-chelmsford/
Plenty of coverage of the GPR find of a Viking ship burial in Gjellestad (I'm sure we had this a while ago; perhaps what's new are other things around it?):
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/world/europe/viking-discovery.html https://www.livescience.com/viking-ship-cult-burial.html https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/10/europe/viking-site-radar-norway-scli-intl-scn/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-viking-ship-burial-site-norway/
https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/28180/20201112/viking-ship-discovered-norway-using-ground-penetrating-radar.htm
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/11/radar-reveals-a-feasting-hall-near-a-viking-ship-burial/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/norway-ship-burial-site-1923040 https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/11/archaeologists-discover-viking-ship-burial/136064
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/excavation-viking-ship-burial-continues-new-research-reveals-history-elite-scandinavian-society-180976273/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9204-201112-norway-burial-mounds
... this seems to be about the excavation (and fungus issues):
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-painstaking-uncover-viking-ship-secrets.html https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201113-painstaking-race-against-time-to-uncover-viking-ship-s-secrets
... and a feature on the Vikings:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201113-glamourous-and-worldly-five-things-to-know-about-vikings
Remains of a medieval port in Eindhoven:
https://nltimes.nl/2020/11/15/remains-medieval-port-found-eindhoven
Assorted 11th-13th century metal objects from a trove in Poland:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/11/archaeologists-discover-treasure-trove-of-metal-artefacts/136059
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/11/archaeologists-discover-treasure-trove-of-metal-artefacts/
I think we mentioned these 'Catholic' finds from Oxburgh Hall:
https://www.ncregister.com/features/oxburgh-hall
17th century silver coin hoard from Poland:
https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/village-man-finds-stash-of-17th-century-coins-after-falling-off-his-bike-while-looking-for-mushrooms-17393
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9195-201109-poland-coin-cache
A cache of musket balls associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie from near Lochaber:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-54904272
More on that 3300 years bp bronze sword find from the Czech Republic:
https://www.livescience.com/mushroom-hunter-finds-ancient-sword.html http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/06/3300-year-old-bronze-age-sword-ax-found-by-accident-in-northern-czechia/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8947233/Mushroom-hunter-discovers-intricately-patterned-bronze-sword-dating-3-300-YEARS.html
http://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/28219/20201114/3-300-year-old-intricately-patterned-bronze-sword-found-czech.htm
More on the evidence of a Neolithic construction boom at the Mount Pleasant henge:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-find-evidence-neolithic-construction-boom-180976231/
More on Henry VIII's jousting site:
https://www.livescience.com/henry-viii-jousting-tiltyard-found.html http://www.archaeology.org/news/9197-201110-england-jousting-yard
More on the medieval monkey skeleton from a Basel latrine:
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/skeleton-of-medieval-monkey-discovered.html
A study of the remains of an Iron Age man with the first known case of TB in Britain suggests he was from continental Europe:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-iron-age-case-tb-britain.html https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/11/iron-age-man-with-first-known-case-of.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2020/11/13/first-known-case-of-tb-in-britain-came-from-continental-europe/
A feature on things found by London's 'mudlarks':
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/roman-roofing-tudor-shoes-londons-mudlarks-find-castoff-history-along-the-thames/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/11/13/mudlarks-thames-river-history/
Pondering why the Shetlands were depopulated:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-54810450
The Stonehenge tunnel was approved (sadly):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-54919205 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/12/stonehenge-road-tunnel-given-go-ahead-despite-backlash
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/11/controversial-tunnel-under-stonehenge-approved-over-archaeologists-objections/
https://www.winsfordguardian.co.uk/news/national/18866819.stonehenge-tunnel-plan-gets-go-ahead-grant-shapps/
https://www.startribune.com/tunnel-plan-near-stonehenge-gets-uk-government-consent/573053551/
https://www.dw.com/en/contentious-stonehenge-tunnel-gets-uk-government-approval/a-55580399
... and a feature on how Stonehenge was part of some multi-monument complex:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2020/11-12/stonehenge-part-multi-monument-complex-how-it-fits-together/
Sinkhole concerns for Naples churches:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sinkholes-threaten-swallow-naples-churches-180976234/
A controversial plan to revive the canal plan of Charles IV in the Czech Republic:
https://www.dw.com/en/the-czech-president-wants-to-link-the-danube-elbe-and-oder-rivers-in-a-canal-project/a-55540041
A survey has revealed the site of a First World War airfield in Oxford:
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18855895.first-world-war-airfield-port-meadow-oxford-rediscovered/
Remains of a Nazi concentration camp from the Czech Republic:
https://www.praguemorning.cz/nazi-concentration-camp-found-in-czech-republic/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/czech-archaeologists-find-remains-concentration-camp-roma-180976294/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9202-201112-nazi-roma-camp
A World Heritage site controversy in Kosovo seems to be worked out:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Kosovo-s-rival-communities-reach-deal-on-World-15722152.php
----------
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 ================================================================
Eastern Han Dynasty brick tombs from Dezhou:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8930085/Construction-workers-discover-rare-1-800-year-old-brick-tombs-intricate-murals-China.html
A Western Han Dynasty granary site from Hohhot:
http://www.ecns.cn/news/2020-11-12/detail-ihacwpkx9604499.shtml
38 tombs spanning a number of Dynasties from Guangzhou:
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2020-11/15/content_76912029.htm
A study of the impact of horses on ancient China:
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/horse-mastery-helped-mysterious-mongolian-warriors-build-multiethnic-empire
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/science/horses-china-archaeology.html http://www.archaeology.org/news/9198-201110-xiongnu-genetic-study
More on Bronze Age travel routes of herders in Xinjiang:
https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/28076/20201105/cutting-edge-tech-reveals-bronze-age-migration-routes-livestock-herders.htm
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9192-201109-satellite-migration-routes
Funding for the Altai Pastoralism project:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/mpif-app110920.php
More on that 8000 years bp dismembered child burial from Alor Island:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8930713/Child-buried-8-000-years-ago-Indonesia-arms-legs-removed-death.html
Suggestion that huge boulders in assorted Himalayan rivers were moved by glacial outbursts over the years:
https://eos.org/articles/powerful-glacial-floods-heave-himalayan-boulders ================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Suggestion that Alexander Hamilton was a slave owner:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/arts/alexander-hamilton-enslaver-research.html
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