===============================================================
explorator 19.34 December 18, 2016 ===============================================================
If you're having problems getting 'the whole issue', 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, Bob Heuman, David Critchley, Hernan Astudillo, Rick Heli, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, David Emery, Richard
Campbell, Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week (as
always hoping I have left no one out).
================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Neanderthals were apparently making regular visits to a cave in Jersey over the course
of 140 000 years or so:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-coastal-cave-site-must-see-tourist.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161212133444.htm http://www.archaeology.org/5138-161214-jersey-neanderthal-cave
On the evolution of human walking:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-heels-toes.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/uoa-www121216.php
… and what we’ve learned from some 3 million+ years bp footprints from Tanzania:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/dec/14/stepping-back-36m-years-footprints-yi
eld-new-clues-to-humans-ancestors
http://www.archaeology.org/5136-161214-tanzania-laetoli-footprints
… such as height of one guy:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-ancient-human-ancestor-tall-dude.html http://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20161214/ancient-human-ancestor-was-one-tall-dude
-his-footprints-say
Not sure if this is a new example of 1.2 million years bp toothpick use or whether we
had it a while ago:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/s-dhc121516.php
… or if it is really a study of using dental plaque to determine early diet and cooking:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-raw-foodies-europe-earliest-humans.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161214212012.htm http://www.archaeology.org/5141-161215-spain-raw-food http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/europes-earliest-humans-did
-not-use-fire-for-cooking
Now we’re reading that Lucy may have been polygynous:
http://www.livescience.com/57203-lucy-early-human-species-was-polygynous.html
More on the possibility of a religious side to Neanderthals:
http://www.npr.org/2016/12/11/505187953/discoveries-give-new-clues-to-possible-neand
erthal-religious-practices
http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.758960
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Mali has declared an ‘archaeological emergency’:
https://www.ft.com/content/559aa998-c386-11e6-9bca-2b93a6856354
Interesting feature on Ethiopian Judaism:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4891062,00.html
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
On Egypt’s strategy to prevent sales of Egyptian antiquities around the world:
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/12/egypt-antiquities-sale-world-auction.ht
ml
Security has been tightened at all of Egypt’s sites and museums:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/253170/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Security-m
easures-tightened-at-all-Egypts-archaeol.aspx
4000 years bp petroglyphs from Iran:
http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-archaeologist-uncovers-possibly-one-of-worlds-olde
st-rock-etchings/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/world-oldest-rock-drawings-archae
ologist-iran-khomeyn-mohammed-naserifard-a7470321.html
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/deciphering-irans-ancient-rock-art-.aspx?pageID=238&
nid=107184&NewsCatID=375
Nice feature on that Jericho skull and the facial reconstruction thereof:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/the-jericho-skull-british-mus
eum-facial-reconstruction-ct-scan-a7474516.html
http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-exhibit-gives-9500-year-old-skull-a-digital-makeover/
http://www.archaeology.org/5086-161212-jericho-skull-facial-reconstruction
A pair of 2600 years bp kitchens from the site of Dascylium:
http://www.dailysabah.com/history/2016/12/15/2600-year-old-kitchen-of-kingdom-of-lydia-
unearthed-in-western-turkey
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5140-161215-turkey-anatolia-kitchens
A 2 100 years bp wine press from Ashkelon:
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=38757 http://www.archaeology.org/5145-161216-ashkelon-wine-press
A ‘Jewish Revolt Coin’ from Jerusalem:
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=38701
A trio of tomb raiders were caught at Horvat Maskana:
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/tomb-raiders-caught-red-handed-in-nort
hern-israel/2016/12/14/
http://www.timesofisrael.com/three-looters-busted-plundering-ancient-tomb-in-galilee/
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/221715
Looking for evidence of Istanbul’s earthquakes at Bathonea:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/bathonea-excavations-aim-to-shed-light-on-historic-ist
anbul-quakes-.aspx?pageID=238&nid=107325&NewsCatID=375
http://www.archaeology.org/5144-161216-turkey-istanbul-earthquakes
… while stained glass from there suggests a high standard of living:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/stained-glass-evidence-of-high-living-standards-in-anc
ient-bathonea.aspx?pageID=238&nid=106990&NewsCatID=375
After renovations of the clock tower, the seal of Sultan Hamid Abdul II was returned to
Jaffa:
http://www.timesofisrael.com/ottoman-sultans-john-hancock-gets-facelift-in-jaffa/
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Relic-from-Ottoman-sultan-returned-to-Jaffa-after-exten
sive-renovations-475228
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/israel-conserves/2016/12/13/ http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/132527-161213-original-ottoman-era-seal-r
estored-to-jaffa-s-famous-clock-tower
General feature on archaeology in Iraq:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/dec/16/despite-landmines-snakes-and-d
odgy-gin-iraq-is-an-archaeological-paradise
Latest DSS publication:
http://newsok.com/ocu-teams-dead-sea-scrolls-research-is-published-student-faculty-gro
up-partnered-with-museum-of-the-bibles-green-scholars-initiative-program/article/
5531034?custom_click=rss
We had some version of this last week: a fund is set up to protect antiquities in conflict
areas:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/251928/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/New-intern
ational-fund-for-protecting-heritage-in-.aspx
More on that Bar Kochba governor inscription:
http://www.livescience.com/57182-hebrew-tablet-reveals-biblical-ruler-of-judea.html
More on domestication of grain in Syria some 11 000 years bp:
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/neolithic-syrians-were-first-t
o-domesticate-cereals
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5075-161207-neolithic-staple-crops
More on 7000 years bp pollution in a Jordanian river:
http://www.livescience.com/57168-earliest-polluted-river-found-jordan.html
More on Nefertari’s knees:
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/1206/Have-Egyptologists-solved-the-mystery-of-
Queen-Nefertari-s-knees
Sadly, after last week’s issue went out, ISIL apparently retook Palmyra:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/11/islamic-state-retakes-palmyra-syria
https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2016/dec/12/syrias-ancient-city-palmyra-under-
control-of-islamic-state-again-video
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/syrian-army-advances-in-aleppo-but-loses-
palmyra-to-islamic-state/article33293799/?cmpid=rss1
https://www.ft.com/content/be2ede50-c054-11e6-9bca-2b93a6856354 http://www.reuters.com/video/2016/12/11/islamic-state-and-syrian-army-both-claim?vide
oId=370694620&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=LatestVideosUS&videoChannel=1
http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/antiquities-official-fears-for-palmyra-after-is-
recaptures-city/
… which led to another general piece on Palmyra:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/a-look-at-palmyra-the-historic-syrian
-city-retaken-by-is/2016/12/11/88d77174-bfda-11e6-a52b-a0a126eaf9f7_story.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/look-palmyra-historic-syrian-city-retaken-194325400.html
… and coincidentally a major show on Palmyra in Paris:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-lost-treasures-syria-palmyra-3d.html http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/syria/2016/12/16/war-endangered-ar
chaeological-treasures-showcased-in-paris_0b5d46ee-9c55-4fcf-bbf3-a355c6888978.htm
l
There were features on the destruction in and ongoing concerns for Nimrud:
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/iraqis-mourn-destruction-ancient-city-nimru
d-isis-tried-destroy-identity-n694636
http://www.timesofisrael.com/un-fears-further-looting-of-wrecked-ancient-iraqi-city/
http://artdaily.com/news/92463/UN-fears-further-looting-of-wrecked-ancient-Iraqi-city
… and on sites destroyed by ISIL in general:
http://www.livescience.com/57172-photos-isis-destroys-iraq-heritage.html
… and Aleppo:
http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92405
The US has adopted a ‘legal strategy’ to prevent the sale of ISIL-looted antiquities:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/221820 http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-antiquities-idUSKBN14422I https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/us-steps-up-fight-to-cut-islamic-state
-financing-and-trade-in-looted-antiquities/2016/12/15/77a7b40e-c2e1-11e6-9578-0054287
507db_story.html
http://artdaily.com/news/92486/US-claims-antiquities-looted-by-IS-to-block-their-resale
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2016/12/16/US-files-case-against-ISIS-t
o-recover-ancient-ring.html
http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Lawsuit-details-Islamic-State-profits-from-107997
19.php
… and studying where such items ‘end up’:
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/310831-new-leads-on-looted-middle-
eastern-antiquities
… and we’ve already mentioned them turning up in Geneva:
http://www.timesofisrael.com/swiss-seize-artefacts-looted-from-syrias-palmyra/
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
Roman Caistor St Edmund was larger than previously thought:
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/roman_town_at_caistor_st_edmund_up_to_three_times_bi
gger_than_previously_thought_new_dig_reveals_1_4812665
A Swedish team has unearthed what the press was calling a previously unknown city
near Athens:
http://www.thelocal.se/20161212/swedish-archaeologists-unearth-lost-ancient-city-in-gre
ece
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161213074230.htm
… then they decided it was Swedish and Greek archaeologists:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-swedish-greek-archaeologists-unknown-city.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/uog-sad121316.php
… but after much headline adjusting, it was credited to Swedish, Greek, and British
archaeologists:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-team-unearth-ancient-greek-city-0tchx3pcj
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/greece-lost-city-vlochos-univer
sity-of-gothenburg-bournemouth-a7471246.html
http://www.livescience.com/57189-ancient-greek-village-was-large-metropolis.html
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/lost-city-dating-back-2500-years-discovere
d-by-archaeologists-35289817.html
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/12/13/archaeologists-discover-a-lost-greek-city-dati
ng-back-2500-years/
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/1214/Ancient-Greek-backwater-actually-a-bustlin
g-metropolis-research-shows
http://observer.com/2016/12/archaeologists-just-discovered-a-2500-year-old-lost-city-ato
p-a-greek-mountain-peak/
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/archaeologists-examine-une
xplored-greek-city
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5085-161212-greece-ancient-city-explored
… and then there were clarifications that the site was found years ago:
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/12/14/vlochos-lost-city-ruins-discovered-200-years-
ago-archaeologists-clarify/
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1023590.shtml
Remains of a Roman villa complex near Bottisham:
http://www.archaeology.org/5133-161213-england-roman-settlement
A Roman hoard from Barlaston has been declared treasure:
http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/barlaston-field-yields-more-than-2-000-pieces-of-
roman-treasure/story-29978940-detail/story.html
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/haul-of-rare-roman-coins-uncovered-in-barlaston-field-rule
d-as-treasure/story-29977294-detail/story.html
Funding for a study of the peoples in Ireland and Scotland in Roman times:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/1m-study-of-lost-kingdoms-beyond-romans-reach-2hn63
q36t
https://stv.tv/news/north/1375839-university-given-1million-to-uncover-europe-s-lost-king
doms/
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14970308.Archaeologists_to_explore_Scotland_of_
1_600_years_ago/
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/five-year-project-to-investiga
te-the-lost-kingdoms-of-northwest-europe
Honours for Gordon Kelly:
http://www.lclark.edu/live/news/34950-classics-professor-wins-international-recognition
Another Trojan Horse recreation in progress:
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/the-trojan-horse-ii/article_49cf88e0-6318-56df-820a-fd45
b3a73fc4.html
-----
Latest reviews from BMCR:
http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/recent.html
Visit our blog:
http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
1500 years bp gold items from a Danish island:
http://www.archaeology.org/5084-161212-denmark-odin-amulet
A 17th century shipwreck find:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14964012.Divers_rediscover_17th_century_shipwr
eck_in_bay_where_Poldark_scene_was_filmed/
http://www.cornwalllive.com/shipwreck-discovered-at-poldark-spot-in-gunwalloe/ story-29980821-detail/story.html
http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2016-12-15/poldark-shipwreck-discovered-off-cornis
h-coast/
What they’re finding at Cambridge’s medieval burial ground:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/archaeologists-uncover-cambridges-final-rest
ing-12337955
Not sure if this Neolithic snowshoe is a new discovery or not:
http://www.archaeology.org/issues/245-1701/artifact/5127-neolithic-snow-shoe
They’re digging at St Alban’s Cathedral:
http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/archaeological_dig_at_st_albans_cathedral_before_const
ruction_of_new_welcome_centre_1_4818015
A 17th century skeleton found in a Sligo cave:
http://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/news/cave-boys-life-revealed-by-slig
o-cave-expert-35288252.html
Interesting graffiti/petroglyphs in a shepherd’s cave in Derbyshire:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/16/powerful-symbols-chiselled-shep
herds-shelter-country-diary
Druids had nothing to do with the building of Stonehenge, apparently:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/14/stonehenge-there-before-druids-archa
eology-1959
Latest from Tintagel:
http://www.thepost.uk.com/article.cfm?id=106911&headline=Discoveries%20made%20du
ring%20Tintagel%20Castle%20archaeological%20dig§ionIs=news&searchyear=2016
…. And a feature on Arthur’s roots:
http://discovermagazine.com/2017/janfeb/91-in-search-of-king-arthur-roots
Feature on the Craggie Bloomery:
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/craggie-bloomery-iron-worki
ng-in-late-medieval-sutherland
More on the reopening of the replica Lascaux:
http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/2016/1213/France-opens-Lascaux-replica-cave-bet
ter-than-the-real-thing
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/dec/15/prehistoric-cave-art-lascaux-dordogne-fr
ance-grotto-replica
More on remains of a deadly virus found in some Celtic pottery:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5080-161209-pottery-organs-virus
-----
Archaeology in Europe Blog:
http://archaeology-in-europe.blogspot.com/
================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC ================================================================
Remains of some 2000 year bp beef soup from Henan:
http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/found-2000yearold-meat-soup/news-story/
268ae0de1c82acacce293efe938dd0f0
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2016-12/16/content_27689915.htm http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/744236/bowl-of-beef-soup-2000-years-old-discover
ed-by-archaeologists
http://www.archaeology.org/5142-161215-china-beef-stew
Digging Cambodia’s ‘Dark Ages’:
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-weekend/team-digs-cambodias-dark-ages
Remains of an Asuka period painting on a discarded wood panel:
http://www.archaeology.org/5143-161216-japan-tottori-painting
Remains of a ‘lost civilization’ from Mizoram:
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/archaeologists-could-have-uncovered-a-lost-civilis
ation-in-mizoram-267619.html
UNESCO is digging at some of Nepal’s earthquake-damaged sites:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/unesco-starts-excavations-at-nepal-s-quake-
damaged-monument-sites/story-fdAM7HrlSwyYKxCwxY6zPL.html
Australian archaeologists are mapping the wreck of the James Mathew:
http://www.archaeology.org/5083-161212-australia-shipwreck-mapped
Feature on the Plain of Jars:
http://www.archaeology.org/exclusives/articles/5126-archive-plain-of-jars
What Charles Perreault is up to:
https://asunow.asu.edu/20161213-global-engagement-asu-archaeologist-goes-jeep-mong
olia
More on remains of Imperial sacrifices from China:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5073-161207-china-imperial-sacrifice
-----
Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:
http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/
New Zealand Archaeology eNews:
http://nzarchaeology.blogspot.co.nz/index.html ================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
A tooth of an extinct seal (mentioned by Columbus) turns up on a Lake Worth shore:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article120609578.html http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/14/archaeologists-discover-tooth-of-exti
nct-seal-in-l/
http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/local/prehistoric-seal-tooth-found-along-intrac
oastal/DSy1yLGgJVw9TYDqutPaWI/
http://www.archaeology.org/5137-161214-caribbean-monk-seal
Searching for remains of the village of Cecomocomoco:
http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/1216/archaeologistsseekancientvillageinbeanfield.ht
ml
Marking the success of the NHPA:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/dec/12/lets-celebrate-us-archaeologys-b
est-kept-secret
Feature on Cahokia:
http://arstechnica.com/features/2016/12/theres-a-1000-year-old-lost-city-beneath-the-st-lo
uis-suburbs/
More on Ezekiel’s wheel and the conversion to Christianity of African slaves:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-archaeologist-explores-african-americans-christianity.html
More on zinc issues among the Franklin Expedition crew:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-laser-yr-old-thumbnail-rewrites-history.html http://www.livescience.com/57176-what-doomed-franklin-polar-expedition.html
More on the end of Montezuma Castle:
http://westerndigs.org/new-evidence-reveals-violent-final-days-at-arizonas-montezuma-c
astle/
More on the Spirit Cave mummy:
http://nypost.com/2016/12/07/dna-testing-settles-fight-over-north-americas-oldest-mumm
y/
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
Plenty of attention for the find of the ‘Stonehenge’ of the Amazon:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/world/americas/brazil-amazon-megaliths-stoneheng
e.html
http://www.sfgate.com/world/article/A-Stonehenge-and-a-mystery-rises-in-the-10796874.p
hp
Feature on a 4600 years bp elite woman burial from Peru:
http://www.archaeology.org/issues/241-1701/features/top10/ 5116-peru-aspero-female-burial
The Atacama desert was apparently much different once upon a time:
http://www.livescience.com/57217-atacama-desert-once-wet-marshland.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38330526 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161214115038.htm
More on the Maya and shark teeth:
http://www.livescience.com/57202-megalodon-teeth-inspired-mayan-monster-myths.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/giant-megalodon-shark-teeth-might-have-inspired-mayan-
monster-myths/
http://www.archaeology.org/5135-161214-maya-shark-teeth http://www.livescience.com/57110-megalodon-sharks-maya-myths-photos.html
-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:
http://goo.gl/1VdeA
Ancient MesoAmerica News:
http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/ ================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST ================================================================
On recruiting Monuments Men:
http://www.salon.com/2016/12/11/a-few-good-monuments-men-saving-art-from-looting-an
d-destruction-especially-in-the-middle-east-is-a-military-matter/
… semi-related:
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2016/1203/The-preservation-warriors-saving-the-past-fo
r-the-future
… and semi semi related blaming the west’s desire for antiquities:
http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/the-wests-desire-for-antiques-has-turned-mus
eums-into-temples-of-loot
Complaining about use of the term ‘stone age’ (which the press does regularly):
https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/dec/14/yabba-dabba-dont-archaeology-n
eeds-to-leave-the-stone-age-behind
A lost daVinci was found:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/11/arts/design/leonardo-da-vinci-lost-drawing-discovere
d.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38300217 http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92428
Feature on Goethe:
http://www.dw.com/en/the-lesser-known-sides-of-goethe/a-36733095
Interesting feature on a goldfinch painting:
http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20161207-the-intriguing-mystery-of-the-goldfinch
On the history of falconry:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/drsarahbond/2016/12/12/follow-the-aquila-the-eagle-huntres
s-and-the-ancient-history-of-falconry/
On the history of horse colours:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161207091114.htm
Big bucks for Isaac Newton’s book:
http://www.livescience.com/57229-isaac-newton-book-sold-breaks-record.html
Feel good piece on texts which were hidden in an ISIL-held monastery:
http://www.livescience.com/57240-historic-texts-hidden-isis-occupied-monastery.html
http://www.livescience.com/57239-photos-historic-texts-hidden-christian-monastery.html
Haven’t had a feature on Bedlam Hospital in a while:
http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20161213-how-bedlam-became-a-palace-for-lunatics
Some missing aboriginal art turned up on the tourism minister’s wall:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-38302939
In case you’ve wondered about the qwerty keyboard:
http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20161212-why-is-qwerty-on-our-keyboard
The annual top ten lists have started to appear:
http://www.ekathimerini.com/214565/article/ekathimerini/life/two-greek-sites-make-top-10-
list-of-this-years-archaeological-discoveries
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/12/14/greek-archaeological-discoveries-ranked-am
ong-the-most-important-of-2016/
http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/21403-two-greek-sites-in-top-10-archaeol
ogical-discoveries-for-2016.html
… and the Christmas-related stories:
http://theconversation.com/how-did-we-come-to-celebrate-christmas-66042 https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-the-nativity/2016/12/16/
48625672-c179-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html
… including a St Nicholas facial reconstruction:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/scientists-reconstructed-the-face-of-st-nichola
s-heres-what-they-found-24593/
The Boy Scouts have their centennial:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38337136
Reviewish on a book of illuminated manuscripts:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/dec/16/meetings-with-remarkable-manuscripts-
christopher-de-hamel-review-jan-morris
… in a similar vein on Stephan Schriber’s sketchbook:
http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/the-illuminated-sketchbook-of-stephan-schriber
-1494/
Review of Hodge, *Art in Detail*:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/12/arts/hidden-details-within-ancient-masterpieces/ index.html
Archaeology Podcast Network:
http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archyfantasies/ ================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Egyptian Mummies:
http://visual.artshub.com.au/news-article/reviews/museums/dr-diana-carroll/egyptian-mu
mmies-exploring-ancient-lives-252838
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/3d-ct-scan-visualisations-exam
ine-six-mummies-from-egypt-between-1800-and-3000-years-ago/news-story/3f953cf456e
750902f5208a58d568aa3
Gentileschi:
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/12/12/504821139/long-seen-as-victim-17th-ce
ntury-italian-painter-emerges-as-feminist-icon
History of World in 100 Objects:
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/review-the-history-of-the-world-in-10
0-objects--told-without-fear-or-favour-20161212-gt98sz.html
A Woman’s Afterlife:
http://theartnewspaper.com/news/museums/sex-changes-ancient-egypt-and-contemporar
y-feminism-at-the-brooklyn-museum/
Syria: A Living History:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/arts/design/syrias-murderous-struggle-and-multicult
ural-peace.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fdesign
The Universal Museum:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/1161465/legacy-of-napoleons-artistic-plunder-o
n-show-in-rome
A Franklin Expedition exhibition is in the works:
http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674nunavut_artifacts_going_to_london_o
ttawa_for_future_franklin_exhibit/
A Dutch court has ruled that an Amsterdam Museum has to return a Scythian gold exhibition to Ukraine:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/arts/design/crimea-ukraine-allard-pierson-museum-a
msterdam.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38314491 http://www.dw.com/en/crimean-gold-must-be-returned-to-ukraine-but-not-yet-a-dutch-court-
rules/a-36762424
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/14/505570581/photos-dutch-court-decide
s-crimean-treasures-must-go-to-ukraine
http://artdaily.com/news/92444/Crimea-treasures-loaned-to-an-Amsterdam-museum-must
-be-returned-to-Ukraine
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/crimean-artifacts-on-loan-ukraine-18096148
3/
http://www.smh.com.au/world/dutch-court-rules-crimean-gold-treasures-be-returned-to-ukr
aine-20161215-gtblbb.html
http://nltimes.nl/2016/12/14/amsterdam-museum-ordered-return-crimean-artifacts-ukraine
http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/12/dutch-court-orders-crimean-treasure-coll
ection-be-sent-back-to-ukraine/
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/museum-must-return-crimean-treasures-to-
ukraine-1.2905990
… some reaction:
http://www.pravdareport.com/society/stories/14-12-2016/136418-scythian_gold-0/
… background:
http://en.europeonline-magazine.eu/previewcrimean-conflict-bedevils-artefacts-return-dut
ch-court-to-ruleby-annette-birschel-dpa_500164.html
Another court is giving the Gurlitt Nazi era hoard to a Swiss museum:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38332637 http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92462
================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
On assorted techniques to find ‘hidden’ aspects of artifacts:
http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Hi-tech-reveals-hidden-doors-in-ancient-ar
tifacts-paintings-475162
Using forensic techniques to determine the gender of folks making hand stencils on
paleolithic cave walls:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-forensic-technique-reveals-sex-prehistoric.html http://www.archaeology.org/5134-161213-stencil-geometric-morphometrics
================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT ================================================================
Interesting study of the rabies genome:
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-major-groups-rabies-virus-distinct.html
More on smallpox in a Lithuanian mummy:
http://www.livescience.com/57164-oldest-smallpox-strain-found-in-mummy.html http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/smallpox-may-not-be-an-anci
ent-disease-after-all
http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92375
Dienekes' Anthropology Blog:
http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/ ================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS ================================================================
Freemasonry in Scotland:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20161209-secret-history-of-the-freemasons-in-scotland
Pontine:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/abroad/pontine-italian-islands-odysseus-bewitched-p
ontius-pilate-skinny/
================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Tommy Thompson refuses to reveal where shipwreck gold is located:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/12/14/a-treasure-hunter-foun
d-3-tons-of-sunken-gold-and-cant-leave-jail-until-he-says-where-it-is/
Latest Anonymous Swiss Collector Culture Crime News:
http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/2016/12/culture-crime-news-5-11-december-20
16.html
conflict antiquities:
http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/
anonymous swiss collector:
http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/
Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues:
http://paul-barford.blogspot.ca/
Looting Matters:
http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/
Illicit Cultural Property:
http://illicit-cultural-property.blogspot.com/
SAFE:
http://www.savingantiquities.org/blog/
================================================================
REPATRIATION AND RECOVERY ================================================================
A pair of Nazi looted paintings was returned to beneficiaries in Canada:
http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92409
The UAE returned some Islamic era lamps to Egypt:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/253156/Heritage/Islamic/Egypt-antiquities-
ministry-receives-two-stolen-Isl.aspx
Italy returned a dozen items to Mexico:
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2427261&CategoryId=14091 http://info-europa.com/uncategorized/mexico-recovers-12-archaeological-pieces-from-ital
y/90768
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Latest e-Sylum:
http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_esylum_v19n50.html
… and the one which should appear later today:
http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_esylum_v19n51.html
------------------------
Ancient Coin Collecting:
http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/
Ancient Coins:
http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/
Coin Week:
http://www.coinweek.com/
================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS ================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:
http://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-main-menu-cat/audio-news-list/2525-audio-new
s-from-archaeologica-4-december-2016-12-december-2016 ================================================================
OBITUARIES
===============================================================
John Smith:
[continued in next message]
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)