[continued from previous message]

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/22/christmas-countdown-fuels-debate-over-location-of-st-nicholass-grave


https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/five-myths/five-myths-about-saint-nicholas/2017/12/21/1cad751e-df89-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html


https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-uncover-proofs-of-the-man-behind-the-legend-of-beloved-st-nick/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/inside-st-nick-s-church-in-turkey-where-the-bones-of-the-man-who-inspired-santa-may-be-buried-1.4462693?cmp=rss


On Santa Claus as magic mushroom:


https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000005607627/santa-is-a-psychedelic-mushroom.html


http://www.newsweek.com/santa-and-magic-mushrooms-was-christmas-icon-derived-trippy-fungi-758386


On the Christmas truce:


https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/12/24/the-christmas-truce-miracle-soldiers-put-down-their-guns-to-sing-carols-and-drink-wine/


http://exhibitions.theworldwar.org/christmas-truce/


On historical events that happened on Christmas:


http://www.dw.com/en/what-other-historical-events-happened-on-christmas/g-41923369



On some medieval Christmas recipes:


https://www.yahoo.com/news/medieval-manuscripts-xmas-recipes-abbey-library-trove-073942591.html



On other celebrations that happen in December:


https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ureport/article/2001264175/eight-religious-festivities-that-happen-in-december-other-than-christmas



On metal detectorists and archaeologists:


https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/dec/18/the-tense-truce-between-detectorists-and-archaeologists



… related:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42235046


Feature on Madame de Pompadour:


https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/madame-de-pompadour-was-far-more-mistress-180967662/



On the evolution of assorted human societies:


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/uoe-hse121817.php

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-human-societies-evolve-similar-paths.html


On the 12 Days of Christmas:


https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/12-facts-about-12-days-christmas-180967569/



On Dickens’ *Christmas Carol*:


http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20171215-how-did-a-christmas-carol-come-to-be



Related:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42322936


Features on assorted Christmas/ Yule celebrations and rituals:


https://www.the-tls.co.uk/christmas-traditions-invented-otherwise/

http://www.ibtimes.com/winter-solstice-2017-things-know-about-pagan-yule-celebrations-rituals-2630182


http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/24/heres-how-christians-celebrated-christmas-throughout-the-ages/


Another Christmas origins piece, fwiw:


http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/opinion/columns/egyptians-pagans-are-reason-for-season/article_f2e29f95-ff34-58d7-a00d-9a171877e04f.html



On assorted seasonal traditions:


https://www.npr.org/2017/12/19/571177144/why-we-kiss-under-mistletoe-and-toast-with-eggnog



Lawrence of Arabia’s sandals are coming to auction:


http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15797770.War_hero_Lawrence_of_Arabia__39_s_sandals_sell_at_auction/


http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Lawrence-of-Arabias-century-old-sandals-to-be-auctioned-for-over-4000-518427



France saved one of de Sade’s works from auction:


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/18/120-days-de-sodom-made-national-treasure-by-french-government


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/world/europe/france-marquis-de-sade-treasure.html


Memphis has removed a couple of Confederate statues:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42450645


On the history of ornithology:


https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/modern-history-ornithology-starts-inquisitive-medieval-emperor-180967623/



What Lord Nelson’s letters reveal:


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/27/petulant-jealous-lord-nelson-letters-reveal-less-noble-side



On pirates and the metric system:


https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/28/574044232/how-pirates-of-the-caribbean-hijacked-americas-metric-system



Feature on the Basque language:


http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20170719-the-mysterious-origins-of-europes-oldest-language



On the evolution of the lock:


https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephanrabimov/2017/12/27/evolution-on-lock-from-stick-to-gate/


Feature on DaVinci’s ‘ecological side’:


https://elpais.com/cultura/2017/12/22/actualidad/1513962617_120090.html


Mummy evidence (!) in a soccer player’s drug doping case:


http://eldeportivo.latercera.com/el-deportivo/noticia/momias-ayudaron-reducir-la-sancion-paolo-guerrero-caso-dopaje/37005/



On the Solstice and Spanish missions:


https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-sun-illuminates-spanish-missions-on-winter-solstice-180967619/



On Voltaire’s lottery skills:


https://verne.elpais.com/verne/2017/12/20/articulo/1513764103_684537.html


Review of de Hamel, *Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts*:


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/books/review/de-hamel-manuscripts-medieval-world-illuminated-books.html



Review of Metaxas, *Martin Luther*:


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/18/books/review/eric-metaxas-martin-luther.html



More on meteoric iron:


https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/14/1724352/-Scientists-have-finally-figured-out-the-mystery-of-where-Bronze-Age-iron-came-from


https://www.livescience.com/61218-photos-oldest-iron-daggers-outer-space.html

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archyfantasies/ ================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Etruscans:


http://www.dw.com/en/the-art-treasures-of-the-etruscans/g-41837805


Silver Caesars:


http://theartnewspaper.com/preview/hail-caesar-as-rome-s-first-12-emperors-return



Michelangelo:


https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/the-bodies-of-his-work-michelangelos-muscular-mastery-is-on-display-at-the-met/2017/12/28/35b63f54-e435-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html



Egyptian Cats:


https://www.npr.org/2017/12/20/570591294/no-kitten-around-museum-exhibit-celebrates-divine-felines



Deir Al Medina:


http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/44/285709/Heritage/Museums/Egyptian-Museum-displays-works-of-Deir-AlMedina-ar.aspx



Thomas Bock:


https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/dec/24/thomas-bock-ikon-gallery-review-tasmania-birmingham-convict-review



Wedding Dresses:


http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20140503-how-wedding-dresses-evolved

https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/wedding-dress


From Paganism to Christianity:


http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Archeological-exhibit-shows-the-end-of-paganism-in-Israel-519993



Castra:


http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/New-archeological-exhibition-tells-a-story-of-an-ancient-city-in-Israel-520074



Restoring the Minoans:


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/arts/design/elizabeth-price-art-review-institute-for-the-study-of-the-ancient-world.html?partner=rss&emc=rss



Assorted news related to the impending opening of the Grand Egyptian
Museum:


http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/44/285713/Heritage/Museums/Chariot-and-clothes-of-Egypts-Tutankhamun-transpor.aspx


https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/37681/Egyptian-Museum-receives-new-manuscripts-artifacts


https://dailynewsegypt.com/2017/12/26/ramses-ii-colossus-erected-grand-egyptian-museum-display-spot/



The British Museum is moving mummies around:


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/mummies-take-centre-stage-in-british-museum-shake-up-pwl0mf55n



Feature on Barbara Jatta:


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/arts/design/vatican-museums-jatta.html


In case you know anything about the Gardner art heist:


http://wshu.org/post/got-scoop-gardner-museum-art-heist-you-have-4-days-earn-10-million

================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
What technology reveals about ancient Egyptian paintings:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-new-imaging-technique-revealed-secrets-ancient-portrait-180967633/



Virtual reality for the Baths of Caracalla:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/19/virtual-reality-goggles-unlock-splendour-huge-ancient-roman/



On using 3d technology to save objects from ISIS:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/isis-threatened-ancient-art-3-d-printing-will-save-it



A plan to LiDAR scan the whole of England:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/12/30/lost-roman-roads-could-found-environment-agency-laser-scans/


================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT ================================================================
Dienekes' Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/ ================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS ================================================================
Gadara:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20171218-jordans-ancient-town-without-a-soul



Alexandria (Egypt):

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/travel/alexandria-egypt-library-budget.html



Kent:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-42425157

================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Manhattan’s DA has launched an antiquities crime unit:


https://www.timesofisrael.com/prosecutors-become-treasure-hunters-in-antiquities-repatriation-campaign/


https://hyperallergic.com/418267/manhattan-district-attorney-antiquities-trafficking-unit/


https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/manhattan-da-launches-first-antiquities-trafficking-unit-180967607/



Big sentence for smuggling antiquities in Egypt:


http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/37541/Life-imprisonment-fine-of-LE-1M-for-smuggling-antiquities



Using dogs to sniff out stolen antiquities:


https://penncurrent.upenn.edu/features/enlisting-dogs-to-sniff-out-stolen-antiquities


http://theartnewspaper.com/blog/sniffer-dogs-set-to-save-syria-s-cultural-heritage


… or technology:


http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/using-technology-tackle-theft-trafficking-antiquities/



A major bust (Operation Zeus) in Turkey:


http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/turkish-police-seize-more-26000-ancient-artefacts-largest-ever-haul-stolen-antiquities-1652577


http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/21/c_136843299.htm

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6227-171221-turkey-looting-smuggling


Another bust at Cairo airport:


http://www.egyptindependent.com/cairo-airport-authorities-seize-329-archaeological-coins/


http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/24/c_136849284.htm


Tomb raiders in China are apparently learning from online sources:


https://international.thenewslens.com/article/86073


Latest Anonymous Swiss Collector Culture Crime News:


http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/2017/12/culture-crime-news-12-november-24-december-2017.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 ================================================================
Sweden returned some textiles to Peru:


http://www.archaeology.org/news/6219-171219-peru-repatriated-textiles


The crown of Hecatomnus will be returned:


http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/golden-crown-of-hecatomnus-to-be-returned-124956
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
A few weeks’ worth of the e-Sylum:


http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/club_nbs_esylum_v20n51.html

http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/club_nbs_esylum_v20n52.html

http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/club_nbs_esylum_v20n53.html

http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/club_nbs_esylum_v20n54.html

------------------------
Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/ ================================================================
PERFORMANCES AND THEATRE-RELATED ================================================================
Icelandic epic:


https://www.nytimes.com/video/arts/music/100000005521046/rimur-iceland-epic-poetry-ballad.html
================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS ================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-main-menu-cat/audio-news-list/2676-audio-news-from-archaeologica-17-december-2017-23-december-2017
================================================================
OBITUARIES
===============================================================
Slobodan Curcic:


https://www.princeton.edu/news/2017/12/11/slobodan-curcic-international-expert-byzantine-art-and-architecture-dies-76


Jean Davison:


http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/burlingtonfreepress/obituary.aspx?n=jean-m-davison-phd&pid=187599892



Mark Whittow (not really obituaries yet):


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-42502160

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/oxford-professor-mark-whittow-killed-in-pile-up-rzhsfqw83


https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/27/tributes-to-oxford-university-professor-killed-in-m40-crash


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/28/oxford-university-history-professor-killed-m40-pile-uptributes/


http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/yourtown/oxford/15794931.College_left__shaken__by_death_of_professor_in_M40_crash/

================================================================
CONFERENCES
================================================================
Theoretical Archaeology Group (Dec. 2017):

http://tag2017cardiff.org/

Hidden Cultural Heritage (April 2018):

http://www.cicop.net/hch/

================================================================
GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS ================================================================
Archaeology Magazine News Page:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/

About.com Archaeology:

http://archaeology.about.com/

Ancient Digger:

http://www.ancientdigger.com/

Archaeology Briefs:

http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/

Past Horizons:

http://www.pasthorizons.com/

Stonepages:

http://www.stonepages.com/news/

Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:

http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/

Time Machine:

http://heatherpringle.wordpress.com/ ================================================================ PODCASTS/VODCASTS ================================================================
Archaeosoup:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Archaeos0up?feature=watch

The Book and the Spade:

http://www.radioscribe.com/bknspade.htm ================================================================
EXPLORATOR is a free weekly newsletter bringing you the latest
news of archaeological finds, historical research and the like.
Various on-line news and magazine sources are scoured for news of
the 'ancient world' (broadly construed: practically anything relating
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Explorator is Copyright (c) 2017 David Meadows. Feel free to
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