December 20th News

Not too busy a day as of this morning, but there's an interesting range of stories.

New stories as of 8:00 AM:

Italy To Show Off Repatriated Artifacts In New Exhibit
CBC.ca
Italian cultural officials say they're offering art and history lovers an early "Christmas present" this week with the opening of a new exhibition showcasing priceless artifacts recently repatriated to Italy...
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/story/2007/12/19/rome-lootedart-exhibit.html

Second Temple Palace Remains Uncovered
Jerusalem Post
Israeli archeologists have uncovered a monumental Second Temple structure opposite the Temple Mount that was likely Queen Helena's palace, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday...
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1196847260218&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
This one's a bit late really for Early History News (December 5th), but it popped up anyway, and today seems to be a bit slow.

Skeletons Give Clue To Origins Of Priory
icSurreyOnline
THE remains of a chapel and graves dating back 600 years, including parts of four skeletons, have been unearthed in Priory Park...
http://icsurreyonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/reigate/tm_headline=skeletons-give-clue-to-origins-of-priory&method=full&objectid=20270421&siteid=50101-name_page.html

Archaeologists Find Mysterious Neolithic Structure In Orkney Dig
24 Hour Museum
The sands of time have been rapidly eroding at the Orkney Bronze Age site, the Links of Noltland. Before everything is lost to the sea around the island of Westray, Historic Scotland have been carrying out a thorough excavation to learn everything they can...
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART52775.html

Record-Breaking Haul From Gaul Discovered At Farm In Brittany
Belfast Telegraph
Asterix and Obelix, had they existed, might have paid for their mead and other magic potions with gold-silver-copper coins stamped with elaborate images of men and horses...
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/article3266841.ece

Study Of Shipwreck Reveals Valuable Data
Financial Mirror
A study of a shipwreck, off Cyprus’ southern coast, is expected to provide valuable information about the nautical and economic history of the Eastern Mediterranean as it is one of very few shipwrecks of the Classical period, found in the Eastern Mediterranean in such a good state of preservation, according to the Department of Antiquities...
http://www.financialmirror.com/more_news.php?id=9368&nt=Politics