Early History News

September 26th News

2008-09-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

New discoveries and more information on previous discoveries today. I have a suspicion that Stonehenge is going to be big in the news again.

New Stories as of 6:32 AM:

Discovery Of Pharaoh's Head Could Lead Archaeologists To Ramses II Temple
Mail Online
A huge 3,000 year-old red granite head has been unearthed in Cairo of one of Egypt's greatest pharaohs, archaeologists have revealed...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1061889/Discovery-pharaohs-head-lead-archaeologists-Ramses-II-temple.html

Granite Bust Of Ramses Discovered In Tell Basta
Daily News Egypt
CAIRO: Egyptian archaeologists have discovered the granite head and bust of one of the most powerful 19th Dynasty pharaohs, Ramses II (1279–1213 BC), in Tell Basta, Egypt...
http://dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=16747

Ancient Egyptian Recipe Inspired Modernized Brew
The Bowdoin Orient
An ancient burial chamber at Gordian in central Turkey supposedly houses the tomb of King Midas...
http://orient.bowdoin.edu/orient/article.php?date=2008-09-26&section=4&id=4

Bedford Museum Acquires Rare Viking Silver Ingot
24 Hour Museum
Bedford Museum has acquired a rare find in the form of a Viking silver ingot that dates back to 850-1000 AD. ..
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART61164.html

Government Go-Ahead For Relief Road
Dorset Echo
The Government has given the go-ahead for Dorset County Council to buy land for the £84 million scheme...
http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.2453232.0.government_goahead_for_relief_road.php

Stonehenge: Geological Feature Indicates The Site Was Constructed At the End Of The Last Ice Age, 14,000 Years Ago
PR.com
London, United Kingdom, September 26, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Unlike other 'contemporary' earthworks Stonehenge consists of an outer Ditch and inner Bank encircling the most familiar of all features, the large stone setting...
http://www.pr.com/press-release/107717

September 25th News

2008-09-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry for the long gap in tracking Classical History and Medieval History news. Unfortunately life got in the way for a while.

There's certainly a lot of news this morning. It ranges from new discoveries in Egypt to more details and information on older stories, including the damage done to the ruins of Babylon and more.

New stories as of 10:35 AM:

Ancient Bronze Statue Finds Peace
Southeast European Times
A Belgian tourist discovered Apoxyomenos in the Adriatic in 1996. Now the restored bronze statue will be displayed in a Losinj museum, for tourists and antiquity admirers...
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2008/09/25/feature-03

Egypt Unearths Granite Head Of Ramses II
Associated Press
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Egypt's antiquities council says that archaeologists have unearthed a 3,000-year-old red granite head believed to portray the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Ramses II...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmlqUI9TuQVibcJRjc95USQoWAwgD93DQU2G0
The story is fairly short on detail, unfortunately. However, there is a good photo of the head.

Ancient Bacteria On Roman Tombs May Help Protect Cultural Heritage Monuments
SmasHits.com
Washington, September 25 (ANI): A new research has led to the discovery of two new species of bacteria found growing on the walls of ancient Roman tombs, which may help protect cultural heritage monuments...
http://news.smashits.com/298791/Ancient-bacteria-on-Roman-tombs-may-help-protect-cultural-heritage-monuments.htm
This shows exactly how little we know about life on this planet. A truly fascinating read, though it is more focused on science and the bacteria than on classical history.

Relief Road Excavation To Start
BBC News
Archaeology work has started ahead of the building of a relief road through protected countryside in Dorset...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7633833.stm

Macedonian Police Seize Stolen Antiquities
Associated Press
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Authorities have seized dozens of stolen ancient artifacts after raiding the homes of two suspected antiquities smugglers in southern Macedonia...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jWMgdKapzkyREJE6nHm47h6-VE1AD93D36M00

Rare Silver Viking Coin Found In British Village
Thaindian News
London, September 25 (ANI): A rare silver Viking coin, that was discovered by treasure hunters in the north Bedfordshire village in the UK last year, has been put on display at the British Museum in London...
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/rare-silver-viking-coin-found-in-british-village_10099808.html

Ancient Statue Of Ramses II Found Near Cairo

The Hindu
Cairo (Xinhua): Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a granite head statue, believed to be that of the 19th Dynasty King of ancient Egypt Ramses II, the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) said in a press release on Thursday...
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200809251711.htm
Also published at:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/25/content_10110675.htm

Experts 'Solve' The Mystery Of Stonehenge
Ladepeche.fr
Après de nombreuses années de supputations, deux chercheurs anglais affirment avoir résolu le mystère de Stonehenge...
http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2008/09/25/477664-Experts-solve-the-mystery-of-Stonehenge.html
The rest of the article is in English.

1000 Year Old Viking Shield Found
About.com
Archaeologists in Denmark have been quite lucky. They have unearthed a shield from the Vikings in very good condition, at a historic site near the town of Slagelse on Zealand...
http://goscandinavia.about.com/b/2008/09/25/1000-year-old-viking-shield-found.htm

Video: Ancient Babylon Damaged
National Geographic News
September 24, 2008—After years of deterioration, the ancient Iraqi city of Babylon is suffering anew in the wake of war...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/080924-babylon-video-ap.html

Ramesis II Bust Found In Egypt
Yahoo News
CAIRO (AFP) - Archaeologists have found the bust of pharaoh Ramses II in Egypt's Nile Delta, Culture Minister Faruq Hosni said Wednesday, bringing experts closer to finding a temple belonging to the king...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080924/wl_africa_afp/egyptarchaeologyramses_080924181808;_ylt=Au9QpPvZfPaOHACO_NASY7NFeQoB

Romans 'Brought Leeks To Wales'
BBC News
The Romans gave us roads, plumbing, wine and irrigation and now it seems they may have also introduced Wales' unofficial icon - the garden leek...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7631249.stm

September 19th News

2008-09-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

There's lots of news today. I'm actually fairly sure I've missed stories, but I'm running out of time for the day to post.

New stories as of 6:47 AM:

Lullingstone Roman Villa
This Is Sussex
One of England's most important Roman sites has re-opened after the completion a year long refurbishment project...
http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/entertainment/Lullingstone-Roman-Villa-1/article-334217-detail/article.html

Dead Sea Scrolls To Be Showcased At ROM Next Year
National Post
The biggest international exhibition yet of the Dead Sea Scrolls will be showcased at the Royal Ontario Museum next year...
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/09/18/dead-sea-scrolls-to-be-showcased-at-rom-next-year.aspx

'Ancient' Christian Amulet Exposed As Modern Hoax
Times Online
A silver cross regarded as one of the most important early Christian artefacts found in Britain is a modern fake, scientists confirmed yesterday...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4783042.ece
This is certainly something you don't see too often in the news. I wonder how often it really happens. The last one I can think of was the Jesus Family Tomb controversy.

Bulgarian Archaeologist Georgi Kitov Dies At 65
Associated Press
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Archaeologist Georgi Kitov — an expert on the treasure-rich Thracian culture of antiquity — died of a heart attack while excavating a temple in central Bulgaria considered to be one of his greatest discoveries, his family said Thursday...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVhJBNwN-kmrDM4Q9FoVe6Hd2yygD939AF8O1
I know I've linked a number of articles where he's been interviewed. Just check the 'bulgaria' tag to see them. He seems to have been an archaeologist with tremendous luck when it came to new and spectacular discoveries.

Colchester: Roman Circus Site - New Deal
Gazette
A DEAL has been negotiated which could allow the public daily access to the site of the starting gates of Colchester's Roman circus...
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/businessnews/3681087.Colchester__Roman_circus_site___new_deal/

'Field Of Dreams' Treasure Site May Be Investigated
The Press And Journal
Two men using metal detectors find hoard of coins and other artefacts...
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/846053?UserKey=

Tracing Urban Development In Ancient Pompeii
SF State News
September 19, 2008 -- During SF State's first archeological field school in Pompeii this summer students unearthed a preserved drain pipe and its contents from the first century -- evidence that will provide clues about the urban development of Pompeii...
http://www.sfsu.edu/~news/2008/fall/7.html

Georgi Kitov
Telegraph.co.uk
Archaeologist who unearthed a remarkable Thracian treasure trove in Bulgaria's 'Valley of the Kings'...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2984482/Georgi-Kitov.html

'Ancient' Christian silver cross worn by former Archbishop of Canterbury is exposed as a 19th century FAKE
Mail Online
Since its dramatic discovery in a Roman burial site, this silver cross was hailed as the earliest evidence of Christian worship in Britain...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1057648/Ancient-Christian-silver-cross-worn-Archbishop-Canterbury-exposed-19th-century-FAKE.html

'Ancient' Christian Amulet Declared A Fake
Telegraph.co.uk
The discovery of the tiny silver cross in a fourth century Christian burial site was hailed as one of the archaelogical finds of the century...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/2982490/Ancient-Christian-amulet-declared-a-fake.html

Archaeologists Uncover 10th-Century Viking Shield
Charleston Daily Mail
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Danish archaeologists say they have found a well-preserved Viking shield that is more than 1,000 years old...
http://www.dailymail.com/News/NationandWorld/200809180221
Also published at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080918/ap_on_sc/eu_denmark_viking_shield_1;_ylt=Ahl1r57.kBU3kTWuJ8y6G2RFeQoB

Medieval Cross Stone Discovered Underwater In Veliki Novogrod
Russia IC
Underwater archaeologists working on Volkhov River in Veliki Novgorod have found a huge 12th century stone with a cross, which disappeared in the 1960s...
http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/7092/

Important Finds In Bronze Age Settlement
Cyprus Mail
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the remains of an unusual 1.2 metre high wall with once curved end and one straight end during continued excavations at Kissonerga-Skalia in Paphos...
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=41472&cat_id=1

Georgi Kito, Bulgarian Archaeologist
International Herald Tribune
Georgi Kitov, a Bulgarian archaeologist whose discoveries helped illuminate the culture of ancient Thrace, but whose methods - especially using bulldozers and backhoes - appalled his more meticulous colleagues, died Sunday in Starosel, Bulgaria. He was 65...
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/18/news/obits.php

September 15th News

2008-09-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

A quiet Monday morning with some interesting stories.

New stories as of 6:24 AM:

Excavations Stopped At Ancient City In Turkey
Forbes.com
KNIDOS RUINS, Turkey -The archaeological site of Knidos in Turkey was once a jewel of ancient Greek civilization...
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/09/14/ap5421544.html

Roadwork Reveals Saxon Graves in UK
Fresh News
Some 450 graves have been found in Lakenheath, UK, out of which three graves are Saxon, after a discovery during recent roadworks...
http://www.freshnews.in/roadwork-reveals-saxon-graves-in-uk-70299

Book Review: Byzantium - The Surprising Life Of A Medieval Empire By Judith Herrin
Blogcritics
It is normal for an author to flatter their readers, to treat them as people of high knowledge and intelligence - why else would they have chosen the book?
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/09/14/231309.php

Stonehenge Partiers Came From Afar, Cattle Teeth Show
National Geographic News
Prehistoric cattle remains found close to Stonehenge suggest that partying pilgrims brought the animals from afar, scientists report...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/080912-stonehenge.html

September 10th News

2008-09-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

From book reviews to museum returns to new discoveries, it all seems to be here today.

New stories as of 6:47 AM:

Ruins Of Temple Of Athena Found In Turkey's Bodrum
HotNewsTurkey.com
Ruins of the Temple of Athena have been found in the popular resort town of Bodrum in western Turkey...
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/domestic/9860512.asp?scr=1

Researchers Uncover Roman Greek Embalming Practices
Europa
The writings of Ancient Greeks and Romans made us privy to the notion that funeral garments were used to wrap the bodies of the deceased in Ancient Greece, and water, wine and olive oil were used to wash and treat the corpses...
http://ec.europa.eu/research/headlines/news/article_08_09_10_en.html

R. Stoneman, Alexander The Great: A Life In Legend
Fabula
This engaging and handsomely illustrated book for the first time gathers together hundreds of the colorful Alexander legends that have been told and retold around the globe...
http://www.fabula.org/actualites/article25459.php
Although this review is in a french source, the book is available elsewhere, and is in English. I know I've seen it in my local bookstore, and it does look like an interesting book to say the least.

Shroud Of Turin Is Fake
Mindano Examiner
PARIS - In 2005, a French magazine said on Tuesday it had carried out experiments that proved the Shroud of Turin, believed by some Christians to be their religion's holiest relic, was a fake...
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20080909215043
An interesting argument is made in this article, but people will believe what they wish to believe on this subject. There are enough conflicting claims for that to always be the case.

Roman Finds Go On Display
Hartlepool Mail
ONE of the most fascinating archaeological finds to be discovered in the area in recent years has gone on display in a town museum...
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/Roman-finds-go-on-display.4475919.jp
The item in question, said to be a piece of harness was discovered in June. I remember reading about it, so the story of the discovery is sure to be linked from the blog archives.

Rare Etruscan Finds Return To Italy
ANSA.it
(ANSA) - Cortona, September 10 - A selection of astonishing Etruscan masterpieces has returned to Italy for the first time in centuries to star in new exhibition in this central Italian town...
http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2008-09-10_110256248.html

Dead Sea Scroll In Stone Published In English For The First Time
Media Syndicate
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 2, 2008) -- Dead Sea Scroll in Stone published in English for the first time. Several months ago, a significant splash was made in the academic community by Biblical scholar Israel Knohl of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, whose interpretation of an ancient text caused scholars to look at early Christianity and Judaism in a different light...
http://www.mediasyndicate.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10334

2100-Yr-Old Wall Unearthed
Zeenews.com
Jerusalem, Sept 10: Israeli archaeologists unveiled on Wednesday a 2,100-year-old Jerusalem perimeter wall -- along with beer bottles left behind by 19th century researchers who first discovered the stone defences...
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=468000&sid=ftp

Roman Bath With Caretta Caretta Figure Unearthed In Turkey
World Bulletin
Culture & Tourism Director of the province, said on Tuesday that there were more than 22 animal and flower figures carved on the mosaic in the bath complex...
http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=27922

September 8th News

2008-09-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

What's new for a new week? New discoveries of a Roman Road in Britain, a cemetery with Roman era burials and an unusual Saxon burial, as well as other stories of interest.

New stories as of 6:44 AM:

The Challenge Of Ancient Judaism
Institute For Global Jewish Affairs
Martin Goodman's comprehensive study of the world in which the Great Revolt of the Jews of Judea against the Romans took place presents a challenge to the reader and to the reviewer. It is a magnum opus, an impressive culmination of a lifetime's work and thought of a prolific and creative historian of the Roman Empire and of ancient Jewish history and Judaism...
http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DRIT=5&DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=625&PID=0&IID=2325&TTL=Rivkah_Fishman-Duker_on_Rome_and_Jerusalem:_The_Clash_of_Ancient_Civilizations,_by_Martin_Good

Serious Drinking: Vases Of The Greek Symposium On View At Kemper Art Museum
artdaily.org
Organized in conjunction with Professor Susan Rotroff's course on ancient Athens offered through the Department of Classics, this exhibition presents a series of vases from the ancient Greek symposium--a highly choreographed, artistocratic, all-male drinking party that often drew to a close with a riotous parade about the shuttered streets of town...
http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=26029

Melting Swiss Glacier Yields Neolithic Trove, Climate Secrets
AFP
BERN (AFP) — Some 5,000 years ago a prehistoric person trod high up in what is now the Swiss Alps, wearing goat leather pants, leather shoes and armed with a bow and arrows...
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g2FY93_HMnjOi1PcvqeQYRxQO0CQ

Diggers Unearth Roman Road
Crewe & Nantwich Guardian
MORE than 40 people gathered in the field behind St Peter’s Church in Minshull Vernon to take part in a community archaeological dig...
http://www.creweguardian.co.uk/news/3652108.Diggers_unearth_Roman_road/

Saxon Grave 'Couple' May Have Been Two Men
Telegraph.co.uk
Archaeologists have unearthed the mysterious remains of what first appears to be a couple buried together arm in arm more than 1,000 years ago...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2704172/Saxon-grave-couple-may-have-been-two-men.html
This is a particularly long and fascinating article, and covers other discoveries at the site as well.

Mystery Of The Couple Buried Arm In Arm 1,000 Years Ago: Not Husband And Wife But Saxon Warriors
Mail Online
For a thousand years they have lain side by side in a rough earth grave, one throwing a skeletal arm across the other...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1053191/Mystery-couple-buried-arm-arm-1-000-years-ago-Not-husband-wife-Saxon-warriors.html

Dig Reveals Jerusalem's First City Wall
Haaretz.com
Impressive remains from Jerusalem's first city wall - built by Hasmonean kings and destroyed by the Romans during the Jewish revolt - as well as part of a Byzantine period wall, have been discovered at an archaeological excavation on Mount Zion...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1018926.html

September 6th News

2008-09-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

It's really quiet this morning.

New stories as of 10:06 AM:

Romans 'Could Explain HIV Puzzle'
The Press Association
The conquering legions of ancient Rome may have helped to spread HIV and Aids throughout modern Europe, research suggests...
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQu6fgrIqW4T79HVGP0_fSHSK5Ag

AIDS Risk Considerably Higher In Places Conquered By Ancient Roman Empire
Medindia.com
A recent study has made quite a strange discovery about HIV/AIDS risk around the world. They have found that people living in regions that were once conquered by the powerful Roman Empire are at a higher risk of HIV infection...
http://www.medindia.net/news/AIDS-Risk-Considerably-Higher-in-Places-Conquered-by-Ancient-Roman-Empire-41481-1.htm

Israeli Diggers Uncover Parts Of Ancient Wall
nwi.com
JERUSALEM - Israeli archaeologists say they have uncovered new sections of Jerusalem's ancient walls, continuing a project started more than a century ago...
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2008/09/06/ap/science/d92vfc0g0.txt

Phallic Figurines Found In Israel Stone Age Burials
National Geographic News
Prehistoric graves with an unusual abundance of phallic figurines and oddly arranged human remains have been found in Israel, archaeologists announced recently. ..
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/080905-israel-burials.html

Keep An Eye On The Sphinx
Al-Ahram Weekly
While the SCA secretary-general was being interviewed for "Guardian's Spotlight" in July 2008, pigeons were seen pecking away at the eyes and ear cavities of the Sphinx and their droppings were splattered on the stone. Jill Kamil discusses this new danger ...
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/913/he1.htm

Melting Swiss Glacier Yields Neolithic Trove, Climate Secrets
AFP
BERN (AFP) — Some 5,000 years ago, on a day with weather much like today's, a prehistoric person tread high up in what is now the Swiss Alps, wearing goat leather pants, leather shoes and armed with a bow and arrows...
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jq06XaBVeoFDw8ema5tW2JrEl1mg

September 4th News

2008-09-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of stories today, ranging from more on yesterday's stories to some entirely new stories. Some of them throw out new details on stories from previous posts, and some of them are entirely new, about new discoveries.

New stories as of 9:01 AM:

National Archaeological Museum...
Kathimerini
Culture Minister Michalis Liapis gestures before the upper section of a marble tomb, one of two ancient artifacts returned to Greece by US collector Shelby White, at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens yesterday...
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100005_04/09/2008_100118

Science Brings Back Ancient Instrument
Dallas Morning News
You know that harp-like instrument you always see nymphs and satyrs playing when you look at the illustrations in a book of Greek myths? It's not actually a harp. It's called an epigonion...
http://techblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/science-brings-back-ancient-in.html

Archaeologists Shed Light On Ancient Caananite Burial Rituals
The Daily Star
SIDON: The British Museum's excavation team in Sidon on Wednesday declared the end of its mission for 2008 at the "Freres" excavation site near the southern port city's fortress...
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=95699

Astra Revives Forgotten Sounds
The Inquirer
SOUNDS THAT HAVE been dead for years are being revived electronically thanks to a new computer modelling project...
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/09/03/astra-revives-forgotten-sounds

Roman Fort Is Found In The Lake District
The Whitehaven News
A Roman camp, said to be of national significance, has been discovered on the outskirts of Keswick...
http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/1.232739

Found: Ancient Capital Of 'Jewish' Khazar Kingdom
Arutz Sheva
A team of archaeologists claims to have discovered remnants of the legendary Khazar kingdom in southern Russia, according to a recent report. If the findings by the Russian team, reported by the French agency AFP, prove to be indeed the long-lost capital of the reputed Jewish state, they would represent one of the largest breakthroughs in Jewish archaeology...
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/127483

Hereford's Ribbon Has Backing Of Government
Hereford Times
HEREFORD’S Rotherwas Ribbon is worth preserving – and that’s official...
http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/3645073.Hereford_s_Ribbon_has_backing_of_government/
I linked a lot of stories about this site last year. It's interesting to see what's being said about it now. So often a story is picked up briefly, and nothing more comes of it.

Israeli Diggers Uncover Ancient Jerusalem Wall, Continuing Work Begun A Century Ago
Chicago Tribune
JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israeli archaeologists say they have uncovered new sections of Jerusalem's ancient walls, continuing a project started more than a century ago...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-israel-archaeology,0,1403276.story
Also published at:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hULCIa_wLA2b2BkhgMpPKtJn3rvgD92VFC0G0

Greece Welcomes Return Of Antiquities
The New York Times
On Wednesday Greece celebrated the return of two rare antiquities, Reuters reported. The items, a bronze vase from the fourth-century B.C. and the upper part of a marble tombstone, have been put on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/arts/04arts-GREECEWELCOM_BRF.html?ref=arts

Vladimir Monomakh Seal Discovered In Novogrod
Russia InfoCentre
A lead seal has been recently found during archeological excavation in Veliki Novgorod. It belonged to legendary Prince Vladimir Monomakh, scientists presume...
http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/7005/

Tutankhamen Fathered Twins, Mummified Fetuses Suggest
ScienceDaily
Two fetuses found in the tomb of Tutankhamen may have been twins and were very likely to have been the children of the teenage Pharaoh, according to the anatomist who first studied the mummified remains of the young King in the 1960s...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902143322.htm

September 3rd News

2008-09-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of smaller stories this morning.

New stories as of 6:34 AM:

Plateau May Be Ancient Gateway In Cyprus
Newspost Online
New research has suggested that a fortified settlement with a shrine that stood on a plateau near the eastern Larnaca coast in Cyprus, could have been the original gateway to Pyla, a village located in the eastern part of the island...
http://www.newspostonline.com/sci-tech/plateau-may-be-ancient-gateway-in-cyprus-200809034053

Ancient Musical Instruments Play Again Through Astra Project
Computing News
Ancient musical instruments can now be heard for the first time in hundreds of years, due to a new computer modelling project. ASTRA (Ancient instruments Sound/Timbre Reconstruction Application) has recreated the sounds of the harp-like Epigonion musical instrument from Ancient Greece and has performed one of the oldest known musical scores dating back to the Middle Ages...
http://home.nestor.minsk.by/computers/news/2008/09/0302.html

Reclaimed Antiquities Exhibited
IOL
Athens - Two ancient artifacts illegally removed from Greece decades ago went on display in Athens on Wednesday after a US-based collector was persuaded to repatriate them, the Greek culture ministry said...
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=nw20080903135848560C475999

Roman Camp Found By Chance
Ellismere Port Standard
A nationally significant discovery of a Roman camp, thought to date back to the first century, has solved a mystery in Cumbria spanning hundreds of years...
http://www.ellesmereportstandard.co.uk/latest-north-west-news/Roman-camp-found-by-chance.4454284.jp

Roman Fort Found In The Lake District
News & Star
A Roman camp, said to be of national significance, has been discovered on the outskirts of Keswick...
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.232739

Russian Archaeologists Find Long-Lost Jewish Capital
ABC News
Russian archaeologists say they have found the long-lost capital of the Khazar kingdom in southern Russia, a breakthrough for research on the ancient Jewish state...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/03/2354822.htm

Jerusalem Ancient Walls Unveiled
BBC News
Archaeologists in Jerusalem have given a first glimpse of newly-exposed 2,100-year-old walls to the south of the city's ancient heart...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7595613.stm

Archaeological Dig Confirms Roman Presence In Moray
The Press And Journal
ARCHAEOLOGISTS and volunteers at the Birnie dig site, near Elgin, have uncovered more evidence of the Romans’ presence in Moray...
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/815790?UserKey=

September 2nd News

2008-09-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

And with school starting again, let's see what there is to learn in Classical and Medieval history today.

New stories as of 10:44 AM:

Project To Preserve Our Roman Heritage
Buckingham Today
PEOPLE across south Northants can get involved in a new project to help preserve the region's archaeological heritage...
http://www.buckinghamtoday.co.uk/towcester-news/Project-to-preserve-our-Roman.4445080.jp

Plateau May Be Ancient Gateway In Cyprus
Thaindian News
Washington, September 1 (ANI): New research has suggested that a fortified settlement with a shrine that stood on a plateau near the eastern Larnaca coast in Cyprus, could have been the original gateway to Pyla, a village located in the eastern part of the island...
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/plateau-may-be-ancient-gateway-in-cyprus_10091170.html

Prehistoric Funerary Precinct Excavated In Northern Israel
Newslocale.org
Washington, September 2 (ANI): Excavations in the north of Israel by a team from the Hebrew University have revealed a prehistoric funerary precinct dating back to 6,750-8,500 BCE...
http://www.newslocale.org/sci%10tech/stnews/prehistoric_funerary_precinct_excavated_in_northern_israel_200809024190.html

Hittites' Holy City Nerik To Emerge
Turkish Daily News
Late in the second millennium B.C., as the Hittites were experimenting with bronze, they built a holy city called Nerik near the Black Sea, according to evidence being slowly gathered by archeologists...
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=114147

Archaeological Dig Unearths Old Woman In Poland
The News
The remains of a 30-year-old woman were found today at an archeological excavation in Pinczow, in the Swietokrzyska region, southern Poland...
http://www.polskieradio.pl/thenews/news/?id=90480

Historic Area Of Rome Threatened By New Car Park
The Independent
One of the prettiest and most historic corners of Rome will soon be sacrificed for a seven-storey underground car park unless Italy's minister of culture orders a dramatic, and costly, change of course...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/historic-area-of-rome-threatened-by-new-car-park-915420.html

Ancient Burial Chamber Found In Egypt
ABC Science
Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered the burial chamber and coffin of King Senusret II who was believed to have ruled Egypt from 1897 BC to 1878 BC, the official MENA news agency reported...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/01/2352151.htm?site=science&topic=latest

10,000-Year-Old Cult Center Found Near Nazareth
The Jerusalem Post
A 200-square-meter site in the lower Galilee dating back as far as 10,500 years has been identified by Hebrew University archeologists as having been a cult center and burial ground, mostly for men, equipped with items brought from as far away as Anatolia...
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220186503343&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Ancient Gold Treasure Found In Northern Greece Puzzles Archeologists
The Canadian Press
ATHENS, Greece — A priceless gold wreath has been unearthed in an ancient city in northern Greece, buried with human bones in a large copper vase that workers initially took for a landmine...
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gay0EpgO-SW_8uYkpdNK7tS-vG9A

Prehistoric Funerary Precinct Excavated In Northern Israel: Grave Goods Include Phallic Figurines, Sea Shells
Science Daily
ScienceDaily (Sep. 2, 2008) — Hebrew University excavations in the north of Israel have revealed a prehistoric funerary precinct dating back to 6,750-8,500 BCE...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901085355.htm

August 30th News

2008-08-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

There's been a rather interesting discovery in Northern Greece in the last day or so, as the news will show.

New stories as of 10:10 AM:

Dead Sea Scrolls Will Be Put On Internet
Winston-Salem Journal
Scientists using American space technology have started a large project to digitally photograph the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known version of the Hebrew Bible, and post it on the Internet for all to see, Israeli authorities said Wednesday...
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/aug/30/dead-sea-scrolls-will-be-put-on-internet/living/

Ancient Gold Treasure Puzzles Greek Archaeologists
Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A priceless gold wreath has been unearthed in an ancient city in northern Greece, buried with human bones in a large copper vase that workers initially took for a land mine...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gIJG3ZJaCRkgbHkqP4pyMlfy5eYQD92S14JG0

Exceptional Find In Vergina
ANA
Archaeologists apparently uncovered one of most fascinating finds to date at the archaeological site of Vergina, northern Greece, earlier this week, namely, an immense cylindrical copper vessel inside of which was a slightly smaller, similar vessel...
http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=6786047&maindocimg=6785998&service=96

Greek Archaeologists Uncover Rare Golden Wreath At Vergina Site
Bloomberg
Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Greek archaeologists discovered an ancient golden wreath during a dig at Vergina, northern Greece, the site of the tomb of Alexander the Great's father...
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aF1G5LeS9dnY&refer=muse

Chariot Find At Settlement Site
BBC News
Archaeologists have uncovered a small - but vital - clue to the use of a chariot in Moray...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7585922.stm

August 28th News (or lack of news)

2008-08-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

The reason I haven't been posting in the last few days is that I can't find any stories to post. Everything that comes up today is about the Olympics, travel or the USA Democratic National Convention.

Even the archaeology.org website has no links to new stories from the Classical or medieval periods. At least not as of 9:45 AM.

August 22nd News

2008-08-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

Yikes! I just realized how badly I've been letting this slide. I've got an excuse for yesterday, but not the other days: I was watching Canada win Gold in the Individual Show Jumping. It's another quiet day today. I think its because most people and news outlets are focused on the Olympics.

New stories as of 10:34 AM:

'Hadrian: Empire And Conflict'
International Herald Tribune
Few political commentators ask what lies behind the thinking of those expressing boundless admiration for the Roman Empire in almost every quarter of present-day Western society...
http://www.iht.com/slideshows/2008/08/20/arts/melik23.php
The article is a slide show from the British Museum exhibit on Hadrian. There are twelve photos.

Bronze Ring Unearthed In West Durrington
The Argus
Artefacts not seen for about 3,000 years have been discovered at the site of a new hospice...
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/3614661.Bronze_ring_unearthed_in_West_Durrington/

Archaeologists Unearth Roman Period Mosaic And Iron Furnace In Turkey
Fresh News
Istanbul, August 22 (ANI): Archeologists have unearthed a mosaic and an iron furnace from the Roman period, as well as a marketplace, through excavations of the ancient city of Pompeipolis, located in the western Black Sea city of Kastamonu in Turkey...
http://www.freshnews.in/archaeologists-unearth-roman-period-mosaic-and-iron-furnace-in-turkey-56803

August 18th News

2008-08-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

Another quiet week-end in classical and medieval history.

New stories as of 8:19 AM:

Technology To Shed Light On Thera
Zeenews.com
A research team, from Princeton University in the US, has developed an automated system that works like a ''virtual archaeologist'' to shed new light on Thera, an island civilization near Greece that was buried under volcanic ash more than 3,500 years ago...
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=462770&sid=ftp

Excavations Continue In Zeugma
Turkish Daily News
Excavations that started Aug. 8 in the ancient city of Zeugma will continue through Sept. 25 this year. A group of 47 archeologists is working for the protection of the villas by covering them with roofs...
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=112598

Archaeologists Discover 2500 Year Old Gold Earrings
Thaindian News
London, August 18 (ANI): An archaeologist has discovered gold earrings, a ring, and other funeral gifts that date back to the 5th century B.C., roughly 2,500 years ago, while excavating a Thracian tomb near the village of Kushare, about 280 km from Sofia, Bulgaria...
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/archaeologists-discover-2500-yr-old-gold-earrings_10085382.html

1,700-Year Old Apollon Statue Unearthed In Mersin
TurkishPress.com
MERSIN - Archeologists unearthed a 1,700-year old Apollon statue in Soloi Pompeipolis ancient city in the southern province of Mersin...
http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=247382

'Virtual Archaeologist' Reconnects Fragments Of An Ancient Civilization
Science Daily
For several decades, archaeologists in Greece have been painstakingly attempting to reconstruct wall paintings that hold valuable clues to the ancient culture of Thera, an island civilization that was buried under volcanic ash more than 3,500 years ago...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080815130417.htm

August 14th News

2008-08-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

Things have been pretty quiet over the last couple of days. Only two stories today.

New stories as of 12:09 PM:

Colossal Head Of Roman Empress Unearthed
Archaeology.org
Sagalassos, Turkey, August 12—Tuesday morning, archaeologists of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven team (Belgium) directed by Marc Waelkens uncovered the colossal portrait head of the Roman empress Faustina, wife of the emperor Antoninus Pius, who ruled from A.D. 138 to 161...
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/faustina/

Archaeologists Uncover 1,800-Year-Old Roman Coffins In Newcastle City Centre
24dash.com
Two Roman stone sarcophagi have been uncovered at a dig on the site of a former chapel and office buildings...
http://www.24dash.com/news/Communities/2008-08-14-Archaeologists-uncover-1-800-year-old-Roman-coffins-in-Newcastle-city-centre

2008-08-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

The news this morning is all new news, some of which is extremely interesting. There's quite a bit of work with replicas, ranging from the Viking replica the 'Sea Stallion' which is back in the news, to the forthcoming sailing of the replica Phoenician ship.

New stories as of 8:41 AM:

Roman Temple Uncovered In Ancient Jewish Capital Of Galilee
Science Daily
Ruins of a Roman temple from the second century CE have recently been unearthed in the Zippori National Park. Above the temple are foundations of a church from the Byzantine period...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080811072503.htm

Iron Age British Warrior With Roman Links Unearthed In England
Fresh News
Archaeologists have unearthed the grave of an ancient British warrior with Roman links in southern England...
http://www.freshnews.in/iron-age-british-warrior-with-roman-links-unearthed-in-england-47707

Archaeologists Dig In St Cross
Hampshire Chronicle
ENTHUSIASTIC excavators have been digging for clues near one of Winchester's most historic buildings...
http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2422581.0.archaeologists_dig_in_st_cross.php

Archaeologists Find 2,000 Year-Old Coins At Jerusalem Site
eNews 2.0
Archaeologists on an Israeli-German dig south of Jerusalem have uncovered a cache of 15 silver coins dating back 2,000 years and lying in a pot hidden in a pigeon hole...
http://www.enews20.com/news_Archaeologists_find_2000_year_old_coins_at_Jerusalem_site_10345.html

Roman Temple Ruins Found In Israel
Inquirer.net
JERUSALEM—Archaeologists have found the ruins of a pagan temple dating back to Roman times in the Galilee region of northern Israel, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem said on Monday...
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20080811-154017/Roman-temple-ruins-found-in-Israel

Iron Age Warrior With Roman Links Found In U.K.
National Geographic News
The grave of an ancient British warrior with tantalizing Roman connections has been unearthed in southern England, archaeologists say...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/08/080808-british-warrior.html

Around Africa In A Phoenician Boat
BBC News
On Arwad Island off the coast of Syria, a group of 20 sailors-to-be are preparing for a voyage their captain believes has not been undertaken for two and a half millennia...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7550162.stm

Viking Longship Returns To Home Port After Epic Sail
Irish Times
THE VIKING replica longship Sea Stallion returns to home waters in Roskilde today, after a 2,800 nautical-mile round trip between Denmark and Ireland...
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0809/1218206296723.html

Romanian Experts Uncover Biggest Dacian Find Ever
Southeast European Times
Romanian archaeologists discovered an ancient cemetery, which experts consider the largest necropolis ever found in the Dacian area...
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2008/08/04/roundup-st-03

August 8th News

2008-08-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

It's definitely a quiet morning today. Most of the news is continuations of yesterday's stories.

New stories as of 7:04 AM:

Why Not Test The Phaistos Disc?
The New York Times Blogs
If there are suspicions that the renowned Phaistos Disc is fake, why not address them by determining its age? That was the excellent question raised by Lab readers in response to a post on the disc...
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/why-not-test-the-phaistos-disc/

Ancient Fully-Preserved Chariot Discovered In Bulgaria
redOrbit
A team of Bulgarian archaeologists working in an ancient Thracian tomb uncovered a well-preserved 1,900-year-old chariot, according to the team’s leader on Thursday...
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1514844/ancient_fullypreserved_chariot_discovered_in_bulgaria/

Chance Find Could Be Long Lost Church
Berwick Today
REMNANTS of what experts believe could be an ancient church have been found in a chance discovery at Bamburgh Castle...
http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/news/Chance-find-could-be-long.4363082.jp

Ancient Olive Press Unearthed In Galilee
Arutz Sheva
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient olive press dating back to the Byzantine period at a dig at Moshav Achihud in the Western Galilee...
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/127106

King Tut Tomb Fetuses May Reveal Pharaoh's Mother
National Geographic News
Two mummified fetuses found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun will undergo DNA testing to determine their relation to the famous pharaoh, Egyptian officials announced today...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/08/080807-tut-fetus.html

DNA Tests To Study Mummy Fetuses In King Tut Tomb
Associated Press
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Egyptian scientists are carrying out DNA tests on two mummified fetuses found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun to determine whether they are the young pharaoh's offspring, the antiquities authority said Wednesday...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jUrpC3Kol6I-ebbUlLTwpNw4dhIwD92DMIM08

Bulgarian Archaeologists Discover Ancient Chariot
Yahoo! News
SOFIA, Bulgaria - Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,900-year-old well-preserved chariot at an ancient Thracian tomb in southeastern Bulgaria, the head of the excavation said Thursday...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080807/ap_on_sc/sci_bulgaria_ancient_chariot_1;_ylt=ArR7XXIgGEqTqvUEq6eKjQxFeQoB

August 7th News

2008-08-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

I'd thought there wasn't going to be much in the way of news this morning, but I was wrong. The big story of the day is from a period a little later than I usually post in here: the possible discovery of the first theatre where Shakespeare's plays were first shown.

New stories as of 7:50 AM:

Unveiling The Secrets Of the Ancient Olympic Computer
Infopackets.com
Researchers have discovered that the ancient Greeks used a primitive 'computer' to set the dates of the Olympic Games...
http://www.infopackets.com/news/technology/it/2008/20080807_unveiling_the_secrets_of_the_ancient_olympic_computer.htm

Bulgarian Archeologists Unearth 1900-Year-Old Thracian Chariot
Visit Bulgaria
A team of Bulgarian archeologists has discovered a unique, fully preserved four-wheeled Thracian chariot, which is more than 1900 years old...
http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/yambol/news/20080807/thracian_chariot.html

Bulgarian Archaeologists Discover Ancient Chariot
Associated Press
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,900-year-old well-preserved chariot at an ancient Thracian tomb in southeastern Bulgaria, the head of the excavation said Thursday...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hCV8iXXy_l-nAPuadPyq-5RCMVOQD92DEKT80

Shakespeare's 1st Theater Unearthed
UPI.com
LONDON, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- An excavation in England has uncovered the brick foundations of the 16th century theater where William Shakespeare's plays were first performed, officials said...
http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/08/06/Shakespeares_1st_theater_unearthed/UPI-30401218063847/
Yes, this one's strictly a little late for this journal, but I found it interesting enough that I had to include it. Besides, things seem so quiet, that more articles are a good thing.

Possible Shakespearean Theater Found In London
Physorg.com
(AP) -- The theater where "The Merchant of Venice" and "Romeo and Juliet" likely debuted and where William Shakespeare himself may have trodden the boards has likely been discovered in east London, archaeologists at the Museum of London said Wednesday...
http://www.physorg.com/news137261623.html

DNA Tests To Study Mummy Fetuses In King Tut Tomb
Physorg.com
(AP) -- Egyptian scientists are carrying out DNA tests on two mummified fetuses found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun to determine whether they are the young pharaoh's offspring, the antiquities authority said Wednesday...
http://www.physorg.com/news137258291.html

Wine Presses Yield More Secrets
DI-VE
The fields in the locality have turned out to date back to the 4th and 3rd centuries BC – as old as the wine-presses...
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=53479&newscategory=36

Shakespeare's Shoreditch Theatre Unearthed
Guardian.co.uk
A shiver of excitement rippled around the theatrical globe as news spread of some grubby red bricks uncovered in a muddy pit off a nondescript street in east London...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/aug/07/shakespeare.shoreditch

King Tut's Kids
inthenews.co.uk
Foetuses found in the tomb of Tutankhamun are to be tested in an attempt to determine who their parents were...
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/infocus/features/in-focus/king-tuts-kids-$1235395.htm

Egypt To DNA Test Mummies To See If Tutankhamun Was A Father
Telegraph.co.uk
Egyptian scientists will carry out DNA tests on two mummified foetuses found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun to determine their link to the young pharaoh, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities has announced...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/2515379/Egpyt-to-DNA-test-mummies-to-see-if-Tutankhamun-was-a-father.html

Tutamkhamuns Mummified Fetuses To Get Paternity Test
Thaindian News
London, August 7 (ANI): Egyptian scientists are doing DNA tests on stillborn children found in Tutankhamuns tomb in the hope of confirming if they are the pharoahs offspring and confirming his family tree...
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/tutankhamuns-mummified-fetuses-to-get-paternity-test_10080906.html

Large Olive Press Discovered In Northern Israel
Scoop
6 August 2008 - An ancient olive- oil production complex dating from the 6th-7th Centuries CE – one of the largest ever exposed in Israel – was discovered at Ahihud, in excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority...
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0808/S00097.htm

The Truth About The Picts
The Independent
The Picts have long been regarded as enigmatic savages who fought off Rome's legions before mysteriously disappearing from history, wild tribesmen who refused to sacrifice their freedom in exchange for the benefits of civilisation...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/the-truth-about-the-picts-886098.html

German Scientists Dig for Their Own Stonehenge
Reuters
BERLIN (Reuters Life!) - Archaeologists have discovered traces of a Bronze Age place of worship in Germany in what they say might be the country's answer to Stonehenge...
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSL623035920080806

August 5th News

2008-08-05T10:36:00.000-07:00

Definitely a quiet day today.

New stories as of 10:46 AM:

Greek Mummy Found Inside Lead Coffin Dates Back To A.D. 300
Argentina Star
Washington, August 5 : A mummy of a middle-aged woman dating to A.D. 300 has been discovered in a lead coffin inside a marble sarcophagus in northern Greece, the first clear indication of embalming in Greece from the era when the Romans ruled there...
http://story.argentinastar.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/88176adfdf246af5/id/390416/cs/1/

Ancient Greek Astronomical Mechanism Designed To Record Olympics
Huliq News
The Antikythera Mechanism, which was used in ancient Greece to make astronomical calculations, has now been discovered to also record the times of the Olympiads...
http://www.huliq.com/65795/ancient-greek-astronomical-mechanism-designed-record-olympics

First Embalmed Greek Mummy Found In Lead Coffin
People's Daily Online
Found inside a lead coffin inside a marble sarcophagus, a mummy of a middled-aged woman from Ancient Greek times is the first clear indication of embalming in Greece during the Roman occupation...
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90781/90879/6467059.html

Document Shows Templars Not Heretics, Historian Says
Canada.com
OTTAWA - When several Knights Templar were burned at the stake for heresy in 1314, legend has it they screamed out a curse against the villainous lawyer who convicted them. Eight days later, he died...
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=ef6b1b1a-13c3-4867-a42c-1a9624d84bbb

Archaeologists Discover Fragrance Container
Visit Bulgaria
Archaeologists have found a 900-year-old lead ampoule of fragrance at the excavations on Tzarevetz hill in the town of Veliko Tarnovo. The find dates back to 12-13 century and was discovered by the team of archaeologist Mirko Robov by the South fortress wall...
http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/veliko_tarnovo/news/20080805/fragrance_container.html

August 2nd News

2008-08-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

There's a wide range of stories today, most of which are entirely new, and a few which have more information about earlier stories, such as the Antikythera Mechanism.

New stories as of 8:37 AM:

Two Piers Belonging To 1st Century A.D. Unearthed In Ancient Turkish City
TopNews.in
Istanbul, August 2 : Archaeologists have unearthed two piers belonged to the first century A. D. in the ancient city of Aphrodisias in Turkey...
http://www.topnews.in/two-piers-belonging-1st-century-d-unearthed-ancient-turkish-city-256175

500 BC Greek Ship Found
Zee News
Athens, Aug 02: A 21-meters long ancient Greek ship, which archaeologists believe sank in a storm some 800 metres off the Gela coast in Greece while transporting goods from the Greek colony in Gela back to Greece in around 500 BC, has been pulled out of the seabed, where it lay for nearly 2500 years...
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=459649&sid=ftp

Ancient Calculator Recorded Games
The Press Association
A 2,100-year-old mechanical calculator which was designed by the Greeks to carry out complex mathematical sums was also used to record the dates of the Olympic Games, researchers revealed...
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jjR5zgNvWEQkV64py2892tU7ecKA

Ancient Greeks Used Computer To Set Date For Olympics
Chatter Shmatter
According to researchers an old mechanical brass calculator which was used by the ancient Greeks to predict solar and lunar eclipses may also have been used to set the dates for the Olympics...
http://www.chattershmatter.com/2008/08/01/ancient-greeks-used-computer-to-set-date-for-olympics/

UK Museum Gets Medieval Tool
azcentral.com
LONDON - A rare astronomy tool that helped medieval scientists tell time will remain in Britain after the British Museum scrambled to come up with the money to buy it...
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/arts/articles/2008/08/01/20080801tool.html

Ancient Palace Found In Dig On Hill
The Press And Journal
Archaeologists have uncovered ancient traces, from tiny bead ornaments to massive walls, of a forgotten prince’s palace on the slopes of Bennachie in Aberdeenshire...
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/769194?UserKey=0

Scientists Find First Indication For Embalming In Roman Greece
Newspost Online
A team of scientists has found the first indication for embalming in Roman Greek times...
http://www.newspostonline.com/sci-tech/scientists-find-first-indication-for-embalming-in-roman-greece-20080802557

Seal Of Biblical Royal Official Found In Jerusalem
Inquirer.net
JERUSALEM—Israeli archaeologists in Jerusalem said on Friday they found the imprint of a seal that belonged to a 6th century BC official in the court of the last king of Judah who was mentioned in the Old Testament...
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20080801-152098/Seal-of-biblical-royal-official-found-in-Jerusalem

Archaeologists Find Old Testament Seal
The Australian
ISRAELI archeologists in Jerusalem have found the imprint of a seal that belonged to an 6th century BC official in the court of the last king of Judah who was mentioned in the Old Testament...
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24115029-12335,00.html

Cremated Bones Dating From 3,500 BC To 2,000 BC Unearthed In Ireland
Smashits.com
London, July 31 (ANI): Archaeologists has unearthed cremated bones thought to date from around 3,500BC to 2,000BC during a dig near Lough Fea in Ireland...
http://news.smashits.com/277930/Cremated-bones-dating-from-3-500-BC-to-2-000-BC-unearthed-in-Ireland.htm

Sailing Into Eternity
Al-Ahram Weekly
Visitors to the Giza Plateau will be able to view Khufu's second solar boat through a tiny camera 4,500 years after it was buried to ferry the king to eternity. Nevine El-Aref takes a look...
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/908/he1.htm

August 1st News

2008-08-01T06:31:00.000-07:00

Obviously, the Greek 'computer' story is still going strong today.

New stories as of 6:54 AM:

Mechanic Computer Used By Early Greeks
EON
London- A mechanical brass type of calculator is thought now to have been used by the Ancient Greeks to predict lunar and solar eclipses...
http://www.eontarionow.com/technology/2008/08/01/mechanic-computer-used-by-early-greeks/

Turkish Forest Fires Threaten Ancient Sites
Irish Times
Turkish fire fighters backed by a dozen aircraft struggled today to extinguish fires engulfing woodlands in the coastal tourism province of Antalya and threatening sites of ancient culture, authorities said...
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0801/breaking43.htm

Greek Archaeological Site Reburied
Spero News
Three year after part of a protective roof collapsed killing a British tourist, the ancient Minoan site of Akrotiri on Santorini remains closed. Excavations have halted and the reconstruction of its roof is stuck in the wheels of bureaucracy...
http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=124&id=15843&t=Greek+archaeological+site+reburied

Ancient Olympic 'Computer' Calculated Dates Of Games
Information Week
Researchers announced Wednesday that a geared device dating to the second century BC was used to calculate the dates for the first Olympic games...
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/07/ancient_olympic.html

Turkish Forest Fires Threaten Ancient Sites
Reuters
Turkish fire fighters backed by a dozen aircraft struggled on Friday to extinguish fires engulfing woodlands in the coastal tourism province of Antalya and threatening sites of ancient culture, authorities said...
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL1350360
Also published at:
http://in.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idINL135036020080801

Ancient Graves Cause Rift Between Museum, University
Turkish Daily News
During the construction of a business and culture complex in the southern city of Antalya, some ancient graves and artifacts dating back to Roman times were found...
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=111341

Scientists Dig Up Centuries-Old Bones
Kent Online
Human bones dating back to the 13th century are to be given a “much happier ending” after being unearthed on a building site...
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kol08/article/default.asp?article_id=45766

Vindolanda Calendar Is One Of Rarest Finds
Hexham Courant
ANOTHER glittering jewel has been added to the Roman treasure trove that is the Vindolanda fort at Bardon Mill...
http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/news_at_a_glance/1.213337

Greek "Computer" Tracked Ancient Olympics, Other Games
National Geographic News
A Greek machine sometimes called the world's first computer could have helped sports fans track the cyclical schedule of ancient athletic contests—including the Olympic games, new research reports....
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/07/080730-greek-computer.html

Ancient World's "Supercomputer" Calculated Olympic Games
Yahoo! News
PARIS (AFP) - A clockwork machine hailed as the supercomputer of the ancient world provided a calendar for the Olympic Games and may have had a link with Archimedes, one of the greatest names in science, investigators believe.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080730/sc_afp/sciencehistoryastronomyoly_080730184343;_ylt=AucBIE8dzZ6iTByD_rtysfHPOrgF

Students Find Three Roman Busts
Typically Spanish
The busts date from the first and second centuries and one of Trajan is of particular interest. ..
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_17654.shtml

First Indication For Embalming In Roman Greece
Science Daily
A Swiss-Greek research team co-lead by Dr. Frank Rühli from the Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, found evidence of embalming in Roman Greek times...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080730155631.htm

Ruins May Be Viking Hunting Outpost In Greenland
Newspost Online
Ruins recently discovered on Greenland may be the Vikings’ most northerly year-round hunting outpost on the icy island...
http://www.newspostonline.com/sci-tech/ruins-may-be-viking-hunting-outpost-in-greenland-20080731456

Skeletons Uncovered In Friary Dig
BBC News
Archaeologists in Perth have uncovered more than 50 skeletons at the site of a medieval friary...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7533920.stm

July 30th News

2008-07-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

There is one really big story today, the discoveries concerning the Antikythera Mechanism, and a number of smaller stories.

New stories as of 11:59 PM:

Was Ancient Greek 'Calculator' Used To Teach Astronomy?
New Scientist
INSCRIPTIONS on a mysterious 2000-year-old clockwork device suggest that the artefact was inspired by earlier devices made by the great Greek mathematician Archimedes...
http://technology.newscientist.com/article/mg19926674.300-was-ancient-greek-calculator-used-to-teach-astronomy.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=space2_head_Was%20ancient%20Greek%20%27calculator%27%20used%20to%20teach%20astronomy

Workings Of Ancient 'Computer' Deciphered
The New York Times
After a closer examination of the Antikythera Mechanism, a surviving marvel of ancient Greek technology, scientists have found that the device not only predicted solar eclipses but also organized the calendar in the four-year cycles of the Olympiad, forerunner of the modern Olympic Games...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/science/31computer.html?ref=science

The 2000-Year-Old Greek 'Super-Computer' Used To Predict Eclipses Decades In Advance
Mail Online
The world's oldest calculator - an intricate box of dials, gears and cogs created by the Ancient Greeks more than 2,000 years ago - could predict eclipses decades in advance, a new study has shown...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1039917/The-2-000-year-old-Greek-super-used-predict-eclipses-decades-advance.html

Ancient Olympic Calculator Discovered
LiveScience
An ancient astronomy calculator appears to show the four-year cycle of the early Greek competitions that inspired today's Olympic Games...
http://www.livescience.com/history/080730-ancient-computer.html

Ancient Greek 'Computer' Displayed Olympics Calendar
Guardian.co.uk
An ancient Greek "computer" used to calculate the movements of the sun, moon and planets has been linked to Archimedes after scientists deciphered previously hidden inscriptions on the device...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/jul/30/archaeology.astronomy
This article has a particularly interesting photo. Where the other photos seem to only show part of the artifact, this one seems to display the whole thing.

Secrets Of Antikythera Mechanism, World's Oldest Calculating Machine, Revealed
Telegraph.co.uk
The secrets of the worlds oldest calculating machine are revealed today, showing that it had dials to mark the timing of eclipses and the Olympic games...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/earth/2008/07/30/scicalc130.xml
The Telegraph article is, I think, the best so far. There are three video links on the device, including how it was found. Also there are diagrams and reconstructive photos included.

New Light On The Antikythera Mechanism
About.com
In a paper to be published July 31, 2008 in the journal Nature, project members of the Antikythera Mechanism Research Project report on the latest discoveries about the writing on the dials and plates of the remarkable astronomical tool, the Antikythera Mechanism...
http://archaeology.about.com/b/2008/07/30/new-light-on-the-antikythera-mechanism.htm

2500-Year-Old Greek Ship Salvaged Off Sicily
Mathaba.net
ROME, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The 21-meter-long vessel is the best-preserved example in the world of a Greek ship constructed from pine planks "sewn" together with plant fiber, a technique described in Homer's Iliad, Italian News Agency ANSA said on Monday...
http://mathaba.net/news/?x=600140

Greeks Followed A Celestial Olympics
ScienceNews
A closer look at the Antikythera with a 3-D X-ray scan reveals inscriptions not visible before...
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/34619/title/Greeks_followed_a_celestial_Olympics

Ancient Artefacts Belong To Finder
Burton Mail
SILVER relics dating from the Dark Ages have been declared the property of the Swadlincote man who found them - because historians cannot say how they came to be in the Willington field where they were found...
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail-news/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=335381

Treasure Hunters' Delight At The Discovery Of Roman Coins Bounty
This Is Derbyshire
THREE treasure hunters have unearthed 62 Roman coins which date back 1,700 years...
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Treasure-hunters-delight-discovery-Roman-coins-bounty/article-242626-detail/article.html

Book: Marcus Aurelius In Love
xtra.ca
The informative introduction to this delightful book of love letters draws us into the world of the elite in Imperial Rome. Round about the year 140CE, future Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was an almost twentysomething living with his uncle Titus at Rome's premier address, the emperor Hadrian's palace...
http://www.xtra.ca/public/viewstory.aspx?AFF_TYPE=1&STORY_ID=5134&PUB_TEMPLATE_ID=2

A Fake Famous Disc?
The New York Times
Now that we’ve disposed of the bogus “pre-Columbian” crystal skulls, we can consider a potential new hoax: the Phaistos Disc, whose purportedly ancient text has long resisted scientists’ efforts to decipher it...
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/a-fake-famous-disc/
This article is from the New York Times "Blog" section.

Hunt For Second Stone Circle
News & Star
THE secrets of a 14th century castle and a second stone circle could soon be unveiled near Keswick...
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.211963

2000-Year -Old Warrior Grave Found On Berkeley Homes And Persimmon Site
Contract Journal
A 2,000-year-old grave of an Iron Age warrior has been unearthed on a Berkeley Homes and Persimmon building site...
http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/2008/07/29/60584/2000-year-old-warrior-grave-found-on-berkeley-homes-and-persimmon-site.html

North-East Firm Throws Light On Ancient Shipwreck
The Press And Journal
A HI-TECH underwater camera designed by an Aberdeenshire firm is being used to examine an ancient Roman shipwreck off Sicily...
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/761049?UserKey=0

Two Egyptians Rewarded For Turning In Antiquities
The Earth Times
Cairo - Egypt's top archaeologist said Tuesday that two Egyptian citizens were rewarded for turning in two pieces of antiquities they found while each was redecorating his house in the northern Menoufiya governorate...
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/222221,two-egyptians-rewarded-for-turning-in-antiquities.html

July 28th News

2008-07-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

It's been a quiet weekend for history related news. On the other hand, the Greek ship is rapidly becoming a big story.

New stories as of 12:41 PM:

Ancient Greek Ship Fished From Sea
ANSA
Gela, July 28 - An ancient Greek trading ship that had lain on the seabed off the coast of Gela in southern Sicily for 2,500 years was brought to the surface for the first time on Monday...
http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2008-07-28_128240910.html

Greek Ship Surfaces 2,500 Years After Sinking
Monsters and Critics.com
Gela, Sicily - An ancient Greek ship returned to surface Monday some 2,500 years after it sank in the Mediterranean Sea and two decades after its wreck was discovered by divers off Sicily. ..
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1419896.php/Greek_ship_surfaces_2500_years_after_sinking
Also published at:
http://visitbulgaria.info/greek-ship-surfaces-2500-years-after-sinking
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/greek-ship-surfaces-2500-years-after-sinking_10077058.html

Acropolis Museum Awaits Missing Body Parts, Held In London
Bloomberg
July 28 (Bloomberg) -- At Athens's New Acropolis Museum, the most popular exhibit is in London...
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aL01SM6B3NV8&refer=home

Ancient Grave Found On Bognor New Homes Site
The Argus
Land soon to become a new housing estate has yielded an unexpected treasure – a 2,000- year-old skeleton, believed to be that of a prince, a warrior or a priest...
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/3551234.Ancient_grave_found_on_Bognor_new_homes_site/

'The Land, My Lord, Will Be Lost Forever'
Haaretz.com
"To the king my lord and my sun: These are the words of your servant, Belit-nesheti [literally, "mistress of lions/lionesses"]. I fall at the king's feet seven times over. I must tell the king that this country is witnessing [acts of] hostility and that the land of the king, my lord, will be lost forever."...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1005648.html

July 26th News

2008-07-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

I admit it, I've been sporadic about doing this lately. I'll try to do better next week though.

New stories as of 9:24 AM:

Water To Run Down From Ancient Turkish Fountain After 1300 Years
Smash Hits News
Istanbul, July 26 (ANI): Water will run down from the Antonine Nymphaeum, a monumental fountain located on the north of the ancient city of Sagalassos in Turkey, after some 1300 years...
http://news.smashits.com/276269/Water-to-run-down-from-ancient-Turkish-fountain-after-1300-years.htm

Roman Antonine Wall Gets World Heritage Status And New Map
24 Hour Museum
Done Hadrian’s Wall? Then perhaps you would like to know that Hadrian’s successor Emperor Antonius Pius (AD138-161) built a wall too, and there’s now a new map to take you on a tour of it...
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART59689.html

Saving Pompeii From The Ravages Of Time And Tourists
The New York Times
POMPEII, Italy — Citing threats to public security and to the site itself, the Italian government has for the first time declared a yearlong state of emergency for the ancient city of Pompeii...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/arts/design/26ruin.html?hp

More To Hadrian Than A Wall
Telegraph.co.uk
Far from the Adriatic being named after Hadrian - (H)Adriatic - Publius Aelius Hadrianus (Roman emperor ad?117-38) took his personal name from the Adriatic - or rather, from Hadria, the port in the Po delta after which the sea was named...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/07/27/boopp127.xml
A review of the book Hadrian: Empire and Conflict.

Concerns For Battlefield Heritage
BBC News
Scotland's largest conservation charity has voiced concern that proposed legislation may not protect the country's ancient battlefield sites...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7526093.stm

Iron Age Warrior's Grave A Unique Find
Portsmouth Today
THE 2,000-year-old grave of an Iron Age warrior has been discovered in the trenches of a new housing development...
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Iron-Age-warrior39s-grave-a.4327126.jp

Acropolis To Undergo Restoration From 2009
AFP
ATHENS (AFP) — The world-famous Parthenon of the Athens Acropolis will undergo restoration work from 2009 that will see its western facade obscured by scaffolding for three years, officials said...
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jaa1be_yJBiOG96AxTpnbieQ4cpg

Tomb Reveals Ancient Trade Network
ANSA
(ANSA) - Ancona, July 24 - The tomb of a woman who died around 2,600 years ago on the eastern Italian coast is helping archaeologists piece together the vast trade network that once linked this area with the Middle East, North Africa and Greece...
http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2008-07-24_124221679.html

July 23 News

2008-07-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of multimedia in today's news. No fewer than four articles include video clips. Otherwise, there seems to be no 'big' story today, but a lot of smaller stories, and the articles come from all over.

New stories as of 11:40 AM:

New Life Given To Ancient Egyptian Texts Stored At Stanford For Decades
Stanford News Service
They're torn and faded and have the woven texture of a flattened Triscuit. At first glance, the ancient Egyptian texts look like scraps of garbage. And more than 2,000 years ago, that's exactly what they were—discarded documents, useless contracts and unwanted letters that were recycled into material needed to plaster over mummies, like some precursor to papier-mâché...
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2008/july23/papyri-072308.html

Ancient Roman Spa Unearthed in Serbia
oneindia
Archaeologists have discovered a Roman spa of monumental proportions in downtown Prokuplje in southern Siberia...
http://living.oneindia.in/insync/2008/ancient-roman-spa-southern-siberia-230708.html
Actually, given the rest of the article as well as other articles from previous days, the location is Serbia, which makes a lot more sense.

Roman Spa Found In Southern Serbia
Press TV
Serbian archeologists claim that they have unearthed a Roman spa during a restoration project in the country's southern Prokuplje town...
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=64481&sectionid=3510212

Roman Dog Skeleton Is 'Donated'
BBC News
A Lincolnshire charity has had what could be a 2,000-year-old dog skeleton donated to one of its stores...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/7521517.stm

Roman Tombstone To Go On Display
BBC News
A Roman gravestone which shows a soldier holding the severed head of a barbarian is set to be displayed in Lancashire by the end of the year...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/7521120.stm

Malta Exports Wine... In Antiquity
DI-VE
Malta is getting a reputation for good wine – but this is hardly a recent phenomenon. There is mounting evidence that it was already competing with other ancient Mediterranean producers as far back as the 3th-4th century BC...
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=53046&newscategory=36

Video: 2000-Year-Old Roman Body Found In West Sussex
Littlehampton Gazette
A 2,000-year-old body has been uncovered in North Bersted...
http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/6427/VIDEO--2000yearold-Roman-body.4298651.jp

Medieval Maltan Tower Base Found
Zee News
Archaeologists have uncovered the foundations of a semi-circular bastion or tower dating to the Late Middle Ages in the town of Mdina in Malta, which is being considered an extraordinary discovery which may shed light on one of the darkest periods of Maltese history...
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=457304&sid=ftp

Greece: Shades Of Nero's, Um, Glory
The New York Times
German archaeologists using radar technology say they have discovered the ancient chariot track at Olympia where the Emperor Nero of Rome bribed his way to Olympic laurels...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/23/world/europe/23briefs-SHADESOFNERO_BRF.html?ref=world

Skeletons Hidden Below London's Streets Go On Show
Times Online
Thousands of skeletons discovered lurking beneath the streets of London have offered historians a glimpse into the diet, diseases and lifestyle of the capital’s inhabitants from as early as the 2nd century...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4380291.ece
The article includes an embedded video of an interview with the curator of the new exhibit.

Germans Find Olympic Course Where Nero Raced Chariot
Reuters India
ATHENS (Reuters) - German archaeologists using radar technology believe they may have discovered the ancient horse racing track at Olympia where Roman Emperor Nero bribed his way to Olympic laurels...
http://in.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idINL2260377420080723
Also published by:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080722/sc_nm/greece_olympia_dc_1;_ylt=AsR7l4KADD9rJDJo.a1FWg9FeQoB

Video: Entombed Ship Revealed In Egypt
National Geographic News
July 21, 2008—At the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt, visitors could see, for the first time, an underground ship apparently intended to carry a pharaoh into the afterlife...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/07/080721-boat-video-ap.html

Historic Abbey Uncovered In Dig
BBC News
Parts of one of Scotland's most influential religious and historic buildings have been uncovered for the first time in centuries...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7517392.stm
This article also contains a video clip.

July 20th News

2008-07-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry for the lack of posts over the last few days. I've been arguing with the new version of Firefox (frankly, I'm wishing I'd never upgraded to Firefox 3).

New stories as of 11:38 AM:

ISRAEL: Underwater Archaeology
Los Angeles Times
A rare 2,500-year-old marble discus was found last week by an Israeli lifeguard diving in the underwater antiquities site of Yavne-Yam, an ancient port city settled in the middle Bronze Age and inhabited until the Middle Ages. (Today, the beach is named for the nearby kibbutz of Palmahim.)...
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2008/07/israel-underwat.html

Roman Spa Unearthed In Southern Serbia
B92 News
Prokuplje -- Archeologists say they have discovered a Roman spa of monumental proportions in downtown Prokuplje...
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=07&dd=20&nav_id=52063

Ancient Rome's She-Wolf Statue Not So Ancient
Fosters.com
She suckled Rome's legendary twin founders and fed Benito Mussolini's ambitious dreams of renewed imperial glories...
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080720/GJLIFESTYLES/487243106/-1/FOSLIFESTYLES

Ancient Egyptian Boat To Be Excavated, Reassembled
Physorg.com
(AP) -- Archaeologists will excavate hundreds of fragments of an ancient Egyptian wooden boat entombed in an underground chamber next to Giza's Great Pyramid and try to reassemble the craft, Egyptologists announced Saturday...
http://www.physorg.com/news135741659.html
Also published at:
http://newsok.com/pharaohs-boat-to-be-excavated/article/3272507/?tm=1216514034

Japanese Camera Reveals Pharaoh's 'Solar' Boat
France 24
A remotely controlled Japanese camera has made it possible to see an ancient Egyptian "solar" boat, entombed 4,500 years ago near Giza's Great Pyramid and designed to carry pharaohs to the afterlife...
http://www.france24.com/en/20080719-japanese-camera-reveals-pharaohs-solar-boat-egypt-archaeology&navi=CULTURE

July 14th News

2008-07-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

Sunday's are normally quiet and yesterday was no exception, but there have been some interesting stories none the less.

New stories as of 8:01 AM:

2,500-Year-Old Marble Discus Found In Israeli Waters
SmashHits.com
Tel Aviv, July 14 (ANI): A rare 2,500-year-old marble discus that was meant to protect ancient ships from the evil eye was found by a lifeguard while diving in the antiquities site of Yavne-Yam, next to Palmahim beach, Israel...
http://news.smashits.com/271933/2-500-year-old-marble-discus-found-in-Israeli-waters.htm

Replica Of Phoenician Ship To Begin Voyaging From Aug 1
Sify News
London: More than 2,500 years after the first circumnavigation of Africa by the Phoenicians, a brand new replica ship with 20 paying crew is preparing to follow in the footsteps of these ancient mariners...
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14715212

Israeli Diver Discovers Ancient Amulet At Yavne
Israel National News
A lifeguard diving at the Yavne-Yam antiquities site next to Palmachim beach, south of Tel-Aviv, unearthed a rare marble discus that was used 2,500 years ago to protect sea-going vessels from the evil eye...
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/126823
Also published at:
http://www.divemaster.com/diving-news/diver-discovers-ancient-amulet-in-yavne-yam_23023.html

Rome's She-Wolf Not So Ancient?
News24
Rome - She suckled Rome's legendary twin founders and fed Benito Mussolini's ambitious dreams of renewed imperial glories...
http://www.news24.com/News24/Technology/News/0,,2-13-1443_2357164,00.html

Man Arrested For Tunnelling
iafrica.com
A Greek man was arrested for digging tunnels from his home to protected archaeology sites in Megara, west of Athens, in a suspected case of antiquities trafficking, officials said on Saturday...
http://technology.iafrica.com/news/science/1026820.htm

Rare Artefact Found At Roman Site
BBC News
Archaeologists excavating one of the most important Roman sites in Britain have made an "extremely rare" find...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7500223.stm
The story contains a video link as well as the text of the story.

July 12th News

2008-07-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

Lots of news today. More reassessing of ancient pieces is being done all the time.

New stories as of 10:50 AM:

Archaeologists Find Marble Love Goddess
Sudbury Star
Macedonian archeologists say they have discovered a well-preserved naked statue of the ancient goddess of love in a ruined Roman city near Skopje...
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1112118

Scholar Declares Greek Phaistos Disc To Be A Fake
Newstrack India
London, July 12 (ANI): An American scholar has declared the Greek Phaistos Disc, which is believed to be 4,000 years old, to be a fake...
http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/6282

Phaistos Disc Declared As Fake By Scholar
Times Online
Some say that its 45 mysterious symbols are the words of a 4,000-year-old poem, or perhaps a sacred text. Others contest that they are a magical inscription, a piece of ancient music or the world's oldest example of punctuation...
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article4318911.ece

Greece Regains 2 Ancient Works From US
Forbes.com
ATHENS, Greece -The Greek culture ministry said Friday it has struck a deal with a U.S. collector for the return of two important ancient artifacts that Greece says were looted by antiquities smugglers.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/11/ap5206320.html

Mystery Of The Missing Mosaic
This Is Hertfordshire
ARCHAEOLOGISTS re-excavating an ancient roman room were surprised to discover parts of it missing today...
http://www.thisishertfordshire.co.uk/news/stalbans/display.var.2392648.0.mystery_of_the_missing_mosaic.php

Iconic She-Wolf Nurtures A Roman Archaeological Mystery
The Star
ROME–She suckled Rome's legendary twin founders and fed Benito Mussolini's ambitious dreams of renewed imperial glory...
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/459081
Also published by:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iKRAm-pRb6hO4tk_K7zTDZ_ZwC4wD91RH6NG0

A Second Roman Bath House Found On Northhamptonshire Farm
Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Flooding for Northamptonshire residents even affected Roman settlers in the third century, archaeologists in Nether Heyford have discovered.
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/A-second-Roman-bath-house.4282006.jp

Collector To Return Antiquities To Greece
The New York Times
Six months after reaching a similar agreement with Italy, the New York collector Shelby White, right, will hand over two antiquities to Greece that the Greek government says were illegally excavated and exported from the country...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/arts/12arts-COLLECTORTOR_BRF.html?ref=arts

She-Wolf Of Rome a Young Pup
Toronto Sun
ROME -- For centuries, the she-wolf that suckled Rome's legendary twin founders has been one of Rome's most powerful symbols. But now some experts contend the bronze statue in a museum atop the Capitoline Hill might not be so old after all...
http://torontosun.com/News/World/2008/07/12/6136286-sun.html

The Strange Case Of The Young Wolf
Nature.com
It’s being claimed that a cherished Italian myth was shattered yesterday when the final blow was delivered to the origin story of Rome’s most famous statue, the Lupa Capitolina...
http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2008/07/the_strange_case_of_the_young.html

Sex Curse Found At Ancient Cyprus Site: Report
AFP
NICOSIA (AFP) — An unexpected sexual curse has been uncovered by archaeologists at Cyprus's old city kingdom of Amathus, on the island's south coast near Limassol, according to a newspaper on Friday...
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gs7KYHLwaf0TeF4bnNkYp1xS6ZvQ

July 10th News

2008-07-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of stories today. It took the better part of an hour for me to collect them together. And, there are a lot of big stories. Perhaps the biggest is the news that the Capitoline Wolf isn't of Etruscan make, but is from the 13th century instead.

New stories as of 10:51 AM:

Italian Professors Working To Put Oldest New Testament Online
Catholic News Agency
According to the “L’Osservatore Romano,” a group of Italian professors are working to put online the entire Sinaiticus Codex, the oldest complete New Testament text and “one of the testimonies on which our knowledge of Biblical Greek is based.”...
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=13188

Scientists Use MRI At Kadlec To Look At Ancient Roman Scrolls
Tricityherald.com
Ancient scrolls buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in Italy in AD 79 spent some time in a Richland hospital room on Wednesday...
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/235510.html
Hopefully there'll be an article on the results of this. I'd like to know if they find out what the scrolls say.

Egypt Retrieves Looted Stone Relief
Athens News
Egypt said on June 30 that it retrieved a 2,500-year-old limestone relief from London after its sale was blocked by Bonhams auction house there because it had been looted from a pharaoh's tomb...
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.prnt_article?e=C&f=&t=04&m=A30&aa=3

Let's All Have Tickets To The Universal Museum
Times Online
It's pointless trying to work out who owns ancient art objects. We need to share them around the world...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/ben_macintyre/article4304258.ece
Very much an editorial article but very interesting none the less.

Antonine Wall Joins World Greats
Falkirk Today
THE ANTONINE Wall is now on a par with the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge after being given World Heritage Site status...
http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/Antonine-Wall-joins-world-greats.4274467.jp

Iron Age Bodies At Park-And-Ride
BBC News
A team of archaeologists in Leicestershire has uncovered several ancient bodies at the site of a new park-and-ride development...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7499585.stm

Famed Roman Statue 'Not Ancient'
BBC News
A statue symbolising the mythical origins and power of Rome, long thought to have been made around 500BC, has been found to date from the 1200s...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7499469.stm
If this is the case, it's going to shake up the art history world at universities. Every Roman Art course I've taken studies this piece. There are more articles on the subject farther down.

Ancient Remains Fount At New Leicestershire Park-And-Ride
24dash.com
Archaeological excavations at a proposed park-and-ride site in Leicestershire have found evidence of human burials, the county council has said...
http://www.24dash.com/news/Communities/2008-07-10-Ancient-remains-found-at-new-Leicestershire-park-and-ride-site

Historic Roman Wall Is 'At Risk'
Horncastle News
MORE than 11 per cent of ancient monuments in the East Midlands – including one in Horncastle – are at risk according to English Heritage...
http://www.horncastlenews.co.uk/news/Historic-Roman-wall-is-39at.4267150.jp

Hadrian: The Man Behind The Wall
The Independent
His conquests were spectacular, his genius for PR unrivalled. But his contradictions were legion. Who was the real Hadrian? As the British Museum prepares for a major exhibition on the life of the Roman leader, Boyd Tonkin looks for answers in the ruins of his imperial retreat...
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/features/hadrian-the-man-behind-the-wall-863798.html

Multinational Team Creates The First 3-D Model Of Egypt's Oldest Pyramid
eMediaWire
The first "Virtual Step Pyramid" is to be used by architects, restorers, and archaeologists as part of efforts to save and restore the Step Pyramid in the face of threats from centuries of erosion and the fragility of the stone and clay body of the pyramid, exposed after the protective outer casing was removed by stone robbers in ancient times...
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2008/7/prweb1091354.htm

Precious Third-Century Statue Of Venus Uncovered In Macedonia
Balkan Travellers
10 July 2008 | An extremely precious statue of the goddess Venus, dating from the third century, was found recently during archaeological excavations at the Skupi site near Macedonia’s capital Skopje, national media reported today...
http://www.balkantravellers.com/en/read/article/671

Radio-Carbon Tests Reveal True Age Of Rome's She-Wolf - And She's A Relative Youngster
guardian.co.uk
It is the very symbol of the glory that was Rome. It figures on the badge of the Serie A side, AS Roma. It was used as the emblem of the 1960 Rome Olympics. For Benito Mussolini, Italy's fascist dictator, there was nothing more representative of the might of the empire he hoped to revive than this magnificent, life-size bronze of a she-wolf suckling the city's legendary founders, Romulus and Remus...
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/news/story/0,,2289905,00.html

Quest To Dig Up Bruce's 'Lost Abbey'
The Scotsman
ARCHAEOLOGISTS are to return to a key historical site to unravel the mysteries of the "lost" abbey where Robert the Bruce is believed to have been crowned on the Stone of Destiny...
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Quest-to-dig-up-Bruce39s.4273509.jp

Symbol Of Rome Found To Be 1000 Years Too Young
The Independent
Mussolini cherished her as a symbol of the "new Rome" he was bringing into being; and 60 years on, the bronze she-wolf with the gaping eyes, heavy udders and mouth half-open in a growl still says "Rome" as eloquently as the Colosseum...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/symbol-of-rome-found-to-be-1000-years-too-young-863937.html

Capitoline Wolf Not Etruscan, Tests Show
ARTINFO
ROME—Rome's legendary Capitoline Wolf is apparently 1,700 to 1,800 years younger than originally thought, the Guardian reports. The life-size bronze statue of a she-wolf sucking Romulus and Remus was, until two years ago, generally recognized as an Etruscan statue from the early 5th century B.C...
http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/28070/capitoline-wolf-not-etruscan-tests-show/

Etruscan Tomb Unearthed In Perugia
ANSA
An ancient Etruscan tomb has resurfaced after centuries underground during the course of building work in the central Italian city of Perugia...
http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2008-07-08_108227140.html

Unesco report criticises Skellig work
Irish Times
A UNESCO report on State management of the world heritage site at Skellig Michael off the Kerry coast has found that conservation works have "dramatically altered" the appearance of surviving remains on its South Peak...
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0709/1215537641571.html

July 8th News

2008-07-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of different news today. The problems in Pompeii are still getting a lot of air time (well deserved too). The other big story is the list of sites newly added to the UNESCO list.

New stories as of 11: 35 AM:

Scotland's Antonine Wall Is Given World Heritage Site Status
24 Hour Museum
A little-known piece of Roman Britain has been given the recognition it deserves following the July 7 UNESCO announcement of additions to its World Heritage Site list...
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART59146.html

Pompeii In State Of Emergency
News24
Rome - The Italian government declared a state of emergency at the Pompeii archaeological site on Friday to try to rescue one of the world's most important cultural treasures from decades of neglect...
http://www.news24.com/News24/Technology/News/0,,2-13-1443_2353716,00.html

Etruscan Tomb Unearthed In Perugia
ANSA.it
(ANSA) - Perugia, July 8 - An ancient Etruscan tomb has resurfaced after centuries underground during the course of building work in the central Italian city of Perugia...
http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2008-07-08_108227140.html

Wall Gains World Heritage Status
BBC News
An ancient fortified wall which formed the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire has been made a World Heritage Site by Unesco...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7494680.stm

Antonine Wall Wins New Status
The Press Association
An ancient fortified wall which formed the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire has been named a World Heritage Site by Unesco...
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gpa52iNqsliUV7pEXIGT4ZHTv6ZQ

Messianic Message Stirs Debate
MSNBC
Scriptural scholars are abuzz over a stone tablet that is said to bear previously unknown prophecies about a Jewish messiah who would rise from the dead in three days. But there are far more questions than answers about the tablet, which some have suggested could represent "a new Dead Sea Scroll in stone."...
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/07/07/1184950.aspx

Restore The Parthenon Marbles
OpEdNews
With pleasure I was informed that the British-based Greek enterpreneur Sir Stelios Hadji-Ioannou is willing to participate actively in the campaign for the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles. The case of Marbles reunification's effort is, less or more, known...
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Restore-the-Parthenon-Marb-by-Nicolas-Mottas-080707-127.html

Dead Sea Tablet 'Casts Doubt On Death And Resurrection Of Jesus'
Times Online
One of Christianity’s most central tenets, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, has been called into question by a radical new interpretation of a mysterious tablet found on the banks of the Dead Sea...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4295804.ece

Roman Remains Found At Rutland Water
Leicester Mercury
Iron Age and Roman remains have been discovered next to Rutland Water...
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132384&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232710&home=yes&more_nodeId1=132393&contentPK=21039122

Archaeologists Find Ancient Cemetery In Egypt
AHN
Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - A team of Egyptian archaeologists have discovered ancient wooden coffins believed to be a royal burial ground near the necropolis of Abydos in southern Egypt...
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7011528893

Ancient River Camps Are Oldest Proof Of Humans In Paris
National Geographic News
Hunter-gatherers who made temporary camps along the Seine about 9,500 years ago were among the earliest "residents" of what is now Paris, archaeologists say...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/07/080707-paris-humans.html

July 7th News

2008-07-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

After a quiet weekend, there's a range of new stories. The state of Pompeii remains a big story today, and I think the one on the Dead Sea Scrolls may end up being a big story for tomorrow.

New stories as of 8:38 AM:

State Of Emergency For Crumbling Pompeii
ABC Science
The Italian government has declared a state of emergency at Pompeii in an effort to rescue one of the world's most important cultural treasures...
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/07/07/2296391.htm?site=science&topic=latest
Also published at:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKL0422602020080706

Lagoon's Ancient Secrets Uncovered
Rutland And Stamford Mercury
IRON age and Roman remains have been discovered by archaeologists working on the site of a new lagoon next to Rutland Water...
http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/Lagoon39s-ancient-secrets-uncovered.4256692.jp

Archaeologists Found Skeletons At The Site Of Serbia's Medieval Capital
Balkan Travellers
A team of archaeologists from Belgrade’s Philosophy Faculty discovered a tomb with two skeletons in the area of Gradina-Postenje, where Serbia’s medieval capital, Stari Ras, once stood, national media reported today...
http://www.balkantravellers.com/en/read/article/660

Dead Sea Tablet Suggests Jewish Resurrection Imagery Pre-Dates Jesus
Haaretz.com
The premise that the Messiah died and was resurrected after three days is considered the foundation of the Christian faith, one which differentiates it from Judaism. Through the generations, this belief stood at the center of the debate between Christians and Jews...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/999719.html

Uncovering Stone Circle's Secrets
BBC News
A major archaeological investigation is getting under way at one of Western Europe's most impressive prehistoric sites...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7485875.stm

Ancient Tablet Ignites Debate On Messiah And Resurrection
The New York Times
JERUSALEM — A three-foot-tall tablet with 87 lines of Hebrew that scholars believe dates from the decades just before the birth of Jesus is causing a quiet stir in biblical and archaeological circles, especially because it may speak of a messiah who will rise from the dead after three days...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/world/middleeast/06stone.html

Egypt Uncovers Ancient Royal Burial Ground
Afriquenligne
A team of Egyptian archaeologists have discovered ancient wooden coffins believed to be in a royal burial ground near the necropolis (cemetery) of Abydos in southern Egypt, according to the official Middle East news agency MENA...
http://www.afriquenligne.fr/news/africa-news/egypt-uncovers-ancient-royal-burial-ground-200807068365.html

July 5th News

2008-07-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

I apologize for missing several days of posting. Partly this was due to solving problems with the new(ish) Firefox 3. Now however, everything is working properly again.

New stories as of 10:38 AM:

Ancient Greek Ship Argo Sets Sail Once Again
Gulf Times
ATHENS: A replica of the legendary ship on which Jason and his Argonauts battled various creatures to recover the Golden Fleece according to ancient mythology sailed in Greek waters yesterday and will anchor at 23 cities before ending up at the Italian port of Venice next month...
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=228189&version=1&template_id=39&parent_id=21

France Hands Over Ancient Looted Pottery To Italy
Associated Press
ROME (AP) — Italy's Culture Ministry says France has handed over 50 pieces of pottery dating back to as far as the fourth century B.C. that were looted from southern Italy...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5is_bcmuTOwPCXlYk6aWb_ugCT9RgD91N41M00

At Last, A Declaration Of Hope For Pompeii
theage.com.au
The Italian Government has declared a state of emergency at the Pompeii archaeological site as it tries to rescue one of the world's most important cultural treasures from decades of neglect...
http://www.theage.com.au/world/at-last-a-declaration-of-hope-for-pompeii-20080705-328u.html
Also published at:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4608907a12.html
http://in.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idINIndia-34380320080704
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=aaedffcc-e424-476e-b783-1b1fb00bf559

Italy Moves To Protect Pompeii Ruins
Chicago Tribune
ROME — Italy's government moved Friday to help combat damage to the buried ancient city of Pompeii, which has been harmed by decay and inadequate management, officials said...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-pompeii_wor_05jul05,0,6152751.story
Also published at:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jjwFyYLT-xmCK-YkaHGe8Pf8NKBAD91N6QDG8

Italy Declares Pompeii 'Emergency'
AFP
ROME (AFP) — Italy on Friday declared a "state of emergency" for the vast archaeological site of Pompeii, saying the volcano-stricken Roman city and major tourist attraction has fallen into serious disrepair...
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gOEmS5nsntYXaaGj9VEgfa66_o2g

Italy Declares State Of Emergency At Pompeii Ruins
RTTNews
(RTTNews) - Italian government on Friday declared a 'state of emergency, at the archaeological site of the ancient of Pompeii in a desperate attempt to restore and preserve the architecture and artifacts there from decay...
http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=647114&SMap=1

Astronomers Re-Date Caesar's Invasion Of Britain
SpaceRef
Researchers from Texas State University have revised the date when Julius Caesar invaded Britain in 55 BC, a transformational event in world history. Despite what most history books state, Caesar could not have landed on August 26-27...
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=25881

Italy Declares Pompeii Emergency
BBC News
The ancient city of Pompeii has fallen into such disrepair that the Italian government has declared a "state of emergency" in a bid to save the ruins...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7490735.stm

Why The Elgin Marbles Should Stay
Telegraph.co.uk
Jonathan Keates reviews Who Owns Antiquity?: Museums and the Battle Over Our Ancient Heritage by James Cuno...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/07/06/bocun106.xml

Ancient Egypt Settlement Sheds Light On Everyday Life
National Geographic News
A well-preserved mud-brick settlement in southern Egypt is providing a rare glimpse into nearly 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian daily life, archaeologists announced Tuesday. (See photos.) ...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/07/080701-egypt-discovery.html

Photos: Rare Egyptian Mud-Brick Settlement Uncovered
National Geographic News
July 2, 2008—A remarkably intact mud-brick settlement has been partially excavated near the ancient temple at Edfu, archaeologists announced recently. ..
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/07/photogalleries/Edfu-photos/index.html

Doubt Over Date For Brit Invasion
BBC News
Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain in 55BC could not have occurred on the dates stated in most history books, a team of astronomers has claimed...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7483566.stm

Rare Roman Artifact Found Near Sicily
UPI.com
PALERMO, Italy, July 1 (UPI) -- Italian researchers say a rostrum, used by ancient Romans to ram enemy ships, was found off the coast of Sicily...
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2008/07/01/Rare_Roman_artifact_found_near_Sicily/UPI-17071214966114/

June 30th News

2008-06-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

The news today covers all the time-periods for this list: prehistory, classical and medieval.

New stories as of 8:47 AM:

Egypt Retrieves A 2500-Year-Old Stone Relief From Bonhams Auction House In London
PR-Inside
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Egypt said Monday that it retrieved a 2,500-year-old limestone relief from London after its sale was blocked by Bonhams auction house there because it had been looted from a pharaoh's tomb...
http://www.pr-inside.com/egypt-retrieves-a-2-500-year-old-stone-r674800.htm
Also published at:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/30/africa/ME-GEN-Egypt-Antiquities.php

Thracian Tomb Unearthed In Bulgaria
Southeast European Times
Bulgarian archaeologists discover an ancient Thracian tomb in Bulgaria. Also in the news: Greek companies use graphological analysis to hire new employees, and Macedonia inaugurates a solar energy testing lab...
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2008/06/30/roundup-st-03

Archaeologists Piece Together Prehistoric Mann
Isle Of Man Today
AS aircraft soar into the sky, a team of archaeologists are busy piecing together the lives of prehistoric Mann...
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Archaeologists-piece-together-prehistoric-Mann.4235659.jp
The article has a link to both a photo slide-show and a video of the archaeological dig.

Vikings Believed That Their Dead Played Board Games On Their Way...
Top News
?
http://www.topnews.in/vikings-believed-their-dead-played-board-games-their-way-afterlife-250118
I can't get the link to work, but hopefully that's only because the site is too busy.

Cemex Find Neolithic House In Quarry
Builders Merchants Journal
Building materials group Cemex, owners of the Rugby Cement brand, have found a 5000 year old house and other prehistoric items in a quarry in Berkshire...
http://www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net/news/news.asp?id=5312&title=Cemex+find+Neolithic+house+in+quarry

Histories: Viking Longships Brought Rape, Pillage And Cod
New Scientist
Just over a thousand years ago, a Viking chieftain named Ohthere paid a visit to England and the court of King Alfred. An intrepid mariner, Ohthere told the king about his homeland in Arctic Norway, and described long sea voyages around what are now Norway and Denmark...
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19826622.400-histories-viking-longships-brought-rape-pillage-and-cod.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news5_head_mg19826622.400

Syria Unearths 2,300-Year-Old Pharonic Engraving
Yahoo! News
DAMASCUS (AFP) - Syrian archaeologists have unearthed a hieroglyph close to Damascus which dates back to the pharaonic period around 1,300 years BC, the official SANA news agency reported on Saturday...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080628/lf_afp/syriaarchaeology_080628171204;_ylt=ApllVQvWjNxCpX3SHGqmZ.pFeQoB

June 28th News

2008-06-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Things have been pretty quiet for the last couple of days.

New stories as of 9:37 AM:

Egypt Archaeologists Find Ancient Painted Coffins
Yahoo! News
CAIRO (AFP) - A team of Egyptian archaeologists have discovered several painted wooden coffins, including some dating back to the 13th century BC rule of pharaoh Ramses II...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080626/wl_mideast_afp/egyptarchaeology_080626175358;_ylt=AnR223zwBF0nd4qQ6LqRYGZFeQoB

Dig Shows Paris Is 3,000 Years Older Than First Thought
The Independent
Paris has long been known to be a very old city but its history as a settlement has just been extended by more than 3,000 years...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dig-shows-paris-is-3000-years-older-than-first-thought-854341.html

Biblical Text Writing May Have Poisoned Monks
Discovery News
June 27, 2008 -- Medieval bones from six different Danish cemeteries reveal that monks who wrote Biblical texts and other religious materials may have been exposed to toxic mercury, which was used to formulate just one of their ink colors: red...
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/06/27/poison-monks-mercury.html

June 24th News

2008-06-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

The big story of the day is the dating of Homer's epic poem The Odyssey (which by default means that they've dated The Iliad as well).

New stories as of 7:21 PM:

Can An Eclipse Really Help Us Date Events In Greek Mythology?
Discover Magazine
Chinese, Greek, and many other ancient cultures left references in their texts to the sky going dark during the day, possible allusions to solar eclipses. These mentions are tantalizing clues to scientists, who think they might use those clues to date historical events...
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2008/06/24/can-an-eclipse-really-help-us-date-events-in-greek-mythology/

Odyssey Eclipse Dates Fall Of Troy
New Zealand Herald
The Odyssey is one of the great works of ancient Western literature, written eight centuries before the birth of Christ and four centuries after the fall of Troy...
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10518190

Scientists Find Date Odysseus Returned Home To Penelope
dbtechno.com
Washington (dbTechno) - Scientists think that they have managed to pin down the exact date when King Odysseus returned home from the Trojan War to his Queen Penelope...
http://www.dbtechno.com/science/2008/06/24/scientists-find-date-odysseus-returned-home-to-penelope/

Look To the Ancient Skies
Nature.com
Using a clever bit of retrospective stargazing researchers have managed to date Homer’s classic work The Odyssey. Another team has used a similar technique to shift Julius Caesar back in time by a few days...
http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2008/06/look_to_the_ancient_skies.html

"Arab" Found In Danish Iron-Age Grave
National Geographic News
An ancient Dane with Arabian genes is part of a DNA study that suggests Scandinavians of 2,000 years ago were more genetically diverse than today...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080624-arab-dane.html

How Dark Was It? A New History Of Medieval Europe
The New York Sun
How did a tiny bronze statuette of Buddha find its way to sixth-century Sweden? Why did Napoleon choose bees as his emblem when he became Emperor? These questions take us to the world that arose out of the ruins of the Western Roman Empire, when in 476 C.E. the last emperor, a boy with the big name Romulus Augustulus, was evicted from his throne by a "barbarian" (or non-Roman) general, and Byzantine emperors from the east failed to fill the gap...
http://www.nysun.com/arts/how-dark-was-it-a-new-history-of-medieval-europe/80590/

Medieval Boat Uncovered
The Advertiser
ARCHAEOLOGISTS working on the north Suffolk coast have unearthed an early medieval boat...
http://www.advertiser24.co.uk/content/advertiser24/news/story.aspx?brand=WAVOnline&category=News&tBrand=WAVOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED24%20Jun%202008%2009%3A17%3A05%3A467

Odysseus' Bloody Homecoming Dated To 1178 B.C.
Discovery News
June 24, 2008 -- Using clues from star and sun positions mentioned by the ancient Greek poet Homer, scholars think they have determined the date when King Odysseus returned from the Trojan War and slaughtered a group of suitors who had been pressing his wife to marry one of them...
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/06/24/homer-odysseus.html

New stories as of 8:44 AM:

The End Of An Odyssey - Homer's Epic Is Finally Pinned Down
The Independent
For years, debate has raged over Homer's epic. Now research on astronomical detail in the story of Odysseus dates its dramatic climax to one particular day...
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/the-end-of-an-odyssey--homers-epic-is-finally-pinned-down-852850.html

Ancient Games Re-Enacted
BBC News
Athletes and spectators have been re-living history in the ancient Greek stadium of Nemea, with a re-enactment of what they say are the 'true' Games...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7470858.stm
The story is an embedded video link.

Homer's Odyssey Contains Celestial Clues Hinting At Eclipse, Claim Experts
SmasHits
Washington, June 24 (ANI): A Rockefeller University scientist says that an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, called The Odyssey, seems to be containing astronomical references that provide corroborating evidence of a total solar eclipse...
http://news.smashits.com/265166/Homer-39s-Odyssey-contains-celestial-clues-hinting-at-eclipse-claim-experts.htm

Astronomical Clues Point To Eclipse In Homer's 'Odyssey'
AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Astronomical clues found in Homer's "The Odyssey" could help confirm a total solar eclipse when Odysseus returned home, providing a potentially accurate timeline for the fall of Troy, two scientists reported Monday...
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iOUsgbo-CbfcuK95LWYrbjW2oEgQ

Celestial Clues May End Ancient Debate About Eclipse In Odyssey
The Guardian
"The sun has been obliterated from the sky, and an unlucky darkness invades the world." With these words from Homer's Odyssey, the seer Theoclymenus foresaw the violent deaths of the suitors who, during the hero's spell away from home, had gathered to court his wife, Penelope...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/jun/24/spaceexploration.sciencenews

Ancient Eclipse Found In "The Odyssey," Scientists Say
National Geographic News
"The sun has perished out of heaven, and an evil mist has overspread the world."...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080623-homer-eclipse.html
It's obvious that they're using a different translation than the article above for The Guardian. It would be interesting to know which translations were used in both articles.

Odysseus' Return From Trojan War Dated
MSNBC
In the epic "Odyssey," one of the cornerstones of Western literature, the legendary Greek hero Odysseus returns to his queen Penelope after enduring 10 years of sailing the wine dark sea...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25337041/

The Odyssey Astronomically Accurate?
World Science
Scholars have long debated whether there are bits of truth to The Odyssey—the ancient Greek epic of a king’s long seafaring struggle to get home as he battles or outwits monsters...
http://www.world-science.net/othernews/080623_odyssey.htm

Homer's Odyssey Said To Document 3200-Year-Old Eclipse
Scientific American
Researchers say that references to planets and constellations in the Odyssey describe a solar eclipse that occurred in 1178 B.C., nearly three centuries before Homer is believed to have written the story. If correct, the finding would suggest that the ancient poet had a surprisingly detailed knowledge of astronomy...
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=homers-odyssey-may-document-eclipse

Is An Eclipse Mentioned In Ancient Odyssey Poem?
New Scientist Space
A solar eclipse that occurred more than 3000 years ago may be mentioned in the Odyssey, an ancient poem based on Greek mythology, a new study suggests...
http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn14191-is-an-eclipse-mentioned-in-ancient-iodysseyi-poem.html

Ancient City In Syria Provides Insight Into Structures Of Pre-Roman Hellenistic Settlements
Thaindian News
Vienna, June 24 (ANI): The discovery of an ancient city buried beneath the sands of modern-day Syria has provided evidence for a Hellenistic settlement that existed for more than six centuries extending into the time of the Roman Empire...
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/ancient-city-in-syria-provides-insight-into-structures-of-pre-roman-hellenistic-settlements_10063816.html

Roman Remains Are Revealed
Hartlepool Mail
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed more fascinating finds at a 2,000 year old Roman village...
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/Roman-remains-are-revealed.4216038.jp

June 23rd News

2008-06-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

There've been a few new stories over the week-end to post today.

New stories as of 8:37 AM:

Egypt, Spain To Use Underwater Robot To Search For Ancient Egyptian King Sarcophagus
Mathaba.net
A underwater robot will be used to search for the sarcophagus of ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Menkaure of more than 4,500 years ago off the Spanish coasts, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported on Saturday...
http://mathaba.net/news/?x=596150

Ancient Fenland 'Treasure' To Tell Story of Flooding
Innovations Report
New research at the University of Leicester is seeking to use a ‘treasure trove’ in the English Fenlands in order to decipher the ancient history of flooding in the region...
http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/geowissenschaften/bericht-112841.html

Excitement At City Roman Baths Site
Mid Sussex Times
Archaelogists have descended on a Chichester city-centre car park to check the condition of the Roman baths buried underneath...
http://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/Excitement-at-city-Roman-baths.4198298.jp

New Dig Shows Neanderthals Were 'Sophisticated' Hunters
The Argus
Tools thought to have once belonged to Neanderthals have provided new insight into their lives, suggesting they were "sophisticated" huntsmen, it was revealed today...
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/generalnews/display.var.2358540.0.new_dig_shows_neanderthals_were_sophisticated_hunters.php

'Neanderthal Tools' Found At Dig
BBC News
Dozens of tools thought to have belonged to Neanderthals have been dug up at an archaeological site called Beedings in West Sussex...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7466735.stm

Ancient Mummy Opened: Scythian Cavalier Had Bone Disease
CAIS News
An autopsy on the body of an ancient Scythian cavalier found in the Altai Mountains shows he had a degenerative bone disease for several years before he died, German scientists said Friday. The 2006 find of the preserved body and the man's rich possessions on the Mongolian side of the mountains was a scientific sensation. The Scythians were a nation of horsemen in central Asia...
http://www.cais-soas.com/news/2008/June2008/23-06.htm

June 21 News

2008-06-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

Another relatively quiet day in the news today.

New stories as of 9:47 AM:

Ancient Greek Grave Found
ZeeNews
Athens, June 21: Greek authorities say subway construction work in the northern city of Thessaloniki has unearthed an ancient grave with a wealth of golden jewellery...
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=450193&sid=ftp

Oldest Wheat Found In Çatalhöyük
Today's Zaman
A series of DNA analyses conducted on ancient wheat samples have led scientists to conclude that the oldest known wheat was grown in Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic settlement in southern Anatolia...
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=145271&bolum=101

Coils Of Ancient Egyptian Rope Found In Cave
Discovery News
June 20, 2008 -- The ancient Egyptian's secret to making the strongest of all rigging ropes lies in a tangle of cord coils in a cave at the Red Sea coast, according to preliminary study results presented at the recent congress of Egyptologists in Rhodes...
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/06/20/rope-cave-egyptian.html

Shipwreck Yields World's Oldest Salad Dressing
Discovery News
June 20, 2008 -- Olive oil infused with fragrant herbs has been identified in an ancient Greek ceramic transport jar known as an amphora, along with another container of what could be the world's oldest retsina-type wine, according to a recent Journal of Archaeological Science paper.
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/06/20/dna-salad-dressing.html
Somehow, I have the feeling that this is an older story being posted here. I'm sure I've seen it before. There may be new details however.

June 19th News

2008-06-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

It's been pretty quiet newswise over the last few days. Today though, there are several stories.

New stories as of 10:21 AM:

Modern Argonauts Set Sail For Golden Fleece
CCTV China
A group of adventures is ready to setting sail in quest for the Golden Fleece. To recreate the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts, the group built a replica of Jason's ship "Argo" as exacting as can be created from the ancient Greek legend...
http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20080619/102388.shtml

Ancient Jewelry Unearthed In Temple Of Sun Near Bulgaria's Sliven
Sofia News Agency
The archaeologist team of Bulgaria's Georgi Kitov has unearthed precious jewels, dating back from second or third century in Drumeva Mound near the Town of Sliven, the manager of the expedition himself announced...
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=94294

Archaeologists Locate Missing Pyramid
GameShout
Archaeologists in Egypt uncover a missing pyramid believed to be that of King Menkauhor, an obscure pharaoh who ruled for only eight years more than 4,000 years ago...
http://www.gameshout.com/egypt/archaeologists_locate_missing_pyramid/article2525.htm

Thracian Tomb Dated On 360 Year B.C. Found In Southern Tsarevo
News.bg
A Thracian tomb with semi cylinder arch was found by archaeologists in the territory of the south seaside Tserovo municipality...
http://international.ibox.bg/news/id_1663209777

Bulgarian Archaeologists Excavate Thracian Tomb
Sofia Echo
Bulgarian archaeologists had excavated a Thracian tomb in the south-eastern Bulgarian municipality of Tsarevo, Focus news agency said...
http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/bulgarian-archaeologists-excavated-thracian-tomb/id_30015/catid_70

Mapping Djoser's Step Pyramid
Al-Ahram
Sunrise at Saqqara, and all is well on the necropolis. It is, as usual, silent, peaceful and still out here in the desert. Last Tuesday, however, the serenity and divinity were broken by the arrival of an American-Japanese scientific mission to carry out a laser scanning survey of Djoser's Step Pyramid...
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/902/he2.htm

Ancient Christian "Holy Wine" Factory Found In Egypt
National Geographic News
Two wine presses found in Egypt were likely part of the area's earliest winery, producing holy wine for export to Christians abroad, archaeologists say...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/081618-egypt-wine.html

June 16th News

2008-06-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

A quiet Monday morning. Only two articles and they're about the same place.

New stories as of 8:34 AM:

Digging Into The Roman Legion
NewsWales
Archaeologists from Cardiff University today began excavating part of the remains of the 2,000 year old Roman Fortress in Caerleon, Newport...
http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Culture&F=1&id=14391

Team Excavates Roman 'Warehouse'
BBC News
Archaeologists hope to find out more about what could be a 2,000-year-old warehouse over the next few weeks...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7455657.stm

June 14th News

2008-06-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

There's a wide variety of stories today. I think the one to keep an eye on for the upcoming weeks is the one about the recreation of the Greek legend of Jason and the Argonauts.

New stories as of 10:02 AM:

Sailors Recreate Argonaut Legend
BBC News
Modern adventurers have set sail from the Greek town of Volos to recreate the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts in a replica of the ship from the ancient legend...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7454781.stm
This article includes a large embedded video clip.

Europe And the Indo-European Languages
The Brussels Journal
This essay was first published at the Scandinavian blog Snaphanen, but since some of my readers may not have seen it I republish it here. It was inspired by the book Indo-European Linguistics: An Introduction, by James Clackson...
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3337

Mythical Ship Returns To Sea
UPI
ATHENS, Greece, June 13 (UPI) -- Organizers said the recreation of the mythical ship Argo, which legend says carried Jason and the Argonauts, will stop at 37 ports...
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2008/06/13/Mythical_ship_returns_to_sea/UPI-19381213399775/

Replica Of Jason's Mythical Ship Sets Sail On Saturday
AFP
ATHENS (AFP) — A replica of 'Argo', the mythical ship that bore Jason and the Argonauts on their heroic quest for the Golden Fleece sets sail again after six years of preparation, organisers said on Friday...
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ipXjyTLG_JbZ4As7UoEIzsbNTIOQ

Turkey's Iron Age City Plundered
Press TV
Smugglers in Turkey have plundered the ruins of an Iron Age city with their bulldozers and hired mineworkers to excavate the site...
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=59955&sectionid=3510212

Ancient Roman Ritual Recreated
The Press Association
History-loving Italians are to recreate an ancient Roman ritual in which women dressed as Vestal Virgins light a sacred flame at a villa in Tivoli, near Rome...
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hXCYFE9ENmoLDst4F8qtkziq7pLQ

Soma's Ancient Treasures In Coma
Turkish Daily News
Smugglers use construction equipment and hire mine workers at cheap prices to use as labor force in excavations...
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=106383

"Oldest Church" Discovery "Ridiculous," Critics Say
National Geographic News
A Jordanian archaeologist's announcement this week that he had uncovered the world's first Christian church in an underground cave drew surprise and skepticism from experts in Jordan and beyond...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080613-old-church.html

Roman Horse Skeletons, Chariot Dug Up
Herald Sun
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have dug up the skeletons of 16 horses and a two-wheeled chariot in a grave dating back to the Roman Empire in north-east Greece, the culture ministry announced today...
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C23851106-23109%2C00.html

June 10th News

2008-06-10T08:31:00.001-07:00

There's lots of news today, ranging from the discovery of the Roman necropolis to more details on the Cyprus shipwreck.

New stories as of 8:53 AM:

Roman Site A Window Into Ancient Working-Class Life
San Francisco Chronicle
First-century burial grounds near Rome's main airport are yielding a rare look into how ancient longshoremen and other manual workers did backbreaking jobs, archaeologists said Monday...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/09/DDQ91165FV.DTL
Also published at:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKvgUclxefB2iLkkRP6K-nzmlSKQD916SSR80

Roman-Era Necropolis For The Poor Found Intact
The US Daily
ROME (Reuters) - Archaeologists have discovered a nearly 2,000-year-old, intact necropolis on the outskirts of Rome that gives a rare insight into the lives of poor laborers in the Roman era...
http://www.theusdaily.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=416728&type=Science
Also published at:
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSHER95435020080609

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Roman-Era Tombs
redOrbit
The recent discovery of a 2,000-year-old necropolis on the outskirts of Rome is giving researchers a glimpse of the lifestyles of poor workers during the Roman era...
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1423939/archaeologists_discover_ancient_romanera_tombs/

Ancient Necropolis Found In Rome
Press TV
Italian archeologists have found a 2,000-year-old necropolis near Rome, which provides information about the lives of Roman slaves...
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=59449&sectionid=3510212

Mystery Solved? Stonehenge A Burial Site
ThomasNet
The mystery of why Stonehenge was built has kept people guessing for centuries. New radiocarbon dating indicates one certainty: the monument stood as giant tombstones to the dead for centuries...
http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2008/06/why-was-stonehenge-built-radiocarbon-dates-determine-elite-burial-site.html

Jordan Archaeologists Unearth 'World's First Church'
AFP
AMMAN (AFP) — Archaeologists in Jordan have unearthed what they claim is the world's first church, dating back almost 2,000 years, The Jordan Times reported on Tuesday...
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5giTliyK-fmjEFehwpUOYtvV_INBQ

2350-Year-Old Ancient Ship May Have Carried Most Expensive Greek Red Wine
Thaindian News
London, June 10 (ANI): Archaeologists working on a 2,350 year-old ancient shipwreck in Cyprus, have determined that the ship was carrying the renowned red wine of Chios, which is perhaps the most expensive Greek wine of the Classical period...
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/2350-year-old-ancient-ship-may-have-carried-most-expensive-greek-red-wine_10058596.html

World's First Christian Church Found In Jordan
RussiaToday
Archaeologists have unearthed what they believe to be the first Christian church ever built. It’s located in a cave underneath the Saint Georgeous Church in Rihab in northern Jordan – where it’s thought early Christians fled to escape persecution in Jerusalem...
http://www.russiatoday.ru/news/news/26023

Ancient Cave Found Under Church
MSNBC
AMMAN, Jordan - Archaeologists in Jordan said Monday they have discovered a cave underneath one of the world's oldest churches that may have once been an even more ancient site of Christian worship...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25061134/
Also published at:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,364486,00.html

Ancient Ship Was Carrying The Finest Wine
Cyprus Mail
ARCHAEOLOGISTS working on recovering amphorae from the 2,350-year-old Mazotos shipwreck have completed their work for the moment and will resume in October, expedition leader Dr Stella Demesticha said yesterday...
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=39639&cat_id=1

'Cursus' Is Older Than Stonehenge: Archaeologists Step Closer To Solving Ancient Monument Riddle
ScienceDaily
A team led by University of Manchester archaeologist Professor Julian Thomas has dated the Greater Stonehenge Cursus at about 3,500 years BC – 500 years older than the circle itself...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610095001.htm

June 9th News

2008-06-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

It's a very quiet day in terms of history and archaeology themed news.

New stories as of 8:26 AM:

Digging Into Roman Past
Wigan Today
Inquisitive archaeologists are digging up a car park in Wigan's town centre to find more evidence of a Roman settlement...
http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/Digging-into-Roman-past.4165098.jp

June 7th News

2008-06-07T08:36:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of news to browse through today. On the other hand, many of the stories are variations on the same story, such as the number of stories on the Cyprus shipwreck discovery.

New stories as of 9:14 AM:

Wine-Carrying Vases Salvaged From A 2,350 Year-Old Shipwreck Of Cyprus' South Coast
International Herald Tribune
NICOSIA, Cyprus: Marine archaeologists have salvaged ancient wine vases piled on the hull of a 2,350-year-old cargo ship lying on the seabed off Cyprus' southern shore, the Mediterranean island's Antiquities Department said Saturday...
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/07/europe/EU-GEN-Cyprus-Ancient-Shipwreck.php

Ancient Ship Was Carrying The Finest Wine
Cyprus Mail
ARCHAEOLOGISTS working on recovering amphorae from the 2,350-year-old Mazotos shipwreck have completed their work for the moment and will resume in October, expedition leader Dr Stella Demesticha said yesterday...
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=39639&cat_id=1

The 2,000-Year-Old 'Supertanker'
The Scotsman
TWO years ago, a Cypriot diver was stunned by a chance find: hundreds of ancient ceramic wine jars, rising from a featureless expanse of flat, desert-like seabed off Cyprus's southern coast...
http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/The-2000yearold-39supertanker39.4162421.jp

Cypriot Diver Chances Upon Supertanker Of The Ancient World
Times Online
Nicosia Two years ago a Cypriot diver chanced upon hundreds of ancient ceramic wine jars rising from the seabed off the southern coast of Cyprus. Together they formed the shape of a ship, still buried in the sand. It appears that what the diver discovered was a supertanker of its time. It is the biggest and probably oldest wreck found in the island’s waters...
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article4084002.ece

Ancient Greek Gravesite Uncovered During Subway Construction
TransWorldNews
Officials in Greece reported Friday that an ancient gravesite containing a wealth of gold jewelry was uncovered during subway construction work in the city of Thessaloniki...
http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=49779&cat=11

Ancient Greek Grave Found During Subway Work
Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities say subway construction work in the northern city of Thessaloniki has unearthed an ancient grave with a wealth of golden jewelry...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iXsNLIuRTKsvjjFNQlcTTWSsxkXgD914PSC80

Artifacts Found In Egypt Date Back To Queen Cleopatras Era
Thaindian News
Cairo, June 7 (ANI): A team of archaeologists has stumbled upon several Ptolemaic artifacts in Egypt, which date back to the reign of the famous Queen Cleopatra...
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/artifacts-found-in-egypt-date-back-to-queen-cleopatras-era_10057518.html

Vases Salvaged From Ancient Wreck
The Press Association
Marine archaeologists have salvaged ancient wine vases piled on the hull of a 2,350-year-old cargo ship lying on the seabed off Cyprus' southern shore, the island's Antiquities Department said...
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHW2d58eBb9p4uO3dHEqqgZJbQsw

London's Covent Garden District At Least 100 Years Older Than Thought
The Cheers
Washington, June 7 : London's Covent Garden district is at least 100 years older than previously thought, according to an analysis of skeletons and objects found in the region's oldest Anglo Saxon cemetery, which was recently discovered.
http://www.thecheers.org/news/Science/news_26697_Londons-Covent-Garden-district-at-least-100-years-older-than-thought.html

Church From Underwater City Found
BBC News
A medieval church which tumbled from an eroding cliff into the sea has been rediscovered by marine archaeologists...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7441759.stm

Archaeologists Find Cleopatra Artifacts
Malaysia Sun
A team of archaeologists has stumbled upon several Ptolemaic artifacts in Egypt, which date back to the reign of the famous Queen Cleopatra...
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/368230/cs/1/

Seahenge Museum's Official Opening
EDP24
Ten years after he first set eyes on it, one of Britain's foremost archaeologists was visibly moved when he saw Seahenge in its new home yesterday...
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=edponline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED06%20Jun%202008%2016%3A32%3A15%3A230

Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Identified At Last
redOrbit
Egypt’s top archaeologist reported Thursday the identification of a severely eroded pyramid south of the capital city of Cairo. The pyramid has been attributed to the Fifth Dynasty Pharaoh Menkauhor, who ruled Egypt in the 24th century BC...
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1420682/ancient_egyptian_pyramid_identified_at_last/

Gold Wreaths Unearthed By Metro
Athens News Agency
Four gold wreaths decorated with olive leaves, gold earrings and other Hellenistic-era artifacts have been discovered in one of the 700 tombs of an ancient graveyard unearthed during construction work for the Thessaloniki metro in the Sintrivani district, archaeologists announced on Friday...
http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=6509777&maindocimg=6508632&service=96

Egypt Mummies Moved For DNA Tests; Pharaoh Among Them?
National Geographic News
Three mummies have been moved from the Valley of the Kings in Luxor to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to begin extensive studies of their origins, Egyptian authorities recently announced...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080606-egypt-mummies.html

Suffolk Atlantis To Reveal Its Murky Secrets
Telegraph.co.uk
Dunwich, on the Suffolk coast, was a thriving metropolis before a series of storms and sea surges consigned the city to the North Sea five centuries ago...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2079542/Suffolk-Atlantis-to-reveal-its-murky-secrets.html

Earliest Londoners Arrived Earlier, Had Wealth
Discovery News
June 6, 2008 -- London's Covent Garden district, formerly the Anglo Saxon city of Lundenwic, is at least 100 years older than previously thought, based on analysis of skeletons and objects found in the region's oldest Anglo Saxon cemetery, which was recently discovered...
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/06/06/london-settlement.html

June 6th News

2008-06-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

Not too many new stories today.

New stories as of 8:47 AM:

Early Hellenistic Tomb Discovered During Thessaloniki Subway Digs
Balkan Travellers
6 June 2008 | A tomb dating from the early Hellenistic period was recently discovered during the subway system excavations in Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, national media reported today...
http://www.balkantravellers.com/en/read/article/598

'Lost' Egyptian Pyramid Unearthed, National Geographic Reports
Bloomberg
June 6 (Bloomberg) -- An Egyptian pyramid that was last seen in the mid-19th century has been unearthed, National Geographic News reported, citing Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities...
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=al1RoDcn9FRw&refer=canada

Archaeologists Find 'Missing Pyramid' In Egypt
Gulfnews.com
Saqqara: Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a “missing pyramid” that was built 4,000 years ago...
http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Egypt/10218954.html

Pictish Stome Found By Gravedigger Most Significant In Decade - Expert
Shetland Times
A PICTISH stone found in Cunningsburgh has been described as the most important archaeological discovery in Shetland for 10 years...
http://www.shetlandtoday.co.uk/Shetlandtimes/content_details.asp?ContentID=27731

Egypt Uncovers 'Missing' Pyramid Of A Pharaoh
Associated Press
SAQQARA, Egypt (AP) — Egyptian archaeologists unveiled on Thursday a 4,000-year-old "missing pyramid" that is believed to have been discovered by an archaeologist almost 200 years ago and never seen again...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gDwfEi0nDCmAC0a2GqOIzrnS74IAD914AQ101
Also published at:
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jHJyMzfWmxebkNoFxGh44znkNS6g

"Lost" Pyramid Found Buried In Egypt
National Geographic News
The pyramid of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh has been rediscovered after being buried for generations, archaeologists announced today. (See photos and video.)...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080605-new-pyramid.html

PHOTOS: Lost Egypt Pyramid Found Near Bull Tombs
National Geographic News
June 5, 2008—The foundations of a pyramid long lost under the sands of Egypt lie exposed on June 2, 2008. Archaeologists today announced the rediscovery of the ruins in Saqqara, south of Cairo. (Read the full story.)...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/photogalleries/pyramid-photos/index.html

Video: "Lost" Pyramid Found In Egypt
National Geographic News
June 5, 2008—The long-buried pyramid—whose upper reaches disappeared centuries ago—is believed to house the tomb of an obscure pharaoh who ruled more than 4,000 years ago...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080605-pyramid-video-ap.html

June 3rd News

2008-06-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

It's a fairly quiet day today. Most of the stories are smaller ones, and nearly all of them come from Great Britain.

New stories as of 8:25 AM:

Home Sweet Home For The Viking Settlers
Isle Of Man Today
A BOOK by a Castletown author providing the first detailed view of Viking settlements in the Island will be published on July 1...
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-where-when/Home-sweet-home-for-the.4144834.jp

Roman Remains Found Buried At Infirmary Site
Stourbridge News
A MEDIAEVAL skeleton, a human tooth and hoardes of Roman pottery have been found buried under modern-day Worcester.
http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/stourbnewsworcs/display.var.2313298.0.roman_remains_found_buried_at_infirmary_site.php

National Trust Launches Appeal To Preserve Britain's Roman Heritage
24 Hour Museum
From the wall that Emperor Hadrian built to ward off marauding Scots to some of the grandest villas inhabited by Roman noblemen, survivals from Britain's Roman past are truly fascinating...
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART57914.html

Giant Fortress's Remains Found In Egypt
National Geographic News
Archaeologists have uncovered more remnants from Tharu, the largest known fortified city in ancient Egypt, which sits near the modern-day border town of Rafah...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080602-egypt-fort.html

June 2nd News

2008-06-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

The Stonehenge story is still going strong, but at the start of a new week, most of the stories are new.

New stories as of 8:55 AM:

Stonehenge May Have Been A Burial Ground
Environmental Graffiti
This enigmatic structure has been the source of all kinds of speculation, from scientific to popular beliefs. Perhaps you even are familiar with the myths that still float within the two meter-high stones...
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/offbeat-news/stonehenge-may-have-been-a-burial-ground/1233

DNA Reveals Sister Power In Ancient Greece
University of Manchester
University of Manchester researchers have revealed how women, as well as men, held positions of power in ancient Greece by right of birth...
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/?id=3696

Solving The Mystery Of Stonehenge
Digital Silence
At least part of the mystery of Stonehenge may have now been solved: according to researchers, from the beginning it was a monument to the dead...
http://www.d-silence.com/story.php?headline_id=25002&comment=1

Medieval Coin Treasure Found In Southern Bulgaria
News.bg
Treasure of 79 golden and silver coins was found by archaeologists in a rock crack near the Rodopi mountain Gulabovo village...
http://international.ibox.bg/news/id_1522016209

Gold Coins Found In The Rhodopes
VisitBulgaria.net
Archaeologists found a treasure of 79 gold and silver coins in a rocky area near the village of Galabovo in the Rhodope Mountains. The find consists of 5 Byzantine hyperpyrons and 74 Venetian grosso, announced the head of the team Dr. Borislav Borislavov from Sofia University "St Kliment Ohridski"...
http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/news/20080602/gold_coins.html

It's Stone Age Salford
Manchester Evening News
IT may not look like much, but this flint blade belonged to a resident of Salford tens of thousands of years ago...
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1052097_its_stone_age_salford

Archaeologists Uncover Stonehenge Clues
Best Syndication
Stonehenge has always been a mysterious place with huge monolithic rocks encompassed a circle where everyone in present society wonder, what was this place used for?
http://www.bestsyndication.com/?q=20080601_archaeologists_discover_stonehenge_royal_burial_site.htm

Headquarters Of Pharaohs' Army Found
Daily Times
Egyptian archaeologists have discovered what they say was the ancient headquarters of the pharaonic army guarding the northeastern borders of Egypt for more than 1,500 years, the government said on Wednesday...
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C06%5C02%5Cstory_2-6-2008_pg6_4

Rome's Subway Workers Unearth Ancient Archaeological Treasures
Finding Dulcinea
It is hard to dig anywhere in Rome without stumbling on something of historical value. This makes developing the subway a slow, painstaking process...
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/science/Mythical-Cave-of-Rome-s-Founders-Discovered.html

Ancient Skeletons Unearthed At Reepham
North Norfolk News
A glimpse of mediaeval life - and death - in the heart of Norfolk has been revealed after more than 60 skeletons were found under a town centre street...
http://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/content/northnorfolknews/news/story.aspx?brand=NNNOnline&category=news&tBrand=NNNonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED02%20Jun%202008%2015%3A36%3A34%3A200

Scientists Measure Mercury Level In Human Bones From Medieval Times
Thaindian News
Washington, June 2 (ANI): Scientists have measured the levels of mercury in human bones from the medieval period...
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/lifestyle/scientists-measure-mercury-level-in-human-bones-from-medieval-times_10055550.html

May 31st News

2008-05-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

All the stories today come from the UK. The Stonehenge story is still going strong, but the majority of today's stories are new (well, all except the last three, which I found that I had missed on previous days).

New stories as of 9:43 AM:

Dig Aims To Uncover Lost Villages
BBC News
A team of archaeologists is hoping to solve a centuries-old mystery and discover the remains of two medieval ancient towns in Carmarthenshire...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/7427891.stm

Historic Dig 13 Years After Find
BBC News
Archaeologists are digging for Roman relics in the garden of a Hertfordshire home where the owner discovered medieval pot handles 13 years ago...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7429205.stm

Researchers Solve Stonehenge Secret
eFluxMedia
British archaeologists have finally dug out some really hard evidence to help them solve the mystery surrounding the prehistoric circle of giant stones located in the south west of England...
http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Researchers_Solve_Stonehenge_Secret_18335.html

Hunt To Find The Twin Towns Which Vanished
icWales
A HUNT will soon begin for two medieval towns that vanished without trace centuries ago, archaeologists said last night...
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/05/31/hunt-to-find-the-twin-towns-which-vanished-91466-21002147/

Stonehenge: "Domain Of The Dead"
KP.RU
There are many legends about Stonehenge at Salisbury Plain. Some contend aliens placed the hefty stones at the monument, while others credit the wizard Merlin. But after 5 years of research, Mike Parker Pearson, an archeologist at the University of Sheffield in England, has offered a simpler solution Stonehenge was the burial ground for Britain's first royal dynasty...
http://www.tula.kp.ru/daily/24107/332362/

Stonehenge's Royal Burial Roots
United Press International
SHEFFIELD, England, May 31 (UPI) -- British researchers said radiocarbon dating suggests Stonehenge was used as a cemetery for about 500 years after it was built around 3,000 B.C...
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2008/05/31/stonehenges_royal_burial_roots/9752/

Burnt Bones Hint At Stonehenge Story
ABC News
British archaeologists say they are firming up their ideas on the role of the ancient monument, Stonehenge...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/31/2261257.htm

Old Iron Turns Out Golden
BBC News
A solid gold cup dating back to the 4th Century BC could prove rich pickings for a rag and bone man's son...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7422618.stm
The main portion of this page is an embedded video link.

Rag and Bone Legacy Is Pure Gold
BBC News
A metal cup acquired by a rag and bone man from Somerset has been revealed to be a pure gold goblet from the 3rd or 4th Century BC, worth up to £500,000...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/7421774.stm
This article also contains an embedded video clip.

Gold Cup From 2500 Years Ago Found Under Bed
Times Online
A 2,500-year-old gold cup that has spent the past 60 years in a box under its owner’s bed is expected to fetch up to £100,000 after being rediscovered during a house move...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4016077.ece

May 30th News

2008-05-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of Stonehenge stories again today. Also to be found among the day's news are stories on the Cyprus ship wreck, Chichester's Roman Baths, Chester's Roman Wall, a medieval cemetery, another story on the Viking DNA, Pharaonic ruins, and damage to Greek sites among other stories.

New stories as of 6:04 PM:

Stonehenge Used As Burial Site For Centuries, Study Finds
www.pbs.org
Britain's mysterious Stonehenge site served as a burial ground for more than 500 years, probably for a family of ancient rulers, a group of archeologists announced this week...
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/science/jan-june08/stonehenge_05-30.html

Stonehenge May Be A Royal Burial Ground
France 24
According to British scientists, Stonehenge may have been a burial ground for an ancient British royal family, as new data suggest the famous prehistoric landmark was used as a cemetery from its inception just after 3000 BC...
http://www.france24.com/en/20080530-science-stonehenge-archaeology-united-kingdom-cemetery-royalty-dynasty&navi=SCIENCES

Stonehenge A 'Domain Of The Dead'
Salisbury Journal
STONEHENGE was used as a burial ground for 500 years from when it was first built, according to new research...
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/journalnewsindex/display.var.2309312.0.stonehenge_a_domain_of_the_dead.php

Cleopatra Bust Among Treasures Found In Egypt Temple
National Geographic News
An alabaster bust of Cleopatra and a mask that might have belonged to her lover Marc Antony are part of a slew of treasures found north of Alexandria, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities announced on Monday...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080530-antony-cleopatra.html

Egypt Planning DNA Test For 3,500-Year-Old Mummy
Yahoo! News
CAIRO, Egypt - Egypt plans to conduct a DNA test on a 3,500-year-old mummy to determine if it is King Thutmose I, one of the most important pharaohs, the country's chief archaeologist said Thursday...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080529/ap_on_re_mi_ea/egypt_mummy_dna;_ylt=AgDYsI_Wu2gguFaNGJkhrESs0NUE

New stories as of 8:46 AM:

Cyprus Researches Millenia-Old Wine Jars In Wreck
Reuters
NICOSIA (Reuters Life!) - Archaeologists have started research into what they believe may be the oldest known ancient shipwreck off Cyprus which sank with hundreds of jars of wine on board 2,350 years ago...
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSL3090532320080530

Shipwreck's Treasures See Light Of Day
Cyprus Mail
PROFESSIONAL and amateur divers yesterday began the process of hauling up ancient urns buried onboard the Mazotos shipwreck...
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=39503&cat_id=1

Loud Music, High-Heels Damaging Ancient Sites In Greece
The Earth Times
Athens - Archaelogists have warned that stage productions, loud music, high-heels and chewing gun are inflicting irreparable damage on ancient sites across Greece, media reports said Friday...
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/209019,loud-music-high-heels-damaging-ancient-sites-in-greece.html

Stonehenge Was A Royal Burial Site, Researchers Say
Los Angeles Times
Radiocarbon dating of cremated bodies excavated from Britain's Stonehenge appears to have solved part of the ancient mystery surrounding the 5,000-year-old site: It was a burial ground for what may have been the country's first royal dynasty...
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-sci-stonehenge30-2008may30,1,7531037.story

Impossible! Scientists Retrieve Ancient Viking DNA
China View
BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhuanet) -- A team of scientists may have done what was once thought impossible by retrieving strands of ancient, authentic 1,000-year-old DNA from 10 Viking skeletons...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/30/content_8283244.htm

Roman Baths In Chichester Surface After 17 Years
Chichester Today
Chichester's Roman baths have been uncovered for the first time in 17 years...
http://www.chichester.co.uk/chichester/Roman-baths-in-Chichester-surface.4127675.jp

Pharaonic Army HQ Found In Sinai
Afrol News
Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed the relics of an ancient Egyptian city named Tharu, dating back to the New Kingdom era (1570-1070 BC) north on the Sinai Peninsula. The ruins are believed to include a fortress that was used as army headquarters for Pharaoh Ramsis II and his successors...
http://www.afrol.com/articles/29147

Study Calls Stonehenge Cemetery
Baltimore Sun
WASHINGTON - The mysterious circular stone monument at Stonehenge was a "domain of the dead," researchers said yesterday, a burial ground downriver from a separate circle of wooden pillars that marked the "domain of the living."..
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-te.stonehenge30may30,0,2580274.story

Dates For Stonehenge Burials Signify Long-Term Use As Cemetery
Gazette & Herald
New radiocarbon dates of human cremation burials at Stonehenge indicate that the monument was used as a cemetery from its inception just after 3000 B.C...
http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.2308002.0.dates_for_stonehenge_burials_signify_longterm_use_as_cemetery.php

Stonehenge Used As 'Royal Burial Site'
News.com.au
ENGLAND'S Stonehenge was used as a burial site from its inception 5000 years ago and remained so for more than 500 years, says a study that may shed some light on the ancient monument...
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23785194-23109,00.html

Human Remains Explain Stonehenge Mystery
NewScientist
Theories have ranged from moon temple, to observatory, and even a UFO landing site. Stonehenge is one of the enduring landmarks of prehistoric times, but the mystery of why it was built has eluded people for centuries...
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14012-human-remains-explain-stonehenge-mystery.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news7_head_dn14012

Archaeology Will Delay Walls Repair
Chester Chronicle
HISTORY detectives hope to learn more about Chester’s Roman Walls following the collapse of a 30-metre section...
http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/chester-news/local-chester-news/2008/05/30/archaeology-will-delay-walls-repair-59067-20993635/

Mystery Unraveled: Stonehenge - Prehistoric Royal Burial Site
eFluxMedia
Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument that has kept archaeologists and historians on a constant quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding it, served as a burial site approximately 5,000 years ago, a new radiocarbon study shows...
http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Mystery_Unraveled_Stonehenge_Prehistoric_Royal_Burial_Site_18274.html

Stonehenge Breakthrough
The Star
SCIENTISTS from South Yorkshire uncovered vital evidence that could help solve one of the oldest British mysteries: why Stonehenge was built...
http://www.thestar.co.uk/doncaster/Stonehenge-breakthrough.4136146.jp

Grim Discovery Under Streets Of Reepham
EDP24
A glimpse of medieval life - and death - in the heart of Norfolk has been revealed after more than 60 skeletons were found under a town centre street...
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=edponline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED29%20May%202008%2020%3A28%3A39%3A813

Stonehenge, Marker For Dead Royalty?
Star Tribune
The circle of stones that has fascinated tourists for decades was a burial ground for nation's first line of kings, researchers say...
http://www.startribune.com/world/19375469.html?location_refer=Travel

Research: Stonehenge Was Burial site For Centuries
China View
BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Prehistoric megaliths Stonehenge was from the beginning a monument to the dead, British media reported on Friday...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/30/content_8282432.htm

Stonehenge Was Burial Ground For Elite Family, Scientists Say
Bloomberg
May 29 (Bloomberg) -- Research shows Stonehenge was probably a burial ground for an elite family who were laid to rest there for longer than previously estimated...
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=alaCjb8z18k0&refer=muse

Stonehenge Could Have Been Resting Place For Royalty
Science Daily
ScienceDaily (May 30, 2008) — Archaeologists at the University of Sheffield have revealed new radiocarbon dates of human cremation burials at Stonehenge, which indicate that the monument was used as a cemetery from its inception just after 3000 B.C. until well after the large stones went up around 2500 B.C...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529195341.htm

Mystery Solved? Stonehenge A Religious Complex
6abc.com
May 29, 2008 -- Even after 4,500 years, Stonehenge is bathed in mystery. Was it a temple? An observatory? Something else?
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/technology&id=6173136

Stonehenge May Have Been 'The Domain Of The Dead' For Royals
Times Online
Stonehenge may have been a burial ground for an ancient royal family, British archaeologists said yesterday...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4029449.ece

Stonehenge 'A Long-Term Cemetery'
BBC News
Stonehenge served as a burial ground for much longer than had previously been believed, new research suggests...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7426195.stm

Bodies Reveal Stonehenge's Royal Secret
Sydney Morning Herald
RADIOCARBON dating of cremated bodies excavated from Stonehenge in Britain have solved part of the mystery of the 5000-year-old site: it was a burial ground for what might have been the country's first royal dynasty.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bodies-reveal-stonehenges-royal-secret/2008/05/30/1211654312152.html

Stonehenge Used As Burial Site For Hundreds Of Years
AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) — England's Stonehenge was used as a burial site from its inception 5,000 years ago and remained so for more than 500 years, says a study that may shed some light on the ancient monument...
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jUO3TIhS633b5jL6pyqLx8TuNvkg

Grave Matters As Stonehenge Secrets Revealed
Yorkshire Post
DISCOVERING the history of Stonehenge has long been a task to vex even the most committed archaeologist...
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Grave-matters-as-Stonehenge-secrets.4136107.jp

May 29th News

2008-05-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

There's lots of news, with two big stories today as well as a number of smaller ones. The two big stories are that of the Viking DNA and also the stories of Stonehenge.

New stories as of 10:47 AM:

Researchers Retrieve Authentic Viking DNA From 1,000-Year-Old Skeletons
E! Science News
Although “Viking” literally means “pirate,” recent research has indicated that the Vikings were also traders to the fishmongers of Europe. Stereotypically, these Norsemen are usually pictured wearing a horned helmet but in a new study published in the journal PLoS ONE this week, Jørgen Dissing and colleagues from the University of Copenhagen, investigated what went under the helmet; the scientists were able to extract authentic DNA from ancient Viking skeletons, avoiding many of the problems of contamination faced by past researchers...
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/05/27/researchers.retrieve.authentic.viking.dna.1000.year.old.skeletons

Evidence Of Authentic DNA From Danish Viking Age Skeletons Untouched By Humans For 1,000 Years
PLoS One
Given the relative abundance of modern human DNA and the inherent impossibility for incontestable proof of authenticity, results obtained on ancient human DNA have often been questioned. The widely accepted rules regarding ancient DNA work mainly affect laboratory procedures, however, pre-laboratory contamination occurring during excavation and archaeological-/anthropological handling of human remains as well as rapid degradation of authentic DNA after excavation are major obstacles...
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0002214

DNA Retrieved From 1,000-Year-Old Vikings
LiveScience
Strands of 1,000-year-old DNA from 10 Viking skeletons have been retrieved, a team of scientists claims...
http://www.livescience.com/history/080528-viking-dna.html

Study: For Centuries Stonehenge Was A Burial Site
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — England's enigmatic Stonehenge served as a burial ground from its earliest beginnings and for several hundred years thereafter, new research indicates...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iqofgTOoY9jVxd8Vir3t2lq-yfowD90VDFA82

Chichester Roman Baths Unearthed For New Museum Project
24 Hour Museum
Work has begun in Chichester to temporarily uncover the remains of the city’s Roman baths, which are currently buried under a car park...
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART57757.html

Ancient Egyptian Temple Entrance Found In Nile River
National Geographic News
Archaeologists have discovered a portico, or covered entryway, of an ancient Egyptian temple beneath the surface of the Nile River...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080527-egypt-temple.html

Video: New View On Stonehenge Burials
National Geographic News
May 29, 2008—Radiocarbon dating of human remains indicate that the mysterious stone monument was used as a cemetery longer than previously thought...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080529-stonehenge-video-vin.html

Stonehenge Was Cemetery First And Foremost, Study Says
National Geographic News
The standing stones of Stonehenge were akin to giant tombstones, archaeologists announced today. The circle of massive stones may mark the cemetery of a ruling prehistoric dynasty, the experts added...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080529-stonehenge-cemetery.html

PHOTOS: Stonehenge Was "Domain Of The Dead"
National Geographic News
May 29, 2008—Stonehenge stands out against night clouds set aglow by nearby Amesbury town in an undated photo...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/photogalleries/Stonehenge-photos/index.html

Ancient Egyptian City Unearthed In Sinai
Yahoo News
CAIRO, Egypt - Archaeologists exploring an old military road in the Sinai have unearthed 3,000-year-old remains from an ancient fortified city, the largest yet found in Egypt, antiquities authorities announced Wednesday...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080528/ap_on_re_mi_ea/egypt_ancient_city;_ylt=AuP3J0bS0sSLP9xqjy2NOsFvieAA

Thousand-Year-Old Lombard Warrior Skeleton Discovered Buried With Horse In Italy
Telegraph.co.uk
Italian archaeologists have discovered a perfectly preserved skeleton of a 1400-year-old Lombard warrior, buried with his horse...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2041811/Thousand-year-old-Lombard-warrior-skeleton-discovered-buried-with-horse-in-Italy.html

May 24th News

2008-05-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

Finding real news amongst the reviews for the new Indiana Jones movie is proving a challenge.

New stories as of 8:38 AM:

Tower Unearthed At Castle Mound
Oxford Mail
Work to repair the mound at Oxford Castle has revealed a 10-sided tower that has been hidden for more than 200 years...
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2291571.0.tower_unearthed_at_castle_mound.php

Vandals In Attack On Stonehenge
BBC News
Suspected souvenir hunters broke into Stonehenge and vandalised the ancient monument, English Heritage has said...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/7414491.stm

May 20th News

2008-05-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

The long weekend is over now, so back to work. It's been a quiet time in terms of archaeological/classical history news as well.

New stories as of 8:46 AM:

Time Team - Swords, Skulls And Strongholds
My Park Magazine
The Iron Age is the period of about 800 years before the Romans arrived to turn this nation of disparate tribes into a single state...
http://www.myparkmag.co.uk/articles/television/time-team-swords-skulls-and-strongholds.html

Springs Prof Revives Shroud Riddle

Denver Post
COLORADO SPRINGS — A physics professor here has resurrected the mystery of the Shroud of Turin, the fabled burial cloth of Christ that 20 years ago scientists declared a fake...
http://origin.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9315745

Old Cobbled Street Opens New Path To Templar History
East London Advertiser
AN EARLY Victorian cobbled street more than 150 years old has been unearthed by archaeologists investigating the site of a 12th Century Knights Templar mill at the 2012 London Olympics park...
http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/content/towerhamlets/advertiser/news/story.aspx?brand=ELAOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsela&itemid=WeED19%20May%202008%2016%3A04%3A52%3A360

Photos: Spain Drought Reveals Submerged Medieval Church
National Geographic News
May 19, 2008—Visitors walk near the newly exposed ruins of an 11th-century church, which had been the only visual evidence of the village of Sant Roma, Spain, on April 6 (top)...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080519-church-photo.html

May 16th News

2008-05-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

It is definitely a quiet day today. Most of the articles on archaeology are about Harrison Ford. These are the only two stories I could find.

New stories as of 8:10 AM:

Rings Offer Up A Rare Glimpse Of Medieval Luxury
icWales
A PAIR of precious metal decorative rings were among a host of artefacts handed over to the National Museum of Wales...
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/05/16/rings-offer-up-a-rare-glimpse-of-medieval-luxury-91466-20919941/

Bust Of Aging Caesar Found In Rhone River
Discovery News
May 14, 2008 -- Divers trained in archaeology discovered a marble bust of an aging Caesar in the Rhone River that France's Culture Ministry said Tuesday could be the oldest known...
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/05/14/caesar-bust.html

May 14th News

2008-05-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

There's definitely lots of news today. Makes up for the previous days quietness.

New stories as of 9:12 AM:

Divers Find Bust Of Julius Caesar In Rhone River
Telegraph.co.uk
A marble bust of Julius Caesar thought to date back to 46 B.C. has been found by divers in the Rhone River in France...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1954876/Divers-find-bust-of-Julius-Caesar-in-Rhone-River.html

Divers Haul Oldest-Ever Bust Of Caesar From Bottom Of River In France
Daily Mail
A bust of Julius Caesar found in a trove of Roman artefacts by divers in the River Rhone is the oldest ever discovered, French ministers say...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=566375&in_page_id=1811

Divers Find Ancient Bust Of Julius Caesar In French River
Earth Times
Paris - Divers have found what may be the oldest extant bust of Julius Caesar in the Rhone River near the southern French city of Arles, French media reported on Wednesday...
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/205344,divers-find-ancient-bust-of-julius-caesar-in-french-river.html

Divers Find Ancient Bust Of Caesar
The Press Association
French archaeology divers have discovered a marble bust of an ageing Caesar in the Rhone river that could be the oldest known of the Roman emperor...
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iKVd6StZhBV-Ub2a5-gm2vUOnXkw

Divers Find Caesar Bust That May Date To 46 B.C.
Associated Press
PARIS (AP) — Divers trained in archaeology discovered a marble bust of an aging Caesar in the Rhone River that France's Culture Ministry said Tuesday could be the oldest known...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h0ZkufRJgTLP42gP7qjF2UDt8P-wD90L3OI00
Also published at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080514/ap_on_sc/france_caesar_bust_5;_ylt=AtogDIAlWsTdo5IaFxsC6DxFeQoB

Oldest Caesar Bust Found In River
The Australian
A BUST of Julius Caesar, believed to be the oldest representation of the Roman emperor yet known, has been found at the bottom of the River Rhone in Arles, a French town founded by him in 46 BC...
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23696620-12377,00.html

Found In River - The True Face Of Julius Caesar
Times Online
The world has been introduced to the true face of Julius Caesar with the discovery in a river in southern France of a bust sculpted in the lifetime of the Roman leader...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3932198.ece

Bust Of Caesar Fished Out Of Rhône
EURSOC
France's cultural minister has announced an "archaeologist's dream" - a marble bust of Julius Caesar, sculpted in the Roman's lifetime, has been found in Arles, several metres below the surface of the Rhône river...
http://eursoc.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2499/Bust_Of_Caesar_Fished_Out_Of_Rh%F4ne.html

German Archaeologists Claim They've Found Queen Of Sheba's Palace
thecheers.org
London, May 13 : Archaeologists from the University of Hamburg have claimed that they have discovered the Queen of Sheba's palace and an altar that may have once held the Ark of the Covenant in Axum, Ethiopia...
http://www.thecheers.org/news/Science/news_23231_German-archaeologists-claim-they've-found-Queen-of-Sheba's-palace-.html

Now Thetford Can See It's Treasure!
Thetford & Brandon 24
Treasures that rested underground for more than 1,500 years and were promptly whisked away to London following news of their discovery have returned home for the first time...
http://www.thetfordandbrandontimes.co.uk/content/tbtimes/whatson/story.aspx?brand=TBOnline&category=whatson&tBrand=TBonline&tCategory=whatson&itemid=NOED13%20May%202008%2018%3A24%3A35%3A240

Dead Sea Scroll Put On Rare Display In Israel
National Geographic News
One of the most important Dead Sea scrolls is going on display in Jerusalem this week—more than four decades after it was last seen by the public...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080513-AP-israel-anci.html
Also published at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080513/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_ancient_scroll;_ylt=AkLaThWmw2EdD4e041RF225vieAA

New Archaeological Discovery In Bulgaria's Hisar
news.bg
Marble consecrated slab stone from the Rome epoch was discovered in archaeological excavations by the director of Archaeological Museum in Hisar town doctor Mitko Madjarov...
http://international.ibox.bg/news/id_1280313951

Athens Museum To Show It's Priceless Egyptian Collection For First time
The Canadian Press
ATHENS, Greece — A priceless ancient Egyptian collection opens to the public Wednesday, featuring a wooden body tag for a mummy, a stunning bronze statue of a princess, and a 3,000-year-old loaf of bread with a bite-sized chunk missing...
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jBF0fLorPGhYi21eaAsXrRdCBgYA

May 11th News

2008-05-11T07:47:00.001-07:00

There seems to be no news stories to link to as of 7:47 AM this morning.

May 10 News

2008-05-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

More museum settlements in the news today.

New stories as of 8:07 AM:

Lawyer: Cleveland Museum To Return Artifacts To Italy
Ohio.com
An Italian state lawyer who has helped negotiate the return of antiquities from several prestigious U.S. museums said Friday that a verbal agreement has been reached with a Cleveland institution as part of Italy's efforts to regain its cultural treasures...
http://www.ohio.com/news/ap?articleID=522389&c=y

Italy State Lawyer: Verbal Deal Reached With Cleveland Museum on Disputed Antiquities' Return
PR-Inside
ROME (AP) - Italy has reached a verbal agreement with a U.S. museum in Cleveland for the return of artifacts Rome says have been looted or smuggled out of the country, a government lawyer said Friday...
http://www.pr-inside.com/italy-state-lawyer-verbal-deal-reached-r581758.htm

Italy Reaches Deal With Cleveland Museum For Return Of Disputed Antiquities
Canadian Press
ROME — Italy has reached an agreement with a U.S. museum for the return of artifacts that Rome says have been looted or smuggled out of the country, art officials said Friday...
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i5B_fXzh1mZDgNkcHj02v20kUp6A

Race Is On To Save Sussex History
The Argus
Archaeologists are racing against time to excavate a burial mound before it collapses into the sea...
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/generalnews/display.var.2261798.0.race_is_on_to_save_sussex_history.php

May 8th News

2008-05-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

There's a fair amount of news today, some of which I hope to hear more about in the days to come.

New stories as of 7:55 AM:

Search For Woman Airbrushed Out Of History Books
Hereford Times
“SHE was elegantly dressed in black satin, Queen Elizabeth’s livery for her personal servants, but her dignified demeanour and the manner of her reception showed that she was far more important than a mere servant.” This is Blanche Parry, a Golden Valley girl who dedicated her life to Queen Elizabeth I, as introduced by Herefordshire author Ruth Richardson in her latest book Mistress Blanche Queen Elizabeth I’s Confidante...
http://www.herefordtimes.com/leisure/3127056.Search_for_woman_airbrushed_out_of_history_books/

Etruscan Tombs Uncovered In Italy
The Money Times
Rome -- Italian archaeologists say they've found more than two dozen tombs in the Etruscan burial grounds at Tarquinia north of Rome...
http://www.themoneytimes.com/news/20080507/etruscan_tombs_uncovered_in_italy-id-1022129.html

27 Etruscan Tombs Discovered
Wanted In Rome
Italian archaeologists have found 27 new Etruscan tombs at the well-known burial site at Tarquinia, a town north of Rome. They have been digging since April after a chance discovery at a building site about 500 metres from the Monterozzi hill where the necropolis with painted tombs is located, just outside the modern city of Tarquinia...
http://www.wantedinrome.com/news/news.php?id_n=4434

Italian Builders Uncover 2000-Year-Old Tombs
The Scotsman
ARCHAEOLOGISTS were yesterday celebrating the discovery of 27 2,000-year-old tombs in Italy's "Valley of the Dead"...
http://news.scotsman.com/world/Italian-builders-uncover-2000yearold-tombs.4061283.jp

Archaeologists Find Queen Of Sheba's Palace At Axum, Ethiopia
The Earth Times
Hamburg - Archaeologists believe they have found the Queen of Sheba's palace at Axum, Ethiopia and an altar which held the most precious treasure of ancient Judaism, the Ark of the Covenant, the University of Hamburg said Wednesday. Scientists from the German city made the startling find during their spring excavation of the site over the past three months...
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/203933,archaeologists-find-queen-of-shebas-palace-at-axum-ethiopia.html

May 7th News

2008-05-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Today it has been one year since I started running this blog. Unlike this day last year, the news is extremely quiet, with only the one story so far.

New stories as of 8:06 AM:

Rare Finds From Long Ago
Dereham Times
They are rare artefacts that shed light on those who lived in the Norfolk landscape centuries ago...
http://www.derehamtimes.co.uk/content/derehamtimes/news/story.aspx?brand=DFTOnline&category=News&tBrand=DFTonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED07%20May%202008%2013%3A24%3A16%3A230

May 6th News

2008-05-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of this blog.

New stories as of 10:42 AM:

Knights Templar Tomb Discovered In France: Lakehead's Paleo DNA Assists In Identification
StreetInsider.com
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 5, 2008) - A hidden tomb in the mountains of the Languedoc region of southwest France has the archaeological community buzzing, and Lakehead University's Paleo DNA Laboratory has played a role in creating that buzz...
http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Knights+Templar+Tomb+Discovered+in+France:+Lakeheads+Paleo+DNA+Assists+in+Identification/3607586.html

Pieces Of Viking Sword Discovered
BBC News
Fragments of a Viking sword have been discovered by two metal detector enthusiasts on the Isle of Man...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/isle_of_man/7386230.stm

Irish Viking Trade Center Unearthed
BBC News
One of the Vikings' most important trading centres has been discovered in Ireland...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7385237.stm

Work To Stabilise Silbury Hill Completed
Gazette & Herald
An extensive project to stabilise Silbury Hill has reached completion, following vital works to repack voids and an historic tunnel running through to its centre which had threatened the structure of the Neolithic mound...
http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.2248968.0.work_to_stabilise_silbury_hill_completed.php

Carpet Of Stone: Medieval Mosaic Pavement Revealed
The Guardian
The wraps have come off one of Westminster Abbey's least known treasures, a medieval marble pavement foretelling the end of the world, while conservation experts consider how to preserve the ancient stones for the next 740 years...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/05/archaeology.art

Vikings: From Ram-Raiders To Fishmongers
The Guardian
Archaeologists and scientists have revealed that 1,000 years ago cod was traded extraordinary distances across Europe, from the Norwegian Arctic to England and the Baltic...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/05/archaeology.heritage