September 26th News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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