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

June 28th News

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

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 2nd News

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 30th News

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

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

October 10th News

Back to the semi-irregular early start. And and interesting midday update.

New stories as of 1:03 PM:

Report: Ancient Roman graveyard found in suburban Copenhagen
International Herald Tribune
COPENHAGEN, Denmark: Archaeologists have discovered a Roman cemetery from about 300 A.D. in suburban Copenhagen with about 30 graves, a newspaper reported Wednesday...
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/10/europe/EU-GEN-Denmark-Roman-Graveyard.php

Ancient Roman Coins Found in Portugal
Associated Press
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Archaeologists excavating a site in northeastern Portugal discovered 4,500 ancient Roman coins tucked away inside a wall...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gzRSlQD-bM9LpsiadUaYAt05EhKgD8S6FKN81
Also published at:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/10/europe/EU-GEN-Portugal-Roman-Coins.php

Anti-Flood Work Halted Due To Roman Find
Kathimerini
Authorities in Laconia, in the southern Peloponnese, yesterday expressed concern after state archaeologists ordered workers cleaning the bed of a local river to suspend their activities as the ruins of an ancient Roman home may be on the site...
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100018_10/10/2007_88765

New stories as of 6:25 AM:

Trial And Error Led To Machine That Changed History
Xinhuan News
BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Trial and error or hit and miss? Either way you look at it, catapults were invented by ancient Greek craftsmen and put into practice long before the advent of mathematical models that revolutionized ancient technologies, a study of ancient texts suggests...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/10/content_6858355.htm

Treasures Moving To New Acropolis Museum
Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — One of Greece's most modern buildings is about to become home to some of the country's most treasured antiquities...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i67NIiqRczu4bMznU5Q5-OuHEZXAD8S5T5680

Manuscript Discovery Brings Medieval Music To Life
Exduco.net
Medieval history comes to life at Harvard University on Oct. 18, when students and guest musicians collaborate in the North American premiere of an 800-year-old chant repertory from Harvard’s Houghton Library...
http://www.exduco.net/news.php?id=2417

Vandalism Hurts Norwegian Rock Carvings
Science Daily
OSLO, Norway, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Norwegian archaeologists believe the vandals who damaged ancient rock carvings are actually people with misguided ideas on making them more visible...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20071009-18230200-bc-norway-petroglyphs.xml

September 17th News

There was no news that I could find yesterday. Today looks better, even this early though.

New stories as of 6:14 AM:

Bronze Age Burial Site Unearthed
BBC News
A Bronze Age burial site has been unearthed by archaeologists working at a quarry in Cambridgeshire...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/6998614.stm

Roman Grave At England's Corfe Castle Excites Archaeologists
Daily India
London, Sept 17: A suspected Roman grave at Corfe Castle in Dorset County, England has excited archaeologists...
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/174696.php/Roman-grave-at-Englands-Corfe-Castle-excites-archaeologists

Bronze Age Settlement Found Under Proposed US Embassy Site In Malta
New Kerala
London, Sept 17 : Archaeologists have discovered a series of tombs and silos dating back to the Bronze Age and Early Roman period under the proposed US Embassy site in Ta' Qali, Malta...
http://www.newkerala.com/oct.php?action=fullnews&id=1345

Ancient Scots Mummified Their Dead
ABC News
The ancient Egyptians were not the only ones to mummify their dead, according to a study that says prehistoric Scots created mummies too...
http://abc.net.au/science/news/stories/2007/2035481.htm

Rare Medical, Astronomical Manuscripts 'Rediscovered' In Egypt's National Library
Top News
Cairo, Sept 17: Egyptian archaeologists have found rare medical and astronomical manuscripts at the country’s National Library (also known as Dar al-Kotob)...
http://www.topnews.in/rare-medical-astronomical-manuscripts-rediscovered-egypt-s-national-library-21854

Ancient Phrygian Valley To Be Revived For Tourism
Turkish Daily News
The historical and cultural wealth of the Phrygian valley, the area where the ancient Phrygian civilization had settled, will be explored and utilized through the Phrygian Valley project by the Culture and Tourism Ministry in order to attract more tourists to the area...
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=83193

'Iron Age' Golden Drinking Horns Stolen From Museum
Earthtimes
Copenhagen - Two golden drinking horns that were on loan from the National Museum were stolen early Monday from a museum in Vejle, southern Denmark, police said. The stolen drinking horns were 19th century copies of original drinking horns that dated back to the Iron Age, around the year 400...
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/108805.html