===============================================================
explorator 23.43 February 14, 2021
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You can read explorator online at:

https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/


Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo, Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Research suggests there won't be a 'single' origin of our species:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/mpif-oto020821.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210210133410.htm https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/11/on-the-origin-of-our-species/ https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/on-the-origin-of-our-species/137093

... and a suggestion that it only took one gene alteration to lead to 'modern humans':

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210211144418.htm https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/researchers-engineer-a-neanderthal-gene-into-human-nerve-cells/
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/02/12/966470891/minibrains-with-a-neanderthal-gene-offer-hints-about-human-evolution

cf: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6530/eaax2537

Not sure if we've mentioned this 86 000 years bp finger bone from the Nefud Desert and the rethink of human migration it's causing:

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2021/02/10/new-story-unfolding-ancient-finger-bones-found-in-asia-force-a-rethinking-of-human-migration/

More on the study of Neanderthal 'gut microbiota':

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/oldest-dna-from-poop-contains-a-neanderthals-microbiome/
https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/anthropology/gut-stubborn/ https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/oldest-dna-from-poop-contains-a-neanderthals-microbiome/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/nehandertals-gut-microbiota-and.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/09/neanderthal-gut-microbiome-recovered-from-fecal-sediments-from-el-salt/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9431-210209-neanderthal-fecal-matter

More on 120 000 years bp symbols on cattle bones from Israel:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/wild-cow-bone-may-have-120000-year-old-symbols-180976933/
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================ Interesting/bizarre anthropomorphic figures in petroglyphs from Tanzania found a couple years ago:

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/tanzanian-rock-art-09332.html https://www.sciencealert.com/eerie-figures-with-huge-heads-found-painted-in-a-rock-shelter-in-tanzania

cf: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/amakhee-4-a-newly-documented-rock-art-site-in-the-swaga-swaga-game-reserve/E7EACF28F4EA1BEFC3C8142F34353C49

Evidence of a possible epidemic and subsequent population collapse in central Africa 1400 - 1600 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-epidemic-possibly-population-collapse-central.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/gu-dep020421.php https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/disease-epidemic-possibly-caused-population-collapse-in-central-africa-1600-1400-years-ago/137130
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
Remains of a First Dynasty era 'beer factory' at Abydos:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/13/worlds-oldest-known-beer-factory-may-have-been-unearthed-in-egypt
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egypt-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-beer-factory-in-abydos/2021/02/13/c5501ece-6e3d-11eb-a66e-e27046e9e898_story.html
https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/egypt-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-beer-factory-abydos-75877886
https://www.startribune.com/egypt-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-beer-factory-in-abydos/600022806/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/egypt-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-beer-factory-in-abydos/
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/egypt-uncovers-possible-worlds-oldest-214528972.html https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210213-egypt-claims-what-could-be-world-s-oldest-mass-production-brewery
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3121681/archaeologists-egypt-unearth-worlds-oldest-beer-factory

More on the Ptolemaic temple, Roman fort, and Coptic church remains recently found at Aswan:

https://www.livescience.com/fort-church-temple-ancient-egypt.html

More on that 'mud' mummy:

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/ancient-embalmers-used-mud-to-hold-a-damaged-mummy-together/

A researcher came across a 1000 years bp Hebrew Bible on a Cairo synagogue bookshelf:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/lost-1000-year-old-hebrew-bible-found-on-dusty-cairo-synagogue-shelf/

Egypt's Cabinet responded to rumours of plans to demolish some 'archaeological palaces':

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/98472/Egypt%E2%80%99s-cabinet-denies-rumors-of-plans-to-demolish-archaeological-palaces

Egypt is now punishing theft of antiquities with a life sentence and a huge fine:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/98563/Egypt-punishes-stealing-antiquities-by-life-imprisonment-LE-5M-fine

In Our Time this week was all about the Rosetta Stone:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000s2qd

The Bent Pyramid supposedly has a 'real-life Indiana Jones trap':

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1397381/egypt-bent-pyramid-dahshur-archaeology-indiana-jones-trap-hidden-passage-found-spt

Feature on Amenhotep III's Malqata Palace:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/12/how-did-amenhotep-iiis-malqata-palace-look-like/

Review of Toby Wilkinson, *A World Beneath the Sands*:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/402725.aspx

Another 'announcement of an announcement', centering on El-Wahat:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/98513/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Min-of-Tourism-Antiquities-prepares-for-new-archaeological-announcement

Remains of a monumental gateway built by Cyrus the Great near Persepolis:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/457936/Ruins-of-majestic-historical-gateway-unearthed-near-Persepolis
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/gate-of-cyrus-great-unearthed-near.html

In case you missed the news of plans to stabilize the arch of Ctesiphon:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/aliph-and-iraqi-ministry-of-culture.html

More Iranian sites have been added to the national heritage list:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/457992/Other-Iranian-antiquities-added-to-national-heritage-list

Feature on efforts to save sites in Babylon:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/ancient-babylon-iraq-archaeology-b1799289.html

... and Palmyra:

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/arts-and-books/palmyra-civilisation-syria-islamic-state

Feature on Enuma Elish:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-myth-of-enuma-elish/

Palestinian roadwork is being blamed for damage to the Mount Ebal altar site associated with Joshua:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/joshuas-mount-ebal-altar-site-harmed-by-palestinian-road-work-658521
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/palestinian-authority/pa-damages-site-of-yehoshua-ben-nuns-altar-on-mount-ebal/2021/02/10/

... and it was restored:

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/culture/1613074632-jewish-settlers-restore-ancient-west-bank-site-reportedly-damaged-by-palestinians

Feature on the Chalcolithic/EBI megalithic site of Rujm el-Hiri in the Golan Heights:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/rujm-el-hiri-the-stonehenge-of-the-levant/137136

More on 6500 years bp evidence of olive (not in oil form) consumption from Israel:

https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/history-ideas/2021/02/in-ancient-israel-olives-werent-just-for-oil/
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-eastern-world/olives-for-ancient-eating/

More on the 'rediscovery' of some dolmens in Galilee mention by George V while travelling:

https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1395159/archaeology-news-israel-dolmen-tomb-galilee-king-george-V-evg
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
A Bronze Age cremation burial from Torre Guaceto (Italian):

http://www.meteoweb.eu/2021/02/scoperta-archeologica-riserva-torre-guaceto-necropoli-a-cremazione-eta-bronzo-foto/1546968/

A 2500 years bp 'olive mill' from Matera:

https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/production/2500-year-old-mill-discovered-in-italy/90454

Julio-Claudian burials from the Roman necropolis under Vatican City:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/archaeologists-discover-friends-of-caesars-inside-vatican-city-657802

A hoard of 651 late Republic/early Augustan era silver coins from Aizanoi:

https://www.livescience.com/roman-era-silver-coins-turkey.html https://www.9news.com.au/national/ancient-roman-coins-bearing-the-face-of-julius-caesar-and-his-killer-brutus-found-in-turkey/af6395d7-7c35-4925-8655-826baca92cff
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/turkey-roman-coins-scli-intl-scn/index.html http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/roman-silver-coins-aizanoi-turkey-09344.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discover-more-600-roman-coins-180976962/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9432-210210-turkey-roman-coins

Remains of Roman camps in Spain suggest Augustus copied Caesar's strategies in Gaul:

https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-02-08/los-40-campamentos-que-permitieron-a-augusto-dominar-el-norte-de-hispania.html

Finds from various periods, including a large 3rd/4th century Roman villa from Wittenham Clumps:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/14/astonishing-dig-reveals-domestic-life-in-the-iron-age

A 2000 years bp or so Cupid figurine among the finds made during A417 bypass construction in the UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/i-dig-u-2000-year-old-cupid-figurine-among-roman-artefacts-found-on-major-route
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/cupid-figurine-dating-back-2-172458921.html https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-56041431

Pondering a Boudica-era 'chariot harness' from Norfolk:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-55951598

Evidence of an 1800 years bp amphitheatre (and other finds) at Mastaura (Turkey):

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/arena-similar-to-romes-colosseum-discovered-in-western-turkey/news
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/02/14/colosseum-turkey-ancient-tralleis/

... and a similar (?) find from Mola Della Corte (Italian):

https://www.gazzettinodelgolfo.it/un-anfiteatro-romano-in-via-mola-della-corte-sensazionale-scoperta-archeologica-a-fondi/

A dining room touted as Hadrian's 'breakfast room' was revealed at Tivoli:

https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/02/11/spanish-archaeologists-find-unique-example-of-roman-opulence/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9240253/Archaeology-Room-Roman-emperor-Hadrian-held-power-breakfasts-1-900-years-ago.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/archaeologists-discover-table-where-roman-emperor-hadrian-held-power-breakfasts-at-foot-of-apennines-kwtl86ncv
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/hadrians-villa-breakfast-chamber-discovered-1943014
https://www.archeomedia.net/tivoli-roma-a-villa-adriana-scoperto-un-triclinio-acquatico/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/breakfast-nook-fit-emperor-archaeologists-discover-palace-where-hadrian-dined-180976991/

Also from Hadrianic times comes a 'shopping mall' on the Palatine hill:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/early-shopping-centre-gives-a-glimpse-of-life-in-ancient-rome-r6plxtcfv

A coin of Antoninus Pius found by an Israeli soldier on a training exercise:

https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/israelexperience/history/pages/rare-1800-year-old-roman-coin-found-on-southern-carmel-9-february-2021.aspx
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/1800-year-old-coin-found-by-soldier-offers-look-at-ancient-life-in-israel-658327
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-soldier-finds-rare-1800-year-old-coin-during-training-exercise-in-north/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/02/10/idf-soldier-finds-rare-roman-coin-during-training-exercise/
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/ByCNoSl1100 https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/artifacts-and-the-bible/roman-coin-discovered-on-mt-carmel/

I think we mentioned this 1st-4th century CE Scythian necropolis from the Crimea:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/late-scythian-necropolis-discovered-in.html

A (literally) half Roman gold coin of Constantius II found by a Norfolk metal detectorist has been declared treasure:

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/norfolk-half-roman-coin-find-declared-treasure-7315900

... as have nine aurei of Augustus, also found by a Norfolk metal detectorist:

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/norfolk-coroners-court-treasure-inquest-roman-coin-hoard-7323332

Feature on recent work to stabilize and conserve the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/02/12/restoration-temple-olympian-zeus/ https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/12/inspection-of-conservation-works-at-the-olympeion/

Archaeologists have restored the marble flooring of a 1550 years bp church in Stratonikeia:

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-1-550-year-old-churchs-base-ground-unearthed/2140674
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/marble-flooring-of-stratonikeia-church-meticulously-restored/news
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9437-210211-turkey-stratonikeia-floor

Some idiot was using the Roman remains at Verulamium as a bike ramp:

https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/verulamium-park-roman-ruins-used-as-bike-ramp-7320796

More on the assorted terracottas unearthed at Demre:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/02/08/greek-gods-and-mortals-come-to-life-in-terracotta-figurines/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dozens-2000-year-old-terracotta-figurines-found-turkey-180976978/

More on Dr Ester Salgarella’s work with Linear A:

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/minoan-linear-a-script-09329.html

The Dorset County Museum has purcased that Dewlish Roman mosaic:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-56001310 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/roman-mosaic-saved-for-nation-after-dorset-museum-digs-in-vzpzhn056

Feature on a wine press excavated at Antiochia ad Cragum:

https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/february-2021/ancient-roman-city-reveals-its-winemaking-secrets

Questioning the provenance of that sensational Sappho papyrus much in the news over the past five years:

https://theconversation.com/lovers-of-sappho-thrilled-by-new-poetry-find-but-its-backstory-may-have-been-fabricated-151176
https://news.umanitoba.ca/lovers-of-sappho-thrilled-by-new-poetry-find-but-its-backstory-may-have-been-fabricated/

Review of Bettany Hughes, *Venus and Aphrodite*:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/venus-aphrodite-review-divine-passion-divine-rage-11613144790

Review of Greg Woolf, *The Life and Death of Ancient Cities*:

https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v43/n04/michael-kulikowski/a-marketplace-and-a-temple

Review of Natalie Haynes, *A Thousand Ships*:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/a-thousand-ships-book-review/2021/02/08/4885ae7c-60d2-11eb-9061-07abcc1f9229_story.html

Reviewish of Natalie Haynes, *Pandora's Jar*:

https://www.popmatters.com/natalie-haynes-pandoras-jar-2649873316.html

An interview with Josiah Ober:

https://broadstreet.blog/2021/02/12/how-social-science-history-changes-our-view-of-the-ancient-world-a-conversation-with-josiah-ober/

Feature on Malta's 'Domus Romana':

https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/107567/its_a_triple_anniversary_for_domvs_romana

Feature on the ancient (if it existed) disease of phthiriasis:

https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/insects-swarm-out-of-your-rotting-flesh-the-ancient-disease-that-may-or-may-not-exist/

Feature on Augusta Bilbilis:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/augusta-bilbilis-birthplace-of-the-roman-poet-martial/137096

Feature (in German) on scanning the Herculaneum papyri (not sure if they've found anything new lately:

https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wissen/verkohlte-woerter-zwei-schriftrollen-aus-der-villa-dei-papiri-17179615.html

Feature on 'tax returns' in the ancient Roman world:

https://www.spearswms.com/ancient-rome-tax-returns/

Feature on Leigh Ann Cowan's translation of the Odyssey into ASL:

https://www.hsvvoice.com/story/special/2021/02/09/fountain-lake-alum-translates-homers-the-odyssey-into-asl/4370411001/

Feature on Othon Rhousopoulos as the 'father of modern conservation' in Greece:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/262047/gallery/ekathimerini/life/the-founder-of-modern-conservation-in-greece

Feature on a Roman soldier's payslip (from Masada ... not a recent find):

https://www.timesofisrael.com/hail-seizure-roman-soldiers-masada-payslip-shows-unfair-wages-go-way-back/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9237493/Roman-soldiers-payslip-1-900-years-ago-reveals-left-BROKE-military-deductions.html?ito=facebook_share_article-top

Feature on ambition in the Roman Republic:

https://eaglesanddragonspublishing.com/ambition-in-the-roman-republic-a-guest-post-by-a-david-singh/

Feature on some ancient Greek women scientists and philosophers:

https://greekherald.com.au/culture/history/5-historic-female-greek-scientists-and-philosophers-you-should-know-about/

Feature on garum:

https://www.salon.com/2021/02/07/garum-the-funky-and-fishy-condiment-that-rose-and-fell-with-the-roman-empire/

Feature on damnatio memoriae:

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/02/erasing-donald-trump-impeachment-romans.html

Feature on food in ancient Greece:

https://www.thetravel.com/what-did-the-ancient-greeks-eat/

Feature on the Peloponnesian War:

https://www.historyextra.com/period/ancient-greece/peloponnesian-war-facts-guide-athens-when-fought-who-won/

Feature on how chariot factions saved Constantinople from the Huns:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/how-chariot-racing-teams-saved-constantinople-from-the-huns/137070

Feature on ancient Greek connections to Valentine's Day:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/02/14/greek-mythology-valentines-day/

-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
Plenty of coverage of an 17 000 years bp conch shell found 80 years ago in Marsoulas Cave being the oldest known manmade wind instrument:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-year-old-seashell-oldest-manmade-instrument.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/c-asr020521.php https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/aaft-ekc020821.php https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/10/science/conch-shell-horn.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56017967 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/10/conch-shell-in-french-museum-found-to-be-17000-year-old-wind-instrument
https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2021/feb/11/listen-as-a-17000-year-old-conch-shell-is-played-once-more-video
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/oldest-wind-instrument-scli-intl-scn/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/10/966322717/why-a-musician-breathed-new-life-into-a-17-000-year-old-conch-shell-horn
https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2021-02-10/why-a-musician-breathed-new-life-into-a-17-000-year-old-conch-shell-horn
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-seashell-conch-shell-horn-humans-cave-art
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/marsoulas-seashell-horn-09349.html https://www.wired.com/story/listen-to-an-18000-year-old-instrument-sing-once-more
https://gizmodo.com/after-17-000-years-a-rediscovered-conch-horn-is-played-1846238951
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/listen-to-haunting-notes-from-an-18000-year-old-conch-shell-trumpet/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/ancient-seashell-resonates-after-18000.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/11/ancient-seashell-resonates-after-18000-years/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9438-210211-france-paleolithic-shell

cf: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/7/eabe9510

A 5000 years bp crystal dagger find from a burial in Spain:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9177867/Rare-5-000-year-old-crystal-dagger-uncovered-Prehistoric-Iberian-megalithic-tomb-Spain.html

A possible new 'Skara Brae' from Orkney:

https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/have-archaeologists-found-another-skara-brae-orkney-3129649
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/2890255/a-new-skara-brae-orkney/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9469-210212-orkney-neolithic-erosion

Suggestion that Stonehenge was originally in Wales, then dismantled and moved to the Salisbury Plain:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-stonehenge-stones-older-monument.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56029203 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/12/dramatic-discovery-links-stonehenge-to-its-original-site-in-wales
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/science/stonehenge-archaeology-wales-parker-pearson.html
https://abcnews.go.com/International/stonehenge-rebuilt-welsh-stone-circle-research-shows/story?id=75802690
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/12/dramatic-discovery-links-stonehenge-to-its-original-site-in-wales
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/england-s-stonehenge-was-erected-wales-first
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/stonehenge-discovery-rocks-wales https://news.artnet.com/art-world/stonehenges-inner-stone-circle-originally-built-in-wales-1943583
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2021/02/3-ton-parts-stonehenge-may-carried-from-earlier-monuments/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/stonehenge-was-moved-wales-new-research-suggests-180977010/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9468-210212-wales-stonehenge-bluestones

cf: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/original-stonehenge-a-dismantled-stone-circle-in-the-preseli-hills-of-west-wales/B7DAA4A7792B4DAB57DDE0E3136FBC33

... a related feature on what Wessex Archaeology has found in various tunnel-related surveys at Stonehenge:

https://www.livescience.com/stonehenge-graves-enclosure-discovered-tunnel-construction.html
https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/news/a303-stonehenge-evaluation-works-uncover-glimpses-prehistoric-life
https://www.sciencealert.com/tunnel-construction-near-stone-henge-finds-ancient-bodies-and-a-strange-enclosure
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/neolithic-graves-unearthed-at.html

Finds from various Roman and post-Roman eras from a dig in Derbyshire:

https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/people/roman-and-prehistoric-remains-found-after-archaeological-dig-huge-north-derbyshire-new-homes-development-3132226

Iron Age Pottery from Hirta:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-55995799 https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/archaeologists-discover-evidence-of-iron-age-inhabitation-on-remote-island-of-st-kilda/137085
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9433-210210-scotland-kilda-archipelago

A 16th century cannonball from in front of a 15th century church in Edinburgh:

https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/cannonball-fired-church-during-16th-century-siege-uncovered-beneath-route-edinburgh-tram-extension-3133817

The British Museum released a report and there was a spate of coverage about 'treasure trove' finds from various UK places in 2019, e.g. Cumbria:

https://www.cwherald.com/news/record-number-of-buried-treasure-troves-found-in-cumbria-in-2019/
https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/19083984.cumbria-sees-record-amount-treasure-discovered-one-year/

... Powys:

https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/19082883.many-people-digging-treasure-powys/

... Swindon and Wiltshire:

https://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/19082478.swindon-wiltshire-remain-hotspots-finding-treasure-hundreds-new-discoveries/

... Shropshire:

https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/attractions/2021/02/12/detectorists-really-treasure-shropshire-and-its-rich-history/

... Lancashire:

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/people/buried-treasure-found-lancashire-3133517

... North Yorkshire:

https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/lifestyle/outdoors/north-yorkshire-uk-hotspot-buried-treasure-hundreds-finds-discovered-3131880

... South Yorkshire:

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/more-half-dozen-buried-treasure-troves-found-south-yorkshire-2019-3133006

... West Yorkshire:

https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/handful-buried-treasure-troves-found-west-yorkshire-2019-3131791

... Berkshire:

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/19084253.nearly-dozen-buried-treasure-troves-found-berkshire-reading-2019/

... Cambridgeshire and Peterborough:

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/numerous-buried-treasure-troves-found-cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-one-year-3133815

... Vale of Glamorgan:

https://www.barryanddistrictnews.co.uk/news/19086413.vale-glamorgan-treasure-hunters-unearth-half-dozen-hidden-hordes/

Plans to excavate Worlebury Hillfort:

https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/plans-to-uncover-worlebury-hillfort-move-forward-7315380

The Archdiocese of Cyprus appears to have demolished some historically-significant buildings:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/12/cyprus-icom-condemns-the-demolition-of-listed-buildings-in-nicosia/

Excavation in Tallinn continue, despite the cold:

https://news.err.ee/1608107479/archaeological-excavations-in-tallinn-ongoing-despite-freezing-conditions

More on a metal detectorist's find of a bit of Henry VIII's crown:

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/treasure-hunter-finds-lost-statuette-from-henry-viiis-crown
https://filmdaily.co/news/henry-viii-crown/

Feature on Basil Brown:

https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/basil-brown-links-with-west-suffolk-7322294

Feature on the disappearance of Norse colonies from Greenland:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/why-did-greenlands-norse-colonies-mysteriously-vanish-walrus-bones-hold-the

Feature on Sutton Hoo:

https://www.livescience.com/who-was-buried-sutton-hoo.html

Feature on the Avery Stone Circle and environs:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/exploring-the-avebury-stone-circle-landscape/137118

Feature on the British Iron Age:

https://www.historyextra.com/period/iron-age/guide-british-iron-age-what-when-how-live-britons/

Feature on the restoration of the largest Gothic altarpiece (in Poland):

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/worlds-largest-gothic-altarpiece-dazzles-again-after-6-year-restoration-project-84600

Feature on the 'leaning tower of Bristol':

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/story-behind-leaning-tower-bristol-4989550

Another housing-project-might-be-delayed-by-archaeology piece ... near Chesterfield:

https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/people/major-plans-build-150-homes-near-chesterfield-could-be-delayed-archaeological-digs-3125997
----------
Archaeology in Europe News:

http://archaeology-in-europe.blogspot.com/

Medievalists.net:

https://www.medievalists.net/category/news/

Viking Archaeology Blog:

http://viking-archaeology-blog.blogspot.com/

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC ================================================================
A reexamination/study of some teeth from a site in China suggests they are 16 000 years bp, not 120 000:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-retesting-ancient-teeth-china-years.html https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-when-did-modern-humans-reach-china-later-than-thought-1.9520822
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9434-210210-china-teeth-redated

2700 years bp 'face cream' from a burial at Liujiawa:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-2700yearold-cream-men-chinese-site.html https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00346-y https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-find-2700-year-old-facial-cream-180976973/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9435-210211-china-cosmetic-jar

On the restoration of the colonial-era Murray House in Hong Kong:

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3119722/colonial-era-murray-houses-resurrection-hong-kong-20-years

A Hoysala-era Jain temple site in Karnataka:

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-asi-unearths-jain-temple-in-hassan-district-karnataka/373856

Excavations have resumed at Keeladi:

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/seventh-phase-of-excavation-begins-at-keeladi-archaeological-site/2029201

... also at Keezhadi:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/feb/14/7th-phase-of-keezhadi-excavation-launched-2263792.html

There are plenty of ancient temple remains along the Mahi river, apparently:

https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/ratlam-treasure-trove-of-ancient-temples-lies-hidden-on-banks-of-mahi-river

Gandhara-era murals from a Buddhist site in Swat:

https://www.dawn.com/news/1606050

Those finds seem connected to a monastic/educational complex dating to the Kushan Empire from Swat:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/2000-year-old-buddhist-complex.html

Illegal dig concerns in Manshera:

https://www.dawn.com/news/1606345/treasure-hunters-warned-against-digging-up-graves

I'm sure we'll hear more about the dating of Ram Setu:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/ram-setu-not-an-ancient-monument-former-v-c-tells-sc/article33805549.ece
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
15th century Venetian glass beads (apparently) from a site in Alaska (!):

https://news.uaf.edu/blue-beads-in-the-tundra/ https://www.livescience.com/blue-glass-beads-predate-columbus-in-alaska.html https://www.sciencealert.com/controversial-study-claims-european-beads-found-in-alaska-predate-columbus
https://gizmodo.com/found-in-alaska-these-blue-beads-could-be-the-oldest-e-1846208780
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/precolumbian-venetian-glass-trade-beads.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tiny-blue-beads-european-artifact-north-america-old-180976966/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9428-210208-venetian-beads-alaska

Bones of six sailors have been found in the remains of the Whydah off Cape Cod:

https://www.wamc.org/post/trove-antique-portraits-including-1-susan-b-anthony-found-attic
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/508/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/508/pub/508/page/70/article/141405
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scholars-discover-six-skeletons-whydah-pirate-ship-180977011/

Studying 'moonshine sites' in South Carolina:

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/booze-for-al-capone-archaeologists-study-sc-illegal-moonshine-sites-near-charleston/article_00b4f422-5745-11eb-adc8-9b04476abb1e.html
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2021/02/archaeologists-find-prohibition-era-still-linked-to-al-capone/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9470-210212-south-carolina-stills

Coverage of the dig in North Greenwood Cemetery in Clearwater (this is pretty much day-by-day, in order):

https://www.tbnweekly.com/clearwater_beacon/article_e3bcd616-6bd8-11eb-a1fb-07cdb7ce661d.html
https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/history/2021/02/11/grave-markers-found-at-the-former-site-of-a-black-cemetery-in-clearwater/

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