===============================================================
explorator 23.44 February 21, 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
================================================================
Evidence from Skukbah Cave (Israel) suggests Neanderthals were making use of Nubian Levallois technology:

https://www.shh.mpg.de/1957277/blinkhorn-nubian-technology https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/mpif-nah020921.php https://phys.org/news/2021-02-neanderthals-homo-sapiens-identical-nubian.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210215092436.htm https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-neanderthals-in-west-bank-had-homo-sapiens-technology-1.9539939
https://www.sciencealert.com/a-long-lost-neanderthal-tooth-has-been-linked-to-surprisingly-human-like-tools
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/neanderthals-homo-sapiens-used-identical-nubian-technology/137147
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/neanderthals-used-stone-tool-tech-once-considered-exclusive-to-homo-sapiens/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/neanderthals-and-homo-sapiens-used.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/16/neanderthals-and-homo-sapiens-used-identical-nubian-technology/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9472-210216-neanderthal-nubian-levallois

Trying to connect the demise of the Neanderthals to a flipping of earth's magnetic poles:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-ancient-relic-earth-history-years.html https://www.livescience.com/magnetic-flip-42000-years-ago.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/science/laschamp-earth-magnetic-climate.html https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/18/end-of-neanderthals-linked-to-flip-of-earths-magnetic-poles-study-suggests
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6531/811

... and early humans in Tasmania at the time must have seen incredible auroras, apparently:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-humans-tasmania-spectacular-auroras.html https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/first-humans-in-tasmania-must-have-seen.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/study-shows-tasmanian-aboriginals-witnessed-the-laschamp-geomagnetic-excursion/137167

... related:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/science/laschamp-earth-magnetic-climate.html

Studying the biomechanics of early hominin shoulders:

https://www.cenieh.es/en/press/news/shoulders-homo-antecessor-and-modern-humans-are-similar
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9482-210219-homo-antecessor-shoulders

Study suggests Neanderthals died out because of their solitary lifestyle:

https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-02-13/neandertales-los-humanos-solitarios.html

We keep reading about a connection between Neanderthal DNA and COVID-19:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210216144328.htm

Feature on sapiens and neanderthalis genomes:

https://www.sapiens.org/column/field-trips/human-genome-project-neanderthals/

Something about 'rebuilding the brain' of Neanderthals:

https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-02-12/creados-minicerebroides-humanos-modificados-geneticamente-para-parecerse-a-los-neandertales.html

================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Concerns for the 6th century Debre Damo monastery in Ethiopia:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/02/18/conflit-au-tigre-un-monastere-du-vie-siecle-bombarde-et-pille/

More on possible epidemic and subsequent population collapse in central Africa 1400 -1600 years bp:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/disease-epidemic-possibly-caused.html
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
Not sure why there seems to be so little coverage of this claimed find of Ptolemaic-era shipwrecks near Alexandria:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/98618/Did-a-Russian-mission-find-ships-dating-back-to-the

A CT scan of the mummy of Seqenenre-Taa II revealed he was 'ceremoniously executed' on the battlefield by Hyksos weapons:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/f-cso020821.php https://phys.org/news/2021-02-ct-scans-egyptian-mummy-reveal.html https://www.livescience.com/egyptian-pharaoh-battlefield-death.html https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/17/pharoah-killed-in-execution-ceremony-hi-tech-study-concludes
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2021-02/18/c_139748632.htm https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/18/egyptian-3d-scan-reveals-cause-pharaohs-gruesome-demise/
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/515/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/515/pub/515/page/61/article/143524
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60779 https://m.elmostrador.cl/cultura/2021/02/18/la-ciencia-desvela-los-detalles-de-la-muerte-violenta-del-faraon-sequenenra/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/ct-scans-of-egyptian-mummy-reveal-new.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/18/pharaoh-seqenenre-taa-ii-ct-scan-offers-glimpses-to-his-heroic-death/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ct-scan-shows-pharaoh-was-brutally-murdered-battlefield-180977036/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9478-210218-egypt-wounds-mummy

A study of how ancient Egyptians baked bread (and other things):

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/how-did-ancient-egyptians-bake-after-54-loaves-scholar-finds-answers-659163

Feature on the discovery of Tut's tomb:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/98700/All-you-need-to-know-about-the-discovery-of-Tutankhamun%E2%80%99s

More on the First Dynasty 'beer factory' find from Abydos:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-egypt-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-beer.html https://dailynewsegypt.com/2021/02/14/ancient-egyptians-knew-how-to-party-worlds-oldest-brewery-unearthed/
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/98739/Egypt%E2%80%99s-Min-of-Tourism-Antiquities-reveals-history-of-beer-in
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210213-egypt-claims-what-could-be-world-s-oldest-mass-production-brewery
https://www.dw.com/en/beer-from-ancient-egypt-to-modern-germany/a-56582300 https://dailynewsegypt.com/2021/02/14/ancient-egyptians-knew-how-to-party-worlds-oldest-brewery-unearthed/
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/B1d00in8bu https://www.arabnews.com/node/1809421/middle-east https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/worlds-oldest-brewery-ancient-beer-factory-unearthed-in-abydos
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-antiquities-idUKKBN2AE0ET https://hosted.ap.org/article/92e3692d44ad452046163291abb03e9f/egypt-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-beer-factory-abydos
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/14/middleeast/egypt-beer-factory-intl-hnk-scli-scn/index.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/africa/300231054/this-could-be-the-worlds-oldest-beer-factory
https://www.news24.com/arts/culture/archaeologists-discover-ancient-beer-factory-in-egypt-20210216
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/worlds-oldest-beer-brewery-egypt-1944234 https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-egypt/ancient-egyptian-beer-brewery/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/archaeologists-unearth-ancient-beer.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/15/ancient-brewery-found-in-abydos/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/worlds-oldest-industrial-scale-brewery-found-egypt-180977026/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9471-210216-abydos-beer-brewery

Another collection of "millennia old" petroglyphs from Iran's Lorestan province:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/458201/Ancient-petroglyphs-discovered-in-western-Iran

"Unique" finds from several periods from Astarabad (Iran):

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/458349/Unique-relics-unearthed-in-northern-Iran-archaeologist

The first steps in excavating the Middle Bronze Age site at Bagh-e Nil (Iran) are under way:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/458335/Iranian-archaeologists-begin-demarcation-project-on-Bronze-Age

Not sure we've mentioned this evidence of a 20 000 years bp (or so) burial from Jordan:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-body-burned-burial-jordan-death-views
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9477-210217-jordan-hunter-gatherer

Feature on Neo-Assyrian deportation and its effects:

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/02/neo-assyrian-deportation

Feature on the finds over the years at Timna:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/findings-at-timna-change-what-we-know-of-biblical-history-659392

In case you missed that 120 000 years bp inscribed auroch bone fine from Ramie:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/earliest-human-symbol-found/

More on possible damage to the Joshua's Altar site:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/what-is-joshuas-altar-the-site-damaged-by-palestinian-road-works-658965

Early 20th century shipwrecks revealed as Lake Van's waters recede:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/sunken-historical-ship-emerges-from-turkeys-lake-van/news

Restoration/tourist plans for Uzuncaburc:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/2300-year-history-of-uzuncaburc-ancient-city-to-be-revived/news

Fewer young Iraqis are studying archaeology, apparently:

https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2021/02/fewer-young-iraqis-choose-to-study-archaeology/

Meanwhile, a site in Rihab (Jordan) is providing work and protecting cultural heritage:

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210219-ancient-jordan-site-restoration-brings-locals-refugees-jobs
https://middle-east-online.com/en/ancient-jordan-site-restoration-brings-locals-refugees-jobs
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
An undisturbed (sort of) Punic burial from Marsala (Itlaiian):

https://www.lasicilia.it/news/cultura/394071/marsala-durante-scavi-per-le-fogne-scoperta-una-necropoli-punica-con-camere-anche-inviolate.html#.YC5IvKq3JIU.facebook
https://palermo.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/02/18/news/marsala_scavi_per_le_fognature_svelano_una_eccezionale_scoperta_archeologica-288137614/
https://www.guidasicilia.it/notizia/eccezionale-scoperta-archeologica-a-marsala/3012669

I think we've mentioned this Scythian burial excavated in Russia's Rostov region:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/archaeologists-excavate-burial-mound-containing-scythian-grave-goods/137193

A14 construction in Cambridgeshire revealed (a while ago, apparently) a 2000 years bp millstone decorated with a phallus:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-56113457 https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/people/rare-two-thousand-year-old-phallic-carving-roman-virility-found-cambridgeshire-road-3138853
https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/uk-news/2021/02/18/roman-phallus-millstone-unearthed-during-road-improvement-project/
https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/national/19101065.roman-phallus-millstone-unearthed-road-improvement-project/
https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/enhanced-phallus-carved-on-roman-millstone-uncovered-after-a14-upgrade-work-9157444/
https://www.9news.com.au/world/penis-millstone-archaeology-roman-phallus-excavation-english-highway-dig/fca2176e-0768-4f3c-928a-6a580f621746
https://metro.co.uk/2021/02/19/2000-year-old-roman-millstone-found-with-massive-penis-engraved-on-it-14111204/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9481-210219-england-phallus-millstone

Drones have revealed some details of 2000 years bp Roman mining operations in Spain:

https://www.mining.com/drones-reveal-previously-unknown-features-of-roman-era-gold-operations/

A pair of 1800 years bp Roman sarcophagi from Ramat Gan Safari Park (Israel):

https://www.timesofisrael.com/1800-year-old-sarcophagi-rediscovered-during-construction-at-ramat-gan-safari/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/was-a-pagan-couple-buried-in-ancient-bnei-brak-some-1800-years-ago-659414
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/two-1800-year-old-sarcophagi-discovered-in-ramat-gan-zoo/2021/02/18/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/02/19/1800-year-old-sarcophagi-rediscovered-in-ramat-gans-safari-park/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/02/19/2-roman-era-sarcophagi-uncovered-during-work-on-wildlife-clinic-at-ramat-gan-safari/
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israeli-zoo-finds-roman-sarcophagi-while-building-new-animal-hospital-1.9549114
https://www.friendsofiaa.org/news/2021/2/18/two-1800-year-old-sarcophagi-discovered-at-ramat-gan-safari-park
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/1613644367-israel-ancient-roman-period-sarcophagi-uncovered-by-accident-in-safari
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-02/18/c_139750407.htm http://www.archaeology.org/news/9483-210219-israel-stone-sarcophagi

In case you missed the find of an Iron Age settlement and a Roman villa from Wittenham Clumps:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/14/astonishing-dig-reveals-domestic-life-in-the-iron-age?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/iron-age-settlement-roman-villa-wittenham-clumps-09364.html

A study of bones believed to come from St James the Younger apparently date later than previously thought:

https://www.livescience.com/st-james-relic-someone-else.html https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-bones-of-jesus-disciple-might-not-be-his https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/supposed-bones-st-james-younger-may-belong-someone-else-180977024/

Hopes that 'The Dig' will spur interest in Otford's Roman Villa site:

https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/archaeologists-hope-netflixs-dig-prompts-5008536

Funding for some Roman history projects in Maryport:

https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/19104098.government-backing-maryports-roman-history-projects/

A 'controversy' over the site of the palace of Hasdrubal in Cartagena:

https://murciatoday.com/controversy_over_the_legendary_palace_of_hasdrubal_in_cartagena_1561592-a.html

Feature on the Bredon Hills Roman coin hoard:

https://inews.co.uk/culture/arts/the-bredon-hills-roman-coin-hoard-birmingham-museums-review-879550

Feature on the 'top ten' finds in Greece last year:

https://www.greece-is.com/the-top-10-archaeological-finds-in-greece-in-the-age-of-lockdowns/

I think we mentioned this feature on the Mycenean site ont Gla:

https://www.ancient.eu/article/1679/the-island-of-gla-a-mycenaean-mystery-solved/

More on the apparent Roman amphitheatre find at Mastaura/Tralleis:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/02/14/colosseum-turkey-ancient-tralleis/ https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/colosseum-like-structure-found-in-aegean-162401

More on Hadrian's 'breakfast chamber' from Tivoli:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/villa-adriana-breakfast

More on that 2000 years bp (or so) Cupid figurine from Gloucestersire:

https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/19089340.human-skeleton-found-among-roman-artefacts-works-near-cirencester/
https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/19089811.rare-roman-cupid-figurine-found-among-artefacts-dug-gloucestershire/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-roman-cupid-figurine-found-uk-180977038/

More on that Antoninus Pius coin found by an IDF soldier in Israel:

https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/History/Pages/Rare-1800-Year-Old-Roman-coin-found-on-southern-Carmel-9-February-2021.aspx
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/rare-roman-bronze-coin-israel-09359.html http://www.archaeology.org/news/9480-210219-israel-roman-coin

More on that late Republican coin hoard from Aizanoi:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/large-cache-of-late-roman-republic.html

There's a new director running Pompeii:

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-appoints-gabriel-zuchtriegel-as-new-pompeii-director.html
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/italy-taps-german-archaeologist-oversee-pompeii-ruins-76019511

Feature on the Casa della Regina Carolina Project at Pompeii:

https://blogs.cornell.edu/crcpompeii/thanks/

Feature on nine monuments of the Athenian Agora:

https://www.thecollector.com/monuments-agora-of-athens/

Feature on Paulopetri:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/the-sunken-town-of-pavlopetri/137158

Feature on the Roman baths at Como:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/roman-baths-of-como

Review of Bettany Hughes, *Venus and Aphrodite*:

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

Review of Natalie Haynes, *A Thousand Ships*:

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/feb/21/mythology-gets-update-that-pleases/?latest

More on Dr Salgarella and Linear A:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/18/linear-a-still-keeps-its-secrets/

On pandemics and ancient Rome:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/15/opinion/ancient-rome-covid.html

Feature on Dr Fauci's Classics background:

https://www.luc.edu/features/stories/healthsciences/fauciphilosophy/

Feature on connections between Rome and Pune:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/sutradharas-tales-pune-s-roman-connection-bangles-offer-the-clue-101613554260507.html

Feature on depictions of Africans in Greco-Roman art:

https://www.ancientworldmagazine.com/articles/curating-colour/

Some lessons from Roman emperors (claimed):

https://bigthink.com/politics-current-affairs/10-quotes-roman-emperors

Feature on Plutarch's moral philosophy:

https://merionwest.com/2021/02/18/the-moral-philosophy-of-plutarch/

Feature on some ancient Greek aphrodisiacs:

https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tourism-businesses/gastronomy/43433-honey-and-pepper-used-as-aphrodisiacs-by-ancient-greeks.html

Feature on Midas:

https://www.thecollector.com/king-midas-golden-touch/

Feature on the Amazons:

https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/warrior-women-part-2/Content?oid=19765671

Another feature on Mark Zuckerberg and Augustus:

https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/the-rise-and-fall-of-mark-zuckerberg-like-roman-emperor-augustus/news-story/79ff2c2016564aac7e47f03e104e6fda

Optimism from some circles for the return of the Parthenon Marbles:

https://neoskosmos.com/en/185548/first-ever-campaigner-confident-of-parthenon-marbles-return-after-more-than-40-years-of-striving/

In case you need some 'Classical snow' ... here's a snow statue of Hippocrates:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/02/15/snow-statue-hippocrates-astoria/

... and there were plenty of photos of monuments in Athens covered in snow this week:

https://apnews.com/article/snow-blankets-athens-halts-vaccinations-be193363451279cc4d105d025d0fb2b6
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/weather/2021/02/16/athens-greece-sees-winter-storm-dump-snow-greek-capital/6762100002/
https://www.livescience.com/rare-snow-covers-acropolis-athens.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56089815 https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/city-breaks/43409-rare-snow-blankets-acropolis-and-other-ancient-monuments-in-athens-videos.html
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
9000 years bp stone artifacts from a development site in Wales:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-56106312 https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ancient-encampment-dating-back-9000-19861594

A study looking at the political and economic implications of livestock in the Late Bronze Age - Late Antiquity Iberian peninsula:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-livestock-ancient-europe-political-shifts.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/p-cli021621.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210217151100.htm https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/changing-livestock-in-ancient-europe-reflect-political-shifts/137190
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/19/choosing-livestock-in-ancient-europe/

A farmer came across a 4000 years bp (maybe) burial near Skara Brae:

https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/mystery-of-prehistoric-skeleton-found-by-farmer-close-to-skara-brae-on-orkney-3140939

Pondering whether Worcester is the oldest settlement in the UK:

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/19101743.worcester-oldest-settlement-uk/

A restored 1st century CE Celtic figurine found in Cambridgeshire a couple years ago is gaining press attention because it appears to have a mullet hairstyle:

https://www.livescience.com/celtic-deity-statue-mullet.html https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/19/when-mullets-rocked-figurine-suggests-ancient-britons-favoured-hairstyle
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-56116411 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/iron-age-mullets-archaeology-celtic-b1804535.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/19/mullets-vogue-iron-age-britons-tiny-statue-has-revealed/
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/515/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/515/pub/515/page/48/article/143611
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mullet-look-fashionable-first-century-britain-celts-cvmxqd567
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/celtic-deity-hair https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/did-ancient-britons-wear-mustaches-and-mullets-180977059/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9484-210219-england-metal-figurine

5th century royal burials of some sort from Merida:

https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-02-13/merida-encuentra-a-sus-princesas-suevas.html

An inscribed 7th century cattle bone suggests Slavs first used Germanic runes for writing purposes:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-ancient-bone-slav-alphabet-history.html https://rmx.news/article/article/revolutionary-discovery-the-oldest-script-of-the-slavs-is-not-glagolitic-but-germanic-runes
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/runes-carved-on-rib-reveal-earliest-slav-writing-system/137173
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/germanic-runes-on-rib-bone-oldest.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/15/%CE%BFldest-writing-system-among-slavs-was-germanic-runes/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9473-210216-german-runes-inscription

A 10th century Viking hoard found by a detectorist on the Isle of Man has been declared treasure:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/feb/18/viking-age-artefacts-discovered-isle-of-man-declared-treasure
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-56111192 https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/02/viking-treasure-hoard-discovered-on-isle-of-man/137203

Remains of a 12th century bath house from Seville:

https://english.elpais.com/arts/2021-02-17/12th-century-bathhouse-uncovered-in-spanish-bar.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/18/islamic-12th-century-bathhouse-uncovered-in-seville-tapas-bar
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/spain-bar-bathhouse-discovery-scli-intl/index.html
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-02-16/las-obras-de-un-bar-de-sevilla-desvelan-un-bano-islamico-del-siglo-xii-decorado-en-su-totalidad.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9479-210218-spain-bar-hammam

Road construction in Sibenik (Croatia) as revealed 600 burials (various periods?):

https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/50644-600-skulls-found-during-archaeological-digs-in-medieval-cemetery-in-sibenik
https://www.croatiaweek.com/over-600-skulls-found-in-sibenik-by-archaeologists/

Restoration of the 15th century Osburgh Hall was complicated by its moat:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/510/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/510/pub/510/page/46/article/141976

Some frescoes in the Augsburg Cathedral have been dated to ca 1000 CE:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/02/20/de-tres-anciennes-fresques-de-saint-jean-baptiste-retrouvees-en-baviere/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1000-year-old-bavarian-frescoes-depict-life-and-beheading-john-baptist-180977030/

Seeking funds for an archaeological excavation in Scalloway:

https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2021/02/15/funding-appeal-launched-for-scalloway-archaeological-excavation/

The British Museum-inspired accounting of 'treasure' finds from various areas continued, including Flintshire:

https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/19091899.dozen-buried-treasure-troves-found-flintshire-since-records-began/

... Dorset:

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/19098138.dorset-hotspot-discovering-treasures/

... Cumbria:

https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/19103333.record-number-buried-treasure-troves-discovered-cumbria/
https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/19096779.record-number-buried-treasure-troves-discovered-cumbria/

... Birmingham:

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/skeletons-secret-gardens-most-amaizng-19777273

Concerns for assorted sites in Cheshire:

https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/cheshires-at-risk-historical-sites-19848918

A project to have 'citizen archaeologists' help map ancient wells of Galloway:

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19105213.citizen-archaeologists-urged-help-map-ancient-wells-galloway/

Folks aren't pleased with some bronze doors being installed on Burgo's 800 years bp cathedral:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/18/an-eyesore-thousands-protest-against-spanish-cathedrals-new-doors
https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-02-17/las-nuevas-puertas-de-la-catedral-del-burgos-abren-un-debate-en-su-800-aniversario.html

Remembering the discovery (50 years go) of the wreck of La Trinidad Valencera:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-56071229

Using parasitic wasps to deal with pests eating tapestries at Boleyn hall:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/world/europe/blickling-hall-wasps-moths.html https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/513/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/513/pub/513/page/11/article/142953

More on the suggestion Stonehenge was moved from Wales:

https://www.livescience.com/original-stonehenge-discovered-in-wales.html https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/16/stonehenge-archaeology-documentary
https://theconversation.com/stonehenge-first-stood-in-wales-how-archaeologists-proved-parts-of-the-5-000-year-old-stone-circle-were-imported-155315
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1397409/stonehenge-story-twist-bbc-documentary-neolithic-lunch-wales-quarry-site-waun-mawn-spt
https://boingboing.net/2021/02/15/archaeologists-think-stonehenge-may-have-been-moved-from-its-original-spot.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/stonehenge-may-be-dismantled-welsh.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/02/15/stonehenge-may-be-dismantled-welsh-stone-circle/

... and I'm not sure if we've mentioned these recent finds of burials and pottery near the site:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/stonehenge-in-the-news-as-graves-and-odd-enclosure-unearthed/
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/stonehenge-A303-new-bones-and-objects-found

... and campaigners are apparently going to court over the tunnel project:

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/stonehenge-A303-new-bones-and-objects-found

... and Stonehenge is apparently not really a henge:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/feb/18/when-is-a-henge-not-a-henge-when-its-stonehenge

We've mentioned these 6000 years' worth of arrows emerging from Norwegian melting ice:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/6000-years-arrows-emerge-melting-norway-ice-patch

More on that 18 000 years bp seashell horn:

https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/02/14/18000-year-old-seashell-horn-still-plays-musical-notes/

Reviewish of Jack Cooke, *The End of the Road*:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/feb/21/dead-strange-in-search-of-britains-most-unusual-tombs

----------
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 ================================================================
Airport construction in Shaanxi revealed some 3500 burials:

http://www.ecns.cn/news/society/2021-02-18/detail-ihahrtqt2711942.shtml http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202102/18/WS602dc49aa31024ad0baa9473.html https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202102/1215730.shtml https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-02-18/Thousands-of-relics-discovered-at-Xi-an-metro-construction-site-XYNBHfK6xa/index.html

A study suggests a megadrought situation some 4000 years bp delayed cultural exchange and trade along the Silk Road:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-megadroughts-arid-central-asia-cultural.html https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/02/megadroughts-in-arid-central-asia.html

Major funding for a Mongolian archaeological project:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/mpif-map021821.php

UNESCO concerns for a construction project near Agnkor:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2251 https://news.artnet.com/art-world/cambodian-resort-could-threaten-angkor-wat-1945136

Burials and other finds from various periods from a settlement site in Odisha:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/feb/15/remains-of-ancient-human-settlement-unearthed-in-odisha-2264244.html

A possible temple foundation find and other artifacts (date?) at the Sari Deula site in Bhubaneswar:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/feb/19/another-temple-base-fallen-stones-found-behind-sari-deula-2266014.html

Finds from various periods from Elanthakarai are being touted as another Keeladi-ish site:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/elanthakarai-another-keeladi-in-the-making-amateur-archaeologist-hands-over-rare-findings-to-alagappa-university/articleshow/80923929.cms

I think we mentioned the seventh phase of the Keeladi excavations has commenced:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/seventh-phase-of-excavation-at-keeladi-inaugurated/article33830457.ece

A study at a Buddhist site in Gujarat is shedding light on monastic cuisine some 2000 years bp:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/gujarat-archaeology-serves-buddhist-platter-that-is-two-millenia-old/articleshow/80916270.cms

A 16th century idol found 'in the bushes' by farmers in Andhra Pradesh:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/andhra-pradesh-16th-century-idol-found-in-prakasam-district/articleshow/80995848.cms
https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/16th-century-idol-found-ditched-in-prakasam-village-672511
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/feb/17/16th-century-idol-of-lakshminarasimha-found-in-bushes-at-motupalli-2265132.html

Illegal quarrying in Gangavathi is raising concerns for Neotlithic sites:

https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/in-gangavathi-illegal-quarrying-imperils-neolithic-treasures-951343.html

Evidence from Cloggs Cave suggests Aboriginal Australians were processing and eating moths 2000 years bp:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-15/bogong-moth-find-reveals-indigenous-food-practices-cloggs-cave/13139704
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/moths-used-food-australia-2000-years-ago-180977048/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9476-210217-australia-bogong-moths

Using koala and rat teeth to come up with a strontium isotope map of Adelaide:

https://phys.org/news/2021-02-koala-rat-teeth-reveal-adelaide.html

Feature on a 'mysterious' 19th century sod hut found on New Zealand's southermost islands:


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