===============================================================
explorator 23.47 March 14, 2021
===============================================================
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).

... the annual late-because-of-Daylight-Saving-Time edition ...

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Redating of Neanderthal remains from Spy cave in Belgium suggest Neanderthals left northwest Europe some 5000 years earlier than previously thought:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/09/europe/neanderthal-belgium-spy-cave-intl-scli-scn/index.html
https://www.wral.com/neanderthals-disappeared-from-europe-thousands-of-years-earlier-than-we-thought/19566407/
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-no-we-didn-t-meet-neanderthals-in-belgium-37-000-years-ago-1.9601418
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9339457/Neanderthal-remains-Belgium-thought-37-000-years-old-actually-thousands-years-OLDER.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/03/neanderthals-disappeared-from-north.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9518-210311-belgium-spy-cave

cf: https://www.pnas.org/content/118/12/e2022466118

Remains from Spain's Bolomor cave suggests Neanderthals had a pretty comfortable lifestyle there 100 000 = 350 000 years bp:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/neandertal-spain-cave-warm-weather-landscape-art-illustration
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9517-210310-spain-bolomor-cave

Homo sapiens remains from Kaldar cave (in Iran) are adding to our knowledge of migration some 63 000 years bp:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/458946/Fossil-found-in-Iran-cave-part-of-missing-link-in-human-migration

Pondering when humans first began wearing clothes:

https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/when-did-humans-first-start-wearing-clothes/

More on human brain evolution and connections to megafauna extinction:

https://www.livescience.com/human-brain-evolution-prey-size.html https://www.sciencealert.com/contentious-hypothesis-posits-humans-brains-grew-larger-as-we-hunted-smaller-prey

cf: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajpa.24247

More on the rethinking of the 'competition hypothesis' associated with the demise of the Neanderthals:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/03/10/shift-in-scientific-consensus-about-demise-of-neanderthals/

More on homo sapiens and water efficiency:

https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/behaviour/homo-sapiens-the-water-saving-ape/ ================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Feature on the Thulamela site (South Africa):

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-07-thulamela-africas-ancient-history-of-civilisation-written-in-the-stone-walls/

Feature on the Kushite Queen Kandake Amanirenas:

https://www.blackstarnews.com/education/education/kush-queen-kandake-amanirenas-fought-romans-and-saved-her-empire
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
Remains of a fifth century CE Christian community/monastery in Egypt's Western Desert:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/99632/Egypt-uncovers-Mud-brick-buildings-dating-back-to-the-fourth
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/14/ancient-christian-ruins-discovered-in-egypt-reveal-nature-of-monastic-life
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-christian-settlement-discovered-in-egypts-bahariya-oasis/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/03/14/ancient-christian-ruins-discovered-in-egypt-reveal-nature-of-monastic-life/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/14/ancient-christian-ruins-discovered-in-egypt-reveal-nature-of-monastic-life
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210313-ancient-christian-ruins-discovered-in-egypt
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1824916 https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3125357/archaeologists-discover-ancient-christian-ruins-egypts-western

The Egyptian Museum has restored Tut's war shield:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/99473/Grand-Egyptian-Museum%E2%80%99s-restorers-succeed-in-restoring-Tutankhamun%E2%80%99s-war-shield

Egypt is studying the impact of recent archaeological finds on tourism:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/3/99491/Egypt-reviews-impact-of-new-archaeological-discoveries-on-inbound-tourism

Egypt and Spain are working together to study human remains:

http://egypttoday.com/Article/4/99452/Joint-cooperation-between-Egypt-Spain-to-train-archaeologists-in-the

More on the recent finds from that pet cemetery near the Red Sea:

https://www.livescience.com/oldest-pet-cemetery-ancient-egypt.html https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/99472/Recent-study-Oldest-pet-cemetery-is-located-in-Egypt
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/03/09/worlds-oldest-pet-cemetery-found-on-red-sea-coast-in-egypt/

More on the Dendera Temple restoration project:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/03/10/dendera-temple-restoration-and-developing-project-continues/

More on the translation of a 3500 years bp 'mummification manual':

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/egyptologists-translate-the-oldest-known-mummification-manual/

... not sure this item on the mummification process is aware of the previous:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-mummification-process-how-ancient-egyptians-preserved-bodies-for-the

More on that Islamic-era village in Balat being restored:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/99377/Islamic-Village-in-Balat-restored

Plans to preserve the first millennium BCE site at Qaleh Bolandeh (Iran):

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/459065/New-plan-to-save-site-of-the-first-millennium-BC

... and funding to 'revive' the 'archaeological hill' at Tepe Qalaichi associated with the Mannai civilization:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/458880/Attention-devoted-to-revive-archaeological-hill-in-northwest

A 1600 years bp Mandaean amulet inscription has been translated:

https://www.livescience.com/magical-amulet-stops-blood-drinking-spirits.html

Feature on the Tomb of Joshua:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/20/world/middleeast/baghdad-iraq-joshua-tomb.html

10 000/9000 years bp stone implements from a site in Turkey's Trabzon province:

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/ancient-stone-tools-shed-light-on-northern-turkeys-history/news

... and similar sorts of things dating 13 000 years bp ... from the same site?:

https://www.dailysabah.com/life/researchers-find-13000-year-old-stone-fragments-in-turkeys-trabzon/news
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-coronavirus-outbreak/13-000-year-old-stone-fragments-found-in-turkey/2174573

Big tourism hopes for Gobekli Tepe:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/ancient-wonder-gobeklitepe-hopes-to-host-1m-visitors-this-year/news

Arguing over whether an ancient toilet found at the 2800 years bp site of Lachish was designed to 'desecrate' it:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-discovery-of-biblical-toilet-unleashes-archaeological-fracas-in-israel-1.9597782

An 11-year-old on a hike in Israel found a 2500 years bp (or so) 'fertility figurine'/amulet:

https://www.livescience.com/biblical-era-figurine-israel.html https://www.timesofisrael.com/boy-finds-2500-year-old-fertility-figurine-during-family-hike/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/biblical-fertility-amulet-found-in-the-negev-661413
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/298146 https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/03/10/11-year-old-comes-across-rare-first-temple-era-artifact-during-desert-hike/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/boy-finds-ancient-figurine-boy-hands-over-ancient-figurine-to-israel-antiquities-authority/2021/03/09/
https://www.jns.org/israeli-boy-finds-biblical-era-figurine-in-the-negev/ http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-03/10/content_77292774.htm http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2021/03/09/archaeology-2500-year-old-figurine-discovered-in-israel_1b4db931-0192-4eb6-a9c4-28fa84e6b2c1.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/boy-finds-2500-year-old-fertility-amulet-israel-180977217/
https://www.archaeology.org/9515-210310-israel-fertility-amulet

12th century CE finds from the Armenian Garden in Old Jerusalem:

https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/123616 https://en.armradio.am/2021/03/10/important-antiquities-uncovered-during-renovation-works-at-armenian-garden-in-jerusalem/

Feature on the importance of the Mount Ebal site:

https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/mount-ebal-more-than-meets-the-eye-661400

Apparently someone thinks the Shapira Deuteronomy fragments might be genuine after all:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/arts/bible-deuteronomy-discovery.html https://www.newser.com/story/303521/they-said-his-biblical-find-was-a-forgery-what-if-it-wasnt.html

see also:

https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/zaw-2021-0001/html

... but cf:

http://www.rollstonepigraphy.com/?p=896

A growing issue over a 'secret tunnel' illegally dug (apparently) by the Abbey of the Dormition:

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/illegal-church-built-tunnel-on-mount-zion-concealed-by-the-city-661543
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/jerusalem/regavim-jerusalem-municipality-concealed-illegal-secret-tunnel-dug-by-the-abbey-of-the-dormition/2021/03/10/

Opeddish thing that Syrian heritage has suffered a "cultural apocalypse":

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210309-syrian-heritage-suffered-cultural-apocalypse
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/syrian-heritage-suffered-cultural-apocalypse/
https://middle-east-online.com/en/war-inflicts-irreversible-losses-syrian-heritage

... and the neglected sites in Idlib:

https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2021/03/idlibs-antiquities-tragic-and-forgotten/

Feature on the origins of religion in ancient Israel:

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/03/historical-origin-god/

More reports of Jewish settlers raiding a Palestinian archaeological site near Nablus:

https://www.palestinechronicle.com/jewish-settlers-raid-palestinian-archeological-site-near-nablus/

Folks might be interested in this 33.8 mb pdf file of several of Cyrus Gordon's works:

https://ia801008.us.archive.org/7/items/GordonStudies19331982/Gordon_Studies_1933-1982.pdf
-----

This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
A possible Roman fort located near Burton (maybe):

https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/ancient-roman-fort-location-found-5119083

Brief item on some mosaics found in Ajloun (Jordan):

https://en.ammonnews.net/article/47770

A Roman-era burial from Vibo (Italian):

https://www.corrieredellacalabria.it/2021/03/12/vibo-scoperte-parti-di-una-tomba-di-epoca-romana-foto/
https://calabria7.it/tomba-epoca-romana-scoperta-vibo-foto/

A major Augustan (?) era structure from Argenta (Italian):

https://lanuovaferrara.gelocal.it/ferrara/cronaca/2021/03/08/news/un-grande-edificio-di-eta-romana-trovato-nel-territorio-di-argenta-1.40002907

An erotic lamp from Caltanissetta (Italian):

https://newsicilia.it/caltanissetta/cultura/sicilia-come-pompei-ritrovata-scena-erotica-su-reperto-archeologico-testimonianza-del-patrimonio-culturale/652994
https://www.lasicilia.it/news/cultura/398967/archeologia-lucerna-con-scena-erotica-riemerge-da-scavi-nel-nisseno.html

Remains of a major pre-Roman cistern from Castel Gandolfo (Italian):

https://www.ilmamilio.it/c/comuni/36250-castel-gandolfo-importante-scoperta-archeologica-nei-pressi-del-lago-e-una-vasta-cisterna-di-epoca-preromana.html

Plenty of finds from a dig at the Palazzo Farnese in Piacenza (Italian):

https://www.finestresullarte.info/musei/nuovo-allestimento-sezione-romana-palazzo-farnese-piacenza

A 'statue-stele' from Lungiana (very wide range of dates for this):

https://www.finestresullarte.info/archeologia/pontremoli-scoperta-testa-di-una-statua-stele

Really a repatriation story, but that section of mosaic flooring from one of Caligula's ships (that was turned into a coffee table in New York) has returned 'home':

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-odd-stains-on-caligulas-stolen-orgy-ship-mosaic-finally-cleaned
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/14/world/europe/caligula-mosaic-ship-italy.html https://www.dailystar.com.lb/Arts-and-Ent/Culture/2021/Mar-12/518368-emperors-mosaic-completes-centuries-long-round-trip-journey.ashx
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/crazy-caligulas-decadent-decor-returns-home/news-story/0c47daf2300db1d8fccb8af44ecdff17
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/weird/roman-emperors-looted-mosaic-returned-home-after-being-used-as-nyc-coffee-table/2939733/
https://www.startribune.com/emperors-mosaic-displayed-in-italy-after-stint-as-nyc-table/600033026/
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/discovered-at-a-book-launch-the-curious-case-of-caligula-s-coffee-table-20210312-p57a8z.html
https://gothamist.com/news/early-addition-im-sure-having-caligulas-mosaic-coffee-table-was-fun-while-it-lasted
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/537/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/537/pub/537/page/57/article/150773

Plans to study a Roman wall found in downtown Gloucester:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-56323337

Also, a Roman 'double burial' from Gloucester with aDNA revealing relationships too:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/03/a-rare-roman-double-burial-from-roman.html

Not sure why this Corinthian helmet, found (and reported on) a decade ago off Haifa, is back in the news:

https://www.livescience.com/bronze-helmet-greek-persian-wars.html https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/09/2500-year-old-corinthian-helmet-found-in-haifa-israel/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ship-unearthed-ancient-greek-helmet-near-israel-180977200/

Latest developments in the study of the Antikythera Mechanism:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/ucl-era031021.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210312084716.htm https://www.livescience.com/antikythera-mechanism-worlds-first-computer-modeled.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/12/scientists-move-closer-to-solving-mystery-of-antikythera-mechanism
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56377567 https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkd57k/scientists-have-unlocked-the-secrets-of-the-ancient-antikythera-mechanism
https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/13/antikythera-mechanism-the-worlds-first-computer-continues-to-amaze-scientists/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/03/14/antikythera-mechanism-computer/ https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/scientists-solve-another-piece-of-the-puzzling-antikythera-mechanism/
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/researchers-reveal-display-of-the-ancient-greek-order-of-the-universe-cosmos-in-antikythera-mechanism/137660
https://scitechdaily.com/2000-year-old-greek-astronomical-calculator-experts-recreate-a-mechanical-cosmos-for-the-worlds-first-computer/

cf: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-84310-w

A dig at Aglaki (Cyprus) is throwing cold water on local legends of 'Ptolemy's Treasure':

https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/03/07/searching-for-the-treasure-of-ptolemy/

A study suggests that a Phoenician Temple of Melqart wasn't on the islet of Sancti Petri:

https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-03-07/hercules-descansa-en-la-bahia-de-cadiz.html

Study suggests (on rather scatter evidence) that the Scythians weren't all nomads; some settled down:

https://phys.org/news/2021-03-scythian-people-werent-nomadic-warriors.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/p-spw030321.php https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/uom-ago031021.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210310150420.htm https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-nomadic-warrior-people-of-scythia-is-a-myth-archaeologists-discover-1.9606726
https://www.sciencealert.com/secrets-locked-in-ancient-bones-upend-what-we-know-about-the-scythians
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/scythian-ukraine-09439.html https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/sycthian-warriors-stayed-local/137642 https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/03/scythian-people-werent-just-nomadic.html

The carriage found at Pompeii is being connected (sort of) to similar vehicles from Thrace:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/images/1156562/ancient-carriages-link-thrace-with-pompeii/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/03/09/ceremonial-chariot-thrace-pompeii/ https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/03/11/the-chariots-of-pompeii-and-thrace-have-many-similarities/

... in case you missed the coverage of the Pompeii carriage/chariot:

https://hyperallergic.com/626026/ornate-chariot-mount-vesuvius-pompeii/

A project to reconstruct the Diolkos:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/12/ancient-greek-roadway-of-diolkos-undergoing-reconstruction/

An old theory (still unlikely) being resurrected about the location of Alexander the Great's tomb:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/08/where-is-the-burial-place-of-alexander-the-great/

Digging has commenced in the Forum of Caesar (italian):

https://www.romadailynews.it/politica/foro-di-cesare-iniziano-scavi-archeologici-0557314/
https://www.affaritaliani.it/roma/viaggio-nella-roma-del-divo-giulio-foro-di-cesare-nuovi-scavi-archeologici-728374.html
https://www.vivereroma.org/2021/03/15/al-via-lo-scavo-archeologico-del-foro-di-cesare/920957

Roadwork in Malta has revealed some vaguely-described ancient finds:

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/road-works-in-gudja-reveal-archaeological-finds.857797

Concerns for Roman sites in Libya:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/looters-and-vandals-prey-on-libyas-forgotten-roman-ruins-t270hmwbp

I think we mentioned this study of ramps for the disabled at ancient temples in Greece:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/11/ancient-greeks-built-ramps-for-disabled-in-public-buildings/

... and the evidence for women artisans creating Archaic pottery:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/11/researcher-says-female-artisans-may-have-created-fine-pottery-during-archaic-period/

Review of Emma Southon, *A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum*:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-fatal-thing-happened-on-the-way-to-the-forum-review-et-tu-brute-11615561083

A professorial appointment for Emily Greenwood:

https://news.yale.edu/2021/03/08/emily-greenwood-appointed-john-m-musser-professor-classics

A feature on THM Gellar-Goad:

https://wfuogb.com/12215/news/deacon-profile-t-h-m-gellar-goad-2/

Feature on an inscription from Turkey showing how the Romans dealt with inflation:

https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/ancient-inscriptions-in-turkey-show-how-romans-tackled-inflation

Feature on Mary Barnard's work on Sappho:

https://www.oregonlive.com/history/2021/03/mary-barnard-brought-sappho-into-20th-century-infusing-the-lusty-ancient-greek-with-cutting-clarity-of-pacific-northwest.html

... and a feature on Sappho:

https://chargerbulletin.com/sappho-poetic-antiquity-in-modern-times/

Pondering the future of Classics in Nigeria:

https://guardian.ng/opinion/what-future-for-classical-studies-in-nigeria/

Feature on the wine press at Antiochia ad Cragum:

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/upcycled-ancient-temple-offers-glimpse-at-wine-life-in-the-roman-empire

Feature on Bucephalus:

https://www.historyextra.com/period/ancient-greece/bucephalus-horse-alexander-great-why-famous/

Feature on underwater archaeology at Oloundas:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/03/09/underwater-research-of-ancient-oloundas/

Feature on ancient Greek views on 'stasis':

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/07/ancient-greece-partisan-stasis-civil-conflict/

Feature on the Greek origins of Marseille:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/09/greek-origins-marseille-france-oldest-city/

Feature on Tiberius' villa at Sperlonga:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/roman-villa-of-tiberius-and-the-cave-of-imperial-pleasure/137547

Feature on boxing in ancient Greece:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/13/how-boxing-became-a-popular-sport-in-ancient-greece/

Feature on assorted retellings of the Iliad:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/retellings-of-the-iliad/photostory/81435865.cms

Feature on Greek science:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/10/the-golden-age-of-greek-science/

Feature on the Battle of Marathon:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/11/the-battle-at-marathon-which-saved-western-civilization-2500-years-ago/

Feature on the throne at Knossos:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/07/the-mystery-of-the-oldest-throne-in-europe-at-the-cretan-palace-of-knossos/

Feature on the depiction of evil in Greek tragedies:

https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/how-is-evil-depicted-in-greek-tragedies/

George Clooney has called for the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles (again):

http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/george-clooney-wades-into-parthenon-marbles-debate-again
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/george-clooney-elgin-marbles-1949908

... but Boris Johnson is now saying they are legally owned by the UK:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-greece-britain-marbles/britain-is-legitimate-owner-of-parthenon-marbles-uks-johnson-tells-greece-idUSKBN2B41RF
https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/12/boris-johnson-rules-out-return-parthenon-marbles-greece/
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1156996/johnson-rejects-call-for-return-of-parthenon-marbles/
https://news.sky.com/story/pm-wont-return-2-500-year-old-legally-acquired-elgin-marbles-to-greece-12244021
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/12/elgin-marbles-staying-rightful-home-british-museum-says-boris/
http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/538/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/538/pub/538/page/6/article/151140

... and Greece's culture minister has pointed out their illegal acquisition:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/03/13/boris-johnson-parthenon-sculptures/

... and Brussels is on Greece's side:

http://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/539/reader/reader.html?social#!preferred/0/package/539/pub/539/page/26/article/149854

The latest Rome v US comparison:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/04/no-really-are-we-rome/618075/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
Mesolithic remains from a country estate site in Dumfries and Galloway:

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19145330.amateur-archaeologists-discovered-ancient-scots-love-hazelnuts/
https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/national-news/19143365.signs-life-dating-mesolithic-times-found-country-estate/
https://www.thenational.scot/news/19145442.archaeological-find-hints-history-ancient-scottish-life-nutshell/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hazelnut-shell-reveals-human-life-scotland-more-10000-years-ago-180977210/

A Neolithic axe find from Devon:

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/neolithic-axe-unearthed-near-main-5116372

A possible 5500 years bp necropolis from Poland:

https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/archeological-detective-work-uncovers-polands-largest-prehistoric-cemetery-20304
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9512-210309-poland-megalithic-cemetery

A study of footprints at a site in the Ojo Guaena Karst Complex suggests they are between 4600 and 4200 years bp:

https://www.cenieh.es/en/press/news/human-footprints-ojo-guarena https://phys.org/news/2021-03-human-footprints-ojo-guarea.html http://www.archaeology.org/news/9514-210309-spain-cave-footprints

A Bronze Age tomb excavation in El Argar (Spain) is causing a rethink of the power of women some 4000 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2021-03-elite-women-el-argar-years.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/uadb-ewm031021.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210311085324.htm https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/11/science/bronze-age-tomb-women.html https://www.livescience.com/diadem-bronze-age-burial-spain.html https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/bronze-age-burial-site-in-spain-suggests-women-were-among-rulers
https://www.sciencealert.com/stunning-artefacts-suggest-bronze-age-grave-may-have-held-a-queen
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/blinged-out-female-ruler-may-be-evidence-powerful-women-during-bronze-age
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ancient-woman-powerful-european-leader-4000-year-old-treasure-suggests
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2021/03/ancient-woman-may-have-been-powerful-european-leader-4000-year-old
https://www.sciencealert.com/stunning-artefacts-suggest-bronze-age-grave-may-have-held-a-queen
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/female-ruler-found-beneath-europes-first-bronze-age-palace/137646
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/03/elite-women-might-have-ruled-el-argar.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00637-4 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-uncover-female-ruler-wearing-rare-diadem-180977220/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9520-210312-spain-bronze-age

cf: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/emblems-and-spaces-of-power-during-the-argaric-bronze-age-at-la-almoloya-murcia/B27A3C7AD23625DD39C6D4F2C3981C2F

4th millennium (maybe) burials with plenty of copper items from a cemetery in Hungary:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/treasure-trove-of-golden-artefacts-excavated-in-copper-age-cemetery/137667

A 3000 years bp 'ceremonial' bronze sword from a Danish island site:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/archaeologists-discover-unique-ceremonial-bronze-age-sword/137654

A fifth century Early Byzantine fortress site from nar Shirokovo (Bulgaria):

http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2021/03/11/incredible-early-byzantine-fortress-with-stone-assembly-letter-clues-unearthed-near-bulgarias-shirokovo/

Roman/Medieval finds from ongoing investigations at a school site in south Wales:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/532/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/532/pub/532/page/46/article/149158

Some 1300 years bp gold foil figures from a dig of some sort in Sweden:

https://www.livescience.com/ancient-gold-figures-discovered-sweden.html

Possible 13th century human remains from a dig in Nottingham:

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/human-bones-found-lenton-during-5098197

Electrical workers near Tintern Abbey have located a secret medieval tunnel system:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-56281726 https://www.livescience.com/secret-medieval-tunnel-discovered-in-wales.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/electricians-discover-secret-medieval-tunnels-180977169/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9509-210308-wales-medieval-tunnels

Earthquakes damaged some 16th/17th century churches in Larissa:

https://orthodoxtimes.com/earthquakes-damage-16th-17th-century-churches-in-larissa-region/

More on that 5th century CE burial from the Czech Republic featuring 'ornate' grave goods:

https://www.livescience.com/ancient-grave-treasures-eastern-bohemia.html https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/fifth-century-graves-in-east-bohemia-shed-light-on-dark-era-of-european-history
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9513-210309-czech-republic-cemetery

More on that Suffolk shipwreck (more than one?) and COVID-19 delays to its excavation:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-56199044 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/storms-reveal-two-shipwrecks-englands-suffolk-coast-180977188/

Marking the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/03/14/how-the-greek-war-of-independence-inspired-philhellenism-around-the-world/

Latest innovation at Bath Abbey:

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/bath-abbey-restored-glory-worlds-5109006

Review of Douglas Boin, *Alaric the Goth*:

https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v43/n06/josephine-quinn/they-burned-and-looted-with-discrimination

Feature on assorted animals that became extinct in Scotland (mostly medieval/Renaissance):

https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/9-animals-made-extinct-in-scotland-since-the-roman-occupation-3162447

Feature on assorted places in Europe associated with noteworthy women:

https://www.dw.com/en/exciting-places-in-europe-associated-with-famous-women/g-56783599

Feature on the Vikings:

https://phys.org/news/2021-03-glamorous-worldly-vikings.html

Feature on the 'Man of Lois':

https://www.theclevelandamerican.com/loisus-man-11700-years-of-exceptional-discovery/

Feature on the historicity of Arthur:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/was-king-arthur-a-real-person

What the Time Team folks are up to:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/time-team-to-dig-for-villa-in-comeback-at-fienness-castle-q068sb3bv
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/12/time-team-set-return-fans-cult-archaeology-series-raised-funding/

Review of Bergreen, *In Search of a Kingdom*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/books/review/in-search-of-a-kingdom-laurence-bergreen.html

Trinity College is looking into its connections to the slave trade:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/07/trinity-college-reckons-with-slavery-links-as-ireland-confronts-collusion-with-empire
----------
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 ================================================================
Feature on excavations in Zhongdu:

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-03/14/content_77306485.htm

A followup to that possible 'face cream' find from a Spring and Autumn burial in Shaanxi:

http://www.ecns.cn/news/2021-03-08/detail-ihaihrwe3351571.shtml

A study attempting to date the megaliths of Laos' Plain of Jars:

https://phys.org/news/2021-03-mystery-laos-megalithic-jars.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/uom-rsm031021.php https://newatlas.com/science/laos-plain-jars-dating-older/ https://www.sciencealert.com/we-finally-know-the-true-age-of-the-huge-mysterious-objects-from-laos-plain-of-jars
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/03/researchers-solve-more-of-mystery-of.html

The ASI plans to investigate with a Shivalinga in a Meerut temple is a piece of an Ashokan pillar:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/shivlinga-in-ancient-meerut-temple-a-broken-piece-of-ashokan-pillar-asi-to-probe/articleshow/81398179.cms

Potsherds with possible Indus Valley inscriptions from Tamil Nadu:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/potsherds-with-inscriptions-similar-to-indus-valley-found-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/81491368.cms

A possible sculpture of Kumara Tailapa from Warangal Rural:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/rare-sculpture-of-kalyani-chalukya-prince-discovered-in-warangal-rural/article34063965.ece

Mughal-era gold coins from near Pune (possibly a crime story):

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/mughal-era-gold-coins-found-near-pune-222878

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