===============================================================
explorator 19.34 December 18, 2016 ===============================================================
If you're having problems getting 'the whole issue', 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, Bob Heuman, David Critchley, Hernan Astudillo, Rick Heli, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, David Emery, Richard
Campbell, Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week (as
always hoping I have left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Neanderthals were apparently making regular visits to a cave in Jersey over the course
of 140 000 years or so:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-coastal-cave-site-must-see-tourist.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161212133444.htm http://www.archaeology.org/5138-161214-jersey-neanderthal-cave

On the evolution of human walking:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-heels-toes.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/uoa-www121216.php

… and what we’ve learned from some 3 million+ years bp footprints from Tanzania:


https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/dec/14/stepping-back-36m-years-footprints-yi
eld-new-clues-to-humans-ancestors http://www.archaeology.org/5136-161214-tanzania-laetoli-footprints

… such as height of one guy:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-ancient-human-ancestor-tall-dude.html http://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20161214/ancient-human-ancestor-was-one-tall-dude
-his-footprints-say

Not sure if this is a new example of 1.2 million years bp toothpick use or whether we
had it a while ago:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/s-dhc121516.php

… or if it is really a study of using dental plaque to determine early diet and cooking:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-raw-foodies-europe-earliest-humans.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161214212012.htm http://www.archaeology.org/5141-161215-spain-raw-food http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/europes-earliest-humans-did
-not-use-fire-for-cooking

Now we’re reading that Lucy may have been polygynous:

http://www.livescience.com/57203-lucy-early-human-species-was-polygynous.html

More on the possibility of a religious side to Neanderthals:

http://www.npr.org/2016/12/11/505187953/discoveries-give-new-clues-to-possible-neand
erthal-religious-practices
http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.758960


================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Mali has declared an ‘archaeological emergency’:

https://www.ft.com/content/559aa998-c386-11e6-9bca-2b93a6856354

Interesting feature on Ethiopian Judaism:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4891062,00.html


================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
On Egypt’s strategy to prevent sales of Egyptian antiquities around the world:

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/12/egypt-antiquities-sale-world-auction.ht
ml

Security has been tightened at all of Egypt’s sites and museums:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/253170/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Security-m
easures-tightened-at-all-Egypts-archaeol.aspx

4000 years bp petroglyphs from Iran:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-archaeologist-uncovers-possibly-one-of-worlds-olde
st-rock-etchings/ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/world-oldest-rock-drawings-archae
ologist-iran-khomeyn-mohammed-naserifard-a7470321.html http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/deciphering-irans-ancient-rock-art-.aspx?pageID=238&
nid=107184&NewsCatID=375

Nice feature on that Jericho skull and the facial reconstruction thereof:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/the-jericho-skull-british-mus
eum-facial-reconstruction-ct-scan-a7474516.html http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-exhibit-gives-9500-year-old-skull-a-digital-makeover/
http://www.archaeology.org/5086-161212-jericho-skull-facial-reconstruction

A pair of 2600 years bp kitchens from the site of Dascylium:

http://www.dailysabah.com/history/2016/12/15/2600-year-old-kitchen-of-kingdom-of-lydia-
unearthed-in-western-turkey http://www.archaeology.org/news/5140-161215-turkey-anatolia-kitchens

A 2 100 years bp wine press from Ashkelon:

http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=38757 http://www.archaeology.org/5145-161216-ashkelon-wine-press

A ‘Jewish Revolt Coin’ from Jerusalem:

http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=38701

A trio of tomb raiders were caught at Horvat Maskana:

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/tomb-raiders-caught-red-handed-in-nort
hern-israel/2016/12/14/ http://www.timesofisrael.com/three-looters-busted-plundering-ancient-tomb-in-galilee/
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/221715

Looking for evidence of Istanbul’s earthquakes at Bathonea:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/bathonea-excavations-aim-to-shed-light-on-historic-ist
anbul-quakes-.aspx?pageID=238&nid=107325&NewsCatID=375 http://www.archaeology.org/5144-161216-turkey-istanbul-earthquakes

… while stained glass from there suggests a high standard of living:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/stained-glass-evidence-of-high-living-standards-in-anc
ient-bathonea.aspx?pageID=238&nid=106990&NewsCatID=375

After renovations of the clock tower, the seal of Sultan Hamid Abdul II was returned to
Jaffa:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/ottoman-sultans-john-hancock-gets-facelift-in-jaffa/
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Relic-from-Ottoman-sultan-returned-to-Jaffa-after-exten
sive-renovations-475228 http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/israel-conserves/2016/12/13/ http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/132527-161213-original-ottoman-era-seal-r
estored-to-jaffa-s-famous-clock-tower

General feature on archaeology in Iraq:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/dec/16/despite-landmines-snakes-and-d
odgy-gin-iraq-is-an-archaeological-paradise

Latest DSS publication:

http://newsok.com/ocu-teams-dead-sea-scrolls-research-is-published-student-faculty-gro
up-partnered-with-museum-of-the-bibles-green-scholars-initiative-program/article/
5531034?custom_click=rss

We had some version of this last week: a fund is set up to protect antiquities in conflict
areas:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/251928/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/New-intern
ational-fund-for-protecting-heritage-in-.aspx

More on that Bar Kochba governor inscription:

http://www.livescience.com/57182-hebrew-tablet-reveals-biblical-ruler-of-judea.html

More on domestication of grain in Syria some 11 000 years bp:

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/neolithic-syrians-were-first-t
o-domesticate-cereals http://www.archaeology.org/news/5075-161207-neolithic-staple-crops

More on 7000 years bp pollution in a Jordanian river:

http://www.livescience.com/57168-earliest-polluted-river-found-jordan.html

More on Nefertari’s knees:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/1206/Have-Egyptologists-solved-the-mystery-of-
Queen-Nefertari-s-knees

Sadly, after last week’s issue went out, ISIL apparently retook Palmyra:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/11/islamic-state-retakes-palmyra-syria
https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2016/dec/12/syrias-ancient-city-palmyra-under-
control-of-islamic-state-again-video http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/syrian-army-advances-in-aleppo-but-loses-
palmyra-to-islamic-state/article33293799/?cmpid=rss1 https://www.ft.com/content/be2ede50-c054-11e6-9bca-2b93a6856354 http://www.reuters.com/video/2016/12/11/islamic-state-and-syrian-army-both-claim?vide
oId=370694620&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=LatestVideosUS&videoChannel=1 http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/antiquities-official-fears-for-palmyra-after-is-
recaptures-city/

… which led to another general piece on Palmyra:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/a-look-at-palmyra-the-historic-syrian
-city-retaken-by-is/2016/12/11/88d77174-bfda-11e6-a52b-a0a126eaf9f7_story.html https://www.yahoo.com/news/look-palmyra-historic-syrian-city-retaken-194325400.html

… and coincidentally a major show on Palmyra in Paris:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-lost-treasures-syria-palmyra-3d.html http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/syria/2016/12/16/war-endangered-ar
chaeological-treasures-showcased-in-paris_0b5d46ee-9c55-4fcf-bbf3-a355c6888978.htm
l

There were features on the destruction in and ongoing concerns for Nimrud:

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/iraqis-mourn-destruction-ancient-city-nimru
d-isis-tried-destroy-identity-n694636 http://www.timesofisrael.com/un-fears-further-looting-of-wrecked-ancient-iraqi-city/
http://artdaily.com/news/92463/UN-fears-further-looting-of-wrecked-ancient-Iraqi-city

… and on sites destroyed by ISIL in general:

http://www.livescience.com/57172-photos-isis-destroys-iraq-heritage.html

… and Aleppo:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92405

The US has adopted a ‘legal strategy’ to prevent the sale of ISIL-looted antiquities:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/221820 http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-antiquities-idUSKBN14422I https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/us-steps-up-fight-to-cut-islamic-state
-financing-and-trade-in-looted-antiquities/2016/12/15/77a7b40e-c2e1-11e6-9578-0054287
507db_story.html http://artdaily.com/news/92486/US-claims-antiquities-looted-by-IS-to-block-their-resale
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2016/12/16/US-files-case-against-ISIS-t
o-recover-ancient-ring.html http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Lawsuit-details-Islamic-State-profits-from-107997
19.php

… and studying where such items ‘end up’:

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/310831-new-leads-on-looted-middle-
eastern-antiquities

… and we’ve already mentioned them turning up in Geneva:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/swiss-seize-artefacts-looted-from-syrias-palmyra/

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
Roman Caistor St Edmund was larger than previously thought:

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/roman_town_at_caistor_st_edmund_up_to_three_times_bi
gger_than_previously_thought_new_dig_reveals_1_4812665

A Swedish team has unearthed what the press was calling a previously unknown city
near Athens:

http://www.thelocal.se/20161212/swedish-archaeologists-unearth-lost-ancient-city-in-gre
ece
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161213074230.htm

… then they decided it was Swedish and Greek archaeologists:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-swedish-greek-archaeologists-unknown-city.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/uog-sad121316.php

… but after much headline adjusting, it was credited to Swedish, Greek, and British
archaeologists:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-team-unearth-ancient-greek-city-0tchx3pcj
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/greece-lost-city-vlochos-univer
sity-of-gothenburg-bournemouth-a7471246.html http://www.livescience.com/57189-ancient-greek-village-was-large-metropolis.html
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/lost-city-dating-back-2500-years-discovere
d-by-archaeologists-35289817.html http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/12/13/archaeologists-discover-a-lost-greek-city-dati
ng-back-2500-years/ http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/1214/Ancient-Greek-backwater-actually-a-bustlin
g-metropolis-research-shows http://observer.com/2016/12/archaeologists-just-discovered-a-2500-year-old-lost-city-ato
p-a-greek-mountain-peak/ http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/archaeologists-examine-une
xplored-greek-city http://www.archaeology.org/news/5085-161212-greece-ancient-city-explored

… and then there were clarifications that the site was found years ago:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/12/14/vlochos-lost-city-ruins-discovered-200-years-
ago-archaeologists-clarify/
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1023590.shtml

Remains of a Roman villa complex near Bottisham:

http://www.archaeology.org/5133-161213-england-roman-settlement

A Roman hoard from Barlaston has been declared treasure:

http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/barlaston-field-yields-more-than-2-000-pieces-of-
roman-treasure/story-29978940-detail/story.html http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/haul-of-rare-roman-coins-uncovered-in-barlaston-field-rule
d-as-treasure/story-29977294-detail/story.html

Funding for a study of the peoples in Ireland and Scotland in Roman times:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/1m-study-of-lost-kingdoms-beyond-romans-reach-2hn63
q36t https://stv.tv/news/north/1375839-university-given-1million-to-uncover-europe-s-lost-king
doms/ http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14970308.Archaeologists_to_explore_Scotland_of_
1_600_years_ago/ http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/five-year-project-to-investiga
te-the-lost-kingdoms-of-northwest-europe

Honours for Gordon Kelly:

http://www.lclark.edu/live/news/34950-classics-professor-wins-international-recognition

Another Trojan Horse recreation in progress:

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/the-trojan-horse-ii/article_49cf88e0-6318-56df-820a-fd45
b3a73fc4.html


-----
Latest reviews from BMCR:

http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/recent.html

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
1500 years bp gold items from a Danish island:

http://www.archaeology.org/5084-161212-denmark-odin-amulet

A 17th century shipwreck find:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14964012.Divers_rediscover_17th_century_shipwr
eck_in_bay_where_Poldark_scene_was_filmed/ http://www.cornwalllive.com/shipwreck-discovered-at-poldark-spot-in-gunwalloe/ story-29980821-detail/story.html http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2016-12-15/poldark-shipwreck-discovered-off-cornis
h-coast/

What they’re finding at Cambridge’s medieval burial ground:

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/archaeologists-uncover-cambridges-final-rest
ing-12337955

Not sure if this Neolithic snowshoe is a new discovery or not:

http://www.archaeology.org/issues/245-1701/artifact/5127-neolithic-snow-shoe

They’re digging at St Alban’s Cathedral:

http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/archaeological_dig_at_st_albans_cathedral_before_const
ruction_of_new_welcome_centre_1_4818015

A 17th century skeleton found in a Sligo cave:

http://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/news/cave-boys-life-revealed-by-slig
o-cave-expert-35288252.html

Interesting graffiti/petroglyphs in a shepherd’s cave in Derbyshire:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/16/powerful-symbols-chiselled-shep
herds-shelter-country-diary

Druids had nothing to do with the building of Stonehenge, apparently:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/14/stonehenge-there-before-druids-archa
eology-1959

Latest from Tintagel:

http://www.thepost.uk.com/article.cfm?id=106911&headline=Discoveries%20made%20du
ring%20Tintagel%20Castle%20archaeological%20dig&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2016

…. And a feature on Arthur’s roots:

http://discovermagazine.com/2017/janfeb/91-in-search-of-king-arthur-roots

Feature on the Craggie Bloomery:

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/craggie-bloomery-iron-worki
ng-in-late-medieval-sutherland

More on the reopening of the replica Lascaux:

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/2016/1213/France-opens-Lascaux-replica-cave-bet
ter-than-the-real-thing https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/dec/15/prehistoric-cave-art-lascaux-dordogne-fr
ance-grotto-replica

More on remains of a deadly virus found in some Celtic pottery:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5080-161209-pottery-organs-virus


-----
Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC ================================================================
Remains of some 2000 year bp beef soup from Henan:

http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/found-2000yearold-meat-soup/news-story/
268ae0de1c82acacce293efe938dd0f0 http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2016-12/16/content_27689915.htm http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/744236/bowl-of-beef-soup-2000-years-old-discover
ed-by-archaeologists
http://www.archaeology.org/5142-161215-china-beef-stew

Digging Cambodia’s ‘Dark Ages’:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-weekend/team-digs-cambodias-dark-ages

Remains of an Asuka period painting on a discarded wood panel:

http://www.archaeology.org/5143-161216-japan-tottori-painting

Remains of a ‘lost civilization’ from Mizoram:

http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/archaeologists-could-have-uncovered-a-lost-civilis
ation-in-mizoram-267619.html

UNESCO is digging at some of Nepal’s earthquake-damaged sites:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/unesco-starts-excavations-at-nepal-s-quake-
damaged-monument-sites/story-fdAM7HrlSwyYKxCwxY6zPL.html

Australian archaeologists are mapping the wreck of the James Mathew:

http://www.archaeology.org/5083-161212-australia-shipwreck-mapped

Feature on the Plain of Jars:

http://www.archaeology.org/exclusives/articles/5126-archive-plain-of-jars

What Charles Perreault is up to:

https://asunow.asu.edu/20161213-global-engagement-asu-archaeologist-goes-jeep-mong
olia

More on remains of Imperial sacrifices from China:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5073-161207-china-imperial-sacrifice

-----

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://nzarchaeology.blogspot.co.nz/index.html ================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
A tooth of an extinct seal (mentioned by Columbus) turns up on a Lake Worth shore:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article120609578.html http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/14/archaeologists-discover-tooth-of-exti
nct-seal-in-l/ http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/local/prehistoric-seal-tooth-found-along-intrac
oastal/DSy1yLGgJVw9TYDqutPaWI/ http://www.archaeology.org/5137-161214-caribbean-monk-seal

Searching for remains of the village of Cecomocomoco:

http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/1216/archaeologistsseekancientvillageinbeanfield.ht
ml

Marking the success of the NHPA:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/dec/12/lets-celebrate-us-archaeologys-b
est-kept-secret

Feature on Cahokia:

http://arstechnica.com/features/2016/12/theres-a-1000-year-old-lost-city-beneath-the-st-lo
uis-suburbs/

More on Ezekiel’s wheel and the conversion to Christianity of African slaves:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-archaeologist-explores-african-americans-christianity.html

More on zinc issues among the Franklin Expedition crew:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-laser-yr-old-thumbnail-rewrites-history.html http://www.livescience.com/57176-what-doomed-franklin-polar-expedition.html

More on the end of Montezuma Castle:

http://westerndigs.org/new-evidence-reveals-violent-final-days-at-arizonas-montezuma-c
astle/

More on the Spirit Cave mummy:

http://nypost.com/2016/12/07/dna-testing-settles-fight-over-north-americas-oldest-mumm
y/


================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
Plenty of attention for the find of the ‘Stonehenge’ of the Amazon:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/world/americas/brazil-amazon-megaliths-stoneheng
e.html http://www.sfgate.com/world/article/A-Stonehenge-and-a-mystery-rises-in-the-10796874.p
hp

Feature on a 4600 years bp elite woman burial from Peru:

http://www.archaeology.org/issues/241-1701/features/top10/ 5116-peru-aspero-female-burial

The Atacama desert was apparently much different once upon a time:

http://www.livescience.com/57217-atacama-desert-once-wet-marshland.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38330526 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161214115038.htm

More on the Maya and shark teeth:

http://www.livescience.com/57202-megalodon-teeth-inspired-mayan-monster-myths.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/giant-megalodon-shark-teeth-might-have-inspired-mayan-
monster-myths/
http://www.archaeology.org/5135-161214-maya-shark-teeth http://www.livescience.com/57110-megalodon-sharks-maya-myths-photos.html


-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:

http://goo.gl/1VdeA

Ancient MesoAmerica News:

http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/ ================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST ================================================================
On recruiting Monuments Men:

http://www.salon.com/2016/12/11/a-few-good-monuments-men-saving-art-from-looting-an
d-destruction-especially-in-the-middle-east-is-a-military-matter/

… semi-related:

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2016/1203/The-preservation-warriors-saving-the-past-fo
r-the-future

… and semi semi related blaming the west’s desire for antiquities:

http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/the-wests-desire-for-antiques-has-turned-mus
eums-into-temples-of-loot

Complaining about use of the term ‘stone age’ (which the press does regularly):

https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/dec/14/yabba-dabba-dont-archaeology-n
eeds-to-leave-the-stone-age-behind

A lost daVinci was found:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/11/arts/design/leonardo-da-vinci-lost-drawing-discovere
d.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38300217 http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92428

Feature on Goethe:

http://www.dw.com/en/the-lesser-known-sides-of-goethe/a-36733095

Interesting feature on a goldfinch painting:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20161207-the-intriguing-mystery-of-the-goldfinch

On the history of falconry:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/drsarahbond/2016/12/12/follow-the-aquila-the-eagle-huntres
s-and-the-ancient-history-of-falconry/

On the history of horse colours:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161207091114.htm

Big bucks for Isaac Newton’s book:

http://www.livescience.com/57229-isaac-newton-book-sold-breaks-record.html

Feel good piece on texts which were hidden in an ISIL-held monastery:

http://www.livescience.com/57240-historic-texts-hidden-isis-occupied-monastery.html
http://www.livescience.com/57239-photos-historic-texts-hidden-christian-monastery.html

Haven’t had a feature on Bedlam Hospital in a while:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20161213-how-bedlam-became-a-palace-for-lunatics

Some missing aboriginal art turned up on the tourism minister’s wall:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-38302939

In case you’ve wondered about the qwerty keyboard:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20161212-why-is-qwerty-on-our-keyboard

The annual top ten lists have started to appear:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/214565/article/ekathimerini/life/two-greek-sites-make-top-10-
list-of-this-years-archaeological-discoveries http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/12/14/greek-archaeological-discoveries-ranked-am
ong-the-most-important-of-2016/ http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/21403-two-greek-sites-in-top-10-archaeol
ogical-discoveries-for-2016.html

… and the Christmas-related stories:

http://theconversation.com/how-did-we-come-to-celebrate-christmas-66042 https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-the-nativity/2016/12/16/
48625672-c179-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html

… including a St Nicholas facial reconstruction:

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/scientists-reconstructed-the-face-of-st-nichola
s-heres-what-they-found-24593/

The Boy Scouts have their centennial:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38337136

Reviewish on a book of illuminated manuscripts:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/dec/16/meetings-with-remarkable-manuscripts-
christopher-de-hamel-review-jan-morris

… in a similar vein on Stephan Schriber’s sketchbook:

http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/the-illuminated-sketchbook-of-stephan-schriber
-1494/

Review of Hodge, *Art in Detail*:

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/12/arts/hidden-details-within-ancient-masterpieces/ index.html

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archyfantasies/ ================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Egyptian Mummies:

http://visual.artshub.com.au/news-article/reviews/museums/dr-diana-carroll/egyptian-mu
mmies-exploring-ancient-lives-252838 http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/3d-ct-scan-visualisations-exam
ine-six-mummies-from-egypt-between-1800-and-3000-years-ago/news-story/3f953cf456e
750902f5208a58d568aa3

Gentileschi:

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/12/12/504821139/long-seen-as-victim-17th-ce
ntury-italian-painter-emerges-as-feminist-icon

History of World in 100 Objects:

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/review-the-history-of-the-world-in-10
0-objects--told-without-fear-or-favour-20161212-gt98sz.html

A Woman’s Afterlife:

http://theartnewspaper.com/news/museums/sex-changes-ancient-egypt-and-contemporar
y-feminism-at-the-brooklyn-museum/

Syria: A Living History:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/arts/design/syrias-murderous-struggle-and-multicult
ural-peace.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fdesign

The Universal Museum:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/1161465/legacy-of-napoleons-artistic-plunder-o
n-show-in-rome

A Franklin Expedition exhibition is in the works:

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674nunavut_artifacts_going_to_london_o
ttawa_for_future_franklin_exhibit/

A Dutch court has ruled that an Amsterdam Museum has to return a Scythian gold exhibition to Ukraine:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/arts/design/crimea-ukraine-allard-pierson-museum-a
msterdam.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38314491 http://www.dw.com/en/crimean-gold-must-be-returned-to-ukraine-but-not-yet-a-dutch-court-
rules/a-36762424 http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/14/505570581/photos-dutch-court-decide
s-crimean-treasures-must-go-to-ukraine http://artdaily.com/news/92444/Crimea-treasures-loaned-to-an-Amsterdam-museum-must
-be-returned-to-Ukraine http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/crimean-artifacts-on-loan-ukraine-18096148
3/ http://www.smh.com.au/world/dutch-court-rules-crimean-gold-treasures-be-returned-to-ukr
aine-20161215-gtblbb.html http://nltimes.nl/2016/12/14/amsterdam-museum-ordered-return-crimean-artifacts-ukraine
http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/12/dutch-court-orders-crimean-treasure-coll
ection-be-sent-back-to-ukraine/ http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/museum-must-return-crimean-treasures-to-
ukraine-1.2905990

… some reaction:

http://www.pravdareport.com/society/stories/14-12-2016/136418-scythian_gold-0/

… background:

http://en.europeonline-magazine.eu/previewcrimean-conflict-bedevils-artefacts-return-dut
ch-court-to-ruleby-annette-birschel-dpa_500164.html

Another court is giving the Gurlitt Nazi era hoard to a Swiss museum:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38332637 http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92462


================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
On assorted techniques to find ‘hidden’ aspects of artifacts:

http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Hi-tech-reveals-hidden-doors-in-ancient-ar
tifacts-paintings-475162

Using forensic techniques to determine the gender of folks making hand stencils on
paleolithic cave walls:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-forensic-technique-reveals-sex-prehistoric.html http://www.archaeology.org/5134-161213-stencil-geometric-morphometrics

================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT ================================================================
Interesting study of the rabies genome:

http://phys.org/news/2016-12-major-groups-rabies-virus-distinct.html

More on smallpox in a Lithuanian mummy:

http://www.livescience.com/57164-oldest-smallpox-strain-found-in-mummy.html http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/12/2016/smallpox-may-not-be-an-anci
ent-disease-after-all http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92375



Dienekes' Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/ ================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS ================================================================
Freemasonry in Scotland:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20161209-secret-history-of-the-freemasons-in-scotland

Pontine:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/abroad/pontine-italian-islands-odysseus-bewitched-p
ontius-pilate-skinny/


================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Tommy Thompson refuses to reveal where shipwreck gold is located:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/12/14/a-treasure-hunter-foun
d-3-tons-of-sunken-gold-and-cant-leave-jail-until-he-says-where-it-is/

Latest Anonymous Swiss Collector Culture Crime News:

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/2016/12/culture-crime-news-5-11-december-20
16.html


conflict antiquities:

http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/

anonymous swiss collector:

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/

Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues:

http://paul-barford.blogspot.ca/

Looting Matters:

http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/

Illicit Cultural Property:

http://illicit-cultural-property.blogspot.com/

SAFE:

http://www.savingantiquities.org/blog/

================================================================
REPATRIATION AND RECOVERY ================================================================
A pair of Nazi looted paintings was returned to beneficiaries in Canada:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=92409

The UAE returned some Islamic era lamps to Egypt:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/253156/Heritage/Islamic/Egypt-antiquities-
ministry-receives-two-stolen-Isl.aspx

Italy returned a dozen items to Mexico:

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2427261&CategoryId=14091 http://info-europa.com/uncategorized/mexico-recovers-12-archaeological-pieces-from-ital
y/90768

================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_esylum_v19n50.html

… and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_esylum_v19n51.html


------------------------
Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS ================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-main-menu-cat/audio-news-list/2525-audio-new
s-from-archaeologica-4-december-2016-12-december-2016 ================================================================
OBITUARIES
===============================================================
John Smith:


[continued in next message]

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

===============================================================
explorator 19.44 February 26, 2017 ===============================================================
If you're having problems getting 'the whole issue', 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, Alan Brockway,
Kris Curry, David Critchley, David Emery, Richard Campbell,
Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).


================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
23 000 years bp flint blades from near the Sea of Galilee:

http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.772111

Cf:
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0167151


On Aurignacian ‘pointillism’:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-year-old-engravings-ancient-technique-seurat.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/nyu-3ye022117.php http://www.livescience.com/58007-pointillism-found-in-ancient-artwork.html http://www.livescience.com/58008-prehistoric-van-goghs-artists-used-pointillism-38-000-years-ago-video.html

On Paleolithic women:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-women-stone-age.html

On early humans drinking alcohol:

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170222-our-ancestors-were-drinking-alcohol-before-they-were-human


More on the genetic legacy of Neanderthals:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170223124316.htm https://www.newscientist.com/article/2122362-extinct-neanderthals-still-control-expression-of-human-genes/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5332-170224-neanderthal-genes-still-control-expression



================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Studying bone harpoons from East Africa:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-sharpening-knowledge-prehistory-east-africa.html


Feature on Zimbabwe:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/21/world/africa/zimbabwes-rulers-use-a-monuments-walls-to-build-a-legacy.html


Feature on Thulamela:

http://www.livescience.com/57962-thulamela.html

A pair of German archaeologists were kidnapped in NIgeria earlier this
week:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/german-archaeologist-associate-kidnapped-in-nigeria-police-say-1.3296844

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-security-idUSKBN1612L6 http://allafrica.com/stories/201702230533.html http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/german-archaeologists-kidnap-no-ransom-demanded-yet-20170223

http://www.dw.com/en/two-germans-kidnapped-in-northern-nigeria/a-37684402 http://saharareporters.com/2017/02/23/whereabouts-kidnapped-germans-still-unknown


… a force was sent out to find them:

http://saharareporters.com/2017/02/23/igp-deploys-special-force-rescue-kidnapped-german-archaeologists

http://allafrica.com/stories/201702240026.html

… and a ransom has been demanded:

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime/article/Nigerian-kidnappers-demand-200-000-for-German-10956100.php

http://allafrica.com/stories/201702240046.html http://allafrica.com/stories/201702250045.html http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/kidnappers-of-german-professo-r-demand-n60-million/186656.html


… and just as Explorator goes out, we read they’ve been released:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201702260174.html https://www.naij.com/1090599-2-kidnapped-german-archaeologists-kaduna-regain-freedom.html

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-26/german-archaeologists-freed-in-northern-nigeria-after-kidnapping



================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
Plans to restore a Ramses II statue to its Luxor temple:

http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2017/02/21/615867/ http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/258581/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egypts-antiquities-ministry-restores-colossus-of-R.aspx

An 1868 painting of the Temple of Karnak is going on display:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/feb/21/karnak-watercolour-british-museum-henry-stanier


More on those 3000 years bp child footprints:

http://www.seeker.com/3000-year-old-footprints-of-ancient-egyptian-children-found-2259199096.html


Concerns for the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/temple-of-artemis-turns-into-swamp-due-to-neglect.aspx?PageID=238&NID=109909&NewsCatID=375


Interesting concern resulting from possible dig in Izmir:

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-02-23/roman-excavations-threaten-slum-life-in-turkish-port-city


Feature on a Phoenician mask mold find from Tel Achziv:

http://asorblog.org/2017/02/24/rare-discovery-tel-achziv-phoenician-clay-mask-mold-ninth-century-b-c-e/

A mysterious wall in Jordan:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/93-mile-long-ancient-wall-jordan-puzzles-archaeologists-122757416.html


A new archaeological museum in Aswan was inaugurated:

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/archaeological-excavations-museum-inaugurated-aswan


More on the hidden chambers in Tut’s tomb saga:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/possible-hidden-chamber-king-tuts-152000104.html

An account of the 2016 season at Bethsaida:

http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/2017/02/ara418014.shtml

1800 years bp Hebrew inscriptions from a Galilee synagogue:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/1800-year-old-Hebrew-stone-inscriptions-found-in-ancient-Galilee-synagogue-482175

http://www.timesofisrael.com/hebrew-carvings-on-column-lend-weight-to-galilee-villages-jewish-past/
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/225397 http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-1.773131

Israel is trying to get the Siloam Inscription from Turkey:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/culture-minister-offers-turkish-mayor-elephants-for-ancient-hebrew-inscription/


LandMinds video podcast interview with Guy Stiebel, who is currently
digging at Masada:

http://foundationstone.org/

OpEd on Jerusalem/Palestinian archaeological conflicts:

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.772847
The Oriental Institute is somewhat concerned about its future:

https://www.chicagomaroon.com/article/2017/2/21/oriental-institute-future-uncertain-trump-administ/


Assessing the damage at Nimrud:

http://theartnewspaper.com/news/news/british-museum-trained-iraqi-archaeologist-assesses-isil-destruction-of-nimrud-/

http://aina.org/news/20170220032519.htm

The British Museum is training folks to preserve/conserve heritage at
Mosul:

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-iraq-archaeology-idUSKBN16029C?feedType=RSS&feedName=artsNews

https://www.yahoo.com/news/british-museum-training-iraqi-experts-save-mosul-heritage-135857374.html

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2017/02/21/British-museum-training-for-Iraqi-experts-to-save-Mosul-heritage.html

http://artdaily.com/news/93936/British-Museum-training-Iraqi-experts-to-save-Mosul-heritage


On assorted actions taken by ISIL to ‘shock’:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4927139,00.html http://www.therepublic.com/2017/02/24/islamic-state-heritage-destroyed-2/

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
Big news this week is the find (a while ago) of a section of Roman road
and
three burials beneath a McDonald’s at Frattochie:

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2017/02/21/ancient-roman-road-unearthed_4a4a1282-a6df-4d13-9b3a-377c6c89c1f9.html

http://www.thelocal.it/20170223/mcdonalds-opens-restaurant-museum-over-ancient-roman-road

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/22/world/europe/mcdonalds-rome-road.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/22/want-ancient-roman-heritage-stretch-roman-road-unveiled-beneath/

A Roman house from Israel ‘covered with’ phallic amulets:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/archaeologists-find-roman-house-covered-in-metal-penis-amulets-143455580.html

http://www.livescience.com/57944-roman-house-and-phallic-amulets-discovered-israel.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5319-170221-israel-roman-house

A Mithraeum on Corsica:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5330-170224-corsica-mithraeum-discovered

Feature on the collapse of the ancient Roman economy and its effects:

http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/what-happened-to-normal-people-when-the-roman-economy-f-1792584975


On northern England and the Romans:

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/how-north-england-became-cosmopolitan-12634587


Feature on Probus:

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2017/02/strange-tales-the-emperor-who-loved-vineyards-and-drove-his-troops-to-fury/

Feature on Red Figure pots:

https://www.apollo-magazine.com/greek-vases/

A Roman bronze hoard is on display at the Wiltshire Museum:

http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/15108984.Discovery_of_Roman_flowers_on_display_at_Wiltshire_Museum/


Those ‘gladiators’ outside the Colosseum are being irritating again:

http://www.thelocal.it/20170220/rome-gladiators-centurions-fined-400-each-asking-tourists-photos


What the Greeks can teach us about herbs:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/what-the-ancient-greeks-can-teach-us-about-herbs/2017/01/09/ed623706-d36b-11e6-945a-76f69a399dd5_story.html


What Kathleen Coleman is up to:

http://www.reviewatlas.com/news/20170223/monmouths-fox-lecture-to-feature-harvard-scholar


What Caitlin Gillespie is up to:

https://www.owu.edu/news-media/details/classics-professor-to-discuss-celtic-queen-boudica/


What Travis Rupp is up to:

https://hypebeast.com/2017/2/travis-rupp-beer-archaeologist-1100-year-old-beer


What Lauren Donovan Ginsberg is up to:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/uoc-upl022217.php

Brock University Classics is celebrating fifty years:

https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2017/02/department-of-classics-celebrating-50th-anniversary-year/


On corporations helping to preserve Rome’s history:

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2017/0226/Businesses-step-up-to-help-preserve-Rome-s-history



-----
Latest reviews from BMCR:

http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/recent.html

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
Road construction in Lincolnshire reveals sites from various periods
dating
back to the Mesolithic:

http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2017/02/ancient-burials-and-artefacts-unearthed-beneath-lincoln-eastern-bypass-site/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5333-170224-england-lioncolnshire-settlements


A neolithic hand axe from Hartshorne:

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/watch-neolithic-hand-axe-among-items-found-during-hartshorne-archaeology-dig/story-30149342-detail/story.html

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/watch-neolithic-hand-axe-among-items-found-during-hartshorne-archaeology-dig/story-30149342-detail/story.html


I think we mentioned this Bronze Age hoard from Scotland (there are other
finds too):

http://www.livescience.com/57966-bronze-age-weapons-unearthed-in-scotland.html

http://www.livescience.com/57956-photos-bronze-age-weapons-hoard.html http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trove-of-dazzling-bronze-age-weapons-unearthed-scotland/

http://artdaily.com/news/94015/Archaeologists-discover-of-rare-Bronze-Age-weapon-hoard

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trove-dazzling-bronze-age-weapons-141400135.html

Interesting ‘Black Death’ burial of two hand-in-hand males:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/22/mystery-male-black-death-victims-found-buried-hand-in-hand

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/archaeologists-dig-up-500-year-old-mystery-after-finding-two-male-black-death-victims-buried-hand-in-hand-130841537.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5329-170223-london-crossrail-skeletons

Studying medieval English graffiti:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5320-170221-england-medieval-graffiti

Arguing about Viking settlements in England:

http://sciencenordic.com/new-study-reignites-debate-over-viking-settlements-england


Latest Crossrail-related find is Faggeswell Brook and a pile of Tudor-era items:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/long-lost-brook-reveals-a-tudor-treasure-trove-6r2tmnj7w

http://artdaily.com/news/93972/MOLA-excavations-at-Crossrail-Farringdon-site-reveal-secrets-of-Tudor-Life

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/crossrail-excavations-farringdon-artefacts_uk_58ac3db5e4b0f077b3edcafa


Archaeologists are looking for the tomb of James I of Scotland (and
assorted relatives):

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-archaeologists-long-lost-tomb-scottish-king.html

http://artdaily.com/news/94070/Archaeologists-hunt-for-long-lost-tomb-of-Scottish-king

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now/historians-search-tomb-murdered-scottish-9859903

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/15107809.Raiders_of_the_lost_Charterhouse__search_for_tomb_of_ancient_king_of_Scotland_begins/

Plans to check out a ditch which may have been part of Offa’s Dyke:

http://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-england-hereford-worcester-38302470

Studying woodland use over the centuries in England:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-historic-cultural-scientific-perspectives-woodland.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/uoy-hcr022217.php http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/02/2017/historic-cultural-records-inform-scientific-perspectives-on-woodland-uses

I think we mentioned these ‘pilgrim leprosy burials’ a while ago:

http://www.reuters.com/video/2017/02/20/medieval-skeleton-gives-clues-to-spread?videoId=371159289&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=LatestVideosUS&videoChannel=6


What four skulls reveal about ‘city life’ in Europe in various periods:

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/feb/22/tale-four-skulls-what-can-bones-teach-about-cities


Bells at a 12th century Myndtown church have been restored:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-39026169

Fundraising to save the Monarch of the Glen:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-38994055

… and one to keep a Viking hoard in Dumfries and Galloway:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/15109613.Bid_launched_to_keep_viking_hoard_in_Dumfries_and_Galloway/



-----
Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC ================================================================
Finds from Chanhu Daro:

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1336217/treasure-trove-antiquity-chanhu-daro-industrial-hub-ancient-world/


Fortifications of some sort from Central China:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-02/22/c_136077385.htm

An image of Confucius from a mirror from the tomb of the Marquis of
Haihun:

http://www.ecns.cn/2017/02-21/246162.shtml http://www.china.org.cn/china/2017-02/21/content_40328229.htm


Some unusual medieval burials from Siberia:

http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/features/f0290-medieval-burials-on-yamal-peninsula-may-have-been-ritualistic-sacrifices/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5327-170223-russia-medieval-burials

Colonial era artifacts from a Sydney suburb:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-21/artefacts-show-coexistence-between-aboriginals-and-europeans/8287950

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5321-170221-australia-parramatta-artifacts

Still looking for Genghis Khan’s tomb:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39038615

Azerbaijan is seeking UNESCO help to deal with illegal digging:

http://en.apa.az/nagorno_karabakh/azerbaijan-to-raise-issue-at-unesco-over-illegal-archeological-activity-in-its-occupied-lands.html
http://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/2725396.html

Beijing is going to get even tougher on theft of artifacts:

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2072199/eye-national-identity-beijing-vows-stem-loss-cultural


-----

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://nzarchaeology.blogspot.co.nz/index.html ================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
The wreck of the Neva appears to have been found on Kruzov Island:

http://juneauempire.com/art/art/2017-02-23/200-year-old-russian-wreck-found-kruzov-island-near-sitka


Studying evidence of prehistoric violence in California:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-prehistoric-violence-published.html

They’re ‘making room’ for Sally Hemings at Monticello:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/for-decades-they-hid-jeffersons-mistress-now-monticello-is-making-room-for-sally-hemings/2017/02/18/d410d660-f222-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html

http://wwlp.com/2017/02/23/archaeologists-dig-up-more-on-thomas-jeffersons-alleged-mistress/
http://wric.com/2017/02/25/archaeologists-looking-into-clues-about-now-famous-slave-at-monticello/

Kennewick Man was reburied this week:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2017/0221/Burial-of-9-000-year-old-Kennewick-Man-lays-to-rest-a-20-year-old-debate

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5322-washington-kennewick-man-reburied https://phys.org/news/2017-02-kennewick-skeleton-ancestral-home.html

Trying to preserve some of George Washington’s trees:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/this-gardener-is-working-to-preserve-george-washingtons-last-surviving-trees/2017/02/17/13b0ba60-f241-11e6-b9c9-e83fce42fb61_story.html


Some insight from Frederick Douglass:

http://news.yale.edu/2017/02/17/any-time-good-time-illumination-frederick-douglass-says-yale-historian


Concerns for some historical documents from South Carolina:

http://www.npr.org/2017/02/21/515410087/an-attempt-to-save-south-carolinas-historical-documents-is-destroying-them


The ‘Last Seen’ project is interesting:

http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/02/22/516651689/after-slavery-searching-for-loved-ones-in-wanted-ads


Studying the effects of climate in ancient North America:

http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170226/archaeology-ancient-cultures-also-were-affected-by-climate-change


The BLM is seeking the public’s help in preserving sites:

http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/blm-urges-protection-of-ancient-artifacts/659015750


On Lincoln’s early ‘bromance’:

http://www.livescience.com/57938-did-abraham-lincoln-bromance-alter-american-history.html


What they’ve found while working on Toronto’s new courthouse:

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/02/25/courthouse-site-dig-gives-insight-into-torontos-history.html


More on linguistic evidence for the settling of the Americas:

http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21717352-checkpoint-americas-first-immigrants-had-wait-8000-years-be-admitted?fsrc=rss%7Csct



================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
A Maya jade from Belize with an inscription:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-largest-maya-jade-belize-unique.html

A study of skulls suggests there were multiple migrations into the
Americas
(ending up in South America, it seems):

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-ancient-skulls-multiple-migrations-americas.html

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-largest-maya-jade-belize-unique.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170224121748.htm

More on salmonella and the demise of the Aztecs:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-evidence-salmonella-aztecs.html


-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:

http://goo.gl/1VdeA

Ancient MesoAmerica News:

http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/ ================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST ================================================================
Haven’t had a Stradivarius come to auction in a while:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=93930

On Carnival in Germany:

http://www.dw.com/en/a-kiss-for-your-tie-why-carnival-kicks-off-with-gender-power-games/a-19022057


Studying the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution:

http://www.dw.com/en/estrangement-from-history-100-years-since-russias-february-revolution/a-37641036


A lost Walt Whitman novel:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/20/arts/in-a-walt-whitman-novel-lost-for-165-years-clues-to-leaves-of-grass.html

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/21/516442353/grad-student-discovers-a-lost-novel-written-by-walt-whitman

Feature on Jane Austen:

https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-the-revolutionary-vision-of-jane-austen-71000


Feature on Karl May:

http://www.dw.com/en/who-was-karl-may-facts-and-myths-surrounding-the-creator-of-winnetou/a-37675272


On the history of butter:

https://knpr.org/npr/2017-02/spread-word-butter-has-epic-backstory

On the origins of Jazz:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20170224-the-mysetrious-origins-of-jazz


Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archyfantasies/ ================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Menorah:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/225421 http://www.jta.org/2017/02/21/news-opinion/world/vatican-rome-jewish-museum-collaborate-on-menorah-exhibition

http://www.wantedinrome.com/news/vatican-and-romes-jewish-museum-hold-joint-exhibition/

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865673864/Catholics-and-Jews-mark-history-of-the-menorah-with-first-joint-show.html?pg=all
http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=93961

Vermeer:

http://www.ksby.com/story/34556717/louvre-show-vermeer-was-both-revolutionary-and-a-borrower

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=93952

Monet:

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2017-02/24/content_28339735.htm

Images of Value:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/arts/design/the-secret-art-history-on-your-money.html


Tomb Treasures (Han Dynasty):

http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/02/21/tomb-treasures-document-life-afterlife-of-han-dynastys-elite/


Feature on the Acropolis Museum:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/216293/article/ekathimerini/life/the-bumpy-road-traveled-by-the-acropolis-museum


Feature on the Aphrodisias Museum:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/museum-in-turkeys-aydin-takes-visitors-back-2500-years-ago-.aspx?PageID=238&NID=109992&NewsCatID=375


Feature on the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/bloodletting-voodoo-and-opium-new-orleans-museum-spotlights-medical-methods-of-the-past/2017/02/22/b927f99c-f460-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html


The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is impressive:

http://www.cairoscene.com/ArtsAndCulture/9-Stunning-Photos-of-the-Newly-Opened-National-Museum-of-Egyptian-Civilisation



================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
On the use of photography to document sites:

http://asorblog.org/2017/02/22/use-photography-document-ancient-sites-important/

I think we mentioned this VR treatment of the ancient world:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/see-ancient-world-through-virtual-reality-180962237/


More on Pictish facial recreations:

http://www.livescience.com/57974-pictish-man-face-recreated.html https://phys.org/news/2017-02-brutally-pictish-brought-life-digital.html http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=93931 http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ancient-murder-victim-pictish-man-face-digitally-recreated/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5318-170217-scotland-pictish-murder

================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT ================================================================
DNA studies suggest a strong matrilineal aspect to society in Chaco
Canyon:

https://news.virginia.edu/content/cutting-edge-dna-analysis-adds-new-insight-three-centuries-pueblo-history

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-radiocarbon-dating-dna-ancient-puebloan.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/ps-rda022117.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170221130709.htm https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/science/chaco-canyon-new-mexico-maternal.html

http://www.livescience.com/57953-chaco-canyon-rulers-maternal-lineage.html http://westerndigs.org/ancient-leaders-at-chaco-canyon-were-members-of-matrilineal-dynasty-dna-shows/

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2017/0222/Why-scientists-say-a-matrilineal-elite-ruled-New-Mexico-s-Pueblo-Bonito

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/02/chaco-canyon-pueblo-bonito-room-33/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ancient-dna-yields-unprecedented-insights-into-mysterious-chaco-civilization/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/21/prehistoric-pueblo-comes-modern-day-find-women-empowered/9818303

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5326-170222-chaco-canyon-matrilineal-dynasty

… and they were native to the area, not migrants:

http://westerndigs.org/chacos-elites-were-native-to-the-canyon-not-migrants-their-remains-show/


Another study suggests ‘hardly any women’ migrated from the Pontic Steppe
to Europe some 5000 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-genetic-men-migrated-pontic-steppe.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/uu-gds022117.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170221154823.htm http://www.archaeology.org/news/5323-170222-indo-european-bronze-age-migration


DNA also suggests that Europeans brought the ulcer bacteria to the
Americas:

http://www.livescience.com/57998-europeans-brought-new-ulcer-bacteria-to-americas.html



Dienekes' Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/ ================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS ================================================================
Meteora:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/20/travel/meteora-greece/index.html

Albanian shipwrecks:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/albania-wants-show-its-ship-wrecks-180962181/


Sanliurfa tombs:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/rock-tombs-of-turkeys-sanliurfa-to-open-to-tourism-.aspx?pageID=238&nid=110082&NewsCatID=375



================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Israeli authorities foiled a Roman coin smuggling attempt:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/225263 http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-nabbed-at-jordan-crossing-with-sack-of-ancient-coins/

… while a family on an outing foiled a metal detectorist at Hurbat Bazka:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/225338 http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Modiin-family-helps-prevent-antiquities-theft-while-on-hike-482102


… and there was a gang digging in the Negev:

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/gold-digging-gang-caught-in-negev-archaeological-site/2017/02/22/


An 18th century icon smuggling attempt foiled in Turkey:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/priceless-18th-century-icon-seized-in-car-trunk-in-turkeys-adana.aspx?pageID=238&nID=110049&NewsCatID=375


More on a dealer’s role in artifact theft in southeast Asia:

https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/records-point-to-dealers-role-in-artifact-theft-125582/


I think we mentioned this rare book heist:

http://www.livescience.com/57955-rare-books-stolen-from-london-warehouse.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/12/thieves-steal-2m-of-rare-books-by-abseiling-into-warehouse


Latest Anonymous Swiss Collector Culture Crime News:

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/2017/02/culture-crime-news-13-19-february-2017.html



conflict antiquities:

http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/

anonymous swiss collector:

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/

Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues:

http://paul-barford.blogspot.ca/

Looting Matters:

http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/

Illicit Cultural Property:

http://illicit-cultural-property.blogspot.com/

SAFE:

http://www.savingantiquities.org/blog/

================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
BIg bucks for a Colosseum coin:

http://www.coinweek.com/auctions-news/ancient-coin-early-depiction-colosseum-fetches-record-price-dix-noonan-webb/

http://www.coinworld.com/news/world-coins/2017/02/silver-sestertius-showing-roman-colosseum-shatters-estimate.all.html

Feature on a Julius Caesar aureus:

http://www.coinweek.com/ancient-coins/ancient-coin-profiles-roman-gold-aureus-julius-caesar/


Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/club_nbs_esylum_v20n08.html

… and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/club_nbs_esylum_v20n09.html


------------------------
Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/ ================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS ================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-main-menu-cat/audio-news-list/2564-audio-news-from-archaeologica-12-february-2017-18-february-2017

================================================================
OBITUARIES
===============================================================
Ivor Noel Hume:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/19/us/ivor-noel-hume-dead-archaeologist-colonial-williamsburg.html


Gordon Stuart:

http://www.arbroathherald.co.uk/news/top-linguist-gordon-stuart-dies-1-4375662


================================================================
CONFERENCES
================================================================
Canada Before Confederation: Early Exploration and Mapping (Nov. 2017)

https://independent.academia.edu/ConferenceCanadabeforeConfederationEarlyMappingandExploration14981763

================================================================
GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS ================================================================
Archaeology Magazine News Page:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/

About.com Archaeology:

http://archaeology.about.com/

Ancient Digger:

http://www.ancientdigger.com/

Archaeology Briefs:

http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/

Past Horizons:

http://www.pasthorizons.com/

Stonepages:

http://www.stonepages.com/news/

Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:

http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/

Time Machine:

http://heatherpringle.wordpress.com/ ================================================================ PODCASTS/VODCASTS ================================================================
Archaeosoup:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Archaeos0up?feature=watch

The Book and the Spade:

http://www.radioscribe.com/bknspade.htm ================================================================
EXPLORATOR is a free weekly newsletter bringing you the latest
news of archaeological finds, historical research and the like.
Various on-line news and magazine sources are scoured for news of
the 'ancient world' (broadly construed: practically anything relating
to archaeology or history up to a century or so ago is fair
game) and every Sunday they are delivered to your mailbox free of
charge!
================================================================
Useful Addresses ================================================================
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