===============================================================
explorator 20.44 February 25, 2018 ===============================================================
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, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Rick Heli, Robert White, Trevor
Ogden, Bob Heuman, Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for
headses upses this week (as always hoping I have left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Homo erectus may have had sailing skills and may have been able to
speak:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/20/homo-erectus-may-have-be en-a-sailor-and-able-to-speak https://www.independent.ie/world-news/earliest-humans-could-talk-and-sai l-36622131.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/20/language-started-15m-years-ea rlier-previously-thought-scientists/ https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/early-humans-could-talk-scientist-cla ims-dl2r6k8zt

A study is making connections between cave art and the development of
language:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221122923.htm https://phys.org/news/2018-02-paper-links-ancient-language.html https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/acoustic-caves-rock-art-lang uage-origin-spd/ http://www.archaeology.org/news/6397-180223-cave-art-communication

And hot on the heels of that suggestion that Neanderthals' lack of
artistic ability contributed to their demise:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/02/18/did-neanderthals-poor-art- ability-contribute-extinction/

... comes major attention on redating of some cave art in Spain
suggesting Neanderthals were artists:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-neanderthals-artistic-modern-humans.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uos-nwa021618.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180222144943.htm https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/22/science/neanderthals-cave-paintings-e urope.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43115488 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/neanderthals-artists-cave-pain tings-decorated-shells-ancient-humans-discovery-a8223341.html https://www.wsj.com/articles/neanderthals-had-a-creative-side-1519326000 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/22/neanderthals-not-humans- were-first-artists-on-earth-experts-claim http://www.dw.com/en/neanderthals-the-oldest-masters-of-cave-art/
a-42707939 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/23/oldest-kno wn-cave-paintings-yield-big-surprise-neanderthals-may-have-been-first-ar tists/?utm_term=.ca944ddfb97e http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-neanderthals-were-ar tists-20180222-htmlstory.html https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/neanderthals-were-artists-and-th ought-symbolically-new-studies-argue/ https://www.timesofisrael.com/earliest-cave-art-belonged-to-neanderthals -not-humans-study-finds/ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/22/587662842/ cave-art-may-have-been-handiwork-of-neanderthals https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/were-neanderthals-earliest -cave-artists-new-research-spain-points-possibility-180968236/ https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/neanderthals-cave-art-humans -evolution-science/ http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2018/02/22/neanderthals-cave-p aintings-spain/#.WpK55xMbM1I
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-02357-8 https://www.thelocal.es/20180223/ancient-spanish-cave-art-reveals-painte rs-were-neanderthals https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ancient-cave-paintings-clinch -case-for-neandertal-symbolism/ https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cave-art-suggests-neandertals-were-a ncient-humans-mental-equals?tgt=nr http://www.archaeology.org/news/6395-180222-neanderthal-cave-art

Giant handaxes suggest multiple human lineages in Europe some 200 000 -
300 000 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-giant-handaxes-groups-early-humans.html

On the evolution of human brain size:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180220212021.htm

I think we mentioned these 700 000 years bp child footprints from
Gombore:

http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/childs-footprints-700000-years-ago

More on those stone tools from India and their implications:

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-india-archaeology-stone-tools-818995


================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
A statue of a ruler named Aspelta from a temple in the Sudan:

https://www.livescience.com/61801-ancient-statue-nubian-king.html https://www.livescience.com/61806-egypt-statue-hieroglyphic-discovery-ph otos.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6387-180220-sudan-statue-aspelta

================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
Plenty of coverage of the find of eight 26th Dynasty tombs with plenty
of burial goods at Tuna el-Gebel near Cairo:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/43713/8-new-tombs-discovered-in-Tuna -el-Gebel-in-Minya http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/291590/Heritage/Ancient-Egy pt/th-Dynasty-cemetery-uncovered-in-Egypts-Minya.aspx http://www.egyptindependent.com/photos-egypt-announces-large-discovery-o f-26th-dynasty-cemetery-in-minya/ https://egyptianstreets.com/2018/02/25/a-2000-year-old-cemetery-unearthe d-in-egypts-minya-governorate/ https://phys.org/news/2018-02-archaeologists-ancient-necropolis-egypt.ht
ml
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/ancient-necropolis-egypt- archeologists-mummy-tuna-al-gabal-a8226891.html https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-egypt-archaeology/egypt-uncovers-ancie nt-necropolis-south-of-cairo-idUKKCN1G80QC https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/archaeologists-discover-burial-ground -egyptian-high-priests-n850921 https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/43713/8-new-tombs-discovered-in-Tun a-el-Gebel-in-Minya http://www.dw.com/en/german-archaeologists-help-uncover-ancient-cemetery -near-egyptian-city-of-minya/a-42726779 https://theweeklyobserver.com/ancient-necropolis-discovered-germans-egyp tians/32226/ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-archaeology/egypt-uncovers-anci ent-necropolis-south-of-cairo-idUSKCN1G80QI https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1185706/ancient-necropolis-found -egypt%E2%80%99s-tuna-al-gabal http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ancient-necropolis-uncovered-egypt-containing-o ver-1000-statues-1663624

Latest theory on how the pyramids at Giza were aligned:

https://www.livescience.com/61799-great-pyramid-near-perfect-alignment.h
tml
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/science/news/article.cfm?c_id=82&objectid=1199
8479
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/archaeologist-may- have-finally-unravelled-the-mystery-of-the-great-pyramid-of-giza/ news-story/ba2b86e7eddbc5908cae5ff60a07cd08 https://news.sky.com/story/mystery-behind-the-giza-pyramids-near-perfect -alignment-possibly-unravelled-11260435 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fall-equinox-secret-pyramids-n ear-perfect-alignment-180968223/ http://www.archaeology.org/news/6391-180221-egypt-fall-equinox

On the sun alignment at Abu Simbel:

http://www.egyptindependent.com/3800-tourists-witness-sun-alignment-at-a bu-simbel/

Review of Joyce Tyldesley, *Nefertiti's Face*:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/23/nefertitis-face-by-joyce-t yldesley-review-creation-egyption-icon

... and a piece by Dr Tyldesley on how Nefertiti's bust ended up in
Germany:

http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/art/how-nefertitis-b ust-ended-up-in-germany-20180220-h0wdyb

Inscriptions in looters' tunnels revealed after the destruction of the
tomb of Jonah in Nineveh:

https://www.livescience.com/61798-biblical-prophet-tomb-iraq.html http://www.aina.org/ata/20180218183758.htm http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/22/isis-jonah-kind-esarhaddon-christianit y-assyrian/ http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-inscriptions-found-under-biblical-prophe ts-tomb-describe-brutal-813777

Plenty of coverage of the a seal find purporting to be the prophet
Isaiah's 'signature':

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-clay-extra-biblical-prophet-isaiah.html https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-find-of-biblical-proportions-proof-of-p rophet-isaiah-believed-unearthed/ http://www.jpost.com/jerusalem/Seal-of-the-prophet-Isaiah-may-have-been- unearthed-in-Jerusalem-543366 https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-prophet-isaiah-s-seal-mark- may-have-been-found-in-jerusalem-1.5844352 http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-biblical-seal-prophet-isaiah-reveals-270 0-year-old-document-may-have-816049 http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/242308 https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900011202/archaeologists-may-have-ju st-found-prophet-isaiahs-signature-on-an-artifact.html https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/ people-in-the-bible/prophet-isaiah-signature-jerusalem/ https://www.jta.org/2018/02/22/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/ personal-seal-of-prophet-isaiah-believed-to-be-uncovered-in-jerusalem https://www.livescience.com/61836-ancient-seal-prophet-isaiah.html https://www.thedailybeast.com/did-archaeologists-just-prove-the-existenc e-of-prophet-isaiah?source=articles_sum&via=rss https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/prophet-isaiah-jerusalem-sea l-archaeology-bible/

Some reaction:

http://www.rollstonepigraphy.com/?p=796
http://www.rollstonepigraphy.com/?p=801 https://theconversation.com/seal-of-the-prophet-isaiah-sorting-out-fact- from-fantasy-92296

Honours for Gabriel Wasserman:

https://blogs.yu.edu/news/gabriel-wasserman-is-awarded-a-prestigious-fel lowship/

Feature on Tophets:

http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2018/02/Understanding-Tophets-Short

Maybe the Hanging Gardens were in Nineveh:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/hey-babylon-nineveh-wants-its-hanging-gard ens-back-the-truth-of-an-ancient-wonder

More on the DSS priestly calendar:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-dead-sea-scrolls-deciphered-esoteric.html http://theconversation.com/dead-sea-scrolls-deciphered-esoteric-code-rev eals-ancient-priestly-calendar-91777

Gobeklitepe is open to the public again:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/worlds-oldest-temple-site-gobeklitepe-r eopens-to-visitors-in-turkeys-southeast-127760

What Claudia Glatz is up to:

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-university-acade mic-leads-effort-14316536

Concerns for the Great Mosque of Samarra:

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/02/samarra-mosque-recons truction-unesco-world-heritage.html

Interesting item on saving manuscripts from ISIL:

https://thearabweekly.com/iraqi-monks-tale-saving-ancient-manuscripts-is
is

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
A pair of Roman 'boxing gloves' from Vindolanda:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/19/rare-roman-boxing-gloves -found-hadrians-wall
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-43120942 https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/knock-out-find-roma n-boxing-14311448 http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/astonishing-roman-boxing-gloves-found-near-hadr ians-wall-knockout-discovery-1662466 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-20/archaeologists-find-roman-boxing-g loves/9464756 http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-roman-boxing-gloves-discovered-northern- england-vindolanda-813641 http://www.archaeology.org/news/6389-180220-roman-boxing-gloves

Remains of a Roman barracks block from Chester:

https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/archaeolog ists-find-roman-barrack-block-14314159

... related:

https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/follow-tra il-around-chesters-more-14324313

Latest finds from the Thessaloniki metro construction (including a
headless Aphrodite statue):

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/21/thessaloniki-metro-dig-reveal s-more-ancient-greek-finds/ http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/24/glorious-ancient-past-of-thes saloniki-unearthed-photos/ http://www.ekathimerini.com/226119/gallery/ekathimerini/in-images/ thessaloniki-archaeological-treasures-unveiled http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/30170-thessaloniki-metro- dig-reveals-more-ancient-greek-finds.html http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Archaeologists-unearth-headless-Aphrodite- statue-in-Thessaloniki

A section of 1st century mosaic from the bathing complex at Bath:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-43141937 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/oldest-mosaic-roman-baths-foun d-during-excavations-180968231/ http://www.archaeology.org/news/6390-180221-england-roman-bath

A possible Roman origin for a Reedham church:

http://www.edp24.co.uk/features/reedham-roman-anglo-saxons-hadrian-s-wal l-saxon-shore-1-5403030

Interesting study of how the 'Gates of Hell' at Hierapolis killed
sacrificial animals:

https://www.livescience.com/61802-gate-to-hell-deadly-secret-found.html http://eu.greekreporter.com/2018/02/23/scientists-reveal-ancient-gate-to -hell-mystery-in-ancient-greek-city/ http://www.ibtimes.co.in/gate-hell-roman-portal-underworld-can-kill-anyo ne-if-they-get-too-close-it-scientists-reveal-761255 http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-rome-scientists-explain-geological-myste ry-killed-animals-not-priests-811946 https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-rome-scientists-explain-geological-10 0002342.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-roman-gates-hell-worked-18 0968197/

Philip II's palace at Aigai is opening to the public soon:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/22/restored-ancient-greek-palace -gets-ready-for-visitors/

Putting Megacles on trial:

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/events/30147-classic-ancient-greek-tr ials-at-national-hellenic-museum-in-chicago-video.html

In case you missed the phallic parade in Athens:

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Phallic-parade-through-Athens-honours-anci ent-Greek-god-Dionysus

... or just want a feature on erotic art of Greece and Rome:

https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-the-erotic-art-of-ancient-greec e-and-rome-87859

Crossword help for 'nemean':

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/crosswords/what-the-heck-is-that-neme an.html

Feature on Kottabos:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/kottabos-ancient-greek-wine-spilli ng-game

Feature on 'Brancaster' rings:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/new-light-cast-on-norfolk-named-roma n-jewellery-linked-to-the-lord-of-the-rings-1-5402556

Analogies between Russian meddling and Troy:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/opinions/russia-mueller-bots-divisions-od yssey-tess-taylor-opinion/index.html

What Gloria Pinney is up to:

http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=26106

What Albert Ammerman is up to:

http://www.thecolgatemaroonnews.com/news/article_8a096588-17f5-11e8-bcdb -5724ce9af9ee.html

What Lynn Kozak is up to (performing the Iliad):

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/montreal-ac ademics-live-serial-presentation-of-the-iliad-captures-all-the-allure-of -modern-tv/article38035047/

Interviewish/reviewish with Richard Thomas about his Dylan book:

https://www.theday.com/article/20180219/NWS01/180219329 https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/blowin-in-an-augustan-wind/
299862

Review of Daniel Mendelsohn, *An Odyssey*:

https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/an-odyssey-review-daniel-mend elsohns-journey-with-his-father-and-homer-20180215-h0w5ae.html https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/books/an-odyssey-review-d aniel-mendelsohns-journey-with-his-father-and-homer-20180215-h0w5ae.html

Review of Emily Wilson's *Odyssey* translation:

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/02/woman-scholars-take-on-th e-odyssey/

Interview with Nick Hodgson on the effect of Hadrian's Wall on the
locals:

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/story-how-hadrians- wall-destroyed-14313179

Review of Patricia Vidgerman, *Real Life of the Parthenon*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/books/review/the-real-life-of-the-par thenon-patricia-vigderman.html

Feature on Yourcenar's *Memoirs of Hadrian*:

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/in-praise-of-older-books-memoir s-of-hadrian-by-marguerite-yourcenar-translated-by-grace-frick-1954-1.33
98660

They're already pondering a sequel to Troy: Fall of a City:

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-24/
troy-fall-of-a-city-series-2/

... and the casting decisions continue to be brought up:

http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/troy-fall-of-a-city-casting-diversity-bb c-netflix-1202707708/ http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-24/troy-fall-of-a-city-blackwa shing-casting-black-actors-greek-myth/

More on Caesar's landing place in Britain:

https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-02-20/wrong-beach-two-british-towns-may -not-actually-be-where-caesar-landed-55-bc

-----
Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
Remains of a domesticated goat dating back to the Neolithic Corded Ware
period from Finland:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uoh-dgd022318.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180223111548.htm

Bronze Age finds from school construction in Wichelstowe:

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16046212.Bronze_Age_artefacts_di scovered_as_school_building_works_gets_underway/

Inscriptions found on a medieval spindle whorl found in Poland some 60
years ago:

http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C28263%2Conly-medieval-whorl -inscription-found-poland-comes-czermno.html https://www.archaeology.org/news/6392-180221-poland-spindle-whorl

Overviewish thing on finds from a dig at St Albans Cathedral:

http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/unearthing-1-000-years-of-life-and-death-d uring-major-st-albans-cathedral-excavation-work-1-5400567

Excavating 20 burials from Copenhagen dating to 1000 years bp or so:

http://cphpost.dk/news/skeletons-of-first-copenhageners-discovered-under -city-hall-square.html

Bones found because of a 'vision' on Paphos date from the 14th century:

http://cyprus-mail.com/2018/02/24/vision-bones-found-paphos-cave-appear- date-14th-century/

Medieval remains found during school renovations in Turku:

https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/a_piece_of_14th_century_turku_under_t he_gym_floor_-_our_own_pompeii/10083848

Because of 'waterlogged ground', Avebury henge and environs have been temporarily closed:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-43154577 http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/uk_national_news/16038968.National_T rust_temporarily_closes_most_of_Avebury_henge_and_stone_circles/?ref=rss http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16038318.Wet_weather_shuts_5_000 _year_old_Avebury_stones_for__a_few_weeks____but_car_parking_will_be_fre
e/

Some Iron Age Viking finds were apparently melted down as scrap (? I'm
hoping Google is mistranslating):

https://samnytt.se/arkeolog-ska-utreda-varfor-delar-av-sveriges-kulturar v-skrotas-danskarna-skakar-pa-huvudet/

More on those skulls on stakes from a Swedish lake (pardon the rhyme):

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-year-underwater-burial-site-reveals.html https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/demolition-workers-uncover-8000- year-old-ritual-skulls-in-sweden/

More on that Viking mass grave:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180202085235.htm
-----
Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC ================================================================
A possible 7th century banquet hall from Asuka:

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201802220048.html https://www.archaeology.org/news/6394-180222-japan-asuka-banquets

A 1500 years bp tomb with armour from Shibushi:

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201802140003.html http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-japan-1500-year-old-tomb-discovered-huma n-remains-and-armor-perfect-813876

A pair of 232 years bp cannon show up during excavations at Fort
Cornwallis (Penang):

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/02/20/two-200-year -old-cannons-found-at-fort-cornwallis/ https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/02/21/double-ang-pow-discove ry-in-penang/
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/412899

Excavating a 19th century Ottoman shipwreck off Japan:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/excavations-continue-in-pacific-on-otto man-frigate-ertugrul-127584

Feature on archaeology in Cambodia:

http://www.news.com.au/video/id-5348771529001-5738289805001/archaeology- in-cambodia-longvek

Fire at a Tibetan monastery in Lhasa:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-43101743
-----

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://nzarchaeology.blogspot.co.nz/index.html ================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
A well-travelled copy of the Declaration of Independence has turned up
again:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/02/19/a-rare-copy -of-the-declaration-of-independence-survived-the-civil-war-hidden-behind -wallpaper-later-it-was-tossed-in-a-box/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/copy-declaration-independence- hidden-behind-wall-paper-during-civil-war-resurfaces-texas-180968207/

Protecting petroglyphs on Lake Mountain (Utah):

https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/protecting-petroglyphs-as-utah-co unty-develops/article_59c8f56f-e806-548c-9a7d-6e338310521f.html

On a cemetery built on a Native American mound in Mississippi:

https://navajotimes.com/wires-wp/index.php?id=1777263601&kid=cqB52fb1Ebj
xmpDx

Rejecting the Solutrean hypothesis (recently revived in a Canadian documentary):

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/21/rejecting-the-solutrean- hypothesis-the-first-peoples-in-the-americas-were-not-from-europe

On early white interpretations of assorted mound cultures:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/white-settlers-buried-truth-about -midwests-mysterious-mound-cities-180968246/ ================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
On infant skull binding in the Andes:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/cu-isb022118.php https://phys.org/news/2018-02-infant-skull-identity-inequality-ancient.h
tml

Mayan finds from the largest underwater cave (Yucatan):

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-archaeologists-fossils-mayan-relics-giant.
html
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-cave/ancient-human-remains-ice -age-animal-bones-found-in-giant-mexican-cave-idUSKCN1G40V3?feedType=RSS &feedName=scienceNews https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-americas/mexican-archaeologists-fin d-fossils-and-mayan-relics-in-world-s-largest-underwater-cave-1.706196 http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/mexico-flooded-cave-1.4543416?cmp=rss https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-mayan-bones-uncovered-mexico-13020475
0.html
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/human-remains-found-in-underwater-cave/ http://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-mexico-discover-treasures-mayan-c ivilization-and-giant-sloth-812882 https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/02/21/ancient-human-remains-found- in-flooded-cave-mexico-orig-llr.cnn https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/largest-underwater-cave-syst em-new-finds-mexico-spd/

... and concerns for the Sac Actun cave system in general:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-experts-vast-underwater-archeology-site.ht
ml
http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/experts-underwater-archaeology -site-imperiled-mexico-53205587 https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/19/experts-underwater-arch aeology-site-imperiled-in-m/ https://globalnews.ca/news/4034981/underwater-archaeology-site-mexico-im periled-pollution/

... and there are plans to make a 3d copy of the cave:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-scientists-recreate-virtual-mexican-underw ater.html

... and INAH has published an underwater archaeology catalog:

http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2018/02/inah-publishes-new-museum-of-unde rwater-archeology-catalog/

LiDAR has revealed a major city near Morelia, Mexico:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/15/laser-scanning-reveals-l ost-ancient-mexican-city-had-as-many-buildings-as-manhattan https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/laser-mapping-reveals-ancient- mexican-city-once-had-many-buildings-manhattan-180968202/ http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/ancient-lost-city- in-mexico-had-as-many-buildings-as-manhattan/news-story/81a0b55edcf14015 7a5762ebce9a79a3


More on what LiDAR revealed in Guatemala:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-laser-technology-maya-archeologists-theyve
.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uoa-ltt022018.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221140946.htm http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/ancient-city-di scovered-in-central-america/9478874
-----
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 ================================================================
Feature on assorted 'lost cities':

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/25/lost-cities-of-the-world -angamuco-pripyat-termessos-gedi-mohenjo-daro-the-five

It apparently took a while for dogs and humans to get along:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dogs-and-humans-didnt-beco me-best-friends-overnight-180968232/

Conservation of the oldest Christian panel painting from the Americas:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2018/02/17/la-france-conserve-le-plus-ancien-tabl eau-chretien-damerique/

Arguing about the Portrait of Omai:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/feb/25/joshua-reynolds-por trait-omai-tate-john-magnier-amsterdam--row

On the evil eye:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180216-the-strange-power-of-the-evil-
eye

On the spread of Proto Indo European:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-evidence-fuels-debate-ove r-the-origin-of-modern-languages/

Interesting early same-sex marriage in Spain:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43057841

Making the Bible into a 'novel' (sort of):

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/18/586556000/manuscripts-encourages-readers- to-approach-the-bible-like-a-novel

Victor Nuovo is looking at Diderot this week:

http://www.addisonindependent.com/201802victor-nuovo-diderot%E2%80%99s-p olitical-naturalism

Interesting feature on David Fairchild:

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/02/20/586459088/like-lemons-qu inoa-thank-this-food-explorer-for-bringing-them-to-your-plate

Feature on Klimt and Schiele:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180221-klimt-and-schiele-the-artists- who-shocked-europe

On Rembrandt's self portraits:

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/19/586454391/he-s-not-a-leading-man-a-castin g-director-on-rembrandt-s-self-portraits?sc=17&f=1008

Feature on W.E.B. Du Bois at 150:

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/22/587839970/w-e-b-du-bois-at-150?sc=17&f=10 32&utm_source=iosnewsapp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=app https://www.npr.org/2018/02/23/588103943/the-enduring-lyricism-of-w-e-b- du-bois-the-souls-of-black-folk

More on dice:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/02/dice-dice-baby/
553742/

More on rabbit domestication:

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/feb/24/story-of-monks-who-kept-rabbit s-just-that/

More on the archaeology of wealth inequality:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/aracheology-wealth-inequality-180 968072/

Review of Iliffe, *Priest of Nature*:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/public/isaac-newton-oddness/

Archaeology Podcast Network:

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

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/21/exhibition-explores-the-roman -emperor-who-loved-greek-culture/

The Unseen Museum:

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Rare-exhibit-in-Athens-features-7000-year- old-enigma

Secret Life of Scissors:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cutting-edge-exhibition-examin es-secret-life-scissors-180968194/

Insurance is expensive when Tut goes on tour:

https://www.albawaba.com/business/king-tutankhamun-trip-abroad-costs-egy pt-862-million-dollars-minister-of-antiquities-1091490

On the Green Family's 'other collection':

https://religionnews.com/2018/02/21/the-green-familys-other-collection/

Michael Bennett is leaving the Cleveland MoA:

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2018/02/curator_who_defended_pur chase.html

================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
A new scanning technique reveals a painting beneath a Picasso:

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43088339 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/science/
picasso-blue-period-scans.html

Feature on conservation techniques at UPenn's Museum of Archaeology:

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_top/art-conservation-historical-art ifacts-penn-museum-philadelphia-20180222.html

Studying Neanderthal molars using three-dimensional geometric
morphometry:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-d-morphometric-molars-sima-de.html


================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT ================================================================
DNA suggests Przewalski's horses aren't technically 'wild':

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uok-sns021618.php http://news.ku.edu/2018/02/16/surprising-new-study-redraws-family-tree-d omesticated-and-wild-horses http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/horse-origin-mysterious-domest ic-dna-analysis-przewalskis-botai-domesticated-a8224121.html https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/22/587755920/why-the-las t-wild-horses-really-arent http://nhpr.org/post/why-last-wild-horses-really-arent https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/przewalski-wild-horses-botai -kazakhstan-spd/ http://www.archaeology.org/news/6396-180222-domesticated-botai-horses

DNA is settling some controversy about the spread of the Bell Beaker
folks from Europe to Britain:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/lm-app022218.php https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/snrc-cai021918.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221131851.htm https://phys.org/news/2018-02-ancient-dna-tales-humans-migrant.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/stonehenge-neolith ic-britain-history-ancestors-plague-archaeology-beaker-people-a8222341.h
tml
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/21/arrival-of-beaker-folk-c hanged-britain-forever-ancient-dna-study-shows http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43115485 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/21/no-one-living-britain-truly-b ritish-scientists-find-stonehenge/ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/stonehenge-neolith ic-britain-history-ancestors-plague-archaeology-beaker-people-a8222341.h
tml
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/uk_national_news/16038730.European_Bea ker_immigrants_took_over_UK__study_shows/?ref=rss https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ancient-britons-overrun-by-folk-from- the-steppes-5dg3dwtgh

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