Explorator 20.16 ~ August 13, 2017

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

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================

A bit of a rethink (sort of) on when humans arrived in Asia/Indonesia:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-teeth-rediscovered-cave-humans-indonesia.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170810104931.htm
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uoq-aom080917.php
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/deadthings/2017/08/09/were-modern-humans-in-indonesia-73000-years-ago/
http://www.newsweek.com/first-humans-indonesia-arrived-lake-toba-supervolcano-eruption-648780
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2142952-early-humans-may-have-seen-a-supervolcano-explosion-up-close/#038;%23038;%23038;campaign_id=RSS%7CNSNS-
https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/08/08/ciencia/1502189338_772032.html
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/08/modern-humans-were-southeast-asia-20000-years-earlier-thought-ancient-teeth-reveal
https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/08/humans-were-in-indonesia-more-than-63000-years-ago/
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/08/2017/cave-site-in-west-sumatra-provides-first-evidence-for-rainforest-use-of-modern-humans
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5799-170809-sumatra-human-tooth

Comparing the diets of sapiens and Neanderthals:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-early-modern-humans-consumed-neanderthals.html

350 000 years bp animal bones from a cave associated with Neanderthals in Turkey:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-researchers-find-bones-of-350000-year-old-animal.aspx?pageID=238&nid=116434&NewsCatID=375

A look at ‘archaic DNA’ is adding some detail to the human development story, apparently:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-archaic-dna-rewrites-human-evolution.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170807155158.htm

Feature on Louis Leakey:

https://blog.oup.com/2017/08/louis-mary-leakey-human-origins-paleoanthropology/

More on the ‘randomness’ of human evolution:

http://www.ibtimes.com/scientist-says-human-evolution-was-random-chance-not-climate-change-2574734

================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Finds from various periods from Zanzibar Island:

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2017/august/early-portuguese-churches.html
http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/16721/Archaeologists-dig-up-Zanzibar-s-Arab-history
http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/archaeologists-locate-early-portuguese-churches-zanzibar-island
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5806-170811-zanzibar-colonial-excavation

Vague item on finds near Tobruk (Libya):

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/16912/Discovery-of-a-new-archaeological-site-in-Libya

Concerns for Sudan’s antiquities:

https://www.ft.com/content/ca543f5e-2c29-11e7-bc4b-5528796fe35c

Libyan archaeologists are getting positive attention:

https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2017/08/reviled-libyan-archaeologists-take-new-role/

Petroglyphs from the Namib Desert:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rock-art-found-namib-desert-reveals-ancient-initiation-rituals-led-by-shamans-1632438

================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
Blocks from Seti II’s era at an illegal excavation in Minya:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/274878/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/King-Seti-IIera-blocks-discovered-at-illegal-excav.aspx

Again we are hearing that archaeologists in Egypt are ‘about to’ find something … and again, it’s a secret room in the Great Pyramid:

http://www.egyptindependent.com/archaeologists-searching-chamber-secrets-khufu-pyramid/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/great-pyramid-of-giza-secret-chambers-archaeologists-scientists-uncover-ancient-egypt-a7883766.html
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/ancient-egypt-secret-room-discovered-in-great-pyramid-by-archaeologists-armed-with-lasers/ar-AApCqnw?li=AAmiR2Z&ocid=spartandhp

Restoration work has started on the Al Mahaly Mosque:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/274984/Heritage/Islamic/Restoration-work-begins-on-AlMahaly-Mosque-in-the-.aspx
http://www.egyptindependent.com/antiquities-ministry-renovate-rasheeds-al-mahally-mosque/

Downplaying concerns for Qaitbay Citadel:

http://www.egyptindependent.com/ministry-antiquities-denies-alleged-risk-collapse-qaitbay-citadel/

More on pharaohs suffering from gigantism:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/egyptian-pharaoh-gigantism-oldest-known-case-discovered-university-of-zurich-a7884696.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5790-170807-egypt-giant-pharaoh

Hittite seals and other items were found this year at Karkemis:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/impression-seals-to-illuminate-hittite-administration.aspx?pageID=238&nid=116395&NewsCatID=375

A 3000 years bp statue of a female from Tayinat:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uot-au3081017.php
https://phys.org/news/2017-08-archaeologists-uncover-year-old-female-statue.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170810173321.htm
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/enormous-3000-year-old-statue-mysterious-turkish-matriarch-discovered-1634668
http://www.newsweek.com/huge-ancient-statue-iron-age-goddess-face-purposefully-destroyed-discovered-649626
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5805-170811-turkey-iron-age-statue

Israel plans to privatize large scale archaeological digs, apparently:

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.806240

Claim that the ‘lost’ Roman city of Julias has been located:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Article.aspx?id=501701
http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.805402
https://www.algemeiner.com/2017/08/07/roman-city-that-was-home-to-jesus-apostles-found-in-israel-archaeologists-say/
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/lost-roman-city-that-was-home-to-jesuss-apostles-found-archaeologists-say/news-story/722ffce994a1d3295e7a0885a3db7f65
http://nypost.com/2017/08/08/archaeologists-may-have-found-lost-city-of-jesus-apostles/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/birthplace-apostle-peter-found-israel-archaeologist-150852363.html
http://artdaily.com/news/98079/Archaeologists-find-birthplace-of-Apostle-Peter-near-the-Sea-of-Galilee-in-Israel-
http://www.ibtimes.com/archaeologists-find-ancient-city-where-jesus-christs-apostles-were-born-2575505

… on the various sites identified as Bethsaida:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/sites-vie-to-be-seen-as-christianitys-lost-city-of-bethsaida/
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/jesus-bible-apostles-bethsaida-israel-archaeology/

A 2000 years bp stone vessel workshop in the Galilee:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Archeologists-unearth-2000-year-old-stone-vessel-production-center-502056
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/galilee-excavation-reveals-2000-year-old-stone-vessel-workshop/2017/08/10/
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/233716
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5001775,00.html
http://www.timesofisrael.com/2000-year-old-stone-workshop-discovered-near-where-jesus-turned-water-into-wine/
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2441599&CategoryId=13936
http://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/cave-workshop-dating-back-2000-years-discovered-in-northern-israel/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5800-170810-galilee-stone-vessels

A Karakhanid tomb from Kyrgyzstan:

https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2017/08/08/turkish-kyrgyz-archaeologists-unearth-karakhanid-tomb-in-kyrgyzstan

There was a conference on Jewish onomastics:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Article.aspx?id=501744

Feature on eclipses in ancient Nineveh:

http://www.aina.org/ata/20170807110537.htm

Irbid’s latest site will be opening to the public soon:

http://jordantimes.com/news/local/irbid%E2%80%99s-newly-discovered-archaeological-site-open-public-next-month
http://www.menafn.com/1095723894/Irbids-newly-discovered-archaeological-site-to-open-to-public-next-month

Feature on the ‘Pompeii of the East’ in Jordan:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mosaics-pompeii-east-reveal-moment-destruction-that-crushed-city-1200-years-ago-1634479

Feature on Nimrud and Agatha Christie:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/memories-of-agatha-christie-in-ruins-of-ancient-assyrian-city-of-nimrud-.aspx?pageID=238&nid=116427&NewsCatID=375

… while Iraq is trying to restore Nimrud as best it can:

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/08/iraq-nimrud-archaeology-isis-reconstruction.html

Latest on ISIL’s selling of antiquities to the West:

http://www.wsj.com/video/isis-is-selling-syria-antiquities-to-the-west/78B1261D-3E0C-4513-8F81-5E51568B8809.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-men-who-trade-isis-loot-1502017200
http://www.newsweek.com/isis-makes-100-million-year-smuggling-ancient-artifacts-iraq-and-syria-647524
http://www.aina.org/news/20170807170117.htm

On the damage in Mosul:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-40828720

A call for a ‘war’ on ISIL looting:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/antiquities-experts-call-for-war-on-isis-looting-3xz5d59lt
http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2017/08/12/421925/the-times-antiquities-experts-call-for-war-on-isis-looting.html

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================

A Roman road in Manisa:

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/26720-2000-year-old-road-discovered-near-ancient-city-of-aigai-in-western-turkey.html
https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2017/08/08/2000-year-old-roman-road-discovered-in-western-turkeys-manisa#

Roman remains in downtown Exeter:

http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2017-08-10/roman-remains-discovered-in-exeter-city-centre/

Roman finds from near Troyan:

http://www.novinite.com/articles/182095/Valuable+Archarological+Finds+Were+Discovered+Near+Troyan

Plenty of interesting ‘Kingdom of Colchis’ finds from Pichvnari:

http://agenda.ge/news/84911/eng

Latest finds from Lufton Villa:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-lufton-villa-excavations-reveal-famous.html

They’ve started to dig at that ‘sunken city’ near Izmir:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/excavations-start-in-sunken-city-in-izmir.aspx?pageID=238&nid=116520&NewsCatID=375

Archaeologists are back at Chedworth Roman Villa:

http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/15462514.Archaeologists_returning_to_Chedworth_Roman_Villa_for_final_dig_of_five_year_programme/

Fires are burning at the site of Panticapaeum:

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-society/2284837-ruins-of-ancient-panticapaeum-in-crimean-town-of-kerch-on-fire.html

A BBC documentary caused a racial stir this week, and Mary Beard took the brunt of it:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mary-beard-roman-britain-bbc-schools-cartoon-ethically-diverse-black-white-a7879991.html
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/06/mary-beard-twitter-abuse-roman-britain-ethnic-diversity
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mary-beard-takes-up-arms-against-an-army-of-trolls-dx3bmd05h
http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/06/mary-beard-in-race-row-with-people-who-have-never-read-a-history-book-6833195/
http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/historian-mary-beard-abused-on-social-media-over-her-comments-on-roman-britains-ethnic-diversity/news-story/4eb71a116e6567062ffe28a4f0898fa0
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-07/mary-beard-twitter-trolls-bbc-roman-race-row/8780634
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/06/mary-beard-misogynistic-race-row-bbc-cartoon-us-academic-claimed/
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/07/542077027/a-cartoons-black-star-prompts-a-fight-what-did-roman-britain-look-like

… Cambridge supported her views:

https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/13379

… and there were subsequent features/opeds on the diversity of Roman Britain:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2017/aug/07/mary-beard-romans-ancient-evidence
http://theconversation.com/mary-beard-is-right-roman-britain-was-multi-ethnic-so-why-does-this-upset-people-so-much-82269
https://hyperallergic.com/394720/how-coloring-books-can-teach-us-about-diversity-in-ancient-times/

… and the ‘scientism’ of the opposing views expressed by Nassem Taleb:

https://iainews.iai.tv/articles/beard-nassem-taleb-twitter-feud-and-dangers-of-scientism-auid-868

Reactions to the Minoan/Mycenean/Greek DNA story from last week:

https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2017/08/10/yannis-hamilakis/who-are-you-calling-mycenaean/

… in case you missed it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40791188

On the dental health of folks in Oplontis:

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2017/08/09/ancient-oplontis-residents-had-bad-teeth_b44d9bf4-1bc8-4df9-a448-691d62343289.html

Latest feature on ‘unwrapping’ Herculaneum papyri that doesn’t find quite as much as we’d like:

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/26695-ancient-greek-papyri-virtually-unwrapped-in-italy-video.html

Elgin Marble casts on display in New York:

https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/ccny%E2%80%99s-elgin-marbles-casts-display-cuny-graduate-center

Feature on Vercingetorix:

http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/06/guns-politics-vercingetorix/

Feature on Roman roads in Britain:

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/aug/07/london-centric-britain-blame-romans-roads-map-sasha-trubetskoy

Feature on the Elgin Marbles:

http://www.wacotrib.com/entertainment/accesswaco/david_a_smith/arts-separated-elgin-marbles-speak-of-western-civilization/article_0ff1e57d-933e-5292-a12d-ea8d87653703.html

Some JCL coverage:

http://www.winchesterstar.com/news/clarke/latin-students-bring-home-wins-in-junior-classical-league-events/article_11603036-68f3-5f0d-a2c7-3ff7bab099b1.html

A ‘Classical’ approach to Game of Thrones:

https://news.utexas.edu/2017/08/11/six-game-of-thrones-predictions-from-a-classics-professor

Review of Peter Jones, *Quid Pro Quo*:

http://www.thestatesman.com/books-education/the-dead-language-that-describes-all-what-we-see-1502256003.html/
http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/in-quid-pro-quo-peter-jones-writes-about-dead-languages-that-live-through-us/story-Did3LEpfLyoG25cUm0FR3I.html

More on the Roman ‘Pompeii’ in France:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/02/architecture/ancient-roman-town-uncovered/index.html?sr=fbCNN080217ancient-roman-town-uncovered0917AMStoryLink
http://lesalonbeige.blogs.com/my_weblog/2017/08/les-racines-de-la-france-%C3%A0-quelques-centim%C3%A8tres-sous-terre.html

—–
Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
Evidence of Paleolithic cannibalism from bones found at Gough’s Cave:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-human-bones-engraved-cannibalistic-ritual.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170809142027.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/10/science/cannibalism-bones-goughs-cave-england.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40886748
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/08/09/ancient-britons-ate-dead-carved-mysterious-markings-bones/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/cannibals-somerset-goughs-cave-engraved-human-bones-eating-ritual-cannibalism-paleontologists-a7884511.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/aug/09/engraved-bones-are-evidence-of-cannibalistic-rituals-by-early-humans-cheddar-cave
http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/09/ancient-britons-ate-their-dead-relatives-and-carved-cryptic-messages-on-the-bones-6841333/
http://www.dw.com/en/etched-human-bones-reveal-evidence-of-prehistoric-cannibal-rituals/a-40030377
http://www.newsweek.com/engraved-bones-cannibal-rituals-england-skull-cups-paleolithic-648882
https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/08/14700-years-ago-cannibals-conducted-rituals-in-this-english-cave/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/family-meal-ancestral-humans-may-have-engaged-in-ritualistic-cannibalism/
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/engravings-indicate-ritualistic-cannibalism-cheddar-gorge-180964468/

A Bronze Age dagger from Slovakia:

https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20623030/young-man-finds-4000-year-old-dagger-by-accident.html

Bronze Age burials from a car park site in Switzerland:

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/treasure-trove_bronze-age-tombs-unearthed-during-car-park-construction/43404582?&ns_mchannel=rss&srg_evsource=rss
http://www.speroforum.com/a/BNOPNQVCMT0/81478-3000-year-old-Bronze-Age-skeletons-found-in-Swiss-Alps

Metal detectorists found some Bronze Age items in Durham:

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/metal-detector-enthusiasts-uncover-bronze-13460840

I think we’ve mentioned this site near Turan (Albania) with finds from several periods:

https://phys.org/news/2017-05-ancient-site-discovery-albania-halts.html#nRlv

Latest from the Orkneys:

http://www.scotsman.com/regions/inverness-highlands-islands/archaeological-excavation-on-orkney-yields-new-discoveries-1-4525792

Tracing the Aberdeen diet:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/education/aberdeen-diet-traced-back-nearly-1-000-years-by-scientists-1-4527173

A very large circular Viking fortress from Denmark:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/1000-year-old-massive-perfectly-circular-viking-fortress-discovered-denmark-1634131
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5808-170811-denmark-viking-ring-fotress

Interesting ‘punishment’ burials from Portugal:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/502454/archaeologists-make-rare-gruesome-find-three-men-amputated-hands-and-feet

Plans for a viewing tower at Sutton Hoo:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-40853146

Feature on the Vasa:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/bizarre-story-vasa-ship-keeps-giving-180964328/

They’re talking about lowering a York porticullis:

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/15459002.Will_this_historic_York_portcullis_be_lowered_again_/

Not sure if this mammoth tooth find from Jersey will have a human connection or not:

http://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2017/08/08/mammoth-tooth-found-in-jersey/

Italian highlanders with Scottish roots?:

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-40865981

—–
Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
The 4000 years bp Shimao site from Shaanxi looks interesting:

https://www.untvweb.com/news/chinese-archaeologists-unveil-imperial-city-platform-northwest-china/

A major 2700 year bp (more or less) site from Hebei:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-08/09/c_136509722.htm

… and six ‘underground cities’ from Henan:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-08/11/c_136518503.htm
http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=16728&SEO=archaeologists-found-six-ancient-cities-underground-in-central-china
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2017-08/12/content_30508282.htm

Concerns for architecture in Yunnan:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-40863375

Interesting evidence of Bronze Age Timber Grave culture initiation rituals involving dogs in Russia:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-ancient-dog-bones-hint-male.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/boys-were-initiated-into-warriorhood-as-wolves-thousands-of-years-ago-22krf2rxv
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2017/08/08/bronze-age-teens-ate-dogs/
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sacrificed-dog-remains-feed-tales-bronze-age-wolf-men-warriors
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5795-170808-bronze-age-wolf-rituals

4000 years bp bone artifacts from Hyderabad:

http://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/revealed-4000-year-old-bone-jewels/article19440713.ece
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/090817/4000-year-old-ornaments-made-from-bone-unearthed-near-hyderabad.html

Overviewish/end of season wrap up of dig at Angkor:

https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/after-incredible-finds-angkor-archaeologists-wrap-up-dig-133509/

… and a separate piece on a ‘medicine Buddha’ find:

https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/angkor-excavation-team-find-a-medicine-buddha-133344/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5794-170808-cambodia-angkor-buddha-statue

After its discovery in the 1980s, digging has commence at a Maori site on Motorua Island:

https://www.livescience.com/60086-maori-site-earliest-polynesian-settlement.html
https://www.livescience.com/60085-early-maori-site-new-zealand-photos.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5798-170809-polynesians-moturua-island

Marking the 150th anniversary of the Coromandel gold rush:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=11901090

Feature on the partition of India:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-40826629

On the origins of the Taj Mahal:

https://sputniknews.com/asia/201708111056377451-india-taj-mahal-masterpiece/

—–

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://wuwf.org/post/luna-site-confirmed-largest-mid-16th-century-spanish-settlement-southeast
http://wuwf.org/post/newest-luna-artifacts-yield-more-details-about-1559-settlement

On Iroquoian power in the 16th century:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-ancient-pottery-reveals-insights-iroquoian.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uog-apr080717.php

… not sure if the above is related to the Knapp Family Collection:

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/clayton-curator-discovers-new-archaeological-site-with-items-connected-to-ancestral-iroquois-20170807

Looking for Hochelaga continues:

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-mystery-continues-hunt-for-lost-hochelaga-village-moves-to-new-locations

Newspapers love when kids find archaeological items … in this case a bison tooth:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ancient-bison-tooth-riding-mountain-national-park-1.4237664?cmp=rss

… and a spearhead:

http://www.therepublic.com/2017/08/12/local_girl_finds_ancient_spearhead/

Searching for the grave of a Battle of Gettysburg soldier:

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/special/20170809/team-in-swansea-tries-to-unearth-mystery-of-civil-war-soldiers-burial-spot

A 250 years bp bowling alley from Richmond:

http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/15459847.A_250_year_old_bowling_alley_has_been_discovered_in_Richmond/
http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/15459847.A_250_year_old_bowling_alley_has_been_discovered_in_Richmond/

A well on the UVA site:

https://www.news.virginia.edu/content/archaeologists-exploring-first-early-well-found-academical-village

Suggestion that a Chaco Canyon petroglyph portrays a solar eclipse:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uoca-ccp080917.php
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2017/08/total-eclipse-petroglyph

On barbed wire in American history:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40448594

Searching for evidence that the first settlers to the Americas arrived by boat:

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/08/most-archaeologists-think-first-americans-arrived-boat-now-they-re-beginning-prove-it

Documenting coastal forts in Louisiana (I think we mentioned this):

http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2017/08/louisiana_archaeologist_docume.html

Feature on Canada’s first municipal staff archaeologist:

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/fumano-canadas-first-municipal-staff-archaeologist-digs-into-vancouvers-indigenous-history

Ottawa has decided not to move the Darmouth archaeology lab:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1493403-ottawa-reverses-decision-to-move-parks-canada-archeological-lab-in-dartmouth
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/archeology-lab-in-dartmouth-will-stay-open-1.4241212?cmp=rss
http://www.trurodaily.com/community/2017/8/11/ottawa-decides-treasured-artifacts-will-remain-in-nova-scotia.html

Review of Smucker, *Riding with George*:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/george-washington-as-dancer-horseman-and-fox-hunter/2017/08/11/f63c2366-7639-11e7-8839-ec48ec4cae25_story.html?utm_term=.acabf528efa5

http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/noticia-peru-3000yearold-circular-stone-wall-found-in-cusco-678217.aspx

What the El Gigante Rock Shelter site is revealing about corn/maize domestication:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/ps-mfe080717.php
https://phys.org/news/2017-08-maize-el-gigante-early-transition.html

Humans are being blamed for a monkey extinction in Jamaica:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/jhm-ems080817.php

On ‘climate catastrophe’ as seen on Caral’s ruins:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-08/10/c_136515107.htm

Feature on conservation efforts at Tenochitlan:

https://elpais.com/internacional/2017/08/08/la_serpiente_emplumada/1502209681_173912.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 the linguistics of ‘Game of Thrones’:

http://www.economist.com/comment/3477569

Feature on Emil Nolde:

http://www.dw.com/en/how-nazi-banned-expressionist-emil-nolde-re-envisioned-color/a-39827633

I’m not sure about this inscribed ‘mysterious stone’ from Spain:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/huge-stone-slab-discovered-spain-covered-ancient-symbols-that-no-one-can-read-1633032

A 103 year-old /late correction:

http://www.npr.org/2017/08/08/542238978/-financial-times-issues-103-year-old-correction

Cf: https://bankunderground.co.uk/2017/08/08/your-country-needs-funds-the-extraordinary-story-of-britains-early-efforts-to-finance-the-first-world-war/

Feature on The Monument:

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170810-the-medieval-lab-hidden-inside-a-famous-monument

On the Koh-i-noor diamond:

http://www.dw.com/en/world-in-progress-the-story-of-the-koh-i-noor-diamond/av-40025506

On the history of tempura:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20170808-the-truth-about-japanese-tempura

On the Illuminati:

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170809-the-accidental-invention-of-the-illuminati-conspiracy

On the history of Aspirin:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/brief-history-aspirin-180964329/

Now we get revisionism about Indiana Jones (!):

http://www.neatorama.com/2017/08/10/Defending-Indiana-Jones-Archaeologist/

An interesting 100 year-old map of Rome:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/07/map-rome-history-lanciani-artifact/

106 years bp fruitcake from Antarctica:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-40907084
https://elpais.com/internacional/2017/08/11/mundo_global/1502440381_732679.html

On the music Alexander Hamilton listened to:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/arts/music/hamilton-music-lin-manuel-miranda-los-angeles.html

A stolen de Kooning painting turns up in an antique shop:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/arts/stolen-de-kooning-resurfaces-more-than-30-years-later.html

Victor Nuovo is looking at John Locke now:

http://www.addisonindependent.com/201708victor-nuovo-truth-and-foundations-civil-society

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archyfantasies/
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
The Blind Spot:

http://www.dw.com/en/why-a-german-museum-is-exploring-its-colonial-past/a-39952358

Hokusai (sort of):

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-40830628

Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable:

http://theartnewspaper.com/comment/comment/fake-heritage-for-the-fake-news-era-/

Indian Independence:

http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-40801659

Venice Biennale:

http://www.npr.org/2017/08/12/542998650/ancient-iraqi-art-on-display-in-italy-at-venice-biennale?sc=17&f=7

Museums in the Cyclades need upgrading because of increased tourism:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/220775/article/ekathimerini/life/many-cyclades-museums-require-upgrades-due-to-growing-collections-visitors

Why museum collections are important:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/trail-dead-mice-scholar-discovers-lesson-why-museum-collections-matter-180964365/

The Marsa Matrouh archaeological museum will open soon:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/44/274877/Heritage/Museums/Marsa-Matrouh-archaeological-museum-set-to-open-in.aspx

Interesting proposal for a museum in Cyprus:

http://www.archdaily.com/876375/proposal-for-a-transparent-museum-in-cyprus-rethinks-the-urban-square

Feature on the expanded Zeugma museum:

http://turkisharchaeonews.net/news/new-section-zeugma-mosaic-museum-gaziantep

More on the Met Museum’s vase/bull head returns:

http://www.salon.com/2017/08/06/the-met-pythons-flying-circus-a-museum-a-vase-and-the-kingpin-of-stolen-antiquities/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/08/07/authorities-just-seized-an-ancient-vase-from-the-metropolitan-museum-here-are-the-underlying-politics/

================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
Using genomic data to track folktale diffusion:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-folktale-diffusion-genomic.html

Feature on using satellite technology to find sites:

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/SpaceArchaeology/?src=eorss-features

Plans to digitize Calvin Wells’ collection/notes:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/aug/11/the-bone-collector-eccentric-archaeological-treasury-to-be-digitised

================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
DNA from Viking cod bones is revealing much about European fish trade:

http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/dna-from-viking-cod-bones-suggests-1000-years-of-european-fish-trade
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uoc-dfv080417.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170807151719.htm
https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/08/1000-year-old-german-dinner-reveals-long-distance-viking-trade-routes/

Looking at the DNA to be found in medieval manuscripts:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/08/the-secret-life-of-illuminated-manuscripts-as-told-in-dna/536172/

Following Puebloan migrations with turkey DNA:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-ancient-dna-track-mesa-verde.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/uoca-csa081017.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170810104946.htm
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ancient-american-civilsation-dna-vanish-700-years-ago-anasazi-southwest-puebloans-colorado-mesa-a7885701.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-10/turkey-bones-unlock-secret-to-puebloan-depopulation/8792464
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/08/2017/exodus-from-mesa-verde-tracked-using-domesticated-turkey-dna
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5797-170809-migration-turkey-dna

DNA suggests a single geographic origin for domesticated dogs:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/jgum-mdd080717.php
https://phys.org/news/2017-08-modern-domestic-dog-geographic.html

Explorator 20.15 ~ August 6, 2017

Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley, Rick Heli,
Allan Brockway, Val Moore, Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent
for headses upses this week (as always hoping I have left no one out).

… a very busy week

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Pondering the origin of the genus homo:

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-paper-genus-homo-response-environmental.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170804100410.htm

On sapiens diet and Neanderthal ‘displacement’:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170804082912.htm

A number of early hominin sites in Saudi Arabia are causing a bit of a rethink:

https://www.livescience.com/59998-46-prehistoric-sites-saudi-arabia.html
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/human-artifacts-found-46-ancient-lakes-arabian-desert-180964303/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5778-170801-saudi-arabia-desert

================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
More on Chinese burials in Kenya:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201707310840.html
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2017-08/01/content_30319104.htm

================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
Feature on Tut’s ‘camping bed’:

https://www.livescience.com/59999-king-tut-camping-bed-ancient-marvel.html

Suggestion that an early pharaoh might have been a ‘giant’:

https://www.livescience.com/60044-ancient-egyptian-pharaoh-first-human-giant.html

Five people were killed while illegally digging in Sohag:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/274570/Egypt/Politics-/Five-killed-while-illegally-digging-for-antiquitie.aspx
http://www.egyptindependent.com/five-killed-illegal-ancient-artifact-excavation-sohag/
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2441088&CategoryId=13003

Latest on plans to restore Alexandria’s Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/274710/Heritage/Islamic/Restoration-of-Alexandrian-Jewish-synagogue-is-und.aspx
http://www.egyptindependent.com/eliyahu-hanavi-synagogue-restoration-alexandria/
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170803-egypt-to-bear-cost-of-alexandria-synagogue-renovation/

Zahi Hawass was receiving awards …

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/15388/Hawas-receives-Golden-Gala-award-at-Magna-Graecia-Film-Fest

… and trying to reestablish good relations with Italy, antiquities-wise:

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2017/08/02/zahi-hawass-says-italy-egypt-can-reestablish-relationship_e3bf7cad-125d-4c2f-8e68-6739af7c4443.html

They’re hyping hidden chambers in the pyramids again:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/the-great-pyramid-of-giza-is-hiding-mysterious-chambers-that-could-be-about-to-reveal-their-secrets/news-story/ba28e717d3018b8bd23efa38232ada2d

Medieval/Islamic Period Coptic inscriptions from the St Beshoy monastery:

http://www.menafn.com/1095671887/Egypt–Coptic-inscriptions-accidentally-discovered-at-ancient-monastery

Concerns for the Al Mandara Mill:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/274604/Heritage/Islamic/Construction-will-not-encroach-on-Alexandrias-hist.aspx

Concerns that a Baghdad pipeline is damaging sites:

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/07/bismayah-gas-pipeline-iraq-baghdad.html#ixzz4oKr0Xdni

Suggestion that Catal Huyuk was war-free for 4000 years:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/no-wars-in-catalhoyuk-for-4000-years-.aspx?pageID=238&nid=116245&NewsCatID=375
https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2017/08/03/catalhoyuk-4000-years-of-peace-without-war

No, it’s not an ancient fidget spinner:

https://www.livescience.com/60022-ancient-fidget-spinner-lookalike-is-weapon.html

The site of Julias may have been found:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/New-evidence-of-Lost-City-of-Julias-unearthed-near-Sea-of-Galilee-501701
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/christian-archaeologists-may-have-unearthed-lost-kinneret-city-of-3-apostles/2017/08/06/

Using seals to confirm the existence of Biblical names:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/researcher-gives-seal-of-approval-to-53-biblical-characters-existence/

Feature on Tiberias:

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.805152

Lawrence Schiffman on a Talmud-burning incident in the 13th century:

http://lawrenceschiffman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/when-talmud-was-burned.pdf

More on evidence for the burning of Jerusalem some 2600 years b.p.:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/bible-passage-jerusalem-burning-city-david-capture-accurate-archaeologists-burnt-artefacts-ash-a7871286.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/archaeological-find-jerusalem-proves-bible-passage-historically-true-123315016.html
http://www.ibtimes.com/2600-year-old-archeological-discovery-shows-biblical-passage-be-true-2574781

In case you missed the Canaanite-DNA-in-Lebanon story:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/science/ancient-canaanites-bible-lebanon.html
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/07/2017/present-day-lebanese-are-direct-descendants-of-ancient-canaanites

Explorator 20.14 ~ July 30, 2017

Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
John Hall, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley, Rick Heli,
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 eating turtles at a site in Israel some 60 000 years bp, apparently:

http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.803364
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5762-170726-israel-freshwater-turtle

Early homo sapiens in southern Africa some 60 000 years bp (give or take) were culturally flexible:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/uotw-cfw072617.php
https://phys.org/news/2017-07-early-human-ability-survive-prolonged.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170726102921.htm

More on ‘ghost species’ traces in saliva:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/science/news/article.cfm?c_id=82&objectid=11894688
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5755-170724-saliva-gene-variant
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/07/2017/clues-to-a-ghost-species-of-ancient-human-found-in-saliva

================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Chinese burials (it has been determined) from an island off Kenya:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-07/29/c_136481481.htm

More on the goldsmith’s tomb in the Sudan:

https://phys.org/news/2017-07-kingdom-egyptthe-goldsmith-tomb.html

================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
A tomb of unspecified date from Sharqia:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/13639/The-transfer-of-a-newly-discovered-archaeological-tomb
http://www.egyptindependent.com/pharaonic-tomb-unearthed/

Medieval frescoes from the St Pishoy monastery:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/42/274317/Heritage/Coptic/Medieval-Coptic-wallpaintings-uncovered-at-Egyptia.aspx
http://www.egyptindependent.com/murals-discovered-anba-bishoy-monastery/
https://egyptianstreets.com/2017/07/30/archaeological-murals-discovered-at-saint-bishoy-monastery/
http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/14153/Wall-paintings-discovered-in-Monastery-of-Saint-Pishoy

Feature on Flinders Petrie:

http://www.thenational.scot/culture/15439186.Profile__Flinders_Petrie__controversial_founder_of_archaeology/

Bronze Age granaries from Manisa:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-granaries-reveal-history-of-grape-production–.aspx?pageID=238&nid=115965&NewsCatID=375

Evidence of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem:

http://www.antiquities.org.il/Article_eng.aspx?sec_id=25&subj_id=240&id=4302
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/233006
http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-jerusalem-finds-shore-up-biblical-account-of-babylonian-conquest/
http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-1.803529
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4994533,00.html
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4994920,00.html
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/jerusalem/they-were-here-on-tisha-bav-new-evidence-of-babylonian-destruction-discovered-in-city-of-david/2017/07/26/
https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/1325478/photos-eve-tisha-bav-evidence-babylonian-destruction-jerusalem-found-city-david.html
https://www.algemeiner.com/2017/07/26/ahead-of-tisha-bav-evidence-of-babylonian-destruction-of-jerusalem-unearthed/
http://forward.com/fast-forward/378000/new-evidence-of-babylonian-conquest-of-jerusalem-discovered/

Possible evidence that Second Temple priests fled to Magdala to continue traditions after the Romans took Jerusalem:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Magdala-once-likely-populated-by-elite-Jerusalemites-501003
http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-finds-suggest-second-temple-priests-who-fled-the-romans-kept-up-holy-rituals-in-the-galilee/

A 1600 years bp wine press from Ramat Negev:

http://www.antiquities.org.il/Article_heb.aspx?sec_id=25&subj_id=240&id=4300
http://www.timesofisrael.com/1600-years-ago-soldiers-may-have-quaffed-wine-from-this-desert-press/
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/1600-year-old-stone-wine-presser-found-in-Ramat-Negev-500669
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5760-170725-negev-wine-press

Really a DNA story, but the suggestion is they weren’t destroyed but moved to Lebanon (hmmm):

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/wtsi-pld072617.php
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/cp-wwt072017.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170727122039.htm
http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/genetic-study-suggests-present-day-lebanese-descend-from-biblical-canaanites
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/science/ancient-canaanites-bible-lebanon.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/a7862936.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/07/28/study-disproves-bibles-claim-ancient-canaanites-wiped/
http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-canaanites-werent-annihilated-they-just-moved-to-lebanon/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2142028-bronze-age-dna-calls-famous-biblical-slaughter-into-question/#038;%23038;%23038;campaign_id=RSS%7CNSNS-
https://arstechnica.co.uk/science/2017/07/genetic-evidence-suggests-the-canaanites-werent-destroyed-after-all/
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-canaanite-lebanese-genetics-20170727-story.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/07/27/ancient-dna-solves-mystery-of-the-canaanites-reveals-the-biblical-peoples-fate/?wpisrc=al_alert-hse&wpmk=1
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/07/canaanite-bible-ancient-dna-lebanon-genetics-archaeology/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5766-170727-lebanon-canaanite-genome

Video on the Solomon’s Stables excavation on Temple Mount:

https://templemount.wordpress.com/2017/07/23/solomons-stables-history-and-destructionruction/

Suggestion that Philistines weren’t ‘pirates’ after all:

http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.802928

Some Foundation Stone interviews of note … first, a Tel Hazor interview with Prof Amnon Ben-Tor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0FQfGFaCM0

… and Tel Achziv interviews with Dr Yifat Therani and D. Michael Yasmin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxD7A9DoQ3U

Latest from the Tel Burna dig:

https://telburna.wordpress.com/2017/07/29/week-4end-of-season-overview/

Gobekli Tepe is looking for Heritage status:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/unesco-lists-turkeys-gobeklitepe-as-2018-nominee.aspx?pageID=238&nID=115875&NewsCatID=375

Feature on assorted biblical battles:

https://www.livescience.com/59911-ancient-biblical-battles.html

Explorator 20.13 ~ July 23, 2017

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

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Early hominids pretty much ate anything:

http://www.wtsp.com/news/nation-now/real-paleo-diet-early-hominids-ate-just-about-everything/458522081

Concern for hominin footprints in the shadow of a volcano in Tanzania:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/5748-170720-tanzania-volcano-footprints

Nice feature on Neanderthal evidence from Gibraltar:

http://www.gibraltarolivepress.com/2017/07/22/exciting-archaeological-breakthrough-helping-researchers-understand-ancient-relatives/

On the mitochondrial side of interbreeding:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jul/18/did-human-women-contribute-to-neanderthal-genomes-over-200000-years-ago

More of a DNA story, but trace evidence from saliva of some ‘ghost species’ of human as a result of interbreeding or some such thing:

https://phys.org/news/2017-07-saliva-clues-ghost-species-ancient.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/uab-isc072117.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170721113415.htm
https://www.sciencealert.com/sign-of-a-mysterious-human-ancestor-has-been-found-in-our-spit

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AFRICA
================================================================
Kingdom of Kerma era tombs from the Sudan:

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1056993.shtml

I think we mentioned this Egyptian-style goldsmith’s burial from the Sudan:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170721090109.htm

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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
Plenty of coverage of the possible discovery of the tomb of Tut’s wife:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/12657/Archaeologists-claim-discovery-of-Tutankhamun-s-wife-lost-tomb
https://www.livescience.com/59840-king-tut-wife-tomb-possibly-found.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/king-tuts-wife-possibly-buried-new-tomb/
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/king-tutankhamuns-wife-might-be-hidden-in-newly-discovered-tomb-filled-with-3300yearold-secrets/news-story/a271484eecb06e04be6ce79507e0a2a8?from=rss-basic
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11893023
http://www.ibtimes.com/tomb-king-tutankhamuns-wifes-discovered-ankhesenamun-lies-next-her-second-husband-2567662
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/07/19/tomb-king-tuts-wife-discovered-experts-excited-by-find-in-egypt.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/tomb-king-tutankhamun-wife-likely-125653687.html
http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/egypt/2017/07/20/archeology-tomb-of-tutankhamuns-wife-possibly-discovered_6811f305-fefc-4072-ab78-174fcb8806c7.html

Medieval graffiti from a cave in Upper Egypt (we may have mentioned this last week):

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/273873/Heritage/Islamic/Medievalera-graffiti-discovered-in-cave-in-Upper-E.aspx
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/no-god-except-allah-medieval-grafitti-by-ancient-pilgrims-discovered-egyptian-cave-1631342
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5750-170720-egypt-medieval-graffiti

There’s a Cairo Pass now to help get you to assorted sites:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/273767/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Cairo-Pass-available-for-foreigners-to-visit-all-a.aspx
http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/12653/Egypt-launches-new-pass-for-Giza-an-Cairo-archaeological-sites

Antiquities stolen from an Egyptian mosque were recovered:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/274040/Heritage/Islamic/Antiquities-stolen-from-Egypts-Jani-Bek-AlAshrafi-.aspx

Feature on the Rosetta Stone:

https://www.livescience.com/59858-rosetta-stone-turns-218.html

Egypt is ‘taking stock’ of its neglected antiquities:

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/07/egypt-antiquities-campaign-prevent-theft.html

More on the AUC handing over a pile of items to Egypt:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/273713/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/AUC-hands-over-to-Egypt-,-artifacts-from-past-arch.aspx
https://dailynewsegypt.com/2017/07/19/national-museum-egyptian-civilisation-receives-453-artefacts/

Study suggesting the Philistines weren’t ‘Aegean pirates’:

http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.802928

10 000 years bp burials near Dargecit possibly suggest a belief in the afterlife:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/excavations-in-turkeys-southeast-reveal-10000-year-old-belief-in-afterlife.aspx?pageID=238&nid=115695&NewsCatID=375

Plenty of interest for the find of the ‘oldest emoji/smiley’ on a pot at a site near Gazian Tepe:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/worlds-oldest-smiley-emoji-found-in-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nid=115642&NewsCatID=375
https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2017/07/17/worlds-first-smiley-discovered-on-4000-year-old-pot-in-turkey
https://www.livescience.com/59895-oldest-known-smiley-face-emoji.html
https://hyperallergic.com/391472/was-the-oldest-smiley-found-on-a-3700-year-old-jug/
http://www.timesofisrael.com/historys-oldest-smile-found-on-4000-year-old-pot-in-turkey/
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/worlds-oldest-emoji-discovered-on-3-700-year-old-pottery-1728207
5000 years bp pottery from Cadir Hoyuk:

https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2017/07/20/archaeologists-delicately-excavate-5000-year-old-pottery

10 pre-First Temple pots from Shiloh are causing a stir:

http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=43843
http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2017/7/14/10-ancient-jugs-predating-first-temple-unearthed-at-shiloh-site

… and they’re looking for the Ark of the Covenant there too:

http://forward.com/fast-forward/377171/watch-archaeologists-hunt-for-ark-of-the-covenant-in-israel/
http://www.timesofisrael.com/with-bibles-and-shovels-a-search-for-the-biblical-tabernacle-gathers-pace-at-shiloh/

A 2700 years bp reservoir from Rosh Ha’ayin:

http://www.antiquities.org.il/Article_eng.aspx?sec_id=25&subj_id=240&id=4299
http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/History/Pages/High-school-students-discover-ancient-Assyrian-period-water-system-20-July-2017.aspx
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Rare-2700-year-old-Assyrian-era-reservoir-unearthed-in-central-Israel-500236
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/232744
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/impressive-2700-year-old-water-system-discovered-near-rosh-haayin/2017/07/20/
http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.802466
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-high-schoolers-excavate-2700-year-old-water-system/
http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2017/7/20/israeli-students-help-to-uncover-2700-year-old-assyrian-era-water-reservoir
http://www.aina.org/ata/20170720121416.htm
https://www.algemeiner.com/2017/07/21/israeli-students-help-uncover-2700-year-old-assyrian-era-water-reservoir/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5749-170720-israel-water-reservoir

More on the evidence for destruction at Gezer:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/biblical-account-of-gezers-destruction-gains-ground-with-torched-skeleton-finds/

The Tel Es-Safi/Gath blog is up and running again:

https://gath.wordpress.com/

On the multidisciplinary approach to archaeology in Jordan:

http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/multidisciplinary-approach-archaeology-improves-research-findings-%E2%80%94-jordanian-expert
http://www.menafn.com/1095628577/Multidisciplinary-approach-to-archaeology-improves-research-findings-%E2%80%94-Jordanian-expert

Latest in the Temple Mount saga:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/pa-minister-accuses-israel-of-exploiting-attack-to-dig-under-temple-mount/

Explorator 20.12 ~ July 16, 2017

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

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
A fourth Denisovan fossil (a tooth) has been identified:

https://phys.org/news/2017-07-fourth-denisovan-fossil.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5722-170710-denisovan-fossil-found

Teeth also figure in a study of homo naledi’s diet:

https://phys.org/news/2017-07-chipped-teeth-homo-naledi-unique.html

Explorator 20.11 ~ July 9, 2017

Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, Feral Boy, Rick Heli,
Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
A Neanderthal tooth from Gibraltar:

http://chronicle.gi/2017/07/landmark-discovery-as-archaeologists-unearth-neanderthal-tooth-in-vanguard-cave/

… possibly related:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gibraltars-neanderthal-city-offers-glimpse-into-life-of-humans-closest-relatives/

Neanderthal DNA is suggesting new dates for ‘human related dispersal’ from Africa (there’s a sapiens/neanderthal interbreeding spin on this too):

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-07/mpif-doe062917.php
https://phys.org/news/2017-07-dna-early-neanderthal-timeline-modern.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170705132917.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/04/science/neanderthals-dna-homo-sapiens-human-evolution.html?_r=0
https://cosmosmagazine.com/palaeontology/hohlenstein-stadel-cave-rewrites-history-of-neanderthal-human-relations
https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/07/neanderthal-dna-suggests-yet-another-wave-of-human-migration-out-of-africa/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5712-170705-neanderthal-mitochondrial-dna
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/humans-may-have-left-africa-and-bred-neanderthals-over-200000-years-ago-180963951/
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/07/2017/neanderthal-dna-gives-timeline-for-new-modern-human-related-dispersal-from-africa

Feature on the Denisovans:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/07/science/denisovans-baby-tooth-molar-dna.html

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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
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Remember that big statue of Psammetich I from a Cairo neighbourhood? Apparently three antiquities officials are being prosecuted because of it:

https://dailynewsegypt.com/2017/07/08/administrative-prosecution-refers-3-ministry-antiquities-officials-trial-excavation-fiasco/

Studying ancient ‘tourist graffiti’ in the Valley of the Kings:

http://www.theweek.co.uk/86349/scientists-uncover-tripadvisor-for-the-ancient-world

The collapsed roof of an Ottoman-era mosque in Cairo had some reinforcing work done:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/272961/Heritage/Islamic/Roof-of-Ottomanera-Cairo-mosque-reinforced-after-p.aspx

Plans and funding to restore a synagogue in Alexandria:

https://egyptianstreets.com/2017/07/08/egypt-approves-egp-40-million-restoration-of-synagogue-in-alexandria/

Interesting feature on the possible identification of the Assyrian queen Hama:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/08/meet-forgotten-queen-protected-curse-and-crowned-gold/461380001/

An Iron Age site (Seh Tappeh) in Iran is in the news:

http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/414828/In-Focus-Excavations-aim-to-shed-light-on-Iron-Age-life-in-northeast

Some interesting finds from this year’s digging at Huqoq:

http://uncnews.unc.edu/2017/07/06/excavations-unc-chapel-hill-archaeologist-continue-yield-stunning-mosaics-ancient-galilean-synagogue/
https://unc.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00005vwcu89jLJ4/UNC-MEDIA-RELEASE

… but I don’t think that is Jonah and the whale in the picture:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/earliest-mosaic-of-jonah-and-the-whale-found-in-galilee-synagogue/

The Gath Archaeological Project dig blog is under way again:

https://gath.wordpress.com/2017/07/03/and-were-off-the-2017-season-starts/

… as is the Tel Burna Excavation Project:

https://telburna.wordpress.com/2017/07/08/week-1-overview/

This is somewhat confusing to follow in the press … early in the week we read that Hebron didn’t qualify for UNESCO’s ‘Heritage in Danger’ list:

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/UNESCO-experts-Hebron-heritage-request-too-focused-on-Muslim-history-498519

… then we read that it was a request not to let it be so inscribed:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Haley-asks-UN-not-to-inscribe-Hebron-on-World-Heritage-List-498680

… then we read that it happened:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/07/unesco-recognises-hebron-as-palestinian-world-heritage-site

… and Israel responded in a somewhat strange manner:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/israel-un-budget-jewish-heritage-museums-unesco-world-heritage-site-hebron-protest-palestinian-city-a7830391.html

A sixth century medical manuscript was discovered in St Catharine’s monastery:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/41/273085/Heritage/GrecoRoman/Sixth-century-medical-recipe-uncovered-in-St-Cathe.aspx
https://english.aawsat.com/waleed-abdul-rahman/lifestyle-culture/egypt-rare-manuscript-discovered-saint-catherine-monastery

A 1000 years bp ‘Sultan’s Bath’ from Takkeli mountain:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/sultans-bath-a-surprising-find-atop-takkeli-mountain.aspx?pageID=238&nid=115192&NewsCatID=375
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5720-170707-anatolia-gevele-castle

Feature on Petra:

https://www.livescience.com/59707-google-maps-of-petra-photos.html

More on 3200 years bp human remains from Gezer:

http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.798934
http://www.newsweek.com/israel-ancient-human-remains-discovered-royal-biblical-city-3200-years-after-631954
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5706-170703-israel-canaanite-remains-discovered

More on the ‘skull cult’ at Gobekli Tepe:

https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2017/07/04/gobeklitepe-was-home-to-rites-of-skull-findings-say

Explorator 20.10 ~ July 2, 2017

Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, Wilfried Zankl, Rick Heli, 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
================================================================
Evidence (perhaps) of Neanderthal dentistry:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/uok-aon062617.php
https://phys.org/news/2017-06-analysis-neanderthal-teeth-grooves-uncovers.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170628131510.htm
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/neanderthals-dentistry-attempt-prehistory-attempt-homo-sapiens-humans-habilis-krapina-a7813206.html
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/neanderthals-used-toothpicks-treat-aching-teeth-180963883/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5701-170629-croatia-neanderthal-dentistry

What million year bp hyena coprolites reveal about early humans:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/06/hyenas-toilet-fossils-poop-coprolite/

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AFRICA
================================================================
A roundup of recent archaeological finds in Africa:

https://www.africa.com/top-five-latest-archeological-discoveries-in-africa/

Feature on Kush:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40420910

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ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
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Short feature on the Scorpion King:

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/The-Scorpion-King-is-real-here-s-what-this-11245445.php

A pile of stone blocks stored near Luxor are now shown to be from a temple of Thutmose I:

http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news,414739,polish-egyptologist-identified-fragments-of-a-lost-egyptian-temple-in-a-storage.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/5703-170630-egypt-thutmose-i-temple

On the West’s obsession with ancient Egypt:

http://theconversation.com/the-mummy-what-the-wests-obsession-with-ancient-egypt-reveals-79519

More on those 5200 years bp ‘pre hieroglyphs’:

https://phys.org/news/2017-06-archaeologists-earliest-monumental-egyptian-hieroglyphs.html
https://sputniknews.com/society/201706261054989902-egypt-expedition-discover-new-hieroglyphs/