Explorator 22.40 ~ January 26, 2020

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

Don Buck kindly resent the ‘posca’ link that I lost a couple of weeks ago:

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/my-favorite-beverage-is-a-2-000-year-old-energy-drink-from-ancient-rome?utm_source=pocket-newtab
================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Early humans were also eating ‘hard plant foods’, judging by tooth wear:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/wuis-git011620.php
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8366-200120-teeth-hard-plants

Homo antecessor’s skull didn’t have room for wisdom teeth, apparently:

https://phys.org/news/2020-01-modern-homo-antecessor-insufficient-room.html

You might want to be aware, at least, of the Calaveras skull (but maybe not):

http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/news/article_e3678078-37ed-11ea-94be-5f045c4b5c2b.html

Human impact on large mammal populations goes back millions of years, apparently:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51068816
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8373-200122-africa-large-carnivores

Not really new, but interesting: footprint evidence of Neanderthals (maybe) climbing a volcano:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2020/01/23/fossilized-footprints-show-neanderthals-climbing-an-active-volcano/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2230655-neanderthals-may-have-climbed-an-active-volcano-soon-after-it-erupted/

Explorator 22.39 ~ January 19, 2020

Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Andrew Szegedy-Maszak, Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths,
Frank MacKay, Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).
Some corrections from last week’s edition:

A report in Jordan times about the return of the world’s oldest chess piece suggested it
had been requested; John Oleson has informed us that he offered to return it voluntarily:

http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/worlds-oldest-chess-piece-be-returned-jordan-decades-after-excavation

An ongoing copy/paste issue erroneously put the wrong link for an article on posca; sadly,
I can’t seem to find the correct one, so in lieu of (thanks to Ken Berry for catching it):

https://qz.com/quartzy/1372506/posca/
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EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Interesting study suggests Neanderthals may have been diving for shells for toolmaking purposes 100 000 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2020-01-beach-combing-neanderthals-dove-shells.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/p-nwu010820.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115140458.htm
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/15/neanderthals-dived-for-shells-to-make-tools-research-suggests
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51128639
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/science/neanderthals-swimming-diving.html
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/neandertals-dove-harvested-clamshells-tools-near-italy-shores
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/shell-fishing-neanderthals-08023.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8358-200116-neanderthal-shell-tools

Studying tool design at Olduvai:

https://cosmosmagazine.com/archaeology/the-advanced-toolmakers-of-olduvai-gorge
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8352-200114-olduvai-stone-tools

Assorted dates for skulls and other items from Kaldar Cave (Iran):

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/444257/Sorbonne-experts-confirm-fossilized-skull-found-in-Iran-belongs

Early hominids could handle eating ‘hard plant foods’ (e.g. nuts) without damaging their teeth:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/wuis-git011620.php

Feature on what may have been the last community of Neanderthals (31 000 years bp!):

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/in-russias-far-north-a-lone-group-of-neanderthals-may-have-been-the-last-of

More on homo erectus reaching indonesia some 1.3 million years bp:

http://www.sci-news.com/othersciences/anthropology/homo-erectus-java-08013.html

Explorator 22.38 ~ January 12, 2020

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

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Early humans at Olduvai were manufacturing ‘optimized’ stone tools:

https://phys.org/news/2020-01-early-humans-revealed-optimized-stone.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/uok-ehr010720.php
https://cosmosmagazine.com/archaeology/the-advanced-toolmakers-of-olduvai-gorge

New dating suggests Homo erectus arrived in Southeast Asia later than previously thought:

https://phys.org/news/2020-01-dating-volcanic-ash-sangiran-homo.html
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/homo-erectus-came-indonesia-300000-years-later-than-once-thought
https://www.sciencecodex.com/early-humans-arrived-southeast-asia-later-previously-believed-638207
https://gizmodo.com/an-extinct-human-species-may-not-have-evolved-in-asia-a-1840900141
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8347-200110-homo-erectus-chronology

… which seems a different spin than the Homo erectus ‘last stand’100 000 years bp on Indonesia story which we did mention:

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/12/ancient-human-species-made-last-stand-100000-years-ago-indonesian-island

Suggestion early humans were more scavenger than hunter:

https://www.history.com/news/prehistoric-human-diet-scavengers-vs-hunters

Feature on humanity’s origins:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/05/the-search-for-eden-in-pursuit-of-humanitys-origins

In a similar, overviewish vein as the above:

https://www.sciencealert.com/these-recent-discoveries-change-the-picture-of-where-humans-came-from-and-when

Feature on Neanderthal anatomy:

https://www.sapiens.org/column/field-trips/neanderthal-anatomy/

More on early humans in South Africa roasting root veggies some 170 000 years bp:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200102143424.htm
http://johnhawks.net/weblog/reviews/archaeology/middle/africa/border-cave-rhizomes-2020.html
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/border-cave-rhizomes-07994.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/humans-were-roasting-root-vegetables-170000-years-ago-study-suggests-180973913/

================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
Sanitation work in Daqahlia revealed was appears to be some hieroglyph inscriptions:

https://www.egyptindependent.com/photos-workers-in-daqahlia-village-stumble-upon-pharaonic-artifacts/

A find of five limestone blocks associated with Ptolemy I from Kom Ashqaw/Sohag:

http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2020-01/07/content_75587881.htm
https://www.cairoscene.com/ArtsAndCulture/Ptolemaic-Limestone-Blocks-Uncovered-in-Sohag

The sun illuminated the sanctuary of the Queen Hatshepsut Temple this week:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/9/79389/Sun-illuminates-sanctuary-of-Egypt-s-ancient-Queen-Hatshepsut-Temple

Feature on Egyptian drainage systems:

http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2020/01/Rain-Go-Away-Wastewater-and-Rain-in-Ancient-Egypt

Documentary hype suggesting a new artifact was found in Tut’s tomb (I’m sure we mentioned this a whlle ago):

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/79370/Unique-artifact-discovered-in-Tutankhamen%E2%80%99s-tomb

The Pyramid of Djoser wil open to the public some time this year:

https://www.cairoscene.com/Buzz/Oldest-Pyramid-in-Egypt-to-Open-in-2020

Egypt has refurbished/restored a synagogue in Alexandria which dates back to the 14th century:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypt-set-to-reopen-alexandria-synagogue-friday-after-extensive-renovation/
https://www.jns.org/egypt-refurbishes-synagogue-in-alexandria-site-dates-back-to-14th-century/

… and it’s being hailed as a message that Egypt cares for its heritage:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/359302/Egypt/Politics-/Renovated-Jewish-temple-message-to-world-that-Egyp.aspx
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/79516/Hawass-Jewish-temples-part-of-heritage

More on the sphinxes in Tahrir Square kerfuffle:

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/01/moving-karnak-rams-to-egypts-iconic-tahrir-square-raises-co.html

Egypt was highlighting the past year’s achievements in the antiquities sector:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/359169/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-government-highlights-antiquities-sectors.aspx

Evidence of agriculture and animal husbandry in Iran some 9000 years bp:

http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/443960/Iranians-practiced-farming-animal-breeding-9-000-years-ago

3000 years bp evidence of ‘recycling’ from the Saruq al Hadid site in Dubai:

https://www.newsweek.com/evidence-recycling-3000-years-ago-ancient-civilization-middle-east-1481333

More on that Assyrian seizure demon tablet:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-mysterious-case-of-the-demon-epilepsy-tablet

Does Hobby Lobby have more tablets from Isragrig?:

https://www.livescience.com/lost-city-in-iraq-cuneiform-tablets.html

A 3000 years bp Hebrew inscription on a jar from Abel Beth Maacah is being touted as ‘redrawing the borders of Ancient Israel’:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/hebrew-nametag-on-ancient-wine-jar-reopens-debate-on-scope-of-israelite-kingdom/
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-hebrew-inscription-on-a-3-000-year-old-jar-could-redraw-borders-of-ancient-israel-1.8376971

Possible evidence for the site of a 2000 years bp market in the City of David (a measuring table):

https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/History/Pages/Archeologists-may-have-uncovered-Jerusalem-s-2,000-year-old-market-6-January-2020.aspx
https://phys.org/news/2020-01-ancient-wine-table-unearthed-jerusalem.html
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/274160
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Second-Temple-era-marketplace-uncovered-in-Jerusalem-613272
https://www.timesofisrael.com/city-of-david-archaeologists-say-2000-year-old-central-jerusalem-market-found/
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-unusual-table-may-reveal-ancient-jerusalem-s-market-on-road-to-second-temple-1.8357872
https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/01/06/rare-jerusalem-find-could-prove-location-of-second-temple-era-market/
https://www.jns.org/israeli-archaeologists-may-have-discovered-2000-year-old-market-in-city-of-david/
https://aleteia.org/2020/01/07/jerusalem-excavation-uncovers-marketplace-from-jesus-time/
https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/history-ideas/2020/01/the-discovery-of-an-ancient-stone-table-points-to-the-location-of-roman-era-jerusalems-central-marketplace/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2000-year-old-measuring-table-reveals-location-ancient-jerusalem-market-180973910/

… interviews with Ari Levy on same (via Facebook):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/landminds.list/permalink/10162931374255137/
https://www.facebook.com/barnea.levi.selavan/videos/10156583292436951/

Feature on that ‘Pilgrimage Road’ revealed over the past few months:

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Navigating-the-biblical-road-to-the-Temple-613356

Possible evidence of Istanbul’s first African inhabitant dating to 1000 bp (at least):

https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2020/01/05/istanbuls-first-african-may-have-been-found-in-ancient-city-of-bathonea

Pondering what Solomon’s temple may have looked like:

https://aleteia.org/2020/01/09/syrian-temple-suggests-what-solomons-might-have-looked-like/

Feature on Vanderbilt’s work at Caesarea’s medieval port:

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/vanderbilt-archaeologists-write-caesareas-history-a-medieval-port-city-in-israel

Feature/documentary hype on a Shamash temple in the UAE:

https://www.euronews.com/2020/01/10/archaeologists-filmmakers-dig-up-the-past-of-uae-s-shamash-temple

That ‘did God have a wife’ thing is making the rounds again:

https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/profoundly-significant-3000yo-drawings-bombshell-religious-claim/news-story/10ccab0a09120a91b087b87d933882fc
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
Around 50 ‘high status’ Roman burials found during construction of a Somerset school:

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/school-delayed-roman-burial-site-3712311
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/07/archaeologists-discover-graves-high-status-romans-somerton-somerset
https://www.ibtimes.sg/unusual-ancient-burial-high-status-romans-discovered-somerset-37294
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/high-status-roman-burials-found-britain-180973920/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8340-200108-england-roman-cemetery

A landowner has ‘gifted to the nation’ the Carrawburgh Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/09/hadrians-wall-fort-gifted-to-englands-historic-sites-collection
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-51039457
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/landowner-gives-carrawburgh-roman-fort-to-the-nation-2rv6z9whc
https://newcastlemagazine.com/landowners-donate-hadrians-wall-fort-as-gift-to-nation-26198/
https://netimesmagazine.co.uk/news/carrawburgh-roman-fort-gifted-to-the-nation/
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/generous-landowners-gift-nation-roman-17531507
https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2020/01/landowners-give-buried-roman-fort-to-the-nation/

Latest from the Danish excavations at Sikyon:

http://cphpost.dk/news/international-round-up-danish-archaeologists-help-to-unearth-ancient-greek-city.html

The first survey of the Amargeti site on Paphos has been completed:

https://www.pio.gov.cy/en/press-releases-article.html?id=11451#flat

Latest extended piece on the Hobby Lobby/Dirk Obbink/EES/papyri thing:

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/jan/09/a-scandal-in-oxford-the-curious-case-of-the-stolen-gospel
https://news.umanitoba.ca/the-guardian-the-curious-case-of-the-stolen-gospel/

The Mausoleum of Augustus will soon open to the public:

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-to-finally-reopen-mausoleum-of-augustus.html

Feature on life on the Roman frontier in Scotland:

https://www.scotsman.com/heritage/how-life-was-on-the-roman-frontier-in-scotland-1-5072248

Feature on the Trojan War:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20200106-did-the-trojan-war-actually-happen

Seeking Heritage status for the Lower Germanic Limes:

https://www.dw.com/en/former-roman-empire-frontier-in-bid-as-world-heritage-site/a-51926661

In Our Time this week was looking at Catullus:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000d1rg

On the popularity of Medea (probably paywalled):

https://www.wsj.com/articles/modern-vindication-for-an-ancient-flop-11578682159

Feature on posca:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2229485-ancient-romans-may-have-used-chinese-medicine-to-treat-coeliac-disease/

Suggestion that ancient Romans may have had access to Chinese medicine for treating coeliac disease:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2229485-ancient-romans-may-have-used-chinese-medicine-to-treat-coeliac-disease/

An interesting 4th century Roman ‘crown’ on display at Colchester Castle:

https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/north_essex_news/18145890.see-roman-headdress/
https://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/news/north_essex_news/18145890.see-roman-headdress/

Review of Hughes, *Venus and Aphrodite*:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/2020/01/the-dark-side-of-venus-goddess-of-war-as-well-as-love/

On Marybeth Reilly-McGreen’s work with hip hop and Greek Classics:

https://news.holycross.edu/blog/2020/01/09/holy-cross-alumna-likens-greek-classics-to-hip-hop-music/

An interview with Shelley Haley:

https://classicalstudies.org/scs-blog/claire-catenaccio/blog-women-classics-conversation-scs-president-shelley-haley-part-i

Cornell has a Margarete Bieber reading group:

https://classics.cornell.edu/classical-archaeologist-margarete-bieber-reading-group

A nice feature on Classics at Brock:

https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2020/01/classics-students-bring-roman-society-to-life/

Another ‘ancient lesson for modern times’ piece:

https://www.theledger.com/opinion/20200112/anderson-ancient-lesson-for-modern-times

Recreating the carbonized bread of Pompeii:

https://classics.cornell.edu/classical-archaeologist-margarete-bieber-reading-group

More on those recently found ‘Amazon’/Scythian burials:

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/ny-scythian-warrior-women-amazon-russia-graves-4th-century-bc-20200107-ao3ystb6kjeyrgvwbuhjclvhqa-story.html
https://www.wral.com/three-generations-of-ancient-amazon-women-warriors-found-in-russian-tomb/18869905/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tomb-reveals-real-race-of-ancient-warrior-women-vxfdkl0qq
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tomb-containing-three-generations-amazon-warrior-women-unearthed-russia-180973877/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=socialmedia%3Fno-cache
https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/ancient-scythian-amazon-women-discovered-in-russia-buried-alongside-their-weaponry/

… and also pondering assorted tales associated with the Amazons:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/did-amazons-have-only-one-breast

Explorator 22.37 ~ January 5, 2020

Happy New Year! (a slow week to start us off)
================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================

Evidence that early humans in Border Cave (Kwazulu-Natal) were cooking starchy foods 170 000 years bp:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/uotw-emh010220.php
https://phys.org/news/2020-01-early-modern-humans-cooked-starchy.html
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/humans-roasted-starchy-carbs-170-000-years-ago
https://elpais.com/elpais/2020/01/02/ciencia/1577957101_260346.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2228880-earliest-roasted-root-vegetables-found-in-170000-year-old-cave-dirt/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8334-200103-roasted-starchy-plants

Feature on a Neanderthal footprint in Gibraltar and its implications:

https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/12/11/ciencia/1576078951_223421.html

Feature on the Denisovans:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/denisovan-research-reveals-the-early-humans-were-more-complex-than-we

Pondering what more we can learn about human origins:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/all-that-weve-learned-about-human-origins-recently-and-what-we-still-want

More on what was in Otzi’s hunting pack:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-we-can-learn-otzis-hunting-pack-180973898/
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
A pile of Kenyan artifacts are being digitized and put online:

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/magazine/US-firms-put-over-10-million-Kenyan-artefacts-online/434746-5406164-j6iul1z/index.html

Explorator 22.36 ~ December 29, 2019

… I hope everyone is having a happy festive season! It appears to be
‘top discoveries’ of the year/decade week …
================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
The Apidima 1 skull made a ‘top discoveries of 2019’ list:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/scientists-find-the-oldest-human-skull-outside-of-africa

… as did the discovery of homo luzonensis:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/new-species-of-ancient-human-found-in-philippines

Further studies on Otzi’s ‘hunting kit’:

https://www.archaeology.org/news/8313-191223-otzi-bow-quiver

In case you missed the reconstruction of ‘Denise’ last September:

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Hebrew-U-researchers-win-Peoples-Choice-Award-for-breakthrough-research-611837

More on the ‘last stand’ of homo erectus in South East Asia:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50827603
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2019/12/when-did-homo-erectus-die-out-a-fresh-look-at-the-demise-of-an-ancient-human-species-over-100000-years-ago/
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
More on that settlement found at Aksum:

https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-site-buried-under-ethiopia-was-once-a-pillar-of-the-powerful-aksum-empire

More on what ostrich shell beads tell us about assort ancient peoples:

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001354578/the-tiny-ostrich-eggshell-beads-that-tell-story-of-africa-s-past
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
Some ‘top ten’ lists of Egyptian finds from 2019 (not necessarily the same):

https://www.ibtimes.sg/10-archaeological-discoveries-egypt-that-stunned-researchers-2019-36668
https://www.cairoscene.com/Buzz/Egypt-s-Top-10-Archaeological-Discoveries-of-2019
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/79149/Egypt-amazes-the-world-with-its-discoveries-part-1

… and the Ministry of Antiquities had a couple of lists:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/78946/Min-of-Antiquities-discoveries-of-2019
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/78975/More-on-Min-of-Antiquities%E2%80%99-achievements-of-2019

I think we mentioned this colossal Horus statue found at Luxor:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/9/358052/Heritage/A-granodiorite-colossus-of-Horus-unearthed-in-Egyp.aspx
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8317-191226-egypt-horus-statue

Egypt is moving four sphinxes (sphinges?) from Karnak Temple to Tahrir Square:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/79106/Four-sphinxes-to-be-transferred-from-Karnak-Temple-to-Tahrir
https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-begins-moving-luxor-sphinxes-to-tahrir-square/

Feature on Khaled al-Anany:

https://egyptindependent.com/profile-khaled-al-anan-the-first-minister-of-antiquities-and-tourism/

Feature on one of the ‘celestial’ gems found in Tut’s tomb:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2019/12/04/gemstone-found-in-king-tuts-tomb-formed-when-a-celestial-body-collided-with-earth/#6bb6997e47dd

A renovated 19th century synagogue will be reopening soon; more renovations to synagogues in Egypt are planned:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/historic-synagogue-in-alexandria-set-to-be-reopened-following-major-renovation/

More on explaining hieroglyphs with emojis:

https://www.dw.com/en/emoglyphs-emojis-reminiscent-of-ancient-egyptian-writing-says-museum/a-51770895?maca=en-newsletter_en_bulletin-2097-html-newsletter
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-museum-exhibit-explores-the-emojis-of-ancient-egypt/
https://www.dailysabah.com/arts-culture/2019/12/22/museum-in-jerusalem-explains-the-emojis-of-ancient-egypt

Explorator 22.35 ~ December 22, 2019

Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley, ‘Jack’, Andrew Szegedy-Maszak,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay, Sami Obeid,
Don Buck, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week (as always hoping I have left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
The last homo erectus settlement apparently was at the Ngandong site, 117 000 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2019-12-fresh-demise-ancient-human-species.html
https://phys.org/news/2019-12-age-settlement-ancestor-modern-humans.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191218153527.htm
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2019/12/modern-humans-and-homo-erectus-did-not-co-exist-java-study-shows
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50827603
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/ancient-humans-survived-far-longer-than-first-thought-scientists-say-a4317946.html
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/am/youngest-population-of-homo-erectus-dated/11812740
https://www.latercera.com/que-pasa/noticia/los-ultimos-homo-erectus-vivieron-unos-117-mil-anos/944613/
https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/12/18/ciencia/1576670079_866525.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/dec/18/first-human-ancestors-to-leave-africa-died-out-in-java-scientists-say
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/12/ancient-human-species-made-last-stand-100000-years-ago-indonesian-island
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/homo-erectus-last-known-appearance-roughly-117000-years-ago
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/last-homo-erectus-07934.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-the-last-stand-of-homo-erectus-1.8287555
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-doom-of-homo-erectus-mass-death-marks-end-of-species
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/homo-erectus-java-fossils-9135134/
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/42995/20191219/homo-erectus-might-have-lived-longer-than-we-thought-or-expected.htm
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8311-191220-indonesia-homo-erectus

Pondering Neanderthal emotions:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p07y92vt/did-neanderthals-feel-the-same-emotions-as-us-

On the evolution of the human brain in a lower CO2 environment:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/12/carbon-dioxide-pollution-making-people-dumber-heres-what-we-know/603826/

A study of Denisovan teeth:

https://phys.org/news/2019-12-refutes-similarities-teeth-denisovans-modern.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8308-191219-denisovan-teeth-roots

More on that 44 000 years bp cave painting from Indonesia:

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/archaeology-cave-art-drawings-indonesia-palaeolithic-animals-a9248886.html
https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/12/a-43900-year-old-cave-painting-is-the-oldest-story-ever-recorded/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/12/ancient-cave-art-in-indonesia-may-be-worlds-oldest-hunting-scene/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1806-y

================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
I think we mentioned this study of ostrich shell beads and their implications a few weeks ago:

https://theconversation.com/the-tiny-ostrich-eggshell-beads-that-tell-the-story-of-africas-past-128577
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
A large Horus statue from Luxor:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/9/358052/Heritage/A-granodiorite-colossus-of-Horus-unearthed-in-Egyp.aspx
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/19/c_138643621.htm

Explaining hieroglyphs with emojis:

https://phys.org/news/2019-12-israeli-museum-emojis-ancient-egypt.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-museum-exhibit-explores-the-emojis-of-ancient-egypt/
https://www.france24.com/en/20191221-israeli-museum-explains-the-emojis-of-ancient-egypt

Study suggests the woman physician Merit Ptah never existed:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191216142152.htm
https://www.livescience.com/merit-ptah-first-woman-physician-likely-did-not-exist.html
https://www.sciencealert.com/this-ancient-egyptian-physician-has-been-a-figurehead-for-women-in-stem-one-problem-she-never-existed
https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/the-first-woman-doctor-may-not-have-actually-existed/

Egypt is trying to get Heritage Status for papyrus making:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/22/c_138648953.htm

Egypt is registering some Torah scrolls as antiquities:

https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-to-register-torah-scrolls-other-synagogue-relics-as-antiquities/
https://www.cairoscene.com/Buzz/Jewish-relics-approved-by-the-Ministry-of-Antiquities-as-official-artifacts

Praise for Chinese archaeologists working in Egypt:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/17/c_138638237.htm

More on that granite Ramesses II statue from Giza:

https://www.egyptindependent.com/rare-granite-statue-for-king-ramesses-ii-uncovered-in-giza/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/rare-statues-of-pharaoh-ramses-ii-mini-sphinx-unveiled-by-egypt/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egyptian-officials-unveil-new-archaeological-finds/2019/12/17/07490206-20cd-11ea-b034-de7dc2b5199b_story.html
https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/international/story/2019/dec/18/egyptian-officials-unveil-new-archaeological-finds/808673/
http://www.startribune.com/egyptian-officials-unveil-new-archaeological-finds/566271352/
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2040421/egypt-archaeologists-reveal-new-archaeological-finds

… and that small sphinx from the Khumun necropolis:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/78685/A-small-royal-statue-of-a-sphinx-uncovered-in-Tuna
https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/sphinx-statue-uncovered-in-egypt-1.951851
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8299-191217-egypt-khumun-sphinx

Explorator 22.34 ~ December 15, 2019

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

… a somewhat quiet week
================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
44 000 years bp (!) cave paintings from Indonesia are causing a rethink:

https://phys.org/news/2019-12-world-oldest-artwork-uncovered-indonesian.html
https://www.livescience.com/oldest-rock-art-supernatural-beings.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/11/science/cave-art-indonesia.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/dec/11/earliest-known-cave-art-by-modern-humans-found-in-indonesia
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50754303
https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/12/11/ciencia/1576085162_065582.html
https://www.npr.org/2019/12/11/786760790/44-000-year-old-indonesian-cave-painting-is-rewriting-the-history-of-art
https://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/ancient-cave-art-dates-roots-of-religion-to-44000-years-ago-38780330.html
https://www.jpost.com/International/44000-year-old-cave-painting-thought-to-be-worlds-oldest-story-610744
https://www.theage.com.au/national/queensland/discovery-of-ancient-cave-paintings-rewrites-history-of-spirituality-20191211-p53j0l.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/12/11/oldest-story-ever-told-is-painted-this-cave-wall-archaeologists-report/
https://cosmosmagazine.com/archaeology/the-world-s-oldest-hunting-scene
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/nearly-44000-year-old-hunting-scene-is-oldest-storytelling-art
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/cave-painting-therianthropes-07902.html
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/44-000-year-old-cave-art-shows-a-hunt-filled-with-fantastical-creatures
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/newly-discovered-indonesian-cave-art-may-represent-worlds-oldest-known-hunting-scene-180973761/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8286-191212-indonesia-cave-art

… and a sort of generalization about cave art:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/dec/12/humans-were-not-centre-stage-ancient-cave-art-painting-lascaux-chauvet-altamira

Evidence that early humans could sail:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-early-humans-could-sail-archaeologists-confirm-1.8257401

An overview of what we learned about human origins in 2019:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/heres-what-2019-scientific-discovery-taught-us-about-our-human-origins-180973766/

Feature on Neanderthals:

https://www.sapiens.org/column/field-trips/neanderthal-anatomy/

Pondering when ‘physical ability to speak’ first emerged:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/human-ancestors-may-have-evolved-physical-ability-speak-more-25-million-years-ago-180973759/

================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Plenty of coverage of the find of remains of an Aksumite settlement in Ethiopia:

https://www.livescience.com/buried-christian-church-lost-kingdom-ethiopia.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2226803-lost-ethiopian-town-comes-from-an-ancient-empire-that-rivalled-rome/
https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/11/africa/ethiopia-buried-town-discovery-beta-samati-scn/index.html
https://www.thedailybeast.com/does-archaeological-discovery-in-ethiopia-prove-the-legend-of-how-christianity-came-to-africa
http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/science/archaeologists-unearth-lost-town-from-aksumite-empire/article/563403
https://aleteia.org/2019/12/13/archaeologists-discover-early-basilica-in-ethiopia/
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/42932/20191212/scientists-excavated-town-powerful-unknown-ancient-kingdom.htm
https://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-2700-town-ancient-world-major-powers-1476771
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/church-unearthed-ethiopia-rewrites-history-christianity-africa-180973740/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8285-191212-ethiopia-aksum-basilica
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
A pair of Amarna burials include the ‘cones’ (headgear) you often see depicted on tomb paintings:

https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egypt-head-cone-burial.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/11/science/head-cones-ancient-egypt.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/cone-head-ancient-egypt-1730412
https://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-first-ancient-egyptian-burial-head-cones-1476994
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-egyptians-head-cones
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/12/these-mysterious-egyptian-head-cones-actually-existed-grave-find-reveals
https://www.sciencealert.com/curious-head-cones-in-ancient-egyptian-art-were-actually-real-hats
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2019/12/new-evidence-suggests-ancient-egyptian-head-cones-were-real/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-egyptian-head-cones-were-real-grave-excavations-suggest-180973750/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8284-191212-amarna-head-cones

A red granite ‘bust’ of Ramses II revealed during an illegal dig:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/357585/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Unique-red-granite-bust-of-Ramses-II-unearthed-on-.aspx
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/78653/Unique-bust-of-Ramses-II-uncovered-in-Giza
https://www.cairoscene.com/Buzz/Rare-Ramses-II-Statue-and-Temple-Unearthed-Under-Giza-Man-s-House
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/12/c_138623985.htm
https://www.newsweek.com/ancient-egypt-ramses-ii-rare-statue-1476877
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8288-191213-egypt-giza-sculptures

… this coverage of the find also mentions the recovery of antiquities from a Kidney dialysis centre (!):

https://menafn.com/1099424090/Egypt-Ministry-of-Antiquities-witnesses-a-weekend-of-discoveries

A small royal sphinx from Tuna el-Gebel:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/78685/A-small-royal-statue-of-a-sphinx-uncovered-in-Tuna
https://egyptindependent.com/photos-royal-pharaonic-sphinx-uncovered-in-tuna-al-gabal/
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/15/c_138631834.htm

Finds from various pre-Ptolemaic periods at the Heliopolis Temple site:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/357055/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Blocks-from-royal-colossi,-huge-New-Kingdom-mud-br.aspx
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8281-191211-egypt-cairo-artifacts

This ‘wind blown’ mummy from Aswan appears to be documentary hype:

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1214527/egypt-achaeology-news-mummy-find-wind-sand-aswan-tony-robinson-channel-5-spt

Interesting story of a cast of the ‘Stele of Canopus’ at Monmouth College:

https://www.galesburg.com/news/20191211/jeff-rankin-twice-broken-monmouth-college-artifact-tells-fascinating-history

More on tattoos revealed on some Egyptian mummies:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/infrared-images-reveal-hidden-tattoos-egyptian-mummies
https://www.kron4.com/mystery-wire/infrared-light-reveals-tattoos-on-egyptian-mummies/

Evidence of teeth being used as jewellery from Catal Huyuk:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-12/uoc–rfh121319.php
https://phys.org/news/2019-12-rare-human-teeth-jewellery-turkey.html

The Jerusalem Post had an interesting series on Masada this week:

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/The-symbol-of-Masada-610479
https://www.jpost.com/Jerusalem-Report/Masada-and-Jewish-heroism-A-new-perspective-610475
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/The-fall-of-Masada-610476
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Masada-and-its-scrolls-610486

Interesting feature on a statue of an Ammonite king (?) found in Amman’s Roman theatre:

http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2019/12/Amman-Theatre-Statue-and-Ammonite-Royal-Ancestor-Cult

Some backstory on the ‘Tomb of the Kings’:

https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/israel-zionism/2019/12/how-the-french-government-hijacked-the-tomb-of-ancient-jewish-monarchs-in-jerusalem/

Latest ‘official’ salvo in the politics of archaeology in Israel:

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Egyptian-official-on-Palestinian-TV-denies-Jewish-history-in-Israel-610711

In case you’re looking for a cuneiform rolling pin:

https://tavolamediterranea.com/2019/12/05/the-epic-cuneiform-rolling-pin-the-epic-of-gilgamesh/

Podcast on Caesarea:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts/overheard/season-2/episode-1-digging-up-disaster/
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
Interesting study suggests the monkeys in Minoan frescoes may have Indus Valley origins:

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2019/12/12/how-did-bronze-age-greeks-know-about-asian-monkeys/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7774709/The-unlikely-tail-Indian-monkeys-ancient-fresco.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2227146-ancient-monkey-painting-suggests-bronze-age-greeks-travelled-widely/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8290-191213-akrotiri-monkey-paintings

A ‘Mithaeum of Colored Marbles’ find at Ostia:

https://www.livescience.com/mithraeum-of-colored-marbles-temple-discovered.html

An update on the Paphos Theatre dig:

https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/12/12/excavations-at-nea-paphos-provides-insight-into-ancient-road-network/
https://in-cyprus.com/australian-archaeologists-shed-light-on-paphos-ancient-theatre/

Comparing Elgin’s casts of Parthenon Marbles to their current condition is somewhat surprising:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/dec/10/elgin-casts-parthenon-marbles-details-statues
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2019/12/10/greek-historians-may-have-lost-marbles-had-not-lord-elgin/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/parthenon-vandal-helps-shine-a-light-on-elgin-marbles-rl7n7sqhz
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7777443/Lost-faces-Parthenon-Marbles-Athens-REVEALED-thanks-plaster-casts-taken-1812.html
https://eu.greekreporter.com/2019/12/11/study-suggests-british-museum-has-caused-more-damage-to-parthenon-sculptures-than-athens-air-pollution/
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/elgin-marbles-research-findings-1202671569/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/plaster-elgin-parthenon-sculpture-1728849
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/3d-imaging-shows-how-parthenon-marbles-have-deteriorated-over-200-years-180973752/
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/3d-imaging-of-the-parthenon-sculptures-an-assessment-of-the-archaeological-value-of-nineteenthcentury-plaster-casts/2BC9A8C88F1BAED53B0566990A3B562A

The Hal Resqun Catacombs (Malta) have been ‘redisocvered’:

https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-08-17/news/hal-resqun-catacombs-re-discovered-tomb-unique-to-maltese-archaeology-95498/

I think we mentioned this Roman sipwrec off Kefalonia (with plenty of amphorae!):

https://www.newsweek.com/significant-ancient-roman-shipwreck-thousands-amphorae-clues-rise-empire-1476514
https://greekcitytimes.com/2019/12/11/amazing-ancient-roman-shipwreck-discovered-in-kefalonia/
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1214867/archaeology-news-mediterranean-roman-shipwreck-found-greece-era-of-jesus-christ
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10520048/shipwreck-mediterranean-greek-roman-jesus/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7776097/2-000-year-old-Roman-shipwreck-filled-preserved-jugs-discovered.html

… and this Roman military camp from Bulgaria:

http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2019/12/01/newly-found-1st-century-bc-roman-fort-customs-push-back-founding-almus-fortress-in-bulgarias-danube-town-of-lom/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8282-191211-bulgaria-roman-camp

Pondering Thracian dolmens (not sure where to put this one):

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/stonehenge-is-not-alone-thracian-dolmens-show-similarity-professor-says-149813

A study of the Amphipolis tomb is soon to be published:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/247357/article/ekathimerini/life/study-ready-for-restoring-opening-ancient-amphipolis-tomb
https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/38031-study-ready-for-restoring-and-opening-ancient-amphipolis-tomb-in-greece.html

Arguing about finds made during Thessaloniki Metro construction (possibly paywalled):

https://www.economist.com/prospero/2019/12/10/the-discovery-of-an-ancient-complex-in-thessaloniki-ignites-old-debates

Feature on some ancient thinking that wasn’t quite right:

https://www.bbc.com/ideas/playlists/ancient-thinking

Feature on Alexander:

https://mymodernmet.com/alexander-the-great-facts/

Feature on the Aspendos Theatre:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/aspendos-theater

Feature on ‘sexy’ ancient divinities:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-political-animal/201912/sexy-gods

The statue known as the Victoria of Calvatone has gone on display at the Hermitage:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/looted-in-germany-by-stalin-s-brigades-a-restored-goddess-goes-on-view-at-the-hermitage

… while that statue of Ceres at the Missouri capitol is now causing some controversy:

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article238279248.html
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/missouri/articles/2019-12-10/lawmaker-roman-goddess-statue-shouldnt-return-to-capitol
https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Ash-Grove-Mo-Lawmaker-Roman-goddess-statue-shouldnt-return-to-Capitol-566038941.html
https://krcgtv.com/news/local/petition-to-halt-ceres-statues-return-circulates-social-media

Review of Daisy Dunn’s *Shadow of Vesuvius*;

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/books/review/the-shadow-of-vesuvius-a-life-of-pliny-daisy-dunn.html

Review of Matthew Sears, *Evolution of Warfare in the Hellenic World*:

https://www.strategypage.com/bookreviews/1920

Feature on Madeline Miller’s *Circe*;

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/discussion-questions-for-circe

Nice feature on Kirk Ormand’s Odysseys class:

https://oberlinreview.org/20127/arts/odysseans-bond-over-unique-first-year-seminar-experience/

Tim Joseph was comparing Tacitus to politics in today’s USA:

https://news.holycross.edu/blog/2019/12/10/is-current-us-politics-replaying-the-era-of-tacitus-holy-cross-professor-explains/
http://theconversation.com/what-the-roman-senates-grovelling-before-emperors-explains-about-gop-senators-support-for-trump-125196

More on those 1700 years bp eggs from a site in Aylesbury:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-50603415
https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/1700yearold-rotten-eggs-excavated-from-roman-site-cause-a-stink/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-held-their-noses-when-found-1700-year-old-roman-eggs-180973722/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8274-191209-england-roman-egg

More on those personal hygiene items excavated in Ebbsfleet Garden City:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/roman-tweezers-and-metal-q-tip-found-england-180973777/

More on that Pompeii mosaic which possibly depicts surveyor’s tools:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-12/pdm-tao120319.php
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8276-191209-pompeii-groma-mosaic
—–
Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/archaeologists-made-astonishing-new-find-17419108

An Early Bronze Age ring ditch from Clitheroe:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/early-bronze-age-ring-ditch-at-clitheroe.htm

A Viking-era burial from Estonia:

https://news.err.ee/1012100/burial-site-ties-major-viking-swords-find-to-warriors-from-ravala
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8280-191210-estonia-warrior-grave

A medieval structure at Buckland Abbey:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/medieval-structure-found-at-buckland-abbey.htm

A female burial from the Mount Athos monastery (!):

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2019/12/10/mystery-womans-bones-discovered-at-mount-athos-monastery/

… and plans to dig at Armenia’s Sourp Magar monastery:

https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/12/13/conservation-works-to-start-on-sourp-magar-armenian-monastery/

Hand-cut water level markers found on the HMS Invincible:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/12/12/excavation-first-hms-invincible-reveals-original-hand-cut-water/

… other finds:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7776807/Divers-uncover-guns-mop-bottles-booze-British-warship-stolen-French.html

Feature on five ‘little known’ sites in the UK:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/dec/14/ancient-wonders-five-little-known-archaeological-sites-uk

Top finds in Scotland in 2019:

https://www.thenational.scot/news/18090171.archaeologists-reveal-top-scottish-artefacts-found-2019/
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage/5-of-scotland-s-most-fascinating-archaeological-finds-of-2019-1-5059624
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18090274.scotlands-top-5-archaeological-discoveries-2019-revealed/

… and they’re excavating Scotland’s first railway track at Tranent:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-50728225

The UK’s oldest horse race marks its 500th birthday:

https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/oldest-horse-race-in-england-kiplingcotes-derby/index.html

More on those 4000 years bp (maybe) ‘figurines’ from an Orkney power station site:

https://www.livescience.com/nine-carved-stones-resemble-humans.html
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage/archaeologists-discover-amazing-4-000-year-old-carved-stones-on-orkney-1-5059203
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/archaeologists-unearth-nine-tattie-shaped-21058242
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scotland/orkney-carved-stones-may-be-4-000-years-old-329nprpnc
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8278-191210-scotland-shaped-stones

More on that Celtic shield/chariot burial:

https://www.livescience.com/warrior-grave-shield-discovered-in-england.html
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/celtic-shield-warrior-grave-1725090
https://www.sciencealert.com/this-jaw-dropping-celtic-warrior-grave-is-being-called-the-find-of-the-millennium
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/celtic-chariot-grave-found-england-includes-horses-and-elaborate-shield-180973730/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8289-191213-england-pocklington-shield
================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
A burial from Henan provides evidence of dwarfism in China in the 3rd millenium BCE:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2019/12/13/archaeologists-find-case-of-dwarfism-in-3rd-millennium-bc-china/

Six Dynasties era burials from Jiangxi:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/07/c_138613928.htm
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8279-191210-china-six-dynasties

Remains of a Liao Dynasty era palace from China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/14/c_138630992.htm

Unbroken 500 years bp eggs from a tomb in Sichuan:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/10/c_138619484.htm

A pair of silver dragons from Mongolia are on China’s top finds list for 2019:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/10/c_138621165.htm

They’ve figured out a gesure on a statue of King Jayavarman VII:

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50669273/king-jayavarman-vii-statue-hand-gesture-revealed/

Plenty of finds made during Sydney’s Light Rail construction:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-13/light-rail-artefacts-unearthed-during-construction/11797598

A project/exhibition (not sure which) documenting the activities of the Native Mounted Police in Queensland:

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/thousands-of-relics-tell-story-of-queensland-s-bloody-past-20191212-p53jj1.html
https://nit.com.au/new-exhibition-tells-story-of-queenslands-native-mounted-police/

On Germany’s colonial legacy in Bougainville:

https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-colonial-legacy-in-bougainville-and-south-pacific/a-51649786
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
12 000 years bp artifacts from Avon:

https://www.courant.com/community/avon/hc-news-avon-archaeological-site-20191211-nnklmluf2fazni5vdygs2dvq2u-story.html
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/ancient-artifacts-discovered-during-construction-in-avon/2194072/
https://www.theday.com/article/20191211/NWS12/191219855
https://fox61.com/2019/12/09/archaeological-investigation-finds-early-native-american-site-in-avon/
https://nypost.com/2019/12/13/construction-workers-accidentally-uncover-ancient-site-in-connecticut/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8287-191213-connecticut-paleoindian-artifacts

Some tiny atlatl grips from Oregon may have been used to train children:

https://www.livescience.com/ancient-tiny-weapons-taught-native-american-children-hunt.html
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/learning-to-use-atlatls-equipment-scaling-and-enskilment-on-the-oregon-coast/AA15AED0297022FA999518A732B9C512

Possible Revolutionary War soldiers remains found at the site of the Battle of Ridgefield:

https://www.courant.com/sns-bc-ct–skeletal-remains-found-20191212-story.html
https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/news/article/Three-skeletons-found-under-Main-Street-house-14897089.php
https://www.wshu.org/post/human-remains-found-ridgefield-may-be-revolutionary-war-soldiers
http://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Three-skeletons-found-under-Main-Street-house-14897089.php

Three burials were found during renovations at the Alamo site (date?):

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-alamo-archaeological-exploration-turns-up-human-remains-20191214-ln3rrcj2czbwvi4hghom4g3xjq-story.html
https://www.foxnews.com/science/human-remains-uncovered-the-alamo-archaeological-exploration
https://nypost.com/2019/12/14/three-bodies-found-beneath-the-alamo-during-archaeological-dig/
https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-12-14-human-remains-discovered-at-the-alamo-during-archaeological-dig/

Possible burial grounds on a Tallahassee golf course:

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2019/12/12/preliminary-tests-burial-grounds-capital-city-country-club-tallahassee-cemetery-slaves-black-radar/4410252002/
https://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20191213/florida-country-club-contains-unmarked-african-american-graves

Feature on Bass Reeves:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/12/14/fiercest-federal-lawman-you-never-knew-he-was-african-american/
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
Isotope analysis of a mass Maya burial at Uxul suggests the occupants may have been prisoners of war:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-12/uob-iap121119.php
https://phys.org/news/2019-12-isotope-analysis-mayan-prisoners-war.html

Studying dietary practices from artifacts from Oaxaca:

https://phys.org/news/2019-12-artifacts-ancient-dietary.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-12/mu-raa121119.php

A new secret passage revealed at Uxmal:

https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2019/12/a-new-secret-passage-is-discoved-in-the-maya-city-of-uxmal/

An inscribed stone table from Chichen Itza:

https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2019/12/stone-tables-found-in-chichen-itza-reveal-unknown-information-on-the-ancient-maya/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/8283-191211-chichen-itza-table

Latest thoughts on the meaning of the Moai:

https://phys.org/news/2019-12-unearthing-mystery-easter-island-moai.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-12/uoc–utm121319.php
—–
Mike Ruggeri’s Ancient Americas Breaking News:

http://goo.gl/1VdeA

Ancient MesoAmerica News:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/fan-fiction-or-fan-fact/

More on the aftermath of flooding in Venice:

https://www.dw.com/en/in-venice-the-floodwaters-recede-but-the-problems-pile-up/a-51557519

Feature on ‘Frozen Charlotte’ dolls:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/12/08/chilling-story-frozen-charlotte-corpse-like-dolls-that-bear-her-name/

A project to recreate the Sutton Hoo ship:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/ghost-ship-of-sutton-hoo-to-sail-again-centuries-on-6qmn8b2sc

Pondering the Axial Age and when societies became ‘modern’:

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03785-w

A homosexual relationship linked to the first death on Magellan’s voyage:

https://elpais.com/cultura/2019/12/09/actualidad/1575911601_191130.html

Feature on the history of aluminum:

https://www.npr.org/2019/12/05/785099705/aluminums-strange-journey-from-precious-metal-to-beer-can

Feature on the Black Death:

https://www.livescience.com/what-was-the-black-death.html

Feature on Gutenberg and his printing press:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/01/before-zuckerberg-gutenberg/603034/

Nice feature on history books that caught the BBC’s eye in 2019:

https://www.historyextra.com/magazine/history-books-year-2019-christmas-gift-guide/

A stolen Klimt appears to have been found:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50743143
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/dec/11/painting-found-hidden-in-italian-gallery-wall-may-be-stolen-klimt

On the history of Santa Claus:

https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/entertainment/art/a-deeper-look-into-the-history-mythology-and-culture-of/article_3d79a738-1c89-11ea-85cf-1b6f91f8e1b0.html

… and Krampus:

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2019/12/photos-of-krampus-saint-nicks-dark-companion/603508/

Feature on Hanukkah:

https://www.etonline.com/20-facts-you-didnt-know-about-hanukkah-137874

Revising the image of Emily Dickinson:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/why-we-keep-revising-emily-dickinson/2019/12/12/6bb0930a-1c52-11ea-87f7-f2e91143c60d_story.html

the darker side of Peter Pan:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/dec/15/peter-pans-dark-side-emerges-with-release-of-original-manuscript

Latest feature on the Shroud of Turin:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/shroud-of-turin-mystery-italy/index.html

Concerns for the Mediterranean:

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/12/mediterranean-sea-pollution-un-climate/603442/
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Ancient Greeks:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/118091017/auckland-museum-loaned-largest-selection-of-ancient-artifacts-from-british-museum

Inspired by the East:

https://www.artandobject.com/blog/how-islamic-world-influenced-western-art

Bruegel:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/Detroit-Exhibit-Celebrates-Bruegels-The-Wedding-Dance-and-Its-Controversial-Codpieces-180973778/

Troy:

http://islingtontribune.com/article/troy-story
http://camdennewjournal.com/article/troy-story

Raphael:

https://www.dw.com/en/a-meeting-of-raphaels-madonnas-in-berlin/a-51653370
https://www.clickorlando.com/entertainment/2019/12/11/raphael-show-with-famous-madonna-paintings-opens-in-berlin/

Bulgarian finds of 2019:

https://sofiaglobe.com/2019/12/12/exhibition-of-archaeological-discoveries-in-2019-opens-at-bulgarias-national-history-museum/

Recreating a menu for ‘Last Supper in Pompeii’:

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18101007.heston-blumenthal-creates-last-supper-pompeii-menu-dinner-oxfords-ashmolean-museum/

A VR experience at the *Beyond Worlds: Greek Civilization XR Experience*:

http://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2019/12/sfu-researchers-bring-ancient-greece-to-life-at-the-museum-of-va.html
https://canada.greekreporter.com/2019/12/14/ancient-greece-comes-to-life-in-canada/

Latest transfers to the Grand Egyptian Museum:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/78527/In-Pics-More-astonishing-artifacts-transferred-to-GEM

The Sharm El-Sheikh museum construction is under way:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/44/357723/Heritage/Museums/st-phase-of-Sharm-ElSheikh-museum-construction-wor.aspx
================================================================
AUCTIONS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
================================================================
A massive collection of Scotch whisky is coming to auction:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-50672313

Nice price fetched for that Aethelred II silver coin hoard found a while ago:

https://www.louthleader.co.uk/news/rare-coins-prove-existence-of-louth-mint-and-sell-for-over-90-000-1-9171724

Nice price for a WWII era teddy bear:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-50720074
================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
‘Smart Archaeology’ being used at Vulci:

https://phys.org/news/2019-12-smart-archaeology.html

3D scanning is being used at Robber’s Cave (Nebraska):

https://phys.org/news/2019-12-laser-scanning-d-robber-cave.html

The technology behind a digital recreation of Pachamac (Inca site):

https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/inca-ceremonial-center-recreated-digital-landscape

================================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
================================================================
Excellent feature on how climate change affects archaeology:

https://patch.com/california/san-francisco/how-climate-change-affects-archaeology
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Tomen y Mur hillfort:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/dec/14/walk-history-snowdonia-tomen-y-mur-hill-fort-roman-history-medieval-welsh-mythology

Naples:

http://www.startribune.com/discovering-the-baroque-beauty-of-a-revived-naples/566149631/

They’ve improved the ‘visitor experience’ at the Paphos archaeological park:

https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/12/13/improved-visitor-experience-at-paphos-archaeological-park/

Olympia and environs:

https://www.sgvtribune.com/2019/12/14/travel-traversing-greek-ruins-brings-a-visitor-close-to-true-olympic-glory/
================================================================
PERFORMANCES
================================================================
Hyping Beethoven’s upcoming 250th birthday:

https://www.dw.com/en/major-beethoven-exhibit-to-open-in-bonn/g-51665820
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-prepares-to-celebrate-beethoven-year/a-51672284

Panipat:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-50634829

Medea:

http://www.playbill.com/article/bams-medea-starring-rose-byrne-and-bobby-cannavale-meets-the-press

================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Not sure what’s going on in this smuggled ancient Chinese coins story:

http://www.china.org.cn/world/2019-12/10/content_75496645.htm

What Rick St. Hilaire is up to:

https://www.unionleader.com/news/history/lebanon-attorney-joins-fight-to-save-antiquities/article_bd0b17d4-8d29-5cf2-b6d9-29cd206f2706.html

conflict antiquities:

http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/

anonymous swiss collector:

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/

Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues:

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

Looting Matters:

http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/

Illicit Cultural Property:

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

SAFE:

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

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/2019/12/11/uk-to-return-2-historic-artifacts-to-turkey

Pondering the BM’s Egyptian collection for repatriation purposes:

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2019/12/13/should-the-british-museum-return-its-egyptian-collection

OpEd on Australian repatriation issues:

https://www.smh.com.au/national/morrison-needs-to-get-behind-push-to-bring-precious-aussie-artefacts-home-20191209-p53i45.html

Raqqa Museum staff apparently saved over 1000 items from ISIL predations (not sure where to put this one):

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article238325158.html
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/raqqas-ancient-haul-of-artefacts-saved-from-isis/news-story/8e555c2432310841985740b75576b7f2
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Feature on coins associated with Julius Caesar’s assassination:

https://coinweek.com/auctions-news/stacks-bowers/caesar-and-his-untimely-end-on-the-ides-of-march/

Someone keeps putting ancient coins in Salvation Army kettles in Tampa:

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/mystery-coin-donor-who-is-leaving-rare-valuable-coins-in-one-tampa-salvation-army-kettle

Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v22/club_nbs_esylum_v22n49.html

… and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v22/club_nbs_esylum_v22n50.html
————————
Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

================================================================
OBITUARIES
================================================================
Philip J. King:

https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/campus-community/faculty/in-memoriam-fr-philip-j-king.html

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

https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/2903-audio-news-from-archaeologica-december-1-through-december-7-2019

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

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

About.com Archaeology:

http://archaeology.about.com/

Ancient Digger:

http://www.ancientdigger.com/

Archaeology Briefs:

http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/

Past Horizons:

http://www.pasthorizons.com/

Stonepages:

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

Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:

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

Time Machine:

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

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

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/

The Book and the Spade:

https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/

Past issues of Explorator are also available on the web via our
groups.io page:

https://groups.io/g/explorator

To subscribe to Explorator, send a blank email message to:

explorator+subscribe@groups.io

To unsubscribe, send a blank email message to:

Unsubscribe: explorator+unsubscribe@groups.io

To send a ‘heads up’ to the editor or contact him for other
reasons: