Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,

John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Bob Heuman,

Adrienne Mayor, Jan Bailey, Frank MacKay, David Critchley, Patrick Swan,

David Emery, Richard Campbell, Richard C. Griffiths,and Ross W. Sargent

for headses upses this week (as always hoping I have left no one out).

Thanks to all who passed along best wishes!

================================================================

EARLY HOMINIDS

================================================================

This one sort of brings together all the neanderthal v sapiens news items from the past few months:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-million-year-meleeneanderthals-humans.html

http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2016/05/08/the-2-million-year-melee-neanderthals-vs-humans/

Now climate change is figuring in in the demise of the Neanderthals:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-climate-contributed-extinction-neanderthals.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/uocd-nrs051116.php

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/653391/?sc=c52

More on differing dietary strategies of neanderthals v sapiens:

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/05/2016/differing-dietary-strategies-of-neanderthals-and-upper-palaeolithic-homo-sapiens

================================================================

AFRICA

================================================================

A 16th century shipwreck off Namibia:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-ideas/adventure/the-bom-jesus-namibias-ancient-shipwreck-thought-to-be-the-most-significant-ever/news-story/9fb96a37ad57c9d9bb0d3a83761eea31

Sites in Libya don’t face the same threats as sites in Syria, etc., apparently:

http://www.euronews.com/newswires/3192178-libyas-ancient-sites-not-exposed-to-same-risk-as-in-syria-iraq-experts/

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-libya-security-culture-idUKKCN0Y22FA

================================================================

ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT

================================================================

A CT scan of a coffin excavated in 1907 has revealed the remains of an 18 week (give or take) old foetus:

http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/youngest-ancient-egyptian-human-foetus-discovered-in-miniature-coffin-at-the-fitzwilliam-museum

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-youngest-ancient-egyptian-human-foetus.html

http://news.discovery.com/history/ancient-egypt/youngest-mummy-from-ancient-egypt-found-160512.htm

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/11/ancient-egyptian-coffin-found-to-hold-youngest-known-mummified-foetus

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/05/11/mummified-body-of-miscarried-baby-found-in-tiny-egyptian-coffin/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3585380/The-world-s-youngest-mummy-Incredibly-preserved-foetus-discovered-tiny-Egyptian-coffin-stored-British-museum.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/13/world/egypt-mummy-fetus-discovered/index.html

http://www.smh.com.au/world/this-tiny-fetus-is-the-youngest-ancient-egyptian-mummy-ever-found-20160512-gou47k

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/05/12/this-tiny-fetus-is-the-youngest-ancient-egyptian-mummy-ever-found/

Tattoos on a 3000 years bp mummy:

http://www.livescience.com/54687-egyptian-mummy-tattoos.html

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/intricate-animal-and-flower-tattoos-found-on-egyptian-mummy/

http://www.nature.com/news/intricate-animal-and-flower-tattoos-found-on-egyptian-mummy-1.19864

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/05/using-infrared-imaging-scientists-discover-tattoos-on-3000-year-old-mummy/

Some blocks from a building associated with Hatshepsut depicting her as a woman:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/04/23/a-new-discovery-sheds-light-on-ancient-egypts-most-successful-female-pharaoh/

Evidence of a sanctuary associated with Nectanebo I at Matariya:

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2016/05/05/egypt-new-archaeological-discovery-in-matariya_bb7a0795-db7f-40dd-9ec1-34f0d270be41.html

They’re now officially arguing over the probable non-existence of ‘secret chambers’ in Tut’s tomb:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-egyptologists-differ-tut-tomb-hidden.html

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/208370/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Experts-clash-over-theory-that-Tutankhamun%E2%80%99s-tomb-.aspx

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/160509-king-tut-tomb-chambers-radar-archaeology/

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/archeologists-clash-egypt-king-tut-tomb-theory-38964858

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3579569/Archeologists-clash-Egypt-King-Tut-tomb-theory.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

https://www.yahoo.com/news/egyptologists-differ-tut-tomb-hidden-chambers-170755682.html

… and there are apparently no hidden chambers:

http://www.livescience.com/54708-nefertiti-missing-no-chambers-in-king-tut-tomb.html

http://news.discovery.com/earth/king-tut-tomb-secret-chambers-not-so-fast-160509.htm#mkcpgn=rssnws1

http://artdaily.com/news/87190/Egyptologists-differ-on-Tut-tomb–hidden-chambers-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3585251/New-scans-King-Tut-s-tomb-NO-hidden-chambers-Experts-dash-hopes-Queen-Nefertiti-s-grave-lies-walls.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

… and there are all sorts of rumours flitting about:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/archaeologists-clash-over-king-tut-tomb-theory/news-story/0f12d8d305a6990d655fde7a44633616?from=public_rss

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/egypt-in-denial-as-reports-leak-out-that-radar-survey-found-no-secret-tutankhamun-tomb-chambers/news-story/3c37577839acc008b1e0fc0b2845ff87

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/205859.aspx

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/12/egypt-hidden-chambers-tutankhamun-tomb-nefertiti

… and more tests need to be made, apparently:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/nefertiti-more-tests-need-to-be-carried-out-before-archaeologists-can-excavate-secret-chamber-a7022936.html

Early on the ‘woman’s tomb’ thing was brought up again:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3574648/Was-Tutankhamun-s-tomb-built-WOMAN-Layout-feminine-features-boy-king-s-death-mask-hint-inherited-resting-place.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

The tombs of four ‘royal butlers’ at Luxor are opening to the public:

http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Templates/Articles/tmpArticleNews.aspx?ArtID=103918

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3589153/It-paid-royal-servant-Ancient-Egypt-Stunning-tombs-pharaohs-butlers-opened-following-restoration-elaborate-paintings.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

A groundwater project at Aswan’s Edfu Temple is complete:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/216732/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Antiquities-ministry-celebrates-completion-of-grou.aspx

Egypt’s Sohag archaeological gallery was not damaged in a fire in the area:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/216603/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egypts-Sohag-archaeological-gallery-was-not-subjec.aspx

Feature on Howard Carter’s house:

http://egypttoday.com/blog/2016/05/05/in-the-footsteps-of-egyptologist-howard-carter/

I think this is the end of the Sekhemka statue saga:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ancient-egyptian-statue-of-sekhemka-disappears-into-private-collection-in-moral-crime-against-world-a7019946.html

The Eastern Badia Archaeological project is finding Neolithic sites in the Jordanian desert:

http://wtop.com/travel/2016/05/in-jordans-spring-desert-bloom-hints-of-human-history/

Pondering all the burials from Umm al Quwain:

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/heritage/20160515/how-and-where-the-bodies-were-buried-an-ancient-uae-mystery-revealed

Much attention was given to a claim about a Bronze Age ‘World War Zero’ and the disappearance of the ‘Luwians’:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2087924-world-war-zero-brought-down-mystery-civilisation-of-sea-people/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3587701/Mysterious-civilisation-Sea-Peoples-wiped-world-war-zero-according-new-study.html

… but cf Eric Cline’s response:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2087924-world-war-zero-brought-down-mystery-civilisation-of-sea-people/

Evidence of ‘air conditioning’ in first millennium ‘Kuwait’:

http://spectator.sme.sk/c/20153276/slovaks-discover-ancient-air-conditioning-in-kuwait.html

Something about the ‘last hiding places’ of the Jewish Revolt being found (these were found ages ago):

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/.premium-1.718720

Concerns after a wall collapse at Solomon’s Pools:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4801309,00.html

Challenging plans to move artifacts from East Jerusalem:

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.718216

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Article.aspx?id=453274

Feature on Franck Goddio’s work:

http://www.wired.com/2016/05/franck-goddio-archeology/

https://www.rt.com/uk/342204-ancient-egypt-underwater-atlantis/

http://www.thedailystar.net/world/middle-east/the-secrets-lost-egyptian-city-were-underwater-1220041

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/83c846e8-1249-11e6-839f-2922947098f0.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3576551/Explore-splendours-Egypt-s-Atlantis-Lost-treasures-sunken-cities-weekend-1-000-years-submerged-waters-Nile-delta.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/05/africa/sunken-cities-exhibition-egypt-greece-london/index.html

Feature on Gabriel Barkay:

http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=33667

What Robert Cargill is up to:

http://daily-iowan.com/2016/05/12/in-search-of-the-bible-ui-professor-robert-cargill-to-read-from-the-cities-that-built-the-bible-may-15/

What Daniel Falk is up to:

http://news.psu.edu/story/409684/2016/05/10/research/falk-co-edit-new-critical-editions-dead-sea-scrolls

Feature on the Sykes-Picot agreement:

http://www.dw.com/en/sykes-picot-a-kind-of-tapestry-of-plans-and-promises/a-19242904

http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-the-100-year-old-sykes-picot-agreement-59309

http://theconversation.com/the-sykes-picot-agreement-and-the-making-of-the-modern-middle-east-58780

http://theconversation.com/obsession-with-sykes-picot-says-more-about-what-we-think-of-arabs-than-history-58775

On turning Turkey’s historic churches into mosques:

http://eu.greekreporter.com/2016/05/10/why-turkeys-historic-churches-are-being-turned-into-mosques/

http://www.aina.org/news/20160509191928.htm

The US law against importation of Syrian antiquities was signed into law but already it’s being questioned:

http://www.livescience.com/54698-obama-signs-syrian-antiquities-import-restrictions.html

On the propaganda use of Palmyra’s ruins last week:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/05/06/how-ancient-ruins-are-perfect-propaganda-in-the-middle-east/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3575447/Culture-civilization-return-Palmyra-Russian-orchestra-performs-concert-ancient-Roman-amphitheatre-time-ISIS-used-carry-public-executions-Syria.html

Another feature on Syria’s ‘monuments men’:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/syrias-monument-men-save-thousands-of-historical-artifacts/

Assorted countries are pledging to help rebuild Palmyra:

http://www.albawaba.com/news/numerous-countries-pledge-rebuild-palmyra-russia-expected-reconstruct-key-areas-840170

================================================================

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)

================================================================

How London became the capital of Britannia (a major fort tind):

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/how-london-became-britains-capital-has-been-revealed-for-the-first-time-a7028191.html

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/05/2016/discovery-of-roman-fort-built-after-boudican-revolt

… also a major fort find at Exeter:

http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art553644-exeter-devon-crematorium-archaeology-roman-military

Learning from Roman roads:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3436936/Britain-s-lost-Roman-roads-discovered-2-000-years-Maps-reveal-new-key-route-used-conquer-Northern-England.html

Word (but no pictures) of an Aphrodite statue find in Jerash:

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2016/05/13/archaeology-jordan-aphrodite-statue-discovered-in-jerash_f063d589-114d-4f7a-9f3a-efc01c8168fc.html

Can’t remember if we mentioned this horse racing rules inscription from Konyi (not a new find, by the way):

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/horseracing-rules-found-on-2000-year-old-tablet-in-central-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nid=98621

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3570915/The-winner-COULDN-T-Ancient-tablet-reveals-rules-2-000-year-old-horse-racing-previous-champions-banned-competing-again.html

Dating (sort of) Sappho’s Midnight Poem:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-scientists-planetarium-advanced-astronomical-software.html

http://gizmodo.com/scientists-used-the-stars-to-confirm-when-a-famous-sapp-1776569251

Connecting the rise of Rome to some volcanic eruptions:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2086330-kingdom-busting-volcanoes-linked-to-the-rise-of-the-roman-empire/

Studying ancient ink:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/06/arts/design/solving-the-mystery-of-ancient-ink-origins.html

The Elgin/Parthenon Marbles issue is heating up again:

http://www.newsweek.com/greece-looks-forge-new-alliances-win-back-elgin-marbles-457473

http://www.apollo-magazine.com/greece-to-seek-international-help-to-recover-the-elgin-marbles/

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/elgin-marbles-greece-pressures-british-museum-492527

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/may/08/greece-international-justice-regain-parthenon-marbles-uk

http://au.greekreporter.com/2016/05/06/returnthemarbles-campaign-unveils-new-ad/

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Foundation-for-Hellenic-Studies-South-Australia-supports-return-the-marbles-billboard-at-British-Museum-in-london

Another major antiquities bust in Italy:

http://www.nerve.in/news%3A2535002797101

Feature on Dura Europos:

http://www.ancientjewreview.com/articles/2016/4/18/david-as-warrior-at-dura-europos

Feature on Spartacus:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/he-was-spartacus-1463169892

Feature on the TLL:

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/05/14/476873307/the-ultimate-latin-dictionary-after-122-years-still-at-work-on-the-letter-n

What Dan Davis is up to:

http://www.lutherchips.com/1998/features/dan-davis-leads-dig-in-greece/

What John McDonald is up to:

http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news_story.aspx?sid=76174

Ted Talk on Gregory Heyworth’s work:

http://www.ted.com/talks/gregory_heyworth_how_i_m_discovering_the_secrets_of_ancient_texts

Honours for a pair of St Olaf Classicists:

http://wp.stolaf.edu/blog/two-textbooks-by-st-olaf-professors-share-book-award/

What Lisa Whitlach is up to:

http://www.manitoumessenger.com/article/faculty-in-focus-professor-whitlach/

What Daniele Maras is up to:

http://www.loyolamaroon.com/10009353/faith/lecture-explains-etruscan-culture-affects-modern-day/

Very nice video of Delphi:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/05/10/spine-tingling-delphi-exquisite-beauty-from-above-going-viral-video/

Why Classicists should watch Kimmy Schmidt:

http://decider.com/2016/05/13/is-unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt-secretly-all-about-ancient-greek-philosophy/

More on Hannibal’s route:

http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/searching-for-signs-of-hannibals-route-in-dna-from-horse-manure?mbid=rss

—–

Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/

================================================================

EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)

================================================================

A Bronze Age beaker from Evesham:

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/14491956.Bronze_Age_beaker_unearthed_on_building_site/

http://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/14491953.Archaeological_dig_unearths_Evesham__39_s_links_to_the_Bronze_Age/

Pondering Bronze Age hoards:

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160503-why-ancient-brits-threw-out-their-most-valuable-possessions

Some 3600 years bp axes were made of Cypriot copper:

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/1.719125

Evidence that children were skilled ceramicists during the Bronze Age:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-archaeological-method-children-skilled-ceramists.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/lu-nam051116.php

Studying the effect of humans on plants after their arrival on Gran Canaria:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160504121930.htm

An Anglo Saxon cemetery in Tidworth:

http://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/news/14479811.Archaeologists_unearth_Anglo_Saxon_cemetery_in_Tidworth/

http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/regional/andover/14479811.Archaeologists_unearth_Anglo_Saxon_cemetery_in_Tidworth/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3576903/An-Anglo-Saxon-cemetery-teeming-fascinating-objects-unearthed-near-Stonehenge-second-time-month.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Plenty of 7th-11th century burials (?) found on a Welsh beach:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/excavations-carried-out-after-50-11259593

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-36164417

A ‘Viking parliament’ site at Cnoc An Rath:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/14478238.Viking__parliament__site_uncovered_on_Scottish_island/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3581379/Viking-parliament-site-unearthed-Scotland-Analysis-reveals-Norse-assemblies-held-site-Bute.html

A new interpretation of the Rok runestone:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-rok-runestone-inscription-view-viking.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/uog-nio050216.php

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/05/04/the-key-to-these-ancient-riddles-may-lie-in-a-fathers-love-for-his-dead-son/

Medieval finds from a Suffolk schoolyard:

http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art553920-suffolk-school-archaeology-kitchen-spindle-bones

A 13th century portrait of a Jew from Spain:

http://www.jewishjournal.com/culture/article/spanish_archaeologists_unearth_rare_13th_century_portrait_of_a_jew

http://www.jta.org/2016/05/06/news-opinion/world/spanish-diggers-unearth-rare-13th-century-pottery-portrait-of-a-jew

http://www.timesofisrael.com/spanish-archaeologists-identify-rare-pottery-portrait-of-a-jew/

Lead in the bones of some 18th century soldiers:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3587304/That-s-hangover-Lead-bones-18th-century-soldiers-come-contaminated-bottles-RUM.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

They’re looking for Henry VII’s birthplace:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/archaeologists-could-close-finding-exact-11278144

A prehistoric chamber full of Victorian rubbish:

http://www.orcadian.co.uk/2016/05/two-finds-one-harray-chamber/

A fieldwork report from Landsjo Castle:

http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeology/2016/05/04/landsjo-castle-2015-fieldwork-report/

Concerns arising from a sinkhole in Plumstead:

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/14480891.Archaeologists_call_for__thorough_investigation__after_Plumstead_sinkhole_emerges/

Concerns for the HMS Victory:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-36254359

Plenty of shipwrecks off Scotland, apparently:

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/14465198.Lost_ships_and_aircraft_recorded_off_Scotland_s_West_Coat/

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-36148771

Heritage funding in Italy:

http://www.thelocal.it/20160502/italys-neglected-wonders-to-get-1bn-boost

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/02/italy-to-spend-a-billion-euros-on-restoring-museums-and-monument/

Latest on the Stonehenge tunnel plan:

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/14467467.Stonehenge_tunnel_report_recognises_benefits_if_plans_designed_and_delivered_well/

http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/UNESCO-Stonehenge-A303-tunnel-entrance-think/story-29217554-detail/story.html#ixzz47ca0Qflf

Bosnia’s Ferhad Pasha Mosque has reopened:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36237014

I think we’ve had something on this medieval women’s fashion thing (maybe not):

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-medieval-women-men.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160503104633.htm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3573074/How-women-better-dressed-men-Medieval-females-preferred-clothes-cut-better-quality-cloth.html

… not sure if this is the same thing:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/160505-shipwreck-gown-dress-royal-discovery-texel-holland-clothing/

On protecting shipwrecks in the English Channel:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-36204672

On the lost literature of medieval England:

http://www.historytoday.com/eleanor-parker/lost-literature-medieval-england

In case you’re in the market for an English castle:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36256391

Some criticism from the finder of the Galloway Hoard:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/14490164.Metal_detectorist_who_found_biggest_treasure_find___39_sidelined__39_/

Latest on the Lacock Cup:

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/14485410.Lacock_Cup_sold_for___1_3m_comes_home_to_Wiltshire/

Recreating the trial of Patrick Hamilton:

http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeology/2016/05/04/landsjo-castle-2015-fieldwork-report/

More on that braided hair find … possibly from a saint:

http://www.livescience.com/54644-mysterious-braided-hair-medieval-saint.html

http://news.discovery.com/history/archaeology/mysterious-braided-hair-may-belong-to-medieval-saint-160506.htm#mkcpgn=rssnws1

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3559858/Mysterious-plaited-hairpiece-1-000-year-old-coffin-belonged-Medieval-saint-appears-covered-hairspray.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36094897#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mysterious-braided-hair-may-belong-to-medieval-saint/

More on that William Wallace kirk:

http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art553407-selkirk-auld-kirk-scottish-borders-history

—–

Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

================================================================

ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC

================================================================

Plenty of excitement over 46 000 years bp hafted (maybe) axe fragments which may be the oldest of that type:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-world-oldest-axe-fragment-australia.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/uos-woa051016.php

http://www.livescience.com/54722-ax-blade-may-be-worlds-oldest.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36256733

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/11/asia/australia-oldest-ax-head/index.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0510/Did-scientists-discover-the-world-s-oldest-hatchet-in-the-wilds-of-Australia

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/10/oldest-known-axe-discovered-in-australia-claim-researchers

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/05/11/australian-researchers-say-theyve-found-the-worlds-oldest-hatchet/

http://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/axe-discovery-in-wa-aboriginal-ancestors-tool-is-worlds-oldest/news-story/635519a789dca624e72b10f75bea1be8

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3583863/World-s-oldest-stone-axe-fragments-prove-tool-invented-northern-Australia-50-000-years-ago-technology-never-spread-rest-country.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/10/worlds-oldest-axe-discovered-in-australia/

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/05/2016/oldest-known-axe-fragment-found-in-australia

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nearly-50000-year-old-stone-chip-shows-australians-were-innovators-axe-technology-180959050/

… or maybe it was just a hand axe:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3586662/World-s-oldest-hafted-axe-not-handle-Archaeologists-admit-no-evidence-claim-believe-likelihood-high.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

… and there was general skepticism:

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/finding-the-oldest-axe-in-the-world-was-easy-persuading-academic-reviewers-it-was-real-was-an-ordeal

An 8000 years bp paddy field:

http://www.mid-day.com/articles/8000-year-old-paddy-field-found-in-china/17205189

300 years bp finds from Hong Kong’s last urban walled village:

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1942538/discovery-300-year-old-relics-hong-kongs-last

600 years bp finds at the Forbidden City’s Palace Museum:

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2016/05/07/ancient-relics-found-at-palace-museum/

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-05/06/content_25099511.htm

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1941678/chinese-archaeologists-solve-mystery-beijings-forbidden-palace

Interesting sculptures from a shrine in Bazira:

http://www.livescience.com/54598-photos-sculptures-discovered-in-ancient-shrine.html

A pair of burials from Azerbaijan:

http://sputniknews.com/art_living/20160508/1039263603/military-ancient-necropolis-discovery.html

Latest on the Plain of Jars burials:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/23/world/science-health-world/ancient-burials-revealed-mysterious-plain-jars-laos/

Restoring a Thai king’s tomb:

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/20111-restoration-restarts-on-thai-king-s-tomb.html

Feature on Japanese porcelain:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-artand-sciencebehind-treasured-japanese-porcelain.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/acs-ta-050416.php

What Bisanta Kumar Bidari is up to:

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=109777

Nice feature on Najibullah Popal and how he saved many of Afghanistan’s museum relics:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/05/afghanistan-national-museum-kabul-bactrian-hoard-najibullah-popal

More on that mother-baby burial from Taiwan:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/160506-stone-age-mothers-day-fossils-taiwan/

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/archaeologists-find-4-800-year-old-mother-child-fossil-674053187925

—–

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://nzarchaeology.blogspot.co.nz/index.html

================================================================

NORTH AMERICA

================================================================

The Page-Ladson sinkhole site in Florida suggests that humans and mastodons were contemporaneous some 14 500 years (give or take) bp:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/14/science/humans-mastodons-florida.html?_r=0

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36286548

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-evidence-humans-southeastern-earlier-previously.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/uom-net051116.php

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/14/archaeology-florida-sinkhole-ancient-humans-mastodon-knife-bones-bering-strait

http://www.livescience.com/54735-mastodon-remains-in-underwater-site.html

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-mastodon-stone-tools-early-americans-snap-htmlstory.html

http://www.bradenton.com/news/article77576577.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/160513-first-americans-clovis-mastodon-florida-page-ladson/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/05/13/ancient-tools-and-bone-found-in-florida-could-help-rewrite-the-story-of-the-first-americans/

http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ancient-tools-and-bone-found-in-florida-could-help-rewrite-the-story-of-the-first-americans-1406176

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3589074/Did-humans-conquer-America-1-500-YEARS-earlier-thought-Stone-tools-Florida-sinkhole-suggest-continent-s-settlers-arrived-12-500BC.html

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/deadthings/2016/05/13/first-americans-underwater-butchering-site-dices-timeline/

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2088095-first-americans-hunted-big-game-in-florida-14500-years-ago/

http://www.nature.com/news/underwater-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-butchering-site-1.19913

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0513/Underwater-archeological-site-recasts-peopling-of-the-Americas-narrative

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/underwater-finds-reveal-humans-long-presence-north-america-180959103/

… while remains of an extinct species of bison turned up at the Old Vero Man site:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-archaeologists-uncover-year-old-bones-ancient.html

http://www.livescience.com/54748-ancient-bison-discovered-vero-beach.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/fau-au1051116.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160511123812.htm

http://www.wpbf.com/news/big-reveal-at-old-vero-man-site-may-resemble-crime-scene/39402274

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/indian-river-county/archaeologists-may-have-discovered-ancient-bison-bones-at-vero-man-site-31f1f111-b64e-1b01-e053-0100-378039641.html

http://www.wpbf.com/news/archaeologists-find-ancient-bones-at-old-vero-site/39372696

Plenty of artifacts show up at a proposed golf course site on Lake Michigan:

http://www.wisn.com/news/study-finds-thousands-of-artifacts-at-proposed-golf-site/39450958

http://www.startribune.com/study-finds-thousands-of-artifacts-at-wisconsin-golf-site/378576826/

A 900 years bp village from New Mexico:

http://westerndigs.org/900-year-old-village-recorded-in-volcanic-badlands-of-new-mexico/

Interesting pre-Valley-Forge campsite in New Jersey:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-jersey-hillside-clues-revolutionary-war.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/on-new-jersey-hillside-clues-to-revolutionary-war-mystery/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3580348/On-New-Jersey-hillside-clues-Revolutionary-War-mystery.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/05/09/clues-to-revolutionary-war-mystery-are-slowly-being-revealed-on-a-gently-sloping-new-jersey-hillside/#038;%23038;%23038

Ages ago we heard a claim that the Endeavour had been found off the coast of Rhode Island … the claim is back:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-captain-cook-ship-rhode-island.html

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-theyre-captain-cook-ship.html

http://www.livescience.com/54624-revolutionary-war-shipwreck-possibly-found.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/cook-endeavour-wreck-1.3565735

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/02/captain-james-cook-endeavour-ship-found

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2016/s4456285.htm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/03/archaeologists-move-a-step-closer-to-finding-wreck-of-captain-co/

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/04/hms-endeavour-colonial-past-james-cook

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/05/02/captain-cooks-ship-endeavour-found-in-newport-harbor.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/remains-of-captain-cooks-ship-likely-off-rhode-island-coast/2016/05/03/0916eab6-1119-11e6-a9b5-bf703a5a7191_story.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/hms-endeavour-captain-james-cooks-flagship-found-in-newport-harbor-a7011221.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/remains-of-captain-cooks-ship-likely-off-rhode-island-coast/article29830452/?cmpid=rss1

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/researchers-believe-they-found-captain-cooks-238-year-old-shipwreck

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/05/03/captain-james-cooks-centuries-old-ship-discovered-in-newport-harbor/

… and the doubts are back:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/20160504-Cook-Endeavour-shipwreck-discovery-Newport-underwater-archaeology/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-09/value-of-endeavour-exploration-questioned/7397182

… and of course, there’s a funding issue:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/79635609/researchers-closing-in-on-captain-cooks-endeavour–but-need-12m-to-continue.html

… some background:

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/04/captain-cook-endeavour-ship-found-rhode-island-revolutionary-war

On the artificial islands of the Calusa:

http://phys.org/news/2016-04-shells-interdisciplinary-unraveling-mysteries-calusa.html

A 300 years bp bowl from St Augustine:

http://www.kagstv.com/news/national/300-year-old-bowl-found-in-st-augustine/166995587

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/300-year-old-bowl-found-in-st-augustine/164703194

A ‘long lost’ slave cemetery from Virginia:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/house-divided/wp/2016/05/02/long-lost-slave-cemetery-discovered-and-preserved-in-rural-virginia/

A War of 1812 gravestone turns up in a basement:

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/04/05/war-of-1812-soldier-gravestone-found-basement-bridgewater/

We seem to be getting ‘wrap up’ pieces on Kennewick Man now:

http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/05/05/476631934/a-long-complicated-battle-over-9-000-year-old-bones-is-finally-over

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/burying-bones-of-contention-native-americans-close-to-getting-ancestral-skeleton-back/

http://www.ktoo.org/2016/05/08/long-complicated-battle-9000-year-old-bones-finally/

The DND is going to be looking for Innu artifacts on its former base:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/innu-first-nation-aboriginal-uashat-archaelogy-native-artifacts-1.3581905?cmp=rss

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/innu-first-nation-aboriginal-uashat-archaelogy-native-artifacts-1.3566977?cmp=rss

Recovering lost languages in Massachusetts:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/five-lost-languages-rediscovered-massachusetts-180959043/

https://www.rt.com/usa/342842-dying-native-american-languages/

Concerns for a midden in Berkeley:

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_29878501/berkeley-criticized-shellmound-protection

Excavating Emily Dickinson’s house/gardens:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/17/science/emily-dickinson-lost-gardens.html

Plans to rebury some former slaves:

http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2016/05/12/84269040/

Pondering ‘My Old Kentucky Home’:

http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/05/06/476890004/churchill-downer-the-forgotten-racial-history-of-kentuckys-state-song

On early voting proposals which might have had an effect on American democracy:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/01/opinion/sunday/how-majority-rule-might-have-stopped-donald-trump.html

Review of Philbrick, *Valiant Ambition*:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/books/review-nathaniel-philbricks-valiant-ambition-revisits-benedict-arnold.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbooks

Review of Blumenthal, *A Self=Made Man*:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/books/review/a-self-made-man-the-political-life-of-abraham-lincoln-1809-1849-by-sidney-blumenthal.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbooks

================================================================

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

================================================================

Plenty of excitement over claims that a Canadian teen had used ‘space archaeology’ to locate a lost Maya city:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-teen-satellite-imagery-ancient-mayan.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-36259047

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0511/How-Canadian-teen-used-space-archaeology-in-hunt-for-lost-Mayan-city

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/forgotten-mayan-city-discovered-in-central-america-by-15-year-old-a7021291.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-11/canadian-teenager-discovers-lost-mayan-city-using-star-maps/7403774

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/79847544/Canadian-teen-William-Gadoury-discovers-lost-Maya-city

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/05/10/canadian-teen-discovers-what-appears-to-be-forgotten-mayan-city-by-studying-ancient-constellations/#038;%23038;%23038

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3582635/It-written-stars-15-year-old-discovers-forgotten-Mayan-City-hidden-Mexican-jungle-studying-constellations.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0511/How-Canadian-teen-used-space-archaeology-in-hunt-for-lost-Mayan-city

… then came the doubts:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/william-gadoury-quebec-teen-mayan-experts-question-1.3576829?cmp=rss

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/experts-question-possible-discovery-of-mayan-city-by-quebec-teenager/article29988122/?cmpid=rss1

http://news.discovery.com/earth/15-year-old-didnt-discover-mayan-city-after-all-160511.htm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/20160511-Maya-Lost-City-Canadian-Teen-Discover-Constellations-Archaeology-Satellite-Stars-Gadoury/

http://www.the-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20160511/AP/305119731/-1/taxonomy

http://www.techinsider.io/astronomer-lost-mayan-city-cultural-technology-obsession-2016-5

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3584663/A-lost-Mayan-City-just-cornfield-Experts-cast-doubt-claims-15-year-old-forgotten-settlement-Mexican-Jungle-using-satellite-photos.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/05/11/did-a-teen-discover-a-lost-mayan-city-not-exactly/

http://www.newsweek.com/discover-ancient-mayan-city-archaeology-458473

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/79887746/Canadian-teen-William-Gadourys-discovery-of-Mayan-city-debunked-as-junk-science

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-11/canadian-teenager-discovers-possible-mayan-city/7403774

http://verne.elpais.com/verne/2016/05/10/mexico/1462838532_810585.html

They’re digging at Plaza de la Luna at Teotihuacan:

http://www.reuters.com/video/2016/05/12/digging-for-clues-in-pre-aztec-city?videoId=368473564&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=LatestVideosUS&videoChannel=1004

http://www.inah.gob.mx/es/boletines/5229-el-inah-reporta-descubrimientos-en-la-plaza-de-la-luna-de-teotihuacan

Interesting finds of pre Columbian Amazonian settlements:

http://phys.org/news/2016-04-storage-prehistoric-settlement-expansion-amazonia.html

A ‘new’ geoglyph in Peru:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-2000-year-old-geoglyph-spotted-peru-180958968/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3571404/New-geoglyph-discovered-Nazca-desert-90-foot-image-shows-imaginary-animal-sticking-long-tongue.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Residents are concerned for huaca Tambo Inga:

http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-residents-take-stand-to-protect-historical-site-109493

Spain suggests leaving the wreck of the San Jose alone:

http://news.co.cr/spain-suggests-leaving-shipwreck-billions-dollars-gold-silver-colombian-seafloor/47238/

—–

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

================================================================

Cave art near Bamberg turns out not to be made by humans at all:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-stone-age-art-upper-franconian.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/uoe-fsd051216.php

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3587646/Researchers-say-strange-16-000-year-old-lines-Bavarian-cave-thought-phallus-NOT-humans.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Feature on trepanation (not sure where to put this one):

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/risky-skull-surgery-done-ritual-reasons-6000-years-ago

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3580681/Holes-6-000-year-old-skulls-drilled-mysterious-Russian-ritual-NOT-ancient-medical-reasons.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

In case you’re wondering what paleoscatologists do:

http://www.theguardian.com/careers/2016/may/12/paleoscatologists-dig-up-stools-as-precious-as-the-crown-jewels

Feature on Vermeer’s ‘Girl With a Pearl Earring*:

http://www.dw.com/en/masterpieces-revisited-girl-with-a-pearl-earring/a-19251666

Interesting feature on Wyeth’s ‘Christina’s World’:

http://www.livescience.com/54671-christinas-world-painting-nervous-system-disorder.html

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-experts-decipher-disease-world-famous.html

Feature on ‘favourite works of art’:

http://www.dw.com/en/famous-works-of-art-which-is-your-favorite/a-19231685

On some of Ulysses S. Grant’s love letters:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2016/05/08/the-doting-devoted-love-letters-of-ulysses-s-grant/

A ‘basement Rembrandt’ goes on display:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/early-rembrandt-found-in-basement-goes-on-display-180959036/

Feature on the Diamond Sutra:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/Five-things-to-know-about-diamond-sutra-worlds-oldest-dated-printed-book-180959052/

On creating Shakespeare’s First Folio:

http://shakespeareandbeyond.folger.edu/2016/05/03/creating-shakespeares-first-folio/

On the Amateur Cloud Society:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/magazine/the-amateur-cloud-society-that-sort-of-rattled-the-scientific-community.html

Some really old cognac came to auction:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/05/10/let-them-drink-cognac-a-famous-french-restaurant-auctions-off-pre-revolutionary-booze/

… as did some interesting 19th century Holy Land photos:

http://www.jpost.com/Not-Just-News/Snack-Bites/A-View-of-Israel-The-19th-Century-452774

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3566240/

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4797453,00.html

http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=33407

… and a Rodin:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36255283

Even ‘Antique’s Roadshow’ nods every now and then:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/05/11/477666576/70s-high-school-art-project-mistakenly-valued-at-50k-on-antiques-roadshow

Feature on Mme de Pompadour:

http://www.npr.org/2016/05/10/477369874/more-than-a-mistress-madame-de-pompadour-was-a-minister-of-the-arts

Feature on the Knights Templar:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20160510-the-hidden-world-of-the-knights-templar

A Napoleonic-era journal turns up in a Tasmanian bookshop:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-36219991

Marking the Battle of the Somme:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-36286846

Not sure where to put this one: a Confederate colony is celebrated in Brazil:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/09/world/americas/a-slice-of-the-confederacy-in-the-interior-of-brazil.html

DaVinci was first to study friction:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-leonardo-da-vincithe-systematic-friction.html

Latest ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ identification:

http://www.livescience.com/54669-man-in-the-iron-mask-identified.html

On the origins of sports betting (nope):

http://www.greatbigstory.com/stories/walk-til-you-drop-the-story-behind-sports-betting

They’re linking Leicester’s football success to Richard III somehow:

http://www.livescience.com/54634-is-richard-iii-ghost-football-fan.html

Remnants of Irish musical history …. In India:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-ancient-irish-musical-history-modern.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/anu-aim051316.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160513100848.htm

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/irelands-musical-traditions-live-on-in-india-study/article8601911.ece

The earliest depiction of Niagara Falls was saved:

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/may/08/earliest-view-of-niagara-falls-saved-from-export-after-public-appeal

In case you wondered what an anthropologist does:

https://theconversation.com/what-does-an-anthropologist-actually-do-55321

What happens when you don’t keep pigeons away from your monument:

http://www.seeker.com/25-tons-of-pigeon-poo-found-in-medieval-monument-1769560480.html

Pondering the ‘Dark Ages’:

http://www.historytoday.com/ian-mortimer/defending-%E2%80%98dark-ages%E2%80%99

http://www.historytoday.com/kate-wiles/back-dark-ages

Pondering the effectiveness of plague quarantines:

http://www.livescience.com/54705-plague-eyam-quarantine.html

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/05/plague-village-may-upend-what-we-know-about-how-black-death-is-spread/

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archyfantasies/

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MUSEUM MATTERS

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Gods and Mortals at Olympus:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/arts/design/gods-and-mortals-at-olympus-right-there-on-fifth-avenue.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fdesign

Maritime logbooks:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/arts/design/in-maritime-logbooks-a-trove-of-extraordinary-imagery.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fdesign&_r=0

Frankenstein:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-frankenstein-angst-science.html

Sunken Cities:

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/05/africa/sunken-cities-exhibition-egypt-greece-london/index.html

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/may/15/drowned-worlds-egypts-sunken-cities

Animal mummies:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/outdoors_leisure/14492157.Behind_the_scenes_of_a_myth_busting_exhibition_on_ancient_Egypt_s_animal_mummies/

Maya: Hidden Worlds:

http://www.ksat.com/entertainment/mayan-civilization-revealed-in-new-witte-museum-exhibit

Leisure and Luxury in the Age of Nero:

http://billingsgazette.com/artifacts-from-village-near-pompeii-at-museum-of-the-rockies/article_73e87958-4c38-5049-ad73-12b536a50f5a.html

Gupta sculptures:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Sculptures-of-Gupta-period-to-be-exhibited-in-China/articleshow/52217070.cms

Greek Vases:

http://au.greekreporter.com/2016/05/10/images-of-life-ancient-greek-vases-at-the-ian-potter-museum-of-art/

Bosch:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/bosch-paintings-draw-record-crowds-500-years-114728593.html

Pergamon:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/pergamon-and-the-hellenistic-kingdoms-of-the-ancient-world-review-an-empire-of-treasures-1462829937

Etruscans: Masters of Writing:

http://www.theflorentine.net/art-culture/2016/05/etruscans-masters-writing-exhibition-cortona/

Nile in Pompeii:

http://www.theflorentine.net/news/2016/05/egypt-from-turin/

Scent and the City:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/scent-and-the-city-smelling-an-exhibition-in-istanbul.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98882&NewsCatID=385

Dunhuang Temples:

http://laist.com/2016/05/06/getty_dunhuang_temples.php

Cave Temples of Dunhuang:

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/may/13/dunhuang-caves-artifacts-ancient-history-chinese-civilization-getty-institute-silk-road-los-angeles

Stanley Spencer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36195983

The museum at Pompeii has (finally) reopened:

http://www.euronews.com/2016/05/04/pompeii-museum-reopens-after-36-years/

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THE TECHY SIDE

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Plans to use ‘space radar’ to assess Europe’s historic sites:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36214261

Not sure if we mentioned scans revealing tunnels in the Bent Pyramid:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3575800/What-s-REALLY-inside-pyramid-3D-images-created-using-cosmic-particles-hidden-tunnels-inside-mysterious-structure.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

New tech to determine whether jaw bones come from a male or female:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-techniques-jaw-bone-woman.html

Rethinking skeletal ‘markers’ of bad health:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-skeletal-marker-physiological-stress-good.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/uosc-asm050216.php

More on robots to explore shipwrecks:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/30/diving-robot-ocean-one-wreck-sunken-treasure-louis-xiv

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-merbot-retrieved-artifacts-louis-xivs-sunken-flagship-180958950/

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ON THE DNA FRONT

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A DNA study suggests humans were in Arabia 10 000 years earlier than previously thought:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/uoh-rph051116.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160511084258.htm

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/arabian-peninsula-may-have-sheltered-early-humans-during-last-ice-age-study-finds

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3583061/Humans-arrived-Arabia-10-000-YEARS-earlier-thought-Group-sought-refuge-Red-Sea-plains-spreading-Middle-East.html

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/05/2016/humans-in-southern-arabia-10000-years-earlier-than-first-thought

… and the origins of dromedary domestication:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-dromedary-domestication.html

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/05/04/1519508113

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36252141

Questioning a study tracing Ashkenazi Jews’ origins to Turkey:

http://forward.com/news/breaking-news/339910/scholars-blast-new-study-tracing-ashkenazi-jews-to-khazars-of-ancient-turke

http://www.jta.org/2016/05/03/news-opinion/world/prominent-scholars-blast-theory-tracing-ashkenazi-jews-to-turkey

http://forward.com/opinion/339676/

… and studying the genetic roots of a Jewish community in India:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-genetic-bene-israel-india-jewish.html

Looking for Leonardo’s DNA:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-leonardo-da-vinci-dna-experts.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/tca-ldv050316.php

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/05/05/leonardo-da-vinci-paintings-analysed-for-dna-to-solve-grave-myst/

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2016/05/06/scientists-hope-leonardo-da-vincis-work-can-reveal-dna-clues.html

China is testing the DNA of an ancient marquis:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-05/06/c_135339992.htm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/peoplesdaily/article-3575083/Decoding-useless-emperor-China-Experts-examine-precious-coffin-2-000-year-old-tomb-belonging-controversial-ruler.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

On massive genetic changes during the Ice Age in Europe:

http://phys.org/news/2016-05-genetic-analysis-ice-age-europeans.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160502131231.htm

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/caos-dtg050416.php

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/05/05/ice-age-europeans-had-some-serious-drama-going-on-according-to-their-genomes/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36150502

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0503/Game-of-bones-Ice-Age-European-drama-uncovered-by-51-genomes

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2086518-game-of-bones-first-europeans-shifting-fortunes-found-in-dna/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3569545/The-founding-fathers-Europe-DNA-reveals-Europeans-related-group-lived-Belgium-35-000-years-ago.html

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/05/2016/dramatic-population-change-in-europe-from-45000-to-7000-years-ago

https://www.rt.com/viral/341169-king-half-european-men/

Trying to find relatives of a Siberian child mummy through DNA:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3580606/Who-mysterious-child-mummy-Siberia-DNA-tests-seek-modern-relatives-800-year-old-boy.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/

================================================================

CLIMATE MATTERS

================================================================

Another one on rising seas and archaeological sites:

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/rising-seas-are-swamping-our-archaeological-heritage/

================================================================

TOURISTY THINGS

================================================================

Canary Islands:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/travel/canary-islands-astronomy-stargazing.html

Beirut:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/t-magazine/travel-beirut-architecture-art-design.html

Rome:

http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=33407

Via Francigena:

http://www.latimes.com/travel/europe/la-tr-italy-via-francine-trek-20160509-snap-story.html

================================================================

CRIME BEAT

================================================================

Another idiot taking a self destroys a statue:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/05/13/477955499/selfie-with-statue-in-portugal-doesnt-end-well

http://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/05/11/historic-statue-destroyed-during-selfie-attempt-vo.cnn

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/126-year-old-statue-destroyed-by-selfie-493421

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3577177/A-right-royal-mess-Man-s-selfie-126-year-old-statue-16th-century-Portuguese-king-ends-disaster-knocks-smashes-pieces.html

A couple weeks’ worth of Anonymous Swiss Collector Culture Crime News:

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/2016/05/culture-crime-news-2-8-may-2016.html

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/2016/05/culture-crime-news-25-april-1-may-2016.html

conflict antiquities:

http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/

anonymous swiss collector:

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/

Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues:

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

Looting Matters:

http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/

Illicit Cultural Property:

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

SAFE:

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

================================================================

REPATRIATION AND RECOVERY

================================================================

Some paintings stolen from a Verona museum were recovered in the Ukraine:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36273801

http://artforum.com/news/id=59977

The US returned a number of Sassanid items to Iran:

http://en.mfa.ir/index.aspx?siteid=3&fkeyid=&siteid=3&fkeyid=&siteid=3&pageid=1997&newsview=392023

http://en.mehrnews.com/news/116431/73-antiquities-returned-home-from-US

================================================================

NUMISMATICA

================================================================

In case you missed the massive Roman coin hoard from Spain story:

http://www.coinworld.com/news/world-coins/2016/05/ancient-roman-coins-discover-spain.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/video/2016/apr/29/roman-coins-tomares-seville-andalucia-spain-video

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/21614/20160504/1-300-pounds-of-unique-ancient-roman-coins-dating-3rd-century-a-d-unearthed-in-spain.htm

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/construction-workers-in-spain-unearth-1300-pound-trove-of-ancient-roman-a7009741.html

http://phys.org/news/2016-04-workers-spain-huge-roman-coin.html

Big bucks for a 1933 penny:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3576104/1933-penny-sells-72-000-Rarest-British-coin-20th-century-one-just-11-minted-sets-world-record-price.html

Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_esylum_v19n19.html

… and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_esylum_v19n20.html

————————

Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

================================================================

PERFORMANCES AND THEATRE-RELATED

================================================================

Phaeton:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/a-bold-production-of-phaeton-from-taffety-punk-theatre-company/2016/05/10/84d71866-16c2-11e6-971a-dadf9ab18869_story.html

================================================================

OBITIUARIES

===============================================================

Charles Thomas:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/08/charles-thomas-obituary

================================================================

AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS

================================================================

Audio News from Archaeologica:

http://archaeologychannel.org/audio-main-menu-cat/audio-news-list/2420-audio-news-from-archaeologica-1-may-2016-7-may-2016

http://archaeologychannel.org/audio-main-menu-cat/audio-news-list/2419-audio-news-from-archaeologica-24-apr-2016-30-apr-2016

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GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS

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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/

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PODCASTS/VODCASTS

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Archaeosoup:

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

The Book and the Spade:

http://www.radioscribe.com/bknspade.htm

================================================================

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