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

John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,

Bob Heuman, Frank MacKay, Laurel Carey, David Critchley, Richard Miller,

Rick Heli, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent

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

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

EARLY HOMINIDS

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

Pondering the ‘artistic gap’ between Neanderthals and ‘modern’ humans:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-homo-sapiens-ability-techniques.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uoc–nlo020818.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180209100727.htm

Neanderthals may have used fire to make tools:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-site-tuscany-reveals-neanderthals-tools.html

https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/neanderthals-used-fire-to-make-tools/

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/could-these-be-oldest-neandertal-tools-made-fire

http://www.newsweek.com/neanderthal-tools-discovered-italy-charred-fire-stunning-condition-800238

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-neanderthals-used-fire-to-perfect-hardwood-tools-170-000-years-ago-1.5789781

https://www.archaeology.org/6328-180106-neanderthal-wooden-tool

A find of some partially-digested teeth suggest a Neanderthal may have been consumed by

a hyena of some sort:

https://www.livescience.com/61664-neanderthal-teeth-digested-by-hyenas.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6329-180206-neanderthal-teeth-hyena

What some 700 000 years bp child footprints from Ethiopia are revealing:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-ancient-footprints-child-prehistoric.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/ancient-footprints-children-lifestyle-700000-years-ago-a8212721.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6386-180216-ethiopia-melka-kunture

General features on human evolution:

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/feb/12/tracing-the-tangled-tracks-of-humankinds-evolutionary-journey

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-01807-7

This piece sort of complements/relates to the previous:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/vu-iay021318.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180213120434.htm

Marking Mary Leakey’s 105th birthday:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kionasmith/2018/02/06/archaeologist-mary-leakey-would-be-105-today/#10ccc3eb58cb

More on those tools in India:

http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/twist-in-out-of-africa-theory-who-made-3-lakh-year-old-tools-found-near-chennai-5051482/

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sharp-stones-found-india-signal-surprisingly-early-toolmaking-advances

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

AFRICA

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

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

ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT

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

Latest theory on that ‘screaming mummy’:

http://www.egyptindependent.com/screaming-mummy-attracts-20000-visitors-to-egyptian-museum/

https://www.livescience.com/61749-screaming-mummy-backstory.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/screaming-mummy-mystery-solved-ancient-egypt-prince-hanged-plot-kill-pharaoh-father-archaeologists-a8208401.html

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/screaming-mummy-are-ancient-remains-those-ramses-iiis-murderous-son-prince-pentewere-1660384

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/archaeologists-discover-the-answers-behind-the-screaming-mummy/news-story/c8cff7cb29138bd47857d1dd06f8fff4

Feature on the Oriental Institute’s finds near Tell Edfu:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-newly-reveal-clues-ancient-egyptian.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/egypt-beer-making-ancient-brewery-archaeologists-a8201471.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6335-180208-egypt-tel-edfu

Something about a hole found (or not) near Tut’s tomb:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/290670/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Supreme-Council-of-Antiquities-denies-claims-of-ne.aspx

http://allafrica.com/stories/201802090682.html

More on the renewed search for hidden chambers in Tut’s tomb:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/new-search-for-hidden-chambers-in-king-tuts-tomb-underway/news-story/de33d7180bdd5fcd494393dbefd24c28

More on that fifth dynasty priestess tomb found in Giza’s western cemetery:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/42009/3-facts-to-know-about-the-excavated-ancient-Egyptian-tomb

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-egypt-year-old-tomb-cairo.html

http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Old-Kingdom-style-tomb-for-woman-discovered-in-Egypts-Giza-540641

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/04/583099705/egyptian-archaeologists-unearth-a-4-400-year-old-tomb

http://nhpr.org/post/egyptian-archaeologists-unearth-4400-year-old-tomb

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/discovery-of-hetpet-s-tomb-in-giza-could-answer-egypt-s-prayers-for-a-tourism-revival-tzhr9mknp

https://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Egypt-says-4-400-year-old-tomb-discovered-outside-12548620.php

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2018/02/05/archaeology-4400-year-old-tomb-discovered-in-egypt_6d3efb42-5944-4bed-b653-f6ba5de4ee87.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tomb-5th-dynasty-priestess-found-egypt-180968036/

http://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/see-inside-the-tomb-of-a-high-powered-egyptian-woman.aspx

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6326-180205-egypt-priestess-tomb

More on that 2nd century Roman temple find in Aswan:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/290966/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/nd-century-Roman-temple-uncovered-in-Aswan.aspx

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6378-180214-egypt-aswan-temple

Studying some Neo-Assyrian cuneiform medical texts:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-clay-tablets-cradle-civilisation-insight.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6341-180212-assyrian-medical-tablets

Some 2000 years bp camel sculptures from Saudi Arabia are getting press attention:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/c-ral020918.php

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-life-sized-sculptures-dromedaries-saudi-arabia.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/science/camels-sculptures-desert-saudi-arabia.html

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/ancient-artists-left-camels-carved-in-saudi-desert-s-stone/article_82ce877a-38b4-549c-aa21-009612646986.html

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-2-000-year-old-life-size-camel-art-found-in-heart-of-saudi-arabian-des-1.5812024

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-rock-carvings-discovered-saudi-163342930.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/life-size-camel-carvings-found-saudi-desert-180968169/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6374-180213-saudi-arabia-camels

A Crusader-era altar in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/crusader-era-high-altar-resurfaces-jerusalems-holy-sepulcher-180968192/

Concerns for sites in Netiv Ha’avot:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/241655

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/idf-machinery-destroys-ancient-artifacts-graves-at-netiv-haavot/2018/02/07/

A Czech team is heading to dig in Oman:

http://praguemonitor.com/2018/02/05/first-czech-archaeological-expedition-heading-oman

Another feature on sites being flooded by the Ilisu dam:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/07/archaeologists-discovered-an-ancient-assyrian-city-only-to-lose-it-again

Concerns for a temple in Yemen:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-ancient-temple-left-neglected-yemen.html

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2018/0208/Yemen-s-ancient-monuments-at-risk-as-war-rages-on

https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/science/article/Ancient-temple-left-neglected-as-Yemen-war-12560606.php

Reviving the Hebrew language:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/The-Israeli-academy-continuing-the-unprecedented-revival-of-the-Hebrew-language-542822

We’re still hearing about ISIL damaging and stealing from sites in Iraq:

http://www.aina.org/news/20180206125447.htm

https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2689210&language=en

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

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)

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

Ancient tombs (various periods, it seems) from Nicosia:

http://cyprus-mail.com/2018/02/09/ancient-tombs-discovered-nicosia-roadworks/

A possible Roman villa found during school construction in Warwick:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-42989351

http://www.stratford-herald.com/81889-rare-roman-find-unearthed-new-school-building-site.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6333-180207-england-roman-villa

A Roman-era mosaic from Caesarea:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-israeli-archaeologists-unveil-rare-roman-era.html

https://www.timesofisrael.com/rare-greek-inscription-and-colorful-1800-year-old-mosaic-uncovered-at-caesarea/

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5099486,00.html

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/241722

https://forward.com/fast-forward/393963/israeli-archaeologists-find-1-800-year-old-roman-mosaic/

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Rare-Roman-mosaic-from-2nd-3rd-centuries-CE-uncovered-in-Caesarea-541029

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/remarkable-multicolored-roman-period-mosaic-comes-to-light-in-caesarea/2018/02/08/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-archaeology-israel-mosaic/israeli-archaeologists-unearth-1800-year-old-mosaic-idUSKBN1FS2MI

http://www.dw.com/en/israeli-archaeologists-unearth-rare-roman-era-mosaic/a-42511961

http://www.ekathimerini.com/225657/article/ekathimerini/news/israeli-archaeologists-unearth-1800-year-old-mosaic-with-inscription-in-greek

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/29974-israeli-archaeologists-discover-1-800-year-old-mosaic-with-greek-inscription.html

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-byzantine-mosaic-inscribed-mysterious-greek-writing-unearthed-israel-801395

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6334-180208-israel-caesarea-mosaic

More Roman finds from Bath:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-bristol-42973039/more-roman-remains-excavated-under-bath

Latest finds from Kition:

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/30034-impressive-excavation-discoveries-at-ancient-kition-site-in-cyprus.html

A Roman hoard from Devon:

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/hoard-100-roman-coins-bronze-1185687

Remains/evidence of a Roman ‘patrol road’ in Northumberland:

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/lost-roman-devils-causeway-discovered-14281948

Possible sanctuaries of Asclepius and Aphrodite from Kythnos:

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/30099-impressive-findings-from-excavations-at-vryokastro-ancient-site-on-kythnos-island.html

Interesting study of the ‘gate to the underworld’ at the ‘Plutonium’ near Hierapolis:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2018/02/16/23364/#.WomfFZOpln4

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/roman-gate-hell-killed-its-victims-cloud-deadly-carbon-dioxide

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6385-180216-turkey-plutonium-gas

Remains of a 1500 years bp church from Karabuk:

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-anatolian-church-discovery-reveals-how-turkeys-earliest-christians-800464

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6332-180207-turkey-hadrianopolis-church

A Black Sea storm revealed some Roman remains on a Turkish beach:

http://www.newsweek.com/roman-ruins-wash-turkish-beach-after-black-sea-storm-808006

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ancient-roman-ruins-tombs-pillars-wash-turkish-beach-after-black-sea-storm-1661841

https://www.yahoo.com/news/roman-ruins-wash-turkish-beach-140740147.html

Feature on possible Neronian connections to Silchester:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/new-evidence-neros-links-roman-silchester.htm

On the Parthenon’s ability to be ‘earthquake proof’:

https://theweeklyobserver.com/secret-technology-ancient-greeks-can-parthenon-withstand-earthquakes/31899/

Feature (for Valentine’s Day) on a 2000 years bp cameo of Cupid found in Jerusalem years ago:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/when-cupid-paid-israel-a-visit-2000-years-ago/

Nice feature on Lupercalia:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/15/wolves-nudity-mayhem-why-an-ancient-roman-festival-is-still-controversial

Feature on the thumbs-up gesture:

http://eaglesanddragonspublishing.com/a-turn-of-the-thumb-gladiators-and-the-thumbs-up/

… and gladiators:

http://eaglesanddragonspublishing.com/gladiators-the-implements-of-death/

What Suzanne Lye is up to:

http://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2018/02/qa-with-postdoctoral-fellow-suzanne-lye

What Richard Thomas is up to:

https://www.dosavannah.com/article/wed-02072018-2335/savannah-book-fest-harvard-professor-richard-f-thomas-explores-literary

What Emily Wilson is up to:

http://www.thedp.com/article/2018/02/peterson-lecture-odyssey-woman-translation-upenn-penn-philadelphia-english-greek

Feature on a denarius of Mark Antony:

https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/coinweek-ancient-coin-series-mark-antonys-legionary-denarius/

… and a metal detectorist found a Carausius coin:

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15919647.Southampton_metal_detectorist_finds_coin_minted_by___39_first_Brexiteer__39_/

Lucy Hughes-Hallet was talking Cleopatra:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/cleopatra-not-most-beautiful-but-capable-woman-ruler-historian-lucy-hughes-hallet/story-5c7sw7VVhh60zim1p7cnSK.html

Martin Scorsese is working on a dramatic series on the Caesars, apparently:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/11/martin-scorsese-romans-tv-series-caesars-british-writer-michael-hirst

… while Mary Beard is hosting one with a more documentarial approach:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2018/02/12/julius-caesar-revealed-review-ancient-rome-isnt-dry-dusty-hands/

There was some interesting hype for the BBC’s Troy series:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/02/homers-trojan-war-epic-richly-deserves-its-lavish-new-bbc-adaptation/

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-17/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-troy-fall-of-a-city-but-were-afraid-to-ask/

http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/feature/a850071/troy-fall-of-a-city-netflix-bbc-explained/

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-17/troy-fall-of-a-city-writer-adaptation-myth-drama/

… and some reviews:

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-17/how-accurate-was-troy-fall-of-a-city-episode-1-compared-to-the-original-myths/

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/feb/17/troy-fall-of-a-city-recap-series-one-episode-one-black-blood

… and a somewhat strange spin on the ‘lesson’ of the Trojan war:

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42864071

… and on the Troy series:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bbc-troy-fall-of-a-city-donald-trump-putin-kim-jong-un-grbwvz8rs

Assorted folks talking about the Parthenon/Elgin Marbles:

http://usa.greekreporter.com/2018/02/07/greek-american-politicians-seek-hearing-on-parthenon-marbles/

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/30128-five-women-from-rhodes-fight-for-repatriation-of-parthenon-marbles.html

On military parades and triumphs:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-doesnt-need-a-parade-he-needs-a-roman-triumph/2018/02/07/30c68dbc-0c4b-11e8-8b0d-891602206fb7_story.html

Latest Rome v US comparison:

http://thefederalist.com/2018/02/16/5-similarities-ancient-romes-decline-todays-united-states/

Review(ish) of Mendelsohn’s *An Odyssey*:

https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2018/02/09/encountering-real-life-homers-odyssey

Interview with Madeline Miller about her *Circe* novel:

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/profiles/article/76022-it-s-all-greek-to-madeline-miller.html

—–

Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/

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

EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)

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

Interesting Paleolithic burials from Russia:

https://www.livescience.com/61743-rich-paleolithic-burials.html

https://www.livescience.com/61737-photos-paleolithic-burials.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6380-180214-russia-sunghir-burials

A 14 000 years bp ‘puppy burial’ found in 1914 has interesting implications:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-emotional-bond-humans-dogs-dates.html

https://www.livescience.com/61717-oldest-dog-burial.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6340-180212-paleolithic-dogs-humans

Interesting 8000 years bp skulls-on-stakes burial from Sweden:

https://www.thelocal.se/20180214/why-were-these-8000-year-old-swedish-skulls-mounted-on-stakes

https://www.livescience.com/61736-ancient-heads-on-stakes.html

https://www.livescience.com/61733-photos-stone-age-skull-stakes.html

https://gizmodo.com/human-skulls-mounted-on-stakes-found-at-8-000-year-old-1822936885

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/human-skulls-mounted-on-stakes-river-mystery-mesolithic-sweden-spd/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2018/02/13/smashed-skulls-on-spikes-show-ancient-scandinavia-was-violent-archaeologists-say/#50a1095958e7

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6376-180213sweden-underwater-burial

A 13 5000 years bp carved bison bone from the North Sea:

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2018/02/oldest-dutch-work-of-art-found-at-the-bottom-of-the-north-sea/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6377-180214-netherlands-oldest-art

Evidence of wine-making in 8000 years bp Sicily:

http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/13/copper-age-wine-sicily/

Neolithic remains near Windsor Castle:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/08/discovery-of-windsor-neolithic-monument-excites-archaeologists

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/5500-year-old-monument-tools-unearthed-near-windsor-castle-1660191

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6339-180209-england-neolithic-enclosure

5000 years bp (?) ‘spider stones’ and a copper ax fragment from a site in Denmark:

https://www.livescience.com/61727-spider-stones-neolithic-sun-worship.html

https://www.livescience.com/56709-photos-scratched-stones-ancient-maps.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6375-180213-neolithic-copper-ax

A Neolithic/Bronze Age infant burial from near Larkhill:

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/16029809.New_theory_over_Stonehenge_origins/

A new theory on the origins of Stonehenge:

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/16029809.New_theory_over_Stonehenge_origins/

Bronze Age gold hair rings from Sculptor’s Cave (Scotland):

https://www.scotsman.com/news/the-bronze-age-gold-hair-rings-from-scotland-s-death-cave-1-4684592

Latest plans and concerns about the Stonehenge tunnel:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/08/world/europe/uk-stonehenge-tunnel.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/skepticism-over-new-design-for-highway-tunnel-near-stonehenge-meant-to-protect-site/

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stonehenge-tunnel-new-road-when-plans-archaeology-ice-age-prints-dig-excavation-a8194071.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/05/stonehenge-tunnel-could-destroy-unique-library-of-early-history

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/08/stonehenge-tunnel-plans-scheme-published

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/15963978.Stonehenge_tunnel_plans_unveiled_to_public/?ref=rss

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-42936501

An Iron Age ‘chamber’ of some sort from the Isle of Lewis:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-42988416

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/housebuilder-finds-iron-age-chamber-on-isle-of-lewis-1-4686146

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rare-2000-year-old-food-chamber-found-hiding-under-scottish-construction-site-1660496

A Saxon hall find from Attingham:

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2018/02/08/rare-saxon-hall-find-excites-the-experts/

Finds from various periods found during wind farm construction:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42988971

https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/medieval-roman-burials-bronze-age-1198124

Feature on petroglyphs in Yorkshire:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/05/marks-rocks-since-bronze-age-ilkley-yorkshire

Not sure about this ‘prehistoric footprint’ from Norfolk:

http://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/news/prehistoric-footprint-found-west-runton-1-5398172

Remains of an Iron Age hillfort from Margate:

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/iron-age-hillfort-remains-discovered-160019/

Tracing lost post-Glencoe massacre settlements:

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/archaeologists-trace-lost-settlements-of-glencoe-destroyed-after-1692-massacre-1-4687371

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15988354.Archaeologists_trace_lost_settlements_of_Glencoe/

Suggestion that the Isle of May was a medieval healing centre:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/burials-suggest-isle-of-may-was-medieval-healing-centre-q5vb5bpsb

The Portable Antiquities Scheme had a good year:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/record-year-treasure-act-portable-antiquities-scheme.htm

… while the Marine Antiquities Scheme now includes the waters off Northern Ireland:

https://www.scubadivermag.com/marine-antiquities-scheme-extends-northern-ireland/

The site of the 1066 Battle of Fulford has been located, apparently:

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/15991567._We_have_located_the_site_of_the_1066_Battle_of_Fulford_/

On evidence of puberty in medieval times:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-children-puberty-younger-medieval-skeletons.html

On ‘crooked coins’ tossed into the Thames by ‘suitors’:

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/09/tokens-unrequited-love-thames-mudlark

A WWI buckle found near Stirling Castle:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15985520.Mystery_Imperial_buckle_found_by_Archaeologists/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6384-180216-stirling-castle-buckle

More on that mass Viking burial from Repton:

https://www.burtonmail.co.uk/news/history/mass-grave-uncovered-repton-thought-1167103

https://www.livescience.com/61646-viking-warriors-grave.html

—–

Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

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

ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC

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

9000 years bp wells from central China:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-02/06/c_136953446.htm

They’re excavating at a 5000 years bp pre-Harappan site in Haryana:

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/excavations-pre-harappan-site-kunal-haryana-archaeology-5051811/

4000 years bp writing on pottery from Chifeng:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-02/11/c_136967469.htm

Overview of finds in Xinjiang in 2017:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-02/05/c_136951195.htm

Remains of four Western Han – Eastern Jin dynasty cities from Sichuan:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-02/06/c_136953689.htm

A possible Liao Dynasty tomb with frescoes and a drainage system from Liaoning:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-02/06/c_136953321.htm

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6330-180206-china-painted-tomb

A 1500 years bp burial (with a breastplate) from Kyushu:

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201802140003.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6381-180215-japan-tomb-armor

Remains for a 1000 years bp temple from Kotdwar:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/excavations-near-kotdwar-reveal-temple-remains-almost-1000-yrs-old/articleshow/62825409.cms

Possible 6000 years bp human remains from mounds in Queensland:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-08/discovery-of-ancient-aboriginal-remains-confirms-burial-grounds/9404322

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6337-180208-australia-queensland-graves

Concerns for sites in Singapore:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-singapore-archaeologist.html

Tracing Buddhism’s roots in Cambodia:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-life-arts-culture/tracing-roots-buddhism-cambodia

Pondering Mungo Man:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-12/mungo-man-what-to-do-next-with-australias-oldest-remains/9371038

—–

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

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

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

NORTH AMERICA

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

Feature on the debate over the 130 000 years bp bones from the Cerutti Mastodon site:

https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/debate-heats-up-over-whether-130000-year-old-bones-were-broken-by-humans/

Serpent Mound may depict a creation story:

http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180211/archaeology-serpent-mound-might-depict-creation-story

A donation of a very large arrowhead collection:

http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20180205/jackson-mans-family-donates-massive-arrowhead-collection

Finds from Halifax’s ‘early days’:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/halifaxcitizen/1544245-archeological-findings-offer-glimpse-into-halifax%E2%80%99s-early-days

Claim of the discovery of the skeleton of ‘Black Sam Bellamy’:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/530694/archaeologists-say-they-may-have-found-skeleton-pirate-black-sam-bellamy

Possible find of slave quarters at Montpelier:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2018/02/06/this-archaeological-site-in-virginia-should-be-on-every-history-buffs-bucket-list/#7038e0043381

http://www.nbc29.com/story/37507826/surveyors-believe-theyve-found-old-slave-quarters-at-montpelier

Interesting find of some Rogue River Indian Wars hospital records:

http://www.dailytidings.com/news/20180209/historian-discovers-rogue-indian-wars-hospital-records

A purported lock of George Washington’s hair found in a college book:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/14/george-washingtons-hair-found-new-york-college-library-book/337694002/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/02/14/a-college-says-it-found-an-old-clump-of-george-washingtons-hair-hurrah/

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/16/586368906/n-y-college-says-forgotten-book-reveals-lock-of-george-washingtons-hair

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/lock-washingtons-hair-found-18th-century-almanac-180968185/

There’s a project to collect the oral history associated with the Franklin Expedition:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunavut-parks-canada-inuit-elder-1.4533014

Making plans for the wreck of the Clotilda:

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/02/slave_ship_clotilda_state_agen.html

An ‘epic love story’ from Port Credit:

https://www.insauga.com/mississauga-was-once-the-site-of-an-epic-love-story

On ‘Indian Slavery’ in New Mexico:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/28/us/indian-slaves-genizaros.html

More on that 900 years bp copper point from the Yukon:

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/rare-900-year-old-copper-arrowhead-discovered-canadian-mountain-760573

More on the recreation of those points from Alaska:

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6327-180205-alaska-hunter-projectiles

Feature on Benjamin Lay:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-42640782

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

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

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

Petroglyphs depicting whale hunts from the Atacama desert:

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/ancient-rock-art-shows-whale-hunts-atacama-chile-spd/

A 2000 years bp mummified macaw from Mexico:

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/mummified-macaw-paquime-chihuahua-mexico-trade-religion-spd/

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/2000-year-old-parrot-head-discovered-mexican-burial-cave-could-worlds-oldest-macau-mummy-1662096

http://www.inah.gob.mx/es/boletines/6856-datan-en-2000-anos-de-antigueedad-cabeza-momificada-de-guacamaya-hallada-en-cueva-avendanos-chihuahua

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6379-180214-peru-skull-modification

On Peruvian head reshaping:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/peru-elongated-skulls-shaping-ancient-status-indiana-jones-south-america-matthew-velasco-cornell-a8210521.html

Peru is limiting (sort of) tourist traffic to various sites:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/101181191/Peru-brings-in-tougher-rules-for-tourists-visiting-Machu-Picchu

http://www.startribune.com/peru-devises-new-rules-for-machu-picchu-crowds/473457603/

Some Tehuelche skeletons were exposed by recent winds in Argentina:

https://elpais.com/internacional/2018/02/14/solo_en_argentina/1518639234_485536.html

More on LiDAR revealing more of a Mayan city in Guatemala:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180205140111.htm

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-scientists-massive-mayan-society-guatemala.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/mayan-pyramids-1.4519863?cmp=rss

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/lost-mexico-city-aztec-buildings-pur-pecha-empire-morelia-michoac-n-a8214551.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/15/laser-scanning-reveals-lost-ancient-mexican-city-had-as-many-buildings-as-manhattan

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/03/scientists-discover-ancient-mayan-city-hidden-under-guatemalan-jungle?subid=16450490&CMP=GT_US_collection

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mayan-ruin-discovery-lidar-laser-technology/

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/1000-year-old-lost-pyramid-city-heart-mexico-was-densely-built-manhattan-1662053

https://hyperallergic.com/425105/lidar-60000-maya-structures-pacunam-foundation/

https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20762214/slovak-experts-pull-back-veil-of-ancient-maya-civilisation.html

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-mexican-city-manhattan-laser-scan-810194

https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/02/12/album/1518429337_635840.html

https://elpais.com/cultura/2018/02/16/actualidad/1518781085_402213.html

18th/19th century defense structures from Montevideo:

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2450451&CategoryId=23620

More on those Chinese mummies (19th century) from Peru:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/chinese-mummies-peru-1.4517145

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6324-180205-peru-chinese-mummies

—–

Mike Ruggeri’s Ancient Americas Breaking News:

http://goo.gl/1VdeA

Ancient MesoAmerica News:

http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/

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

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

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

Feature on toys in the archaeological record:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-toys-kids-archaeological-record

On rabbit domestication:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/cp-wfb020818.php

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/13/science/rabbits-pope-domestication.html

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/02/eh-whats-up-doc/553304/

http://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/fulltext/S0169-5347%2818%2930001-6

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6382-180215-france-rabbit-domestication

The usual crop of Valentine’s Day related pieces:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/02/14/the-real-saint-valentine-was-no-patron-of-love/

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-yalom-valentine-history-20180214-story.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/13/arts/design/valentines-day-card-collection.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/02/14/we-owe-our-sinful-valentines-day-chocolates-to-the-prudish-self-denying-cadburys/

On early dog shows:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-sight/wp/2017/02/22/looking-back-at-american-dog-shows-in-the-early-1900s/

On military parades in the US:

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/14/585668300/the-history-of-military-parades-in-the-u-s?sc=17&f=3&utm_source=iosnewsapp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=app

On Sotheby’s erotic art auction:

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/siri-hustvedt-erotic-art-sothebys/index.html

Some archaeological humour from the Onion:

https://www.theonion.com/archaeologists-unearth-ivory-trumpet-dating-back-to-pre-1823072478

Bridegroom’s Oak has an interesting story:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20180213-in-germany-the-worlds-most-romantic-postbox

Assorted features on the Suffragettes:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/public/pilgrimage-of-greats/

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/04/world/europe/uk-centennial-women-voting-rights.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42961675

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42951817

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42943814

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42704341

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42943815

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42959941

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42959935

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-42837451

On the real Indiana Jones:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/au-wi020618.php

On the original Rogues’ Gallery:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/nyregion/cheats-swindlers-and-neer-do-wells-a-new-york-family-album.html

On American English preserving post-colonial English:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180207-how-americans-preserved-british-english

A hitherto unidentified language in Malaysia:

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/07/583931629/linguists-discover-previously-unidentified-language-in-malaysia

Using plagiarism software to find Shakespeare’s sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/07/books/plagiarism-software-unveils-a-new-source-for-11-of-shakespeares-plays.html?smid=fb-share

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/software-points-possible-inspiration-11-shakespeare-plays-180968118/

Haven’t heard anything about the Book of Kells in a long while:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6338-180209-ireland-book-of-kells

On lost books:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/05/i-really-want-to-find-it-before-i-die-why-are-we-so-fascinated-by-lost-books

Alcohol and epithets:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180209-exploring-the-colourful-and-evocative-lexicon-of-alcohol

On the political side (?) of Michelangelo’s David:

https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/europe/italy-museums/florence-museums/accademys-gallery/masterpieces-gallery-academy-florence/david-by-michelangelo/

Victor Nuovo is writing again on Enlightenment philosophers:

http://www.addisonindependent.com/?q=node/51967

http://www.addisonindependent.com/?q=node/51786

They’ve remade the *Civilisation* series:

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/civilisation-beard-and-schama-revisit-classic-series-50-years

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/07/new-bbc-civilisations-ask-whether-britains-culture-built-looting/

More on Hylas and the Nymphs:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/05/arts/manchester-gallery-hylas-nymphs.html

More on dice:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-centuries-old-dice-reveal-changing-attitudes-about-fate-1-180968090/

Archaeology Podcast Network:

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

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

MUSEUM MATTERS

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

Rubens:

http://www.dw.com/en/peter-paul-rubens-baroque-painter-and-diplomat-on-show-in-frankfurt/a-42488890

Lady and the Unicorn:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/feb/13/lady-and-the-unicorn-mona-lisa-of-the-middle-ages-weaves-a-new-spell

First Sculpture:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/arts/design/nasher-sculpture-center-dallas-first-sculpture-review.html

http://nashersculpturecenter.org/art/exhibitions/exhibition?id=535

Terracotta Warriors:

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/terracotta-warriors-liverpool-exhibition-tickets-14258229

The Museum of Lugo has acquired a pile of torques:

https://politica.elpais.com/politica/2018/02/13/diario_de_espana/1518557467_867491.html

Diamond Mountains:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/08/arts/design/south-korea-north-korea-metropolitan-museum-diamond-mountains-olympics.html

https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2018/diamond-mountains

Medusa:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Exhibition-At-The-Met-Focuses-On-Medusa-Imagery-From-Antiquity-To-The-Present-Day-20180207

Medieval Islamic Manuscripts:

http://m.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Medieval-Islamic-manuscripts-make-their-debut-in-New-York-City-542741

The Berkshire Museum has to sell some of its art:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/arts/massachusetts-agrees-to-allow-berkshire-museum-to-sell-its-art.html

Interview with Barbara Jatta:

https://www.vogue.com/article/barbara-jatta-interview-vogue-march-2018-issue

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

THE TECHY SIDE

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

Explaining LiDAR (and expressing skepticism, sort of, of the finds in Guatemala):

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900009714/national-geographic-discovery-of-mayan-ruins-not-proof-but-very-interesting.html

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/689660/?sc=rssn

Updating radiocarbon dating techniques:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/science-notes-updating-radiocarbon-dating-techniques.htm

Assorted tech-in-archaeology:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/16/lab-notes-so-long-indiana-jones-archaeology-goes-high-tech

Virtual Volterra:

https://www.livescience.com/61650-ancient-volterra-3d.html

Facial reconstruction of the purported mother of Tut:

http://micetimes.asia/scientists-were-able-to-recreate-the-appearance-of-the-mother-of-tutankhamun/

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/02/12/queen-nefertiti-recreation-controversy-orig-tc.cnn

… and St Valentine:

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-43056345/st-valentine-does-this-3d-reconstruction-show-his-face

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

ON THE DNA FRONT

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

DNA analysis of ‘Cheddar Man’ suggests he had dark skin and blue eyes:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-dna-modern-briton-dark-skin.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180207202447.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-42970067/cheddar-man-dna-shows-early-brit-had-dark-skin

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/07/first-modern-britons-dark-black-skin-cheddar-man-dna-analysis-reveals

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/cheddar-man-face-first-modern-briton-revealed-pioneering-research-natural-history-museum-alfons-a8198066.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/02/07/first-britons-black-natural-history-museum-dna-study-reveals/

https://www.thedailybeast.com/dna-tests-on-an-ancient-skeleton-reveal-the-first-briton-had-dark-skin

https://www.theroot.com/scientists-reveal-that-britains-oldest-known-skeleton-h-1822803724

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/02/07/meet-cheddar-man-first-modern-britons-had-dark-skin-and-blue-eyes/

http://www.smh.com.au/world/cheddar-man-s-dna-shows-the-first-britons-were-black-20180207-p4yzm8

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/08/opinions/how-cheddar-man-flips-british-identity-jones/index.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/10/cheddar-man-changed-way-we-think-about-ancestors

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-briton-had-dark-skin-and-light-eyes-dna-analysis-shows-180968097/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6331-180207-cheddar-man-reconstruction

The DNA results on the Paracas skulls reveal no alien connections:

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mystery-behind-origin-3000-year-old-alien-paracas-skulls-revealed-by-dna-testing-760997

Things we’ve learned from DNA:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-dna-revealed-ancestors.html

Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/

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

TOURISTY THINGS

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

Mexican pyramid cities:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-archaeological-adventure-mexico-pyramid-cities.html

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

CRIME BEAT

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

Tourists with a Ganesha statue detained at Madura airport:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/foreign-nationals-carrying-vinayaka-idol-detained-at-madurai-airport/articleshow/62796418.cms

I think we mentioned this bust of a Palestinian national:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-find-antiquities-worth-nis-200000-in-palestinian-mans-home/

A smuggling ring in Nineveh broken up:

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180214-antiquities-smuggling-ring-broken-up-in-iraqs-nineveh/

A bust in Kirkuk:

https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraq-foils-smuggling-usd13-mn-antiquities-smuggling-turkey/

Recovery of a stolen multi-million dollar cello:

http://www.dw.com/en/stolen-million-euro-cello-returned-to-french-musician-ophelie-gaillard/a-42631622

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43099365

More on the break in at the Canterbury Trust:

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/anger-at-canterbury-archaeology-trust-break-in-159902/

More on training dogs to sniff out illicit antiquities:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/531097/new-program-trains-dogs-sniff-out-art-smugglers

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

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

Germany (finally) returned a recovered Aphrodite statue to Italy:

https://www.dailysabah.com/europe/2018/02/14/germany-returns-stolen-statue-of-goddess-aphrodite-to-italy

A Nazi-era Picasso isn’t being returned:

http://www.dw.com/en/judge-rules-picasso-painting-sold-to-escape-nazis-can-stay-with-new-york-metropolitan/a-42494642

Tracing some Nazi-seized Klimts:

http://www.dw.com/en/the-turbulent-history-of-klimts-nazi-seized-works/a-42163775

Turkey is actively seeking some repatriation action:

http://aa.com.tr/en/culture-and-art/turkish-mps-to-probe-smuggled-artefacts-abroad/1058002

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/2018/02/14/turkish-lawmakers-in-europe-to-retrieve-smuggled-artifacts

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

NUMISMATICA

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

A couple of weeks’ worth of e-Sylums:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n05.html

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n06.html

… and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n07.html

————————

Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

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

AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS

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

Audio News from Archaeologica:

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-main-menu-cat/audio-news-list/2687-audio-news-from-archaeologica-4-february-2017-10-february-2018

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-main-menu-cat/audio-news-list/2686-audio-news-from-archaeologica-28-january-2017-3-february-2018

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

OBITUARIES

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

Walter K Sherwin:

https://classicalstudies.org/scs-news/memoriam-walter-k-sherwin

https://retriever.umbc.edu/remembering-founding-faculty-member-walter-sherwin/

Lerone Bennett Jr.:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/obituaries/lerone-bennett-jr-historian-of-black-america-dies-at-89.html

Francis Sheppard:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/12/francis-sheppard-obituary

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CONFERENCES

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Hidden Cultural Heritage (April 2018):

http://www.cicop.net/hch/

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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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EXPLORATOR is a free weekly newsletter bringing you the latest

news of archaeological finds, historical research and the like.

Various on-line news and magazine sources are scoured for news of

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to archaeology or history up to a century or so ago is fair

game) and every Sunday they are delivered to your mailbox free of

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Useful Addresses

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