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

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

Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,

Richard Miller, Laurel Carey, Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent

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

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

EARLY HOMINIDS

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

A mammoth tusk headband/tiara from Denisova Cave:

https://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/news/50000-year-old-tiara-made-of-woolly-mammoth-ivory-found-in-world-famous-denisova-cave/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7187-181206-denisovan-ivory-tiara

‘Little Foot’ (found several years ago) may be a new species of Australopithecus:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2187639-exclusive-controversial-skeleton-may-be-a-new-species-of-early-human/

Studying ‘rings’ in Neanderthal teeth:

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-teeth-environment-neanderthals.html

Pondering those ‘missing finger’ petroglyphs:

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-ritual-finger-amputation-fingers-upper.html

Rethinking some ‘ritual’ hominin interments as something quite different:

https://www.inverse.com/article/51474-did-ancient-humans-bury-their-dead

Evidence that humans have been dealing with fruit flies for quite a while:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/12/06/673271072/when-and-where-fruit-flies-first-bugged-humans

More on evidence of early humans in Algeria:

https://gizmodo.com/the-human-origin-story-has-changed-again-thanks-to-new-1830747304

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

AFRICA

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

A good response to the Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia thing that’s making the rounds again:

https://www.livescience.com/64256-ark-of-the-covenant-location.html

Feature on the Queen of Sheba:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/africa/ethiopia/mysterious-queen-sheba-legend-church-archaeology/

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

ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT

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

A trio of looted (maybe) Middle Kingdom tombs from the Fayoum:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/61557/Burial-well-dating-back-to-Middle-Kingdom-uncovered

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7189-181207-egypt-fayoum-chambers

There are 200 Italian archaeological missions at work in Egypt:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/61482/200-Italian-archaeological-missions-work-in-Egypt-Min

… and the first Chinese mission working at Mont Temple:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/61499/1st-Chinese-archaeological-mission-works-in-Mont-Temple

Ramses II’s statue will return to Luxor next year:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/61611/Ramesses-II-statue-to-return-to-Luxor-Temple-in-2019

Another case of folks taking inappropriate photos at the site of the pyramids:

https://ww.egyptindependent.com/antiquities-ministry-investigates-pornographic-film-at-pyramids/

https://www.wral.com/egypt-investigating-danish-couple-pictured-nude-on-top-of-khufu-pyramid/18048189/

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/08/africa/egypt-pyramid-nude-picture/index.html

Interesting feature on a recently translated Sumerian cylinder/pillar in the British Museum:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/pillar-first-evidence-neighbors-behaving-badly-180970969/

A cache of 11th century Crusader gold coins from Caesarea:

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-year-old-gold-coins-israel.html

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/hanukah-gelt-cache-of-rare-gold-coins-discovered-at-caesarea-port/2018/12/03/

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Cache-of-gold-coins-and-900-year-old-gold-earring-found-in-Caesarea-573401

https://www.timesofisrael.com/trove-of-11th-century-gelt-discovered-in-ancient-caesarea/

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-900-year-old-cache-of-gold-coins-found-in-ancient-israeli-city-of-caesarea-1.6705010

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/439534

A brief feature on the history of the Israel Antiquities Authority:

https://thejewishnews.com/2018/12/03/welcome-to-the-israel-antiquities-authority/

More on hopes for more DSS from some newly-discovered caves at Qumran:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/newly-discovered-caves-may-hold-more-dead-sea-scrolls/

https://www.livescience.com/64200-dead-sea-scrolls-caves-discovered.html

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

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)

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

A landslide revealed a late Roman sarcophagus in Bodrum:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/late-roman-tomb-found-after-landslide-in-turkeys-bodrum-139368

Interesting 3rd century BCE gold coin from a Celtic burial in Slovenia:

https://english.sta.si/2582339/archaeologists-hit-mother-lode-in-bela-krajina

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7186-181206-slovenia-gold-coin

Gladiator and animal holding cells from the Roman amphitheatre at Cartagena:

https://murciatoday.com/gladiator-and-animal-%E2%80%9Cprisons%E2%80%9D-found-intact-at-the-roman-amphitheatre-of-cartagena_744221-a.html

Latest Roman remains from Colchester:

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/17281044.you-could-get-an-exclusive-glimpse-at-some-roman-remains/

I think we mentioned this study of Roman pollution in a Swiss lake:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/04/terrawatch-roman-records-show-lasting-effects-of-pollution

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sci-tech/science-saturday_how-ancient-romans-also-polluted-the-land/44587378

Feature on some recent Roman extramural finds in Cumbria:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/roman-fort-settlement-revealed-in-cumbria.htm

… and a possible Vicus in Devon:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/vicus-discovered-in-devon.htm

Plans to rebury a temple of Aphrodite in Thessaloniki:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/235427/article/ekathimerini/news/decision-made-to-bury-ruins-of-ancient-temple-in-thessaloniki

Feature on the finding of the treasure of Valsadornin back in the 1930s:

https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/12/05/inenglish/1544025909_505235.html

Feature on identifying an unusual Roman artifact (with some familiar names!):

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2018/12/07/is-this-really-an-ancient-roman-nipple-cover-archaeologists-are-unsure/

Feature on feasting in ancient Greece:

https://daily.jstor.org/feasting-tips-from-ancient-greece/

Feature on that small feature of Greek male statues:

https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-12-06/when-small-was-big

Feature on the London Mithraeum:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/london-mithraeum-reimagining-the-famous-roman-temple.htm

What Catherine Conybeare is up to:

https://www.brynmawr.edu/news/prof-catherine-conybeare-receives-visiting-fellowships-university-oxford

What Thomas Wayment is up to:

https://universe.byu.edu/2018/12/07/byu-professor-publishes-modern-translation-of-new-testament/

What Kathryn Schumaker is up to:

http://www.oudaily.com/news/ou-professor-releases-opinion-article-through-washington-post-over-controversial/article_f749c3ae-f8cd-11e8-83eb-83b05cf803e9.html

What David Quint is up to:

https://news.yale.edu/2018/12/07/yale-renaissance-scholar-takes-ancient-literary-works-21st-century

It’s Dame Mary Beard now:

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46485198

… and she’s offered Latin tutorials for William’s children:

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2018/12/07/mary-beard-offers-latin-tutorials-for-williams-children-at-palace-ceremony/

Latest claim of a Roman find from Oak Island (nope):

https://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/whats-on/arts/lincolnshire-treasure-hunter-finds-roman-artefact-on-oak-island-which-could-rewrite-history-1-8729530

https://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/weapon-found-on-the-curse-of-oak-island-could-be-roman-pilum/

Feature on the VMFA’s statue of Caligula:

https://www.richmond.com/opinion/our-opinion/editorial-caligula-really-was-a-colorful-fellow/article_137a14e1-283f-5976-ba19-68521f3dce68.html

Review of Adrienne Mayor, *Gods and Robots*:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/gods-and-robots-review-men-myths-and-machines-1544224942

Review of Edward Watts, *How Rome Fell into Tyranny*:

https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2018/12/08/lessons-from-the-fall-of-a-great-republic

This week’s Parthenon/Elgin Marbles coverage:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/235284/article/ekathimerini/news/president-hails-growing-international-support-for-return-of-parthenon-marbles

… including claims they were a ‘gift’:

https://eu.greekreporter.com/2018/12/04/elgin-descendant-claims-parthenon-marbles-were-a-gift/

https://www.iol.co.za/travel/world/europe/the-stolen-elgin-marbles-were-a-gift-18377353

https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/33630-elgin%E2%80%99s-descendant-claims-athens-acropolis-marbles-were-a-gift.html

In case you missed the purported Pontius Pilate ring find (in the ANE section last week):

https://www.timesofisrael.com/2000-year-old-ring-engraved-with-pilate-may-have-belonged-to-notorious-ruler/

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/world/middleeast/pontius-pilate-ring.html

https://www.livescience.com/64217-pontius-pilate-ring-discovered.html

https://www.thedailybeast.com/did-this-ring-belong-to-pontius-pilate

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/inscriptions/pontius-pilate-ring-herodium/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7180-181204-pilate-seal-ring

More on Roman finds beneath St John Lateran:

https://aleteia.org/2018/12/03/ancient-roman-history-revealed-beneath-st-john-lateran/

—–

Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/

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

EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)

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

A study of a 6000 years bp bowl from Germany suggests Mesolithic people ate much better than previously thought:

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-analysis-year-old-earthenware-bowl-mesolithic.html

Evidence of a 5000 years bp strain of yersina pestis from a burial in Sweden:

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-oldest-plague-falkping.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/cp-aas112918.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181206120035.htm

https://www.thelocal.se/20181207/worlds-earliest-strain-of-plague-found-in-sweden-and-it-could-rewrite-history

https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-plague-ancestor-strain-20181206-story.html#nws=true

https://amp.theguardian.com/science/2018/dec/06/earliest-plague-strain-found-in-sweden-holds-clue-to-stone-age-migration-from-east

https://www.livescience.com/64246-ancient-plague-swedish-tomb.html

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/12/4900-year-old-case-plague-sweden/577315/

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/?p=29827

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7188-181206-sweden-neolithic-plague

A 3000 years bp leather bag full of assorted Bronze Age items from Slovakia:

https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20971362/archaeologists-found-treasure-from-the-bronze-age.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7184-slovakia-leather-pouch

I think we’ve mentioned these chariot and/or vampire burials (maybe not the latter) from Yorkshire:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/iron-age-burial-yorkshire-chariot-grave-skeleton-warrior-archaeology-dig-pocklington-a8672331.html

Jewellery from a 7th century woman’s burial in Rushcliffe has been declared treasure:

https://westbridgfordwire.com/treasure-found-rushcliffe-location/

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/ancient-brooch-made-garnets-gold-2297513

Remains of a medieval Carmelite monastery from Kingussie (Scotland):

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-46481427

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1627446/archaeologists-uncover-human-remains-in-kingussie/

https://www.archaeology.org/news/7191-181207-scotland-carmelite-friary

A medieval cemetery from Old Riga:

https://bnn-news.com/medieval-cemetery-found-in-old-riga-in-front-of-the-saeima-194775

Evidence of medieval horse breeding (maybe) from Mullamast (Ireland):

https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/351471/archaeologists-found-site-believed-to-be-kildare-s-oldest-stud-farm.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7185-181205-ireland-hobby-horses

500 years bp skeletal remains from the Thames … still wearing thigh-high boots:

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-medieval-mystery-booted-mud.html

https://www.livescience.com/64239-thames-skeleton-with-boots-discovered.html

https://www.livescience.com/64238-thames-body-wearing-boots-photos.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/05/world/europe/uk-london-skeleton-boots.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/dec/04/tough-as-old-boots-a-thames-skeletons-durable-footwear-tideway-tunnel

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/skeleton-river-thames-leather-boots-london-bermondsey-archaeology-a8667001.html

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2018/12/skeleton-london-boots-discovery-archaeology/

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/04/health/london-skeleton-thames-boots-scli-gbr-intl/index.html

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-medieval-skeleton-has-been-recovered-from-the-thames-still-wearing-his-thigh-high-leather-boots

https://boingboing.net/2018/12/04/archaeologist-dug-up-a-500-yea.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/found-near-thames-centuries-old-skeleton-still-wearing-thigh-high-boots-180970952/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7181-181204-london-leather-boots

Publication (65 years later!) of finds from the excavations of the Mote of Urr:

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17284980.how-secrets-of-12th-century-scots-castle-were-lost-in-the-mists-of-time/

https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/castle-was-used-in-time-of-wallace-and-bruce-excavations-reveal-1-4841159

https://www.archaeology.org/news/7190-181207-scotland-mote-of-urr

Hundreds of 17th century cannonballs from a site in Stockholm:

https://www.thelocal.se/20181204/hundreds-of-17th-century-cannonballs-unearthed-in-stockholm

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7183-181205-sweden-iron-cannonballs

A study of 19th century burials at New Covent Garden suggests life was hard:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/dec/04/skeletons-found-in-london-archaeology-dig-reveal-noxious-environs

https://pickle.nine.com.au/2018/12/06/14/24/bodies-of-bare-knuckle-boxer-murdered-woman-reveal-harsh-reality-of-19th-century-london

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/skeletons-found-at-new-covent-garden-market-reveal-harsh-reality-of-life-in-19th-century-london-a4009391.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7182-181204-london-industrial-poor

Work on the Stonehenge tunnel has caused some serious damage, apparently:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/06/ancient-platform-damaged-during-stonehenge-tunnel-work

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-46465258

https://www.livescience.com/64253-drill-smashes-platform-near-stonehenge.html

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/stonehenge-ancient-platform-damaged-tunnel-gbr-scli-intl/index.html

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/39600126/workers-drill-through-6000yearold-prehistoric-platform-near-stonehenge

Feature on the conservation of the HMS Invincible:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-46466328

More details from that child cave burial from Poland mentioned last week:

https://www.sciencealert.com/the-bones-of-a-child-were-found-buried-in-a-cave-in-poland-with-the-skull-of-a-bird-in-its-mouth

—–

Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

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

ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC

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

An Easter Zhou Dynasty ‘carriage’ from a burial in Hebei:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-12/09/c_137661667.htm

An excavation in Sri Lanka suggests 11th century links between Jaffna and China:

https://newsin.asia/chinese-archaeologists-discover-11-th-century-links-between-jaffna-and-china/

Plans to dig a site on the Pamba where some 10th-15th century terracotta sherds were found last September:

https://english.manoramaonline.com/districts/pathanamthitta/2018/12/08/excavation-pamba-banks-unravel-history-ancient-terracottas.html

No evidence of a Temple under Babri Masjid:

https://www.siasat.com/news/archaeologist-says-no-evidence-temple-under-babri-masjid-just-older-mosques-1442108/

https://kashmirreader.com/2018/12/07/archaeologists-contradict-asi-claim-say-no-proof-of-temple-beneath-demolished-babri-masjid/

A medieval coin hoard from Khirki/Delhi:

https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/treasure-in-a-clay-pot/article25688985.ece

More on when humans settled in Tibet:

https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2018/1130/How-early-people-conquered-the-Roof-of-the-World

More on that Indus Civilization ‘toothbrush holder’:

https://www.livescience.com/64247-pottery-made-before-jesus-flea-market.html

—–

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

https://us14.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=ddab09cab5362c9613318bd92&id=b917a20ae5

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

NORTH AMERICA

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

Carbon dating suggests European first contact with the Iroquois was a bit later than previously thought:

http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/12/new-study-upends-timeline-iroquoian-history

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-upends-timeline-iroquoian-history.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/aaft-rth120418.php

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/cu-sut120718.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181207144357.htm

https://www.franklin.uga.edu/news/stories/2018/new-study-upends-timeline-iroquoian-history

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2018/12/05/new-dates-change-history-of-indigenous-iroquois-first-contact-europeans/

Some revision of the history of Parris Island seems to be coming:

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/just-outside-beaufort-america-s-lost-century-is-slowly-being/article_bc5c6974-e45d-11e8-9b94-4ba3e4b74f1e.html

Looking for slave burials at Montpelier:

http://www.nbc29.com/story/39594787/archeologists-scan-montpelier-for-potential-slave-grave-sites

Feature on the Sloan site (is that what it is called?) in Arkansas:

https://talkbusiness.net/2018/12/oldest-native-american-cemetery-site-in-the-new-world-located-in-greene-county/

A new home for some of Alexander Hamilton’s documents:

https://www.timesunion.com/news/us/article/Hamilton-tax-records-other-300-year-old-docs-13449923.php

Some KKK history:

https://www.wamc.org/post/what-ebbs-and-flows-kkk-can-tell-us-about-white-supremacy-today

Feature on Charley Parkhurst:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/05/obituaries/charley-parkhurst-overlooked.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Foverlooked

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

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

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

A Mochica burial ground from Chiclayo:

https://perureports.com/ancient-cemetery-from-the-mochica-culture-discovered-in-chiclayo/8752/

Feature on the Chichen Itza Underground Project:

https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2018/12/chichen-itza-underground-project-studies-ancestral-water-sources-in-the-yucatan-peninsula/

Using statistical techniques to analyze hunter-gatherer groups’ food consumption in Patagonia:

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-neotropics-world-food-production-centers.html

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-artificial-intelligence-ancient-human-populations.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181203142724.htm

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/fda-spt120318.php

I think we mentioned this 13th century Maya codex:

https://esciencenews.com/articles/2016/09/08/13th.century.maya.codex.long.shrouded.controversy.proves.genuine

—–

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 Elizabeth I’s makeup and its effects:

https://slate.com/technology/2018/12/queen-elizabeth-makeup-margot-robbie-mary-queen-of-scots-real-story.html

Latest beer recreation has its origins in a Tasmanian shipwreck:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20181206-a-beer-brewed-from-an-old-tasmanian-shipwreck

Claim that Shakespeare was a ‘Catholic sympathizer’:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/12/02/shakespeare-catholic-sympathiser-left-coded-political-messages/

When traffic lights came to London:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-street-light-first-came-london-disaster-ensued-180970965/

Studying the microorganisms that degrade a 400 years bp painting:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/p-adl112818.php

Marking the 175th anniversary of Dickens’ *Christmas Carol*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/06/books/charles-dickens-a-christmas-carol-archives.html?nytapp=true&smid=nytcore-ios-share

Feature on the evolution of language:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/?p=10572

On the history of the ponytail:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/361f113b-7edd-4589-8d2f-f1292537e1ba

Feature on assorted influential maps:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/a-look-at-the-maps-that-shaped-our-world/2018/12/05/de09f524-f4ce-11e8-bc79-68604ed88993_story.html

Digitally colouring some famous old photos:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p06p9h25/the-artist-who-reveals-the-hidden-colours-of-history

Review of Miranda Seymour, *In Byron’s Wake*:

https://slate.com/culture/2018/12/lord-byron-wife-daughter-biography-review.html

More on 536 being a bad year:

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/11/why-536-was-worst-year-be-alive

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

MUSEUM MATTERS

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

Menorahs:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/03/dining/menorahs-museum-at-eldridge-street.html

Terracotta Warriors:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/chinas-ancient-terracotta-warriors-touch-down-in-wellington-exhibition

Vermeer:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/03/arts/design/meet-vermeer-google-app-mauritshuis.html

Victor Hugo Drawings:

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-victor-hugo-hammer-review-20181204-story.html

Mycenean Throne Room:

https://eu.greekreporter.com/2018/12/04/mycenaean-throne-room-recreated-at-german-museum/

Mantegna:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46462705

Ashurbanipal:

https://hyperallergic.com/473305/stories-of-an-assyrian-king-and-what-became-of-his-empire/

Last Tsar:

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Landmark-Tsar-Nicholas-II-exhibit-in-rural-NY-13352218.php

http://www.russianhistoryfoundation.org/

A Museum of Black Civilizations has opened in Senegal:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46467098

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/museum-black-civilisations-opens-senegal

Pondering ‘privileging’ original works of art:

http://theartnewspaper.com/comment/should-we-relinquish-our-insistence-on-privileging-original-works-of-art

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

AT THE AUCTIONS

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

Big bucks for Einstein’s ‘God letter’:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46438116

https://m.jpost.com/Diaspora/Einsteins-God-Letter-sells-for-almost-3-million-at-Christies-573626

Interesting 17th century Chinese bamboo root carving:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-46387052

Sotheby’s had a pile of Egyptian items at its latest auction:

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/12/sothebys-auction-off-ancient-egyptian-artifacts.html

A different sort of auction story … a Dakota peace pipe is purchased … and returned to its people:

http://www.startribune.com/sacred-dakota-peace-pipe-sells-for-40-000-and-buyer-gives-it-back-to-minnesota-tribe/482107511/

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

THE TECHY SIDE

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

They’ve redone the facial reconstruction of 4000 years bp Ava based on recent DNA analysis:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-46289045

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/no-wait-real-ava-bronze-age-woman-scottish-highlands-180970950/

https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/forensic-artist-uses-genetic-data-to-bring-a-bronze-aged-woman-back-to-life/

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/03/health/scotland-dna-grave-scli-intl-gbr/index.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/7178-181203-scotland-ava-genome

Feature on digital preservation of cultural heritage:

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-digitization-methods-technologies-cultural-heritage.html

Feature on technology and ancient manuscripts:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/12/modern-technology-revealing-bible-ancient-scripture/

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

CLIMATE MATTERS

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

Report on the ramifications of sea-level rise for assorted UNESCO heritage sites:

http://theartnewspaper.com/gallery/ancient-cities-water-level-rising-risk

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

ON THE DNA FRONT

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

Connecting KhoeSan genetic populations to Kalahari geography:

https://esciencenews.com/articles/2016/09/06/genetics.african.khoesan.populations.maps.kalahari.desert.geography

Studying plague genomes to follow medieval trade routes:

https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/12/ancient-plague-genomes-may-tell-of-medieval-trade-routes/

A DNA study suggests the population history of Ibiza needs a rethink:

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-rethink-population-history-ibiza.html

https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago701364.html

http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/5/327837

Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/

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

TOURISTY THINGS

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

Quedlinburg (Germany):

https://www.dw.com/en/10-reasons-to-visit-quedlinburg/g-41840003

Via Francigena:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20181203-a-1000-year-old-road-lost-to-time

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

PERFORMANCES

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

Mary Queen of Scots:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-mary-queen-scots-and-elizabeth-i-180970960/

In case you haven’t heard about Megan Fox’s archaeology program:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/megan-foxs-archaeology-show-is-just-as-strange-as-it-sounds

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

CRIME BEAT

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

Latest Nazi loot trial:

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-nazi-art-trial-20181203-story.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

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

An Italian court has ruled the Getty’s ‘Victorious Youth’ has to be returned:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/04/arts/design/getty-bronze-italy-ruling.html

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-getty-victorious-youth-20181205-story.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/getty-museum-greek-statue-victorious-youth-bronze-ancient-italy-court-decision-return-appeal-a8668746.html

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/dec/05/italy-rules-getty-museum-must-return-2000-year-old-victorious-youth-statue

http://www.tribtown.com/2018/12/05/eu-italy-antiquities/

https://www.npr.org/2018/12/05/673760066/italian-court-orders-getty-museum-to-return-statue-to-italy

The Maasai want some items back from Oxtord’s Pitt Rivers Museum:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/dec/04/pitt-rivers-museum-oxford-maasai-colonial-artefacts

Indian items in the British Museum are on the list too:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46405582

… and a shield associated with Captain Cook:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/250-years-on-captain-james-cook-s-foes-want-their-shield-back-mnll55r8h

The reopening of Belgium’s Africa Museum has triggered repatriation claims:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/08/belgium-revamped-africa-museum-demands-congo-kabila

The museum in Senegal (mentioned above) is connected to repatriation claims too:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/museum-of-black-civilizations-1409911

Fragments of the Gypsy Girl Mosaic were returned to Turkey and put on display:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46495176

https://www.gulf-times.com/story/615620/Turkey-displays-pieces-of-ancient-mosaics-returned-from-US

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gypsy-girl-roman-era-mosaics-returned-to-turkey-decades-after-being-smuggled-out/

https://www.dw.com/en/gypsy-girl-mosaics-return-to-turkey/g-46654354

OpEd on museums and repatriation:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/dec/02/british-museums-pressure-give-back–looted-african-art-treasures

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

NUMISMATICA

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

Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n48.html

… and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n49.html

————————

Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

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

OBITUARIES

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

Philip Levine:

https://classicalstudies.org/scs-news/memoriam-philip-levine

Wesley D. Smith:

https://classicalstudies.org/scs-news/memoriam-wesley-d-smith

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

AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS

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

Audio News from Archaeologica:

https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/2793-audio-news-from-archaeologica-25-november-1-december-2018

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

CONFERENCES

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

Jews and the Americas (February 2019):

https://networks.h-net.org/node/73374/announcements/1932330/jews-and-americas-68th-annual-conference-center-latin-american

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

GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS

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

Archaeology Magazine News Page:

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

About.com Archaeology:

http://archaeology.about.com/

Ancient Digger:

http://www.ancientdigger.com/

Archaeology Briefs:

http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/

Past Horizons:

http://www.pasthorizons.com/

Stonepages:

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

Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:

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

Time Machine:

http://heatherpringle.wordpress.com/

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

PODCASTS/VODCASTS

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

Archaeosoup:

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

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/

The Book and the Spade:

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

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

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

the ‘ancient world’ (broadly construed: practically anything relating

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

charge!

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

Useful Addresses

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

Past issues of Explorator are available on the web via our

Yahoo site:

http://www.yahoogroups.com/neo/groups/Explorator/conversations/topics

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

Explorator-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

To unsubscribe, send a blank email message to:

Explorator-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

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

reasons:

rogueclassicist@gmail.com

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

Explorator is Copyright (c) 2018 David Meadows. Feel free to

distribute these listings via email to your pals, students,

teachers, etc., but please include this copyright notice. These

links are not to be posted to any website by any means (whether

by direct posting or snagging from a usenet group or some other

email source) without my express written permission. I think it

is only right that I be made aware of public fora which are

making use of content gathered in Explorator. Thanks!

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