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

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

David Critchley,Kris Curry, Kathleen Sharp, Don Buck, Barbara Saylor Rodgers,

Rick Heli, Bob Heuman,Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for

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

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

EARLY HOMINIDS

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

“Little Foot”, the most complete Australopithecus ever found, has finally gone on display:

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-years-australopithecus-fossil.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/uotw-lft120617.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171206100104.htm http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42250530

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/science-environment-42259429/a-closer-look-at-367m-year-old-skeleton

http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/06/africa/human-ancestor-little-foot-unveiled-intl/index.html

https://www.archaeology.org/6146-171206-australopithecus-little-foot

More on revising the ‘Out of Africa’ theory:

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-story-dispersal-modern-humans-eurasia.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/mpif-rts120117.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171207141724.htm

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/deadthings/2017/12/07/human-migration-rewrite/

In case you’re wondering ‘how Neanderthal’ you are:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/03/how-neanderthal-are-you-and-can-you-blame-your-dna-personality-quiz

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

ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT

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

Plenty of press attention for pair of 3500 bp tombs — including a mummy — from Luxor:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/283041/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Two-ancient-Egyptian-New-Kingdomera-tombs-opened-a.aspx

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/36114/Two-newly-discovered-tombs-in-Luxor

https://dailynewsegypt.com/2017/12/09/two-tombs-discovered-luxor/

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/9/35800/Exclusive-picture-from-inside-newly-discovered-tomb-in-Luxor

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-egypt-archaeologists-mummy-luxor.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-archaeology/egypt-reveals-artifacts-mummy-from-tombs-in-ancient-city-of-luxor-idUSKBN1E30NE?feedType=RSS&feedName=lifestyleMolt

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42295162

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/dec/09/3500-year-old-tombs-found-at-luxor

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mummy-discovered-unexplored-egyptian-tomb-164300190.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11956777&ref=rss

https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-discover-2-ancient-tombs-in-egypts-luxor/

http://m.france24.com/en/20171209-egypt-archaeologists-discover-mummy-luxor?ref=tw_i

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2017/12/09/archeologists-discover-ancient-tombs-egypt-luxor/hv2MNbsvCqmvxxSolKtIoK/story.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/archaeologists-discover-ancient-tombs-egypts-luxor-51687983

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/12/09/exceptional-day-2-ancient-tombs-discovered-egypts-luxor/937510001/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-10/egypt-archaeologists-discover-mummy-in-ancient-tombs-luxor/9244084

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mummy-discovered-unexplored-tomb-ancient-egyptian-city-luxor-1650873

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-egypt-two-mysterious-3500-year-old-tombs-reveal-mummy-and-vast-743534

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/12/egypt-tomb-mummy-naga-archaeology-ancient/

Al Imam Al Shafie dome restoration in Cairo leads to a new discovery:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/282716/Heritage/Islamic/Restoration-of-Cairos-AlImam-AlShafie-Dome-leads-t.aspx

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/35504/A-new-archeological-discovery-at-Al-Imam-Al-Shafie-Dome

On personal hygiene in ancient Egypt:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/35325/Ancient-Egypt-vs-Daily-hygiene-habits

More on those Sekmet statues from Luxor:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/282656/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Statues-of-ancient-Egyptian-lioness-deity-Sekhmet-.aspx

https://dailynewsegypt.com/2017/12/04/27-statues-goddess-sekhmet-discovered-luxor/

https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2017/12/03/27-fragmented-statues-of-lion-goddess-found-in-southern-egypt

https://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/27-fragmented-statues-goddess-sekhmet-uncovered-luxor-egypt-1056102

https://www.timesofisrael.com/27-fragmented-statues-of-lion-goddess-found-in-southern-egypt/

https://egyptianstreets.com/2017/12/04/27-egyptian-statues-of-lioness-goddess-discovered-in-luxor/

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ancient-statues-lion-goddess-sekhmet-discovered-3500-year-old-egyptian-funerary-temple-1650216

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-egyptian-statues-lion-goddess-sekhmet-uncovered-3500-year-old-burial-730201

https://www.archaeology.org/6137-171204-egypt-luxor-sekhmet

More on the copper content of Egyptian ink:

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-egypt-papyrus-ink-metal-copper-scroll-713434

Revising the chronology of the Natufian culture:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/uoc–arc120417.php

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/wios-uvp120717.php

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-archaeologists-chronology-hunter-gatherers-east.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171205091509.htm

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/New-research-challenges-origins-of-ancient-Middle-East-Natufian-culture-517349

https://www.archaeology.org/6147-171207-jordan-natufian-transition

A missing Urartian stele turns up near Lake Van:

https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2017/12/05/2800-year-old-urartian-stele-discovered-in-turkeys-eastern-van

Studying a looted Urartian site in eastern Turkey ( I think we mentioned this one):

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-urartian-settlement-found-in-eastern-turkey-123606

http://www.themercury.com.au/royal-prehistoric-city-discovered-in-turkey/news-story/6b70dc68ad9955133b832a61fea2f6c3

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-city-temple-and-burial-ground-found-turkey-740747

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6149-171207-turkey-erzurum-tombs

A menorah on early Islamic era coinage:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Archeologists-discover-menorah-inscribed-on-Early-Islamic-period-coins-517190

https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-expose-muslim-jewish-dialogue-in-jerusalem-from-1300-years-ago/

Figuring out the structures of Temple Mount from plenty of tiny fragments:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-1.826501

On child sacrifice in ancient Israel:

http://asorblog.org/2017/12/05/child-sacrifice-ancient-israel/

On drought and the Dead Sea:

https://www.insidescience.org/news/cataclysmic-drought-part-history-dead-sea

On Qatar in the 19th century:

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/07/12/2017/Qatar-was-closely-connected-to-the-world-in-early-19th-century

What Lawrence Schiffman is up to:

http://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/bringing-life-to-study-of-the-dead-sea-scrolls/

What Moshe Bernstein is up to:

http://blogs.yu.edu/news/scholars-pay-tribute-to-bernstein-in-new-festschrift/

What Jodi Magness is up to:

https://pittnews.com/article/125281/top-stories/professor-unearths-israeli-heritage/

Latest piece on the political side of archaeology in Israel:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Archeology-in-Israel-as-a-political-weapon-515922

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

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)

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

Possible evidence of Neolithic connections between Cyprus and the Levant (maybe … I think we mentioned this):

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2017/12/05/excavations-in-cyprus-show-contact-with-neighbours-in-neolithic-times/

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6139-171204-cyprus-engraved-stone

More than a 1000 ‘sealings’ from the site of Doliche with plenty of images of Greco-Roman divinities:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/coe-mt1120717.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171207102508.htm

https://www.uni-muenster.de/Religion-und-Politik/en/aktuelles/2017/dez/PM_Mehr_als_1000_antike_Siegelabdruecke_entdeckt.html

Cretan wine amphorae at Pompeii:

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2017/12/cretan-wine-amphorae-discovered-at-pompeii/

For reasons unknown, the underwater remains of Baiae were being presented this week as if a new discovery in assorted news outlets:

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/664585/underwater-city-Roman-Baiae-Naples-Italy-diving-pictures-discovery-Julius-Caesar-Pomey

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/889247/Underwater-photos-Mediterranean-Sea-Baiae-resort-Naples-Antonio-Busiello-Julius-Caesar

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5063862/lost-city-of-the-caesars-where-the-roman-super-rich-built-their-mansions-revealed-after-centuries-under-water/

http://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/this-sunken-city-was-once-the-playground-of-ancient-romes-rich-and-famous/

… and the opening of the Barberini tomb to the public is somewhat old news as well:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/519238/first-time-ever-romes-barberini-tomb-now-open-public

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2017/12/05/ancient-tomb-rome-open/

On a portrait head of Ptolemy VIII:

http://www.christies.com/features/2017-highlight-Greek-marble-portrait-head-of-Ptolemy-VIII-8775-1.aspx?sc_lang=en

On ‘thoughts and prayers’ in Greek tragedy:

https://daily.jstor.org/thoughts-and-prayers-in-greek-tragedy/

On the revival of Latin:

https://www.the74million.org/article/50-years-after-latin-disappeared-from-high-school-classrooms-these-educators-are-bringing-it-back/

Interesting protest planned regarding the Elgin/Parthenon Marbles:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/223932/article/ekathimerini/news/greek-olympians-launch-campaign-for-return-of-parthenon-marbles

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2017/12/07/greek-olympians-plan-to-protest-the-kidnapping-of-the-greek-marbles-by-dressing-as-caryatids-inside-british-museum/

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/28691-greek-olympians-protest-elgin-marbles-by-dressing-as-caryatids-in-british-museum.html

Plans for concerts in the Colosseum:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/04/roman-gods-make-way-rock-gods-new-head-colosseum-wants-hold/

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/colosseum-to-stage-spectaculars-again-without-the-blood-and-gore-sdhtwvrtv

… and plans to get rid of the ‘suk’:

https://www.thelocal.it/20171205/colosseums-new-director-pledges-to-rid-the-area-of-the-suk

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2017/12/04/colosseum-piazza-a-suk-new-director-3_ea7b7cce-afbd-4e8f-8f8f-2b059ab3c1f2.html

Hadrian’s Wall and China’s Great Wall are cooperating:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/05/hadrians-wall-joins-forces-with-chinas-great-wall-to-promote-heritage-sites

This one is kind of strange … earlier in the week came news that Mommsen’s Nobel medal was coming to auction … but the link on the auction site itself seems to have been taken down (the grapevine suggests it was a fake or something):

https://www.finebooksmagazine.com/press/2017/12/heritage-auctions-presents-1902-nobel-prize-for-advancement-in-literature-jan-7-8-in-new-york.phtml

A different sort of honour for David Soren:

http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2017/12/n-olive-story

Honours for Richard Brilliant:

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/marquis-whos-who-recognizes-dr-richard-brilliant-for-excellence-in-education-447591.php

What Richard Thomas is up to:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/arts/harvard-scholar-to-explain-why-bob-dylan-matters-during-tulsa/article_7225258d-8d44-558e-a446-26f1baafbac3.html

What Laura Grams is up to:

http://unothegateway.com/uno-philosophy-professors-road-teaching/

More reviews of Emily Wilson’s Odyssey translation:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/books/review/odyssey-homer-emily-wilson-translation.html

https://www.npr.org/2017/12/02/567773373/emily-wilsons-odyssey-scrapes-the-barnacles-off-homers-hull?sc=ipad&f=1008

http://radio.wpsu.org/post/emily-wilsons-odyssey-scrapes-barnacles-homers-hull

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/dec/08/the-odyssey-translated-emily-wilson-review

… and a piece by Dr Wilson herself:

https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/a-translators-reckoning-with-the-women-of-the-odyssey

Review of Raaflaub, *Julius Caesar*:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/review-julius-caesar-and-the-bloody-road-to-empire-1512163652

https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/books/book-review-kurt-raaflaub-s-latest-tells-the-definitive-chronicle-of-julius-caesar-1.682578

Review of David Ferry’s *Aeneid* translation:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/books/review/aeneid-virgil-david-ferry-translation.html

Review of Mary Beard’s *Women and Power*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/books/review-women-power-manifesto-mary-beard.html

Review of the stage production of Robert Harris’ *Imperium*:

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/dec/08/imperium-review-rsc-swan-stratford-upon-avon-robert-harriss-cicero-

More on volcanic eruptions and the demise of the Ptolemies:

http://trinitynews.ie/cleopatra-the-forces-of-nature-and-the-future-of-communication/

—–

Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/

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

EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)

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

A9 construction revealed some Iron Age pottery near Raitt’s Cave:

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/work-on-a9-unearths-iron-age-finds-in-highlands-1-4630762

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-42227561

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15700740.A9_improvement_works_uncover_Iron_Age_remains/

http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/05/archaeologists-discover-iron-age-pottery-in-raitts-cave-during-a9-construction-7132545/

Finds from an Iron Age house site near Assynt:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-42250514

A Viking era stone carved with runes from Norway:

https://www.livescience.com/61100-mysterious-rune-stone-norway.html

https://www.archaeology.org/6140-171205-norway-rune-whetstone

A mystery burial at St Alban’s Cathedral belongs to a 15th century abbot:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-42255514

A medieval burial from Plovdiv:

http://sofiaglobe.com/2017/12/08/archaeology-mediaeval-tomb-found-at-plovdivs-odeon-site/

18th century earthworks from Poland:

http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C27376%2Chighest-situated-earthwork-poland-discovered-bieszczady-mountains.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6148-171207-poland-defensive-earthworks

Finds from various periods at South Hinksey:

http://www.oxfordshireguardian.co.uk/unexpected-discovery-flood-scheme/

A metal detectorist found some very valuable Anglo Saxon jewellery in a female burial in Winfarthing:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-42220033

http://www.dissmercury.co.uk/news/anglo-saxon-treasure-found-in-norfolk-field-valued-at-145-000-1-5307547

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/discovery-of-winfarthing-woman-redraws-map-of-medieval-power-3s3bs7ljc

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/anglo-saxon-treasure-found-by-student-valued-at-145000-36377573.html

https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/anglo-saxon-treasure-found-by-student-valued-at-145000-36377567.html

http://www.burytimes.co.uk/uk_national_entertainment/15700653.Anglo_Saxon_treasure_found_by_student_valued_at___145_000/

The preceding is usually connected to the record year for ‘treasure’ finds reported by the British Museum:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/04/coin-laden-pot-pendant-british-museum-record-haul-2016-treasure-finds

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/15701593.Jewellery_helps_put_treasure_trove_finds_at_record_level/

https://www.ft.com/content/512c31de-d905-11e7-a039-c64b1c09b482

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/how-treasure-hunters-struck-gold-1-8892459

http://artdaily.com/news/100760/20th-anniversary-marks-record-year-for-treasure-found-by-the-public

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/15702973.Coin_hoard_found_in_Dorset_field_contributed_to_record_level_of_treasure_discoveries/

… related:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2017/dec/05/rise-of-detectorists-how-hunt-for-treasure

A Swede has been rewarded for finding a Viking hoard in Gotland back in 2012:

https://www.thelocal.se/20171206/swede-makes-thousands-after-discovering-buried-viking-treasure

A metal detectorist found a 290 years bp ring in a Nantwich field:

http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/crewe-south-cheshire-news/metal-detectorist-finds-290-year-13992494

Suggestion that Stonehenge was a fertility monument of some sort:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/12/09/stonehenge-fertility-monument-stones-positioned-cast-phallic/

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11957078&ref=rss

On the tradition of hiding shoes in house constructions:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-41507752

Still arguing about the location of King Offa’s palace:

http://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk/news/15711439.Archaeologist_enters_debate_over_exact_site_of_King_Offa___s_Herefordshire_palace/

http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/15711439.Archaeologist_enters_debate_over_exact_site_of_King_Offa___s_Herefordshire_palace/

Studying the efficacy of 5500 years bp wooden clubs:

https://www.livescience.com/61140-prehistoric-wooden-club-weapons.html

On feeding the builders of Stonehenge:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/neolithic-food-miles.htm

They’ve created a 3d map of Scotland’s Sculptor’s Cave:

https://www.livescience.com/61099-cave-of-the-dead-revealed.html

http://www.newsweek.com/scotland-3000-year-old-cave-dead-infamous-human-sacrifice-map-735379

https://www.archaeology.org/6142-171205-scotland-sculptor-s-cave

Interesting crowdfunding of a French castle restoration:

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-42232308/6500-people-buy-crumbling-castle

There are ‘Heritage Action Zones’ in the UK:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-42226980

Looting concerns for a site near Kouklia:

http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/12/05/state-must-step-stop-looting-near-ancient-site-kouklia-leader-says/

More on Neolithic farming and social inequality:

https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/dec/05/how-neolithic-farming-sowed-the-seeds-of-modern-inequality-10000-years-ago

—–

Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

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

ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC

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

12 000 years bp fish hooks from an Indonesian burial:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/519438/these-12000-year-old-fish-hooks-are-oldest-ever-be-discovered-grave

A possible 12 000 years bp ‘mammoth tusk spear’ from a mammoth find in Russia:

http://www.newsweek.com/14-inch-tusk-spear-found-siberia-inside-woolly-mammoth-skeleton-742377

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6153-171208-mammoth-tusk-spear

Evidence of 5000 years bp water management of a section of the Yangtze:

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-earliest-large-hydraulic-enterprise-excavated.html

Neolithic remains from Sichuan:

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201712/07/WS5a28b061a310fcb6fafd2bc7.html

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/08/c_136811656.htm

A 3000 years bp noble burial from Ningxia:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/04/c_136799662.htm

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6138-171204-china-imperial-rule

Evidence of Indus Valley civilization navigation skills 2500 years BCE:

http://www.nerve.in/news%3A2535003973795

A possible Harappan Civilization analog at Patan Minara:

https://dailytimes.com.pk/153368/patan-minara-may-supported-civilisation-similar-harappa-another-harappa/

Trying to figure out how to clean the dome of the Taj Mahal:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/indias-cleaning-quandary-how-to-scale-the-taj-mahal-dome/2017/12/07/2e559e12-db20-11e7-a241-0848315642d0_story.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/indias-cleaning-quandary-how-to-scale-the-taj-mahal-dome/

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/india-grapples-with-how-to-clean-delicate-taj-mahal-dome-36387423.html

http://www.india.com/travel/articles/archeologists-are-figuring-out-how-to-clean-the-taj-mahal/

Feature/reviewish on the Samurai:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/public/exquisite-grotesque-samurai/

More on the search for that 2000 years bp Goan port:

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-hunt-for-2000-yr-old-port-off-goa-2562518

More on that mass grave associated with the Batavia:

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/12/new-mass-grave-batavia-shipwreck-murder-australia-history/

—–

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

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

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

NORTH AMERICA

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

Burials (including slave burials) from Delaware’s earliest settlers:

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2017/12/06/rehoboth-burials-reveal-stories-delawares-earliest-settlers/926307001/

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/experts-early-settlers-and-slaves-were-in-unmarked-graves/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/experts-early-settlers-and-slaves-were-in-unmarked-graves/2017/12/05/8dba4070-d9da-11e7-a241-0848315642d0_story.html?utm_term=.5ce5fcc658ac

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/12/05/an-archaeological-dig-unearths-one-of-the-earliest-slave-remains-in-delaware/

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/experts-early-settlers-and-slaves-were-in-unmarked-graves/article_2239f227-e29a-55b2-bde0-dd8236f0fcc3.html

https://www.archaeology.org/6143-171206-delaware-colonial-slavery

… and a very interesting slave burial therefrom:

http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/trending/an-archaeological-dig-unearths-one-of-the-earliest-slave-remains/article_e7114765-d8e7-5524-97ca-daa005f2ec70.html

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/one-of-earliest-slave-remains-found-skull-shows-how-much-he-was-abused-1784198

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/remains-tell-story-delawares-earliest-slaves-180967456/

On the ‘Angela Site’ at Jamestown:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/angela-site-reveals-daily-life-enslaved-african-america-n825701

Reconstructing a 17th century church bell from Jamestown:

https://wydaily.com/2017/12/05/jamestown-unearthed-reconstructing-a-17th-century-church-bell-nws/

An unexpected 19th century plantation site:

http://www.theredstonerocket.com/news/article_38201334-da92-11e7-859d-3bbf0b73c842.html

A possible mammoth butchering site from Michigan:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/more-mammoth-remains-unearthed-michigan-farm-180967398/

Finds from various periods at the Taylor-Bray farm site (Cape Cod):

http://dennis.wickedlocal.com/news/20171203/latest-dig-in-yarmouth-port-reveals-more-early-cape-cod-history

Archaeologists are uneasy after the ‘shrinking’ of Bears Ears (and elsewhere) this week:

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-07794-5

http://www.readingeagle.com/ap/article/trump-reduction-of-national-monuments-a-rare-move

Concerns for sites in Chaco Canyon:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/01/opinion/chaco-canyon-new-mexico-drilling.html

Not sure there is anything ‘archaeological’ about these Ice Age caves found beneath Montreal:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42227846?ocid=socialflow_twitter

Feature on the Fort Ancient culture:

http://www.dispatch.com/news/20171203/archaeology-cultural-big-bang-helped-form-fort-ancient-society

Feature on the Shakers and their ‘design’ influence:

http://www.cnn.com/style/article/design-miami-shaker-movement-furniture/index.html

Feature on the Paleo Indians of Colorado:

http://www.rmpbs.org/coloradoexperience/early-colorado/paleo-indians/

On Civil War reenactments … during the Civil War:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/civil-war-reenactments-were-thing-even-during-civil-war-180967405/

On the history of the KKK:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/04/books/review/linda-gordon-the-second-coming-of-the-kkk.html

More on rethinking the dependence on corn in the American southwest:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uoc-asf112717.php

http://azdailysun.com/news/local/ancestral-puebloans-used-fire-to-help-them-survive-south-of/article_9b4b3bbb-c178-5aac-b2a8-b0c7600a2259.html

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

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

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

A major mapping project for some petroglyphs in Venezuela:

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-venezuelan-art-unprecedented.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/ucl-vra120517.php

https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2017/12/07/Scientists-map-ancient-rock-art-in-Venezuela/2151512663060/

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/12/pre-colombian-rock-art-scanned-venezuela-south-america-spd/

https://www.archaeology.org/6151-171208-venezuela-rock-art

Reviving (sort of) the Aztec/Maya ball game:

https://elpais.com/internacional/2017/12/03/la_serpiente_emplumada/1512332599_416640.html

—–

Mike Ruggeri’s Ancient Americas Breaking News:

http://goo.gl/1VdeA

Ancient MesoAmerica News:

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

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

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

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

On Bronze Age use of meteoric iron in various cultures:

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-bronze-age-artifacts-meteoric-iron.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/c-baa120417.php

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/1.826890

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/bronze-age-artifacts-meteoric-iron-05498.html

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2017/12/05/iron-artifacts-bronze-age-meteor/

https://www.archaeology.org/6141-171205-bronze-age-iron

Much coverage of the carbon dating of a bone purportedly belonging to Saint Nicholas:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/uoo-cab120517.php

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-ancient-bones-santa-real.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171205203041.htm

http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-12-05-could-ancient-bones-suggest-santa-was-real

http://www.bbc.com/news/education-42239197

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/bone-old-enough-be-santa-clauss-pelvis-180967444/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6145-171206-saint-nicholas-relic

… but something important was skipped over in the coverage (and research, it seems):

https://www.livescience.com/61146-origins-of-santa-claus-bone.html

… and a feature on Saint Nick:

http://www.dw.com/en/why-st-nicholas-puts-candy-in-boots-and-stole-our-hearts/a-18889948

Other Christmas-related items seem to be out early this year, e.g., on the Magi’s gifts:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/why-did-the-magi-bring-gold-frankincense-and-myrrh/

… and the date of Christmas:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/new-testament/how-december-25-became-christmas/

… maybe this thing on the history of mince pies:

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20171208-the-strange-and-twisted-history-of-mince-pies

… and a ‘biography’ of Christmas:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/01/books/review/christmas-biography-judith-flanders.html

Not sure where to put this one … the US is trying to seize a ring (and other items) seized by Turkey supposedly trafficked by ISIS:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-justice-terrorism/justice-department-seeks-warrant-to-seize-ancient-ring-trafficked-by-isis-idUSKBN1E02OV

http://www.newsweek.com/us-hunting-isis-jewels-fund-groups-terror-worldwide-740597

https://www.courthousenews.com/gold-ring-seized-by-turkey-eyed-in-forfeiture-action/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-tries-to-seize-antiquities-looted-by-islamic-state-and-used-to-fund-terrorism-1512584097

… and related, on the ‘weaponizaton’ of Antiquities:

https://hyperallergic.com/415471/how-antiquities-have-been-weaponized-in-the-struggle-to-preserve-culture/

Pondering why the Salvator Mundi fetched such a high price:

https://www.livescience.com/61115-leonardo-da-vinci-trophy-auction.html

Pondering Magritte’s pipe:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20171205-magritte-and-the-subversive-power-of-his-pipe

Feature on Marie Tussaud:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-marie-tussaud-created-wax-empire-180967356/

Feature on the Nobel Banquet:

http://www.dw.com/en/nobel-banquet-a-sumptuous-serve-for-laureates-and-royals/a-41708521

On hunter-gatherer storytelling:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/ucl-spc120417.php

https://www.archaeology.org/6150-171208-storytelling-hunter-gatherer

UNESCO is pondering ‘intangible heritage’:

http://www.dw.com/en/intangible-heritage-from-windmills-to-traditional-horse-games/g-41630684

… not sure if this is part of the foregoing:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-42185391

A windmill drawing from a wall in Isaac Newton’s childhood home:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/dec/08/windmill-drawing-found-on-wall-of-isaac-newton-childhood-home

Feature on warrior women:

https://blog.britishmuseum.org/bettany-hughes-on-warrior-women/

On the investment opportunities provided by antiquities (grrr):

https://moneyweek.com/antiquities-a-solid-investment/

http://www.ibtimes.com.au/tales-treasures-sunken-shipwrecks-why-they-make-priceless-investments-1562538

On the greatest general:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/napoleon-wins-battle-of-the-great-generals-q05j02nn6

On the history of purple:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/09/style/purple-pantone-color-year.html

On the heroine of the Island of the Blue Dolphins:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-archaeologists-and-historians-are-finding-about-heroine-beloved-young-adult-novel-180967401/

Remembering Vincent Scully:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/opinion/vincent-scully-architecture.html

Review of a book about Giorgio Vasari:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/01/books/review/collector-of-lives-giorgio-vasari-biography-rowland-charney.html

More on the Apocalypse of James papyrus:

http://cherwell.org/2017/12/04/heretical-text-of-jesus-brother-found-in-oxford/

https://www.archaeology.org/6136-11204-greek-gnostic-document

Archaeology Podcast Network:

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

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

MUSEUM MATTERS

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

India and the World:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mumbai-exhibit-tells-story-india-help-british-museum-180967370/

Adolph de Meyer:

http://www.dw.com/en/why-pioneering-photographer-adolf-de-meyer-is-the-debussy-of-the-camera/a-41595276

Cabinets of Antiquities:

http://www.thenews.pl/1/6/Artykul/338177,Cabinets-of-Antiquities-from-Greece-Rome-Egypt-open-in-Warsaw

A Ghost of an Idea:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/the_first_scrooge

Charles II:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/07/charles-ii-exhibition-reveals-how-he-tackled-the-kings-evil

Hadrian and Athens:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/223889/article/ekathimerini/life/national-archaeological-museum-sheds-light-on-hadrians-world

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/28694-national-archaeological-museum-in-athens-sheds-light-on-hadrian%E2%80%99s-world.html

Never Ending Stories:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20171204-the-ancient-symbol-that-spanned-millennia

Mummy portraits:

http://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/view/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/paint-the-eyes-softer.html

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Salvator Mundi is destined for the Louvre Abu Dhabi:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/dec/07/world-record-da-vinci-painting-to-be-exhibited-at-louvre-abu-dhabi

http://www.dw.com/en/salvator-mundi-da-vinci-painting-that-sold-for-450-million-headed-to-louvre-abu-dhabi/a-41685659

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42260985

http://www.cnn.com/style/article/record-breaking-da-vinci-painting-abu-dhabi-louvre/index.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/07/leonardo-da-vincis-salvator-mundi-which-sold-for-450-3-million-is-bound-for-the-louvre-abu-dhabi/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/world/middleeast/salvator-mundi-da-vinci-saudi-prince-bader.html

https://elpais.com/cultura/2017/12/07/actualidad/1512617638_022215.html

The Frick has purchased its first painting in decades:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/arts/design/frick-buys-borghese-painting-gerard.html

The Getty is well-equipped to deal with fires:

https://www.thenationalherald.com/184144/las-getty-center-built-protect-greek-roman-antiquities-flames/

https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2017-12-06/las-getty-center-was-built-with-fire-protection-in-mind

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/society/28716-la%E2%80%99s-getty-center-to-protect-its-greek-antiquities-from-flames.html

Boston’s MFA has opened a gallery for Greece and Rome:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/art/2017/12/06/the-mfa-opens-classical-art-gallery/dXlvqMQ8bFK0N8AIrijoxO/story.html

http://www.mfa.org/news/daily-life-in-ancient-greece

More on the BM’s plans for new storage facilities:

https://www.apollo-magazine.com/british-museum-plans-to-open-storage-facilities-out-of-london/

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

THE TECHY SIDE

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

Using 3d imagery to study early butchering techniques:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/pu-nam120517.php

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-approach-early-human-butchering.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171206090528.htm

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6144-171206-butchery-mark-analysis

More on that high tech xraying of a mummy:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42218032

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

ON THE DNA FRONT

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

Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/

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

TOURISTY THINGS

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

Plovdiv:

http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/plovdiv-bulgaria/index.html

Bath:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/visiting-the-roman-baths-everything-you-need-to-know/

Mayan Guatemala (and Honduras):

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/themes/adventure/99589601/Immersed-in-Guatemalas-Mayan-history

http://www.philly.com/philly/living/travel/immersed-in-the-mayan-history-of-guatemala-and-honduras-20171208.html

Andes:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/destinations/taking-the-high-road-over-theandes/article37220079/?cmpid=rss1

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

CRIME BEAT

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

Latest in the court case involving those Persian artifacts at the Oriental Institute:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-iran/u-s-top-court-wary-over-allowing-seizure-of-ancient-persian-artifacts-idUSKBN1DY2E9

https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-justices-cast-doubt-over-hamas-bomb-victims-claim-to-iran-artifacts/

http://theartnewspaper.com/news/supreme-court-hears-arguments-in-claim-against-iranian-antiquities

https://www.chicagomaroon.com/article/2017/11/21/supreme-court-hear-case-surrounding-seizure-irania/

A sort of followup to a looting in Utah story from a while ago:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/05/pilfered-artifacts-three-suicides-and-the-struggle-over-federal-land-in-utah/

A vandalizing sites case from Arkansas:

http://www.boonevilledemocrat.com/news/20171205/two-charged-with-vandalizing-archaeological-site

A coin seizure at Cairo’s airport:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/35688/Cairo-Airport-thwarts-smuggling-of-28-historic-coins

… and another bust at the airport (not sure if this is the same as the above):

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/36129/Hurghada-Airport-thwarts-smuggling-of-102-artifacts

Looting at Vernon Lake (Louisiana):

http://www.postsouth.com/news/20171202/looting-at-lake

Feature on the trafficking of Hopi artifacts:

https://psmag.com/tag/hopi

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

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

Peru has recovered some books taken by the Chilean army over a century ago:

http://www.elmostrador.cl/cultura/2017/12/05/despues-136-anos-regresan-a-peru-invaluables-libros-que-fueron-sustraidos-por-el-ejercito-chileno-de-la-biblioteca-nacional-de-lima/

Some jewellery taken from Angkor ages ago was returned:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/angkor-jewellery-returned

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

NUMISMATICA

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

Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/club_nbs_esylum_v20n50.html

… and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/club_nbs_esylum_v20n51.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/2672-audio-news-from-archaeologica-26-november-2017-2-december-2017

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

OBITUARIES

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

Vincent Scully:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/01/obituaries/vincent-scully-97-influential-architecture-historian-dies.html

https://news.yale.edu/2017/12/01/memoriam-vincent-scully-beloved-teacher-helped-shape-nation

http://theartnewspaper.com/news/vincent-scully-fervent-professor-of-art-of-architecture-has-died-aged-97

David Waterhouse:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/scholar-david-waterhouse-had-a-passion-for-japanese-culture/article37188177/

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

CONFERENCES

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

Theoretical Archaeology Group (Dec. 2017):

http://tag2017cardiff.org/

Hidden Cultural Heritage (April 2018):

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

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

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

The Book and the Spade:

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

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

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news of archaeological finds, historical research and the like.

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