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

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

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

Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Jennifer Cosham, mata kimasitayo, David Perlmutter,

Jona Lendering, Jack Keller, Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for headses

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

… the giant catch up issue; it’s actually incomplete but we just hit our sixth hour (!)of compilation here … more catching up next week

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

EARLY HOMINIDS

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

Trying to figure out when homo sapiens became ‘modern’ humans:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/uoh-nrs032019.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190320101957.htm

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-modern-humans.html

Pondering Neanderthal intelligence:

https://www.livescience.com/65003-how-smart-were-neanderthals.html

Studying diet of Neanderthals and early modern humans:

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-patterns-diet-mobility-neandertals-modern.html

Plenty of 52 000 years bp stone tools from a cave in Sindhudurg:

https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/52000-yr-old-stone-tools-found-in-cave/articleshow/68530956.cms

Arguing that it isn’t tool-making, but miniaturization of tools that distinguishes humans from animals:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190312123733.htm

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/ehs-fsa031219.php

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-stone-age-chips-microchips-tiny.html

Homo floresiensis had to deal with a lot of (growing) rats:

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-rat-size-reveal-habitat-hobbit.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/ehs-cir031319.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190313114754.htm

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/03/hobbit-humans-story-gets-twist-from-thousands-of-rat-bones/

A sort of general feature on Neanderthals:

https://aeon.co/essays/to-know-ourselves-we-must-first-know-the-neanderthals

More on that Denisovan skull find:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/?p=32836

More on brain size and bone marrow scavenging in australopithecines:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/?p=32879

More on that Neanderthal ‘flint workshop’ in Poland:

http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C33186%2Carchaeologists-discovered-flintstone-workshop-neanderthals-southern-poland-it

https://www.history.com/news/neanderthal-tools-workshop-discovery-poland

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7478-190318-neanderthal-tool-workshop

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

AFRICA

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

Really a DNA story but it appears North Africans were the first to colonize the Canary Islands:

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-north-africans-colonize-canary-islands.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190320141027.htm

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21/science/canary-islands-indigenous-dna.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/7492-190322-canary-island-population

Hyping a conference on medieval sub-Saharan Africa:

https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2019/03/archaeologists-gather-at-northwestern-to-share-latest-discoveries-about-medieval-saharan-africa/

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/nu-aga031319.php

Ongoing concerns for smuggling of antiquities in Libya:

https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/interior-ministry-calls-increased-attention-address-smuggling-antiquities

More on Mansa Musa:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-47379458

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Mansa-Musa-The-richest-man-who-ever-lived-729378

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

ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT

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

Plenty of coverage of the find of a sunken ‘baris’ vessel which conforms to Herodotus’ description at Thonis-Heracleion:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/mar/17/nile-shipwreck-herodotus-archaeologists-thonis-heraclion

https://www.livescience.com/65028-herodotus-ship-discovered.html

https://neoskosmos.com/en/132085/herodotus-proved-right-in-nile-shipwreck-discovery/

https://greekcitytimes.com/2019/03/18/new-shipwreck-discovery-proves-greek-historian-herodotus-right-2469-years-later/

https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/34891-new-shipwreck-discovery-proves-greek-historian-herodotus-right-after-2-500-years.html

https://world.greekreporter.com/2019/03/18/egyptian-shipwreck-proves-greek-historian-herodotus-right-after-2500-years/

https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/strange-2500yearold-wreck-discovered-in-nile-ship-graveyard-the-one-herodotus-described/news-story/9f056ebd325fe607c2b339b8200f1ea5

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-stunning-nile-shipwreck-provides-the-first-archaeological-evidence-of-a-boat-described-by-herodotus

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/wreck-unusual-ship-described-herodotus-recovered-nile-delta-180971762/

https://www.archaeology.org/news/7479-190318-egypt-baris-herodotus

Hellenistic anchors from Marsa Matrouh:

https://ww.egyptindependent.com/anchors-dating-to-hellenistic-era-uncovered-near-marsa-matrouh/

Not sure if we’ve mentioned the finds from the Amenenhet Project (digging at Luxor):

https://menafn.com/1098273382/Brazilians-unearth-unheardof-tomb-in-Egypt

Plans for displaying the finds from Tuna el-Gebel:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/67302/Tuna-el-Gebel-excavation-findings-to-be-displayed-in-the

Pondering the broken noses of Egyptian statuary:

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/egyptian-statues-broken-noses-artsy/index.html

Feature on powerful Egyptian women:

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-parallels-female-power-ancient-egypt.html

Possible downplaying of smuggling problems in Egypt:

https://ww.egyptindependent.com/cabinet-denies-32-of-egypts-artifacts-were-smuggled-abroad/

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/66951/Government-denies-smuggling-32-of-Egyptian-monuments-abroad

Upgrades at the Philae temple complex:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/328334/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Facilities-upgraded-at-Egypts-Philae-temple-comple.aspx

Really a DNA story: the first Anatolian farmers were apparently direct descendants of local hunter-gatherers:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/mpif-faf031419.php

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-anatolian-farmers-local-hunter-gatherers-agriculture.html

Achaemenid/Parthian era burials from Hamedan (Iran):

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/433865/Pre-historic-human-remains-coffins-potteries-unearthed-in-Hamedan

A 2600 years bp fragment of a Bes vessel from Jerusalem (being tied to Purim, of course):

https://www.timesofisrael.com/2600-years-ago-in-jerusalem-this-fat-jokester-dwarf-laughed-evil-spirits-away/

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Ancient-Persian-era-jar-fragment-found-in-City-of-David-584008

https://www.jns.org/fragment-of-persian-era-clay-jar-depicting-human-face-discovered-in-jerusalem/

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-found-in-jerusalem-s-city-of-david-egyptian-god-bes-1.7042407

http://thejewishvoice.com/2019/03/22/a-fragment-of-a-clay-jar-depicting-a-human-face-from-the-persian-period-was-discovered-in-the-city-of-david-and-released-to-the-public-in-honor-of-purim/

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2019-03/21/content_74595911.htm

… and speaking of Purim, the Romans tried to ban Purim parties:

https://www.jta.org/2019/03/12/opinion/the-romans-tried-to-ban-wild-purim-parties-in-408-ce-for-a-very-good-reason

https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/2019/03/why-the-roman-empire-tried-to-crack-down-on-wild-purim-celebrations/

… and a feature on memorable Purims:

https://m.jpost.com/Diaspora/Top-Five-Forgotten-Purims-of-Yesteryear-584121

A 1700 years bp Greek inscription firmly identifies the site of Elusa (Halutza) in the Negev:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/unique-1700-year-old-greek-inscription-unearthed-at-incense-route-city-in-negev/

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/1700-year-old-inscription-found-at-Negev-Excavation-583370

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-1-700-year-old-inscription-identifies-great-city-of-elusa-1.7021537

https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/archaeological-excavations-reveal-1700-year-old-inscription-of-city-named-elusa-halutza-in-the-negev/2019/03/13/

https://world.greekreporter.com/2019/03/14/ancient-greek-inscription-unearthed-in-israels-negev-desert-video/

https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/34889-ancient-greek-inscription-found-in-israel%E2%80%99s-negev-desert-video.html

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/14/c_137892771.htm

https://www.archaeology.org/news/7471-190314-israel-negev-elusa

I’m not sure if these ‘Byzantine remains’ are from the same site as the above:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/260473

I think we mentioned this 5th century CE ‘Samaritan estate’ find from the Sharon Plain:

https://www.israel21c.org/israeli-archaeologists-unearth-ancient-samaritan-estate/

A ‘Talmudic era’ winepress and mosaic floor from a site in Korazim National Park:

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Ancient-wine-press-with-incredible-mosaic-floor-discovered-in-Galillee-583800

https://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/winepress-mosaic-floor-from-talmudic-period-discovered-in-korazim-national-park/2019/03/18/

https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/2019/03/archaeologists-discover-a-rare-talmudic-era-mosaic-in-the-galilee/

http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2019-03/19/content_74585905.htm

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/19/c_137905409.htm

Tunnelling under Old City walls is raising concerns from an Early Islamic building:

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-tunnel-under-old-city-walls-would-dismantle-early-islamic-building-1.7041577

The Nea Church in Jerusalem may soon open to the public:

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/03/jerusalem-nea-church-petition.html

Reading Megillat Esther alongside Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure:

https://jewishreviewofbooks.com/uncategorized/5143/hidden-faces-and-dark-corners-megillat-esther-and-measure-for-measure/

Feature on Herod:

https://www.livescience.com/64962-king-herod.html

Feature on Berenice:

https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/2019/03/a-judean-queens-romance-with-the-roman-emperor-who-destroyed-the-second-temple/

Feature on Jerusalem’s Golden Gate:

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-for-over-1-000-years-j-lem-s-golden-gate-has-been-at-center-of-religious-conflicts-1.7046254

Feature on Gabriel Barkai’s work in Susa:

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Digging-up-queen-Esther-The-Israeli-archaeologist-who-excavated-in-Iran-584327

A 2000 years bp Sabaean inscription to an unknown divinity in Yemen:

https://www.livescience.com/65024-ancient-inscription-lost-temple-yemen.html

The Machaerus fortress has been restored:

https://menafn.com/1098263745/Jordan-Lost-biblical-fortress-of-Machaerus-restored-after-50-years-of-excavations

More on the highway vs Beit Shemesh thing:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-beit-shemesh-new-highway-collides-with-surprise-biblical-era-settlement/

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

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)

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

A Roman burial ground in Strasbourg:

https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/roman-cemetery-uncovered-on-site-of-tram-extension-in-city-in-northeastern-france

Roman remains at a medieval dig in West Cumbria:

https://www.cumbriacrack.com/2019/03/19/grisly-discovery-as-archaeological-dig-sheds-new-light-on-cumbrias-roman-past/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7486-190320-england-roman-tile-factory

A Roman site in Tripoli:

https://www.libyanexpress.com/roman-era-archaeological-site-unearthed-in-libyas-tripoli/

Some recent finds from the Netherlands related to the campaign of 53 BCE:

https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/03/15/limburgse-muntenschat-verstopt-geld-van-kelten-die-bang-waren-voor-caesar-a3953380

https://mainzerbeobachter.com/2019/03/15/caesar-in-zuid-limburg/

Applying AI to Greek texts:

https://venturebeat.com/2019/03/14/ai-uses-genres-to-track-the-evolution-of-ancient-greek-text/

Latest on the attempt to raise money to purchase the Warkwickshire hoard:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-47531633

https://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/big-push-needed-to-bring-rare-roman-coins-found-near-edge-hill-home-1-8844551

A 4th century fountain found during metro construction in Thessaloniki is opening to the public:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/238579/article/ekathimerini/life/fourth-century-fountain-to-return-to-public-view

I think we mentioned Athens’ plans to uncover the Illissos River:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/10/athens-hatches-ambitious-plan-uncover-fabled-river-haunt-socrates/

https://neoskosmos.com/en/132206/athens-anaplasis-the-beautification-of-greeces-capital/

Russia is planning to look for more Scythian burials:

http://tass.com/society/1049298

Gucci will be funding the restoration of the Tarpeian Rock:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/16/fashion-house-gucci-sponsor-restoration-roman-cliff-traitors/

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/gucci-sponsors-restoration-of-romes-tarpeian-rock.html

A Roman shipwreck off Croatia will be getting its own website:

https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/34809-pag

Some Ides of March-related features:

https://www.news24.com/MyNews24/beware-the-ides-of-march-20190315-2

http://fortune.com/2019/03/15/what-does-beware-ides-of-march-mean/

https://www.countryliving.com/life/a26635681/what-is-the-ides-of-march/

… and some misconceptions about Julius Caesar:

https://www.nydailynews.com/featured/sns-julius-caesar-misconceptions-20190313-photogallery.html

… and his assassination:

https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/death-julius-caesar-what-we-know-ides-of-march-brutus-cassius-et-tu/

Feature on the Oracle of Delphi:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/magazine/2019/march-april/ancient-greece-ruins-of-delphi/

Feature on Scylla and Charybdis:

https://thebigsmoke.com.au/2019/03/23/know-who-youre-slaying-charybdis-and-scylla-scylla/

Feature on wealthy women in Homer:

https://blog.oup.com/2019/03/women-homeric-epic/

On Greek myth in KPop:

https://www.soompi.com/article/1308251wpp/11-legendary-times-k-pop-borrowed-from-greek-mythology

Feature on Herodotus:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbahr1/2019/03/15/herodotus-is-a-big-fat-liar-and-better-than-any-historian-you-have-ever-read/

Feature on intaglios:

https://www.christies.com/features/Guide-to-collecting-engraved-classical-gems-9749-1.aspx?sc_lang=en

Feature on Socrates:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/people/reference/socrates/

Feature on Hadrian’s Wall:

https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/hadrians-wall-romans-facts-archaeology-tourism-game-of-thrones-jon-snow-watcher-english-heritage/

Feature on Tacitus:

http://theconversation.com/guide-to-the-classics-tacitus-annals-and-its-enduring-portrait-of-monarchical-power-107277

Feature on the Greek alphabet:

http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2019/03/Greek-Alphabet-Older-Than-You-Think

Feature on Eleusis and what went on there:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/13/opinion/ancient-greece-ritual-mystery-eleusis.html

On plans for Rome’s upcoming birthday:

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-celebrates-2772nd-birthday-on-21-april-2019.html

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/romes-2772nd-birthday-festivities-at-risk-as-city-axes-funding.html

Feature on *Home from War* at UVM:

https://www.uvm.edu/uvmnews/news/home-war

A Latin program in peril:

https://www.galesburg.com/news/20190311/monmouth-roseville-latin-program-on-life-support

On teaching the Odyssey:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21/learning/lesson-plans/epic-explorations-teaching-the-odyssey-with-the-new-york-times.html

Feature on some ancient dramas:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/theater/greek-tragedy-germany.html

On gossip in ancient Greece:

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2019/03/20/gossip-as-a-powerful-tool-for-the-powerless-in-ancient-greece/

Harry Potter as Homeric hero:

https://news.hamlethub.com/brewster/life/9603-homer-and-harry-potter-harry-as-homeric-hero-part-i

Interesting feature on a group of Canosa statuary at the Getty:

http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/science-reveals-new-clues-about-mysterious-ancient-greek-sculptures-of-mourning-women/

Another feature on the sound of ancient music:

https://aeon.co/videos/music-was-ubiquitous-in-ancient-greece-now-we-can-hear-how-it-actually-sounded

There’s a graphic novel version of the Iliad:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/iliad-graphic-novel-read-an-preview-1193447

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/03/rediscover-the-iliad-in-gareth-hindss-rousing-grap.html

What Marion Durand is up to:

http://classics.utoronto.ca/durand_oxford/

Mike Lippman is trying to get business types to take Greek:

http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/unl-classics-professor-encourages-aspiring-entrepreneurs-to-study-greek/article_015bb416-445e-11e9-b293-33fcb39acd91.html

Tourists caught flying a drone over the Colosseum:

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/tourists-caught-flying-drone-over-colosseum.html

Latest voices in the Parthenon Marbles saga:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/238718/article/ekathimerini/news/parthenon-marbles-focus-of-meeting-between-greek-president-us-rights-advocate

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2019/03/19/human-rights-advocate-kerry-kennedy-calls-for-return-of-parthenon-marbles/

https://greekcitytimes.com/2019/03/20/john-f-kennedys-daughter-expresses-support-for-return-of-parthenon-sculptures/

https://www.thenationalherald.com/235937/greek-president-makes-push-for-parthenon-marbles-return/

… related:

http://theartnewspaper.com/comment/what-s-in-a-title-it-s-time-to-reframe-the-parthenon-marbles-debate

Review of Rose Mary Sheldon, *Kill Caesar*:

https://techstockstandard.com/book-review-kill-caesar-by-rose-mary-sheldon/36155/

Review of Barry Strauss’ *Ten Caesars*:

https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-Reviews/2019/0322/Ten-Caesars-demystifies-the-past

Review of Tony Spawforth, *Story of Greece and Rome*:

https://www.philly.com/arts/books/tony-spawforth-story-greece-rome-20190322.html

Review of N.G. Moore, *Goodbye Horses*:

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/books/lusty-roman-ruffian-recast-507555152.html

More on Roman graffiti near Hadrian’s Wall:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/hadrians-wall-is-adorned-with-ancient-dick-pics

—–

Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/

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

EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)

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

12 500 years bp petroglyphs featuring humans and birds from a Spanish site:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190311125215.htm

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/uob-rfa031119.php

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/birds-and-people-mingle-rare-piece-rock-art-180971690/

Plans to dig at a 5500 years bp ‘mortuary’ in Aberdeenshire:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-47626652

4000 years bp burial found during building work in Wooler:

https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/4-000-year-old-human-bones-found-in-wooler-1-9660925

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-47636200

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/human-remains-dating-back-bronze-16012680

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4027991/bronze-age-iphone-found-buried-with-4000-year-old-remains-of-woman-in-ancient-grave-under-pub/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7487-190321-england-bronze-age-cist

A 3000 years bp bronze ring from Vitez:

http://www.sarajevotimes.com/ring-made-of-ring-3000-years-old-found-in-vitez/

Bronze Age jewellery find from Norfolk:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-47644527

The 7th century monastery of Princess Aebbe may have been found:

https://www.livescience.com/64961-monastery-7th-century-scottish-princess-excavated.html

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/lost-home-of-7th-century-princess-found-in-the-borders-1-4888019

https://aleteia.org/2019/03/13/uk-archaeologists-believe-theyve-found-the-monastery-of-a-key-figure-in-spread-of-christianity/

Redating the antiquity of Irish bog butter:

https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-bog-butter-study-4541342-Mar2019/

https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/study-finds-people-in-ireland-and-scotland-made-bog-butter-for-millennia/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/irish-bog-butter-actually-made-dairy-study-finds-180971724/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2019/03/15/i-cant-believe-its-3000-year-old-butter/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7474-190314-ireland-bog-butter

Interesting study of the origins of the food folks brought to Stonehenge:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/cu-pbr030619.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190313140553.htm

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-prehistoric-britons-rack-food-miles.html

https://www.livescience.com/64983-ancient-pig-feast-at-stonehenge.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/mar/13/ancient-britons-travelled-hundreds-of-miles-to-stone-circle-feasts

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-47554926

https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/feasts-near-stonehenge-drew-people-from-the-far-corners-of-britain/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/03/13/stonehenge-pig-feasts-were-all-rage-4-500-years-ago/3154153002/

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-prehistoric-britons-transported-pigs-hundreds-of-kilometers-for-feasts-at-stonehenge-1.7019685

https://www.thedailybeast.com/stonehenge-builders-will-these-pig-bones-solve-the-mystery

https://www.newsweek.com/stonehenge-pig-party-ancient-feast-1361455

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/stonehenge-pig-roasts-drew-people-all-over-neolithic-britain-180971709/

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/?p=32688

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7472-190314-pig-bones-henge

Medieval remains from Gloucester:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-47552370

A medieval burial in Lismore is causing excitement:

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/1700863/major-breakthrough-in-lismore-history-following-archaeological-find/

Searching for Whitefriars monastery in Gloucester:

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/building-significant-national-importance-could-2645527

Skeletal/DNA evidence suggest the Mary Rose had an ethnically-diverse crew:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/mar/14/mary-rose-crew-might-have-included-sailors-african-heritage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47572089

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dna-shows-crew-henry-viiis-flagship-was-ethnically-diverse-180971720/

The Melting Pot project is looking at Viking diet:

https://www.yorkshirelife.co.uk/food-drink/the-melting-pot-project-1-5931197

Feature on Viking homes:

http://theconversation.com/viking-homes-were-stranger-than-fiction-portals-to-the-dead-magical-artefacts-and-slaves-112548

Bodies of enslaved Africans found in a Portuguese dump in Lagos (Portugal):

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2019/03/22/archaeologists-find-bound-bodies-of-enslaved-africans-in-portuguese-trash-dump/

Oldest ship’s bell and astrolabe from a Portuguese shipwreck off Oman:

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-earliest-mariner-astrolabe-published-today.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/uow-ekm031519.php

https://www.livescience.com/65032-oldest-mariners-astrolabe.html

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/18/worlds-oldest-ships-bell-astrolabe-discovered-516-year-old-portuguese/

https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/this-medieval-astrolabe-is-officially-worlds-oldest-known-such-instrument/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mariners-astrolabe-recovered-shipwreck-worlds-oldest-180971761/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mariners-astrolabe-recovered-shipwreck-worlds-oldest-180971761/

A recent anchor find is causing excitement because of the ship it’s linked with:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/03/10/el-dorado-seas-anchor-found-wheres-gold-silver/3098247002/

Historians think they might have figured out the purpose of the ‘Old Brig’ shipwreck in the Thames:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/mar/23/thames-shipwreck-secrets-old-brig-seasalter-kent

Traces of York’s first railway station have been found during building work:

https://www.minsterfm.com/news/local/2831408/archaeologists-discover-part-of-yorks-old-railway/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7485-190320-york-railway-station

Plans to find ‘missing holy wells’ in Co Sligo:

https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2019/0319/1037392-holy-wells-sligo/

An Saxon brooch from Shropshire has been declared treasure:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-47557140

… has has an Anglo-Saxon pendant from Norfolk:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-47435954

Archaeologists are watching as Dublin’s port is undergoing dredging:

https://www.dublininquirer.com/2019/03/13/as-dublin-port-dredges-an-archaeologist-watches-for-treasures

Recently-discovered letters are causing a rethink of Mark, Queen of Scots:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/newly-discovered-letters-show-different-side-mary-queen-scots-180971684/

Feature on some Skara Brae women archaeologists:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-47639736

—–

Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

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

ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC

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

Traces of human activity (broadly dated 38 000 – 4000 years bp) from Guizhou:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/12/c_137889413.htm

Some 3000 years bp stone ‘architecture’ from near Urumqi:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/21/c_137913406.htm

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7489-190321-china-stone-platform

‘Chess’ rules on bamboo slips from the tomb of the Marquis of Haihun:

https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d774d3567444e33457a6333566d54/index.html

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/13/c_137892029.htm

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7470-190313-china-game-rules

Remains of a Northern Wei Dynasty imperial palace gate:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/21/c_137913692.htm

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2019-03/22/content_74599939.htm

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7490-190321-china-imperial-gate

Plenty of finds from a Song Dynasty shipwreck:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/20/c_137910380.htm

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7484-190320-china-trade-vessel

A Jin Dynasty monk burial from Henan:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/12/c_137888872.htm

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7467-190312-china-monks-tomb

Ming/Qing dynasty mercury mine sites in Ghizhou:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/13/c_137892022.htm

A Ming dynasty lacquer coffin find, also from Ghizhou:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/11/c_137886651.htm

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7462-190311-ming-dynasty-coffin

Yayoi Pottery is identifying a Tokushima site as Japan’s oldest mine:

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201903170011.html

A 5000 years bp burial from Kutch (Harappan):

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/excavations-in-kutch-shed-light-on-early-harappan-custom/article26499706.ece

https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/5000-year-old-human-skeleton-found-in-kutch-dates-back-to-harappan-civilisation/articleshow/68373303.cms

https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/5000-year-old-skeleton-unearthed-in-kutch-723171.html

… and this suggests there might be more:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/experts-discover-harappan-trove/articleshow/68366282.cms

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/excavations-in-kutch-shed-light-on-early-harappan-custom/article26499706.ece

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7468-190313-india-harappan-cemetery

Rice cultivation in India began some 4000 years bp, apparently:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/rice-cultivation-started-4000-yrs-ago/articleshow/68504952.cms

Damage to some Iron Age dolmens in Vijayawada:

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/140319/vijayawada-iron-age-dolmens-damaged.html

Karnataka has lost the most idols to theft, apparently:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/karnataka-has-most-number-of-stolen-artefacts/article26528757.ece

On efforts to save Bangalore’s historic markers:

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/mar/18/romancing-the-stones-the-race-to-save-bangalore-bengaluru-historic-markers

Humans may have inhabited Australia for twice as long as originally thought:

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/postcolonial-blog/2019/mar/11/a-big-jump-people-might-have-lived-in-australia-twice-as-long-as-we-thought

Using hep B to figure out human population movements in Australia:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-19/hepititis-b-study-aboriginal-australians-northern-territory/10914184

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190318132652.htm

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/uom-hbv031719.php

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7481-190319-australia-hepatitis-b

—–

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

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

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

NORTH AMERICA

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

Colonial Williamsburg is investigating a Virginia colonial garden connected to Martha Washington (distantly):

https://www.vagazette.com/news/va-vg-colonial-williamsburg-custis-site-0320-story.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/7483-190319-virginia-williamsburg-custis

A Civil War era log cabin was found in Detroit, and demolished (!):

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2019/03/11/log-cabin-detroit-land-bank-hamtramck/3007983002/

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/2019-03-11/detroit-land-bank-demolishes-civil-war-era-log-cabin

… and now archaeologists are looking at the site:

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/archaeologists-excavate-site-of-demolished-civil-war-era-log-cabin-in-detroit

On women in ancient Cahokia:

https://source.wustl.edu/2019/03/feedingcahokia/

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-women-cuisine-culture-ancient-cahokia.html

Arguing over First Nations finds connected to a pipeline site in British Columbia:

https://theprovince.com/news/local-news/b-c-pipeline-site-not-original-location-of-indigenous-artifacts-regulator/wcm/67cff66f-165e-4eb0-bdcb-00b116561261

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/oil-and-gas-commission-report-artifacts-found-1.5050965

Concerns for documenting Native American wooden shelters in Colorado:

https://durangoherald.com/articles/267717

Something about ‘Connecticut’s Jamestown’ (can’t connect to this one):

http://www.connecticutmag.com/the-connecticut-story/connecticut-s-jamestown-an-incident-in-wethersfield-nearly-four-centuries/article_23470b4e-45a7-11e9-a081-e75a6b99c142.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7488-190321-connecticut-old-wethersfield

What Matthew Reilly is up to:

https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/news/colin-powell-school-professor-receives-national-geographic-society-grant

What Dana Chandler is up to:

https://www.valleytimes-news.com/2019/03/archaeology-professor-enjoys-work-with-students/

Feature on Anna Murray Douglass:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hidden-history-anna-murray-douglass-180968324/

Review of Carrie Gibson, *El Norte*:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/16/el-norte-review-carrie-gibson-epic-history-hispanic-north-america

More on things spotted at Alcatraz:

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/alcatraz-prison-buildings-radar-study-13664148.php

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

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

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

Plenty of finds from Tamaulipas:

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/5000-artifacts-have-been-uncovered/

More on the moai:

https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/scientists-think-theyve-solved-one-mystery-of-easter-islands-statues/

More on the Maya finds from that cave at Chichen Itza:

https://www.wbur.org/npr/701987098/new-trove-of-maya-artifacts-discovered-in-mexico

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/near-perfect-1000-year-old-ceramics-found-in-mayan-ruins/2019/03/11/adbcafca-440f-11e9-90f0-0ccfeec87a61_story.html

https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2019/03/hundreds-of-intact-pieces-were-found-in-balamku-recently-discovered-chichen-itza-cave/

https://www.npr.org/2019/03/10/702017075/archaeologists-find-trove-of-maya-artifacts-dating-back-1-000-years

—–

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

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

Postulating a change in diet leading to the ability for humans to make ‘f’ and ‘v’ sounds:

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/03/ancient-switch-soft-food-gave-us-overbite-and-ability-pronounce-f-s-and-v-s

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/rise-farming-altered-our-bite-and-changed-how-people-talk

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/science/language-origins-agriculture.html

Some Pi Day-related coverage:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/science/pi-math-geometry-infinity.html

Feature on dogs in various cultures:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/see-how-dogs-were-celebrated-in-the-ancient-world.aspx

[more to come next week]

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

MUSEUM MATTERS

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

World Between Empires:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/arts/design/world-between-empires-review-metropolitan-museum-of-art.html

Hadrian and Athens:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/238489/article/ekathimerini/whats-on/hadrian-and-athens–athens–to-november-29

Oracle of Zeus:

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2019/03/14/greece-italy-link-through-zeuss-oracle-exhibit-in-calabria_91081bdb-a3a1-47cb-8357-cb7ceb49102c.html

Tutankhamun:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/328659/Egypt/Politics-/In-Photos-Egypt,-French-ministers-open-landmark-Pa.aspx

Feature on the Prado:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/18/travel/prado-bicenntenial.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Travel

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

AT THE AUCTIONS

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

Nice price for Luna’s ‘Death of Cleopatra’:

https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/03/10/19/lunas-death-of-cleopatra-boceto-sold-for-more-than-p9m

A Mamluk Qu’ran coming to auction with little provenance mentioned:

https://www.finebooksmagazine.com/press/2019/03/christies-displays-a-magnificent-royal-mamluk-quran-in-dubai-ahead-of-auction.phtml

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

THE TECHY SIDE

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

Modern use of lime in farms has messed up studies based on strontium analysis:

https://www.livescience.com/65017-priestess-probably-not-world-traveler.html

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7480-190318-denmark-isotopes-farming

[more to come next week]

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

CLIMATE MATTERS

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

Feature on the Younger Dryas climate event:

https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2019/03/13/Ancient-comet-impact-triggered-fires-climate-change/9121552507749/?sl=2

… and te response:

https://slate.com/technology/2019/03/humans-love-hot-weather-global-warming-apathy.html

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

ON THE DNA FRONT

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

Interesting study connects DNA from a 200 years bp pipe found in a slave barracks in Maryland to Mende people in present-day Sierra Leone:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/16/maryland-archaeology-study-slave-woman-dna-pipe-sierra-leone

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/03/15/dna-ancient-tobacco-pipe-links-maryland-slave-site-west-africa/

https://www.capitalgazette.com/lifestyle/ac-cn-pipes-dna-0314-story.html

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/03/dna-inside-tobacco-pipe-maryland-plantation-traced-africa/585133/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dna-200-year-old-pipe-links-enslaved-woman-sierra-leone-180971729/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7477-190315-maryland-tobacco-pipe

DNA study of population changes on the Iberian peninsula starting 13 00 years bp:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/mpif-udo031119.php

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-ancient-dna-spotlight-iberia.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190314151551.htm

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47540792

https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/14/world/ancient-dna-iberia-study-scn/index.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/science/iberia-prehistory-dna.html

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/03/men-who-lived-spain-4500-years-ago-left-almost-no-descendants-alive-today

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/?p=32760

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/03/ancient-iberians-dna-from-steppe-men-spain/

https://www.archaeology.org/news/7475-190315-spain-ancient-genomes

… this appears to be the same story:

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-europe-hunter-gatherers-diverse-thought-dna.html

On archaeologists and geneticists working together:

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-ancient-dna-powerful-tool-archaeologists.html

On DNA and museum artifacts:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/testing-dna-museum-artifacts-unlock-natural-history-worth-potential-damage-180971697/

Identifying descendents of a Moravian nobleman:

https://www.radio.cz/en/section/in-focus/dna-test-traces-direct-descendants-of-great-moravian-noblemen

http://www.archaeology.org/news/7482-190319-czech-republic-noblemen

Supposedly Jack the Ripper’s DNA has been found:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/03/18/dna-evidence-reveals-identity-jack-ripper-scientists-claim/3206856002/

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/03/does-new-genetic-analysis-finally-reveal-identity-jack-ripper

… but there is much skepticism:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2019/03/18/archaeological-geneticists-call-jack-the-ripper-dna-study-unpublishable-nonsense/#7ded3233b900

https://www.livescience.com/65034-jack-the-ripper-shawl-evidence.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/jack-rippers-dna-collected-shawl-though-doubts-linger-180971726/

Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/

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

TOURISTY THINGS

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

Nimes:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/t-magazine/nimes-france-travel-guide.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=T%20Magazine

Zerzevan Castle:

https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2019/03/23/roman-military-religious-life-comes-back-to-life-at-zerzevan-castle

Thuringia:

https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-16-states-thuringia/a-45260059

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

CRIME BEAT

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

Thieves stole a Breughel copy set up to trap them (they weren’t caught):

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47568323

https://www.npr.org/704257951

A Hebrew manuscript was recovered from smugglers in Turkey:

https://www.dailysabah.com/investigations/2019/03/12/hebrew-manuscript-recovered-from-smugglers-in-central-turkey

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-police-seize-ancient-manuscript-stolen-from-syrian-museum-141839

On money laundering and the global antiquities market:

https://www.artlyst.com/news/art-money-laundering-global-art-market-needs-regulation/

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

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

A Babylonian inscribed stone seized at Heathrow this week will be returned to Iraq:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/mar/10/babylonian-treasure-seized-at-heathrow-to-be-returned-to-iraq

https://www.scottishlegal.com/article/and-finally-stone-me

[more to come next week]

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

NUMISMATICA

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

Feature on the latest findings about the Le Catillon II hoard:

https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2019/03/24/coin-hoard-reveals-its-latest-secret–it-was-two-collections/

Really big bucks for Australia’s most valuable coin:

https://www.miragenews.com/australia-s-most-valuable-coin-changes-hands-for-115-million/

https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/rare-australian-penny-sells-1-15-million-013123624.html

Three weeks’ worth of the e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v22/club_nbs_esylum_v22n10.html

http://www.coinbooks.org/v22/club_nbs_esylum_v22n11.html

http://www.coinbooks.org/v22/club_nbs_esylum_v22n12.html

————————

Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/

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

OBITUARIES

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

John Richardson:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/12/obituaries/john-richardson-dead.html

Roger Mercer:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/professor-roger-mercer-obituary-lzx5rcrm0

Speros Vryonis:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/238516/article/ekathimerini/community/speros-vryonis-greek-american-historian-dead-at-90

George Stade:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/george-stade-pop-minded-literary-scholar-and-satirical-novelist-dies-at-85/2019/03/10/814490d8-433e-11e9-90f0-0ccfeec87a61_story.html

Lamia al Gallani:

http://theartnewspaper.com/news/lamia-al-gailani

Sebastiano Tusa:

http://theartnewspaper.com/news/italian-marine-archaeologist-sebastiano-tusa-among-victims-of-the-ethiopian-airlines-plane-crash

https://palermo.repubblica.it/cronaca/2019/03/10/news/tusa_una_vita_per_l_archeologia_la_sua_ultima_sfida_la_politica_ma_come_tecnico-221176634/

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

AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS

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

Audio News from Archaeologica:

https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/2836-audio-news-from-archaeologica-3-march-9-march-2019

https://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-guide/audio-news/2838-audio-news-from-archaeologica-10-march-16-march-2019

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

CONFERENCES

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

Berkshire Archaeology Day (April 6, 2019)

European Association of Biblical Studies Annual Conference (August 2019):

https://www.eabs.net/EABS/Conferences/Warsaw_2019/EABS/Abstract_system/Call_for_papers_Warsaw.aspx

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

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/

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PODCASTS/VODCASTS

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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

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