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

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

Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Rick Heli, Robert White, Trevor Ogden, 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

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

Homo erectus may have had sailing skills and may have been able to speak:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/20/homo-erectus-may-have-been-a-sailor-and-able-to-speak

https://www.independent.ie/world-news/earliest-humans-could-talk-and-sail-36622131.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/20/language-started-15m-years-earlier-previously-thought-scientists/

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/early-humans-could-talk-scientist-claims-dl2r6k8zt

A study is making connections between cave art and the development of language:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221122923.htm

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-paper-links-ancient-language.html

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/acoustic-caves-rock-art-language-origin-spd/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6397-180223-cave-art-communication

And hot on the heels of that suggestion that Neanderthals’ lack of artistic ability contributed to their demise:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/02/18/did-neanderthals-poor-art-ability-contribute-extinction/

… comes major attention on redating of some cave art in Spain suggesting Neanderthals were artists:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-neanderthals-artistic-modern-humans.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uos-nwa021618.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180222144943.htm

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/22/science/neanderthals-cave-paintings-europe.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43115488

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/neanderthals-artists-cave-paintings-decorated-shells-ancient-humans-discovery-a8223341.html

https://www.wsj.com/articles/neanderthals-had-a-creative-side-1519326000

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/22/neanderthals-not-humans-were-first-artists-on-earth-experts-claim

http://www.dw.com/en/neanderthals-the-oldest-masters-of-cave-art/a-42707939

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/23/oldest-known-cave-paintings-yield-big-surprise-neanderthals-may-have-been-first-artists/?utm_term=.ca944ddfb97e

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-neanderthals-were-artists-20180222-htmlstory.html

https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/neanderthals-were-artists-and-thought-symbolically-new-studies-argue/

https://www.timesofisrael.com/earliest-cave-art-belonged-to-neanderthals-not-humans-study-finds/

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/22/587662842/cave-art-may-have-been-handiwork-of-neanderthals

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/were-neanderthals-earliest-cave-artists-new-research-spain-points-possibility-180968236/

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/neanderthals-cave-art-humans-evolution-science/

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2018/02/22/neanderthals-cave-paintings-spain/#.WpK55xMbM1I

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-02357-8

https://www.thelocal.es/20180223/ancient-spanish-cave-art-reveals-painters-were-neanderthals

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ancient-cave-paintings-clinch-case-for-neandertal-symbolism/

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cave-art-suggests-neandertals-were-ancient-humans-mental-equals?tgt=nr

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6395-180222-neanderthal-cave-art

Giant handaxes suggest multiple human lineages in Europe some 200 000 – 300 000 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-giant-handaxes-groups-early-humans.html

On the evolution of human brain size:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180220212021.htm

I think we mentioned these 700 000 years bp child footprints from Gombore:

http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/childs-footprints-700000-years-ago

More on those stone tools from India and their implications:

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-india-archaeology-stone-tools-818995

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

AFRICA

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

A statue of a ruler named Aspelta from a temple in the Sudan:

https://www.livescience.com/61801-ancient-statue-nubian-king.html

https://www.livescience.com/61806-egypt-statue-hieroglyphic-discovery-photos.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6387-180220-sudan-statue-aspelta

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

ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT

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

Plenty of coverage of the find of eight 26th Dynasty tombs with plenty of burial goods at Tuna el-Gebel near Cairo:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/43713/8-new-tombs-discovered-in-Tuna-el-Gebel-in-Minya

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/291590/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/th-Dynasty-cemetery-uncovered-in-Egypts-Minya.aspx

http://www.egyptindependent.com/photos-egypt-announces-large-discovery-of-26th-dynasty-cemetery-in-minya/

https://egyptianstreets.com/2018/02/25/a-2000-year-old-cemetery-unearthed-in-egypts-minya-governorate/

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-archaeologists-ancient-necropolis-egypt.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/ancient-necropolis-egypt-archeologists-mummy-tuna-al-gabal-a8226891.html

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-egypt-archaeology/egypt-uncovers-ancient-necropolis-south-of-cairo-idUKKCN1G80QC

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/archaeologists-discover-burial-ground-egyptian-high-priests-n850921

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/43713/8-new-tombs-discovered-in-Tuna-el-Gebel-in-Minya

http://www.dw.com/en/german-archaeologists-help-uncover-ancient-cemetery-near-egyptian-city-of-minya/a-42726779

https://theweeklyobserver.com/ancient-necropolis-discovered-germans-egyptians/32226/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-archaeology/egypt-uncovers-ancient-necropolis-south-of-cairo-idUSKCN1G80QI

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1185706/ancient-necropolis-found-egypt%E2%80%99s-tuna-al-gabal

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ancient-necropolis-uncovered-egypt-containing-over-1000-statues-1663624

Latest theory on how the pyramids at Giza were aligned:

https://www.livescience.com/61799-great-pyramid-near-perfect-alignment.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/science/news/article.cfm?c_id=82&objectid=11998479

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/archaeologist-may-have-finally-unravelled-the-mystery-of-the-great-pyramid-of-giza/news-story/ba2b86e7eddbc5908cae5ff60a07cd08

https://news.sky.com/story/mystery-behind-the-giza-pyramids-near-perfect-alignment-possibly-unravelled-11260435

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fall-equinox-secret-pyramids-near-perfect-alignment-180968223/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6391-180221-egypt-fall-equinox

On the sun alignment at Abu Simbel:

http://www.egyptindependent.com/3800-tourists-witness-sun-alignment-at-abu-simbel/

Review of Joyce Tyldesley, *Nefertiti’s Face*:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/23/nefertitis-face-by-joyce-tyldesley-review-creation-egyption-icon

… and a piece by Dr Tyldesley on how Nefertiti’s bust ended up in Germany:

http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/art/how-nefertitis-bust-ended-up-in-germany-20180220-h0wdyb

Inscriptions in looters’ tunnels revealed after the destruction of the tomb of Jonah in Nineveh:

https://www.livescience.com/61798-biblical-prophet-tomb-iraq.html

http://www.aina.org/ata/20180218183758.htm

http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/22/isis-jonah-kind-esarhaddon-christianity-assyrian/

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-inscriptions-found-under-biblical-prophets-tomb-describe-brutal-813777

Plenty of coverage of the a seal find purporting to be the prophet Isaiah’s ‘signature’:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-clay-extra-biblical-prophet-isaiah.html

https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-find-of-biblical-proportions-proof-of-prophet-isaiah-believed-unearthed/

http://www.jpost.com/jerusalem/Seal-of-the-prophet-Isaiah-may-have-been-unearthed-in-Jerusalem-543366

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-prophet-isaiah-s-seal-mark-may-have-been-found-in-jerusalem-1.5844352

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-biblical-seal-prophet-isaiah-reveals-2700-year-old-document-may-have-816049

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/242308

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900011202/archaeologists-may-have-just-found-prophet-isaiahs-signature-on-an-artifact.html

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/prophet-isaiah-signature-jerusalem/

https://www.jta.org/2018/02/22/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/personal-seal-of-prophet-isaiah-believed-to-be-uncovered-in-jerusalem

https://www.livescience.com/61836-ancient-seal-prophet-isaiah.html

https://www.thedailybeast.com/did-archaeologists-just-prove-the-existence-of-prophet-isaiah?source=articles_sum&via=rss

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/prophet-isaiah-jerusalem-seal-archaeology-bible/

Some reaction:

http://www.rollstonepigraphy.com/?p=796

http://www.rollstonepigraphy.com/?p=801

https://theconversation.com/seal-of-the-prophet-isaiah-sorting-out-fact-from-fantasy-92296

Honours for Gabriel Wasserman:

https://blogs.yu.edu/news/gabriel-wasserman-is-awarded-a-prestigious-fellowship/

Feature on Tophets:

http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2018/02/Understanding-Tophets-Short

Maybe the Hanging Gardens were in Nineveh:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/hey-babylon-nineveh-wants-its-hanging-gardens-back-the-truth-of-an-ancient-wonder

More on the DSS priestly calendar:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-dead-sea-scrolls-deciphered-esoteric.html

http://theconversation.com/dead-sea-scrolls-deciphered-esoteric-code-reveals-ancient-priestly-calendar-91777

Gobeklitepe is open to the public again:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/worlds-oldest-temple-site-gobeklitepe-reopens-to-visitors-in-turkeys-southeast-127760

What Claudia Glatz is up to:

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-university-academic-leads-effort-14316536

Concerns for the Great Mosque of Samarra:

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/02/samarra-mosque-reconstruction-unesco-world-heritage.html

Interesting item on saving manuscripts from ISIL:

https://thearabweekly.com/iraqi-monks-tale-saving-ancient-manuscripts-isis

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

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)

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

A pair of Roman ‘boxing gloves’ from Vindolanda:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/19/rare-roman-boxing-gloves-found-hadrians-wall

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-43120942

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/knock-out-find-roman-boxing-14311448

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/astonishing-roman-boxing-gloves-found-near-hadrians-wall-knockout-discovery-1662466

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-20/archaeologists-find-roman-boxing-gloves/9464756

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-roman-boxing-gloves-discovered-northern-england-vindolanda-813641

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6389-180220-roman-boxing-gloves

Remains of a Roman barracks block from Chester:

https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/archaeologists-find-roman-barrack-block-14314159

… related:

https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/follow-trail-around-chesters-more-14324313

Latest finds from the Thessaloniki metro construction (including a headless Aphrodite statue):

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/21/thessaloniki-metro-dig-reveals-more-ancient-greek-finds/

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/24/glorious-ancient-past-of-thessaloniki-unearthed-photos/

http://www.ekathimerini.com/226119/gallery/ekathimerini/in-images/thessaloniki-archaeological-treasures-unveiled

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/30170-thessaloniki-metro-dig-reveals-more-ancient-greek-finds.html

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Archaeologists-unearth-headless-Aphrodite-statue-in-Thessaloniki

A section of 1st century mosaic from the bathing complex at Bath:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-43141937

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/oldest-mosaic-roman-baths-found-during-excavations-180968231/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6390-180221-england-roman-bath

A possible Roman origin for a Reedham church:

http://www.edp24.co.uk/features/reedham-roman-anglo-saxons-hadrian-s-wall-saxon-shore-1-5403030

Interesting study of how the ‘Gates of Hell’ at Hierapolis killed sacrificial animals:

https://www.livescience.com/61802-gate-to-hell-deadly-secret-found.html

http://eu.greekreporter.com/2018/02/23/scientists-reveal-ancient-gate-to-hell-mystery-in-ancient-greek-city/

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/gate-hell-roman-portal-underworld-can-kill-anyone-if-they-get-too-close-it-scientists-reveal-761255

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-rome-scientists-explain-geological-mystery-killed-animals-not-priests-811946

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-rome-scientists-explain-geological-100002342.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-roman-gates-hell-worked-180968197/

Philip II’s palace at Aigai is opening to the public soon:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/22/restored-ancient-greek-palace-gets-ready-for-visitors/

Putting Megacles on trial:

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/events/30147-classic-ancient-greek-trials-at-national-hellenic-museum-in-chicago-video.html

In case you missed the phallic parade in Athens:

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Phallic-parade-through-Athens-honours-ancient-Greek-god-Dionysus

… or just want a feature on erotic art of Greece and Rome:

https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-the-erotic-art-of-ancient-greece-and-rome-87859

Crossword help for ‘nemean’:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/crosswords/what-the-heck-is-that-nemean.html

Feature on Kottabos:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/kottabos-ancient-greek-wine-spilling-game

Feature on ‘Brancaster’ rings:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/new-light-cast-on-norfolk-named-roman-jewellery-linked-to-the-lord-of-the-rings-1-5402556

Analogies between Russian meddling and Troy:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/opinions/russia-mueller-bots-divisions-odyssey-tess-taylor-opinion/index.html

What Gloria Pinney is up to:

http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=26106

What Albert Ammerman is up to:

http://www.thecolgatemaroonnews.com/news/article_8a096588-17f5-11e8-bcdb-5724ce9af9ee.html

What Lynn Kozak is up to (performing the Iliad):

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/montreal-academics-live-serial-presentation-of-the-iliad-captures-all-the-allure-of-modern-tv/article38035047/

Interviewish/reviewish with Richard Thomas about his Dylan book:

https://www.theday.com/article/20180219/NWS01/180219329

https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/blowin-in-an-augustan-wind/299862

Review of Daniel Mendelsohn, *An Odyssey*:

https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/an-odyssey-review-daniel-mendelsohns-journey-with-his-father-and-homer-20180215-h0w5ae.html

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/books/an-odyssey-review-daniel-mendelsohns-journey-with-his-father-and-homer-20180215-h0w5ae.html

Review of Emily Wilson’s *Odyssey* translation:

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/02/woman-scholars-take-on-the-odyssey/

Interview with Nick Hodgson on the effect of Hadrian’s Wall on the locals:

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/story-how-hadrians-wall-destroyed-14313179

Review of Patricia Vidgerman, *Real Life of the Parthenon*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/books/review/the-real-life-of-the-parthenon-patricia-vigderman.html

Feature on Yourcenar’s *Memoirs of Hadrian*:

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/in-praise-of-older-books-memoirs-of-hadrian-by-marguerite-yourcenar-translated-by-grace-frick-1954-1.3398660

They’re already pondering a sequel to Troy: Fall of a City:

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-24/troy-fall-of-a-city-series-2/

… and the casting decisions continue to be brought up:

http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/troy-fall-of-a-city-casting-diversity-bbc-netflix-1202707708/

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-24/troy-fall-of-a-city-blackwashing-casting-black-actors-greek-myth/

More on Caesar’s landing place in Britain:

https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-02-20/wrong-beach-two-british-towns-may-not-actually-be-where-caesar-landed-55-bc

—–

Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/

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

EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)

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

Remains of a domesticated goat dating back to the Neolithic Corded Ware period from Finland:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uoh-dgd022318.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180223111548.htm

Bronze Age finds from school construction in Wichelstowe:

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16046212.Bronze_Age_artefacts_discovered_as_school_building_works_gets_underway/

Inscriptions found on a medieval spindle whorl found in Poland some 60 years ago:

http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C28263%2Conly-medieval-whorl-inscription-found-poland-comes-czermno.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6392-180221-poland-spindle-whorl

Overviewish thing on finds from a dig at St Albans Cathedral:

http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/unearthing-1-000-years-of-life-and-death-during-major-st-albans-cathedral-excavation-work-1-5400567

Excavating 20 burials from Copenhagen dating to 1000 years bp or so:

http://cphpost.dk/news/skeletons-of-first-copenhageners-discovered-under-city-hall-square.html

Bones found because of a ‘vision’ on Paphos date from the 14th century:

http://cyprus-mail.com/2018/02/24/vision-bones-found-paphos-cave-appear-date-14th-century/

Medieval remains found during school renovations in Turku:

https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/a_piece_of_14th_century_turku_under_the_gym_floor_-_our_own_pompeii/10083848

Because of ‘waterlogged ground’, Avebury henge and environs have been temporarily closed:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-43154577

http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/uk_national_news/16038968.National_Trust_temporarily_closes_most_of_Avebury_henge_and_stone_circles/?ref=rss

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16038318.Wet_weather_shuts_5_000_year_old_Avebury_stones_for__a_few_weeks____but_car_parking_will_be_free/

Some Iron Age Viking finds were apparently melted down as scrap (? I’m hoping Google is mistranslating):

https://samnytt.se/arkeolog-ska-utreda-varfor-delar-av-sveriges-kulturarv-skrotas-danskarna-skakar-pa-huvudet/

More on those skulls on stakes from a Swedish lake (pardon the rhyme):

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-year-underwater-burial-site-reveals.html

https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/demolition-workers-uncover-8000-year-old-ritual-skulls-in-sweden/

More on that Viking mass grave:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180202085235.htm

—–

Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

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

ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC

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

A possible 7th century banquet hall from Asuka:

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201802220048.html

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6394-180222-japan-asuka-banquets

A 1500 years bp tomb with armour from Shibushi:

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

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-japan-1500-year-old-tomb-discovered-human-remains-and-armor-perfect-813876

A pair of 232 years bp cannon show up during excavations at Fort Cornwallis (Penang):

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/02/20/two-200-year-old-cannons-found-at-fort-cornwallis/

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/02/21/double-ang-pow-discovery-in-penang/

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/412899

Excavating a 19th century Ottoman shipwreck off Japan:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/excavations-continue-in-pacific-on-ottoman-frigate-ertugrul-127584

Feature on archaeology in Cambodia:

http://www.news.com.au/video/id-5348771529001-5738289805001/archaeology-in-cambodia-longvek

Fire at a Tibetan monastery in Lhasa:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-43101743

—–

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

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

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

NORTH AMERICA

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

A well-travelled copy of the Declaration of Independence has turned up again:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/02/19/a-rare-copy-of-the-declaration-of-independence-survived-the-civil-war-hidden-behind-wallpaper-later-it-was-tossed-in-a-box/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/copy-declaration-independence-hidden-behind-wall-paper-during-civil-war-resurfaces-texas-180968207/

Protecting petroglyphs on Lake Mountain (Utah):

https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/protecting-petroglyphs-as-utah-county-develops/article_59c8f56f-e806-548c-9a7d-6e338310521f.html

On a cemetery built on a Native American mound in Mississippi:

https://navajotimes.com/wires-wp/index.php?id=1777263601&kid=cqB52fb1EbjxmpDx

Rejecting the Solutrean hypothesis (recently revived in a Canadian documentary):

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/21/rejecting-the-solutrean-hypothesis-the-first-peoples-in-the-americas-were-not-from-europe

On early white interpretations of assorted mound cultures:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/white-settlers-buried-truth-about-midwests-mysterious-mound-cities-180968246/

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

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

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

On infant skull binding in the Andes:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/cu-isb022118.php

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-infant-skull-identity-inequality-ancient.html

Mayan finds from the largest underwater cave (Yucatan):

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-archaeologists-fossils-mayan-relics-giant.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-cave/ancient-human-remains-ice-age-animal-bones-found-in-giant-mexican-cave-idUSKCN1G40V3?feedType=RSS&feedName=scienceNews

https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-americas/mexican-archaeologists-find-fossils-and-mayan-relics-in-world-s-largest-underwater-cave-1.706196

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/mexico-flooded-cave-1.4543416?cmp=rss

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-mayan-bones-uncovered-mexico-130204750.html

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/human-remains-found-in-underwater-cave/

http://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-mexico-discover-treasures-mayan-civilization-and-giant-sloth-812882

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/02/21/ancient-human-remains-found-in-flooded-cave-mexico-orig-llr.cnn

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/largest-underwater-cave-system-new-finds-mexico-spd/

… and concerns for the Sac Actun cave system in general:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-experts-vast-underwater-archeology-site.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/experts-underwater-archaeology-site-imperiled-mexico-53205587

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/19/experts-underwater-archaeology-site-imperiled-in-m/

https://globalnews.ca/news/4034981/underwater-archaeology-site-mexico-imperiled-pollution/

… and there are plans to make a 3d copy of the cave:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-scientists-recreate-virtual-mexican-underwater.html

… and INAH has published an underwater archaeology catalog:

http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2018/02/inah-publishes-new-museum-of-underwater-archeology-catalog/

LiDAR has revealed a major city near Morelia, Mexico:

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

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/laser-mapping-reveals-ancient-mexican-city-once-had-many-buildings-manhattan-180968202/

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/ancient-lost-city-in-mexico-had-as-many-buildings-as-manhattan/news-story/81a0b55edcf140157a5762ebce9a79a3

More on what LiDAR revealed in Guatemala:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-laser-technology-maya-archeologists-theyve.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uoa-ltt022018.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221140946.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/ancient-city-discovered-in-central-america/9478874

—–

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 assorted ‘lost cities’:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/25/lost-cities-of-the-world-angamuco-pripyat-termessos-gedi-mohenjo-daro-the-five

It apparently took a while for dogs and humans to get along:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dogs-and-humans-didnt-become-best-friends-overnight-180968232/

Conservation of the oldest Christian panel painting from the Americas:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2018/02/17/la-france-conserve-le-plus-ancien-tableau-chretien-damerique/

Arguing about the Portrait of Omai:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/feb/25/joshua-reynolds-portrait-omai-tate-john-magnier-amsterdam–row

On the evil eye:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180216-the-strange-power-of-the-evil-eye

On the spread of Proto Indo European:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-evidence-fuels-debate-over-the-origin-of-modern-languages/

Interesting early same-sex marriage in Spain:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43057841

Making the Bible into a ‘novel’ (sort of):

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/18/586556000/manuscripts-encourages-readers-to-approach-the-bible-like-a-novel

Victor Nuovo is looking at Diderot this week:

http://www.addisonindependent.com/201802victor-nuovo-diderot%E2%80%99s-political-naturalism

Interesting feature on David Fairchild:

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/02/20/586459088/like-lemons-quinoa-thank-this-food-explorer-for-bringing-them-to-your-plate

Feature on Klimt and Schiele:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180221-klimt-and-schiele-the-artists-who-shocked-europe

On Rembrandt’s self portraits:

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/19/586454391/he-s-not-a-leading-man-a-casting-director-on-rembrandt-s-self-portraits?sc=17&f=1008

Feature on W.E.B. Du Bois at 150:

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/22/587839970/w-e-b-du-bois-at-150?sc=17&f=1032&utm_source=iosnewsapp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=app

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/23/588103943/the-enduring-lyricism-of-w-e-b-du-bois-the-souls-of-black-folk

More on dice:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/02/dice-dice-baby/553742/

More on rabbit domestication:

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/feb/24/story-of-monks-who-kept-rabbits-just-that/

More on the archaeology of wealth inequality:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/aracheology-wealth-inequality-180968072/

Review of Iliffe, *Priest of Nature*:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/public/isaac-newton-oddness/

Archaeology Podcast Network:

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

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

MUSEUM MATTERS

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

Hadrian:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/21/exhibition-explores-the-roman-emperor-who-loved-greek-culture/

The Unseen Museum:

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Rare-exhibit-in-Athens-features-7000-year-old-enigma

Secret Life of Scissors:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cutting-edge-exhibition-examines-secret-life-scissors-180968194/

Insurance is expensive when Tut goes on tour:

https://www.albawaba.com/business/king-tutankhamun-trip-abroad-costs-egypt-862-million-dollars-minister-of-antiquities-1091490

On the Green Family’s ‘other collection’:

https://religionnews.com/2018/02/21/the-green-familys-other-collection/

Michael Bennett is leaving the Cleveland MoA:

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2018/02/curator_who_defended_purchase.html

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

THE TECHY SIDE

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

A new scanning technique reveals a painting beneath a Picasso:

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43088339

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/science/picasso-blue-period-scans.html

Feature on conservation techniques at UPenn’s Museum of Archaeology:

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_top/art-conservation-historical-artifacts-penn-museum-philadelphia-20180222.html

Studying Neanderthal molars using three-dimensional geometric morphometry:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-d-morphometric-molars-sima-de.html

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

ON THE DNA FRONT

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

DNA suggests Przewalski’s horses aren’t technically ‘wild’:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uok-sns021618.php

http://news.ku.edu/2018/02/16/surprising-new-study-redraws-family-tree-domesticated-and-wild-horses

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/horse-origin-mysterious-domestic-dna-analysis-przewalskis-botai-domesticated-a8224121.html

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/22/587755920/why-the-last-wild-horses-really-arent

http://nhpr.org/post/why-last-wild-horses-really-arent

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/przewalski-wild-horses-botai-kazakhstan-spd/

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6396-180222-domesticated-botai-horses

DNA is settling some controversy about the spread of the Bell Beaker folks from Europe to Britain:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/lm-app022218.php

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/snrc-cai021918.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221131851.htm

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-ancient-dna-tales-humans-migrant.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/stonehenge-neolithic-britain-history-ancestors-plague-archaeology-beaker-people-a8222341.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/21/arrival-of-beaker-folk-changed-britain-forever-ancient-dna-study-shows

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43115485

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/21/no-one-living-britain-truly-british-scientists-find-stonehenge/

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/stonehenge-neolithic-britain-history-ancestors-plague-archaeology-beaker-people-a8222341.html

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/uk_national_news/16038730.European_Beaker_immigrants_took_over_UK__study_shows/?ref=rss

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ancient-britons-overrun-by-folk-from-the-steppes-5dg3dwtgh

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-for-whom-the-bell-beaker-tolls-archaeological-mystery-solved-1.5843019

https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/prehistoric-europe-much-like-a-game-of-civilization-according-to-ancient-dna/

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6393-180222-europe-beaker-culture

This seems to be a different study of migrations in Europe:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uow-nrs022118.php

http://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2018/02/uw-scientists-part-of-research-on-prehistoric-human-migration-in-europe.html

DNA also suggests that Taino DNA is still present in Caribbean populations:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-indigenous-taino-present-day-caribbean-populations.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/sjcu-sit021518.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180219155009.htm

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/genes-extinct-caribbean-islanders-found-living-people

https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/natives-of-the-caribbean-wiped-out-during-colonization-left-dna-behind/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-dna-contradicts-historical-narrative-extinct-caribbean-taino-population-180968221/

https://www.archaeology.org/news/6388-180220-bahamas-eleuthera-taino

They’re going to test those human remains from the Whydah to see if theres a connection to Samuel Bellamy:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-museum-discuss-efforts-bones-pirate.html

https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/UNH-scientists-explore-pirate-mystery-12631839.php

http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/bones-discovered-shipwreck-cape-cod-may-belong-prince-pirates

http://www.telegram.com/news/20180220/bone-pulled-from-wreck-off-cape-cod-could-be-infamous-pirates

http://www.smh.com.au/world/dna-test-to-confirm-if-world-s-richest-pirate-found-20180220-p4z0yy.html

https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/dna-test-to-confirm-if-world-s-richest-pirate-found-20180220-p4z0yy.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/19/possible-remains-worlds-richest-pirate-captain-black-sam-bellamy/

Over the past eight years, genome research has expanded to 1300+ human genomes:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221131848.htm

Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/

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

CLIMATE MATTERS

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

The Dutch apparently prospered during the ‘Little Ice Age’:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/some-places-flourished-in-the-little-ice-age-there-are-lessons-for-us-now/2018/02/16/455fb2d8-0c25-11e8-8b0d-891602206fb7_story.html

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

TOURISTY THINGS

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

Polish palaces:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20180221-the-magnificent-palaces-of-polands-lower-silesia

Xian:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/travel/xian-china-budget-affordable.html

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

CRIME BEAT

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

Some idiot stole a terracotta warrior’s thumb from a display at the Franklin Institute (and China is livid):

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/feb/19/china-calls-on-us-to-punish-terracotta-warrior-thumb-thief

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-43109139

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/terra-cotta-warriors-philadelphia-museum-broken-thumb-spd/

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

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

The US Supreme court has ruled that terrorist victims cannot seize Iranian antiquities on loan in the US:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/terror-victims-cannot-seize-iranian-antiquities-us-supreme-court-rules

http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2018/02/supreme-court-rejects-victims-claims-to-collect-damages-from-iran.php

http://www.wtva.com/content/national/474727053.html?ref=053

http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/421531/Disputed-Persian-artifacts-one-step-closer-to-home

A different sort of repatriation issue … an Israeli collector claiming title to a statue of Cybele in Turkey:

https://www.courthousenews.com/israeli-collector-sues-turkish-cultural-ministry-over-roman-statue/

Even more different, a Degas stolen in 2009 turns up on a bus near Paris:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43168246

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/world/europe/degas-painting-bus.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

This seems also to be the category to mention that the US and Libya have signed an MoU on looting:

https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/us-libya-sign-anti-antiquities-looting-mou

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

NUMISMATICA

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

Feature on expensive ancient coins:

https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/coinweek-ancient-coin-series-million-dollar-ancients-come-close/

Followup to that coins-in-a-piano story from a while back:

http://www.dunmowbroadcast.co.uk/news/town-museum-makes-bid-to-acquire-hoard-of-rare-coins-hidden-in-piano-1-5404508

Latest e-Sylum:

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

… and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n08.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/2689-audio-news-from-archaeologica-11-february-2017-17-february-2018

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

OBITUARIES

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

Eleanor Winsor Leach:

https://classicalstudies.org/scs-news/memoriam-eleanor-winsor-leach

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

CONFERENCES

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

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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