===============================================================
explorator 23.38 January 10, 2021
===============================================================
You can read explorator online at:

https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/

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, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay, Jona Lendering,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
A study of adaptations to environmental changes made by hominins at Olduvai:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/mpif-oho010421.php https://phys.org/news/2021-01-oldest-hominins-olduvai-gorge-persisted.html https://phys.org/news/2021-01-tanzania-olduvai-gorge-reveal-ancient.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210107083754.htm https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-discovery-of-two-million-year-old-tools-shows-human-adaptability-2/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/tools-homo-sapiens-habilis-nature-journal-discovery-calgary-1.5864472
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/this-is-how-hominins-adapted-to-a-changing-world-2-million-years-ago/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/oldest-hominins-of-olduvai-gorge.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/08/hominins-of-olduvai-gorge-coped-with-ecological-changes/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9361-210108-tanzania-oldowan-toolkits

200 000 years bp tools from Saudi Arabia (we may have mentioned this):

https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/200000-year-old-tools-from-stone-age-unearthed-in-saudi-arabia-s-qassim/ar-BB1cnTFa
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9349-210104-migration-arabian-peninsula

Review of a book suggesting we weren't evolved to exercise:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/books/review/exercised-daniel-lieberman.html https://www.npr.org/2021/01/05/953249677/exercised-explains-why-it-can-be-hard-to-commit-to-working-out-and-why-we-should

More on that Neanderthal child burial from a few weeks ago:

https://www.wral.com/neanderthal-childs-skeleton-buried-41-000-years-ago-may-solve-long-standing-mystery/19457560/
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Seeking pirate treasure in the Seychelles:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/seychelles-pirates-treasure/index.html

More on baboon skulls as a possible link to the Kingdom of Punt:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-this-baboon-skull-a-clue-to-egypts-lost-kingdom-of-punt?source=articles&via=rss
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
The tomb of Ramses I has reopened for tourists:

https://www.egyptindependent.com/photos-after-its-restoration-egypt-reopens-ramses-i-tomb-in-luxor-for-visitors/

Ram statues at Karnak's temple of Amun Ra are being restored:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/rams-statues-behind-first-pylon-in-temple-of-amun-ra-in-karnak/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/restoration-project-of-rams-statues.html

Restoration work on the Clock Tower of the Mohammed Ali Mosque in Cairo has commenced:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96122/What-is-the-truth-behind-the-Clock-Tower-of-Mohammad

Once again, Egypt announces that an announcement about Saqqara is coming:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96160/1st-archeological-discovery-in-2021-to-be-announced-from-Egypt

Feature on the Amarna letters:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2020/11-12/pharaohs-amarna-letters-expose-politics-3300-years-ago/

Feature on Tut's 'multi layered' sarcophagi:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96029/Acquaint-yourself-with-Tutankhamun%E2%80%99s-multi-layered-sarcophagi

Feature on Egyptian purple pigments:

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/news/science-notes-parsing-the-properties-of-egyptian-purple-pigments.htm

Feature on Newton's 'obsession' with the Great Pyramid:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/96131/Newton-the-Egyptian-Antiquities-What-is-the-secret-of-his

Not sure if we mentioned the additional tourist facilities going in by the Giza pyramids:

https://www.euronews.com/2021/01/07/egypt-s-giza-pyramids-are-getting-a-revamp-to-boost-tourism

Assorted items from various periods have been added to Iran's heritage list:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456660/Prehistorical-clay-heads-griffin-earthen-mask-added-Iran-national

... and Iran is seeking UNESCO Heritage status for the Teymareh petroglyphs:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456797/Iran-seeks-UNESCO-recognition-for-millennia-old-petroglyphs

Finds from various periods from the Amida mound (Diyarbakir, Turkey) excavations:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amida-mound-reveals-diyarbakirs-history-161402

A (possibly archaizing) seal bearing the name of Thutmose III from the site of Comana Pontica (Turkey):

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/ancient-egyptian-seal-sheds-light-on-northern-turkeys-ancient-city-comana-pontica/news
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/ancient-egyptian-seal-found-by-archeologists-in-turkey-3558181

Remains of 1500 years bp cisterns from Metropolis:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cisterns-unearthed-in-metropolis-ancient-city-161235
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/late-roman-cisterns-unearthed-in.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/huge-cisterns-provided-water-ancient-city-metropolis-discovered-180976685/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9350-210104-turkey-metropolis-cisterns

Remains of a Crusader-era ramp at Ashkelon have been identified:

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/crusader-era-siege-ramp-protecting-israeli-city-from-the-desert-1.9421886

More on that Severan 'bribe' inscription:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/01/10/roman-town-paid-huge-amount-silver-bribe-new-emperor-inscription/

More on the 'dance floor' where John the Baptist was condemned (this has been spun in various ways over the past weeks):

https://www.thedailybeast.com/have-archaeologists-found-historys-deadliest-dance-floor
https://www.livescience.com/dance-floor-john-the-baptist-execution.html https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/archaeologists-believe-theyve-found-where-the-dance-that-killed-john-the-baptist-happened/

More on the Byzantine-era church and the 2000 years bp mikveh from the environs of Gethsemane:

https://www.livescience.com/ritual-bath-gethsemane-judas-betrayed-jesus.html http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/gethsemane-church-mikveh-09216.html

More on that 1700 years bp lamp workshop from Beit Nattif:

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/beit-nattif-oil-lamp-workshop-09214.html

A podcast featuring Aren Maeir chatting about the Philistines:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/podcast-everything-you-know-about-the-philistines-is-wrong-says-archaeologist/

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
A burial ground from Larnaca (used from the 12th century BCE to Roman times, apparently):

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2021/01/08/ancient-cemetery-discovered-under-street-in-larnaca-cyprus/

A Messapic necropolis from Alezio is being excavated (all coverage in Italian so far):

https://www.corrieresalentino.it/2021/01/prima-campagna-di-ricerche-archeologiche-ad-alezio-nuove-scoperte-sui-riti-funerari-della-civilta-messapica/
https://leccezionale.it/2021/01/08/messapi-nuove-scoperte-archeologiche-ad-alezio/
https://www.bonculture.it/news-comunicati/archeologia-civilta-messapica-scoperta-la-tomba-di-un-bambino-in-salento/
http://www.artemagazine.it/attualita/item/12329-archeologia-civilta-messapica-scoperta-la-tomba-di-un-bambino-in-salento
https://www.agi.it/cultura/news/2021-01-08/archeologia-scoperta-necropoli-salento-10940593/

Sculptures of Asclepius and Serapis from Kibyra (Turkey):

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/statuette-of-asklepios-bust-of-serapis-found-in-kibyra-161432
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/10/statue-ancient-greek-god-turkey/ http://www.archaeology.org/news/9362-210108-turkey-kibyra-sculptures

A Roman aqueduct near Troy has been restored and there are tourism hopes (dating issues in all of these articles):

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-aqueduct-of-troy-under-restoration-161481
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/troys-3500-year-old-kemerdere-aqueduct-poised-to-boost-tourism-after-restoration

A Byzantine-era Greek inscription/tombstone from the Negev region of Israel:

https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/History/Pages/Ancient-Greek-inscription-discovered-near-Nitzana-6-January-2021.aspx
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/ancient-greek-inscription-found-by-chance-in-the-negev-654472
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-byzantine-tombstone-inscribed-blessed-maria-found-in-southern-israel-1.9428845
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/01/08/burial-stone-inscribed-in-ancient-greek-discovered-in-negev-desert/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/1400-year-old-tombstone-of-christian-woman-discovered-at-negev-park/
https://world.greekreporter.com/2021/01/09/byzantine-tombstone-with-greek-inscription-found-in-israel/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/07/israel-burial-stone-greek/ https://aleteia.org/2021/01/09/1400-year-old-christian-tombstone-found-in-israel-reads-blessed-maria/
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/byzantine-greek-inscription-discovered.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tombstone-inscribed-in-ancient-greek-is-found-in-southern-israel-180976711/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9358-210107-israel-byzantine-tombstone

Plans are afoot to restore that Alexander mosaic found at Pompeii many years ago:

https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2021/01/07/pompeiis-alexander-the-great-mosaic-set-to-be-restored_5f40bc6a-203f-4d86-b2ff-9dee459bf0bb.html
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-pompeiis-alexander-mosaic-to-be-restored.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/pompeiis-alexander-great-mosaic-set-to.html

Those Roman baths recently found in Amman are to be reburied:

https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/jordan-s-newly-discovered-roman-baths-to-be-covered-back-up-1.1143082

Greek archaeologists are not in favour of government plans for lending artifacts:

https://hellenicnews.com/greek-civilization-treasures-are-not-for-export-or-sale/

Feature on the Colosseum in the current COVID situation:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/2021/01/08/rome-colosseum-tourists-covid/

Overviewish thing on British and Czech excavations in Constantinople over the past decade or so:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/hagia-sophia-roman-constantinople-istanbul-archaeology-b1782059.html

Ancient Greece had a market economy some 3000 years earlier than previously thought, apparently (I think we this a while ago):

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/ancient-greece-market-economy-3-000-years-earlier-aegean-interdependence-integration-1.9345453

A study of Silphium:

https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/1/102

More on that 2500 years bp Temple of Aphrodite unearthed in Izmir:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/2-500-year-old-aphrodite-temple-discovered-in-turkey-161339
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/2500-year-old-aphrodite-temple.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2500-year-old-temple-aphrodite-found-turkey-180976694/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9352-210105-turkey-aphrodite-temple

(Much) more on that Greek inscription 'slab' found in an English garden:

https://www.livescience.com/ancient-roman-slab-found-english-garden.html https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-55532249 https://www.cnn.com/style/article/roman-slab-mystery-gbr-scli-intl-scn/index.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9111159/Marble-slab-dug-bungalow-garden-revealed-rare-Roman-relic-worth-15-000.html
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/06/ancient-greek-marble-slab-england/ https://boingboing.net/2021/01/05/ancient-inscribed-marble-slab-from-rome-mysteriously-found-in-england-garden.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/marble-block-dug-up-in-uk-garden-found.html

More on remains of 66 Roman military camps in northern Spain being found:

https://www.livescience.com/roman-army-camps-infamous-conquest.html https://finance.yahoo.com/news/archaeologists-found-dozens-ancient-roman-144400792.html

More on plans for a floor for the remains of the Colosseum:

https://www.thelocal.it/20210106/romes-colosseum-to-get-high-tech-floor-like-in-gladiator-times
https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/engineers-sought-to-build-new-floor-for-romes-colosseum-07-01-2021/

More on remains of a Roman road in Northumberland:

https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/roman-road-pre-dating-hadrians-wall-discovered-northumberland-3082660
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9351-210104-england-roman-frontier

More on the thermopolium revealed recently at Pompeii:

https://napoli.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/12/26/news/pompei_ritrovato_un_termopolio_intatto-279921637/
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-street-shop-in-pompeii/
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/archaeologists-uncover-fast-food-counter-at-pompeii/

Review of Robin Lane Fox, *The Invention of Medicine*:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattsalyer/2021/01/07/book-review-robin-lane-foxs-the-invention-of-medicine-from-homer-to-hippocrates/

What William Fortenbaugh is up to:

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/533985269/professor-emeritus-of-classics-captures-an-a-cat-s-journey

Rick Lafleur on augury, Augustus, and related words:

https://www.hollandsentinel.com/opinion/20210108/secret-lives-of-words-column-augury-inauguration-and-caesar-augustus/1

Feature on garum:

http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/01/fish-sauces

Feature on reaction to Roman finds from South Shields back in Victorian times:

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/how-roman-finds-south-shields-19565255

Feature on Hagia Sophia:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hagia-sofia-lord-preserve-us-wrote-builders-of-56m-high-dome-sn9wmk9wv

Feature on gender roles in ancient Sparta:

https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/what-history-books-never-told-you-about-gender-roles-in-ancient-sparta-6ace0a004b79

Feature on the Antonine Wall:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/vallum-antonini-the-antonine-wall/136706

Feature on Hadrian's Wall:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/vallum-aulium-hadrians-wall/136689

Feature on Greek fire:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/09/greek-fire-the-ancient-weapon-sti-ll-a-mystery-today/

Feature on the Riace bronzes and their museum (Italian):

http://www.meteoweb.eu/2021/01/i-bronzi-di-riace-ed-il-museo-nazionale-archeologico-di-reggio-calabria/1530402/

Feature on some Roman wine barrels found at Reims back in 2008:

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2021/01/preserved-roman-wine-barrels-reveal-ancient-coopers-art/
https://vinepair.com/booze-news/ancient-wine-barrels-champagne/

Feature on the 'aesthetic prejudice' towards white classical statuary:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-aesthetic-prejudice-towards-white-classical-statues

Feature on Messalina:

https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday/messalina-aa0bd471608a

Feature on food eaten in the Roman military:

https://medium.com/exploring-history/food-that-conquered-the-world-roman-legions-fields-and-fury-f78eb4bd2e75

Feature on the 'dog demon' of Ephesus:

https://blog.oup.com/2021/01/was-the-dog-demon-of-ephesus-a-werewolf/

Applying lessons of Greek mythology to civil strife today:

https://www.brandeis.edu/now/2021/january/athenian-justice-christensen.html https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2021/0106/1187967-leadership-managers-greek-gods/

On the relevance of the Trojan Women:

https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2021/01/08/an-ancient-still-relevant-play-about-wars-ravages/

On epicureanism v stoicism in today's times:

https://www.newstatesman.com/international/2021/01/why-epicureanism-not-stoicism-philosophy-we-need-now

In case you haven't heard what's happening to Classics at UVM:

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2020/12/02/uvm-announces-plan-to-eliminate-more-than-two-dozen-academic-programs
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
Remains of at least 17 Iron Age roundhouses (and more) from Tye Green:

https://gizmodo.com/iron-age-settlement-with-large-roundhouses-and-roman-tr-1845986689
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/01/iron-age-settlement-with-large-roundhouses-and-roman-trinkets-found-in-the-uk/

A 600 years bp hoard of 6500 silver coins and other items from a Polish field:

https://observer.com/2021/01/polish-treasure-found-silver-coins-sluszkow/ https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/medieval-treasure-trove-found-in-polish-field/136638
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/medieval-treasure-trove-found-in-polish-field/

The remains of a 13h century French cleric from Saint-Medard de Soissons:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/01/06/le-corps-dun-abbe-du-xiiie-siecle-retrouve-a-labbaye-de-soissons/

Construction in Tartu (Estonia) has revealed remains of houses damaged during the Great Northern War:

https://news.err.ee/1227481/archaeologists-discover-medieval-early-modern-objects-in-tartu-city-center
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9356-210106-estonia-tartu-war

Excavations in Cruas (France) have revealed a 19th century covent with some flood response features:

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/romanesque-convent-excavated-france-1234580879/

A Victorian-era bathhouse beneath a Manchester car park:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/10/victorian-mayfield-bathhouse-uncovered-archaeologist-beneath-manchester-car-park

A search for prehistoric and later remains near Plympton:

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/search-underway-pre-historic-roman-4869248

Centuries-old paw prints from a Florence cathedral roof:

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/search-underway-pre-historic-roman-4869248

Interesting study reveals 'plastic contamination' at the Castell Henllys Iron Age village site in Wales:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/world/iron-age-roundhouses-plastic-scn/index.html
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeologists-just-found-a-lot-of-plastic-at-an-archaeological-site/
https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/29001/20210108/calling-card-future-plastic-waste-found-iron-age-site.htm
https://earther.gizmodo.com/archaeologists-uncover-disturbing-amount-of-plastic-was-1846001570

... see also: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/iron-age-in-the-plastic-age-anthropocene-signatures-at-castell-henllys/716DAC98547C4A4D971E2E916589B8A3

On slave trade links to Scotland's Glenfinnan:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/07/history-of-scotlands-glenfinnan-memorial-rewritten-after-to-slave-trade-revealed

Pondering the purpose of Stonehenge:

https://www.livescience.com/why-were-henges-built.html

A study of Neolithic goat herding in the south Pyrenees:

https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-01-07/la-primera-trashumancia-de-europa.html https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0244139

Feature on the restoration of the chapel at Versailles:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/01/04/video-apres-1000-jours-de-restauration-la-chapelle-de-versailles-retrouve-ses-dorures/

Feature on Sutton Hoo:

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/639394/sutton-hoo-ship-burial-facts

----------
Archaeology in Europe News:

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

Medievalists.net:

https://www.medievalists.net/category/news/

Viking Archaeology Blog:

http://viking-archaeology-blog.blogspot.com/

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC ================================================================
An 1840 years bp stone vessel has helped identify the tomb of six (maybe) Han Dynasty emperors:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/chinese-discover-remains-of-six-emperors-in-ancient-tomb-95nt76g5q
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/12/1800-year-old-stone-vessel-helps.html

A 1400+ years bp burial from Henan featuring (inter alia) a white marble bed:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202101/04/WS5ff3014fa31024ad0baa05de.html https://unb.com.bd/category/World/1400-yr-old-tomb-reveals-religious-exchanges-on-silk-road/62855
https://www.inform.kz/en/across-china-1-400-yr-old-tomb-with-white-marble-bed-reveals-religious-exchanges-on-silk-road_a3737194
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/schools/a-1-400-year-old-tomb-discovered-in-chinas-henan-194039
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9354-210105-china-tomb-porcelain

Tang Dynasty murals from tombs in Shaanxi:

http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2021-01/09/content_77097036.htm https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-01-09/Rare-Tang-Dynasty-murals-unearthed-in-NW-China-s-Shaanxi-WU0jcwtf1K/index.html

Feature on China's Belt and Road Initiative (relating to the Silk Road):

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-ancient-silk-roads-historical-significance-and-its-role-in-inspiring-joint-development-of-the-belt-and-road-initiative-301202677.html

Feature on the restoration of the Dazu Rock Carvings:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202101/08/WS5ff798c3a31024ad0baa13ac_4.html

Plans for an Angkor theme park:

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3116290/angkor-theme-park-siem-riep-smart-city-boost-cambodia

Plans for a geophysical/archaeological survey in Panchkhal:

http://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/department-of-archaeology-to-conduct-geophysical-survey-in-panchkhal/

I think we mentioned this 12th century Mahayana Buddhist monastery found in Bihar:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/first-hilltop-monastery-of-gangetic-valley-found-in-lakhisarai/articleshow/80086276.cms
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/first-hilltop-buddhist-monastery-found.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/11th-12th-century-buddhist-monastery-headed-woman-found-eastern-india-180976700/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9355-210106-india-buddhist-monastery

Seven bronze (it appears) idols revealed during planting at a coconut grove in Tiruvar:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/idols-unearthed-at-coconut-grove-in-tiruvarur-district/article33518302.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/idols-unearthed-at-coconut-grove/article33522323.ece

Possible evidence of earthquake-resistant structures in Gujarat some 1500 years bp:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/earthquake-resistant-buildings-in-gujarat-1500-yrs-ago/articleshow/80181421.cms

In case you missed the study demonstrating evidence of trade of spices and bananas from South Asia to the Mediterranean:

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/culture/2021/01/05/bananas-and-soy-consumed-in-mediterranean-3700-years-ago_e76fe8e8-53b3-4f20-800b-14130281a951.html

Feature on the impact of Aboriginal collaboration in archaeology in Australia:

https://visual.artshub.com.au/news-article/features/museums/the-conversation/how-aboriginal-perspectives-are-transforming-archaeological-histories-261699

Seeking World Heritage status for New Zealand's Aotearoa site:

https://theconversation.com/why-aotearoa-new-zealands-early-polynesian-settlement-should-be-recognised-with-world-heritage-site-status-149981
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Finds from the excavations of a house associated with a 19th century African American resident of Huntington (NY):

https://huntingtonnow.com/archaeological-dig-underway-at-crippen-house-property/
https://www.pix11.com/news/local-news/long-island/archaeologists-hope-to-save-li-home-once-owned-by-free-slave
https://news.yahoo.com/archaeologists-hope-save-long-island-001359439.html

Assorted 19th century items from a dig in Lexington (KY):

https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article248267215.html

A golf course built on a Hopewell earthwork in Ohio is the subject of a lawsuit:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ohio-golf-course-hopewell-earthwork-subject-lawsuit-180976653/

Feature on L'Anse aux Meadows:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/lanse-aux-meadows-the-viking-settlement-in-canada/136630

Feature on the lost history of Yellowstone:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/lost-history-yellowstone-180976518/

Feature on archaeological activities (?) in Onion Creek Metropolitan Park (Texas):

https://www.statesman.com/news/ ================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
Farmers working in a citrus grove on Mexico's Gulf Coast came across a large 15th/16th statue of a woman/goddess:

https://phys.org/news/2021-01-mexican-farmers-rare-female-statue.html https://www.startribune.com/mexican-farmers-find-rare-female-statue-in-citrus-grove/600008456/
https://wcyb.com/news/offbeat/mexican-farmers-find-rare-female-statue-in-citrus-grove
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/60427 https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/300201460/mexican-farmers-find-rare-largerthanlife-female-statue

More on the additional skulls from at the 'skull tower' at Huei Tzompantli:

https://hyperallergic.com/611595/119-human-skulls-unearthed-in-15th-century-aztec-shrine/

More on recent ideas about Easter Island:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/01/07/new-findings-about-prehistoric-easter-island/

Nice list of some zoom lectures this month:

http://mikeruggerisevents.tumblr.com/
-----
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 ================================================================
Celebrating 1700 years of Jewish life in Germany:

https://www.dw.com/en/celebrating-1700-years-of-jewish-life-in-germany/a-56131698

Reflecting/predicting archaeology trends in 2021:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology-in-2021.html

... and 2020 was apparently a good year for archaeologists:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/260787/gallery/ekathimerini/life/for-archaeologists-at-least-2020-was-a-good-year

Feature on the lessons of cholera:

https://www.wired.com/story/what-a-victorian-disease-detective-proved-about-urban-health/
https://grist.org/justice/how-can-we-heal-a-fractured-america-this-victorian-era-disease-detective-offers-clues/

... and what vaccinations of WWI soldiers reveals:

https://www.wired.com/story/yes-to-masks-no-to-parties-2021-will-be-a-lot-like-2020/

Feature on Queen Charlotte's ethnicity:

https://elpais.com/gente/2021-01-07/la-abuela-negra-de-isabel-ii-de-inglaterra.html

What Dante and Homer have to do with COVID-19:

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/2021/01/05/dante-home-covid-19-pandemic-patience-column/4129052001/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/01/05/dante-home-covid-19-pandemic-patience-column/4129052001/

Napoleon's doctor gave him a note:

https://www.wral.com/rare-doctors-note-reveals-napoleon-bonapartes-poor-health-in-later-years/19461591/

Feature on Gibb's translations of Ottoman poetry:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/entering-the-world-of-ottoman-poetry-through-elias-john-wilkinson-gibbs-translations/news

Feature on a 432 years bp 'social isolation manual':

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210107-the-432-year-old-manual-on-social-distancing

Feature on the search for the 'Island of King Solomon' in the 16th century:

https://elpais.com/cultura/2021-01-06/los-navegantes-derrotados-por-el-oro-de-los-mares-del-sur.html

Feature on Japan's Kintsugi art:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210107-kintsugi-japans-ancient-art-of-embracing-imperfection

Feature on Japan dealing with European culture:

https://aeon.co/videos/farcical-situations-and-culture-clashes-when-japan-met-modern-europe-in-1862

Featre on Vere Gordon Childe:

http://isj.org.uk/v-gordon-childe-prehistory/

Feature on the 'invention' of the alphabet:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/inventing-alphabet-180976520/

Pondering Degas' ballet pictures:

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/edgar-degas-ballet-dancers-artsy/index.html https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-sordid-truth-degass-ballet-dancers

On the discovery of zero:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/how-we-discovered-the-number-zero

Feature on feminist responses to Artemisia Gentileschi:

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/01/feminist-rediscovery-artemisia-gentileschi-uk-national-gallery/617327/

Marking the completion of Grimm's German dictionary (60 years ago):

https://www.dw.com/en/brothers-grimm-german-dictionary-celebrates-60th-jubilee/a-56125658

On the history of the colour orange:

https://mymodernmet.com/history-color-orange/

Incident at the SHA conference the other day:

https://www.thedp.com/article/2021/01/nazi-salute-phrase-archaeology-conference-penn-professor-robert-schuyler

Review of Douglas, *Himalaya*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/books/review/himalaya-a-human-history-ed-douglas.html

More on that Nazi Enigma machine find:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/found-a-nazi-enigma-machine-at-the-bottom-of-a-bay
================================================================
CURRENT EVENTS: ================================================================
Events this week drew comparisons to assorted events of the late Roman Republic, including the Gracchi:

https://www.newstatesman.com/world/2021/01/fall-roman-republic-warning-about-today-s-degenerate-populists

... Marius:

https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2021/01/08/rome-violent-mob-capitol/ideas/essay/

... Catilina:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-gops-replaying-the-conspiracy-that-predicted-romes-fall

... Clodius:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/assaults-roman-democracy-blog-post-mary-beard/

Civil war comparisons were also made:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/09/trump-maga-us-american-civil-war

Curators were documenting the damage:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/arts/design/us-capitol-damage.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/arts/design/us-capitol-art-damage.html

Feature on previous attacks on the Capitol:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/history-violent-attacks-capitol-180976704/

Feature on the word 'sedition':

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/arts/what-are-sedition-charges.html

Feature on the Confederate flag:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/confederates-in-the-capitol/617594/
================================================================
ANIMAL AND PLANT DOMESTICATIONS ================================================================
A theory on meat sharing contributing to early dog domestication:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/science/wolves-dogs-domestication.html https://phys.org/news/2021-01-leftover-meat-contributed-early-dog.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/sr-asl123120.php

[continued in next message]

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)