===============================================================
explorator 24.04 May 16, 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,
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 350 000 years bp Acheulean site from Saudi Arabia:

https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/606576/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-Arabia-discovers-new-archaeological-site-dating-back-to-350000-years
https://www.thenationalnews.com/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-discovers-a-350-000-year-old-archaeological-site-in-hail-1.1221864

Neanderthals adapted to eating starches at least 100 000 years bp (earlier than previously thought):

https://phys.org/visualstories/2021-05-reconstruct-oral-microbiomes-neanderthals-primates.amp
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/hu-tod051021.php https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/mpif-tse050521.php https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-neanderthals-ate-carbs-too-fossil-plaque-study-finds-1.9807046
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/neanderthals-carb-loaded-helping-grow-their-big-brains
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/researchers-reconstruct-oral.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/11/the-surprising-evolutionary-history-of-our-oral-bacteria/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9693-210514-oral-microbiome-starches

Linking climate change to the demise of various early human species:

https://now.northropgrumman.com/climate-change-may-have-pushed-ancient-humans-into-extinction/

Study suggests 'iconic sounds' may have led to early human language development:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210512083414.htm https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/ancestors-may-have-created-iconic.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/14/ancestors-may-have-created-iconic-sounds-as-bridge-to-first-languages/

Something about a trio of Neanderthals apparently having relatives alive today in Bulgaria:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/earliest-modern-humans-in-europe-had-neanderthals-in-the-family-1.9690167

What we're learning about Neanderthals from DNA gleaned from cave sediments:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/16/tiny-traces-of-dna-found-in-cave-dust-may-unlock-secret-life-of-neanderthals

Feature on human fire use and modification of the landscape:

https://www.sciencealert.com/we-can-still-see-the-effects-of-early-humans-changing-the-landscape-with-fire-even-85-000-years-later

More on Neanderthal remains from a cave near Rome:

https://www.npr.org/2021/05/09/995214254/an-extraordinary-discovery-archeologists-find-neanderthal-remains-in-cave-near-r
https://www.wral.com/gnawed-bones-of-9-neanderthals-found-in-italian-cave-in-extraordinary-discovery/19672128/
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/11/world/neanderthal-remains-italy-scn/index.html https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/caves-in-rome-contain-remains-of-neanderthals-less-than-70000-years-old-667606
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61340 https://news.yahoo.com/archaeologists-uncover-extraordinary-neanderthal-remains-055730180.html
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/remains-of-nine-neanderthals-discovered.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/italian-cave-holds-clues-neanderthal-life-180977687/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9684-210511-italy-neanderthal-hyenas

More on that 80 000 years bp child burial in Kenya:

https://www.france24.com/en/video/20210513-archaeologists-in-kenya-discover-oldest-known-human-burial-site-in-africa
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/09/the-buried-truths-that-say-so-much-about-our-ancestors
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/childs-burial-site-tells-early-mans-emotional-life-kenyan-archaeologist-2021-05-12/

More on human origins stories not matching up to the fossil record:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/10/most-human-origins-stories-are-not-compatible-with-known-fossils/
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Feature on the search for the source of the Nile:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-source-of-the-nile-river-a-mystery-that-spanned-three-millennia

More on evidence of ancient honey collecting in West Africa:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/honey-in-africa-1968772 https://scitechdaily.com/archaeologists-discover-oldest-direct-evidence-for-honey-collecting-in-africa-in-ancient-clay-pots/
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
A new cluster of 250 Old Kingdom and Ptolemaic rock-cut tombs from Sohag:

https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/9/410963/Heritage/Collection-of-rockcut-tombs-uncovered-in-AlHamidiy.aspx
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/103832/Discovery-of-several-tombs-in-Al-Hamdiya-necropolis-east-of
https://dailynewsegypt.com/2021/05/13/egypt-discovers-several-ancient-tombs-in-sohags-al-hamdiya-necropolis/
https://egyptindependent.com/photos-archaeological-team-uncovers-over-250-rock-tombs-at-al-hamdiya-necropolis-east-of-sohag/
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1857826/art-culture https://africa.cgtn.com/2021/05/11/egypt-discovers-250-ancient-tombs-in-new-archaeological-find/
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2021-05/11/c_139939335.htm http://www.archaeology.org/news/9686-210512-upper-egypt-tombs

More on that pregnant mummy identification:

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/05/polish-scientists-discover-pregnant-egyptian-mummy
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-mysterious-case-of-the-body-swapping-pregnant-mummy

Feature on who built the pyramids:

https://www.livescience.com/who-built-egypt-pyramids.html

Feature on Amarna:

https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/12/amarna-a-guide-to-the-ancient-city-of-akhetaten/

Feature on how Napoleon's invasion 'revealed Egypt':

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/how-napoleons-invasion-revealed-egypt.html

Archaeologists in Iran are excavating the Seljuk-era bazaar of Ardebil:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/460813/Archaeologists-excavate-bazaar-of-Ardebil

.... while work has resumed at the Sassanid site of Vigol:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/460839/Archaeologists-resume-work-on-Sassanid-site-of-Vigol

3000-3500 BCE kurgan-style burials from downtown Istanbul:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/prehistoric-tombs-found-during-excavations-in-istanbuls-busiest-square-164611
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9688-210513-turkey-istanbul-burials

Feature on Mesopotamian demons:

http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/meet-the-mesopotamian-demons/

Feature on the polychromy of Mesopotamian sculptures:

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2021/05/mesopotamian-sculpture

Renewed/ongoing concerns for Iraq's heritage:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/iraqs-heritage-battered-by-desert-sun.html

Photoessay of sites in southern Iraq:

https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/archaeological-sites-of-southern-iraq-in-pictures-1.1221526

There are plenty of sites in Jordan's Ghor Safi region, but it is dealing with a lot of looting:

http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/ghor-safi-region-abundant-archeological-sites-badly-looted-treasure-hunters-%E2%80%94-researcher

Rioters attacked the Old City of Acre and the Lod Mosaic museum this week:

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-arab-rioters-attack-two-major-symbols-of-israel-s-ancient-heritage-1.9806311

Interview with Itzick Shai on the Tel Burna excavations:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/publication-push-at-tel-burna/

That recently-found mosaic from Tel Yavne is going on display:

https://thejewishvoice.com/2021/05/1600-year-old-mosaic-to-go-on-display-in-yavne/

Pondering the performance of Psalms in the First Temple era:

https://aleteia.org/2021/05/14/how-were-the-psalms-performed-in-the-first-temple-era/

Feature on the books that didn't make it into the New Testament:

https://www.baslibrary.org/collections/gospels-didnt-make-cut

Feature on the Al-Aqsa Mosque:

https://www.opindia.com/2021/05/the-history-of-al-aqsa-mosque-and-the-second-jewish-temple/

More on the 'graffiti crosses' in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre:

https://www.livescience.com/crosses-church-of-the-holy-sepulchre.html

-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
Plenty of interest in the 'identification' of one of the victims at Herculaneum as an 'elite Roman soldier' (with plenty of speculation attached):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57055163 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/10/heroic-fate-herculaneum-skeleton-revealed/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9566821/Skeleton-Herculaneum-Roman-officer-trying-help-Mt-Vesuvius-eruption.html
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2021/05/09/herculaneum-dig-sees-plinys-officer-who-died-trying-to-help_3b7cdcb3-bdca-4188-9266-54c211585539.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/clue-that-ancient-romans-were-close-to-being-saved-from-vesuvius-tdfxkxjf0
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/2-000-year-old-skeleton-identified-senior-roman-soldier-vesuvius-n1267056
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61364 https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/mount-vesuvius-victims-died-just-moments-away-from-rescue/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/vesuvius-victim-identified-elite-soldier-attempting-rescue-mission-180977734/

... and Mary Beard's spin:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/putting-a-name-on-a-roman-skeleton-blog-post-mary-beard/

Remains of a 2nd century CE Roman aqueduct from Armenia:

https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/292815/2nd_century_Roman_aqueduct_discovered_in_Armenia

In case you missed the find of a 1900 years bp bronze 'half face' lamp in the City of David:

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/second-temple-period-bronze-oil-lamp-09640.html

... and now a matching 'other half' (not from the same lamp, obviously) from Hungary is getting attention too:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/does-hungary-have-the-missing-piece-of-2000-year-old-luck-lamp-667686
https://www.timesofisrael.com/matching-half-of-2000-year-old-lamp-found-in-jerusalem-said-located-in-budapest/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/05/10/hungarian-archaeologist-might-have-missing-piece-of-rare-lamp-found-in-jerusalem/

Seven burials, including a 1600 years bp military burial featuring a bent sword in an early Christian basilica in Thessaloniki:

https://www.livescience.com/roman-soldier-buried-with-folded-sword.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9578541/Folded-iron-sword-discovered-Roman-soldiers-grave.html
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61375 http://www.archaeology.org/news/9690-210513-greece-christianity-army

A Roman burial (date?) from an excavation at Lucy Cavendish College:

https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/21417 https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2021-05-12/archaeological-dig-in-cambridge-unearths-roman-human-remains
https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2021/05/13/human-remains-found-during-archaeological-excavation-at-lucy-cavendish-college-cambridge-150642

A 4th century CE Roman coin and a knife (date?) from the lake at Bolsena (Italian):

http://www.newtuscia.it/2021/05/13/reperti-archeologici-ritrovati-nel-lago-bolsena/
https://www.civonline.it/2021/05/13/straordinaria-scoperta-archeologica-sul-lago-di-bolsena-ritrovati-un-coltello-e-una-moneta-del-iv-secolo-dopo-cristo/
http://www.tusciaweb.eu/2021/05/dal-lago-riemergono-unantica-moneta-un-coltello/
https://corrierediviterbo.corr.it/news/viterbo/27221680/lago-bolsena-moneta-romana-coltello-epoca-protostorica-ritrovamento-sommozzatori.html

A nice section of a Roman road dating to Trajan's era from Tebisacce (Italian):

https://www.corrieredellacalabria.it/2021/05/13/a-trebisacce-venuti-alla-luce-cinque-metri-di-strada-di-epoca-traianea-lipotesi-di-masneri/
https://www.quotidianodelsud.it/calabria/cosenza/cronache/la-storia/2021/05/14/resti-archeologici-svelati-da-uno-scavo-in-provincia-di-cosenza/

A home extension on a Roman site in Warrington was approved:

https://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/2021/05/12/home-extension-approved-on-ancient-roman-site/

I think we mentioned this 3rd-5th century necropolis of 'jar burials' from Corsica:

https://www.livescience.com/tombs-skeletons-in-pots-corsica.html https://www.sciencealert.com/40-tombs-with-humans-buried-in-pots-discovered-in-corsica

A (possibly) Roman burial of a family (two adults and a child) found during sewer construction in Como (Italian):

https://www.corrieredicomo.it/nellantica-tomba-ladulto-abbraccia-il-bambino/

Overviewish thing on digs going on in Catania (Italian):

https://catania.liveuniversity.it/2021/05/10/sicilia-primavera-archeologia-scavi-catania/

Plans for more digs at that unique Roman structure site in Scarborough:

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/archaeologists-dig-further-unlock-mysteries-20580320

Not sure where to put this one on the find of a silver seal in Norfolk which incorporates a much earlier Roman gemstone:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-57024803

Study suggests marble slab production during the Roman empire produced less waste than its modern counterparts:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-wastage-production-marble-slabs-roman.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/jgum-lwd051421.php https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X21002042?via%3Dihub
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/less-wastage-during-production-of.html
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/05/analysis-of-wall-decoration-dating-to-the-second-century-a-d-provides-new-insights-into-marble-extraction-and-processing/139172

An isotope analysis study suggests the Greeks had non-Greek mercenaries at the Battle(s) of the Himera:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-fought-ancient-greek-himera-chemical.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/p-wfi050521.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210512142852.htm https://www.livescience.com/herodotus-lied-about-greek-battle.html https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/13/millennia-old-teeth-challenge-military-history-ancient-greece/
https://www.inverse.com/science/ancient-greek-warriors-identities https://theconversation.com/teeth-of-fallen-soldiers-hold-evidence-that-foreigners-fought-alongside-ancient-greeks-challenging-millennia-of-military-history-160512
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/who-fought-in-ancient-greek-battles-of.html
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2277380-isotope-study-hints-ancient-greeks-used-foreign-fighters-in-key-battle/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9691-210514-greece-himera-soldiers

Interesting study of water management features of the aqueduct of Constantinople:

https://phys.org/news/2021-05-aqueduct-constantinople-longest-channel-ancient.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210511081147.htm https://www.sciencealert.com/research-shows-how-the-ancient-world-s-longest-water-channel-was-smartly-managed
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-aqueduct-of-constantinople-managing.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/13/managing-the-aqueduct-of-constantinople/

Roundup sort of thing on the excavations at Hippos with a focus on the Roman theatre:

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-excavating-hippos-and-the-last-roman-theater-in-the-world-1.9799525

More on that head of Augustus found in Molise:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/marble-head-of-emperor-augustus.html

Concerns for antiquities found during Thessaloniki metro construction:

https://www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1161117/open-letter-to-the-pm-thessaloniki-metro-antiquities-in-peril/

Reconstruction in the wake of an earthquake in Albania is apparently destroying sites:

https://balkaninsight.com/2021/05/13/in-rebuilding-after-an-earthquake-albania-is-destroying-archaeological-treasures/

Mary Beard is leaving a nice gift to future Cambridge students on her retirement:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/may/14/mary-beard-to-fund-classics-students-from-under-represented-groups
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-57102489 https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-classicist-mary-beard-retire-20588723
https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/professor-mary-beard-s-retirement-present-will-fund-cambri-9199167/
https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/21446 https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2021/05/13/mary-beard-to-fund-two-cambridge-classics-undergraduates-from-underrepresented-backgrounds-150645

Review of Robert Kanigel's biography of Milman Parry:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/hearing-homers-song-undying-melody-11620999349

Feature on Mary Ross Ellingson:

https://www.archaeological.org/archaeologists-you-should-know-ellingson/

Feature (repeat?) on Christos Tsirogiannis:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/15/the-greek-archaeologist-going-after-auction-houses-for-looted-antiquities/

More responses to Howard University's plans to close the Classics department:

https://www.npr.org/2021/05/10/995340963/uproar-follows-howard-universitys-decision-to-close-classics-department
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/10/995389117/howard-universitys-decision-to-cut-classics-department-prompts-an-outcry
https://www.thedailybeast.com/howard-university-is-going-to-lose-its-classics-department-congress-could-save-it-for-peanuts
https://www.bet.com/news/national/2021/05/13/howard-university-classics-department-closing-opinion-sarena-straughter.html

Reaction to plans for a floor for the Colosseum:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/colosseum-floor https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-industry-news-may-11-2021-1967207

Plans for an underwater archaeological part at Amathus (Cyprus):

https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/05/15/tourism-to-go-under-water-with-visits-to-submerged-ancient-port/

Not sure why this genetic similarities between ancient and modern Greeks is making the rounds again:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/05/10/researchers-genetic-similarities-greeks/

... or this mask of Dionysus from Turkey:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/13/2400-year-old-mask-of-ancient-greek-god-dionysus-found-in-western-turkey/

... or this study of the links between Linear A and Linear B:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/13/minoan-language-linear-a-linked-to-linear-b-in-groundbreaking-new-research/

Feature on the earthquake of AD 365 that affected much of the eastern Mediterranean:

https://eos.org/editor-highlights/was-the-ad-365-mediterranean-earthquake-normal

Feature on Schliemann:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/11/the-life-heinrich-schliemann-discoverer-troy/

Feature on the Lupanar:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/books/erotic-secrets-heart-pompeii/

Feature on the Romans' 'tender side':

https://hyperallergic.com/644215/tenderness-in-early-roman-empire/

Feature on books inspired by Greek myth:

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/86316-10-essential-books-inspired-by-greek-myth.html

Feature on Baia:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baia-ancient-rome-60-minutes-plus-2021-05-11/ https://www.yahoo.com/news/baia-exploring-real-life-atlantis-184519257.html

Feature on Vie Cave (Etruscan):

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-vie-cave

Feature on Scythian burial mounds in the Ukraine:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/09/world/europe/ukraine-burial-mounds.html

Feature on Kouroi and Korai:

https://smarthistory.org/kouroi-korai/

Feature on the Torlonia Marbles:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-57030067

Feature on the Laocoon:

https://www.thecollector.com/laocoon-and-his-sons-antiquity-artwork/

Feature on Medusa:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/15/medusa-the-most-fearsome-goddess-of-greek-mythology/

Feature on the Plutonium at Hierapolis:

https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-roman-gate-to-hell-killed-victims-with-its-deadly-lake
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/technology/science/ancient-roman-gateway-to-hell-cave-still-exists-today/news-story/11bfb502462de71ed1bdfd9b240af9f2
https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/ancient-roman-gateway-to-hell-cave-still-exists-today/news-story/11bfb502462de71ed1bdfd9b240af9f2

Feature on Pompeii:

https://www.thetravel.com/what-happened-to-the-people-of-pompeii/

Factoid piece on Pompeii:

https://www.thetravel.com/what-happened-to-the-people-of-pompeii/

Feature on Pytheas of Massalia:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/12/pytheas-of-massalia-the-first-greek-to-reach-britain-and-the-arctic/

Feature on Cleopatra:

https://www.newsgram.com/cleopatra-last-queen-of-the-nile/

Feature on Milo of Croton:

https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/10/what-an-ancient-greek-wrestler-taught-us-about-building-strength/
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/05/12/milo-of-croton-the-worlds-best-athlete/

Feature on garum:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/aylin-oney-tan/garum-the-rotten-delicacy-164594

Feature on the Palace of Knossos:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/05/09/knossos-palace-before-ruins/

Another feature on the Antikythera mechanism:

https://hellenicnews.com/the-antikythira-mechanism-the-worlds-first-computer-invention-by-ancient-greeks/

Some interesting Discobolus reception:

https://neoskosmos.com/en/198951/dark-days-of-disco-bolus/
-----
Roman Archaeology Blog:

http://romanarc.blogspot.com/

Rogueclassicism:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
A cairn of indeterminate age found with Google Earth imagery in Co Laois:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/new-cairn-discovered-by-amateur-archaeologists-in-co-laois-1.4563978

The Cerne Giant has been dated to no earlier than 700-1000 CE:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/12/cerne-giant-in-dorset-dates-from-anglo-saxon-times-analysis-suggests
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-57076224 https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2021/05/12/cerne-abbas-giants-likely-age-revealed-but-air-of-mystery-remains/
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/new-dates-for-the-cerne-abbas-giant https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/cerne-abbas-giant-uks-largest-chalk-figure-revealed-as-medieval-art-%E2%80%93-and-not-an-insult-to-oliver-cromwell/ar-BB1gCV8C
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/61368 https://news.artnet.com/art-world/cerne-giant-anglo-saxon-may-originally-worn-pants-1967774
https://www.newsweek.com/archeologists-solve-generations-old-mystery-britains-180-foot-tall-chalk-figure-1590970
https://nypost.com/2021/05/12/scientists-solve-mystery-of-when-giant-penis-man-was-erected/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2277255-cerne-abbas-giant-may-have-been-carved-into-hill-over-1000-years-ago/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scholars-are-one-step-closer-solving-mystery-enormous-chalk-figure-180977725/

Evidence of wine drinking from the Tap O'Noth Pictish site in Aberdeenshire:

https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/picts-boozed-on-wine-at-huge-hill-settlement-which-may-have-been-a-festival-site-3234594

Remains of two medieval logboats from the River Boyne:

https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2021/0510/1220791-logboats-louth/

A medieval jug from a dig at Jesus College:

https://cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk/medieval-jug-from-jesus-college/

A metal detectorist found a reliquary associated with Richard III:

https://aleteia.org/2021/05/14/a-metal-detector-discovered-this-reliquary-belonging-to-richard-iii/

... and another found a medieval 'mount' from Cheswardine:

https://www.whitchurchherald.co.uk/news/19290656.treasure-discovered-north-shropshire-key-understanding-regions-medieval-history/

Identifying medieval Jewish homes in Oxford:

https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/archaeologists-identify-medieval-jewish-homes-in-ancient-oxford-1.9694484

A 13-year-old digging in her garden found a 200 years bp soldier's button:

https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/youngster-unearths-battle-souvenir-at-gordon-castle-gardens-237812/

Georgian-era monkey bones found at Nottingham Castle:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-57059361 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9574827/Archaeology-Remains-three-MONKEYS-dating-Georgian-times-discovered-Nottingham-Castle.html
https://inews.co.uk/culture/monkey-bones-nottingham-castle-reveal-exotic-pet-choices-eccentric-regency-resident-996658
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9687-210512-england-castle-monkey

Remains of the 'Great Stink' of the 19th century apparently can still be found in the mud of the Thames:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/599/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/599/pub/599/page/20/article/174598

Peat decline is causing concerns for bog bodies:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/599/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/599/pub/599/page/20/article/174598

The wreck of a 112 years bp submarine has been identified off the coast of Devon:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/submarine-d1-devon-ww1-b1847088.html

... while a wreck off Malta is confirmed to be a WWII submarine:

https://www.livescience.com/hms-urge-submarine-identified-no-secret-mission.html
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/confirmed-wreck-off-malta-is-the-submarine-sunk-in-1942.870478
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9685-210511-malta-british-submarine

Plans for a dig at an Iron Age hillfort site at Pen Dinas:

https://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=135986&headline=Trust%20hopes%20dig%20will%20reveal%20secrets%20of%20Iron%20Age%20hillfort&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2021

Navy divers were checking out the archaeological remains (various periods) of L'Aquilica:

https://murciatoday.com/navy-divers-help-to-protect-the-underwater-archaeological-heritage-of-aguilas_1597932-a.html

Feature on mudlarking:

http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/180167

Feature on Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210509-londons-centre-of-intrigue-and-scandal

Feature on Britain's first aristocrats of colour:

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210429-race-royalty-and-the-black-aristocrats

Feature on the Paris catacombs:

https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/paris-catacombs

Feature on the 16th century meeting of kings at the Field of Cloth of Gold:

https://digitaleditions.telegraph.co.uk/data/599/reader/reader.html?#!preferred/0/package/599/pub/599/page/81/article/174660

Feature on the Red Lady and her burial:

https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-05-10/el-misterio-de-las-bacterias-de-una-mujer-enterrada-con-honores-hace-19000-anos.html

More on the use of bronze 'scrap' as currency in Bronze Age Europe:

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/scrap-for-cash-before-coins.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/10/scrap-for-cash-before-coins/

More on 1500 years bp bracteates from a hoard in Norway:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1500-year-old-pendants-found-norway-180977705/

More on WWI artifacts being revealed as a glacier in Italy melts:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/melting-glacier-italian-alps-reveals-world-war-i-artifacts-180977703/
----------
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 ================================================================
China is apparently angry the west is ignoring all its recent archaeological finds:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/05/11/chinese-archaeology-egyptian-bias-sanxingdui/

Qinshihuangs chariots and horses have a new museum:

http://t.m.china.org.cn/convert/c_titFUIGC.html

Feature on jade burial suits:

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/05/the-jade-burial-suits/139175

Finds dating back to the 8th century BCE or so from the Qulong Site (Tibet):

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-16/Archaeologists-unveil-new-findings-at-Tibet-Qulong-Site-10j5vNIUWsM/index.html

The impact of recent archaeological finds on Buddhist history:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/discovery-channels-how-new-finds-are-changing-buddhist-history-101621060757051.html

Sculptures of rani Rudrama Devi from a site in a Khammam village:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/rare-sculptures-of-rani-rudrama-devi-unearthed/article34522374.ece

Concerns for inscriptions in Warandal:

https://telanganatoday.com/apathy-leaves-inscriptions-unsolved-in-erstwhile-warangal

As might be expected, COVID concerns have brought the Keezhadi excavations to a halt:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/11/keezhadi-excavations-suspended-across-tn-due-to-covid-2301056.html

Feature on Harappa:

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/835228-harappa-an-ancient-archaeological-site-of-pakistan

More on population estimates for Angkor prior to its abandonment:

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2021/05/210510-sarah-klassen-angkor-en
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/05/angkor-cambodia-gentrification/618848/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/angkor-wat-ancient-population-1966958 https://around.uoregon.edu/content/uo-archaeologist-helps-nail-population-ancient-angkor
https://gizmodo.com/ancient-city-of-angkor-was-jam-packed-with-people-1846845408
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/05/archaeologists-pinpoint-population-for.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2021/05/11/archaeologists-pinpoint-population-for-the-greater-angkor-region/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/13th-century-angkor-was-home-more-people-boston-today-180977719/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/9681-210510-cambodia-angkor-population

================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
A 1200-2700 years bp arrowhead from a Connecticut back yard:

https://www.westport-news.com/news/article/Arrowhead-found-in-Monroe-backyard-hints-at-16163223.php

An Indigenous astronomical site (date?) from Los Angeles County:

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/human-interest/2021/05/11/archaeologist-discovers-ancient-indigenous-astronomical-site

Not sure where to put this one: latest paleofaces study of samples from Utah and Mexico suggest ancient folks had more diverse gut microorganisms:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/tuom-rra051221.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210512115639.htm https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/health/human-gut-microbiome-study-scli-intl-scn-wellness/index.html
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-fossil-feces-analysis-shows-how-human-diet-changed-over-2-000-years-1.9806702
https://elpais.com/ciencia/2021-05-12/heces-humanas-de-hace-2000-anos-explican-por-que-ahora-sufrimos-mas-enfermedades-cronicas.html
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/piles-ancient-poop-reveal-extinction-event-human-gut-bacteria

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