===============================================================
explorator 18.47 March 20, 2016 ===============================================================
If you're having problems getting 'the whole issue', 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,
Bob Heuman, David Critchley, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Kris Curry,
Hernan Astudillo, Richard Campbell, Richard C. Griffiths,and
Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week (as always hoping I have
left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
What they�ve learned from Denisovan DNA:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-denisovan-dna-future-humanity.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160317150805.htm http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35835126 http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0317/Denisovans-Mysterious-ancient-humans-reveal-clues-to-our-history

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/pacific-islanders-got-double-whammy-stone-age-dna

� and again there is an �interbreeding� spin put on things:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/22/science/neanderthals-interbred-with-humans-denisovans.html

� and a �helped survival� spin:

http://www.livescience.com/54084-denisovan-dna-helped-modern-humans-survive.html?cmpid=514645


They�ve been checking out Neanderthal DNA in Spain too:

https://www.mpg.de/10364707/hominins-sima-de-los-huesos http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0315/Where-do-Neanderthals-come-from-Oldest-DNA-reveals-clues
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35806992 http://phys.org/news/2016-03-year-old-fossils-spain-earliest-genetic.html https://www.newscientist.com/article/2080549-oldest-ever-human-genome-sequence-may-rewrite-human-history/
http://www.nature.com/news/oldest-ancient-human-dna-details-dawn-of-neanderthals-1.19557

� and isoptopic analysis is helping to figure out what they were eating:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-isotope-habits-neanderthals.html http://news.discovery.com/human/neanderthal-diet-80-meat-20-fruit-veggiest-160314.htm

More on homo erectus slicing food and its effects:

http://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2016/03/17/470784072/cooking-or-slicing-food-what-drove-early-human-evolution

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/h-erectus-cut-chewed-way-through-evolution


================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
Feature on Benin City:

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/18/story-of-cities-5-benin-city-edo-nigeria-mighty-medieval-capital-lost-without-trace


================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT ================================================================
In case you somehow missed the hype about the confirmation of there likely being more rooms in Tut�s tomb:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-egypt-scan-king-tut-burial.html http://www.livescience.com/54081-king-tut-hidden-chambers-seen-radar-scans.html http://www.livescience.com/42296-king-tut-photos.html http://egyptianstreets.com/2016/03/17/hidden-chambers-discovered-by-scans-in-king-tutankhamuns-tomb/

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-evidence-shows-king-tut-tomb-may-have-its-own-chamber-secrets-180958470/

http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/08/11/nefertiti-tomb-tutankhamun-orig-mg.cnn

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/17/470823945/king-tuts-tomb-may-have-hidden-spaces-containing-organic-metallic-materials

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/12196508/Scans-of-King-Tuts-burial-chamber-show-hidden-rooms-that-could-contain-organic-material.html

http://www.timesofisrael.com/secret-rooms-almost-certainly-lurking-in-king-tuts-tomb-egypt-says/

http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/egypt-says-scan-of-king-tut-s-burial-tomb-shows-hidden-rooms-1.2820877
http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/03/17/egypt-finds-new-clues-that-queen-nefertiti-may-lie-buried-behind-tuts-tomb/
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0317/Evidence-mounts-in-search-for-King-Tut-s-roommate-Queen-Nefertiti
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/17/hidden-rooms-tutankhamun-tomb-new-treasures-queen-nefertiti

http://www.dw.com/en/scans-suggest-hidden-chambers-inside-king-tuts-tomb/a-19122016
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160317-king-tut-tomb-hidden-chambers-radar-egypt-archaeology/
http://news.yahoo.com/scans-show-90-chance-hidden-chambers-tutankhamun-tomb-092631296.html

� with related features/spins on Nefertiti (just in case, of course):

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/tutankhamun-tomb-has-numerous-secret-chambers-egyptian-official-says-after-japanese-study-that-could-a6936156.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/nefertiti-queen-king-tutankhamun-tomb-mystery-ancient-egypt-a6939261.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35831025 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/18/world/middleeast/nefertiti-tutankhamen-tomb-egypt.html

� and features on Tut�s tomb:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-facts-tutankhamun-tomb.html

Lost in the hype were that some 3300 years bp statues of Sekhmet were
found:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3495044/A-roarsome-Statues-lion-headed-goddess-discovered-Egypt-6ft-ancient-masterpieces-wear-wig-tight-dress.html


� and more divine statuary found at Dakahliya:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/190768/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Statuettes-of-ancient-Egyptian-gods-unearthed-in-D.aspx

Predynastic graffiti from Aswan:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/193114/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Holy-predynastic-graffiti-uncovered-in-Aswan.aspx


Egypt is putting the pyramids under military protection:

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/03/egypt-pyramid-military-tourism-complaints-project.html


Plans to �revive� Memphis:

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/03/2016/ancient-memphis-site-to-undergo-regeneration


Latest news from the Grand Egyptian Museum:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/44/191003/Heritage/Museums/Late-Period-papyrus-and-Tutankhamuns-arrows-restor.aspx


Questioning the veracity of the Maandana:

https://newrepublic.com/article/130814/israeli-national-symbol-fake http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/.premium-1.709481

A sort of preliminary report from the dig at Khirbet Arai:

https://lukechandler.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/new-dig-at-khirbet-arai-may-reveal-philistines-kingdom-of-judah/


When Saudi Arabia was a Jewish kingdom:

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/.premium-1.709010 http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/newfound-engravings-highlight-arabias.html

http://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/2016/03/saudi-arabias-forgotten-jewish-past/


Feature on Baghdad:

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/16/story-cities-day-3-baghdad-iraq-world-civilisation

Feature on Alexandria:

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/14/story-cities-day-1-alexandria-egypt-history-urbanisation-foundations-modern-world


Feature on Ur:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160311-ur-iraq-trade-royal-cemetery-woolley-archaeology/


Not sure where this one goes � major find of a shipwreck associated with
Vasco da Gama in the Gulf of Oman:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-site-shipwreck-tied-vasco-da.html http://news.discovery.com/history/archaeology/explorer-vasco-da-gamas-shipwreck-found-160315.htm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/oman/12195216/Shipwreck-off-Oman-is-believed-to-be-from-Vasco-Da-Gamas-fleet.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/15/marine-archaeologists-discover-rare-artefacts-at-1503-shipwreck-site

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/world-history/portuguese-shipwreck-discovered-oman-vasco-da-gamas-esmeralda-a6932836.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0316/Vasco-de-Gama-s-ship-rich-in-treasure-and-history-is-found-near-Oman

http://timesofoman.com/article/79485/Oman/Heritage/Ancient-Portuguese-ship-wreck-discovered-at-island-off-the-coast-of-Oman

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/16/at-the-bottom-of-the-arabian-sea-a-500-year-old-shipwreck-from-the-fleet-of-vasco-da-gama/

http://www.syracuse.com/us-news/index.ssf/2016/03/site_of_1503_shipwreck_tied_to_vasco_da_gama_discovered_off_oman.html

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.3495913/from-coins-to-cannonballs-a-shipwreck-s-incredible-500-year-old-treasure-1.3495918

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/middle-east/site-of-1503-shipwreck-tied-to-vasco-da-gama-found-off-oman/news-story/da4677428f197fa1c943c62edd0e1e82

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/20160314-oman-shipwreck-explorer-vasco-da-gama-age-of-exploration-india-route/

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/found-500-year-old-protugese-shipwreck-from-famed-explorers-fleet-180958425/

Feature on conserving buildings in Israel:

http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Environment/History-in-Action-Conserving-historic-buildings-for-posterity-and-safety-447917#xtor=EPR-1-[Newsletter]


Latest in the Western Wall saga:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/western-wall-deal-nixed-deri-said-to-tell-associates/


Feature on medieval pilgrimages to Jerusalem:

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.708509

3d images of Syrian artifacts/buildings have gone online:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-3d-images-syria-archaeological-treasures.html

Good feature on the �war on looting� in Syria:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/12/arts/international/escalating-the-war-on-looting.html?_r=0



================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS) ================================================================
A hiker in Israel found a very interesting coin of Trajan struck to honour Augustus:

http://www.antiquities.org.il/Article_eng.aspx?sec_id=25&subj_id=240&id=4188

http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/History/Pages/Israeli-hiker-finds-rare-2000-year-old-gold-coin-14-Mar-2016.aspx

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35801246 http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-monday-edition-1.3490566/hiker-finds-rare-2-000-year-old-roman-coin-turns-it-over-to-authorities-1.3490571

http://news.discovery.com/history/archaeology/israeli-hiker-finds-rare-ancient-roman-gold-coin-160314.htm

http://www.jewishnews.co.uk/israeli-hiker-finds-2000-year-old-gold-coin/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/12193887/Hiker-stumbles-upon-extremely-rare-2000-year-old-ancient-gold-coin.html

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Hiker-finds-rare-2000-year-old-gold-coin-in-northern-Israel-447848

http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/63695/ancient-rare-gold-coin-discovered-hiker-galilee-region-jewish-world/

http://www.jta.org/2016/03/15/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/kibbutznik-discovers-rare-roman-era-gold-coin-in-galilee

http://www.timesofisrael.com/hiker-finds-2000-year-old-gold-coin-in-northern-israel/

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/14/470395022/thats-no-bottlecap-hiker-in-israel-finds-rare-gold-coin

http://artdaily.com/news/85799/A-hiker-finds-an-extremely-rare-gold-coin-that-bears-the-image-of-Emperor-Augustus

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/14/middleeast/israel-gold-coin-found/index.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3491387/Did-ancient-Rome-issue-commemorative-coins-Gold-piece-unearthed-Israel-time-Trajan-bears-bust-Augustus-tribute-Rome-s-emperor.html

Monumental piers found in the sunken bits of Corinth:

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/1.708631

A Roman necropolis near Damascus:

http://www.syriaonline.sy/?f=Details&catid=22&pageid=21450&g=1

Plenty of Roman finds from Derby:

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Look-s-Roman-army-fort-settlement-Derby-s-biggest/story-28873998-detail/story.html


On Fano�s forgotten Roman theatre:

http://www.thelocal.it/20160318/italian-town-forgets-roman-theatre-found-under-derelict-factory


Spectral imaging turns up a chunk of Dexippus:

http://www.livescience.com/54092-goth-greek-battle-revealed-in-ancient-text.html


Nice feature on that warrior burial in Pylos:

http://magazine.uc.edu/issues/0316/pay_dirt.html

The Torlonia collection is being made public:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/torlonia-collection-roman-treasures-to-go-on-show-after-four-decades-in-storage-a6932901.html

http://www.thelocal.it/20160317/hidden-treasures-of-ancient-rome-to-get-first-showing

http://www.news24.com/Green/News/hidden-treasures-of-ancient-rome-to-get-first-showing-20160316


More houses are opening to the public at Pompeii:

http://www.euronews.com/2016/03/17/visitors-get-to-see-more-ancient-homes-at-pompeii/

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2016/03/15/pompeii-to-unveil-five-restored-houses_9639eb3c-063f-4ca4-8247-954f1b79d1dc.html

Alaric apparently succumbed to malaria:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2016/03/14/warlord-who-caused-the-fall-of-rome-was-killed-by-malaria-new-research-shows/


On the location of Greek myths:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/03/20/fact-or-fiction-hunting-for-the-real-locations-behind-greek-myths/


Recreating ancient warfare at Knox:

http://www.knox.edu/news/news-archive/students-of-ancient-warfare-greek-roman-celtic

Pondering the elitist connection to translation:

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/comment/classics-elitism-should-be-lost-in-translation


Assorted Ides of March features:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/12193529/The-Ides-of-March-The-assassination-of-Julius-Caesar-and-how-it-changed-the-world.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/authors/julius-caesars-assassination-10-facts-about-the-ides-of-march-mu/

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/when-the-knives-are-out-for-politicians-it-can-mean-figurative--or-literal--death/news-story/f02a7e79d7f582c4c200d30284233356

http://www.studentnewspaper.org/this-week-in-history-assassination-of-julius-caesar/

http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/social-affairs/20160316/professing-faith-if-julius-caesar-had-been-more-religious-he-might-have-survived
http://www.berlindailysun.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57190:bound-542-words&catid=74:columns&Itemid=429
http://www.wsj.com/articles/an-inconclusive-ides-of-march-1458147881 http://hollywoodlife.com/2016/03/15/ides-of-march-memes-caesar-assassination-murder-tweets/

Latest in the Parthenon/Elgin Marbles saga:

http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/local/latest-news/school-girl-s-impassioned-argument-on-future-of-historic-greek-sculptures-sways-bury-mp-1-7272067


Feature on Lucretius:

http://www.addisonindependent.com/201603victor-nuovo-lucretius-how-and-why-things


Feature on Hadrian�s Wall:

http://www.historyextra.com/article/romans/brief-history-hadrians-wall

Questioning how Jesus was crucified:

http://theconversation.com/was-jesus-really-nailed-to-the-cross-56321 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3498373/Was-Jesus-really-nailed-cross-Ancient-artefacts-suggest-tales-crucifixion-myth-tradition.html


How Arabs preserved Greek civilization:

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/893866

In case you�ve missed the Latin version of Adele�s �Hello�:

http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/local/morris-county/2016/03/15/roxbury-man-covers-adeles-hello-latin/81759552/


Suggestion that Plutarch may have been the first vegetarian:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/03/16/ancient-greek-historian-plutarch-might-have-been-the-first-vegetarian/


The Ben Hur remake trailer is out:

http://www.themovienetwork.com/article/first-ben-hur-trailer-gives-gladiator-vibe


Chatting about Thucydides:

http://www.nctv17.com/the-history-of-the-peloponnesian-war/

More on that Roman taberna in Lattara (France):

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2100-year-old-roman-tavern-uncovered-empty-cups-and-all-180958395/


Review of Peter McDonald�s translation of the Homeric Hymns:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/mar/18/homeric-hymns-herne-hunter-peter-mcdonald-review


More Seamus Heaney Aeneid VI reviews:

http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/03/gifts-from-beyond-the-grave-from-virgil-and-seamus-heaney/

http://www.irishnews.com/arts/books/2016/03/17/news/book-reviews-aeneid-a-reminder-of-heaney-s-poetic-power-453001/

http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/books/aeneid-book-vi-translated-by-seamus-heaney-review-a3200596.html

http://www.rte.ie/ten/reviews/books/2016/0316/775401-seamus-heaney-aeneid-book-vi/


-----
Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/ ================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland) ================================================================
Aurignacian sites found prior to Bergerac bypass construction:

http://artdaily.com/news/85829/In-preventive-excavation-realized-by-INRAP--a-bird-found-to-be-among-the-earliest-art-


An untouched Bronze Age barrow site from Lancashire:

http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art548868-Archaeological-dig-planned-as-metal-detectorist-discovers-untouched-Bronze-Age-burial-mound

http://www.leylandguardian.co.uk/news/local/bronze-age-site-uncovered-in-lancashire-1-7795032

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/12192968/Metal-detector-buffs-find-untouched-Bronze-Age-burial-site.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/13/bronze-age-burial-site-undisturbed-millennia-metal-detectors

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-35800891 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3490686/Bronze-Age-burial-ground-discovered-Two-metal-detector-enthusiasts-site-unearthing-rare-artefacts-Lancashire-field.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

A 2500 years bp �warrior king� burial from Pocklington:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/17/warrior-king-uncovered-yorkshire-iron-age-settlement

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/archaeology/12197083/Iron-Age-man-found-buried-with-spears-sticking-out-of-him-like-a-hedgehog.html

� other finds from the same site:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/pocklington-iron-age-burial-ground-archaeology-yorkshire-a6936591.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/17/hugely-important-iron-age-remains-found-yorkshire-site
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-humber-35823401 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3495506/Iron-Age-settlement-2-500-year-old-migrant-camp-Discovery-site-Yorkshire-international-significance.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/national/14348851.Iron_Age_settlement_find_in_East_Yorkshire__of_international_importance_/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/rare-iron-age-settlement-dating-7572567

Finds from various periods in Argyll:

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/03/2016/charcoal-burning-platforms-of-the-atlantic-woods-of-scotland


A Danish metal detectorist turned up an 1100 years bp gold crucifix:

http://www.thelocal.dk/20160316/1100-year-old-denmark-crucifix-may-change-history

http://cphpost.dk/news/amateur-archaeologist-finds-denmarks-oldest-crucifix.html

http://news.discovery.com/history/archaeology/rare-viking-crucifix-found-with-metal-detector-160318.htm

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/amateur-metal-detector-finds-crucifix-which-may-change-historical-record-a6936301.html

Shedding light on medieval Erik:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-science-life-death-medieval-king.html http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/uu-ssn031616.php

Traces of Suffolk�s �lost city�:

http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/archaeological_dig_uncovers_a_gift_from_the_past_of_world_importance_at_dunwich_1_4460406


Interesting Reformation-related notes in a Henry VIII Bible:

http://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/items/hss/172297.html http://phys.org/news/2016-03-historian-uncovers-secrets-reformation-hidden.html

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/qmuo-hus031516.php http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3496565/Holy-moly-Hidden-annotations-England-s-printed-Bible-include-notes-Reformation-debt-owed-thief.html

Santa Maria Antiqua has reopened to the public:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/03/17/early-christian-church-in-rome-reopens-to-public/


In Our Time on Bedlam:

http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/5/redir/version/2.0/mediaset/audio-nondrm-download/proto/http/vpid/p03n0nz6.mp3


Repair funding for Devon medieval priory:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-35832404

A fire at Wythenshawe hall:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-35809417

Feature on Franz Joseph:

http://www.dw.com/en/the-long-rule-of-emperor-franz-joseph/g-19117063

Feature on the once-powerful city of Ani:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20160309-the-empire-the-world-forgot

Arguing about a carving of Merlin at Tintagel Castle:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-35837271 http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/18/this-is-not-disneyland-its-cornwall-battle-tintagel-castle

300 years bp silver from West Berkshire has been declared treasure:

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/300-year-old-west-berkshire-11051489


On some of the women involved in the Easter Rising:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/16/opinion/eight-women-of-irelands-1916-easter-rising.html


More on that 11 000 years bp �pendant� from Star Carr:

http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art549254-star-carr-pendant-tom-bell-archaeology


More on Egyptian beads in Denmark:

http://cphpost.dk/news/startling-king-tut-discovery-in-denmark.html

-----
Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC ================================================================
A 12 000+ years bp �puppy burial� from Siberia (or thereabouts):

http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/news/n0613-ancient-puppys-brain-is-well-preservedas-dog-bares-its-teeth-after-12400-years/

http://news.discovery.com/animals/pets/pleistocene-puppy-found-frozen-in-russian-permafrost-160316.htm

First person account of the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas:

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35673213

Feature on Beijing:

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/17/story-cities-beijing-earliest-planning-document-history


Another branch of the Silk Road has been found:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/archaeologists-uncover-another-branch-of-the-silk-road/


Latest impact of humans on megafauna in Australia study:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-early-human-impacts-biodiversity.html

-----

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://nzarchaeology.blogspot.co.nz/index.html ================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Studying human presence in what would be New Mexico 9000 - 13000 years bp:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-uncovering-mystery-early-humans-mexico.html

A 1000 year bp rock shelter site in Albuquerque:

http://krqe.com/2016/03/13/archaeologists-find-remnants-of-1000-year-old-shelter-at-albuquerque-park/

How rocks shaped the Civil War:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-civil-war.html

Artifacts from various periods from a Sable Island site:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1349830-archeological-dig-discovers-lost-lives-of-sable-island


On the Hopewell approach to mound-building:

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/science/2016/03/13/1-archaeology-hopewell-used-cross-cultural-approach-to-build-great-monuments.html


Pondering whether the Hopewell tracked equinoxes:

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/03/13/from-the-stump-did-ancient-ohioans-track-the-spring-fall-equinoxes.html


The SITLA Spirit Railroad project:

http://trustlands.utah.gov/sitla-spirit-railroad-project/

A top ten list of sites in the US:

http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-archaeological-site/?CMPID=USAT-Cards


Review of Buckley, *The Black Calhouns*:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/20/books/review/the-black-calhouns-by-gail-lumet-buckley.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbooks&_r=0


Review of Showalter, *The Civil Wars of Julia Ward Howe*:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/03/16/470444422/battle-hymn-at-the-dining-table-a-famous-feminist-subjugated-through-food


================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ================================================================
Chatty sort of thing on hopes of finding the tomb of an Aztec ruler:

http://www.mexidata.info/id4293.html

-----
Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:

http://goo.gl/1VdeA

Ancient MesoAmerica News:

http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/ ================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST ================================================================
Some Shakespeare folios are coming to auction:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/12197158/Holy-Grail-of-Shakespeares-first-Four-Folios-set-to-go-on-sale-in-London.html

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=85863

� while some writing in his own hand was causing a stir:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/16/470729477/only-script-in-shakespeares-handwriting-urges-compassion-for-migrants?sc=17&f=1001

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/mar/15/william-shakespeare-handwritten-plea-for-refugees-online-sir-thomas-more-script-play-british-library-exhibition

� and is being digitized and questioned:

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/141302/20160315/shakespeares-handwriting-will-be-digitized-by-the-british-museum-but-is-it-actually-shakespeares.htm


The reemergence of Whig history:

https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/context/physicists-story-science-breaks-historians-rules?tgt=more


In case you were interested in the archaeology at Solibor:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-archeological-excavations-that-led-to-the-gas-chambers-of-sobibor-a-993733.html


Some Nazi art resurfaces:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/long-lost-sculptures-from-hitler-chancellery-in-berlin-found-a-1035251.html


Some pi day items:

http://scienceline.org/2016/03/the-surprising-history-of-%CF%80/ http://phys.org/news/2016-03-farm-boy-wales-gave-world.html

On how Darwin�s kiddies influenced his theory:

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160315-did-charles-darwin-use-his-children-for-science


Something about smart people being better off with fewer friends:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/18/why-smart-people-are-better-off-with-fewer-friends/


Latest on that attempt to recreate the Kon Tiki voyage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35838732

Virtual graffiti at Florence�s Duomo:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/17/world/europe/florence-tackles-duomo-defacement-with-a-new-tool-virtual-graffiti.html


Figuring out what St Patrick ate:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/03/17/470730700/feast-like-its-399-the-maybe-true-culinary-adventures-of-st-patrick


Interesting feature on conserving a Durer:

http://blog.britishmuseum.org/2016/03/15/conserving-durers-triumphal-arch-coming-apart-at-the-seams/


� and one on a JMW Turner piece:

http://westcampus.yale.edu/news/yale-partnership-highlights-dazzling-story-behind-j-m-w-turner?refresh=2


� and Whistler�s Mother:

http://theconversation.com/heres-looking-at-whistlers-mother-54334

A Swedish nursery is teaching an old Viking-era language:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-35831359

Eminem apparently traces his roots to Welsh royalty:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/articles/35830291

On the ten most beautiful ceilings:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160317-the-10-most-beautiful-ceilings-in-the-world


Pondering collecting, museums, ownership, etc.:

http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/tourism/when_it_comes_to_ancient_treasures_are_we_owners_thieves_or_caretakers_1_4459438


Now we get a Peruvian beer recreation:

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2016/03/chicago-brewery-recreates-ancient-peruvian-beer/


Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archyfantasies/ ================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Late antiquity textiles:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/science/roman-empire-textiles-archaeology-late-antiquity.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience

http://www.wsj.com/articles/designing-identity-the-power-of-textiles-in-late-antiquity-review-1458077369

Pharaoh in Canaan:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-canaanites-who-loved-pharaoh-on-display-at-the-israel-museum/


Myths and Nature:

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/italy/2016/03/16/pompeii-and-naples-museum-team-up-for-myths-and-nature_e96d001d-365e-4620-b5b9-76f0a6f280ea.html


Roman Mosaics:

http://www.getty.edu/publications/romanmosaics/

Da Vinci:

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/arts/2016/03/15/da-vinci-comes-cincinnati-museum-center/81771668/


Algiers:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201603161409.html

Cave Temples of Dunhuang:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-ca-cm-cave-temples-getty-20160320-story.html


The British Museum is opening a �stand alone� department for scientific research:

http://theartnewspaper.com/news/archeology/british-museum-s-collection-to-go-under-the-microscope/


================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
Learning things from the plaque on skeletons� teeth:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160315-tooth-plaque-dna-archaeology/


A project to transcribe handwritten documents from Norfolk County:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/north/2016/03/18/turning-hard-read-cursive-into-computer-type/i1BZEB3fCmFxjlKJmHuJiK/story.html?s_campaign=email_BG_TodaysHeadline


The Early Canadian Periodicals project:

http://www.canadiana.ca/en/architecture-urban-history-2016

================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT ================================================================
DNA extraction from a South African mummy (not sure about the date):

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-successful-ancient-dna-southern-african.html http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/uotw-fse031616.php http://theconversation.com/scans-and-dna-tests-reveal-the-secrets-of-a-rare-african-mummy-56156


DNA from the ancestors of the Irish:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/man-s-discovery-of-bones-under-his-pub-could-forever-change-what-we-know-about-the-irish-a6936991.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/17/a-mans-discovery-of-bones-under-his-pub-could-forever-change-what-we-know-about-the-irish/


Some of those Denisovan DNA studies (above) focus on the genetic influence
they still have:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-ancient-dna-modern-day-humans.html http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/bu-rfa031716.php

On genetic variants from the Stone Age or something like that:

http://phys.org/news/2016-03-stone-age-hunters-contributed-variants.html


Dienekes' Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/ ================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS ================================================================
Okunoin cemetery:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20160308-an-eerie-night-with-200000-dead-monks


================================================================
CRIME BEAT

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