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December 2011, Daily News

Archaeology News for the Week of January 1st, 2012

Sun, Jan 01, 2012

Archaeology News for the Week of January 1st, 2012

January 7th, 2012

MODERN DISEASE FOUND IN ANCIENT BONES

US scientists said Tuesday that their study of a set of medieval bones found in Albania has revealed traces of a modern infectious disease that afflicts people who eat unpasteurized dairy products. The findings, published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, are the first to suggest that the disease, known as brucellosis, has been in Albania since at least the Middle Ages. (Discovery News)

Tar Shrank Heads of Prehistoric Californians Over Time?

A long-term health decline—including a gradual shrinking—among prehistoric Indians in California may be linked to their everyday use of tar, which served as "superglue," waterproofing, and even chewing gum, scientists say. (National Geographic)

Columbus May Have Found Syphilis in the New World

Christopher Columbus and his crew have long been villainized for, among other acts, bringing diseases to the New World that wiped out massive numbers of Native Americans. But the transmission of disease may have been a two-way street, suggests new research. After analyzing 54 published studies of Old World skeletons, researchers concluded that syphilis originated in the New World as a non-sexually transmitted disease and then mutated into a venereal version after it arrived in Europe in the 1490s. (Discovery News)

Cornell coin collection to be digitized, published onlineCornell coin collection to be digitized, published online

Ancient coin collectors will soon be able to begin viewing examples of Cornell University’s 1,500-piece ancient coin collection on the Internet. With a grant provided by the Grants Program for Digital Collections in Arts and Sciences, the university in Ithaca, N.Y., plans to catalog, scan, digitize and post online images of the entire collection. (www.coinworld.com)

 

January 6th, 2012

Graves found under Jeffersonville softball field

Since the 1920s, the swatch of green near the intersection of Chestnut and Mulberry streets in Jeffersonville has been a city park, a place where hundreds of people have played softball. On Thursday, officials disclosed that those games apparently were taking place on long-forgotten graves, including some that may have dated to the Civil War. “It’s kind of disheartening,” said Dan Fleshman, a Parkview Middle School teacher who played softball at Colston Park, also known as Playsquare, in the 1990s. (Courier-journal.com)

Ancient bronze drum found, excavated by local farmer

An ancient bronze drum was recently unearthed by Trinh Van Trung, a farmer working the land near Ru Than Mountain in Thanh Hoa Province's Vinh Loc District. Circles consisting of 12-pointed stars and drawings of people involved in daily activities such as hunting, rice pounding and rowing decorate the surface of the drum. Archaeologist Vu The Long from the Viet Nam Archaeological Institute estimated that the drum dated back from between 2,000 to 3,000 years to the Dong Son Civilisation. (Vietnam News)

Archaeologists unearth ancient tombs, relics in east China

Archaeologists in east China's Zhejiang province unearthed 708 cultural relics from a cluster of tombs dating back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties as of the end of last year, sources with the provincial archaeological institution said Thursday. (People's Daily Online)

Stink raised over landfill at ancient Rome site

They're talkin' trash in Rome. There's a big controversy there over a landfill scheduled to open in the new year, near one of Italy's most treasured sites, Hadrian's Villa, where a legendary emperor lived more than 18 hundred years ago. Many Romans are upset that tons of waste could be buried so close to the historic complex, and about the odors and pollution the waste could generate. (CBSNews.com)

 

January 5th, 2012

Hebrew University professor disputes claims about purpose of newly-discovered Jerusalem Temple artifact

A scholar at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is challenging the conventional wisdom about a 2,000-year-old artifact recently discovered in the Temple Mount area of Jerusalem. (Popular Archaeology)

Massive New Archaeological Collections Database Released for Scholars and Public

For 125 years, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has been connected to some of the greatest archaeological excavations known to history, sending more than 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions to every inhabited continent of the world. At its official founding on December 6, 1887, the University Trustees resolved to send “an exploring expedition to Babylonia”, with a provision to establish “suitable accommodations” for the artifacts recovered, including those of subsequent expeditions. Since then, Museum collections have grown to about one million artifacts from six continents and every millennium of human history. (Popular Archaeology)

Drought Led to Demise of Ancient City of Angkor

The ancient city of Angkor — the most famous monument of which is the breathtaking ruined temple of Angkor Wat — might have collapsed due to valiant but ultimately failed efforts to battle drought, scientists find. The great city of Angkor in Cambodia, first established in the ninth century, was the capital of the Khmer Empire, the major player in southeast Asia for nearly five centuries. (Live Science)

Archaeology: Find raises hopes in search for ancient activity

The recovery of a pole-shaped piece of wood that’s 8,900 years old about 100 feet below the surface of Lake Huron has offered hope that more intact evidence of human activity will be found in the area, a University of Michigan researcher involved in the find said. The wood, which is tapered and beveled on one side in a way that researchers say appears deliberate, was found in July near the Alpena-Amberley Ridge, a now-underwater connection across Lake Huron that once linked the area of northern Michigan with Ontario. (StatesmanJournal.com)

Michelangelo codex hits iPad

A collection of writings and drawings by Renaissance great Michelangelo is now available on iPad thanks to a new app put together by the Vatican Library, the National Geographic Channel and Italian marketing firm Froggy. "The digital version of Vatican Latin Codex 3211, made up of 111 parchments dating from 1534 to 1563, contains letters, essays, poems and sketches," the Vatican said. (www.ansa.it)

Scientists crack medieval bone code

Two teams of Michigan State University researchers - one working at a medieval burial site in Albania, the other at a DNA lab in East Lansing - have shown how modern science can unlock the mysteries of the past. The scientists are the first to confirm the existence of brucellosis, an infectious disease still prevalent today, in ancient skeletal remains. (Genetic Archaeology)

 

 

January 4th, 2012

Archaeologists Uncovering the Heart of Ancient Aelia Capitolina

Recent excavations by a team of archaeologists just west of Jerusalem's famous Western Wall and plaza are illuminating scholars while raising new questions about 2nd century C.E. Jerusalem. Under the directorship of Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah, Alexander Onn, Shua Kisilevitz and Brigitte Ouahnouna of the Israel Antiquities Authority, the systematic excavations were conducted between 2005 and 2010 and revealed a major Roman-constructed thoroughfare that sliced through the heart of 2nd century Jerusalem, the period that followed the downfall of the First Jewish Revolt and saw the transformation of the city into a newly Romanized city, renamed Aelia Capitolina. (Popular Archaeology)

In ancient Pompeii, trash and tombs went hand in hand

Cemeteries in ancient Pompeii were “mixed-use developments” with a variety of purposes that included serving as an appropriate site to toss out the trash. That’s according to findings from University of Cincinnati research at Pompeii to be presented Jan. 7, 2012, at the annual meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America by UC doctoral student Allison Emmerson. She has worked on site as part of UC’s Pompeii Archaeological Research Project. (PhysOrg.com)

The lost city of Cahokia: Archaeologists uncover Native Americans' sprawling metropolis under St Louis

A sprawling Native American metropolis which lay hidden beneath a modern city for a millennium has been uncovered. Archaeologists digging in preparation for the Mississippi River spanning bridge - which will connect Missouri and Illinois - discovered the lost city of Cahokia beneath modern St Louis. Their findings pointed to a 'sophisticated, sprawling metropolis stretching across both sides of the Mississippi', Andrew Lawler told the journal Science. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk)

Union warship's profile rising after 146 years

One hundred forty-six years ago today, a violent storm lashed the Tampa Bay area, imperiling two U.S. Navy warships — tugboats with cannons — that had seen Civil War action in the Gulf of Mexico and were headed for peacetime duty after the war ended. One survived the storm. The other, the USS Narcissus, which had participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay, been sunk and refloated, did not. It ran aground on a shoal northwest of Egmont Key and sank in 15 feet of water after its boiler exploded. No one survived. (Tampa Bay Online)

Squabble over presence of ancient residents in Blairsville

For 40 years, Mark Williams has researched ancient Indian sites. He’s lectured at dozens of seminars. He’s written countless articles. But the University of Georgia archaeology professor has never received attention like this. A preeminent expert on prehistoric times in Georgia, Williams was cited in an article last month that declared that a thousand-year-old Mayan ruin was discovered in North Georgia. (AJC.com)

 

January 3rd, 2012

Ceramic mouthpiece of a pipe bearing Arabic inscription discovered by archaeologists

Two weeks ago, during an archaeological excavation currently underway in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, headed by Dr. Kate Rafael of the Israel Antiquities Authority, a ceramic mouthpiece of a pipe was uncovered that bears the Arabic inscription: “Heart is language for the lover” (literal translation), meaning: love is language for the lovers. (ArtDaily.org)

Three faiths, one temple

The temple village of Itkhori in Chatra district, 63km from Hazaribagh, is buzzing with excitement. In a day or two, chosen sites on its famed Ma Bhadrakali temple premises will be dug up for the first time by a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The temple, dating circa 7th century AD, is unique as it is a confluence of three religions —Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. (The Telegraph India)

Scrolls raise questions as to Afghan Jewish history

An Afghan shepherd enters a wolves den perched high in the mountains of Samangan province looking for a sheep that went astray. Inside, he doesn’t find what he is looking for, but just as he is about to leave he notices something strange: Pieces of old parchment lie strewn on the dirt floor. So goes one of the stories behind the recent discovery of about 150 manuscripts and artifacts in a remote cave that belonged to a medieval Jewish community. (www.jpost.com)

Five ancient shipwrecks found in central Stockholm

Five shipwrecks dating from the 1500s to the 1700s have been found during renovation work on a quay in central Stockholm, the Swedish Maritime Museum said on Monday. "Five shipwrecks ... from the 1500s to 1700s have been found in connection with the renovation of Stroemkajen," the museum said. (Yahoo News)

Stanford archaeologist questions the role of human rights in site preservation

In the arid, rural plains of central Turkey sits one of the most important archaeological sites on earth. Sheltered by an expansive glass canopy, dozens of archaeologists and students work year-round to unearth and preserve the treasures of the ancient village of Çatalhöyük. Since 1993 Stanford professor of anthropology, Ian Hodder, has been leading an international team in an ongoing excavation of the 9,000 year-old Neolithic site. (PhysOrg)

'Discovery of a lifetime': Stone Age temple found in Orkney is 800 years older than Stonehenge - and may be more important 

A 5000-year-old temple in Orkney could be more important than Stonehenge, according to archaeologists. The site, known as the Ness of Brodgar, was investigated by BBC2 documentary A History of Ancient Britain, with presenter Neil Oliver describing it as ‘the discovery of a lifetime’. So far the remains of 14 Stone Age buildings have been excavated, but thermal geophysics technology has revealed that there are 100 altogether, forming a kind of temple precinct. (www.dailymail.co.uk) 

 

January 2nd, 2012

Archaeologists Excavate Legendary City of Dan

Looking at the remains today, it is difficult to believe that only a fraction of this monumental ancient site has been uncovered. Yet it has far and away yielded some of the most impressive discoveries of Near Eastern, or Levantine, archaeology. Here, according to the Biblical account, ancient Israel established one of its great temples. And here, late Neolithic people first settled as early as 4500 B.C.E., and Bronze Age inhabitants constructed the world’s oldest known gated archway. (Popular Archaeology)

Mummy on display in Raleigh give unique mix of history, science

Want to view a Mongolian mummy? Among the 200 artifacts comprising "Genghis Khan: The Exhibition," currently at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, is an extraordinary princess, mummified during the 13th century. (www.newsobserver.com)

Mexico's Mayan region launches apocalypse countdown

Only 52 weeks and a day are left before Dec. 21, 2012, when some believe the Maya predicted the end of the world. Unlike enthusiasts of other doomsday theories who suggest putting together survival kits, southeastern Mexico, the heart of Maya territory, plans a yearlong celebration. (InsideNova.com)

Archaeologist says Jeaga people part of early island life

In today’s Palm Beach, surviving the social season with one’s status intact or enhanced is paramount. For thousands of years, the main goal on the land that became Palm Beach was simply survival. The notion that no humans lived on the barrier island prior to American settlers in the late 1800s is not true, according to archaeologist Dorothy Block, a founder of the Palm Beach County Archaeological Society. (Palm Beach Daily News)

For Some Tribes, New Year's Foods Provide A Sacred Link To The Past

Around the world last night, revelers marked the start of the new year. But in the Northwest corner of the U.S., some Native American tribes began their celebrations early. On Dec. 20, just before the winter solstice, tribes in Eastern Oregon held a ceremony called kimtee inmewit, a welcoming of the new foods. (NPR News)

 

January 1st, 2012

Ancient burial urn excavated in Idukki district

The nannangady (burial urn) believed to be of megalithic era recently excavated from a construction site near Ramakkalmedu in Idukki district throw light on the possibility of carbon dating for further studies as there were bone remains found inside it. (The HIndu)

Mysterious Mass Sacrifice Found Near Ancient Peru Pyramid

An apparent ritual mass sacrifice—including decapitations and a royal beer bash—is coming to light near a pre-Inca pyramid in northern Peru, archaeologists say. Excavations next to the ancient Huaca Las Ventanas pyramid first uncovered bodies in August, and more have been emerging since then from a 50-by-50-foot (15-by-15-meter) pit. (National Geographic)

RARE DNA VARIANT MAY DISPROVE PALEOLITHIC MIGRATION TO AMERICA ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

A new analysis of the rare mitochondrial DNA haplogroup C4c in Native American populations shows that it has a parallel genetic history with the X2a haplogroup thought by some to indicate a connection between early Paleoindians in eastern North America and the Upper Paleolithic Solutrean culture in France and Spain. (Ohio Archaeology Blog)

Italy probes report that Colosseum stones fall

Italy's culture ministry said Wednesday that it is investigating reports that bits of rock have fallen from the Colosseum. Witnesses reported seeing the fallen masonry Sunday. (CBS News)

Bulgarian Archeologists Discover Apollonia's Eastern Gate

Bulgarian archeologists made a breakthrough discovery in the ancient Black Sea town of Sozopol – they found the long-sought East Gate of Apollonia Pontica. The precious discovery had been located underneath illegal shacks selling food and beverages in the center of the town. It will allow scientists to recover all fortification systems of the ancient city in their original state. This, in turn, will attract more tourists from the country and Europe. (Novinite.com)

ANCIENT TEXTS PART OF EARLIEST KNOWN DOCUMENTS

A team of scholars has discovered what might be the oldest representation of the Tower of Babel of Biblical fame, they report in a newly published book. Carved on a black stone, which has already been dubbed the Tower of Babel stele, the inscription dates to 604-562 BCE. (Discovery News)

BLM seeking comments on Nine Mile Canyon gasline proposition

Comments are being accepted until mid-January on a proposed, low-pressure natural gas line in Nine Mile Canyon. The Peter's Point Loop Line proposed by Bill Barrett Corp. had been under protest by some canyon ranch owners who contended the pipeline would disrupt agricultural activities such as haying and pose potential impacts to valued archaeological resources that include ancient rock art. (KSL.com Utah)

China's tomb raiders laying waste to thousands of years of history

China's extraordinary historical treasures are under threat from increasingly aggressive and sophisticated tomb raiders, who destroy precious archaeological evidence as they swipe irreplaceable relics. The thieves use dynamite and even bulldozers to break into the deepest chambers – and night vision goggles and oxygen canisters to search them. The artefacts they take are often sold on within days to international dealers. (The Guardian)


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