December 2011, Daily News

Archaeology News for the Week of March 13th, 2011

Sun, Mar 13, 2011

March 19th, 2011

Public Archaeology: The Priority of Provenience

An archaeologist with the Prescott National Forest, Elaine Zamora is more likely to hear of things lost than found. But when she does hear of things found, it can make for a very nice day. Such was the occasion last November when her colleague on the Coconino National Forest, archaeologist Peter Pilles, called to tell her he had heard from a professor at Northern Arizona University who had been contacted by someone who had found an artifact at a remote location on the Prescott National Forest. (The Bugle)

Mexico pyramids under threat

On every equinox, tens of thousands of people arrive at Mexico's archaeological sites to contemplate the wonders left by ancient civilisations. The ritual, however, forces archaeologists to expand their efforts to protect the pyramids. (News24)

Archaeologists return to former Winchester Fire Station

A TEAM of archaeologists has returned to Winchester to search for ancient secrets beneath the city. Wessex Archaeology have begun more work in the old Winchester Fire Station in North Walls after a successful dig in January, when a team found the ruins and foundations of a medieval building, believed to be a friary. (Hampshire Chronicle)

March 18th, 2011

Collapse of Mayan Civilization Blamed on Environmental Damage

The collapse of the Mayan civilization was due to environmental damage caused by deforestation and damage to the agricultural system, a leading U.S. archaeologist said at the 3rd International Congress on Mayan Culture. "It was a collapse and not an abandonment, because the second is temporary; while the first represents an abandonment over the long term and the destruction of the social and economic system that maintains a state, as occurred in the said region," Dr. Richard D. Hansen said at the opening of the conference in the Caribbean city of Merida. (Fox News Latino)

Maximianpolis - Archaeological Town Records Syria's History

Shaqqa (Maximianpolis) archaeological town, 27km northeast Sweida city, Syria, assumed an important position during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD as the Romans named it after the name of their emperor Maxim, to be known as Maximianpolis or the 'City of Maximian'. Director of Sweida Antiquities Department Waseem al-Sha'rani said one of the most important remaining ruins in the village is the Kalybe ruins which were built by the end of the 3rd century AD. (Global Arab Network)

Unique Roman altar stones add 'fascinating new chapter to story'

TWO "internationally significant" Roman altar stones discovered in a Musselburgh park last year during redevelopment work have revealed a "fascinating new chapter" in the story of the area's Roman past. Investigations have been carried out into the rare, beautifully carved altars found at Lewisvale Park, close to historic Inveresk, which are believed to be unique to Scotland if not Britain and date from about 200 AD. (EastLothianCourier)

The heat was on at Marden Henge

A building whose foundations were unearthed during an excavation at Marden Henge near Devizes last summer could have been a Neolithic sauna. Archaeologist Jim Leary told his audience at Devizes town hall on Saturday that the chalk foundations contained a sunken hearth that would have given out intense heat. (Gazette & Herald)

The World's First Computer: The Antikythera Mechanism

Sometime around 1900, a wreck was discovered off the coast of the island of Antikythera by sponge divers. It was quite the archaeological find. Artifacts of all shapes and sizes were pulled from the wreckage in a salvage operation that took place over the course of about two years- coins, busts, marble sculptures, even a full sized, nearly intact bronze statue. Among this wreckage, there was found something of an anomaly. It was an intricate mechanical construction that would baffle historians and archaeologists for almost a full century before its actual purpose was determined. (InventorSpot)

March 17th, 2011

Website Tracks At-Risk Historic Sites

A new internet platform has been launched today to rescue cultural heritage sites on the verge of being irremediably lost, said Global Heritage Fund, a California-based nonprofit organization that focuses on historical preservation.Called Global Heritage Network (GHN), the platform is the first early warning and threat monitoring system for saving endangered sites in developing countries, where financial resources and expertise are limited. Combining Google Earth, scientific mapping from Esri, satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe, and social networking, the platform aims to serve as an early warning system for site conservation leaders, archaeologists, local communities, government officials, and volunteers. (Discovery News)

Study: Neanderthals had control of fire

U.S. researchers say evidence shows Neanderthals in Europe achieved continuous control of fire as far back as 400,000 years ago. (UPI)

Complete neolithic pot found in Didcot 

Archaeologists working on a housing development in Oxfordshire claim to have found one of the oldest complete pots in the country. The neolithic find was discovered on a housing development in Didcot and is thought to be about 5,500 years old. (BBC News)

Archaeologists start excavating first megalithic circle in Chanda district

Department of ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology (AIHCA) of Nagpur University has begun excavations of a megalithic circle near village Sawri in Bhadrawati tehsil. The archeologists are optimistic of uncovering details of the culture, trade and customs prevalent in the ancient era during the excavation. (Times of India)

100 drawings carved in stone discovered in Ras Al Khaimah

About 100 drawings carved in stone, or petroglyphs, have been discovered in Ras Al Khaimah, the Emirates Geographical Society (EGS) announced in Abu Dhabi on Monday night. (gulfnews.com)

The Roman Ninth Legion's mysterious loss

The disappearance of Rome's Ninth Legion has long baffled historians, but could a brutal ambush have been the event that forged the England-Scotland border, asks archaeologist Dr Miles Russell, of Bournemouth University. (BBC News)

March 16th, 2011

Medieval discovery: pottery and leather shoes found in dig

REMNANTS of what appears to have been a medieval mill, including "very well-preserved" timber beams, pottery and leather shoes, have been found underneath Meeting House Square in Temple Bar, Dublin. The discovery by archaeologists came as part of the mandatory archaeological survey, as work got under way on the construction of a retractable rain-cover over the square. The building works have now been halted. Temple Bar Cultural Trust is describing the discovery as "very exciting". (IrishTimes.com)

Lanka's oldest "Silk" cloth reveals more historical facts

Many historical facts in relation to Sri Lanka and the famous silk route are expected to be revealed with the discovery of the silk cloth belonging to the 2nd Century A.D. from Rambukkana region. (LankaPuvath)

All bites are off - fleas did spread plague

COUNTY archaeologists have provided conclusive proof that the plague which wiped out about 60 per cent of the European population in the 14th century was caused by fleas. Human skeletons excavated from pits near Hereford Cathedral helped scholars at Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service definitively confirm the plague’s origins. (Worcester News)

Public Archeology: Ken and the Wall

Every Friday, Zoll, who today serves as the president of the Verde Valley Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society, would stand about the rock panels, doing his best to answer questions about the nature and meaning of the mysterious figures and symbols etched into the red sandstone. (VerdeIndependent)

March 15th, 2011

Archaeologists Find Nomadic Camp in Baja California

Eight archaeological sites, some of them occupied 8,000 years ago by nomadic groups, were discovered by archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in the municipality of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The previously unknown sites came to light during recent archaeological salvage work carried out due to the upgrading of  the San Felipe-Laguna Chapala highway. (Past Horizons)

It Took Humans Many Chilly Millennia to Master Fire

Early humans may have moved north into the chilly latitudes of Europe hundreds of thousands of years before mastering a crucial technology: Fire.   A survey of 141 archaeological sites in Europe found no evidence of habitual use of fire prior to about 400,000 years ago. Early humans arrived much earlier. (Yahoo News)

China praises US return of seized artifacts

China's top cultural heritage administrator said the recent repatriation of 14 ancient artifacts by the United States is a good example of international collaboration to curb the rampant pillaging and smuggling of treasures. (Peoples Daily)

Old-growth tree stumps tell the story of fire in the upper Midwest

Researchers have constructed a 226-year history of fire in southern Illinois by looking at fire scars in tree stumps. Their study the most in-depth fire history reported for the upper Midwest, reveals that changes in the frequency of fires dating back to the time of early European settlement permanently altered the ecology of the region. (EurekaAlert)

March 14th, 2011

Scots team to digitally scan ancient Indian landmark

One of India's most historic landmarks is to be digitally recorded by a group of Scottish experts in an effort to preserve its every detail. The team, from Glasgow School of Art and Historic Scotland, will scan the Rani Ki Vav Stepwell in Gujarat. The site, which dates back to 1050, is made up of decorated stepped terraces descending into the ground. The project is part of a global programme by the design team to record sites of historical significance. (BBC News)

New archaeological finds in El Salvador

Three renowned French archaeologists have been travelling through the country to document the existence of cave art. Their findings at Morazan and La Union shed new light on the ancient inhabitants of El Salvador. (Travelio.net)

Lost city of Atlantis, swamped by tsunami, may be found

A U.S.-led research team may have finally located the lost city of Atlantis, the legendary metropolis believed swamped by a tsunami thousands of years ago in mud flats in southern Spain. (Yahoo News)

Tamil-Brahmi script found at Pattanam in Kerala

A Tamil-Brahmi script on a pot rim, reading “a ma na”, meaning a Jaina, has been found at Pattanam in Ernakulam district, Kerala, establishing that Jainism was prevalent on the west coast at least from second century CE (Common Era) (The Hindu)

March 13th, 2011

Revisit Pompeii by way of New York City

A new exhibition from Italy that opened last week at New York's Discovery Times Square captures the last gasp of the ancient city of Pompeii before it was buried under volcanic ash, mud and rock when Mount Vesuvius erupted 2,000 years ago. Copies of body casts that researchers made from the skeletal remains of residents buried alive are an eerie part of the exhibit - a crouching man covers his mouth, a chained dog appears contorted, a family of four huddle together. (Theday.com)

Egypt's 'Indiana Jones' Calls It Quits

The celebrated head of the Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawass, has resigned. The man responsible for overseeing Egypt's historical sites said he stepped down because many of the ancient sites are not being properly protected. Now, the new government is scrambling to replace the man who has become the worldwide face of Egyptian archaeology. (VOA News)

17th century merman carving to go on display at the DIG centre in York

A 400-year-old carving of a merman, discovered among the remains of a 17th century merchant ship in Dorset, will have its first public outing as part of York Archaeological Trust’s Shipwrecks exhibition, which opens in York on Monday. (The Press)

Archaeologists debating dung in Rohnert Park

The people who dig up really, really, really old things have arrived. More than 500 of them have come to Rohnert Park, archaeologists from around California who have gathered to present papers, review research and swap stories from Thursday through Sunday. On their agenda: a heated national argument that will be highlighted by the event’s keynote speech. That will be given by an Oregon scientist whose research team uncovered in south-central Oregon evidence — a tool and traces of human DNA in dung — that some experts agree points to a human presence in North America dating back 14,207 years. (The Press Democrat)

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