explorator 14.46 March 4, 2012

explorator 14.46 March 4, 2012
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================================================================
================================================================
Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Diana Wright, Donna Hurst,
Edward Rockstein, Rick Heli, Hernan Astudillo, Mitch Allen,
Patrick Swan, A. Landreau,Kurt Theis, Wendy van Duivenvoorde,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Richard Campbell,
Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this
week (as always hoping I have left no one out).
================================================================
EARLY HUMANS
================================================================
Interesting info from Oetzi's genome (interesting how different media
sources
stress different aspects of the same study):

http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-genetic-analysis-reveals-otzi-iceman.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/02/29/iceman_genome/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17191398
http://news.yahoo.com/dna-data-helps-flesh-otzi-alpine-iceman-161516817.html
http://news.discovery.com/history/iceman-mummy-lyme-disease-120228.html

A hominin-human timeline sort of thing:

http://thevarsity.ca/2012/02/27/hominins-to-humans/

On the origins of blue eyes (not sure where to put this one):

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/02/do-blue-eyes-ste\
m-from-a-black-sea-resident-8000-years-ago/

Neanderthals were apparently using boats long before modern humans:

http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-03-evidence-neanderthals-boats-modern-humans.ht\
ml
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2108651/Neanderthals-beat-modern-\
humans-seas-50-000-years-say-scientists.html
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/231282/neanderthals-used-boats-much-modern.h\
tml
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21328544.800

More on Neanderthals being on the verge of extinction before
humans arrived:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17179608
http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-european-neanderthals-verge-extinction-moder\
n.html
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=224326
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
More on Nubian skeletons:

http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2012/02/nubian_skeletons_reveal_secre\
ts_of_ancient_times
================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
Garbage dumping and archaeological looting at Abu Sir:

http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/681041

The Patio Tomb coverage:

http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-tomb-exploration-reveals-archaeological-evid\
ence.html
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-02/uonc-ter022712.php
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/28/10534008-doubts-about-the-jesus-\
discovery
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/naked-archaeologist-finds-signs-jerusa\
lem-cave-was-used-to-bury-jesus-disciples-1.415231
http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/finding-a-new-image-profe\
ssor-s-discovery-resurrects-debate-over/article_ee21c51e-63f7-11e1-bfce-0019bb29\
63f4.html
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/28/10521007-new-find-revives-jesus-\
tomb-flap
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/02/28/tomb-jonah-discovered-finder-lost-tomb\
-jesus-claims/
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2012/02/archeologists-p\
eer-into-jesus-tomb-ossuary/1
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9111834/Christs-disc\
iples-remains-discovered.html
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/investigators-may-discovered-earliest-evide\
nce-christian-iconography-jerusalem-231736336.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2107591/Will-discovery-ancient-co\
ffin-lead-resting-place-Jesus.html
http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-tomb-exploration-reveals-archaeological-evid\
ence.html

... folks genuinely interested in this should read the various discussions
at the ASOR blog (there are
quite a few reactions in the blogosphere in general):

http://asorblog.org/

... if you want a classicist's perspective (i.e. mine):

http://rogueclassicism.com/2012/02/29/the-patio-tomb-evidence-of-early-christian\
ity-i-hae-me-doots-a-classics-perspective/

James Tabor's article on same is up at Bible and Interpretation:

http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/tab368028.shtml

cf the original (especially the 'fish'):

http://www.bobcargill.com/Docs/Tabor2_ORIGINAL_VERSION.pdf


... but we should note that recently some of the photos have been
changed (hmmm):

Recent finds from Tel Megiddo:

https://sites.google.com/site/megiddoexpedition/additional-information/area_h_ho\
ard

A Phoenician fortress from Cyprus:

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Culture/Arts/Jun/24/Remains-of-Phoenician-fortress-u\
ncovered-in-Cyprus.ashx


Finds from Horbat Midras:

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/article00200.html


Gospel of Mark fragments:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnfarrell/2012/02/27/fragments-of-marks-gospel-may\
-date-to-1st-century/
http://global.christianpost.com/news/bible-scholars-skeptical-of-1st-century-gos\
pel-fragment-discovery-70231/

Feature on that mummy of Nehemes-Bastet:

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/Mummy_discovery_reveals_ancient_secrets_.htm\
l?cid=32194158

Latest on Temple Mount:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/153152

More on the solar boat:

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2012/1086/eg72.htm
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/35047/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Japane\
seEgyptian-team-starts-restoring-King-Khufus.aspx

Egyptology News Blog:

http://egyptology.blogspot.com/

Egyptology Blog:

http://www.egyptologyblog.co.uk/

Dr Leen Ritmeyer's Blog:

http://blog.ritmeyer.com/

Paleojudaica:

http://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/

Persepolis Fortification Archives:

http://persepolistablets.blogspot.com/
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
Plenty of coverage of Greek reburial of sites due to lack of funds:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/03/02/greek-antiquities-reburied-for-lack-o\
f-funds/
http://www.france24.com/en/20120302-greek-antiquities-reburied-lack-funds
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gy3GQeW3LPeIZEzU1rebXmnrRByg?\
docId=CNG.fe1245d46ab71882e956e375ece52394.561
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Greek+antiquities+reburied+lack+funds+report/624\
0554/story.html

Water works near Kirkton have revealed assorted Roman remains:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-17237825

A very nice gilt bronze Greek helmet from Haifa Bay:

http://world.greekreporter.com/2012/03/02/mysterious-ancient-greek-bronze-helmet\
-found-in-haifa-bay/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46574945/ns/technology_and_science-science/
http://news.discovery.com/history/ancient-greek-helmet-120229.html
http://news.yahoo.com/found-ancient-warriors-helmet-owner-unknown-141401836.html
http://www.livescience.com/18700-ancient-helmet-greek-warrior.html

Feature on Alepotrypa Cave:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/columnist/vergano/story/2012-02-25/Alepotry\
pa-Cave-Hades/53237894/1

Traces of paint on the Medici Venus:

http://news.discovery.com/history/medici-venus-120203.html

That 'Julius Caesar' bust found at Arles is going on display at the Louvre:

http://www.theartnewspaper.com/whatson/event/Arles:-the-Excavations-in-Rhone/112\
2243

Baylor's Latin Day:

http://baylorlariat.com/2012/03/02/roman-resurrection-classics-become-cool/

Latin is 'lingering' in Rochester:

http://www.campustimes.org/2012/03/01/latin-lingers-on/

Nice feature on chariot racing:

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/history/2012/03/blue-versus-green-rocking-the-by\
zantine-empire/

The Classics Confidential people were chatting with Edith Hall:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_q7hClO1-A&feature=uploademail

There was an Ovid Marathon reading at St Olaf:

http://www.stolaf.edu/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=NewsDetails&id=5253

What Donald McGuire is up to:

http://www.ubspectrum.com/life/mcguire-scoots-to-recovery-1.2797172#.T1NlOHnN2uI

Feature about Heron of Alexandria:

http://jalopnik.com/5888188/the-greeks-had-the-technology-to-build-a-car-in-60-a\
d

Interesting Julius Caesar page:

http://www.biography.com/people/julius-caesar-9192504

Roman advice for political candidates (semi-reviewish?):

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2012/03/ancient_roman_advice_for_the_20\
12_candidates_.html

Review(ish) of the Swerve:

http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/02/27/loss-and-recovery-stephen-greenblatt%E2%80%\
99s-%E2%80%9Cthe-swerve%E2%80%9D/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/02/26/f-vp-handler-swerve.html

Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
The refurbishment of Roch Castle is complete:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-17238208

... as is Kinver Rock House:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-17208140

The public is helping to dig at Flag Fen:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17211285

A Charles II 'wanted' poster fetched an okay price at auction:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-17244677

Thomas Hobbes appears to have had a cunning plan in regards
to the English Civil War:

http://www.livescience.com/18648-thomas-hobbes-letter-england-civil-war.html

There's a new railway archive online in the UK:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/feb/28/railway-archive-engineering-giants

Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
Feature on those Jewish manuscripts found in Afghanistan (not sure if
there's
anything new here):

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/books/92443/war-papers/

Arguing over a Khmer statue saved from auction in New York:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/arts/design/sothebys-caught-in-dispute-over-pr\
ized-cambodian-statue.html

East Asian Archaeology:

http://eastasiablog.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/east-asian-archaeology-cultural-her\
itage-%E2%80%93-2052010/

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://www.nzarchaeology.org/netsubnews.htm
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
Solutrean discovery of America (definitely have to watch this one):

http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-european-style-stone-tools-age.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/new-evidence-suggests-stone-age\
-hunters-from-europe-discovered-america-7447152.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9110838/Stone-age-Europe\
ans-were-the-first-to-set-foot-on-North-America.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/radical-theory-of-first-am\
ericans-places-stone-age-europeans-in-delmarva-20000-years-ago/2012/02/28/gIQA4m\
riiR_print.html

Very semi-related ... fwiw and mixed in with some Elmer material:

http://borderzine.com/2012/03/did-europeans-settle-in-the-arizona-desert-thousan\
ds-of-years-before-columbus-sailed-to-america/

Feature on Jefferson's slaves at Poplar Forest:

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/feb/26/slavery-research-poplar-forest-show\
s-contradiction-ar-1713406/

On ancient American pilgrimage centres:

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/science/2012/03/04/study-pilgrimage-a-co\
stly-signal.html
http://ohio-archaeology.blogspot.com/2012/03/ancient-american-pilgrimage-communi\
tas.html

The site of the Battle of Medina may have been found:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Battle-of-Medina-site-found-\
geologist-says-3374995.php

Humans in Ohio were scavenging/hunting earlier that previously thought:

http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-03-reveals-evidence-prehistoric-ohioans.html
http://news.yahoo.com/research-reveals-first-evidence-hunting-prehistoric-ohioan\
s-162015355.html

Haven't had a facial reconstruction in a while ... this time, its sailors
from the Monitor:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/faces-of-civil-war-sailors-from-sunken-us\
s-monitor-reconstructed-in-hopes-of-identifying-them/2012/03/03/gIQAAldxoR_story\
.html

What Whitney Battle-Baptiste is up to:

http://www.truth-out.org/archaeologist-author-black-feminist-unearths-contributi\
ons-african-diaspora-everyday-people/13304412
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
The tomb of Atahualpa has possibly been found:

http://www.news24.com/SciTech/News/Clue-to-Inca-emperor-tomb-found-20120229
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/ecuador/9112505/Ecuador-l\
ocates-final-resting-place-of-last-Inca-emperors-tomb.html

Women were important in pre-colonial Maya society:

http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-03-women-central-pre-colonial-maya-society.html
http://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/3632

A 16th century shipwreck off Brazil:

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2012/03/01/sixteenth-century-shipwrec\
k-discovered-by-brazil-team/

Interesting photo from Chichen Itza which, of course, is being given all
sorts of spins:

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/03/02/mayan-light-beam-photo-message-from-go\
ds-or-iphone-glitch/

Mike Ruggeri's Ancient Americas Breaking News:

http://web.mac.com/michaelruggeri

Ancient MesoAmerica News:

http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/
================================================================
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
================================================================
Audio news from Archaeologica:

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/content/MP3/audnews26feb12.mp3

The Herschel family papers are now available for research purposes:

http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-newly-science-materials.html

Some Spain v Odyssey marine aftermath:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/international/sunken_treasure_washed_up_in_spain_1_\
2141830
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/9108879/Spain-rejects-Per\
uvian-claim-to-shipwreck-treasure.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/spain-rejects-peruvian-claim-to-shipw\
reck-treasure/2012/02/27/gIQAFFcfdR_story.html

and:

http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=24195

Video report on the Vatican's 'other' Secret Archives:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_VJOqjL0pU&feature=uploademail

On climate change as seen through Arabic manuscripts:

http://dmmsclick.wiley.com/view.asp?m=7wc8369beu2zmtjdtss7&u=18736418&f=h
http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-ancient-arabic-scientists-piece-climate.html
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/02/27/ancient-iraqi-meteorologists-speak-to-the-\
present-on-climate/
http://in.news.yahoo.com/ancient-arabic-writings-help-scientists-reconstruct-pas\
t-climate-060306808.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120226225956.htm
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-02/w-aaw022312.php

An interesting application of 3d printing technology:

http://mashable.com/2012/02/24/smithsonian-uses-3d-printing/

Foot bones can be used to identify the sex of skeletons:

http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-foot-bones-sex-skeletal.html

Some coverage of the American Digger thing:

http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2012/03/archaeologists-protest-glamori\
zan.html

One of the nuttiest claims I've seen in ages:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/dargaville-districts/649794\
3/Greeks-got-here-first

... and coming a close second are claims that that Bible in Turkey we
mentioned last week includes mention
that Jesus foretold the coming of Mohammed:

http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/jesus-foresaw-prophet-mohammads-arrival-hid\
den-ancient-bible-414563
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2105714/Secret-14million-Bible-Jesus-pre\
dicts-coming-Prophet-Muhammad-unearthed-Turkey.html

... and stories of Victoria's 'secret daughter' is probably in the same
category:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2106204/Victorias-secret-According-tan\
talising-new-evidence-Queen-Victoria-married-Scottish-groom-bore-secret-daughter\
-spirited-America.html

http://www.ancientdigger.com/
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Assorted 'guided walks':

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/feb/27/readers-travel-tips-guided-walks
================================================================
BLOGS
================================================================
About.com Archaeology:

http://archaeology.about.com/

Archaeology Briefs:

http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/

Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:

http://planet.atlantides.org/taygete/

Time Machine:

http://heatherpringle.wordpress.com/
================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Thieves stole St Laurence O'Toole's heart from Dublin's
Christ Church Cathedral:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17248394
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Saint-s-ancient-heart-stolen-from-Dublin-\
cathedral-3380594.php

Another antiquities bust in Thessaloniki:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17248637
http://www.nbc29.com/story/17071944/35-arrested-in-greece-with-stolen-antiquitie\
s
http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n272372
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/03/4308655/35-arrested-in-greece-with-stolen.html

A pair of British tourists were arrested on suspicion of smuggling artifacts
from Egypt, but it turned to they were imitations:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9110760/British-tourists-arrested-f\
or-smuggling-artefacts-out-of-Egypt.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/british-couple-released-as-pricel\
ess-artifacts-they-were-smuggling-out-of-egypt-turn-out-to-be-cheap-market-fakes\
-7447085.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120226/ml-egypt-antiquities/
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ioxhVKqn60e1M6AsvY9cDTzBPwDQ?\
docId=CNG.f93648e502555ea3e976efe113d96c98.9c1

On the scope of antiquities theft in Israel:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-antiquity-thefts-per-year-in-israel/

More on those thieves who were using the Copper Scroll as a treasure map:

http://www.antiquities.org.il/article_Item_ido.asp?sec_id=25&subj_id=240&id=1901\
&module_id=#as
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-antiquities-officials-apprehend-thieves-in-\
ancient-cave/

Looting Matters:

http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/

Illicit Cultural Property:

http://illicit-cultural-property.blogspot.com/

Safe Corner:

http://safecorner.savingantiquities.org/
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Today's issue of the e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_esylum_v15n10.htmlA

Some Syracusan dekadrachms are coming to auction:

http://www.coinweek.com/news/auctions-news/morton-eden-announce-sale-of-four-ico\
nic-greek-coins-dating-from-the-5th-century-bc/

... as is the Shoshana collection of ancient Judean coins:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=53917
http://coins.ha.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=3003&ic=leftcol-shoshana-a\
lthome4-021412
http://www.ha.com/c/press-release.zx?releaseId=2166

Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/
================================================================
EXHIBITIONS, AUCTIONS, AND MUSEUM-RELATED
================================================================
Lux in Arcana:

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=54002
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/9111168/V\
atican-Secret-Archives-reveal-abdication-letter-of-hermaphrodite-Swedish-queen.h\
tml
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWn1otXr_Ks&feature=uploademail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIg9ydN87Zo&feature=uploademail

Aphrodite and the Gods of Love:

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/arts/news/article_1693392.php/Aphrodite-and-th\
e-Gods-of-Love-open-March-28-at-The-Getty-Villa

A Day in Pompeii:

http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-pompeian-life-vesuvius-wrath.html

Becoming the Volunteer State:

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/26d64f853a7e431a96cc6369644c7a74/TN--Museu\
m-War-of-1812/

Genghis Khan:

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120226/entlife/702269993/

Titian's Diana and Callisto will remain in the UK:

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/British-galleries-buy-Renaissance-masterpi\
ece-3373131.php

The Andhra Pradesh Archeological Museum is set to reopen:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ap-archaeological-museum-to-reopen-soon/233975-62-131\
.html


Check out our Twitter hashtage for more ancient exhibition reviews:

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23classicalexhibit
================================================================
PERFORMANCES AND THEATRE-RELATED
================================================================
Check out our Twitter hashtag for Ancient Drama reviews:

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23ancientdrama

... and for Sword and Sandal flicks:

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23swordandsandal
================================================================
PODCASTS
================================================================
The Book and the Spade:

http://www.radioscribe.com/bknspade.htm

Stone Pages Archaeology News:

http://news.stonepages.com/

Archaeologica Audio News:

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/AudioNews.asp

Naked Archaeology Podcast:

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/archaeology/
================================================================
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