===============================================================
explorator 20.40 January 28, 2018
===============================================================
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, Hernan
Astudillo, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Rick Heli, David Critchley, Peter Archdale, Bob Heuman, Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for
headses upses this week (as always hoping I have left no one out).

Happy whatever you celebrated/are celebrating/will celebrate for the past couple of weeks!

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Plenty of coverage of a find of a jawbone in Israel which is potentially pushing the 'Out of Africa' theory back by 50 000 years or so:

https://www.aftau.org/news-page-biology--evolution?&storyid4700=2374&ncs4700=3
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-01/bu-sdo011918.php
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-01/afot-roe012518.php
https://phys.org/news/2018-01-scientists-oldest-modern-human-fossil.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180125140923.htm
https://www.livescience.com/61532-oldest-human-fossils-outside-africa.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/jawbone-fossil-found-in-israeli-cave-resets-clock-for-modern-human-evolution/
http://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Israeli-scientists-discover-earliest-modern-human-fossils-outside-Africa-539864
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-israeli-archaeologists-find-oldest-human-remains-out-of-africa-ever-1.5764061
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/archaeology-news/remains-of-earliest-modern-human-outside-of-africa-unearthed-in-israel/2018/01/25/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/science/jawbone-fossil-israel.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2018/01/25/scientists-discover-the-oldest-human-fossils-outside-africa/?utm_term=.780
cc48e01bf&wpisrc=al_science__alert-hse&wpmk=1
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-when-humans-left-africa-20180125-story.html
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/25/580811109/new-fossil-found-in-israel-suggests-a-much-earlier-human-migration-out-of-africa
https://knpr.org/npr/2018-01/new-fossil-found-israel-suggests-much-earlier-human-migration-out-africa
http://www.dw.com/en/israeli-fossil-shows-humans-left-africa-thousands-of-years-earlier-than-thought/a-42311845
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/25/oldest-known-human-fossil-outside-africa-discovered-in-israel
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/oldest-fossil-world-outside-africa-israel-tel-aviv-a8177711.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42817323
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/adult-human-jaw-teeth-fossil-found-outside-of-africa/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/100911453/Oldest-human-fossils-discovered-outside-Africa-rewrite-history-books-again
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/earliest-humans-remains-outside-africa-just-discovered-israel-180967952/
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/359/6374/456
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-01261-5
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/controversial-fossil-hints-homo-sapiens-blazed-a-trail-out-of-africa-earlier-than-thought/
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/deadthings/2018/01/25/oldest-human-fossils-outside-africa/
https://www.thedailybeast.com/does-this-200000-year-old-jaw-bone-change-everything
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6307-180126-israel-modern-humans

.... and the Asian theory gets a little attention:

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/358/6368/eaai9067

The development of modern brain organization is a relatively recent thing:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180125105444.htm
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6302-180125-modern-human-brains
================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
A very long piece which brings together (and disputes most) theories of contact of African cultures with the rest of the world in the early
days:

https://www.modernghana.com/news/829961/west-africa-the-atlantic-in-antiquity-why-they-couldnt-.html

More on those Sub-Saharan glass beads:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6296-180123-nigeria-glass-making

================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
A project to document inscriptions at Egyptian archaeological sites:

https://dailynewsegypt.com/2018/01/22/project-document-rare-inscriptions-archaeological-sites/

Feature on Nefertari:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/40805/Ancient-Egyptian-Queens-Nefertari-King-Ramses-II-s-Wife

Feature on Ay:

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/40748/Top-Facts-about-King-Ay

Joyce Tyldesley on Nefertiti:

https://phys.org/news/2018-01-nefertiti-pharaoh-renowned-egyptologist.html

More hype for the exploration of the Valley of the Monkeys:

https://dailynewsegypt.com/2018/01/21/zahi-hawas-heads-archaeological-mission-tomb-tutankhamuns-family/

Latest finds from Adam (Oman):

http://menafn.com/1096378075/Oman--Largest-haul-of-weapons-unearthed-from-archaeological-site-in-Adam
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/24/01/2018/New-archaeological-discoveries-in-Oman

.... and Al Mudhaibi (is this the same as the above?):

http://timesofoman.com/article/126871/Oman/Heritage/More-than-4000-year-old-archaeological-site-discovered-in-Al-Mudhaibi

Oman also wants to crack down on the antiquities trade:

http://menafn.com/1096374831/Oman--MHC-to-tackle-trafficking-in-cultural-goods-this-year

I think we mentioned the 'decipherment' of one of the last two encrypted Dead Sea Scrolls (it's mostly about calendar disputes):

https://www.timesofisrael.com/2000-year-old-dead-sea-scroll-deciphered-revealing-2nd-temple-power-struggles/
https://www.livescience.com/61510-dead-sea-scroll-decoded.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42773878
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jan/26/dead-sea-scroll-deciphered-to-reveal-ancient-calendar
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-tuesday-edition-1.4500030/researchers-crack-one-of-the-last-coded-shreds-of-the-dead-sea-
scrolls-1.4500037
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/dead-sea-scrolls-archaeology-israel-text-fragments-author-decode-a8173221.html
http://www.newsweek.com/dead-sea-scrolls-one-last-two-encrypted-ancient-writings-deciphered-israel-786609
http://www.ibtimes.com/scientists-decode-dead-sea-scroll-mystery-revealing-secret-ancient-jewish-calendar-2643775
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mysterious-dead-sea-scroll-finally-decoded-archaeologists-105154501.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scholars-decipher-one-last-un-decoded-dead-sea-scrolls-180967917/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6294-180123-israel-translated-scroll

Speculation that there might be more Dead Sea Scrolls:

https://www.livescience.com/61496-dead-sea-scrolls-cave-found.html

Honours for Elisha Qimron:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/dead-sea-scrolls-language-researcher-named-as-winner-of-israel-prize/
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/israel-prize-awarded-to-dead-sea-scroll-expert/2018/01/25/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/40942

Feature on crafts at Tel Hazor:

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/daily-life-and-practice/israelites-iron-age-crafts-tel-hazor/

This one is still developing as Explorator goes 'to press', but yesterday the Turkish airforce apparently severely damaged the Hittite site at
Afrin:

https://sana.sy/en/?p=125617

.... some background:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42788179
================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
Heavy rains revealed Roman (it seems) burials in a Gazan garden:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/heavy-rain-unearths-ancient-graves-in-backyard-in-gaza/
https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2018/01/27/gazan-man-discovers-hidden-ancient-graves-in-garden
http://www.dariennewsonline.com/news/article/Heavy-rain-unearths-ancient-graves-in-backyard-in-12528108.php
http://www.tribtown.com/2018/01/26/ml-gaza-ancient-tomb/

Irrigation digging revealed a Roman/Byzantine burial in Mersin:

https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2018/01/25/ancient-tomb-discovered-during-irrigation-works-in-southern-turkey

A Roman mosaic from downtown Leicester:

http://metro.co.uk/2018/01/22/fascinating-mosaic-discovered-city-centre-team-found-richard-iiis-body-7248979/

.... and a Byzantine mosaic beneath a mosque in Turkey:

http://eu.greekreporter.com/2017/11/26/priceless-byzantine-mosaic-found-under-mosque-in-turkey

Studying some Roman cremations originally dug up in the 19th century:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/26/cremation-urns-dusty-bones-tell-tale-death-roman-london-museum

.... and skulls from victims of Vesuvius:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2018/01/22/archaeologists-reveal-3d-skulls-of-ancient-romans-killed-by-eruption-of-
vesuvius/#69e32f554644

More coverage of the finds from Dhaskalio:

https://phys.org/news/2018-01-excavations-remote-greek-islet-early.html
http://famagusta-gazette.com/greek-archaeologists-hail-findings-on-aegean-sea-keros-island-p43254-69.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/excavations-show-remote-greek-islet-early-industrial-hub-52583171
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/metalworking-shops-and-drainage-pipes-found-ancient-greek-pyramid-180967898/

Michael Scott on the relevance of Classics:

http://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/expert-michael-scott-explains-why-greek-classics-are-still-relevant/article22519747.ece

Feature on the joys of Latin:

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/stephanie-smith-latin-lovers-what-we-can-still-learn-from-the-language-of-rome-1-8975584

.... and learning it down at the pub:

http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/15894875.Learning_Latin_down_the_pub/

On hunchbacks in Greek and Roman art:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/drsarahbond/2018/01/26/the-depiction-of-the-hunchback-in-greek-and-roman-art/#3a1f32d655cb

On the 'endowment' of Greek male statuary:

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/29606-report-why-ancient-greek-male-statues-are-not-very-well-endowed.html
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-ancient-greek-sculptures-small-penises

In Our Time this week looked at Cicero's political philosophy:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09nrsfg

Pondering (again) the authorship of the Odyssey:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/01/could-the-odyssey-have-been-the-work-of-a-woman-after-all/

A different sort of honour for Mary Beard:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-42816995

.... and she was interviewed on the CBC:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thesundayedition/the-sunday-edition-january-28-2018-1.4505238/to-be-a-man-is-to-speak-in-public-a-classicist-explores-
the-origins-of-misogyny-1.4505257

Once again, Trump was compared to Caligula:

https://www.aspentimes.com/opinion/paul-andersen-caligula-in-the-white-house/

.... then again, so was Justin Trudeau:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1540404-jim-meek-emperor-justinian-issues-absurd-pro-choice-pledge-of-allegiance

Feature on the Roman invasion of Britain:

http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2018/01/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-roman-invasion-of-britain

Assorted looks at the 'accuracy' of the Britannia series:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-accurate-is-britannia-we-sort-fact-from-fiction-2vncqvtj8
https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/britannia-review-roman-historian/
https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tv/britannia-everything-you-need-know-14192846

.... and recaps/general reviews:

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jan/25/britannia-recap-series-one-episode-two
https://www.salon.com/2018/01/26/britannia-a-frothy-stand-in-for-better-tv-epics/
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2018/01/27/while-you-wait-for-game-of-thrones-check-out-amazons-britannia

More on that potsherd from 'Bethsaida' purportedly showing the birth of Athena:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/imaging-technology-reveals-birth-of-athena-on-2300-year-old-shard-from-galilee/
https://rogueclassicism.com/2018/01/18/parthenon-pediment-image-from-bethsaida-yeah-about-that/
https://rogueclassicism.com/2018/01/23/purported-parthenon-pediment-image-from-bethsaida-followup/

-----
Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
Plenty of coverage of the find of a 10 000 years bp ochre 'crayon' in Scarborough:

https://phys.org/news/2018-01-ancient-lake-reveals-colourful.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-01/uoy-alr012618.php
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-42831463
http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-crayon-star-carr-stone-age-color-animal-skins-792517
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/10000-year-old-prehistoric-crayon-used-by-our-artistic-ancestors-discovered-stone-age-lake-1656909
https://hyperallergic.com/423645/newly-discovered-mesolithic-crayon-is-among-worlds-oldest/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6305-180126-mesolithic-ochre-crayon

Even more coverage of things they're finding as Norwegian glaciers melt:

http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/frozen-in-time-glacial-archaeology-on-the-roof-of-norway
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-01/uoc-fit011818.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180123235125.htm
https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/5745040e-88ed-317a-8153-af4619b142c8/ss_climate-change-reveals.html
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/glacier-archaeology-norway-oppland-mountains-climate-change-melting-ice-spd/
https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/01/climate-change-melting-pre-viking-artifacts-out-of-norways-glaciers/
http://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-rescue-thousands-rare-iron-and-bronze-age-artifacts-climate-788771
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2000-artifacts-pulled-edge-norways-melting-glaciers-180967949/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6297-180124-norway-glacial-archaeology

A guy out walking his dog found an Iron Age woman's skull on the bank of the River Sowy:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-42772143
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/01/22/iron-age-skull-found-somerset-could-linked-ancient-head-cult/
http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/somerset_news/15888738.Woman_s_skull_found_by_dog_walker_had_been_on_river_bank_for_years/
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/uk_national_news/15888938.Dog_walker_finds_human_skull_dating_back_to_Iron_Age/?ref=rss
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/skull-beheaded-iron-age-woman-discovered-by-dogwalker-1656198
http://www.newsweek.com/decapitated-iron-age-skull-found-dog-walker-likely-evidence-ancient-ritual-787468
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6291-180122-england-river-skull

Pondering some Bronze Age bones found a few months ago in Northumberland:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-42816943

A Bronze Age hoard from Furness has been declared treasure:

http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/15899362.Bronze_Age_hoard_found_in_Furness_is_treasure__rules_coroner/

A couple of shipwrecks (one 14th century?) in the Baltic:

https://www.thelocal.se/20180126/swedish-divers-find-two-new-incredible-shipwrecks-in-the-baltic-sea

Feature on the trepanned finds from the Biniadris cave:

https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/01/19/inenglish/1516366953_437630.html

.... and petroglyphs in the Atxurra cave system:

https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/atxurra-cave-art-spain/

Another voice heard from potential Bayeux Tapestry hosts:

https://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/bayeux-tapestry-should-go-to-pevensey-where-it-all-began-says-petition-1-8348981

-----
Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
A 4500 years bp midden from Honshu:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/01/22/national/rare-prehistoric-shell-mound-aichi-japan-suggests-possible-mid-jomon-shell-trade/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6292-180122-japan-clam-midden

Archaeology reveals that Yan'an city in Shaanxi is 2300 years older than previously thought:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/26/c_136927402.htm

Shang Dynasty bronze casting relics from Henan:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/26/c_136926398.htm

Liao Dynasty burials from Liaoning:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/24/c_136920522.htm

They'll be resuming digging at Keezhadi:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/fourth-phase-of-keezhadi-excavation-likely-in-2-months/articleshow/62657163.cms

Confirmation that a tomb at the Marquis of Haihun site belongs to the Marquis' son:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/26/c_136927312.htm

The site of the Great Shangqing Palace has been located:

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/great-shangqing-palace-taoist-temple-excavated-china-spd/
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/excavation-unearths-ruins-of-chinas-largest-taoist-temple/1235251

Remote sensing finds a 2100 years bp city on the Silk Route:

https://www.inquisitr.com/4750277/archeologists-find-2100-year-old-city-on-the-silk-road-using-remote-sensing-technique/

What archaeology is revealing about Xiongan:

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/25/c_136923628.htm
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/wn/newsworld.php?id=1430592

Remains of an 18th century fort in Pondy:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/puducherry/remains-of-18th-century-fort-excavated-in-pondy/articleshow/62656888.cms

More on that Scythian burial in Siberia:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/princes-sprawling-tomb-siberian-valley-kings-180967889/

.... and that 'mouth harp':

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-found-1700-year-old-mouth-harp-180967832/
-----

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://nzarchaeology.blogspot.co.nz/index.html
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
The wreck of the Clotilda, the 'last US slave ship' may have been located:

https://www.livescience.com/61524-slave-shipwreck-found.html
https://www.livescience.com/61519-photos-slave-ship-wreck.html
http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/jan/23/report-gulf-coast-wreck-could-be-last-u-s-slave-ship/
http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2018/01/alcom_reporter_may_have_found.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/01/24/the-last-u-s-slave-ship-was-burned-to-hide-its-horrors-a-storm-may-have-unearthed-
it/
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2018/01/24/last-american-slave-ship-may-have-been-discovered.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/24/last-slave-ship-reach-us-believed-have-found-muddy-alabama-river/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/slave-shipwreck-alabama-clotilda-last-boat-bring-slaves-us-trade-clotilde-ben-raines-captain-
william-a8174931.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/gulf-coast-wreck-could-be-last-u-s-slave-ship-n840391
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clotilda-the-last-slave-ship-to-us-newly-discovered-wreck/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/report-gulf-coast-wreck-could-last-us-slave-170114383.html
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/25/580052897/reporter-may-have-discovered-clotilda-the-last-american-slave-ship
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/clotilda-slave-shipwreck-discovery-alabama-delta-spd/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/last-american-slave-ship-may-have-been-found-outside-mobile-180967921/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6295-180123-alabama-slave-ship

.... and pondering ownership thereof:

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/01/as_the_muddy_clotilda_appears.html

Gold coins might be the latest evidence pointing to a 19th century shipwreck off North Carolina:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article196911119.html
http://www.courier-tribune.com/news/20180127/divers-find-stash-of-rare-gold-coins-at-site-of-1800s-shipwreck-off-nc-coast

An African American burial ground in West Philadelphia:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/oldest-african-american-graveyard-in-west-philadelphia-lies-beneath-proposed-
apartments-20180125.html

On Thomas Jefferson's daughter:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/made-by-history/wp/2018/01/25/how-did-we-lose-a-presidents-daughter/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/grappling-with-jeffersons-legacy-a-playwright-doesnt-like-nice-people/2018/01/24/0ff4c12e-
0081-11e8-8acf-ad2991367d9d_story.html?utm_term=.4a871c0ebbff
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
Some Inca farm terraces at Cusco have been restored:

http://www.andina.com.pe/ingles/noticia-peru-inca-farming-terraces-enclosures-unveiled-in-cusco-697036.aspx
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6300-180124-peru-inca-farming

Teotihuacan may have originally been called Teohuacan:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mexicos-teotihuacan-ruins-teohuacan-52563594
http://www.tampabay.com/mexicos-teotihuacan-ruins-may-have-been-teohuacan-ap_worldefd279f8778942bb9f458501390e6468
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11981096&ref=rss
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6298-180124-mexico-teotihuacan-aztecs

Kuluba in the Yucatan has been restored:

http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2018/01/kuluba-not-very-well-known-but-majestic-archaeological-site-recently-restored/

What baby teeth from the Atacama desert reveal:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2018/01/26/ancient-baby-teeth-tell-archaeologists-that-life-in-this-south-american-desert-was-
stressful/#46f48158770b

More on turkeys in Mexico:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/6293-180122-mesoamerica-domesticated-turkeys
-----
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
================================================================
Applying social network theory to a medieval Irish text:

https://www.livescience.com/61507-vikings-irish-medieval-text.html
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6304-180125-ireland-viking-battle

A Titian with an interesting back story is coming to auction:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/jan/22/titian-painting-king-charles-i-plumber-sale-auction

On the 'invention' of the Catalan-Aragonese crown:

https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/01/19/hechos/1516373395_163672.html

Really a museum exhibition, but all about the 'ideal female body shape' in various times:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180122-what-is-the-ideal-female-body-shape

Interesting feature on 'universally identifiable songs':

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/01/25/579739685/listen-and-guess-can-you-tell-a-lullaby-from-a-dance-song

Feature on the 1928 flu epidemic:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/01/27/the-flu-can-kill-tens-of-millions-of-people-in-1918-thats-exactly-what-it-did/

A statue of Captain Cook was vandalized ahead of Australia Day:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42813211

Feature on the Australian accent:

https://phys.org/news/2018-01-evolution-australian-accent.html

Latest Voynich Manuscript claim:

http://montrealgazette.com/news/canada/computer-scientist-claims-clues-to-deciphering-mysterious-voynich-manuscript/wcm/523a84ef-76bf-4d14-b2ad-
eb4ca82827be

Interesting recording from Ernest Shackleton:

https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/haunting-words-from-one-of-the-most-daring-antarctic-adventures-of-all-
time?utm_rd=17490501215

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archyfantasies/
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
The Gods in Color:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180119-when-the-parthenon-had-dazzling-colours
http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Ancient-Greeks-painted-their-gods-in-vibrant-colours
http://buntegoetter.liebieghaus.de/en

Charles I art collection:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42827759
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42830544

Viennese Art Nouveau:

http://www.dw.com/en/vienna-marks-100-years-since-artistic-heyday/a-42221048

Carthage and the Etruscans:

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/tunisia/2018/01/22/exhibition-highlights-links-between-carthage-and-etruria_866fc16b-abe6-4ece-
9c3e-22fbc3702e3a.html

Pompeii:

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2018/01/24/naples-museum-takes-pompeii-to-china_7525be9d-a73c-4c15-b2c9-bee82587d43d.html

The Egyptian Antiquities Minister was inspecting the new GEM:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/288684/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egypts-antiquities-minister-conducts-inspection-to.aspx

.... and there was much coverage of the move of a Ramses II statue to the new site:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/9/288769/Heritage/Colossal-Ramses-II-statue-arrives-at-new-display-a.aspx
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/41051/Ramses-II-statue-reaches-final-destination-Grand-Egyptian-Museum
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-archaeology/colossus-of-ancient-egyptian-king-ramses-moved-to-new-home-carefully-idUSKBN1FE1WJ
https://phys.org/news/2018-01-egypt-colossus-ramses-ii-museum.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-42824948/king-ramses-ii-statue-moved-to-grand-egyptian-museum
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/colossus-ramses-statue-move-cairo-egypt-museum/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6301-180125-egypt-ramses-colossus

.... and they're seeking donations to finish off the museum:

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/01/egypt-donations-grand-egyptian-museum-construction.html

There's a new museum of ancient technology in Athens:

http://www.ekathimerini.com/225170/article/ekathimerini/whats-on/ancient-greek-technology--athens--year-round
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/01/23/museum-with-ancient-greek-high-tech-inventions-opens-in-athens/
http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/A-museum-of-ancient-technology-opens-in-Athens
================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
On non-invasively reading papyri in mummy masks:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/were-one-step-closer-non-invasively-reading-ancient-papyri-hidden-in-mummy-masks-180967863/

More on the facial reconstruction of Avgi:

https://phys.org/news/2018-01-teenage-girl-years-reconstructed.html
https://www.livescience.com/61511-ancient-teen-face-reconstructed.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42802291
http://www.newsweek.com/scientists-reconstruct-face-ancient-greek-teenager-and-she-looks-just-788789
http://www2.latercera.com/noticia/rostro-una-adolescente-9-mil-anos/
https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-greece-archaeology-dawn/scientists-reconstruct-face-of-9000-year-old-greek-teenager-idUKKBN1FC1XK
http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Face-of-9000-year-old-skull-found-in-central-Greece-reconstructed
http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/29588-neolithic-girl%E2%80%99s-reconstructed-face-unveiled-at-acropolis-museum-in-greece.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/face-of-9000-year-old-teenager-reconstructed.aspx
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6306-18012-greece-avgi-sculpture

================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
DNA testing has identified an 18th century syphilitic mummy as an ancestor of Boris Johnson (that's how the press is spinning it):

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/25/remains-in-europe-mummified-woman-in-basel-is-boris-johnsons-ancestor
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/18th-century-swiss-mummy-proves-an-ancestor-of-boris-johnson-1.3368492
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/swiss-mummy-identified-as-ancestor-of-boris-johnson/2018/01/25/1f4d1802-01cf-11e8-86b9-8908743c79dd_
story.html?utm_term=.57bf50470324
https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/swiss-mummy-identified-as-ancestor-of-boris-johnson-1.3774974
http://www.theweek.co.uk/91211/swiss-church-mummy-is-boris-johnson-s-ancestor
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42805485
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/25/580670694/this-mummified-woman-now-has-a-name-and-a-famous-relative-boris-johnson
http://www.dw.com/en/syphilis-ridden-swiss-mummy-identified-as-boris-johnsons-ancestor/g-42316743

Unexpected genetic connections between Europeans and Asians:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180125135609.htm
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-human-genomes-reveal-complicated-183200123.html

Irish people share more DNA with the British and Vikings than previously believed:

http://irishpost.co.uk/new-genetic-map-reveals-irish-people-share-far-dna-british-vikings-previously-believed/

More on the two-mummy-brothers-with-different-fathers (I might have missed this one, actually):

https://phys.org/news/2018-01-ancient-dna-results-year-old-egyptian.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-01/uom-adr011518.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180116222507.htm
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/dna-solves-mystery-how-these-mummies-were-related?tgt=nr
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/01/17/egyptian-scandal-meet-mummies-different-daddies/
http://www.egyptindependent.com/dna-results-prove-famous-mummy-brothers-different-paternal-lines/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6279-180116-egypt-two-brothers

More on that Native American DNA/peopling of North America story:

https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/what-new-native-american-dna-discovery-means-for-you.html/?ref=YF&yptr=yahoo

Dienekes' Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Aigai/Vergina:

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/29625-ancient-aigai-near-vergina-macedonia%E2%80%99s-must-see-archaeological-site.html

Tunisia:

https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/tunisia-roman-ruins-carthage-what-to-see-a3746396.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/africa/tunisia-holidays-roman-ruins-sites-unesco-beach-alternative-why-visit-safe-a8171776.html

Petra:

https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/petra-will-be-a-mind-blowing-experience/Content?oid=6626201

Fortresses and Castles in Europe:

http://www.dw.com/en/fortresses-and-castles-in-europe/g-36030886
================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
A pile of Etruscan (and other) items were seized from a deceased Italian dealer's home:

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2018/01/23/200-roman-etruscan-vases-seized_c55a23ae-3862-47f6-bd91-13819e7c5c85.html

Latest Anonymous Swiss Collector Culture Crime News:

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/2018/01/culture-crime-news-7-21-january-2018.html

conflict antiquities:

http://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/

anonymous swiss collector:

http://www.anonymousswisscollector.com/

Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues:

http://paul-barford.blogspot.ca/

Looting Matters:

http://lootingmatters.blogspot.com/

Illicit Cultural Property:

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

SAFE:

http://www.savingantiquities.org/blog/

================================================================
REPATRIATION AND RECOVERY
================================================================
Latest Nazi loot return (a 16th century book):

http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Rare-1546-book-looted-by-Nazis-returned-to-family-in-Israel-539629
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Some Ganga period coins with ruler inscriptions are causing excitement:

http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/gold-coins-from-7th-century-deciphered/articleshow/62610470.cms

Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n03.html

.... and the one which should appear later today:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n04.html

------------------------
Ancient Coin Collecting:

http://ancientcoincollecting.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins:

http://classicalcoins.blogspot.com/

Coin Week:

http://www.coinweek.com/
================================================================
AUDIO/VIDEO NEWS
================================================================
Audio News from Archaeologica:

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/audio-main-menu-cat/audio-news-list/2682-audio-news-from-archaeologica-14-january-2017-20-january-2018
================================================================
OBITUARIES
===============================================================
Ayala Dvoretzky:

https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2018/01/22/hebrew-lecturer-dies-at-72/

George Lindbeck:

https://divinity.yale.edu/news/george-lindbeck-1923-2018

Hans Krummrey:

https://thepetrifiedmuse.blog/2018/01/22/in-memoriam-dr-hans-krummrey-1930-2018/

Phillippa (Forder) Goold:

https://classicalstudies.org/scs-news/memoriam-m-philippa-forder-goold

================================================================
CONFERENCES
================================================================
Hidden Cultural Heritage (April 2018):

http://www.cicop.net/hch/

================================================================
GENERAL ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS BLOGS
================================================================
Archaeology Magazine News Page:

http://www.archaeology.org/news/

About.com Archaeology:

http://archaeology.about.com/

Ancient Digger:

http://www.ancientdigger.com/

Archaeology Briefs:

http://archaeologybriefs.blogspot.com/

Past Horizons:

http://www.pasthorizons.com/

Stonepages:

http://www.stonepages.com/news/

Taygete Atlantis excavations blogs aggregator:

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

Time Machine:

http://heatherpringle.wordpress.com/
================================================================
PODCASTS/VODCASTS
================================================================
Archaeosoup:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Archaeos0up?feature=watch

The Book and the Spade:

http://www.radioscribe.com/bknspade.htm
================================================================
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please include this copyright notice. These links are not to be posted to any website by any means (whether by direct posting or snagging from
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