===============================================================
explorator 20.44 February 25, 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, Robert White, Trevor
Ogden, Bob Heuman, Richard C. Griffiths, and Ross W. Sargent for
headses upses this week (as always hoping I have left no one out).

================================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
================================================================
Homo erectus may have had sailing skills and may have been able to
speak:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/20/homo-erectus-may-have-be
en-a-sailor-and-able-to-speak
https://www.independent.ie/world-news/earliest-humans-could-talk-and-sai
l-36622131.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/20/language-started-15m-years-ea
rlier-previously-thought-scientists/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/early-humans-could-talk-scientist-cla
ims-dl2r6k8zt

A study is making connections between cave art and the development of
language:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221122923.htm
https://phys.org/news/2018-02-paper-links-ancient-language.html
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/acoustic-caves-rock-art-lang
uage-origin-spd/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6397-180223-cave-art-communication

And hot on the heels of that suggestion that Neanderthals' lack of
artistic ability contributed to their demise:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/02/18/did-neanderthals-poor-art-
ability-contribute-extinction/

.... comes major attention on redating of some cave art in Spain
suggesting Neanderthals were artists:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-neanderthals-artistic-modern-humans.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uos-nwa021618.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180222144943.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/22/science/neanderthals-cave-paintings-e
urope.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43115488
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/neanderthals-artists-cave-pain
tings-decorated-shells-ancient-humans-discovery-a8223341.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/neanderthals-had-a-creative-side-1519326000
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/22/neanderthals-not-humans-
were-first-artists-on-earth-experts-claim
http://www.dw.com/en/neanderthals-the-oldest-masters-of-cave-art/
a-42707939
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/23/oldest-kno
wn-cave-paintings-yield-big-surprise-neanderthals-may-have-been-first-ar
tists/?utm_term=.ca944ddfb97e
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-neanderthals-were-ar
tists-20180222-htmlstory.html
https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/neanderthals-were-artists-and-th
ought-symbolically-new-studies-argue/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/earliest-cave-art-belonged-to-neanderthals
-not-humans-study-finds/
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/22/587662842/
cave-art-may-have-been-handiwork-of-neanderthals
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/were-neanderthals-earliest
-cave-artists-new-research-spain-points-possibility-180968236/
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/neanderthals-cave-art-humans
-evolution-science/
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2018/02/22/neanderthals-cave-p
aintings-spain/#.WpK55xMbM1I
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-02357-8
https://www.thelocal.es/20180223/ancient-spanish-cave-art-reveals-painte
rs-were-neanderthals
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ancient-cave-paintings-clinch
-case-for-neandertal-symbolism/
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cave-art-suggests-neandertals-were-a
ncient-humans-mental-equals?tgt=nr
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6395-180222-neanderthal-cave-art

Giant handaxes suggest multiple human lineages in Europe some 200 000 -
300 000 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-giant-handaxes-groups-early-humans.html

On the evolution of human brain size:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180220212021.htm

I think we mentioned these 700 000 years bp child footprints from
Gombore:

http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/childs-footprints-700000-years-ago

More on those stone tools from India and their implications:

http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-india-archaeology-stone-tools-818995

================================================================
AFRICA
================================================================
A statue of a ruler named Aspelta from a temple in the Sudan:

https://www.livescience.com/61801-ancient-statue-nubian-king.html
https://www.livescience.com/61806-egypt-statue-hieroglyphic-discovery-ph
otos.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6387-180220-sudan-statue-aspelta

================================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
================================================================
Plenty of coverage of the find of eight 26th Dynasty tombs with plenty
of burial goods at Tuna el-Gebel near Cairo:

http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/43713/8-new-tombs-discovered-in-Tuna
-el-Gebel-in-Minya
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/291590/Heritage/Ancient-Egy
pt/th-Dynasty-cemetery-uncovered-in-Egypts-Minya.aspx
http://www.egyptindependent.com/photos-egypt-announces-large-discovery-o
f-26th-dynasty-cemetery-in-minya/
https://egyptianstreets.com/2018/02/25/a-2000-year-old-cemetery-unearthe
d-in-egypts-minya-governorate/
https://phys.org/news/2018-02-archaeologists-ancient-necropolis-egypt.ht
ml
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/ancient-necropolis-egypt-
archeologists-mummy-tuna-al-gabal-a8226891.html
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-egypt-archaeology/egypt-uncovers-ancie
nt-necropolis-south-of-cairo-idUKKCN1G80QC
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/archaeologists-discover-burial-ground
-egyptian-high-priests-n850921
https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/43713/8-new-tombs-discovered-in-Tun
a-el-Gebel-in-Minya
http://www.dw.com/en/german-archaeologists-help-uncover-ancient-cemetery
-near-egyptian-city-of-minya/a-42726779
https://theweeklyobserver.com/ancient-necropolis-discovered-germans-egyp
tians/32226/
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-archaeology/egypt-uncovers-anci
ent-necropolis-south-of-cairo-idUSKCN1G80QI
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1185706/ancient-necropolis-found
-egypt%E2%80%99s-tuna-al-gabal
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ancient-necropolis-uncovered-egypt-containing-o
ver-1000-statues-1663624

Latest theory on how the pyramids at Giza were aligned:

https://www.livescience.com/61799-great-pyramid-near-perfect-alignment.h
tml
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/science/news/article.cfm?c_id=82&objectid=1199
8479
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/archaeologist-may-
have-finally-unravelled-the-mystery-of-the-great-pyramid-of-giza/
news-story/ba2b86e7eddbc5908cae5ff60a07cd08
https://news.sky.com/story/mystery-behind-the-giza-pyramids-near-perfect
-alignment-possibly-unravelled-11260435
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fall-equinox-secret-pyramids-n
ear-perfect-alignment-180968223/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6391-180221-egypt-fall-equinox

On the sun alignment at Abu Simbel:

http://www.egyptindependent.com/3800-tourists-witness-sun-alignment-at-a
bu-simbel/

Review of Joyce Tyldesley, *Nefertiti's Face*:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/23/nefertitis-face-by-joyce-t
yldesley-review-creation-egyption-icon

.... and a piece by Dr Tyldesley on how Nefertiti's bust ended up in
Germany:

http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/art/how-nefertitis-b
ust-ended-up-in-germany-20180220-h0wdyb

Inscriptions in looters' tunnels revealed after the destruction of the
tomb of Jonah in Nineveh:

https://www.livescience.com/61798-biblical-prophet-tomb-iraq.html
http://www.aina.org/ata/20180218183758.htm
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/22/isis-jonah-kind-esarhaddon-christianit
y-assyrian/
http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-inscriptions-found-under-biblical-prophe
ts-tomb-describe-brutal-813777

Plenty of coverage of the a seal find purporting to be the prophet
Isaiah's 'signature':

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-clay-extra-biblical-prophet-isaiah.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-find-of-biblical-proportions-proof-of-p
rophet-isaiah-believed-unearthed/
http://www.jpost.com/jerusalem/Seal-of-the-prophet-Isaiah-may-have-been-
unearthed-in-Jerusalem-543366
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-prophet-isaiah-s-seal-mark-
may-have-been-found-in-jerusalem-1.5844352
http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-biblical-seal-prophet-isaiah-reveals-270
0-year-old-document-may-have-816049
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/242308
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900011202/archaeologists-may-have-ju
st-found-prophet-isaiahs-signature-on-an-artifact.html
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/
people-in-the-bible/prophet-isaiah-signature-jerusalem/
https://www.jta.org/2018/02/22/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/
personal-seal-of-prophet-isaiah-believed-to-be-uncovered-in-jerusalem
https://www.livescience.com/61836-ancient-seal-prophet-isaiah.html
https://www.thedailybeast.com/did-archaeologists-just-prove-the-existenc
e-of-prophet-isaiah?source=articles_sum&via=rss
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/prophet-isaiah-jerusalem-sea
l-archaeology-bible/

Some reaction:

http://www.rollstonepigraphy.com/?p=796
http://www.rollstonepigraphy.com/?p=801
https://theconversation.com/seal-of-the-prophet-isaiah-sorting-out-fact-
from-fantasy-92296

Honours for Gabriel Wasserman:

https://blogs.yu.edu/news/gabriel-wasserman-is-awarded-a-prestigious-fel
lowship/

Feature on Tophets:

http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2018/02/Understanding-Tophets-Short

Maybe the Hanging Gardens were in Nineveh:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/hey-babylon-nineveh-wants-its-hanging-gard
ens-back-the-truth-of-an-ancient-wonder

More on the DSS priestly calendar:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-dead-sea-scrolls-deciphered-esoteric.html
http://theconversation.com/dead-sea-scrolls-deciphered-esoteric-code-rev
eals-ancient-priestly-calendar-91777

Gobeklitepe is open to the public again:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/worlds-oldest-temple-site-gobeklitepe-r
eopens-to-visitors-in-turkeys-southeast-127760

What Claudia Glatz is up to:

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-university-acade
mic-leads-effort-14316536

Concerns for the Great Mosque of Samarra:

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/02/samarra-mosque-recons
truction-unesco-world-heritage.html

Interesting item on saving manuscripts from ISIL:

https://thearabweekly.com/iraqi-monks-tale-saving-ancient-manuscripts-is
is

================================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
================================================================
A pair of Roman 'boxing gloves' from Vindolanda:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/19/rare-roman-boxing-gloves
-found-hadrians-wall
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-43120942
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/knock-out-find-roma
n-boxing-14311448
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/astonishing-roman-boxing-gloves-found-near-hadr
ians-wall-knockout-discovery-1662466
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-20/archaeologists-find-roman-boxing-g
loves/9464756
http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-roman-boxing-gloves-discovered-northern-
england-vindolanda-813641
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6389-180220-roman-boxing-gloves

Remains of a Roman barracks block from Chester:

https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/archaeolog
ists-find-roman-barrack-block-14314159

.... related:

https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/follow-tra
il-around-chesters-more-14324313

Latest finds from the Thessaloniki metro construction (including a
headless Aphrodite statue):

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/21/thessaloniki-metro-dig-reveal
s-more-ancient-greek-finds/
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/24/glorious-ancient-past-of-thes
saloniki-unearthed-photos/
http://www.ekathimerini.com/226119/gallery/ekathimerini/in-images/
thessaloniki-archaeological-treasures-unveiled
http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/greek-news/culture/30170-thessaloniki-metro-
dig-reveals-more-ancient-greek-finds.html
http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Archaeologists-unearth-headless-Aphrodite-
statue-in-Thessaloniki

A section of 1st century mosaic from the bathing complex at Bath:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-43141937
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/oldest-mosaic-roman-baths-foun
d-during-excavations-180968231/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6390-180221-england-roman-bath

A possible Roman origin for a Reedham church:

http://www.edp24.co.uk/features/reedham-roman-anglo-saxons-hadrian-s-wal
l-saxon-shore-1-5403030

Interesting study of how the 'Gates of Hell' at Hierapolis killed
sacrificial animals:

https://www.livescience.com/61802-gate-to-hell-deadly-secret-found.html
http://eu.greekreporter.com/2018/02/23/scientists-reveal-ancient-gate-to
-hell-mystery-in-ancient-greek-city/
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/gate-hell-roman-portal-underworld-can-kill-anyo
ne-if-they-get-too-close-it-scientists-reveal-761255
http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-rome-scientists-explain-geological-myste
ry-killed-animals-not-priests-811946
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-rome-scientists-explain-geological-10
0002342.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-roman-gates-hell-worked-18
0968197/

Philip II's palace at Aigai is opening to the public soon:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/22/restored-ancient-greek-palace
-gets-ready-for-visitors/

Putting Megacles on trial:

http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/events/30147-classic-ancient-greek-tr
ials-at-national-hellenic-museum-in-chicago-video.html

In case you missed the phallic parade in Athens:

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Phallic-parade-through-Athens-honours-anci
ent-Greek-god-Dionysus

.... or just want a feature on erotic art of Greece and Rome:

https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-the-erotic-art-of-ancient-greec
e-and-rome-87859

Crossword help for 'nemean':

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/crosswords/what-the-heck-is-that-neme
an.html

Feature on Kottabos:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/kottabos-ancient-greek-wine-spilli
ng-game

Feature on 'Brancaster' rings:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/new-light-cast-on-norfolk-named-roma
n-jewellery-linked-to-the-lord-of-the-rings-1-5402556

Analogies between Russian meddling and Troy:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/opinions/russia-mueller-bots-divisions-od
yssey-tess-taylor-opinion/index.html

What Gloria Pinney is up to:

http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=26106

What Albert Ammerman is up to:

http://www.thecolgatemaroonnews.com/news/article_8a096588-17f5-11e8-bcdb
-5724ce9af9ee.html

What Lynn Kozak is up to (performing the Iliad):

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/montreal-ac
ademics-live-serial-presentation-of-the-iliad-captures-all-the-allure-of
-modern-tv/article38035047/

Interviewish/reviewish with Richard Thomas about his Dylan book:

https://www.theday.com/article/20180219/NWS01/180219329
https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/blowin-in-an-augustan-wind/
299862

Review of Daniel Mendelsohn, *An Odyssey*:

https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/an-odyssey-review-daniel-mend
elsohns-journey-with-his-father-and-homer-20180215-h0w5ae.html
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/books/an-odyssey-review-d
aniel-mendelsohns-journey-with-his-father-and-homer-20180215-h0w5ae.html

Review of Emily Wilson's *Odyssey* translation:

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/02/woman-scholars-take-on-th
e-odyssey/

Interview with Nick Hodgson on the effect of Hadrian's Wall on the
locals:

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/story-how-hadrians-
wall-destroyed-14313179

Review of Patricia Vidgerman, *Real Life of the Parthenon*:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/books/review/the-real-life-of-the-par
thenon-patricia-vigderman.html

Feature on Yourcenar's *Memoirs of Hadrian*:

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/in-praise-of-older-books-memoir
s-of-hadrian-by-marguerite-yourcenar-translated-by-grace-frick-1954-1.33
98660

They're already pondering a sequel to Troy: Fall of a City:

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-24/
troy-fall-of-a-city-series-2/

.... and the casting decisions continue to be brought up:

http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/troy-fall-of-a-city-casting-diversity-bb
c-netflix-1202707708/
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-24/troy-fall-of-a-city-blackwa
shing-casting-black-actors-greek-myth/

More on Caesar's landing place in Britain:

https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-02-20/wrong-beach-two-british-towns-may
-not-actually-be-where-caesar-landed-55-bc

-----
Latest reviews from BMCR:

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

Visit our blog:

http://rogueclassicism.com/
================================================================
EUROPE AND THE UK (+ Ireland)
================================================================
Remains of a domesticated goat dating back to the Neolithic Corded Ware
period from Finland:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uoh-dgd022318.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180223111548.htm

Bronze Age finds from school construction in Wichelstowe:

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16046212.Bronze_Age_artefacts_di
scovered_as_school_building_works_gets_underway/

Inscriptions found on a medieval spindle whorl found in Poland some 60
years ago:

http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C28263%2Conly-medieval-whorl
-inscription-found-poland-comes-czermno.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6392-180221-poland-spindle-whorl

Overviewish thing on finds from a dig at St Albans Cathedral:

http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/unearthing-1-000-years-of-life-and-death-d
uring-major-st-albans-cathedral-excavation-work-1-5400567

Excavating 20 burials from Copenhagen dating to 1000 years bp or so:

http://cphpost.dk/news/skeletons-of-first-copenhageners-discovered-under
-city-hall-square.html

Bones found because of a 'vision' on Paphos date from the 14th century:

http://cyprus-mail.com/2018/02/24/vision-bones-found-paphos-cave-appear-
date-14th-century/

Medieval remains found during school renovations in Turku:

https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/a_piece_of_14th_century_turku_under_t
he_gym_floor_-_our_own_pompeii/10083848

Because of 'waterlogged ground', Avebury henge and environs have been
temporarily closed:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-43154577
http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/uk_national_news/16038968.National_T
rust_temporarily_closes_most_of_Avebury_henge_and_stone_circles/?ref=rss
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16038318.Wet_weather_shuts_5_000
_year_old_Avebury_stones_for__a_few_weeks____but_car_parking_will_be_fre
e/

Some Iron Age Viking finds were apparently melted down as scrap (? I'm
hoping Google is mistranslating):

https://samnytt.se/arkeolog-ska-utreda-varfor-delar-av-sveriges-kulturar
v-skrotas-danskarna-skakar-pa-huvudet/

More on those skulls on stakes from a Swedish lake (pardon the rhyme):

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-year-underwater-burial-site-reveals.html
https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/demolition-workers-uncover-8000-
year-old-ritual-skulls-in-sweden/

More on that Viking mass grave:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180202085235.htm
-----
Archaeology in Europe Blog:

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

================================================================
ASIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
================================================================
A possible 7th century banquet hall from Asuka:

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201802220048.html
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6394-180222-japan-asuka-banquets

A 1500 years bp tomb with armour from Shibushi:

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201802140003.html
http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-japan-1500-year-old-tomb-discovered-huma
n-remains-and-armor-perfect-813876

A pair of 232 years bp cannon show up during excavations at Fort
Cornwallis (Penang):

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/02/20/two-200-year
-old-cannons-found-at-fort-cornwallis/
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/02/21/double-ang-pow-discove
ry-in-penang/
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/412899

Excavating a 19th century Ottoman shipwreck off Japan:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/excavations-continue-in-pacific-on-otto
man-frigate-ertugrul-127584

Feature on archaeology in Cambodia:

http://www.news.com.au/video/id-5348771529001-5738289805001/archaeology-
in-cambodia-longvek

Fire at a Tibetan monastery in Lhasa:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-43101743
-----

Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog:

http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/

New Zealand Archaeology eNews:

http://nzarchaeology.blogspot.co.nz/index.html
================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
================================================================
A well-travelled copy of the Declaration of Independence has turned up
again:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/02/19/a-rare-copy
-of-the-declaration-of-independence-survived-the-civil-war-hidden-behind
-wallpaper-later-it-was-tossed-in-a-box/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/copy-declaration-independence-
hidden-behind-wall-paper-during-civil-war-resurfaces-texas-180968207/

Protecting petroglyphs on Lake Mountain (Utah):

https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/protecting-petroglyphs-as-utah-co
unty-develops/article_59c8f56f-e806-548c-9a7d-6e338310521f.html

On a cemetery built on a Native American mound in Mississippi:

https://navajotimes.com/wires-wp/index.php?id=1777263601&kid=cqB52fb1Ebj
xmpDx

Rejecting the Solutrean hypothesis (recently revived in a Canadian
documentary):

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/21/rejecting-the-solutrean-
hypothesis-the-first-peoples-in-the-americas-were-not-from-europe

On early white interpretations of assorted mound cultures:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/white-settlers-buried-truth-about
-midwests-mysterious-mound-cities-180968246/
================================================================
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
================================================================
On infant skull binding in the Andes:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/cu-isb022118.php
https://phys.org/news/2018-02-infant-skull-identity-inequality-ancient.h
tml

Mayan finds from the largest underwater cave (Yucatan):

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-archaeologists-fossils-mayan-relics-giant.
html
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-cave/ancient-human-remains-ice
-age-animal-bones-found-in-giant-mexican-cave-idUSKCN1G40V3?feedType=RSS
&feedName=scienceNews
https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-americas/mexican-archaeologists-fin
d-fossils-and-mayan-relics-in-world-s-largest-underwater-cave-1.706196
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/mexico-flooded-cave-1.4543416?cmp=rss
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-mayan-bones-uncovered-mexico-13020475
0.html
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/human-remains-found-in-underwater-cave/
http://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-mexico-discover-treasures-mayan-c
ivilization-and-giant-sloth-812882
https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/02/21/ancient-human-remains-found-
in-flooded-cave-mexico-orig-llr.cnn
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/largest-underwater-cave-syst
em-new-finds-mexico-spd/

.... and concerns for the Sac Actun cave system in general:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-experts-vast-underwater-archeology-site.ht
ml
http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/experts-underwater-archaeology
-site-imperiled-mexico-53205587
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/19/experts-underwater-arch
aeology-site-imperiled-in-m/
https://globalnews.ca/news/4034981/underwater-archaeology-site-mexico-im
periled-pollution/

.... and there are plans to make a 3d copy of the cave:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-scientists-recreate-virtual-mexican-underw
ater.html

.... and INAH has published an underwater archaeology catalog:

http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2018/02/inah-publishes-new-museum-of-unde
rwater-archeology-catalog/

LiDAR has revealed a major city near Morelia, Mexico:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/15/laser-scanning-reveals-l
ost-ancient-mexican-city-had-as-many-buildings-as-manhattan
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/laser-mapping-reveals-ancient-
mexican-city-once-had-many-buildings-manhattan-180968202/
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/archaeology/ancient-lost-city-
in-mexico-had-as-many-buildings-as-manhattan/news-story/81a0b55edcf14015
7a5762ebce9a79a3

More on what LiDAR revealed in Guatemala:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-laser-technology-maya-archeologists-theyve
..html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uoa-ltt022018.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221140946.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/ancient-city-di
scovered-in-central-america/9478874
-----
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
================================================================
Feature on assorted 'lost cities':

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/25/lost-cities-of-the-world
-angamuco-pripyat-termessos-gedi-mohenjo-daro-the-five

It apparently took a while for dogs and humans to get along:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dogs-and-humans-didnt-beco
me-best-friends-overnight-180968232/

Conservation of the oldest Christian panel painting from the Americas:

https://fr.aleteia.org/2018/02/17/la-france-conserve-le-plus-ancien-tabl
eau-chretien-damerique/

Arguing about the Portrait of Omai:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/feb/25/joshua-reynolds-por
trait-omai-tate-john-magnier-amsterdam--row

On the evil eye:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180216-the-strange-power-of-the-evil-
eye

On the spread of Proto Indo European:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-evidence-fuels-debate-ove
r-the-origin-of-modern-languages/

Interesting early same-sex marriage in Spain:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43057841

Making the Bible into a 'novel' (sort of):

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/18/586556000/manuscripts-encourages-readers-
to-approach-the-bible-like-a-novel

Victor Nuovo is looking at Diderot this week:

http://www.addisonindependent.com/201802victor-nuovo-diderot%E2%80%99s-p
olitical-naturalism

Interesting feature on David Fairchild:

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/02/20/586459088/like-lemons-qu
inoa-thank-this-food-explorer-for-bringing-them-to-your-plate

Feature on Klimt and Schiele:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180221-klimt-and-schiele-the-artists-
who-shocked-europe

On Rembrandt's self portraits:

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/19/586454391/he-s-not-a-leading-man-a-castin
g-director-on-rembrandt-s-self-portraits?sc=17&f=1008

Feature on W.E.B. Du Bois at 150:

https://www.npr.org/2018/02/22/587839970/w-e-b-du-bois-at-150?sc=17&f=10
32&utm_source=iosnewsapp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=app
https://www.npr.org/2018/02/23/588103943/the-enduring-lyricism-of-w-e-b-
du-bois-the-souls-of-black-folk

More on dice:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/02/dice-dice-baby/
553742/

More on rabbit domestication:

http://www.columbian.com/news/2018/feb/24/story-of-monks-who-kept-rabbit
s-just-that/

More on the archaeology of wealth inequality:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/aracheology-wealth-inequality-180
968072/

Review of Iliffe, *Priest of Nature*:

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/public/isaac-newton-oddness/

Archaeology Podcast Network:

http://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/archyfantasies/
================================================================
MUSEUM MATTERS
================================================================
Hadrian:

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/02/21/exhibition-explores-the-roman
-emperor-who-loved-greek-culture/

The Unseen Museum:

http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Rare-exhibit-in-Athens-features-7000-year-
old-enigma

Secret Life of Scissors:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cutting-edge-exhibition-examin
es-secret-life-scissors-180968194/

Insurance is expensive when Tut goes on tour:

https://www.albawaba.com/business/king-tutankhamun-trip-abroad-costs-egy
pt-862-million-dollars-minister-of-antiquities-1091490

On the Green Family's 'other collection':

https://religionnews.com/2018/02/21/the-green-familys-other-collection/

Michael Bennett is leaving the Cleveland MoA:

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2018/02/curator_who_defended_pur
chase.html

================================================================
THE TECHY SIDE
================================================================
A new scanning technique reveals a painting beneath a Picasso:

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43088339
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/science/
picasso-blue-period-scans.html

Feature on conservation techniques at UPenn's Museum of Archaeology:

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_top/art-conservation-historical-art
ifacts-penn-museum-philadelphia-20180222.html

Studying Neanderthal molars using three-dimensional geometric
morphometry:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-d-morphometric-molars-sima-de.html

================================================================
ON THE DNA FRONT
================================================================
DNA suggests Przewalski's horses aren't technically 'wild':

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uok-sns021618.php
http://news.ku.edu/2018/02/16/surprising-new-study-redraws-family-tree-d
omesticated-and-wild-horses
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/horse-origin-mysterious-domest
ic-dna-analysis-przewalskis-botai-domesticated-a8224121.html
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/22/587755920/why-the-las
t-wild-horses-really-arent
http://nhpr.org/post/why-last-wild-horses-really-arent
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/przewalski-wild-horses-botai
-kazakhstan-spd/
http://www.archaeology.org/news/6396-180222-domesticated-botai-horses

DNA is settling some controversy about the spread of the Bell Beaker
folks from Europe to Britain:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/lm-app022218.php
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/snrc-cai021918.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221131851.htm
https://phys.org/news/2018-02-ancient-dna-tales-humans-migrant.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/stonehenge-neolith
ic-britain-history-ancestors-plague-archaeology-beaker-people-a8222341.h
tml
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/21/arrival-of-beaker-folk-c
hanged-britain-forever-ancient-dna-study-shows
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43115485
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/21/no-one-living-britain-truly-b
ritish-scientists-find-stonehenge/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/stonehenge-neolith
ic-britain-history-ancestors-plague-archaeology-beaker-people-a8222341.h
tml
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/uk_national_news/16038730.European_Bea
ker_immigrants_took_over_UK__study_shows/?ref=rss
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ancient-britons-overrun-by-folk-from-
the-steppes-5dg3dwtgh
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-for-whom-the-bell-beaker-to
lls-archaeological-mystery-solved-1.5843019
https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/prehistoric-europe-much-like-a-g
ame-of-civilization-according-to-ancient-dna/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6393-180222-europe-beaker-culture

This seems to be a different study of migrations in Europe:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uow-nrs022118.php
http://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2018/02/uw-scientists-part-of-research-on-pr
ehistoric-human-migration-in-europe.html

DNA also suggests that Taino DNA is still present in Caribbean
populations:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-indigenous-taino-present-day-caribbean-pop
ulations.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/sjcu-sit021518.php
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180219155009.htm
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/genes-extinct-caribbean-islanders
-found-living-people
https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/natives-of-the-caribbean-wiped-o
ut-during-colonization-left-dna-behind/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-dna-contradicts-histor
ical-narrative-extinct-caribbean-taino-population-180968221/
https://www.archaeology.org/news/6388-180220-bahamas-eleuthera-taino

They're going to test those human remains from the Whydah to see if
theres a connection to Samuel Bellamy:

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-museum-discuss-efforts-bones-pirate.html
https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/UNH-scientists-explore-pirate-my
stery-12631839.php
http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/bones-discovered-shipwreck-cape-cod-may
-belong-prince-pirates
http://www.telegram.com/news/20180220/bone-pulled-from-wreck-off-cape-co
d-could-be-infamous-pirates
http://www.smh.com.au/world/dna-test-to-confirm-if-world-s-richest-pirat
e-found-20180220-p4z0yy.html
https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/dna-test-to-confirm-if-wor
ld-s-richest-pirate-found-20180220-p4z0yy.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/19/possible-remains-worlds-riche
st-pirate-captain-black-sam-bellamy/

Over the past eight years, genome research has expanded to 1300+ human
genomes:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180221131848.htm

Dienekes' Anthropology Blog:

http://dienekes.blogspot.ca/
================================================================
CLIMATE MATTERS
================================================================
The Dutch apparently prospered during the 'Little Ice Age':

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/some-places-flour
ished-in-the-little-ice-age-there-are-lessons-for-us-now/2018/02/16/
455fb2d8-0c25-11e8-8b0d-891602206fb7_story.html
================================================================
TOURISTY THINGS
================================================================
Polish palaces:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20180221-the-magnificent-palaces-of-pola
nds-lower-silesia

Xian:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/travel/xian-china-budget-affordable.h
tml

================================================================
CRIME BEAT
================================================================
Some idiot stole a terracotta warrior's thumb from a display at the
Franklin Institute (and China is livid):

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/feb/19/china-calls-on-us-to-pun
ish-terracotta-warrior-thumb-thief
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-43109139
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/terra-cotta-warriors-philade
lphia-museum-broken-thumb-spd/

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
================================================================
The US Supreme court has ruled that terrorist victims cannot seize
Iranian antiquities on loan in the US:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/terror-victims-cannot-seize-iranian
-antiquities-us-supreme-court-rules
http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2018/02/supreme-court-rejects-victims-c
laims-to-collect-damages-from-iran.php
http://www.wtva.com/content/national/474727053.html?ref=053
http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/421531/Disputed-Persian-artifacts-one-st
ep-closer-to-home

A different sort of repatriation issue ... an Israeli collector
claiming title to a statue of Cybele in Turkey:

https://www.courthousenews.com/israeli-collector-sues-turkish-cultural-m
inistry-over-roman-statue/

Even more different, a Degas stolen in 2009 turns up on a bus near
Paris:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43168246
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/world/europe/degas-painting-bus.html?
partner=rss&emc=rss

This seems also to be the category to mention that the US and Libya
have signed an MoU on looting:

https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/us-libya-sign-anti-antiquities-loot
ing-mou
================================================================
NUMISMATICA
================================================================
Feature on expensive ancient coins:

https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/coinweek-ancient-coin-series-million-
dollar-ancients-come-close/

Followup to that coins-in-a-piano story from a while back:

http://www.dunmowbroadcast.co.uk/news/town-museum-makes-bid-to-acquire-h
oard-of-rare-coins-hidden-in-piano-1-5404508

Latest e-Sylum:

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n07.html

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

http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/club_nbs_esylum_v21n08.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/
2689-audio-news-from-archaeologica-11-february-2017-17-february-2018

================================================================
OBITUARIES
===============================================================
Eleanor Winsor Leach:

https://classicalstudies.org/scs-news/memoriam-eleanor-winsor-leach

================================================================
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
================================================================
EXPLORATOR is a free weekly newsletter bringing you the latest news of
archaeological finds, historical research and the like. Various on-line
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