Archaeology Weekly

Smuggled Cargo Found on Ancient Roman Ship
http://news.discovery.com/history/roman-shipwreck-smuggling-120425.html

Genes shed light on spread of agriculture in Stone Age Europe
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/uu-gsl040312.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/aaft-nsc042012.php

'Inhabitants of Madrid' ate elephants’ meat and bone marrow 80,000 years ago
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/f-sf-om042412.php

Oldest Human Ancestor Found in Lake Sludge (Somewhat misleading headline on this one...)
http://news.discovery.com/animals/oldest-organism-120428.html

Iceman Lived a While After Arrow Wound
http://news.discovery.com/history/oetzi-iceman-mummy-blood-120502.html

Scientists recover the world’s oldest human blood cells from Ötzi the Iceman
http://io9.com/5907418/scientists-recover-the-worlds-oldest-human-blood-cells-from-tzi-the-iceman

Columbus May Not Have Been First to America (That headline made me go, "You don't say!")
http://news.discovery.com/history/columbus-cabot-new-world-discovery-120503.html

New UF study shows early North Americans lived with extinct giant beasts
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-05/uof-nus050312.php

Genetic study unravels ancient links between African and European populations
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/cshl-gsu032012.php

Discovery of foot fossil confirms 2 human ancestor species co-existed 3.4 million years ago
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/cmon-dof032812.php

More info and pics about this followed with this article:

Burtele foot indicates Lucy not alone
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/nsf-bfi040212.php

Scientists find evidence that human ancestors used fire one million years ago
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/uot-sfe_1032812.php

Young Mammoth Likely Butchered By Humans
http://news.discovery.com/animals/woolly-mammoth-yuka-120404.html

DNA traces cattle back to a small herd domesticated around 10,500 years ago
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/ucl-dtc032712.php

Rare animal-shaped mounds discovered in Peru by MU anthropologist
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/uom-ram032912.php

Discovery of the first evidence for Pre-Columbian sources of Maya Blue
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/fm-dot040212.php

University of Bristol archaeologists unearth slave burial ground on St. Helena
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/uob-uob030812.php

Statue, chapels and animal mummies found in Egypt by U of T team
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/uot-sca031212.php

Data support theory on location of lost Leonardo da Vinci painting
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/uoc--dst031312.php

Five hundred new fairytales discovered in Germany
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/mar/05/five-hundred-fairytales-discovered-germany

Video: The Search for the Aqua Traiana
http://www.archaeology.org/1203/features/rome_aqueduct_video.html

Abydos finds include Hatshepsut in female form (this article contains links to multiple articles about the find)
http://egyptology.blogspot.com/2012/03/abydos-finds-include-hatshepsut-in.html

Mystery human fossils put spotlight on China
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/uons-mhf031112.php
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21586-chinese-human-fossils-unlike-any-known-species.html
http://news.discovery.com/human/stone-age-people-fossils-120314.html

The Real-Life Libyan Ocean's Eleven (Kind of disappointing that this article glamorizes the crime, but what do you expect from a popular news outlet?)
http://gizmodo.com/5893843/the-real+life-libyan-oceans-eleven

As mentioned in the signal boost at the end of this post, National Geographic is airing a reality show about "treasure hunters" called DIGGERS! Apparently, Spike TV also has a similar show coming out next month called AMERICAN DIGGERS. I just received this letter from the Archaeological Institute of America and wanted to share it here.

Dear AIA members,

The AIA has learned of two new TV shows that promote treasure hunting to find archaeological objects. National Geographic's "Diggers" airs tonight and Spike TV's "American Diggers" will air next month. Both shows feature metal detectorists and at least one ("American Diggers") emphasizes the commercial value of the found objects. The AIA believes that these shows promote the looting and destruction of archaeological sites.

The AIA has joined several other groups including the SAA, SHA, and RPA in voicing concern about these programs and the negative messages they send about cultural heritage and its recovery. Links to copies of the SAA and SHA letters can be found at the bottom of this letter.

We would like to ask you, our members and archaeology enthusiasts, to send letters and/or e-mails to the companies involved asking them to alter the message of the shows and to provide disclaimers during the airing of the show that makes it clear that what the shows are promoting is unethical and in some instances may even be illegal. We hope that they will engage in a meaningful dialogue with archaeologists about the illicit practices they promote.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bartman
President

Voice your Concern

Spike TV
Scott Gurney and Deirdre Gurney
Gurney Productions, Inc.
8929 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 510
Los Angeles, California 90045
http://www.gurneyproductions.com/contact

Kevin Kay
President, Spike TV
1633 Broadway
New York, New York 10019
http://www.spike.com/about/feedback/

Send comments or questions regarding National Geographic Channel television programming:
comments@natgeochannel.com

There are also Facebook Pages where you can comment.
One is a "People against American Diggers" Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/People-against-Spike-TVs-American-Digger/193110227460512

If you would like to add comments to the Spike website, please visit the comments section at the bottom of the following page:
http://bit.ly/yQjlXP

The Spike TV announcement is available at:
http://bit.ly/xm2QyI

See Letters Submitted by the SAA and SHA

SAA Letters:
http://bit.ly/w2MHJM
http ://bit.ly/wzT7IA

SHA Letters:
http://www.sha.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/TepperAmericanDiggers2272012.pdf
http://www.sha.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/National-Geographic-Letter-22820121.pdf

Petitions
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-spike-tv-from-looting-our-collective-past
http://www.change.org/petitions/national-geographic-society-wwwnationalgeographiccom-stop-airing-the-television-show-diggers

Cross-posted to archaeology

I kept waiting for more stories to pop up, but none did. :-/ So here are the headlines for pretty much all of January:

The fermented cereal beverage of the Sumerians may not have been beer
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/m-tfc011712.php

Ancient popcorn discovered in Peru
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/stri-apd011812.php

Mysterious 'Winged' Structure from Ancient Rome Found
http://news.discovery.com/history/ancient-rome-winged-structure-122301.html

Dog skull dates back 33,000 years
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/uoa-dsd012312.php

More than 7,500-year-old fish traps found in Russia
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/ccsd-mt7012412.php

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has been having a great holiday season, and a happy Solstice/Hanukkah/Christmas/Saturnalia/whatever you celebrate! There have not been a lot of archaeo-related headlines recently, hence my lack of posts, but here are a few articles and other fun stuff.

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First of all, we have to start off with some bad news from the Egyptological community: the Institute d'Egypte, built by Napoleon, has been destroyed. :-(

Thousands of rare documents burned in Egypt clash
http://egyptology.blogspot.com/2011/12/burning-of-geographical-institute.html

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In other news...

Ancient dry spells offer clues about the future of drought
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/nsfc-ads120511.php

Found Coins May Unveil a Lost Viking
http://news.discovery.com/history/silver-viking-king-111215.html

Skeletons point to Columbus voyage for syphilis origins
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/eu-spt122011.php

CSIC analyzes gold composition of pre-Columbian treasure
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/ccsd-cag121211.php

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Also, an author of historical fiction that I follow has been having posts with holiday traditions and recipes from various different cultures and time periods! If you are interested in historical food, you may enjoy these posts!

Dining With A Castillian Knight: Recipes from 15th Century Spain
http://www.stephaniedray.com/2011/12/09/dining-with-a-castillian-knight-recipes-from-15th-century-spain/

Winter Solstice Feast at the Boyne, 2200 BCE, the great Boyne passage mounds
http://www.stephaniedray.com/2011/12/13/winter-solstice-feast-at-the-boyne-2200-bce/

Io Saturnalia! A Holiday Party Tray, Ancient Roman Style
http://www.stephaniedray.com/2011/12/16/io-saturnalia-a-holiday-party-tray-ancient-roman-style/

Celebrating With Spirits: Ritual Wines and Ales of the Dark Ages
http://www.stephaniedray.com/2011/12/20/celebrating-with-spirits-ritual-wines-and-ales-of-the-dark-ages-tastytuesday/

Christmas Recipes from Tudor and Stuart England
http://www.stephaniedray.com/2011/12/23/christmas-recipes-from-tudor-and-stuart-england/

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Finally, Archaeology magazine has revealed their top 10 discoveries of 2011:
http://www.archaeology.org/1201/features/australopithecus_arab_spring_pompeii_altamira.html

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Unless something super-exciting happens I will probably not post again before January, so I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Here is the news up through the middle of last week, I'll catch up with the rest this weekend XD

U.S. Congress Recognizes National Archaeology Day
http://www.archaeological.org/news/aianews/6796

An Ancient Art Studio Found in Cave In Africa
http://news.discovery.com/history/art-studio-111013.html
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-10/uotw-1ot100711.php

Archaeologists unearth Viking boat burial in Scottish Highlands
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/19/world/europe/uk-viking-boat-burial/index.html

Tracing the first North American hunters - I found the "Clovis culture challenged" segment particularly interesting
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-10/uoc-ttf101911.php

NOAA's sanctuary research vessel to assist in recovery of cannon from Queen Anne's Revenge
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-10/nh-nsr102011.php

Face-to-face with an ancient human
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-10/uos-fwa102011.php

Revealed, Henry VIII's lost pleasure palace
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2050919/Henry-VIIIs-lost-Nonsuch-Palace-recreated-300-years-destroyed.html

Ancient Images of a Mother Giving Birth Found
http://news.discovery.com/history/etruscan-mother-birth-art-111019.html

26th Dynasty tomb discovered by workers digging residential house foundations in Ain Shams
http://english.ahram.org.eg/%7E/NewsContent/9/40/23275/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Ain-Shams-reveals-a-part-of-its-history.aspx

And just for fun: Taxi Driver Mummified Like Pharaohs
http://news.discovery.com/history/taxi-driver-mummy-111018.html

CT Scanners Crack Open a Mummy Mystery
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2011/09/ct-scanners-crack-open-a-mummy-mystery/

Analysing skeletal remains from Amara West
http://blog.britishmuseum.org/2011/09/13/back-in-the-lab-analysing-skeletal-remains-from-amara-west/

Climatic fluctuations drove key events in human evolution
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/uol-cfd092111.php

Did the orientation of the continents hinder ancient settlement of the Americas?
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/w-dto092111.php

Seems to be related (although different universities... did two different studies about the same subject come out on the same day?), but bizarrely different conclusions drawn at Discovery News:
North-South vs East-West Long-Distance Love
http://news.discovery.com/earth/continent-hampered-native-american-love-110921.html

Ohhh boy more SCA drama! Apparently the new head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities tried to resign in protest and the government told him "lol not." Break out the popcorn!
http://egyptology.blogspot.com/2011/09/resignation-of-sca-head-refused.html

Hopefully Egypt will return to some kind of normalcy soon :-/

And finally, links to this week’s Archaeology.org news headlines:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/?p=1709
http://www.archaeology.org/news/?p=1712
http://www.archaeology.org/news/?p=1715
http://www.archaeology.org/news/?p=1719
http://www.archaeology.org/news/?p=1722

A few days late (maybe just one day... do I usually do these on Saturdays or Sunday? I don't even remember), have some archaeology news.

OMG Australopithecus sediba!

Fossil discovery could be our oldest human ancestor
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/uom-fdc090811.php

Fossil discovery supports evolutionary link between Australopiths and Homo
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/tau-fds090711.php

Australopithecus sediba paved the way for Homo species, new studies suggest
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/aaft-sp090211.php

Sediba hominid skull hints at later brain evolution
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/eu-shs090811.php

In non-Sebida news...

Another tomb possibly discovered in the Valley of the Kings
http://www.kv64.info/2011/09/wow-kv64-update.html

Search Is on for Lost Da Vinci
http://news.discovery.com/history/da-vinci-lost-fresco-110906.html

Anatomically modern humans interbred with more archaic hominin forms even before they migrated out of Africa
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/uoa-ahw090211.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/nsf-epi090711.php

Secrets of WTC Shipwreck Sleuthed Out
http://news.discovery.com/earth/secrets-of-wtc-ship-revealed-110907.html

New issue of Egyptological up (free to read online!)
http://www.egyptological.com/magazine/current-magazine

And maybe not exactly archaeology news, but JSTOR has made all the articles on their database that were published before 1923 free to the public!
http://about.jstor.org/news-events/news/jstor%E2%80%93free-access-early-journal-content

Sorry for the lack of posts, I have been quite busy but I am trying to make more time to come on DW and stay abreast of archaeology news ♥ Here is some of what I've rounded up:

Deadly medication? Bonn scientists shed light on the dark secret of Queen Hatshepsut's flacon
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-08/uob-dm081911.php

Gene study sheds new light on origins of British men
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-08/uoe-gss082311.php

Earliest ever civil Roman basilica found outside Alexandria
http://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsContent/9/41/15847/Heritage/GrecoRoman/Earliest-ever-civil-Roman-basilica-found-outside-A.aspx

Rome archaeologists find Apollo mosaic
http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/30/rome-archaeologists-find-apollo-mosaic.html

Roman-era shipwreck reveals ancient medical secrets
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/8627715/Roman-era-shipwreck-reveals-ancient-medical-secrets.html

Modern humans developed stronger immune systems after they interbred with Neanderthals
http://news.discovery.com/human/neanderthals-interbreeding-humans-110825.html

Horses Domesticated 9,000 Years Ago in Saudi Arabia
http://news.discovery.com/animals/horse-domestication-saudi-arabia-110825.html