Classical Archaeology News

Nov 19 2009
Bulgaria Archaeologists Present Unique Thracian Tomb Finds
“A team of Bulgarian archaeologists led by Veselin Ignatov formally presented Tuesday their finds from the tomb of an aristocrat from Ancient Thrace near the southern town of Nova Zagora.
“In October and November 2009, Ignatov’s team found a burial tomb of dated back to the end of 1st century and beginning of 2nd century AD, located outside of the village of Karanovo, in southern Bulgaria.
“The finds at the lavish Thracian tomb include gold rings, silver cups and vessels coated with gold and clay vessels. Those include two silver cups with images of love god Eros, and a number of other ornate silver and bronze vessels.”

Bulgaria Archaeologists Present Unique Thracian Tomb Finds

“A team of Bulgarian archaeologists led by Veselin Ignatov formally presented Tuesday their finds from the tomb of an aristocrat from Ancient Thrace near the southern town of Nova Zagora.

“In October and November 2009, Ignatov’s team found a burial tomb of dated back to the end of 1st century and beginning of 2nd century AD, located outside of the village of Karanovo, in southern Bulgaria.

“The finds at the lavish Thracian tomb include gold rings, silver cups and vessels coated with gold and clay vessels. Those include two silver cups with images of love god Eros, and a number of other ornate silver and bronze vessels.”

Nov 18 2009
Adopt a Pompeian Dog
“The poor animals have been living in the ancient Roman town for decades, marking the territory by urinating on the ancient walls, and relying on compassionate tourists for food and water.”
“Volunteers from three of Italy’s leading animal charities have already fitted the animals with microchips, collars and name tags.
“Christened with the names of the ancient Pompeian residents — Meleagro, Odone, Plautus, Vesonius, Polibia, Menade, Licinio, Eumachia, Caio — the dogs will be treated for any illnesses and then sterilized. Volunteers have already established shelters just outside the ancient town’s walls.
“But the most important part of the project is to find a new home for each dog.
‘The dogs cannot remain at the site forever. Our goal is to find them a family,’ Fiori said.
“In the next weeks, anyone will be able to request a dog adoption through a web site just launched by the Archaeological Superintendency:  http://www.icanidipompei.com”

Adopt a Pompeian Dog

“The poor animals have been living in the ancient Roman town for decades, marking the territory by urinating on the ancient walls, and relying on compassionate tourists for food and water.”

“Volunteers from three of Italy’s leading animal charities have already fitted the animals with microchips, collars and name tags.

“Christened with the names of the ancient Pompeian residents — Meleagro, Odone, Plautus, Vesonius, Polibia, Menade, Licinio, Eumachia, Caio — the dogs will be treated for any illnesses and then sterilized. Volunteers have already established shelters just outside the ancient town’s walls.

“But the most important part of the project is to find a new home for each dog.

‘The dogs cannot remain at the site forever. Our goal is to find them a family,’ Fiori said.

“In the next weeks, anyone will be able to request a dog adoption through a web site just launched by the Archaeological Superintendency:  http://www.icanidipompei.com

Nov 07 2009
Eat like an Olympic victor, circa 700BCE-200CE
“The athletes of this era partook in the diet of an active body, but one that was not terribly different from a standard Greek diet. They ate whole grain breads or porridges, dry figs and feta-like cheeses, like most Greeks would have, but the sources are surprisingly silent on the matter of fish which would have been a part of the standard Greek diet. It was a diet high on natural fibres and calcium, minerals and protein, while being moderately slow in terms of blood sugar, promoting well-rounded good health.”

Eat like an Olympic victor, circa 700BCE-200CE

“The athletes of this era partook in the diet of an active body, but one that was not terribly different from a standard Greek diet. They ate whole grain breads or porridges, dry figs and feta-like cheeses, like most Greeks would have, but the sources are surprisingly silent on the matter of fish which would have been a part of the standard Greek diet. It was a diet high on natural fibres and calcium, minerals and protein, while being moderately slow in terms of blood sugar, promoting well-rounded good health.”

Nov 05 2009
Nov 03 2009
Bulgarian Archaeologists Find Silver Treasure in Thracian Tomb
“A team of Bulgarian archaeologists have discovered a new tomb of an aristocrat from Ancient Thrace near the southern town of Nova Zagora.
“The team led by archaeologist Veselin Ignatov found a burial tomb of 12 square meters date back to the end of 1st century and beginning of 2nd century AD. It is located outside of the village of Karanovo.
“The burial site of the Thracian aristocrat contains a number of interesting items including a silver treasure of vessels and artifacts that were place there to be used by the aristocrat in his afterlife.
“Those include two silver cups with images of love god Eros, and a number of other ornate silver and bronze vessels.”

Bulgarian Archaeologists Find Silver Treasure in Thracian Tomb

“A team of Bulgarian archaeologists have discovered a new tomb of an aristocrat from Ancient Thrace near the southern town of Nova Zagora.

“The team led by archaeologist Veselin Ignatov found a burial tomb of 12 square meters date back to the end of 1st century and beginning of 2nd century AD. It is located outside of the village of Karanovo.

“The burial site of the Thracian aristocrat contains a number of interesting items including a silver treasure of vessels and artifacts that were place there to be used by the aristocrat in his afterlife.

“Those include two silver cups with images of love god Eros, and a number of other ornate silver and bronze vessels.”

Oct 28 2009
Uncanny Archaeology: A look at the archaeology of Halloween, witches and witchcraft, creatures of the night, and ancient curses and magic.
Remember the “plague vampire”?

Uncanny Archaeology: A look at the archaeology of Halloween, witches and witchcraft, creatures of the night, and ancient curses and magic.

Remember the “plague vampire”?

Oct 25 2009
In Europe, Artifacts Are Latest Political Pawns
“As thousands lined up to catch a glimpse of Nefertiti at the newly reopened Neues Museum here, another skirmish erupted in the culture wars. Egypt’s chief archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, announced that his country wanted its queen handed back forthwith, unless Germany could prove that the 3,500-year-old bust of Akhenaten’s wife wasn’t spirited illegally out of Egypt nearly a century ago.”

In Europe, Artifacts Are Latest Political Pawns

“As thousands lined up to catch a glimpse of Nefertiti at the newly reopened Neues Museum here, another skirmish erupted in the culture wars. Egypt’s chief archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, announced that his country wanted its queen handed back forthwith, unless Germany could prove that the 3,500-year-old bust of Akhenaten’s wife wasn’t spirited illegally out of Egypt nearly a century ago.”

Oct 24 2009
Pink Pyramids of Giza Send Global Message of Breast Cancer Awareness
Not strictly archaeology-related, but who doesn’t love a pink pyramid?
“On the eve of the       historic Egypt Race for the Cure® at the Pyramids of Giza, and thanks to the support of GE Healthcare, Egyptian and United States collaborating organizations lit the Pyramids pink and sent a message of breast cancer awareness throughout the world”

Pink Pyramids of Giza Send Global Message of Breast Cancer Awareness

Not strictly archaeology-related, but who doesn’t love a pink pyramid?

“On the eve of the historic Egypt Race for the Cure® at the Pyramids of Giza, and thanks to the support of GE Healthcare, Egyptian and United States collaborating organizations lit the Pyramids pink and sent a message of breast cancer awareness throughout the world”

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World’s Oldest Statue to go on Show in Rome
“Ancient artworks from Jordan – some of them never before seen outside Petra and Amman - are going on display today at Rome’s Quirinal Palace. The star attraction at the exhibition is a statue found at the site of Ayn Ghazal near Amman dating from 7500 BC, one of the oldest surviving statues of its kind and size.”

World’s Oldest Statue to go on Show in Rome

Ancient artworks from Jordan – some of them never before seen outside Petra and Amman - are going on display today at Rome’s Quirinal Palace. The star attraction at the exhibition is a statue found at the site of Ayn Ghazal near Amman dating from 7500 BC, one of the oldest surviving statues of its kind and size.”

Oct 23 2009
A banana republic police HQ maybe, but not a home for the Elgin marbles
Wow. Simon Jenkins really does not like the new Acropolis Museum: “It is the most costly poison-pen letter in the history of cultural exchange.”

A banana republic police HQ maybe, but not a home for the Elgin marbles

Wow. Simon Jenkins really does not like the new Acropolis Museum: “It is the most costly poison-pen letter in the history of cultural exchange.”

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