Cuneiforms: New digital tool for translating ancient texts
(sciencedaily.com)
Major milestone reached in digital Cuneiform studies: Researchers present an innovative tool that offers many new possibilities.
Major milestone reached in digital Cuneiform studies: Researchers present an innovative tool that offers many new possibilities.
Lost manuscript of Merlin and King Arthur hidden inside another book
(bbc.com)
An intriguing sequel to the tale of Merlin has sat unseen within the bindings of an Elizabethan deeds register for nearly 400 years. Researchers have finally been able to reveal it with cutting-edge techniques.
An intriguing sequel to the tale of Merlin has sat unseen within the bindings of an Elizabethan deeds register for nearly 400 years. Researchers have finally been able to reveal it with cutting-edge techniques.
Iron Age hoard found in North Yorkshire could change Britain's history
(theguardian.com)
One of the biggest and most important iron age hoards ever found in the UK has been revealed, potentially altering our understanding of life in Britain 2,000 years ago.
One of the biggest and most important iron age hoards ever found in the UK has been revealed, potentially altering our understanding of life in Britain 2,000 years ago.
Fragment of a human face aged over one million years discovered
(sciencedaily.com)
The discovery of a human facial fragment aged over one million years represents the oldest known face in western Europe and confirms the region was inhabited by two species of human during the early Pleistocene, finds a new study involving a UCL researcher.
The discovery of a human facial fragment aged over one million years represents the oldest known face in western Europe and confirms the region was inhabited by two species of human during the early Pleistocene, finds a new study involving a UCL researcher.
The Mystery of the Oldest Writing System Remained Unsolved Until 1856
(smithsonianmag.com)
On a late-summer day in 1856, a letter carrier stepped from a mail coach in front of a three-story townhouse in Mayfair, in central London. Crossing the threshold, the courier handed a wax-sealed envelope to a clerk. The missive was addressed to Edwin Norris, the secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, one of Europe’s leading research institutions.
On a late-summer day in 1856, a letter carrier stepped from a mail coach in front of a three-story townhouse in Mayfair, in central London. Crossing the threshold, the courier handed a wax-sealed envelope to a clerk. The missive was addressed to Edwin Norris, the secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, one of Europe’s leading research institutions.
The great Hobby Lobby artifact heist
(meghanboilard.substack.com)
Around four thousand years ago, in a metropolis called Irisagrig situated between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, a people thrived.
Around four thousand years ago, in a metropolis called Irisagrig situated between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, a people thrived.
Modern humans descended from at least 2 ancestral populations
(cam.ac.uk)
Modern humans descended from not one, but at least 2 ancestral populations that drifted apart and later reconnected, long before modern humans spread across the globe.
Modern humans descended from not one, but at least 2 ancestral populations that drifted apart and later reconnected, long before modern humans spread across the globe.
Ancient DNA Shows Stone Age Europeans Voyaged by Sea to Africa
(nature.com)
Ancient DNA shows Stone Age Europeans voyaged by sea to Africa
Ancient DNA shows Stone Age Europeans voyaged by sea to Africa
The Race to Decipher Cuneiform in the 19th Century
(smithsonianmag.com)
On a late-summer day in 1856, a letter carrier stepped from a mail coach in front of a three-story townhouse in Mayfair, in central London. Crossing the threshold, the courier handed a wax-sealed envelope to a clerk. The missive was addressed to Edwin Norris, the secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, one of Europe’s leading research institutions.
On a late-summer day in 1856, a letter carrier stepped from a mail coach in front of a three-story townhouse in Mayfair, in central London. Crossing the threshold, the courier handed a wax-sealed envelope to a clerk. The missive was addressed to Edwin Norris, the secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, one of Europe’s leading research institutions.
Restoring Faith: Crete's Ancient Minoan Civilisation (2009)
(historytoday.com)
At the end of the 19th century, British antiquarian Arthur Evans sought to ‘re-enchant’ the world with his utopian interpretation of Crete’s ancient Minoan civilisation.
At the end of the 19th century, British antiquarian Arthur Evans sought to ‘re-enchant’ the world with his utopian interpretation of Crete’s ancient Minoan civilisation.
Stumbling Our Way into Solving the Oldest Board Game
(royalur.net)
The Royal Game of Ur, a 4500-year-old mystery, is now solved.
The Royal Game of Ur, a 4500-year-old mystery, is now solved.
Ostrich Egg-Shell Cups of Mesopotamia, Ostrich in Ancient, Modern Times (1926)
(publicdomainreview.org)
In the early 1920s, British archaeological excavator Ernest Mackay unearthed an egg at the Sumerian cemetery of Kish, in modern-day Iraq’s Babil Governate.
In the early 1920s, British archaeological excavator Ernest Mackay unearthed an egg at the Sumerian cemetery of Kish, in modern-day Iraq’s Babil Governate.
Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Clay Puppets with Open Mouths, Detachable Heads
(smithsonianmag.com)
Researchers have discovered a trove of ancient clay puppets at an archaeological site in El Salvador.
Researchers have discovered a trove of ancient clay puppets at an archaeological site in El Salvador.
AI finds 5k-year-old civilization beneath Dubai desert
(jpost.com)
Artificial intelligence has discovered ancient civilizations over 5,000 years old hidden beneath some of the world's largest deserts, including one in the heart of the Dubai desert, without the use of a single shovel.
Artificial intelligence has discovered ancient civilizations over 5,000 years old hidden beneath some of the world's largest deserts, including one in the heart of the Dubai desert, without the use of a single shovel.
Ancient human DNA recovered from a Palaeolithic pendant
(nature.com)
Artefacts made from stones, bones and teeth are fundamental to our understanding of human subsistence strategies, behaviour and culture in the Pleistocene.
Artefacts made from stones, bones and teeth are fundamental to our understanding of human subsistence strategies, behaviour and culture in the Pleistocene.
1.5M-Year-Old Bone Tool 'Factory' Discovered in Tanzania
(sci.news)
Paleoanthropologists have documented a bone tool assemblage from a single horizon dated to 1.5 million years ago at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. These bone tools precede other evidence of systematic bone tool production by more than 1 million years and sheds new light on the almost unknown world of early hominin bone technology.
Paleoanthropologists have documented a bone tool assemblage from a single horizon dated to 1.5 million years ago at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. These bone tools precede other evidence of systematic bone tool production by more than 1 million years and sheds new light on the almost unknown world of early hominin bone technology.
AI models makes precise copies of cuneiform characters
(news.cornell.edu)
Deciphering some people’s writing can be a major challenge – especially when that writing is cuneiform characters imprinted into 3,000-year-old tablets.
Deciphering some people’s writing can be a major challenge – especially when that writing is cuneiform characters imprinted into 3,000-year-old tablets.
Discovery of fresco portraying Dionysian mysteries at Pompeii
(pompeiisites.org)
Over 100 years since the discovery of the Villa of the Mysteries, a large new fresco casts light on the Dionysiac mysteries in the classical world.
Over 100 years since the discovery of the Villa of the Mysteries, a large new fresco casts light on the Dionysiac mysteries in the classical world.
Vesuvius erupted, but when exactly?
(nytimes.com)
When Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, fiery avalanches of ash and pumice assaulted Pompeii, displacing some 15,000 inhabitants and killing at least 1,500 more.
When Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, fiery avalanches of ash and pumice assaulted Pompeii, displacing some 15,000 inhabitants and killing at least 1,500 more.
Ancient DNA Points to Origins of Indo-European Language
(nytimes.com)
A new study claims to have identified the first speakers of Indo-European language, which gave rise to English, Sanskrit and hundreds of others.
A new study claims to have identified the first speakers of Indo-European language, which gave rise to English, Sanskrit and hundreds of others.
Stone tool analysis in Southeast Asia provides evidence of seafaring technology
(popularmechanics.com)
Sophisticated seafaring technology may actually have originated in the islands of Southeast Asia
Sophisticated seafaring technology may actually have originated in the islands of Southeast Asia