Hidden for almost 2,000 years, a series of breathtaking paintings have been discovered in the ruins of Pompeii. The ancient Roman city was preserved in remarkable condition under the debris spewed out during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in ACE 79.
Continue readingControversial wall mural attributed to Michelangelo goes up for sale in Italy
A Renaissance mural believed to be a neglected work by the celebrated Michelangelo (1475-1564) has divided scholars for centuries. Once adorning the wall of the old master’s childhood home in Florence, the piece is now being sold by the villa’s former owners.
Continue readingLondon’s vandalised Banksy mural covered by controversial barriers
Banksy’s urban tree mural in North London has been covered in plastic sheeting and boards after vandals defaced the artwork with white paint. But local residents and visitors have mixed feelings about recent protective measures.
Continue readingAncient shipwreck graveyard found off the coast of Greek island
Deepsea divers have discovered 10 ancient shipwrecks off the Greek island of Kasos, alongside a trove of international artefacts. Over a period of four years, the National Research Foundation collaborated with the Greek Ministry of Culture to conduct the exciting maritime excavation.
Continue readingCentennial celebrations: The Morgan Library & Museum in New York turns 100
Earlier this month, New York’s Morgan Library and Museum celebrated its 100th birthday! To mark the occasion, the historic institution received two gifts totalling $15 million (£11.6 million) to help preserve the opulent building and noteworthy collection for the next 100 years.
Continue readingOldest rock art in South America found in Patagonian cave
Mysterious cave paintings in Patagonia are thought to be the oldest examples of rock art in South America, a new study in Science Advances finds. Radiocarbon dating suggests pigments on the cave walls are in fact over 8,200 years old and not only a few thousand as first assumed.
Continue readingRhinestones, Rockets, and Rolex: Sir Elton John’s collection dazzles at Christie’s
Christie’s special auction of Sir Elton John’s collection rocketed to success on the opening night in New York, achieving $8 million (£6.3 million). The megastar, known for his visionary music and fabulous fashion, has sold a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind pieces from his luxury Atlanta home on Peachtree Road.
Continue readingWestminster Abbey discusses return of looted Ethiopian sacred object
The Dean of Westminster Abbey in London has decided “in principle” to return a sacred Ethiopian tablet, which was looted over 150 years ago at the height of the British empire.
Continue readingRoman scroll destroyed by Vesuvius read for first time in 2,000 years using AI
Scientists and scholars have joined forces to resurrect a 2,000-year-old charred papyrus scroll using artificial intelligence. The previously illegible text was damaged during the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which caused the deaths of over 1,500 people and the destruction of Pompeii and Herculeum.
Continue readingHackers attack databases of major international museums
A group of hackers has hit a popular software used by major international museums. Since the cyberattack in December, several cultural organisations like the Rubin Museum of Art in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston are still struggling to access their online collections.
Continue reading