Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a perfectly preserved gold-covered mummy just outside of Cairo after a year of excavation. Untouched for 4,300 years, the opulent mummy is thought to be the oldest and most complete non-royal corpse ever found in Egypt.
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Ancient house owned by freedmen reopens in Pompeii after 20 years
Nearly two thousand years ago the eruption of Mount Vesuvius tragically engulfed the prosperous city of Pompeii and its inhabitants under volcanic ash. Archaeologists rediscovered the site in the 19th century, but it consequently suffered decades of neglect, flooding, and pillaging. After twenty years of intensive restoration, one of Pompeii’s most lavish homes officially reopened to visitors on Tuesday.
Continue readingExceptional hoard of Roman-Etruscan bronzes discovered at ancient Italian baths
Italian archaeologists have unearthed a trove of 24 remarkably well-preserved ancient bronze statues near a luxurious thermal bath in Tuscany. “It is a discovery that will rewrite history,” marvelled Jacopo Tabolli the lead excavator and professor at the Università di Stranieri di Siena.
Continue readingEgyptian archaeologists find sarcophagus of a Pharaoh’s treasurer near Cairo
Laying undisturbed for thousands of years, the monumental sarcophagus of King Ramses II’s (c. 1303-1213 B.C.E) treasurer has been unearthed from the sands near Cairo. Egyptian archaeologists described the rare discovery of a complete sarcophagus in its original tomb as a “dream”.
Continue readingLong-lost residence of Genghis Khan’s grandson possibly found by archaeologists
Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of an 800-year-old palace that may be the lost residence of Hulagu Khan (ca. 1217-1265), the grandson of Genghis Khan (1162-1227). The once magnificent palace in the Çaldıran district of eastern Turkey’s Van province could be the first known architectural remains dating to the Ilkhanate ruling.
Continue reading14,000 year old engravings uncovered in Spain
Near the city of Lleida in Catalonia, Spain, archaeologists from the Autonomous University of Barcelona have uncovered an engraved plaque which reveals that artisans living in the region 14,000 years ago were more technically advanced than previously considered, even employing visual tricks in their imagery.
Continue readingUnusual items found at extensive Anglo-Saxon burial ground in Buckinghamshire
Yet another significant archaeological find has been made during excavation work for the HS2 (High Speed 2) railway line. According to the archaeologists working on the project, the extensive Anglo-Saxon burial ground they unearthed is a “once in a lifetime discovery”, comprising 141 burials, numerous beads, jewellery, swords and other personal items. Of particular fascination to archaeologists is the discovery of ear wax removers, not something one might expect to unearth in a burial ground.
Continue readingLondon archaeologists floored by largest Roman mosaic found in 50 years
Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) have unearthed the largest Roman mosaic to be found in the city in more than half a century. The discovery was made around a month ago on the building site for a new development in Southwark, just in view of the iconic Shard.
Continue readingArchaeologists discover new style of Aboriginal rock art in Australia
Archaeologists have uncovered a previously undescribed style of Aboriginal rock art across an 80-mile stretch of northern Australia’s Arnhem Land. A total of 570 paintings were identified, depicting long-extinct creatures and extraordinary relationships between humans and animals.
Continue readingArchaeologists discover earliest British art on Jersey
A team of archaeologists have discovered the earliest known evidence of artistic expression in the British Isles. Decorated with abstract designs, the fragments of engraved stone were unearthed at Les Varines, Jersey, between 2014 and 2018.
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