Archaeology in the News! 7-12-13

The oldest inscription found in Jerusalem is a 3,000-year-old text, in an unknown language on the top of a jug, is earliest alphabetical writing ever found in city. However ASOR Member Chris Rollston writes that he has deciphered it.

Primitive inscriptions dating back about 5,000 years – and believed to be 1,400 years older than the most ancient written Chinese language – have been discovered in Shanghai, archaeologists report.

Perfectly preserved fragment of medieval fortification system and paintings inside the church from the ninth century have been discovered by Polish archaeologists in Old Dongola, Sudan.\n

\nThe Mexican National Anthropology and History Institute, or INAH, announced the discovery of 30 pre-Columbian burials and a pyramid in an ancient settlement in eastern Mexico that could be up to 2,000 years old.

Archaeologists have discovered two ancient Egyptian skeletons, dating back more than 3,300 years, which were each buried with a toe ring made of copper alloy, the first time such rings have been found in ancient Egypt.

A key episode of the Punic Wars has emerged from the waters near the small Sicilian island of Pantelleria as archaeologists discovered a cluster of more than 30 ancient anchors.

A rich assemblage of fossils and artefacts in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains in Iran has revealed that the early inhabitants of the region began cultivating cereal grains for agriculture between 12,000 and 9,800 years ago.

Archaeologists have discovered a secret medieval chamber and its ancient loo – hidden for centuries – during a conservation scheme to protect the oldest castle keep in Scotland.

An 1,800-year-old carved stone head of what is believed to be a Roman god has been unearthed in an ancient rubbish dump. Archaeologists made the discovery at Binchester Roman Fort, near Bishop Auckland in County Durham, England.

Chersonesos is an ancient city on the Crimean peninsula, which was founded by Greek colonists at the end of the 6th century BC in order to supply their homeland with strategic resources. One of researchers\’ conclusions so far is that in the early 3rd century BC a large proportion of the rural population was killed following a military invasion.

Italian construction magnate Pietro Salini wants to donate €20 million to restore Pompeii. Reuters news agency reports that Salini wants to donate funds to restore the archaeological site that has been damaged by weather, and has suffered from corrupt management and mafia interference.

Italian authorities have recovered a collection of Etruscan urns excavated illegally before they could be sold abroad.

Archaeologists excavating in the ancient Ophel area near the Temple Mount (or Haram Ash-Sharif) of Jerusalem have uncovered a plaster-lined cave with an associated system of subterranean tunnels that may tell a story about life there when the Romans besieged the city during the First Jewish Revolt in 70 CE.

A painted bronze pot has been unearthed from a cluster of tombs in central China\’s Hubei Province, marking the first discovery of painted bronze in an a dynasty about 3,000 years ago, archaeologists said Monday.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this blog or found by following any link on this blog. ASOR will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. ASOR will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. The opinions expressed by Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of ASOR or any employee thereof.