Dr Wojciech Branicki, from the Institute of Forensic Research and Jagielonian University, Kraków and Prof Manfred Kayser, from the Erasmus University Rotterdam have spent the past few years developing a process to determine the hair and eye color of human remains up to 800 years old.

Edrei the Quiet of the Shire of Smythkepe in Fort Smith, Arkansas (Kingdom of Gleann Abhann), reports that his storage unit was robbed on February 13, 2013. Any help in locating lost items will be welcome.

The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas will present a two-day symposium bringing "together an international and interdisciplinary team of scholars from the arts, humanities, and sciences to explore the roles that color played in the society, politics, thought, art, and ritual practices of ancient and medieval East Asia." Deadline for online registration is March 1, 2013.

A team of Italian archaeologists has uncovered the remains of a "mini dome" during excavations to expand the museum of Florence’s cathedral, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 15th century. The structure might be a scale model of the cathedral and the first use of a building technique in Italy.

A beautiful sapphire ring discovered in 2009 by a metal detectorist in North York, England, has stumped experts who have been unable to date the ring. (photo)

The Stafford Borough Council reports that over UK£75,000 will be spent to restore Stafford Castle, a late 11th century Norman castle in Stafford, England.

Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones and her husband Michael Douglas have donated a "substantial" sum of money to help purchase Abergwyngregyn in Gwynedd, the purported site of the "lost palace" of medieval Welsh princes.

Decades after J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings, one of the "two towers" which may have inspired the writer in the second book, has been purchased with plans for restoration. (video)

Canadian muscian and SCA member Heather Dale (Marian of Heatherdale) is seeking help from fellow musicians who post their music of YouTube. A video, (ironically posted on YouTube), sums up the situation.

Professor Elizabeth Greene looks at shoes differently than most people. At the recent 2013 Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America, she presented research on how Roman children's shoes reflected their family status, especially in military familities.

Due to Pennsic starting a week early this year (July 19 - August 3), pre-registration is also closing earlier.

Kathryn reports that Their Majesties Garick and Yasamin of the Kingdom of the Outlands have offered elevation to two of Their subjects at the recent StagCon event.

The residents of he Channel Island of Alderney, led by librarian Kate Russell, have recently completed a major project: the final panels of the Bayeux tapestry. (photo)

Their Majesties ThorvaldR and Tofa of the Kingdom of Drachenwald report that they have offered elevation to the Order of Chivalry to Clancy Fairchild.

The 1513 document calls for Machiavelli's arrest, to be proclaimed by the town crier.

The discovery of a tiny silver coin has had a big impact on archaeologists studying medieval York, England.

The stage at Gulf Wars, built as a place for performers of all types to showcase their art, is celebrating its sixth year. This year the stage is in need of your assistance.

In 1357, A Swiss land owner, Konrad Müller, killed another town resident. In restitution, Müller pledged to provide for a sanctuary lamp at the Catholic church of Näfels. Finally the debt, passed perpetually to his heirs, has been declared invalid.

Hirsch reports that a video of Niccolò Machiavelli's play La mandragola (The Mandrake Root), as performed by the Golden Stag Players at West Kingdom Twelfth Night, is now available to view online.

After centuries - and a world-changing divorce - Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon are back together, at least in London’s National Portrait Gallery. The portrait of a young Henry VIII and a newly-restored portrait of Catherine, both from the 1520s, now hang together in the gallery. (photo)

THLord Stefan li Rous offers updates to Stefan's Florilegium for February 2013.

Magistra Rosemounde of Mercia and Mistress Jennet of Tewkesbury report that the A&S open will take place on Friday March 15, 2013 at Gulf Wars from 8 AM to 3 PM at Bede Hall, and the surrounding area.

The Board of Directors has granted a  one-time variance to the following Society Financial Policy, Section  XII, B to allow the Barony of Gyldenholt, Caid to test the PayPal system  for accepting credit cards at the Gyldenhold - Calafia Friendship Tournament on March 9, 2013. 

Dr Henry Best of the Midrealm reports that his booth at the Pennsic War, Starlit Studios, will be renting retail space at the upcoming War.

On the Unofficial SCA Society Seneschal's Announcement Page, SCA Society Seneschal Erik Langhans (Sir Modius von Mergentheim) reports the latest news on the 2009 lawsuit brought against the Society.

Master Domin d'Alsace reports that Their Majesties Garick and Yasamin of the Kingdom of the Outlands have offered The Honorable Lord Friedrich Wilhelmssohn elevation to the Order of the Laurel.

The Board of Directors of the SCA, Inc. would like to announce the launch of a new Office of SCA Staffing (OSS)  as a Special Deputy under the President of the Society.

The Pennsic 42 Combat Archery Marshal-in-Charge reports that changes have been made to the combat archery rules of the 2013 War.

Estrella War is upon us! The Estrella War Main Event Stewards are asking a boon of all attending the Estrella War XXIX, and that is to volunteer for a scant two hours. For the Artisans from every kingdom we have a special request for your volunteer hours, and that it to share the passion and expertise you have for your arts with your cousins from without the Known World.

Manly high heels date back centuries, worn by horsemen as well as powerful rulers.