601 CE and Earlier

Scientists at last understand ancient calculating device

Submitted by Gwenhyfar on Thu, 2006-11-30 15:52
After many years of study, scientists at last can fathom the works of a calculating device from ancient Greece, which some researchers consider more valuable than the Mona Lisa due to its unique historical value.

Roman Coins Offered to Placate the Gods?

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2006-11-25 13:00
Archaeologists working near the city of Cuijk in the Netherlands have discovered a cache of 3rd century Roman coins and other treasures, apparently as an offering at the spot where a bolt of lightning had struck.

Early Byzantine Costume Research Papers Online

Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2006-11-24 13:11
Meghan Elphinstone, Arts & Sciences Champion for the Barony of Marinus in Atlantia, has posted her extensive research on early Byzantine costuming. The two papers are available in PDF format.

"The 300" Chronicles Spartans Battle at Thermopylae

Submitted by Vallawulf on Sun, 2006-11-19 16:52
In March 2007, 300 will open in theatres. The movie, based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City), chronicles the Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae, when 300 Spartans led an army of 5,000 against the Persian army of two million and held them off for a week.

Hunt for Roman Fish Sauce Recipe in Shipwreck

Submitted by John of the Hills on Sat, 2006-11-18 11:39
More than 1,200 tall (1m) jars have been discovered in a Roman first century shipwreck. Scientists are hoping that any remaining sealed jars will provide them with samples of the fish sauce for analysis.

Early Horse Domestication Evidence in Kazahkstan

Submitted by Ursula on Fri, 2006-11-10 16:36
Evidence from soil suggests that people were relying on domesticated horses for survival more than 5,000 years ago.

Political Ads of Ancient Rome

Submitted by Ursula on Wed, 2006-11-08 00:43
"The mid-term campaigns have offered up perhaps the most venomous volleys of political advertising in U.S. history....Yet as Americans ponder how much of it is true and how much pure vindictive blather, we might note that we're rather backward compared to the pointed, frank and refreshingly honest political ads of the Romans more than 1,900 years ago."

Mosaics Highlight Roman Villa Discovery

Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2006-11-03 11:57
Archaeologists have discovered "evidence of a substantial Roman villa with a mosaic floor in the main room" in the Quantock Hills of Somerset, England. The site is one of the most westerly Roman villas yet found in England.

Castra Romana: Pompeii, The Day Before Vesuvius

Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2006-11-01 20:08
On February 2-4, 2007, Vesuvius will errupt all over again...well, almost. Castra Romana-Pompeii, a Roman Era Re-enactment, will hold an event recreating the day before the catastrophic events of August 24, 79 C.E.

Kent Gets Bronze Age Cup Back

Submitted by Ursula on Thu, 2006-10-26 06:38
A Bronze Age cup found in Kent by a metal detector enthusiast will return to the county on loan from the British Museum. The Ringlemere Gold Cup is one of only seven from the period found in Britain.

4th Century Roman Coins Spill Out in Kent

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-10-22 13:25
A hoard of over 3,000 late Roman coins "made a sound like tinkling glass" when they poured from an overturned pot recently unearthed by archaeologists on a dig in Kent, England. The treasure is valued at over UK£10,000.

In the Beginning: Bibles Before the Year 1000

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-10-15 15:16
The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., in association with the Bodleian Library, will present In the Beginning: Bibles Before the Year 1000.

Domesticated Animals of the Iron Age

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-10-15 08:41
A British website offers an historic view of the breeds of animals which shared their lives with Iron Age people. These included sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, horses and fowl. The article includes photos of these breeds' ancestors.

Nano-Grecian Formula One?

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2006-10-14 09:38
New research by French scientists seems to suggest that the techniques used by Greeks and Romans to dye their hair had results in common with today's nanotechnology and were comparable to modern products.

What the Romans Did to Wales

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2006-10-09 20:07
British interest in Rome, especially in how it affected Britain, is on the increase with the broadcast of Ancient Rome - The Rise and Fall of an Empire on BBC1. An article on IC Wales discusses Roman/Welsh history.

War 2, Archaeology 0

Submitted by Ursula on Tue, 2006-10-03 09:16
Recent bombing and a resulting oil spill in Lebanon have damaged two World Heritage sites, says an inspection team from UNESCO. Roman remains at Tyre and a medieval tower at Byblos are in urgent need of repair.

Today in the Middle Ages: September 28, 551 BCE

Submitted by Ursula on Thu, 2006-09-28 09:42
September 28, 551 BCE is the traditional date for the birthday of Confucius (K'ung-fu-tzu). Although not a medieval figure, Confucius exercised a profound influence over the subsequent development of Chinese culture in all periods.

New Claim for Authenticity of Shroud of Turin

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2006-09-18 14:48
Australian researcher Brendan Whiting feels he has evidence that can prove that the Shroud of Turin dates to the time of Christ. Whiting published his findings in a new book, The Shroud Story.

"Totally Unique" Roman Bathhouse Discovered in Kent, England

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-09-17 08:11
Archaeologists working on a Roman dig in Kent, England are enthusiastic about the remains of a 5th century Roman bath, calling it "totally unique" for the county.

Roman Ink

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2006-09-16 19:57
An unlikely exhibition exploring the history of tattoos in Britain has opened at Newcastle University's Museum of Antiquities. The exhibition includes archaeological evidence of military tattoos among the Roman soldiers at Hadrian's Wall.

Odyssey Written by a Woman?

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-09-12 11:19
Bearded statues aside, one scholar now believes that the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey were probably written by a woman.

CSI Needed for Roman Crime?

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-09-10 12:34
An archaeological team working near Sedgeford,England may need the help of criminal investigators to solve a 1500-year-old mystery: was the skeleton found pushed into the oven of a Roman farm murdered?

Roman Village Found Near Bonn, Germany

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-09-10 08:08
Archaeologists working near Bonn, Germany have found the remains of a Roman village complete with baths.

Good Grooming Shows in Irish Bog People

Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2006-09-07 18:50
A study of Irish bog burials shows that the well-preserved bodies were well-groomed at the time of their internment, with manicured fingernails and gelled hair.

Today in the Middle Ages: August 24, 410 C.E.

Submitted by Ursula on Thu, 2006-08-24 11:04
On August 24, 410, King Alaric the Goth sacked Rome. This event is sometimes regarded as the beginning of the Middle Ages.

Ancient Glass Documentation Online

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2006-08-15 13:13
Gina (Lila Richards) of the Kingdom of Lochac reports that a guide to the Ancient Glass Collection at Yale University is available in PDF format online.

Recreating Roman Cosmetics

Submitted by Ursula on Wed, 2006-08-09 15:27
A Roman reenactor and museum manager gave a demonstration of Roman cosmetics at a Roman "military spectacular" in Wales earlier this month.

Roman Road to Nowhere

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-08-06 16:23
Peddars Way near Thetford in west Norfolk, England, was built by the Romans 2,000 years ago and appears to lead nowhere. Archaeologists are now searching for clues to a destination, such as a fort, which would make construction of the road logical.

Dorset Kitchen Renovation Unearths Roman Floor

Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2006-07-13 07:07
Restaurant owner Luciano Tombolani discovered much more than he bargained for when he authorized the renovation of a kitchen for his Italian restaurant: a mosaic Roman floor.

New Discoveries Give Insight into Basque Language

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2006-07-09 17:39
The recent discovery of inscriptions in the Basque language dating to the 3rd century has researchers excited. Considered one of the oldest European languages, Basque has been linked to African, Caucasian or Etruscan tongues or thought to have developed on its own.