The Aztec masks of Xipe Totec are representations of the Mexica god of fertility, Xipe Totec. These masks are thought not to be authentic Mexica art as iconographic studies have shown that the masks hold different iconography. Such as the masks having three hands holding objects like a spear, shield and trophy. This is not insync with authentic Mexica representations of Xipe Totec as the god of fertility is usually represented with two hands which are never dipicted holding objects, but rather the hands are shown wearing flayed human skin. It is suggested that these masks were actually made in the 19th century by collectors and museums based on the style of Mexica art.
Submitted by Michael Kan on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 13:32
The recent discovery of Cao Cao’s tomb has sparked heated debates in the Chinese media over whether the find is genuine or not. The tomb, discovered in China’s Henan province, is believed to belong to Cao Cao, a legendary Chinese warlord who lived about 1,800 years ago.
At the end of last year, Chinese archaeologists announced the find to the public. The strongest evidence they point to includes inscriptions on artifacts found at the site, as well as a recovered corpse whose time of death closely matches with when Cao Cao is recorded to have died.
The results of the 'What value do replicas hold?' Heritage Key survey are in! Everybody agrees that a replica - regardless of how real it looks - can only ever be a duplicate. Yet the vast majority (79.28%) of those who took our 'What value do replicas hold?' survey see good use for these clones, in educations, research, protection from damage and saving on travel costs.
Submitted by Sean Williams on Wed, 12/23/2009 - 09:20
"In most Egyptian tombs you've either got the wall paintings or the coffin." Fiona, 8th Countess of Carnarvon says, stressing the uniqueness of Tutankhamun's tomb, the greatest discovery in history.
The Heritage Key team wishes you an amazing holiday and great - virtual and real - experiences for 2010 AD. We'd appreciate it if, during the holiday period, you could spare a few minutes of your time to fill out our survey on the value of replicas. The results will be published in our first 2010 newsletter and on the Heritage Key website.
Replica artefacts are becoming more and more of an issue nowadays, as countries race to preserve some of their highest prized treasures from the perceived ravages of mass tourism. Travel to Las Vegas and you'll see entire cities re-spun in the middle of the desert. Egypt is even planning a replica Valley of the Kings. But how far would you go without seeing the real thing? What value can a replica ancient wonder ever have?
-The emergence of ancient Greek coins as a new hot area for fraudsters.
-Why the internet is an awful place to acquire artefacts.
-How curators (with a little scientific help) pick out fakes.
He also shares some interesting news: of the hundreds of Zapotec artefacts his museum has, about 50 percent are forgeries.
Highlighted Quote:
"We brought them back here. Every single one has been thermoluminescence tested and about half of them are fake."
Submitted by Sean Williams on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 12:47
The tomb of Tutankhamun is one of the world's most famous ancient spots. Yet spots are precisely what are causing the decay of its beautiful wall paintings. The US-based Getty Conservation Institute have been drafted in to help mend the murals, but have been finding it an uphill struggle in the face of fierce desert weather and the onslaught of eager tourists.
Submitted by Sean Williams on Thu, 11/26/2009 - 17:39
Scottish history lovers can get a unique view of their country's heritage at the National Museum of Scotland (NMS) - a team of experts has rebuilt a Pictish throne. The wooden giant was created by master furniture maker Adrian McCurdy, who took his lines from ancient stone carvings. Picts ruled Scotland north of the Firth of Clyde from the 4th to 9th century AD. But they are best known for their mysterious rock art, which still baffles experts today.
The throne was commissioned by the museum alongside distillers Glenmorangie. It will go on display next Tuesday (December 1st) at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, before moving to the Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain, Ross-shire, next year. It will visit a number of locations across the country thereafter. A new book exploring Scotland's ancient past will be published in a book to be published in 2011.
Three of Tutankhamun’s tomb chambers have been re-constructed true to the originals and their dimensions, so that visitors receive an authentic impression of the space.
Over 1000 replicas of the most important objects, fashioned by the best Egyptian craftsmen, can be admired there.
The information about the culture and the spiritual world of the ancient Egyptians – their funerary cult, their gods, their dynasties, their mysterious hieroglyphic script – has been prepared and accessibly presented with state-of-the-art multimedia technology.
The centrepiece of 'Tutankhamun - his Tomb and his Treasures' is of course King Tut. Eighty-seven years after its discovery the tomb of Tutankhamun is opened once more – and you can be there!
The audio guide included in the admission price will give you a particularly intense experience of the exhibition.
Ancient Egyptians may be best known for building pyramids, but internationally renowned maritime archaeologist Cheryl Ward wants the world to know that they were pretty good sailors, too. Ward and an international team of archaeologists, shipwrights and sailors recently built a full-scale replica of a 3,800-year-old ship and sailed it on the Red Sea to re-create the voyage Egyptian female pharaoh Hatshepsut took to a place the ancient Egyptians called God's Land, or Punt.
In a conversation with Heritage Key (HK), 
The tomb of Tutankhamun is one of the world's most famous ancient spots. Yet spots are precisely what are causing the decay of its beautiful wall paintings. 
Scottish history lovers can get a unique view of their country's heritage at the 
Three of Tutankhamun’s tomb chambers have been re-constructed true to the originals and their dimensions, so that visitors receive an authentic impression of the space. 
