A set of unusually well preserved human and other organic remains discovered in the Highlands of Scotland wrapped in animal hide or furs, with a wicker basket curiously encasing the skull have been described by archaeologists as an extremely rare and valuable find that have the potential to tell a great deal about contemporary life and burial practice in the Bronze Age. They were uncovered last February by landowner Jonathan Hampton, while digging peat with heavy machinery at a farm at Strath Oykel, in Sutherland. Local police were first on the scene and according to an angry Hampton made a…
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Forget Stonehenge – the Autumn/Winter megalithic collection is in, and it’s green. Loughcrew, in County Meath, Ireland, is one of the country’s most important heritage sites, and twice yearly crowds flock from far afield to see its most famous feature, when the equinox sun shines directly on the Cairn T chamber’s beautiful backstone. While there weren’t 36,500 people in attendance, or the grandiose policing policies that go with Stonehenge on the solstices, visitors to the megalithic complex on Sunday morning were treated to an intimate and touching experience. As these photos and video from Newgrange.com show, those who donned their…
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Heritage Key has posted the latest video clip from Dr. Zahi Hawass regarding current excavations at the Valley of the Kings and surrounding areas. In New Discoveries in Drabu el Naga, Dr. Hawass brings us up to date with his excavations at this promising site on the West Bank of the Nile, close to Luxor and directly across from Karnak.There are about 80 numbered tombs at Dra Abu el-Naga, some of which are royal tombs dating from the Seventeenth Dynasty, with other New Kingdom tombs belonging to Theban priests and privileged court officials. The site suffers from modern encroachment, with…
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The largest collection of beautiful quality gold and silver treasures from the seventh century Anglo-Saxon period has been discovered in a field by a plucky metal detectorist, who’s previous plights had bought up no more than a Roman horse harness. Over 1,500 pieces have been found in a private field in Staffordshire, amounting to over 5kg in gold and 1.3kg in silver. The report of this find comes just weeks after the news of 10,000 Roman coins in neighbouring Shropshire being discovered, as well as news of the Vale of York hoard being purchased by the British Museum for over…
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The dust may be yet to settle over Giza’s supposed ‘tube’ network, but it seems Egypt isn’t the only ancient site in which to find subterranean wonders. Archaeologists in Sri Lanka have recently embarked on a proposed four-year project to uncover a ‘hidden city’ lurking below the famous sacred site of Anuradhapura. Director-General of the country’s Central Cultural Fund, Dr Siran Deraniyagala, will be joined by archaeologists from Berlin University to unshroud the secrets of one of Sri Lanka’s famous ancient capitals. Anuradhapura is one of Sri Lanka’s holiest sites As yet no archaeological team has conducted a complete exploration…
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Germany is investing more than 233 million to renovate Museum Island in Berlin reports Spiegel Online. Coming soon is the new home for the Nefertiti Bust and the vast collection of Egyptian artefacts. As it seems with all the new Museums these days, the architecture of the building itself is as noteworthy as the collection. Berlin is hoping that more than 4.0 million people will visit each year, which will make it a top destination for Ancient World explorers and a serious challenge to the British Museum. Spiegel explains: “When the Neues Museum reopens in October, the city’s famous Egyptian…
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David Oakley’s photostream is a complete joy to scan through, just for the beautiful simplicity of the effects he applies to his photographs in Adobe Lightroom to give such a unique style. I’ve selected an image of the Terracotta Army Museum in Xi’an, China to represent exactly how gorgeous this technique turns out. It looks as if it’s been inked out on paper, such is the power of post-processing software these days – it’s incredible the various effects that can be achieved given talent with a computer and graphics editing software. Anyone can be an artist without ever needing to…
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The archaeological excavations at the royal palace in the ancient city of Qatna, north east of the Syrian city of Homs, have once again unfolded a remarkable archaeological discovery. The summer excavations, due to end on the 25th September 2009, located a rock tomb-cellar underneath the palace containing hundreds of artefacts as well as human bones from the period 1600-1400 BC. Qatna was one of the most important kingships during Syria’s Bronze Age. It reached the height of its prosperity between 1800 and 1600 BC (Middle Bronze Age) and was then among one of the most powerful states in the…
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Take an image which is interesting enough as it is, showing great craftsmanship and attention to detail as in the construction of the Treasury of Atreus – a domed tomb (also known as a tholos tomb). Probably the most impressive of the tombs in the Mycenae region, Greece, the Treasury of Atreus’s ceiling has been beautifully photographed by Dave Wheatley, who has then made the image even more interesting by switching it to a Negative effect. This creates the effect that this is no longer a mosaic of bricks, but an image which sparkles to life with a shimmering of…
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A skull and gold-inlaid brooch ‘on a par with the Sutton Hoo burial‘, found by an amateur metal detecting enthusiast, could prove to belong to a 1,500 year-old Saxon princess, experts are claiming. The incredible haul came to light when Chris Bayston, 56, noticed something during a rally with the Weekend Wanderers Metal Detectors Club on farmland near West Hanney, Oxfordshire. On further inspection Mr Bayston found the skull and copper alloy brooch; circular in shape, covered in gold and studded with garnets and coral. “I lifted a shovel load of muck out and as I threw it down I…