Klingan

I recommend the blog if you really want to see how the pictures should look By the way I will be gone to Etruria for a few days and and no more pictures will be posted before I return at Thursday. Finally the Colosseum. I know that it's over rated, there's a million shots of it on the net and so on, but it still makes a great picture. The Spanish stairs. I've had two pictures from the spot already without the stairs them self. Guess it was about time. Forum Romanum. As I said yesterday about the column of Trajan, this is almost the same but on the other end. I won't say anything cause then I'd have to write a book. The little that's left by the wall of between the forum of Augustus and Forum of Nerva. Arch of Titus. Did you know that it was torn down and rebuilt stone by stone in the 19th century?

So what in your opinion is the meaning of a second (and older looking) face hidden within the bust? Possibly an older depiction remade? Or even another person who's face was changed into Nefertitits'. Egyptian sculptors were surely skilled enough to provide a piece without any need for improvements. This is assuming that the CT scan is correct to begin with, tech boys and their toys have made mistakes before.

This sounds like bollocks frankly. If they wanted to improve here face I'm sure they would have done than through the sculpture,. not some sort of special cosmetics.

I decided to post today's pictures anyway in the end (might have something to do with the bar night and wine). Here we go, copy from my blog: However if I'm late/off with the posting in the future just check my blog, it's easier to update. This double uploading is killing me Many have heard of them, few have actually seen them and the numbers of those who climb them are easily counted. May I presented the stairs of death. I'm sure they have a real name as well, probably something nice and religious but I tell you, it's a long walk up there. I've also decided that it was time for me to appear as some people found it curious that I never showed up myself. Here I am! Italy got to get her own picture sooner or later. Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele. No that's not even the full name! What did they think of? And why the very white marble, a more yellow warmer tone would fit in much better with the imperial fora. Column of Trajan.Nope, I'm not going to tell you anything about this one, if that makes you feel uncomfortable I suggest Google. This is a must know. Far down into the ground I find this hidden place with water dripping and long shadows. Beside this alley it also contained a reservoir that someone claim belonged to the Aqua Virgo. I'm not convinced.

As I have very few visitors in the album (and as it is very tiresome to upload the pics at two places) you'll find them at my blog today , http://ancientandold.blogspot.com/. Klingan

Roman lead pollution can hardly be considered news, even as they find traces of it at Iceland. Something caught my eye in the article as well;

Another day in Roma and what a day! I've been to Cerveteri today and I tell you, there is no place that bring the Etruscans to life as their death and Necropolis does. Even as I knew that the site would be terrific it struck me with it's ancients mystery. This place must surely be the Pompeii of the Etruscans (Lets forget that Pompeii was Etruscan for some time). I might add that the weather is fabulous and I'm at my very best here. Anyone who have seen me at a ruin know what I'm talking about! It's hot, it's ruins, it's me. The entrance to the city imminently strike the visitor with it's beauty. I will most certainly return for another tour. The Death Lily, a flower growing in abundance on the tombs of Cerveteri. It is said to bloom on the fields of the afterlife. 6th century tombs. The Etruscans had turned away from tumulus mounds by this time and now arranged their necropolis's in a tricky Hippodamic manner with straight streets. My personal favourite tomb, another picture show the inside but it's difficult to imagine what it looks like anyway. One thing was clear, something went wrong when the tomb was constructed and it looks like two toms intersected by mistake, resulting in two entrances, something that is quite unique. Inside my favourite tomb was among other things a chair or throne, a popular detail. Inside another tomb, notice the smaller deathbeds for the children of the deceased. Walking around a tumulus tomb. There's some mystery left at this site, lots to explore and many excavated tombs. Some have unfortunately taken damage but it gives a lot of an Indiana Jones feeling of adventure. I must bring a flash light next time. Another tumulus covered with grass and death lily's. Quite beautiful.

Actually I just feel cold chills through my spine when I'm thinking about that. Brrr.... I get that warm feeling a hot day at the Palatine when there's no tourists around. (As in one of my other albums.) I might add that I also post my pictures in both an album here and a Blog made for this trip (http://ancientandold.blogspot.com/). Feel free to visit it. (Even as you really don't have any need for that)

It's an absolutely stunning day in Rome today. The sun shines, it's warm and I've spent almost all of it in a library. Oh well, there'll be more days, no doubt, and tonight there's a party at the Spanish institute. Can't wait! I managed to take a short walk though and here's some pictures from it. On a side note; the pictures that I have posted the last days have had their resolution slightly changed making them a little bit blurry. I have found out why and it won't happen again! Not all good are is ancient. This is a carved monument base (That's what it looks like at least) from the Villa Borghese. Well it's time for yet another institute, the Romanian one. Just because we can't compete with the Brits doesn't mean that other countries won't try their luck. This is a good attempt and they reach almost the same class, in my opinion very much thanks to the upper colonnade. Morning at the Swedish institute. What is a park without a small temple? I will never appreciate the park where I run in Lund again. This shot is taken from the Villa Borghese. Finally, a triumphal arch. Also situated in the Villa Borghese, modern or not, it makes the walk to the shop a pleasure every day!

It's very good indeed!

I believe that I had a sip of that stuff last night:p

The shot you posted wasn't bad though! It's normally rather difficult to get good shots in museums a the light is very dim.

Aw too bad that you're leaving the 16th, I'll be there between the 20th and 26th. I hope that you'll have a great trip!

I most certainly will! I believe that I will visit the museum in about 2 weeks, lots of stuff to do It's one of my favourite statues as well.

Yet another day. Damn I'll never finish this presentation on Etruscan tomb paintings in time. An Etruscan terracotta sculpture can make anyone's day! This one is now in the Villa Guilia. One of the many gardens in the Villa Guilia. A grotesque painting from the Villa Guilia. For those who doesn't know, grotesque derives from the fact that these paintings are heavily inspired by finds in Nero's villa Domus Aurea during the late medieval times and renaissance. Back then it was thought to be a cave painted in this manner and thus is became cave art, grotte being cave in Italian. Notice the close resemblance to the fourth Pompeiian style. And the last picture for today, The British Institute. You might remember the picture I posted from the Swedish institute a few days ago, let me tell you, the Brits are in a completely different league.

Not much exciting today, I'm far to tired to get any good shots. Some pictures tough: Memory Monument in the Aurelian Walls. A typical Roman street. Imagine almost getting killed by the cars all them time! The Museum of Modern Art can be found just 2 minutes from where I live. Too bad there's no good art from that era.

Minor note: I reckon that the four emperors were Otho Galba, Vitellius and Vespasianus, not Nero?

You wouldn't be able to see the Roman collections in the Vatican museum in a week! It's a lot! I will probably take that this weekend, pictures coming up

Haha yep that's a classic too! But it's actually quite normal apart from the colors.

Do you know what they're doing? Cleaning/restoring or excavating? It was filled with walls that looked like it came from normal housing and I also saw a sewer. It would seem like the dig have been abandoned for a while however and there were no signs.

Started working for real today, mostly presentations though. Got a dinner in 30 min. I had a quick tour in the city though. Was cloudy but the sun is shining now. Very warm still 22 degrees C when it's "cold". Fontana di Trevi. Sign at the Spanish stairs. The Swedish Institute. Inside the Pantheon. (No Jesus rites today ) Roman (?) altar just somewhere in an alley. My card says Doctor Klingborg. Should be Prof. by Italian standards though. Covered in plastic, here it is - The mausoleum of Augustus.

I'm not sure what to say. Although it would be appreciated I wouldn't want you to get into trouble. Er .... Can someone help me out? What do I say?? Check your pm's

We were unfortunately unable to go in today as a strange sect who worshipped a semi-divine person called "Jesus" had a rite in there. I'll try again some day soon!

I will go down there again for you and see if I can sneak in. Might take until next weekend though.

Have you tried CIL Sonic?