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Here are other articles on the study; https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/ancient-egyptian-tombs-might-been-32683537 https://journalofscientificexploration.org/index.php/jse/article/view/2855 Here are two videos on the “Curse of the Pharaohs,” one recent and one a little older:

King Tutankhamen has been the subject of several posts in the past (see below). There has long been the myth about “The Curse of King Tut" or "The Curse of the Pharaohs." Recent studies of Egyptologists do show a high incidence of deaths associated with hematopoietic (blood cell, bone marrow) and lymphoid tissue cancers, frequently found in victims of radiation poisoning. This might be attributable to the high radiation reported in ancient tombs. https://metro.co.uk/2024/04/27/mystery-behind-100-year-old-curse-pharaohs-finally-solved-20728683/?ito=newsnow-feed https://journalofscientificexploration.org/index.php/jse/article/view/2855 Note: Of course I'm skeptical about these claims. This explanation of the "curse" would not explain the other causes of death: infection, suicide, accident, murder, etc. Nevertheless, being an Egyptologist does appear to be an occupational hazard.

Archaeologists have found a Roman-era landscaped pool and wall around a natural freshwater spring near the village of Chamborêt, about 12 miles north of Limoges, France. These ruins date from the third century AD. These Roman ruins were built on an older Neolithic period site that might date back 4,500 to 6,000 years. Roman ceramics and coins from the late Roman Empire were found at the site. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/1700-year-old-roman-ruins-discovered-atop-much-older-neolithic-sacred-spring Site of find in France

We have had many posts about the mysterious dodecahedron (see below). This example dates from the third or fourth century and was found in Norton Disney near Lincoln in 2023. It is one of only 33 dodecahedrons found in Britain and is unusually large: 8 cm large (3.15 inches) and weighs 245 g (8.6 ounces). It will be displayed this summer in Lincolnshire, near where it was found. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/1853/mysterious-roman-dodecahedron-found-in-norton-disney-to-go-on-display-in-lincolnshire-for-the-first-time Note: I was surprised at the number of dodecahedrons (33) already found in Britain. Nevertheless, its function is still unclear: a measuring device, a sewing tool, or a gambling or play piece.

Yikes

A Sahara dust storm from Northern Africa has turned the skies of Greece orange. https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/04/23/europe/weather-finland-snow-sahara-dust-greece-intl-latam Here’s a previous post about a Sahara dust that affected Europe in 2022.

There are several posts about the potential insights that reading the carbonized Herculaneum scrolls could give insights into the culture and philosophy of the ancient world (see post below). Recent research into a scroll has possibly found the resting place of the Greek philosopher Plato as well as other aspects of his life: https://archaeologymag.com/2024/04/herculaneum-papyrus-reveals-platos-burial-place/ https://lavocedinewyork.com/en/news/2024/04/23/italian-researcher-working-in-herculaneum-reveals-platos-burial-place/

The finding of phallus symbols are not uncommon in the Roman Empire. This could potentially be an example recently discovered at Vindolanda. This could represent a fascinus which is a phallic amulet or depiction used to invoke divine protection. Below are just two of the many posts about the phallic symbolism found throughout the Empire. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/archaeologists-uncover-possible-phallus-carving-at-roman-vindolanda/151753 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinus

A sculpture of a snake-bodied Roman-German deity was found at the Roman fort of Stuttgard, Germany. “Despite the erosion of stone, you can still see how its arms rest on the upper body and its hands on the hips and legs. However, the latter do not have a human shape, instead merging into a kind of snake body.” https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/04/the-sculpture-of-a-snake-bodied-deity-a-hybrid-from-roman-germanic-mythology-found-at-the-roman-fort-of-stuttgart/ https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/fort-excavation-uncovers-roman-sculpture/151730

Scene from the latest movie “Boudica: Queen of War” The topic of Boudica has been discussed before. (Caldrail wrote an interesting post about Rome’s relationship with Boudica and the Iceni tribe. See below.) Here is a good video about finding the site of her final battle:

The coin above is a silver cistophorus of Augustus depicting the mythological Capricorn, a half goat / half fish creature. Below are two articles by NGC Ancients that discuss some of the mythological iconography on ancient coins. https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/12798/ https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/5055/NGC-Ancients/

Japanese archaeologists have found evidence of the suspected Villa of Augustus during excavations at Somma Vesuviana, at Naples, Italy. The area was a resort site for the Roman elite. It is believed that Augustus died there in AD 14. Radiocarbon dating, along with chemical analysis of layers of volcanic pumice, confirm that the area was inhabited in the 1st century AD before Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. Suspected furnace believed to heat the baths at the site https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/excavation-uncovers-possible-traces-of-villa-augustus-at-somma-vesuviana/15161 https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/augustus-villa-somma-vesuviana-0020672 https://www.turkiyenewspaper.com/amp/culture/21985

Is the function at the upper right corner scroll down by your name (at the top of the page)?

A Greco-Illyrian helmet has been discovered during excavations near Zakotorac, Croatia. The helmet dates to the 6th century BCE. Previous excavations in the area had recovered a 4th century BCE helmet. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/well-preserved-greco-illyrian-helmet-found-near-zakotorac/151542 https://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/70001 Here is a post on the Greco-Illyrian helmet found earlier in the area:

An intact wooden Roman cellar from the first century AD has been found in Frankfurt, which was the Roman city of Nida. The city of Nida flourished under Trajan. During other excavations, three Mithraea (temples to Mithras) have been discovered in the area. Seen in the pictures, a five-step staircase was recovered. It was transported to the Archaeological Museum of Frankfurt (pictured below). Nida underwent a decline after AD 259 under pressures from Alamanni. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/02/excavation-uncovers-preserved-wooden-cellar-from-roman-period/150812#google_vignette https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nida_(Roman_town)

At Pompeii, frescoes in a suspected banquet hall have been recently discovered. https://www.artforum.com/news/roman-frescoes-uncovered-in-banquet-hall-pompeii-552190/

After a long absence, water has returned to the Baths of Caracalla https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-water-returns-to-romes-baths-of-caracalla.html Here is a wonderful older 3D view of the baths:

The road discovered is thought to be a crossroads with the Via Domitia, which was the Roman road that linked Italy with Hispania through Southern France. The remains were discovered between the two roads: In Ancient Rome the cemeteries were traditionally located outside of the religious boundaries (pomerium) of towns and cities. Tombs and elaborate burial monuments lined the roadsides. Burial graves and monuments along the Appian Way near Rome

Here is an article further describing the Roman finds as well as the Roman road uncovered with the finds in Nîmes, France: https://www.inrap.fr/des-tombes-et-des-buchers-en-bord-de-voies-romaines-nimes-gard-17952#

Thank you for reading my post. Here’s an interview with the author:

Roman glassware have been uncovered in the city of Nîmes, France. Excavations in the area have found cremation pyres and burial sites from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD. Nîmes, France was known as the Roman city Nemausus (see link below). https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/archaeologists-uncover-exquisite-roman-glassware-in-nimes/151466 https://www.livius.org/articles/place/nemausus-nimes/

A boy and his mother discovered a possible gold Roman bracelet near the village of Pagham in West Sussex, England. Pagham is situated near the Romano-British town of Noviomagus Reginorum (modern Chichester). Recently, there was news (see post below) about plans to reconstruct a temple to Minerva which is believed to have existed in that area. The bracelet dates back to the first century AD. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/ornate-roman-bracelet-found-near-pagham/151368

There have been previous threads about infections that ravaged ancient Egypt. Recent studies of the remains of mummies have shown interesting findings: Of the mummies studied: 65% revealed schistosomiasis* 40% headlice 22% falciparum malaria 10% leishmaniasis From the articles, it appears that 31 mummies were examined for study. *Schistosomiasis is spread by contaminated water, with parasites released by infected freshwater snails. Even today, about 250 million people have been infected with schistosomiasis. Each year, schistosomiasis causes many thousands of deaths, possibly as many as 200,000 deaths. How Ancient Civilizations Were Burdened by their Parasites - Fifteen Eighty Four | Cambridge University Press Parasites in Past Civilizations and Their Impact upon Health (cambridgeblog.org) Child suffering from schistosomiasis Parasites in ancient Egypt and Nubia: Malaria, schistosomiasis and the pharaohs - ScienceDirect Parasitic Worms Plagued These Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs (popularmechanics.com) https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/study-reveals-disease-landscape-of-ancient-egypt/151312

A new archaeological pathway through the heart of Rome is planned. Although convenient for the casual tourist, I think it will further disfigure the already-diminished ancient footprint of Ancient Rome. https://www.euronews.com/culture/2024/04/03/rome-unveils-plans-for-a-new-archaeological-path-through-the-heart-of-city

A Roman villa has been discovered in Grove, a village in Oxfordshire in Southeast England. Interestingly, numerous small tightly-rolled lead scrolls (possible curse tablets) and miniature hammers have been recovered. These could be votive offerings. A complex brickwork floor was part of the findings https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/03/28/style/roman-villa-development-oxfordshire-intl-scli-scn https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/richly-decorated-roman-villa-with-curse-tablets-and-tiny-axes-unearthed-in-england https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clej69yx206o.amp