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The extent of Vesuvius’ devastation AD 79 Unlike the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the seaside villa and port of Stabiae managed to be quickly rebuilt after the devastation of Vesuvius in AD 79 despite being only 10 miles from Vesuvius. Pliny the Elder died at Stabiae as a result of the eruption. The Roman poet Publius Papinius Statius (c AD 45-96) even wrote about a reborn Stabiae to his wife Claudia (in Silvae Book 3:5) https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Latin/StatiusSilvaeBkIII.php#anchor_Toc316636107 Here’s a short article about Stabiae: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/stabiae-the-roman-resort-buried-by-mount-vesuvius/137475 Here is a previous post about Stabiae:

No need to apologize. LoL Most of us on this forum are a little older, so I’m sure anyone younger would laugh at our technological ignorance. You can always edit your posts, too. That way you don’t need to write two posts to continue a single thought.

Sorry. Double post.

Early video release on find:

Thank you for asking. (In might be better, however, to ask future numismatic questions in the subforum “Numismatica” in the “Romana Humanitas” section.) Tom Cederlind, although pricey, was a mentor to many young numismatists. He passed away a few years ago, I believe. Unfortunately, no one on this site is a coin collector. I do study numismatic material, however, since I am fascinated by ancient archaeological research (which includes coins, especially coin hoards). Of course, there are many forgeries (both ancient and modern). Only buy from trusted sellers. A reputable site is Vcoins. (It was highly respected, at least a few years ago. I can’t vouch for them today, however, since I don’t buy coins.) https://www.vcoins.com/ A good educational site that does sell some authentic Roman coins is below: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=1950&pos=0#Roman-Mints I also enjoy NGC Ancients for their research. Although they don’t sell coins, they do certify (authenticate) coins (both modern and ancient). Buying a coin “slabbed” (authenticated) by NGC could be essential for any novice: https://www.ngccoin.com/news/series/ancients/?page=1 Finally, a good place to discuss all things numismatic is at this site: https://www.cointalk.com/forums/ancients/ Thank you for asking and post any interesting numismatic insights or any questions in the “Numismatica” subforum.

A suspected child’s shoe from the Iron Age salt mine in Austria has been discovered during recent excavations. The shoe, made from leather, was discovered in a mining tunnel. It is believed the salty microenvironment of the surrounding mine helped to preserve the organic material of the shoe. Although I find this to be a fascinating discovery, much of the hype around the story is the assumption that this was not an adult’s shoe, instead. A child’s size 30 in Europe is equivalent to a 7.25” in the US (US size 12.5 and U.K. 11.5 children’s). https://arkeonews.net/extremely-well-preserved-2000-year-old-childs-leather-shoe-discovered-during-archaeological-mine-excavations/ https://footwearnews.com/fashion/fashion-news/children-preserved-shoe-museum-iron-age-1203511657/

Unusual archaeological finds in a poorly documented city in the Roman Republic have been announced during excavations in La Cabañeta, Spain. It is thought to have been destroyed during the Sertorian War around 70 BCE. Some of the finds include a possible forum, a warehouse, and thermal baths. https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-08-31/the-oldest-roman-forum-in-hispania-has-been-found-in-zaragoza.html

A 6’3” headless bronze statue thought to be Marcus Aurelius has been ordered to be returned to Turkey from the Cleveland Museum. It is thought to have been looted from Turkey and obtained illegally by the museum in 1968. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/08/new-york-authorities-order-seizure-of-ancient-statue-at-cleveland-museum-of-art-possibly-connected-to-looting-trafficking-of-antiquities-in-turkey.html?outputType=amp https://mynorthwest.com/3926382/statue-believed-to-depict-marcus-aurelius-seized-from-cleveland-museum-in-looting-investigation/

Roman temple ruins from the first century BCE have been found in the northern Italian city of Sarsina, close to the Tuscan border. Researchers believe they have found a capitolium. According to Wikipedia, a capitolium was a Roman temple dedicated to the Capitoline Triad of gods (Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva). It would have a separate chamber devoted to each god. Capitolia were built in prominent areas in many cities in Italy and the Roman provinces, especially during the Augustan and Julio-Claudian periods. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitolium https://edition.cnn.com/style/ancient-roman-temple-sarsina-supermarket-scn/index.html

Eboracum Roman Festival 2023 York has had many recent Roman finds. A Roman legionary stronghold was established in the first century AD and the civilian town was known as Eboracum. (Interestingly, two Roman emperors died at Eboracum: Septimius Severus in AD 211 and Constantius Chlorus in 306.) Planned excavations to extend the Ibis Hotel in York will take in consideration that a Roman community once existed at the site. https://yorkmix.com/experts-to-hunt-for-roman-graveyard-under-york-hotel/ Previous posts about York:

Israeli archeologists have uncovered a 300-meter-long (984-foot) section of an ancient aqueduct thought possibly built by Pontius Pilate. It was thought to have been heavily damaged during the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73) and later repaired by the Romans. Twenty-five coins in the plaster have been uncovered, too. It is thought they were placed there as a good luck charm. https://www.timesofisrael.com/300-meter-stretch-of-aqueduct-from-late-second-temple-period-uncovered-in-jerusalem/amp/ https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-08-29/ty-article/longest-stretch-of-ancient-jerusalems-upper-aqueduct-revealed/0000018a-4168-d435-a59e-cfeaaed40000

A large Gothic cemetery dating to the fourth century AD has been discovered in Northern Poland. The site has at least fifty Gothic graves and many silver items have been recovered: https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/vast-gothic-cemetery-brimming-with-grave-goods-and-ornate-silver-jewelry-discovered-in-poland

It’s been a while since we mentioned Pytheas of Massalia (writing in the fourth century BCE), an explorer from the Greek colony of modern Marseille in Southern France. Although his original writings were lost, he was referred to by many ancient writers such as Strabo. Pytheas may have had the first written description of Britain. He may also have been the first to have called the people of Britain “the painted ones” or the “tattooed folk,” derived from a Celtic term. The recent discovery of several hundred ochre fragments at a 6,500-year-old ceremonial site near Carlisle, England seems to confirm the description of the Celts’ body painting: https://greekreporter.com/2023/08/26/archaeological-find-supports-ancient-greek-explorers-account-britons/

Roman cup inscribed with “Avoca te” meaning “Enjoy yourself” or “Have fun” A wonderful and unique Roman drinking cup has been found in the modern Belgium city of Mortsel. (Thanks Dr. Tom for bringing this find to my attention.) https://www.brusselstimes.com/art-culture/653877/new-roman-phrase-discovered-on-unique-drinking-cup-in-antwerpA https://www.belganewsagency.eu/archaeologists-discover-new-roman-phrase-on-ancient-cup-in-mortsel

A large Roman complex has been found in Cham, Switzerland: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/08/archaeologists-uncover-large-roman-complex-in-gravel-quarry/148387

The Romans enjoyed eating eggs. Maybe not surprising, they sometimes used honey in their egg dishes. Here is Apicus’ description of egg preparation with honey from his cookbook De re coquinaria. (Although the cookbook is attributed to Apicius of the first century AD, it was thought to be compiled in the fifth century AD.) Here is the recipe for ova sphongia ex lacte (spongy eggs made with milk): https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Apicius/7*.html https://historicalitaliancooking.home.blog/english/recipes/ancient-roman-dessert-ova-spongia-ex-lacte-sweet-omelette/ Here is a video on the preparation of this sweet omelette:

There have been several threads before on the formidable Balearic slingers (see below). Here’s a nice short video on them:

There have been numerous posts about the destruction of the library of Alexandria (see below). Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook had an interesting discussion about that subject on their recent podcast “The Rest is History.”

This is a wonderful time to be delving into the more confusing Crisis of the Third Century in Roman history. There are now many resources (including UNRV) to use. YouTube is filled with great work on the period, also. Fortunately, your numismatic interest is in the coinage of Philip the Arab. Coins related to him and his reign are diverse and surprisingly affordable. Good luck in your endeavors and please share any research with us.

A section of the aqueduct of Caesarea in Israel recently collapsed. Originally built by Herod the Great, it was the later expansion by Emperor Hadrian that collapsed. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.timesofisrael.com/arch-of-famous-caesarea-aqueduct-collapses-official-we-repeatedly-sounded-alarm/amp/ Here is a 360 view of the aqueduct before the recent collapse : On the YouTube app, one can move the image with their finger.

Two new fragments of the Fasti Ostienses have been discovered at the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park. (The Fasti Ostienses are a calendar of Roman magistrates and significant events from 49 BC to AD 175, found at Ostia, the principal seaport of Rome. https://www.finestresullarte.info/en/archaeology/two-new-fragments-of-the-fasti-ostienses-found-in-the-ostia-antica-archaeological-park

Recent DNA analysis of Ötzi the ancient iceman of the Italian Alps has shown that he had Turkish roots, as well as his skin was darker and he was balder than previously thought. The most recent image of Ötzi. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02562-0 https://www.dailysabah.com/life/oetzi-the-turk-dna-study-shows-surprising-details-about-iceman/news

A beautiful Roman gem has been found in a lagoon north of Venice at Lio Piccolo. Lio Piccolo has long been a thriving fishing community. Underwater excavation also discovered a structure from the first or second centuries AD that had a brick base and oak walls and is thought to have been an oyster holding tank. https://arkeonews.net/precious-roman-gem-engraved-with-mythological-figure-discovered-in-italian-lagoon/ https://www.newsweek.com/precious-engraved-roman-gem-discovered-1816286?amp=1

Here’s an excellent short video recreating Carthage:

There have been many previous posts about Carthage (see below). Invicta has produced a wonderful video “Inside the Walls of Carthage—The Rome of Africa.”