guy

presents the ancient artifact known as a "strigil," a historical tool u https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amp/strigilis-of-ancient-age-at-izmir-museum-166363 https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/ancient-hygiene-tools-of-gladiators-on-display-in-izmir/news/amp

An interesting coin hoard. I may not agree with all the conclusions, however. Some of the ancient Roman coins found by the Aa river in the Netherlands, following their discovery and an initial cleaning. (Image credit: Wim and Nico van Schaijk) I might disagree with the conclusion that these coins were deposited over a long period of time. Coins in the Roman Empire circulated over many years, even centuries: https://www.livescience.com/roman-coin-hoard-by-river.html https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2021/06/roman-coins-as-offering-for-safe-crossing https://www.archaeology.org/news/9845-210713-netherlands-roman-coins

An interesting discovery in Rome: Photographers take pictures during the presentation to the press of an archeological finding emerged during the excavations at a Mausoleum in Rome, Friday, July 16, 2021. The monumental pomerial stone is dating back to Roman Emperor Claudio and was used to mark the 'pomerium' the sacred boundaries of the 'Urbe', the city of Rome, during the Roman empire. Credit: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis https://www.google.com/amp/s/phys.org/news/2021-07-rare-stone-outlining-ancient-rome.amp https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/ny-rare-stone-city-limits-ancient-rome-unveiled-claudius-emperor-20210716-dloq3xs5gjc65aj4bp6ubtmowu-story.html?outputType=amp The distinction between imperium and pomerium:

King Tutankhamen’s mask is one of the great ancient artifacts. Could (at least part of the mask) been originally intended for someone else (a female such as Nefertiti)? https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1463038/egypt-archaeology-news-tutankhamun-mask-howard-carter-valley-kings-queen-nefertiti-spt

This interesting amulet was found on the banks of the Thames river. It has been dated to late 160s AD, during the Antonine plague. https://greekreporter.com/2021/07/14/greek-immigrant-in-roman-era-london-used-amulet-to-ward-off-plague/

I am currently undecided about the date. In the GreatCoursePlus course "Pompeii: Daily Life in an Ancient Roman City," Professor Tuck mentions that many unused amphorae were unearthed at a winery in Pompeii. Since wine harvesting typically occurs between August and October, it is unusual that so many unused amphorae would be found so late in the harvest season. This provides support for an earlier, August eruption. Professor Tuck mentions that these amphorae were left in-situ after discovery at nearby Boscoreale which was also devastated by Vesuvius. These amporae were stacked, prepared, and ready for use, presumably for the fall harvest of AD 79. These intact and unused amphorae would possibly support the earlier eruption.

Sometimes the archaeology confirms history (in this case, the Bible), sometimes it doesn’t. The exposed section of the First Temple-era protective wall on Jerusalem’s eastern perimeter. (Koby Harati/ City of David) https://www.timesofisrael.com/first-temple-era-walls-razed-in-biblical-account-found-unbreached-in-jerusalem/

Nice pictures: A dormouse jar (right) and other vessels in “Last Supper in Pompeii: From the Table to the Grave” at the Legion of Honor, San Francisco. Photo by Gary Sexton, courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. A carbonized loaf of bread in “Last Supper in Pompeii: From the Table to the Grave” at the Legion of Honor, San Francisco. Photo by Gary Sexton, courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Fresco showing a man handing out bread, perhaps as a bribe for voters (AD 50–79). Photo courtesy of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli. This scene represents either a bribe to voters or a distribution by a patron to residents or visitors. Professor Tuck (from his excellent course “Pompeii: Daily Life in an Ancient Roman City” on Great CoursePlus) discussed this fresco. He notes that there is no money being exchanged and the man doling out the bread is wearing a toga, a sign of an upperclass elite Roman. Professor Tuck feels that this scene represents a distribution by a patron and not the usual commercial transaction at a bakery. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/legion-of-honor-pompeii-show-1986994/amp-page

The Griffin and other creatures of Ancient Greek mythology are discussed: https://greekreporter.com/2021/07/09/famous-creatures-greek-mythology/

https://greekreporter.com/2021/07/11/memorial-tomb-of-ancient-greek-astronomer-aratus-unearthed-in-turkey/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aratus

I’m not sure whether they really found the tomb of Olympias, mother of Alexander the Great and wife of Phillip II (King of Macedonia). But it makes for a great story. https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/07/10/bidas-alexander-the-great-korinos/amp/

The last attempt to build the Third Temple during the reign of Julian (361-363 AD) ended in failure. Emperor Julian, in an attempt to reverse the emergence of Christianity in the Empire, supported reviving Pagan rituals and temples. Possibly, this was also his motivation for building the Third Temple of Jerusalem. This effort, however, was soon aborted. Many reasons have been suggested: lack of local Jewish support, sabotage, accidental fire, or the earthquake of Galilee in 363 AD. Julian’s death in battle in 363 AD ended the project. https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/ammianus_23_book23.htm#C1

Professor Catharine Edwards explains why Antony and Cleopatra would not have necessarily saved the Roman Republic even if they had won the battle of Actium against Octavian's navy. I would add that they did not indicate that they wanted to restore the Republic, anyway. (BBC History Revealed: June 2021.) https://www.pressreader.com/uk/history-revealed/20210513/281599538355729

Bulgaria seems to be a place of many newly discovered finds. I also learned about the containers known as a balsamarium or unguentarium, many times used for oil. I’m not sure, however, why a strigil would also be in his grave. https://www.archaeology.org/issues/366-2001/trenches/8255-digs-bulgaria-roman-bath-buddy

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/grand-2000-year-old-public-building-unearthed-jerusalem-180978128/ Great video on find:

An interesting find using the modern technology of Lidar:“ https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2021-07-03/researchers-confirm-existence-of-ancient-roman-gold-mines-in-central-portugal/60839 Summary: So, what is this technology known as Lidar or LiDAR (Light, Detection, and Ranging also called Laser imaging, Detection, and Ranging)? It’s sort of a 3-D laser scanning:

Nice review of the Roman watermill of Barbegal near Arles, France. It consisted of sixteen water wheels made up of eight pairs. https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/07/reconstructing-roman-industrial-engineering/

It is great to see things are now opening. https://www.laprensalatina.com/roman-forums-house-of-the-vestals-opened-after-8-year-restoration/amp/?__twitter_impression=true Summary: Another interesting sight, for sure. Anyone for some mola salsa? (I had to look that one up. See below.) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mola_salsa

As the world opens up, many of us will be making travel plans. These images of the Pompeii granary site are enticing. (Thanks Nina Willburger @DrNWillburger for bringing these images to my attention.) http://pompeiisites.org/en/archaeological-site/forum-granary/

Better than expected dental health on skeletal remains in Pompeii has been attributed to both lower sugar intake as well as naturally-occurring high levels of fluorine. Not surprising, but bring me my tiramisu! https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/could-the-ancient-roman-diet-give-you-perfect-teeth/amp?__twitter_impression=true https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-romans-in-pompeii-had-nearly-perfect-teeth-180956859/

Who am I to judge? Salma Hayek as Mexican painter Frida Kahlo https://greekreporter.com/2021/06/24/ancient-greek-beauty-standards-beautiful-greece/

Smoked mushroom garum being prepared for the fermentation process. PHOTO: DITTE ISAGER https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.eater.com/platform/amp/2021/6/29/22556329/rene-redzepi-noma-to-release-at-home-garum-fermentation-line https://robbreport.com/food-drink/dining/noma-copenhagen-garums-sale-1234621959/amp/ https://nomaprojects.com/

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/07/londons-roman-fort/139617?amp

I understand the financial realities. I’m so sorry to hear this, however. That said, please realize your books have touched and influenced a whole generation of historians (both professional and amateur). Please continue to share your considerable scholarship with us, however, on sites like this.