guy

This is a wonderful triumphal Roman arch in Tripoli, Libya that I didn't know existed. Click on article and see more pictures within the article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/roman-marcus-aurelius-arch-in-tripoli-among-restoration-work-in-pictures-1.1205308#1 Summary: It is good to know this little-known Roman arch will be preserved and even restored in this time of political instability. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Marcus_Aurelius guy also known as gaius

Here are some of the best pictures of the dig I have seen, yet: Workers carry a fish covered in gold found in Luxor, April 10, 2021. Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images https://www.yahoo.com/news/photos-show-ancient-egyptian-artifacts-122200604.html

Pliny the Elder, in his The Natural History, discusses emeralds in his chapter on smaragdus [emeralds], the Latin term for the green stone. Pliny mentions Egypt being the site for their mines http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0137%3Abook%3D37%3Achapter%3D16 Now we have evidence of an actual beryl mines in Egypt. Well-known beryl minerals include emeralds and aquamarine. https://www.ancientpages.com/2021/04/16/emerald-production-in-eastern-desert-of-roman-egypt-new-evidence/ Summary: This is an interesting use of archaeologic evidence to confirm the ancient literature. Interestingly enough, Pliny the Elder has this to say about Nero's use of emeralds:

I guess this wasn't too surprising: https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/vandals-hit-rare-roman-luxury-20400516 Here's the original thread:

Thanks, again, for the video. Suetonius, writing (AD 121) more than a century after Caesar's death, gave this description: Nice article on Caesar's appearance: https://www.knowledgesnacks.com/articles/was-julius-caesar-handsome/ Here's the image of Caesar many of us have (from the HBO movie "Rome"):

Stolen statue found: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/italy-art-statue-stolen-intl-scli/index.html Summary: It is good to see that the looted statue will be returned to its rightful place. guy also known as gaius

Thank you, Crispina. Although the eye coloring seems possibly too light, they are fabulous pictures. Those "come-to-life" images are absolutely breathless. Thank, you, again.

Exciting find in Scarborough, England: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-56745840 Summary: Nice video below. This part of the story was reassuring:

Thank you for reading my post. I think we forget that the Roman bath complex was really a combination of bath, spa, gym, library, community center, and food court. I would, therefore, expect the Roman bath complex to be a rowdy and crowded place. Seneca lived above a bath complex and had this to say in Moral Letters to Lucilius (56): https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_56

Another exciting find: a city buried by sand. This site, the "Lost Golden City" is near Luxor, Egypt. It dates back to the reign of Amenhotep III who reigned from 1391-1353 BCE. It is amazing the amount of archaeological material found since the dig began in September 2020, including colored pottery, jewelry, scarab amulets, a bakery with ovens, etc. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56686448 The city is believed to have been founded by Amenhotep III, one of ancient Egypt's most powerful rulers Summary: It is hard to believe that this city was around more than a thousand years before Cleopatra and Marc Anthony had their relationship.

This is a recent discovery of a salt complex sheds light on the economy of Neolithic (later Stone Age) Britain almost 6000 years ago: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/yorkshire-salt-archaeology-neolithic-britain-b1824440.html https://www.fr24news.com/a/2021/03/how-a-new-archaeological-find-in-yorkshire-could-rewrite-british-prehistory.html Summary: As I've written before in a previous post dealing with Mayan salt production, it is easy to forget today about the importance of salt in ancient times, from preserving food to seasoning. By being able to preserve the food, it removed the dependence on local production and allowed food transport over long distances. guy also known as gaius

Here's a beautiful ancient Roman cameo of Augustus that came to my attention. Beautiful detail, for sure: http://medaillesetantiques.bnf.fr/ws/catalogue/app/collection/record/ark:/12148/c33gbcvrx Summary: This piece, which is thought to be contemporary or near-contemporary with Augustus (reigned 23 BCE - 14 AD), helps to validate our image of him (or at least the image he wanted to portray). guy also known as gaius (Thanks to Garth Harney @Optimus Princeps for bringing this to my attention.

The year AD 251 marked a catastrophic defeat for the Romans. Gothic troops, led by Cniva, overpowered the Romans at the Battle of Abritus, now within the bounds of contemporary Bulgaria. The conflict claimed the lives of both Emperor Decius and his son and co-emperor, Herennius Etruscus. Before this calamitous event, Cniva had laid siege to Philippopolis (present-day Plovdiv, Bulgaria), where an unfortunate inhabitant buried a cache of coins, never to reclaim them: http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2021/04/01/large-silver-coin-hoard-hidden-during-251-ad-goth-invasion-of-roman-empire-discovered-in-bulgarias-plovdiv/ Summary: This is another example of numismatic evidence sometimes filling the gaps of an incomplete history. The year 251 AD was certainly one of crisis. Not only were an emperor and his co-ruling son killed, but the Sassanid King Shapur I, possibly sensing instability in the empire, decided to wage war on Rome with the intend of capturing Antioch. Excellent review of the turmoil of the third century that led up to the Battle of Abritus:

Although I'm a religious skeptic, this article from a religious source has some interesting insights: Also related is the Alexamenos graffito, thought to be an early depiction of Jesus (as a crucified donkey-headed figure): https://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2021/04/roman-drawings-of-crucifixions-and-what-they-tell-us/ Summary: I find it interesting that Alexamenos, the man who is mocked in the image, is dressed as a slave. This would be consistent with my hypotheses that the Jesus movement would have its greatest appeal to the least historically studied segments of society: the underclass, women , and slaves. The Jesus movement would not be initially embraced by the ruling elite. Modern historians of ancient Rome, whose source material would mostly deal with these elites, would underestimate the movement's pervasiveness throughout the lower and less powerful classes. The Jesus movement would also contrast with the Mystery Cults, which could be potentially more exclusionary both by gender and social position. guy also known as gaius

Despite being conquered by the ancient Romans, the Basques were able to maintain some level of autonomy, both in culture and in government. They have remained unique also in language and genetics: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/upf--toa032621.php Map showing the Basque region which includes northern Spain and south western France. Summary: I never appreciated the unique culture, language, and even genetics of the Basque people. Below is an interesting further explanation: https://erenow.net/common/the-basque-history-of-the-world/3.php#:~:text=The Romans sent in additional,defeated the Basques as well. guy also known as gaius

These dolls found in tombs of young girls give some insight into the lives of a young elite female. https://daily.jstor.org/girls-and-dolls-in-the-roman-empire/ https://laughingsquid.com/an-ancient-roman-articulated-doll-found-in-the-sarcophagus-of-a-mummy-of-an-eight-year-old-girl/ Summary: A society will impart its culture and expectations to younger generations by formal education, but also thru game and play.

Look like an interesting link: https://en.qantara.de/content/baalbek-reborn-temples-virtual-3d-tour-of-the-roman-temples-at-baalbek-lebanon Summary: Baalbek, Lebonon was the site of possibly the world's largest Roman temple complex, housing the temples of the Roman goods Bacchus, Venus, and Jupiter. It is wonderful to see reconstruction efforts despite political instability and a pandemic. guy also known as gaius

(Source: Wikipedia): Reconstruction of an Iron Age warrior's garments representing a Vandalic man, with his hair in a ***"Suebian knot" (160 AD), Archaeological Museum of Kraków, Poland. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/discovered-polands-largest-pottery-production-centre-from-roman-period/138225 (Source: Wikipedia): Migrations of the Vandals from Scandinavia through Dacia, Gaul, Iberia, and into North Africa. Grey: Roman Empire. Summary: This finding supports the notion that many Germanic tribes had developed long-lasting and stable communities (requiring pottery production, for example). Many of us forget that the Vandals originated in Poland and even in southern Scandinavia, before migration brought them to the Iberian peninsula and eventually Northern Africa. Below is a video in Polish on the dig (I think): guy also known as gaius Translation of description: A video showing the archaeological excavations in the pottery production center from the Roman period in Wrzępia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandals#:~:text=The Vandals were a Germanic,Africa in the 5th century.

Thank you for reading my post. My guess is that a sub-Saharan person's presence in Roman Britain reflected the wide trade network that existed beyond the Roman Empire. I've written before about the potential extent of trade and interaction that existed, for example, with India and China: I would not, therefore, be too surprised if they were able to discover evidence of visitors from China and India in ancient Rome. I would be more surprised, however, to find a traveler from China in the more distant reaches of the empire, such as Roman Britain.

Here is an intriguing story from 2014 that I somehow missed: the Beachy Head Lady, a mysterious sub Saharan African living in Roman Eastbourne. The story begins during a study known as the Eastbourne Ancestors project near the south coast of England. The study examined 300 sets of previously-ignored human remains, hopefully gaining more insight into the lives of the people. These seemingly-unremarkable remains had been stored in the basement and were mostly from two Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. Most of the remains were excavate in the 1990s, but there were specimens from the 1890s. One set of remains, however, was different from the others. Eastbourne Museums Heritage Officer Jo Seaman recounts, “During that process we came across two boxes which said ‘Beachy Head, something to do with 1956 or 1959’, and that was about it. We opened it up and inside there was a very well-preserved human skeleton.” 1. Initial inspection by an osteoarchaeologist reported that the remains belonged to a young female who was about five feet tall. The bones were then sent for routine reconstruction. 2. Caroline Wilkinson, an expert in reconstruction, was asked to perform a forensic facial reconstruction. Upon seeing the skull, she immediately asked, “Oh my, you realize you’ve got a sub-Saharan African here?” This, of course, prompted further interest and studies. 3. Radiocarbon dating was done. It established that the Beachy Head Lady lived around 200 to 250 AD. There are other examples of Africans at this date in Britain (such as the Ivory Bangle Lady found in York). The Beachy Head Lady, however, was unusual because Sub-Saharan Africa was not part of the Roman Empire. 4. Isotope analysis was also utilized. It indicated that the Beachy Head Lady grew up in southeast England. (Thru the isotope analysis of teeth and possibly bone, researchers would be able to determine that the Beachy Head Lady consumed a diet derived from that area during her earlier growth and development. See the second video below for a good explanation of isotope analysis.) Jo Seaman concluded: "Whether that means that she's first generation we don't know. She could possibly have been born in Africa and brought over here at a very young age, but it's just as likely that she was born here. This is a fantastic discovery for the south coast. We know this lady was around 30 years old, grew up in the vicinity of what is now East Sussex, ate a good diet of fish and vegetables, her bones were without disease and her teeth were in good condition.” https://museumcrush.org/the-mystery-of-beachy-head-lady-a-roman-african-from-eastbourne/ Summary: The finding of the Beachy Head Lady skeleton generated great interest. This is another example of the use of science and various means of investigation to fill in the parts of a previously unknown, but fascinating history. One can only imagine why this sub-Saharan woman lived in Roman Britain. guy also known as gaius

Watching Italian TV today, I was reminded that March 25th was the 1600 year celebration of Venice's founding. According to Wikipedia: More information from Wikipedia: With the COVID-19 restrictions, however, any celebration will be delayed. Oh, well, the closest I'll get to Venice this year is the one located in a Nevada desert: guy also known as gaius https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice

Some recent images in the article below of Hadrian's Wall in modern England: Brunton Turret, near Chollerford, one of the best preserved turrets on the Wall, built by the men of the 20th Legion. Additional images in this article: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/gallery/pictures-parts-hadrians-wall-few-20067083#comments-section guy also known as gaius Nice video

Patara, Turkey is a little known, but a fascinating site. Supposedly, Saint Nicholas was born here. (He would later work at the North Pole under the guise of Santa Claus.) The beaches look nice, but the ancient ruins are fascinating. I few years ago they found the ruins of a lighthouse. They hope to reconstruct this structure, built during the reign of Nero. It was originally 20 m high (60 feet). Experts think it was destroyed by a tsunami (not an earthquake). Modern day site in Patara, Turkey A computer generated image shows what the restored lighthouse of Patara will look like, Antalya, southern Turkey, March 24, 2021. (DHA Photo) https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/lighthouse-of-antalyas-ancient-patara-to-give-light-again Summary: This is another interesting site to visit, for sure.

This is another example of ancient cultures valuing salt in commerce and possibly a store of value: The first documented record of salt as an ancient Maya commodity at a marketplace is depicted in a mural painted more than 2,500 years ago at Calakmul, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Image credit: Rogelio Valencia, Proyecto Arqueológico Calakmul. http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/maya-salt-money-09479.html Summary: It is easy to forget today about the importance of salt in ancient times, from preserving food to seasoning. By being able to preserve the food, it removed the dependence on local availability and allowed food transport over long distances.