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Thank you for reading the post. The basket really is an incredible find. If I understood correctly, the basket is more than 10,500 years old. That would mean, of course, that it predated the founding of the city of Rome (753 BCE) by thousands of years. I would like to know, however, how they came up with that date. The coins from the site date from the Bar Kokhba revolt (AD 132-136). The was during the reign of Hadrian ( AD 117-138), many years after the basket and the skeleton mentioned in the article.

Interesting find: https://www.timesofisrael.com/bible-scroll-fragments-among-dazzling-artifacts-found-in-dead-sea-cave-of-horror/ Summary: Another ancient finding to examine more closely. I will let the biblical scholars determine its significance. guy also known as gaius

A mosaic from Caligula's pleasure ship has been returned to its rightful place, the Roman Naval Museum near Lake Nemi, south of Rome. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/weird/roman-emperors-looted-mosaic-returned-home-after-being-used-as-nyc-coffee-table/2939733/ https://lenexweb.com/long-lost-mosaic-from-a-floating-palace-of-caligula-returns-home/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemi_ships Summary: These ships, known as the Nemi ships, were finally recovered by Mussolini in 1929 from Lake Nemi after he literally drained the lake of water. They were part of his fascist propaganda campaign. Unfortunately, they were destroyed in World War II. Somehow a mosaic from the ship had been used as a decoration on a coffee table inside a New York City apartment. The mosaic now has returned to its place in a museum. guy also known as gaius

Thank you for reading. Yea, losing that shipment would be devastating. (I get upset when my letter gets lost, so I could only imagine losing these treasures.) From my reading, the Antikythera mechanism was bronze. I'm surprised that any of it survived nearly 2000 years under the sea.

There seems to be new insights about the Antikythera mechanism. Background information: The Antikythera mechanism was discovered by local sponge divers as part of a hoard of objects from a shipwreck near the Greek island of Antikythera during the spring of 1900. Some feel that the shipwreck was a Roman ship with Greek objects from the first century BCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_wreck One of the objects found from the shipwreck was a strange and initially-unremarkable bronze object known as the Antikythera mechanism. There were many who felt that the device is the first known analog computer. (An analog computer is one that "uses the continuously changeable aspects of physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism The latest article: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/researchers-reveal-display-of-the-ancient-greek-order-of-the-universe-cosmos-in-antikythera-mechanism/137660 Summary: Most of us are vaguely familiar the Antikythera mechanism. The new research is exciting. guy also known as gaius Older videos about the device:

After reading about Gloucester, I had to clarify for myself the significance of a Roman colonia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glevum Here is a very nice explanation: https://www.britainexpress.com/History/roman/colonia.htm#:~:text=The first colonia established in,quattuoviri (annually appointed magistrates). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonia_(Roman) https://www.associationromanarchaeology.org/romantowns.htm#:~:text=The only confirmed examples of,terms of administration and practices.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-56323337 A little background information about Roman Gloucester: https://d2eq6t2r9q1quu.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/cms/5/5.6a_The_Romans_in_Gloucester.pdf Summary: Another interesting Roman find in England. Here's an interesting video on Rome's multinational force during the first century AD. guy also known as gaius

I don't know what to say. Some are losing their way during this COVID-19 shutdown ... others are doing experiments in self-care with "moonmilk." https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/skincare-routine This young man seems intense about his skin care:

Hadrian's Wall will soon be 1900 years old (122-2022 AD). The celebrations could be worth seeing. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/year-celebrations-mark-1900-years-19970750 Summary: I will keep a look out for any planned celebrations. guy also known as gaius

https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2844451/libya-retrieves-statue-faustina-daughter-roman-emperor-antoninus-pius Summary: Obviously, this stature should be returned to its rightful owner and original historical home. Hopefully, it will be treasured and protected despite any political turmoil. (Coin from the British Museum.) guy also known as gaius

When the site at the ancient Roman port city of Berenice, Egypt was initially discovered, it was thought that the original 100 animal bodies found were merely discarded, possibly sacrificed. A further investigation of a total of nearly 600 bodies suggests that they we were buried with care (and not sacrificed) during the first century AD of the early Roman era. New studies suggest that these animals were actually treasured pets, instead. Interesting brief podcast https://www.sciencemag.org/podcast/world-s-oldest-pet-cemetery-and-how-eyeless-worms-can-see-color https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/almost-600-cats-and-dogs-excavated-in-ancient-pet-cemetery/137451 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00438243.2020.1870545 Summary: Further study has discovered nearly 600 animal remains. They were examined by veterinarians. It has been determined that these animals were buried with care. The reasons these animal remains are now thought to be "pets:" There was no evidence of sacrifices, no evidence of mummies (which would suggest religious sacrifice) The animals were buried when they died and were not killed Some of the animals had fractures that were sheltered and allowed to heal. Some animals were nearly toothless, suggesting human feedings with a special diet The animals appeared to be buried individually. The animals were buried gently in a "sleep like" position Some animals are buried with textiles and even collars One dog lived to about ten years Unfortunately, the Egyptian authorities are reluctant to allow these bodies to be more closely examined: DNA studies for more exact breed identification, bone analysis for diet and health investigations, etc. Below is an animal buried with ceramic shards, possibly as a sarcophagus.

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2021/03/roman-marble-floor/ Summary: Nîmes, France is certainly a site rich in Roman culture I would like to visit. It has been called the French Rome. It's two most famous monuments, the Arena of Nîmes and the Maison Carrée, would certainly be worth seeing. guy also known as gaius

The study of the Ancients has been increasingly denigrated by a new generation of academics. One professor challenges this new line of thinking. Professor Andre M. Archie makes a passionate defense of the study of classical antiquity. He is an an associate professor of ancient Greek philosophy at Colorado State University. He is also an African American: https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/02/what-makes-the-classics-worth-studying/ Of course, I would also remind Mr. Peralta that there were no Anglo-Saxon emperors. Three emperors were Hispanic: Trajan, Hadrian, and Theodosius. Septimius Severus was born in modern-day Libya. (His sons were Geta and Caracalla). Three other emperors were born also born in North Africa: Clodius Decimus Albinus (modern Tunisia), Macrinus (modern Algeria), and Aemilianus (modern Djerba, an island off Tunisia). Elagabalus and Alexander Severus were of Syrian origin. Phillip the Arab was .... I guess I would be more sympathetic to Mr. Peralta if he desired to also study other ancient cultures (the Americas, Asia, and, Africa, etc.) without denigrating the study of ancient "Western" societies. Unfortunately, he is obsessed with "whiteness" and fails to see the universality of the ancient Romans and Greeks. guy also known as gaius

An informative guide to the architecture of modern American buildings. (Thanks to Laphams' Quarterly Fall 2020 for bringing this to my attention.)

Another place to visit on my next trip to Rome, the nearly opened mausoleum of Augustus: https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/rome-mausoleum-augustus-reopens-march-890342 Summary: When the world reopens, I expect the crowds to be overwhelming. Hopefully, I would find time in my trip to Rome to see this site finally opened to the public after years of neglect. guy also known as gaius

Another interesting find in Pompeii: Experts believe the vehicle is a pilentum - a four-wheeled ceremonial chariot. It was found close to the remains of horses, including one still in its harness https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-pompeii-idUSKBN2AR0E1 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56222992 Summary: Just another exciting find in the Pompeii area. if Italian Culture Minister Franceschini is correct, there are more than 20 hectares (almost 50 acres) of area to still uncover. That's equivalent to more than 20 football fields in land to investigate. I am looking forward to future finds. guy also known as gaius

Work continues on Pompeii even during this COVID-19 lockdown: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/lifestyle/2021/2/26/Pompeii-House-of-the-Ceii-restoration-.html https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/pompeii-fresco-restoration-intl-scli-scn/index.html Videos in Italian: For English translation, click settings ----->subtitles ----> autotranslate -----> English Summary: Good to see work continue despite this pandemic. guy also known as gaius

Here's a an old episode of the British series Time Team that was recently uploaded. The theory was that the Romans under the Emperor Claudius in 43 AD would have first landed his invasion force at Rutupiae (Richborough on the coast of Kent, England). A local archaeologist found Claudian pottery nearby at Syndale, Kent. His belief was that an early Roman fort could be found at the site. It was a very entertaining show. 112 5 "The Roman Fort That Wasn't There" Syndale, Kent Roman 51.313727°N 0.860548°E 1 February 2004 Nobody knows what happened immediately after the Romans arrived in 43 AD, because no Roman fort has been discovered in this part of South East England. Time Team are on a mission to find the missing link. Local archaeologist Paul Wilkinson believes he has already found a military ditch, which would surround such a fort.[6] It's a prime site, right next to Watling Street. However geophysics cannot find any evidence for a ditch. So begins one of their most frustrating digs, directed by Neil Holbrook. Phil enlists in the Ermine Street Guard for a day. They are joined by Roman expert Tony Wilmott and pottery specialist Malcolm Lyne.[7] Kent, England. Watling Street Summary: This was a great episode using numismatic and pottery evidence to reach a conclusion about the site. guy also known as gaius

(Thank you "An Italian Archaeologist in Scotland" for bringing this to our attention) Here's a delightful rendition of Ovid's Tristia 3.1 in Latin (with English subtitles). The background on Ovid's Tristia is very poignant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristia Ovid's final lament in Book 3 during his permanent exile is truly unforgetable: https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Latin/OvidTristiaBkThree.php Summary: This is an entertaining rendition of a portion of the more obscure but delightful poem "Tristia" by Ovid. Thanks, again, Italian Archaeologist in Scotland for bringing this to our attention. guy also known as gaius

I couldn't imagine otherwise. Let's see: alcohol, gambling, possible prostitutes, etc. No, i can't see it being a recipe for problems. LOL A very memorable bar scene from the HBO series Rome:

Interesting find: Traditional Owner Ian Waina inspecting a Naturalistic painting of a kangaroo, determined to be more than 12,000 years old based on the age of overlying mud wasp nests https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9286281/Life-size-drawing-KANGAROO-dating-17-500-years-Australia.html Summary: The interesting feature of this article was the use of wasp nets to determine the age of ancient artwork: guy also known as gaius

I am not an alarmist, but let's not mess with Mother Nature. It's one thing to clone a woolly mammoth back from extinction; it's another, a deadly virus 😯 : Scientists with the carcass of a Malolyakhovsky mammoth, thought to be more than 28,000 years old (Image: Semyon Grigoryev) https://au.news.yahoo.com/zombie-infection-country-unlocks-50000-year-old-viruses-covid-034817008.html https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/russia-unlock-50000-year-old-23514371 Summary: What could possibly go wrong with this? guy also known as gaius

Here's an interesting figurine recently excavated in the East of England, suggesting moustaches and long hair were popular in 1st century Britain: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-56116411 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/19/when-mullets-rocked-figurine-suggests-ancient-britons-favoured-hairstyle Summary: I am not surprised that the first century ancient Brits may have had moustaches and long hair, also. The famous Dying Gaul sculpture in Rome also shows these features, That sculpture is thought to be an ancient Roman copy of a Hellenistic bronze (223-231 BCE) from Pergamon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying_Gaul guy also known as gaius

Interesting find: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-56113457 Summary: I guess good luck amulets and symbols come in all types. guy also known as gaius

Here's a fun article discussing many known recipes from ancient Greece and Rome: Cabbage the Athenian way Olive Relish Roast lamb or kid [The pungent-smelling Asafoetida (hing) mentioned in the recipe above is an excellent substitute for onions, by the way. It is frequently used today in Indian food.] Pancakes with Honey and Sesame Seeds These are just a few of the 49 ancient recipes found in this book: https://blog.britishmuseum.org/cook-a-classical-feast-nine-recipes-from-ancient-greece-and-rome/ guy also known as gaius I found this book when reading article about Shrove Tuesday (Marti Gras) in the UK: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9265655/Second-century-pancake-recipe-proves-Romans-similar-sweet-tooth-modern-day.html