guy

Interesting video. Thanks. Guy de la Bédoyére is one of the true giants of Romano-British numismatics and archaeology. (For interest I posted a previous post about the Rutland discovery that was discussed in the video.)

A statue head of Hygieia was found in Denizli, Southwestern Turkey. The statue probably dates from the first century BCE. ”The worship of Hygieia was closely associated with the cult of Asclepius. While Asclepius was more directly associated with healing, Hygieia was associated with the prevention of sickness and the continuation of good health.” (Wikipedia) https://arkeonews.net/the-statue-head-of-hygieia-the-greek-goddess-of-health-found-stuck-between-two-rocks-in-laodikeia/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygieia The fragment of statue was found in the province of Denizli in Turkey, an area rich in Roman excavation (see posts below)

Berenike, Egypt has been the site of many Roman finds (see posts below). Papyri, with lists of Roman centurions stationed in Egypt, are among the most recent finds. The city of Berenike (Berenice Troglodytica) was an Ancient Egyptian seaport on the western shore of the Red Sea, Egypt (see map below). Site of Berenike, Egypt on the Red Sea https://arkeonews.net/polish-archaeologists-discover-papyruses-containing-a-list-of-roman-centurions-at-berenike/ Interesting video on making papyri:

Here is a better article describing the excavation on Alderney. There were two coins discovered (neither a gold coin as described by the BBC article). Above is a silver “Antoninianus” of the young Caesar Valerian II (reign 256-258), grandson of the Emperor Augustus Valerian who had made Valerian II’s father Gallienus the co-emperor. The coin depicts Valerian II wearing a radiate crown. This Antoninianus is slightly bigger than the older Roman denarius and possibly valued at two denarii. The Antoninianus was debased with bronze, however, and had minimal silver content. The coin below is a bronze coin of Valens (reign AD 364-378), which is around the time the fort was constructed. https://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-roman-coins-small-vital-island-1902486

The Roman stadium of Perga (Perge) in Southern Turkey has been restored. The stadium, which seats about 5000, is one of many fascinating Roman finds in the city of Perga (see video below). Perga was one of the many sites visited by Apostle Paul. https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/ancient-roman-citys-stadium-restoration-completed-in-s-turkiye/news

Here is an interesting article about cancer in antiquity from the excellent website "Antigone" The Crab: Facing Cancer in Greco-Roman Antiquity – Antigone (antigonejournal.com)

I had long believed that the Roman Empire exerted full control over Egypt from the time of Augustus until the late Empire, possibly extending as far as the Vandal invasion in the fifth century. The informative article below discusses Egypt during the Roman era and explains that Egypt ceased to be the "breadbasket of Rome" after a revolt led by the Egyptian priest Isidorus in AD 172-173. The unsuccessful revolt, known as the Bucolic revolt, resulted from tax issues and cultural resistance against the Romans and had a lasting detrimental impact on the Egyptian economy. https://the-past.com/feature/palmyra-blemmyes-diocletian-and-egypt/ See Cassius Dio “Roman History” Book LXXII https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/72*.html https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isidorus#:~:text=According to the Roman historian,marshes of the Nile Delta. It appears that after the revolt, the gain supply to Rome resumed. This new supply, however, seems to have been neither as reliable or plentiful. Unforfortunately, there appears to be very little written on the revolt and its effect on the Egyptian economy.

Researchers at a Mayan ball court in Mexico have identified plant types using environmental DNA (since the plants are rarely preserved in the tropical climate). These plants are known for either their medicinal and possible hallucinogenic properties. Discovered was the morning glory plant, for example, which contains tryptamine as well as lysergic acid amide that is chemically similar to LSD. The seeds of the morning glory plant are used for its psychedelic or hallucinogenic effects. https://hightimes.com/news/psychedelic-plants-found-in-ancient-mayan-ballcourt/amp/ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0301497 Frontiers | Paleoecological Studies at the Ancient Maya Center of Yaxnohcah Using Analyses of Pollen, Environmental DNA, and Plant Macroremains (frontiersin.org)

Here’s a video on the find:

A recently excavated Roman shipwreck off the shore of Mallorca, Spain from the 4th century AD had uncovered around 300 amphorae. (I believe the post below is about the original find in 2019.) Only now have the contents of the amphorae been examined. Some amphorae had wine and others suspected olive oil. Many contained a substance residue thought to be a fish sauce distinct from garum . A coin at the wreck depicts Constantine the Great, dating the find at the earliest to the early AD 300s. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12520-024-01952-3 https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/1700-year-old-roman-shipwreck-was-stuffed-to-the-gills-with-fish-sauce-when-it-sank#:~:text=The Ses Fontanelles wreck lies,after a storm in 2019. Fish sauce, new amphora type identified on Roman wreck – The History Blog Shipwreck seen from above with amphorae: Note: There is great confusion about garum and liquamen since these term have been used interchangeably but they probably are distinct entities. (See article below) Garum and Liquamen, What’s in a Name? | Journal of Maritime Archaeology (springer.com)

There have been previous posts about Roman finds at Alderney, one of the Channel Islands located between England and France (see below). A bronze coin of Valens (reigned between AD 364-378) has been discovered on the island. Alderney was the site of a Roman fortress. Below is an artist impression of the site during the Roman era: https://www.bbc.com/articles/cpegg5397wlo

Archaeologists have found a suspected Roman villa and an indoor pool dating from AD 1-400 in the city of Durrës, Albania. Durrës is a port city on the Adriatic. Above is evidence of the mosaic floor that was uncovered. Durrës is already well known for its Roman amphitheater. https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article288475115.html Location of Durrës, Albania on the map.

Excavations in Pompeii have uncovered political graffiti on the outer walls throughout the city. Recent excavations in the Regio IX area have also revealed graffiti on the interior of a house (refer to the photo above). There have been earlier posts regarding the excavations in the Regio IX area (see below). https://www.archaeology.org/issues/552-2405/digs/12298-dd-italy-pompeii-propoganda

Here is an interesting article about the Greek foundations of the important Roman “Twelve Tables” of laws. The Twelve Tables, formalized in 449 BCE, outline the rights and duties of Roman citizens. They provide civil rights for both patricians and plebeians. Ancient Roman historians and jurists believe they resulted from a social struggle between patricians and plebeians. The Twelve Tables later influenced Byzantine law and even James Madison in crafting the Bill of Rights. https://greekreporter.com/2024/05/13/overlooked-greek-foundations-roman-law/

A Domus, now named Domus del Vicus Tuscus, was first discovered in 2018. It is located between the Palantine Hill and the Roman Forum and dates to the late Republican period. Archaeologists have unearthed a wall covered with a mosaic, consisting of various types of shells, Egyptian blue tessarae, and tiny flakes of white marble. One of the images on the wall are stacks of weapons and the Celtic carnyx (trumpets). After archaeological studies are complete, this site will be accessible to the public. https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/01/colosseum-domus-mosaic/ Here is a previous thread about the Celtic carnyx:

This is a case report of a 77 year-old man from Wisconsin (upper Midwest United States) who contracted Leprosy (Hansen’s disease). His travel history over the last two decades includes Mississippi, Arkansas, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Ireland. He denies exposure to armadillos or red squirrels. The cause of his disease was M. lepromatosis (and not M. leprae which is found only in armadillos). M. lepromatosis has only been detected in red squirrels found in England, Ireland, and Scotland. This is thought to be the first modern documented case of zoonotic (from animals to human) spread of leprosy, possibly from red squirrels in Ireland. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10874168/

Thinking about this some more, I think in Rome that many (if not most) sporting and entertainment events were sponsored by either politicians or businessmen who were trying to enhance their prestige. Their support would be both recognized and appreciated by the masses. I am not sure these vested interests would have advertised their support as blatantly as the newsreader from the series “Rome,” however. “This was brought to you by the Capitoline Brotherhood of Millers that uses only the finest flour. True Roman bread for true Romans.”

The three lead ingots from various perspectives An analysis of three first century AD Roman-era lead ingots has been untaken. They were found in Belmez, Córdoba in Spain at Los Escoriales de Doña Rama. Most lead ingots are usually found at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, the result of a shipwreck. Unusually, after these ingots were analyzed, it was found that these ingots were found at the site where they had been manufactured. https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/05/three-roman-era-lead-ingots-found-at-a-site-in-southern-spain-that-may-have-housed-a-mine-smelting-facility-and-processing-area/ https://www.archaeology.org/news/12385-240510-spain-roman-lead https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240507145609.htm

We have had a few previous posts about Roman archaeological finds in the Cotswolds area. Above are some Cupid figurines and below is a nail clipper, some of the more recent Roman finds (see article). These are among the many items that will go on display soon. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjq5p100exzo

Here are more pictures of the site: Ancient Rome breakthrough as scientists make huge discovery near Mount Vesuvius (msn.com)

Here’s a short video on the find and another article. This lump of Tyrian purple is thought to be related to the imperial court of Septimius Severus during his stay in Britain. There was some previous evidence of the Imperial Court in Carlisle: https://arkeonews.net/incredibly-rare-tyrian-purple-discovered-at-carlisle-roman-bathhouse/ https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/news/2024/rare-roman-discovery-found-carlisle

We have had many previous posts on military standards and images before (see posts below). Here is possibly the best video summarizing these:

The dodecahedron found in Lincolnshire is bigger than I thought. Here’s a quick news clip about it’s going on display. Its mystery continues.

It was know for several years that red squirrels were a host for leprosy. it is only recently, however, that genomic studies (looking at complete DNA sequences) of both Medieval squirrels and human skeletons of that era were examined. It showed a direct link between red squirrels and human leprosy in the Middle Ages. The consumption of red squirrel meat and using squirrel fur promoted this zoonotic (spread from animals to people) infection. It is known that in some areas of Texas and Louisiana armadillos were shown to be infected by leprosy more than 15% of the time. A recent outbreak of leprosy in Florida has been directly tied to armadillos. There is some concern that “armadillos may contaminate soil with the leprosy bacteria by burrowing and defecating, infecting humans who later handle soil.” (See article below) One study in Brazil showed that more than 60% of armadillos harbored leprosy. Here is a picture of a man in nearby Ecuador preparing armadillo meat. Brazil is known to have 11.6% of the cases of leprosy worldwide. (India by far has the largest number of cases.) https://epi.ufl.edu/2023/10/16/leprosy-in-florida-medical-experts-monitoring-unusual-new-cases-of-hansens-disease/ https://theconversation.com/humans-gave-leprosy-to-armadillos-now-they-are-giving-it-back-to-us-99915

A red squirrel infected with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) causing infiltration and destruction of this animal’s ear. There is genetic evidence of M. leprae infection in Medieval English red squirrels. “The medieval red squirrel strain we recovered is more closely related to medieval human strains from the same city than to strains isolated from infected modern red squirrels.” Despite being a host for leprosy, it is uncertain whether squirrels were an animal vector for human leprosy infection during the Middle Ages. These findings support the theory that leprosy was transmitted by squirrel fur trade, however. In the Southern USA, armadillos are both a reservoir of leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and a frequent vector of human leprosy cases in the South. https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)00446-9 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/british-red-squirrels-serve-leprosy-reservoir https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240503111918.htm