Melvadius

In addition to the obvious financial constraints with the sheer number of standing (and excavated) Roman remains there is also the issue that much of the reconstruction which has historically been done in Italy and in parts of its former Empire was under the auspices of Mussolini (c/f Ara Pacis being moved to its current site and the reconstruction of the Theatre at Ostia top name but two). Since Mussolin was toppled there has been an understandable backlash to the 'political imperative' under whcih much of the previous reconstruction was undertaken -(the greateness of Italy's future reflected in the 'reconstructed' remains from the past) so the idea of 'reconstruction' per se in Italy has since then generally been renounced. The other issue whcih affects most archaeological reconstructions is where material is missing have the archaeologists or whoever ahs been given the job of reconstruction correctly interpreted what was orignally there - I haev seen examples of reconstruction drawings which were mad of the same building which are markedly different by three different artists. The argument iwith any reconstruction s generally that it must remain possible to unpick modern reconstruction interpretations for the orignal material unlike the situation at Saalburg in Germany reconstrcuted on the same site under the orders of the Kaiser in the early 20th Century. The scale of destruction of original material that such ptojects involved has led in most instances to an aversion amongst most modern authorities to even attempting reconstruction on the same site -they now generally only build small scale reconstructions on relatively 'clean' or at least fully excavated areas c/f in Britain the interpretations of the turf and stone wall built at Vindolanda just off the middle of Hadrian's Wall and the more recent 'reconstructed' bath house at Segendunum and 'commadents' quarters and barrack block at Arbeia at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall. Melvadius

From BBC Website: 'A carving believed to be Scotland's earlist human face, dating back thousands of years, has been found on the Orkney island of Westray. The small Neolithic sandstone human figurine is believed to be up to 5,000 years old. Experts have described the find as one of "astonishing rarity". Archaeologists made the discovery - measuring just 3.5cm by 3cm - at Historic Scotland's excavation at the Links of Noltland. It is believed to be the only Neolithic carving of a human form to have been discovered in Scotland - with only two others said to have been found elsewhere in the UK. The carving is flat with a round head on top of a lozenge-shaped body. The face has heavy brows, two dots for eyes and an oblong for a nose. It is thought other scratches on top of the skull could be hair. .... Cont'd at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8212074.stm Also in: Scotsman: http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Face-t...-the.5575575.jp In the news: http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/news/scien...036;1320175.htm

Reading the whole article, although the two extracts appear contradictorary, at base it generally appear to be attempting an unbiased and dare one say honest approach. The writer of the article appears to have listened to what the historians and archaeologists have said and generally accurately reported it look at the repeated references to problems in perception in Germany. They effectively cover most of the problems in perception - the rises in ardent nationalism in Germany and to some extent the reason for the construction of, and even 'veneration' of, the statue of 'Hermann'. I suspect you may have found the only two bits where 'significant' error in that reportage has been made Melvadius

ARCHAEOLOGISTS in Perth-shire have unearthed a spectacular early Bronze Age grave containing a gold-banded dagger still wrapped in its 4,000-year-old sheath. The discovery follows drama at the site last week, when a giant crane was brought in to lift a four-tonne capstone that had sealed an ancient burial chamber for four millennia. While few traces survive of the body buried in the primitive stone coffin, found near the village of Forteviot, several clues suggest the remains are those of a tribal leader or warrior of "tremendous importance". More astonishing, said archeologists, were the organic materials preserved in the sealed grave. They include a wooden bowl, what may be a leather bag, plant fragments and tree bark. There were gasps of astonishment from watching archeologists when the grave, which dates back to the time of the construction of the Egyptian pyramids, was revealed intact. ... Continued at: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/As-old-as--the.5544397.jp There are a few other articles about on this topic including: BBC article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/taysid...ral/8195357.stm A couple of photographs are included in the Big Issue coverage as well as anouncement of the Aug 16 open day: http://www.bigissuescotland.com/news/view/177 Times article with a good photograph at: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/s...icle6792763.ece

Following further analysis it has been discovered that the Roman/ Iron Age pottery found with the graves had been re-deposited following later burial of the bodies. The remains (pending further analysis) have now been identified as probably either Saxon or Viking remains probably dating to between AD 890 and AD 1034 c/f message thread in 'Archaeological News: The World' section at: http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10119

If you read the full press release from the Vindolanda Trust they make it very clear that this altar is dedicated to one of the various Roman 'mystery cults' rather than being a 'mysterious god' It rather looks like 'Discovery News' have again managed to misinterprete a press release to 'create' their own story thereby confounding anyone without the requisite background knowledge from realising what they have got wrong BTW they have now found the base of a second altar 'Stop Press: The bottom half of a second altar has also been discovered in the shrine. This altar was dedicated by a prefect of the Second Cohort of Nervians, a Vindolanda regiment that then moved to the fort at Whitley Castle in the third century.' c/f Vindolanda Press Release: Tuesday July 14th. 2009 (N.B. if reading during 2010 or later you will probably need to go to the relevant 'news 2009' page for this press release) http://www.vindolanda.com/excavations.html Melvadius

By Andrew Curry ScienceNOW Daily News 30 July 2009 'From the ground, a 100-hectare site just north of Italy's Venice airport looks like nothing more than rolling fields of corn and soybeans. But it's actually home to a buried Roman metropolis called Altinum, considered the precursor of ancient Venice. Now, using sophisticated aerial imagery, researchers have brought this city to life once again. Archaeologists have known for decades that Altinum, a Roman trading center that thrived between the 1st and 5th centuries C.E., lay below these farm fields. Raised 2 to 3 meters above the surrounding marshy lagoon by centuries of human habitation, the city was approximately the size of Pompeii. Its history could stretch back to the Bronze Age, and it dominated the region for at least 600 years before it became a part of the Roman Empire. But all traces of Altinum's buildings have long since disappeared, either stolen as building material or swamped by rising water levels in the surrounding lagoon. So how to map a city with no visible ruins? In July 2007, during a severe drought, Paolo Mozzi, a geomorphologist at the University of Padua in Italy, and his team took aerial photos of the site in several wavelengths of visible light and in near-infrared, with a resolution of half a meter. When the images were processed to tease out subtle variations in plant water stress, a buried metropolis emerged. The researchers discovered that the crops planted on the land were in different stages of ripening, thanks to differences in the amount of water in the soil. Lighter crops traced the outlines of buildings--including a basilica, an amphitheater, a forum, and what may have been temples--buried at least 40 centimeters below the surface. To the south of the city center runs a wide strip of riper crops. They were growing above what clearly used to be a canal, an indication that Venice's Roman forebears were already incorporating waterways into their urban fabric. ....' Continued (including Aerial images of the ancient city of Altinum) at : http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/conte...009/730/1?rss=1 Edit for some additional links: BBC video 'flyover' image at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8177308.stm Additional photographs can be seen at this site: http://io9.com/5326114/aerial-photos-of-it...t-city/gallery/

There is always a lot of speculation about finds like this - note the sudden change from possible Iron Age/ Roman period remains to Saxon/ Viking period. The speculation on who precisely were killed and then buried in this way is still running way ahead of full scientific analysis e.g. the fact that there have been no 'material' remains found with the bodies may (as the articles indicate) be a sign that they were naked when killed. However it equally likely could indicate that the victims were wearing clothing made from natural material such as wool (or just possibly linen) which has since rotted away. It will be interesting to see the full scientific reports once they are published which may well provide some of the answers if the radio-isotope tests are successful as to probable origin of the apparent 'execution victims' but that may not be for several months - if not years yet and will probably be dependant on the availability of publication funds. Melvadius

This is really a simple way of saying who has first claim on items which fall under the 'Treasure Act (1996)', it doesn't mean that the Crown will actually claim them but AFAIK, under UK law, is a legal way in which someone can be 'granted' ownership of something they have found of 'real' monetary value so can then sell it [or be compensated if the State wishes to keep it] without running foul of the laws against illegal trafficking of archaeological items. It also settles any possible dispute about someone using a metal detector on either scheduled land (land known to contain archaeologically important material which musn't be dug except under strict archaeological guidelines) or on someone else's land without their permission. It ensures that everyone who is entitled to an equitable share of the proceeds from a 'sale' of such finds gets them. The Act also makes provision that museums will have the first crack at obtaining important items as part of the Nations historical assets. This is always providing they can raise the amount which has been decided on as a fair value. If they can't then it can be sold on the open market. [The coroners court starts the process rolling by sitting to determine ownership of such important finds which gets linked to a 'fair' valuation also being decided.] Melvadius [slight edit to clarify a couple of points]

You obviously haven't come across the 'Theoretical Roman Archaeological Conferences' (the latest of which was held in Southampton in April 2009). These are held annually (usually in conjunction with the Roman Archaeological Conference) where speakers get a chance to discuss their theories about more or less anything to do with the Roman period THe next set of conference will be held together as Roman Archaeology Conference IX & Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference XX at the University of Oxford on 25 March to 28 March 2010: http://rac2010.classics.ox.ac.uk/ Melvadius

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/20...op-circles.html I worried when I read this National Geographic article referring to the well know archaeological phenomena of 'cropmarks' as 'crop circles' with several other 'descriptions' used in the article equally cringe worthy, so did some research. I quickly found that rather than being a 'new' story the cropmarks were discovered in 2003 and the Damerham Archaeology Project has its own website which quotes from their 2007 report: 'Cranborne Chase is one of the most famous later prehistoric landscapes in Europe. Yet new discoveries continue to come to light in this well known area, extending knowledge of prehistory in exciting new directions. In 2003 aerial survey by Martyn Barber revealed an extraordinary complex of cropmarks close to the Chase at Damerham in the far west of Hampshire. The cropmarks focus on a circular enclosure (57m dia.) defined by a substantial ditch 5m across. Surrounding and to the south east of the enclosure are at least 26 ring ditches and barrows. Among these are two sets of conjoined ring ditches - one set containing circular post settings. An oval ditch nearby suggests the remains of a Neolithic oval barrow or mortuary enclosure. At the south east edge of the complex is a long mound (78m long) flanked by two ditches, to the north a prehistoric field system. Many of these sites seem likely to prove Neolithic or Bronze Age in date...' Continued at the following website with (in my view) rather better aerial photographs and supporting material than National Geographic could come up with: http://www.damerhamarchaeology.org/project_outline.html

Wilmott divides them into different categories: Urban amphitheaters associated with towns e.g. London, most of them found in the South of England Legionary amphitheaters which are located close to legionary forts, e.g. Chester Auxiliary amphitheaters which are located close to auxiliary forts, e.g. Tomen-y-Mur The type of theater-amphitheater mentioned in an earlier post might be connected to a religious cult similar to that in Gaul where this type of building is more frequent. We may even know which cult the site is associated with if we ever find something with an inscription on it - the site is typical of many in Southern England with a lack of local stone suitable for taking inscriptions:( Melvadius

Northern Neil may have this covered with his book reference but one aspect of the 'veracity' of biblical stories, which I have increasingly become aware of, is the fact that even if we ignore centuries of possible adaption to fit biblical stories to local contexts we are looking at centuries of transcription, translation and consequent errors/ best fits being made. We do not have the 'original' text in most instances, only at best the earliest known written versions. You just have to look at the debate about the 'eye of the needle' reference on sites liek Wikipedia to see how a simple text can be intepreted in a number of different ways - e.g. did the Greek text really mean cable or was it a coded reference to a small gate which camels couldn't get past without being unloaded and going on their knees (now deemed much less likely as probably a medieval gate rather than truly ancient ) in the walls of Jerusalem. I understand that every now and again attempts have been made to go back to the earliest written sources (Aramaic, Greek, Latin or even Hebrew) and not the versions which have gone through at least three or four intervening translations. Howevert these attempts often founder when compared by religious and other scholars to what is seen as the 'authorised'/ 'authentic' versions of texts especially, when 'possibly' misguided contemporary attempts are made to write the new versions in 'modern' English. Overall there may be 'veracity' to be found in biblical stories but they need a lot of specialist knowledge to draw out and even then these are probably always going to be subject to academic debate about the correct starting point for the translation. It is an area where I feel that religious and academic studies probably will never happily co-exist so debate will continue. The real problem is that while going through umpteen iterations of translation the historic points often get overlooked in favour of the sacred - but equally the strength of the interpretation often swings on what language you are reading the text in. Melvadius

Canterbury, Colchester and St.Albans are as far as I am aware the only confirmed ones, although a recent geophysical survey at Caistor-by-Norwich has turned up a 'Large semicircular building'. See this report: http://www.physorg.com/news116766620.html Of possible interest is the fact that at Marcham-Frilford, we keep hoping to be able to finish off excavating what appears to be a semi-amphitheatre (sometimes referred to as the large circular feature) similar to ones found in Northern Gaul. Our ongoing problem is for the last 3 years the feature keeps filling up with water and we haven't so far been able to pump it out long enough to finish excavating the site. Semi-amphitheatres in their Gaulish incarnation appear to have had a combined religious/ theatrical and possibly gladiatorial function. In Marcham/Frilfords case the shape of the semi-amphitheatre is almost a true circle unlike the usual amphitheatre oval shape while similar to the Gaulish sites there is no close nearby settlement but there is proven religious activity at the site. c/r http://www.arch.ox.ac.uk/research/research_projects/marcham Interim report for 2006 pg 2: http://www.arch.ox.ac.uk/research/research...nterim%20report Melvadius

Although you quite properly have the main Oxford University link here what this does not link to is the University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education which does mainly but not exclusively part time courses many of them leading to university qualifications. The courses include Post Graduate Degrees in Archaeology as well as Undergraduate level courses at Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level (but not currently combined into a Degree). The archaeology stream usually incorporate elements of Roman period archaeology, they also offer some Roman related historic and classical subject areas and a number of short courses each year. http://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/index.php Melvadius

It may not be evidence for the full period up to the Saxon siezure of the West country but there is good evidence for late Rroman town garrison at several sites including Cirencester (Coronium Dobunnorum) where Romano-British occupation continued until at least the early fifth century (C.440AD). The town defences there include several towers datingg from the early fourth century which are of a size that could easily have held some form of defensive weapons including balliasta. In my view the argument is a bit stronger for a single bolt coming from a site like that. I would agree that the thought of the source being a previously unsuspected 'putative' Saxon siege weaponry unit does seem a lot less likely As to why a Saxon had a weapon buried with him the evidence is not as clear cut as is often suggested. There have been cases where the weapons being placed into graves appear to have been broken or worn out while in other case perfectly functional weapons have been placed in a woman's or childs graves. The interpretation of why weapons are placed into graves is therefore open to some (aand continuing) debate, usually depending where you stand on the position/value of anthropological comparisons - I admit to being unconvinced by some arguments. However I do have some sympathy for the view that in some cases 'weapons' may not have been intended for the occupant of a grave to use but rather for them to act as the 'medium' carrying something of possibly 'spiritual' value into the afterlife. Unfortunately it is another case where an 'authentic' beginners guide to Anglo-Saxon burial practices would come in really useful Melvadius

I would like to flag up the point that the authors of the Vortigen Studies have outlined several concerns which academics have about the common reading and consequently the interpretation of the 'Rescript of Honorius' as it relates to Britain. Including elswhere on the site (http://www.vortigernstudies.org.uk/artsou/zosim.htm) stating the following: " Britain Because he was so far removed in both time and space from Britain, he seems a poor witness for events that concern Britain in the late fourth and early fifth century. This is even more of a problem, because Zosimus is the main source for two major events in British history

I have similar concerns about this find's interpretation. Contrary to what may be assumed from the wording of the 'Rescript of Honorius', in recent years there has been a siginificant re-interpretation of the period of interplay between the late Romano-British and the early Saxon cultures. Several graveyards have provided evidience for continuity of Romano-British burial practices into the seventh century AD, sometimes in conjunction with 'Saxon' burial practices in the same or adjoining cemeteries. This shows an overlap of the two cultures so, even if correctly identified as a ballista bolt, the 'bolt' may not have come from an actively manned ballista. Several other interpretations are possible; including that it was inserted as a family heirloom or else separately added as a grave good as an old weapon which someone attending the funeral rites felt had needed a 'proper' burial at that particular time. Melvadius

I would agree that $20 seems excessive, especially for state run museums. My own thoughts were along the lines of something low enough to keep people 'honest' but which also covered basic costs of issuing a licence and brought in a little revenue from visitors not buying guide books for those institutions not heavily subsidised.

I suppose that my own view comes somewhere between those that have been posted already but with a couple of other thoughts which I will start with: In my experience, even if they are trying to abide by any regulations about restricted photographic practices a lot of people seem totally incapable of finding the flash-off controls for their photographic devices; camera's, mobile phones or whatever. Secondly I have encountered some museums over the years where there is only limited material available - or at best only in very limited booklets in a language I can decipher so if I wanted a record of the visit I have ended up needing to take my own photographs. I am unconvinved that even a large number of relatively low-powered lasers would have a major impact on stone artefacts Museums usually need some income to help pay for their upkeep/ new additions to their stock. For these reasons as a general policy I can see the advantage for museums in asking people to buy a 'photography' licence whichn would allow visitors to take photographs more or less where they like. It would bring in a little revenue and usually puts a bit more onus on vistors to abide by restrictions against taking photographs of light sensitive material. This possibly should be coupled witha demonstration area where vistors could 'prove' that they could control their camera's flash. If after all this visitors went ahead and took photographs (especially by flash means) where they shouldn't I would probably still support the use of a large bin for the camera and/or sufficiently heavy weight being applied to offending devices/ digits as appropriate by some of the burlier members of the museum staff Melvadius

Thanks for posting the link, that brings back memories of a hurried last minute trip a few years back into the Museum at Cologne about 5-10 minutes before it shut as we had been delayed getting to Cologne and were leaving early the next morning. We literally just had time to get down and have a very quick look around the glass exhibits in the Roman sections before we were thrown out. Melvadius

It is currently an interesting find to speculate about but I know several Romano-British pottery experts who would like to see the all of the evidence before claiming this find as a major discovery. The key to how important this find will be is thorough scientific investigation of the 'fabric' of the pottery apparently found contained within the kiln and comparison of this against known pottery types (the precise mix of pottery and type of inclusions provide 'characteristic fingerprint's'). If the pottery is from these particular kilns last firing then it could provide the terminus post quem ( last known date) for a when particular group of pottery was being made. There are several groups of pottery whose distribution across Roman Britain (and in some cases the continent) is well known but where the precise manufacturing base has not yet been identified. Alternatively in some cases more than one site is know to have made very similar pottery - possibly as satellite kilns from a main centre or where the manufacturing base moved over time. One to keep an eye on, so thanks for putting up the article Melvadius