ikings: Life and Legend review – a stirring tale of shock and oar

The British Museum showcases the poetry, boats and bling of the marauding 11th-century Norsemen who, above all else, understood curves…

Three of the Lewis Chessmen, c.1150-1200, discovered on Lewis, Shetland, and thought to originate from Norway. Photograph: British Museum

Anyone who has even dipped a toe in the briny sagas of the Viking kings will know that the stag outing the itinerant Norsemen prized above all others always began something like this: "On Saturday the fleet-lord throws off the long tarpaulin, and splendid widows from the town gaze on the planking of the dragon ship. The young ruler steers the brand new warship west out of the Nio, and the oars of the warriors fall into the sea… " Those lines come from the 11th-century court poet Þjóðólfr Arnórsson, and they describe the characteristic actions of the fleet of Harald Hardradra (Harold the Hard Ruler), the last great Viking king, who fought unsuccessfully to extend his Norwegian monarchy to Denmark and then Britain. He died at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066 along with his poet.

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4,000-year-old Dartmoor burial find rewrites British bronze age history

Stone box contains earliest examples of wood-turning and metal-working, along with Baltic amber and what may be bear skin

Parts of a necklace and wooden ear studs found on Dartmoor

Some 4,000 years ago a young woman's cremated bones – charred scraps of her shroud and the wood from her funeral pyre still clinging to them – was carefully wrapped in a fur along with her most valuable possessions, packed into a basket, and carried up to one of the highest and most exposed spots on Dartmoor, where they were buried in a small stone box covered by a mound of peat.

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Archaeologists found bones of a Stone Age child and an adult in tiny cave

Dr Marion Dowd of IT Sligo in the Knocknarea cave which contained Neolithic human bones

Archaeologists at IT Sligo have found bones of a Stone Age child and an adult in a tiny cave high on Knocknarea mountain near the town.

Radiocarbon dating has shown that they are some 5,500 years old, which makes them among the earliest human bones found in the county.

The find represents important fresh evidence of Knocknarea’s Neolithic (Stone Age) links and a prehistoric practice known as “excarnation”.

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Bronze Age rock art uncovered in Brecon Beacons

Rare, prehistoric rock art which could be more than 4,000 years old has been discovered in the Brecon Beacons.

The Bronze Age discovery was made late last year by national park geologist Alan Bowring.

Experts claim the stone probably served as a way marker for farming communities.

Similar stones have been found in other parts of Britain but they are thought to be rare in mid Wales.

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Damaged Pompeii to receive Italy rescue fund

A number of structures, including the Temple of Venus and Roma, were damaged by heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday. The decay prompted calls for action from the European Union and the United Nations. 

Heavy rain washed away the walls of this tomb area in Pompeii [Credit: AAP/BBC] 

The site, where volcanic ash smothered a Roman city in AD79, has suffered slow degradation for many years. It is one of the world's greatest archaeological treasures. Every year, some 2.5m tourists visit Pompeii, which sits near the southern city of Naples. 

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The Vikings are here…

Gareth Williams, Exhibition Curator, British Museum

Lo, it is nearly thirty-five years since the Vikings last came to this Museum, and nobody believed that such an influx of fantastic material from overseas (as well as the UK) could be made…*

To be fair, the BP exhibition Vikings: life and legend lacks some of the drama of the original Viking attack on Lindisfarne in 793. We haven’t had fiery dragons in the sky (unless you count the Aurora Borealis coming unusually far south), and there hasn’t been much in the way of destruction or slaughter. Nor is it likely that this exhibition will be remembered 1200 years after the event, although in an age of globalised communication, there is no doubt that the exhibition has attracted considerably more notice in the last few days than the attack on Lindisfarne did at the time. Nevertheless, as the largest Viking exhibition in the UK for over 30 years, it has the potential to shape our definition of the Viking Age.

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EMAS Study Tour to Île-de-France

Château-ferme d'Olhain

EMAS Study Tour to Île-de-France
 
14 to 21 June 2014

The EMAS 2014 spring Study Tour is to the Île de France and Picardy regions. This is an area with many interesting archaeological sites, particularly from the medieval period.
We will be based in Amiens - a very interesting town with a truly wonderful cathedral - which is the perfect centre from which to explore the region. 
Our itinerary will include some of the most impressive later medieval architecture, with cathedrals such as Beauvais, Laon and Senlis. In addition, we will visit two of the most important early medieval sites in the area - the Carolingian Bas Œuvre at Beauvais and the Merovingian crypt at Jouarre , which is one of the oldest religious structures in France.
We will also visit the site of the battle of Crécy, viewing the site from the place where Edward III directed the battle; the important Roman site of Bagacum at Bavay, and some impressive castles. 
The cost will be £785 per person for people sharing a twin room and £895 for a single room.
A full itinerary can be found here...

ANGLO-SAXON CEMETERY RESULTS QUESTION VIOLENT INVASION THEORY

The early fifth century transition from Roman Britain to Anglo-Saxon England is a poorly understood period in British history. Historical narratives describe a brutal conquest by Anglo-Saxon invaders with nearly complete replacement of the indigenous population, but aspects of the archaeological record contradict this interpretation leading to competing hypotheses.

A new study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, suggests a more peaceful process, according to Dr Andrew Millard, from Durham University, one of the paper’s lead authors.

‘The main controversy over the years has centred on how many Anglo-Saxons came across the North Sea,‘ he says, ‘Was it a mass invasion, where the existing population was wiped out completely or forced back into Wales, or was it a small band of elites whose ways were then adopted very quickly?’  The evidence the researchers have gathered favours the second option.

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Shield-wearing skeleton, necklace and grave goods found in early Saxon inhumations

The discovery of nine bodies in Cambridgeshire could reveal much about the little-known early Saxon period

© Courtesy Pre-Construct Archaeology

An early Saxon man who fell on his shield has been found buried with a knife and spear alongside a jewellery-clad woman during a dig on a residential site in a Cambridgeshire village.

Grave goods, weaponry and everyday items from the 6th century surfaced during the excavation in Haddenham, where similar remains – including a double burial of a man and a woman – were first identified more than 20 years ago.

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NIESZAWA – A MEDIEVAL TOWN RECONSTRUCTED BY NON-INVASIVE SURVEY

Two seasons of non-invasive investigation including geophysics and aerial prospection have succeeded in providing new insight into the 15th century Polish settlement of Nieszawa – a town which rapidly developed into an economic rival to Teutonic Order controlled Toruń (Thorn) just across the Vistula river. Archaeologists P. Wroniecki, M. Jaworski, M. Pisz, S. Rzeźnik and W. Stępień completed a study of the survey results, allowing for a detailed digital reconstruction of Nieszawa as it was in the early 15th century AD.

Nieszawa was once located on the opposite side of the Vistula river from the town of Toruń and was given municipal rights in 1425. Its appearance is directly connected to the construction of Dybow Castle (from 1424-1428) by the Polish king Władysław Jagiełło. The town benefited from its riverside location and developed so rapidly that within a short space of time it was in competition with Toruń. The growing income from river trade became a source of socio-economic tension between the Polish Kingdom and the Teutonic Order, and discontent grew among the townspeople and merchants of Toruń.

Eventually, the people of Toruń rebelled against Teutonic rule, and in appreciation for their involvement on the Polish side during the Thirteen Years’ War (1454–66), King Casimir IV Jagiellon decreed that he would demolish Nieszawa and relocate it 32 km upstream, where it still exists to this day.

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Prehistoric rock art found in Scottish Highlands

A rare example of prehistoric rock art has been uncovered in the Highlands. Archaeologists made the discovery while moving a boulder decorated with ancient cup and ring marks to a new location in Ross-shire. 

The rock decorated with cup and ring marks [Credit: BBC] 

When they turned the stone over they found the same impressions on the other side of the rock. It is one of only a few decorated stones of its kind. 

John Wombell, of North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NOSAS), said: "This is an amazing discovery."

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Arrgh! Adventures of 17th-Century Pirate Alliance Uncovered in Ireland

These steps at Dutchman's Cove in Castletownsend, County Cork, Ireland, were carved out of the rock to facilitate illicit trade, in the dead of night, by pirates and smugglers.

An alliance of pirates preyed on ships laden with treasure, outmatched Britain's Royal Navy, elected their own admiral and, ultimately, were destroyed in a cataclysmic battle against a Dutch fleet in 1614.

They were a pirate alliance which operated on the southwest coast of Munster, Ireland, in the early 17th century, and now new archaeological and historical research reveals new details about their adventures. 

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Archaeology: ancient Roman house found in Arezzo

An important archeological find of ancient Roman ruins has been made at the Medici Fortress of Arezzo in central Italy. During work for the reorganization of the historic building, evidence of an ancient Roman structure dating from the early decades of the first century AD were brought to light - probably a residence, or domus.

The new findings were presented by the regional superintendent of archaeological heritage, Andrea Pessina, who announced the continuation of work thanks to an immediate loan of 10,000 euros to identify more precisely what is there, as the structure could turn out to be an ancient public building of a much larger dimension. The Roman find is of enormous value for understanding the history of the city, Pessina said, and complements other discoveries such as the Church of San Donato in Cremona, dating back to the year 1000, found a few metres from the Roman structure, now being restored with financing in part from Prada proprietor Patrizio Bertelli.

The ancient ruins are believed to be a residential building from the Roman period in which three rooms so far have been identified. Remains of painted wall and floors have been found in two partially investigate rooms. The building, located in the northeastern plateau of the San Donato hill, was perched above the hillside's the steep slopes overlooking the valley below.

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Second oldest church in Germany uncovered

In the so-called "Old Cathedral" in Mainz, which is today the evangelical Church of St John, archaeologists found the remains of another church built 1,200 years ago in the time of Charlemagne, Deacon Andreas Klodt said on Tuesday. 

Archaeologists have discovered Germany’s second oldest church hidden within a cathedral in the west of the country [Credit:: DPA] 

Only Trier on the Mosel River has an older church, with its cathedral dating back to Roman times, making the find the second oldest church in the country. 

Professor Matthias Untermann from the Institute of Art History in Heidelberg said the remains of the Carolingian walls stretched from the basement to the roof. 

“This is a big surprise,” he said.

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Vikings in Russia

Tom Williams, Project Curator: Vikings, British Museum

Scandinavians traditionally do rather well at the winter Olympics – for perhaps obvious reasons – but their Viking ancestors would have been no stranger to some of the delights of Sochi. Skis were used and valued in the North. Earl Rognvald I of Orkney boasted that (among several other skills) he could ‘glide on skis’, and the god Ullr was also associated with skiing. In fact, he has been taken as a sort of unofficial patron of the winter ski community, whose members often wear medallions depicting the god – there would no doubt have been a good number of Ullr talismans among the skiers in Sochi.

And, while the bob-sleigh may have been unknown, sledges of various kinds are certainly known from Viking burials, including a particularly beautiful example that was found in the famous boat burial from Oseberg in Norway.

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Jersey site that was last Neanderthal home studied

An ice age site said to be one of the last known places Neanderthals lived is being studied to assess storm damage. 

More Neanderthal artefacts have been found at La Cotte de St Brelade than in the rest of the British Isles [Credit: BBC] 

La Cotte in St Brelade, Jersey, was hit by south-westerly storms including winds of up to 100mph in February. A British archaeological team commissioned by the Societe Jersiaise will examine the storm damage. 

Dr Matt Pope, from the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, said it needed to consider the best solution for long-term preservation.

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Roman 'gladiator school' recreated virtually

The gladiator school was on a scale to rival Rome's famous ludus magnus, archaeologists say

Archaeologists have made a virtual reconstruction of a Roman gladiator school discovered on the banks of the River Danube in Austria.

The so-called ludus was on a scale to rival the famous ludus magnus, the gladiatorial school behind the Colosseum in Rome.

The remains at Carnuntum were mapped using sophisticated aerial surveys and ground-penetrating radar.

The archaeologists published their findings in the journal Antiquity.

Carnuntum was the capital of Upper Pannonia in Roman times and a major trading centre for amber.

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Little Pompeii' found 70 km northeast of Venice

The largest, best-preserved ancient Roman funerary complex found in Italy since the 19th century has been discovered at an archeological dig 70 km northeast of Venice, researchers announced Friday. 

The 3rd-century funerary complex preserved by natural disaster [Credit: ANSA] 

An imposing monument from the third century AD was located outside the ancient walls of what was once the Roman colony of Iulia Concordia, now in the town of Concordia Sagittaria. 

The site was likened to a "little, flood-plain Pompeii" in a guided tour at the restoration site in Gruaro, Veneto. Just as Pompeii was buried by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, a natural disaster wiped out and preserved sarcophagi in Iulia Concordia.

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18th Century Paintings of London, Remixed With Google Street View

A new series of visual mash-ups proves that in London, history is alive in every corner.

Reddit user shystone recently mashed up paintings of London from the 18th and 19th centuries with their modern-day settings in Google Street View. The results encompass several popular landmarks, including Westminster Abbey and the River Thames. Like the film rendition of "London, Then and Now," shystone’s work offers clever insight into how much (or little) London has changed.

Read shystone’s knowledgeable analysis of each remix here.

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800 years of Irish history unraveled in N Ireland castle archaeological dig

Excavation work has started at Carrickfergus Castle in Co Antrim, Ireland’s best preserved Anglo Norman castle, in a bid to find out more about the 800-year-old fortification.

Archaeologists began test excavations at the site last week as part of the ongoing work by the Department of the Environment to uncover more of the landmark’s history and to help guide future development of the castle to improve visitor experience, the Irish Independent reports.

The castle boasts a long and storied history. 

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Decapitated body unearthed at housing development

A decapitated body has been pulled out of the ground at a small housing development in Wanborough. 

The building site at Stanley Close, Wanborough, where the skeleton was found [Credit: Swindon Advertiser]

 The skeleton, which was buried in a shallow grave, is thought to date back around 1,700 years, at a time when a Roman farming settlement occupied the area. 

Archaeologists believe the person would likely have been a criminal, executed and dumped just outside of the town.

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Haddenham dig yields finds dating back 1,400 years

Archaeologists gained a valuable insight into life and death in Saxon England thanks to a dig in Haddenham. 

A team of archaeologists from Pre-Construct Archaeology carried out an excavation within the village of Haddenham in advance of the construction of a residential dwelling. The dig uncovered burials dating to the Early Saxon period (6th century AD) 

[Credit: © Courtesy Pre-Construct Archaeology] 

At the start of the month, Pre-Construct Archaeology was invited to excavate a small site in the car park of the Three Kings pub, at the heart of the village, before developers moved on and began work on a new house. 

And, despite the dig taking place over a small site, the dig turned up a wealth of finds, including nine burials and plenty of grave goods in what experts believe was a Saxon burial ground.

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EARLY CHRISTIANS IN VIKING DENMARK

An Early Viking Christian? Image: Sydvestjyske Museum

Excavations at the Domskirke in Ribe, Denmark began in 2008 and analysis of the results lend new insight into early Christianity, where this may have been one of the first places in the country where a small enclave of Christians worshipped and died.

Studies have now shown that there may have been Christian Vikings in Ribe around AD865. Denmark officially became a Christian country around the year AD965 when Harald Bluetooth announced his deed on the Jelling stone (see below). It now seems possible that 100 years before this countrywide conversion, Christian Danish Vikings were living, dying and being buried in Ribe.

Early Christian burials

In the excavations conducted by the Southwest Jutland Museums between 2008-2012 around the Domskirke, the archaeologists found over 70 burials from the earliest period of activity. The tombs provide a unique insight into the early Christian burial customs, and have become be a major source of debate in Denmark.

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Didcot dig: MP Ed Vaizey supports history trail plans

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey is supporting a campaign for a history trail through a new housing estate.

Archaeologists discovered hunter-gatherers lived on the site of the Great Western Park development in Didcot, Oxfordshire, 9,000 years ago.

About 3,300 homes, schools and shops are being built on the 180-hectare site east of the town.

A petition in favour of installing a history trail has been signed by nearly 1,100 people.

The Didcot Dogmile group wants the archaeology found at the site marked and displayed through a trail with information boards and a reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse.

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Scientists unlock a ‘microbial Pompeii’

An international team of researchers have discovered a ‘microbial Pompeii’ preserved on the teeth of skeletons around 1,000 years old.

The key to the discovery is the dental calculus (plaque) which preserves bacteria and microscopic particles of food on the surfaces of teeth, effectively creating a mineral tomb for microbiomes.

The research team discovered that the ancient human oral cavity carries numerous opportunistic pathogens and that periodontal disease is caused by the same bacteria today as in the past, despite major changes in human diet and hygiene.

The researchers discovered that the ancient human oral microbiome already contained the basic genetic machinery for antibiotic resistance more than eight centuries before the invention of the first therapeutic antibiotics in the 1940s. As well as health information, the scientists recovered dietary DNA from ancient dental calculus, allowing the identification of dietary components, such as vegetables, that leave few traces in the archaeological record.

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Raubgräber entdeckt Barbarenschatz

Gold, Silber, Schmuck: In der Südpfalz hat ein Raubgräber einen Schatz aus der Spätantike entdeckt. Vermutlich hatten plündernde Germanen im fünften Jahrhundert die Kostbarkeiten an der einstigen Römerstraße hastig verscharrt.

Ein Raubgräber hat in Rheinland-Pfalz einen nach Expertenangaben bundesweit einmaligen Schatz mit Gold und Silber aus dem fünften Jahrhundert entdeckt. Archäologen präsentierten am Dienstag in Mainz unter anderem goldene Schmuckstücke eines zeremoniellen Gewands, einen Silberteller, eine Silberschale sowie Reste eines vergoldeten und versilberten Klappstuhls. Der Wert des Schatzes, der den Angaben zufolge aus spätrömischer Zeit stammen soll, wird auf weit mehr als eine Million Euro geschätzt.

Der Schatz dürfte einem sehr hohen Beamten oder einem Fürsten aus dem fünften Jahrhundert gehört haben, meint Landesarchäologe Axel von Berg. Damals drangen plündernde Germanen ins Römische Reich ein, das sich bereits in Auflösung befand. Laut von Berg sollten die Gegenstände die politische Autorität einer hohen Persönlichkeit widerspiegeln.

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