It was not necessary to be literate to be able to access rune carvings in the 11th century. At the same time those who could read were able to glean much more information from a rune stone than merely what was written in runes. This is shown in new research from Uppsala University in Sweden.
Rune stones are an important part of the Swedish cultural environment. Many of them are still standing in their original places and still bear witness about the inhabitants of the area from a thousand years ago. They thereby represent a unique source of knowledge about the Viking Age, providing us with glimpses of a period we otherwise would have known very little about. Among other themes, they tell us about family relations, travels, or matters of faith, and all of it in a language that scholars can understand fairly readily.
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Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Anglo-Saxon finds to be examined
ANGLO-SAXON finds that were unearthed in Cheltenham have been moved off site for further investigation.
Two skeletons, pottery and a large wooden hall used for feasting were discovered during building work on the new All Saints' Academy site earlier this month.
The finds, thought to date to the 6th to 8th Century AD, have now been moved to the offices of Cotswold Archaeology at Kemble Airfield for further investigatory work to be carried out.
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Two skeletons, pottery and a large wooden hall used for feasting were discovered during building work on the new All Saints' Academy site earlier this month.
The finds, thought to date to the 6th to 8th Century AD, have now been moved to the offices of Cotswold Archaeology at Kemble Airfield for further investigatory work to be carried out.
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National Treasure
A silver boar badge dropped in the mud on a Leicestershire battlefield more than 500 years ago has been officially declared treasure.
Historians believe the tiny emblem fell from a knight's tunic as he foughtalongside Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth.
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Historians believe the tiny emblem fell from a knight's tunic as he foughtalongside Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth.
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Marking medieval Tŷ Mawr's 550th birthday
The largest restored medieval aisled hall in Wales celebrates its 550th anniversary this year with a series of special weekend events.
Tŷ Mawr near Castle Caereinon is also featured in an upcoming television documentary to mark the event.
The building will open its doors to visitors on the first weekend of every month from June to September.
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Tŷ Mawr near Castle Caereinon is also featured in an upcoming television documentary to mark the event.
The building will open its doors to visitors on the first weekend of every month from June to September.
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Get Ready for More Proto-Humans
Today at Discovery News you can read about the earliest recognized species of Homo, the first known member of our genus. This latest addition to the human family, Homo gautengensis, was from South Africa and measured just 3 feet tall. It spent a lot of time in trees and had big teeth suitable for chewing plant material. H. gautengensis emerged over 2 million years ago, but died out at around 600,000 years ago.
The past few years have seen an explosion in the discovery of early human ancestors. Over just the past couple of months alone, we were presented with X-Woman and Australopithecus sediba. One reason for the explosion is improved analysis methods, often based on prior finds, DNA work, and a better understanding of where such remains might exist.
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The past few years have seen an explosion in the discovery of early human ancestors. Over just the past couple of months alone, we were presented with X-Woman and Australopithecus sediba. One reason for the explosion is improved analysis methods, often based on prior finds, DNA work, and a better understanding of where such remains might exist.
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Home Away From Rome
Excavations of villas where Roman emperors escaped the office are giving archaeologists new insights into the imperial way of life
In A.D. 143 or 144, when he was in his early 20s, the future Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius set out for the country estate of his adoptive father, Emperor Antoninus Pius. The property, Villa Magna (Great Estate), boasted hundreds of acres of wheat, grapes and other crops, a grand mansion, baths and temples, as well as rooms for the emperor and his entourage to retreat from the world or curl up with a good book.
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In A.D. 143 or 144, when he was in his early 20s, the future Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius set out for the country estate of his adoptive father, Emperor Antoninus Pius. The property, Villa Magna (Great Estate), boasted hundreds of acres of wheat, grapes and other crops, a grand mansion, baths and temples, as well as rooms for the emperor and his entourage to retreat from the world or curl up with a good book.
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2,000-Year-Old Shipwreck Creates Deep Sea Mystery
Although the 2,000-year-old shipwreck under the Gran Sasso mountain in central Italy may be a godsend for nuclear physicists, the “Ship of the Thousand Ingots” has been one big mystery for archaeologists.
Was the ship, which carried the largest lead shipment ever found, deliberately sunk on the orders of the captain? Was the vessel knocked over by a wave?
In this audio slide show, Donatella Salvi, director of the National Archaeological Museum in Cagliari, tells Discovery News what her team found when they recovered the ship's cargo.
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Was the ship, which carried the largest lead shipment ever found, deliberately sunk on the orders of the captain? Was the vessel knocked over by a wave?
In this audio slide show, Donatella Salvi, director of the National Archaeological Museum in Cagliari, tells Discovery News what her team found when they recovered the ship's cargo.
Read the rest of this article...
Italy: Ancient Etruscan home found near Grosseto
An ancient Etruscan home dating back more than 2,400 years has been discovered outside Grosseto in central Italy. Hailed as an exceptional find, the luxury home was uncovered at an archeological site at Vetulonia, 200 kilometres north of Rome.
Archeologists say it is rare to find an Etruscan home intact and believe the home was built between the 3rd and 1st century BC.
Using six Roman and Etruscan coins uncovered at the home, archeologists believe the house collapsed in 79 AD during wars unleashed by Roman general and dictator, Lucio Cornelio Silla.
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Archeologists say it is rare to find an Etruscan home intact and believe the home was built between the 3rd and 1st century BC.
Using six Roman and Etruscan coins uncovered at the home, archeologists believe the house collapsed in 79 AD during wars unleashed by Roman general and dictator, Lucio Cornelio Silla.
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Dating: The Radiocarbon Way
Location: Worldwide Length: 10 min
What is carbon 14? What is a radiocarbon date? Is it the same as a calendar date? What does radiocarbon dating measure and why does it take a long time? How does an accelerator mass spectrometer measure carbon isotopes? What can you date with radiocarbon? This film features Dr. Christine Prior of GNS Science’s Rafter Radiocarbon Laboratory in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, explaining how AMS radiocarbon dating is done at their lab. Dr. Prior explains the principles of radiometric dating and presents an example from a real client.
Watch the video...
What is carbon 14? What is a radiocarbon date? Is it the same as a calendar date? What does radiocarbon dating measure and why does it take a long time? How does an accelerator mass spectrometer measure carbon isotopes? What can you date with radiocarbon? This film features Dr. Christine Prior of GNS Science’s Rafter Radiocarbon Laboratory in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, explaining how AMS radiocarbon dating is done at their lab. Dr. Prior explains the principles of radiometric dating and presents an example from a real client.
Watch the video...
Monday, May 24, 2010
British Archaeology Summer School
With Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, England
This high profile month long summer school gives American University Students an opportunity to learn, at source, about the archaeology of Britain with top Professors in the field.
The academic course has four principal components:
1. A series of 24 lectures given by senior academics covering the successive periods of British prehistoric and post-prehistoric archaeology, from the earliest settlement of Britain to the end of the medieval period ca.1500 ad.
2. An associated series of 6 lectures devoted to aspects of archaeological method and theory, combined with guided visits to the laboratories of the Cambridge University McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and Cambridge University’s Archaeological Field Unit.
3. A 4-day study tour of Ancient Wessex to visit many of the most important archaeological sites in southern England.
4. Field visits to the Roman and medieval sites of Verulamium, Sutton Hoo, West Stow and Ely cathedral.
Visit the website...
With Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, England
This high profile month long summer school gives American University Students an opportunity to learn, at source, about the archaeology of Britain with top Professors in the field.
The academic course has four principal components:
1. A series of 24 lectures given by senior academics covering the successive periods of British prehistoric and post-prehistoric archaeology, from the earliest settlement of Britain to the end of the medieval period ca.1500 ad.
2. An associated series of 6 lectures devoted to aspects of archaeological method and theory, combined with guided visits to the laboratories of the Cambridge University McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and Cambridge University’s Archaeological Field Unit.
3. A 4-day study tour of Ancient Wessex to visit many of the most important archaeological sites in southern England.
4. Field visits to the Roman and medieval sites of Verulamium, Sutton Hoo, West Stow and Ely cathedral.
Visit the website...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Groundbreaking Roman Search: 24 to 28 May
A major investigation into Roman remains uncovered in the aftermath of Cockermouth's devastating floods is set to get underway this month.
Volunteers are needed for groundbreaking work on what is believed to be a settlement near the Papcastle Roman fort, surveyed by Channel 4's Time Team a decade ago but still not thoroughly excavated.
Forthcoming geophysical searches for buildings, roads and signs of occupation follow significant recent finds of possible foundations and a lot of pottery, unearthed by receding flood waters.
Organised by Bassenthwaite Reflections' Unlocking Hidden Heritage project, volunteers will be helping to piece together fascinating pieces of history in the first area study of its kind.
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Volunteers are needed for groundbreaking work on what is believed to be a settlement near the Papcastle Roman fort, surveyed by Channel 4's Time Team a decade ago but still not thoroughly excavated.
Forthcoming geophysical searches for buildings, roads and signs of occupation follow significant recent finds of possible foundations and a lot of pottery, unearthed by receding flood waters.
Organised by Bassenthwaite Reflections' Unlocking Hidden Heritage project, volunteers will be helping to piece together fascinating pieces of history in the first area study of its kind.
Read the rest of this article...
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Archaeological finds dating back 1,000 years are unearthed at Wilberforce College
Students at a Hull college have literally seen history dug up before their eyes.
Archaeological finds have been unearthed on the site of Wilberforce College in east Hull.
And experts reckon the artefacts help fill in missing gaps about the city's ancient settlements.
A dig was prompted after planning permission was sought for a £800,000 building on the site.
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Archaeological finds have been unearthed on the site of Wilberforce College in east Hull.
And experts reckon the artefacts help fill in missing gaps about the city's ancient settlements.
A dig was prompted after planning permission was sought for a £800,000 building on the site.
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'Medieval' find at Urdd eisteddfod site in Ceredigion
Workers preparing for the Urdd eisteddfod have discovered what are thought to be medieval remains while laying pipes.
They were working on the main festival field, called the maes, when they found what experts believe is part of a small hamlet or drove way (road).
Workers had dug down about 15cm at the Llanerchaeron estate, near Aberaeron in Ceredigion, when work came to a halt.
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They were working on the main festival field, called the maes, when they found what experts believe is part of a small hamlet or drove way (road).
Workers had dug down about 15cm at the Llanerchaeron estate, near Aberaeron in Ceredigion, when work came to a halt.
Read the rest of this article...
Stirling Castle knight revealed as English nobleman
A skeleton discovered at Stirling Castle may have been an English knight who died in the 14th Century.
Sir John de Stricheley died in 1341, when the English held the castle.
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Sir John de Stricheley died in 1341, when the English held the castle.
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Friday, May 21, 2010
National Museums Scotland Exhibition
Medieval ivory chess pieces from north and south of the border have been reunited for a major exhibition in the Scottish capital.
Background:
The Lewis Chessmen (or Uig Chessmen, named after their find-site) are a group of 78 chess pieces from the 12th century most of which are carved in walrus ivory, discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. They may constitute some of the few complete medieval chess sets that have survived until today, although it is not clear if any full set as originally made can be made up from the varied pieces. They are currently owned and exhibited by the British Museum in London, which has 67 of them and the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, which has the rest. There has been recent controversy about the most appropriate place for the main display of the pieces.
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Background:
The Lewis Chessmen (or Uig Chessmen, named after their find-site) are a group of 78 chess pieces from the 12th century most of which are carved in walrus ivory, discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. They may constitute some of the few complete medieval chess sets that have survived until today, although it is not clear if any full set as originally made can be made up from the varied pieces. They are currently owned and exhibited by the British Museum in London, which has 67 of them and the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, which has the rest. There has been recent controversy about the most appropriate place for the main display of the pieces.
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Henry VIII’s wine fountain recreated at Hampton Court Palace - with help from Stowells
A fully working recreation of a Tudor wine fountain featuring the UK's No. 1 wine brand Stowells, was unveiled by independent charity Historical Royal Palaces at Hampton Court Palace, King Henry VIII's former royal residence recently.
Inspired by the discovery of the remains of a 16th century conduit (or fountain) during a major archaeological dig at Hampton Court Palace in 2008.
Taking shape in Hampton Court Palace's largest inner courtyard, known as Base Court, on the site of the excavated Tudor conduit, the new wine fountain will act as a magnificent centrepiece to the courtyard, while also serving a functional purpose – it will run with red and (chilled) white wine at the end of the day on weekends and bank holidays enabling visitors to raise a glass to Henry VIII and his magnificent Tudor palace!
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Inspired by the discovery of the remains of a 16th century conduit (or fountain) during a major archaeological dig at Hampton Court Palace in 2008.
Taking shape in Hampton Court Palace's largest inner courtyard, known as Base Court, on the site of the excavated Tudor conduit, the new wine fountain will act as a magnificent centrepiece to the courtyard, while also serving a functional purpose – it will run with red and (chilled) white wine at the end of the day on weekends and bank holidays enabling visitors to raise a glass to Henry VIII and his magnificent Tudor palace!
Read the rest of this article...
Neuer Archäologiepfad auf der Engehalbinsel in Bern
Der Archäologische Dienst des Kantons Bern hat den Archäologiepfad umfassend erneuert. Dieser führt mit Informationstafeln durch die verschiedenen keltischen und römischen Geländedenkmäler. Ein neu gestalteter Flyer bietet vertiefte Informationen zur Besiedlung der Engehalbinsel durch die Kelten und Römer.
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Thursday, May 20, 2010
Stirling Castle skeleton warrior to be revealed in BBC2 History Cold Case
The identity of a sword-swinging War of Independence warrior whose executed skeleton was discovered buried in a forgotten chapel at Stirling Castle 13 years ago is set to be revealed this week in a BBC investigation using the latest scientific tests.
BBC Two's History Cold Case has reconstructed the face of the Medieval Knight after archaeologists found his bludgeoned body in a mass grave of 10 skeletons thought to have been slaughtered in a siege during the Anglo-Scottish wars of the late 13th and 14th centuries.
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BBC Two's History Cold Case has reconstructed the face of the Medieval Knight after archaeologists found his bludgeoned body in a mass grave of 10 skeletons thought to have been slaughtered in a siege during the Anglo-Scottish wars of the late 13th and 14th centuries.
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Face of medieval knight reconstructed by computers
The face of a medieval knight who was killed 700 years ago has been revealed through state-of-the-art forensic techniques.
The mysterious skeleton was uncovered along with nine other people's remains underneath a chapel at Stirling Castle in 1997.
It is not known whether the man, who was killed during Scotland's Wars of Independence, is English, Scottish or even French, due to the fact the castle changed hands several times.
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The mysterious skeleton was uncovered along with nine other people's remains underneath a chapel at Stirling Castle in 1997.
It is not known whether the man, who was killed during Scotland's Wars of Independence, is English, Scottish or even French, due to the fact the castle changed hands several times.
Read the rest of this article...
Public invited to see Sarcophagus preserved as Colchester Castle welcomes conservationists
Visitors to Colchester Castle will be able to see an expert conservation team working on an Ancient Egyptian Sarcophagus (above) in the Castle Museum Gallery as they prepare to move the precious object with its mummy to Ipswich Museum.
Conservators Emma Hogarth and Stefanie White will be working on the 2,500-year- old sarcophagus live in the Museum between Monday 24 and Wednesday May 26 before it is re-displayed in a new Ancient Egyptian gallery opening in Ipswich in late July.
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Conservators Emma Hogarth and Stefanie White will be working on the 2,500-year- old sarcophagus live in the Museum between Monday 24 and Wednesday May 26 before it is re-displayed in a new Ancient Egyptian gallery opening in Ipswich in late July.
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