Sunday, February 08, 2004



New light shed on SA cave art

A huge collection of rock paintings in South Africa is far older than previously thought, research has found.
Archaeologists using the latest radio-carbon dating technology found that the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg paintings are 3,000 years old.

BBC News


Expert carves out a past for himself

Probing the role of rock art in the lives of prehistoric man is the mission for Tyneside-based archaeologist Aron Mazel.

The Journal


The really old rock masters

Experts from Newcastle have helped show some of the world's finest rock paintings are 3,000 years old.

The new study, by archaeologists from the University of Newcastle and the Australian National University in Canberra, used the latest radio-carbon dating technology on the art, in South Africa's uKhahlamba-Drakensberg National Park.

Evening Chronicle


Newcastle’s link with South Africa's rock art

Experts from Newcastle have helped show some of the world's finest rock paintings are 3,000 years old.

Megalithic Portal


The loss of another archaeological site

In the past two months, the Maltese Islands have once
more suffered the loss of an archaeological site. A
cave by the name of Ghar Qasrana, in the limits of
Mgarr, has been covered, probably destroyed, by
material dumped in what was until recently a
cultivated field.

Ghar Qasrana was one of a series of sites documented
by amateur archaeologists in the mid-twentieth
century. A wider specialist appreciation of its nature
was provided two years ago through a scholarly
contribution in Melita Historica by Professor Mario
Buhagiar and publication of the only available plan
made by Keith Buhagiar. A description of the cave was
also given by Professor Buhagiar and Professor Anhony
Bonanno in an international conference relating to
Byzantine Archaeology in Sicily.

The cave contained at least one Roman or early
Byzantine burial chamber. Although the finishing of
such burials is not as elaborate as the better known
examples in the Rabat area, such cave burials are a
rare archaeological heritage to be found in our
countryside. Documentary evidence suggests a later use
of the cave for habitation purposes, while other
internal features point towards the possible use of
the cave as a rock-cut chapel.

The Maltese Islands have not only lost another site,
but also the opportunity for scientific research of
the Roman, Byzantine and Medieval periods. This loss
has occurred even though all precautions have been
taken by the authorities to safeguard this site.
Although the cave was identified as a site of
archaeological value through an Environmental Impact
Assessment exercise, dumping in the area was still
undertaken, even though development permits have not
yet been approved for the area.

In view of these circumstances and the Cultural
Heritage Act 2002, the Grupp Arkeologiku Malti appeals
to the authorities to take immediate action to rescue
the remains of the cave and to hold the perpetrators
of this event responsible for their actions.

Press Release from Anton Bugeja archmalta@yahoo.com

Saturday, February 07, 2004




500-year-old monastery dug up on site of science park


A 500-year-old monastery has been discovered by archaeologists in the heart of Glasgow.

The medieval ruins of the Francisan Friary just off the High Street is being described by experts as one of the most important finds in Scotland.

Evening Times


Rare 7th-century Saxon artifacts go on display

A hoard of glass and copper jugs, ceremonial crosses and other Saxon artifacts has gone on display, giving the public a first look at a rare find of a royal tomb from the seventh century.

Beaufort Gazette


Dr. Marie Soressi erhält den Förderpreis für Ältere Urgeschichte und Quartärökologie

Preisträgerin des Tübinger Förderpreises für Ältere Urgeschichte und Quartärökologie ist dieses Jahr die Französin Dr. Marie Soressi vom renommierten "Institut de Préhistoire et de Géologie du Quaternaire" der Universität Bordeaux.Der Preis ist mit 5.000 Euro dotiert und wird nun zum sechsten Mal verliehen.

Archäologie


History right on tap

There was a surprise in the pipeline for archaeologists on a Roman fort dig at Vindolanda in Northumberland.

They unearthed 30 yards of wooden mains which fed the fort with water from nearby springs.

And to their amazement, the mains were still working and carrying water - almost 2,000 years after they were first installed.

I C Newcastle


Search for Saxon relics at graveyard

A DIG to search for Saxon remains is to be carried out on land which has been earmarked as a much-needed graveyard in Havant.

The News Hampshire


EH Statement on the impact of the Stonehenge A303 Road Scheme

English Heritage released the following statement yesterday regarding the impact of the A303 Stonehenge Improvement Road Scheme on the Archaeology of the World Heritage Site: English Heritage supports the Highways Agency's proposal for the A303 at Stonehenge, which will bring a number of major benefits to the Stonehenge World Heritage Site (WHS) by removing the roads and traffic from the immediate vicinity of the Stone Circle. This will improve the visitor experience as well as achieving major objectives of the WHS management plan.

Megalithic Portal


Roman water still on tap

Archaeologists have discovered a 2,000-year-old water main built by the Romans - which is still working.

BBC News


Archaeologists find 1,400-year-old tomb of Anglo-Saxon king

A tiny piece of bronze poking out of the mud was the first clue that something extraordinary lay beneath the surface in Prittlewell.

The subsequent discovery of an Anglo-Saxon king's burial chamber complete with a lavish collection of treasures was more than any archaeologist would hope to find beneath a verge in the Southend suburb.

Pakistan Tribune


The ancient astronomers of Newgrange

A New web site on the ancient astronomy of the Prehistoric monuments of Ireland.

The ancient astronomers of Newgrange


Gold Cape will be focus of visitor attraction

A visitor centre highlighting the Bronze Age and Celtic culture of north east Wales could attract up to 150,000 tourists a year. At the core of the new visitor attraction, drawing on Arthurian connections, would be the famous gold Bronze Age Mold Cape, currently held in The British Museum.

Megalithic Portal

Friday, February 06, 2004



Treasures of a Saxon King of Essex

Probably the most exciting and important archaeological discovery made in this country in the last fifty years! Archaeologists have discovered the burial of a Saxon king in Southend, and an exhibition of some of the wonderful treasures found in his tomb is going to open at Southend’s Central Museum on Saturday 21 February.

Southend Museum


Videos from the Anglo-Saxon Burial at Prittlewell

Three videos available here



Pictures from the Anglo-Saxon Burial at Prittlewell

You can find the pictures here


Archaeologists find 1,400-year-old tomb of Anglo-Saxon king

A tiny piece of bronze poking out of the mud was the first clue that something extraordinary lay beneath the surface in Prittlewell.
The subsequent discovery of an Anglo-Saxon king's burial chamber complete with a lavish collection of treasures was more than any archaeologist would hope to find beneath a verge in the Southend suburb.

Guardian


Discovery of a Saxon King

The burial site of an East Saxon King has been uncovered, illuminating our knowledge of the lives of the super-rich in the Dark Ages.

The Museum of London and English Heritage archaeologists have discovered the most important Saxon burial site since Sutton Hoo was uncovered in 1939.

Country Life