Not quite sure if this is a newspaper, blog, or just a webpage, but it’s an interesting read:
Category: Archaeology
Archaic Pithos Burials (and others) from Chios
Brief item from eKathimerini:
A dig on the eastern Aegean island of Chios has unearthed parts of an ancient necropolis dating to between 7th and 6th centuries BC and belonging to the Archaic period.
The graves, which were found by archaeologists in the Psomi area, were pithos burials – meaning that the dead were placed inside pithoi, or large storage vases – and the bodies were placed in a supine position on layers of sea pebbles.
Archaeologists also uncovered a number of sarcophagi and the remains of a horse, which have been transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Chios for further examination and preservation.
… the original eKathimerini article includes a nice photo of the horse burial.
Additional sources below have some different photos:
- “Ancient Necropolis Revealed in Chios.” Greek Reporter. Accessed July 22, 2014.
- “Archaeologists Unearth Archaic Necropolis on Chios Island.” Ekathimerini.com. Accessed July 22, 2014.
- Tμήμα αρχαϊκής νεκρόπολης βρέθηκε στη Χίο, 7ου – 6ου π.Χ.” – Chios News. Accessed July 22, 2014.
Ruts in the Roman (?) Road at Ipplepen
From the University of Exeter:
The excavation at Ipplepen, run by the University of Exeter, is back on site following the discovery of a complex series of archaeological features thought to be part of the largest Romano-British settlement in Devon outside of Exeter.
Wheel ruts found in the newly excavated road surface are thought to be like those at Pompeii caused by carts being driven over them. This is cause for excitement according to archaeologist Danielle Wootton, the Devon Finds Liaison Officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme. She said:“The road must have been extensively used, it’s intriguing to think what the horse-drawn carts may have been carrying and who was driving them. This is a fantastic opportunity to see a ‘snap shot’ of life 2000 years ago.”
The geophysical survey and a significant number of Roman coins found when the site was first discovered highlighted the importance of this extensive site and its potential to explore the relationship between the Romans and Devon’s native population.
This year’s dig, directed by Dr Imogen Wood has uncovered a few more Roman coins, two of which date from between AD 43 to AD 260 and around six late Roman 4th century coins. One can be accurately dated to AD 335 – 341. However, the location of personal artefacts, such as the newly discovered Roman hair pin , brooch and bracelet are equally as thrilling for the archaeological team.
The pin would have been used to hold the hair together much in the same way similar items are used today. Danielle Wootton said:“Roman women had some very elaborate hairstyles which changed through time like our fashions do today. Hairpins were used to hold complex hairstyles like buns and plaits together and suggests that Devon women may have been adopting fashions from Rome. This period in history often gets flooded with stories about Roman soldiers and centurions; this is interesting as they are artefacts worn by women.”
Green and blue glass beads have been unearthed, which suggests that colourful necklaces were also worn. Two amber beads have been discovered which are likely to have travelled many miles possibly from the Baltic coast to their final location at Ipplepen in the South Devon.
Wootton explained:“During the Roman period amber was thought to have magical, protective and healing properties. These very personal items worn by the women that lived on this site centuries ago have enabled us to get a glimpse into the lives of people living everyday lives on the edges of the Roman Empire.”
Pottery has also been discovered by the Archaeology Department’s students and local volunteers on the excavation. Dr Imogen Wood, University of Exeter said:“The pottery recovered suggests people were making copies of popular roman pottery for cooking and eating, but also importing a small amount of fine pottery from the continent such as drinking cups and Samian bowls for dinner guests to see and envy.”
The excavation is being carried out until the end of July and is likely to reveal further exciting finds which will help to further our understanding between Roman Britain and its native population. […]
- Ipplepen Archaeological dig in the driving seat. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2014, from the University of Exeter
Hmmm … I wonder if this is a Roman road we’re talking about; we certainly seem to be expected to infer that. I also wonder, given how frequently wheel ruts in a Roman context are linked to other things, whether we should be taking bets on how quickly we see the Railroad Gauge Canard again?
Alternate/Derivative sources:
- Oldest potholes known to man found in Devon. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2014, from the Exeter Express and Echo
- Roman road discovered on an archaeological dig shows pot hole repairs. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2014, from PhysOrg
Our previous coverage of the site and its finds:
- Roman Finds from Devon (August, 2012)
… and possibly this:
- Romans Beyond Devon Redux (August, 2011)
Mosaic from Sweida … Seriously?
A very strange, brief item (to me, anyway) from Syrian TV:
Sweida Antiquities Department said that parts of mosaic representing geometric shapes and dating back to the end of the Roman era and the beginning of the Byzantine era were discovered at a house in Shahba city in Sweida.
Head of Sweida Antiquities Department Hussein Zaineddin told said that the unearthed parts are 6 meters long and 4,5 meters wide.
Zaineddin added that the unearthed parts will be joined to the picture which was discovered in 1970. The previously discovered picture is 3,5 meters long and 4,5 meters wide .
He pointed out that the picture to be displayed later at Sweida or Shahba museums after restoring it.
- Complementary parts of previously discovered mosaic unearthed in Sweida. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2014, from Syrian TV
The original article is accompanied by a less-than-useful photo which doesn’t really add any veracity to the report. Apparently — given all that’s going on in Syria right now — that archaeology is proceeding normally. I’m not really sure what “discovered in a house” means (was the mosaic removed from a site? was it in situ?) and find it strange that we aren’t told where the “picture” portion is. I’m not sure we can lend any credence at all to this report.
Plans to Rebury “Parthenon of Thessaloniki”
From Greek Reporter (I’m not sure this is news; I could have sworn we’d heard about this before):
Local residents of Thessaloniki in northern Greece are outraged by a decision to build an apartment block on top of a recently discovered ancient Greek temple in the heart of the city. The temple of goddess Aphrodite, which was brought to Thessaloniki from the city of Aenea in the 6th century B.C., is said to be priceless in value thus the locals named it “Parthenon of Thessaloniki.”
The temple lies in an area now called Dioikitirio (administrative centre). In Roman times the area was known as the Square of the Sacred Ones, as most of the city’s temples were concentrated there.
The ancient Greek temple was brought to light in 2000 after the demolition of a two-storey building. The archaeologists found the eastern part of the temple’s krepis, statues of Greek and Roman times, and numerous fragments of architectural parts.
While most of the temple remains in Dioikitirio, some parts including the columns of the temple, as well as many of the other remains, are currently being exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
According to the school of Architecture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Antigonidon square can be reformed in two levels, so that the temple would be rebuilt and become visible in its entirety.
- “Parthenon of Thessaloniki” to be Buried Under an Apartment Block. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2014 from Greek Reporter
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