CSI: Cumbria Replica of Roman murder victim

The face of a man murdered 1,700 years ago in Cumbria has been reconstructed for a museum exhibition.

The skull, which had a hole caused by a weapon, was discovered during building work at The Lanes shopping centre, in Carlisle.

The city's Tullie House museum was awarded funding from the Local Heritage Initiative to reconstruct his face and it goes on display on Wednesday.

Staff will tell the man's story as part of a Roman death in Cumbria exhibition.

Can't help it: "The poor man - named Duncan by the excavators - must have been killed unlawfully as the skull has a small entry and large exit [wound] visible, probably cause[d] by a weapon of some kind. . .

Now there's a leap.

Return of antiquities I Roman relic is returned to Syria

A fragment of a Roman sarcophagus is being returned to Syria thanks to the efforts of experts on Tyneside.

The decorated fragment, which was brought into Newcastle University by a city resident, dates between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century AD.

Months of detective work led experts to the island city of Aradus on the Ile d'Arwad, off the coast of Syria.

Now the artefact is being returned to a more appropriate home at the Syrian national Museum.

More on the University/Library of Alexandria Group Unearths Part of Ancient University

CAIRO, Egypt - Polish archaeologists have unearthed 13 lecture halls believed to be the first traces ever found of ancient Egypt's University of Alexandria, the head of the project said Wednesday.

"This is the oldest university ever found in the world," Grzegory Majderek, head of the Polish mission, told The Associated Press.

The lecture halls, with a capacity of 5,000 students, are part of the 5th century university, which functioned until the 7th century, according to a statement from Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

"This is the first material evidence of the existence of academic life in Alexandria," Majderek said. Knowledge of earlier intellectual pursuits in the Mediterranean coastal city came through historical and literary documents and materials.

Return of antiquities II Petition calls for return of Koori etchings

An Aboriginal ceremony at the Melbourne Museum tonight is the first step leading to a petition to the British Museum calling for the return of the earliest surviving Aboriginal bark etchings.

The two fragile artefacts were made by members of the Dja Dja Wurrung tribe near Boort in the Wimmera 150 years ago and were sent to a Paris exhibition before being bought by the London institution.

The etchings are on display until June 27 at the Melbourne Museum in an exhibition, Etched On Bark 1854, as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations.

More tombs in China Ancient tombs of royal standard discovered in Shaanxi

A large-scale tomb group of the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century B.C.- 771 B.C.) was discovered at the Zhougong Temple site in Qishan County in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Chinese archaeologists said Tuesday.

The tombs are of the highest standard of the Western Zhou Dynasty ever discovered in China, they said.

"Judging from the scale of the tombs, the owner might be somebody of high rank, a duke, a prince, or even a king of the Western Zhou Dynasty," said Lei Xingshan, associate professor withthe School of Archaeology and Museology at Beijing University, whoparticipated in the archaeological excavation at the Zhougong Temple site.

Jewish Artifacts Remain in Limbo in Iraq

A damaged Torah, a centuries-old Bible and other rare documents important to Iraq's few remaining Jews were rescued from a flooded cellar in Baghdad, only to remain in limbo here.

Their restoration, like so much else these days, awaits the emergence of a new Iraq.

Historians at the National Archives, which preserves such priceless artifacts as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, are examining the treasure trove of materials found in the basement of the headquarters for Saddam Hussein's secret police.

This is someone we've never heard of Two linked by history likely united in death

The mystery of Jane McCrea and Sara McNeil, whose involvement in the Revolutionary War became legend, is closer to being solved. DNA tests have confirmed that McNeil is buried in a grave that may also contain McCrea's remains.

Archaeologist David Starbuck and a team of forensic experts dug up McCrea's Union Cemetery plot in Fort Edward last April at the request of a descendant who wanted to determine how she had died. Stories of her gruesome murder by gunshot or scalping by Indians allied with the British became a rebel propaganda tool and rallying cry in 1777.

Found! Lost bridge of Belfast uncovered

A PLAN to reshape the centre of Belfast for the future has led to the biggest dig exploring the city's past.

Archaeologists have peeled back at least four centuries of urban history as they work ahead of builders in Victoria Square - turning up evidence suggesting why the city grew where it did.

And they appear to have found new evidence of the medieval settlement on the site. which will host a £300m development.

One of the largest discoveries so far is the remains of a lost bridge which spanned a river that is no longer there.

[insert clever line here] Microbes consuming Mayan ruins

Researchers from Harvard University have discovered a previously unidentified microbial community inside the porous stone of the Maya ruins in Mexico.

The microbes might be capable of causing rapid deterioration of these sites, researchers said.

"The presence of a previously undescribed endolithic microbial community that is different than the surface community has important implications for the conservation of Maya ruins as well as other stone objects and structures," said researcher Christopher McNamara.

"This castle hath a pleasant seat. . ." Macbeth's castle unearthed in Inverness garden?

LOCAL history enthusiasts believe they have unearthed positive evidence that a former King of Scotland maintained a castle in Inverness.

Tradition has persisted that Macbeth had a stronghold at Auldcastle Road in the Crown area of the city - hence the name.

Now an archaeological dig by members of the Inverness Local History Forum in the garden of the appropriately-named house Dun Macbeth has uncovered what could be the most important finds to date.

Some artefacts, including pieces of medieval glass and what are thought to be whalebone and porpoise or dolphin bones have been sent away for examination.

But what has really excited the Forum is the discovery of a dressed stone wall underneath what was a raised feature in the garden.

World record for copper mines

A copper mine has struck gold by earning a place in the 50th anniversary edition of Guinness World Records.

The Great Orme Copper Mine has been named as the largest Bronze Age copper mine in the world.

Dating back up to 4,000 years, the mines have been excavated for the last 15 years.

"We've always been recognised by the academic world but are delighted to get public recognition in this way - and one which will go around the world," said director Ann Hammond.

Return of antiquities III Science speaks out on bone return

Anthropologists say their discipline may be plunged into crisis if thousands of human remains stored in the UK are sent back to their countries of origin.

An advisory group has recommended scientists seek out descendants for permission to retain bones and other body parts up to 500 years old.

A special panel could also be set up to settle cases in which researchers and claiming individuals dispute ownership.

Ministers are expected to announce their position on the issue shortly.