AMERICAN researcher Robert Sarmast yesterday officially launched an expedition that he hopes will result in the discovery of the lost island of Atlantis. The launch of the expedition is expected to be marked today when the scientists submerge a copper canister with the flags of Cyprus, the EU and a specially designed Atlantis flag five hours out at sea from Limassol port.
At a news conference aboard the vessel that will take the team of experts to a submerged continental shelf – where he believes was the plain of Atlantis – Sarmast said the search for the lost island was the holy grail of archaeology.
“After years of research, and having developed the most accurate maps and models of the eastern Mediterranean seafloor, we believe that we have found Plato’s legendary island of Atlantis and we aim to prove it this summer,” he said.
“This discovery is the holy grail of all archaeological discoveries and the ramifications are due to be staggering. The world could never be the same after this discovery. We celebrate the joining of Cyprus with the EU with this flag ceremony and we are going to sail over the area where we believe the cities of Atlantis were located.”
It's abominably silly, but fun to read. And it's making the rounds of TV news so we figured we'd better at least post it.
Site of Portuguese shipwreck to stay secret for time being
Marine archaeologists are examining the site of a Portuguese shipwreck off Western Australia's northern coast.
The Correio da Azia was discovered yesterday by a Maritime Museum team after a hunt lasting more than 16 years.
Another story here.
We can't even pronounce "archaearium". . .A new way to view dig at Jamestown
Historic Jamestowne took a major step Friday evening when the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and the National Park Service broke ground for an “archaearium.” It's a unique facility to showcase artifacts and the findings of the dig at the original fort of 1607.
The groundbreaking was part of a gala celebration on Jamestown Island to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Jamestown Rediscovery dig.
The name of this phase was coined by combining the prefix archeo, meaning very old or archaeology, and arium, meaning place.
“It seems to us that archaearium is the perfect word to describe a place that is about archaeology and history,” said Elizabeth Kostelny, executive director of APVA. “Exploring and discovering not only what archaeologists and historians are learning about Jamestown, but how they know what they know, is the heart of the concept for the new facility.”
Culloden, 'best battlefield site'
Culloden Moor, the scene of Bonnie Prince Charlie's defeat in seventeen forty-six, has been named as one of the best battlefield sites to visit in the world. The moor, just outside Inverness, was rated by American archaeologists as even better than Little Bighorn.
The site of the last pitched battle fought on British soil, April the 16th, 1746 saw Culloden forever etch its name in Scotland's history.
Now its secured it's place as one of the best battlefield sites to visit in the world, US archaeologists have even ranked it above the site of Little Bighorn.
And the preservation is EXCELLENT:
Saxon remains unearthed
ARCHAEOLOGISTS busy digging at a churchyard in Cricklade have unearthed some Saxon artefacts.
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Another fresh find!
The team of three, from Border Archaeology in Herefordshire, have spent the last couple of weeks creating a 750mm deep trench in St Sampson's Churchyard.
The trench will be used for a foul water pipe, necessary for a toilet and small kitchen being installed in the church.
Managing director of Border Archaeology, Neil Shurety, said: "So far we have found a Saxon handle and some pottery. We are hoping to find more Saxon evidence.
Sorry, we couldn't help placing yet another picture today. But really, it was too good to pass up.
Artefacts dating back 4,000 years found in Londonderry
Artefacts dating back around 4,000 years have been uncovered by archaeologists in Londonderry.
The team, led by John O'Neill from Queen's University, was working on a Bronze Age lake settlement at Ballyarnet, when they found large quantities of decorated pottery, flint arrowheads and scrapers, hammerstones, fishing weights and grinding stones.
According to Mr O'Neill, the investigation, which was carried out earlier this month, revealed that the substantial lake settlement may have only been occupied during a relatively short period of time.