Archaeology: 2,500 years old, and as fresh as the day she was buried
The green eyes stare out unblinkingly from the beaded mask. The woman's dark eyebrows and terracotta face look as fresh as they ever did.
Yet the figure covered in turquoise beads and swaddled in black linen, nestling in a wooden sarcophagus, is believed to be 2,500 years old.
Egypt's chief archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, yesterday proudly unveiled what he described as probably one of the best-preserved mummies ever.
The story is a bit confusing, as the archaeologists were working (apparently) with primarily Old Kingdom material when they found these 26th DYnasty mummies. We think they may be overstating the condition of the mummies; generally by the 26th Dynasty the actual mummification process -- preserving the body itself -- was taking something of a back seat to the elaboration of coffin decoration and accouterments accompanying the mummy. Besides, they haven't unwrapped or x-rayed the actual bodies yet, so there is no way of knowing what condition the actual bodies are in. We suspect they will be in pretty poor shape, not from age, but from poor mummification procedures.
But only quote us on that if it turns out we're right.
More here.
More on the Norwich Market find
Dig uncovers market cross remains
In 1732 the cross was pulled down and the stone sold for £125
Archaeologists excavating Norwich market before refurbishment work begins have uncovered the foundations of the medieval Market Cross.
An original cross was built in 1411 and stood 60ft tall, dominating the market.
The last structure stood opposite what is now Davey Place and featured a chapel on top of a plinth 30ft wide.
David Adams site manager of the Norwich Market Archaeology Project said: "It is an octagonal building demolished in the 1730s but it is fantastic to see it."
Moche Mystery solved? Lost society tore itself apart
The Moche had clearly survived the climatic disaster but had they then been hit by an invasion? Dillehay cast around but could find no evidence for this.
He now put together a new theory, one that, in various guises, is now widely accepted by South American experts.
The Moche had struggled through the climatic disaster but the leadership - which at least in part had claimed authority from its ability to determine the weather - had lost authority and Moche villages and/or clan groups had turned on each other in a battle for scarce resources such as food and land.
Moche society had pulled itself apart.
Sadly, it's mostly a teaser for a television broadcast, but it has some info on the history of Moche archaeology. Read the whole thing.
Biblical archaeology update Scholar: Archaeology rebuffs effort to erase biblical Israel
Revisionist scholars in Europe are ignoring a wealth of archaeological evidence in seeking to discount and, ultimately, erase belief in the biblical Israel, noted archaeologist William Dever said at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Dever, professor emeritus of Near Eastern archaeology and anthropology at the University of Arizona, shared his research during the Manuel Family Lecture on Archaeology and the Bible in early February. The lecture is designed to present current archaeological research pointing to the reliability of Scripture.
Seems like a good article, not quite as PR-ish as the headline appears.
Tutankhamun update Gavin Watson sends us this link to a place called Buzztone, Inc. which is apparently working with the LA County Museum of Art to spread the word about the upcoming Tutankhamun exhibit. You can also enter a sweepstakes to win a trip to see the exhibit in LA as well as sign up to host a banner advertising the exhibit.