Monday, April 04, 2005

Way cool non-archaeological news First Confirmed Picture of a Planet Beyond the Solar System

After a few close calls, astronomers have finally obtained the first photograph of a planet beyond our solar system, SPACE.com has learned.

And this time they say they're sure. Though some doubt lingers about the mass of the object.

The planet is thought to be one to two times as massive as Jupiter, according to the scientists who imaged it. It orbits a star similar to a young version of our Sun.



(HT LoriK at The Perfect World)

Tsunami update Temple traces in tsunami zone

The Archaeological Survey of India has unearthed traces of two more temples of the Pallava era near the Shore Temple in Mamallapuram, 55 km from here.

The discovery strengthens the hypothesis about Seven Pagodas having once stood in this ancient port town of the Pallavas. The December 26 tsunami had brought to view rock structures with carved figures, which had first kindled hopes of cracking the mystery.

An ASI team along with Indian Navy divers had stumbled upon the “wall-like structures” and “step-like structures” in February.


"They're heeeeeere. . . ." Couple files lawsuit after they say land sold to them was cemetery

A Charleston couple has filed a lawsuit claiming a woman hired contractors to bulldoze graves on the three-acre property to make way for a home she eventually sold them.

But Olivia Palmer's attorney Charlie Condon, the state's former attorney general, said his client denies disturbing any graves on the property and questioned why William Baker brought the remains of a body to a meeting with authorities.


This doesn't make a lot of sense. They bought the property with headstones all over the place and claim they didn't know it was a cemetery?

Fight! Fight! Archaeologists dispute claim that undersea wreck is that of Blackbeard's ship

Three archaeologists are disputing the state's claim that an undersea wreck found near Beaufort is the flagship of the pirate Blackbeard.

In the first major challenge to the claim, two East Carolina University professors and the state of Michigan's underwater archaeologist said there is no conclusive evidence to justify identifying the wreckage as the Queen Anne's Revenge. They said state officials and researchers have studied the wreck with preconceived notions of its identity, and that pressure to capitalize on the Blackbeard connection caused alternative theories to be overlooked.



ArchaeoBlog: We put the "Arrrrrrr. . ." in archaeology.

Although *ahem* to be honest, we rather preferred these pirate representations. But, you know, this is a family blog.

Congratulations! Winter honored by Archaeology Society

Eugene C. Winter Jr., has been selected as the 2005 recipient of the Society for American Archaeology's Crabtree Award. Winter grew up in Tewksbury and is a member of the Tewksbury Historical Society. He has served since the Society's inception as a member of the Executive Board and has made numerous presentations to the Society based on research he has done.
The award was established in 1985 by The Society of American Archaeology. It recognizes an individual who has had little if any formal training in archaeology and little if any wage or salary as an archaeologist. He will be presented with annual award on Friday, April 1 at the Annual Business Meeting to be held at the Salt Place Convention center, salt Lake City, Utah. The Tewksbury Historical Society is very proud of Mr. Winter and is extremely happy to have his active participation in our Society. No one is more deserving of this award for all he has done for our Society and for the other organizations Mr. Winter is a member.


Read more about Don Crabtree here.

Fight! Fight! II Fresh bid to halt Cattle Market scheme

LEADING archaeologists are hoping the Deputy Prime Minister will intervene and delay plans for an £85million shopping development.

Tim Schadla-Hall, secretary of the Parliamentary Archaeology Group, has written to John Prescott regarding potential finds beneath the Cattle Market site in Bury St Edmunds.

Duncan McAndrew, an expert in medieval archaeology, is now compiling a dossier of evidence to support his letter.


Saqqara tomb update door reveals hidden tomb

Archaeologists have uncovered three coffins and a remarkably well-preserved mummy in a 2,500-year old tomb discovered by accident, after opening a secret door hidden behind a statue in a separate burial chamber, said Egypt's chief archaeologist.

The Australian team was exploring a much older tomb, dating back 4,200 years, belonging to a man thought to have been a tutor to the 6th Dynasty King Pepi II, when they moved a pair of statues and discovered the door, said Zahi Hawass, Egypt's top antiquities official.

Inside, they found a tomb from the 26th Dynasty with three intricate coffins, each with a mummy.


More later.