Archaeology News: July 22, 2011

Wow, what a great day for archaeology! Ancient Digger brings you the latest archaeology news everyday of the week, and today, it’s hard to keep up. If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, several towns are celebrating archaeology festivals. Check out the headlines below!

Roman jug unearthed at site of new theatre

Archaeologists working on the site of Doncaster’s new civic and cultural quarter, believed to have previously been the site of a Roman cemetery where cremations took place, have unearthed a rare Roman glass jug dating back to around AD150.

Archaeologists Uncover Ruins of Biblical City Shekem in War-Torn Palestine

Archaeologists in Palestine are digging up the ruins of Shekem. The biblical ruin lies inside a Palestinian city in the West Bank, where modern researchers are writing the latest chapter in a 100-year-old excavation that has been interrupted by two world wars and numerous rounds of Mideast upheaval.

Materialism vs. science in archaeology, and the difference it makes

In “First Person: The Bible as a Source of Testable Hypotheses”(Biblical Archaeology Review (Jul/Aug 2011) Hershel Shanks tells a story from Biblical archaeology that explains more than I ever could about how materialism stifles science.

2,000-year-old golden bell Discovered

A tiny, 2,000-year-old golden bell was found in a drainage channel near the Old City of Jerusalem. The bell was probably sewn onto the garment of a high official.

Governor stresses for starting Archaeology Department in HPU

The Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh today stressed the need to start the Archaeology Department in the state university besides introducing tourist guide course to generate employment avenues for youth. Speaking in the inaugural function of the three day long 42nd Foundation Day celebrations of the Himachal Pradesh University here, she said the state was rich in cultural heritage and Archaeology Department could make people aware about the glorious historical background of the State. Singh, who is also the chancellor of the University, said there were plenty of employment opportunities in the tourism sector and added that introducing Tourist Guide Course could help in guiding the tourists coming to the state.

Archaeological neglect: council fined

A charge of unlawfully modifying and damaging archaeological features was brought by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust which says the council should have know a shell midden was located at Maketu the Western Bay, having earlier commissioned an archaeologist to review the archaeology of Maketu, with a report produced in 2003.

Copperopolis to rise again

The remains of ‘Copperopolis’ – once the epicentre of the world’s copper industry – are to be preserved as a major heritage complex on a currently derelict 12 acre site in Swansea, South Wales.

Tidewater Archaeology Weekend

Historic St. Mary's City's annual event will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 23 and 24. Visitors can take guided tours of archaeological sites and the archaeology laboratory and discover how researchers learn about the past.

PORTLAND: Explore the treasures of Portland Museum

The secrets and treasures of Portland Museum could be revealed during a family archaeology day.

Several test pits will be excavated in the museum garden, under the supervision of archaeologist Stella de Villiers, where everyone will get a chance to practice digging. They will be explaining how archaeologists record the things they find and there will be the opportunity to have a go at this yourself.

Slideshow: D.C.'s Ancient History

The artifacts, stored at the D.C. Archives, were unearthed as part of archaeological digs tied to the canceled Barney Circle Freeway project. While the Washington Business Journal wasn't able to see or photograph artifacts from that project, D.C. Archaeologist Ruth Trocolli shared some of the city's other antiquities.

First Nation artifacts discovered, divert highway

Archaeologists have found evidence that proves First Nations people were in New Brunswick more than 10,000 years ago.

What Was Machu Picchu For? Top Five Theories Explained

Now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Machu Picchu's original purpose is still unknown—though many archaeologists think they are closer to finding an answer. (Take a Machu Picchu quiz.)

Scarborough's Festival of Archaeology

If you like the strange and spooky, go to Scarborough's Festival of Archaeology. It should appeal to the whole family, with interactive fun, archaeological trials and making your own reconstructed face.