Archaeology News: December 17, 2011

Hello Ancient Diggers. After two long weeks of finals and holiday preparations, we're getting back on track with the latest archaeology news. With the new year approaching, I wanted to say a special thanks to all of the readers and the people who have supported Ancient Digger this year. Enjoy the weekend and the news!

Biblical Archaeology Society releases e-Book - 'Dead Sea Scrolls: Discovery and Meaning'
The Biblical Archaeology Society has just released a newly updated edition of its free eBook, The Dead Sea Scrolls: Discovery and Meaning. This eBook explores the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and what they tell us about the Bible, Christianity and Judaism. And new to this edition, we spotlight three of the most famous of the scrolls—the War Scroll, the Temple Scroll and the Book of Enoch—focusing on the significance of each.

History of excavation sites may get lost
History of some of the famous archaeological sites of Bihar may be lost forever due to the non-publication of their excavation reports. All these archaeological sites form part of history textbooks. Despite CM Nitish Kumar's effort to preserve Bihar's rich collection of antiquities, state culture department has failed to make any headway in this regard.

In 1761, battle of Panipat cost Marathas Rs 93 lakh, say papers
Documents giving details of the Rs 92.23 lakh expenditure incurred by the Marathas on the third battle of Panipat have been discovered by history scholar Pandurang Balkawade at the state department of archaeology (Peshwe daftar).

CyArk: Digitally Preserving a Wahi Pana
During the first week of December 2010 I was lucky to escape the drizzly rain and fog of San Francisco winter (not that it's much different from our summer) and fly to the sun-kissed beaches of the Big Island of Hawai'i. It was going to be a week in a tropical paradise, but with a busy agenda ahead there were no plans for hammocks or Mai Tais. I arrived on a Monday morning, was picked up at the airport and went straight to Hulihe'e Palace in Kona. There I found my friend and colleague, D'Arcy Trask, busy at work (single handedly) with his two Leica ScanStation 2's up and running since sunrise that morning. One was located out front, scanning the façade and property, the other documenting the interior spaces.

Rescue Archaeology: Saving our heritage
Typically, rescue archaeology isn’t a lot of fun. Developers have no patience, so work is hurried and incomplete. The archaeologists are laughingly called ‘Shovel Bums’ because they rush around with spades to salvage as much as they can before the site is destroyed! Then in 1961, came an extraordinary rescue project that made the world stop dead in its track and pay attention.

Cockerel figurine found in Cirencester Roman dig
The 1,800-year-old enamelled object was found during an archaeological dig at one of Britain's earliest-known burial sites in Cirencester. It is thought the bronze cockerel, which is 12.5cm high, could have been a message to the gods.

Architectural Archaeology in Antwerp’s Abandoned Tunnels
Beneath the bustle of Antwerp, Belgium, empty tunnels lie still and silent, forgotten by most of the inhabitants above. Meant for a metro system, the tunnels have been abandoned since they were built in the 1970s, but American-based designer Jon Martin imagines a novel use for them: housing an archaeological museum that doubles as an underground network connecting various buildings throughout the city. The melancholy mood of the project was inspired by W.G. Sebald’s novel, ‘Austerlitz.’

Archaeologists discover new ancient burial site at Knowth
New archaeological relics from the Neolithic era have surfaced in Knowth, Co Meath, reports the Meath Chronicle. The new finds were discovered at an area just southeast of the passage tomb cemetery at Brú na Binne, which has been the focus of Professor George Eogan’s study for the past few decades.

Presidential Cuisine a Focus of Archaeology at Montpelier
Arizona State Museum archaeologists are looking through historic table scraps in an effort to find out more about the kitchen of America's fourth president and author of the U.S. Constitution.