===========================================================
explorator 26.14 July 23, 2023
===========================================================
You can read explorator online at:

https://exploratornews.wordpress.com/

Thanks to Arthur Shippee, Dave Sowdon, Edward Rockstein, Kurt Theis,
John McMahon, Barnea Selavan, Joseph Lauer, Mike Ruggeri, Hernan Astudillo,
Richard Campbell, Barbara Saylor Rodgers, Bob Heuman, David Critchley,
Richard Miller, Kris Curry, Rick Heli, Richard C. Griffiths, Frank MacKay,
Don Buck, mata kimasitayo, and Ross W. Sargent for headses upses this week
(as always hoping I have left no one out).

============================================================
EARLY HOMINIDS
============================================================
Evidence of Neanderthal-made bone tools from the Chez-Pinaud site (France):

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-07-17/ty-article/our-species-isnt-the-only-one-to-make-tools-from-animal-bones-archaeologists-report/00000189-6395-dc94-a78d-f3df6fb20000
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/neanderthals-also-had-superior-toolmaking-abilities-not-just-humans

A fossilized human parietal bone near the site where Peking Man was found years ago:

http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2023-07/17/content_92745513.htm
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294549.shtml
http://t.m.china.org.cn/convert/c_nnLLCZBB.html
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202307/18/WS64b5e721a31035260b816f87.html
http://www.ecns.cn/news/culture/2023-07-18/detail-ihcrinym0650849.shtml
http://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2023-07-18/detail-ihcrinym0651547.shtml
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-07-17/New-ancient-human-parietal-bone-fossil-found-in-Beijing-1lvYwOsK5sk/index.html

.... and digging has resumed at the 'Yuanmou ape-man site' in Yunnan:

http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0722/c90000-20047886.html

A study of where early humans in the Hula Valley (Israel) procured the flint for their tools:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-early-humans-hula-valley-invested.html
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/996080
https://www.timesofisrael.com/chip-off-the-ol-block-ai-pinpoints-source-of-rocks-for-750000-year-old-tools/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-751626
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11606-230721-israel-hominin-flint

A 300 000 years bp 'throwing stick' from Schoningen suggests early humans there were sophisticated woodworkers:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-early-humans-weapon-woodwork-experts.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230719145940.htm
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/homo-sapiens-wood-stick-weapon-schoningen-b2378210.html
https://www.sci.news/archaeology/middle-pleistocene-woodworking-skills-12113.html
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/07/21/early-humans-were-weapon-woodwork-experts-study-finds/

Evidence from South Africa suggests early humans 'drew in the sand' some 140 000 years bp:

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-sand-beach-ancestors-years.html

Tooth analysis sheds light on how Paranthropus robustus fits into the human family tree:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/two-million-year-old-tooth-widens-the-ancient-human-family-tree

Arguing over the intelligence of homo naledi:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jul/22/small-brained-early-humans-homo-naledi-cleverer-storm

============================================================
AFRICA
============================================================
Brief item on vandalism at an archaeological site in Zuwara (Libya):

https://libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/archaeological-site-was-vandalized-zuwara-city
============================================================
ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND EGYPT
============================================================
Another Roman-era sarcophagus from Gaza:

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-roman-era-sarcophagus-uncovered-in-gaza/
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/roman-era-sarcophagus-uncovered-in-gaza/2947209
https://english.news.cn/20230717/851cfd448c8b448489cef4d0cb6b83a4/c.html
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/roman-era-sarcophagus-uncovered-in-gaza-3666760
https://www.kore.co.il/viewArticle/135760

Plans to use AI in mummy restoration:

https://www.egyptindependent.com/in-a-first-egypt-to-use-ai-in-mummy-restoration/

More on the xray/chemical study of changes to tomb paintings in the Theban necropolis:

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/ancient-egyptian-painters-screwed-up-and-had-to-fix-mistakes
https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/what-scientists-found-analyzing-egyptian-tombs-with-advanced-technology-8832f2f54a5e
https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2023/07/17/secrets-of-egyptian-painters-revealed-by-chemistry/
https://archaeonewsnet.com/2023/07/secrets-of-egyptian-painters-revealed-by-chemistry.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/x-rays-egyptian-necropolis-paintings-180982535/

More on the safety of the Bent Pyramid:

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/504845.aspx
https://www.egyptindependent.com/the-bent-pyramid-is-totally-safe-ministry-officials-assure/

Zahi Hawass on an upcoming documentary on the search for the 'Lost Pyramid':

https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1207/505040/AlAhram-Weekly/Heritage/The-search-for-the-Lost-Pyramid.aspx
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2340901/lifestyle

Rethinking who is portrayed in that recently-recovered Sassanid relief:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/487033/From-soldier-to-prince-new-perspective-emerges-on-recovered

The search for the Laodicea Temple continues:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/487076/Lost-ancient-wonder-archaeologists-remain-hopeful-in-their-pursuit

A reassessment of the rise of Assyria:

https://www.asor.org/anetoday/2023/07/rise-of-assyria-reassessment

More on the negative reaction to the destruction of a 300 years bp minaret in Basra:

https://krdo.com/news/ap-national-news/2023/07/19/demolition-of-historic-minaret-in-southern-iraqs-basra-sparks-outcry/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/minaret-destroyed-basra-iraq-180982563/

A 1500 years bp Byzantine structure in the square of the Roman hippodrome near Hagia Sophia:

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/07/21/1500-byzantine-next-hagia-sophia/

Restoration work is happening with regards to the walls of Iznik:

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/historical-walls-of-iznik-under-protection-184779

Concerns for 2700 years bp rock tombs at Donalar (Turkiye):

https://arkeonews.net/2700-year-old-unique-rock-tombs-disappear/

Restoration is underway at the temple of Zeus Lepsynos in Mugla:

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiyes-temple-of-zeus-soon-to-welcome-tourists/2948681

Feature on Klaus Schmidt and his work at Gobeklitepe:

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/remembering-klaus-schmidt-unearther-of-ancient-site-gobeklitepe/news

An xray study of a Crusader sword found off the coast of Israel a couple years ago suggests it was lost during a naval battle:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/sword-overboard-crusader-blade-discovered-by-diver-was-likely-lost-in-battle/
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/r1j9spic3

More on the Roman-era skulls found in Te'omim Cave and the 'necromancy' interpretation of them:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/evidence-of-roman-era-death-magic-used-to-speak-with-the-deceased-found-near-jerusalem
https://www.timesofisrael.com/possible-portal-to-underworld-discovered-near-beit-shemesh/
https://greekreporter.com/2023/07/18/ancient-death-magic-dead-jerusalem/
https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-07-20/ty-article/cave-in-israel-used-to-contact-the-dead-in-roman-times-archaeologists-suggest/00000189-7259-de4e-adeb-fffd3f050000
https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7b75j/archaeologists-discover-ancient-portal-to-the-underworld-in-cave-containing-skulls-weapons
https://www.sciencealert.com/cave-near-jerusalem-shows-signs-of-use-as-a-portal-to-the-underworld
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/07/evidence-of-necromancy-during-late-antiquity-in-the-teomim-cave/148035
http://www.archaeology.org/news/11597-230717-israel-cave-shrine

More on early urbanization in the Kingdom of Judah:

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-750304

Israel wants 'amateur archaeologists' to help conserve Tel Gezer:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/amateur-archaeologists-can-help-conserve-the-crumbling-tel-gezer-one-brick-at-a-time/

Feature on Martin Wells and the Huqoq mosaic dig:

https://www.heralddemocrat.com/2023/07/21/austin-college-professor-returns-to-archeological-dig-uncovers-ancient-biblical-mosaics-in-galilee/
http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_134140.shtml

Feature on David's 'nomadic kingdom';

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/king-davids-nomadic-kingdom/

Israel plans to protect archaeological sites in West Bank Area C:

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-750293
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-750412
-----
This Week in the Ancient Near East Podcast:

https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/

============================================================
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME (AND CLASSICS)
============================================================
A 7th century BCE Etruscan tomb from Vulci (Italian):