The Danube: Lifeline of Europe Stretching nearly 2,000km from southern Germany to the Black Sea, the Danube has long been central to the shaping of Europe. A vital artery for trade, communication, and defense, it served for millennia as both a connector and a frontier. On my recent journey along Serbia’s middle Danube, I encountered…
Overlooked Heartlands of the Roman Empire The Danubian provinces—Pannonia, Moesia, and Illyricum—rarely feature in modern historical accounts, despite their vital role in both Roman and medieval times. These regions were not only the birthplace of several late Roman emperors, known as the Illyrian emperors, but also fertile zones rich in agriculture and industry. However, finding…
What is the Sumerian Plaque? The Sumerian Plaque is a finely crafted limestone relief dating back to around 2400 BCE, during the Early Dynastic III period of ancient Mesopotamia. Originating from southern Iraq, this object was once part of a larger votive wall plaque used within a Sumerian temple. Its purpose appears to have been…
Sicily’s Agricultural Wealth and Roman Heritage Sicily, renowned in antiquity for its agricultural prosperity, was home to numerous Roman villas that reflected the wealth of the island during the late Empire. One of the best-known examples is the Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its exquisite mosaics….
Excavation Begins at Lamajone In June 2018, archaeologists led by Laurent Vidal from Inrap began excavating a previously unknown Roman necropolis at Lamajone, located to the south of Aléria on Corsica. The excavation followed a 2017 evaluation that revealed several burials in various states of preservation. Estimates suggested the presence of 500 to 1,200 graves,…
A remarkable discovery has emerged from the arid landscape of southern Peru: a newly identified geoglyph of a feline figure etched into the slopes of a hillside in the Nazca desert. This previously undocumented figure was uncovered during an emergency conservation project titled “Cleaning, Conservation and Restoration of the Geoglyphs of the Mirador Natural, Nazca,”…
Introduction The oldest known pottery (Jomon Pottery) in the world hails from Japan, specifically the Jomon period, which dates back to approximately 16,500 years ago. This remarkable discovery challenges previous assumptions about the origins of ceramic technology. The Jomon Period: A Glimpse into Prehistoric Japan The term “Jomon” translates to “cord-marked,” referring to the distinctive…
Uncovering the True Size of Bronze Age Troy: Was There a Lost Lower City? The ancient city of Troy, made famous by Homer’s Iliad, continues to spark archaeological debate centuries after its legendary fall. While Heinrich Schliemann’s 19th-century excavations focused on the iconic mound (now known as the citadel of Troy), recent discoveries suggest a…
Exploring the Archaeological Treasures of Butrint (Albania) and Chersoneses (Ukraine) The opportunity to compare the archaeology of two fascinating ex-communist countries, Albania and Ukraine, arose unexpectedly. Butrint, in Albania, and Chersoneses, in Ukraine, are both part of a prestigious group of archaeological sites supported by the Packard Humanities Institute (PHI). Having spent time excavating at…
Archaeology in Jerusalem: A Crossroads of History, Politics, and Discovery Archaeology in Jerusalem remains one of the most archaeologically significant and politically complex regions in the world. For over a century, the city’s deep historical layers have attracted archaeologists, researchers, and explorers from across the globe. As a result, Jerusalem and the broader Levant have…
