http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ggg/ en-us Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:00:22 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2050114/posts American entrepreneur Gregg Bemis finally gets courts go-ahead to explore the wreck off IrelandIt is the best known shipwreck lying on the Irish seabed, but it is only today that the owner of the Lusitania will finally begin the first extensive visual documentation of the luxury liner that sank 93 years ago. Gregg Bemis, who bought the remains of the vessel for £1,000 from former partners in a diving business in 1968, has been granted an imaging licence by the Department of the Environment. This allows him to photograph and film the entire structure, and should allow him to produce... The Times (London) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2050114/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:00:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2045299/posts Pardubice, East Bohemia, July 11 (CTK) - Archaeologists have uncovered a 4000-year-old grave in Mikulovice, east Bohemia, with remains of what might have been considered a vampire at the time, Nova TV has reported. The experts made the terrifying find within their research of a burial site from the Early Bronze Age. One of the graves was situated somewhat aside. The skeleton in it bears traces of unusual treatment. When buried, the dead man was weighed down with two big stones, one on his chest and the other on his head. "Remains treated in this way are now considered as... Czech News Agency (ČTK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2045299/posts#comment Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:20:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041578/posts - Survival groups around the world are gearing up and counting down to a mysterious date that has been anticipated for thousands of years: Dec. 21, 2012. Across the United States, Canada and throughout Europe, apocalyptic sects and individuals say that is the day that the world as we know it will end, ABCnews.com reports. Ancient Mayan societies, known for their advanced mathematics and astronomy, followed a "long count" calendar that lasted 5,126 years. When their charts are translated to the Gregorian calendar, the international standard used today, time runs out on Dec. 21, 2012. Believers say there are other... AOL News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041578/posts#comment Sun, 6 Jul 2008 21:33:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039261/posts LONDON. A third of the Coptic sculptures at the Brooklyn Museum of Art are modern fakes. Its collection of late Egyptian sculpture was, until now, the second largest in North America. Brooklyn curator Dr Edna Russmann, who is concluding a study of the works, warns that other museums which acquired Coptic sculptures in the past 50 years are likely to face similar problems. The unmasking of the forgeries will be revealed in an exhibition on “Coptic Sculpture in the Brooklyn Museum”, opening on 13 February 2009. The Art Newspaper can reveal that ten of Brooklyn’s 30 sculptures are now deemed... The Art Newspaper http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039261/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 17:04:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037494/posts snip...Tens of thousands of skeletons that lie hidden beneath the streets, houses and offices of London have been revealed for the first time on a map, in a collaboration between the Museum of London and The Times. snip...Another skeleton was found with a metal spike lodged in its spine. Its owner, a man who was buried in Smithfield, East London, in about 1350, was probably hit with an arrow or spear, but the attack did not kill him. He survived only to catch bubonic plague in his late thirties or early forties. “Somehow the injury didn't cause an infection,” Mr... Times Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037494/posts#comment Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:02:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030966/posts SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A 22-gun British warship that sank during the American Revolution and has long been regarded as one of the "Holy Grail" shipwrecks in the Great Lakes has been discovered at the bottom of Lake Ontario, astonishingly well-preserved in the cold, deep water, explorers announced Friday. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030966/posts#comment Sat, 14 Jun 2008 05:56:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028934/posts 'Cursus' Is Older Than Stonehenge: Archeologists Step Closer To Solving Ancient Monument Riddle ScienceDaily (Jun. 10, 2008) — A team led by University of Manchester archaeologist Professor Julian Thomas has dated the Greater Stonehenge Cursus at about 3,500 years BC – 500 years older than the circle itself.The recently discovered antler pick used to dig the Cursus. (Credit: Image courtesy of University of Manchester) They were able to pinpoint its age after discovering an antler pick used to dig the Cursus – the most significant find since it was discovered in 1723 by antiquarian William Stukeley. When the pick was... Science Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028934/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:45:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2028840/posts AMMAN (AFP) — Archaeologists in Jordan have unearthed what they claim is the world's first church, dating back almost 2,000 years, The Jordan Times reported on Tuesday. "We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33 AD to 70 AD," the head of Jordan's Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies, Abdul Qader al-Husan, said. He said it was uncovered under Saint Georgeous Church, which itself dates back to 230 AD, in Rihab in northern Jordan near the Syrian border. "We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians -- the 70... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2028840/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:48:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027072/posts A PICTISH stone found in Cunningsburgh has been described as the most important archaeological discovery in Shetland for 10 years. It was found in Mail cemetery by gravedigger Malcolm Smith, his second such find in 16 years The sculptured stone is inscribed with mysterious symbols and dates back to the dark ages. It is the ninth stone of its kind to be discovered in the same area in the last 130 years. Its significance has been high­lighted by Dr Ian Tait, collections curator at the Shetland Museum and Archives. “It is extremely exciting because it is a single find which... Shetland Today http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027072/posts#comment Fri, 6 Jun 2008 14:58:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2026499/posts SAQQARA, Egypt - Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered the "missing pyramid" of a pharaoh and a ceremonial procession road where high priests carried mummified remains of sacred bulls, Egypt's antiquities chief said Thursday. Zahi Hawass said the pyramid — of which only the base remains — is believed to be that of King Menkauhor, an obscure pharaoh who ruled for only eight years more than 4,000 years ago. In 1842, German archaeologist Karl Richard Lepsius mentioned Menkauhor's pyramid among his finds at Saqqara, calling it the "Headless Pyramid" because its top was missing, Hawass said. But the desert sands covered Lepsius'... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2026499/posts#comment Thu, 5 Jun 2008 16:09:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023707/posts To what culture does the concept of “cultural property” belong? Who owns this idea? It has, like much material property in the last 50 years, often changed hands. And in doing so, it has also changed meanings and grown in importance. It now affects the development of museums, alters the nature of international commerce and even seems to subsume traditional notions of property. It was brought to modern prominence in 1954 by Unesco as a way of characterizing the special status of monuments, houses of worship and works of art — objects that suffered “grave damage” in “recent armed conflicts.”... The NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023707/posts#comment Fri, 30 May 2008 21:23:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2021660/posts VELIKY NOVGOROD, May 26 (RIA Novosti) - Archaeologists have made a rare find of a number of medieval baby bottles at excavations in Veliky Novgorod, an ancient city in northwest Russia, a scientist said on Monday. "Similar bottles are rarely found in excavations, and here we have already discovered... three of them," Medieval Slavs made feeding bottles by attaching leather bags to the wider part of cow horns. A baby drank the milk from a hole made on the tip of a horn. Novgorod is one of the most ancient cities of the Eastern Slavs. It was first mentioned in... Ria Novosti http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2021660/posts#comment Tue, 27 May 2008 00:20:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2019871/posts Dig uncovers African beads buried in ancient village By Sean O’RiordanMay 22, 2008 BEADS that originated in Africa are some of the treasures archaelologists have found as they begin to explore an ancient settlement in north Cork. Test trenches also revealed pottery and weapons from a medieval period. In addition, there was evidence of prehistoric settlements in the area and an early ecclesiastic settlement, possibly from the 7th-8th century. Evidence of a large moat and cobbled walkways were also uncovered. Experts are due to conduct major excavations within weeks. One archaeologist said: “It’s one of the most exciting discoveries in... Irish Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2019871/posts#comment Thu, 22 May 2008 20:43:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2013390/posts Hamburg - Archaeologists believe they have found the Queen of Sheba's palace at Axum, Ethiopia and an altar which held the most precious treasure of ancient Judaism, the Ark of the Covenant, the University of Hamburg said Wednesday. Scientists from the German city made the startling find during their spring excavation of the site over the past three months. The Ethiopian queen was the bride of King Solomon of Israel in the 10th century before the Christian era. The royal match is among the memorable events in the Bible. Ethiopian tradition claims the Ark, which allegedly contained Moses' stone... Deutsche Presse-Agentur http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2013390/posts#comment Fri, 9 May 2008 01:33:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2011087/posts HARTLAND, Vt. (AP) -- The 130-acre property was exactly what Michel Guite and his family wanted: an old Vermont farm with mountain views, rolling hills and meadows. There was, however, one wrinkle: The property included a small family cemetery _ with the grave of a War of 1812 veteran _ surrounded by a fence on a scenic knoll. His proposal to move the graveyard so he can build a house and barn has set off protests. The town has passed a resolution aimed at blocking the move, a descendant of one occupant of the graveyard is trying to fight him... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2011087/posts#comment Sun, 4 May 2008 17:13:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008289/posts Hobbit wars April 24th, 2008Small islanders show no signs of growth disorderDeeper lookComputer-generated reconstructions (bottom) of the fossilized skulls of the small islanders suggest that, contrary to corresponding photos (top), these "hobbits" belonged to a unique species.K. Smith/Mallinckrodt Inst. Radiology, Wash. Univ. St. Louis; E. Indriati, D. FrayerCOLUMBUS, Ohio —Defenders of a small humanlike species that lived on an Indonesian island more than 12,000 years ago have launched their latest scientific counterattacks against critics of their position. Remains of Homo floresiensis, also referred to as hobbits, display no signs of growth disorders proposed by researchers who regard the fossils as... Science News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008289/posts#comment Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:25:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008302/posts Boy, 9, and grandfather find medieval silver treasure in Sweden Posted : Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:36:04 GMT Author : DPA Stockholm - A 9-year-old boy's search for shrapnel on an old battlefield resulted in a huge find of medieval silver coins near the Lund in southern Sweden, local media reported Monday. Alexander Granhof, 9, and his grandfather made the recent discovery, dubbed "silverado" by archaeologists. "We went out on the field looking for cannonballs," Alexander Granhof told the online edition of the Sydsvenskan newspaper. "I found a piece of metal and thought at first it was shrapnel from a... Earth Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008302/posts#comment Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:47:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007522/posts Incan skull surgery By Bruce BowerApril 25th, 2008 Holes in ancient skulls reflect skilled medical careHealing Hole in the HeadANCIENT SURGERY A new analysis of ancient skulls reveals skills of Incan healers in cranial cutting.Valerie AndrushkoWhen Incan healers scraped or cut a hunk of bone out of a person’s head, they meant business. Practitioners of this technique, known as trepanation, demonstrated great skill more than 500 years ago in treating warriors’ head wounds and possibly other medical problems, rarely causing infections or killing their patients, two anthropologists find. Trepanation emerged as a promising but dangerous medical procedure by about 1,000... Science News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007522/posts#comment Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:32:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2004927/posts The remains of a burnt beetle found in a grain of wheat about 3,500 years old provided a group of researchers from Bar-Ilan University with a key to a question the Bible left without a definite answer: How did Joseph the Dreamer, who became the viceroy to the king of Egypt, succeed in preserving the grain during the seven lean years and prevent Egypt's population from starving? According to the description in the book of Genesis, during the seven years of plenty in Egypt, Joseph had all the wheat collected in silos. "And he gathered up all the food of... Haaretz http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2004927/posts#comment Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:57:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000143/posts Skull returns to final rest place The skull is believed to be that of a woman in her 50s A rare 2,000-year-old Roman skull has been returned to the cave beneath the Yorkshire Dales where it was discovered by divers in 1996. Archaeologists were called in after cave divers unearthed human bones in what is believed to be one of the most important cave discoveries ever made. The skull dates to the 2nd Century and is that of a local woman in her 50s. It was stored at Sheffield University for carbon-dating and recently returned to the cave, which has... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000143/posts#comment Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:16:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1999755/posts "Lyuba" gives scientists glimpse of mammoth insides By Dmitry Solovyov Thu Apr 10, 1:07 PM ETReuters Photo: The carcass of the 4-month-old mammoth, known to researchers as Lyuba, is seen on an... MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian scientists say they have obtained the most detailed pictures so far of the insides of a prehistoric animal, with the help of a baby mammoth called Lyuba found immaculately preserved in the Russian Arctic. The mammoth is named after the wife of the hunter who found her last year. The body was shipped back to Russia in February from Japan, where it was studied... Yahoo News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1999755/posts#comment Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:48:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1999313/posts Britain's historic bridges, buildings and roads are under threat from drivers blithely following satellite navigation directions, a conservation society warned yesterday. Among those which have been damaged by traffic driving down unsuitable roads is a 200-year-old bridge in Oxfordshire, a 300-year-old cottage in Greater Manchester and Pevensey Castle in East Sussex, according to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Phillip Venning, the society's secretary, said the cost of repairing some of the damage to the buildings had run into thousands of pounds. "Blind reliance on satellite navigation is fast becoming a serious issue for old buildings as motorists... Telegraph.co.uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1999313/posts#comment Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:36:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1996676/posts Swedes find Viking-era Arab coinsThe Arab coins reveal where they were minted and the date Swedish archaeologists have discovered a rare hoard of Viking-age silver Arab coins near Stockholm's Arlanda airport. About 470 coins were found on 1 April at an early Iron Age burial site. They date from the 7th to 9th Century, when Viking traders travelled widely. There has been no similar find in that part of Sweden since the 1880s. Most of the coins were minted in Baghdad and Damascus, but some came from Persia and North Africa, said archaeologist Karin Beckman-Thoor. The team from the Swedish... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1996676/posts#comment Fri, 4 Apr 2008 14:50:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1995281/posts Archaeologists working in Oxford city centre have unearthed bones that could be more than 2,000 years old. A team of archaeologists has been excavating a site between St Giles and Blackhall Road since mid January - and last week the diggers struck bone, uncovering what could be a mass grave. Seven bodies, believed to date to the Roman or Saxon period, have been found at the site. Sean Wallis, project officer for Reading-based Thames Valley Archaeological Services, said "The whole of the site has been quite dense with archaeology but the area that the bodies turned up we only started... Oxford Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1995281/posts#comment Wed, 2 Apr 2008 02:28:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994902/posts LONDON - Some of England's most sacred soil was disturbed Monday for the first time in more than four decades as archaeologists worked to solve the enduring riddle of Stonehenge: When and why was the prehistoric monument built? The excavation project, set to last until April 11, is designed to unearth materials that can be used to establish a firm date for when the first mysterious set of bluestones was put in place at Stonehenge, one of Britain's best known and least understood landmarks. The World Heritage site, a favorite with visitors the world over, has become popular with Druids,... AP/Yahoo! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994902/posts#comment Tue, 1 Apr 2008 05:37:19 GMT