Archaeology Magazine's Top 10 Discoveries of 2008

Archaeology Magazine lists their top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2008, including the earliest shoes in China, the oldest oil paintings in Afghanistan, and the earliest human coprolites (look it up). They also have a list of endangered archaeological sites.

Ancient Egypt Themed PC Game

Image via WikipediaInterested in games with an archaeological theme (sort of)? Codeminion has created a fantastic one called The Ancient Quest of Saqqarah. The graphics are wonderful, the music is nice, and it runs on both PC and Mac. The game is a series of puzzles, and anyone can do it.


Codeminion - creators of Saqqarah, Magic Match and StoneLoops!

The James Ossuary

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeApparently, the forgery trial over the James Ossuary is collapsing on itself. The Israel Antiquities Authority has been trying to prove that the inscription that reads, "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus" was a fake. But their witnesses have been unable to present good evidence to support their claim.


Supporters of James Ossuary Inscription’s Authenticity Vindicated!

The Harris Matrix

Image via WikipediaA lot of archaeologists in the Eastern part of the U.S. use the Harris Matrix, which is a stratigraphy system. Here is the website with more information and, you can download (FREE!) a copy of Dr. Harris's Principles of Archaeological Stratigraphy.

The Harris Matrix

Mapping Ancient Tombs with GPS

Image via WikipediaAn archaeology graduate student from Michigan State University is using GPS digital photo mapping software to study the positioning of tombs in Oman.


Researcher Maps Ancient Tombs in Oman with GPS-Photo Link Software

Metal ornaments on horse leather

Image by wednesday181 via FlickrThis is from the Diagnostic Artifacts in Maryland website, and allows you to see the various metal ornaments that were used on leather horse equipment (but not furniture).

Leather Ornaments

Archaeology in the News

Image via WikipediaToo cool! Fox News now has an archaeology section. Alas, they stuck it in the SciTech section, as usual, but at least it is there.


Archaeology | Egyptology | Archeology - FOXNews.com

Heard Museum Gift Shop in Phoeniz, AZ

Image by Xavier de Jauréguiberry via FlickrThe Heard Museum, in Phoenix, Arizona, has a fine collection of Native American items, kachina dolls (contemporary), Zuni carvings, and many other fine gifts.

Heard Museum Gift Shop

Horse Skull Prank

Image via Wikipedia
Great article by Kris Hirst about the Spencer Lake Mounds horse skull prank.


No Vikings in Wisconsin? Prank at Spencer Lake Mounds

el-Medina Tombs in 3D

Image via WikipediaA virtual 3D tour of the Egyptian Deir el-Medina tombs.


Sennedjem ; TT 1 ; TT1 ; Egypt Tomb (1)

Mayan Archaeology

Image via WikipediaEverything you ever wanted to know about Mayan archaeology and then some.


Mayan archaeology

New Orleans Street Railway Association

Image via WikipediaA blog that covers the preservation of New Orleans streetcars and street railways. It is also a non-profit association (NOSRA) that has a quarterly newsletter.



New Orleans Street Railway Association

Malta's Maritime History

Image via WikipediaThe University of Florida Press is releasing Ayse Devrim Atauz's book on Malta's maritime history around the 9th of March. Here is the description:

"Building on her systematic underwater archaeological survey of the Maltese archipelago, Ayse Atauz presents a sweeping, groundbreaking, interdisciplinary approach to maritime history in the Mediterranean. Offering a general overview of essential facts, including geographical and oceanographic factors that would have affected the navigation of historic ships, major relevant historical texts and documents, the logistical possibilities of ancient ship design, a detailed study of sea currents and wind patterns, and especially the archaeological remains (or scarcity thereof) around the Maltese maritime perimeter, she builds a convincing argument that Malta mattered far less in maritime history than has been previously asserted."

Eight Thousand Years of Maltese Maritime History: Trade, Piracy, and Naval Warfare in the Central Mediterranean