The Museum in Braniewo Received a Donation of a Rare Medieval Seal
Poland’s long-established Braniewo Museum recently enriched its collection with the acquisition of a rare 14th-century brass church seal. This well-preserved artifact is now on display in the museum’s main exhibition hall, attracting the attention of visitors. The seal features a Gothic inscription reading “+ S(igillum) ECC(lesia)E * BRUnSBERGEnSIS” along with an image of St. Catherine
The Gender of the Buried Ascetic Monk in Chains Near Jerusalem Surprised Researchers
A recent archaeological find near Jerusalem has prompted a reevaluation of long-held beliefs regarding ascetic practices during the Byzantine period. The discovery of a woman’s remains in a grave typically associated with male ascetics raises important questions about the roles of women in the extreme religious traditions of the 5th century AD. Initially believed to
The statue of Marcus Aurelius, which was stolen years ago, is being returned to Turkey
In a remarkable development, the Marcus Aurelius statue, which was illicitly excavated in the 1960s and subsequently smuggled to the United States, is set to be returned to Turkey. Currently housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, this bronze statue is regarded as one of the most exquisite artifacts from antiquity, notable for its depiction
2,000-Year-Old Artifacts Discovered in Swat Butkara Region of Pakistan, Including Kharosthi Inscriptions
Recent excavations at the Butkara Stupa, located near Mingora in Swat, Pakistan, have uncovered a wealth of artifacts, including 2,000-year-old coins, pottery, and inscriptions written in Kharosthi. These findings provide valuable insights into the Saka-Parthian period and the region’s rich Buddhist heritage. Dating back to the 2nd century BCE, the Butkara Stupa is one of
Medieval Egyptian-Origin Embroidered Python Skin Seized in Şanlıurfa
In 2021, an operation conducted by the Turkish Gendarmerie in Şanlıurfa resulted in the seizure of a unique embroidered python skin believed to be of medieval and Egyptian origin. During the search at the location of the antiquities smugglers, a python skin approximately 4 meters long, adorned with hand-carved figures, was discovered. Experts stated that
Golden Pendant with the Mistress of Animals Theme Excavated from the Uluburun Shipwreck
Dating back to around 1300 BC, the Uluburun shipwreck stands as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Located off the southern coast of Turkey, this wreck likely belonged to a merchant ship that carried a variety of materials from different regions of the ancient world. The excavation has revealed a
Why Olive Trees at Göbekli Tepe Are Being Relocated?
Göbekli Tepe is an important archaeological site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the “zero point of history.” The olive trees located here are being relocated to another area to allow for the expansion of the excavation site and to prevent damage to the historical remains. The excavation director, Prof. Dr. Necmi
Remains of an Ancient Cafeteria Belonging to a Buddhist Temple May Have Been Discovered
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery at the Yamashiro Kokubunji Temple site. They believe they have found one of the largest ancient cafeterias from the Nara Period (710-784). The Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education announced these findings on February 4. This announcement highlights the historical significance of the site. Historical Context of Yamashiro Kokubunji Temple
Genetic studies reveal that sheep were first domesticated in Central Anatolia
Recent genetic research reveals that early domesticated sheep originated in Central Anatolia. This discovery marks a significant moment in humanity’s shift towards a settled lifestyle. An international team, led by geneticists from Trinity College and zooarchaeologists from LMU Munich and the Bavarian State Collections of Natural History (SNSB), analyzed 118 genomes from archaeological sheep bones.
Archaeologists Discover Earliest Evidence of Metal Mining in Poland
Archaeologists from the Jagiellonian University Institute of Archaeology have uncovered the earliest evidence of metal extraction and smelting in Poland. They found that lead ornaments from the Early Iron Age originated from the Olkusz lead deposits in the Silesia-Kraków Upland. Their findings appeared in the journal Archaeometry. New Insights on Olkusz Ore Deposits The researchers