Archaeologists do it in holes: Tales from the stratigraphy

[jimmy olsen]

Very interesting. Surprising that physical apperance can undergo such strong selection in just a few thousand years.

[mongers]

Posting this as we don't seem to have Tim around these days to do it?

A figurine called Adorant from Geissenkloesterle Cave, located near the town of Blaubeuren in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, made approximately 40,000 years old and consisting of a small ivory plate bearing an anthropomorphic figure and multiple sequences of notches and dots, is displayed, in Stuttgart, Germany, February 23,...

40,000-year-old German artifacts may display written language precursor
By Will Dunham
February 24, 20262:03 PM GMT Updated February 24, 2026

WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - A small object called the Adorant figurine discovered in a cave in Germany in 1979 - crafted roughly 40,000 years ago by some of the earliest people to establish a distinct culture in Europe - bears intriguing sequences of notches and dots. Numerous other objects produced by this same culture exhibit similar marks.
New research suggests these marks on objects like this figurine, made of mammoth ivory and depicting a hybrid lion-human creature, fall short of amounting to a written language. But it found that their sequential use on these artifacts displayed properties similar to a script that emerged much later in ancient Mesopotamia, around 3300 BC, that was a forerunner to cuneiform, one of the oldest-known forms of written language.

This suggests remarkable cognitive abilities for such ancient people. The artifacts date to a time when our species was spreading across Europe - traversing the landscape as bands of hunter-gatherers - after trekking out of Africa, encountering our close relatives the Neanderthals along the way.
The researchers use the term sign types to describe these marks, which include notches, dots, lines, crosses, star shapes and some others. They conducted a computational analysis of their use on these artifacts for a trait called information density. This concept refers to the amount of information conveyed per unit of language, like a syllable or in this case a sign.

....

Full article here:

40,000-year-old German artifacts may display written language precursor

[crazy canuck]

You beat me to it Mongers, very cool.

[jimmy olsen]

Neat
https://www.reuters.com/science/italy-uncovers-basilica-designed-by-vitruvius-father-architecture-2026-01-19/

ROME, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Italian officials on Monday hailed the discovery of a more than 2,000-year-old public building attributed to Vitruvius, the ancient Roman architect and engineer known as the "father of architecture."

"It is a sensational finding ... something that our grandchildren will be talking about," Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli told a press conference.

Vitruvius, who lived in the 1st century BC, is celebrated for having written "De architectura," or The Ten Books on Architecture, the oldest surviving treatise on the subject.

His teachings on the classical proportions of buildings have inspired artists over centuries, including Leonardo da Vinci, whose famous drawing of the human body is known as the "Vitruvian Man."

BASILICA BELIEVED TO BE 'DISCOVERY OF THE CENTURY'
Archaeologists believe they have found the remains of an ancient basilica, or public building, in the central Italian city of Fano northeast of Rome, that was created by Vitruvius.

"I feel like this is the discovery of the century, because scientists and researchers have been searching for this basilica for over 500 years," said the Mayor of Fano Luca Serfilippi.

"We have [an] absolute match" between what was discovered and the descriptions given by Vitruvius in his books, regional archaeological superintendent Andrea Pessina told reporters.

PRECISE LAYOUT DESCRIPTIONS
The basilica had a rectangular layout, with 10 columns on the long side, and four on the short ones, Pessina said.

During excavation, when traces of four columns emerged, archaeologists used Vitruvius' descriptions to calculate where the top right corner column should be. When they started digging, they found it immediately, Pessina said.

"The are few certainties in archaeology ... but we were impressed by the precision" of the match, he added.

Further digging will determine whether more of the basilica lies underground and if the site can be shown to the public, the superintendent said.

(This story has been refiled to add a dropped word in paragraph 9)
Reporting by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Bernadette Baum

[Crazy_Ivan80]

That's very nice. Some careers are being made there.

[viper37]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2rew2dgzzo

One for All, All for one.

[Musketeer d'Artagnan's remains believed found under Dutch church

More than 350 years after the death of legendary French musketeer d'Artagnan, his remains may well have been found under the floor of a Dutch church.

Jos Valke, who is deacon at St Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht, helped unearth the skeleton and is 99% certain that the remains belong to Charles de Batz de Castelmore, a close aide to France's Sun King Louis XIV who was known as Count d'Artagnan.

D'Artagnan was killed during the Siege of Maastricht in 1673, but later immortalised in the adventure stories of Alexandre Dumas as a friend of the Three Musketeers.

His remains were long rumoured to have been buried in the church but no evidence has been found until now.

Deacon Valke told the BBC that nobody had dug under the floor until now, but as a few tiles had been broken it was decided to have a look. They first found a wall and took out a brush to dig further.

At this point an archaeologist was called, who discovered the skeleton beneath where the altar table had stood 200 years ago.

"We became quite silent when we found the first bone," he said, adding that there were several pointers indicating that the skeleton belonged to the Sun King's right-hand man.

"He was buried on sacred ground below where the altar was; we found the bullet that put an end to his life and we found a coin from 1660 in his grave, and it was from the bishop who attended Mass for the Roi Soleil."

The skeleton was found directly beneath where the altar table used to sit

The archaeologist who took part in the excavation is more cautious.

"I'm a scientist, but my expectations are high," Wim Dijkman told regional public broadcaster Omroep Limburg, adding that he preferred to wait for DNA confirmation of the skeleton's identity.

A sample has been taken from the remains and is currently being analysed in Germany, while some of the bones have been taken to the Dutch city of Deventer to assess the skeleton's age, where it is from and whether it is male or female.

"I've already been researching d'Artagnan's grave for 28 years. This could be the highlight of my career," said Dijkman.

D'Artagnan is believed to have been hit in the throat by a musket ball as Louis XIV sought to capture Maastricht.

The French army decided that as it was mid-summer they would bury him locally, and their camp had been set up close to the church in the Wolder area in what is now the south-west corner of Maastricht.

Although d'Artagnan was modelled on a historical figure, the three musketeers were fictional characters who may have been inspired by three members of an elite corps who provided protection for the king and took part in military action.

[Duque de Bragança]

SPOILERS for The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later!      

[Syt]

https://www.medievalists.net/2026/04/early-medieval-hoard-discovered-in-northern-germany/

Early Medieval Hoard Discovered in Northern Germany

A cache of silver objects buried more than a thousand years ago has been uncovered along the banks of the Schlei in northern Germany, offering a glimpse into the economic and cultural networks of the early medieval world. The discovery, announced last year, was made by archaeologists from the Archaeological State Office of Schleswig-Holstein (ALSH) working in close cooperation with the Schleswig-Holstein Detector Group.

The 10th-century hoard was found not far from Haithabu, one of the most important trading centres of the Viking Age. This strategic location, connecting the North Sea and the Baltic, made the region a hub for long-distance exchange, and the newly discovered objects reflect these far-reaching connections.

In total, the hoard contains around 200 items, the majority made of silver. Among them are pieces of hacksilver—cut fragments of silver used as a form of currency—alongside ingots, jewellery, and fragments of Arabic coins known as dirhams. Such coins, minted in the Islamic world, are frequently found in Viking Age contexts, demonstrating the extensive trade networks that linked northern Europe with regions as far away as the Middle East.

Of particular interest is a finely crafted cross pendant included among the finds. This object may represent an early sign of Christianization in the region, hinting at the gradual cultural and religious transformations taking place in northern Europe during the early medieval period. In addition to the silver objects, the archaeologists also unearthed a ceramic shard and a whetstone – possible indications of a previously unknown settlement at the site.

The original discovery was made by certified metal detectorist Arjen Spießwinkel, who immediately reported his initial finds to local authorities. A larger search with other detectorists allowed the location of the find to be narrowed down. Finally, a systematic excavation by the ALSH together with volunteer helpers led to the hoard's discovery.

"Arjen Spießwinkel (right in the picture) discovered the hoard. Photo courtesy Archaeological State Office of Schleswig-Holstein (ALSH)"

 

[Sheilbh]

Not really archaeology (more incredible archival work) but cool:

Lost seal of Edward the Confessor found after being missing for 40 years
13 hours ago Andrew Merrington


Saint-Denis Seal Impression of Edward the Confessor (1053 × 1057). © Paris, Archives nationales, Sc/x/832.

An 11th-century Anglo-Saxon seal belonging to Edward the Confessor has been rediscovered more than 40 years after being declared lost.

The wax impression of the 'Saint-Denis seal' disappeared without official explanation in the 1980s from the Archives Nationales in Paris, where it had resided for almost 200 years.

By far the best-preserved impression of the three seals known to have been used by Edward, its loss sparked great consternation among international historians.

But it has now emerged that the wax artefact was found by a curator and a PhD student conducting research in a section of the Paris archive that contained a collection of detached and damaged seals.

This rediscovery, in 2021, has been revealed for the first time in a new academic paper co-authored by the finder, Dr Guilhem Dorandeu, and Professor Levi Roach, of the University of Exeter.

In the article, published in the journal Early Medieval England and its Neighbours, the historians say the seal, and the document with which it was used, demonstrates that the last Anglo-Saxon King of England consciously drew upon Byzantine and European influences in this aspect of statehood.

Dr Dorandeu said: "Pendant seals were two-sided wax impressions that were attached to a document by a cord or ribbon, which hung below it. Historically, these were used by monarchs to authenticate and approve important state papers.

"Edward's seal is, therefore, a precious historical monument, and its recovery offered us a great opportunity to study it closely and consider what it says about the ambitions and influences swirling around the King and his advisors."

Dr Dorandeu had been granted access to the detached seals (Sceaux détachés) section of the Archives Nationales by the curator, Clément Blanc. As they sifted through the scores of artefacts, they found and immediately recognised the missing Saint-Denis seal. Then, they set about contacting several experts in the field, among them Professor Roach.

"It was a genuine 'wow' moment," said Professor Roach, of Exeter's Department of Archaeology and History. "This is our most important seal from pre-Conquest England, not least because it is the only intact one we have, and so the only one that offers us the chance to study its iconography and decipher its place in the diplomatic affairs of the country. Having it back is, in and of itself, important, but it was also an opportunity to reopen questions that have lain dormant for four decades."

Considering the seal itself, the two authors say that the inscription 'Anglorum basileus' – the latter term being the title used for the Byzantine emperor – was "if not a nod to Byzantine traditions of rule" then a likely reinterpretation of their venerable style. And the inclusion of a sword on one side of the seal is also evocative of contemporary Byzantine coins that depicted sword-bearing rulers, such as Constantine the Great.



"You might think that it's self-evident that a sword should be a royal attribute," said Dr Dorandeu. "But at this point in English history, it's almost not been used. We do see it, however, in the Byzantine coinage, where it had been introduced no more than five to ten years earlier. So, this suggests strong connections with, and quick responses to, Byzantine iconography, either directly or as it was transmitted through Europe."

In the paper, the authors consider the seal in relation to the emergence of a new type of document called the writ-charter – used by kings to grant land or rights and simultaneously command local officials to enforce that grant. Records show that seven originals and numerous copies survive from Edward's reign, compared with no originals and a handful of copies before it.

"The writ-charter, in its classic form as a sealed document, is almost certainly a novelty of Edward's reign," said Professor Roach. "And we are seeing a new kind of seal to authenticate this new document. Edward is adopting a continental form of authentication, which sits perfectly alongside the iconography of the seal itself, and his own hegemonic ambitions."

The authors say that findings strengthen the view that England's ruling class was already strongly influenced by continental Europe – including Norman France – well before the Conquest of 1066.

Edit: Also not going to lie but I quite want to know about it getting lost for forty years. Just feel like it was some very hard-working, capable archivist who had the worst day of their career 

[jimmy olsen]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2rew2dgzzo

One for All, All for one.

[Musketeer d'Artagnan's remains believed found under Dutch church

More than 350 years after the death of legendary French musketeer d'Artagnan, his remains may well have been found under the floor of a Dutch church.

Jos Valke, who is deacon at St Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht, helped unearth the skeleton and is 99% certain that the remains belong to Charles de Batz de Castelmore, a close aide to France's Sun King Louis XIV who was known as Count d'Artagnan.

D'Artagnan was killed during the Siege of Maastricht in 1673, but later immortalised in the adventure stories of Alexandre Dumas as a friend of the Three Musketeers.

His remains were long rumoured to have been buried in the church but no evidence has been found until now.

Deacon Valke told the BBC that nobody had dug under the floor until now, but as a few tiles had been broken it was decided to have a look. They first found a wall and took out a brush to dig further.

At this point an archaeologist was called, who discovered the skeleton beneath where the altar table had stood 200 years ago.

"We became quite silent when we found the first bone," he said, adding that there were several pointers indicating that the skeleton belonged to the Sun King's right-hand man.

"He was buried on sacred ground below where the altar was; we found the bullet that put an end to his life and we found a coin from 1660 in his grave, and it was from the bishop who attended Mass for the Roi Soleil."

The skeleton was found directly beneath where the altar table used to sit

The archaeologist who took part in the excavation is more cautious.

"I'm a scientist, but my expectations are high," Wim Dijkman told regional public broadcaster Omroep Limburg, adding that he preferred to wait for DNA confirmation of the skeleton's identity.

A sample has been taken from the remains and is currently being analysed in Germany, while some of the bones have been taken to the Dutch city of Deventer to assess the skeleton's age, where it is from and whether it is male or female.

"I've already been researching d'Artagnan's grave for 28 years. This could be the highlight of my career," said Dijkman.

D'Artagnan is believed to have been hit in the throat by a musket ball as Louis XIV sought to capture Maastricht.

The French army decided that as it was mid-summer they would bury him locally, and their camp had been set up close to the church in the Wolder area in what is now the south-west corner of Maastricht.

Although d'Artagnan was modelled on a historical figure, the three musketeers were fictional characters who may have been inspired by three members of an elite corps who provided protection for the king and took part in military action.

I never knew he was a real person

[Oexmelin]

All of the others are as well, even if their fictional lives have even thinner  relations to their actual lives.

Henry d'Aramitz (who was a lay abbey)
Isaac de Porthau
Armand de Sillègue d'Athos.

They were all related.

[mongers]

Dr. Julian Richards, has a new series of videos about Stonehenge and it's landscape setting here on youtube:

Nice guy and great friend of Salisbury museum.

[Jacob]

Five hunter-gatherers and their dog ventured into a cave in Italy 14,000 years ago using small pine branches to light their way

A multidisciplinary team discovers that large torches were impractical and that Upper Paleolithic humans chose thin twigs to enter the depths of the Italian cave

A group of researchers has managed to unravel one of prehistory's best-kept secrets: how humans who lived more than 12,000 years ago illuminated caves. The study, published in Quaternary International, focused on the Bàsura cave, located near Toirano in northwestern Italy, an archaeological site of exceptional importance that preserves the fossilized footprints of a small group of humans who walked inside accompanied by a canid.

For decades, scientists believed that the prehistoric people who explored this cave used large torches made from thick branches. However, new research, carried out as part of the The Bàsura Revisited project, has revolutionized this theory. The findings indicate that, in reality, these explorers of the past used small pine twigs, barely one or two centimeters in diameter, to light their way in the total darkness of the underground galleries.

https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2026/06/five-hunter-gatherers-and-their-dog-ventured-into-a-cave-in-italy-14000-years-ago-using-small-pine-branches-to-light-their-way/

[Crazy_Ivan80]

They've yet to come out, could be any day now!

[Maladict]

[Musketeer d'Artagnan's remains believed found under Dutch church

...snip...

And now for the real drama 

Dig for d'Artagnan's grave was illegal, Maastricht says
June 1, 2026 Louis Gore-Langton

The botched excavation of what are believed to be the bones of French musketeer d'Artagnan in a Maastricht church was carried out without legal permission and may have destroyed vital evidence needed to identify the remains, the local council has said.

The bones were found beneath the floor of St. Peter and Paul Church in Wolder, Maastricht, in February. Jos Valke, a deacon of the church and member of a local foundation involved in the search, told DutchNews that they did not know that excavation work of this kind on a listed building would require a legal permit.

A local archeologist, Wim Dijkman, was brought in to dig out the bones. He has since been arrested and is now under investigation, along with Valke and his foundation.

Valke blamed the damage squarely on Dijkman's incompetence, and said that he assumed he was qualified. "He claimed he was licensed to do [the work]. It turned out afterwards, he wasn't."

"Surgeon with a butter knife"

Valke described watching Dijkman in action as like "watching a surgeon with a butter knife" and only after a professional team of archeologists arrived later did he realise the difference.

"The professionals measured everything, inch by inch, and he [Dijkman] just went in and started digging." Dijkman reportedly also touched the bones, damaging the DNA.

Valke said he regrets what happened, and called it "such a shame." He said he had no reason to think the foundation would need permission to do such work on an archeological site dating back to the 17th century.

What the dig may have cost

Researchers in Deventer have since found the bones of several other people mixed in with the presumed remains, regional broadcaster L1 reported, among them what they described as "young individuals".

A source close to its investigation told the broadcaster that more than half the material may be unusable, and that the way the bones were handled has made DNA testing harder.

Maastricht council says the dig went ahead without a permit and broke the profession's rules for an archaeological excavation. It will present the first results of the identification research at a press conference on June 17, but has warned that the findings are unlikely to settle whether the bones are d'Artagnan's.

Valke, however, said he is "99.9% certain" the bones are his.

The council also said it only learned about the dig in early March and halted it once its experts realised it may have been unauthorised, before ordering an official excavation to recover the skeleton.

A knighted archaeologist

Dijkman was Maastricht's city archaeologist for 40 years before retiring in 2022.
He was arrested last month after refusing to return a piece of arm bone and two teeth to the council, which owns the finds under Dutch heritage law. Dijkman, who had taken the fragments to a laboratory in Munich for DNA testing, said sending them back by post was too risky; he was released the same evening after handing them over.