Lost burial grounds rediscovered through folklore

Dr Marion Dowd, an archaeology lecturer at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), has shed new light on Ireland’s cillíní—unconsecrated burial grounds for babies who were stillborn, miscarried, or died at birth without baptism.

Published in the Journal of Irish Archaeology (Vol. XXXIV, 2025), her research combines folklore and archaeology to reveal forgotten sites and the cultural practices surrounding them. By examining over 350 folklore accounts from the National Folklore Collection Schools archive and cross-referencing them with archaeological records, Dr Dowd identified 11 previously unrecorded cillíní and 16 lost burial grounds across counties including Kerry, Mayo, Donegal, Galway, Clare, Cork, Louth, Sligo, Waterford, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, and Tipperary.

Sites documented include Lisheen na bPáistí (Co. Sligo), Inis na Leanbh in Kilquane (Co. Kerry), burial grounds near holy wells in Waterford, crossroads sites in Clare, and forgotten cillíní within ringforts in Meath—many of which had never appeared in official surveys.

The study also explores the grief, shame, and trauma experienced by parents burying children in unconsecrated ground, a perspective Dr Dowd calls an “archaeology of emotion.” Folklore highlights supernatural beliefs tied to these sites, such as ghostly lights and traditions like the “stray sod” and “hungry sod,” thought to punish those who disturbed graves.

Unique practices, including separate burial grounds for boys and girls and folk cures for sick children, are detailed in an archaeological context for the first time.

“This research reconnects Ireland’s rich folklore with its physical heritage, ensuring that the places associated with the unbaptised are not lost to time,” says Dr Dowd. Many cillíní remain vulnerable to development, farming, and neglect.

With folklore now recognized under Ireland’s heritage legislation via the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention (2015), the study emphasizes the value of integrating oral traditions into heritage preservation. Local communities are encouraged to help identify and protect these sites.

This work is featured in Bright Minds, Big Impact, highlighting ATU’s research excellence and the people driving meaningful change.

Falklands’ Port Louis settlement discoveries shared with Dr. Robert Philpott

The Friends of the Falkland Islands Museum and the Jane Cameron National Archives are hosting a conference featuring archaeologist Dr. Robert Philpott, who will present his findings on the settlement of Port Louis on February 10.

Port Louis stands out as the most historically important settlement in the Falklands. Though never more than a small village, it changed hands multiple times, coming under the control of France, Spain, the United Provinces of the River Plate, and Britain.

The settlement has hosted notable figures like Charles Darwin and Robert FitzRoy and has witnessed murders, conflicts, and international disputes whose effects are still felt today. Port Louis remains the most captivating historical site in the Falklands.

Treasures worth thousands: homeowners discover vintage items hidden in walls during renovation

Hidden Treasures in Your Home: Renovation Surprises

Imagine renovating your home and stumbling upon something unexpected a yellowed envelope, a metal box, or a collection of vintage baseball cards. For some homeowners, these finds can be worth thousands, turning a simple renovation into an exciting treasure hunt.

Historically, people hid valuables in walls for safety, especially before modern banks and security systems. During the Great Depression, many Americans stashed money and valuables at home, a practice that still resonates today. Examples include a couple in Phoenix discovering $50,000 in cash behind a kitchen wall, or a Cleveland family finding rare 1940s comic books hidden in newspaper.

Valuable finds range from artwork and first-edition books to vintage jewelry, coins, and even Prohibition era whiskey. Technology like thermal imaging, metal detectors, and virtual reality now aids homeowners in locating hidden spaces and assessing the potential worth of discoveries. Online databases, auction sites, and social media groups further help identify and value items.

Not all discoveries have monetary value; sometimes the real treasure is historical or emotional. Homeowners have uncovered love letters from the 1920s, children’s drawings, family photos, or time capsules that provide a connection to past residents. Even small details, like height measurements on a hidden wall stud, can enrich a home’s story.

To increase the chance of finding hidden treasures, research your home’s history and proceed carefully during demolition, especially near chimneys, bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and basements. Keep and document everything you find, as provenance can add value.

If you uncover something valuable, avoid cleaning it, take detailed photos, and seek professional appraisals. Be aware of legal or tax implications for found items.

Renovations are more than just updates they’re opportunities to uncover human stories, history, and sometimes even fortune. Even if your walls hold nothing more than old newspapers, the potential for discovery adds excitement and depth to any home improvement project.

Egyptian and Indus Valley civilisations ‘were in contact’

Egyptologist Compares Indus Valley and Ancient Egypt

Dr. Salima Ikram, an eminent archaeologist, Egyptologist, and author, discussed the similarities and differences between the Indus Valley Civilization and ancient Egypt during her lecture “From the Indus to the Nile: Exploring Religion and History” at Karachi’s Mohatta Palace Museum.

She noted that while ancient Egyptians used art to project power, the Indus Valley Civilization did not employ its artistic creations as propaganda. Despite being over 4,000 km apart, there were occasional interactions between the two regions over time. Ikram highlighted how ancient Egypt has captivated global imagination through its architecture, art, and cultural influence, even impacting modern fashion, film, and artistic movements like Cubism. She cited examples including The Mummy films and local inspirations in Karachi, such as Pyramid Productions.

Recalling her own fascination, Ikram described receiving a book on ancient Egypt at age eight and visiting the country at nine, which cemented her lifelong passion.

Comparing the two civilizations, she acknowledged that the Indus Valley boasted advanced urban planning, sophisticated mudbrick architecture, complex water and sewage systems, and social stratification. Egyptian cities, while impressive, often emphasized grandeur, monumental architecture, and temples, reflecting kingship and the projection of power. In contrast, Indus Valley artifacts and structures were generally smaller and more miniaturized, a characteristic she found intriguing.

Ikram also explored potential connections between the two civilizations. While the Egyptian pantheon is well-documented, religious practices in the Indus Valley remain unclear due to undeciphered scripts. Both cultures, however, shared a love of jewelry, and there is evidence of trade, particularly in lapis lazuli from Afghanistan. She suggested that trade facilitated the exchange of ideas, though direct evidence of other cultural interactions is limited.

Touching on mummification, Ikram mentioned Pakistan’s so-called “Persian Princess,” which she determined to be a forgery. She also referred to Alexander the Great’s campaigns in the region, noting cultural exchanges that occurred after his conquests, including the movement of soldiers and mercenaries, though she clarified that some local groups, like the Kalash, may not fully reflect Greek traditions.

The lecture concluded with a performance of Shah jo Raag by ustads Zulfiqar, Nazar, and Mazhar from Hyderabad, organized by the Mohatta Palace Museum and the Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of Heritage of Sindh in collaboration with the Lahore Literature Festival.

British Museum Deletes AI-Generated Pictures After Backlash

The British Museum in London, often criticized for holding collections accused of being looted, sparked some irony last week with a post featuring AI-generated images.

The images showed Elly Lin, a fictional AI-generated character, exploring the museum while dressed in various cultural outfits. Shared on the museum’s Instagram page, the post was quickly removed after only a few hours following “a barrage of really negative comments,” according to Artnet.

Archaeologist and PhD student Steph Black told Artnet that she suspects the museum is “testing the waters” to gauge public acceptance of AI-generated images, potentially as a way to justify cutting or not hiring human creatives and professionals. Black, who raised the issue to her 200,000 Instagram followers, says the British Museum has since unfollowed her — an action she interprets as a “threat.”

The museum confirmed to Artnet that the post was “user-generated” AI content. It stated, “We do not post AI-created images and, recognizing the potential sensitivity, removed it.”

AI’s Image Problem

Although the AI-generated images have been removed, the British Museum’s Instagram continues to receive a flood of comments about them. Under a post showing a real human viewing a feather cloak gifted by King Kamehameha I of Hawaii to King George III, Steph Black expressed her approval:

“Lovely non-AI image taken by a real human photographer of a real human admiring the artistry and creativity of other real humans,” she commented, earning 266 likes so far. “And look—no weird lighting or neck tilted back at an odd unnatural angle. How I love being human!”

AI images face widespread criticism for several reasons, notably that AI generators are trained on the work of millions of photographers and artists without permission or compensation. This has caused growing unease and backlash whenever AI is used, as seen in the negative reception to Darren Aronofsky’s AI-assisted reenactment of the American Revolution this week.

A Subterranean City Of Salt Has Been Preserved Within This Cave-Like Mine For Centuries

Beneath southern Poland, near Kraków, lies a hidden realm of salt. While salt has been harvested in this region for millennia, mining operations ceased in the 1990s, transforming the site from a medieval industrial center into an underground marvel. Today, it boasts a vast network of chapels, museums, and sculptures all carved entirely from salt.

The history of Wieliczka is deeply intertwined with salt. Around 13.5 million years ago, seawater flooded the basin at the base of the Carpathians. Over time, tectonic movements drained the water, leaving massive deposits of salt embedded in the local geology.

Archaeologists have uncovered the oldest salt-working tools in Central Europe near the town, dating back to the Neolithic. Early workers extracted brine from natural springs and boiled it until only the salt remained, which was likely used both for seasoning and food preservation.

This method continued until the 11th and 12th centuries CE, when natural salt springs began to diminish. To maintain production, saline wells and eventually formal mines were constructed in Wieliczka, which has been actively mined since the 13th century, making it one of the world’s oldest known salt mines.

Archaeologists unearth the buried history of Saint-Pierre

Archaeologists working in the Mouillage district of Saint-Pierre, Martinique, are uncovering new evidence that traces the city’s growth from its earliest settlement to its destruction in the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée.

Founded in 1635 as France’s first permanent colony on Martinique, Saint-Pierre quickly developed into the island’s main economic and cultural hub, earning the nickname “the Paris of the Caribbean.”

Although few remains survive from the city’s earliest years, recent excavations have identified four distinct phases of occupation spanning from the late 17th century to modern times.

The earliest phase reveals a pumice quarry, where stone was extracted for building materials. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the area was then occupied by a rectangular structure linked to port-related activities.

The site later transformed into a residential neighborhood. Archaeologists uncovered brick, tile, and bluestone-paved surfaces, as well as an extensive network of pipes that supplied running water to homes and decorative basins.

The final phase includes the remains of a two-storey house featuring tiled floors, an outdoor kitchen, a bread oven, and a basin. Finds such as porcelain, earthenware, and glass vessels point to a comfortable standard of living, typical of well-off households in Saint-Pierre during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The excavation has also revealed a much deeper chapter of the site’s history. Two volcanic layers, dated to around 60 BC and AD 1300, contain clear traces of a substantial Native American presence.

This occupation, attributed to the Late Ceramic Age (c. AD 750–1100), includes pottery, stone tools, animal remains, postholes, refuse pits, and six human burials. The evidence points to a community whose livelihood was largely based on fishing, supported by hunting and the use of marine resources.

Together, these discoveries highlight the long and complex past of Saint-Pierre, documenting its transformation from a pre-Columbian settlement to a colonial port city, all preserved beneath the modern urban landscape.

Researchers uncover evidence of historic Bonnie Prince Charlie assassination plot

Researchers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) have uncovered evidence indicating a possible assassination plot against Jacobite leader Charles Edward Stuart in 1746.

Known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, Stuart headed the Jacobite rebellion from the Scottish Highlands during the unsuccessful 1745 uprising against Hanoverian rule in Britain.

For generations, local accounts have suggested that after the Jacobites withdrew from England in December 1745, an attempt was made on Stuart’s life while he was staying at Bannockburn House near Stirling in January 1746.

Recent analysis using advanced X-ray technology now appears to provide physical evidence supporting this long-told story, giving new credibility to a legend preserved in local tradition.

Bonnie Prince Charlie failed in his bid to win back the throne, he is remembered as a tragic, romantic figure by poets

Archaeological visualization specialists have identified a misshapen lead projectile hidden inside the headboard of the room linked to the prince.

This striking find offers tangible evidence of a shooting that took place more than 270 years ago.

The discovery emerged from a collaborative project led by The Bannockburn House Trust, in partnership with Robert Gordon University, Johns Hopkins University in the United States, and Historic Environment Scotland.

For generations, local tradition has spoken of gunfire at Bannockburn House during the Jacobites’ failed siege of Stirling in January 1746. Now, advanced visualization technologies are beginning to uncover physical traces behind that long-told story.

The evidence suggests that more than one shot was fired. Last year, researchers identified a musket ball embedded in the wall of the same room, strengthening the case for a targeted attack.

These findings raise new questions about how many attackers may have been involved—and how the prince managed to survive. They have also renewed interest in long-standing stories about a secret escape tunnel leading away from the house, which may now warrant closer investigation.

There have, for centuries, been tall tales about a shooting at Bannockburn House (C) Bannockburn House Trust

Associate Professor Douglas Pritchard of Robert Gordon University, who oversaw the imaging work, explained that the research sheds new light on the Jacobite Rising and the risks faced by Bonnie Prince Charlie.

He noted that advanced 3D visualization methods make it possible to digitally preserve delicate objects and historic sites, producing detailed records that can be used for ongoing research and shared with the public.

By documenting these materials with precision, the team is both deepening historical understanding and ensuring the evidence is safeguarded for future study.

Researchers stress that the investigation is still underway and that the exact nature of the incident has yet to be firmly established. Further analysis and archaeological work are planned, with the next excavation scheduled to take place next month.

An urgent demand for action on racist and sexist redundancies at Macquarie University

Vice-Chancellor Bruce Dowton
Macquarie University

Minister for Education Steve Whan
Department of Education

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman
Australian Human Rights Commission

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody
Australian Human Rights Commission

We, the undersigned university researchers, educators, students, and professional staff, strongly condemn Macquarie University’s recent redundancy decisions, which represent a clear example of institutional racism and sexism.

These redundancies have disproportionately affected women, people of colour, and especially women of colour. Union members were also overrepresented among those made redundant, and unionised disciplines were disproportionately targeted during the spill-and-fill process. These patterns indicate systemic bias rather than neutral or fair restructuring.

Macquarie University’s actions appear to breach key anti-discrimination laws, including the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), which gives effect to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), which prohibits discrimination based on sex in employment and education. They also contravene the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), which outlaws racial and sex discrimination in employment, education, and service provision. The university has failed to implement fair and non-discriminatory selection processes, resulting in clear adverse outcomes for protected groups.

This intersectional discrimination undermines both Australian law and the core values of equity, diversity, and inclusion that universities are expected to uphold. We therefore call for immediate and meaningful action, including the reinstatement of all staff who were made redundant and an independent external investigation into Macquarie University’s discriminatory conduct.

The 2025 restructuring at Macquarie University—including the forced redundancy of nine academic roles in the Faculty of Arts and approximately forty-seven voluntary redundancies—has caused severe gendered and racial harm. Available data shows that seven women and two men were forcibly made redundant across the School of International Studies, the School of Communication, Society and Culture, and the School of Education. These decisions have left several disciplines with significant gender imbalance. For example, Politics and International Relations now retains only one woman alongside five men. In Sociology, women already made up a minority—four of fourteen staff before redundancies, following earlier voluntary exits in 2021. After the 2025 cuts, only one woman remains among six academics.

Women, people of colour, and people with disabilities were disproportionately affected. Every person of colour in Sociology was either made redundant or reassigned to teaching-only roles. Three of the four academics in the Faculty of Arts moved into teaching-only positions were people of colour, and two Arab Middle Eastern women were made redundant. While precise data on disability, chronic illness, and neurodivergence is limited, our understanding is that this group represents less than 20% of staff, yet accounts for more than 40% of redundancies, indicating extreme over-representation.

The consequences are wide-ranging. Humanities disciplines such as ancient history, archaeology, creative arts, politics, international relations, and sociology—fields that produce critical scholarship on equity, social justice, and cultural representation—have been severely weakened. Macquarie University is diminishing its research capacity and restricting the production of knowledge on colonialism, gender relations, and racial justice. Teaching quality has also suffered, with nearly one-third of Arts subjects set to be removed by 2026. Students are being denied exposure to diverse perspectives, reinforcing narrow and monocultural curricula. This is most evident in the elimination of the Gender Studies major and all related units, as well as specialist courses addressing racism and diversity.

Community engagement has also been damaged. Many of the affected staff led outreach and support initiatives focused on anti-racism and gender equity, leaving vulnerable communities without vital resources.

These outcomes cannot be explained by financial necessity. Internal planning documents and modelling—reported by the National Tertiary Education Union—show that Macquarie University leadership rejected alternative strategies capable of achieving the $55 million savings target without job losses. Instead, the executive chose forced redundancies, including at least eighteen imminent terminations. This was a deliberate decision rather than an unavoidable fiscal response and suggests targeted harm to marginalised staff within vulnerable disciplines. These actions also conflict with enterprise agreement commitments related to fair change management and reducing casualisation.

Macquarie University’s conduct reflects broader, well-documented patterns of racism within the higher education sector, as outlined in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Racism@Uni interim report (December 2024) and related studies. These reports highlight widespread structural and interpersonal racism, disproportionately affecting First Nations peoples and African, Asian, Arab, and Muslim staff and students, alongside increasing antisemitism and Islamophobia. Macquarie’s actions exemplify this systemic crisis and undermine Australia’s international human rights obligations.

We reject racism and misogyny in our universities. To address this injustice and prevent further harm, we call for the following actions:

Immediate reinstatement of all staff who were made redundant, particularly women and people of colour, with full backpay and safeguards against retaliation. All voluntary redundancies should be reviewed for evidence of coercion.

An independent external investigation into racism and sexism at Macquarie University, led by the Australian Human Rights Commission, with public reporting on intersectional impacts. This must include a review of selection criteria, redeployment processes, and executive accountability.

Ministerial intervention, urging the Minister for Education to act at both federal and NSW levels under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth) and relevant oversight mechanisms, including withholding funding until compliance with anti-discrimination laws is demonstrated and requiring sector-wide equity audits.

Leadership from the Race and Sex Discrimination Commissioners, including formal investigation under statutory powers, conciliation or litigation where necessary, and incorporation of findings into the final Racism@Uni report due in December 2025. This should involve collaboration with the Islamophobia Envoy and Register to address anti-Arab and anti-Muslim discrimination.

Failure to take immediate action will amount to complicity in the continuation of institutional discrimination within Australian higher education.

Rare Roman Panther Figurine with Its Paws on a Severed Head Is a Propaganda Tool Used in Britain

When the Romans expanded into new territories, they sought more than control of the land—they aimed to dominate belief, identity, and loyalty. Their power extended beyond military force to law, culture, and strikingly aggressive symbolism.

One such symbol is a vivid example of that approach: a polished copper figurine depicting a panther overpowering the severed head of a defeated local enemy. The imagery is unapologetically brutal and carefully designed to send a message.

The four-inch figurine was recently discovered by a metal detectorist near Harlow, just outside London, and has become one of the most eye-catching additions to the British Museum’s records this year.

The Roman “BMW”

Unearthed in 2024, the object is a high-status decorative fitting, most likely attached to a Roman carriage. Out of the 79,616 archaeological finds reported that year, this piece stands out for both its craftsmanship and its powerful symbolism.

“This fitting is set to become one of Essex’s most iconic archaeological objects,” said Lori Rogerson, the county’s finds liaison officer, speaking to the BBC.

Far from being simple decoration, the figurine reflects how Rome used visual power and intimidation to reinforce its dominance—turning even everyday objects into statements of conquest and control.

he statue is one of the most impressive examples of psychological warfare deployed in Britain

Today, the object is green and weathered with oxidation, but in its prime it would have shone with a vivid yellow-orange glow, flashing in the sunlight as it moved along Britain’s famously straight Roman roads. It almost certainly belonged to a person of means—likely a prosperous farmer or merchant. In Roman terms, it was the status symbol of its day, comparable to owning a luxury BMW or Mercedes.

“You could see it gleaming and immediately know whose carriage was approaching,” said Dr. John Pearce, an archaeologist at King’s College London, speaking to the BBC.

Yet its true power lies in something deeper—its role in psychological intimidation. Archaeologists point out that the panther figurine represents a distinctly “Romano-British” blend. While it features classic Roman imagery, such as the panther and the defeated enemy, these elements are shaped using the flowing, geometric style typical of Iron Age British art. The message behind the design was unmistakable: this land now belonged to Rome.

Mystery Under the Moss: 3,000-Year-Old Rock Carvings Discovered in Norway

Prehistoric Rock Carvings Discovered Beneath Kolsåstoppen in Eastern Norway

A recent discovery beneath Kolsåstoppen, a hill in Bærum, Eastern Norway, has drawn new attention to Norway’s prehistoric rock carvings and the people who created them more than 3,000 years ago.

According to Science Norway, the carvings were found unexpectedly by experienced rock carving hunter Tormod Fjeld while he was driving his daughter to a nearby location. A brief glance at the surrounding terrain led him to notice several exceptionally well-preserved figures etched into the rock.

Among the most striking images are large ship carvings, a central and recurring motif in Scandinavian rock art. Some of the ships are carved upright, while others appear inverted. Archaeologists date them to the Nordic Bronze Age (around 1800–500 BCE) and interpret them as symbols of travel, trade, ritual journeys, or cosmological beliefs connected to the sun and the afterlife. Similar ship carvings are known from major rock art sites such as Tanum in Sweden and Alta in northern Norway, pointing to shared symbolic traditions across prehistoric Scandinavia.

In addition to ships, Fjeld identified rarer motifs, including a large footprint showing the sole of a foot and a carved hand with five thick fingers. Human body parts appear far less frequently in Norwegian rock art than animals or ships, making these finds particularly significant. Researchers suggest such images may represent ritual presence, territorial markers, identity, or participation in ceremonial practices, linking people symbolically to sacred landscapes.

Landscape as the Key to Discovery

Fjeld stresses that discovering rock carvings is not a matter of luck alone but requires a deep understanding of the landscape. He explained to Science Norway that factors such as ancient shorelines, sun-facing rock surfaces, and proximity to prehistoric waterways are crucial clues. During the Bronze Age, sea levels were much higher, meaning areas that are now inland were once close to the coast.

This pattern aligns with discoveries across Norway, where many rock carvings are found along former maritime routes. Fjeld notes that reading the landscape in this way not only helps locate carvings but also brings modern observers closer to the people who created them, offering insight into how prehistoric communities understood and interacted with their environment.

A recent discovery beneath Kolsåstoppen, a hill in Bærum, Eastern Norway, has renewed attention on Norway’s prehistoric rock carvings and the people who created them more than 3,000 years ago. According to Science Norway, experienced rock carving hunter Tormod Fjeld made the unexpected find while driving his daughter to a nearby location. What began as a casual glance at the surrounding landscape quickly led to the discovery of several exceptionally well-preserved carvings etched into the rock.

Among the most striking figures are large ship carvings, a recurring and highly significant motif in Scandinavian rock art. Some of the ships are carved upright, while others appear inverted. Archaeologists believe these carvings date to the Nordic Bronze Age (approximately 1800–500 BCE) and interpret them as symbolic representations of travel, trade, ritual journeys, or cosmological beliefs connected to the sun and the afterlife. Similar ship carvings have been documented at major rock art sites such as Tanum in Sweden and Alta in northern Norway, suggesting shared cultural and symbolic traditions across prehistoric Scandinavia.

In addition to the ships, Fjeld identified a large footprint showing the sole of a foot, as well as a carved hand with five thick fingers. Human body parts are relatively rare in Norwegian rock art compared to animals and ships, making these motifs particularly intriguing. Researchers often associate footprints and handprints with ritual presence, territorial markers, or symbolic expressions of identity and ownership. Comparable carvings in other Nordic regions have been interpreted as signs of power, participation in ceremonies, or connections between humans and sacred landscapes.

Understanding the Landscape as a Key to Discovery

Fjeld emphasizes that successful rock carving discovery is not a matter of chance alone but depends on a deep understanding of the landscape. In his interview with Science Norway, he explains that interpreting terrain features—such as ancient shorelines, sun-facing rock surfaces, and proximity to prehistoric waterways—is crucial. During the Bronze Age, sea levels were significantly higher, meaning many carvings that are now inland were once located close to the coast.

This landscape-based approach aligns with patterns seen across Norway, where rock carvings are frequently found along former maritime routes. Beyond helping locate new sites, Fjeld notes that this method brings modern observers closer to the original carvers, offering deeper insight into how prehistoric people interacted with their environment and the meanings behind where and why these images were placed.

Items found in dig reveal town's medieval past

Medieval Leather Workshop Unearthed in Grimsby

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a leather workshop dating back more than 500 years during redevelopment work in Grimsby, offering fresh insight into the town’s past.

Finds Reveal Everyday Medieval Life
The discoveries were made by York Archaeology at Freshney Place, where excavations revealed fragments of leather, pottery, and fish bones. According to North East Lincolnshire Council, these items provide a vivid snapshot of daily life in historic Grimsby and will eventually be displayed to the public.

Councillor Hayden Dawkins, cabinet member for tourism and heritage, described the find as remarkable. “It’s incredible to think that an entire world lies beneath our feet,” he said, highlighting the excitement surrounding the discovery.

A Busy Hub at the Heart of the Town
Grimsby grew into an important fishing and trading port in the 12th century, and experts believe the excavation area represents the likely ground level of the town between around 450 and 1600. Archaeologists suggest the leather workshop once stood amid a lively marketplace in the center of medieval Grimsby.

Council heritage officer Louise Jennings said the find is deepening understanding of the town’s history. She noted that the presence of oyster shells and fish bones reflects the town’s coastal location and reliance on seafood. “You can easily picture people working in the workshop and eating fish for lunch,” she said.

Preserved Materials Thanks to Wet Conditions
Phil Moore, principal archaeology consultant at BWB Consulting, which coordinated the project, explained that the damp conditions of the site increased the chances of preserving organic materials such as leather and wood—items that rarely survive over centuries.

The excavation began in October 2025 and was carried out as part of flood prevention works, turning a modern infrastructure project into an unexpected window onto Grimsby’s medieval past.

Wreck of ancient Roman ship found off coast of Puglia

Italy’s financial police announced on Tuesday that they have uncovered the remains of a large Roman-era ship lying on the seabed of the Ionian Sea off the coast of Puglia, along with a cargo of amphoras.

The discovery was made during an inspection in June 2025, but authorities chose to reveal it only now. Officials explained that keeping the find confidential was necessary to protect the underwater site.

According to the statement, all parties involved agreed to maintain strict secrecy to prevent looting and to safeguard the valuable archaeological information contained at the site while specialists worked on determining the most appropriate strategy for its protection and study.

Bears in a Sacrificial Pose: A Bronze Plaque from Early Medieval Altai Reveals an Unknown Southern Tradition

A Bronze Relic Reemerges After Thirteen Centuries

More than 1,300 years after it was buried, a bronze plaque decorated with bears in a ritual pose has come to light once again in the forest-steppe of southern Siberia.

Discovered along the calm banks of the Chumysh River, the small but striking object is offering archaeologists fresh insight into cultural exchange and identity in a region shaped by shifting borders and empires. Though modest in size, the plaque tells a far-reaching story about belief systems and interaction at the fringes of the early Turkic world.

A Powerful Symbol at the Edge of Empires

The artifact is a rectangular bronze plaque engraved with three bears arranged in a formal, sacrificial posture. Archaeologists recovered it from an early medieval burial site in Russia’s Altai region, dating it to the seventh or early eighth century AD.

What makes the find remarkable is its location. The plaque is now considered one of the southernmost examples of a symbolic tradition usually associated with the northern forests of Eurasia. Its appearance in the Altai forest-steppe is prompting scholars to rethink how far these cultural ideas spread—and how they were adapted in border regions during the early Middle Ages.

An Overlooked Cultural Crossroads

The burial ground, known as Chumysh-Perekat, sits in northeastern Altai Krai, where open forest-steppe landscapes gradually transition into the dense taiga of the Salair Ridge. For decades, this zone received little archaeological attention, eclipsed by the dramatic Altai Mountains to the south and the well-studied river systems of western Siberia to the north.

That changed when river erosion exposed human remains, leading to systematic excavations between 2014 and 2019. Teams from the Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Altai State University uncovered a rare, layered cemetery containing burials ranging from the Neolithic period to the early Middle Ages.

This made Chumysh-Perekat a unique archive of human activity spanning thousands of years.

Rare Burials, Rare Insights

Among the discoveries were seventeen early medieval graves that had largely avoided looting—an exceptional circumstance in this region. Intact burials from this period are uncommon in the forest-steppe Altai, giving researchers a rare opportunity to reconstruct everyday life, beliefs, and social structures along the northern edges of the Turkic Khaganates.

The Woman and the Bear Plaque

The bronze plaque was found in the grave of a woman believed to have been between 35 and 50 years old when she died. Although her burial showed signs of ancient disturbance, most of the grave goods were still present. Archaeologists suggest this disruption may have been ritual in nature rather than the result of theft.

The plaque shows three bear heads aligned vertically, each with forelegs folded beneath the body in what researchers call a “sacrificial pose.” Similar imagery is well documented in the taiga and forest regions of western Siberia, where bear symbolism played a central role in hunting rituals and spiritual traditions among Ugric and other northern groups.

Until now, however, such objects had almost never been found so far south.

Why the Discovery Matters

The presence of this plaque in southern Siberia is significant both geographically and culturally. It suggests that symbolic traditions linked to northern hunting cults reached much farther than previously thought—and that communities in this borderland zone were actively engaging with, adopting, or reinterpreting ideas from neighboring cultures.

In doing so, the bronze plaque adds a new layer to our understanding of cultural interaction during a pivotal period in Eurasian history, when identities were being shaped at the crossroads of forests, steppe, and empire.

Northern Symbols, Southern Style

What makes this burial particularly insightful is the combination of objects placed with the deceased. The woman was buried wearing jewelry and belt fittings commonly linked to southern nomadic traditions. These include pseudo-kolts—decorative pendants associated with early Turkic dress—as well as richly ornamented belt plaques.

Such items closely resemble finds from the Altai Mountains and Tuva, regions deeply connected to the emergence of early Turkic states. In contrast, the bear plaque clearly belongs to a northern symbolic tradition. Finding both together in a single grave points to more than simple exchange—it reveals a meaningful blending of cultural identities.

This was not a random or imported object placed in the burial by chance. Instead, it reflects a lived identity that drew simultaneously from northern belief systems and southern nomadic traditions.

Adoption, Not Imitation

The same pattern appears elsewhere in the cemetery. Several male burials included horses, a defining feature of Turkic funerary customs. However, instead of complete horse burials typical of the steppe, the animals were placed in segmented form—an intentional modification of the tradition.

Likewise, decorated belts—usually symbols of male warrior status in nomadic societies—were found not only with men, but also with women and children.

These choices suggest that local forest-steppe communities were not simply copying Turkic practices. They were actively adapting them, reshaping new cultural elements to fit their own social values and ritual traditions.

The result was a layered cultural environment where Samoyedic, Ugric, and Turkic influences coexisted and intertwined rather than replacing one another.

A Cultural Conversation at the Empire’s Edge

The bear plaque itself captures this cultural dialogue. Across northern Eurasia, bears carried deep spiritual meaning, often linked to ancestry, protection, and the structure of the cosmos. That symbolism endured even as Turkic political and cultural influence expanded northward during the seventh century.

Instead of wiping out older belief systems, nomadic expansion seems to have encouraged negotiation and adaptation. At the fringes of empire, identities were reshaped rather than erased.

Chumysh-Perekat provides a rare archaeological glimpse into that process—showing how communities at the crossroads of cultures forged new identities while holding on to older traditions.

This 430,000-Year-Old Stick Could Actually Be One of Humanity’s Earliest Tools

Researchers believe the ancient wood, found in Greece, is actually evidence of the earliest hand-held wooden tool usage in human history.

What You’ll Discover in This Story

• Scientists think they have identified the earliest known hand-held wooden tools ever used by humans.

• The evidence comes from carefully shaped wooden artifacts found in Greece, made from alder and either willow or poplar.

• These tools date back an astonishing 430,000 years.

• The discovery pushes the known use of wooden tools by humans back by about 40,000 years.

The Oldest Wooden Tools Ever Found

Humans were working with wood far earlier than researchers once believed. A new study reveals that early humans were crafting hand-held wooden tools as long as 430,000 years ago. The discovery centers on two wooden implements—one made from alder, and the other from either willow or poplar—now considered the oldest hand-held wooden tools known to science.

This finding significantly rewrites the timeline of early human technology, showing that woodworking skills emerged tens of thousands of years earlier than previously documented.

Rare Evidence Preserved by Special Conditions

Wood rarely survives for hundreds of thousands of years, making discoveries like this exceptionally rare. According to Annemieke Milks, an expert in early wooden tools at the University of Reading, the team carefully examined the artifacts using microscopes to study their surfaces in detail.

The analysis revealed clear traces of chopping and carving, unmistakable signs that the wood had been deliberately shaped by early humans rather than altered by natural processes.

A Key Site in Early Human Activity

The tools were uncovered at the Marathousa 1 archaeological site in the central Peloponnese region of Greece. The findings were published in the journal PNAS by researchers from the University of Tübingen and the University of Reading.

In addition to the wooden tools, archaeologists found stone tools and animal remains, including those of an elephant. During the Middle Pleistocene period—roughly 774,000 to 129,000 years ago—the site was located along the shore of a lake and likely served as an important place for butchering animals.

Rethinking Early Human Innovation

Together, these discoveries suggest that early humans were not only skilled stone toolmakers but also capable woodworkers, using a wider range of materials and techniques than once assumed. The findings add a new dimension to our understanding of early human behavior, adaptability, and technological creativity.

Exceptional Discovery in the Ionian Sea: Newly Revealed Roman Shipwreck Found off Gallipoli, Italy

An Ancient Shipwreck Emerges off Southern Italy

On the Ionian coast of the Salento Peninsula in southern Italy’s Puglia region, the historic port town of Gallipoli has become the focus of a remarkable underwater archaeological find. The Italian Ministry of Culture recently announced the discovery of an exceptionally well-preserved Roman merchant shipwreck lying on the seabed just offshore.

Although the wreck was first located in June 2025, officials deliberately delayed public disclosure. The decision was made to safeguard the site from looting and to protect its outstanding scientific importance.

Careful Protection Before Public Announcement

Following the discovery, Italian authorities placed the area under constant surveillance. The Guardia di Finanza closely monitored the site in coordination with the Archaeological Superintendency for Fine Arts and Landscape (ABAP). This period of confidentiality allowed specialists to assess the wreck’s condition and archaeological value while ensuring it remained undisturbed.

Only after a clear protection and monitoring strategy was established did officials feel confident enough to reveal the find to the public.

A Roman Trade Vessel Preserved in Time

The shipwreck has been identified as a navis oneraria, a large Roman merchant vessel designed for long-distance trade across the Mediterranean. Resting at significant depth off the coast of Gallipoli, the ship is reported to be in extraordinary condition, with much of its cargo still clearly intact.

This level of preservation offers archaeologists a rare snapshot of Roman maritime commerce, effectively freezing a moment of ancient trade activity on the seafloor.

Garum: A Luxury Cargo from the Roman World

What makes the discovery especially striking is the ship’s cargo: amphorae containing garum, the fermented fish sauce that was both a dietary staple and a luxury product in Roman society. Highly valued and widely traded, garum traveled across the empire, from the Iberian Peninsula to Gaul and beyond.

The presence of such a cargo highlights the economic importance of the vessel and underscores Gallipoli’s role within Roman trade networks.

Why Secrecy Was Essential

Underwater archaeological sites are particularly vulnerable to illegal salvage, and a wreck carrying valuable goods like garum amphorae presents an obvious target for looters. For this reason, discretion was critical in the months after the ship was found.

Through continuous patrols and expert evaluations, authorities were able to secure the site and preserve its integrity. With these measures now in place, the discovery can be shared openly—marking an important new chapter in the study of Roman maritime history.

Fresh Perspectives on Roman Trade and Everyday Life

The cargo of garum offers a rare and direct glimpse into commercial life in the Roman Mediterranean. Archaeologists believe the ship was part of a wide-reaching trade network that supplied elite consumers with luxury food products. As a result, the find opens new paths for understanding Roman economic structures, consumption patterns, and aspects of daily life during the imperial era.

Researchers note that discoveries of this size and level of preservation are unusual. The way the amphorae remain arranged on the seabed still outlines the shape of the vessel itself, giving scholars an exceptional opportunity to study ancient shipbuilding methods, cargo storage practices, and maritime trade routes in remarkable detail.

Gallipoli’s Role in Ancient Sea Routes

In antiquity, the waters around Gallipoli and the broader Salento coastline formed a key maritime passage linking the eastern and western Mediterranean. These routes were vital for trade but also hazardous, with unpredictable weather and complex coastal features that frequently caused ships to founder.

This newly revealed wreck strengthens the view that the Ionian Sea is one of southern Italy’s richest zones for underwater archaeology, highlighting the importance of sustained protection and long-term research in the area.

Next Steps: Research, Excavation, and Conservation

According to the Ministry of Culture, the discovery will now move into a new phase focused on detailed documentation, advanced underwater investigations, and careful planning for future excavation and preservation. These initiatives are designed not only to safeguard the site but also to share its historical significance through academic study, exhibitions, and public outreach.

Describing the find as “a submerged heritage returning to tell its story,” the Ministry emphasized its potential to greatly enhance our understanding of Roman civilization and the vast maritime networks that once connected the ancient world.

Ana Mendieta

This summer, Tate Modern will present the UK’s first major exhibition in more than a decade devoted to the multidisciplinary artist Ana Mendieta (1948–1985). Active during the 1970s and 1980s, Mendieta developed a radical artistic practice that redefined the boundaries of sculpture, photography, and film. Describing her work in her own terms, she is best known for her “earth-body” pieces, in which she traced or shaped her body within the landscape using natural materials such as soil, fire, flowers, and stone.

Bringing together more than 150 works, the exhibition will be organized thematically around symbolic places, tracing key stages in Mendieta’s career and underscoring her lifelong engagement with nature. Her celebrated Silueta Series (1973–80) will be shown alongside newly remastered films, rarely exhibited paintings and drawings, later sculptures, and re-created installations. Together, these works offer fresh insight into her practice and highlight its continued resonance for contemporary audiences.

Mendieta’s search for origins and her deep connection to the natural world were shaped by early experiences of displacement. Born in Havana, Cuba, she was sent to the United States with her sister after the Cuban Revolution, separated from her family and homeland at the age of 12. While studying archaeology and art at the University of Iowa, she began making works that reconnected her to Cuban history and culture. Her film Ochún (1981), for example, shows a sand-sculpted figure on the shore of Key Biscayne, Florida, symbolically linking the waters between the US and Cuba. During return visits to Cuba in the 1980s, she created Esculturas Rupestres (1981), carving figures directly into limestone rock. These works drew inspiration from her evolving Silueta forms, Afro-Cuban traditions, and indigenous Taíno culture. As Mendieta explained in 1984, she viewed her work as rooted in a Neolithic tradition, valuing the emotional and sensory qualities of materials over formal concerns.

The Silueta Series began during a trip to Mexico in 1973, where Mendieta created life-size, temporary works exploring themes of presence, renewal, and transformation. She burned, carved, and molded silhouettes into landscapes across the Americas and Europe, often returning to sites connected to ancient histories or personal meaning. Intended to erode and disappear over time, these works challenged conventional ideas of art as permanent objects. Through photographs and film documentation, visitors will follow the development of the series—from early works using flowers placed over the artist’s body to later impressions left along riverbanks and shorelines.

The exhibition also emphasizes Mendieta’s connections across social, political, and geographic contexts. While studying in the University of Iowa’s experimental Intermedia program between 1972 and 1977, she became part of a vibrant artistic community. After moving to New York in 1978, she engaged closely with the city’s art and activist circles and joined A.I.R. Gallery, the first nonprofit, artist-run gallery for women in the United States. Reflecting her commitment to education, the exhibition will include early collaborative videos made with her students, such as Parachute (1973).

Premiering in the UK, a selection of newly remastered films made between 1971 and 1981 will demonstrate Mendieta’s innovative use of film, including techniques such as scratching and painting directly onto the celluloid. Film also served as a way to capture her performance-based and site-specific works, allowing audiences to experience pieces such as Anima, Silueta de Cohetes (Firework Piece) (1976) and Bird Run (1974), which shows the artist running along a beach covered in feathers. Her interest in transformation is further explored through the photographic series Untitled (Facial Cosmetic Variations) (1972), in which she alters her appearance using makeup, wigs, and expressive gestures.

In 1983, Mendieta received the Prix de Rome fellowship at the American Academy in Italy. After years of working primarily outdoors, her time in Rome marked a shift toward studio-based sculpture, enabling the creation of more lasting works. Tate Modern will display several of these pieces, including floor works made from earth and binder such as Nile Born (1984), as well as La Jungla (Totem Grove) (1985), a multi-part sculpture of tree trunks burned with gunpowder to form dark silhouettes. These will be shown alongside delicate drawings on leaves and paintings from the Amategram series, which depict totem-like forms on bark paper and continue her exploration of the female body.

To reflect the living and impermanent nature of Mendieta’s practice, several ephemeral works will be restaged during the exhibition. Ñañigo Burial (1976), a Silueta formed from black ritual candles, will be lit regularly throughout the show. Visitors will also encounter a reconstruction of her first indoor earth-body installation, created from branches, leaves, soil, moss, and stones to transform the gallery into a forest-like environment. Extending beyond the museum, one of Mendieta’s tree sculptures—first made in 1982—will be reactivated outside Tate Modern, embodying the themes of transformation and resilience that define her work.

Wreck of ancient Roman ship found off coast of Puglia

Ancient Roman Shipwreck Discovered Off Puglia Coast

Italy’s finance police announced on Tuesday the discovery of a large Roman-era shipwreck resting on the Ionian Sea bed off the coast of Puglia. The vessel, dating back to antiquity, still contains a cargo of amphoras, offering valuable insight into ancient maritime trade.

The ship was initially located in June 2025 during an inspection, but authorities delayed public disclosure to protect the site. According to the police, all parties agreed to maintain strict confidentiality to prevent looting and ensure the preservation of the site’s archaeological information while developing the best plan for intervention.

This discovery highlights the richness of Italy’s underwater cultural heritage and provides a rare opportunity to study Roman-era seafaring and commerce.

England May Hold the Lost Grave of a Legendary Viking Warlord

Archaeologists May Have Found the Burial Site of Viking Leader Ivarr the Boneless

New archaeological research suggests that Ivarr the Boneless, one of the most notorious figures of the Viking Age, could be buried beneath a coastal hill in north-west England. For over a thousand years, the location of his grave has remained a mystery, but a windswept mound overlooking the Irish Sea may offer the strongest lead yet.

A Prominent Coastal Mound

Archaeologist Steve Dickinson, working in Cumbria, believes the mound—known in medieval sources as Coningeshou, or “The King’s Mound”—could conceal the ship burial of the Viking war leader. Measuring approximately 60 meters in diameter and six meters high, the mound’s size aligns with elite Viking burial practices. Its precise location has not been disclosed to protect it from looting.

Dickinson points out that references to Coningeshou in Icelandic sagas, combined with the mound’s scale and strategic coastal location, strongly suggest a royal burial rather than a natural hill.

A Potential Viking Necropolis

If confirmed, this would represent the first monumental Viking ship burial identified in the UK and one of only a few known in north-west Europe. The surrounding landscape further supports the idea of a high-status site: dozens of smaller mounds nearby may have served as the graves of warriors, retainers, or family members, similar to arrangements seen in other elite Viking cemeteries.

Dickinson told the BBC that the discovery could reveal a previously unknown Viking necropolis along the Cumbrian coast, reshaping current understanding of Viking activity and influence in north-west England.

A fifteenth-century depiction of Ívarr and Ubba ravaging the countryside as it appears on folio 48r of British Library Harley 2278.

Clues Beneath the Surface Point to Viking Burial

Although no excavation has yet occurred, non-invasive surveys and metal-detecting in the surrounding area have revealed promising material evidence. Archaeologists have uncovered large iron ship rivets and lead weights, items consistent with Viking-Age maritime activity and silver-based economies.

While these finds do not confirm a ship burial, they strongly suggest the presence of elite wealth and seafaring activity near the mound—exactly what one might expect near the grave of a powerful figure like Ivarr the Boneless. Later this year, Dickinson plans to conduct geophysical scans of the mound to identify any ship-shaped anomalies beneath its surface.

Who Was Ivarr the Boneless?

Ivarr the Boneless was far from a minor raider. In the ninth century, he emerged as a leading commander of the Great Heathen Army, which launched devastating campaigns across Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

He is traditionally associated with the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok, though historians debate whether this connection was familial, symbolic, or literary. What is clear is Ivarr’s historical impact: he helped capture York and played a key role in establishing Dublin as a Norse stronghold. While modern TV dramas have popularized his story, the real Ivarr was likely far more complex—and enigmatic—than fictional depictions suggest.

The Mystery Behind “The Boneless”

Ivarr’s epithet, beinlausi (“boneless”), has long puzzled scholars. Some suggest he may have suffered from osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare genetic disorder causing fragile bones. Others interpret the name metaphorically, suggesting it could refer to flexibility, ritual significance, or even naval skill, drawing on Old Norse linguistic nuances where “boneless” could imply fluidity or agility rather than a physical condition.

A confirmed burial preserving skeletal remains could finally allow scientists to test these theories. However, even if human remains are found, definitive identification would remain challenging without inscriptions or DNA comparisons.

Metal ship rivets have been found in the area.

A Burial Fit for a Viking Ruler

Viking ship burials were reserved for society’s elite. The deceased would be laid in a vessel along with weapons, jewelry, ceremonial regalia, food offerings, and sometimes even sacrificed animals, before the ship was covered with earth to create a monumental mound.

In Britain, the most famous ship burial is Sutton Hoo, though it belongs to the Anglo-Saxon period rather than the Viking era. A confirmed Viking ship burial in Cumbria would dramatically change our understanding of Scandinavian power and status in early medieval Britain.

What Comes Next

Archaeologists caution that even if the mound contains a ship, definitive identification may remain difficult without inscriptions or DNA evidence. Nonetheless, discovering a Viking ship burial on the Cumbrian coast—royal or otherwise—would be a historic milestone.

For now, the mound stands silent, overlooking the ancient sea routes linking Britain, Ireland, and Scandinavia. Beneath it may lie clues not only about Ivarr the Boneless, but also about how power, belief, and memory were expressed in the Viking Age.

Whether Ivarr rests there or not, the search itself is reshaping historians’ understanding of the Norse world in Britain.

Lost knife belonging to WW1 soldier to be displayed at archaeology open day in Susse

World War One Soldier’s Knife Among Finds from Sussex Excavation

A lost knife belonging to a World War One soldier will feature in an upcoming exhibition in Sussex, alongside other artefacts uncovered during recent excavations at Cooden Camp in Bexhill.

The dig, led by Archaeology South-East (ASE), was conducted ahead of plans to build 70 homes off Clavering Walk, on land that was once part of the military camp. Archaeologists uncovered training camp features as well as personal items used by soldiers stationed there.

One notable find is a bone-handled knife with the initials A.I. carved into it. Researchers noted that corrosion on the handle resulted from the iron scale tang embedded inside. Historical investigation has suggested several potential owners, including 19-year-old Lance Corporal Alfred Isted from Burwash, East Sussex, who was later killed in action.

Simon Stevens, who led the excavation, explained: “Our digs can tell us only so much about the men training here. That’s why we’re combining archaeology with historical research and stories from descendants, to bring these soldiers’ stories to life.”

Cooden Camp is remembered as the initial training ground for men of the 11th, 12th, and 13th Battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment. Many of these soldiers later fought in the Battle of the Boar’s Head at Richebourg-I’Avoué in France on 30 June 1916, an assault on heavily defended German positions that resulted in around 1,100 casualties across the three battalions. The tragic day became known locally as “The Day Sussex Died.”