The Ancient Cult of the Moon Goddess

SElene: The Radiant Lunar Deity of Greece

Selene was believed to illuminate the night sky in her silver chariot. Her influence extended to tides, fertility, emotional states, and harvest cycles. Worshippers offered milk, honey, and white flowers during full moons, believing she brought clarity, prophetic dreams, and gentle protection. Myths describe her love for Endymion, symbolizing timeless beauty and eternal sleep.

Artemis: Guardian of the Wild and the Moon

Though primarily a goddess of hunting, Artemis became associated with the moon in later Greek tradition. She was revered for her purity, independence, and protection of women, children, and animals. Rituals in her sanctuaries involved moonlit dances, animal offerings, and rites of passage for young girls. Her connection to lunar cycles reflected themes of transformation and natural rhythm.

Inanna/Ishtar: Mesopotamian Goddess of Moon, Love, and Power

Inanna was a complex goddess linked to the moon, love, war, and fertility. Her rituals included ecstatic dances, sacred marriage ceremonies, and symbolic reenactments of her descent into the underworld. The moon’s phases were seen as expressions of her changing power and dual nature. Inanna’s cult influenced later goddesses across the Near East, demonstrating her far-reaching legacy.

The Role of Falconry in Ancient Royal Courts

Origins and Global Spread of Falconry

Falconry emerged in Central Asia and quickly gained popularity in Persia, Arabia, China, and Europe. It required deep knowledge of bird behavior, patience, and skill, making it a respected art. Over time, falconry became intertwined with nobility, serving both as a practical hunting method and a ceremonial pastime reserved for elites.

Royal Symbolism and Political Influence

Falcons and hawks symbolized authority, sharp vision, strength, and noble character. Many kings kept entire teams of trainers and prized birds to display their status. Falcons were exchanged as diplomatic gifts, signifying friendship or alliances between kingdoms. A rare or powerful hunting bird could elevate a ruler’s prestige across regions.

Cultural Depictions and Mythic Associations

Artworks from Persia, medieval Europe, and ancient China often show nobles holding falcons during feasts or court ceremonies. Some cultures believed hawks were sacred animals with protective qualities. Literature described falconry as an extension of a ruler’s mastery over nature, discipline, and warfare.

The Forgotten Pyramids of Sudan: The Kingdom of Kush

Architectural Features of the Meroë Pyramids

The pyramids of Sudan are taller and narrower than those of Egypt, with steep angles and decorated chapels at their bases. Many were built as tombs for kings, queens, and nobles of the Kushite kingdom. Their darkened appearance today comes from centuries of weathering, though originally they were brightly painted with symbols, murals, and inscriptions. Excavations reveal burial chambers with elaborate goods, pottery, jewelry, and ritual offerings.

Cultural Exchange Between Egypt and Kush

Kush absorbed many Egyptian traditions, from hieroglyphic writing to worship of gods like Amun and Isis. Kushite rulers even became pharaohs of Egypt during the 25th Dynasty, creating a period of shared culture and architecture. Despite this influence, Kush maintained its own customs, artistic styles, and religious practices, blending African and Egyptian traditions into a unique identity.

Society, Trade, and Spiritual Practices in Meroë

Meroë thrived as a commercial hub linking sub-Saharan Africa with the Mediterranean world. Iron production, gold mining, and trade caravans contributed to its prosperity. The religious life of Kush involved rituals honoring both local deities and Egyptian gods, with queens often playing major spiritual roles. The pyramids reflect a sophisticated civilization that valued ancestry, ritual, and royal legacy.

The Ancient Science of Timekeeping and Sundials

Development of Sundials and Solar Timekeeping

Sundials first appeared in ancient Egypt and Babylon, using the movement of shadows to divide the day into hours. Egyptians built massive obelisks that doubled as monumental timekeepers. Greeks later refined sundials to account for seasonal changes in sunlight, creating curved and portable designs. Romans spread sundials throughout their empire, integrating solar timekeeping into everyday life and public spaces.

Star-Based and Lunar Measurement Systems

Many cultures used stars and lunar phases to measure longer cycles. The Babylonians meticulously tracked constellations to predict seasons and astronomical events. Polynesian navigators used star charts to journey across the open ocean. Chinese astronomers recorded lunar cycles to create early calendars, while Mesopotamians connected moon phases to religious festivals and agricultural tasks.

Calendar Formation and Cultural Significance

Early calendars reflected the needs of farming societies. Egyptians relied on the heliacal rising of Sirius to predict the Nile flood. The Mayans created intricate systems combining solar cycles, ritual periods, and astronomical observations. These calendars influenced governance, religious ceremonies, and social identity, showing how timekeeping shaped entire civilizations.

The Lost Knowledge of the Ancient Alchemists

Early Alchemical Traditions and Cultural Roots

Alchemy’s origins lie in ancient Egypt, where temple priests experimented with dyes, metals, and sacred oils. After Alexander the Great, Greek philosophy merged with Egyptian chemical practices, forming the foundation of Western alchemy. Later, Islamic scholars like Jabir ibn Hayyan preserved and expanded alchemical knowledge, introducing new laboratory techniques and detailed symbolic language. Their writings shaped medieval European alchemy, blending mystical transformation with scientific experimentation.

Symbolism and Purpose of the Philosopher’s Stone

The philosopher’s stone symbolized the perfection of matter and the awakening of spiritual wisdom. Many believed it could transform metals into gold, create healing elixirs, and purify the soul. Its pursuit represented a lifelong philosophical journey requiring discipline, moral purity, and deep understanding of nature’s hidden laws. The stone was described through metaphors—such as a phoenix, a red powder, or a divine spark—concealing practical techniques behind layered symbolism.

Alchemical Tools, Experiments, and Secret Writings

Alchemists practiced distillation, calcination, sublimation, and fermentation using furnaces, alembics, and glass vessels. Because alchemy was considered sacred and sometimes dangerous, knowledge was encoded in allegories, ciphers, and mythic narratives. Texts like the Emerald Tablet described principles of transformation using poetic phrases that sparked centuries of interpretation. Through these processes, alchemists laid the foundation for modern chemistry, metallurgy, and pharmacology.

The Mysterious Petroglyphs of the Sahara Desert

Locations and Archaeological Importance

The Sahara’s vast petroglyphs stretch across Algeria, Libya, Niger, and Chad, with Tassili n’Ajjer being the most famous site. These carvings date back 8,000–12,000 years, created when the Sahara was green and fertile. Archaeologists believe the artwork offers one of the most detailed visual records of prehistoric African societies. Layers of carvings from different time periods reveal shifting environments, cultures, and spiritual beliefs as the desert slowly formed.

Common Motifs and Artistic Styles

Figures depict everyday life such as cattle herding, fishing, dancing, and hunting—alongside unusual beings with exaggerated shapes or mask-like faces. Animals like crocodiles, giraffes, elephants, and hippos reflect the region’s ancient wetlands. The “Round Head” figures, with their spherical heads and floating poses, are some of the most mysterious; scholars suggest they may represent shamans, gods, or beings from visionary states. The carvings vary from simple outlines to deeply engraved scenes showing advanced artistic skill.

Interpretations and Cultural Significance

Some researchers believe the carvings acted as teaching tools for rituals, navigation, or storytelling. Others argue they marked sacred spaces or served as offerings to nature spirits. The frequent depiction of cattle suggests early religious reverence for pastoral animals. Theories propose that some images document spiritual journeys or shamanic transformations. Because no written explanations exist, each petroglyph holds layers of meaning that remain open to interpretation.

he Role of Dream Interpretation in Ancient Civilizations

Dreams as Messages from the Divine

Across the ancient world, dreams were believed to reveal the intentions of gods, spirits, or the universe. Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece each developed elaborate systems to decode dreams and understand their hidden meaning.

Egyptian Dream Books

In ancient Egypt, dream interpretation was considered a sacred science. Priests compiled dream manuals describing symbols, omens, and divine messages. Egyptians believed gods communicated through dreams, offering warnings, blessings, or guidance. Temples even had “sleep chambers” where people sought prophetic dreams.

Mesopotamian Omens and Prophecies

Mesopotamians viewed dreams as supernatural events that could predict the future. Clay tablets record thousands of dream interpretations, linking dream events to real-world outcomes. Kings relied heavily on dream interpreters to guide political and military decisions.

Greek Philosophy and the Dream World

In Greece, dreams were connected to both religion and early scientific thought. Followers of Asclepius slept in healing temples hoping for curative dreams, while philosophers like Aristotle and Plato debated whether dreams came from gods or the human mind.

Medieval Cemetery Unearthed in Denmark Reveals Over 50 Skeletons

Over 50 Skeletons Unearthed in Aarhus Reveal Early Christian History

Archaeologists in Denmark have uncovered more than 50 skeletons in central Aarhus, shedding light on the city’s earliest Christian period. The excavation, led by Moesgaard Museum, is taking place at a historic burial ground along St. Oluf’s Street, near the former defensive ramparts of Aros, the Viking settlement that eventually became modern Aarhus.

Some burials are believed to date back around 900 years, to the 12th century, a time when Christianity was becoming firmly established in the region. The cemetery once belonged to St. Oluf’s Church, which collapsed in 1548 after a storm and was later demolished, though the cemetery remained in use until 1813.

Moesgaard archaeologist Mads Ravn emphasized the significance of the find: “The cemetery marks the tangible entry of Christianity into the city at the end of the Viking Age and the beginning of the Middle Ages. The burial customs reflect this transition and offer a rare opportunity to study the lives, illnesses, and beliefs of the first Aarhusians, as well as the role of Christian cultural heritage in the city’s development.”

Burials to Undergo Further Study

Archaeologists excavate in Sct. Olufs Gade.

Excavation Sparked by Infrastructure Work, Reveals Church Dedicated to Viking King

The Aarhus excavation was triggered by municipal work to install underground waste containers, a frequent cause of archaeological discoveries in European city centres where medieval remains often lie just beneath modern streets.

St. Oluf’s Church, once standing beside the cemetery, was named for Olav Haraldsson, the Viking chieftain who became king of Norway in 1015. Olav played a key role in spreading Christianity across Scandinavia, and after his death, his cult grew rapidly, leading to many churches being dedicated to him throughout medieval northern Europe.

New study into DNA of ancient Southern Africans changes perspectives on their origins

Ancient DNA Study Reveals Key Role of Southern African Hunter-Gatherers in Human Evolution

A major new study of ancient Southern African hunter-gatherer DNA is reshaping our understanding of the Khoe and San peoples’ origins. Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden and the University of Johannesburg analyzed genomes from 28 individuals who lived between 1,200 years and a few hundred years ago.

“These genomes provide an unadmixed view of early Southern African population history,” said co-author Carina Schlebush. The study identified 490 genetic variants unique to modern humans, including adaptations related to the immune system, kidney function, and brain development, suggesting these hunter-gatherers had enhanced endurance and cognitive abilities.

Three genetic variants were unique to Southern African hunter-gatherers, linked to UV protection, skin pigmentation, and disease resistance—adaptations suited to the region’s open, sun-exposed landscapes. Notably, 40% of the human-specific variants also related to neuronal and cognitive traits, shedding light on the origins of complex thinking and technological behaviors such as bow hunting and making compound adhesives.

The findings indicate that the Southern African hunter-gatherers formed a relatively stable population south of the Limpopo River for tens of thousands of years. Some groups migrated north between 100,000 and 70,000 years ago, spreading both their genes and behaviors.

“This suggests that Southern Africa was a key hub in human evolution, with local populations developing advanced technologies and cognitive traits,” said Marlize Lombard, cognitive archaeologist at the University of Johannesburg.

The ancient hunter-gatherers remained largely isolated until less than 1,400 years ago, when West African farmers and East African pastoralists began mixing with Southern African populations. Today, genetic markers from these ancient people persist among the Ju/’hoan of Botswana and Namibia, the Karretjie Mense of South Africa, and to a lesser extent in some coloured and Afrikaans-speaking South African populations.

The Holy Grail of Shipwrecks Just Yielded Its First Treasure, With $17 Billion Still Under the Sea

First Treasures from the Legendary San José Shipwreck Recovered

Experts have brought to the surface the first artifacts from the 1700s Spanish galleon San José, often called the “Holy Grail” of shipwrecks. The Colombian government plans to preserve these initial finds carefully.

Among the recovered items are a cannon, two porcelain cups, and three gold and bronze coins. The galleon sank in 1708 off the coast of Colombia after being attacked by the British Royal Navy during the War of Spanish Succession.

The San José was carrying a decade’s worth of treasure—gold, silver, and gems collected as tribute from Spanish colonies in Latin America, destined for the Spanish crown. While only a few items have been brought to the surface so far, the shipwreck lies about 1,970 feet below the ocean, and experts estimate its remaining treasure could be worth as much as $17 billion.

Archaeologists Uncover Remarkably Preserved 2,600-Year-Old Monumental Grave in Switzerland

Iron Age Elite Burial Discovered in Switzerland’s Intyamon Valley

A monumental burial mound in Grandvillard, Fribourg, Switzerland, is shedding new light on social hierarchies and rituals in the western Alps around 600 BCE. Announced by the Amt für Archäologie des Kantons Freiburg (AAFR), the site features a remarkably well-preserved grave within a 10-meter-diameter mound, offering insight into the lives of influential individuals of the early Iron Age.

A Race Against Time

Archaeologists have been studying the Intyamon Valley burial ground since 2019, but this mound faces urgent threats from erosion caused by a nearby mountain stream. Excavations, which began in November 2025, aim to document the site fully before natural forces damage it. Fieldwork will continue through January 2026, giving researchers time to analyze the mound’s construction, stratigraphy, and contents.

Exceptional Preservation

This Grandvillard burial is the third monumental grave discovered in the necropolis, but none match its level of preservation. The intact burial chamber and surrounding earthworks allow scholars to reconstruct Iron Age funerary practices with unprecedented clarity.

Indications of High Status

Preliminary observations suggest that the individual buried here was of high social importance. While the full inventory of burial goods has not yet been released, the context parallels earlier elite graves in the region, which often contained prestigious bronze offerings—a key marker of upper-status burials across Iron Age Europe.

Archaeological Excavations in Grandvillard.

Clues to a Society Shaped by Climate and Landscape

The Grandvillard burial mound offers a rare glimpse into how early Iron Age communities in the Intyamon Valley (circa 800–450 BCE) responded to environmental challenges and organized their society. During this period, cooler temperatures and fluctuating agricultural yields—the Iron Age Cold Period—affected settlement patterns, social structure, and population stability.

Monumental graves like this one required significant communal effort, signaling not only the high status of the deceased but also the community’s ability to mobilize labor and resources. Its prominent location suggests ceremonial and territorial purposes, serving as a visible marker of status across the valley.

An Exceptional Research Opportunity

Because the mound is so well preserved, archaeologists can study burial practices in remarkable detail—from the body’s placement and chamber arrangement to mound layering and associated offerings. These insights reveal aspects of Iron Age identity, belief systems, and social networks.

The Grandvillard excavation also contributes to a growing understanding of the western Alps’ integration into broader Iron Age Europe. Evidence points to long-distance trade, shared rituals, and cultural exchange influencing funerary customs.

Preserving the Past While the Clock Ticks

Despite ongoing erosion from a nearby mountain stream, the excavation is proceeding meticulously. Every stratigraphic layer is photographed, mapped, and sampled to capture the monument’s story before nature erases it.

Once fully documented and analyzed, the mound will help clarify the Intyamon Valley’s social hierarchy and shed light on how ancient communities adapted to shifting climates. For now, Grandvillard stands as one of Switzerland’s most remarkable Iron Age discoveries—a 2,600-year-old testament to a society finally returning to light.

Ancient ‘dirty dishes’ may have led archaeologists astray for decades

A new study questions if Bronze Age dishes really do have traces of olive oil.

Rethinking Ancient Olive Oil: New Study Challenges Long-Held Assumptions

Olive oil has long been celebrated as a staple of Mediterranean cuisine—and archaeologists often report finding its residue on ancient pottery. Humans have been using it for around 8,000 years, but a new study suggests that its historical prevalence may have been overstated in some regions.

Cornell archaeologist Rebecca Gerdes and her team found that organic residues from plant oils, like olive oil, degrade rapidly in calcium-rich Mediterranean soils. This means that earlier identifications of olive oil on ceramics could actually be other plant oils—or even mistaken for animal fats.

Washing Ancient Dishes

Gerdes describes her work as “washing ancient dirty dishes,” collecting the rinse water to analyze molecules left behind on pottery. Partnering with chemical engineer Jillian Goldfarb, she developed an experiment to test how soil chemistry affects residue preservation.

Ceramic pellets were made from terracotta clay, coated with olive oil, and buried in two types of moistened soil—one from Cyprus and one from agricultural fields in New York. After up to a year in incubators at 122°F (50°C), the team analyzed the residues.

Surprising Results

The pellets buried in Cyprus soil—common in the eastern Mediterranean—showed significantly degraded olive oil markers, including a loss of key plant oil biomarkers. In contrast, pellets in mildly acidic New York soil preserved more of the olive oil signature. These results suggest that previous archaeological claims of olive oil may need reevaluation.

Gerdes notes that the assumption archaeologists often make—that finding olive oil molecules automatically means olive oil was present—can be misleading. Degraded olive oil can resemble other plant oils or even animal fats, complicating identification.

Looking Ahead

While this study did not re-examine ancient pottery directly, it highlights the need to revisit existing artifacts. Olive oil may not have been as ubiquitous as previously thought, and other oils or fats could have been used in the Mediterranean world. For Gerdes, the work continues: washing “ancient dirty dishes” to better understand the culinary past.

Destroyed by earthquakes, now uncovered by drought: Nicaea

In recent years, just off the shore of Lake İznik in northwestern Turkey, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a 4th-century basilica dedicated to St. Neophytos, hidden beneath the water for more than seven centuries. The structure, which clearly was not originally built underwater, is believed to have been destroyed by an earthquake in 1065, after which rising lake waters gradually submerged the ruins.

Archaeologists who examined the site describe it as a classic basilican layout, featuring three naves, an eastern apse, a narthex, and what appears to be a baptistery area. Images of the ruins first emerged in 2014, prompting research teams to begin underwater studies of the site.

Now, time and nature have combined to reveal the ruins once hidden beneath Lake İznik. What was previously five to seven feet underwater, about 100 feet offshore, is now exposed as water levels drop — a striking moment of history resurfacing. Research also shows that beneath the current basilica, an earlier structure dating to around 325 once stood.

Who is St. Neophytos?
St. Neophytos of İznik was a young Christian martyr of the early 4th century, traditionally believed to have been executed during the Diocletian persecutions for refusing to participate in pagan sacrifices. His story reflects the experiences of many early Christians who faced imprisonment or death for their faith.

Communities quickly honored such martyrs, and studies suggest that a wooden structure was built within years of Neophytos’s death, though it was destroyed by an earthquake in 358. The basilica that has now resurfaced likely began around 380 on the same site, continuing to honor Neophytos and other martyrs who were buried there.

This St. Neophytos is distinct from Neophytos of Cyprus, a 12th-century monk and writer who lived in the Troodos Mountains, founded the Engleistra hermitage, and left detailed spiritual writings. Though they share a name, they belong to different eras, regions, and forms of Christian witness.

Discovery and the Role of Nature

Archaeologists first spotted the structure via aerial photography in 2014 and identified it as a classic basilica, featuring three naves, an eastern apse, a narthex, and what appears to be a baptistery. Excavations over subsequent seasons revealed graves surrounding the basilica, including some beneath a probable predecessor structure.

The emergence of the church after centuries underwater provided scholars and believers alike with a tangible connection to early Christian history. The site has become key for understanding how devotion to St. Neophytos of İznik — and early Christian worship in the region — developed.

Evidence of the earlier, smaller church beneath the basilica suggests that the location was venerated long before the larger building was constructed. This continuity indicates that Christians gathered, prayed, buried their dead, and honored martyrs here from the earliest days of Nicaea’s Christian community.

As of 2025, the ruins are no longer submerged. Lower water levels, caused by prolonged drought and increased regional water use, have left the basilica on dry ground. This has allowed archaeologists to document, preserve, and plan public access more effectively, including the creation of a small on-site museum.

Detail of a fresco of the first council of Nicaea. From the church of St Nicholas, Demre, Southern turkey

Ella Doroshchenko

Surviving Remains and Modern Recognition

What remains of the basilica today are its foundation walls, floors, and graves, as the upper structure collapsed long ago. Even in ruin, the layout reveals a building far larger than many contemporary local churches, capable of hosting sizable gatherings.

On November 28, 2025, the site gained renewed attention when Pope Leo XIV visited İznik and prayed over the newly exposed ruins, highlighting both its spiritual significance and the fragile environmental factors that allowed its re-emergence.

For modern visitors, the basilica provides a rare opportunity to experience early Christian architecture and history firsthand. Amid the trenches and exposed foundations, one can sense the life of the ancient Christian community and the extraordinary journey of a church that sank beneath a lake only to resurface centuries later.

Goat herder discovers an ornately carved Roman-Era stele

An ornately carved stele was discovered by a goat herder while tending his animals on a remote forested mountain near Kayaçık, Turkey. Upon notifying the Fethiye Museum Directorate, archaeologists conducted an initial inspection. Given the site’s extreme remoteness in the rugged highlands of Muğla’s Seydikemer district, the team temporarily reburied the stele and secured the area to protect it from potential looting.

Recovering the stele was a demanding operation. Archaeologists and support personnel hiked roughly 45 minutes from the nearest road, re-excavated the stele, and carefully wrapped the fragile stone for transport. They spent nearly seven hours carrying it by hand over steep, rocky terrain, navigating narrow paths and unstable slopes to bring it safely down to the valley.

Experts date the stele to the 1st to 3rd centuries BC, a period when altar-shaped grave monuments were common across Roman Anatolia. Archaeologist Ahmet Meke noted that this example stands out for its elaborate relief carvings and clear inscription, giving it exceptional epigraphic value.

The front of the stele depicts a man and woman, likely a family portrait commemorating the deceased. Their clothing and hairstyles provide rare insights into everyday Roman-period life in the region. An inscription beneath the figures offers further information about the individual buried there. One of the side panels features a carved wreath, suggesting that the person memorialized held a respected place within the local community.

With the stele now secured in the museum, specialists will begin cleaning and conservation work before formally adding it to the collection.

Trove of 225 'Exceptional' Egyptian Figurines Solves Long-Standing Mystery

A significant discovery has been made in Tanis, the ancient Egyptian capital in the Nile Delta. Archaeologists uncovered 225 funerary figurines inside a tomb an extremely rare find that also helped resolve a long-standing archaeological question.

French Egyptologist Frédéric Payraudeau explained that this is the first time since 1946 that figurines have been found in their original position within a royal tomb in the Tanis necropolis. He noted that such intact discoveries are almost unheard of even in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, where most tombs were looted long ago. The only comparable case was the famous discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.

Payraudeau, who heads the French excavation mission at Tanis, said the team made the remarkable find on October 9. Before this, archaeologists had already explored three corners of a narrow burial chamber that contained a massive, unidentified sarcophagus.

Hundreds of funerary figurines found in an ancient royal tomb.

When the team first spotted three or four figurines together, they immediately realized the discovery would be extraordinary, Payraudeau said. Excited, he ran to inform his colleagues and officials, but the timing added pressure it was the day before the weekend, and work usually ended at 2 pm. Determined not to stop, the team set up lights and worked through the night. Over the course of ten days, they carefully excavated all 225 small green funerary figurines, ensuring each piece was meticulously preserved.

A funerary statuette, known as an ushbati, found in the royal necropolis of Tanis.

The 225 funerary figurines were carefully arranged in a star shape along the sides of a trapezoidal pit, with additional figures placed in horizontal rows at the bottom, Payraudeau explained. Known as ushabti, these small statuettes were meant to serve as attendants for the deceased in the afterlife. Remarkably, more than half of them are female, which is considered highly unusual.

Tanis, located in the Nile Delta, was founded around 1050 BC as the capital of the Egyptian kingdom during the 21st dynasty. By this time, the Valley of the Kings—looted over the years during the reigns of pharaohs like Ramses—had been largely abandoned, and the royal necropolis was relocated to Tanis.

The discovery also solved a long-standing mystery regarding the identity of the tomb’s occupant: Pharaoh Shoshenq III, who ruled from 830 to 791 BC. This was particularly surprising because the largest sarcophagus at a different tomb in Tanis also bears his name. Payraudeau noted that a pharaoh’s burial plans were often uncertain, as successors could alter or move the tomb, and in Shoshenq III’s case, his four-decade reign had been marked by a bloody civil war between Upper and Lower Egypt, making disruptions more likely.

Another possibility is that the sarcophagus had been relocated after looting, though its size—3.5 by 1.5 metres—makes such a move difficult to imagine. Once the study of the figurines is complete, they are set to be displayed in an Egyptian museum, offering the public a rare glimpse into the elaborate funerary practices of Tanis.

Hundreds of works damaged by water leak at Louvre

A late-November water leak damaged several hundred items in the Louvre’s Egyptian department, the museum confirmed to AFP. The incident affected 300–400 research materials, mainly Egyptology journals and scientific documentation dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While these resources are important for scholarship, the museum stressed that no heritage artifacts were harmed and that no permanent losses have been identified so far.

The leak, discovered on November 26, occurred when a valve in the museum’s outdated heating and ventilation system was accidentally opened, causing water to seep through the ceiling of the Mollien wing. The system, described as “completely obsolete,” has been shut down for months and is scheduled for replacement in 2026. The damaged materials will be dried, restored by specialists, and returned to storage.

The incident comes only weeks after a high-profile theft in October, when a four-person gang stole an estimated $102 million in jewels in a seven-minute daylight raid—an event that heightened scrutiny of the Louvre’s ageing infrastructure.

To support long-term improvements, the museum recently announced that most non-EU visitors will face a ticket price increase to €32, a 45% rise expected to generate up to $23 million annually. The Louvre remains the world’s most visited museum, drawing 8.7 million visitors in 2024, nearly 70% of them international travelers.

Golden Artifacts, Varvorka and a Rare Paired Burial Redefine Kazakhstan’s 4th–3rd Century BCE Past

Kazakhstan is experiencing one of its most remarkable archaeological seasons in years, and at the heart of this surge in discoveries is the Dauylbai necropolis in the Zhetysu region. Nestled at the base of a picturesque ridge in the Karatal district, the site has long been recognized for its burial mounds but its deeper significance was only revealed through recent excavations. Work carried out in 2023–2024 under the leadership of historian Dossbol Baigunakov uncovered an exceptional array of artifacts from the 4th–3rd centuries BCE, offering a vivid look into the cultural identity, ritual practices, and artistry of the Saka people, one of the most influential nomadic groups of the Eurasian steppe.

The necropolis features 23 burial mounds, including 11 belonging to members of the elite. This density of high-status graves hinted at the importance of the site, yet archaeologists were still astonished by the quantity and refinement of the objects revealed. By late 2024, all of the finds had been moved to the Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev Regional Local History Museum, where restoration specialists began preparing them for future public display.

Gold Jewelry and Ritual Artifacts That Reveal Saka Craftsmanship

The most impressive part of the excavation is the collection of gold adornments and ceremonial items recovered from several of the burial mounds. These pieces gold beads, earrings, decorative plaques, bronze pins, bone buttons, and numerous ceramic vessels showcase the skilled metalworking and sophisticated aesthetics of Saka artisans. Because organic materials usually decay in the steppe climate, metalwork like this plays a crucial role in reconstructing how Saka clothing, accessories, and ritual attire once looked.

One of the standout finds is the varvorka, a finely crafted gold ornament that would have been sewn onto ceremonial garments. Its discovery confirms that Saka elites wore highly detailed metal embellishments during important rituals and gatherings. Another extraordinary object is a carved bone piece shaped like a snake-dragon. Academics believe it may have played a role in ceremonial practice or symbolized mythological concepts perhaps connected to protection, strength, or spiritual transformation. Though the exact meaning is still being debated, the intricate craftsmanship highlights the symbolic richness of Saka artistic traditions.

These discoveries together form one of the most illuminating archaeological collections yet found in the region, deepening our understanding of the Saka people and their enduring cultural legacy across the steppe.

Excavations conducted between 2023 and 2024 under the leadership of Doctor of History Dossbol Baigunakov have now revealed an extraordinary collection of artifacts dating to the 4th–3rd centuries BCE.

Elite burials at the Dauylbai necropolis have provided some of the clearest evidence yet of how Saka society expressed rank, identity, and power. One of the largest mounds investigated during the excavation measured roughly 40 meters across and rose nearly four meters high. Inside this monumental structure, archaeologists discovered the remains of a man interred with an iron akinak sword—an iconic weapon strongly associated with Saka warriors and nobles. Gold plates and personal ornaments found beside him further emphasize his high status, suggesting he belonged to the ruling elite or held significant military or political authority. Finds like these help map out the social hierarchy of the Saka world, where lineage, warrior prestige, and ceremonial roles shaped community life.

The 2024 season brought an especially rare and moving discovery: a paired burial containing a woman and a child. Such burials are seldom found in the Zhetysu region, making this an important scientific milestone. The child’s skull was located near a pair of gold earrings—an unexpected inclusion, since young children were almost never buried with precious materials. Based on skeletal measurements, the child is estimated to have been around 95 centimeters tall. The presence of gold jewelry suggests the child belonged to a prestigious family or held symbolic importance within the group. Alongside the remains, archaeologists recovered bronze plaques decorated with deer and other sacred creatures rendered in the distinctive Saka animal style. These elements reinforce the ceremonial nature of the burial and offer new clues about spiritual beliefs surrounding death and ancestry.

Restoration and Exhibition

Throughout 2025, conservators carried out careful restoration work to stabilize the artifacts. Metal objects were cleared of corrosion to reveal their original detail, while bone, ceramic, and other fragile materials were reinforced to prevent further deterioration. Thanks to this meticulous work, the pieces can now be studied in greater depth and displayed safely to the public. Many of the Dauylbai finds have already been featured in a temporary exhibition at the Tynyshpaev Museum, where visitors can explore the artistry and symbolism of Saka culture through jewelry, weapons, ritual objects, and everyday items.

A Broader Archaeological Landscape

Dauylbai lies at the center of a vast archaeological zone stretching across more than 100 square kilometers. The ridge is home to more than 190 recorded sites—burial mounds, settlement remains, and expansive petroglyph fields dating from the Bronze Age through later historical periods. For years, the area remained under-explored, but recent excavations have revealed its enormous scientific potential, strengthening the idea that Zhetysu served as an important cultural and ceremonial center for ancient nomadic communities.

Significant discoveries are emerging elsewhere in Kazakhstan as well. In the Turkistan region, archaeologists uncovered unique Bronze Age artifacts, including intricately decorated tools and ritual objects that complement the narrative taking shape in Zhetysu. Together, these finds show that 2024–2025 is becoming a breakthrough period for Kazakh archaeology—one that is reshaping our understanding of early nomadic societies and the deep cultural connections linking communities across Central Asia.

Expanding Knowledge of Ancient Nomadic Life

The Dauylbai discoveries add important new details to what is known about Saka society. The artifacts reveal a clear social structure, advanced metalworking skills, and rich symbolic traditions. The rare paired burial of a woman and a child is especially significant, challenging earlier ideas about family roles and the status of children in elite groups.

The high-quality gold items show that the Saka had skilled artisans and access to valuable materials, likely through strong trade networks. As research continues, these finds will deepen understanding of ancient Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage and give modern audiences a more vivid connection to early nomadic life.

The historic ruined castle not far from Glasgow with a dramatic past

Less than an hour south of Glasgow sits the striking ruins of Crawford Castle a dramatic reminder of the powerful Scottish families who once dominated this stretch of the Clyde Valley.

Perched on the north bank of the River Clyde near the M74, the structure is also known as Lindsay Tower, a nod to one of the noble families who ruled the barony during medieval times.

Archaeological research shows that this landscape had been settled long before the castle was built. A Roman fort once occupied the site between roughly AD 80 and AD 170, guarding a key passage through the Southern Uplands.

Crawford Castle was once held by some of Scotland’s most influential families

There is evidence of human occupation at Crawford since the Roman times

The barony of Crawford eventually came into the hands of the Lindsay family through marriage in the early 1200s, and they are thought to have been the ones who commissioned the first major stone structures on the site.

After King James IV took the throne in 1488, the barony changed hands again this time granted to Archibald Douglas, the 5th Earl of Angus, as a reward for his loyalty. The Douglas family retained control of Crawford Castle for several decades, until 1528, when their lands were seized by King James V and absorbed back into the crown’s estates.

The historic ruined castle not far from Glasgow with a dramatic past

The Castle passed between the Lindsey Family and Earls of Angus

During this chapter of its long history, Crawford Castle even served for a short time as a royal hunting lodge. When the king visited, the rooms were fitted out with tapestries and furnishings brought specially for his stay an evocative reminder of the castle’s brief moment at the heart of royal leisure. After James V died in 1542, the barony reverted once again to the Earls of Angus.

In the years that followed, ownership shifted several more times. The estate was eventually acquired by the Duke of Hamilton, and later, in the 18th century, sold to Sir George Colebrooke. By then, the once-formidable stronghold had begun to decline. It was repurposed as a farmhouse, gradually deteriorating before finally falling into ruin. Much of its stone was later carried away for use in surrounding buildings, including the nearby Castle Crawford House a common fate for many abandoned medieval structures.

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