2,600-Year-Old Tandoor Discovered at Oluz Höyük Reveals Deep Roots of Anatolian Culinary Traditions

Archaeologists excavating the ancient site of Oluz Höyük in northern Turkey have revealed a remarkably intact tandoor oven that is about 2,600 old and dates to the Persian (Achaemenid) period, providing rare evidence of long-standing culinary traditions in Anatolia.

The oven was uncovered during the 19th excavation season at Oluz Höyük near Amasya, led by Prof. Dr. Şevket Dönmez of Istanbul University’s Department of Archaeology. Prof. Dönmez explained that the underground, fired-clay tandoor closely resembles those still commonly used in Anatolia today.

“This tandoor is almost identical to the ones found in present-day Anatolian villages,” Prof. Dönmez said. “The main difference is simply its age—it is 2,600 old.”

Insight into Everyday Life in Antiquity
The tandoor was found next to a stone work surface thought to have been used for kneading dough or processing grain, suggesting the space served as a household food preparation area. This supports the view that bread production and shared cooking activities were already an established part of daily life in Anatolia during the Persian period.

Researchers note that similar cooking structures have been present in the region since Neolithic times, but the Oluz Höyük example is particularly notable for both its sophisticated construction and excellent state of preservation. “This find highlights how deeply embedded Anatolia’s cooking methods and food traditions are,” Prof. Dönmez added.

The recently uncovered tandoor is also linked to an important discovery made at Oluz Höyük two years earlier. Archaeologists found a large clay vessel inside what is believed to have been a kitchen in a Persian-period palace. The pot contained animal bones and cereal grains, and laboratory analysis confirmed it had been used to cook keşkek, one of Anatolia’s oldest ceremonial foods.

Keşkek is traditionally prepared by slowly cooking wheat or barley with meat—commonly lamb or chicken—until it becomes a thick, porridge-like dish. It remains a staple at weddings, religious events, and communal gatherings, especially in rural Anatolia, and was recognized by UNESCO in 2011 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“Keşkek was very likely prepared in these tandoors,” Prof. Dönmez said. “This provides clear evidence of a continuous culinary tradition stretching from the Persian era to the present.”

Oluz Höyük: A Multicultural Center of the Past
Oluz Höyük is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Central Black Sea region. Excavations reveal continuous occupation from the Late Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period, including a distinctive phase linked to Zoroastrian beliefs, making it one of the earliest known sites of Persian religious influence in Anatolia.

Finds at the site include Persian administrative buildings, ritual areas, and domestic structures, indicating that Oluz Höyük served as an important regional hub during the Achaemenid period.

Enduring Food Traditions
The discovery of the tandoor adds valuable insight into everyday life during the Persian period and underscores the remarkable persistence of Anatolian culinary practices. Techniques such as baking bread on tandoor walls and slow-cooking keşkek have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years.

Ongoing excavations are expected to reveal further details about daily life, food preparation, and social customs in ancient Anatolia, demonstrating how deeply the past continues to shape present-day traditions.

Classical-period tomb discovered in Manbij, northeast of Aleppo

The General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums announced on Friday the discovery of an archaeological tomb in the city of Manbij, northeast of Aleppo, dating to the classical period. The find was made during emergency excavation work carried out by an archaeological mission at the site.

In a statement posted on the directorate’s official Facebook page, the discovery occurred while construction was underway on a private property in Manbij. Archaeological indications appeared during the work, leading the Aleppo Directorate of Antiquities and Museums to form an urgent excavation team to examine the location.

Excavations revealed a tomb composed of a main chamber and three adjacent rooms featuring semi-circular arches, an architectural style typical of the classical era. No artifacts of notable historical importance were found inside the tomb.

The Directorate reiterated its dedication to safeguarding Syria’s cultural heritage and called on citizens to report any archaeological remains discovered during digging or construction, helping ensure their protection for future generations.

The Manbij area in eastern Aleppo is considered a natural open-air museum due to its abundance of ancient remains. Historically referred to as the “Sacred City” (Hierapolis), the region contains several major archaeological sites, including Qalaat Najm, the Umm al-Sarj site, and the ancient walls of Manbij, along with Roman tombs, mosaic panels, and numerous other archaeological finds.

Archaeologists Uncovered the First Evidence of Math—Before Numbers Were Even Invented

The Halafian culture of northern Mesopotamia arranged floral depictions on pottery with symmetry and numerical sequences, displaying one of the earliest pieces of evidence of mathematical thinking.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Here’s what you’ll discover in this story:

Uncovering signs of ancient mathematics is difficult without written sources, but new research suggests that floral designs on pottery from the Halafian culture of northern Mesopotamia reveal an understanding of geometry, symmetry, and spatial division that predates formal number systems.
The findings also mark the earliest known point at which plants became subjects of human art, as earlier artistic expressions mainly focused on animals and people.
Across 700 pottery fragments, artists depicted non-edible plants such as flowers, indicating they were selected for visual appeal rather than practical use.

Mathematics functions as a universal language—not Esperanto, but a system grounded in shared principles across cultures. This universality explains why mathematics often appears in science fiction as a means of communicating with extraterrestrials. The same logic applies across time. While archaeologists rely on reference texts like the Rosetta Stone to interpret ancient languages, mathematical patterns can be recognized and understood even millennia later.

In a study published in the Journal of World Prehistory, researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem examined floral motifs painted on pottery by the Halafian culture, which inhabited northern Mesopotamia between 6200 and 5500 B.C.E., revealing sophisticated mathematical thinking embedded in prehistoric art.

The Role of Myth in Sumerian Kingship

How Sumerian Myths Reinforced Royal Authority

Introduction to Sumerian Mythology
Sumerian myths often connected rulers directly to the divine, portraying kings as chosen by gods or even semi-divine figures themselves. These narratives reinforced the social hierarchy and legitimized political authority in city-states like Ur, Uruk, and Lagash.

Divine Kingship
Myths such as those surrounding Gilgamesh, Lugalbanda, and Enmerkar presented kings as intermediaries between gods and humans. Kings were tasked with upholding cosmic order (me) and maintaining harmony between humanity and the divine.

Myth as Political Tool
Stories reinforced the king’s right to rule by emphasizing divine favor. Temple inscriptions, epic poetry, and hymns portrayed rulers as divinely sanctioned, instilling loyalty among subjects and ensuring societal stability.

Ritual and Cultural Significance
Kings participated in religious rituals that reenacted mythic events, strengthening their authority. Festivals, offerings, and temple ceremonies symbolically linked the king with gods, creating a tangible demonstration of divine endorsement.

Legacy of Myth in Governance
Sumerian myth set a precedent for later Mesopotamian empires, establishing a framework where religious narratives and political power were deeply intertwined. By embedding mythology in governance, Sumerians ensured that kingship was both a spiritual and temporal institution, shaping societal norms and cultural continuity for centuries.

The Sacred Bull in Ancient Cultures

Symbolism in Minoan, Mesopotamian, and Indus Valley Religions

Introduction to Bull Symbolism
The bull has been one of the most enduring symbols across ancient civilizations, representing strength, fertility, and divine authority. Its presence in art, rituals, and mythology demonstrates its spiritual significance.

Minoan Civilization
In Minoan Crete (c. 2000–1450 BCE), the bull was central to religious ceremonies. Bull-leaping frescoes depict acrobatic rituals where participants vaulted over bulls, symbolizing human mastery over nature and spiritual communion. The bull represented vitality, fertility, and connection with the gods.

Mesopotamian Beliefs
In Mesopotamia, bulls were associated with storm gods and kingship. The Bull of Heaven appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh, symbolizing divine punishment and cosmic power. Cultures in Sumer, Akkad, and Babylon depicted bulls in temples, seals, and sculptures to reinforce authority and protection.

Indus Valley Civilization
In the Indus Valley (c. 3300–1300 BCE), bull motifs appear on seals and pottery, indicating economic and spiritual importance. Bulls were likely sacred, connected to fertility and agricultural productivity. They symbolized both human sustenance and cosmic order.

Cultural Legacy
Across these cultures, the bull represented life, strength, and divine favor. Its depiction in art, mythology, and ritual demonstrates the shared human desire to connect with forces greater than oneself and to seek protection, fertility, and prosperity through symbolic representation.

The Mystery of the Etruscans

Language, Culture, and Influence on Rome

Introduction to the Etruscans
The Etruscans were an influential civilization in ancient Italy. Their origins remain debated, with theories suggesting local development or migration from the Near East.

Language and Writing
The Etruscan language used a unique alphabet derived from Greek scripts. Despite numerous inscriptions on tombs, pottery, and monuments, the language is only partially understood today, limiting insights into their daily lives and governance.

Cultural Achievements
Etruscans excelled in metallurgy, architecture, urban planning, and art. Tomb paintings reveal elaborate rituals, banquets, and music, highlighting their sophisticated lifestyle.

Religious Practices
Religion played a central role, including divination, augury, and worship of deities similar to later Roman gods. Temples and sacred spaces were carefully aligned with cosmological principles.

Influence on Rome
Etruscan kings ruled Rome before the Republic, influencing Roman religion, architecture, military organization, and social customs. Many elements of Roman engineering and governance have Etruscan roots.

The God-Kings of Ancient Egypt

Analyzing the Concept of Divine Rulership Among the Pharaohs

Introduction to Pharaohs
Ancient Egyptian kings were seen as divine intermediaries between gods and people. Their authority encompassed religious, political, and military domains, reinforcing the unity of the state.

Divine Symbolism
Pharaohs were considered incarnations of Horus during life and Osiris after death. Iconography, including crowns, scepters, and regalia, emphasized their sacred and earthly power.

Political Authority
As absolute rulers, pharaohs controlled taxation, law, trade, and military campaigns. Their decrees were considered divinely sanctioned, blending religion and governance seamlessly.

Funerary Practices
Tombs and mortuary temples reinforced the pharaoh’s divine status. Monumental architecture, like pyramids and obelisks, ensured eternal remembrance and cosmic alignment.

Cultural Legacy
The god-king concept influenced neighboring civilizations and later ideologies about divine rulership, reflecting the inseparable link between religion, authority, and social structure in ancient Egypt.

The Ancient Olympic Games

Origins, Events, and Significance in Ancient Greece

Introduction to the Games
The Olympic Games began in 776 BCE at Olympia to honor Zeus. They became a central feature of Panhellenic culture, combining religious devotion, athletic competition, and political diplomacy.

Events and Competitions
Athletes competed in footraces, wrestling, javelin, discus, and chariot racing. Victory brought not only personal glory but also political prestige to the athlete’s city-state.

Religious Significance
Ceremonies included sacrifices and offerings to Zeus, linking athletic excellence to spiritual favor. Athletic prowess was considered a reflection of moral and physical virtue.

Cultural and Political Role
The games provided a temporary truce among warring city-states, facilitating diplomacy and exchange. They were also a platform to display wealth, honor heroes, and celebrate Greek identity.

Legacy of the Olympics
The Olympic tradition influenced later athletic festivals, inspired modern Olympic Games, and continues to represent ideals of excellence, unity, and competition.

The Legend of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth

Exploring the Myth of Theseus and Minoan Crete

Introduction to the Myth
The story of the Minotaur, a creature half-man and half-bull, encapsulates Minoan religious symbolism and Greek mythmaking. The labyrinth, designed by Daedalus, served as both prison and ritualistic symbol.

Cultural Context
The myth may reflect bull-worship practices on Crete, where bull-leaping and ceremonial rituals were central to Minoan religion. It also illustrates human confrontation with chaos and divine power.

Symbolism of the Labyrinth
The labyrinth represents complex paths of fate, initiation, and spiritual trials. In mythology, it functions as both a protective enclosure and a challenge to heroic intelligence.

Theseus and Heroism
Theseus’ triumph over the Minotaur embodies the ideal of human courage, strategy, and divine favor. His story was retold as a symbol of overcoming chaos through intellect and bravery.

Legacy in Art and Literature
The Minotaur myth inspired Greek tragedy, Renaissance art, and modern literature, highlighting the enduring power of myth to explore human psychology and cultural memory.

The Step Pyramids of Saqqara

Design and Purpose of Djoser’s Step Pyramid in Egypt

Introduction to Saqqara
Saqqara, the necropolis of Memphis, is home to the earliest large-scale stone structure in Egypt: Djoser’s Step Pyramid. It represents a revolutionary leap in architectural ambition and funerary practice.

Architectural Design
The pyramid consists of six stepped layers rising above a rectangular base. Designed by the architect Imhotep, it evolved from traditional mastaba tombs, integrating multiple burial chambers and ceremonial corridors.

Religious Significance
The pyramid symbolized the king’s journey to the afterlife, a stairway to the sun god Ra, and the eternal maintenance of divine kingship. Its alignment and surrounding temples reinforced cosmic and religious order.

Construction Techniques
Builders employed limestone blocks, carefully measured and placed with innovative techniques for the time. The complex also included courtyards, chapels, and shrines, emphasizing ceremonial function alongside tomb preservation.

Cultural Legacy
Djoser’s pyramid inspired subsequent pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza. Saqqara reflects the interplay of religion, architecture, and political authority in early dynastic Egypt.

The Druidic Practices of Ancient Britain

Religious and Political Role of Druids in Celtic Society

Introduction to Druids
Druids were the spiritual and intellectual elite of Celtic societies in ancient Britain and Gaul. They functioned as priests, teachers, judges, and advisors, guiding communities in both religious and civic matters.

Religious Duties
Druids conducted ceremonies in sacred groves, often near rivers or forests. They presided over rituals for seasonal festivals, life events such as births and deaths, and sacrificial rites. Their knowledge of astronomy and natural cycles informed their spiritual calendar.

Political Influence
Druids wielded significant power, mediating disputes between tribes and advising chieftains. Their moral authority often rivaled or exceeded that of kings, enabling them to shape legal and military decisions.

Education and Knowledge
Druids memorized vast amounts of oral knowledge, including genealogies, law, mythology, and medicinal practices. Written records were rare, emphasizing memory, recitation, and oral transmission across generations.

Cultural Legacy
Though largely suppressed by Roman conquest, Druidic influence persists in folklore, mythology, and modern neopagan practices. Archaeological findings, combined with Roman accounts, provide a window into their pivotal role in ancient Celtic society.

The Royal Tombs of Ur

Luxurious Burials and Grave Goods of the Sumerian Kings

Introduction to Ur
Ur, a prominent Sumerian city (c. 2600 BCE), is renowned for its royal tombs, which reveal extraordinary wealth, artistry, and ritual practices of early urban societies.

Tomb Architecture
Tombs were elaborate structures with multiple chambers, sometimes containing sacrificial victims, attendants, and a vast array of treasures. Construction techniques indicate sophisticated knowledge of stonework, bricklaying, and ceremonial design.

Grave Goods and Symbolism
Artifacts included jewelry, musical instruments, weapons, and ceremonial items. Gold, lapis lazuli, and carnelian highlight trade networks and the symbolic importance of wealth as a bridge to the afterlife.

Ritual Practices
Excavations suggest elaborate funerary ceremonies, including human and animal sacrifices. These rituals reflect beliefs about the afterlife, divine favor, and the king’s role as intermediary between gods and humans.

Legacy and Insights
The Royal Tombs of Ur provide critical understanding of Sumerian social hierarchy, religious beliefs, and artistry, offering a window into early civilization’s complexity and human ingenuity.

The Mystery of the Sea Peoples

Origins, Invasions, and Impact on Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

Introduction to the Sea Peoples
The Sea Peoples were confederations of maritime raiders who attacked Eastern Mediterranean kingdoms around 1200 BCE. Their origins remain debated, but their invasions contributed to the Bronze Age Collapse.

Invasions and Strategies
Texts from Egypt, such as those of Pharaoh Ramesses III, describe coordinated assaults on Egypt and surrounding regions. These invasions disrupted trade, destroyed cities, and weakened established kingdoms.

Cultural and Economic Impact
The raids caused population displacement, disrupted commerce, and accelerated political fragmentation. Some scholars argue that the Sea Peoples indirectly facilitated the rise of smaller, localized powers after the collapse.

Archaeological Evidence
Ruins showing widespread destruction, weapons, and changes in settlement patterns provide clues about their presence. While identity remains uncertain, their legacy is evident in the reshaping of Mediterranean civilizations.

Historical Legacy
The Sea Peoples highlight the vulnerability of interconnected societies to external pressures. Their impact offers insights into migration, conflict, and adaptation in ancient history.

The Lost Library of Ashurbanipal

The Significance of the World’s Oldest Surviving Library in Nineveh

Introduction to the Library
Located in Nineveh, the library of King Ashurbanipal (668–627 BCE) preserved thousands of cuneiform tablets covering literature, astronomy, medicine, and law. It represents humanity’s earliest systematic effort to compile knowledge.

Collections and Content
The library contained the Epic of Gilgamesh, administrative records, royal inscriptions, divination texts, and medical treatises. Tablets were cataloged by topic, demonstrating sophisticated organization and the Assyrians’ understanding of information management.

Cultural and Educational Role
The library served as a knowledge hub for scribes, scholars, and priests. It preserved Mesopotamian culture, ensured continuity of legal and religious traditions, and allowed the intellectual elite to transmit knowledge across generations.

Impact and Legacy
The Ashurbanipal Library influenced later libraries in the region, including those in Babylon and Persia. Its survival through wars and natural decay highlights the enduring value of written knowledge and the importance of cultural preservation in human history.

The Sacred Bull in Ancient Cultures

Symbolism of the Bull in Minoan, Mesopotamian, and Indus Valley Religions

Introduction to Bull Worship
The bull was a universal symbol of strength, fertility, and divine power across ancient civilizations. From Crete to Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, bulls represented vitality, agricultural prosperity, and spiritual authority.

Minoan Crete
In Minoan culture, the bull was central to religious ceremonies, including bull-leaping rituals depicted in frescoes. The Minotaur myth reflects the symbolic fusion of human and animal power, emphasizing dominance, fertility, and ritual sacrifice.

Mesopotamian Significance
In Mesopotamia, bulls appeared in art and mythology as guardians of temples and symbols of kingship. Deities like the Bull of Heaven in the Epic of Gilgamesh highlight the sacred and sometimes dangerous nature of these animals in religious narratives.

Indus Valley Associations
Seals from the Indus Valley depict bulls alongside fertility and agricultural symbols, suggesting their centrality in economic and spiritual life. Bulls may have symbolized strength, wealth, and divine protection for communities dependent on farming.

Cross-Cultural Legacy
The bull’s symbolic importance persisted, influencing later Mediterranean and Near Eastern art, mythology, and rituals. Across cultures, it remained a powerful emblem of both life-giving energy and divine authority.

The Bronze Age Collapse: The End of Empires

Analyzing the Sudden Fall of Civilizations

Introduction to the Collapse
The Late Bronze Age (around 1200 BCE) witnessed the abrupt decline of several major civilizations, including the Hittites, Mycenaeans, and parts of Egypt. This period of turmoil reshaped the ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern world, leading to economic decline, migration, and the loss of literacy in some regions.

Factors Behind the Collapse
Several interconnected factors contributed to the collapse: natural disasters such as earthquakes and droughts, invasions by groups like the Sea Peoples, internal rebellions, and trade disruptions. The failure of political and economic systems compounded these crises, causing once-powerful empires to disintegrate.

Impact on Societies
The collapse led to population decline, abandoned cities, and the disappearance of monumental architecture. Trade networks that connected regions from Egypt to Anatolia fractured, isolating communities and creating cultural fragmentation.

Archaeological Evidence
Excavations reveal burned cities, destroyed palaces, and abrupt cultural changes. Written records, including Hittite and Egyptian texts, hint at widespread chaos and conflict, illustrating how interconnected systems can fail simultaneously.

Legacy of the Bronze Age Collapse
Despite the devastation, the collapse paved the way for new political entities and cultural developments. The rise of smaller kingdoms, Iron Age technology, and eventual civilizations like classical Greece and Neo-Assyrian empires demonstrate human resilience in the face of systemic collapse.

Crete in 12 recommended European destinations for January holidays

Crete is drawing international attention as a top holiday destination for 2026 outside the peak season. A survey by travel platform Going.com ranked the island among the best European destinations for warm winter travel, placing it 4th among Mediterranean islands. The list also includes regions like Andalusia, Costa del Sol, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Malta, Sicily, the Algarve, Madeira, Southern France, Southern Italy, and Antalya.

Going.com’s experts note that Crete’s southern location provides some of the mildest winter weather in Greece. Mountain villages stay warm and inviting, coastal areas enjoy sunlight, and archaeological sites are nearly empty compared to summer crowds. January visitors can experience authentic island life, enjoy local cuisine, explore coastal routes, and take gentle hikes without intense heat.

This recognition continues Crete’s reputation as a four-season destination, previously highlighted by outlets such as CNN Travel, The Guardian, and National Geographic. These features have praised the island’s mild climate, authentic daily life, local gastronomy, and opportunities for low-intensity activities outside the high season. Going.com’s survey further cements Crete’s appeal as a destination beyond the summer months.

Geological Surveys in Mongolia Uncover 3,000-Year-Old Nomadic Khirgisuur Burial Mounds

Geological surveys at Mongolia’s Oyut Deposit have revealed 3,000-year-old nomadic burial mounds, uncovering Bronze Age and medieval khirgisuur graves.

While investigating the area’s mineral potential, researchers unexpectedly gained insight into Mongolia’s ancient nomadic past. During large-scale surveys in central Mongolia, a cluster of burial sites was discovered, illustrating funerary practices that span over a thousand years. MONTSAME reports that this shows how industrial exploration can intersect with archaeology when preservation laws are enforced.

The discoveries came from mineral exploration conducted by the state-owned Erdenet Mining Corporation (EMC) under a government permit covering parts of Orkhon and Bulgan aimags, regions historically central to steppe civilizations. Exploration at the Oyut Deposit, which began in 2023, confirmed an estimated 357 million tonnes of ore containing more than 1.1 million tonnes of pure copper, making it one of Mongolia’s most significant mineral finds in recent years.

Amid these economic findings, geological teams in 2024 identified 10 ancient burial mounds, known locally as khirgisuur. Following Mongolia’s cultural heritage laws, industrial activity was immediately suspended in the area, and archaeologists were called in to document and study the sites.

Collaboration Between Industry and Archaeology
EMC’s excavation team partnered with the Institute of Nomadic Archaeology at the National University of Mongolia (NUM). Fieldwork continued over several months and concluded in October, with researchers producing a detailed archaeological report, according to MONTSAME.

All ten graves were carefully excavated and documented. Four were securely dated to the Bronze Age, two to the Medieval period (approximately 8th–13th centuries), while the remaining four could not yet be assigned to a specific era. The Bronze Age burials were notably well-preserved despite the region’s harsh climate.

Artifacts recovered included bronze toli (mirrors), fragments of felt, animal bones, and various funerary offerings. These items are typical of steppe nomadic burial practices, where personal belongings and symbolic objects accompanied the deceased into the afterlife.

What Is a Khirgisuur?
Khirgisuur refers to a distinctive type of burial mound found across Mongolia and parts of Inner Asia. Primarily dating to the Late Bronze Age, these stone-covered mounds are often surrounded by features such as standing stones or remains of sacrificial animals. Scholars believe khirgisuur functioned not only as graves but also as ceremonial landmarks, reinforcing social memory and territorial identity among mobile pastoralist communities.

The discovery of khirgisuur at the Oyut Deposit underscores that Orkhon and Bulgan aimags were key corridors for nomadic movement and ritual activity for thousands of years.

A Region Rich in Steppe History
The Orkhon Valley is already recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significance in the rise of steppe empires, including the Turkic Khaganates and the Mongol Empire. The newly recorded burial mounds provide additional insight, showing continuity in ritual practices from the Bronze Age through the medieval period.

Archaeological work at the Oyut Deposit spanned 1,032 hectares, making it one of the most extensive heritage assessments associated with mining exploration in recent years.

As Mongolia seeks to balance economic growth with cultural preservation, discoveries like these highlight the importance of collaboration between industry, government, and academic institutions. What began as a copper exploration has revealed lasting traces of the people who shaped the Eurasian steppe long before modern borders or mining operations existed.

A trove of precious material

The half barony of Arra may not be vast geographically it spans the Arra mountains and includes the parishes of Portroe, Burgess, Ballina, and parts of Nenagh but it clearly has a rich historical record. Far from having exhausted its stories, the area continues to yield fascinating finds, as showcased in this latest volume. Edited by Michael Gleeson, Jane Quinlan, Joe Ryan (Stock), and Matt Malone, Annals of Arra: Volume VII offers an engaging and accessible exploration of the district’s history, archaeology, people, and places. The book balances detailed historical research with lively, personal narratives, illustrated with striking black-and-white photographs, maps, and tables that enrich the reader’s experience.

The volume is approachable for all readers, not just scholars, presenting information in a tangible and relatable way. It covers a broad spectrum—from vivid accounts of wild cross-country hurling matches to carefully researched biographies of notable figures.

Some stories hint at the extraordinary lives of local people. Jeremiah Seymour and Mary Culhane, Irish immigrants to Victoria, Australia, rose socially and economically in ways that would have seemed impossible to many mid-19th-century emigrants. As their great-granddaughter Bernadette Speirs notes, their journey “is a compelling narrative of transformation,” overcoming racial, ethnic, and religious barriers to build a large family and a productive farm. Locally, figures such as Bridget Gough and Denis Hanly made lasting contributions, founding Ballyartella Woollen Mills, which grew from a modest operation into a globally recognized textile company.

The book also includes humor and playful anecdotes, such as the story of Michael Gleeson’s uncle Marty, who briefly gained a reputation as a mathematical genius after obtaining a homework answers book—only to be caught and face the consequences.

Several articles stand out for their depth and rigor. Derek Ryan Bawn’s study of 17th-century land ownership in Arra meticulously examines the impact of the Battle of Kinsale and the Flight of the Earls on local landholding. Similarly, Michael Gleeson’s biography of Bishop Michael Fogarty, who served over fifty years as Bishop of Killaloe, details his involvement in Ireland’s fight for independence and his interactions with leaders like Arthur Griffith, Michael Collins, and Éamon de Valera, highlighting the Catholic Church’s role in shaping the state.

Finally, Dr. Siobhán Geraghty, current chairperson of the Arra Historical and Archaeological Society, concludes the volume with a summary of the Curraghbally Association, offering insight into pre-famine Ireland and reflecting on the club’s potential trajectory had the Great Famine not disrupted the country.

From Macedon to the Alps: Two of Switzerland’s Oldest Celtic Gold Coins Discovered in Arisdorf

Archaeologists working in northwestern Switzerland have uncovered an exceptional find: two rare Celtic gold coins that are more than 2,200 years old. The discovery was made near the village of Arisdorf in the canton of Basel-Landschaft and is considered one of the most significant Celtic coin finds in the country in recent years.

These artifacts rank among the oldest Celtic coins ever found in Switzerland and provide valuable new information about early monetary systems, ritual behavior, and Celtic society in Central Europe.

Rare Discovery in a Well-Documented Area

The coins were found by two volunteer researchers collaborating with Archäologie Baselland, the region’s official archaeological service. The discovery site is a forested area known as Bärenfels, close to Arisdorf, which has already yielded important archaeological evidence in recent years.

In 2023, archaeologists uncovered a hoard of 34 Celtic silver coins at the same location, dated to approximately 80–70 BC. Building on that discovery, a follow-up survey was carried out in spring 2025. During systematic fieldwork conducted by volunteers Wolfgang Niederberger and Daniel Mona, along with other team members, the group unexpectedly uncovered two gold Celtic coins—a complete stater and a quarter stater.

Among the Oldest Coins Found in Switzerland

Specialists have dated the newly discovered gold coins to the middle and late 3rd century BC, making them some of the earliest known Celtic coins in Switzerland. Current research indicates that fewer than two dozen similar coins from this early period have been identified across the country.

Michael Nick, a coin expert from the Inventory of Swiss Coin Finds (IFS), identified the artifacts as extremely rare examples. The larger coin, weighing 7.8 grams, belongs to the Gamshurst type, while the smaller coin, weighing 1.86 grams, has been classified as a Montmorot type.

The stater weighs 7.8 g and features the head of the Greek god Apollo on the obverse and a horse-drawn chariot (biga) on the reverse.

Archaeologists in northwestern Switzerland have uncovered two rare Celtic gold coins over 2,200 years old near Arisdorf in Basel-Landschaft.

The coins, among the oldest found in Switzerland, shed light on early Celtic currency, rituals, and culture.

Found by volunteers Wolfgang Niederberger and Daniel Mona with Archäologie Baselland, the discovery took place in the archaeologically significant Bärenfels area, where a 34-coin silver hoard was found in 2023.

Dated to the mid-to-late 3rd century BC, the coins—a 7.8-gram Gamshurst-type stater and a 1.86-gram Montmorot-type quarter stater—are extremely rare.

Historians link early Celtic coinage to mercenaries in the Mediterranean who brought the idea of coins home. By the mid-3rd century BC, Celts began minting gold coins inspired by Philip II of Macedon, adapting Apollo and chariot motifs into Celtic designs.

The Arisdorf coins likely weren’t for everyday trade but served as elite payments, gifts, dowries, or ritual offerings, often deposited in graves, wetlands, or sacred sites like Bärenfels Moor.

The quarter stater (weight: 1.86 g) also depicts the head of Apollo and a horse-drawn chariot.

Archäologie Baselland and the Historical Museum Basel have decided to exhibit the rare gold coins in the ongoing “Treasure Finds” display starting March 2026.

The coins will be shown alongside the previously discovered silver coins from the same site in a dedicated showcase at the Barfüsserkirche in Basel, giving the public a unique view into Switzerland’s ancient Celtic heritage.

The Arisdorf gold coins not only add to Switzerland’s archaeological record but also underscore the vital contribution of volunteer researchers, while offering new insights into early Celtic society, religious practices, and the origins of currency in the region.