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Guédelon Castle: A Living Experiment in Medieval Archaeology

2025-08-19

Guédelon Castle in Burgundy, France, isn't just a reconstruction; it's a living experiment in medieval archaeology. Using only 13th-century tools and techniques, a team of skilled artisans is building a real 13th-century castle. The project, decades in the making, reveals historical mysteries, from window materials (initially goatskin, later beeswax-stiffened linen) to mortar recipes and scaffolding techniques. Each obstacle encountered is an opportunity to solve a medieval-style problem, illuminating the ingenuity and teamwork of medieval builders. Guédelon is more than a castle; it's a vibrant historical lesson, attracting visitors and scholars worldwide.

(archaeology.org)

Tech experimental archaeology medieval architecture Guédelon Castle

Lost City Rediscovered: Archaeologists Race to Save Heliopolis

2025-05-08

This article highlights the crucial archaeological work underway to save the ancient Egyptian city of Heliopolis. Once the most sacred site on the Nile, Heliopolis was largely forgotten until archaeologists stepped in to prevent its complete disappearance. The article references several issues of *Digs & Discoveries* magazine showcasing discoveries from different years, emphasizing the ongoing and vital nature of the archaeological efforts.

(archaeology.org)

Misc Egypt Heliopolis

A Sweet History: How Fruit Shaped Human Civilization

2025-04-15

From banana cultivation in New Guinea 7,000 years ago to a 15th-century manuscript depicting a variety of fruits, humanity's love affair with fruit spans millennia. Archaeologists, using seeds and pits as evidence, reveal the ingenuity of ancient peoples in utilizing fruit—for example, preserving figs in honey to survive harsh winters. Fruit provided not only sugar, nutrients, and flavor, but also enriched lives, becoming a vital and enduring food source.

(archaeology.org)

Misc fruit agricultural history

Unearthing Ichijodani: A Samurai City's Secrets Revealed

2025-04-14

Excavations in Ichijodani, once one of medieval Japan's largest cities, have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts revealing the opulent lives of its samurai inhabitants and the city's surprising prosperity. Archaeologists have uncovered samurai residences, the remains of the Asakura clan's palace, exquisite ceramics and tea sets, and even the oldest known Japanese flowerbed. Rivaling Kyoto in its heyday, Ichijodani was ultimately destroyed by Oda Nobunaga. Rediscovered after 400 years of obscurity, the site offers unparalleled insight into late medieval Japanese urban life and samurai culture during the tumultuous Warring States period.

(archaeology.org)

Tech Japanese history Warring States period

Unearthing the Past: Archaeological Discoveries Across Time

2025-04-01

Recent articles in Archaeology magazine delve into fascinating discoveries, from Crimea to Northern Europe and Greenland. One piece details the destruction of Baturyn, a Cossack cultural center, by Peter the Great in 1708. Another highlights the top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2020, including explorations of ancient sites in Northern Europe and Greenland. A separate article explores the history of the horse. These articles collectively showcase archaeology's crucial role in illuminating human civilization and history.

(archaeology.org)

Misc

The Pig: From Feast to Forbidden—A History of the Ancient Near East

2025-03-19

This article explores the long history of pigs in the ancient Near East, tracing their journey from domesticated livestock to a religiously forbidden food. Archaeological evidence reveals pigs were a crucial food source in the early Bronze Age, but their numbers dwindled in the later Bronze Age, not due to religious taboos, but a complex interplay of factors including climate change, deforestation, and the rise of pastoralism. The Hebrew Bible's prohibition against pork likely stems from the early Israelites' nomadic lifestyle rather than health or climatic concerns. Later Greek and Roman rule saw a resurgence in pork consumption, only to decline again with the advent of Islam, though it never entirely disappeared. The story reveals how dietary habits shaped cultural identities, and how religion and politics influenced food choices.

(archaeology.org)

Misc Food Culture

Chan Chan: Unraveling the Mysteries of a Lost Andean City

2025-03-16

This article explores the rise and fall of Chan Chan, the capital city of the Chimú civilization in northern Peru. Built in the arid Moche Valley, Chan Chan, through remarkable irrigation engineering, became one of the largest urban centers in the Americas. Its unique architecture reflects a rigid social hierarchy. Recent archaeological discoveries reveal a far more complex social structure than previously understood, encompassing diverse elites and immigrants from various regions, not just artisans. The article also details the extensive child sacrifice rituals practiced by the Chimú, which were highly organized state-level ceremonies, not random events, serving to solidify power and maintain social order. Excavations at Chan Chan and surrounding areas continuously reshape our understanding of the Chimú, revealing a dynamic and complex ancient society.

(archaeology.org)

Tech Chimú Civilization Chan Chan Ancient City

Stunning Rediscovery: Vibrant Colors Restored to Ancient Egyptian Temple

2025-03-15

In Esna, Egypt, the only surviving part of a temple dedicated to the creator god Khnum—a highly decorated entrance hall from the mid-third century A.D.—has been painstakingly restored. Buried beneath centuries of soot and neglect, the hall served as a warehouse for centuries. A joint Egyptian-German team, beginning in 2018, used distilled water and alcohol to meticulously clean the hall, revealing vibrant painted reliefs and inscriptions. The restoration uncovered detailed depictions of ancient Egyptian religious rituals, astronomical knowledge, and mythology, offering unprecedented insights into their culture and beliefs. The project unveils not just stunning artwork, but also invaluable information about ancient Egyptian religious practices, calendars, and mythology.

(archaeology.org)

Tech ancient Egypt restoration

The Enigma of HMAS Sydney's Disappearance

2025-02-23

The loss of HMAS Sydney (II), a pride of the Australian navy, in late 1941 off Western Australia remains a mystery. After a Mediterranean tour, it encountered a ship claiming to be a Dutch freighter, which was actually the German raider HSK Kormoran. The ensuing battle resulted in the disappearance of HMAS Sydney and all hands, a tragic event that continues to puzzle historians and naval enthusiasts.

(archaeology.org)

Misc naval history wartime mystery HMAS Sydney

Babylonian Eclipse Omens: Dark Predictions from Ancient Astronomy

2025-01-09

Newly deciphered Babylonian clay tablets from 1900-1600 BC reveal the earliest known records of lunar eclipse omens. These omens are overwhelmingly ominous, predicting everything from pestilence and famine to the death of kings. The Babylonians believed the sky mirrored the earth, making eclipses dire warnings of divine displeasure. While mostly foretelling doom, kings could attempt to avert fate through rituals and even using substitutes to bear the brunt of the ill omen. This discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient worldviews and how celestial events were interpreted.

(archaeology.org)

Tech Ancient Babylon Lunar Eclipse Divination