Altar Showing Mythical Battle Discovered in Turkey

An ancient marble altar showing a nude warrior battling a serpent monster has been discovered near the Akcay River in Turkey. Archaeologists believe that the warrior may be Bargasos, a son of Hercules.

http://www.livescience.com/53211-altar-showing-mythical-battle-discovered.html

Tiny Figurines Discovered in Prehistoric Infant's Burial

Eight tiny figurines, carved out of deer antler, have been found in the burial of an infant who died 4,500 years ago. The infant was buried in a Kurgan (mound) near Lake Itkul in Russia.

http://www.livescience.com/53167-rattles-found-in-prehistoric-infant-grave.html

Massive sand structure & Buried towers Discovered at Angkor Wat

Archaeologists working at Angkor Wat have discovered a massive structure - about a mile long - that contains spiral designs. They've also found the remains of eight towers that may have formed a shrine.

Their results were published recently in the journal Antiquity.

http://www.livescience.com/53035-angkor-wat-yields-buried-towers-spiral-structure.html

New research sheds light into Middle East geometric structures

New research sheds light on thousands of stone structures in the Middle East. that form geometric patterns.

OSL dating reveals that two of the "wheel" shaped structures were constructed around 8,500 years ago. Also one cluster of "wheels" appear to be aligned to sunrise on the winter solstice.

Additionally new stone structures have been found in Saudi Arabia including five located on a volcano slope (image in story's photo gallery).

http://www.livescience.com/52944-huge-geometric-shapes-in-middle-east-revealed.html

1,700 Year-Old Cupid Ring Discovered in England

A 1,700 year-old gold ring depicting a nude image of Cupid has been discovered in England. He is shown holding a torch with one hand while leaning on a column.

The ancient philosopher Apuleius wrote that Cupid often stripped naked and was known for "running at night here and there through homes that are not his own, corrupting marriages through indiscriminate seductions, authoring outrages on an enormous scale..."

http://www.livescience.com/52884-ancient-ring-depicts-nude-cupid.html

Lucky Roll! 14-face die Discovered in Heavily Looted Tomb

The remains of a board game called "bo" or "liubo" have been discovered in a heavily looted 2,300 year-old tomb in China. Among the discoveries is a 14 face die made of animal tooth.

http://www.livescience.com/52808-ancient-board-game-found-in-china-tomb.html

Great Pyramid May Hold Lost Tomb

An update on a story done in 2013 that incorporates the new thermal imaging.

http://www.livescience.com/52780-great-pyramid-may-hide-undiscovered-tomb.html 

Kazakhstan Geoglyphs Actually Date Back 2,800 years

The archaeologists investigating the geoglyphs in Kazakhstan say that they actually date as far back as 2,800 years, not the 8,000 reported in the New York Times. Also only 60 have been confirmed to exist so far, not 260.

http://www.livescience.com/52700-mysterious-geoglyphs-in-kazakhstan-revealed.html

Tomb Tells Tale of Family Executed by female emperor of China

Archaeologists have discovered a 1,300 year-old tomb containing epitaphs which tell the tale of a family executed by Wu Zetian, a female emperor of China. They describe how the occupant, Yan Shiwei helped her rise to power only to be executed later, along with his entire family.

http://www.livescience.com/52659-tomb-tells-tale-of-family-executed-by-china-s-1st-female-emperor.html

Statement in regards to New York Times

To all interested as the reporter who broke the Kazakhstan geoglyph story one year ago I have a statement to make. http://bit.ly/ZG0nnE

Much of the story reported by @ralphblu in @nytimes about the Kazakhstan geoglyphs is false. I've been in touch with archaeologists doing the work. They've discredited much of the story published by @ralphblu in @nytimes.  I've contacted @ralphblu and @nytimes about this and will be writing a follow-up article on the (real) research taking place next week.

One year ago the archaeologists generously took the time to talk to me about their initial results and share some of their findings. I'm saddened that @ralphblu and @nytimes have treated those same archaeologists so shabbily.

The names of the actual archaeologists are Irina Shevnina, Andrew Logvin and Giedrė Motuzaitė Matuzevičiūtė. Most of the people that @ralphblu and @nytimes reported on are not archaeologists and are not doing the research. I'm linking below to the story I published on the glyphs one year ago. I'm also copying the abstract of the paper presented in Istanbul last year.

(EAA 2014) Steppe Geoglyphs Mark the Ancient Routes of Human Migration Across Central Asia: Introduction to the Research
Andrey Logvin (National University of Kostanay, Kostanay), Irina Shevnina (National University of Kostanay,
Kostanay), Giedrė Motuzaitė Matuzevičiūtė (Vilnius University/Institute of History of Lithuania, Vilnius), Abai Seitov (National University of Kostanay, Kostanay)
Geoglyphs in the Torgai region of Northern Kazakhstan were serendipitously found while analysing satellite images from Google Earth. In a past few years over 20 such geoglyphs have been identified in the Torgai region. These unique objects
have not been known in the territory of Kazakhstan before, nor in the neighbouring countries.
The diameter of those geoglyphs ranges from 90m to 400m. According to the construction type, they could be grouped into two groups: the first type
of geoglyphs are constructed from the earth mounds which form lines, rings, crosses, squares and squares with crosses. The second group of geoglyphs is constructed from earth trenches and ramparts.
In the past year, the archaeological expedition from the Kostanay University in collaboration with Vilnius University began the investigation of the Torgai geoglyphs. The applied research methodology involved archaeological excavations, GPR work, radiocarbon and OSL dating as well as aerial photography. In this talk we are going to present the recent research results that allowed us to take a closer look at the timing, function and reasoning behind these unique and mysterious constructions.

http://www.livescience.com/47954-geoglyphs-discovered-in-kazakhstan.html

Bloody Arrowhead Tells of Maya "Life Force" Ceremony

A bloody arrowhead found in a Maya temple in Guatemala tells of a ceremony that used a person's "life force" to feed the gods.

http://www.livescience.com/52516-bloody-arrowhead-reveals-maya-ceremony.html

2,400 Year-Old Tomb Complex Discovered in northern Cyprus

A tomb complex dating back 2,400 years has been discovered in northern Cyprus. It contains an aristocratic family buried with beautiful artifacts.

http://www.livescience.com/52452-ancient-cyprus-tomb-discovered.html

Records reveal clues to provenance of "Gospel of Jesus's Wife"

New records provide clues into the provenance of the Gospel of Jesus's Wife

http://www.livescience.com/52382-gospel-of-jesus-wife-records-found.html 

2,700 year-old Hoards Discovered in Transylvania

Two hoards, dating back about 2,700 years, have been discovered in Transylvania. They include a mix of weapons, tools and bronze jewelry.

http://www.livescience.com/52329-ancient-booty-discovered-in-transylvania.html

Stone Age Discoveries Made on Supernatural Island

Archaeologists investigating the island of Blå Jungfrun, off the east coast of Sweden, have found evidence of Stone Age rituals that were performed in the island's caves. Interestingly stories have been told for centuries that associate the island with witchcraft and curses.

http://www.livescience.com/52257-stone-age-rituals-on-witchcraft-island.html

16 Pyramid Discovered near Ancient Town of Gematon in Sudan

16 pyramids, with tombs underneath, have been discovered in a cemetery located near the ancient town of Gematon in Sudan. Excavations at the cemetery began in 1998 and they've been uncovered gradually, along with other types of tombs, in that time.

http://www.livescience.com/52186-16-pyramids-discovered-ancient-cemetery.html

As Ancient Texts Disappear, Solar-Powered Device Offers Solution

Researchers are developing a solar powered device that allows fragile texts to be kept in an environment where humidity and temperature can be carefully controlled. It will be helpful in situations where energy is unavailable or unaffordable to museums and archives.

This image shows a "proof of concept" model demonstrated at the University of Toronto in August 19.

http://www.livescience.com/52054-solar-device-to-preserve-disappearing-texts.html

Origins of Gospel of Jesus's Wife Begin to Emerge

Several new developments:

-New documents found on origins of papyrus may allow for story behind it to be uncovered (two images included)
-New scientific tests completed will be published in a few months, will focus on papyrus's ink
-Professor King recently published a letter in Biblical Archaeology Review discussing papyrus

http://www.livescience.com/51954-gospel-of-jesus-wife-origins.html

Gruesome Find: 100 Bodies Stuffed into Ancient House

Archaeologists in China have uncovered a 5,000 year-old house found packed with the remains of at least 97 bodies. They appear to have died as a result of a "prehistoric disaster" researchers say, possibly an epidemic.

http://www.livescience.com/51662-100-bodies-found-prehistoric-house.html

Iraq's Destroyed Heritage Being Brought Back to Life

A team of researchers are embarking on an ambitious program to bring some of Iraq's heritage back to life online. Amir Harrak made several trips to Iraq between 1997 and 2014 recording inscriptions that date between the seventh and 20th centuries. Many of the sites are now destroyed or damaged but now they are finding new life.

http://www.livescience.com/51577-destroyed-iraq-sites-documented-photos.html

New Research: Millions of Silver Coins were kept in attic of Parthenon

New research indicates that the coin reserves of ancient Athens, which at times totaled millions of coins, were stored in the attic of the Parthenon.

http://www.livescience.com/51353-silver-coins-stored-in-parthenon-attic.html

Gladiator Fights & Chariot Racing: Graffiti Reveals Life in Ancient City

Hundreds of graffiti have been discovered and recorded at the ancient city of Aphrodisias in modern day Turkey. The graffiti discusses many aspects of life in the city including sex, chariot racing and gladiator fighting.

http://www.livescience.com/51203-ancient-graffiti-gladiator-combat-discovered.html

500 Year-Old Engraving may show Leonardo da Vinci playing a song

New research shows that a 500 year-old engraving, dating to Leonardo's lifetime, may show da Vinci playing a musical instrument called a lira da braccio.

http://www.livescience.com/51045-da-vinci-engraving-discovered.html

Dragon Sculptures Discovered at Xanadu

Archaeologists working at the site of Xanadu have discovered colorful dragon sculptures in a palace built by the grandsons of Genghis Khan.

http://www.livescience.com/51012-xanadu-dragon-heads-discovered.html

Massive Prehistoric Cemetery Discovered in China

A prehistoric cemetery containing hundreds of tombs has been discovered in northwestern China. Dating back around 4,000 years some of the tombs contain human sacrifices.

http://www.livescience.com/50979-sacrificed-humans-discovered-in-prehistoric-cemetery.html

Gold Treasures & Incredible Life Story Discovered in Ming Dynasty Tomb

A Ming Dynasty tomb has been discovered in Nanjing revealing incredible gold treasures and epitaphs telling the story of the person buried there, Lady Mei.

http://www.livescience.com/50817-ming-dynasty-tomb-gold-discovered.html

http://www.livescience.com/50820-ming-dynasty-tomb-treasures-photos.html

Missing Section of Shakespeare Play Rediscovered

A section of Love's Labour's Lost, a comedy by William Shakespeare, has been rediscovered, revealing a bawdy song.

http://www.livescience.com/50735-lost-lines-shakespeare-play-rediscovered.html

Early Mayan City Built Using Grid System

Archaeologists working in Guatemala have mapped an early Mayan city built using a grid using system. The city contains a ceremonial route containing flat topped pyramids that is only 3 degrees off of true east.

http://www.livescience.com/50659-early-mayan-city-mapped.html

Hangovers & Eye Surgery- Large Collection of Ancient Medical Papyri Published

A collection of about 30 medical papyri, found at the ancient Egyptian town of Oxyrhynchus, have been published. They include treatments for a wide variety of conditions including eye surgery and a treatment for hangovers.

http://www.livescience.com/50544-ancient-hangover-cure-discovered.html

East Asian Trade Items Reached New World Centuries Before Columbus

A team of archaeologists, excavating a 1,000 year-old house in Alaska, have found trade items from East Asia. This evidence, combined with other findings made of the past 100 years, indicates that trade routes from East Asia were reaching Alaska.

http://www.livescience.com/50506-artifacts-reveal-pre-columbus-trade.html

Ceremonial site surrounded by tombs filled with mummies discovered in Peru

A ceremonial site surrounded by dozens of tombs containing up to 40 mummies each has been discovered in Peru.

http://www.livescience.com/50415-dozens-of-mummies-discovered-in-peru.html

Old Kingdom 'Mona Lisa' a fake

New research indicates that a fourth dynasty painting, hailed as the 'Mona Lisa' of Egyptian art, is in fact a fake. It may contain an authentic painting underneath.

http://www.livescience.com/50309-egyptian-mona-lisa-may-be-fake.html

Gem with goddess' image found near King Herod's mausoleum

A gem engraved with an image of Diana or Artemis has been discovered near a mausoleum built by King Herod. The gem was likely worn by a Roman soldier who was stationed at the site long after Herod's death.

http://www.livescience.com/50156-engraved-gem-herod-mausoleum.html

Brutal Ancient Egyptian Tax Receipt Deciphered

An Egyptian tax receipt, dating to 98 B.C., has been deciphered, revealing a bill that would have taken 100 kg (220 lbs) worth of coins to pay.

http://www.livescience.com/50139-ancient-egyptian-tax-receipt.html

Olmec Jade Artifact Discovered Underwater in Mexico

A corncob shaped artifact, made of Jadeite, has been discovered underwater in Veracruz Mexico. It dates to somewhere between 900 BC and 400 BC and was created by a civilization which we call the Olmec.

http://www.livescience.com/50080-mysterious-jade-artifact-discovered-in-mexico.html

First Century Nazareth House Identified

Archaeologists working at the site of Nazareth have identified a house dating to the first century AD. They found that, in Byzantine times, the house was decorated with mosaics and a church known as the 'Church of the Nutrition' was built over it, protecting it. The archaeological finds, along with textual evidence, indicate that people in Byzantine times believe that this was the house where Jesus was raised by Joseph and Mary.

http://www.livescience.com/49997-jesus-house-possibly-found-nazareth.html

3,300 Year-Old Shrines Discovered in Hilltop Fortress in Armenia

Three shrines, dating back about 3,300 years, have been discovered within a hilltop fortress in Armenia. They would have been used for divination.

http://www.livescience.com/49871-ancient-shrines-discovered.html

100 Prehistoric Cult Sites Discovered in Israel

One hundred cult sites, dating back around 8,000 years, have been discovered in the Eilat Mountains in Israel. They contain structures and artifacts symbolizing fertility and death.

http://www.livescience.com/49734-cult-sites-discovered-in-israel.html

What is it? Mysterious Stone Carving Discovered in England

A mysterious stone carving, found in a garden in Leicester, contains a complex pattern that may be writing.

http://www.livescience.com/49721-mysterious-stone-carving-discovered.html

Previously unknown gospel deciphered

A Coptic text, dating back around 1,500 years, has been deciphered, revealing a previously unknown gospel. The text calls itself (in translation) the "Gospel of the lots of Mary." It was translated and published by Anne Marie Luijendijk, a professor at Princeton University.

http://www.livescience.com/49673-newfound-ancient-gospel-deciphered.html

Solstice alignments discovered in gardens of Taj Mahal

Alignments have been discovered between the solstice sun and the waterways, pathways and pavilions in the gardens of the Taj Mahal.

http://www.livescience.com/49660-taj-mahal-gardens-align-solstice-sun.html

Archaeologists Analyze Medical Items from Blackbeard's Flagship

Archaeologists are analyzing medical items recovered from Blackbeard's flagship - the Queen Anne's Revenge.

http://www.livescience.com/49563-blackbeard-pirate-ship-yields-medical-supplies.html

Mummy Mask may Reveal Oldest Known Gospel

A papyrus from a mummy mask contains a fragment of the Gospel of Mark that researchers believes was written before the year 90.

http://www.livescience.com/49489-oldest-known-gospel-mummy-mask.html

Roman Fort in Britain Aligned with Light of Solstice Sun

A physicist has discovered an alignment between the gateways of the Hardknott Roman fort in Britain and the rising and setting sun during the winter and summer solstices.

http://www.livescience.com/49315-roman-fort-solstice-sun.html

Backwards = Forwards: 1,500 Amulet with Palindrome Inscription Discovered in Cyprus

An amulet containing a palindrome inscription has been discovered at the ancient city of Nea Paphos in Cyprus. It dates back around 1,500 years and also contains images of the gods Harpocrates and Osiris.

http://www.livescience.com/49239-ancient-amulet-palindrome-inscription.html