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Colossal Roman Sculptures Discovered in Turkey

A colossal head of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was discovered this past summer in the ruins of a Roman Bath at Sagalassos, Turkey. This head was the latest in a series of discoveries at the sight, which included colossal heads of the Roman emperor Hadrian and the empress Faustina the Elder. Learn more about Sagalassos at the following sites.

Archaeology Magazine's Interactive Dig, Sagalassos, City in the Clouds
Archeology Magazine, The Antonine Dynastic Gallery at Sagalassos

Official Site of the Sagalassos Excavations
(Photo courtesy of Sagalasso Archaeological Research Project)


 

Turkey Suspends Excavations at Knidos

Excavations at the ancient Greek city of Knidos were recently cancelled. Knidos, which is located in modern-day Turkey, was a major Greek religious center and home to the famous cult statue of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, by Athenian sculptor Praxiteles. Excavations were suspended following an investigation into the collapse of a newly restored column. Archaologists believe that less than 10% of the city has been excavated. Read more at the following links.

Associated Press, "Excavations Stopped at Ancient City in Turkey"
Turkish Daily News, "Excavations Halted of Ancient City of Knidos"


 

Indiana Jones: Archeologist or Treasure Hunter?

Harrison Ford's recent appointment to the AIA Board of Directors has raised some interesting issues on whether Ford's character, Indiana Jones, is the best role model for aspiring archeologists. Some argue that Indy is a treasure hunter and his actions are not appropriate for someon who should be interested in saving cultural heritage. Read more on the controversy at the following links.

SafeCorner, the blog for Saving Antiquities for Everyone (SAFE)
MSNBC, "Indiana Jones would make a bad archeologist"
AIA Website, "Harrison Ford Elected to AIA Board"


 

Stonehenge Reconsidered

New radiocarbon dating of cremated remains suggests that burials at Stonehenge may have begun earlier than originally estimated and lasted for longer. Evidence now suggests that burials began at the same time as construction at the monument site and continued through the erection of the monument's monolithic stones. While scientists suggest that Stonhenge might have marked the site of a Neolithic royal cemetery, they continue to emphasize the ceremonial functions of this unique monument.  Read more at:

MSNBC, “Did Stonehenge start out as royal cemetery?”
National Geographic, "Stonehenge"


     
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