History in the News

Manach

"
A Roman mosaic floor has been discovered under a vineyard in northern Italy after decades of searching.

Surveyors in the commune of Negrar di Valpolicella north of Verona published images of the well-preserved tiles buried under metres of earth.

According to officials, scholars first found evidence of a Roman villa there more than a century ago.

Technicians are still gently excavating the site to see the full extent of the ancient building.
" - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52818746

Manach

"Mysterious woman in Royal Collection portrait identified as Mary Boleyn

Mary Boleyn was the elder sister of the monarch's second wife Anne, who was beheaded at the Tower of London
It has been in the Royal Collection for hundreds of years, catalogued anonymously as a “Portrait of a Woman”, possibly copied from a lost picture by Hans Holbein, court painter to Henry VIII. Now its sitter has been identified as Mary Boleyn, the king’s beguiling mistress and sister of his beheaded second wife Anne.

The new research firmly links the picture to a set of 14 “Beauties” that decorated Queen Anne’s Bathing Room at Windsor Castle 300 years ago - only to be separated in the 19th century because it looked so different from the others. "
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/30/mysterious-woman-royal-collection-portrait-identified-king-henry/

Manach

From the excellent magazine Ancient Warfare (vol XIII, Issue 6).

> Vindolanda Trust are making a public appeal for funds to support the site due to the pandemic.

> Roadworks in Scotland uncovered a picture of a Pictish warrior, dubbed the Tulloch stone.

> Three Roman era boats found buried in the Danube.

> Lost Iron-Age city found in Turkey.

Manach

An update on some of the major issues in the Classic period this quarter:

> At an excavation in Chester, pieces from the Roman game "Game of Bandits" found - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludus_latrunculorum

> An Eygptian fortress dating from the 12thC BC has been found in Southern Israel.

> A Christian Chalice has been found at the famous Vindolanda site, dated from the period after the Roman withdrawl from Britain.

Jellybaby_1

I thought this would have been top of the list this week!

An 11th Century House discovered beneath Lidl supermarket in Aungier Street and now can be viewed through the glass floor of the store, also preserved beneath the working areas of the new building are the foundations of the medieval parish church of St. Peter which served Dublin parishioners from 1050 to 1650.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/1013/1171342-new-lidl-store-gives-shoppers-glimpse-of-dublins-past/

Manach

From the Magazine Ancient History:
1 - 27 new sarcophagi found at a site south of Ciaro.
2 - New X-Ray techniques allow better imaging of animial mummies.

Manach

BBC News Article on the 850th anniversary of the death of Thomas a Becket:
https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-55370722

Manach

More anniversity marker for the Archbishop: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-850th-anniversary-martyrdom-saint-thomas-becket/

Manach

HQ of the VII Claudia legion discovered in modern day Serbia. Excavations to begin this year : https://www.archaeology.org/news/9243-201130-serbia-legion-headquarters

breezy1985

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/from-ringfort-to-ring-road-the-destruction-of-ireland-s-fairy-forts-1.4496069?mode=amp

Maybe I'm wrong but is the journalist confused in his thinking that ring forts and fairy forts are the same thing.

I always understood that fairy forts were tiny little stone rings a few metres wide

dobman88

breezy1985 wrote: »

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/from-ringfort-to-ring-road-the-destruction-of-ireland-s-fairy-forts-1.4496069?mode=amp

Maybe I'm wrong but is the journalist confused in his thinking that ring forts and fairy forts are the same thing.

I always understood that fairy forts were tiny little stone rings a few metres wide

That guy was on Tommy Tiernan a few weeks ago and he's away with the fairies.

I saw a fairly comprehensive breakdown of his article on Twitter that my college lecturer liked. I'll see if I can dig it out.

dobman88

Yep. Here it is

https://twitter.com/jameseogan/status/1371211786205151234?s=19

breezy1985

dobman88 wrote: »

Yep. Here it is

https://twitter.com/jameseogan/status/1371211786205151234?s=19

Thanks. I was dubious from the start but was sure of my convictions as soon as he consulted someone who describes himself as a seanchai

Manach

"
Two medieval-age logboats discovered in River Boyne

The National Monuments Service has confirmed that two new logboats, which could date from medieval times, have been found in the River Boyne in Co Louth
"
https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2021/0510/1220791-logboats-louth/

Manach

For those interested interactive study tools for War of Independence & Civil War.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40787937.html

Manach

Oldest Roman Legion marching camp discovered in Germany.

According to the magazine Ancient Warfare, near the town of Haltern am See, archeologists using ariel mapping have discovered this Roman camp dating from approx. 12 BC. At its largest extent, it would have held up to 2 legions (15k men and auxillaries) and had been used as a staging post to conquer Germania.

Manach

New Roman Mosaic discovered in London

Manach

A Mark Felton video released that features WW2 defections to Ireland:

https://youtu.be/5uqN8zIOMpY

Jellybaby_1

I'm not clear about the release of Giesecke. Was he released from detention in Ireland and then got away scot free to South Africa? So he got away scot free without the British ever taking him?

Manach

Yes - the pilot returned to South Africa and spent the remainder of his days there.

Mick Tator

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118686173#Comment_118686173

He was returned to Germany on release so he would have been interrogated by the British as a matter of course. The British could have punished him if they wanted to; equally, so too could SA if they wanted to. Sth Africa was part of the Commonwealth, there was a South African Air Force which played a very important role in the war in North Africa against the Afrika Korps..

Jellybaby_1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118690848#Comment_118690848

Ah yes, that's what I was getting at really, as it didn't seem right to me that he would go from Ireland direct to SA without the British being involved.

Manach

After 107 years, the wreak of the Endurance found:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60662541

Cyclingtourist

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118755286#Comment_118755286

Yes great discovery and very clear video of the wreck.

Especially interesting for me as I wrote an online article about Thomas Orde-Lees who brought his bicycle on the expedition and had ridden it several times on the sea ice before it went down with Endurance. No sign of the bicycle apparently but that's hardly surprising.

I was aware of this attempt to find the wreck but it has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.

Manach

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61357483

For those looking for bargins.

Jellybaby_1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119031407#Comment_119031407

That was a sweet purchase! Wasn't there a copy of Mein Kampf found in a charity shop in Dublin as well some years ago! Bargains galore!

Mick Tator

and a Caravaggio in a basement kitchen in Leeson Street. (Never saw one inthe basements I frequented there!)

Manach

Last Survivor From Famous ‘Band Of Brothers’ Unit Dies At The Age Of 97

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bradford-freeman-last-surviving-member-band-brothers-dies-97-rcna36705

Manach

Roman military temple uncovered on Dutch/Germany border. Dates from 1st to 4th Century AD with numerous weapon offerings found therein. - source Ancient Warfare Magazine: Jul/Aug 2022 ed.

Manach

Last Dreadnough steams again:

"USS Texas, the last surviving battleship to have fought in BOTH world wars, gets $35M repair job"

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/uss-texas-the-last-surviving-battleship-to-have-fought-in-both-world-wars-gets-2435m-repair-job/ar-AA11lsSG

Manach

Megalithic Tomb found in Cork :

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40986065.html

Jellybaby_1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119782741#Comment_119782741

Interesting. I wish when they take these type of photos that someone would be in the photo in order to give some idea of scale.

Rmulvany

https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/1021/1330557-skeletal-remains-kilkenny/

"A farmer was clearing land in the Lingaun Valley area near Piltown earlier this week and discovered what appeared to be human remains when removing topsoil."

I would really like to know whether the land in question was/is already on the monument registry.

I have seen numerous reports from around Ireland of farmers reclaiming ringforts, barrows, other field-based monuments so it was only inevitable that they eventually uncover ancient remains

Jellybaby_1

There is so much history under our feet here. I know a metal detector would never find a skeleton (unless it's laden down with jewellery) but I wish detectoring was legal here.

Butson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119792140#Comment_119792140

Big time.

There is a huge ringfort near me. Has never been excavated.

Rmulvany

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119792160#Comment_119792160

I can see both sides of the argument.

I have an interest in Irish Archaeology and History so I would like to think that detecting would bring forth new discoveries and information.

However, without the resources to ensure that all finds are detailed and recorded for accuracy and context there is a possibility that we would just end up with monuments being dug up all over the country and the finds not properly assessed.

Jellybaby_1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119795926#Comment_119795926

I understand what you mean. As far as I know they have a licence system for detectoring in the UK. I know it doesn't guarantee the honesty of all detectorists but it's very clear from the history/archaeology programmes that they have discovered very valuable finds, including those which have changed the view of some events. Sorry I can't give evidence here, just what I've seen on the programmes.....'we always thought X but now this proves otherwise' sort of thing. I wonder if that is where the problem lies.....what if someone finds something that changes our view of our own history? Wouldn't that be fascinating?

Manach

Roman statues and coin horde uncovered from the 2nd Century BC and the 1st Century AD :

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63564404.amp

Mick Tator

OT, but the BBC sidebar carried the news of the death of the Iranian who live in CDG Airport. I used to meet him regularly when I worked from Paris, a nice guy, but eccentric. He eventually got refugee status but never really settled in the community and moved back to the airport.I've not seen the Tom Hanks film, but apparently he got funds from it and left €thousands

Manach

https://aleteia.org/2022/11/25/30000-medieval-items-are-available-online-for-the-first-time/

For the Medievalists among us.

Manach

More Roman statues discovered in an Ancient Sewer:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/27/ancient-statue-of-hercules-emerges-from-rome-sewerage-repairs

Manach

Gods of Cricket:

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/priceless-roman-god-heads-found-at-cricket-club/ar-AA1bD790

Mick Tator

<< Mr Giecco said figures were not an unusual find in bathhouses "but sculptures of this size are really special. You can probably count on one hand examples of this kind in Britain," he said.  Volunteers assisting on the digs have described the find as "really exciting">>

Clearly Carlisle Cricket Club members were bowled over by the news!

Jellybaby_1

I always wanted a metal detector but I can't have one. 😢 Protecting our heritage means leave it in the ground, and we'll never get around to finding it. Unfortunately there are people not reporting their finds, and worse, not recording where they were found. Pity. At least these bits are going to go to a museum. Anyone know if there is a licencing system for detectorists here?

https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0611/1388612-medieval-coins-dundalk/

ejmaztec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120711255#Comment_120711255

It seems that despite the legislation it doesn't stop people using metal detectors, and I would imagine that a lot of antiquities have been discovered by illegal detectorists, and have disappeared forever.

This link seems to cover everything, and they obviously don't give licences to anyone requesting them. The Law on Metal Detecting in Ireland | National Museum of Ireland

Manach

Which came first was not determined.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68247184

Manach

Earliest usage of Basque language found at site dating from about 1st Century BC:

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ancient-language-found-on-2100-year-old-bronze-hand-may-be-related-to-basque

Manach

Finally a historical statue is raised which attracts no adverse comment (except from cats) :

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nj3wxr002o

Manach

For added flavour: 

https://www.ucd.ie/newsandopinion/news/2019/march/14/irishbogbutterproventobe3500yearspastitsbestbeforedate/



Manach

Springing forward today!

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-68689272

Manach

Roman version of DST.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240328-the-ancient-roman-alternative-to-daylight-savings-time