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A Sahara dust storm from Northern Africa has turned the skies of Greece orange. https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/04/23/europe/weather-finland-snow-sahara-dust-greece-intl-latam Here’s a previous post about a Sahara dust that affected Europe in 2022.

There are several posts about the potential insights that reading the carbonized Herculaneum scrolls could give insights into the culture and philosophy of the ancient world (see post below). Recent research into a scroll has possibly found the resting place of the Greek philosopher Plato as well as other aspects of his life: https://archaeologymag.com/2024/04/herculaneum-papyrus-reveals-platos-burial-place/ https://lavocedinewyork.com/en/news/2024/04/23/italian-researcher-working-in-herculaneum-reveals-platos-burial-place/

The finding of phallus symbols are not uncommon in the Roman Empire. This could potentially be an example recently discovered at Vindolanda. This could represent a fascinus which is a phallic amulet or depiction used to invoke divine protection. Below are just two of the many posts about the phallic symbolism found throughout the Empire. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/archaeologists-uncover-possible-phallus-carving-at-roman-vindolanda/151753 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinus

A sculpture of a snake-bodied Roman-German deity was found at the Roman fort of Stuttgard, Germany. “Despite the erosion of stone, you can still see how its arms rest on the upper body and its hands on the hips and legs. However, the latter do not have a human shape, instead merging into a kind of snake body.” https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/04/the-sculpture-of-a-snake-bodied-deity-a-hybrid-from-roman-germanic-mythology-found-at-the-roman-fort-of-stuttgart/ https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/fort-excavation-uncovers-roman-sculpture/151730

Scene from the latest movie “Boudica: Queen of War” The topic of Boudica has been discussed before. (Caldrail wrote an interesting post about Rome’s relationship with Boudica and the Iceni tribe. See below.) Here is a good video about finding the site of her final battle:

The coin above is a silver cistophorus of Augustus depicting the mythological Capricorn, a half goat / half fish creature. Below are two articles by NGC Ancients that discuss some of the mythological iconography on ancient coins. https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/12798/ https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/5055/NGC-Ancients/

Japanese archaeologists have found evidence of the suspected Villa of Augustus during excavations at Somma Vesuviana, at Naples, Italy. The area was a resort site for the Roman elite. It is believed that Augustus died there in AD 14. Radiocarbon dating, along with chemical analysis of layers of volcanic pumice, confirm that the area was inhabited in the 1st century AD before Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. Suspected furnace believed to heat the baths at the site https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/excavation-uncovers-possible-traces-of-villa-augustus-at-somma-vesuviana/15161 https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/augustus-villa-somma-vesuviana-0020672 https://www.turkiyenewspaper.com/amp/culture/21985

Is the function at the upper right corner scroll down by your name (at the top of the page)?

A Greco-Illyrian helmet has been discovered during excavations near Zakotorac, Croatia. The helmet dates to the 6th century BCE. Previous excavations in the area had recovered a 4th century BCE helmet. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/well-preserved-greco-illyrian-helmet-found-near-zakotorac/151542 https://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/70001 Here is a post on the Greco-Illyrian helmet found earlier in the area:

An intact wooden Roman cellar from the first century AD has been found in Frankfurt, which was the Roman city of Nida. The city of Nida flourished under Trajan. During other excavations, three Mithraea (temples to Mithras) have been discovered in the area. Seen in the pictures, a five-step staircase was recovered. It was transported to the Archaeological Museum of Frankfurt (pictured below). Nida underwent a decline after AD 259 under pressures from Alamanni. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/02/excavation-uncovers-preserved-wooden-cellar-from-roman-period/150812#google_vignette https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nida_(Roman_town)

At Pompeii, frescoes in a suspected banquet hall have been recently discovered. https://www.artforum.com/news/roman-frescoes-uncovered-in-banquet-hall-pompeii-552190/

After a long absence, water has returned to the Baths of Caracalla https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-water-returns-to-romes-baths-of-caracalla.html Here is a wonderful older 3D view of the baths:

The road discovered is thought to be a crossroads with the Via Domitia, which was the Roman road that linked Italy with Hispania through Southern France. The remains were discovered between the two roads: In Ancient Rome the cemeteries were traditionally located outside of the religious boundaries (pomerium) of towns and cities. Tombs and elaborate burial monuments lined the roadsides. Burial graves and monuments along the Appian Way near Rome

Here is an article further describing the Roman finds as well as the Roman road uncovered with the finds in Nîmes, France: https://www.inrap.fr/des-tombes-et-des-buchers-en-bord-de-voies-romaines-nimes-gard-17952#

Thank you for reading my post. Here’s an interview with the author: