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This technical article discusses the discovery of what is believed to be Tyrian purple on the island of Aegina (shown above). The findings have led researchers to believe that a purple dye production workshop was on the island. Chemical studies on the die remnants support the theory that this pigment was derived from snails, not plants. This would support the idea that similar to Tyrian die, the pigment was derived from snails and not from plants. The discovery of almost 2000 shells from the Hexaplex genus, the source of Tyrian dye, further confirms the theory that this was a workshop for producing Tyrian dye. https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/colourant-chemistry-identifies-ancient-greek-workshop-for-tyrian-purple/4019652.article Archaeologists Find 3,600-Year-Old Site Making Ancient World's Prized Color (msn.com)

Modern-day Serbia is the birthplace of numerous Roman Emperors, with at least 16 originating from this region, ranking it second after Italy. Viminacium, a prominent Roman city, served as a significant military camp and the capital of Moesia Superior, now part of modern Serbia. At its zenith, it was estimated to house at least 45,000 inhabitants. The city likely featured a hippodrome, forum, palace, temples, an amphitheater, aqueducts, and baths. Archaeological excavations have recently focused on the Roman city of Viminacium. A triumphal arch, announced late last year, has been discovered in the city and attributed to Emperor Caracalla from the third century AD. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/serbian-archaeologists-unearth-roman-triumphal-arch-2024-01-23/

The color purple has long been a symbol of power and wealth in ancient civilizations (see post below). Recently, a purple-dye production workshop was unearthed on the Greek island of Aegina, dating back to the second millennium BCE. In ancient times, the color purple symbolized wealth, power, and royalty, largely due to Tyrian purple dye, produced by the Phoenicians in the city of Tyre during the Bronze Age. This dye was extracted from the secretions of mollusks like the spiny dye-murex and the banded dye-murex, found in the eastern Mediterranean and off Morocco's coast. The production process was laborious and complex, requiring up to 12,000 mollusks for just one gram of dye. The recipe was a closely guarded secret, involving the salting and fermenting of the snails' mucous for three days, followed by cooking in pots made of lead or tin. Owing to its costly and intricate production, the dye was exclusively used by the most affluent, such as royalty, priests, and nobility. https://www.sci.news/archaeology/purple-dye-workshop-greek-island-aegina-13015.html

Artifacts possibly associated with cult rituals have been discovered at the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica, Rome's ancient port. Numerous artifacts, dating back to the late 1st and 2nd centuries AD, were unearthed while draining a well. They were remarkably preserved due to the oxygen-deficient mud in which they were submerged. https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/06/rare-artifacts-and-remains-of-ritual-meals-found-in-a-well-at-ostia-antica-in-front-of-the-temple-of-hercules/#:~:text=The finding of burnt bones,in honor of the deity.

After genomic studies of ancient horses, it is now believed that humans first started riding horses about 4,200 years ago. It is thought that all domestic horses can trace their origins back to the Western Russian steppes from the 3rd millennium BCE. https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/archaeology/horse-riding-4200-years-ago/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07597-5

I watched this documentary series on TV recently. It was very good. Much of it centered on the villa with the bakery, laundry, and a third business I don't recall right this minute. Also with all the workmen's tools and building supplies. I recognized it as being in the article(s) and videos you posted here Guy.

We have had many previous posts about the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, which destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Professor Tuck from Miami University has researched the fate of those who may have escaped from those ill-fated cities: https://theconversation.com/records-of-pompeiis-survivors-have-been-found-and-archaeologists-are-starting-to-understand-how-they-rebuilt-their-lives-230641 Dr. Tuck, one of the true giants of Pompeii archaeology, is seen below in the BBC documentary on the latest archaeology about Pompeii.

I didn’t appreciate the size of the suspected villa until I saw the size of the man standing next to the pillar below for comparison:

This came up in my news feed... The last home of Caesar Augustus. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/archaeologists-discover-lost-home-of-rome-s-first-emperor/ar-AA1nRBQ8?ocid=socialshare

Excavations continue in the Regio IX area of Pompeii (see post below). Recently, the discovery of a painted blue room was announced. Along with the frescoes painted on the walls, intact amphorae were uncovered. Numerous oyster shells were also unearthed. These shells were thought to have been used as part of the plaster or mortar mixture. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/04/science/blue-sacrarium-pompeii-excavation-scli-intl-scn/index.html

Recent research shows that the water in Roman baths in Bath, England, have a unique biodiversity. Samples were found to contain Actinobacteria and Myxococcus, both of which have potential antibiotic properties. Actinobacteria derivatives create erythromycin, tetracycline, and vancomycin. Mycococcus secretes a novel compound with "antibiotic properties" and bacteriolytic enzymes to combat other bacteria. I wonder if the water at the baths in ancient times had a different biodiversity and whether it could have played a role in combating superficial skin infections, such as those suffered in battle or gladiatorial conflict. Physicochemical and metagenomic analysis of samples from the Roman Baths (Bath, UK) reveals high bacterial and archaeal diversity and a potential for antimicrobial discovery - ScienceDirect What Britain's famed Roman Baths could teach us about microbes | Popular Science (popsci.com) A nice video on the Roman baths at Bath, England

Previous posts have discussed how catastrophic changes in the Nile flow impacted history (see posts below). Here is an article describing the major shifts in the Nile 4000 years ago, which would influence the region's future development. The more technical article is below. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1046715 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01451-z

Here is a new explanation of how the effort will be to restore continuity from the current disjoint messiness. Since the forum was dug out in separate stages, there are all kind of artificial boundaries and obstacles between them that will be eliminated. Also from the time the forum went from free to paid, there are clunky "jail" borders that can be made more subtle and enticing to lure folks in. This not only for tourists but the casual strolling Italian taxpayer who may or may not fund further support.

Thanks for reading. LoL. I took the picture from the second article and I needed to give them credit. I preferred the layout of the first article, however. (I hope it’s not a “stock photo” that is unrelated to the story.)

Needn't read reuters; those 2 articles are word for word the same, except the reuters one only posts a generic photo.

We have had many previous posts about the excavations at Herculaneum (see below). The is an unfortunate recent example of graffiti by a Dutch tourist defacing the site. https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2024/0603/1452787-herculaneum-graffiti/ https://uk.news.yahoo.com/news/dutch-tourist-accused-defacing-ancient-123508279.html?guccounter=1

Here a good video on the Battle of Frigidus. (You may need to put on the English translations for the video.)

Another article on the find: https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/39113684/unveiling-mayan-secrets-hallucinogens-in-ancient-ball-game-rituals

Welcome Hydro- I should think the period around The Founding thru the Early Republic would hold interest for you.....what with The Forum being located in a swamp with the central Lacus Curtius eventually drained by the Cloaca Maxima, and then Appius Claudius building the first aquaduct, the Tiber having been so fouled by the Cloaca.

Childlike graffiti depicting gladiatorial imagery has been found in Pompeii. One drawing that outlines a small hand (see picture below) suggests that it was the work of a child between 6 and 7 years of age. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/05/graffiti-depicting-gladiators-found-during-pompeii-excavations/152088

One evening in narrow passages of Rome I ran across a wine fest. For eu5 they gave a wineglass with strap around your neck, good for unlimited visits to tasting stations. I'm not big on wine or any alcohol, but was seduced by their sweet wines in fancy bottles maybe similar to above. Be prepared for serendipity (and disappointment) in Rome. P.S. I ran across claim that Rome had a racetrack larger than Circus Maximus but it was abandoned after a decade. Traces east of central train station.

Here is another article on the find. I had forgotten that this was the site of an ancient “pet cemetery” (see post below). https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/letters-written-by-ancient-roman-commanders-have-been-found-in-a-pet-cemetery-in-egypt-180984423/ Below is the release from the Polish scientists doing the research: https://naukawpolsce.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C102801%2Cegiptlisty-centurionow-znalezli-polscy-archeolodzy-w-berenike.html

Dried grapes used in passum production Below are a couple of articles on the Last Supper dinner. Passum was probably the wine. Passum is a sweet dessert wine made from dried grapes that was popular at the time. https://aleteia.org/2024/05/28/what-wine-was-served-at-the-last-supper/ https://aleteia.org/2017/04/28/archaeologists-discover-what-was-served-at-the-last-supper/ Although there may have been some restrictions on females’ drinking wine in the early Archaic Period of Ancient Rome, passum appears to have been the accepted drink for females throughout Roman history. WINE TABOO REGARDING WOMEN IN ARCHAIC ROME, ORIGINS OF ITALIAN VITICULTURE, AND THE TASTE OF ANCIENT WINES | Greece & Rome | Cambridge Core

Hi, I am Hydrohobbit, a hydrogeologist (groundwater) guy interested in Roman History, especially the period of the Empire.

The Arade River in Southern Portugal has been a rich site for Roman excavation. Past finds include an intact ancient Roman wine amphora found in the river, for example. Recently, numerous new discoveries have been uncovered by metal detection, including this golden ear ring above. These findings suggest a robust shipping and trade in the area. https://www.newsweek.com/roman-gold-ring-bronze-age-axe-more-2200-river-finds-1904491 Below is a picture of the intact Roman amphora found at the Arade River a few years back. It probably dates to the late Roman Republic. https://www.sulinformacao.pt/en/2018/07/primeira-anfora-romana-do-tipo-dressel-1-intacta-recuperada-por-arqueologos-em-portugal-foi-recolhida-no-arade/