guy
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Posts posted by guy
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A red squirrel infected with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) causing infiltration and destruction of this animal’s ear.
There is genetic evidence of M. leprae infection in Medieval English red squirrels. “The medieval red squirrel strain we recovered is more closely related to medieval human strains from the same city than to strains isolated from infected modern red squirrels.”
Despite being a host for leprosy, it is uncertain whether squirrels were an animal vector for human leprosy infection during the Middle Ages. These findings support the theory that leprosy was transmitted by squirrel fur trade, however.
In the Southern USA, armadillos are both a reservoir of leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and a frequent vector of human leprosy cases in the South.
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)00446-9
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/british-red-squirrels-serve-leprosy-reservoir
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240503111918.htm
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There have been a few posts on either the important Tyrian purple dye or Roman excavations near Carlisle, England (see posts below).
Recent excavations at Carlisle have found a soft purple mass. Recent studies have revealed that it is made of beeswax and bromine. Researchers suggest that this represents a solid sample of Tyrian purple dye, possibly a unique finding in Roman archaeology. This expensive and coveted dye was available only to the elite of the Roman world.
According to the article, the rare dye was made from the glands of a marine snail and about 12,000 were needed to obtain less than 2g of pigment.
https://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-find-rare-item-worth-more-romans-weight-gold-1897206
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjje132jvygo#
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Here are some pictures of the exhibit from Maridvnvm (from cointalk.com and forumancientcoins.com). The descriptions are from the pictures.
Britain, British Museum, Exhibition 2024 - Legion: life in the Roman Army - crocodile armour
Some Roman soldiers participated in local religions – Terentianus was keen to report his piety. Crocodile-worship was common in Egypt. This crocodile scalp could be a ritual headdress, or a local adaptation of the fierce lion and bear hoods worn by Roman standard bearers. The tough leather of the crocodile skin resembles the texture of scale body armour, and leather protection might have sufficed for some soldiers. Alternatively, it was perhaps worn under metal armour for cushioning, adding flexible hip and shoulder protection.
Made of Crocodile leather
Probably found in Manfalut, Egypt
Dating to A.D. 200–400
Part of British Museum collection, 1846,0501.9
Britain, British Museum, Exhibition 2024 - Legion: life in the Roman Army - chainmail
This deceptively simple looking armour is a chainmail shirt, found in the barracks of a fort on Hadrian's Wall. It probably belonged to a soldier of the 5th cohort of Gauls, an auxiliary unit raised in the area including modern France. The individual rings are 7 mm wide and were fixed by riveting alternating rows, making it painstaking and expensive to produce.
Made of Iron
Found at Arbeia fort, Tyne and Wear, England
Dating to A.D. 200–300
On loan from Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=lastup&cat=-1262
Britain, British Museum, Exhibition 2024 - Legion: life in the Roman Army - bronze Draco
By the A.D.100s, a distinctive windsock-like standard especially suited to being wielded from the saddle had been adopted from Rome's Sarmatian foes – the draco. This bronze standard head originally had a tube of colourful materials attached. Carried by a draconarius, the material trailed behind the rider, blown by the breeze and emitting a whistling sound to suggest the fearsome beast's howl. Its pole was attached through two holes on the top and bottom of the head.
Found in Niederbieber, Germany
Dating to 190 A.D. –260 A.D.
On loan from GDKE – Direktion Landesarchäologie Außenstelle Koblenz -
During a discussion of the recent orange Sahara dust storm (Sirocco) that swept through Greece, Caesar Novus found this excellent map showing the various winds that impact the Mediterranean (see below).
We probably underestimate the effect that climate events had on ancient history. The Bora wind storm changed the course of Roman history in September AD 394 at the Battle of Frigidus, for example. During the battle, Theodosius won the battle and defeated the usurpers Eugenius and Arbogast. A strong Bora wind impacted the battle at a pivotal point.
During the battle, the hurricane-strength Bora winds blew directly in the faces of the usurpers, disrupting their lines. According to legend, the fierce winds even blew the usurper troops' own arrows back on themselves. The winds could possibly have affected the accuracy of the usurpers' pila, also.
After winning the battle, the victorious Theodosius had the usurpers Eugenius and Arbogast executed. With his victory, Theodosius unified the Empire and snuffed out the dying embers of Paganism.
Naturally, Theodosius attributed these seasonal winds to divine intervention.
Here is a short clip of the Bora winds on the streets of Trieste a few years ago. These winds can go above 200 km/hour (124 miles/hour):
A previous post on the recent Sahara dust storm
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We have had many posts on the mysterious dodecahedron (see blow). Here is a fascinating video on one theory: It was used as a tool to knit gold wire for jewelry. Well worth a watch:
Note: There have been at least 116 dodecahedrons found in the Roman Empire: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Interestingly, none have been in the Roman heartland in Italy. They are always found north of the Alps. I’m not sure of the significance of this fact.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron
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There have been numerous posts about LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) technology (see post below) and its use to uncover ancient sites. Below is an article that summarizes 32 ancient and modern sites uncovered with the aid of LiDAR technology.
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These are the views I get. I don’t see the log-out option, either.
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Here are other articles on the study;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/ancient-egyptian-tombs-might-been-32683537
https://journalofscientificexploration.org/index.php/jse/article/view/2855
Here are two videos on the “Curse of the Pharaohs,” one recent and one a little older:
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King Tutankhamen has been the subject of several posts in the past (see below). There has long been the myth about “The Curse of King Tut" or "The Curse of the Pharaohs."
Recent studies of Egyptologists do show a high incidence of deaths associated with hematopoietic (blood cell, bone marrow) and lymphoid tissue cancers, frequently found in victims of radiation poisoning. This might be attributable to the high radiation reported in ancient tombs.
https://journalofscientificexploration.org/index.php/jse/article/view/2855
Note: Of course I'm skeptical about these claims. This explanation of the "curse" would not explain the other causes of death: infection, suicide, accident, murder, etc.
Nevertheless, being an Egyptologist does appear to be an occupational hazard.
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Archaeologists have found a Roman-era landscaped pool and wall around a natural freshwater spring near the village of Chamborêt, about 12 miles north of Limoges, France. These ruins date from the third century AD. These Roman ruins were built on an older Neolithic period site that might date back 4,500 to 6,000 years.
Roman ceramics and coins from the late Roman Empire were found at the site.
Site of find in France
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We have had many posts about the mysterious dodecahedron (see below). This example dates from the third or fourth century and was found in Norton Disney near Lincoln in 2023.
It is one of only 33 dodecahedrons found in Britain and is unusually large: 8 cm large (3.15 inches) and weighs 245 g (8.6 ounces).
It will be displayed this summer in Lincolnshire, not far from where it was found.
Note: I was surprised at the number of dodecahedrons (33) already found in Britain. Its function, nevertheless, is still unclear: a measuring device, a sewing tool, or either a gambling or play piece.
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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.
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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:
QuoteAccording to Graziano Ranocchia, the lead researcher on the project, the newly revealed details pinpoint Plato’s burial place to a private garden within the Platonic Academy in Athens, near the sacred Museion. This revelation challenges previous speculations regarding the philosopher’s final resting place, offering a more precise location within the Academy grounds.
QuoteFurthermore, the scrolls suggest a tumultuous chapter in Plato’s life, indicating that he was sold into slavery following the Spartan conquest of the island of Aegina, possibly between 404 BCE and 399 BCE. This revelation adds a poignant dimension to Plato’s journey.
https://archaeologymag.com/2024/04/herculaneum-papyrus-reveals-platos-burial-place/
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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://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinus
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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.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/fort-excavation-uncovers-roman-sculpture/151730
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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:
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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/
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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.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/augustus-villa-somma-vesuviana-0020672
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On 4/17/2024 at 7:51 AM, Crispina said:
So I finally found a way to log in, but now I can't find the "log-out" option.
Is the function at the upper right corner scroll down by your name (at the top of the page)?
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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.thehistoryblog.com/archives/70001
Here is a post on the Greco-Illyrian helmet found earlier in the area:
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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://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nida_(Roman_town)
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At Pompeii, frescoes in a suspected banquet hall have been recently discovered.
QuoteIn a remarkable discovery, archaeologists in Pompeii have unearthed a collection of exceptionally preserved artworks depicting scenes from Greek mythology. The newly uncovered frescos, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79, offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the ancient city. Videos and images released by the Pompeii Archaeological Park showcase the intricate details of these frescos, including depictions of Helen of Troy meeting Paris and the Greek god Apollo attempting to seduce the Trojan priestess Cassandra.
According to the Archaeological Park, these artworks were originally displayed in a banqueting room, serving a social function of entertaining guests and stimulating conversations. The walls, painted black to conceal smoke from oil lamps, created an ambiance where the flickering light made the images appear to move, especially after enjoying Campanian wine.
https://www.artforum.com/news/roman-frescoes-uncovered-in-banquet-hall-pompeii-552190/
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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:
Red squirrel leprosy reservoir in Britain
in Archaeological News: The World
Posted · Edited by guy
It was know for several years that red squirrels were a host for leprosy.
it is only recently, however, that genomic studies (looking at complete DNA sequences) of both Medieval squirrels and human skeletons of that era were examined. It showed a direct link between red squirrels and human leprosy in the Middle Ages.
The consumption of red squirrel meat and using squirrel fur promoted this zoonotic (spread from animals to people) infection.
It is known that in some areas of Texas and Louisiana armadillos were shown to be infected by leprosy more than 15% of the time. A recent outbreak of leprosy in Florida has been directly tied to armadillos. There is some concern that “armadillos may contaminate soil with the leprosy bacteria by burrowing and defecating, infecting humans who later handle soil.” (See article below)
One study in Brazil showed that more than 60% of armadillos harbored leprosy. Here is a picture of a man in nearby Ecuador preparing armadillo meat. Brazil is known to have 11.6% of the cases of leprosy worldwide. (India by far has the largest number of cases.)
https://epi.ufl.edu/2023/10/16/leprosy-in-florida-medical-experts-monitoring-unusual-new-cases-of-hansens-disease/
https://theconversation.com/humans-gave-leprosy-to-armadillos-now-they-are-giving-it-back-to-us-99915