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Four more Roman-era graves have been found in excavations in Gaza. This brings the total to 134 graves, including two lead sarcophagi. See the thread below concerning the original discoveries.
https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/137733 -
The American dime from 1916 to 1945 depicted Liberty on the obverse wearing a pileus or Liberty cap and the fasces on the reverse.
Here is an excellent article on the complicated role of the fasces throughout history.
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Although this is an older article, it is an interesting finding. This Egyptian document possibly bears what is thought to be Cleopatra’s only known hand writing. Below is thought to be Cleopatra's signature on an official document written by an Egyptian official.
QuoteA single Greek word, ginesthoi, or "make it so," written at the bottom of a Ptolemaic papyrus may have been written by the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII herself, says Dutch papyrologist Peter van Minnen of the University of Groningen.
QuoteReceived in Alexandria on Mecheir 26 (February 23, 33 B.C.), the papyrus text, recycled for use in the construction of a cartonnage mummy case found by a German expedition at Abusir in 1904, appears to be a royal ordinance granting tax exemption to one Publius Canidius, an associate of Mark Antony's who would command his land army during the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C. The text reads as follows:
We have granted to Publius Canidius and his heirs the annual exportation of 10,000 artabas [300 tons] of wheat and the annual importation of 5,000 Coan amphoras [ca. 34,500 gallons] of wine without anyone exacting anything in taxes from him or any other expense whatsoever. We have also granted tax exemption on all the land he owns in Egypt on the understanding that he shall not pay any taxes, either to the state account or to the account of me and my children, in any way in perpetuity. We have also granted that all his tenants are exempt from personal liabilities and from taxes without anyone exacting anything from them, not even contributing to the occasional assessments in the nomes or paying for expenses for soldiers or officers. We have also granted that the animals used for plowing and sowing as well as the beasts of burden and the ships used for the transportation [down the Nile] of the wheat are likewise exempt from 'personal' liabilities and from taxes and cannot be commandeered [by the army]. Let it be written to those to whom it may concern, so that knowing it they can act accordingly.
Make it so!https://greekreporter.com/2023/09/20/cleopatra-handwriting-greek-word/
https://archive.archaeology.org/0101/newsbriefs/cleopatra.html
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Here is a nice article on the sixteen (or seventeen) stone forts on Hadrian’s Wall:
QuoteConstruction began along the route of the Stanegate Road in AD 122 and was completed in just seven years. 16 Stone Forts were built every five Roman miles (a Roman mile is a thousand paces), and in-between were 80 milecastles, numerous turrets, 6 supply forts, and an earthwork erected south of the wall known as the Vallum.
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/vallum-aulium-hadrians-wall/136689
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Two late 2nd century AD Roman swords have been found in North Cotswolds. The swords are thought to be intended for cavalry because of the length:
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Here’s a nice article on some coins of Roman conquest:
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Sonic (Ian Hughes) has written a wonderful book about Constantius III. Above is a gold coin (solidus) depicting Constantius III.
Below is a nice video on this little-known but important emperor by Sebastian Todor (Maiorianus):
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Three stolen artifacts in the Australian National University’s Classic Museum will be returned to Italy.
Dr Georgia Pike-Rowney says the museum doesn't know how the Roman marble head that was stolen from the Vatican ended up in an Australian collection.(
The Apulian red-figure fish-plate was found to have been smuggled out of Italy by a well-known dealer of illicit items who sourced materials directly from tomb robbers.
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Looking at the picture more closely, I can see the famous Caesar denarius with an elephant thought to be trampling on a snake.
Here’s a better example of a similar coin (from NGC Collectors Society) as well as the background information:
QuoteThese coins have huge historical importance – they were minted by Caesar to pay his troops, to fight the civil war that led to the setting up of the Roman Empire.
The symbol of an elephant on the obverse has three possible meanings, all pointing to Caesar striking this coin as part of self-promotion: 1) Legend had it that the founder of Caesar’s family killed an elephant single-handedly. 2) Caesar’s rival Pompey had recently tried to enter Rome on a chariot drawn by 4 elephants, since the gate was too narrow, the entrance was a huge flop. This coin was designed to highlight Pompey’s shortcomings. 3) The elephant represents the might of Caesar and his legions, trampling a snake which represents the enemy. The elephant defeating the snake is symbolizing the fight of good versus evil.
https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/coinview.aspx?sc=339962
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A Roman statue of the sea god Triton has been found during housing excavation in Teynham, England (about 50 miles or 80 km from London).
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4 hours ago, caesar novus said:
Thanks, but as your pictures and the article show it was underground (2ad gymnasium)
Thanks for reading my post. I made the necessary corrections. I appreciate any input.Here’s another post on the find:
https://arkeonews.net/beautiful-water-nymph-marble-statue-found-in-amastris-ancient-city/
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A beautiful water nymph marble statue from the second century AD was found in the Roman city of Amasra in Turkey on the shores of the Black Sea.
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/09/marble-statue-depicting-a-nymph-uncovered-at-amasra/148511
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Here’s the official video from the Israel Antiquities Authority:
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The Pool of Siloam, found in the historical city of Jerusalem, is undergoing further excavation. Originally built during the reign of Hezekiah (715-687 BCE), it became a major gathering place for ancient Jews making religious pilgrimages to the city.
The Pool of Siloam also became important to Christians as it was the place, according to the Gospel of John, where Jesus sent a “man blind from birth” to the pool for healing.
Mark 9.6:
QuoteWhen Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam.” So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.
The pool was destroyed and covered during the first Jewish-Roman War of (AD 66-74)
The pool was rediscovered during an excavation work for a sewer in 2004.
Only recently, however, have workers been able to excavate more extensively. Recent discovery includes more steps of the pool.
https://m.jpost.com/archaeology/article-758229
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Four Roman swords and a pilum head were discovered in an Israeli cave in an area of isolated cliffs overlooking the Dead Sea. They are thought to be from the second century AD. A coin from the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 132-135 AD was found near the cave entrance.
Quote"The hiding of the swords and the pilum in deep cracks in the isolated cave north of ‘En Gedi hints that the weapons were taken as booty from Roman soldiers or from the battlefield, and purposely hidden by the Judean rebels for reuse," Eitan Klein, one of the directors of the Judean Desert Survey Project, said in a statement.
Four Roman swords and pilum head
https://apnews.com/article/israel-archaeology-antiquities-roman-27eed13d005c84d8f799cb1fe6bdf36a
(Thank you, Dr Tom, for sending the link.) -
Five gold Carthaginian coins have been discovered at a Carthaginian temple in Tunisia. They are thought to be an offering to the deities. Also found were urns containing infants, premature infants, and animals. It is unclear whether these infant deaths were from natural causes or were victims of sacrifices.
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The extent of Vesuvius’ devastation AD 79Unlike the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the seaside villa and port of Stabiae managed to be quickly rebuilt after the devastation of Vesuvius in AD 79 despite being only 10 miles from Vesuvius. Pliny the Elder died at Stabiae as a result of the eruption.
The Roman poet Publius Papinius Statius (c AD 45-96) even wrote about a reborn Stabiae to his wife Claudia (in Silvae Book 3:5)
QuoteVesuvius’ crater and that fatal mountain’s flow of fire has not
Wholly depleted its towns of terrified citizens. Cities stand,
Alive with people. There is Puteoli, founded under Apollo’s
Auspices, its shoreline and harbour welcoming all the world,
There Capua’s walls, that Capys filled with Teucrian settlers,
You can visit the seductive shores of vaporiferous Baiae;
Or the medicinal pools of Venae and renascent Stabiae?
https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Latin/StatiusSilvaeBkIII.php#anchor_Toc316636107
Here’s a short article about Stabiae:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/stabiae-the-roman-resort-buried-by-mount-vesuvius/137475Here is a previous post about Stabiae:
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18 hours ago, diogenes67024 said:
Very sorry sir I’m a technological Luddite and knew I’d step on toes before long
No need to apologize. LoL Most of us on this forum are a little older, so I’m sure anyone younger would laugh at our technological ignorance.
You can always edit your posts, too. That way you don’t need to write two posts to continue a single thought.
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Sorry. Double post.
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Early video release on find:
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7 hours ago, diogenes67024 said:
Does anyone out there have a preferred ancient Roman coin dealer? I’ve purchased from Tom Cederlind out of Oregon but his stock is all extremely high end. Looking specifically for mid 3rd century ad Egyptian tetradrachmae
Thank you for asking. (In might be better, however, to ask future numismatic questions in the subforum “Numismatica” in the “Romana Humanitas” section.)Tom Cederlind, although pricey, was a mentor to many young numismatists. He passed away a few years ago, I believe.
Unfortunately, no one on this site is a coin collector. I do study numismatic material, however, since I am fascinated by ancient archaeological research (which includes coins, especially coin hoards).
Of course, there are many forgeries (both ancient and modern). Only buy from trusted sellers.
A reputable site is Vcoins. (It was highly respected, at least a few years ago. I can’t vouch for them today, however, since I don’t buy coins.)
A good educational site that does sell some authentic Roman coins is below:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=1950&pos=0#Roman-Mints
I also enjoy NGC Ancients for their research. Although they don’t sell coins, they do certify (authenticate) coins (both modern and ancient). Buying a coin “slabbed” (authenticated) by NGC could be essential for any novice:
https://www.ngccoin.com/news/series/ancients/?page=1
Finally, a good place to discuss all things numismatic is at this site:
https://www.cointalk.com/forums/ancients/
Thank you for asking and post any interesting numismatic insights or any questions in the “Numismatica” subforum.
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A suspected child’s shoe from the Iron Age salt mine in Austria has been discovered during recent excavations. The shoe, made from leather, was discovered in a mining tunnel. It is believed the salty microenvironment of the surrounding mine helped to preserve the organic material of the shoe.
QuoteThe shoe is made of leather and roughly corresponds to today’s shoe size 30. The shape, as well as the lace-up closures, which were likely made of flax or linen, are still intact. The shoe’s design provides additional indications of its manufacture, which was most likely in the second century B.C.
Although I find this to be a fascinating discovery, much of the hype around the story is the assumption that this was not an adult’s shoe, instead. A child’s size 30 in Europe is equivalent to a 7.25” in the US (US size 12.5 and U.K. 11.5 children’s).
https://footwearnews.com/fashion/fashion-news/children-preserved-shoe-museum-iron-age-1203511657/
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Unusual archaeological finds in a poorly documented city in the Roman Republic have been announced during excavations in La Cabañeta, Spain. It is thought to have been destroyed during the Sertorian War around 70 BCE. Some of the finds include a possible forum, a warehouse, and thermal baths.
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A 6’3” headless bronze statue thought to be Marcus Aurelius has been ordered to be returned to Turkey from the Cleveland Museum. It is thought to have been looted from Turkey and obtained illegally by the museum in 1968.
New mosaic found at Huqoq synagogue
in Templum Romae - Temple of Rome
Posted · Edited by guy
Detail of dead Philistine soldier in the Samson Carrying the Gate of Gaza mosaic,
The excavations in Huqoq, Israel at a 5th century synagogue have revealed numerous mosaics and other finds. Most recently, a mosaic related to the Samson story has been discovered. Below are some of the other mosaics and historically significant finds:
https://www.unc.edu/posts/2023/07/10/unc-chapel-hill-led-archaeological-dig-in-galilee-uncovers-mosaics-of-samson-and-commemorative-inscriptions/