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A well-preserved defensive structure as well as Roman lead sling bullets (pictured above) as well as iron arrowheads from Roman scorpio weapons were found in Ugento (Roman Uxentum), a city once allied with Hannibal. https://arkeonews.net/hannibals-italian-ally-170-meters-of-fortifications-and-450-roman-lead-projectiles-discovered/

Archaeologists are attempting to reconstruct Roman frescoes by examining thousands of plaster fragments discovered in a Roman villa in London. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y5w1ldz8do

A metal detectorist found a hoard of 13 silver Roman coins in a field near Downham Market, Norfolk. The oldest coin (pictured above) dates back to 152 BCE, minted during the Roman Republic. The most recent coin dates from the reign of Tiberius (from AD 14-37). It is suggested that this coin hoard was deposited during Claudius's invasion of Britain in AD 43. The coin hoard covers a span of two centuries of Roman coinage. Above is a coin of Julius Caesar, minted in Spain in 46-45 BCE https://share.google/8Hb3Sohn08KcDrq9l

There have been a few posts before about treating battlefield wounds (see below). This is an interesting video on the subject: Still another wonderful video on treating battlefield wounds:

Excavations continue at the Roman Magna Fort, near Hadrian’s Wall. Recent finds, including a large shoe, continue to make news. Archaeologists at Magna Fort, a Roman site near Hadrian’s Wall in England, recently uncovered a massive 2,000-year-old leather shoe. Measuring 12.6 inches long, roughly equivalent to a U.S. men's size 14, the shoe likely belonged to a Roman soldier with enormous feet. The discovery was made in a deep defensive trench, known as an "ankle-breaker," designed to trap enemy soldiers. The oxygen-free, waterlogged conditions remarkably preserved the leather, allowing researchers to study Roman footwear craftsmanship. The shoe features multiple layers of leather, stitching, and hobnails, reinforcing its durability. Magna Fort, also known as Carvoran, was strategically positioned at the junction of two major Roman roads, serving as a key defensive outpost along Hadrian’s Wall. One Roman soldier had enormous feet, 2,000-year-old waterlogged leather shoe reveals | Live Science Previous excavations at the fort: https://youtu.be/2Kde75jgGes?si=D4Bz5ZNdpy5i77pb

Efforts are underway to restore some of ancient Pompeii’s greenery. By analyzing spores and seeds preserved at the site, researchers have successfully recreated the flora of the Garden of Hercules, which was once filled with roses, violets, rosemary, and vines. The garden is named after the statue of Hercules (seen below) found at the site. https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/pompeiis-perfume-garden-replanted-as-it-was-2000-years-ago-lcqwbtkqr

Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have unearthed an exquisitely sculpted marble sarcophagus near Caesarea, Israel. This Roman-era sarcophagus features a rare depiction of a drinking contest between Dionysus, the god of wine, and Hercules, the mythological hero. While this motif was common in Roman mosaics, its appearance on a sarcophagus marks a first for the region. The discovery was made in the sand dunes outside Caesarea, suggesting that the city's extent during the Roman period was larger than previously thought. The sarcophagus has been sent for conservation, revealing an elaborate central scene of Dionysus surrounded by mythological figures, including satyrs, Hermes, Pan, lions, and tigers. Experts believe the imagery symbolizes liberation and the transition to the afterlife. Exquisite marble sarcophagus unearthed near Caesarea

This Lego recreation depicts the Trajan Canal (Amnis Traianus) in Egypt, an ancient waterway that linked the Nile to the Red Sea. Emperor Trajan established a harbor and fortifications at the canal’s junction with the Nile, which Emperor Diocletian later reinforced in the 3rd century AD. Diocletian constructed the Babylon Fortress as part of these expansions to safeguard the canal’s entrance (see picture below). The fortress featured two imposing towers on either side of the canal. Entertaining video, although the creator gets the historical dates wrong:

Using LiDAR technology, researchers have found a Roman army camp in the Netherlands, north of the Roman limes, 50 miles southeast of Amsterdam. The findings date to about the 2nd century AD. https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article307345096.html https://www.uu.nl/en/news/roman-army-camp-found-beyond-roman-empires-northern-frontier

Some more pictures about the find: https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article307803730.html

Here is a good article on literature sources for the poorly documented and turbulent Third Century. Flickering Light in Rome’s 'Little Dark Age': Towards a Literature of the 3rd Century – Antigone

Below is an interesting review of some of the Greek ruins found in Italy. Above is a Greek temple found in Argrigento, Sicily. https://greekreporter.com/2025/06/08/ancient-greek-ruins-of-italy/

A new study challenges the long-held belief that thrushes were an exclusive delicacy for Roman elites. Archaeologists analyzed the remains of thrushes found in a latrine connected to a fast-food establishment (tabernae) in the ancient Roman city of Pollentia, Mallorca, which sold food and drink. The findings suggest that thrushes were widely consumed as street food, rather than being reserved for lavish banquets. The study identified 165 thrush bones among other food waste, indicating that these birds were sold for immediate consumption, likely fried in oil. Roman sources previously described thrushes as a luxury item, but the evidence from Pollentia suggests they were a common and affordable food for the urban population. Examination of the bones revealed that almost all the sternums, or breastbones, had been intentionally cracked. During preparation, the sternums broke upon removal, as noted in the study, aligning with traditional Mediterranean cooking methods still in use today. These methods involve flattening the bird to cook it whole, much like quail. Moreover, the absence of cut or burn marks indicates that the birds were fried in oil rather than roasted, a quick cooking technique ideal for street vendors. The research concludes that this was a standard dish intended for commercial use. https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2025/06/thrushes-were-the-fast-food-of-romans-in-imperial-cities-not-an-exclusive-delicacy-for-banquets/# https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3416

Researchers used an AI program (named Enoch) to date the Dead Sea Scrolls. Employing a combination of carbon dating and writing styles, the researchers can more accurately date the scrolls, which range between 300 and 50 BCE. These articles discuss a new approach to dating the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were discovered between 1946 and 1956 in the Qumran Caves. Traditionally, scholars relied on palaeography—the study of ancient handwriting—to estimate the age of individual manuscripts, but this method lacked empirical precision. A recent project, "The Hands That Wrote the Bible," funded by the European Research Council, has combined radiocarbon dating with machine learning to improve accuracy. Researchers analyzed 24 scroll samples using a deep neural network called BiNet, which detects handwritten ink-trace patterns. They then integrated this data with carbon-14 dating to refine manuscript dating using Enoch's AI model. This model, named after the Book of Enoch (one of the Dead Sea Scrolls), enhances accuracy to within ±30 years. The study found that the scrolls were produced between 300 and 50 BCE, bridging a previously unexplained 400-year gap in manuscript dating. This breakthrough provides a more precise timeline for the scrolls and their historical significance. https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/archaeology/dead-sea-scrolls-dating/ https://www.sci.news/archaeology/dating-ancient-manuscripts-13964.html Good background video on the Dead Sea scrolls:

Here’s a followup on Egyptian Blue. Mechanical and material engineers from Washington State University have worked on the chemical composition of this ancient prized synthetic pigment. https://thedebrief.org/5000-year-old-missing-formula-for-egyptian-blue-reveals-unusual-optical-magnetic-and-biological-properties/

Three mosaics have been found in a large Roman villa complex in Thalheim bei Wells, Upper Austria. This complex dates to the 2nd century AD and overlooks the Roman city of Ovilava. Ovilava was a significant settlement in the province of Noricum, strategically located at a road junction connecting key Roman routes. Important Details About Ovilava: • City Status: Under Emperor Hadrian, Ovilava gained municipium status, which granted it city rights. • Military Significance: During the Marcomannic Wars, Roman troops were stationed nearby, and under Caracalla, Ovilava was upgraded to a colonia. • Defensive Walls: The city featured walls with towers and a quadruple trench system for protection. • Public Works: It had an aqueduct, large buildings, and cemeteries (necropoleis). • Christianity: An early Christian presence is evidenced by a tombstone, one of the oldest in Austria. Ovilava later became the capital of Noricum Ripense under Diocletian’s reforms. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2025/06/dolphin-mosaic-discovery-is-part-of-an-expansive-roman-villa-complex/155360

For a long time, it was thought that leprosy, primarily caused by Mycobacterium leprae, was introduced to the Americas during European colonization. However, discovering a second pathogen, M. lepromatosis, mainly affecting people in the Americas, challenges this idea. Research shows that M. lepromatosis infected humans in the Americas before Europeans arrived. By analyzing 389 ancient and 408 modern samples, we've expanded the genetic data available for this species. The phylogenetic analyses revealed distinct clades of M. lepromatosis that infect humans, with one dominant strain in North America since colonial times. The presence of thousands of years-old strains in North and South America suggests that M. lepromatosis was widespread during the Late Holocene. M. lepromatosis leprosy has a long history in the Americas, predating European arrival. Leprosy existed in the Americas long before the arrival of Europeans, study reveals

Well, most commercials are ridiculous, but at least some are trying to be entertaining.

The Maiden Castle massacre wasn’t a Roman massacre as previously believed. (Above is a skeleton with a spear lodged in the spine, not a Roman ballista bolt as previously believed.) Radiocarbon dating now suggests that the deaths of the bodies occurred over several years, and predated the Roman invasion into Britain. These deaths were probably caused by local warring tribes, not conquering Romans. The tale of the Roman slaughter of the women, men, and children of the local Durotriges, although powerful, is an incorrect interpretation of the archaeology. Below is an aerial view of the Maiden Castle Iron Age Hillfort in Dorset. https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/roman-massacre-0022143# https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ojoa.12324

A previous post discussed the Great Conspiracy in AD 367 (see below), which involved a nearly simultaneous attack on Britain by invading barbarian tribes. But did such an event occur, or was it merely a fabrication by Ammianus Marcellinus writing in distant Antioch? The background story: The Great Conspiracy of AD 367 was a significant coordinated attack on Roman Britain by various groups, including the Picts, Scots, Attacotti, Saxons, and Franks. The Roman military presence in Britain had weakened, allowing these groups to exploit the situation by launching simultaneous invasions across different regions. The attacks overwhelmed Roman defenses, leading to the sacking of cities and widespread chaos. Roman officials, such as Nectaridus, the Count of the Coastal Region, were killed, while others were besieged or captured. The Roman intelligence network also collapsed, as local agents betrayed their paymasters, making the attacks unexpected and devastating. In response, Emperor Valentinian I sent Count Theodosius [father of the future Emperor Theodosius the Great] to restore order. Theodosius successfully reclaimed lost territory, rebuilt fortifications, and reestablished Roman control over Britain. His efforts stabilized the province, but the Great Conspiracy revealed the vulnerabilities of Roman Britain in its later years. Caldrail had presented a post about the little-known Bokerley Dyke with a video suggesting a possible role during the Great Conspiracy. During the Roman period, the dyke was breached by a Roman road known as Ackling Dyke, which connected Old Sarum and Badbury Rings. However, in the 4th century, the dyke was remodeled and reinstated, possibly as a defensive structure against invasions during the Great Conspiracy of AD 367. Excavations have revealed that the Roman road was blocked, and a coin of Emperor Valens suggests this activity occurred shortly after AD 364. One coin does not constitute substantial evidence; nevertheless, it does suggest that the dyke had a role in the conspiracy. The Great Conspiracy of AD 367 is mainly documented by Ammianus Marcellinus, a 4th-century Roman historian, who described it as a barbarica conspiratio ("barbarian conspiracy"). His account details how various groups—the Picts, Scots, Attacotti, Saxons, and Franks—coordinated attacks on Roman Britain, overwhelming defenses, and causing widespread destruction. Marcellinus wrote his accounts about The Great Conspiracy while working in Antioch (modern-day Antakya, Turkey), about 3000 km (1800 miles) from the events. Archaeological evidence supports the historical narrative by showing signs of reinforced fortifications and Roman military movements in response to the crisis. Excavations at sites like Bokerley Dyke suggest that defensive measures were implemented during this period, possibly linked to the Roman response. Furthermore, Roman coins from the reign of Emperor Valentinian I have been discovered in locations associated with military rebuilding efforts, indicating a concerted effort to restore order. While Ammianus' account is the most detailed, some scholars question its accuracy, noting that he wrote from Antioch and may have relied on second-hand information. Despite this, the combination of written records and archaeological findings provides evidence that the Great Conspiracy was a real and significant event in Roman Britain's history. Here is an excellent video on the conspiracy:

This article examines how ancient visitors perceived the Greek Parthenon. It suggests that the Parthenon’s interior was likely darker than previously thought and that the gold and ivory statue of Athena was illuminated by lamplight. Researchers utilized advanced 3D modeling and lighting simulations to recreate the original lighting conditions of the temple. The findings challenge the long-held notion that the Parthenon was brightly illuminated, revealing instead that it was intentionally dim, featuring selective lighting to enhance visitors' visual and spiritual experiences. The research highlights how architectural features—such as the temple’s alignment with the sunrise, translucent marble ceilings, and carefully positioned openings—were intricately designed to control light and shadow. The study also contradicts earlier theories suggesting that reflective pools played a significant role in lighting, indicating their more likely purpose was for humidity control or rituals. Ultimately, the research indicates that the combination of darkness and selective lighting heightened feelings of wonder and religious devotion, allowing Athena’s gold-and-ivory statue to appear as if it rose from the shadows. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/annual-of-the-british-school-at-athens/article/illuminating-the-parthenon/D0F077C96D199A00C5294CA6B41B42D1 https://phys.org/news/2025-05-3d-demystifies-parthenon-conditions-ancient.html A previous post discussed the outer appearance of the Parthenon. Researchers feel the sculptures outside were brightly painted:

We are learning about Rome’s interactions with Ireland. An intact Roman pot has been discovered during archaeological excavations near Dublin. A charred fig fragment was found earlier at the site, pointing to possible trade with Rome (see post below). https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0524/1514758-roman-pot-discovered/ Below is a long-forgotten thread about Rome and Ireland.

A Roman sandstone relief depicting Victoria, the goddess of Victoria, has been unearthed at Vindolanda near Hadrian’s Wall. https://arkeonews.net/1800-year-old-roman-victory-goddess-relief-discovered-near-hadrians-wall-at-vindolanda-fort1800-year-old-roman-victory-goddess-relief-discovered-near-hadrians-wall-at-vindolanda-fort/

Although the physics of aqueducts may appear straightforward, the actual implementation is very unusual in the ancient world. The Persians, Greeks, and even the Maya and Incas had developed extensive water storage and transport systems. Several Roman innovations, however, allowed more sophisticated engineering projects. Roman concrete allowed for durable structures. The use of a waterproof coating (opus signinum) prevented water leakage, allowing water to travel at a high enough velocity and adequate pressure to create the inverted siphon described above. And of course, the large-scale Roman arch system allowed the transport of water over rugged terrain. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/1/28

The Delikemmer aqueduct is an impressive example of Roman engineering genius, utilizing the inverted siphon design. But first, some background information. The Delikkemer Aqueduct is located near Patara, Turkey. This aqueduct was part of a 22.5 km (13.5 miles) water system that provided fresh water to the ancient Roman port city of Patara. Instead of relying on arches to span the valley (see picture below), the Delikkemer Aqueduct utilized an inverted siphon system, enabling water to flow through pipes at high pressure, traversing the terrain without the need for elevated bridges. This method proved especially useful in rugged landscapes where constructing towering structures would have been impractical or unstable. Roman engineers perfected this technique, employing precisely cut and sealed stone or lead pipes to prevent leaks and withstand pressure shifts. A traditional aqueduct with an arch: Here's how the inverse siphon works: An inverted siphon is a type of pipeline used to carry liquids, sewage, or water. Unlike a regular siphon, which relies on atmospheric pressure to move liquid up and over an obstacle, an inverted siphon forces liquid downward and then back up using gravity and pressure. How it works: Entry point: The liquid enters the siphon at a higher elevation. Descent: It flows downward through a pipe, gaining velocity. Low point: At the lowest point, pressure builds due to the movement of the liquid. Gradual rise: The liquid is carried back up to the outlet, which is positioned lower than the entry point but higher than the lowest section of the siphon. Gravity and pressure continue to drive the flow toward its final destination. Through the use of the inverted siphon engineering, water was allowed to flow between hills both downhill and uphill without the need for pumps, through gravitational forces and pressure. Picture depicting the inverted siphon with the traditional arched structures to carry water: The use of the inverted siphon could be especially important in earthquake-prone regions, such as Turkey. A good summary article of the Delikemmer Aqueduct (and source of most of the pictures of the Delikkemer Aqueduct) Roman Aqueduct Engineering: The Delikkemer Inverted Siphon Near Patara Along the Lycian Way – Electrum Magazine Note: In Turkish “delik” means hollow and “kemer” means arc or belt. So Delikkemer means hollow arc or belt. A short video describing an inverted siphon: