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Fragments of a Roman wall painting have been unearthed in Villajoyosa, Spain. The villa’s foundation dates to the reign of Trajan (AD 98-117). Over 4,000 fragments of these wall paintings have been excavated. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2025/04/4000-fragments-of-roman-wall-paintings-unearthed-in-villajoyosa/154957

Approximately 4000 Roman-era bricks have been stored at a museum in Trier, Germany. They will finally be examined more closely after new research funding. Below is a brick with the stamp of Legio XXII Primigenia https://arkeonews.net/researchers-examine-4000-bricks-to-solve-the-secrets-of-an-ancient-roman-metropolis-of-trier/ https://aktuelles.uni-frankfurt.de/en/english/building-material-for-an-ancient-metropolis/ Here is the Wikipedia article on Legio XII Primigenia. The unit was first stationed in the Roman province of Germania Superior, guarding the Rhine border as part of the limes. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legio_XXII_Primigenia

Interesting point they make. Here’s the graph:

Here's a good video on why Britain doesn't speak a Latin-based language:

Ancient Celts meet Black Sabbath:

Here’s an interesting article showing the greater income inequality in the Han Dynasty than in the Roman Empire: https://phys.org/news/2025-04-economic-inequality-roman-empire-han.html#google_vignette Here is the academic article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58581-0

Little surprise that these statues are now part of a new exhibit in Pompeii “Being a woman in Pompeii.” https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/priestess-statue-found-preserved-within-the-walls-of-pompeii-necropolis-set-to-star-in-new-exhibit-on-roman-women/

A Roman gold coin (aureus) was found in a farmer's field near Dudley, England, in the West Midlands. It depicted the ill-fated Vitellius, one of the four Emperors who struggled for power in AD 69, “The Year of the Four Emperors,” following the death of Nero in AD 68. Suetonius described Vitellius as an obese glutton. Vitellius defeated Otho before Vespasian eventually killed him in Rome. Vitellius was Emperor of Rome for just eight months (April 19 to December 20, AD 69). Interestingly, the coin fetched just £4,700 (approximately $6000 US). This is an excellent piece of history that reflects the influence of Vitellius in Britain at the time of the turmoil: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mwm8nw914o A nice summary of the struggle for power after the death of Nero:

A well-preserved dog was found beneath a Roman stone foundation in Velzeke, Belgium. Although it is uncommon to discover such well-preserved bone from the Roman period in the local soil conditions, this dog was buried under a stone structure, shielding it from the elements. The 3,200-square-foot site where the remains were discovered: There is some suggestion that the dog was part of a ritual sacrifice. The Romans mostly looked at dogs as respected and protective animals. However, the sacrifice of dogs did occur in several Roman rituals and festivals: As mentioned in the article, the annual ritual of Supplicia Canum involved sacrificing dogs: Other festivals that involved sacrificing dogs were Robigalia and Lupercalia: Archaeologists discover well-preserved Roman dog in Belgium - The Jerusalem Post Ancient Roman Dog Unearthed Shockingly Intact In Belgium Here is an article from 1921, "The Dog as a Sacred Animal in Italy." A. M. Franklin: The Lupercalia • Chapter 8 Here is a pet dog that a family cherished (photo from the Getty Villa):

Pompeii is a destination I missed during my trips to Italy. This short video on the more than 40 public fountains of Pompeii is fascinating. This mundane but important engineering feat is incredible.

They probably didn’t have to wait in line too long. https://people.com/king-charles-queen-camilla-visit-colosseum-state-visit-italy-11709382

A few videos on find.

It has been announced that a necropolis of around 20-30 tombs has been discovered in Liternum, Southern Italy (near modern Giugliano in Campania). One of the tombs had an inscription of a suspected gladiator. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14579163/ancient-gladiators-lost-TOMB-2-000-years-Roman.html

Plans are underway to restore the inscription on the monument to Darius the Great (550-486 BCE) in Persepolis (modern Iran). There are cracks in the inscription that need to be repaired before they become irreparable. Restoration of Darius the Great's inscription at Persepolis to begin after severe erosion The inscription of Darius the Great is on the verge of destruction (+photos) It appears to be a remarkable structure deserving of preservation.

A Roman settlement, including three Roman homesteads, has been discovered in Northwestern Germany, specifically in Delbrück-Bentfeld. Notably, these are situated 90 miles away from the recognized Roman frontier, known as the Limes Germanicus. This finding suggests a more significant interaction between the Romans and the local German population from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD. https://arkeonews.net/unveiling-a-roman-settlement-beyond-the-empire-new-discoveries-in-delbruck-bentfeld-germany/ Extensive Roman settlement found beyond the borders of the Roman Empire Article on the Limes Germanicus Exploring the Limes Germanicus – images from Rome’s Germanic Frontier FOLLOWING HADRIAN Scene at the dreary Limes from the movie “The Fall of the Roman Empire” Excellent video on the Limes Germanicus: Below is a thread on a military site discovered nearby at Paderborn, Germany.

A Roman military burial site has been uncovered beneath a soccer field near Vienna, Austria. Approximately 150 skeletons, believed to be those of Roman soldiers, have been discovered, many showing signs of various bone injuries. Dating indicates that this burial site dates back to AD 80-130, partially coinciding with the Danubian campaigns of Domitian and Trajan. The remains were all male, averaging 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters) in height, which is slightly taller than the typical Roman legionary. This implies that some of those buried may have been Germanic soldiers. The skeletons were estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old and, apart from the signs of battlefield trauma, were in good health with no indications of debilitating infectious disease. This supports the belief that the site functioned as a battlefield burial ground rather than a field hospital for sick soldiers. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/mass-grave-of-roman-era-soldiers-discovered-beneath-soccer-field-in-vienna https://archaeologymag.com/2025/04/roman-era-battlefield-mass-grave-in-vienna/ http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/72825 Sensational Roman find in Simmering - Presse-Service Press_info_Excavation_Hasenleitengasse_EN.pdf - Nextcloud Official video: Presse_Grabung_Simmering_Schnittmaterial_© Pavel Cuzuioc Filmproduktion.mp4 - Nextcloud

Two life-sized statues have been found in Pompeii. The woman may have been a priestess. She is holding laurel leaves used in religious ceremonies. https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/02/science/life-size-statues-pompeii-tomb-scli-intl/index.html https://pompeiisites.org/wp-content/uploads/04_E-Journal_A-Monumental-Tomb-with-a-relief-of-two-spouses-in-the-funerary-area-of-Porta-Sarno.pdf

Strabo (63 BCE - AD 23)wrote in his Geographica (Book IV, Chapter V) that dogs have been a historically vital resource in Britannia: Strabo, Geography, BOOK IV. These articles examine the significance of a burial pit for dogs located just southwest of London, at Nescot. These dog remains were part of Roman Britain. 2025-03-nescot-dog-insight-romano-british.pdf https://www.sciencenewstoday.org/unraveling-the-mystery-of-the-nescot-ritual-shaft-dogs-sacrifice-and-roman-britain In the quote above, many of the dogs found at Nescot resembled the modern Maltese in size. The modern Maltese is a small dog recognized for its compact build and silky white coat. Typically, these dogs weigh between 4 to 7 pounds (1.8 to 3.2 kg) and stand about 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm) tall. Below is a previous post on small-dog breeding in Roman Turkey:

A 3-year-old Israeli girl has discovered an ancient Canaanite scarab while hiking with her family. (Scarabs are amulets and impression seals (shaped like scarab beetles) and were popular throughout ancient Egypt.) The scarab is 3,800 years old and was found in Tel Azeka, which is mentioned in the Bible as the site of the battle between David and the Philistine giant, Goliath. https://www.timesofisrael.com/three-year-old-girl-finds-canaanite-seal-where-bible-says-david-battled-goliath/

Here’s a needed review of the Cimbrian War

A canal built by Marius (Caesar’s uncle) has been found in Gaul in the Rhône River delta. It is dated to 104-102 BCE, and is thought to have been constructed to help Rome in the Cimbrian Wars (113-101 BCE). The Cimbrian Wars were between the Roman Republic and the tribes of the Cimbri and Teutons, among others. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/archaeologists-may-have-finally-discovered-famous-lost-canal-built-by-julius-caesars-uncle

There was great fear that the ancient city of Hatra would be destroyed by ISIS in 2015 (see post below). Hatra was a part of the semi-autonomous kingdom of Hatra under Parthia. It is located about 110 km (68 miles) southwest of Mosul, Iraq. It was a fortified frontier city that repelled sieges by Rome under Trajan and Septimius Severus. Fortunately, much of the city has been preserved. It is the best preserved Parthian city.

King Philip II of Macedon (357-317 BCE) was the father of Alexander the Great. A tomb is Northern Greece is believed to be his. A wall painting in his tomb has been digitally recreated. (Scene from the movie “Alexander” of Philip arguing with Alexander) https://greekreporter.com/2025/03/29/ancient-greek-painting-macedonian-tomb-digital-revive/ Videos on the tomb

Here's the academic article on the study. It is very readable and interesting: THE SCENT OF ANCIENT GRECO‐ROMAN SCULPTURE

In ancient Troy two-handed drinking vessels (such as the one pictured above and called depas amphikypellon) were used among the elite and probably passed among participants during festivities. Analysis of the organic residue fragments of these vessels was consistent with fermentation products of wine. Analysis of two simple cups (found by the hundreds at Troy) showed a similar organic profile. It was concluded that wine consumption at Troy was enjoyed by both the elite and the common, more humble residents. https://theconversation.com/uncorking-the-past-new-analysis-of-troy-findings-rewrites-the-story-of-wine-in-the-early-bronze-age-252953