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The Dog Rock

The dog rock in Walpole, Massachusetts.

2,400-Year-Old Sword Found Beside Child in Gaulish Burial

An iron sword discovered beside the remains of a child at an Iron Age settlement in central France is providing archaeologists with rare insight into the social and ritual practices of the Gauls more than 2,400 years ago.

The weapon was uncovered during excavations carried out by the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) at the Bois Médor site in Pithiviers, Loiret, where archaeologists investigated a large Gaulish settlement dating to the fifth and fourth centuries BC.

The excavation, conducted in 2010 ahead of a road bypass project, revealed a series of large storage silos that had later been repurposed as rubbish pits. Among them, archaeologists found the remains of six individuals buried in four separate deposits across three silos, many displaying unusual positions and evidence that their bodies had been deliberately manipulated.

One silo contained a multiple burial of three individuals, two of whom had been placed face down. Another held the body of a man whose hands and feet had been bound together, with his head separated from the rest of the skeleton.

The most remarkable discovery came from a third silo dating to the end of the fifth century BC. There, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a child, believed to have been younger than 15, curled against the edge of the pit. The burial included a fibula, possible fragments of a shield and an iron sword enclosed within its scabbard.

The sword had been placed beside the child’s legs rather than worn, prompting researchers to question its significance. They suggest the burial may represent a very young warrior or a child destined for that role.

Although the sword is of a standard form and size, it is among the oldest examples discovered in the Loiret department. Its undecorated scabbard is particularly unusual, as sword scabbards from the early Late Iron Age were typically ornamented.

The find has raised several unanswered questions. Archaeologists are investigating whether the plain scabbard and the absence of other weapons reflect the child’s young age and an incomplete martial education, or whether the sword served a symbolic rather than practical purpose.

Burials of young individuals accompanied by weapons are exceptionally rare, even in formal Iron Age cemeteries. The combination of a child’s remains, military equipment and an unconventional burial within a former storage silo makes the Pithiviers discovery one of the most unusual examples known from the period.

The discovery forms part of Inrap’s scientific and cultural season dedicated to Iron Age Gaul, highlighting archaeological finds that continue to reshape understanding of Celtic societies in pre-Roman France.

By Mark Milligan.

Archaeologists Uncover 3,000-Year-Old Tomb Near Egypt's Luxor

Archaeologists uncovered a 3,000-year-old tomb near the southern Egyptian city of Luxor, authorities said on Sunday, the latest in a series of discoveries that officials hope will boost tourism.

The tomb, identified as belonging to a man named Paser, was found by a Dutch archaeological mission from Leiden University in the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna necropolis on Luxor's West Bank, according to Egypt's tourism and antiquities ministry. The team of archeologists will work to identify people buried there and learn more about them.

Specialists believe the tomb dates to the Ramesside period, which spans Egypt's 19th and 20th dynasties, based on the artistic style of its inscriptions.

Located east of a previously known burial site, the tomb follows the traditional layout of private Theban tombs from the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BC), they added.

It consists of an open courtyard leading to a rock-cut chapel shaped like an inverted "T", with burial chambers carved beneath ground level.

Archaeologists found several well-preserved architectural elements in the courtyard, including a mudbrick bench designed to hold a funerary stela and a staircase flanked by sloping ramps leading to the entrance.

Inside, inscriptions bearing Paser's name depict him worshipping various deities inside shrines, as well as seated with his wife before an offering table.

The excavation team said further documentation and study will continue in order to determine who was buried in the tomb and to better understand its historical and archaeological context.

The discovery comes as Egypt seeks to promote new archaeological finds to support tourism, a key source of foreign currency for the country.

Luxor is home to some of the world's most significant ancient monuments and archaeological sites. The recent discovery is part of a research project that's been ongoing since 2018, according to the tourism and antiquities ministry.

Last year, also near Luxor, a large tomb belonging to a pharaoh was reopened to visitors after more than 20 years of renovation. That tomb features paintings of Amenhotep III, who ruled ancient Egypt between 1390 B.C. and 1350 B.C., along with a group of ancient Egyptian gods.

Water lily

1,200-Year-Old Silver Coin Hoard Unearthed on the Baltic Coast

Archaeologists have uncovered a hoard of 59 silver dirhams dating to the 8th and early 9th centuries during excavations on the southern shore of the Kaliningrad (Vistula) Lagoon, providing new evidence for long-distance trade between the Abbasid Caliphate and northern Europe.

The discovery was made by an expedition from the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which identified the coins as Islamic dirhams minted between AD 746 and 815.

The hoard includes one coin struck during the reign of Marwan II, the last Umayyad caliph, while the remaining coins were issued under the Abbasid Caliphate, which came to power in AD 750. According to the researchers, the assemblage represents one of the earliest phases of Muslim silver entering Eastern Europe.

The majority of the coins were minted during the reign of the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid (AD 786–809), whose rule is widely regarded as the political and cultural high point of the Abbasid Caliphate. Most originated from Madinat al-Salaam—modern-day Baghdad—with 25 coins produced in the imperial capital. Other examples were minted in al-Kufa, Nishapur and al-Muhammadiyya, reflecting the extensive geographical reach of the Abbasid monetary system.

Archaeologists note that silver dirhams circulated widely across Eastern and Northern Europe during the 9th and 10th centuries, where they served not only as currency but also as a valuable source of silver for jewellery production. The flow of Islamic coinage along trade routes connected the Middle East with the Baltic region through networks used by merchants, including the Vikings and other early medieval trading communities.

Several of the coins were recovered intact, while others survive only as fragments. A number bear suspension holes, suggesting they may have been worn as ornaments, while others display small edge cuts used to test the purity and authenticity of the silver.

Based on the latest coin in the assemblage, researchers believe the hoard was buried during the mid-810s, placing it among the earliest known deposits associated with the circulation of Abbasid silver in Eastern Europe.

The discovery is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the economic and commercial links that connected the Islamic world with the Baltic during the early medieval period, when silver coinage played a central role in long-distance exchange across Eurasia.

Danbo

Very Rare Surgical Instrument Discovered at Ancient Greek City of Heraclea Sintica

Archaeologists have uncovered an exceptionally rare ancient surgical instrument once used to remove bladder stones during excavations at the ancient Greek city of Heraclea Sintica (Greek: Ἡράκλεια Σιντική) in southwestern Bulgaria.

The discovery was announced Friday by excavation director Dr. Lyudmil Vagalinski, who said the artifact was found inside a room next to the Temple of Hercules. Researchers believe it is one of the rarest medical instruments ever recovered from the ancient world.

According to the available scientific literature, only one comparable example has previously been identified, in Italy. The discovery offers rare evidence of the advanced surgical knowledge practiced by physicians during the Roman era.

Rare surgical tool sheds light on ancient medicine

Dr. Vagalinski identified the artifact as a lithoulkos, a specialized Greco-Roman instrument used by ancient surgeons during operations to remove bladder stones.

Bladder stone surgery was considered one of the most difficult and dangerous medical procedures of antiquity. Even so, doctors operated because untreated stones could cause severe pain and other serious complications.

Although incomplete, the newly discovered instrument has survived remarkably well. Archaeologists recovered its bronze handle, which is decorated with embossed rings. The curved hook tips that formed the working end of the tool have not survived.

Researchers say the artifact provides valuable insight into the design of ancient surgical equipment and the specialized skills required to perform complex operations.

Discovery reflects advanced Roman medical practice

Dr. Vagalinski said the discovery reflects the high standard of medical care available in Heraclea Sintica during the first three centuries of the Roman Empire, when the city experienced significant economic growth.

Ancient physicians used a wide range of surgical instruments, including scalpels, needles, curettes and spoons. However, highly specialized tools such as the lithoulkos are rarely found, making the discovery especially significant.

Researchers believe only a well-trained surgeon would have been capable of performing the delicate bladder stone procedure using such an instrument.

Ancient Roman author Pliny the Elder described bladder stones as among the most painful medical conditions. Researchers also point to the 3rd-century B.C. physician Ammonius of Alexandria, who is credited with developing a surgical method for removing bladder stones and designing specialized instruments for the operation. His work earned him the nickname “Lithotomos,” or “The Stone Cutter.”

Temple location may point to a healing center

The location of the discovery has prompted archaeologists to explore whether the building served a medical purpose alongside its religious role.

Dr. Vagalinski said the room’s position beside the Temple of Hercules supports a working hypothesis that pilgrims seeking healing through the cult of the mythical hero may have received treatment there.

Researchers stress that the idea remains preliminary. They expect a clearer understanding of the room’s function after analyzing all of the artifacts recovered during the excavation. The instrument has been stratigraphically dated to the 3rd century A.D.

Excavations continue around Temple of Hercules

Excavations at the site are continuing with a team of seven archaeologists and 34 workers. Heavy machinery is being used to remove thick river sediments around the temple before archaeologists continue careful manual excavations to document the surrounding architecture and uncover more evidence about the ancient complex.

By Nisha Zahid.

Peppa Pig

Ancient Tombs with Golden Tongues Found at Egypt’s Marina El Alamein

Archaeologists have uncovered 18 ancient tombs and a large group of burial objects at Marina El Alamein, an ancient city on Egypt’s northwestern Mediterranean coast. The finds add fresh detail to one of Egypt’s best preserved coastal sites and show how Egyptian and Greek customs lived side by side for hundreds of years.

The latest excavation brings the total number of tombs found at Marina El Alamein to 44 since the site first came to light during construction work in 1986. Researchers also exposed new parts of the ancient city. Earlier digs found streets, homes, public buildings, a harbor, shops, and large burial grounds, showing a busy port with close links across the Mediterranean.

The new cemetery holds 11 rock cut tombs, known as hypogea, reaching about eight meters below ground. Seven more tombs stand above ground and were built from limestone. Several burial rooms stayed sealed behind heavy stone slabs for more than 2,000 years. Their contents stayed in place, giving researchers a rare look at ancient burial practices.

The team also found many simple burials around the cemetery. These graves point to people from different social groups living in the city. One former water well had later become a burial place. The change shows older Egyptian funeral customs stayed in use during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, even as Greek culture spread through the region.

One of the biggest finds was a granite sarcophagus measuring 2.5 meters long. The original lid still covered the coffin when archaeologists reached the burial chamber. Human remains found inside are now under study. Nearby, researchers uncovered parts of a plaster figure linked to Egyptian religion. Some reports describe the figure as the child god Harpocrates, while others identify a plaster sphinx. Both point to the lasting place of Egyptian beliefs in the city.

The excavation also produced a wide range of burial goods. Researchers recovered pottery vessels, amphorae, oil lamps, plates, limestone altars, stone basins, and parts of tomb buildings. Many of the pottery pieces survived almost whole after centuries underground.

One object stands out because of its link to ancient Egyptian belief. A limestone offering altar was carved in the shape of a false door. Ancient Egyptians believed such doors formed a path between the world of the living and the dead.

Other finds include an unfinished marble statue believed to show the goddess Aphrodite, a limestone funerary carving of a seated man holding a bird, and several glass tear bottles, often called lacrimaria, placed inside graves during the period.

Researchers also recovered 24 thin gold pieces placed inside the mouths of several people buried at the site. These “golden tongues” formed part of funeral rites during the time. Ancient belief held that the dead needed the gift of speech in the next life. One gold piece carries the Eye of Horus, a well known Egyptian symbol tied to safety and healing.

Marina El Alamein lies about 100 kilometers west of Alexandria and is widely linked with the ancient city of Leukaspis, named by the Greek writer Strabo. The city grew from the Hellenistic period through Byzantine rule. Trade helped the port thrive between the first and third centuries CE, bringing people and ideas from Egypt and across the Mediterranean.

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities says work at the site will continue as part of a plan to welcome visitors. Planned additions include a visitor center, walking paths, electric shuttle routes, a museum storage building, an office, and an open air theater. Officials expect the project to finish during the first half of next year.

Portrait of a North African Man circa 300-150 B.C.

It was excavated in 1861 near the Temple of Apollo at Cyrene, located in modern-day Libya.

Egypt Uncovers Lost Byzantine-era City in the Western Desert

Archaeologists have uncovered a well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in Egypt’s Dakhla Oasis, revealing new evidence of how people lived, worked, and worshipped in one of the country’s ancient desert communities.

The discovery was made by an Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities during ongoing excavations at the Ain Al-Sabil archaeological site in New Valley Governorate. The settlement, built entirely from mudbrick, is one of the most complete Byzantine-period urban sites found in Egypt’s Western Desert.

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, described the discovery as an important addition to the country’s archaeological record. He said it highlights the cultural diversity that flourished in Egypt’s oases across different historical periods.

He added that the find is expected to strengthen New Valley Governorate’s archaeological and tourism appeal while supporting efforts to promote the region as a destination for cultural tourism.

Excavation reveals a carefully planned settlement

Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the excavation provides valuable new information about life in Dakhla Oasis during the Byzantine period. He said the discoveries have helped researchers better understand the settlement’s urban design, social organization and economic activities.

Dr. Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the city followed a carefully planned layout.

Broad streets running north to south intersected with smaller roads running east to west, creating open squares and courtyards throughout the settlement. A basilica-style church overlooked one of the city’s main streets, reflecting its central role within the community.

Churches, homes and defensive structures uncovered

Dr. Mahmoud Masoud, director general of Dakhla Antiquities and head of the archaeological mission, said the city contained all the key features of a thriving residential settlement.

Archaeologists uncovered a basilica-style church dating to the mid-fourth century A.D., the remains of two watchtowers along the city’s perimeter and a heavily fortified structure with thick defensive walls.

The residential district included homes with spacious halls and vaulted ceilings, along with bread ovens, kitchens and stone tools used to grind grain. The discoveries provide fresh insight into the infrastructure that supported everyday life in the desert settlement.

Among the best-preserved buildings was the house of Tisus, a church deacon, which dates to the second half of the fourth century A.D. Archaeologists also uncovered the house of Tapibos, dating to the early fourth century A.D. Researchers believe it served as a house church before the city’s basilica was constructed.

Artifacts document commerce and daily life

The excavation produced a diverse collection of artifacts reflecting the settlement’s domestic life and economy. Researchers recovered household pottery, bottles used to store oils and perfumes, oil lamps, and stone grinding tools.

Dr. Zahran Mahdi, director of the Excavations Department at the Islamic and Coptic Antiquities Sector, said one of the most significant discoveries was a collection of about 200 ostraca, or inscribed pottery fragments, written in both Coptic and Greek.

The texts record commercial transactions, personal correspondence and other aspects of daily life, offering a rare look at the administration and social life of the community.

Archaeologists also uncovered numerous well-preserved bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions and Christian symbols. The mission further discovered a group of gold coins dating to the reign of Byzantine Emperor Constantius II, who ruled from A.D. 337 to 361.

Together with the inscribed ostraca, the coins provide important evidence of the city’s economy, administration and links to the wider Byzantine Empire.

By Nisha Zahid.

Rainbow Vomiting Danbo

Rare Pithos Tomb Found in Turkey

A rare Roman-era burial inside a giant ceramic storage jar has been uncovered at the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in northern Türkiye, marking the first pithos tomb ever found in the inland western Black Sea region.

Archaeologists made the discovery during ongoing excavations at the site near present-day Eskipazar in Karabük Province. While pithoi—large clay jars used to store and transport grain, olives, wine and other goods—were a common feature of daily life in antiquity, they were sometimes repurposed as burial containers for the dead.

The newly discovered tomb contained human skeletal remains along with a collection of grave goods, including seven pottery vessels, an oil lamp, a knife, two bone hairpins and a bronze coin. The coin, struck during the reign of Roman Emperor Probus (AD 276–282), dates the burial to the late third century.

The bone hairpins suggest the deceased may have been a woman, although archaeologists say further study of the remains will be needed to determine the individual’s sex and age.

Professor Ersin Çelikbaş, director of the Hadrianopolis excavations, described the discovery as a significant milestone for the region’s archaeology.

“This is the first documented pithos burial discovered at Hadrianopolis and in the inland western Black Sea region,” he said. “It provides valuable new evidence for understanding local burial customs during the Roman period.”

Among the objects recovered were examples of Pontic Sigillata, a nicely red-slipped tableware used around the Black Sea during the Roman Empire. Similar pottery has been found all over Hadrianopolis too, a sign of how well the city’s commercial ties were in place with the neighbouring areas.

Hadrianopolis has been inhabited for over three millennia. It was founded by the Hittites around 1300 BC and became a center under Roman rule and was called Hadrian in the second century AD. On an important trade route connecting the Black Sea coast to central Anatolia and the Aegean, the city flourished.

The recently discovered burial not only sheds light on Roman funerary practices in northern Anatolia but also indicates the significance of Hadrianopolis in terms of archaeology and its long, diverse history, where ongoing excavations are still ongoing.

Summer Sunset

Rare Bronze Ceremonial Chariot Found in Spain

Archaeologists excavating the ancient Tartessian settlement of Casas del Turuñuelo have uncovered an exceptionally rare bronze ceremonial chariot dating to the 5th century BC, a discovery that is shedding new light on the wealth, religious practices and international trade networks of one of the Iberian Peninsula’s most enigmatic ancient cultures.

The find was announced following the eighth consecutive excavation campaign at the site, which is being investigated by researchers from the Institute of Archaeology of Mérida, a joint centre of the Spanish National Research Council and the Regional Government of Extremadura.

Archaeologists describe the bronze artefact as unique within the Iberian Peninsula. The ceremonial vehicle, believed to have been dedicated to a deity, was discovered in a ritual area of the settlement known as corridor S3, where researchers had previously uncovered a bull-hide-shaped altar.

Only half of the chariot survives, including two wheels and part of its main body. Despite its incomplete state, experts say the object preserves an extraordinary level of decorative detail and demonstrates sophisticated metalworking techniques involving the assembly of multiple bronze components with iron fittings.

“This is one of the most significant finds made to date at this Tartessian site,” said Esther Rodríguez, co-director of the excavation project.

The chariot’s artistic programme includes representations of Achelous, a river god widely known in Greek and Etruscan traditions, as well as griffins positioned at either end of the structure. Two Atlas-like male figures appear to support the vehicle’s body, adding further symbolic and religious significance.

Researchers say no comparable example has been found in Iberia. The closest parallels come from the ancient Etruscan civilisation of central Italy, suggesting the object may have originated there or been heavily influenced by Etruscan craftsmanship.

“The only similar pieces currently known come from the Etruscan world,” said Sebastián Celestino, co-director of the project. “This reinforces the existence of trade networks linking Tartessos with different regions across the Mediterranean.”

Researchers believe the chariot may have played a role in ritual feasting ceremonies. Its discovery beside what archaeologists have identified as a banquet hall supports the theory that it was associated with the final ceremonial feast held before the deliberate closure and burial of the building at the end of the 5th century BC.

The excavation has also yielded a remarkable collection of imported luxury goods. Among the finds are fine pottery from the Greek region of Attica, an Egyptian alabaster vessel and intricately carved ivory objects decorated with warriors and animal and plant motifs.

According to Rodríguez, these artefacts provide valuable evidence of long-distance trade connections linking the Iberian Peninsula with the eastern Mediterranean.

“These materials are providing extraordinary information for understanding trade relations between the East and the Iberian Peninsula,” she said. “We are documenting imports and unique objects that help reconstruct these exchange networks.”

The latest campaign focused on the northern and southern sectors of a massive tumulus measuring approximately 90 metres in diameter and six metres high. The mound was intentionally constructed to seal the main building complex, preserving it in exceptional condition for more than 2,500 years.

Excavations also revealed new rooms and circulation areas surrounding room H-100, a chamber of approximately 70 square metres that is currently the largest space uncovered at the site.

Archaeologists say the new discoveries continue to transform understanding of Tartessian society, revealing a sophisticated culture with far-reaching commercial connections, advanced craftsmanship and elaborate religious traditions. The newly discovered bronze chariot stands as one of the clearest indications yet that the elite of Tartessos participated in luxury exchange networks stretching across the ancient Mediterranean.

By Mark Milligan.