2009 in archaeology explained
The year 2009 in archaeology
Excavations
Finds
- January
- The remains of a female mummy thought to be Queen Sesheshet are found in a recently discovered pyramid in Saqqara, Egypt.[2]
- Malaysian archaeologists report the discovery of seven stone axes possibly dating back 1.8 million years, which would make these the oldest stone axes known.[3]
- An archaeologist from the University of Pennsylvania reports the discovery of traces of a ritual dating back to 1200 BCE at Mount Lykaoin, in Greece.[4]
- Archaeologists in China report the discovery of the oldest cave-houses known. The houses were discovered near Xi'an, date back some 5,500 years and were created by the Yangshao culture.[5]
- A study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science claims the discovery of the oldest human hairs in coprolites found in South Africa. The hairs are between 195.000 and 257.000 years old.[6]
- February
- Over 20 mummies are discovered at Saqqara, in Egypt. The tomb is remarkably intact, and dates to the 7th century BCE.[7]
- New finds at an Indus Valley civilization site in Pakistan, dated to about 4000 years ago through radiocarbon dating done at the Dutch University of Groningen, link the site to the city of Mohenjo-daro. The finds seem to indicate that Mohenjo-Daro flourished longer than previously thought.[8]
- Archaeologists in Mexico City report the late 2008 discovery of an Aztec mass grave dating to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. The site, Tlatelolco, is unusual because the grave seems to have been dug by Aztecs, acting on the orders of Europeans.[9] [10]
- British archaeologists report the discovery of one of the oldest watermills known in the country. The mill, dating to the late 12th century, is located along the Thames.[11]
- Researchers announce the discovery of a large amount of fossils near the La Brea Tar Pits in the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. Among the finds is a mammoth skeleton, much more complete than earlier mammoths encountered at the pits.[12]
- Previously unpublished fragments of the Turin King List are discovered in the basement of the Museo Egizio in Turin, Italy. The fragments may shed more light on the history of Ancient Egypt. A new, more complete, publication of the papyrus is expected.[13] [14]
- March
- June
- 5 July: In England, metal detectorist Terry Herbert discovers the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold yet found.[28] [29]
- August: In England, a metal detectorist discovers the Shrewsbury Hoard, a hoard of about 10,000 Roman coins.[30]
- 11 August: Archaeologists announce that they have discovered a royal tomb from the early Bronze Age at Forteviot in Scotland.[31]
- 14 August: Archaeologists announce that they have discovered a Neolithic temple in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.[32]
- 29 September: In Scotland, a metal detectorist discovers the Stirling torcs.[33]
- 17 December: Archaeologists announce that they have found man-made structures on the sea-bed off the island of Damsay, Orkney.[34]
- 20 December: Discovery of AHS Centaur off Queensland is announced.[35]
- Late: A wreck, perhaps from the Spanish Armada, is found off Rutland Island, County Donegal.[36]
- Undated: Swedish Maritime Administration side-scan sonar in the Baltic Sea locates a wreck, identified in 2019 as belonging to a date around 1500.[37]
Events
- January: A new analysis of old excavation reports, combined with newly done fieldwork, leads researches to conclude that the Sassanid Persian besiegers used poison gas against the Roman defenders during the Fall of Dura Europos.[38] The gas, made by adding sulfur crystals and bitumen to prepared fires, was used in tunnels undermining the walls. Almost two dozen Roman soldiers were killed.
- February: Egypt renews its request for the return of the famous bust of Nefertiti from the Egyptian Museum of Berlin in Germany, after an article by Der Spiegel reports that German archaeologists deceived Egyptians about the worth of the piece after its initial discovery.[39]
- February: Bulgarian archaeologists report that looters have plundered a partially excavated Roman site near Rousse.[40]
- February: Experimental archaeology on replicas of the cannons found on a sunken Elizabethan warship indicate that the British employed revolutionary naval tactics at the time, explaining the rise of British marine power during the 16th century.[41]
- February: An auction at Christie's in Paris, France, makes a record-breaking 370 million euros (US$490 million). The auction sells of the private collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, which includes Greek and Roman sculptures. The selling of two Chinese bronze pieces is controversial. They were looted in the 19th century, prompting China to demand restitution.[42] [43]
- 20 June: The Acropolis Museum in Athens is officially opened.[44]
- July: The University of Manchester Archaeology Unit is closed[45]
Publications
Deaths
Notes and References
- Book: Gillott, Emily. A cast iron legacy. Belford, Paul . etal . Footprints of Industry. Oxford. Archaeopress. 2010. 978-1-4073-0727-5. 107–14.
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7818735.stm Mummy of female pharaoh uncovered
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090202083411/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jJiHwFct3a0VJT6cCuQaCob02isAD961EFKG0 Malaysia says 1.8 million-year-old axes unearthed
- http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20090126_New_evidence_of_the_cult_of_Zeus_is_3_200_years_old_.html New evidence of the cult of Zeus is 3,200 years old
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090129112115/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/25/content_10717077.htm China Exclusive: Archaeologists unearth earliest man-made cave houses
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090208061247/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/02/090206-oldest-hair-hyenas.html Oldest Human Hair Found in Hyena Poop Fossil?
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7879366.stm Chamber of mummies found in Egypt
- http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/3960-yr-old-organic-material-found-in-pakistan-points-to-continuity-of-indus-valley-civilization_100155002.html 3,960 yr old organic material found in Pakistan points to continuity of Indus Valley civilization
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7885513.stm Aztec 'warrior' mass grave found
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090216050214/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iPF6IUn8CskP1_rkiUjuU-UZ3mXgD96937V80 Mexico mass grave may be Aztec resistance fighters
- http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/content/towerhamlets/advertiser/downmemorylane/story.aspx?brand=ELAOnline&category=downmemorylane&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=eladownmemorylane&itemid=WeED17%20Feb%202009%2012%3A07%3A46%3A657 Archaeologists dig up rare medieval waterwheel
- http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-fossils18-2009feb18,0,1064849.story Major cache of fossils unearthed in L.A.
- http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/02/27/egyptian-papyrus.html Fragments of Ancient Egyptian Papyrus Found
- http://www.lastampa.it/_web/cmstp/tmplrubriche/arte/grubrica.asp?ID_blog=62&ID_articolo=1164&ID_sezione=117&sezione=News I faraoni scomparsi nel buco
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090307010201/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h8-EHu70NoBs0wKFTNWN6-hYmttQD96M45303 Ancient tomb rediscovered under sands of Egypt
- http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article5841607.ece ‘Royal granddaughter’s tomb’ found near Cairo
- http://www.rtlinfo.be/rtl/news/article/223533/--Des+arch%C3%A9ologues+japonais+affirment+avoir+d%C3%A9couvert+le+tombeau+dune+princesse+%C3%A9gyptienne Des archéologues japonais affirment avoir découvert le tombeau d'une princesse égyptienne
- http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,507585,00.html Civil War-Era Shipwreck Uncovered by Hurricane Ike
- Web site: Battle for the treasure chest that changed the course of the Great War. The Independent. 16 May 2017. 1 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170501171437/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/battle-for-the-treasure-chest-that-changed-the-course-of-the-great-war-1646524.html. dead.
- Corriere di Caserta 20/3/2009
- Grote muntschat gevonden in Groningen, by De Telegraaf retrieved 5 June 2009. Archived 11 September 2009.
- Oude Groningse vuilstort geeft muntschat prijs, by Nederlands Dagblad retrieved 5 June 2009
- Romeinse muur ontdekt onder Utrechts Domplein, by NU.nl retrieved 7 June 2009. Archived 11 September 2009.
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8099377.stm Sea gives up Neanderthal fossil
- De eerste Nederlandse Neanderthaler, by Leiden University retrieved 16 June 2009. Archived 11 September 2009.
- News: Dismembered skeletons discovered . 16 June 2019 . BBC News . 11 June 2009.
- News: Neolithic Age: Prehistoric Complex Including Two 6,000-year-old Tombs Discovered in Britain. Science Daily. 9 June 2009.
- News: Huge Anglo-Saxon gold hoard found. BBC News. 24 September 2009. 24 September 2009.
- News: Maev. Kennedy. Maev Kennedy. A beep, and Mr Lucky opened the door on a lost world. The Guardian. 25 September 2009. 6–7.
- Web site: Pett . Daniel . Recent discovery of a Roman Coin Hoard in the Shrewsbury Area . . 7 September 2009 . 9 July 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120306021611/http://finds.org.uk/blogs/centralunit/2009/09/07/recent-discovery-of-a-roman-coin-hoard-in-the-shrewsbury-area/ . 6 March 2012 .
- News: Ancient royal tomb found in Scotland. 11 August 2009. The Independent. 14 August 2009. London. David. Keys. 20 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171020215429/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ancient-royal-tomb-found-in-scotland-1771875.html. dead.
- News: Neolithic 'temple' revealed at site on Orkney. 14 August 2009. The Herald. Glasgow. 14 August 2009. 19 August 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090819022657/http://theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2525441.0.Neolithic_temple_revealed_at_site_on_Orkney.php. dead.
- News: Scottish treasure trove revealed. BBC News Online. 2 September 2011. 3 September 2011.
- News: Rising seas 'clue' in sunken world off Orkney. 17 December 2009. BBC News Scotland. 17 December 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091217052452/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/8416600.stm. 17 December 2009. live.
- Web site: The search for Australia's lost hospital ship. Philippa. Fogarty. BBC News Australia. 30 December 2014. 30 December 2014.
- The Rutland Island Wreck. Archaeology Ireland. Autumn 2011. 38–40. 22 December 2014.
- Web site: A 500-Year-Old Shipwreck Has Turned Up Perfectly Intact on Bottom of The Baltic Sea. Michelle. Starr. 23 July 2019. sciencealert.
- http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/01/30/earliest-chemical-warfare-02.html Earliest Chemical Warfare Felled Roman Fort
- http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,607417,00.html Egyptian Queen in Berlin: Cairo Demands Clarification on Nefertiti Bust
- http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/02/12/674391_roman-fortress-near-rousse-ravished-by-treasure-hunters Roman fortress near Rousse ravished by treasure-hunters
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7899831.stm?lss 'Superguns' of Elizabeth I's navy
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/23/yves-saint-laurent-fashion Yves of destruction: Paris queues ahead of great Saint Laurent sell-off
- http://uk.reuters.com/article/stageNews/idUKTRE51J5QU20090225 Record-breaking YSL art auction shrugs off crisis
- Book: Beard. Mary. The Parthenon. 2010. Profile. London. 978-1-84668-349-7. 185. Rev..
- Web site: GMAU News Archive (Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit - The University of Manchester) . https://web.archive.org/web/20210914193708/http://www.gmau.manchester.ac.uk/news/news_archive.htm . 2021-09-14 . 2022-08-26 .
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7854348.stm Mammoth-killing comet questioned
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090217195248/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNRhmzaaW3a10ewnBU63clc_Ki7QD96A6LO80 Team in Germany maps Neanderthal genome
- https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/science/27foot.html Prints Are Evidence of Modern Foot in Prehumans
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090310221231/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iZIBXMfy18Vq7FGThZ6viuHWOX9AD96OE4301 Horses first domesticated 5,000 years ago
- http://www.volkskrant.nl/wetenschap/article1159767.ece/Hoe_het_paard_tot_ons_kwam Hoe het paard tot ons kwam
- Book: Wynne-Jones. Stephanie. Fleisher. Jeffrey. Theory in Africa, Africa in Theory: Locating Meaning in Archaeology. 2015. Routledge. 9781317506829. en.
- CRC Press. .
- Europe's Lost World: the Rediscovery of Doggerland, by Gaffney Vince, Fitch Simon & Smith David, 2009. York: Council for British Archaeology. (CBA Research Report 160.); ISBN 978-1-902771-77-9, paperback £12 & US$30; xxi+202 pp., many col. pls., 119 figs.. Cambridge Archaeological Journal. 21 November 2017. 145–146. 10.1017/S095977431000017X. 2010. 20 . 1 . Bailey . Geoff . 161368587 .
- Web site: Lohman. Jack. Alan Vince - Obituary. The Guardian. 7 June 2017. 28 April 2009.