Here are some posts I enjoyed from around the web this week:
First up, pay attention those of you who live in Arizona: Underwater Archaeology lecture (Athens and Corinth harbors) on Feb 23, 6 pm in Mesa at Benedictine University.
About the lecture and lecturer:
Professor Bjørn Lovén is a Research Associate with the Saxo Institute at the University of Copenhagen and he holds his degrees from the University of London (Ph.D.) and Aarhus University. His areas of specialty are the archaeology of ancient harbors and submerged sites: he is director of the Zea Harbour Project at ancient Piraeus in Greece, co-director of the Lechaion Harbour Project in Corinth, Greece, and has done extensive fieldwork at underwater and harbor sites around the Mediterranean. Professor Lovén is an AIA Kress Lecturer for 2016/2017.
All the details on the Archaeological Institute of American Central Arizona Society so click through
Upcoming Lecture: A Tale of Two Sunken Harbor Cities: The Harbors of Athens and Corinth
From the Graeco-Roman period of Cyprus, at Paphos the Polish team of archaeologists found doctors tools, primarily bronze with one of iron and the glass containers for medicine. They found pliers, a long spoon and instruments that they think were used to set bones. Click here for Archaeology News Network “Ancient Surgeon’s Room found at Nea Paphos”
Unusual DNA analysis of a skeleton found near Troy shows the woman died of a maternal infection of her placenta. This kind of information about pregnancy health hasn’t been recovered before. The post in Smithsonian bills this as a “Trojan Woman” but it’s a Byzantine woman who lived near what we identify as Troy, 800 years ago, not a Trojan War woman of 3,000 years ago. A bit of misleading title, but a fascinating story about what bones can teach about life in the past. Click here for The Smithsonian Magazine “Remains from an 800 year old ‘Trojan Woman” record early maternal infection”
This is a fun discussion with an impressive group of historical fiction writers about the books they found most influential, most neglected periods of history and most overworked, favorite historical movies and many other topics. Also a good spot if you’re looking for someone new to read. Meet Heather Gilbert, Sophie Schiller, JS Dunn, Annie Whitehead, Wayne Turmel, MJ Logue, Ed Bergeron, Mary Tod, Catherine Kullmann Click here for Sophie Schiller’s blog “Historical Fiction Round Table”