"New research has been analysing the text of the Iliad, and in particular how the Greeks and Trojans conducted assemblies for decision-making purposes. Joel P. Christensen has studied the text and come to some interesting conclusions which are published in the most recent edition of the journal Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies. Christensen believes this is an under-studied area which has the potential to reveal a huge amount about the Classical world."
"he Oriental Institute is a research organization and museum devoted to the study of the ancient Near East. Founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted, the Institute, a part of the University of Chicago, is an internationally recognized pioneer in the archaeology, philology, and history of early Near Eastern civilizations."
"Thousands of years after their owners' mouths stopped moving forever, the teeth of Egyptian mummies are telling scientists details about their civilization.
After analyzing the oxygen isotope levels in teeth recovered from the mummies, researchers at the Université de Lyon in France were able to determine that the ancient Egyptians endured an extensive period of drought."
"A 300-year drought may have caused the demise of several Mediterranean cultures, including ancient Greece, new research suggests.
A sharp drop in rainfall may have led to the collapse of several eastern Mediterranean civilizations, including ancient Greece, around 3,200 years ago. The resulting famine and conflict may help explain why the entire Hittite culture, chariot-riding people who ruled most of the region of Anatolia, vanished from the planet, according to a study published today (Aug. 14) in the journal PLOS ONE."
"Mythology is everywhere! Daily you run across instances of words, city names, companies, literary allusions - and many planets and constellations - that take their name or borrow their theme from Greek myths. Because of your many requests, I have provided a couple of thousand excellent examples to help you get started in your research. Remember, you're surrounded by mythology in today's society, whether you realize it or not!"
"New research reveals that some of the earliest civilizations in the Middle East and the Fertile Crescent may have been affected by abrupt climate change. These findings show that while socio-economic factors were traditionally considered to shape ancient human societies in this region, the influence of abrupt climate change should not be underestimated."
Breaking Ground may as well have been titled "Against all Odds," as the women archaeologists whose lives and careers we remember here faced innumerable challenges and difficulties but prevailed to contribute significantly to the expansion of our knowledge of the ancient world. Most entered this male dominated field at a time when few educational opportunities or careers were open to women. They excavated in countries where traditional, patriarchal societies did not generally allow women leadership or even public roles. Yet we found English women as early as the 19th century gaining government permissions to excavate in Egypt and Greece. We found women traveling alone through deserts and mountains and gaining acceptance from Bedouin tribes. We found them directing fieldwork using male workers whose own wives held subservient roles. The women archaeologists' rewards were almost purely intellectual, as many received no (or almost no) compensation for their demanding jobs, but of adventure there was plenty. Their activities were arduous, often dangerous, and required determination, stamina, a love of adventure, and certainly dedication.
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