Quick question: What are your favorite archaeological/anthropological communities? If youâve got a sec, Iâd love to hear your recommendations.
But far, far more importantly⊠hereâs the latest ancient news đ
đ Ancient News
Prehistoric âSwiss Army knifeâ indicates early humans communicated â A particular type of stone tool is found in southern Africa across large distances and multiple biomes, indicating that ancient peoples were communicating and sharing technology. The Howiesons Poort backed artifacts (âHowiesons Poortâ being a Middle Stone Age cultural period), also known as âstone Swiss Army Knivesâ, were produced in huge quantities roughly 65,000 years ago. According to Paloma de la Peña, âWhile the making of the stone tool was not particularly difficult, the hafting of the stone to the handle through the use of glue and adhesives was hard, which highlights that they were sharing and communicating complex information with each other.â Interestingly, this supports one explanation of why the biggest exit out of Africa 60,000-70,000 years ago was so successful â that there was sufficient social connection for a large-scale exodus. âWhat was also striking was that the abundance of tools made in the same shape coincided with great changes in the climatic conditions. We believe that this is a social response to the changing environment across southern Africa.â
How an ancient rice beer helped brew Chinese civilisation â A new study showed that red rice beer created âcultural interactionsâ between autonomous neolithic peoples in China. These independent groups started blending together during the âinteraction sphereâ, beginning around 4,000 years ago, kicking off a new phase in Chinese history. The brew was brought to China by the Dawenku culture between 4,600 and 6,700 years ago. It is made in large clay basins called dakougangs, which were a big technological advancement in themselves. Being able to make large quantities of red rice beer for feasts provided individuals with prestige, and the realization that this technology would have helped people gain status may shed ânew light on the intensified transregional interactions which contributed to the growth of social stratification at the dawn of Chinese civilisation.â As a side note, this was not merely because people liked to drink â the red hue of the beer likely made it a sacred ceremonial substance associated with blood.
Newly Identified Inscription Names Ancient Greek Students â An ancient Greek inscription in a marble tablet, which had long been stuck in a storeroom at the National Museum of Scotland, has been translated. Itâs a list of 31 students of a military academy in Athens â the Ephebic College. The inscription dates back to between 41 and 54 CE, and lists the young men as co-cadets and friends.
Chickens were first tempted down from trees by rice, research suggests â It was previously thought that chickens were bred for consumption up to 10,000 years ago, but new radiocarbon dating suggests that humans didnât come into close contact with chickens until around 1500 BCE. The oldest bone of a chicken that was definitely domesticated was dated to between 1650 and 1250 BCE in Thailand, and they didnât make it to Europe until 800 BCE. Chickens were probably first tempted down from trees with rice during dry rice farming. According to Greger Larson, âThis comprehensive re-evaluation of chickens firstly demonstrates how wrong our understanding of the time and place of chicken domestication was. And even more excitingly, we show how the arrival of dry rice agriculture acted as a catalyst for both the chicken-domestication process and its global dispersal.â Other studies have shown that chicken were first venerated, before becoming popularized as food during the Roman empire.
Researchers Track Changes in Size of Europeâs Dogs â Humans bred dogs larger and larger in order to protect their flocks, causing them to double in size somewhere between 2,000 and 8,000 years ago. 8,000 years ago, Neolithic farmers from Anatolia and the Middle East had small dogs (average 33 lbs), which they brought with them into central Europe. When sheep started being taken into mountains to graze, protection from wolves and bears became necessary. By the Roman era, the average dog was over 50 lbs.
Industrial Manufacturing Of Wool And Wool Textiles In The Bronze Age Italy â Montale in Northern Italy had some of the first wool production in Europe, and it may have even been done on an industrial scale. In a recent study, archaeologist Serena Sabatina made a case for this through the sheer quantity of textile tools found at the site, as well as the analysis of teeth. The latter showed that sheep and goats were raised and died in the same area, indicating that they were closely managed on site. The article goes on to say that it took over a year to get enough wool from 10 sheep to make a 3.5x3.5 meter cloth, hence the need for economically sustainable wool production. "Thanks to particularly favorable social and environmental conditions, they were able to specialize in the production of wool and likely exported wool, wool yarn or perhaps even woven wool textiles. They were then able to trade wool and textiles for goods not available in the area."
Broken pieces of rare Viking sword reunited after 1,200 years apart â About a year ago, an amateur treasure hunter found a piece of metal in Norway. Then this spring, his friend, also a metal detectorist, found another artifact. And now, what turned out to be two pieces of a 1,200-year-old Viking sword, have been reunited. The blade is still missing but the hilt is intricately carved and has gold and silver detailing, meaning that it probably demonstrated the status of a person of means.
Archaeology breakthrough as 'greatest shipwreck since Mary Rose' FOUND near Norfolk â The warship HMS Gloucester sunk in 1682 near Norfolk while carrying the future King James II. It was found about a decade ago, but the discovery was kept secret to protect the at-risk site. It is now being claimed as a highly significant maritime find. âThe discovery promises to fundamentally change the understanding of 17th-century social, maritime and political history.â
Metal detectorist in UK finds ancient Roman penis pendant â I donât actually go looking for penis stories, but here we are â two weeks of penis finds. A metal detectorist in England found an 1,800-year-old penis amulet. It was likely used for protection from misfortune and evil. Amulets like this were actually quite common in Roman Britain, but they were usually made of copper-alloy, not silver, so this one is thought to have been an object of display. The wearer probably also believed that the silver enhanced its magical properties.
â€ïž Recommended Content
Cosquer Cave is the only place in the world where cave paintings of prehistoric marine life have been found to date. And somewhat poetically, the entrance to the cave (as well as some of the cave itself) is now submerged in the Mediterranean. This article details the site and the rush to preserve its memory. The artwork, which includes 600 signs, images, and carvings, dates back as far as 30,000 years and was created over the course of 15,000 years. Climate change and pollution now threaten the artwork, so archaeologists are working fast to explore the rest of the cave. A couple of interesting tidbits: Images of horses in the cave show long manes and maybe even a harness, indicating that they may have already been domesticated at the time of the artwork. The trace of cloth on the cave wall could show that the occupants were making clothes.
Hereâs an article that details some ancient wonders found in the Arabian desert. It includes the Jebel Hafit Tombs â 500 tombs dating to 5,000 BP and marking the start of the Bronze Age in the United Arab Emirates.
This article details a group of 25 ancient Greek structures called âdrakospitaâ, or dragon houses. Their age is unknown, but many believe them to be from roughly the 5th century BCE. They were built using massive rock slabs weighing thousands of pounds. Theories of their use vary from ancient sanctuaries of Greek gods to defense outposts. The term âdragonâ may not refer to the mythical serpent, but to a person with superhuman power, hence the possible connection to the gods.
This article shares the story of a photographer who was part of the first team to attempt underwater archaeology below a pyramid. She was at the necropolis of Nuri, where Kushite royals were laid to rest, and it sounds terrifying.
Please reply to this email (or comment if youâre on my Substack) with questions, suggestions, or just to say hello. This newsletter is very much a work-in-progress, so Iâd appreciate your input!
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đ§ Ancient Beat #15: Early cultural exchange, submerged cave art, and the social impact of red rice beer
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Hi folks, welcome to issue #15 of Ancient Beat!
Quick question: What are your favorite archaeological/anthropological communities? If youâve got a sec, Iâd love to hear your recommendations.
But far, far more importantly⊠hereâs the latest ancient news đ
đ Ancient News
Prehistoric âSwiss Army knifeâ indicates early humans communicated â A particular type of stone tool is found in southern Africa across large distances and multiple biomes, indicating that ancient peoples were communicating and sharing technology. The Howiesons Poort backed artifacts (âHowiesons Poortâ being a Middle Stone Age cultural period), also known as âstone Swiss Army Knivesâ, were produced in huge quantities roughly 65,000 years ago. According to Paloma de la Peña, âWhile the making of the stone tool was not particularly difficult, the hafting of the stone to the handle through the use of glue and adhesives was hard, which highlights that they were sharing and communicating complex information with each other.â Interestingly, this supports one explanation of why the biggest exit out of Africa 60,000-70,000 years ago was so successful â that there was sufficient social connection for a large-scale exodus. âWhat was also striking was that the abundance of tools made in the same shape coincided with great changes in the climatic conditions. We believe that this is a social response to the changing environment across southern Africa.â
How an ancient rice beer helped brew Chinese civilisation â A new study showed that red rice beer created âcultural interactionsâ between autonomous neolithic peoples in China. These independent groups started blending together during the âinteraction sphereâ, beginning around 4,000 years ago, kicking off a new phase in Chinese history. The brew was brought to China by the Dawenku culture between 4,600 and 6,700 years ago. It is made in large clay basins called dakougangs, which were a big technological advancement in themselves. Being able to make large quantities of red rice beer for feasts provided individuals with prestige, and the realization that this technology would have helped people gain status may shed ânew light on the intensified transregional interactions which contributed to the growth of social stratification at the dawn of Chinese civilisation.â As a side note, this was not merely because people liked to drink â the red hue of the beer likely made it a sacred ceremonial substance associated with blood.
Newly Identified Inscription Names Ancient Greek Students â An ancient Greek inscription in a marble tablet, which had long been stuck in a storeroom at the National Museum of Scotland, has been translated. Itâs a list of 31 students of a military academy in Athens â the Ephebic College. The inscription dates back to between 41 and 54 CE, and lists the young men as co-cadets and friends.
Chickens were first tempted down from trees by rice, research suggests â It was previously thought that chickens were bred for consumption up to 10,000 years ago, but new radiocarbon dating suggests that humans didnât come into close contact with chickens until around 1500 BCE. The oldest bone of a chicken that was definitely domesticated was dated to between 1650 and 1250 BCE in Thailand, and they didnât make it to Europe until 800 BCE. Chickens were probably first tempted down from trees with rice during dry rice farming. According to Greger Larson, âThis comprehensive re-evaluation of chickens firstly demonstrates how wrong our understanding of the time and place of chicken domestication was. And even more excitingly, we show how the arrival of dry rice agriculture acted as a catalyst for both the chicken-domestication process and its global dispersal.â Other studies have shown that chicken were first venerated, before becoming popularized as food during the Roman empire.
Researchers Track Changes in Size of Europeâs Dogs â Humans bred dogs larger and larger in order to protect their flocks, causing them to double in size somewhere between 2,000 and 8,000 years ago. 8,000 years ago, Neolithic farmers from Anatolia and the Middle East had small dogs (average 33 lbs), which they brought with them into central Europe. When sheep started being taken into mountains to graze, protection from wolves and bears became necessary. By the Roman era, the average dog was over 50 lbs.
Industrial Manufacturing Of Wool And Wool Textiles In The Bronze Age Italy â Montale in Northern Italy had some of the first wool production in Europe, and it may have even been done on an industrial scale. In a recent study, archaeologist Serena Sabatina made a case for this through the sheer quantity of textile tools found at the site, as well as the analysis of teeth. The latter showed that sheep and goats were raised and died in the same area, indicating that they were closely managed on site. The article goes on to say that it took over a year to get enough wool from 10 sheep to make a 3.5x3.5 meter cloth, hence the need for economically sustainable wool production. "Thanks to particularly favorable social and environmental conditions, they were able to specialize in the production of wool and likely exported wool, wool yarn or perhaps even woven wool textiles. They were then able to trade wool and textiles for goods not available in the area."
Broken pieces of rare Viking sword reunited after 1,200 years apart â About a year ago, an amateur treasure hunter found a piece of metal in Norway. Then this spring, his friend, also a metal detectorist, found another artifact. And now, what turned out to be two pieces of a 1,200-year-old Viking sword, have been reunited. The blade is still missing but the hilt is intricately carved and has gold and silver detailing, meaning that it probably demonstrated the status of a person of means.
Archaeology breakthrough as 'greatest shipwreck since Mary Rose' FOUND near Norfolk â The warship HMS Gloucester sunk in 1682 near Norfolk while carrying the future King James II. It was found about a decade ago, but the discovery was kept secret to protect the at-risk site. It is now being claimed as a highly significant maritime find. âThe discovery promises to fundamentally change the understanding of 17th-century social, maritime and political history.â
Metal detectorist in UK finds ancient Roman penis pendant â I donât actually go looking for penis stories, but here we are â two weeks of penis finds. A metal detectorist in England found an 1,800-year-old penis amulet. It was likely used for protection from misfortune and evil. Amulets like this were actually quite common in Roman Britain, but they were usually made of copper-alloy, not silver, so this one is thought to have been an object of display. The wearer probably also believed that the silver enhanced its magical properties.
â€ïž Recommended Content
Cosquer Cave is the only place in the world where cave paintings of prehistoric marine life have been found to date. And somewhat poetically, the entrance to the cave (as well as some of the cave itself) is now submerged in the Mediterranean. This article details the site and the rush to preserve its memory. The artwork, which includes 600 signs, images, and carvings, dates back as far as 30,000 years and was created over the course of 15,000 years. Climate change and pollution now threaten the artwork, so archaeologists are working fast to explore the rest of the cave. A couple of interesting tidbits: Images of horses in the cave show long manes and maybe even a harness, indicating that they may have already been domesticated at the time of the artwork. The trace of cloth on the cave wall could show that the occupants were making clothes.
Hereâs an article that details some ancient wonders found in the Arabian desert. It includes the Jebel Hafit Tombs â 500 tombs dating to 5,000 BP and marking the start of the Bronze Age in the United Arab Emirates.
This article details a group of 25 ancient Greek structures called âdrakospitaâ, or dragon houses. Their age is unknown, but many believe them to be from roughly the 5th century BCE. They were built using massive rock slabs weighing thousands of pounds. Theories of their use vary from ancient sanctuaries of Greek gods to defense outposts. The term âdragonâ may not refer to the mythical serpent, but to a person with superhuman power, hence the possible connection to the gods.
This article shares the story of a photographer who was part of the first team to attempt underwater archaeology below a pyramid. She was at the necropolis of Nuri, where Kushite royals were laid to rest, and it sounds terrifying.
Please reply to this email (or comment if youâre on my Substack) with questions, suggestions, or just to say hello. This newsletter is very much a work-in-progress, so Iâd appreciate your input!
Until next time, thanks for joining me.
-James
(newish twitter: @jamesofthedrum)
P.S. If you like what youâre seeing, please consider sharing it with a friend. It would mean a lot! đ