In this episode, we delve into one of the biggest antiquities heists of the last few decades based on how long it lasted, how much stuff was looted and how many different places it all wound up...everywhere from local flea markets to the most venerable museums in the world. This is a story of the wholesale looting of India's cultural heritage and the fight for justice and to bring back the stolen antiquities.

We then review two recent ancient DNA studies - one of Iron Age Britain and the other of the Avars, Central Asian nomadic peoples who settled in Central Europe. These studies support the historical record that suggested a high status of women in "Celtic" Britain and the opposite in Avar society. Patrilocality vs. Matrilocality, and Patrilineality vs. Matrilineality. It's an archaeological battle of the sexes, thanks to Ancient DNA!

For the video version, see: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch

#archaeology #ancientsocieties #antiquities #archaeologicaldiscoveries #archeology

In this episode, we take an archaeological tour of the largest single Buddhist temple on earth, Borobudur in Central Java. Rediscovered by outsiders in 1814, the enormity and intricacy of this temple tells us a lot about the advanced civilization that constructed it, but also leave a lot of open questions.

We then do an archaeology news update, featuring royal treasures of Lithuania which were recently rediscovered, a 3,000 year-old city unearthed in southern China and a possible resolution of a mystery surrounding some mysterious Viking objects.

For the video version, see: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch

#archaeology #history #antiquities #archaeologicaldiscoveries #archeology

In this episode of Into the Dust, Jason reveals the history and secrets of the Rosetta Stone and how it allowed archaeologists and historians to access Ancient Egypt like never before. 

We also review some exciting archaeology news from the holidays and early January:

1) Discovery of a sorcerer-doctor-dentist at the pharaoh's court in Ancient Egypt
2) A Bronze Age site in Georgia - Dmanisis Gora - revealed to be much larger than before and thrived through the Bronze Age Collapse
3) Previously unknown Roman town (vicus) uncovered in Southwest Germany

For the video version, see: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch

Enjoy!

#archaeology # archeology #Ancienthistory #AncientEgypt

In this episode, Jason breaks down his version of the Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries of 2024 (the final 5). Among these: 

6) A pot of gold (literally) found in Turkey
7) Cleopatra's real face?
8) Deciphering a Herculaneum scroll 
9) Bread at Çatalhöyük 
10) Ancient Australian Aboriginal cultural practices confirmed at Clogg's Cave

We also investigate the murders at Lindow Moss, where a confusing muddle of ancient human sacrifices and modern day killing made for a confusing (and tragic) homicide investigation.

Video version: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch

In this episode, Jason breaks down his version of the Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries of 2024 (the first 5 anyway!). Among these: 

1) Lost cities in the Amazon
2) Oldest cave art ever discovered confirmed in Indonesia
3) Neanderthal-human mixing
4) Newly recognized geoglyphs in Peru
5) Reindeer hunting wall

We also take a site visit to Bergen, founded by the early Norwegian kingdom in 1070 - the late Viking era - but it came into prominence as one of the kontors of the Hanseatic League. Bergen is chock full of archaeology - but also food, outdoor action and modern amusements.

Video version: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch

In this episode, Jason describes and amazing, one-of-a-kind artefact, The Bronze Hand of Prêles. This is an archaeology crime even though the detectorists who found it were not traffickers. In fact, they reported it as required, but apparently they were illegally metal detecting, so they were slapped with a fine.

In honor of the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), we also feature the top treasures of King Tut's tomb.

Video version: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch

#archaeology #Egypt #Ancienthistory

In this episode, we delve into Zooarchaeology, the archaeology of animals. As they can be peoples' best friend, animals do tell a lot about society and how humans live. We also investigate another archaeology crime, this time the theft of a US$1.8M Celtic gold coin hoard in Manching, southern Germany. A sophisticated heist which involved cutting electricity to the entire city, it's difficult to see how the archaeology and heritage community fights that. However, there still are some lessons learned.

Video version: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch

#archaeology #history #ancienthistory #realcrimestories

Following his site visits to the Outer Banks, Jason visited with Scott Dawson, head of the Croatoan Archaeological Society, whose passion for the history of his Croatoan ancestors led to a lifelong passion to find set the history of the Outer Banks - and hence the United States of America as a nation - right.

At the center of this story is the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke myth, in which colonists simply disappeared, perhaps massacred or enslaved by the local Native Americans. The truth, as is being revealed by Dawson's historical research and community-led archaeology, is far different from this standard version of history... 

Video version: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch

Jason recently took a road trip to the OBX, and the reality there is perhaps more interesting than anything you'll find on Netflix. He encountered recent findings relating to two of early Colonial America's most iconic tales - The "Lost Colony" of Roanoke and the fearsome pirate Blackbeard - as well as side-stories regarding the famous OBX wild horses. Truly, you can find archaeology where it's least expected!
And, particularly related to the Croatoan Indians, a lot of this community archaeology, so these are folks who operate with a passion, but not a lot of money.

Video version: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch

In today's archaeology site visit, Jason delves into the fascinating world of Petra, an archaeological marvel in Jordan popularized as an Indiana Jones film location. Together, we explore its rich history, the enigmatic Nabataeans, and the significance of the site. Given that its one of the largest archaeology sites in the world, it's important to experience Petra beyond a day tour, in order to take in the various attractions within the archaeological park. Moreover, we explore what little is known about the Nabataean culture, their trade dominance, and the historical context of Petra in order to better understand the context of this ancient city, lost to time until documented by a Swiss explorer in the 19th century.

Video version: https://www.youtube.com/@Into_the-Dust_Arch