In ancient days, the Egyptians traded with Punt, which has been referred to as “God’s Land.” It is here that they obtained goods that they considered exotic. In this article, you will learn more about how the region was pinpointed and other archeology news from April 2010.
The Land of Punt
Archeologists are confident that they have uncovered the Land of Punt. The conclusion came after the analysis of a hair belonging to a mummified baboon that resided in the British Museum. The Egyptians received giraffes, fragrances, and other goods considered exotic from Punt. They also got baboons from Punt.
The trade voyages that traveled to the Land of Punt had already been recorded in several different ancient Egyptian texts. Some of these journeys took place up until the end of the New Kingdom, which was 3,000 years ago. Until now, researchers were not certain where exactly this land was located. Ancient texts had left behind clues, but nothing concrete to pinpoint its exact location. Throughout the years, it was suspected that Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen and Mozambique could have been the ancient land of Punt.
It was the baboon that provided the connection that led to the discovery of Punt’s location after a process involved oxygen isotope analysis was used. Since live baboons were one of the goods that Egyptians would trade for, it was two baboon mummies at the British Museum that shed light on the history of origin. The team compared the baboon mummies in Yemen and other regions to create an isotopic map of the area.
Underground Cave Exploration
Sometimes, archeologists embark on an exploration that involves historic legends and folklore. For instance, this month, researchers used laser scanning to create a map of the underground caves of Nottingham, England. The site was thought to have served as a prison for Robin Hood when the Sheriff of Nottingham finally caught him. The dungeon will surely drum up tourist interest, but first the grounds must be given the seal of approval that it is safe for visitors.
Today, the underground dungeon is located at what is now called the Galleries of Justice. The project will take two years to complete and will cost £250,000 , using funds supplied by the Greater Nottingham Partnership, East Midlands Development Agency, English Heritage, the University of Nottingham, and Nottingham City Council.
Other archeology news from April 2010 includes:
Campsites that date back 9,000 years have been discovered in South Carolina, where a variety of artifacts have been found. The sandstone hearths, tools and projectile points made of quartz, and pottery unearthed at the location are not an everyday occurrence. The site is now a U.S. Army base called Fort Jackson.
A collection of bronze coins that date back to the 3rd century BC has been uncovered at Fayoum Oasis in Egypt, which is located southwest of Cairo. The coins are decorated with the image of Ptolemy III, who was the third ruler of what was known as the Ptolemaic Dynasty.
A cave at Burren National Park in Ireland has produced a necklace that dates back 1,500 years. The find is noted as the largest Viking necklace located in the country. The typical Viking necklace consists of five to six beads, while the current discovery is comprised of 71 glass beads covered with gold foil.