In 2010, researchers have been busy in the Aegean region of Turkey where hundreds of gold artifacts have been found in 16 different excavations. The majority of the pieces were sent to the Izmir Archaeology Museum, and offered a good glimpse at the social and economic life of ancient inhabitants. In this article, you will also learn more archeology headlines that have been in the recent news.
Amongst the pieces uncovered were golden earrings, necklaces, rings and ornaments. Archeologists also uncovered earthenware jugs, statuettes and tools. The artifact count, which neared 800, shed light on the life and times of ancient peoples living in the Claros, Menemen Tinaztepe region, as well as from ancient cities, such as Smyrna, Klazomenai, Metropolis, Kyme and Teos.
Researchers are continuing their exploration of the region in 2011, where they will attempt to uncover an ancient vegetable oil production facility and two farmhouses situated in the ancient city of Kyme. Izmir has proven quite fruitful for archeologists looking for cultural and historical information about the region. Today, the city is a large metropolis in western Anatolia and serves as the third most populous city in Turkey. The history of Izmir dates back to 3000 BC, and is found along the outer waters of the Gulf of Ä°zmir , on the eastern shoreline of the Aegean Sea.
Other interesting archeology headlines of January 2011 include:
- There are claims that surfaced in the news that a researcher at the University of Maine believes they have discovered a skull fragment of the oldest-known domesticated dog in North America. The piece of bone was uncovered in a sample of human feces. Dogs were already known as companions for ancient inhabitants , protecting homes and assisting in hunts. This find could prove that they were also a source of food.
- Archeologist in northern Mexico have reported the discovery of three Clovis projectile points linked to the remains of 12,000-year-old gomphotheres , an extinct creature with ties to mammoths. This find changes the previously held thought that humans did not come in contact with gomphotheres.
- Controversy is surrounding the DNA analysis of 11 royal Egyptian mummies, including the remains of family related to King Tut. For instance, a representative from the Center for GeoGenetics at the Natural History Museum in Copenhagen, has stated that the study is not convincing or exact.
- According to a genetic study, it is believed that grapes were initially cultivated 8,000 years ago in the South Caucasus , located between the Caspian and Black Seas.
- A construction site in New Jersey located close to a river have revealed charred nut shells and stone flakes that show that American Indians lived in the region as early as 500 BC. The majority of the evidence was comprised of physical remains found in a great deal of hearths. The remains shed light on what Native Americans of this time would have been preparing for their daily meals.