The New York Times recently published an article that shows archaeological evidence from the Ukraine reveals a network of ancient peoples now referred to simply as Old Europe. Due to the lack of writing, still an invention waiting to be discovered, the civilization is unidentified. Their advancements as a culture, however, make them prime candidates for a major civilization that some believe is the source of the so-called Proto-Indo-European language.

Click here for the NY Times article.

Interestingly, the article claims that most of the archaeological discoveries about Old Europe civilization remained under lock and key because of the Cold War, as most of these findings occurred beyond the Iron Curtain. Glad to see these findings are being brought to light and now introduced to the English speaking population.

Slideshow of artifacts from Old Europe exhibit.

I have long pondered diving off the coast of Naples, in the Bay of Naples, in search of ancient Roman wrecks. There needs to be more work done in this area of the world as 1) underwater archaeology typically unveils artifacts in complete condition and 2) there is a ton of wrecks of Roman, Etruscan, Greek and probably Phoenician ships that could reveal a lot more about ancient travel and trade.

Recently, some Italian archaeologists discovered five Roman ships that date from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD. What is known is that the material remains left behind reveal the trading habits of the Roman empire – fish from Spain and northern Africa, wine from Italy. How all five ships came to sink in this one spot is not yet known.

“The ships appear to have been heading for safe anchorage, but they never made it,” said Timmy Gambin, head of archaeology for the Aurora Trust (www.auroratrust.com). “So in a relatively small area we have five wrecks…a graveyard of ships.”

Read the rest of the story.

According to a news report, some archaeologists and researchers have found the remains of a 16th century woman buried with a brick in her mouth to keep her from feeding. It seems that the locals thought the vampire was spreading a form of pestilence. Read more here.

Archaeologists recently discovered five mummies in some underground burial chambers. If this was in Egypt, it would be news, but expected. Yet, this discovery was made two years ago in Peru. And two of the mummies were found to have skin and hair still intact.

What is even more startling is that the mummies exhibit the physical traits of the so-called Cloud People, a tribe of white skinned, blond haired people living in a remote jungle on a mountain top in Peru.

What kind of changes to our historical records would need to be made here? This is not surprising, however, as anyone who knows the legend of Viracocha could tell you. Not only was Viracocha an important deity for the Incas, but it was believed the god appeared having white skin. In fact, the Aztecs later mistook the Spanish invaders for the return of Viracocha (only to be slaughtered and robbed for their “piety”).

This kind of report usually makes me ask what kind of agenda is being pushed out into the public. Then again, one has to be open-minded as indeed, why couldn’t there have been a mixture of ethnic groups in southern America hundreds, if not thousands of years ago?

Read more.

2003. San Venanzo. The dig was over, but some of us were caught napping in the end. This is Andy (Pappas, where you at these days!?). He was out – I think we had been working all night turning in our field manuals, which detailed what we found, etc. Veronica Pagan, his girlfriend at the time (and a great buddy of mine) decided to play a practical joke on Andy: the old shaving cream itchy nose treatment. Of course, I started this whole thing with a couple of practical jokes on Andy – but he never woke up. Once V saw this, we decided to try other things. Here’s a look.