Natasha Sheldon's Blog
Posted by Natasha Sheldon
One of the most complete examples of a Neolithic log house has been found at kingsmead Quarry, not far from Windsor castle. The structure, dating to the 4th millennium BC was 11m long and 6 m wide with a central passage splitting the house in two. Built from split logs and probably roofed with turf or reeds, it is one of only 12 such structures found in Britain, as well as one of the most complete.
Only one feature of a wider Neolithic landscape, the house was revealed as part of a series of excavations that are a prelude to gravel extraction in the area
Posted by Natasha Sheldon
Iraq's ancient monuments may not be under threat from looting anymore but recent war damage coupled with lack of funding for restoration mean that the country’s Mesopotamian past could crumble away from neglect.
An International group of scholars recently visited 8 sites within a 200 mile radius of Bagdad and reported that looting is significantly down since 2003. Reasons given are more effective security from the Iraqi Facilities Protection Service and also local tribes who have taken it upon themselves to guard the sites.
However, sites such as Ur which were targets for bombing not only in 2003 but during the Gulf War are in serious danger of collapse. The Kassite temple next to the famous ziggurat and the royal tombs are beginning to crumble because damage inflicted during the Gulf War has not been addressed. The activities of coalition forces around the ancient city have simply made a bad situation worse, eroding and damaging the site further. Funding and attention are what these sites urgently need if they are to survive.
Posted by Natasha Sheldon
Archaeologists from two British Universities are currently attempting to unravel the mysteries of Peru's Nazca lines
The spectacular designs in the Peruvian desert portray a range of geoglyphs that can only be appreciated aerially. This has lead to speculation as to the purpose of the lines.
The lines are being located and measured using GPS and compared to the distribution of pottery to help identify which came first. Many of the designs over lap each other. By identifying which came first and how they were built up, it is hoped not only to build up a chronology of the designs but to decide whether they had a spiritual or functional relevance to the societies that designed them.
Perhaps the Nazca lines won't be such an enigma for much longer
Posted by Natasha Sheldon
Archaeology is a vast discipline. It has many subdivisions relating to different time periods, societies, methods of investigation and different areas of the world. It’s impossible to be an expert in every possible field of archaeology but it is possible to gain an overview of what's involved.
This month will see the start of a series of articles that aims to do just that. We’ll begin to look at the various scientific and historical subdivisions that make up modern archaeology. Find out how modern scientific techniques can be used to get relics of the past to reveal their secrets. Begin to explore specialist areas such as historical, industrial and underwater archaeology.
You won’t end up an expert. But you will get a taste of just how diverse archaeology can be.
Posted by Natasha Sheldon
It seems that the recent one year rescue package for Pompeii is woefully insufficient for its needs. Experts believe that what is required is a meticulous, permanent programme of intervention and preservation to protect the site form visitors and the environment.
Many of the site's problems stem from the fact that visitor's have so much uninhibited freedom to explore. The more unscrupulous are taking advantage of the site's lack of security to help them selves to souvenirs from the site, scrawl graffiti on the buildings and take pictures of delicate frescos which can potentially destroy them. Then there is the fact that the current organisation is finding it difficult to manage the upkeep of the site. Many buildings under maintenance, such as the house of the Vettii have been closed for years whilst other buildings are slowly crumbling due to neglect.
Attempts to maintain the site are sporadic and need to be more carefully organised and implemented to keep the site open but more importantly preserve it for future generations.
