Unearthed! Year-end 2022, Part 1
Stuff You Missed in History Class
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The History of Indigenous Artifacts
The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University has announced its intent to return a collection of hair samples taken from 700 Indigenous children. Anthropologist George Edward Woodbury collected this hair from Indigenous children who were attending government-run boarding schools between 1930 and 1933. In November, 25 items were returned to the organized village of Catek from George Fox University in Oregon. The Netherlands has repatriated 223 pre-Hispanic artifacts to Mexico as part of an ongoing effort by the Mexican government to reclaim its cultural heritage.
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It's time to cover things and stories that were unearthed in the last quarter of 2022. Part one covers a whole bunch of updates, a whole bunch of shipwrecks, and a whole bunch of repatriations.
Research:
- “Chemical clues to the mystery of what’s coating Stradivari’s violins.” 10/25/2022. https://www.acs.org/pressroom/newsreleases/2022/october/chemical-clues-to-the-mystery-of-whats-coating-stradivaris-violins.html
- Alex, Bridget. “Why Prehistoric Herders Didn’t Spit Out Their Watermelon Seeds.” Smithsonian. 11/3/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/watermelon-seeds-were-snacked-before-its-flesh-became-sweet-180981008/
- Andalou Agency. “Rare 1,800-year-old medal bearing Medusa discovered in SE Türkiye.” 10/5/2022. https://www.dailysabah.com/gallery/rare-1800-year-old-medal-bearing-medusa-discovered-in-se-turkiye/images
- “Researchers identify bird species depicted in ancient, finely detailed Egyptian painting.” Via Phys.org. 12/27/2022. https://phys.org/news/2022-12-bird-species-depicted-ancient-finely.html
- Armstrong, Kathryn. “Ireland to return mummified remains and sarcophagus to Egypt.” BBC. 12/8/2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63908027
- Aronsky, Tali. “First sentence ever written in Canaanite language discovered: Plea to eradicate beard lice.” EurekAlert. 11/8/2022. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/970428
- Associated Press. “Massachusetts museum returns sacred items to Sioux tribes.” 11/6/2022. https://apnews.com/article/travel-museums-massachusetts-south-dakota-5468cac3216c4ef489a70bfb8830b846
- Associated Press. “Swedes find 17th century sister vessel to famed Vasa warship.” 10/25/2022. https://phys.org/news/2022-10-swedes-17th-century-sister-vessel.html
- Bardan, Roxana. “NASA Views Images, Confirms Discovery of Shuttle Challenger Artifact.” NASA. 11/10/2022. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-views-images-confirms-discovery-of-shuttle-challenger-artifact
- Barkin, Joel. “Colgate University Repatriates More than 1,500 Funerary Objects and to the Oneida Indian Nation, Apologizes for Acquisition of Cultural Artifacts.” 11/9/2022. https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/colgate-university-repatriates-more-than-1500-funerary-objects-and-to-the-oneida-indian-nation-apologizes-for-acquisition-of-cultural-artifacts/
- Benzine, Vittoria. “Archaeologists Recovered 275 Artifacts From the Wreck of a 19th-Century Ship That Sunk in the Search for the Northwest Passage.” Artnet. 12/26/2022. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/hms-erebus-parks-canada-recovered-artifacts-leather-folio-2236362
- Cheshire, Ben. “Somerton Man Charles Webb's true identity revealed in family photographs and divorce papers.” Australian Story. 11/20/2022. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-21/somerton-manfamily-photographs-revealed-/101643524
- City of Tulsa. “1921 Graves Investigation Update – November 15, 2022.” Press release. https://www.cityoftulsa.org/press-room/1921-graves-investigation-update-november-15-2022/
- Dartmouth College. “Ancient stone tools from China provide earliest evidence of rice harvesting.” Phys.org. 12/7/2022. https://phys.org/news/2022-12-ancient-stone-tools-china-earliest.html
- Enking, Molly. “Archaeologists Find 1,900-Year-Old Snacks in Sewers Beneath the Colosseum.” Smithsonian. 12/2/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-roman-spectator-snacks-dog-bones-discovered-in-colosseum-dig-180981211/
- Enking, Molly. “Archaeologists Find 24 Bronze Statues, Preserved in Tuscan Spa for 2,300 Years.” Smithsonian. 11/10/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/groundbreaking-ancient-roman-bronze-statues-discovered-in-tuscany-180981105/
- Enking, Molly. “Pope Francis Will Return Parthenon Sculptures to Greece.” Smithsonian. 12/23/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/vatican-museum-will-return-parthenon-sculptures-to-greece-180981354/
- Enking, Molly. “The First-Ever List of Japanese Americans Forced Into Incarceration Camps Is 1,000 Pages Long.” Smithsonian. 11/18/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/list-japanese-americans-internment-camps-ireicho-180981133/
- Feldman, Ella. “For 158 Years, a Cézanne Portrait Hid Behind a Still Life of Bread and Eggs.” Smithsonian. 12/29/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/for-158-years-a-cezanne-self-portrait-hid-behind-a-still-life-of-bread-and-eggs-180981323/
- Feldman, Ella. “Harvard Museum Pledges to Return Hair Samples of 700 Native American Children.” 11/16/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/harvard-museum-apologizes-for-owning-700-hair-samples-of-native-american-children-180981135/
- Feldman, Ella. “Who Is Behind This Vermeer Painting? Probably Not Vermeer.” Smithsonian. 10/11/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/who-is-behind-this-johannes-vermeer-painting-probably-not-vermeer-180980919/
- Fraňková, Ruth. “Unique Bronze Age belt discovered near Opava.” Radio Prague International. 10/7/2022. https://english.radio.cz/unique-bronze-age-belt-discovered-near-opava-8763557
- Government of Mexico. “223 archaeological pieces are returned to Mexico in collaboration with the Netherlands.” Press Release 477. https://www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/223-archaeological-pieces-are-returned-to-mexico-in-collaboration-with-the-netherlands?tab=
- Graziadei, Jason. “Remains Of Shipwreck Discovered Along Nantucket's South Shore.” Nantucket Current. 12/5/2022. https://www.nantucketcurrent.com/remains-of-shipwreck-discovered-along-nantucket-s-south-shore
- Herschel Museum of Astronomy. “Giving Caroline Her Voice Back.” https://herschelmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Herschel-Museum-buys-Caroline-Herschels-memoirs-FINAL.pdf
- Hill, Amelia. “Early medieval female burial site is ‘most significant ever discovered’ in UK.” The Guardian. 12/6/2022. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/dec/06/medieval-female-burial-site-found-near-harpole-is-most-significant-ever-discovered-in-uk
- Hill, Michael. “University returning 1,500 artifacts to Oneida Indian Nation.” Associated Press. 11/8/2022. https://apnews.com/article/science-new-york-oneida-colgate-university-0b3c3f434d9fd4f5e71066a347ef9c1b
- Holpuch, Amanda. “Pants Recovered From Shipwreck Sell for $114,000 at Auction.” New York Times. 12/11/2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/11/us/jeans-shipwreck-auction.html
- Hunt, Katie. “The Black Death is still affecting the human immune system.” CNN. 10/19/2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/19/world/black-death-plague-immune-system-scn-wellness/index.html
- Hurriyet Daily News. “Smuggled artifacts return to Türkiye.” 11/14/2022. https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/smuggled-artifacts-return-to-turkiye-178488
- Kunze, Jenna. “After 130 Years, Massachusetts Museum Will Return Sacred Lakota Artifacts.” Native News Online. 10/10/2022. https://nativenewsonline.net/sovereignty/after-130-years-massachusetts-museum-will-return-sacred-lakota-artifacts
- Kuta, Sarah. “A Medieval Manuscript Has Revealed the Oldest Known Map of the Stars.” Smithsonian. 10/24/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/medieval-manuscript-oldest-map-of-the-stars-Hipparchus-180980993/
- Kuta, Sarah. “A World War II Shipwreck Is Leaking Toxic Chemicals Into the North Sea.” Smithsonian. 10/19/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-world-war-ii-shipwreck-is-leaking-toxic-chemicals-into-the-sea-180980970/
- Kuta, Sarah. “Rewriting the Story of Ötzi, the Murdered Iceman.” Smithsonian. 11/10/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-true-story-behind-otzi-the-murdered-iceman-180981103/
- Kuta, Sarah. “Unusual 120-Year-Old Whaleback Shipwreck Discovered in Lake Superior.” Smithsonian. 10/27/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/unusual-120-year-old-whaleback-shipwreck-discovered-in-lake-superior-180981012/
- Kuta, Sarah. “Woman’s Name and Doodles Found Hidden in 1,200-Year-Old Religious Manuscript.” Smithsonian. 12/6/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/womans-name-and-doodles-found-in-1200-year-old-religious-manuscript-180981240/
- Larson, Clarise. “Southeast Alaska village of Kake welcomes artifacts — some over 200 years old — back home.” Anchorage Daily News. 11/27/2022. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/rural-alaska/2022/11/27/southeast-alaska-village-of-kake-welcomes-artifacts-some-over-200-years-old-back-home/
- Lawson-Tancred, Jo. “Cologne Hands Back 92 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, But a Few Will Remain in Germany on Long-Term Loan.” ArtNet. 12/16/2022. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/benin-bronzes-cologne-2231179
- Mair, George. “Remains of Pictish period cross with bird carvings uncovered in Scottish kirkyard.” The Scotsman. 10/21/2022. https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/remains-of-pictish-period-cross-with-bird-carvings-uncovered-in-scottish-kirkyard-3888200
- net. “Medieval shipwreck’s cargo revealed by researchers.” https://www.medievalists.net/2022/10/medieval-shipwrecks-cargo-revealed-by-researchers/
- net. “Two medieval shipwrecks discovered in Sweden.” https://www.medievalists.net/2022/12/two-medieval-shipwrecks-discovered-in-sweden/
- Melin, Thomas. “Skaftö wreck’s cargo tells a tale of 15th century trade routes.” University of Gothenburg via EurekAlert. 10/24/2022. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/968872
- Metcalfe, Tom. “Thor's Hammer amulet from Viking Age unearthed in Sweden.” LiveScience. 11/1/2022. https://www.livescience.com/thor-hammer-amulet-found-sweden
- Miller, Ken. “21 new coffins found in search for Tulsa Massacre victims.” Associated Press. Via Phys.org. 11/2/2022. https://phys.org/news/2022-11-graves-tulsa-massacre-victims.html
- Morales, Mark and Dakin Andone. “Philadelphia police reveal identity of child found dead inside a box 65 years ago.” CNN. 12/9/2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/08/us/philadelphia-boy-in-box-thursday/index.html
- Nicioli, Taylor. “Medieval ship found in Norway’s biggest lake.” 12/12/2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/12/world/norway-medieval-shipwreck-found-scn/index.html
- Nicioli, Taylor. “Rare 300-foot whaleback boat discovered at the bottom of Lake Superior.” CNN. 10/20/2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/20/world/whaleback-barge-129-shipwreck-great-lakes-scn/index.html
- “Wreck from Wadden Sea reveals 17th-century wedding dress.” 11/11/2022. https://nos-nl.translate.goog/artikel/2451961-wrak-uit-waddenzee-geeft-17de-eeuwse-trouwjurk-prijs?_x_tr_sl=nl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
- Osborne, Margaret. “Explorers Find Cameras Abandoned by Mountain Climbers in 1937.” Smithsonian. 10/31/2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/explorers-find-cameras-abandoned-by-mountain-climbers-in-1937-180981048/
- Osborne, Margaret. “Scientists Find Plaster Copies of Fossil Destroyed by Nazis.” 11/7/2022. Smithsonian. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-find-plaster-copies-of-fossil-destroyed-by-nazis-180981080/
- Poggioli, Sylvia. “Discovery of ancient bronze statues in Italy may rewrite Etruscan and Roman history.” NPR. 12/3/2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/12/03/1138904735/italy-ancient-bronze-statues-discovery-tuscany
- “Disputed oil sketch in Dutch museum is a Rembrandt, research finds.” 11/3/2022. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/disputed-oil-sketch-dutch-museum-is-rembrandt-research-finds-2022-11-03/
- Ruane, Michael. “Bones of ancient native dogs found at Jamestown.” Washington Post. 12/29/2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/12/29/dogs-native-jamestown-discovered/
- Siggins, Lorna. “Research finds mysterious structure in Cork Harbour is prehistoric tomb.” Irish Examiner. 10/18/2022. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40986065.html
- Solomon, Tessa. “Netherlands Returned More Than 200 Pre-Hispanic Artifacts To Mexico.” ArtNews. 12/9/2022. https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/netherlands-returned-pre-hispanic-artifacts-to-mexico-1234649810/
- Southern Methodist University. "For 400 years, Indigenous tribes buffered climate's impact on wildfires in the American Southwest." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 December 2022. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221207142213.htm.
- The History Blog. “14th c. cog shipwrecks found in Sweden.” http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/65803
- The History Blog. “Bronze Medusa medallion found.” http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/65302
- Turnbull, Tiffanie. “Tasmanian tiger: Remains of last thylacine found in cupboard after 85 years.” BBC News. 12/5/2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-63855426
- University of the Basque Country. “One of Europe's most ancient domestic dogs lived in the Basque Country.” Science Daily. 11/28/2022. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221128101244.htm
- Vang, Gia. “Pair of 1880s Levi's Sold for $76,000 at Auction. They Reveal a Dark Part of US History.” NBC. 12/12/2022. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/vintage-1880s-levis-jeans-sold/3028900/
- Weber, Bob. “'Hallowed space': Divers pull 275 artifacts from 2022 excavation of Franklin ship.” CBC. 12/19/2022. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/franklin-expedition-excavation-1.6690878
- Whiddington, Richard. “The U.S. Has Returned Seven Very Ancient Seals That Were Looted From the Baghdad Museum After One Appeared in an Online Auction.” ArtNet. 12/15/2022. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/seven-seals-returned-iraq-2230014
- Willsher, Kim. “Notre Dame’s uncovered tombs start to reveal their secrets.” The Guardian. 12/9/2022. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/09/notre-dames-uncovered-tombs-start-to-reveal-their-secrets
- Wilson, Joseph. “Words on bronze hand may rewrite past of Basque language.” Phys.org. 11/16/2022. https://phys.org/news/2022-11-words-bronze-rewrite-basque-language.html
- Yirka, Bob. “New study of Ötzi the Iceman suggests his preservation story was not a series of miracles.” 11/9/2022. https://phys.org/news/2022-11-tzi-iceman-story-series-miracles.html
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