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Unearthed! Year-end 2022, Part 1
Stuff You Missed in History Class
The Benin Bronzes and Other Items Taken From Benin
The University of Cork has announced plans to return artifacts, including a wooden sarcophagus and mummified remains. A set of ancient seals is being returned to Iraq from the United States after they were listed in an online auction site in 2021. Pope Francis has announced a plan to return three pieces of the Parthenon to Greece. We have also talked about the Smithsonian's announcement of a plan to returning the Benin Bronzes that are in its collection.
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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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