Tourist returns mosaic tiles to Hagia Sophia

Tourist returns mosaic tiles to Hagia Sophia
In 1956, an American lady was visiting Istanbul, where Hagia Sophia was under restoration. Some workers gave her 11 tiny mosaic tiles--just to be nice, I guess? (Darn that Turkish hospitality instinct!) She took them home in her purse (customs officials, anybody?), but over the years began to be freaked out by the thought that she had artistic contraband in her house. They even gave her nightmares. Recently, on a return trip to Istanbul, she brought them along and--being too chicken to face the Authorities at HS--gave them to a jeweler in a shop near HS, and HE, fortunately, Did the Right Thing and handed them over to the people who manage HS (who are presumably the Government). Now everybody is happy and the lady can sleep soundly. What will happen to the tiles?

The TLS blog: Humanities in the dock

The TLS blog: Humanities in the dock
This review of a new edition of Cicero asks the rhetorical question "Why read Cicero in the 21st century?" Focus is particularly on the Pro Archia.

Washington National Cathedral to reopen this weekend – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

Washington National Cathedral to reopen this weekend – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs
After damage in the unusual earthquake and then a hurricane, the cathedral has lost some of its architecture, and repairing it will take "tens of millions of dollars."

More Findings, Uncertainty About Emperor's Birthplace : Discovery News

More Findings, Uncertainty About Emperor's Birthplace : Discovery News
Excavation of a house on the slopes of the Palatine, near the Arch of Titus. Excavators think this house may have belonged to Augustus' (real) father.

Looting of Libyan treasure highlights illicit antiquities trade - CNN.com

Looting of Libyan treasure highlights illicit antiquities trade - CNN.com
More on the theft of the treasure of Benghazi and the danger to other antiquities in unstable countries. It appears that things in Libya did not go as badly as they might have--no repeat of Baghdad, at least as far as anyone can tell at this point. There is also the scary point that the border between Egypt and Libya has become, as they say, "porous."

How to Wear a Toga the Ancient Roman Way | The Getty Iris

How to Wear a Toga the Ancient Roman Way The Getty Iris
Quick! Get yourself out of Malibu for College Night at the Getty Villa, Tues. Nov. 15. You are encouraged to wear a toga, and this handy video shows you how to put on one. Links inside the article take you to more webpages on this subject. Woo hoo!

Great Pyramid closed to prevent 11/11 rituals - World news - Mideast/N. Africa - msnbc.com

Great Pyramid closed to prevent 11/11 rituals - World news - Mideast/N. Africa - msnbc.com
Just a preview of the goofiness that will take over on 12-21-12!