NY Times article on Evolution of I-E languages

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/24/science/indo-european-languages-originated-in-anatolia-analysis-suggests.html?src=me&ref=general
This article reports on another article (in "Science") about a study on the origins of Indo-European languages. Using "evolutionary linguistics" to determine the rate at which language changes and spreads, the study concludes that Indo-European origins must be placed in Anatolia (southern/central Turkey) between 9500 and 8000 years ago. (Or 8000-9500. As a classicist, I think backwards.) This is a purely computer-modeled conclusion. It is not based on archaeology or culture. The rival theory is really different: 4000 years ago, from southern Russia. A nice slice of the nasty back-and-forth argument between the rival camps is illustrated in the article.

Roman Shipwreck with Food

http://www.delish.com/food/recalls-reviews/2,000-year-old-food-discovered-off-italy-coastline
The usual assortment of stuff you'd expect a Roman ship to contain, but a new source of it.

Hotel + Dig Site

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/03/13103755-a-hotel-an-archaeology-site-or-both?lite

A Turkish architect has drawn up a plan to incorporate the archaeological site at Antakya underneath a new hotel. The dig area would be visible through the floor of the lobby. Kind of creative.

Theats to Cultural Heritage Sites in Syria

http://www.france24.com/en/20120726-syria-smoking-citadels-shelled-castles-conflict-heritage-sites-danger
Needless to say, nobody knows the real story because the Syrians aren't talking.

More updates on the political messes surrounding Babylon

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/modern-curses-threaten-iraqs-ancient-wonder-of-babylon/story-e6frg6so-1226414757427
A very wide-ranging article about the political struggles between UNESCO, various branches of the Iraqi government, the US military, and assorted scholars. Meanwhile, the oil pipeline continues to cross the site, groudwater is rising, ancient Jewish manuscripts have been removed from the country, and UNESCO refuses to certify the place as a World Heritage Site. Everybody is mad. The Iraqi antiquities department is suing the Iraqi energy department over the pipeline. A government official quoted at the end of the article says they don't need UNESCO; "Babylon will survive." Maybe not.

New mosaics found in Israel at Huqoq

http://jodimagness.org/ftp/pages/huqoq/huqoq-monumental-synagogue.html#
This story made several news outlets; this one comes from the website of Prof. Jodi Magness of UNC, who participated in the dig. Several nice mosaics were found in a synagogue dated 4th-6th c. CE in the area of Galilee. Synagogues of this period are rare, as are large high-quality mosaics like these, which depict the biblical figure Samson.

Mohenjo-Daro site in danger of destruction through neglect

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18491900
I realize the government of Pakistan has some other items on its agenda, but Mohenjo-Daro is an incredibly early and important site, a large honest-to-god city from 2500 BCE. It is literally falling down due to neglect and bad, amateurish conservation attempts. This is a major site in the history of civilization, and people everywhere should contribute to its survival.
On the bright side, this depressing news report contains a great piece of video that shows you around the site!