http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/41349279#41349279
This is supposed to be a video clip from the "Today Show," Monday 1/31/11; I am having trouble figuring out how to properly include it here. It includes the video shot Saturday with Dr. Hawass (an interview by Al-Jazeera, I believe), plus an interview the our friend Dr. Bob Brier (who visited UCO a couple of years ago). Dr. Brier identifies some of the artifacts that are broken in the museum--not that they aren't pretty recognizable already.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Other sites to watch for Egyptian antiquities news
I usually watch http://www.archaeology.org/ (click the link for "Latest news") and http://www.discovery.com/, where there's a news feature with an archaeology section. There is more and more news coming out.
Yesterday, by searching for "Zahi Hawass" on Al-Jazeera's English-language site, I found a video with an interview with Dr. Hawass (Saturday or Sunday?).
Yesterday, by searching for "Zahi Hawass" on Al-Jazeera's English-language site, I found a video with an interview with Dr. Hawass (Saturday or Sunday?).
Egypt's Tombs, Temples Under Siege : Discovery News
Egypt's Tombs, Temples Under Siege : Discovery News
News from Alexandria and Saqqara.
News from Alexandria and Saqqara.
Egyptology blog
A very handy collection of news reports about recent events in Egypt, with focus on antiquitites, museums, and archaeological sites. Updated frequently.
A very handy collection of news reports about recent events in Egypt, with focus on antiquitites, museums, and archaeological sites. Updated frequently.
Zahi Hawass update on Jan. 30
This is Dr. Hawass' on website, with a statement he sent out (by fax--no internet access), with a report on the damage to the museum on Saturday.
This is Dr. Hawass' on website, with a statement he sent out (by fax--no internet access), with a report on the damage to the museum on Saturday.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Vandals rip heads off two mummies in Egyptian Museum - CNN.com
Vandals rip heads off two mummies in Egyptian Museum - CNN.com
What a headline! (sorry) Anyway, CNN had Dr. Hawass on the phone and he reports what happened in the museum. He is talking like "all is well; remain calm." He says the vandals were looking for gold, failed to find it, and were caught. Everything can be repaired, he claims. I don't think we're out of the woods yet, but so far no Baghdad.
What a headline! (sorry) Anyway, CNN had Dr. Hawass on the phone and he reports what happened in the museum. He is talking like "all is well; remain calm." He says the vandals were looking for gold, failed to find it, and were caught. Everything can be repaired, he claims. I don't think we're out of the woods yet, but so far no Baghdad.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Cosmic Log - Were Tut's treasures damaged?
Cosmic Log - Were Tut's treasures damaged?
Early and somewhat vague report on danger to the Cairo museum during unrest in the city. The party headquarters building that was on fire is next door to the museum and the fire posed some danger to the museum. It also appears that some damage to the museum happened, but the extent is not clear. I also wonder about the future of Dr. Hawass in case of regime change. He has been a hardworking protector of Egypt's antiquities, even though he does love getting his face on TV.
Early and somewhat vague report on danger to the Cairo museum during unrest in the city. The party headquarters building that was on fire is next door to the museum and the fire posed some danger to the museum. It also appears that some damage to the museum happened, but the extent is not clear. I also wonder about the future of Dr. Hawass in case of regime change. He has been a hardworking protector of Egypt's antiquities, even though he does love getting his face on TV.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
This week on Thucydides Abuse Watch | Daniel W. Drezner
This week on Thucydides Abuse Watch Daniel W. Drezner
Another post, summarizing the types of "Thucydides abuse" seen in current political commentary. At this point, I'm thinking, like a snobby classicist, that we should perhaps cut non-Greek-readers (the "Greekless," we like to call them) some slack. If they make mistakes in their interpretations of him, it's to be expected: they're dealing with translations of an almost untranslatable author. Maybe that's the real source of the "abuse." Take enough Greek to be able to read Thucydies, and then get back to me. I believe in my case, it took three years, and then I could still just read him in a halting, painful manner.
Another post, summarizing the types of "Thucydides abuse" seen in current political commentary. At this point, I'm thinking, like a snobby classicist, that we should perhaps cut non-Greek-readers (the "Greekless," we like to call them) some slack. If they make mistakes in their interpretations of him, it's to be expected: they're dealing with translations of an almost untranslatable author. Maybe that's the real source of the "abuse." Take enough Greek to be able to read Thucydies, and then get back to me. I believe in my case, it took three years, and then I could still just read him in a halting, painful manner.
Has anyone at The American Prospect ever read Thucydides? | Daniel W. Drezner
Has anyone at The American Prospect ever read Thucydides? Daniel W. Drezner
Mr. Drenzer has a hobby of collecting what he calls "Thucydides abuse"--people using Thucydides to draw bogus parallels between Now and Then. More to come.
Still not sure I agree with him on all this, but more thought is required.
Mr. Drenzer has a hobby of collecting what he calls "Thucydides abuse"--people using Thucydides to draw bogus parallels between Now and Then. More to come.
Still not sure I agree with him on all this, but more thought is required.
The American Conservative -- It's All Greek to Victor Davis Hanson
The American Conservative -- It's All Greek to Victor Davis Hanson
OK, don't get all worked up, people! I'm about to save a bunch of articles here that discuss the parallels between ancient Greece--especially Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian war--and modern times. I'm not saying I endorse all these views--or any of them. This article, from 2005, is by a guy who really, really dislikes Hanson's "A War Like No Other" (about the aforementioned Pel. War). I'm stashing it here so I can come back and digest it later, when I have more time to think rationally.
OK, don't get all worked up, people! I'm about to save a bunch of articles here that discuss the parallels between ancient Greece--especially Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian war--and modern times. I'm not saying I endorse all these views--or any of them. This article, from 2005, is by a guy who really, really dislikes Hanson's "A War Like No Other" (about the aforementioned Pel. War). I'm stashing it here so I can come back and digest it later, when I have more time to think rationally.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Dog Might Provide Clues on How Language Is Acquired - NYTimes.com
Dog Might Provide Clues on How Language Is Acquired - NYTimes.com
A man has taught his dog to recognize over 1000 nouns, but does the dog know any verbs? He says the next project is to see if the dog can learn "grammar." I may end up teaching Latin to dogs before my so-called vita is over.
The dog does not seem ready to challenge the primates who have learned to ad-lib vocabulary combinations for unfamiliar things (e.g., the gorilla, I believe, that, when presented with tough-textured kale for the first time, signed "slow lettuce").
A man has taught his dog to recognize over 1000 nouns, but does the dog know any verbs? He says the next project is to see if the dog can learn "grammar." I may end up teaching Latin to dogs before my so-called vita is over.
The dog does not seem ready to challenge the primates who have learned to ad-lib vocabulary combinations for unfamiliar things (e.g., the gorilla, I believe, that, when presented with tough-textured kale for the first time, signed "slow lettuce").
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Pompeii's Second Destruction - Newsweek
Pompeii's Second Destruction - Newsweek
It seems even people who know and supervise the site can't agree on whether it's in danger. Really? The country spends almost no money to keep it up, buildings are crumbling, and yet there is disagreement? The only thing I think we can disagree on is whether the responsibility is solely Italy's (after all, they keep the proceeds from the tourism) or whether it is the responsibility of the entire world (shared human cultural patrimony, etc.). Either way, somebody's gonna have to come up with some cash. Corporate sponsorship seems a last resort--and in uncertain economic times, an unreliable one. See earlier posts of the shoe magnate who is going to sponsor the Colosseum repairs--admirable, but not really ideal.
It seems even people who know and supervise the site can't agree on whether it's in danger. Really? The country spends almost no money to keep it up, buildings are crumbling, and yet there is disagreement? The only thing I think we can disagree on is whether the responsibility is solely Italy's (after all, they keep the proceeds from the tourism) or whether it is the responsibility of the entire world (shared human cultural patrimony, etc.). Either way, somebody's gonna have to come up with some cash. Corporate sponsorship seems a last resort--and in uncertain economic times, an unreliable one. See earlier posts of the shoe magnate who is going to sponsor the Colosseum repairs--admirable, but not really ideal.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Iraq tourism hangs in balance at Babylon - CNN.com
Iraq tourism hangs in balance at Babylon - CNN.com
Several obstacles remain before the ancient ruins of Babylon can become a big tourist draw: 1) war, 2) nasty bad reconstructions done by Saddam, 3) rising water table threatening to destroy entire site. Hmm. Oh, yeah, theft of Ishtar gate some time back by Germans. That's all. I believe I'll be going to Babylon a little later than I go to Leptis Magna (in Libya).
Several obstacles remain before the ancient ruins of Babylon can become a big tourist draw: 1) war, 2) nasty bad reconstructions done by Saddam, 3) rising water table threatening to destroy entire site. Hmm. Oh, yeah, theft of Ishtar gate some time back by Germans. That's all. I believe I'll be going to Babylon a little later than I go to Leptis Magna (in Libya).
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Rome wasn't built in a day: Channel 4 series build Roman villa using ancient methods | Mail Online
Rome wasn't built in a day: Channel 4 series build Roman villa using ancient methods Mail Online
A TV series in England is going to show an attempt to build a Roman-style villa using only ancient tools, technology, etc. The only modern concession: health/safety authorities are requiring them to use metal scaffolding, rather than wooden. (They could have avoided that problem by building in, say, Mexico or Turkey.) I will try to find more details about this show.
A TV series in England is going to show an attempt to build a Roman-style villa using only ancient tools, technology, etc. The only modern concession: health/safety authorities are requiring them to use metal scaffolding, rather than wooden. (They could have avoided that problem by building in, say, Mexico or Turkey.) I will try to find more details about this show.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Hexham Courant | News | News at a Glance | Archaeologist claims vallum was abandoned Roman road
Hexham Courant News News at a Glance Archaeologist claims vallum was abandoned Roman road
This seems to open the question of the purpose of the "vallum," the ditch that runs alongside Hadrian's Wall. This local archaeologist claims it was originally going to be a road, but that idea was abandoned. I think there is nothing to do but go see it myself.
This seems to open the question of the purpose of the "vallum," the ditch that runs alongside Hadrian's Wall. This local archaeologist claims it was originally going to be a road, but that idea was abandoned. I think there is nothing to do but go see it myself.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
More on Pontic Greek (Romeyka)
This is an article from Cambridge Research Horizons magazine about the project that is investigating the Greek speakers of Pontus (now Trabzon).
This is an article from Cambridge Research Horizons magazine about the project that is investigating the Greek speakers of Pontus (now Trabzon).
Jason and the argot: land where Greek's ancient language survives - History, Life & Style - The Independent
Jason and the argot: land where Greek's ancient language survives - History, Life & Style - The Independent
These people live in what's now Turkey but is also ancient Pontus. Their dialect appears to be a very close cousin of ancient Greek, much closer than modern Greek. It is called Romeyka, and they live near Trabzon (Trabizond?). There are some other links to info on this subject, but it appears I have to make separate entries for them. Stay tuned.
These people live in what's now Turkey but is also ancient Pontus. Their dialect appears to be a very close cousin of ancient Greek, much closer than modern Greek. It is called Romeyka, and they live near Trabzon (Trabizond?). There are some other links to info on this subject, but it appears I have to make separate entries for them. Stay tuned.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)