LECCE, ITALY—The Guardian reports that Gabriele Scorrano of the Lundbeck GeoGenetics Center, Serena Viva of the University of Salento, and their colleagues have mapped the genome of a man whose remains were unearthed in 1933 at the Craftsman’s House in Pompeii, which was destroyed and covered in ash during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. The researchers also attempted to map the genome of a woman whose remains discovered in the same room, but her DNA was not as well preserved. She was over the age of 50 at the time of her death, and may have had osteoarthritis. The positions of the bodies suggest that the two did not attempt to flee to safety. Traces of DNA from the bacteria that causes tuberculosis were detected in the man’s remains, along with bone lesions associated with the disease on one of his vertebrae. Comparison of his genome with more than 1,000 other ancient genomes and hundreds of modern people from western Eurasia found that his DNA shared similarities with people living today in central Italy and his Roman contemporaries living in the region, while analysis of mitochondrial DNA, inherited through the maternal line, and Y-chromosome DNA, inherited through the paternal line, carried genes commonly found in people who lived on the island of Sardinia.

In November 2011, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed 30 April as “International Jazz Day” This Day is intended to raise awareness of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for empathy, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people. Many governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens currently engaged in the promotion of jazz music will embrace the opportunity to foster greater appreciation not only for the music but also for the contribution it can make to building more inclusive societies

• • Jazz breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance;

• • Jazz is a vector of freedom of expression;

• • Jazz is a symbol of unity and peace;

• • Jazz reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities;

• • Jazz fosters gender equality;

• • Jazz reinforces the role youth play for social change;

• • Jazz encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of expression, and inclusion of traditional music forms into new ones;

• • Jazz stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalized societies.

This International Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about the art of jazz, its roots, its future and its impact. This important international art form is celebrated for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity, eradicating discrimination, promoting freedom of expression, fostering gender equality, and reinforcing the role of youth for social change.

Earlier this month (April 2022), it was reported that Ali Asadi, the head of the Fars Archaeological Board, has told reporters of the latest discovery in the Persepolis area. Asadi stated that the excavations were carried out with the aim of extending the waterways in the southern courtyard of Tachara Palace. The excavations have revealed an east-west waterway which diverts towards the south and extends all the way to the Palace of Ardashir Pāpakan. Herein were found hundreds of artifacts and adorned stones, which seem to be from the main stairs of the palace and were most probably intentionally broken.

Asadi also believes, due to the large number of stones discovered, that some of the complexities of the northern facade of Ardashir Pāpakan Palace, which is one of the most difficult archeological sites of Persepolis, will become more comprehensible.

Tachara Palace, or the Mirror Palace, was the winter palace of Darius the Great and was one of the first palaces to be discovered in the Persepolis area. It became known as the Mirror Place (The Hall of Mirrors) as the stones used to build the front of the palace are reflective.

According to local Iranian news agencies, the lithographs of “Kul-e-Farah” and “Eshkaft-e Salman” as well as other lithographs of the Elamite period in the historical landscape of Izeh, most of which are about 4700 years old, have been left unprotected and are in complete decline. These sites were intact until a few years after the revolution, and their colors were bright and completely visible. Now their conditions are dangerously deteriorating and exposed to natural factors like the wind, rain, and sun, with some rocks having visible signs of cracks. These sites have been greatly neglected by Iranian governmental authorities, who have abandoned the upkeep and preservation of the ancient Persian sites.

According to Siavash Aria, a cultural heritage activist  and tourist, who recently visited the area these ancient historical sites are in very bad condition both in terms of protection and preservation.

Izeh

New research led by researchers from the Departments of Biology and Archaeology, Oxford, and published today in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, reveals the scale of parasitic worm infections in Britain from the Prehistoric to the early Victorian periods.
This type of research provides a unique insight into the lives and habits of past populations — their general health, cooking practices, diet, and hygiene.
Understanding how parasitic worm infections changed in the past can help public health measures in regions of the world still experiencing problems today.
Humans are infected with roundworms and whipworms through contamination by faecal matter and catch some tapeworms by eating raw or undercooked meat or fish.
Infections with parasitic worms are a big problem in many parts of the world today, particularly in some tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. But in the past, they were much more widespread and were common throughout Europe.
The research team wanted to find out the size and scale of parasitic worm infections in the UK over the course of history. So they looked for worm eggs in the soil from the pelvises of skeletons.
They tested a lot of individual skeletons. 464 human burials were examined from 17 sites, dating from the Bronze Age to the Industrial Revolution.
People In the Roman and the Late Medieval period fared the worst, with the highest rates of worm infection detected. The infection rates were similar to those seen in the most affected regions today.
Things changed in the Industrial period. Worm infection rates differed a lot between different sites — some sites had little evidence of infection, while in others there was a lot of infection.
The researchers think that local changes in sanitation and hygiene may have reduced infection in some areas before nationwide changes during the Victorian ‘Sanitary Revolution’.
The co-first authors, Hannah Ryan and Patrik Flammer said: ‘Defining the patterns of infection with intestinal worms can help us to understand the health, diet and habits of past populations. More than that, defining the factors that led to changes in infection levels (without modern drugs) can provide support for approaches to control these infections in modern populations.’
The team will next use their array of parasite-based approaches to investigate other infections in the past. This includes more large-scale analyses of human burials, as well as continuing their ancient DNA work.
Their ambition is to employ a multidisciplinary approach, working closely with archaeologists, historians, parasitologists, biologists and other interested groups to use parasites to help understand the past.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220421141542.htm

World Art Day, a celebration to promote the development, diffusion and enjoyment of art, was proclaimed at the 40^th session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 2019.

Art nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity for all peoples across the globe and plays an important role in sharing knowledge and encouraging curiosity and dialogue. These are qualities that art has always had, and will always have if we continue to support environments where artists and artistic freedom are promoted and protected. In this way, furthering the development of art also furthers our means to achieve a free and peaceful world.

Each year, on 15 April, World Art Day celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development. It is also an occasion to shine a light on arts education in schools, as culture can pave the way for inclusive and equitable education.

There is much to learn, share and celebrate on World Art Day, and UNESCO encourages everyone to join in through various activities such as debates, conferences, workshops, cultural events and presentations or exhibitions.

It has been reported that 29 Iranian antiquities and heritage artifacts have been returned from France to the National Museum of Iran in Tehran. These artifacts date back from over five thousand years ago until the Islamic period.

The director of the National Museum of Iran, Jebrael Nokandeh, has reportedly stated, “These artifacts have been donated to Iran by the descendants of one of the French ambassadors who was ambassador to Iran during World War II. These items had been taken at that time with him to France.”

It has been reported that Nokandeh also shared the following about the origin of these heritage artifacts: “At the moment, it is not possible to identify the sites where these works have been obtained, but they are similar to the works of Susa, Silk, and Persepolis sites, which will be authenticated by the experts.”

At the screening of these works, Morteza Adibzadeh, Director General of Museums said that these 29 artifacts include tubular pottery belonging to the First Iron Age, Middle Elamite period pottery, Middle Elamite period bitumen, Islamic period pottery, glazed pottery of the Seljuk period, and an earthenware plate from the Parthian period. The oldest object is a piece of pottery from the Bronze Age, which is about five thousand years old.

Multidisciplinary research team sheds light on the 1,400-year-old mystery about the genetic origins of the Avar elite

Less known than Attila’s Huns, the Avars were their more successful successors. They ruled much of Central and Eastern Europe for almost 250 years. We know that they came from Central Asia in the sixth century CE, but ancient authors and modern historians debated their provenance. Now, a multidisciplinary research team of geneticists, archaeologists and historians has obtained and studied the first ancient genomes from the most important Avar elite sites discovered in contemporary Hungary. This study traces the genetic origin of the Avar elite to a faraway region of East Central Asia. It provides direct genetic evidence for one of the largest and most rapid long-distance migrations in ancient human history.

Less known than Attila’s Huns, the Avars were their more successful successors. They ruled much of Central and Eastern Europe for almost 250 years. We know that they came from Central Asia in the sixth century CE, but ancient authors and modern historians debated their provenance. Now, a multidisciplinary research team of geneticists, archaeologists and historians, including researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, obtained and studied the first ancient genomes from the most important Avar elite sites discovered in contemporary Hungary. This study traces the genetic origin of the Avar elite to a faraway region of East Central Asia. It provides direct genetic evidence for one of the largest and most rapid long-distance migrations in ancient human history.

In the 560s, the Avars established an empire that lasted more than 200 years, centered in the Carpathian Basin. Despite much scholarly debate their initial homeland and origin has remained unclear. They are primarily known from historical sources of their enemies, the Byzantines, who wondered about the origin of the fearsome Avar warriors after their sudden appearance in Europe. Had they come from the Rouran empire in the Mongolian steppe (which had just been destroyed by the Turks), or should one believe the Turks who strongly disputed such a prestigious legacy?

Historians have wondered whether that was a well-organised migrant group or a mixed band of fugitives. Archaeological research has pointed to many parallels between the Carpathian Basin and Eurasian nomadic artefacts (weapons, vessels, horse harnesses), for instance a lunula-shaped pectoral of gold used as a symbol of power. We also know that the Avars introduced the stirrup in Europe. Yet we have so far not been able to trace their origin in the wide Eurasian steppes.

In this study, a multidisciplinary team — including researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, the ELTE University and the Institute of Archaeogenomics of Budapest, Harvard Medical School in Boston, the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton — analysed 66 individuals from the Carpathian Basin. The study included the eight richest Avar graves ever discovered, overflowing with golden objects, as well as other individuals from the region prior to and during the Avar age. “We address a question that has been a mystery for more than 1400 years: who were the Avar elites, mysterious founders of an empire that almost crushed Constantinople and for more than 200 years ruled the lands of modern-day Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Austria, Croatia and Serbia?,” explains Johannes Krause, senior author of the study.

Guido Gnecchi-Ruscone, the lead author of the study, adds: “Besides their clear affinity to Northeast Asia and their likely origin due to the fall of the Rouran Empire, we also see that the 7th-century Avar period elites show 20 to 30 percent of additional non-local ancestry, likely associated with the North Caucasus and the Western Asian Steppe, which could suggest further migration from the Steppe after their arrival in the 6th century.” The East Asian ancestry is found in individuals from several sites in the core settlement area between the Danube and Tisza rivers in modern day central Hungary. However, outside the primary settlement region we find high variability in inter-individual levels of admixture, especially in the south-Hungarian site of Kölked. This suggests an immigrant Avars elite ruling a diverse population with the help of a heterogeneous local elite.

These exciting results show how much potential there is in the unprecedented collaboration between geneticists, archaeologists, historians and anthropologists for the research on the ‘Migration period’ in the first millennium CE.

In a new study published in the Journal of Asian Archaeology, archaeologists have uncovered giant stone jars used for ritual burials across four sites in Assam, India.

The study is part of a collaborative research project involving the Australian National University (ANU), the North Eastern Hill University and Gauhati University, in which the researchers have identified 65 sandstone jars.

Similar jars have been previously uncovered in Laos and Indonesia.  The most famous stone jar concentrations are on the Xiangkhoang Plateau in Laos, where archaeologists have identified 120 megalithic sites with jars hewn from either sandstone, granite, conglomerate, limestone, or breccia at nearby quarries, or from boulders extracted from riverbeds.

The Assam jars vary in shape and decoration, some of which are cylindrical, and are either fully or partially buried in the ground. Archaeologists believe that the jars were used for ritual mortuary practices, although who made the Assam jars or where they lived is currently a mystery.

ANU PhD student Nicholas Skopal said: “It seems that there are no living ethnic groups in India associated with the jars, which means that there is an importance to maintain the cultural heritage.”

“There are stories from the Naga people, the current ethnic groups in north-east India, of finding the Assam jars filled with cremated remains, beads and other material artefacts” added Skopal.

The project was conducting a survey to explore the existing sites in Assam, but extended the survey reach to the surrounding densely forested regions. The researchers worked with local communities on the ground to uncover potential jar sites, often through areas of mountainous jungle that were difficult to navigate.

4000-year-old boat excavated near the ancient city of Uruk
A team of archaeologists from the Iraqi German Mission of the State Board of Antiquities and the Orient Department of the German Archaeological Institute have excavated a 4000-year-old boat near the ancient city of Uruk.
Uruk, also known as Warka was an ancient city of Sumer (and later of Babylonia), situated on the dried-up ancient channel of the Euphrates River.
Uruk played a leading role in the early urbanisation of Sumer in the mid-4th millennium BC, emerging as a major population centre until it was abandoned shortly before or after the Islamic conquest of AD 633–638.
The boat was first discovered during a study of the Uruk-Warka environs in 2018, where it was photogrammetrically documented, however, the threat of road traffic near the site has led to a rescue excavation to preserve the remains.
Constructed from reed, palm leaves and wood, the boat was covered in bitumen, a substance produced through the distillation of crude oil that is known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties.
Measuring 7 metres in length and 1.4 metres wide, the archaeological context shows that the boat sank on the banks of a river around 4000-years-ago and became buried in layers of sediment.
In accordance with Iraqi antiquities law, it was taken to the Iraq Museum in Baghdad for further scientific study and conservation.
A team of archaeologists from the Iraqi German Mission of the State Board of Antiquities and the Orient Department of the German Archaeological Institute have excavated a 4000-year-old boat near the ancient city of Uruk.
Uruk, also known as Warka was an ancient city of Sumer (and later of Babylonia), situated on the dried-up ancient channel of the Euphrates River.
Uruk played a leading role in the early urbanisation of Sumer in the mid-4th millennium BC, emerging as a major population centre until it was abandoned shortly before or after the Islamic conquest of AD 633–638.
The boat was first discovered during a study of the Uruk-Warka environs in 2018, where it was photogrammetrically documented, however, the threat of road traffic near the site has led to a rescue excavation to preserve the remains.
Constructed from reed, palm leaves and wood, the boat was covered in bitumen, a substance produced through the distillation of crude oil that is known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties.
Measuring 7 metres in length and 1.4 metres wide, the archaeological context shows that the boat sank on the banks of a river around 4000-years-ago and became buried in layers of sediment.
In accordance with Iraqi antiquities law, it was taken to the Iraq Museum in Baghdad for further scientific study and conservation.