Medhat Omar’s Post

Archaeologists working at Heraclea Sintica in Bulgaria recently made a remarkable discovery during their excavations. They uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved statue believed to be a Roman copy of a Greek sculpture of Hermes, the messenger god. This find is considered one of the best-preserved statues from antiquity ever discovered at Heraclea Sintica and possibly in Bulgaria as a whole. The statue was found within the Roman sewer system, known as the Cloaca Maxima, which surprised the archaeologists. They speculated that the statue may have been placed there during a time when the city, already Christianized, was transitioning away from its pagan roots. This cultural shift may explain why the statue was hidden away in such a manner, possibly to preserve it from destruction. Heraclea Sintica itself is an ancient city in southwestern Bulgaria, founded in the 4th century BCE by Philip II of Macedon. Over its nearly 800-year history, the city faced various challenges, including earthquakes that ultimately led to its decline and abandonment around 500 CE. Despite the city's conversion to Christianity after the Roman Empire's adoption of the religion in the late 4th century, remnants of its earlier pagan traditions, such as this statue of Hermes, were evidently still preserved in some form. The excavation at Heraclea Sintica has been ongoing since 2007, led by Dr. Lyudmil Vagalinski and the National Institute of Archaeology in Sofia. Over the years, the team has uncovered tunnels, arches, and even a studio for producing theater masks, providing valuable insights into the city's ancient urban infrastructure and cultural practices. Overall, the discovery of this statue of Hermes is not only significant for its archaeological value but also for what it reveals about the complex religious and cultural dynamics of ancient Heraclea Sintica. #research #study #researcher #science #laboratory #biologystudent #biologystudents #biology #education #scientist #medical #health #technology #medicine #socialmediamarketing #innovation #data #socialmedia #contentmarketing #industry #designideas #facts #marketing #sustainability #organization #community

Archaeologists working at Heraclea Sintica in Bulgaria recently made a remarkable discovery during their excavations. They uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved statue believed to be a Roman copy of a Greek sculpture of Hermes, the messenger god. This find is considered one of the best-preserved statues from antiquity ever discovered at Heraclea Sintica and possibly in Bulgaria as a whole. The statue was found within the Roman sewer system, known as the Cloaca Maxima, which surprised the archaeologists. They speculated that the statue may have been placed there during a time when the city, already Christianized, was transitioning away from its pagan roots. This cultural shift may explain why the statue was hidden away in such a manner, possibly to preserve it from destruction. Heraclea Sintica itself is an ancient city in southwestern Bulgaria, founded in the 4th century BCE by Philip II of Macedon. Over its nearly 800-year history, the city faced various challenges, including earthquakes that ultimately led to its decline and abandonment around 500 CE. Despite the city's conversion to Christianity after the Roman Empire's adoption of the religion in the late 4th century, remnants of its earlier pagan traditions, such as this statue of Hermes, were evidently still preserved in some form. The excavation at Heraclea Sintica has been ongoing since 2007, led by Dr. Lyudmil Vagalinski and the National Institute of Archaeology in Sofia. Over the years, the team has uncovered tunnels, arches, and even a studio for producing theater masks, providing valuable insights into the city's ancient urban infrastructure and cultural practices. Overall, the discovery of this statue of Hermes is not only significant for its archaeological value but also for what it reveals about the complex religious and cultural dynamics of ancient Heraclea Sintica. #research #study #researcher #science #laboratory #biologystudent #biologystudents #biology #education #scientist #medical #health #technology #medicine #socialmediamarketing #innovation #data #socialmedia #contentmarketing #industry #designideas #facts #marketing #sustainability #organization #community

Very happy to share with you my last paper "Showcasing Japan. A Journey of Japanese Identity Through Archaeology and Ancient Art Exhibitions in Italy" written with my colleague Wei Sun https://lnkd.in/dAKiRqAy Enjoy the reading :) "To what extent does the narrative of Japan’s prehistorical origins matter to Italy? In the second half of the twentieth century, Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome hosted two significant exhibitions dedicated to Japanese archaeology and ancient art: Tesori dell’Arte Giapponese in 1958 and Il Giappone prima dell’Occidente in 1995. Both displays provided Italian visitors with an unparalleled framework to engage with early artistic manifestations of the archipelago known today as Japan. Built on a critical analysis of the prehistoric and protohistoric artefacts from the Jōmon to Kofun periods selected for the Italian audience, this paper examines the active application of narrative discourse on Japan’s identity by the Japanese government in Italy. Still, it also sheds light on the presence of Japanese archaeology and art in Italian public and private collections throughout the twentieth century. The analysis delves into the textual and visual presentation of exhibits, examining both the venue and catalogues. These sources offer insights into potential instances of orientalism or self-orientalism, revealing a narrative closely tied to stereotypical views. The investigation unravels aspects of Japan’s past emphasised in diplomatic shows, evolving alongside ground-breaking archaeological discoveries in post-war Japan". #japanesearchaeology #museumstudies #museum #art #japaneseart #italy #archaeology #rome

The Rosetta Stone, dating back to 196 BC, changed the world of archaeology forever. Discovered in 1799 by French soldiers in Egypt, this granodiorite slab features the same decree written in Ancient Greek, Demotic, and Egyptian hieroglyphs. It became the key to deciphering hieroglyphics, unlocking centuries of ancient Egyptian language and history that had been a mystery. Now displayed at the British Museum, the Rosetta Stone stands as a testament to the power of translation and how one artifact can reshape our understanding of an entire civilization. "The text inscribed on the Rosetta Stone is a decree issued in 196 BC on behalf of King Ptolemy V. The decree praises the pharaoh's rule, highlighting his generosity to the priesthood, his efforts to stabilize Egypt, and his contributions to temples. It also outlines the privileges granted to priests, the collection of taxes, and royal decrees that were to be enforced throughout the kingdom. The inscription was written in three scripts—hieroglyphs for religious or sacred use, Demotic for everyday administrative purposes, and Ancient Greek, which was the language of the rulers at the time. This multi-script format allowed the decree to be accessible to different groups in Egyptian society, symbolizing the blending of cultures under Ptolemaic rule."

The depiction of Apollo and Artemis as children, each with a serpent, on a plaque recovered from the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis in Macedonia, dating to the 4th century BCE, is a fascinating and picturesque artifact that intertwines mythology, art, and history. Heraclea Lyncestis, located near the modern town of Bitola, was an important city in the ancient region of Macedonia, founded by Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century BCE. It became a significant urban, military, and religious center in the Hellenistic period. Apollo and Artemis are among the most venerated deities in Greek mythology, with Apollo being the god of the sun, music, healing, and prophecy, and Artemis being the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, and virginity. Depictions of these deities from their childhood are less common, making such an artifact particularly intriguing. The inclusion of serpents with both deities could symbolize various aspects of their divine powers and attributes. In ancient Greek culture, serpents were often associated with healing, wisdom, and rebirth due to their ability to shed their skin. For Apollo, this could relate to his association with healing and prophecy, as the serpent was a symbol of his oracular sanctuary at Delphi. For Artemis, the serpent might symbolize her role as a protector of the young and her connections to the natural world. However, it's important to note that while the description provided paints a vivid picture of a unique archaeological find, specific references to this exact plaque and its depiction of Apollo and Artemis with serpents at Heraclea Lyncestis do not match widely documented artifacts as of my last update. The site itself is well-known for its beautiful floor mosaics, ancient theater, and remnants of Roman and early Christian periods, making it a significant archaeological and historical site. The blending of mythological figures with archaeological discoveries offers a fascinating glimpse into how ancient cultures viewed their gods and the natural world around them, serving as a reminder of the complex belief systems and artistic expressions that have shaped human history.

This marks the fourth book I've translated, yet it's the first to achieve publication. The splendor of Egypt's ancient ruins stands unparalleled. For over two centuries, archaeologists have been revealing the secrets of pharaohs' tombs, ranging from the burial chambers within the grand pyramids to the concealed underground tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Despite these discoveries, numerous tombs with unidentified owners remain, vast areas are yet to be fully explored, and the advent of new technologies alongside fresh historical research continues to shed light on ancient mysteries. Does the highly anticipated tomb of Tutankhamun still conceal secrets? Where lie the final resting places of Alexander the Great and Cleopatra? Could there still be undiscovered treasures within the Valley of the Kings? While existing clues ignite the imagination, they fall short of providing conclusive evidence. In this book, Chris Nunton not only masterfully captures the thrilling moments of discovery in Egyptian archaeology but also vividly details the explorers' journey of uncovering these wonders. He delves into the enigmas that persist in archaeological findings and historical records, examining how public fascination has propelled the field of Egyptology forward. This narrative reignites the fervent hope for future discoveries in Egyptian archaeology.

"For the ancient Egyptians, the Middle Kingdom (c. 2000-1700 BC) was a classical period of art, history and literature. The Twelfth Dynasty was one of the strongest ever to rule on the banks of the Nile: some of its kings were later worshipped as local gods, and were made famous by classical Greek authors. Yet Egyptologists tend not to look beyond the extraordinary royal sculpture and literary masterpieces of the time. Although the picture is fragmentary, as with any archaeological record, the last two hundred years of exploration and excavation have revealed much of the splendour of the period. This book examines the evidence for the culture, history and society of both central and provincial Egypt at the time, revealing the wealth of the entire country. In this second edition, Wolfram Grajetzki incorporates recent discoveries, discussions and publications which have emerged over the intervening fifteen years, including new excavation reports for the mastabas at Lisht and excavations at Abydos. Too often overshadowed by the better-preserved architecture of other periods, Middle Kingdom Egypt emerges for the reader as a fascinating age in its own right." — Grajetzki, Wolfram, The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt: History, Archaeology and Society (2nd Ed.), Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, London, England, 2024.

"Exciting new discoveries in ancient archaeology have surfaced over the past 24 hours, unveiling hidden histories and sparking fresh intrigue into the mysteries of our past." - Discovery of the World's Oldest Cave Painting: Scientists announced the discovery of the world's oldest cave painting, estimated to be at least 51,200 years old, depicting three people gathered around a large red pig in the Leang Karampurang cave in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This finding significantly extends the known timeline of human artistic expression. - 1500-Year-Old Christian Ivory Reliquary Box: Archaeologists from the University of Innsbruck discovered a 1,500-year-old Christian ivory reliquary box, known as a pyx, in a late antique hilltop settlement in Irschen, southern Austria. The pyx, found beneath the altar in an early Christian church, is richly decorated with Christian motifs and is one of only about 40 such boxes known worldwide. - Cache of 27 Ancient Roman Silver Coins: On the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria, archaeologists uncovered a cache of 27 ancient Roman silver denarii dating from between 94 and 74 BCE. These coins, hidden during pirate attacks, provide insights into the Roman Republic's economic and political structure during a period of frequent raids. - Ancient Graeco-Roman Family Tombs in Aswan: An archaeological mission combining Egyptian and Italian efforts discovered 33 Graeco-Roman family tombs near the Mausoleum of Aga Khan on the west bank of Aswan. This find sheds light on the burial practices and family structures of the Graeco-Roman period in Egypt. #AncientArchaeology #ArchaeologicalDiscoveries #HistoricalFinds #CavePainting #OldestArt #HumanHistory #IvoryReliquary #ChristianArtifacts #RomanCoins #RomanHistory #GraecoRoman #AswanDiscoveries #CulturalHeritage #HistoryUnveiled #MysteriesOfOurPast #AncientHistory #MuseumCollection #HistoryLovers #PastRevealed #ArchaeologyNews

The journal Anatolica invites you to submit articles for its 51st issue to appear in November 2025. Anatolica is an international, double-blind peer reviewed journal that publishes both on paper and online by Peeters in Leuven under the aegis of the Netherlands Institute in Turkey. The Editorial Board welcomes submissions on the archaeology and history of Anatolia and neighboring regions from prehistory to the Ottoman era. Original scholarly papers from the disciplines of archaeology, history, history of archaeology, history of art, anthropology, epigraphy, history of architecture, archaeometry, geographical information systems (GIS), numismatic, maritime archaeology, cultural heritage management, digital humanities, museum studies are in the scope of the journal. The language of publication is English, so manuscripts should be submitted in English, US spelling, and should be preceded by an abstract of 150–200 words in English. Suitable papers will be sent to reviewers upon submission. Papers submitted before December 1, 2024 will be considered for volume 51. Details regarding the journal, submission process, and style guideline can be found on https://lnkd.in/dnGMy8aQ. Please do not hesitate to direct your questions related to editorial matters to our editorial team via anatolica@nit-istanbul.org. #callforpapers #anatolica #netherlandsinstituteinturkey #nitistanbul #history #archaeology #culturalheritage #historyofart #museumstudies

Can ontological turn in anthropology and archaeology be a useful perspective for understanding sex between some humans and deities in #ancientegypt? The paper is in English and #OpenAccess https://lnkd.in/dbC7AEzF