When mozzies sniffed blood
Last month, a new genetic study of mosquitoes in Southeast Asia led by Catherine Walton, of the University of Manchester, came to a remarkable conclusion. It found that about 1.8million years ago,...
The World Before Us
Ancient warning of climate calamity
Ancient warning of climate calamity
I always read what Gwynne Dyer has to say. Recently, it was a sobering account of how the Trump regime has decimated the American National Centre for Atmospheric Research.
Gypsum proves to be a remarkable preserver of Roman history
Gypsum proves to be a remarkable preserver of Roman history
Liquid gypsum is used today to improve the quality of clay soil, but in Roman times, it had a quite different application.
Recognising the impact of female archaeologists
Recognising the impact of female archaeologists
As I am writing this it is International Women’s Day, and how appropriate to look back on the many contributions that women have made to understanding our human past.
Virtual museums make finds more accessible
Virtual museums make finds more accessible
When I began studying archaeology nearly 70 years ago, my professor illustrated his lectures with the aid of glass slides projected through an antediluvian machine known as an epidiascope.
Honouring our animal companions in death
Honouring our animal companions in death
In a recent "Faith and Reason" column, David Tombs wrote about Gravedigger Bob, a Brazilian dog that so missed its master that it camped out in his cemetery and was ultimately buried there.
The Dian are cast
The Dian are cast
When I tell colleagues I am involved in a research project at Shangri-La, they think I am teasing.
Tempestuous travels
Tempestuous travels
The recent Waitangi Day celebrations remind me of how a copy of the Treaty came to Otago.
Thinking big 50 years on
Thinking big 50 years on
Gold is in the news, with opinion divided over the proposed Bendigo mine near Tarras.
Art colours in the story
Art colours in the story
It was 10 years ago, on a balmy warm evening in Greece, that I yarned with Mike Petraglia during a gathering to celebrate our son Tom and Katerina’s wedding.
Wonders of warrior’s grave revealed
Wonders of warrior’s grave revealed
King Nestor features prominently in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, as his drama of the Trojan wars unfolded.
Up close and mesmerised
Up close and mesmerised
The Shanghai Archaeological Forum is held biannually and I have been fortunate to have attended all six.
Up to their new tricks
Up to their new tricks
Over the past week, the media have been reporting on a new discovery — that 450,000 years ago, Neanderthals were generating fire, far earlier than previously known.
Floor tells an ancient story
Floor tells an ancient story
There are few archaeological discoveries that match unearthing a Roman mosaic. I know this from personal experience at the city of Verulamium, north of London.
Exploring the digital tomb of Tutankhamun
Exploring the digital tomb of Tutankhamun
Inevitably almost, I have to write about Tutankhamun.
A great year in archaeology back in 1922
A great year in archaeology back in 1922
Several readers have asked me about Pu-Abi, mentioned in last week’s column — 1922 was a memorable year for archaeology.
Lessons from beyond the veil
Lessons from beyond the veil
One item of a proposed new curriculum for schools attracted my attention.
Neanderthals emerge from slithers of the past
Neanderthals emerge from slithers of the past
I first visited the Crimea 20 years ago.
Mountain graves frozen in time
Mountain graves frozen in time
It is exactly a year since the discovery of Sandy Irvine’s boot on Mt Everest.
Tomb of Chu king a ‘revelation’ dig
Tomb of Chu king a ‘revelation’ dig
The warring states period in Chinese history lasted from 475-221 BC.