The remains of seven sacrificed children have been unearthed in an Inca building in Peru’s Cuzco Valley. Analysis of isotopes in their teeth indicates that at least two of the children came from distant parts of the Inca realm. “It was surprising that the figurines and other artifacts found with children buried at this low-altitude site are nearly identical to finds at high-altitude child sacrifices,” said Valerie Andrushko of Southern Connecticut State University.

French archaeologists have found a Sumerian temple in southern Iraq.  

A new study conducted in South India suggests that animals such as water buffalo and goats can have an impact on muddy archaeological sites. “Prehistoric humans often camped near water sources or in areas that receive lots of seasonal rain. When we saw those deep footprints left over from the previous monsoon season, it occurred to us that animal trampling in muddy, saturated sediments might distort artifacts in a different way than dry sediments. Given the importance of artifact context in the interpretation of archaeological sites and age, it seems like an obvious thing to test for, but to our surprise it never had been,” explained Metin I. Eren, a student at Southern Methodist University.  

A gene variant in some urban populations reduces the chance of contracting diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy. “The results show that the protective variant is found in nearly everyone from the Middle East to India and in parts of Europe where cities have been around for thousands of years,” explained Mark Thomas of the University College London.  

A mass grave dating to the seventeenth century has been discovered near Golancz Castle in northern Poland. As many as 80 Polish gentry, clergy, and peasants who died while trying to save the castle from the Swedish army could be buried here.  

The Monmouthshire council has damaged a Norman defensive ditch in Wales, according to archaeologist Stephen Clarke, head of the Monmouth Archaeological Society. The council claims it was cleaning up a dumping ground and creating ponds. “Everyone knows if you take a metal detector down there or start digging it up you’ll end up in jail – why should it be any different for the council?” asked Clarke.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Friday, September 24, 2010. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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