The oldest wooden structure ever uncovered on London’s Thames River has been dated to 7,000 years ago. Erosion on the river bank exposed the timbers last February. “The find is very interesting, because in the Mesolithic period the people were nomadic hunter-gatherers, living in temporary camps – not at all given to building substantial structures like this,” said archaeologist Gustave Milne.  

Zahi Hawass, chief of Egypt’s antiquities department, is concerned that the Egyptian obelisk in New York City’s Central Park has been out in the elements for more than 100 years without any special care. “If the Central Park Conservancy and the City of New York cannot properly care for this obelisk, I will take the necessary steps to bring this precious artifact home and save it from ruin,” he wrote.  

Evidence of life in San Francisco during the Gold Rush has been found beneath 12 feet of earthquake rubble and sand, including “fancy serving platters,” and “many, many liquor bottles.”  

Here’s a quick wrap-up of archaeological discoveries in Turkey during the past year from a travel website.  

Discovery News has posted a photograph of “Soapman,” an eighteenth-century Philadelphian whose body fats turned to soap when exposed to water.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Thursday, January 6, 2011. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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