Theobromine, chemical evidence of chocolate, has been found in the 1,000-year-old residues scraped from a cylindrical pot from Pueblo Bonito, in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. The chocolate was probably imported from cacao growers in Central America. “This illustrates the importance of collections in archaeology, we can return to material with new techniques and find out new things,” said Patricia L. Crown of the University of New Mexico.

A second sarcophagus has been uncovered at a brick factory in Bali.  

A fourth-century Roman mosaic floor has been discovered in the crypt of the Cathedral of Reggio Emilia. Archaeologists think the room may have been dedicated to the cult of oriental gods in a private home. “This is one of the most important and interesting mosaics in northern Italy,” said Luigi Malnati, superintendent of archaeological heritage for Emilia Romagna.

Salvage company Odyssey Marine Exploration now claims it desires to recover artifacts from the HMS Victory in order to save them from natural erosion and extensive trawler fishing. “Rather than staying frozen in time beneath the waves, this unique shipwreck is fading fast,” said Sean Kingsley, who is identified in the article as a marine archaeologist and director of “Wreck Watch International.” A quick search of the web for Wreck Watch International produced only references to this article.  Sean Kingsley is more widely known for his search for first-century treasures from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.   The possible agreement between Odyssey International and the British government is explored briefly in The Independent.   The New York Times lists what has been recovered from the HMS Victory.   And, Time offers more historical information on the ship.   

This report from Iran states that more than 600 archaeologists have signed a letter to President Obama, asking him to stop the sale of clay tablets from Persepolis. A federal judge has ordered that the tablets, which have been held at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago since the 1930s, be sold in order to compensate victims of a bombing in Jerusalem in 1997.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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