Natural disasters drove the people of the Supe Valley away from the Peruvian coast 3,600 years ago, according to a Peruvian and American team of archaeologists. The Supe fished with nets; grew fruit, vegetables, and cotton; and built stone pyramids for 2,000 years before their society collapsed.

Runoff from heavy rains has deposited sand on top of a geoglyph in Peru’s Nazca lines. Archaeologist Mario Olaechea of the National Culture Institute says that the damage to the image was minor and will be repaired.  

Mosaic floors dating to the fifth century have been uncovered in the Adriatic town of Rijeka.  

The discovery of a diary that reportedly belonged to a man accused of murdering Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe has prompted requests that his body be exhumed from a church in Prague. “The matter is in the stage of consideration. As far as I know, no decision has been made yet,” said an assistant from the church.  

Students working with archaeologist Jay Haviser of the St. Maarten Archaeological Centre uncovered the original wooden pilings of the Simpson Bay Bridge. They had anticipated practicing their archaeological skills on the 1950s bridge, built of stone and cement.  

In New York City, some are wondering if construction work in Harlem will unearth traces of the original Dutch settlement, including an African burial ground.  

Here’s the history of the presidential limousine to mark the Presidential Inauguration today.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

Comments posted here do not represent the views or policies of the Archaeological Institute of America.