Scholars have created a model using hoards of Roman coins and ancient census data to determine that the population of the Roman Empire declined after the end of the first century B.C. to about 4 to 5 million people. “Hoards are an excellent indicator of internal turmoil. This is a general phenomenon, not just in Rome,” said theoretical biologist Peter Turchin.

Two men have been arrested by Israeli police for allegedly vandalizing the Nabatean city of Avdat, a World Heritage site.  

A 1,500-year-old synagogue has been unearthed on the southwestern tip of Turkey, in the ancient port city of Myra.”Located on a choice spot facing the sea, the temple was likely built following a law instituted in 212 that allowed Jews the right to become Roman citizens,” said Nevzat Cevik of Akdeniz University.  

Here’s another article on the evidence of a small stone circle discovered about a mile away from Stonehenge. “Maybe the bluestone circle is where people were cremated before their ashes were buried at Stonehenge itself,” said Parker Pearson of the University of Sheffield.  

More than 50 pits containing burnt stones, ceramics, metal, and meat remains from the twelfth century have been found in Bulgaria. Archaeologists claim the pits were used for pagan rituals in the Christian era.  

Conservator Dario Fiorentini is restoring 16 table tombs at the Old Burying Ground in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1635.  

An Illinois man has pleaded guilty to illegally digging up and selling prehistoric pottery and other artifacts from the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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