There are many fakes in the collection of antiquities dealer Leonardo Patterson, according to Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. German authorities seized more than 1,000 artifacts from Patterson in 2008.

Utah’s artifacts-trafficking raids by federal agents, and the subsequent suicides and trials, have become international news. Chris McGreal of The Guardian spoke to Winston Hurst, who grew up in Blanding, Utah, and became an archaeologist. “There’s quite a bit left. That’s why it’s still a fight,” he said.  

A new website, “Dig for Shakespeare,” promises to keep “visitors young and old” up-to-date on the discoveries made at New Place, Shakespeare’s last home in Stratford-on-Avon, England. Excavation began three weeks ago, and will continue until September.  

The Panathenaic Stadium in Athens has been reopened to the public.  

Scientists will reportedly test hairs from baboon mummies found in Egypt in order to try and pin down the location of the mysterious “Land of Punt.” Ancient Egyptians imported luxury goods and baboons from Punt, but their texts only offer vague references to its location. However, if the baboons had been kept in Egypt for more than a year, “the chemical signal associated with their origin will be completely obliterated,” said Nathaniel Dominy of the University of California, Santa Cruz.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Friday, April 16, 2010. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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