A new technique for dating silk artifacts measures the natural deterioration of the silk’s amino acids. Carbon 14 dating requires the destruction of a lot of material, so in the past, researchers have relied upon historical knowledge and physical and chemical characteristics to date silk items.

Mosaics and paintings by the Etruscans, Greeks, and Romans are helping scientists to determine how populations of the endangered dusky grouper have changed over time. “Amazingly, ancient mosaic art has provided important information to reconstruct this fish’s historical baseline,” said Paolo Guidetti of Italy’s University of Salento.

Burned mussel shells discovered in a cave on the southern coast of Spain suggest that Neanderthals ate seafood 150,000 years ago. “It provides evidence for the exploitation of coastal resources by Neanderthals at a much earlier time than any of those previously reported,” said Miguel Cortés Sanchez of Seville University.

Leaks  in Kapilvastu Museum in the Himalayas are endangering archaeological artifacts.

If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, The Guardian lists ten historical sights you can’t miss.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Thursday, September 15, 2011. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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