A small stone painted with regular red and brown spots has been found in southern Germany’s Hohle Fels Cave. Scientists think that the dots were made with the end of a hazel tree branch some 15,000 years ago. “These spots are anything but accidental,”  said Nicholas Conard of Tübingen University. There’s more information on what is known about early painting in Central Europe at Science Daily.

Members of Congress are debating a new federal highway-building bill that could cut funding to related archaeology projects and other “transportation enhancements,” such as sidewalks, bike trails, and wildlife protection. Funds from expired legislation have assisted some 200 archaeology projects since 1992, for a total of less than one percent of the $12 billion spent on enhancement projects.

National Geographic Daily News has a summary of the structural problems plaguing Pompeii, which have been complicated by heavy rains in southern Italy. “The backlog of maintenance needs to be tackled urgently. Equally, drainage needs to be improved so that rain and groundwater are readily and rapidly removed to prevent the damage,” reads a report compiled by UNESCO.

An ancient human skull turned up in the front yard of a home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Researchers are trying to identify any possible tribal affiliations.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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