This article addresses ceremonial sights and sounds in the ancient world, putting the recent claim that Stonehenge was built to mimic an acoustical interference pattern in context. “Nobody has been paying attention to the sounds. We’ve been destroying he sounds,” said independent researcher Steven Waller. Be sure to watch the embedded videos. The Guardian gives a fuller explanation of Waller’s idea and a response from archaeologist Timothy Darvill of Bournemouth University. He doesn’t think that Stonehenge was built with acoustics in mind. “The main structure is a replica in stone of what was normally built in wood,” he explained.

Digital technologies could save endangered languages by extending their reach from remote communities and making learning the language fun for young people.  See and hear some of those dying language speakers at National Geographic News.

A colossal statue of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III  has been unearthed at his temple in Luxor. It fell out position during an earthquake, but has now been returned to its original location.

A new multidisciplinary research project will investigate Ireland’s interactions with the Roman Empire and Roman Britain. “These guys could get what they wanted without being physically present. I think what they were interested in from Ireland was agricultural produce, probably butter, cattle, and cattle hide, as well as slaves and mercenaries,” said Eamonn Kelly of the National Museum of Ireland.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Thursday, February 23, 2012. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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