by Guillermo Carvajal
​LBV magazine
May 8, 2024

An international team of researchers has uncovered significant findings in the tomb of Thutmose III in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt. The study, which began in 2018, represents an unprecedented effort to analyze the ancient wall paintings with modern technology, leading to revelations about the techniques and materials used by ancient Egyptian artists. The results have wide-reaching implications for our understanding of Egyptian art and its cultural connections.
The project is a joint venture between the European Center for Archaeometry (CEA) at the University of Liège, the Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Archaeology (LAMS) at the University of Paris-Sorbonne, and the Center for Studies and Documentation of Ancient Egypt (CEDAE) under the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). By utilizing a portable laboratory, the team was able to conduct non-invasive physical-chemical analysis in situ, avoiding damage to the fragile wall paintings.
The researchers employed a rigorous and systematic approach, contrasting with previous methods that were often limited to isolated analyses. This comprehensive study aimed to understand not only the pigments and binders used but also the broader cultural context and artistic techniques. David Strivay, a researcher at the University of Liège, explained, With these analyses, we hope to understand the choice and application of the pigments and binders used in these mural paintings, but also to establish comparisons with previous analyses and those we will conduct in the future.

The project’s first major breakthrough came with the analysis of the tomb of Thutmose III, where researchers found an unusual combination of high-quality pigments and innovative color blends. This finding challenged existing notions about ancient Egyptian art and suggested cultural exchanges with the Minoan civilization. Catherine Defeyt, a FED-tWIN researcher at the CEA, stated, The analyses carried out during the 2024 campaign revealed an unprecedented mix of colors and high-quality pigments. This observation calls into question established knowledge about Egyptian art. Philippe Martinez, an Egyptologist at the University of Paris-Sorbonne and project leader, added, The techniques used could be the result of intense cultural exchanges with the Minoan world.

The detailed study of the pigments and artistic techniques also provided insights into the symbolic significance of the colors. For example, the black lines of the oujdat eye, often used for magical and medical protection, were composed of galena, a black mineral powder also employed in ancient Egyptian makeup. This finding, along with others, indicates a complex interplay between artistic, magical, and medicinal practices in ancient Egypt.
Despite logistical difficulties due to the tomb’s location and ventilation issues, the portable laboratory played a crucial role in the project’s success. The team even created a 3D model of the tomb, offering a new perspective on its architectural design. Philippe Martinez emphasized the importance of this research in enhancing our understanding of ancient Egyptian culture, stating that these discoveries could guide future restoration efforts by the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Given these fascinating revelations, a new research campaign is planned for late 2024 or early 2025, promising to uncover even more secrets hidden within the tombs of ancient Egypt.
SourcesUniversity of Liège

A book on Chinese history by friend of '1421', has posited that the Ming dynasty’s Treasure Fleet journeyed as far as the Americas.

"On 27 and 28 of January 2024, the South China Morning Post published the articles entitled “Did Chinese explorers from the Ming dynasty travel to the Americas decades before Columbus?” and “Did Chinese Explorers land on Australia’s shores almost 200 years before Europeans?” on the findings which Dr Sheng-Wei Wang found in her new book, Chinese Global Exploration in the Pre-Columbian Era: Evidence from an Ancient World Map, called Kunyu Wanguo Quantu 《坤輿萬國全 圖/坤舆万国全图》.

This is a milestone in achievement for a major newspaper with a wide audience to feature Dr Wang’s work and the field of pre-Columbian Chinese voyages.
This is part of the process of decolonising our history and perceptions to open our minds to the possibility for non-European achievement. It is just as important to tell the story that has been forgotten as the story said a thousand times over, because it is still as much a part of our shared human history as any other event. For as long as we deny this truth in the face of a wave of compelling evidence, we deny ourselves our true heritage as human beings."
Dr Wang and her team invite you to see the South China Morning Post articles here on the Americas and here on Australia. Happy reading!

For further details visit her website.

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Is this "the most complete ancient vessel found in the Mediterranean Sea?"

The much-anticipated start of the extraction of the Phoenician shipwreck located in Mazarrón, Murcia, named Mazarrón 2—currently the most complete ancient ship found in the Mediterranean—has begun with a series of new discoveries that are expanding the horizons of archaeological knowledge regarding maritime trade in antiquity.
A specialized team from the University of Valencia (UV), under the direction of lead researcher Agustín Diez Castillo and with the collaboration of Carlos de Juan, director of the extraction, has launched an ambitious operation to recover the remains of the ancient shipwreck. The intervention not only promises to recover valuable archaeological pieces, but it is also revealing unexpected materials that had remained hidden under the sediments of the Mediterranean Sea until now.
The team consists of a dozen experts, including three students from the UV’s Master’s Degree in Archaeology, specialized restorers, six professional divers trained in underwater archaeology, and an expert in documentation and communication from the University of Alicante. Additionally, part of this same team has participated in previous successful projects, such as the renowned ‘El Sec’ underwater project in Mallorca, which has provided the group with solid experience in handling submerged archaeological materials.

To ensure the safety of both the artifacts and the team, a buoy barrier has been implemented at the base camp to mark the work area and restrict access to onlookers. This is crucial because the recovered pieces are extremely fragile due to their prolonged exposure to the marine environment. During the first weeks of September, coinciding with the tourist season, security measures were significantly intensified to prevent any incidents.

To facilitate the work, the Ministry of Culture has provided a platform equipped with advanced systems, such as air compressors and water pumps that allow sediment suction underwater, as well as weights to ensure divers can work efficiently at the correct depth.
One of the most significant technical innovations of this project has been the creation of 3D models of the 22 main pieces of the wreck, representing a major advance in the planning and execution of the extraction. This allows the team to anticipate any challenges and design safer solutions for handling the most fragile objects.
To complement this approach, polyethylene resin molds have been made to ensure the protection of the pieces during their extraction and subsequent transfer to conservation labs. Several cutting-edge technology companies from the Valencian Community have collaborated on the development of these models, providing the project with the most advanced technology in the field of archaeology.
Although the area has been previously excavated, the team has found materials that had not been documented before, which has been a pleasant surprise for the researchers. Among the most notable discoveries are fragments of ropes and ceramic pieces that had been buried under layers of sediment.
The preservation of such delicate objects is a unique opportunity for scholars, as they will offer new insights into trade practices and life aboard this type of vessel in antiquity. According to the experts, the condition of some of these materials is exceptional, allowing for in-depth studies of the navigation and trade techniques of the ancient Phoenicians.
According to Carlos de Juan’s estimates, it is expected that the extraction of all materials can be completed by November 6, although the work schedule may vary depending on maritime conditions, which could delay operations. Once this phase is completed, the recovered objects will be transferred to the ARQUAtec laboratory of the Ministry of Culture, where the conservation process will begin—a delicate and meticulous process that could take several years.
It is estimated that at least five years of intensive treatment will be needed for the ship and associated materials to be ready for public display, as the treatment of the wood, which has been submerged for centuries, requires gradual impregnation to prevent deterioration once out of the water.
The start of this project has been made possible thanks to the close collaboration between various institutions, including the Region of Murcia, the University of Valencia, and the Ministry of Culture, whose coordination has been essential in facing the many challenges posed by an operation of this magnitude and complexity. Both Agustín Diez and Carlos de Juan have emphasized that the success of the project lies in inter-institutional collaboration, a model of cooperation that will undoubtedly set a milestone in the field of underwater archaeology in Spain.

SOURCESUniversitat de València

Eli Wizevich
History Correspondent
June 12, 2024

Archaeologists on the Greek island of Crete have uncovered a monumental ancient structure that threatens to halt progress on the construction of a new airport.

The structure belonged to the Minoan civilization and was mainly used between 2000 and 1700 B.C.E., around the same time that Crete’s monumental palaces at Knossos and Phaistos were built, writes Nicholas Paphitis for the Associated Press.

But unlike these palaces and other feats of Minoan architecture, the purpose of the building remains unknown, and it’s now the subject of much archaeological attention and speculation.

According to a statement from the Greek Ministry of Culture, some of the 157-foot-diameter structure’s features are comparable to Minoan tombs, including its circular arrangement of stone rings and its intricate layout. But a large quantity of ancient animal bones found nearby is complicating researchers’ understanding of the site.

“It may have been periodically used for possibly ritual ceremonies involving consumption of food, wine and perhaps offerings,” says the statement, per a translation by the AP.

While archaeologists further excavate and study the building, which sits on top of Papoura Hill, near the town of Kastelli, they must contend with the hilltop’s future function: a planned radar station for Crete’s new international airport.

Beginning in 2027, the airport will serve Heraklion, Crete’s capital and largest city, as well as a wealth of cultural and archaeological sites across the island.

Eighteen million passengers are projected to use the airport annually once construction is complete, the AP reports. Tourists want to visit Crete’s well-preserved historical sites, but they need convenient, modern infrastructure to take them there.

At times, rampant tourism has threatened the integrity of ancient sites in Greece, prompting the government to take protective measures, like limiting the number of visitors to the Acropolis in Athens.

Per the statement, excavations in the area uncovered at least 35 other archaeological sites. As Greek authorities build Crete’s new airport and the network of roads needed to connect it with the rest of the island, they must continually strike a balance between innovation and maintaining cultural heritage.

In the statement, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni describes the structure as a unique find of great interest. She says the Greek government and airport officials will explore alternative locations for the radar station to ensure the preservation of this historically significant archaeological site.
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“It’s possible to go ahead with the airport while granting the antiquities the protection they merit,” Mendoni adds, per the AP. Her comments offer hope that Crete’s past, present and future will once again be reconciled.