The discovery of a miniature Roman lock, smaller than a one-euro coin, was presented in Münster by the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL). This object, dating back to the 3rd or 4th century AD, stands out not only for its exceptionally small size—just 1.2 by 1.1 centimeters—but also for being a unique find in Europe. […]
Roman Empire
Posted inAntiquity
Chrocus, the Alemannic Chieftain Who Destroyed All the Temples of Gaul in the 3rd Century
We have previously discussed the Crisis of the 3rd Century, that period of antiquity also known as the Anarchy of the 3rd Century because, for fifty years—from the assassination of Alexander Severus in 235 AD until the rise of Diocletian in 284—the Roman Empire was plunged into a destructive process that brought it to the […]
Posted inAncient Rome, Classical Archaeology
A Spectacular Roman Empire Criminal Case Unveiled Through a Newly Discovered Papyrus
A remarkable papyrus recently unearthed from the collections of the Israel Antiquities Authority offers unprecedented insights into Roman legal procedures and life in the Near East. Scholars from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the University of Vienna, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem collaborated to analyze this unique find, now published in the international academic […]
Posted inClassical Archaeology
A mold used to produce Medusa masks dating back to the early 1st century BCE has been found in ancient Finziade, Sicily
In the town of Licata (the ancient Greek Finziade), Sicily, archaeologists have discovered a mask mold that, according to initial interpretations, could represent Medusa, the Greek mythological figure known for her petrifying gaze and snake-filled hair. This discovery was made during excavations in the so-called “House 18,” a building dating back to the late Republican […]
Posted inAncient Rome, Art
The Mosaic of the House of the Birds in Italica is the Most Complete and Varied Avian Representation in the Roman World
Located in the archaeological site of Itálica, in Seville (Spain), the so-called House of the Birds houses one of the most unique mosaics of Roman Hispania. This work of art, dating from the second half of the 2nd century AD, is a reflection of both the artistic virtuosity of the time and the fascination the […]
Posted inClassical Archaeology
A Rare Boundary Stone from the Tetrarchy Period of the Roman Empire Contains Two Unknown Place Names
Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have unearthed a rare Tetrarchic boundary stone at the site of Abel Beth Maacah, located in northern Israel. This remarkable find sheds light on the administrative practices of the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, revealing details about the organization of territorial boundaries, land ownership, and […]
Posted inAncient Rome
Saalburg, The Largest Roman Fort of the Limes Germanicus
Bad Homburg is a wealthy German city whose economic prosperity owes much to its proximity to Frankfurt, attracting many business executives who have chosen it as their place of residence. These residents are drawn by its princely atmosphere, which originated from the presence of a spa with mineral waters and a casino. However, its tourist […]
Posted inClassical Archaeology
A Large Bath Complex Discovered in Pompeii Within a Domus Decorated with Scenes of Athletes and Paintings of the Trojan War
A new archaeological discovery in Pompeii has unveiled a bath complex inside a private domus, accompanied by a banquet hall. This find stands as a clear example of how Roman architecture not only addressed functional needs but also served as a stage to showcase the social and cultural status of its owners. The discovery took […]
Posted inArt, Classical Archaeology
Famous Alexander Mosaic found in Pompeii is made with 10-color tesserae from Italy, Greece, the Iberian Peninsula, and Tunisia
The Alexander Mosaic, housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN), is one of the most significant works of Roman antiquity. This mosaic, with monumental dimensions (583 x 325 cm) and composed of approximately 1.9 million tesserae, depicts the Battle of Issus, where Alexander the Great led the Macedonians to victory against the Persian […]
Posted inBronze Age Archaeology
Human Footprints from the Bronze Age Left by People Fleeing a Vesuvian Eruption and Other Extraordinary Discoveries in Campania
During improvement works on the Diramazione Nocera-Cava dei Tirreni gas pipeline in the municipalities of Nocera Superiore, Nocera Inferiore, Roccapiemonte, and Castel San Giorgio (province of Salerno, Campania) in Italy, an impressive archaeological legacy has come to light, spanning from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity. These discoveries, the result of meticulous research conducted over […]
