Ten Coolest Archaeological Discoveries of 2013

8. ROYAL TOMB-- A 1200-year-old royal tomb discovered in pristine condition in Peru. //// 9. VANISHING EUROPEANS-- Ancient inhabitants of Europe mysteriously disappeared 4,500 years ago. A 7,500-year-old skeleton found in Central Europe suggests the genetic makeup of the continent was different back then. // Humans spread out from Turkey and the Near East after the Agricultural Revolution and subjugated hunter-gatherers. But, 4,500 years ago, they too were subjugated. //// 10. "ICEMAN'S" RELATIVES-- Some Europeans living today may be related to the Iceman Otzi found in the Italian Alps. Old Otzi may have as many as 19 living relatives according to genetic analysis. //// Otzi Would be So Proud. --DaCoot

Ten Coolest Archaeological Discoveries of 2013-- Part 2

Continued from January 11, 2014. //// 5. WAR'S DESTRUCTION-- Syria. With no one to protect it, the ancient Roman city of Apamea is riddled with looting holes. Ebla, containing thousands of cuneiform tablets, has been thoroughly looted. (Not excatly sure why they included this in the "Cool" category. It is anything but "cool." //// 6. HEROD'S TOMB?-- At the Herodium complex he had built. There is some doubt, however, because of its shoddy and poor construction. The man built magnificent structures. //// 7. STONE HENGE HUNTING GROUNDS-- the area around it might have been a sacred hunting ground where animals used for feasts congregated. Humans came to Stonehenge to feast. //// --Still Not Sure About #5. --Cooter

10 Coolest Archaeolgical Discoveries of 2013-- Part 1

From the Dec. 31, 2013, Yahoo! News/Live Science by Tia Ghose.

1. RICHARD III BONES-- discovered in Leicester, England, under a parking lot. How far the mighty have fallen.

2. ROYAL SQUASH?-- A gourd was found with images of the French Revolution that contained the blood of beheaded King Louis XVI of France. Legend has it that a bystander at the execution scoopd the blood up in their handkerchief and stashed it in the squash.

PRINCE...OOPS!-- Tomb of an Etruscan warrior prince and his wife found, but what they thought was the prince was actually a princess.

4. OLDEST ROCK ART-- Found at a dried-up lake in a Nevada desert dating back to 10,500 to 14,800 years. The oldest art found in North America.

More to Come. --Cooter