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FINLANDE – Janakkala - Archaeologists now believe the site in Janakkala, southern Finland, where a remarkable medieval warrior was discovered last year could be an ancient burial ground or settlement. The National Board of Antiquities says it may begin wider and deeper excavations. Earlier this month archaeologists from York University in the UK carried out geophysical surveys of the field. The preliminary results of the tests suggest widespread evidence of human activity remains deep beneath the surface of the field. Some signs point to the area housing an ancient burial ground or even a settlement.The ancient grave site appeared to be that of an early crusader buried with two swords from different eras. Subsequent scans of the skeleton by the National Board of Antiquities suggested that the so-called ancient swordsman had met a violent death.
http://yle.fi/uutiset/ancient_swordsmans_grave_could_hold_many_more_secrets/7495913
ROYAUME UNI – Kiplin Hall -Aarchaeologists have exposed the scale of an 18th century olive oil merchant family's drive to introduce a range of culinary tastes to Britain. A 17-day excavation in the grounds of 390-year-old Kiplin Hall, between Northallerton and Richmond, revealed previously unknown layers of history, including how the road running by the 4,500-acre estate to the towns was changed twice to develop a pioneering horticultural enterprise. Archaeologist Jim Brightman said the contents of trenches at five places across the estate illustrated how generations of the non-aristocratic Crowe family, which bought the property in 1722, had displayed nouveau riche tendencies as they worked to establish their country gentry credentials. Initially, the excavations had focused on examining a post-medieval road, but a team of volunteers had found a 1740s road beneath one built in the early 1800s, to divert traffic further away to aid the development of a significant fruit and vegetable garden. Visiting University of Maryland architects found the hall's gallery had been altered in 1793 to overlook the gardens, which previously unearthed documents show had been stocked with plants such as purple broccoli, sweet marjoram, nonpareil peas, and long and short prickly cucumbers decades earlier.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11505198._/?
ITALIE – Rome -Events marking the bimillennium of the death of Rome's first emperor, Augustus, continued on Tuesday with the reopening of the ancient Vicus Iugarius, or street of the Yoke-makers, in the Roman forum after restoration lasting four years. Visitors can now follow the street running along the shoulder of the Capitoline hill to the Basilica Julia that once represented part of the original trade route to the river Tiber. The reopening of the Vicus Iugarius was one of a series of initiatives by Rome's cultural and archaeological authorities to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the death of Augustus, including the reopening of part of the ancient Roman Baths of Diocletian following a 6.5-million-euro restoration project lasting six years.Visitors can now admire the natatio, or open-air swimming pool, at the heart of Rome's most imposting bath complex and the small cloister of the late 16th-century Carthusian charterhouse of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which was built on its ruins.
http://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2014/09/30/augustus-celebrations-continue_e2287aa5-b54a-460f-a295-7879a179cea5.html?
TURQUIE – Tokat - Restoration works in the Tokat Castle have discovered a secret tunnel leading to the Pervane Bath and a military shelter. Two dungeons have also been discovered in the castle, where Wallachian Prince Vlad III the Impaler, who was also known as Dracula, is said to have been held captive in the early 15th century. “We try to shed light on history with the structure layers we unearth,” said archaeologist İbrahim Çetin, who works on the excavations. He said that the team has found food cubes and an open terrace, as well as the military shelter and dungeons that were “built like a prison.” Çetin noted the presence of many tunnels surrounding the site. “The castle is completely surrounded by secret tunnels. It is very mysterious,” he said. Çetin said that Dracula had been kept captive in one of these uncovered dungeons. “It is hard to estimate in which room Dracula was kept, but he was around here,” he said.The Turkish archaeologist did not elaborate. Vlad III lived between 1431 and 1476. Most historians say he was kept in captivity in Romania. The exact length of his period of captivity is open to debate, though indications are that it was from 1462 to 1474.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/clues-about-draculas-captivity-unearthed-in-tokat.aspx?pageID=238&nid=71501&NewsCatID=375
INDE – Madurai - A Madurai-based archaeologist has claimed that the idol of the main deity at the famous Pandi temple near Ilandaikulam was that of Buddha in meditative posture dating back to 10 AD and not Jadai Muniyandi as claimed by a section of subaltern community members. C Santhalingam, a retired officer of the State Archeological Department, said the the statue of Buddha was a crucial evidence to understand the prevalence of Buddhism in the southern part of Tamil Nadu during 10 AD. Explaining the features, he said, “The Buddha statue found sitting in a padmasana posture with curly hairs at Pandi temple was similar to the sculptures found in other sites in the State.” Santhalingam said the Madurai district archaeology guide book published by the State government has also recorded the statue found at Pandi temple as that of Lord Buddha. “The present administrators of the temple have added a mustache to the Buddha statue using some chemicals and also covered the head with a thalappa and claim it as Jadai Muniyandi,” claimed Santhalingam. While admitting that the main deity Jadai Muniyandi was a vegetarian god, the temple trustee P Shivaji Poosari claimed that their great grandparents excavated the deity five generations ago. “One of their great grandmothers Valliammal in a dream saw that their family deity was buried at the spot. When the place was dug the next day, they found the Jadai Muniyandi in a meditation posture.” The Jadai Muniyandi was a vegetarian god and devotees offer rice and milk only to the deity. Animal sacrifices, such as cocks, goats, liquor, and cigarettes were offered only to Samaya Karuppar (guardian spirit) located at the far end of the temple, he explained. However, Santhalingam said many villagers near the Pandi temple spread different legends.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Main-Deity-at-Pandi-Temple-is-Buddha-Claims-Archaeologist/2014/09/30/article2455919.ece?