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IRAN – Persepolis - 11 human and 2 animal skeletons have been discovered in the hidden layers of Persepolis in Marvdasht, Shiraz. Iranian archaeologist say considering the initial investigations, the discovered skeletons, probably murdered, may belong to Achaemenids era and the time Persepolis was raided by the Alexander the Great and his army. They believe that at that time the invaders buried Iranian soldiers in lower layers of Persepolis, i.e. the water channels located six meters below the surface level. There is a 3-kilometer-channel below Persepolis, two kilometers of which have been dredged by the present time. Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It is situated 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Shiraz in Fars Province, Iran. The earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BC.
VIDEO = https://en.mehrnews.com/news/162349/VIDEO-13-skeletons-discovered-in-hidden-layers-of-Persepolis
IRAN – 
Amlash - The ancient caves, which are located in a forest, near a river, seem suitable places to be used by prehistoric humans as shelters, deputy provincial tourism chief Vali Jahani announced on Sunday, CHTN reported. Amlash is home to some historical and archaeological sites such as Liar-Sang-Bon, filled with ancient and prehistoric settlements and cemeteries. Liar-Sang-Bon was initially identified in [the Iranian calendar year] 1391 (March 2012-March 2013) while its related mapping and demarcating projects were completed in [the calendar year] 1393 and its first season of excavation commenced in [the calendar year] 1395. The excavations yielded helpful cultural information in archaeology anthropology and ancient botanist arenas. A field research in 2016 led to the discovery of funerary and stone architectural objects and that estimated to date from the Parthian and Sassanid eras. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Human Evolution, suggests that Neanderthals were roaming at the Iranian Zagros Mountain sometimes between 40 to 70 thousand years ago. Until the late 20th century, Neanderthals were regarded as genetically, morphologically, and behaviorally distinct from living humans. However, more recent discoveries about this well-preserved fossil Eurasian population have revealed an overlap between living and archaic humans. Neanderthals lived before and during the last ice age of the Pleistocene in some of the most unforgiving environments ever inhabited by humans. They developed a successful culture, with a complex stone tool technology, that was based on hunting, with some scavenging and local plant collection. Their survival during tens of thousands of years of the last glaciation is a remarkable testament to human adaptation.
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/451308/Caves-in-northern-Iran-show-evidence-of-Neanderthals
PAKISTAN – 
Dillu Roy - Mound Dillu Roy or Dillu Roy Ther, dating back to the Buddhist era was declared a protected site in 1962. Dillu Roy is believed to be a prince who once ruled this area. According to a myth narrated by noted travelogue writer Dr. Abbas Birmani in his book ‘Tilismati Wadiyan’ or ‘Magical Valleys’, Dillu Roy was a cruel ruler and the city faced destruction due to a curse from a woman. He described the ruins as ‘A speaking city asleep’. It is located at the border line of DG Khan and Rajanpur districts, however, most part of the ruins lie in Kot Chutta tehsil of DG Khan and rest in tehsil Jampur of district Rajanpur. The excavation began in Jan 2020 and concluded on Mar 20, 2020. The site covers almost 50 acre area and divided into two parts roughly 35-45 meters. The excavation was undertaken on scientific lines on three selected points and 22 squares measuring 5×5 meters were opened. Besides this, the ruins of fortification wall and other mud brick structures, occupational levels have been revealed in different squares under dug. The archaeologist said that the vertical limited excavation of season 2020 has added new valuable information about Hindu-Shahi, Gupta, Sassaian, and Kushan dynasties which have been recorded in their chronological sequence. “It seems the most of the upper part of the mound was subjected to human vandalism and rain disturbed. Scanty cultural deposits of the last phase of this city were recorded. The diggings unveiled material evidence which helped link the missing gaps of the Gupta, Sassaians and Kushan periods, he said. The excavation yielded a treasure of information and cultural material like pottery and small finds which belong to 2nd to 7th century AD. Hassan said: “Though limited both in time and extent, the excavation produced some material relic of Brahmanical character in pre-Muslim levels, which in the absence of dateable evidence, can not be placed securely within the known dynastic division of Hindu India.” The chronological sequence of Mound Dillu Roy can be compared with various sites in Gandhara like Taxila, Shaikhan Dheri, Badalpur, Kashmir Smast etc. Excavation brought to light some 1370 small artefacts consisting of terracotta bowls, human moulds, animal and human figurines, terracotta beads, stone beads, grinding mill, iron and copper objects of household nature, shell bangles, glass and copper rings, bangles and amulets. However, some of these deserve a special mention including a seated lion in gray schist stone panel depicting Jataka story, a terracotta Buddhist plaque and a clay female seated statue. The typical Gandharan style small figure of lion’s (Simha) left side shows a sturdy lion in upright seated position. However, right side of the lion is strikingly different and unusual. It represents episodes associated with the Buddha like Naga Apalala and episodes of the Visvantara Jataka. The discovery of terracotta Buddhist plaque is also very interesting but unfortunately partly broken. These figures were drawn in Indian style which are well known from Mauryan and particularly Shunga period down to very late period. The remarkable clay female seated statue was found at the depth of 42cm from thesurface on floor level. The mud clay the statue was in broken condition with its head, an arm and torso separated and it looked as if it was fixed in a wall or placed on a cornice at a reasonable height. “Most probably, this figure is Parvati due to her prominent breasts and third eye.” Discovery of a thick deposit of clay bullae/sealings was unique. “More than 1000 clay bullaes were found and such type of sealings were commonly used for different purposes like official documents, private letters or personal seals, banker or merchant stamps, Buddhist codes for teaching and religious purposes.” “These usually display personal names, and titles. The bullaes/sealings in different imprints and scripts, decorative burnt bricks, and inscribed baked bricks are of paramount archaeological interest”, the archaeologist said. The discovery of, he added, seals, tablets was made during surface collection. These seals depict human figure along with Brahmi script. Some figures are fascinating and provoke thoughts for further study. These are related to Indian and Greek mythologies. Many figures of these mythologies have been reported but stylistically these are new and different from the others,” he added. Hassan said that the excavation season 2020 was helpful in finding new information and substantiated earlier assessments that it was Buddhist site from Sytho-Parthian era. However, he added, the ruins still hold more information and vast potential for further excavation and more discoveries particularly the Sytho-Parthian and Greek periods.
ROYAUME UNI – 
Peebles - Amateur metal detectorist has uncovered a haul of Bronze Age objects in a Scottish field, in what experts are calling a "nationally significant" discovery. The hoard, which dates from 1,000-900 BC and includes a complete horse harness and sword, was found by Mariusz Stepien as he searched a field near Peebles, Scotland with friends on June 21.Archeologists worked on the site for 22 days, and discovered a sword still in its scabbard, decorated straps, buckles, rings, ornaments and chariot wheel axle caps, as well as evidence of a decorative "rattle pendant" that would have been attached to the harness -- the first to be found in Scotland.
IRAN – 
Tepe Ashraf - The second skeleton of a young girl from Parthian era has been unearthed from Tepe Ashraf (Ashraf Hill) in central Iranian province of Isfahan, head of excavation team at the hill Ali Reza Jafari-Zand said. Jafari-Zand said that a platform in which the skeleton had been found indicated that the lady's body had been buried with her horse in light of discovery of remains of an urn and spinal cord of a horse. The first skeleton of a lady from Parthian era has been unearthed from northern part of Tepe Ashraf (Ashraf Hill) on July 25. Based on the evidence, the corpse belongs to a 12-13 year-old age with about 160 cm height. Many documents and signs have led archeologists to arrive at the conclusion that they are near a graveyard here dating back to the Parthian empire (247 BC – 224 AD). Elaborating on this archeological operation, the official said that the way the body had been interred indicates that her burial has taken place following Mithraism focused on the god Mithras. When a dead body was buried during Parthian era, his/her face was put on the side of the sun, so the body easily belongs to the Parthian empire as she was buried like what is said and also a clay dating back to that era has been found near the skeleton, the official underlined.
https://en.irna.ir/news/83903244/Second-skeleton-of-a-Parthian-lady-unearthed-in-Ashraf-Hill
ARMENIE – 
Zorats Karer - Archeologists and researchers have reported the discovery of 30 never before seen stones at Karahounj or Zorats Karer, which is also called Armenia’s Stonehenge. Other stones that have astronomic characteristics have also been discovered during the study that is being carried out jointly by the Byurakan Observatory and the Armenian National University of Architecture and Construction. The team made computer scans of the stones and the adjacent area using aerial photography leading to the discovery. After the measurement results are summed up, astronomical calculations will begin based on new, highly accurate data. Karahunj is a prehistoric archaeological site near the town of Sisian in the Syunik Province of Armenia. The site is rich with stone settings, burial vaults and standing stones. In total, 223 stones have been identified.
http://asbarez.com/196089/new-discovery-at-karahounj-armenias-stonehenge/
GUAM – 
– Magua - However it was the unearthing of four burials at Magua that fuelled public consternation over the threat to antiquity posed by the military build-up. Both discoveries, the artifacts in the firing ranges at Northwest Field and the nearby burials, could lead to the history books being rewritten, Lujan said. "When they started working and clearing on the first four ranges... up came cultural resources from where people used to live. "It changes the notion... that the northern plateau, which sits on top of limestone, was more used for hunting and farming and not habitation, which was more common down on the beach." The significance of the artifacts, including pottery, bone fragments and burn-pits, needed to be considered by archaeologists along with the burials, Lujan said. "The burials are estimated to be about 1000 years old. Going back to the initial archaeological theory of not having any living up on the plateau... this is telling us otherwise. "And how could you bury somebody within the limestone? It was within limestone cavities. Whether they are dug up or natural... it's a unique finding. Perhaps more unique was the discovery of nearly intact skeleton missing only its skull. "I'd like to wait for the final report and I don't want to speak out of turn but there was ceramic pottery that was in place of the skull," Lujan said. "That has only been known in Saipan. So far, that's the first and only finding like that on Guam." Lujan said he hoped to bring together all of the archaeologists who had studied the area "to collectively come up with an updated theory on the northern plateau".
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/423000/ancient-burial-ground-unearthed-on-guam
FRANCE – 
Arras - Ces derniers jours, le service archéologique de la ville d’Arras (Pas-de-Calais) a fait une découverte fascinante. Sous terre, un squelette de plus de 2000 ans a été retrouvé. Des prélèvements ont été réalisés sous le site de l’ancien supermarché Netto, rue Georges Auphelle, c’est à cet endroit que le corps a été découvert. Fait étonnant, sa dentition est encore impeccable ! Mais que fait ce squelette millénaire sous le bitume arrageois ? Pour le service archéologique, c’est certainement le prolongement de la nécropole que l’on trouve déjà aux abords du boulevard du Général de Gaulle et qui faisait office de nécropole pour le village antique de Nemetacum, mis à jour rue Baudimont. La rue Georges Auphelle et l’avenue Kennedy sont déjà connues pour être des voies antiques très empruntées de l’époque. Cette friche qui a été fouillée se trouve à la perpendiculaire de ces axes et a révélé un ancien puits, un fossé, une petite voie et surtout près de 40 sépultures identifiées dont 10 ont été dégagées. Ce squelette en fait partie. La cité atrébate regorge encore de secrets…
FRANCE - Villards-d'Heria - Des archéologues entreprennent cet été des fouilles sur le site gallo-romain de Villards-d'Heria, dans le Jura. Ils explorent des secteurs qui n'avaient encore jamais été sondés.