Painted walls in the burial chamber of King Tutankhamun’s tomb (KV62). Valley of the Kings, Egypt. Photo taken by Hajor
1. New Reptile Species Discovered in Fossil
Stored in the collection of Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery for 30 years and thought to be a plaster copy, this fossil has turned out to be a previously unknown species of ancient reptile. Read more at BBC News.
2. Photos from the Day King Tut’s Tomb Was Opened
On February 16, 1923, in Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter opened the sealed doorway to the burial chamber of the Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen. His tomb was nearly intact. All of Carter’s discoveries were eagerly covered by the world’s press. See the first photos taken at the site at Culture 24.
Watch Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut to learn more about the most famous pharaoh in ancient Egyptian history.
3. Maya Mural Reveals Ancient “Photobomb”
An ancient Maya mural found in the Guatemalan rainforest may depict a group portrait of intellectuals consulting with the royal governor. An attendant behind the king’s massive headdress adds a unique photobomb to the mural. See images at LiveScience.
4. Drones and Satellites Spot Lost Civilizations in Unlikely Places
Until recently, archaeologists would have told you the Sahara desert and the Amazon rainforest were both inhospitable environments to human settlements. But they were wrong. Read more at AAAS.
5. An Ancient Synagogue Crumbles in Iraq
The 800-year-old synagogue where biblical prophet Nahum is said to rest could become the next victim of Iraq’s ancient and modern conflicts. More than 1,300 heritage sites in the areas controlled by Islamic State of northwestern Iraq are at risk of being looted or destroyed. Read more at National Geographic.
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