In the grand tapestry of human history, every thread we uncover brings us closer to understanding our shared past. This week, we delve into the mysteries of ancient Roman burials, the artistic impulses of our ancestors that span back hundreds of thousands of years, and the life of a charioteer in Siberia.
In the verdant landscapes of South Wales, archaeologists have unearthed a poignant reminder of our Roman past. A young man, buried face down in the third or fourth century A.D., was discovered during excavations for a road construction project. His grave held not only his remains but also a silver pin, an iron sword, traces of hobnailed boots, and a crossbow-style brooch. These artifacts suggest that he may have been an elite member of the Roman military. However, the presence of large nails near his neck, back, and feet hint at a darker possibility – that he could have been restrained at the time of death. His teeth tell a tale of a life begun further east than where he was laid to rest. Read more at: https://www.archaeology.org/news/11599-230718-wales-roman-burials
Our journey continues to the sandy shores of South Africa’s Cape south coast, where researchers have discovered patterns in the sand dating back to the Pleistocene epoch, between 70,000 and 400,000 years ago. These patterns, dubbed “ammoglyphs,” are believed to be a new form of paleoart. The oldest of these ammoglyphs, dated to between 149,000 and 129,000 years ago, is a series of long, perfectly straight grooves in a triangular pattern. Another site, dated to around 136,000 years ago, contained almost two thirds of a circular groove, a central depression, and two possible knee impressions. These discoveries suggest that our ancestors’ urge to create art in the sand is an ancient one, echoing down the centuries to the sandcastles and drawings we create today. Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2023-07-sand-beach-ancestors-years.html
In the remote hinterlands of southern Siberia, Russian archaeologists recently unearthed a perfectly preserved grave that contained the skeletal remains of a horse-drawn chariot driver, also known as a charioteer. Current estimates are that this ancient charioteer lived and died around 1,000 BC, which is extraordinarily significant, because up to now archaeologists and historians didn’t believe chariots were being used in this part of Asia that long ago. The grave and its contents, including a bronze knife and several pieces of jewelry made with bronze plates, shed light on the life and culture of the Lugav people who inhabited this part of Siberia approximately 3,000 years ago. Read more at: https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/siberian-charioteer-0018885
As we delve into the mysteries of our past, we are reminded of the threads that connect us to our ancestors. From the Roman military elite in Wales to the sand artists of ancient South Africa, and the charioteers of ancient Siberia, we see the echoes of our shared human story. We invite you to join us in this journey of discovery. Visit ruinsandrelics.com daily and subscribe for updates as we continue to unravel the fascinating tapestry of human history.
Citations:
- Archaeology.org. (2023). Roman Burials Unearthed in Wales. Retrieved from https://www.archaeology.org/news/11599-230718-wales-roman-burials
- Helm, C., & Carr, A. (2023). Drawing in the sand at the beach? Our ancestors did the same 140,000 years ago. Phys.org. Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2023-07-sand-beach-ancestors-years.html
- Falde, N. (2023). 3,000-Year-Old Grave of Charioteer Could Rewrite Siberian History. Ancient Origins. Retrieved from https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/siberian-charioteer-0018885
Ruins and Relics 