Meet Ardi

A very big find in science and evolution of humans.   Before we had Luci who was around about 3.2 million years, and now we got Ardi who lived about 4.4 million years ago.

Oldest “Human” Skeleton Found–Disproves “Missing Link”

Jamie Shreeve
Science editor, National Geographic magazine
October 1, 2009

Move over, Lucy. And kiss the missing link goodbye.

Scientists today announced the discovery of the oldest fossil skeleton of a human ancestor. The find reveals that our forebears underwent a previously unknown stage of evolution more than a million years before Lucy, the iconic early human ancestor specimen that walked the Earth 3.2 million years ago.

The centerpiece of a treasure trove of new fossils, the skeleton—assigned to a species called Ardipithecus ramidus—belonged to a small-brained, 110-pound (50-kilogram) female nicknamed “Ardi.” (See pictures of Ardipithecus ramidus.)—National Geographic

Ancient Wall in Jerusalem found

Embedded video from CNN Video

Ancient Wall in Jerusalem found

Embedded video from CNN Video

The Ark of the Covenant

H/T to Sancte Pater

We have all seen Indiana Jones ad how he found the Ark, but in reality the Real Ark is most likely long gone and will never be found.  But over the yea there have been many rumors that the Ark was taken to Ethiopia during the Disapora.  I find it hard to really believe this and think this is just for publicity, but the patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia has said he is going to reveal the Ark today.

‘Ark of the Covenant’ about to be unveiled?

Ethiopian patriarch tells pope he will show artifact to world

Ark of the Covenant as depicted in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (Paramount Pictures)

The patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia says he will announce to the world Friday the unveiling of the Ark of the Covenant, perhaps the world’s most prized archaeological and spiritual artifact, which he says has been hidden away in a church in his country for millennia, according to the Italian news agency Adnkronos.

Abuna Pauolos, in Italy for a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI this week, told the news agency, “Soon the world will be able to admire the Ark of the Covenant described in the Bible as the container of the tablets of the law that God delivered to Moses and the center of searches and studies
for centuries.”

The announcement is expected to be made at 2 p.m. Italian time from the Hotel Aldrovandi in Rome. Pauolos will reportedly be accompanied by Prince Aklile Berhan Makonnen Haile Sellassie and Duke Amedeo D’Acosta—-WND.com

Shedding light on the Catacombs of Rome

When I wasin Rome a few years ago, we went into one of the catacombs, and it was and interesting experience.  It is ve strangetosee all  the places for bodies that and the labrinth of tunnels.   At the end therewas a church  carved out near the entrance to the catacombs.

Now there is going to be a 3D model of all the catocombs underneah Rome.

Shedding light on the Catacombs of Rome

By Duncan Kennedy
BBC News, Rome

Rome’s underground Christian, Jewish and pagan burial sites, the Catacombs, date back to the 2nd Century AD.

There are more than 40 of them stretching over 170km (105 miles).

But, until now, they have never been fully documented, their vast scale only recorded with handmade maps.

That is now changing, following a three-year project to create the first fully comprehensive three-dimensional image using laser scanners.

A team of 10 Austrian and Italian archaeologists, architects and computer scientists have started with the largest catacomb, Saint Domitilla, just outside the Italian capital.

The tunnels, caves, galleries and burial chambers of Saint Domitilla stretch for about 15km (9 miles) over a number of levels. —BBC

Did they find the Garden of Eden???

Very interesting find in Eastern Turkey.

Do these mysterious stones mark the site of the Garden of Eden?

For the old Kurdish shepherd, it was just another burning hot day in the rolling plains of eastern Turkey. Following his flock over the arid hillsides, he passed the single mulberry tree, which the locals regarded as ‘sacred’. The bells on his sheep tinkled in the stillness. Then he spotted something. Crouching down, he brushed away the dust, and exposed a strange, large, oblong stone.

The man looked left and right: there were similar stone rectangles, peeping from the sands. Calling his dog to heel, the shepherd resolved to inform someone of his finds when he got back to the village. Maybe the stones were important.

They certainly were important. The solitary Kurdish man, on that summer’s day in 1994, had made the greatest archaeological discovery in 50 years. Others would say he’d made the greatest archaeological discovery ever: a site that has revolutionised the way we look at human history, the origin of religion – and perhaps even the truth behind the Garden of Eden.—Daily Mail

also:    Smithsonian Institute

Ancient Wall discovered in Jeruselem

An ancient wall that was built around the Time of the Second Temple has been uncovered, and also remains of a wall built on top of the ancient wall that was built in the Byzantine Period.

An exciting discovery in Jerusalem constituting extraordinary remains of the wall of the city from the time of the Second Temple (second century BCE-70 CE) that was built by the Hasmonean kings and was destroyed during the Great Revolt, and also the remains of a city wall from the Byzantine period (324-640 CE) which was built on top of it, were uncovered in an extensive excavation that is currently underway on Mount Zion. (Credit: Copyright Israel Antiquities Authority)

Shakespearean theater foundin London?

Archeologists believe they have found what was the foundation to a theater that was used by Shakespeare and his troupe. This could be the foundations of what was called "The Theatre".

Much ado over Shakespearean theater find

‘Romeo and Juliet’ likely debuted at east London site,
archaeologists said—PMSNBC

Oldest Church found in Jordan

Archeologists in Jordan have deiscovered presumably the oldest Christian Church closeto the Syrian border.

Jordan archaeologists unearth ‘world’s first church’

Archaeologists in Jordan have unearthed what they claim is the world’s first church, dating back almost 2,000 years, The Jordan Times reported on Tuesday.

"We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33 AD to 70 AD," the head of Jordan’s Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies, Abdul Qader al-Husan, said.

He said it was uncovered under Saint Georgeous Church, which itself dates back to 230 AD, in Rihab in northern Jordan near the Syrian border.

"We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians — the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ," Husan said.

These Christians, who are described in a mosaic as "the 70 beloved by God and Divine," are said to have fled persecution in Jerusalem and founded churches in northern Jordan, Husan added.

He cited historical sources which suggest they both lived and practised religious rituals in the underground church and only left it after Christianity was embraced by Roman rulers.

The bishop deputy of the Greek Orthodox archdiocese, Archimandrite Nektarious, described the discovery as an "important milestone for Christians all around the world."

Researchers recovered pottery dating back to between the 3rd and 7th centuries, which they say suggests these first Christians and their followers lived in the area until late Roman rule.

Inside the cave there are several stone seats which are believed to have been for the clergy and a circular shaped area, thought to be the apse.

There is also a deep tunnel which is believed to have led to a water source, the archaeologist added.

Rihab is home to a total of 30 churches and Jesus and the Virgin Mary are believed to have passed through the area, Husan said.

BREITBART.com

Meet Lucius Verus

Lucius Verus ruled along side his brother Marcus Aurelius.

April 14, 2008—He supposedly preferred to remain behind the
scenes, but after 1,800 years one of Rome’s most reclusive emperors has
been thrust into the limelight.

A statue of Lucius Verus, who ruled ancient Rome alongside his
more famous adopted brother Marcus Aurelius, was recently recovered
among a cache of looted artifacts, Italian officials say.

Investigators found the intricately carved marble head in a boathouse near Rome,
saying the find was particularly significant because Lucius was
reluctant to pose for official portraits. Only four other depictions of
Lucius are known to exist, experts said.

The likeness will prove useful to scholars studying the
mysterious ruler, whose family saga was complex enough to rival most
prime-time soaps.—National Geographic