Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'archaeologists'

The 'Unholy Business' Of Biblical Forgeries

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:31:00 EST

In 2002, archaeologists claimed a box of ancient bones held the remains of Jesus' brother. Nina Burleigh discusses her book, Unholy Business: The True Tale of Faith, Greed and Forgery in the Holy Land, which explores how forgers create fake artifacts to "prove" Biblical stories to be true.

Fires Pose Risks For Archaeological Sites

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

With drought, high temperatures and bark beetle infestations, conditions are ripe across the West for catastrophic forest fires. And that's making archaeologists very nervous. Fires may destroy thousands of ancient Native American artifacts and may expose other sites to looters.

Childhood Home Of George Washington Excavated

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

George Washington slept there for years — it's the Virginia house he grew up in. Archaeologists have excavated the house, or what's left of it, and they say they've found artifacts that suggest that the Washingtons started out genteel but fell on hard times.

Stonehenge a Burial Ground, Archaeologists Say

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Archaeologists have long puzzled over the origins of Stonehenge. Now, scientists based at the University of Sheffield say they have evidence that the massive stone structure was a burial ground and a monument to the dead. Archaeologist Mike Pearson discusses the findings.

A Real-Life Archaeologist Talks About Treasure

Mon, 26 May 2008 14:22:00 EDT

Ever wonder what being Indiana Jones in real life is actually like? Fred Hiebert talks about his life as an archaeologist. He also talks about the amazing objects featured in a new National Gallery of Art exhibit entitled Afghanistan: Hidden Treasure.

With Indy in His 'Kingdom,' What Could Go Wrong...

Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Filmdom's favorite archaeologist is back — this time facing Russian spies and legions of Mayans. Like the earlier Raiders sequels, this one's inventively conceived, capably managed and amusing enough to please those already hooked.

Hunt for World's Fair Artifacts Turns Up Junk

Mon, 19 May 2008 09:41:00 EDT

Archaeologists are digging in a Chicago park that was the scene of the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Experts want to find traces of that grand exposition, attended by millions. So far they've mainly found beer cans.

Indiana Jones: Saving History or Stealing It...

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:57:00 EDT

Indiana Jones is not your typical archaeologist, what with his bullwhip and fedora. But is Indy more treasure hunter than scientist? Christopher Joyce looks into the adventure-bound character and finds that in the real world, Indy might just be archeology's worst nightmare.

Archaeologists Seek New Clues at Stonehenge

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:53:00 EDT

Scientists are digging up the ground around Stonehenge in the first major excavation in more than 40 years. Lead archaeologist Timothy Darvill talks about what he thinks the ancient structure was intended for -- and what he hopes to find in the ground around it.

Fossilized Feces Tell Tale of Earliest Americans

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:05:00 EDT

Archaeologists are abuzz over human excrement found in an Oregon cave that dates back to a time before the earliest known Americans. The fossilized feces are 14,000 years old and lend support to the theory that people first came to the Americas by a Bering Sea land bridge.

With Climate Swing, a Culture Bloomed in Americas

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:18:00 EST

Along the coast of Peru, a mysterious civilization sprang up about 5,000 years ago. A team of archaeologists believe a climate change led to the rise of this civilization of mound builders, which eventually spread across South America.

Humans May Have Hunted Mastadons

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:00:00 EST

An underwater archaeologist has found what may be an etching of a mastodon at the bottom of Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan. Members of a local tribe believe that there is a spear in the mastodon, which would be hard evidence that humans hunted the prehistoric elephant-like animals.

Evidence Suggest Humans Hunted Mastodons

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:05:00 EST

An underwater archaeologist has found what may be an etching of a mastodon at the bottom of Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan. Local Native American leaders say there is a spear in the mastodon, which would be hard evidence that humans hunted the prehistoric elephant-like animals.

Rare Spanish Coin Found in Nashville Cemetery

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:39:00 EST

"Mortuary archaeologist" Pat Cummins found a rare Spanish coin -- "8 Reales," or pieces of eight -- in a Nashville cemetery. The coins circulated widely in the United States in the first half of the 19th Century.

Egypt Says Mummy of Ancient Queen Identified

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:32:00 EDT

Ancient Egypt's most powerful female pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut, has been identified Egyptian archaeologists said Wednesday. A monumental builder, she wielded more power than two other famous ancient Egyptian women, Cleopatra and Nefertiti.

Treasure Hunters Hit Mother Lode Off Florida

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:20:00 EDT

Divers off Florida's Marquesas Key discovered at least $1 million worth of gold chains, bars, rings and other artifacts last weekend. The booty belonged to the Spanish galleon the Santa Margarita, which was lost in a hurricane 385 years ago. Greg Bounds, captain of the salvage boat used in the expedition, spoke with Michele Norris early Friday, as archaeologists opened a mysterious 6-inch lead box found along with the gold.

Tomb Raiders Threaten Mayan City's History

Mon, 28 May 2007 05:37:00 EDT

In archaeological sites throughout the world, antiquities are plundered for sale. U.S. agents says the looting is epidemic. One archaeologist working in Guatemala has launched a battle to save an ancient city from looters.

Subway Dig Unearths Rome's Ancient Past

Sun, 27 May 2007 19:19:00 EDT

In Rome's Piazza Venezia, construction workers and archaeologists digging a new subway line are carefully uncovering Rome's ancient history. They now have the painstaking task of determining which artifacts to preserve, and which ones to destroy.

Ancient Village Lifts Some of Stonehenge's Mystery

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:35:53 EST

A settlement once home to hundreds of people has been unearthed near England's mysterious Stonehenge monument. The village dates to the same time period of Stonehenge, and archaeologists think the huge stone circle's builders may have lived there.

Bill Kelso: Digging Up the Truth About Jamestown

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 07:47:00 EST

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in America at Jamestown. And that makes Bill Kelso -- the man who excavated the site -- one very happy archaeologist.

Getty Curator in Italian Court over Artifacts

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 00:00:00 EST

Proceedings resume Wednesday in Italy against the former curator of antiquities at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Marion True is charged with knowingly trafficking in artifacts looted from archaeological sites. Many archaeologists say this trial is just one example of a larger problem.

Ira Flatow on Science: Indonesia's Hobbit Humans

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Archaeologists have discovered further evidence that a race of tiny humans lived on a remote Indonesian island as recently as 12,000 years ago. Alex Chadwick talks to Ira Flatow, host of NPR's Talk of the Nation Science Friday, about this latest "little" archaeological discovery. The smaller-than-average humans remind some of the Hobbit characters central to the plot of the Lord of the Rings book and movie trilogy.

Dam Project Threatens Roman Ruins in Turkey

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Archaeologists are racing to finish excavating Roman ruins at the town of Allianoi before they're flooded by a new dam. The Turkish state says a reservoir will allow farmers to irrigate their fields and earn more money.

Archaeologists Discover Ga. Slave Artifacts

Wed, 09 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST

Archaeologists on an island off the shores of Georgia have unearthed artifacts dating back to the 1800s that offer further detail into the lives of slaves. NPR's Ed Gordon speaks with Jim Bitler, the on-island coordinator for Ossabaw Island, and with Dan Elliot, the lead archaeologist for the project.