Nebuchadnezzar III (Saddam Hussein) … just kidding … but that is what he tried to call himself as he tried to link himself to previous Babylonian kings. This site has a really interesting video about the ruins of Babylon, in particular the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II which had a lot of reconstruction work performed on it by the deposed ruler, much to the ire of archaeologists. He even build one of his own palaces (which looks pretty nice actually) built next to the ruins of Nebuchadnezzar II’s palace, on top of other archaeological evidence. I found it particularly interesting to see such a good quality video of the remains and the observations of the impacts that war has had on such monumental ruins. I hope to visit one day, but i might leave it for a couple of years yet 
“The National Museum of China, Peking University’s School of Archaeology and Museology, as well as the Kenya National Museum jointly signed an agreement February 23, under which, Chinese and Kenyan experts will investigate and excavate underwater and onshore cultural relics in Kenya’s Lamu Archipelago, in a bid to further solve relevant historical mysteries relating to China-Africa cultural and economic exchange in ancient times. In addition, some Chinese experts will visit Kenya to explore the sunken ships from Cheng Ho’s fleet.”
Read the story at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/seaarch/~3/Ismwu5dC-iQ/
News from the Iraq elections: “Bomb blasts and rocket and mortar fire killed 38 people as Iraqis voted on Sunday in an election they hoped would distance their nascent democracy from years of sectarian slaughter as U.S. troops pack up to leave.”
Read the story at http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/worldNews/~3/8aWNzrHsjk8/idUSLDE62505A20100308
Thanks to Kate Phizackerley at News from the Valley of the Kings for finding the following: “Heritage Key report that the end of the tunnel in tomb KV35 KV17 in the Valley of the Kings has been reached and drop hints that a chamber may be discovered. It’s confusing but it sounds as though they have found an opening and a stairway.”
Read the story at http://www.kv64.info/2010/03/end-of-seti-i-tunnel.html
A 4,500 year old fortified settlement in Kutch, India has been found: “The fortification is spread over nearly one hectare area, with 10 m thick walls,” he said. “Though the exact period when this structure could have been constructed is yet to be ascertained, primarily it appears to be roughly 4500-years-old, built between 2500 BC and 2200 BC and is part of the Harappan civilisation,” Ajithprasad said.
A new interactive and searchable map of the West Bank and East Jerusalem has been released by USC Digital Library (at University of Southern California). Thanks to The Ancient World Online blog for finding it (I’ve linked to their blog rather than directly to it to show appreciation – sorry for the need to double click to get to the map). I’ve had a quick look and wow, is there some information on the map! Definately worth a look, it looks like it will be an invaluable tool.
Read the story at http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.com/2010/03/west-bank-and-east-jerusalem-searchable.html
