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From the Editor
This past week has been a tough one, with a lot going on in my personal life, mostly work-related, which made it difficult to get new content posted. My apologies for that!
On the bright side, I wanted to take this opportunity to ask you all a question: What sparked your passion for history?
For me, some of my earliest memories of being fascinated by history go back to watching the Indiana Jones movies with my uncle while visiting Greece in the 1980s. Growing up in a Greek household also had a lot to do with it. Between hearing my parents, aunts, and uncles talk about Greek mythology, democracy, Alexander the Great, and so much more, history was always part of everyday life.
And then there were our trips to Greece, where history was impossible to escape. Everywhere you looked, there were ancient ruins and reminders of the past. I still remember playing with my cousins on fallen columns, treating them like our own personal playground. Looking back, those experiences probably had a bigger influence on me than I realized at the time.
But enough about me. I’d genuinely love to hear your stories!
What first sparked your interest in history? Was it a book, a movie, a teacher, a family member, or something else entirely? Share your story in the comments. I’d love to hear how it all started for you!
Ask Me Anything
It has been a while since I have done an Ask-Me-Anything video, so, now is your chance to start asking your ancient history focused or Digging Up The Past questions! And once I get enough, a new video will be recorded!
In the News
A 100-Meter Aqueduct Built Before the Romans
Archaeologists have documented a 100-meter-long aqueduct in Monteleone Sabino, Italy, that offers a fascinating glimpse into how people managed water before Roman rule. Carved directly into the rock, the carefully planned structure likely helped drain fields and improve agricultural productivity, suggesting that local communities had the resources and organization to carry out major engineering projects. Source: Archaeology Magazine.
184 Cuneiform Tablets Discovered in a Hittite Royal Archive
Archaeologists working at the ancient Hittite city of Šamuḫa in modern Türkiye have uncovered a royal archive containing 184 cuneiform tablets and fragments dating back roughly 3,400 years. The texts include references to military campaigns, disease outbreaks, the death of an infant princess, and commanders requesting help from the king, offering a remarkable look into the challenges of running the Hittite kingdom. Source: HeritageDaily.
A 3,000-Year-Old Bronze Sword Found Underwater in Italy
Underwater archaeologists have recovered a remarkably well-preserved bronze sword from a submerged Bronze Age settlement beneath Lake Mezzano in central Italy. Dating to the 13th century BCE, the weapon was found alongside other ancient objects, including a bronze razor, raising intriguing questions about whether some items were deliberately deposited in the lake as part of ritual practices. Source: Archaeology Magazine.
Mapping the Networks of Egypt’s Early Christian Monks
Researchers are using archaeological surveys, ancient texts, and modern mapping technology to uncover how Egypt’s early Christian monks stayed connected between the third and seventh centuries CE. Their work has documented hundreds of Christian structures and more than 1,500 Coptic inscriptions and graffiti in the Theban region, revealing how monasteries, desert paths, and Nile routes formed a wider network of religious communities. Source: Archaeology Magazine.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria Appears on a Rare Bronze Ring
Underwater excavations in Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor have uncovered a rare bronze seal ring engraved with an image of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria. Researchers believe it is the first known seal ring featuring the iconic monument, and the discovery may offer clues about the continued use of Alexandria’s royal quarter and its possible administrative links to the lighthouse during the Roman period. Source: Archaeology Magazine.
Quote
Ordinary people seem not to realize that those who really apply themselves in the right way to philosophy are directly and of their own accord preparing themselves for dying and death. - Socrates
Trivia Question
Last Week’s Trivia Answer
Nineveh’s most famous archaeological discovery was the library of Ashurbanipal.
Halloween Sale on Annual Subscriptions
Digging Up The Past is offering a Halloween promotional sale which ends on October 31st. Is it a bit early for a Halloween promotion? Nope! It is never too early for anything Halloween. 😄 Be sure to not miss out on getting 20% off annual subscriptions for all eternity! Mhua ha ha ha!
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Featured Image: Credit to Sivasirade.