The great carnelian mystery
James A Harrell looks into the uncertain origins of ancient Egypt’s most popular gemstone: carnelian.
gemstones
Purple: A middle kingdom fad?
James A Harrell investigates the peculiar popularity of purple during the Middle Kingdom.
Gems and trade
Egyptian researchers have used three spectroscopic techniques for rapid analysis of gemstones from Egypt, revealing their origins and providing a window into historical trade routes. Gemstones peridot (olivine) and emerald, and semi-gemstones beryl, amazonite, and amethyst, from mines in the…
World news in brief: maya dentistry, medieval hand grenades and early Islamic burials
A round up of some of the latest archaeological news from around the globe.