Issue 12

Egypt's Valley of the Kings, burial place of the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom, must be one of the most extensively explored archaeological sites in the world, yet it is only in the last decade that the biggest tomb in the whole valley has been discovered. KV5, as it is now known was thought to be insignificant and undecorated. However, Professor Kent Weeks has been conducting a huge Theban Mapping Project and this led to its rediscovery. So far over 100 chambers have been excavated - and more await discovery: here we tell the story of the excavations so far.
And then we come to one of the finest mosaics discovered anywhere in the Roman World in recent years. Dated to the 3rd century AD, it has recently come to light in the romantic desert city of Palmyra, in Syria. The mosaic dates to the troubled days of the 3rd century AD, when Roman rules collapsed and Palmyra was setting itself up as the bulwark of Rome against the Persian barbarians. What is the inner meaning of this sumptuous and mysterious mosaic?
And now for some rescue archaeology. One of the largest engineering projects in the world has recently been completed, the so-called BTC pipe line constructed by BP from Baku on the Caspian via Tbilisi in Georgia, to Ceynat on the Mediterranean in Turkey. BP have also ensured that it is a huge archaeological rescue project, and invited Nadia Durrani to visit Turkey to report on how they carried out their work, and what has been discovered.
Then we offer two very different postcards. Richard Hodges writes from Macedonia, while Timothy Clack has been in Kilimanjaro undertaking anthropological research among the Chagga People. His research has focused on their Christian religious practices, which, he argues, have traces of their erstwhile 'traditional' beliefs.
Where was the Garden of Eden? Fifty years ago the Danish Archaeologist Geoffrey Bibby discovered a Mesopotamian temple on the island of Bahrain and suggested that this might have been Dilmun, the site of the Garden of Eden. Now 50 years on, celebrations were held to mark the anniversary and to promote the charms of archaeology in Bahrain. CWA was invited to Bahrain to report on the celebrations. In addition to the Diary come the other regulars: News and Books.
Finally, the CWA index covers all of the articles from issue 1-12 in this, our first volume. Tempus fugit.

Issue 12/Egypt/Features

Digs, Discoveries, Travel, Exploration

Issue 12

KV5 – Largest Tomb in Valley of the Kings

Palmyra Mosaics and their Hidden Meaning

Pipeline Through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey

Roman Priest in Oxford

Saxony’s Sun Sanctuary

Kalkriese Victorious, Again

Oetzi Under Threat

Varus Battle Museum Wins Europa Nostra Award

Nebra Sky Disc

Petrie Museum Prize

Earthwatch at Orce, Spain

Rock Art Prank at British Museum

Suggestions

Issue 12