CWA 22 was published in April 2007 and contained articles on new theories for the demise of the Maya, especially in Belize, the circumstances surrounding Howard Carter's historic find and why "Tutmania" has gripped the world ever since, the legendary canal of Xerxes that passed through Greece and to what extent Herodotus was correct, the recently re-opened exhibition in celebration of Afghanistan's wide reaching heritage and finally a look at how Berlin copes with its recent heritage and how the new sits alongside the traditional in the urban environment.
Belize
Evidence from the Maya complex at Lamanai in Belize questions the established, romantic notion of a universal collapse of the entire civilisation. Other sites such as Petexbatun in Guatemala has strong evidence of political conflict and warfare seems to be the likely cause for its downfall. However, at Lamanai pottery sherds and monumental platforms dating to the "post-classic" period suggest this site may have continued to flourish well after may others fell into ruin; thus called into question the extent of a simultaneous end to the Maya civilisation.
As an elite good, this incense burner is evidence of the possession of considerable wealthy right into the early 1500s – when this was made – well after previous thought believed wealth of the Maya had ended.
A reconstruction of how the Lamanai complex would have appeared at its peak.
Egypt
With the much anticipated arrival of the Tutankhamun exhibition at the O2 (Former Millenium Dome) this November, CWA looks back at the events 85 years ago when Howard Carter opened the famous tomb. Carter’s famous find eclipsed his artistic beginnings, but perhaps more astoundingly incurred the resentment of the archaeological intelligentsia; consequently Carter died without any British honours. In addition we have an inside look at some of the treasures that will be coming to the UK later this year .
Carter’s lack of formal archaeological tuition alienated him from the archaeological scholars back in England.
Although it is his finds which provide some of the most spectacular examples of Ancient Egyptian culture and the phenomenon of "Tut-mania" which has held the world’s interest in Ancient Egypt throughout the last 100 years.
Greece
Using seismic refraction and a variety of other geophysical techniques a team is getting to the bottom of the legendary Canal of Xerxes on the Mount Athos peninsular, Northern Greece. The canal is said to have been dug by Xerxes in preparation for his famous invasion of Greece in 480BC. If Herodotus’ reports of the scale of the operation are correct, then it was surely an admirable feat of ancient engineering – however he has been called the "Father of Lies".
Afghanistan
Following the reports of widespread destruction of archaeological artefacts at the hands of the Taliban, Jean-François Jarrige masterminded an exhibition in celebration of Afghanistan’s heritage and in defiance of those who would try to erase it. The Greaco-Roman, Indian and even Chinese finds made of some of the most valuable materials such as lapis-lazuli, gold and turquoise are testament to the extent and influence of Afghanistan’s heritage.
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Splendours from the "princely nomads" of Tillia Tepe.
Berlin
As a city with such an emotional 20th century history, Berlin treatment of its recent heritage is anything but the typical rose-tinted view that might be expected elsewhere. Stark modern landmarks sit alongside older Classical style buildings that have been repaired following damage in the Second World War, CWA takes a look at the effect these displays have on the visitor.
A vast holocaust memorial, comprising 2700 concrete slabs creates mixed emotions among people, some visitors apparently finding some recreation among the sculpture.