Antiquities and Ancient Art

Roman Scientists Stumped by Catacomb Filled with Skeletons in Elegant Togas

According to an article in The Telegraph (UK), archaeologists exploring one of Rome's oldest catacombs are baffled by neat piles of more than 1,000 skeletons dressed in elegant togas.

The macabre find emerged as teams of historians slowly picked their way through the complex network of underground burial chambers, which stretch for miles under the city, according to the article.

They say the tomb, which has been dated to the first century AD, is the first known example of a "mass burial".

The archaeologists are unable to explain why so many apparently upper-class Romans - who would normally have been cremated - were buried in the same spot, apparently at the same time.  Read the full article in The Telegraph.

Saving Antiquities and Cultural Patrimony: Double Standards When There Are No Americans to Blame?

Antiquities, cultures, protection of patrimony, and the value of the past are some of the topics covered in a thought-provoking editorial written by Dennis Sevakis last week in The American Thinker.

Sevakis argues that the media demonized the US military for not doing enough to protect the Iraqi Museum from looting, even though what looting occurred was not as substantial as the initial press reports and that the looting was largely done by Iraqi citizens themselves.  He contrasts this to the collections of the British Museum and the Louvre which in no small part were fed by war spoils of the past empires of Britain and France. 

He contrasts the outcry over the Iraqi Museum controversy with the silence that largely surrounds the daily destruction of ancient European sites in the name of modern progress. "A hazard that is characteristic of our modern world is the destruction of our own historical heritage. Destruction, that is, of the bits that get in our way, ancient or recent, buried or otherwise. Artifacts that happen to be inconveniently placed and which frustrate government initiatives," he writes.

Sevakis cites a variety of examples ... the destruction of an important Augustan-era site in Spain to make way for a municipal car park, and the loss of an important Roman road in Paris among others.

"Where’s the outrage?" he comments.  "Where are the talking heads decrying this abomination? The video depicting the destruction of ancient treasures? The pillaging of history? Where are the Americans? Nowhere to be found? Whoops! Can’t blame them. And there seems little likelihood that the Spaniards, like the Iraqis before them and the French after, will blame themselves."

Sevakis posits the destruction of western heritage to be the beginning of a long-term trend that is exacerbated by the statistical Muslim-ization of Europe, particularly to the extent it is fueled by Wahhabi-inspired which call for the aggressive destruction of "offensive" cultural and religious artifacts outside Islam.

Click for the full article. 

Israeli Antiquities Authority Facing Charges of Corruption in Alleged Theft of Ancient Stones

The Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA), which in recent years has embarked on an aggressive campaign aimed at thwarting antiquities dealers in the country, is now under fire itself, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The paper reports that senior officials of the IAA are under investigation for alleged involvement in the removal of artifacts from the Old City of Acre which is a protected archaeological site. The allegations were spurred by a senior, highly respected IAA inspector who filed a complaint with police after stopping a truck removing ancient objects without the necessary permits. The driver claimed to be acting under authority of the Company for the Development of the Old City of Acre.  IAA director general Yehoshua Dorfman initially tried to persuade police to drop their investigation, and then resorted to suspending the inspector and beginning the process of firing him. The incident illustrates the current highly charged political environment in Israel regarding antiquities. The IAA has come under increasing scrutiny and criticism from collectors and dealers. Few have dared question its seemingly autocratic authority for fear of retribution from its tactics of intimidation.  The IAA is currently locked in a bitter court battle with prominent Israeli antiquities collectors and dealers. Click here for the full story.

Marble Head of Augustus Discovered at New Roman Villa Site

A 1st century sculpture depicting the middle aged head of the emperor Augustus has been discovered in Italy at the site of a newly excavated villa outside Rome.

The marble depiction was discovered at the bottom of a well, along with other artifacts including gold coins. Augustus is shown in profile in his middle years.

The marble bas-relief is being cleaned and will eventually have a home at the Roman Antiquities Museum at Palazzo Massimo near Termini Station.  Click here to read the article in Anza.

Ancient Romans Mastered Propoganda but May Have Fallen Short to Celts and Other Barbarian Tribes

An interesting article in tomorrow's London Times discusses the Romans as masters of propaganda that has colored our perception of this ancient culture through the centuries.  The article claims that the key to Roman success above all else was its distinction as the world's first professional army. Seen through the eyes of Roman leaders of the time, the enemies of Rome were described as rag-tag bands of warring hooligans and branded "barbarian."

The article points out that archaeological evidence over the past 30 years has shed new light on some of our notions of the Roman world which have been derived from the surviving texts of Roman writers. For instance, we think of Romans as great road builders. While this may be true, it has come to light in recent years that some major Roman roads were actually built on top of pre-existing ancient cart ways.

Another myth the article claims there is evidence to debunk involves the Celts. According to the Time article, far from being "barbarians," they actually has superior helmets, shields and chariots compared to the Romans.   

Further, according to the article, "the Celts’ mastery of metal technology also enabled them to develop sophisticated arable farms. We know they had iron ploughshares in Britain from about the 4th century BC because in a shrine at Frilford on the River Ock, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire — a site that was occupied from about 350BC — an iron ploughshare was found under one of the central pillars where it had been buried, perhaps as a votive offering. It is a fair guess that the temple was one of the first buildings to be erected there and that the iron ploughshare was offered at the time that its foundations were laid."

Read the full article in the London Times.

Astute Antiquities Collectors Can Discover Overlooked Gems in Latest Ancient Art Catalog

The 28th antiquities catalogue from Fragments of Time, entitled Ancient Art XXXVIII, was released in April and contained more than five, museum-quality objects ranging in price from $50 to $8,500. While many objects have sold, a variety of exceptional investment-quality objects are still available for immediate purchase.

We encourage anyone who has received the catalogue to do another review. When they see objects of high interest, they should contact us via email to check on availability.  While many objects sell very quickly in the first few days of our catalogues' publication, It is surprising that many people simply miss great buying opportunities because they assume that an object is unavailable once the catalogue has been out for a few weeks 

A PDF copy of catalogue can be downloaded instantly here.

A sampling of the objects that are available include:

• Neolithic Stone Tools, 8000-4000 BC, ex-Herzella Museum (Tel Aviv)
• Several fine Bronze Age weapons, 1200-800 BC
• Egyptian amuletic figures, including a sweet Maltese dog ex-Mildenberg Collection
• Important Egyptian statue of seated baboon, 663-342 BC
• Superb selection of Apulian and Gnathian Greek pottery from $750-$3,850
• Variety of important bronze artifacts including a Greek-inscribed Iberian rodent
• Important early Christian lamp with the figure of an Apostle, probably St Peter

With the growing scarcity of antiquities, Fragments of Time simple fixed-price model takes the guess-work and disappointment out of your antiquities purchase. No competing against phantom bidders. No games. Just honest, knowledgeable service and advice from a 5-star dealer with more than 25 years of experience in the antiquities market.  Plus, our unique full-value trade-up option is included with every item we offer.