Viking Chieftain's Grave Discovered in Ireland

"One of the Vikings' most important trading centres has been discovered in Ireland.

The settlement at Woodstown in County Waterford is estimated to be about 1,200 years old.

It was discovered during archaeological excavations for a road by-pass for Waterford city, which was founded by the Vikings.

Almost 6,000 artefacts and a Viking chieftain's grave have been discovered at the site, which was established by the year 860 [CE]. The grave contains a sword, shield and silver mark.

The working group report said the discoveries of silver and lead weights showed it was "apparent that Woodstown falls firmly into the Scandinavian tradition."

"There can be little doubt that many, if not all of the settlement's occupants were either Scandinavian, or had strong insular Scandinavian associations," it said."

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Japanese Royal Tomb opened to scholars

"A rare visit by archaeologists to a fifth-century imperial tomb offers hope that other closely guarded graves in Japan might soon be open to independent study. This month a group of 16 experts led by the Japanese Archaeological Association released results from their February visit inside Gosashi tomb.

The event marked the first time that scholars had been allowed inside a royal tomb outside of an official excavation led by Japan's Imperial Household Agency.

Archaeologists have been requesting access to Gosashi tomb and other imperial sites since 1976, in part because the tombs date to the founding of a central Japanese state under imperial rule.

Gosashi tomb in western Japan's Nara Prefecture is revered as the resting place of Empress Jingu, the semi-legendary wife of the country's 14th emperor.

Jingu is thought to have ruled as regent for her son starting around A.D. 200.

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Macedonian archaeology receives government boost

Skupi is one of the most important archaeological sites in Macedonia and one of the largest late-ancient Roman cities on the Balkans. Its beginnings can be traced back to the first century B.C. Macedonia's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski visited Tuesday the Skupi site, where systematic research of the former ancient Roman city kicked off a month ago with financial support provided by the Government.

Gruevski announced financial support from the Government in the field of archaeology in 2009 by investing in 11 essential sites - further uncovering of the city of Philip II - Heraklea, additional research of Stobi, Marvinci near Valandovo, the Vinica Fortress, Isar near Stip, the Tetovo and Skopje Fortress and Stibera (Prilep region). If you enjoyed this post, never miss out on future posts by following me by email!