Viking fortress discovered "Archaeologists in Denmark have found a ring-shaped Viking fortress on the island of Zealand, around 50km south of Copenhagen. It is the fifth circular fortress to be unearthed, and the first in more than 60 years.
Lasse Sonne, a Viking historian at the University of Copenhagen, said: "Although there were Vikings in other countries, these circular fortresses are unique to Denmark. Many have given up hope that there were many of them left."
Like previously discovered ring fortresses, the Vallo Borgring is thought to date back to the late 10th century and the reign of Harald Bluetooth, the King who christianised Denmark and Norway.
Some historians contend the fortresses were constructed by his son Sweyn Forkbeard, the first Danish King of England, as a military training camp or barracks from which to launch his invasions of England.
Forkbeard seized London in 1013 and was declared King of England."
Viking 'ring fortress' discovered in Denmark "Historians believe distinctive geometric fortresses may have been built by Sweyn Forkbeard as a military training camp from which to launch his invasion of England"
ARRRRGH!
And even more super cool:
Greece unearths two Caryatids at massive Alexander-era tomb "Greek archaeologists have unearthed two beautiful Caryatids during the ongoing excavation at the massive Alexander the Great era tomb in the ancient city of Amphipolis in northern Greece, the culture ministry announced on Sunday.
The two statues of female figures which are similar to the Caryatids known worldwide from the Acropolis temples in Athens were found on Saturday.
They were made of marble from the nearby island of Thassos and support expectations of experts that the newly discovered burial site at Amphipolis, at a distance of about 550 km north of the Greek capital, was of a high ranking official at the hierarchy of the Macedonian kingdom in the fourth century B.C.
Over the past month, since Greek archaeologists first unveiled the entrance of the tomb, the largest ever discovered in Greece, they have managed to discover two spectacular three-meter-high sphinxes, a sculpted 5 meter high lion, a mosaic and other exquisite findings."
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"Most Greek archaeologists have ruled out the possibility that the tomb could be that of Alexander the Great himself as he is believed to have been buried in Egypt in 323 B.C.
However, Alexander's Persian wife, Roxana, and his son, Alexander IV, were banished to Amphipolis and murdered there in around 310 B.C. and other important figures of the time could be buried at the site."
Stunning Alexander-era statues found guarding ancient tomb in Amphipolis, Greece "The two female figures in long-sleeved tunics were found standing guard at the opening to the mysterious Alexander The Great-era tomb near Amphipolis in the Macedonia region of northern Greece, archaeologists said.
"The left arm of one and the right arm of the other are raised in a symbolic gesture to refuse entry to the tomb," a statement from the Culture Ministry said.
Speculation is mounting that the tomb, which dates from Alexander's lifetime (356-323BC), may be untouched, with its treasures intact.
Previous evacuations of Macedonian tombs have uncovered amazing troves of gold jewellery and sculptures."
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"Theories abound about who could be buried in the tumulus tomb, ranging from Alexander's Bactrian wife Roxane, to his mother Olympias or one of his generals.
Experts say the chances of Alexander himself being buried there are small, however.
After his death at 32 in Babylon, the most celebrated conqueror of the ancient world is believed to have been buried in Alexandria, the Egyptian city he founded - although no grave has ever been found there."
Labels: ancient history, archeology, cool, Greece
