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Egyptian sacred portal, false door

Egyptian Sacred Portal

A museum’s limestone stela, which functioned as an Egyptian sacred portal or false door, hides a more complicated history than it appears, quite beyond its unusual dedication to a woman. Artifacts have both the history of their origins and the tale of their passage through the ages.

Trojan War mosaic subject, Hercules & Hippolyta, Delacroix

Roman-Era Mosaic Of Trojan War, Hercules, Neptune

In Syria, archaeologists uncovered a magnificently detailed mosaic depicting the Trojan War, Neptune and Hercules. I’m less thrilled than those quoted in the press because–well, the artist’s choice of subject does matter. But Hercules has some gorgeous muscles. Here’s my view.

King's Gate showing bronze helmet style

A Hittite Bronze Helmet

Most ancient armor comes to us via burial goods, but we have virtually no grave gifts from the Hittites, so this bronze helmet from the Hittite royal city of Sapinuwa is a big deal and lots of fun. Even more so that it matches the famous King’s Gate at Hattusa.

Immage of the Colossi of Memnon at Dazzling Aten & Amenhotep's Mortuary Temple

Dazzling Aten & Amenhotep’s Mortuary Temple

You’d think there wouldn’t be vast new archaeological discoveries in Egypt. In fact, recent years have brought to light both Amenhotep’s mortuary temple and an entire city, called Tehn Aten, or Dazzling Aten (the sun god). It’s all pretty extraordinary.

Mycenaean golden griffin

Griffin Warrior Tomb at Pylos

I’ve written before about the Griffin Warrior tomb, a fabulous unrobbed Mycenaean find at Pylos. But I can’t resist sharing this pleasant write up and photos in National Geographic. The “Griffin Warrior” tomb stands out as one of the great finds of this generation.

ruins at Hala Sultan Teke with salt lake in background

Briseis off to Cyprus? Hala Sultan Tekke Report

One of these not-so-far-off days, I’ll write the follow up book to Hand of Fire, my novel set in the Trojan War with Briseis as the main character. She might go to the island of Cyprus, perhaps even to the Bronze Age city that is now the archaeological site called Hala Sultan Tekke