A ROMAN coin unearthed in the Chorley countryside could supply further evidence to support the theory of local historians that a Roman road ran through the area.
Members of Chorley and District Historical and Archaeological Society, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, are trying to pinpoint that road.
Jack Smith, secretary of the society, said: "Any Roman material that comes up is of importance, especially when you are trying to pinpoint a Roman road through the Chorley district.
That's kind of interesting. It's possible that looking at topographic maps or aerial photos could give a glimpse of the former road, since it is often the case that old structures are often reused over time, and landforms, while covered up by later growth of building, can still be visible.
Fight! Fight! Alexander the Great's Death Debated
What killed ancient world conqueror Alexander the Great is still a mystery, pitting scientists who favor West Nile virus against those who lean toward a death from typhoid.
History says that Alexander, king of Macedonia, died at 32 in 323 B.C. after several days of fever in Babylon. However, the cause of the fever was always unclear.
Several hypotheses have been advanced: poisoning, malaria, or cirrhosis of the liver caused by Alexander's penchant for drink, as well as typhoid or west Nile virus.
The dispute resurfaced in the July issue of "Emerging Infectious Diseases," published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which published several arguments disputing the West Nile virus theory.
Okay, not that much of a fight. We are doubtful a reasonable cause of death will ever be determined in the absence of a body. Even with a body it can be an iffy proposition.
Antiquities Market update Guatemala jails three antiquities smugglers
Following a remarkable trial, full of intrigue, shifting allegiances and witness intimidation, three members of the same family, Salvador Coy Bol, Ciriaco Coy Cabnal and Publio Paau Coc are now serving sentences in a Guatemalan jail after being convicted them of stealing an eighth-century Mayan altar from an archaeological site and then threatening to kill anyone who told the authorities. The trial was Guatemala’s first criminal prosecution of antiquities thieves and the first of its kind in Latin America. Archaeologists and prosecutors hope the verdict and the prison sentences for the three men will have a powerful deterrent effect on the looting of the country’s many Mayan sites.
Odd artifacts Ancient tools found at Granite Falls site
Archaeologists have unearthed ancient tools on the site of a planned $18 million bypass around downtown Granite Falls.
The carved stones were found during a routine environmental study and likely won't affect the road's construction, which is scheduled to start in 2007, Snohomish County Public Works officials said.
As if the short skirts didn't do it. . . Skaters Provoke Puritan Wrath
Residents whose Puritan forebears are buried in what is now the last remaining section of Worcester's historic Common are outraged over a city plan to build a skating rink on part of the site, saying it violates a century-old promise to maintain the land with "respect and dignity."
Civic leaders envisioned the open rink as the centerpiece of a two-year, $5 million overhaul of the park that began in May. But members of the First Congregational Church asked the state Historical Commission to revoke its approval of the project after workers recently uncovered headstones.
Everyone else has it, why not us 2,200-year-old human skeleton found
A 2,200-year-old human skeleton has been discovered by construction labourers while working on the sewage system in an area in eastern Bahrain, the police said yesterday.
Preliminary tests conducted by security officials showed that the remains - believed to be those of a male - dated back to the Tylos era.
Workers from Downtown Construction discovered the human remains while digging behind a primary school in Karzakan on Sunday. They informed police who took a piece of the skeleton for further analysis.
We don't see much of interest here, but there it is anyway.