Archaeologica.org

Findings made archeologists conclude that Moscow was once the ancient feudal city and could be much older that a thousand years. Another proof of this hypothesis is a vast collection of coins, some of which are as old as the Roman empire.

THis is from the article on Moscow posted today by Michelle on Archaeologica News.

I was thinking about how much archaeology or history is hidden under modern cities. Of course nowadays in many cities in Europe, any new construction is preceded by an archaeological dig lest some ancient history be lost.

It is a truism that major cities are built on sites previously located and developed due to their desirability on account of
defensibility, access to water for drinking, transportation or agriculture, being along a trade route, etc.. In the United States, most major cities are built on sites of former Indian towns.

It isn't clear that the site of Moscow was inhabited in Roman times...maybe someone was collecting Roman coins at a later date. But how far could Moscow go back?

I agree Stan. Wouldn't it be neat to take a peek under Berlin, Paris, London, etc? We already know that Mexico City sits atop another culture.

Ooh - don't forget Athens. Too many to think of.

And even Rome! They recently discovered tombs that predate Rome in the center city. Cesar walked over tombs that were ancient when he lived!

And yet.....when they do get to dig beneath most of those sites, they do find stuff.

There was a great article in the July National Geographic:

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/ ... index.html

the excerpt doesn't do it justice, but the picture is awesome. I think these guys should get hazard pay when they wade into sewers that are as ancient as the ones these guys were in.

To an outsider, the randomness of such discoveries is shocking. But for Romans, it is quotidian. In the course of going about his business, someone somewhere bumps up against an artifact that hasn't seen the light of day for hundreds—or thousands—of years

Cool article

Yes....I'd like to see such a place.

While it is disheartening to think of the rich history that is being destroyed under our feet, there are places above the ground that are losing this battle as well

http://www.rense.com/general67/mecca.htm

The following link only gives a partial account of the article, I'm still looking for the complete text.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/mid ... 358577.ece

And in Fayoum

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/print/2006/788/hr1.htm

bandit wrote:While it is disheartening to think of the rich history that is being destroyed under our feet, there are places above the ground that are losing this battle as well

http://www.rense.com/general67/mecca.htm

The following link only gives a partial account of the article, I'm still looking for the complete text.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/mid ... 358577.ece

The motive behind the destruction is the Wahhabists' fanatical fear that places of historical and religious interest could give rise to idolatry or polytheism, the worship of multiple and potentially equal gods.

Given what has happened to christianity, they have a point.

Better to ignore all gods and goddesses but I guess they can't bring themselves to do that.

I think polytheism is a pretty good idea. To each his own!

Animism too....everything has a spirit.

Maybe a reversion to these old forms might promote more tolerance.

About the cities - York in England is a great example - successive occupation by early Britons, Romans, Vikings (Jorvik) and Normans. They have opened up an ambitious interpretive centre complete down to the bad smells apparently!

I love York. One of England's most beautiful places.
When I was there thirty years ago they were reinforcing the foundations of the cathedral, but the archaeologists were down in the hole just ahead of the concrete pourers, marking layers and tagging artifacts.

Never been there (never been north of Glouster - my hometown is Bristol). York is close to the top of my "must see before I croak" list though.