Bread, Wine, and Fish: How the Archaeology of Food Tells the Story of Life in Herculaneum

Pane, vino e pesce. Tutta l’archeologia del cibo racconta che vita si faceva a Ercolano: l’itinerario gratuito

The Herculaneum Archaeological Park has launched a new thematic itinerary titled "I luoghi del cibo a Ercolano" (The Places of Food in Herculaneum), offering visitors a deep dive into the gastronomic culture of the Roman city buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD. The guided path leads through ancient street food stalls known as thermopolia, specialized wine shops, and the bakery of Sextus Patulcius Felix, where stone mills and ovens remain intact. The experience extends to the Casa dei Cervi to illustrate the social rituals of elite banqueting and includes a supplementary exhibition at Villa Campolieto featuring organic remains preserved by the eruption.

Meet the maker behind iconic Pitt public art pieces in the University Art Gallery’s latest exhibit

The University of Pittsburgh's University Art Gallery presents "Earth and Ether: The Art of Lucille and Virgil Cantini," a new exhibition curated by students in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. The show features never-before-seen works uncovered in the Heinz History Museum's archives, alongside pieces from Pitt's collection and the Cantini family, highlighting the artistic partnership of Virgil Cantini—creator of iconic public art on Pitt's campus like "Skyscape" and "Man"—and his wife Lucille, a notable jewelry maker, ceramist, and enameler.

Ancient artefacts from sunken city lifted out of Mediterranean near Alexandria

Ancient artefacts from the sunken city of Canopus, submerged off the coast of Alexandria, have been recovered for the first time in 25 years. During a three-day underwater heritage event (19-21 August), archaeologists lifted limestone structures, a quartz sphinx bearing cartouches of Ramses II, and a white marble statue of a Roman nobleman from the Mediterranean. The operation was led by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, with French underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio playing a key role. The finds are now on display in the exhibition 'Secrets of the Sunken City' at the Alexandria National Museum.

Discovery of ancient Coptic city ‘enhances our understanding of early Christianity in Egypt’

Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on 24 July the discovery of an ancient Coptic city at the Ain Al-Kharab archaeological site in the Kharga Oasis, Western Desert. Dating from the third to seventh centuries, the site includes mudbrick residences, tombs, two churches (one basilica-style), and a mural of Jesus Christ healing the sick. The excavation was led by the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).

Syria, Ukraine and Gaza among countries to receive heritage funds from Aliph

ALIPH, the Geneva-based cultural heritage protection agency, has announced over $16 million in its latest funding round, with support directed to Syria, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and a new focus on climate change impacts on heritage, primarily in Africa. Nearly a third of the funding ($5 million) goes to Syria, where the newly appointed Director General of Antiquities and Museums, Dr. Anas Haj Zeidan, aims to restore sites damaged during the war under former president Bashar al-Assad. ALIPH executive director Valéry Freland reported extensive damage from 14 years of war, the 2023 earthquake, and economic crises, but noted strong local determination to rehabilitate heritage, including Palmyra. The agency also committed $9 million to address climate threats, supporting 28 projects—22 in Africa—focused on earthen architecture, sacred forests, and local knowledge preservation.