South American Nazi Escape in Argentina Stumbled on in an Archaeological Jungle

""A new discovery suggests the Nazis made it further into the jungles of South America than previously realized. A team of Argentine archaeologists say they've stumbled upon a secret German lair built by the Nazis during the Second World War.

As the Clarin newspaper is reporting, archaeologists from the University of Buenos Aires have discovered the remains of three buildings in Teyu Cuare provincial park in northern Argentina. The structures were found alongside five German coins produced between 1938 and 1941, and a fragment of a porcelain plate bearing the inscription "Made in Germany." Intriguingly, the archaeologists also found Nazi symbols, inclueding the swastika, carved onto the structure's walls.

Though more work is needed to confirm the finding, the archaeologists speculate that the buildings, located near the Paraguayan border, were intended to house high-ranking Nazis looking to escape prosecution after the Second World War.

One of the buildings appears to be a look-out tower, while the other two may have been intended for housing and storage. The site also features a number of apparent escape points. The archaeologists describe it as a protected, dependable site where the Nazis could live quietly.

"We can find no other explanation as to why anyone would build these structures, at such great effort and expense, in a site which at that time was totally inaccessible, away from the local community, with material which is not typical of the regional architecture," lead researcher Daniel Schavelzon told Clarin. "Apparently, halfway through World War II, the Nazis had a secret project of building shelters for top leaders in the event of defeat — inaccessible sites, in the middle of deserts, in the mountains, on a cliff or in the middle of the jungle like this.""

http://io9.com/a-secret-nazi-hideout-may-have-been-discovered-in-an-ar-1693066174

Seven Exciting Month of March 2015 Archaeological Discoveries

When they aren't digging up ancient graves or unearthing the body parts of early human ancestors, archaeologists are combing the Earth for clues about how the people who came before us lived, worked, played, and died.

This month, researchers in South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East have found evidence of everything from secret fortresses to the capitals of vanished civilizations, entire underground cities, and even ancient recipes.

Together, the findings provide a fascinating look into the thriving communities that preceded us.

The corner of a lost civilization found deep in the Honduran rain forest

Some 1,000 years ago in the middle of Honduras, a thriving populace once built giant statues, homes, and even a complex network of irrigation channels and reservoirs.

The flourishing enclave, uncovered using laser scanning technology by a team of researchers from the University of Houston, was likely part of a network of other dwellings throughout this part of the Honduran rain forest. Together, these sites would have formed an active community that bustled with hundred of people long before the arrival of European explorers.

So far, the researchers have already found evidence of the tips of more than 50 objects, including giant stones possibly used for construction purposes, the head of a large statue resembling a combination of a werewolf and a jaguar, stone seats for ceremonies, and containers that had been intricately etched with the figures of vultures and snakes. They estimate the community was active in sometime between A.D. 1000 and A.D. 1400.

A secret fortress of Genghis Khan found in southwest Mongolia

Genghis Khan's Mongolian Empire, the largest of its kind in history, stretched from the Sea of Japan to as far west as Arabia and from Siberia to as far south as India and Iran.

How did he come to control such a vast domain?

A team of archaeologists recently uncovered a clue that may help answer that question: A secret fortress that may have been used to help expand the empire during its westward march toward Europe.

The large fortress, located near what was once rich farmland and key parts of the silk trade route, would have played a key role in providing supplies and carrying information to the Mongolian army as they expanded west.

Inside the fortress, which measures about the size of three football fields and was likely built in 1212, researchers uncovered a vast array of Chinese pottery, wood fragments, and animal bones.

The oldest-ever-preserved beer from an 1840s shipwreck.

Ever wonder what a bottle of 170-year-old beer would smell like?
Thanks to the recent discovery of a shipwreck off the coast of Finland, you don't have to keep guessing.

A team of researchers uncorked two bottles of the 19th-century-brew in early March, unleashing powerful odors of cabbage, burnt rubber, over-ripe cheese, and sulfur. When chemists analyzed the bottles' contents, they found the cause of the stench: bacteria that had likely been growing inside the bottles for decades, taking over any malty, beer-like smells they may once have had.

Bacteria aside, the beer probably tasted much like the beers we drink today, according to the researchers' chemical analysis of its other ingredients. Both brews were produced with hops but had a bit more of a rose-flavoring compound than we might be used to.

An ancient Celtic prince unearthed from his lavish tomb

More Archaeological Discoveries:

http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Archaeology-has-had-an-amazing-month-Here-are-7-6145808.php

Anti-Pirate Roman Military Fort Oldest Ever Discovered

""Researchers at a site near Italy's northeastern border with Slovenia have discovered the hidden remains of the oldest known fort from ancient Rome. The site, which is in San Rocco, in the Trieste province, is the only Roman fortress discovered in Italy, and it may have been built to defend against people from the north, whom the Romans called "pirates."

The findings are described in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and the researchers believe the fort could explain the Roman army's rise in power. The team believes the hilltop fort, which spans 32 acres, was built in 178 B.C.E., which dates it back several decades further than previously discovered Roman forts. They made the impressive find using Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) scanners from a helicopter over the area, as well as ground radar techniques.

Researchers believe the "pirates" in question were the Histri, who controlled the Istrian peninsula, Ancient Origins explains. The site includes a main camp and two smaller camps, and the researchers believe the camps were used until the foundation of Tergeste, which would eventually become the modern Trieste.

Now that the radar has located the site, scientists are planning a full-scale archaeological excavation at the fort. The fort could provide important clues about the Roman Republic's military as well as Trieste's founding."" Meghan DeMaria

http://theweek.com/speedreads/544921/researchers-discover-oldest-known-roman-military-fort--built-fend-pirates

Ancient Archaeological Excavation Find Unveils Tomb in Luxor Dating 3000 Years During Kingdom's 18th Dynasty

""Egypt's antiquities ministry announced on Tuesday the discovery of the tomb of Amenhotep, guard of the temple of Egyptian diety Anun, in the city of Luxor. The tomb, believed to be 3,000 years old, would date to the New Kingdom's 18th dynasty.

The tomb was found about 700 kilometers south of Cairo in the city of Luxor by a team of American archaeologists with the American Research Center, along with an Egyptian inspectors team. The Minister of Antiquities, Mamdouh el-Damaty said in a statement, "The tomb contains many stunning scenes with bright colours painted on plaster."

Photographs distributed by the ministry show a T-shaped tomb with bright green and brown paintings with hieroglyphics. The scenes depict the tomb owner and his wife in front of an offering table, as well as paintings showing everyday life, such as hunting.

But sadly, the tomb of the temple guard was found to have been vandalized for unknown reasons. The tomb "was deliberately damaged in ancient times," said Sultan Eid, the ministry's general director for the Upper Egypt region.

Eid added, "The name and titles of the tomb owner, some hieroglyphic texts and scenes in addition to the names of the god Amun were deliberately erased." The scratching out of the name of the god, Amun probably occurred during the religious revolution under the rule of the Pharaoh Akhenaton, said Eid.

Luxor was the capital of the New Kingdom

Luxor was the ancient city of Thebes and the "glorious city" of the god Amon-Ra during the New Kingdom's 18th dynasty. Thebes grew in importance as a center for arts, religion and political influence as early as the 11th dynasty, dating to 2100 BC. Later, pharaohs of the New Kingdom further added to the wealth and influence of Thebes when they led expeditions to Canaan, and Kush, now northern Sudan.""

Antiquities Ministry Announcment

http://www.digitaljournal.com/science/archaeologists-find-3-000-year-old-tomb-in-luxor/article/427489