CWA 82

At Pylos in Greece, archaeologists have uncovered that increasingly rare phenomenon: an untouched Bronze Age burial, replete with rich grave goods. But this Mycenaean princely tomb, discovered next to the Palace of Nestor, is causing a stir for another reason: many of the beautiful high-status burial gifts reflect the Minoan culture of the island of Crete. Why are they on mainland Greece?

Visitors to Ephesus, with its instantly recognisable Library of Celsus, are understandably attracted to its magnificent Roman remains. This month, we ask what happened as the Empire declined, investigating the Byzantine incarnation of the city to discover what life was like after the Romans.

The Amazonian rainforest is largely regarded as virgin territory, untrammelled by human activity. Yet, as forest clearance lays bare the landscape, huge manmade earthworks have appeared. Who created these strange geoglyphs, and why?

Magnificent paintings by Neolithic artists that were all but hidden from the naked eye in Portugal’s dolmens are being revealed in all their Technicolor glory, thanks to advances in photographic recording.

Look out for our CWA Photo Competition winners on p.64. We had a fantastic response this year, but it was, at times, also heartbreaking: some entries were photographs of heritage that is now lost. Such images remind us of the need to protect endangered sites around the world, be it from conflict, looting, encroaching development, neglect, or vandalism. As archaeologists, we want not only to explore our human past, but also to ensure its legacy survives for future generations. For some, that may be by photographic record alone. The Curious Travellers Project is tapping into this valuable resource, and we can all help. See our Special Report on p.11, and find out how you can be part of this amazing – and hugely important – initiative.