Archaeology News: Egypt exhibits rare artifact from King Tut's tomb, two restored New Kingdom tombs in Luxor

Egypt exhibits rare artifact from King Tut's tomb, two restored New Kingdom tombs in Luxor

The tombs that were opened are those of Rabuya and his son Samut from the 18th Dynasty, the first of the New Kingdom dynasties. Rabuya and Samut served as door keepers of the deity Amun.

By Reuters, May 15, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-896312

Ancient Egyptian paintings adorn the newly restored tomb wall, inside the recently restored ancient "Samut" in the El-Khokha 

necropolis on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor, Egypt, May 14, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY)

Egyptian authorities on Thursday exhibited a plaster blocking wall of King Tutankhamun's tomb in Luxor and unveiled two restored ancient tombs on the West Bank of the city that date back to the New Kingdom and contain scenes of daily life and funerary rituals.

Abdelghaffar Wagdy, director-general of Luxor Antiquities, said the wall is a unique artifact that has never been replicated in Egypt or anywhere else in the world, because almost all Pharaonic tombs were looted.

"Therefore, it is a one-of-a-kind artifact — the only one currently on display more than 100 years after the discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb," he said at an exhibition in Luxor. "It is the only surviving artifact of Tutankhamun that the world had never seen before. Recently, an Egyptian team reconstructed it."

"Therefore, it is a one-of-a-kind artifact — the only one currently on display more than 100 years after the discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb," he said at an exhibition in Luxor. "It is the only surviving artifact of Tutankhamun that the world had never seen before. Recently, an Egyptian team reconstructed it."

The original plaster blocking wall of the tomb of King Tutankhamun is considered among the most prominent elements associated with the sealing of the tomb discovered in 1922 by the British archaeologist Howard Carter, said the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The wall, displayed to the public for the first time at the Luxor Museum, was used to secure the entrances of the burial chamber and bore official stamps reflecting funerary rituals and the administrative authority associated with the king's burial, said the ministry.

The recently restored ancient ''Samut'' (TT417) and ''Amenhotep Rabuia'' (TT416) outside in the El-Khokha necropolis on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor, Egypt, May 14, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY)

The wall bears seals belonging to Tutankhamun as well as those of the necropolis guards charged with keeping the tombs safe and protecting them from theft, Wagdy said.

The West Bank of the River Nile at Luxor is home to the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs and nobles of the New Kingdom were buried in tombs carved into the rock.

Among the many New Kingdom pharaohs buried there was Tutankhamun - popularly known as King Tut - whose 14th-century BCE tomb and its full contents were unearthed in 1922.

Egypt restores, opens tombs discovered in 2015

The tombs that were opened are those of Rabuya and his son Samut from the 18th Dynasty, the first of the New Kingdom dynasties. Rabuya and Samut served as door keepers of the deity Amun, the ministry said.

"Today we are inaugurating two very important tombs that were discovered by chance in 2015," said Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The tombs contain scenes of activities including agriculture, harvest, crafts, bread, pottery and wine production.

Egypt unveils rare King Tutankhamun artefact in Luxor

THIS PAGE WAS POSTED BY SPUTNIK ONE OF THE SPUTNIKS ORBIT BLOGhttps://disqus.com/HOME/FORUM/THESPUTNIKSORBIT-BLOGSPOT-COM

Archaeology News: Nearly 2,000-year-old 'souvenir cup' found in Spain names Hadrian's Wall's eastern forts - study

Nearly 2,000-year-old 'souvenir cup' found in Spain names Hadrian's Wall's eastern forts - study

The cup is decorated with red, green, turquoise, and blue enamel, all arranged in geometric patterns, including fish scales and tower motifs that are believed to represent the wall itself.

By Miriam Sela-Eitam, Jerusalem Post, May 7, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-895387

3D reconstruction of the Berlanga Cup. 

(photo credit: Institutional Delegation of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Andalusia)

A bronze cup dated to the second century CE found near Berlanga de Duero, Spain may have been a souvenir brought to the region by a Roman soldier who'd served at Hadrian's Wall, according to a new study published in the journal Britannia. 

The cup, named the "Berlanga Cup” after the nearby town, is one of five similar vessels - themselves coined "Hadrian’s Wall Cups” - and is the first one to feature inscriptions of the eastern forts and military camps stationed along the wall.

"The 'Berlanga Cup' is exceptional not only because it is one of the best-preserved 'Wall cups'," said Susana de Luis Mariño of the National Archaeological Museum. "But because it is the only one bearing inscriptions referring to military camps in the eastern section of the Wall: Cilurnum [Chesters], Onno [Halton Chesters], Vindobala [Rudchester], and Condercum [Benwell]."

The cup is decorated with red, green, turquoise, and blue enamel, all arranged in geometric patterns, including fish scales and tower motifs that are believed to represent Hadrian's Wall itself.

Chemical analysis of the metal, carried out using portable X-ray fluorescence and lead isotope testing at Durham University, showed that the cup was made up of a bronze alloy mixed with zinc and lead, most likely from mines located in northern England or Wales.

Ruins of Hadrian's Wall, England. Photo taken April 8, 1978. (credit: Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)

Cup may have belonged to Hispanic Roman soldier

"The craftsmanship and materials used in these cups tell us they were prestige objects, most likely made to order as gifts or awards for the military elite who had served on Hadrian's Wall, the most distant frontier of the empire," explained Jesús García Sánchez, researcher at the Institute of Archaeology of Mérida (IAM).

"In fact," he added, "Most researchers, ourselves included, agree in interpreting them as a souvenir or memento of the Wall.”

According to the study, the cup is believed to have most likely belonged to a member of the Cohors I Celtiberorum, a Roman auxiliary regiment recruited from the Celtiberian (north-central) region of Spain, who served at Hadrian's Wall during the second century. 

Additionally, an archaeological survey carried out on the field where the cup was found using ground-penetrating radar revealed the remains of a Roman settlement dating to the first to fourth centuries CE - which may have been the home of the cup's owner.

The "Berlanga Cup" are now being held at the Numantine Museum of Soria in Spain.

2,000-Year-Old Roman Treasure Found in Spain Shocks Historians Worldwide

THIS PAGE WAS POSTED BY SPUTNIK ONE OF THE SPUTNIKS ORBIT BLOGhttps://disqus.com/HOME/FORUM/THESPUTNIKSORBIT-BLOGSPOT-COM

Defense News: IDF Deploys New Drone Interception System as Hezbollah Expands FPV Threat

 IDF Deploys New Drone Interception System as Hezbollah Expands FPV Threat

Net-based autonomous interceptor tested amid Hezbollah’s growing use of fiber-optic FPV drones and intelligence warnings of an evolving low-cost aerial warfare campaign.

By Mandi Kogosowski, israeldefense.co, 04/05/2026

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/68844

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have begun deploying a new autonomous counter-drone system in southern Lebanon designed to intercept Hezbollah’s growing use of fiber-optic FPV explosive drones, according to Israeli media reports.

According to Ynet, the system, known as the Iron Drone Raider, is currently being used on a trial basis and has so far not demonstrated significant operational success. IDF sources cited by the outlet said the system had previously been tested about a year ago but did not achieve reliable detection performance.

Haaretz reported that the system, developed by Aerobotics (a subsidiary of Ondas Holdings), integrates radar-based detection with autonomous interceptor drones. Once a hostile drone is identified, an interceptor launches from a ground pod, tracks the target using radar and computer vision, and either follows it or deploys a net to physically capture it. The captured drone is then lowered by parachute to reduce the risk of detonation.

The system is designed specifically to counter fiber-optic-controlled FPV drones, which are increasingly used because they are resistant to electronic warfare jamming. However, IDF sources cited by Haaretz acknowledged that Israel was not fully prepared for the scale of Hezbollah’s drone campaign, noting that existing systems “do not provide a comprehensive solution” and are not available in sufficient quantities.

The deployment comes amid continued casualties from Hezbollah drone attacks, including recent incidents in which two soldiers and a Defense Ministry contractor were killed and more than 15 others wounded. The drones are also increasingly assessed to be used for psychological impact, exploiting gaps in current air defense coverage.

Alongside the operational deployment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that he had ordered the establishment of a “special project” to counter the drone threat. “It will take time, but we are on it,” he said.

Netanyahu also announced that Israel plans to invest approximately 350 billion NIS (around $100–120 billion) over the next decade in domestic defense production and military capabilities, including advanced aerial systems and munitions development.

A separate assessment by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center provides broader context for the escalation, describing a significant expansion in Hezbollah’s use of FPV drones since March 2026. According to the report, fiber-optic FPV systems – capable of precise strikes over long distances and resistant to electronic jamming – have become a central component of Hezbollah’s battlefield doctrine.

The assessment notes that Hezbollah initially employed FPV drones in limited form during the 2023–2024 conflict with Israel, primarily targeting IDF outposts and surveillance infrastructure along the border. However, since renewed escalation, the group has carried out dozens of attacks using these systems, particularly against IDF positions in southern Lebanon.

The report further highlights Hezbollah’s decentralized production model, with workshops in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley assembling drones from commercial components at low cost, alongside smuggled shipments in the thousands. It also points to growing Iranian-linked knowledge transfer and battlefield learning from conflicts in Syria and the Russia–Ukraine war.

Beyond their tactical role, the report emphasizes the integration of FPV drone attacks into Hezbollah’s psychological warfare strategy, including amplification of Israeli media coverage to reinforce perceptions of vulnerability and technological erosion.

According to the assessment, Hezbollah has also developed fiber-optic variants capable of penetrating up to 15 kilometers into Israeli territory, suggesting continued expansion of both range and sophistication.

Iron Drone Raider System

Check out https://www.airoboticsdrones.com/iron-drone/ for more details on the system

THIS PAGE WAS POSTED BY SPUTNIK ONE OF THE SPUTNIKS ORBIT BLOGhttps://disqus.com/HOME/FORUM/THESPUTNIKSORBIT-BLOGSPOT-COM

Defense News: IDF uses Ro'em self-propelled howitzer artillery for first time in southern Lebanon

 IDF uses Ro'em self-propelled howitzer artillery for first time in southern Lebanon

The firing was declared an operational success and even served as a basis for developing new artillery fire responses while fighting, the military wrote in a press release.

By Jerusalem Post Staff, April 17, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-893333

IDF operates its domestically produced Ro'em self-propelled howitzer for the first time in southern Lebanon in April 2026.(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

The IDF has operated its domestically produced Ro'em self-propelled howitzer for the first time, using it in an operation in southern Lebanon, the military announced on Thursday. 

The Ro'em was used to fire at several Hezbollah anti-tank targets, which posed a threat to IDF forces. The firing was declared an operational success and even served as a basis for developing new artillery fire responses while fighting, the military wrote in a press release.

"This is a historic event," Lt. Col. B., head of the Ro'em branch in the IDF, said. "This translates to one thing: more firepower in less time, exposure, and risk to forces on the ground."

The Ro'em can be fired at a much higher rate than existing systems, at longer ranges, and even along multiple trajectories so that different shells hit the target simultaneously.

"It offers mobility, full automation, and the ability to operate as part of a maneuver deep into enemy territory. It shoots farther and more accurately, making it a true breakthrough," B said. 

Greater rate of fire with fewer crew

The system features a fully automated turret, capable of handling ammunition selection, loading, gun laying, and firing without manual intervention. This automation reduces the crew to just three soldiers, a dramatic improvement over the seven-person crew required for the M109.

Its reduced crew size helps address IDF concerns, including manpower challenges such as injuries, and its high degree of automation allows for more flexible staffing. 

The Ro’em is designed to operate as part of a fully networked battlefield, receiving fire missions directly from command-and-control systems and coordinating with sensors, drones, and other artillery units.

This connectivity shortens the sensor-to-shooter cycle and allows the IDF to deliver precise, timely fire support with minimal delay. The system’s automation also enables extremely fast shoot-and-scoot tactics, reducing exposure to enemy counter-battery fire.

THIS PAGE WAS POSTED BY SPUTNIK ONE OF THE SPUTNIKS ORBIT BLOGhttps://disqus.com/HOME/FORUM/THESPUTNIKSORBIT-BLOGSPOT-COM

Space News: Water on Mars? Scientists discover 'bathtub ring' which may reveal contours of ancient ocean

Water on Mars? Scientists discover 'bathtub ring' which may reveal contours of ancient ocean

Like Earth and the solar system's other planets, Mars formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago. Early in its history, Mars was warmer and wetter than the cold and arid place it is today.

By Reuters, April 16, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/science/space/article-893174

A "selfie" taken by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover, made up of 62 individual images, on July 23, in this image released on September 10, 2025.  (photo credit: NASA/JPL-CALTECH/MSSS/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

There is a lot of evidence from orbiting satellites and surface rovers indicating that liquid water was present long ago on the surface of Mars in the form of ponds, lakes, and rivers. But the idea that Mars once had a huge and long-lived ocean on its northern plains has remained a matter of debate.

Scientists have now detected what might be the contours of this putative ocean on Earth's planetary neighbor, using data collected by a NASA probe that orbited Mars for a decade. Their research indicates the presence of the Martian equivalent of the continental shelf that defines the boundaries of Earth's oceans.

They compared it to a huge "bathtub ring" showing where water may have once met land on Mars. Because Mars does not possess continents and lacks the geological process called plate tectonics that led to the formation of Earth's continents, the researchers are calling the Martian landforms a coastal shelf.

Like Earth and the solar system's other planets, Mars formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago. Early in its history, Mars was warmer and wetter than the cold and arid place it is today.

"The Martian ocean could have existed when the planet had an active hydrological cycle, with flowing rivers and lakes, nearly 3.7 billion years ago, and it likely disappeared as the planet became dry. Exactly where the water went remains highly debated," said University of Texas planetary scientist Abdallah Zaki, lead author of the research published on Wednesday in the journal Nature.

Mars landscape. (credit: NASA)

A coastal shelf could have formed on Mars over millions of years due to rivers dumping sand and mud into an ocean, waves spreading those sediments around, and the sea level rising and falling over time. Looking from above, the sedimentary rock making up this shelf might superficially resemble the ring that remains after a bathtub has been drained.

What is a 'bathtub ring?'

"A 'bathtub ring' on Mars means that if an ocean filled the northern lowlands, it may have left behind a shoreline, or shelf-like boundary, marking the water level," Zaki said.

"If we sent a rover, we would expect to see sedimentary rocks and structures similar to those found on Earth's continental shelves, including layering, sloping surfaces called clinoforms, and textures produced by waves and currents," Zaki said.

The researchers examined topographical data for Mars that was obtained by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and identified a band suggestive of oceanic contours. Previous research has indicated that this hypothesized ocean in the Martian northern hemisphere covered approximately a third of the planet's surface, equivalent to about 13% of the total area of Earth's oceans.

The study builds on earlier evidence of a bygone Martian ocean, including studies identifying features resembling an ancient shoreline. Ground-penetrating radar data obtained by China's Zhurong rover, described in a study published last year, detected evidence suggesting sandy beaches from a Martian shoreline now buried underground.

Scientists have also identified multiple landforms that appear to be remnants of ancient river deltas, where rivers may have flowed into a larger body of water.

"The northern ocean on Mars, if it existed, dried up a long time ago, and there have been billions of years of volcanic activity and wind abrasion on Mars, so interpreting ancient landforms is not straightforward," Caltech planetary scientist and study senior author Michael Lamb said.

"Nonetheless, our study shows some telltale signs of a coastal shelf. And the shelf occurs in the same zone as the deformed shorelines and where scientists have previously mapped river deltas and other landforms and deposits characteristic of a land-ocean transition," Lamb said.

Taken together, Lamb said, the evidence points toward a long-lived ancient ocean.

"This means that Mars once looked much more like the Earth than it does today," Lamb said.

The existence of an ocean would be an important factor in understanding whether Mars was ever able to give rise to life.

"If Mars once had an ocean covering roughly one third of the planet over geologic timescales, that would suggest that a large part of its surface had sustained water, which is a key ingredient for habitability," Zaki said.

"That does not mean Mars was inhabited, but it does suggest that potentially habitable environments may have been more widespread and longer-lived than if water had only existed briefly or locally," Zaki said.

 

THIS PAGE WAS POSTED BY SPUTNIK ONE OF THE SPUTNIKS ORBIT BLOGhttps://disqus.com/HOME/FORUM/THESPUTNIKSORBIT-BLOGSPOT-COM