Archaeology News: Ancient Greco-Roman cemetery unearthed at archaeological site in Egypt's Nile Delta

Ancient Greco-Roman cemetery unearthed at archaeological site in Egypt's Nile Delta

Several painted plaster and barrel-shaped pottery coffin, among those most common coffin types in the Ptolemaic period,  were also found at the site.

By Miriam-Sela Eitam, Jerusalem Post, June 13, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-899220

Ancient remains and artifacts discovered at Greco-Roman cemetery in northern Egypt, June 5, 2026.

(photo credit: EGYPTIAN TOURISM AND ANTIQUITIES MINISTRY)

An ancient Greco-Roman cemetery was discovered at the Tel Kom Aziza archaeological site in Beheira Governorate in northern Egypt, the Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry announced last week.

Excavation of the site revealed multiple different types of burial, from simple burial pits where the deceased were directly interred in the soil to those with frames made from mud bricks.

Several painted plaster and barrel-shaped pottery coffin, among those most common coffin types in the Ptolemaic period,  were also found at the site.

Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities noted that the burial orientations didn’t only vary in method, but it in position as well. 

 Orientation of the burials varied between north–south and east–west axis, Leithy explained, adding that the hand positions of the deceased differed between folded or crossed over the pelvis, around the neck, in the distinctive Osirian position with arms crossed over the chest, or straight alongside the thighs.

Human remains unearthed at Greco-Roman cemetery in northern Egypt, June 5, 2026. (credit: EGYPTIAN TOURISM AND ANTIQUITIES MINISTRY)

Additionally, complete burials of wild boars were found at the site - a rare discovery in ancient Egyptian funerary sites given the animal’s association with the deity Set.

Older artifacts found at the site also show the cemetery had been built above older settlement levels, with finds dating back to Egypt’s Old Kingdom, New Kingdom, the Late Period, all the way into the Greek and Roman eras.

Such artifacts included pottery and stone vessels used in daily life, bread Molds, multi-purpose stone tools, a collection of ovens and storage vessels, as well as a large quantities of fish, bird, and animal bones.

Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities said that the excavations represents a “multi-period archaeological site, that witnessed settlement and habitation activities since the earliest phases of ancient Egyptian history, before transitioning in later periods into an area of intensive funerary activity.”

Further, the site serves as a “comprehensive archaeological record documenting diverse patterns of human interaction with the surrounding environment across successive historical eras,” according to Badie.

“This new archaeological discovery reflects the great importance of the Tel Kom Aziza site as one of the most promising archaeological sites in the Delta region,” said Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy.

Its significance, he noted, is not limited to the discovered funerary remains alone, but also provides a comprehensive picture of the evolution of settlement patterns, daily life, and human-environment interaction across thousands of years.

Ancient Egyptian tombs, coffins discovered at Luxor necropolis site

In May, archaeological excavations at a necropolis on the Nile River’s west bank have uncovered a plethora of previously unrecorded individuals and ancient Egyptian artifacts, the Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry announced on Friday.

The excavations, which began in November 2025, are taking place in the area of Draʻ Abu el-Naga’s necropolis, located on the Luxor West Bank in Egypt.

It has been focused on the southeastern part of the tomb of Roy, an 18th Dynasty royal scribe and his wife, which has been covered in debris from archaeological missions from over a century ago.

In the courtyard between the tomb of Roy and the nearby tomb of Baki, archaeologists have discovered a collection of 10 wooden coffins hidden within a burial shaft. All 10 were found to be in good condition, bearing a variety of scenes and texts.

According to preliminary studies, four of the coffins date to the 18th Dynasty, including one bearing the name of Merit, believed to be a enchantress of Amun.

A second coffin, dating to the Ramesside period (the 19th and 20th Dynasty periods), bears the name Padi-Amun (“he who Amun gave”), who was a priest in the Temple of Amun.

The remaining coffins dated to the Late Period of Egypt, circa 664–332 BCE, which encompassed the 26th-31st dynasties.

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

Defense News: Rafael unveils Hunter Eagle, a hit‑to‑kill interceptor for the low‑altitude drone fight

Rafael unveils Hunter Eagle, a hit‑to‑kill interceptor for the low‑altitude drone fight

The VTOL interceptor carries no warhead, and if the mission is aborted it can return to its launch point and land vertically-ready for the next mission

By Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-899330

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' Hunter Eagle counter-UAS system (photo credit: RAFAEL ADVANCED SYSTEMS)

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has introduced Hunter Eagle, a compact kinetic interceptor designed to counter the rapidly expanding threat of low‑altitude unmanned aircraft on the modern battlefield. First shown publicly at Defence Security and Equipment International  (DSEI) 2025 and now presented in its serial configuration at ILA Berlin 2026, the system marks an expansion of Rafael’s layered counter‑UAS (C‑UAS) portfolio.

Low‑altitude drones (those that range from hobby‑class quadcopters to larger Group 3 platforms) have become one of the most disruptive technologies on the modern battlefield. Their ability to fly low, evade radar, and deliver precision‑guided or improvised munitions has forced militaries to rethink air defense from the ground up. The proliferation of cheap, expendable drones has also overwhelmed traditional point‑defense systems, creating demand for interceptors that are fast, precise, and cost‑effective.

IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon have been facing low-altitude drones launched by the Lebanese Shia terror group Hezbollah, with over a dozen soldiers and reservists killed and numerous more wounded. 

Israel’s Defense Ministry, through MAFAT and the defense-tech ecosystem, has been rushing to find solutions to the threat and Hunter Eagle is Rafael’s answer to that challenge.

Hezbollah FPV drone strikes IDF troops in southern Lebanon (credit: SCREENSHOT/X)

A compact, reusable hard‑kill interceptor

The interceptor is a vertical‑takeoff‑and‑landing (VTOL) drone standing roughly 0.4 to 0.5 meters tall and weighing between 5 and 10 kilograms. Its cylindrical fuselage houses an electro‑optical seeker, while cruciform wings carry electric motors with three‑blade propellers at each tip. The design allows for rapid vertical launch from a four‑legged ground support unit, followed by autonomous terminal guidance once the seeker locks onto the target.

Unlike loitering munitions or explosive‑laden interceptors, Hunter Eagle uses a pure hit‑to‑kill mechanism. It carries no warhead, eliminating the risk of collateral damage-an increasingly important requirement as drone engagements shift closer to urban areas, critical infrastructure, and friendly forces. If it misses or the mission is aborted, the interceptor can return to its launch point and land vertically, ready for re‑tasking.

The system can be deployed as a single interceptor or launched in coordinated swarms to counter multiple simultaneous threats. It is engineered to engage Group 1 through Group 3 unmanned aerial systems, covering the spectrum from small quadcopters to larger fixed‑wing drones commonly used for reconnaissance, strike missions, and kamikaze attacks like those seen in Lebanon.

The system integrates into Rafael’s broader Drone Dome suite, extending the company’s detection‑classification‑neutralization chain into a hardened kinetic layer. Drone Dome includes electronic‑warfare and directed‑energy effectors, while Hunter Eagle adds a reusable hard‑kill option for drones that are resistant to jamming or require physical destruction.

A response to the low‑altitude threat environment

According to Rafael, the company developed Hunter Eagle under a new internal directorate focused specifically on low‑altitude threats – a domain that has grown in importance as state and non‑state actors adopt drones for surveillance, targeting, and precision attack. Conflicts in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the Caucasus have demonstrated that small UAS can strike armored vehicles, artillery positions, and logistics nodes with minimal warning.

Hezbollah’s fiber‑optic drones have emerged as one of the most challenging threats on the northern front. Unlike traditional UAVs, these systems are physically tethered to their operators, making them effectively immune to electronic warfare and jamming. Their low cost, often under $1,000, enables mass deployment by Hezbollah, and their onboard autonomy allows them to navigate and target with minimal external guidance. 

The company positions Hunter Eagle as a mature, near‑term solution, with delivery readiness targeted for 2026.

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

Archaeology News: Marble bust believed to depict Roman goddess of love found during excavations at Alicante beach

Marble bust believed to depict Roman goddess of love found during excavations at Alicante beach

Archaeologists have also uncovered the foundations of houses and rooms belonging to a Roman villa used between the 3rd century BCE and the 4th century CE.

By Miriam Sela-Eitam, Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-899027

Marble bust believed to depict the Roman goddess of love Venus found on a beach in Alicante, Spain, June 10, 2026. 

(photo credit: Alicante City Council)

A marble bust believed to depict the Roman goddess Venus was discovered during redevelopment work happening at the La Almadraba beach in Spain, the Alicante City Council announced in late May.

Venus, and her Greek counterpart Aphrodite, is often regarded in mythology as the “mother” of Rome - having been cast as the mother of the Trojan hero Aeneas, depicted by Virgil as the ancestor of Romulus and Remus who founded Rome.

Featuring a Hellenistic-inspired hairstyle, with wavy hair that is drawn back with a middle part, the bust aligns with the classical depiction of Venus, explained José Manuel Pérez Burgo, head of Integral Heritage at Alicante City Council.

"The chronology,” said Burgo, “therefore, pending a more exhaustive report, both in terms of style and context, would place it between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.”

The bust also appears similar to sculptures commonly displayed on plinths in the homes of ancient Rome’s upper class, explained Alicante Culture Counciller Nayma Beldjilali.

It is a “Roman head of great artistic quality and in an excellent state of preservation which, according to the specialists,” Beldjilali added, emphasizing the importance of the discovery as one of the “most important finds of a Roman sculpture in the entire history of Alicante and its province."

Roman villa also found nearby 

Archaeological surveys of the area have been carried out since 2009 as part of La Almadraba’s redevelopment project, the council explained in its statement.

During the surveys, archaeologists have uncovered the foundations of houses and rooms belonging to a Roman villa used between the 3rd century BCE and the 4th century CE.

Well-preserved pottery shards and Roman coins were also found alongside the ancient villa’s foundations.

Further excavation and analysis is still being finalized by the company Arpa Patrimonio, under the supervision of the municipality’s Integrated Heritage department.

Several Greek, Roman statues discovered internationally 

Several statues and depictions of Venus (or Aphrodite) and other dieties from the Greek and Roman pantheons have been discovered recently worldwide.

Last week, Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Ministry announced that it had unearthed a similar marble head belonging to a statue of Aphrodite during excavations in Ihnasya Al Madinah.

Ihnasya, also known by its Greek name Heracleopolis (“City of Heracles”) served in antiquity as the capital of Upper Egypt’s 20th name.

Like the bust discovered in Alicante, the marble head found in Egypt had a curly hair style and facial features reminiscent of those to depict deities and prominent figures.

In early May, archaeologists in Egypt’s Alexandria discovered several statues of Greek and Roman dieties, including Bacchus (Roman god of wine and revelry), Asclepius (Greek god of medicine), and a headless statue believed to depict the Roman wisdom goddess Minerva.

The statues were found among several other artifacts, including coins, lamps, pottery vessels, and amphorae fragments, unearthed at the site.

Similarly, in April, a statue of Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom, was during excavations in the ancient city of Laodicea on the Lycus near Denizli.

Standing at approximately two meters tall and missing its head, the statue was found lying face down in rubble along the postskene (exterior facade) of Laodicea’s Western Theatre’s stage building.

Made entirely of white marble, Athena is depicted as wearing a sleeveless peplos garment and a cape (“hylamis”) around her neck. Across her chest is the famed aegis, displaying the snake-covered head of Medusa.

Based on the statue's artistic style, archaeologists have dated it to the reign of the first Roman Emperor Augustus, who ruled between 27 BCE and 14 CE.

While the back of the statue is thought to have been left rough and unpolished due to the statue’s placement between the theater’s columns, the artistry put into Athena’s garments points towards the hands of a skilled sculptor.

Roman discovery at La Almadraba (Alicante): 1st-2nd century bust of Venus | AlacantíTV

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

Defense News: Analysis | A New Era at Sea: Autonomous Vessel Conducts First Combat Pilot Rescue

 Analysis | A New Era at Sea: Autonomous Vessel Conducts First Combat Pilot Rescue

The rescue was carried out as part of an operation by Task Force 59, an innovative U.S. Navy unit established to integrate unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into maritime operational activities

By Yotam Gutman, Isrealdefense.co.il, 14/06/2026

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/69355

Corsair is a 24' Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) capable of carrying up to 1,000 lbs over 1,000 NM. Corsair stands ready to deliver multi-mission capabilities rapidly and at scale around the world.

For decades, combat search and rescue missions were considered one of the most dangerous fields in the military domain. Rescue helicopters, commando forces, escort aircraft, and medical teams operated under fire to save pilots or soldiers who had fallen in enemy territory or crashed into the sea during routine or operational activity. But this week, a historic moment was recorded: for the first time in the world, an unmanned surface vessel (USV) carried out an actual extraction of military personnel under combat conditions.

The incident took place near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most tense regions in the world from a security perspective. An American Apache helicopter crashed during operational activity, and two crew members remained in the water for about two hours. Instead of sending a manned vessel into the dangerous area, the U.S. Navy deployed the Corsair, an autonomous USV developed by Saronic Technologies.

The Corsair is a vessel approximately 7 meters long, capable of moving at high speed and operating over hundreds of nautical miles without a human crew on board. It is equipped with autonomous navigation systems, cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence that enable it to operate even in complex maritime environments. During the mission, it reached the crash site, located the crew members, retrieved them from the water, and transported them to an extraction point where a rescue helicopter was waiting.

The crew members were lifted into the helicopter and flown from there to an undisclosed destination – either a U.S. Navy vessel or an American base in the region. It is possible that the use of a USV was intended to reduce the risk to additional aircraft or vessels during the rescue mission, and if so, it fulfilled its role precisely, demonstrating one of the most significant capabilities of remotely operated systems.

The rescue was carried out as part of the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 59, an innovative unit established to integrate unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into maritime operations. The force operates primarily in the Middle East and focuses on deploying fleets of autonomous vessels, drones, and sensors for surveillance, intelligence, and maritime defense. In recent years, Task Force 59 has become the Navy’s main operational laboratory for maritime autonomy.

But this rescue is only the beginning. In recent years, the U.S. Navy has invested billions of dollars in developing a new generation of USVs – some small and fast, others the size of actual warships. In May, Saronic Technologies unveiled the Marauder, a new medium-sized USV designed for long-range missions, convoy escort, electronic warfare, and even weapons deployment. At the same time, the Navy is exploring the operation of a hybrid fleet concept in which unmanned vessels operate alongside manned ships.

The Marauder is a 180' Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) designed to host and deliver significant capabilities across complex maritime environments. Capable of carrying up to 150MT in four 40' ISO containers, eight 20' ISO containers, or other modular payload configurations, Marauder is Saronic's premier platform for logistics and at-sea payload deployment.

According to U.S. Navy assessments, within a few years dozens or even hundreds of autonomous vessels will be deployed in regions such as the Persian Gulf, the South China Sea, and the Mediterranean. The key advantage is clear: a USV can be sent into a dangerous area without risking human life, while enabling continuous and more cost-efficient operations than manned vessels.

The incident in the Strait of Hormuz illustrates how warfare is undergoing a transformation. If in the past unmanned systems were mainly used for intelligence gathering or strikes, they are now beginning to take part in missions once considered entirely human, including rescue under fire.

The moment a robotic vessel rescued American pilots from the sea may be remembered as the point at which USVs ceased to be experimental technology, and became an integral part of the modern battlefield.

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