The Australian Centre for Ancient Numismatic Studies at Macquarie University uses X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry to study how silver is employed for the minting of archaic Athenian coins. The research project, “A spring of silver, a treasury in the earth: coinage and wealth in archaic Athens”, was funded by the Australian Research Council from 2012 to 2014, and was concluded at the conference “Mines, Metals and Money in Attica and the Ancient World” held in Athens, Greece on 20-22 April 2015.
Tag Archives: Ancient History

A new chronology for the Ancient Near East
How do we know when things happened in the distant past? One researcher at MQ is doing some groundbreaking research for her PhD to find out. Combining her twin passions for archaeology and physics, Lyndelle Webster is using both radiocarbon (C14) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) to date organic remains and pottery at the site of Tel Azekah in Israel. In doing so, she expects to solve some long-standing chronological problems that affect much of the region of southwest Israel during the 2nd and 1st millenia BCE.

Egyptian Mummification has Prehistoric Origins
Dr Jana Jones found evidence that Egyptian mummification techniques were being used more than 1,500 earlier than previously thought.

Coptic Codex
The papyrus collection in the Museum of Ancient Cultures contains over 600 texts on papyrus. One of the most impressive is a 20 page parchment codex.

Distinguished Professor Naguib Kanawati AM, FAHA
Distinguished Professor Naguib Kanawati AM, FAHA is an Egyptologist with a special interest in the Old Kingdom.
Dual Energy CT for the non-destructive analysis of ancient ceramics
Ancient ceramics are an irreplaceable resource and often the only surviving link to the ancient world. John and Jaye have developed a completely no-touch technique for compositional analysis.
Early Career Researcher of the Year – Social Sciences, Business & Humanities (Highly Commended 2013)
Brent’s scholarship combines an interest in detailed historical work in the field of ancient Christianity (papyrology, textual criticism, archaeology) with broad questions of method and theory in the study of religion and history.
The earliest funerary boat ever found in Egypt
The earliest funerary boat ever found in Egypt (c. 2900 BC). Archaeological excavation of a 1st Dynasty elite cemetery at Abu Rawash.