Radio Interview Tonight

Listen in live at midnight eastern time, Saturday, October 19th, where I will be interviewed on Ravenstar's Witching Hour with Solaris Blueraven.

www.freedomslips.com

It should be an interesting show. Solaris is a great interviewer and I always have a fun time speaking with her.

Back from L.A. and Ancient Aliens

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I am back from L.A. and busy working on many projects. Currently, Anthrotheology is in some last minute edits and I have come across some mind-blowing information for my follow-up to the Sumerian Controversy, after an eye-opening lunch with Linda Moulton Howe. She had tremendous insight into some of the questions I have had surrounding the latest discoveries in both Ur and Idu, and their geopolitical connections. So, there is clearly more research needed. Time to roll up my sleeves and get to work! 

Before I do, I would like to say a big thanks to the team over at Prometheus Entertainment. They are such an amazing group of professionals with a real passion for what they do. I can't thank them enough for their hospitality. 

Be sure to tune in to the History Channel, Mondays 10/9C to check out all new episodes of Ancient Aliens, season six!

Finally, don't forget to subscribe to my blog for updates, as I will be posting pictures and stories from my trip to the Getty Villa to see the ancient cylinder seal known as, The Cyrus Cylinder. 

Ancient Aliens on History

I will be flying to LA this morning to film for an upcoming  appearance on Ancient Aliens. I am really looking forward to it! Be sure to tune in to the History Channel, Mondays 10/9C to check out the show. Season six is all new!

Excited to view the Cyrus Cylinder!

I am very excited! I will be traveling to L.A. on business next weekend. While there, I will be making a stop in Malibu to the Getty Villa for an opportunity to view the Cyrus Cylinder.

On loan from the British Museum, this will be its final stop in the U.S., so I am grateful for the opportunity. Discovered at Babylon in 1879 in the Esagila (the Marduk temple of Babylon), the Cyrus Cylinder is one of the most famous artifacts from the ancient world. It records the conquest of Babylon in 539 B.C.E. by the Persian king, Cyrus the Great (ruled 559–530 B.C.E.) and is often described as "the first charter of human rights."

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, the largest empire by geographical extent in ancient times. During his reign, he tried to uphold diverse traditions by encouraging freedom of worship throughout the Persian Empire, restoring previously outlawed religious traditions, and allowing deported people to return to their homelands. He claims to have achieved his success through the help of Marduk, the god of Babylon.

For more information on the Cyrus Cylinder, check out this short presentation from art historian and Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor.

More on the recent news of the ancient kingdom discovered beneath a mound in Iraq

During an archaeological survey in 2008, at a site called Satu Qala, a villager brought archaeologists cuneiform inscriptions engraved with the name of an ancient city. The villager reported that the text originated from beneath a mound. The inscriptions identify the city as Idu, dating it to the 12th century BCE. The actual excavations started in the 2010-2011 digging season in cooperation with Leiden University, University of Leipzig, and Iraq’s Salahaddin University. Researchers included students from Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in Iraq.

This latest discovery is quite amazing in that it could add a previously unknown chapter to the history of the Middle Assyrian Empire. Satu Qala is the first identified provincial capital in the eastern part of the empire. Until now, only the western part of the empire had been discovered. Some of the many artifacts found include pottery and a substantial number of cylinder seals.

According to some of the inscriptions deciphered, the flat summit of the mound was the location of the palace of the Middle Assyrian kings. Other inscriptions record the delivery of payments for barley, honey, sesame, and fruit. Though its perimeter has yet to be established, the city turns out to be much larger than previously believed, measuring at least 300 meters (about 984 feet) around the tell. The city of Idu was clearly of great importance and likely used as an administrative center for the surrounding territory.

interestingly, burials were also found oriented in differing directions. The bodies were in various flexed positions, with one on its back with arms crossed over the chest. Archaeologists theorize that these burials may not belong to the Neo-Assyrian or the Middle Assyrian periods since few grave gifts were found. More research will be conducted.

Apart from what has been reported publicly in a recent press release, I have been looking deeply into this story and have uncovered many extraordinary details too voluminous for a simple Facebook, or even blog post. These are details that are not being reported publicly.

Thus, I am compiling a full report, including the translations and pictures of the cylinder seals. Stay tuned…