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If you have a keen interest in archaeology, you'll have been keeping up with news of the most recent finds. However, there have been so many this year already that you may have missed a few. We've rounded up the ones we've considered to be the most exciting...
2019's Most Exciting Archaeological Discoveries So Far
Tools used to build Stonehenge monument discovered
Excavations in southwest Wales have uncovered 15 sandstone wedges, which would have been used to break off stone from the quarry's bedrock. The team of archaeologists, led by Professor Mike Parker Pearson of UCL's Institute of Archaeology, also recovered some hammer stones, which would have been used to secure the wedges. This discovery dates back to 3350-3000 BC and proves that Neolithic people quarried the stones that were used to build Stonehenge.
Fresco of Narcissus discovered in Pompeii
The haunting ancient city of Pompeii in Italy is a place that you can return to time and time again, discovering different things with each visit. Earlier this month, archaeologists excavating in Pompeii were shocked to uncover a well-preserved fresco depicting Narcissus gazing at his reflection in a pool of water. Interestingly, another fresco was found here back in November, this time showing an erotic scene from the Leda and the Swan myth.
Marks to protect against witches found in caves at Creswell Crags
A fantastic place to visit if you're interested in Ice Age art, Creswell Crags was in the spotlight earlier this month for something slightly different... Hundred of "apotropaic" marks have been carved into the caves to ward off evil spirits and these engravings were discovered by Hayley Clark and Ed Waters from Subterranea Britannica, during a visit.
