Archaeology Digs, LiDAR Finds and Shipwrecks — 2026-09-11

Top developments

Spanish-Egyptian Team Uncovers 4,400-Year-Old Tomb in Saqqara

A joint Spanish-Egyptian archaeological mission has discovered an exceptional tomb dating to the late Fifth Dynasty (reign of King Djedkare Isesi) in Saqqara, Egypt. The tomb contains two funerary chapels with reliefs depicting agricultural scenes and offering rituals, notable for retaining their original colors. This find provides critical insights into the administrative elite of the Old Kingdom and highlights the ongoing productivity of international excavation collaborations in Egypt.

Accidental Deep-Sea Recovery of Roman Amphorae in Formentera

An oceanographic research vessel accidentally recovered approximately 26 Roman Dressel 20 amphorae from a previously unknown shipwreck site located 1,400 meters underwater off the coast of Formentera, Spain. Many of the vessels retain seals that can help trace the production and circulation of Baetican oil, a key commodity of the Roman Empire. This accidental find underscores the vast number of undocumented deep-sea archaeological sites in the Mediterranean and the potential for scientific dredging to reveal hidden history.

Underwater Archaeology Reveals Scale of Ancient Mediterranean Ports

New research published this week demonstrates that ancient Mediterranean ports were significantly larger and more complex than previously understood. By analyzing submerged structures beyond visible sea walls, archaeologists have mapped extensive underwater infrastructure that supported trade networks. This study challenges traditional models based solely on land-based remains, suggesting that maritime logistics played a more central role in ancient urban planning than recognized.

Discovery of Iberian Sculpture Head in "Spanish Pompeii"

Excavations at the Libisosa site in Albacete, often referred to as the "Spanish Pompeii," have yielded a limestone head of an Iberian sculpture dating back 2,400 years. The nearly life-sized sculpture was found in a Roman sector, suggesting complex cultural interactions or reuse of earlier artifacts during the Roman period. This find adds to the growing corpus of Iberian artistic production in the region, which has been extensively excavated over the past decade.

Local view

In Spain, local media outlets like El Reto Histórico and Xataka are highlighting the accidental discovery of the Formentera amphorae as a reminder of the "hidden" heritage beneath the Mediterranean, emphasizing the role of scientific vessels in uncovering sites missed by targeted surveys. In Turkey, state agency Anadolu Agency and local outlets like Şanlıurfa Gazetesi are focusing on new interpretations from Göbeklitepe, arguing that recent findings prove settlement preceded agriculture, thereby rewriting the timeline of human civilization's development.

Context & numbers

The discovery in Formentera involved recovering 26 amphorae from a depth of 1,400 meters, a depth typically inaccessible to standard diving operations, requiring specialized ROVs or dredging equipment. The Saqqara tomb dates to the late Fifth Dynasty, approximately 4,400 years ago, during the reign of King Djedkare Isesi. In Peru, LiDAR surveys recently identified 1.5 miles of pre-Columbian roads near Machu Picchu, though specific locations remain secret to protect the sites from looting.

On the radar

• Göbeklitepe Reinterpretation: Turkish media continues to amplify findings suggesting that monumental architecture at Göbeklitepe predates established agricultural settlements, challenging the Neolithic Revolution model.
• Deep-Sea Survey Expansion: Following the Formentera find, there is increased interest in reviewing oceanographic data logs from other Mediterranean research vessels for potential accidental finds of submerged heritage.
• Machu Picchu Road Protection: Authorities are reportedly developing new security protocols for the newly discovered LiDAR-confirmed roads to prevent looting or unauthorized access, given the high profile of the Machu Picchu area.