Ancient Monument discovered -

"Pyramid Valley, Oopsville"
digital painting by Mick Mather

DERBY, Oopsville, Ministry of Ancient Antiquities - A millennial storm recently made all known maps of the Great Northern Dessert of Derby void with a month long shifting of the sands by gale force winds. Even as cartographers were scrambling to retrieve satellite data, early remapping photographs showed a pyramid structure near Oopsville. The historic tourist attraction known as the Sand Hills of Oopsville suffered major shifting and initial assessments were grim for the future outlook of the area. The largest dune, having been completely removed by the storm, gave up its secret and both the Federated Park Service and the Ministry of Ancient Antiquities have upgraded their disaster reports to reflect the fortuitous news. In the photograph shown here, the scale of the monument is difficult to ascertain since it is dwarfed by the newly created dunes that surround it. The Park Service has already graded a service road to the area so that geologists and engineers can undertake the stabilization processes required that will allow study to begin as quickly as possible. Interested in seeing the new pyramid? Do you have a name for the new pyramid? The Ministry of Tourism is undertaking a public information campaign built around the important needs of preservation, scientific study and cultural heritage that will include day trips and specialty tours very soon. Contact your agent today!

Shield of Babbasoon -

"Shield of Babbasoon"
digital collage by Mick Mather

MINISTRY of ANCIENT ANTIQUITIES, Jericho - The archaeological digs near the old Mud City ruins have given up at least one valuable secret. While there are a handful of examples of the Ancient Shield of Babbasoon, this is the first shield ever discovered that is made from wood. Most are carved assemblages of animal bone taken from the now extinct babbaso. The animal is similar to the Terran baboon with sub-specie markers related to other Terran animals such as the African feral cat and the meerkat. It is known that indigenous peoples of Jericho had a detrimental reliance on wood for every aspect of daily life and the planet has been devoid of any meaningful mature growth for centuries. Hence, the only ceremonial shields that remain are of bone since the wood was either used, in desperation, for fuel or through natural decomposition. Dig teams are rotated on a regular basis due to the harshness of Jericho's climate and volunteers are always welcome. If you have an interest in anthropology and archaeology, now would be a good time to contact your tourist agent for a vacation you won't soon forget!

Ancient Burial Ground Discovered on LTK -

"Burial Sink"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather
- original photograph by Rosewitha Schacht & listed at Morgue File -

LTK, Ministry of Ancient Antiquities - Recent archaeological finds in the semi-arid hill country on LTK has fostered a commitment for an upgraded preservation policy and increased funding to the Burial Sink Museum. As seen in this artists rendition of the only complete and undisturbed Burial Sink found to date, bodies of the deceased are carefully prepared and wrapped with indigenous animal hide - always a single skin, fur side in. Carefully laid within a half meter deep depression, called a sink, most burial sites contain a family group, usually less than three generations. For the amateur archaeologist or those with a keen interest in ancient history and anthropology, consider making your next visit to LTK as a "dig team volunteer".

(Further information, star maps, system maps, jump gate locations, historic documents, arts & culture, myth & legend, etc. is requested - please scroll to the bottom of this page for details and contact info)

Historical Antiquities -

"Dreaming the Glyphs of Tanak"
montage by Mick Mather

TANAK, The Ancient Glyphs - The Ministry of Ancient Antiquities has announced that a cache of hieroglyphic tablets, never before seen, has been installed at The Tanak Museum and will remain on view indefinitely. This exhibition will afford an opportunity for these particular tablets to be viewed and examined, with an appointment to request special permission for access. A post card featuring one of the clay tablets with Professor Gillian "Gil" O'Casey super-imposed on it is one of seven cards on sale at the Museum Shop. Professor O'Casey was instrumental in translating this group of tablets and will preside over a lecture series to be presented over the course of the next two years. All presentations will be recorded and archived but those who wish to attend in person are urged to make reservations now. Send all requests and inquiries to The Ministry of Ancient Antiquities.

*(further information, star maps, system maps, jump gate locations, etc. is requested - please leave additions in the comment box)