While Teotihuacán, Tikal, Chaco Canyon, and Machu Picchu are the cities most commonly conjured in the minds of millions when the phrase “Pre-Columbian metropolis” is uttered, one ought to be aware of the grandeur and importance of Cahokia, located near the present-day city of St. Louis, MO in the Midwestern United States. Cahokia: Ancient America’s Great City on the Mississippi, a work authored by Timothy Pauketat, permits the reader to gain insight into one of the most important and least understood Pre-Columbian sites in the Americas. Please click here to read a book review by Chad Anderson for Common-Place.

Maclean’s of Canada has just published a review of a new book by Egyptologist Joyce Tyldesley–Tutankhamen: The search for an Egyptian King, traces the life and modern reception of this most ancient of celebrities. Looming larger in death than he ever did in life, Tyldesley’s work attempts to analyze the boy-king from an entirely new perspective. Please click here to access the review.

The Ancient History Encyclopedia wishes to share resources which contribute to a better understanding and appreciation for the ancient world to user, visitor, and researcher alike. With that being said, we wanted to alert you to another great documentary film website where you can watch select titles for free. In the past, we informed you of the usefulness of Top Documentary Films and now we would like to introduce you to SnagFilms. They have a great history section–check it out by clicking here.

We wanted to alert our readers and contributors to a phenomenal resource filled with unique articles and research from a variety of perspectives. UNESCO Courier Magazine is the bimonthly publication of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). By accessing the archive section, you can find articles and research on just about any topic. There are a good number of articles about historical preservation and excellent feature articles on topics related to the ancient world. With more than 700 issues and articles available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and now Portuguese, we think you would be foolish not to check it out!

USAToday is reporting that archaeologists are an increasingly common presence in Iraq. After nearly thirty years of war, rebellion, and governmental transition, archaeologists from the United States and Europe are returning to Iraq in droves. Now with new technologies and scientific advances at their disposal, archaeologists expect a great wave of new discoveries in the heartland of human civilization. Please click here to access the article.

For centuries, the forests of Guatemala have hidden an impressive Mayan city until recently: “El Mirador.” In its day, it was the rival of the famous city of Tikal and one of the most powerful Mayan-city states in the Yucatan. Dating back more than 2.500 years, it is also one of the oldest Mayan cities ever found. Now, scholars and archaeologists are just beginning the daunting process of exploring this massive city. Smithsonian Magazine ran an intriguing feature article on “El Mirador” last May and you click here to read it.

Le Musée d’Arles, in Arles, France, is the site of an unprecedented exhibition, exploring the submerged wonders of Roman antiquity from beneath the Rhône River. From March 9 to June 25, 2012, Le Musée d’Arles will bring Roman Arles (“Arelate”) alive through the presentation of reconstructed models, artifacts, bronzes and silvers, and architectural pieces. Other objects will be on loan from the Louvre, Le Musée Calvet d’Avignon and the Museo di Antichità of Turin, Italy. Please click here to read more about this exciting exhibition.

While ancient sites around Greece have suffered because of the protracted economic crisis, ANSAmed reports that one major site has recently been given funds for restoration and protection. Yesterday, the Central Archaeological Council of Greece approved a measure to restore the famed theatre of ancient Delos. Built originally of marble and completed in 250 BCE, the theatre was massive, equipped for nearly 7.000 visitors. Although it abandoned in 88 BCE, following an invasion of the island by Mithridates VI of Pontus (r. 120-63 BCE) during the The First Mithridatic War (89-85 BCE), it has long been admired and even imitated. Please read more about this restoration project by clicking here.

Google has just sent me an email to let me know that Ancient History Encyclopedia is now a featured education app in the Chrome Web Store! For all those Chrome users who haven’t got our app yet, go ahead and install our app, to always have it easily accessible in your browser! And for those who aren’t using Chrome yet… you should! 😉

Australia has more than 100.000 rock art sites with more being discovered every year. Not surprisingly, Australia has the most rock art in the world. Academics and archaeologists face the daunting task of preserving and recording these ancient treasures–some of which date back more than 9.000 years! The Australian recently ran this article about a new initiative from the University of Western Australia on the topic. Please click here to access it.