1997 in archaeology

The year 1997 in archaeology involved some significant events.

Excavations

• The exhumation of Yagan's head.
• Major salvage excavation of Neolithic-era Ashkelon begun by Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (continues to 1998).
• Excavation at Jericho by Lorenzo Nigro and Nicolo Marchetti.

Publications

• Barry Cunliffe – The Ancient Celts (Oxford University Press)
• Sarah Milledge Nelson (ed.) – The Archaeology of Northeast China: Beyond the Great Wall (London: Routledge).
• Sarah Milledge Nelson – Gender in Archaeology: Analyzing Power and Prestige (Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press).
• Bernard Sergent – Genèse de l'Inde (Paris: Payot).
• R. E. Witt – Isis in the Ancient World (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press).

Finds

• Megalosaurus and Cetiosaurus footprints are identified at Ardley, Oxfordshire, by Christopher Jackson.
• Scauri shipwreck of c.400–450 is found off Pantelleria.

Miscellaneous

• July 10: In London, scientists report their DNA analysis findings from a Neandertal skeleton which support the out of Africa theory of human evolution placing an "African Eve" at 100,000 to 200,000 years ago.
• July 19: Emergency designation of the 18th century wreck of the Hanover off the coast of Cornwall under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.
• Bryn Euryn, an archaeological site near Colwyn Bay, is identified as the probable base of Cynlas Goch, a 6th-century Welsh king.
• Experimental archaeology: Construction of Guédelon Castle in France using 13th century techniques begins.

Births

Deaths

• 6 November: Anne Stine Ingstad, Norwegian archaeologist (b. 1918).