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2,000-Year-Old Gold Rings Found in Thailand by Human Bones

An archaeological dig in western Thailand turned up a pair of gold rings in the vicinity of human bones. As reported by the Associated Press , one of the rings bears script that reads “pusarakhitasa,” which means “the one protected by Pushya.” Written in Bhrami, an ancient Indian system of writing, the allusion to Pushya refers to “one of the most auspicious zodiac signs in Indian astronomy,” according to the Thai government’s Fine Arts Department. The other gold ring is bare. Experts have theorized that the rings, discovered at the Don Yai archaeological site about 80 miles southwest of Bangkok, were owned by a merchant of the ancient Indian caste known as the Vaishyas. They were found as part of a dig that followed the discovery of ancient bronze drums nearby. “The site was dated to a late prehistoric era in Thailand, a period of human settlement also known as the Iron Age, established to be around 1,500 to 2,500 years ago,” according to the AP. O...
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Matchday scoring updates: Oriental-Rongotai (28) v Paremata-Plimmerton (28)

Visitors Oriental-Rongotai beat Paremata-Plimmerton in a hard fought fixture in windy conditions at Ngati Toa Domain on Saturday in their opening match of the championship rounds in Wellington. This was the first round of the 2026 Jubilee Cup and was between sixth placed qualifier Paremata-Plimmerton and seventh Oriental-Rongotai. This meant that, while the winner would...
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Archaeologists Uncover a Well-Preserved Byzantine-Era City in Egypt’s Western Desert

Archaeologists working in Egypt’s Western Desert have uncovered a well-preserved Byzantine-era city at the Dakhla Oasis, reports Heritage Daily . According to the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the discovery provides important insights into daily life when Egypt was part of the Byzantine Empire.   Excavation of the fourth-century settlement, conducted at the Ain Al-Sabil archaeological site by a mission from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), revealed a street grid, residential and religious buildings, and fortifications. The find also included coins, pottery fragments, and tools. According to Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of the SCA, the city was built around wide north-south roads intersected by east-west streets, creating open public spaces. At its heart, a fourth-century Christian basilica overlooking one of the city’s main thoroughfares, while two watchtowers guarded its outskirts. Among the residential building...
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Sideline Conversions 6 July (some rugby news and information to start the week)

Above: The reaction of the HOBM and Petone players say it all – trytime for the Eagles. Their win over Petone earned them a week off, but it transpires that all teams will have this week off. More below. Photo: Tane Nathan (Kinetic Images). Welcome to a new week in community rugby, perhaps just not...
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Why We Can’t Get Enough Juicy Art Heist Stories

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I didn’t take much convincing. In movies, there is always that scene where the criminal, having said no, changes his mind and growls, “I’m in,” but I was feeling more agreeable. When an old friend approached me about one more job with a big payday , I decided to say yes before I’d finished the email. And so, for weeks, I read and watched nothing but stories about stealing art. In time, they began to blend together, until I felt I was investigating a single elaborate crime: dozens of old friends recruiting hundreds of thieves, quintuple-crossing each other out of lush portraits, gold statuettes, Fabergé eggs both real and holographic. I encountered lots of art presented as a symbol for sex or a metaphor for immortality, but not enough art presented as worthwhile for its own sake. I met people who seemed constitutionally incapable of standing in front of a beautiful object without having a flashback. I saw champagne flutes, dinner jackets, rakishly raised eyebr...
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Continuing referee abuse sees Wellington referees withdraw their services for next weekend’s rugby

The Wellington Rugby Referees Association (WRRA), has withdrawn their services from refereeing club rugby in Wellington next weekend. The association’s President and Chairman Ben Van Berkel issued the following statement on Sunday evening: As advised last week, we had informed WRFU that if further referee abuse was reported this season, we would not appoint referee’s to...
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Talanoa: A Seat at the Global Culinary Table

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John Pulu | Presenter/ Reporter/Director Auckland restaurant TALA has made history, earning a Michelin Star and becoming the first Samoan restaurant to receive the prestigious global culinary honour. Joining us for our Talanoa is chef and owner Henry Onesemo.
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