The media response to the Shigir Idol shows crystal clear how broken science reporting is in archaeology. I understand how bad it is in other fields, but the way decorative motifs have been turned into an undeciphered script through the media game of telephone is downright unethical.

The real problem is that it probably won't be another month or so until NatGeo and Archaeology are able to publish decent write ups, and by then nobody will care. In the meantime, Graham Hancock and the Ancient Aliens producers are already rubbing their hands with dollar signs in their eyes. It is honestly infuriating.

• 2,000-year-old egg discovered in SW China

• Germany offers €50,000 grant to help restore Tutankhamun's mask

• Via handwriting analysis, scholar discovers unknown Magna Carta scribe

• Excavations begin anew in ‘pirate city’ on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast

• Settlement in Yassıhöyük could date back to 6,000 B.C., say archaeologists

• A mysterious pyramid-shaped flight of stairs dating to the time of Jesus, has been unearthed in ancient Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced. Made from large ashlar — or finely cut — stones, the 2,000-year-old stepped structure leads to a podium.

• Archaeologists study largest Native American massacre site in history - Although it was the largest Native American massacre in U.S. history, few people know the story of the 'Bear River Massacre'.

• UN confirms destruction of the Temple of Bel at Palmyra

• Archaeologists Unearth Marble Sarcophagus, Tomb with Murals in Raided Ancient Thracian Mound from Roman Period in Bulgaria’s Boyanovo

• The tomb of the 26th dynasty ruler of Upper Egypt uncovered in Assassif, Luxor

• Philistines introduced sycamore, cumin and opium poppy into Israel during the Iron Age

• Could 500-year-old dog DNA solve mystery of Plymouth's most famous shipwreck?

• Nanticoke River shipwreck could be linked to Revolutionary War skirmish - Could've been among at least 12 that British sympathizers looted & burned in Revolutionary War. There are an asterisk-shaped marking & other unusual glyphs on wood piece archaeologists have not been able to understand.

• Waterford ring fort slated for destruction

• How a Pregnant Woman's Love of Dogs Led to Her Death by Parasites in Ancient Greece

• ISIS Artifacts Trafficking: FBI Warns Art Dealers About Islamic State-Stolen Antiquities From Ancient Sites In Syria, Iraq

• Jamestown Unearthed: Recycled Breastplate, Stoneware Found in Probable Cellar - Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

• Wine-loving Romans

• Archaeologists Discover 1,600-Year-Old Roman Mosaics from Ancient Serdica in Bulgaria’s Capital Sofia

• Oldest Case of Heart Failure Found in Ancient Mummy

• Rare Use of Blue Pigment Found in Ancient Mummy Portraits

• Recovered a container excavated on a Neanderthal occupation floor from 60,000 years ago

• Archaeologists find possible historic cannon at Red Bank

• Fury as archaeological site ruined and replaced with picnic table

• Shigir Idol is oldest wooden sculpture monument in the world, say scientists

• Oregon archaeologists to revisit early human cave settlement

• Archeologists Wield Very Big Stick in Yucatan Exploration

• 3D Archaeology Helps Preserve Historic Record at Tsopki Pueblo, Arizona

• Remains of ancient Scythian warrior found buried with his horse

• Amid A Drought, a Trove of WWII Relics Are Being Discovered Under Poland's Vistula River

• Ancient Egyptians Forced Open Mouths During Mummification

• West of Scotland: New Neolithic Rock Art Discovery

• Scottish Highlands:121-year-old time capsule found at bridge near Kingussie

• Confirmed: Long-Lost Nazi Loot Train Found In Poland (sensationalized title but they did find something)

• Lost Palace of Sparta Possibly Uncovered

• The 5,000-Year Secret History of the Watermelon

• Mummified new-born baby protected in leather shroud for 1,500 years ago found in Altai Mountains

• Skeletons of 1860 cholera epidemic found under Dublin roadworks