Croatian archaeologists have shared the results of extensive underwater surveys conducted at the site where a Byzantine ship sank in the late 7th to early 8th century AD. During the work, numerous gold artifacts were discovered, with a total weight approaching 600 grams.
Among the items found were coins, as well as a signet ring depicting an emperor, and various belt elements. Some of these belt details were adorned with precious stones. Information about the finds was presented in a press release from the Croatian Institute of Conservation.
The research took place near the island of Mljet, which is the southernmost and easternmost of the large islands in the Adriatic Sea, located in southern Croatia. Numerous ships have sunk in this part of the Adriatic over the centuries, partly explained by strong and specific winds known as Bora. Although scientific investigations in this region began relatively recently, after the breakup of Yugoslavia, scientists had already recorded the presence of several dozen sunken vessels, ranging from a Roman ship from the 2nd century BC to a Venetian merchant ship from the 16th century AD.
In 2015, Igor Miholek from the Croatian Institute of Conservation, together with his team, began studying the wreck site of a medieval ship. Only a small number of wooden parts of this vessel have survived to the present day. Underwater archaeologists conducted not the most prolonged work on the sunken ship for a long time; aboard it were Byzantine amphorae intended for transporting wine, olive oil, or fish sauce. The type of these vessels, along with other findings, allowed for the dating of the monument to the late 7th to early 8th century AD, which belongs to the period of maritime transport and travel in the Adriatic, which is poorly documented in written sources.
Apparently, the sunken ship was a standard medium-sized cargo vessel, measuring about 18 meters in length and having a displacement of around 60 tons. The small number of amphorae on board indicates that they were not the main cargo. It is more likely that the main purpose of the voyage was something else, such as a diplomatic visit by a high-ranking representative of the Byzantine elite, such as a military commander or official, to the rulers of unions existing in Dalmatia or other regions.
The artifacts found at a depth of 40 meters indicate the presence of an important person on board. Among them were 14 gold coins—solidi minted in Constantinople in the 7th century under four emperors of the Heraclian dynasty. A particularly valuable item was a gold signet ring depicting one of the Byzantine emperors. In addition, details from at least four belts were found, including very unusual gold buckles. One buckle was decorated with rubies, emeralds, and pearls, and another depicted birds eating grapes from cornucopias. According to Miholek, such buckles had not previously been encountered by archaeologists. There is a hypothesis that these expensive belts and the valuable ring were intended as gifts for the rulers whom the Byzantine envoy was visiting. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that a belt set with details identical to those found on the ship was discovered in a rich Avar grave, which may indicate a common manufacturing workshop.
Miholek and his team also studied another ancient ship sunk off the Croatian island of Ilovik. Underwater archaeologists discovered the remains of an ancient vessel named 'Ilovik-Parzine-1', which sank around 170–120 BC. Analysis of the ballast showed that this ship was most likely built in Apulia, Italy.
In another area, in northwestern England, at the Roman fort of Ambleside, archaeologists discovered seven lead sling bullets, adding them to 23 previously found artifacts of this type. These findings, according to an article published in the journal Britannia, suggest that the fort's defenders successfully repelled an enemy attack at least once.
Having won two Grammy Awards, global pop icon Tyla has officially announced the start of her long-awaited solo world tour titled THE A*POP WORLD TOUR. This tour follows the release of her second studio album, A*POP, which was distributed via FAX and Epic Records.
The massive global tour will cover 34 dates across four continents and marks the first full-scale solo tour by the South African star in Europe, the UK, North America, and Africa.
The tour kicks off on Monday, October 12, in Paris at the Zenith venue. Subsequent performances are scheduled in major cities across Europe and the UK, including Amsterdam, London, Brussels, and Stockholm.
The North American leg begins on Thursday, November 12, at Hard Rock Live in Whiteland, California. During this segment, Tyla will visit Vancouver, Chicago, Boston, Brooklyn, and San Diego, concluding it on Saturday, December 19, at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
Following this, the artist will travel to Africa for individual performances, including a special show in Lagos, Nigeria. The tour will conclude with two major concerts in South Africa in early 2027: in Cape Town at Green Point Track on Monday, January 4, and in Johannesburg at Expo Centre, Nasrec, on Saturday, January 9.
The tour announcement came after the release of the 14-track album A*POP, featuring hits such as 'CHANEL', 'IS IT', 'SHE DID IT AGAIN', and 'IS IT LOVE'. To mark this launch, Tyla performed at Rockefeller Plaza for The Today Show's Citi Summerstage program, unveiled her new official Bratz doll, and became the first international artist to headline the semi-final concert at the WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago.
Tickets for THE A*POP WORLD TOUR will be available during the artist presale starting Wednesday, July 29, at 10:00 AM local time, followed by general sale on Friday, July 31, also at 10:00 AM local time.
Retrocon 2026 reaffirmed the vitality of retro video game culture, attracting thousands of attendees throughout the event. Visitors were able to immerse themselves in nostalgia by revisiting old titles, learning about recent projects made for classic consoles, and interacting with important names in the gaming sector.
Although nostalgia for the past was the main focus, Retrocon also consolidated its role as a meeting point dedicated to the conservation, advancement, and discussion of the future of the gaming universe.
One of the most frequented areas was dedicated to historical video games. There, participants had the chance to play on consoles that defined generations, including Atari, Master System, Mega Drive, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PlayStation, Neo Geo, and other vintage systems. This gave older attendees a chance to relive childhood memories and younger ones the opportunity to see up close the games that shaped the industry.
Traditional arcades also received great attention. Original and restored machines were accessible to the public, showcasing popular fighting, racing, shooting, and beat 'em up games from the 1980s and 1990s. This experience underscores a central goal of Retrocon: keeping alive not only the gameplay but also the way games were experienced.
The event also served as a platform for future creators. The indie section gathered Brazilian studios and independent developers who presented projects inspired by the aesthetics and gameplay of old video games, but incorporating contemporary mechanics and ideas. Attendees could test demos, talk with creators, and check out titles still in development.
The programming went beyond games, offering lectures with industry professionals. Topics covered included video game preservation, independent development, production for classic platforms, and the challenges faced by the Brazilian market. These meetings demonstrated that the retro segment continues to drive developers, collectors, and companies interested in the niche.
One of the most sought-after moments was the presence of actors from the Mortal Kombat franchise. The guests held autograph sessions, photos, and conversations with the public, sharing details about the game recordings that were crucial in popularizing motion capture in 90s video games. The participation of these actors attracted fans of all ages and reinforced the historic nature of the fair.
Internationally, Kevin Bayliss, the illustrator responsible for the visuals of iconic Rare characters, such as Donkey Kong, starting from the Donkey Kong Country phase, was a major highlight. Bayliss shared insights into the creative process behind the characters and recalled the behind-the-scenes aspects of developing historical games, participating in panels and autograph sessions.
Retrocon also highlighted that classic games continue to receive updates. Several independent studios displayed new titles created for platforms such as Mega Drive, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, and Dreamcast. This continuity of physical releases and cartridges demonstrates the activity of the retro community in producing new experiences for original hardware, keeping these systems relevant.
In summary, Retrocon 2026 proved that the retro universe is much broader than just reminiscing about classics. By combining historical preservation, independent development, the presence of global guests, market discussions, and new content for old systems, the event demonstrated that the past and future of video games can coexist harmoniously.
If your television's audio no longer meets your expectations, it is the ideal time to upgrade your sound system. Three soundbar options available on sale on Amazon have been gathered, ranging from compact models with wireless subwoofers to advanced systems with Dolby Atmos technology and rear speakers.
One of the highlighted models is the JBL Cinema SB180, a 2.1 channel soundbar that includes a 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer and Bluetooth connectivity. This system offers richer bass and clear dialogues, making it a simple alternative for those who want to improve their TV sound without complex setup.
There is also the black version of the JBL Cinema SB180, which retains all the features of the original model—Bluetooth, 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer, and 2.1 channel configuration—but features a design that harmonizes with most modern environments, making it a practical option for those who value discreet aesthetics alongside good sound performance.
For those seeking a sound immersion closer to the cinematic experience, the LG Home Theater SoundBar S70TR was presented. This model supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Digital Surround, has 500W RMS power, and a 5.1.1 channel configuration, including rear speakers. Furthermore, it features resources such as AI Sound Pro, WOW Synergy for integration with LG TVs, Bluetooth 5.3, and HDMI connection, forming a complete system for living rooms.
It is important to note that these promotions have limited stock and prices are subject to change at any time. It is recommended to check the models of interest immediately to take advantage of the opportunity. The article also informs that it contains links generated by an affiliate program, but emphasizes that the price for the reader will not be altered, although Olhar Digital may receive a commission.
