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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE ORIENT!
Have you been wondering what to get for that special friend who seems to have everything? Perhaps you'll find the perfect gift in Japan's district of Edo, which offers a number of specialty shops selling bonsai, kimono, tea, spices, birds, woodblock prints, fans and antiquities. Edo is the place for all your holiday gift shopping!
New Scribes in the Orient
The Orient warmly welcomes Rachana Khan and Sun Ming as our new scribes for the coming year. It's bound to be a good year with two such talented additions to the staff here!
It's also time to bid farewell to two dedicated scribes who have worked long and hard to improve the Orient. Thank you Jia Li and Lara! The Orient has been greatly enhanced by all your contributions. Enjoy your retirement ladies, and please don't be strangers!
Oriental neighbors, do stop by The Kublai Khantina to offer your welcoming toast to Rachana and Sun, or a farewell/thank-you toast to Jia and Lara!
Goldfest 2008: Archaeological Mystery Adventure
Did you dig it? You still can! Just click on the graphic to take the Orient's tour of archaeological mysteries!
Our journey took us from India's Gulf of Cambay to Easter Island. Along the way our intrepid archaeologists were asked to solve Mongolian riddles after visiting the Deer Stones, identify artifacts from China's Hongshan culture and write haiku in Yamatai. Festival goers were introduced to the Tarim Mummies and got to take a walk through the Plain of Jars in Laos.
The final challenge was an Archaeological Mystery Quiz. There were a lot of Seasoned Archaeologists after their long trek through the Orient!
Going to India?
Then you'll love Rachana's latest installment in her 10 Things to Say series. And just in time for your holiday shopping, she's given you the phrases you'll need to make your best bargains at the bazaars.
10 Things To Say When You're in India (in Hindi!)
The Orient Family Names Project
It's high time we were getting some information up about our Oriental family names and we're hoping for your help. Take a look at the list of surnames that still need to be done - which is most of them - in the Orient Names Project thread.
We're also hoping for your help in creating family plaques for each of our Oriental families. You can see a list of those we have and those we still need in the Orient Family Plaques thread.
Orient Site Map
Have you ever forgotten where you saw that interesting group or hood home in the Orient? Help is at hand! Aria Murasaka has created a wonderful Oriental site map to help us navigate our complicated world. Take some time to explore this most useful resource. You'll wonder how we ever did without it!
Archaeology News
Korean Gyeongbok Palace Ruins Unearthed
Temple inscriptions point to early Chola inroads into Pallava region in India
Maitum Jars on Mindinao, in the Philippines - could these jars be related to those in Laos?
Phia Mun Cave Finds in Vietnam
Life-sized bronze horse unearthed in Hubei
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