This page lists significant events of 2023 in archaeology. Excavations Finds January 5 – A study reports that notational signs from ~37,000 years ago in caves, apparently conveying calendaric meaning about the behaviour of animal species drawn next to them, are the first known (proto-)writing in history. 17 – 4,500 year-old Sumerian Lord Palace of the Kings was discovered in Iraq, Girsu. 27 – 1,600-year-old fragment of Roman dodecahedron unearthed in Belgium, Flanders. February 20 – A study reports that 2,000 year-old disembodied 6.3 inches long wooden phallus toy was revealed at the Roman Fort of Vindolanda by the Newcastle University. 21 – A 2,000-year-old stringed musical instrument about 35 centimeters long was discovered at the Go Ô Chùa archaeological site in Long An province, southern Vietnam. 22 – The remains of two elite brothers were found in a Bronze Age tomb in Tel Megiddo, Israel. The early evidence of a Bronze Age cranial surgery called trepanation was also identified in one of the males. Events January 16 – Poznań Young Researchers' Archeology Conference was held in Poland in Biskupin Archaeological Museum. February 9 – the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Tomb of Meru were opened to the public after the restoration. 27 – The Archaeological Museum of Elefsina has reopened to the public following the conclusion of restoration works. Deaths See also List of years in archaeology References Archaeology by year 2023-related lists 2023 in science 2023 Science timelines by year