The lights are up, the shopping’s (hopefully) done, and Santa’s on his way – yep, it’s finally Christmas! With the growing emphasis on gift-giving and commercialism during the holiday season, it can be hard to remember that Christmas has origins far beyond the rise of Christianity; people have been celebrating winter solstice since the Stone Age and well into antiquity. In fact, a surprising number of continuities exist in the archaeological record between ancient wintertime celebrations, from Neolithic solstice observances to Roman Saturnalia, and our own Christmas pastimes. What can arc
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