Monday, November 09, 2009
Upsurge in nighthawks
Recent high profile 'treasure' finds have led to organised criminal gangs once again targetting scheduled sites with teams of metal detectorists illegally searching and stealing metal objects. The people who then buy and sell this stuff are guilty of perpetuating a trade which destroys our heritage. If you buy archaeology you are helping criminals, destroying history and making the world a poorer place.
The term Nighthawks should be changed for something far less flattering to describe these shitheads. How about 'shitehawks'?
The term Nighthawks should be changed for something far less flattering to describe these shitheads. How about 'shitehawks'?
Labels: archaeology, buying, metal detector, nighthawks
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Where do Archaeologists take their holidays?
For many pro and amateur archaeologists, summer is the chance for a busman's holiday. They seek out warm sunny spots with bags of archaeology, call the local university in the area they are visiting, book a flight and pack a trowel.
While a few behave like ordinary mortals and lie on the beach with a beer and the latest Tom Clancy others are generally found sweating at the bottom of a warm midden in the med or the tropics.
Having asked my contacts where they are going this year, here is an unscientific list of the top vacation destinations for Archaeologist types.
While a few behave like ordinary mortals and lie on the beach with a beer and the latest Tom Clancy others are generally found sweating at the bottom of a warm midden in the med or the tropics.
Having asked my contacts where they are going this year, here is an unscientific list of the top vacation destinations for Archaeologist types.
Labels: archaeology, holiday, vacation
Friday, May 15, 2009
Announcement- Windsor Archaeology
The Windsor and Wraysbury Archaeology group have ceased activity at the Wraysbury dig site following the sale of the land by the owners.
All enquiries to webmaster@newarchaeology.com
All enquiries to webmaster@newarchaeology.com
Labels: Windsor
Thursday, February 19, 2009
I like this one
Here is a link to an entry on a silly Wii games'competition.
Flint Napper Hero
http://www.b3ta.com/board/9198949
It made me laugh.
Flint Napper Hero
http://www.b3ta.com/board/9198949
It made me laugh.
Labels: Flint Napper Hero, wii phil flintnapping
Monday, February 16, 2009
Not such a bunch of Neandertals after all
The first rough draft of Neandertal man’s genome code reveals that Humans and Neandertals are unlikely to have interbred. New genetic evidence discovered by a global group of scientists led by Svante Pääbo of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig, Germany) extracted about 63% of the gene code for Neandertal DNA from a fossil bone discovered in Croatia.
One thing that has been discovered from this research is that Humans and Neandertals shared a gene associated with speech in humans. This gives weight to the thoery that Neandertals could speak just like we can.
One thing that has been discovered from this research is that Humans and Neandertals shared a gene associated with speech in humans. This gives weight to the thoery that Neandertals could speak just like we can.
Labels: Neandertal
Sunday, January 11, 2009
frozen ground
couldn't break the surface
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Hapy New Year
Happy New Year Diggers!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
New Archaeology Book: The Great Archaeologists
Here is a great book by Paul Bahn that would make an archaeological stocking filler.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Robinson Crusoe's camp discovered
in 1709 Scottish mariner Alexander Selkirk was resuced from the island of Aguas Buenas after five years alone, having been marooned by his previous captain. Upon Selkirk's return to Britain he became headline news and a major celebrity. The famous book Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe was based upon his experiences.
Now, almost 300 years later his camp has been discovered and excavated. Notable finds include a pair of navigational dividers.
Now, almost 300 years later his camp has been discovered and excavated. Notable finds include a pair of navigational dividers.
Labels: Aguas Buenas, Alexander Selkirk, camp, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Bring back bonekickers
What a shame that the BBC series bonekickers has ended. What will we laugh at now?
"Use your archaeological imagination" was the cheesiest and wierdest line of the series. Hope someone digs up enough cash for series 2.
"Use your archaeological imagination" was the cheesiest and wierdest line of the series. Hope someone digs up enough cash for series 2.
Labels: bonekickers
Monday, June 30, 2008
Messy Shed
The Windsor and Wraysbury Archaeology Society win the "Messy Shed of the Month award"From left to right:
Sorted finds jumbled in a heap, colour chart books left open in sunlight, broken wheelbarrow, bin bag full of plastic bags, sparrow's nest, broken metre drawing frames (x4) broken window (x1) red thing nobody has looked at since the 1980s, plastic container of 'round up' weedkiller and 500 flora margarine tubs (on floor).
The challenge is set! Can you do better? email your dig disaster photos to webmaster@newarchaeology.com
Paris in the springtime of humanity
Paris was previously believed to have a population centre going back around 6,500 years. However new evidence of a tool working area dating back to 7600BC (3,000 years earlier than previously believed) has been unearthed. The dig site in the 15th arrondissement has been preserved by silt from the river Seine.
Labels: Paris
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Flint dangers
After a morning of flint knapping I thought I would warn others who want to try this activity that while great fun, it is surprisingly dangerous.
I have cut my hands in over 20 places, some cuts almost deep enough to require stitches.
I also managed to slice a hole in my trousers. If I hadn't been wearing glasses I am sure I would have lost an eye when a timy lump of glass-like obsidian flew up and cut my face.
If all that wasn't enough I have just read in "Masters of Flint" by A J Forrest (1983) that many flint knappers died of a lung disease commonly known as ‘knapper’s rot’. This was caused by inhaling tiny shards of flint dust which got lodged in the lungs.
However, a few hours in the garden with a hammer stone and lump of chert probably wont kill you if you take the following precautions.
I have cut my hands in over 20 places, some cuts almost deep enough to require stitches.
I also managed to slice a hole in my trousers. If I hadn't been wearing glasses I am sure I would have lost an eye when a timy lump of glass-like obsidian flew up and cut my face.
If all that wasn't enough I have just read in "Masters of Flint" by A J Forrest (1983) that many flint knappers died of a lung disease commonly known as ‘knapper’s rot’. This was caused by inhaling tiny shards of flint dust which got lodged in the lungs.
However, a few hours in the garden with a hammer stone and lump of chert probably wont kill you if you take the following precautions.
- Eye protection is an absolute must.
- A thick leather pad on the thigh if you are using your leg for stability
- a light face mask (probably optional if you are only planning to do this once a year or so)
What about the results. Well I am delighted. I really got to see how worked flint compares with natural breaks and feel a lot more confident about identification now.
Labels: chert, flint, flint knapping, obsidian
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Windsor Archaeology Dig
Windsor and Wrasbury Archaeology Dig open to all
15th June 2008
call 01753 854595 for details
15th June 2008
call 01753 854595 for details
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Spain arrests 20 for treasure plunder - Yahoo! News
Spain arrests 20 for treasure plunder
It seems a gang of metal detectorists have been stealing from archaeological sites throughout Spain, and selling their finds on the Internet. Hooray for the Spanish Police!
It seems a gang of metal detectorists have been stealing from archaeological sites throughout Spain, and selling their finds on the Internet. Hooray for the Spanish Police!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
New Stonehenge dig starts
Britain's prehistoric Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in Wiltshire is to be excavated for the first time in half a century. The purpose of this new dig is to attempt to shed more light on the standing stones. Specifically one aim is to date the arrival of the bluestones which were transported 250-kilometres from Preseli in Wales. The excavation started on Monday and archaeologists will spend two weeks on site.
Labels: henge, Preseli, Salisbury Plain, stonehenge, wiltshire
Friday, March 28, 2008
Rain
Rain rain go away
let me dig a hole today
let me dig a hole today
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Birkbeck Summer Schools 2008
Birckbeck (University of London) are offering two summer schools exploring the Prehistoric and Roman settlement of southern Britain. Both take place during the middle two weeks of May.
For details contact the Executive Officer for Archaeology on 0207 6316627
For details contact the Executive Officer for Archaeology on 0207 6316627
Labels: archaeology, birckbeck, course
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Found a lovely website
Thanet Archaeology's site is fantastic. The design isn't up to much but the content is wonderful.
Enjoy! http://www.thanetarch.co.uk/Virtual%20Museum/1_Virtual%20Museum%20Main%20Pages/Virtual_Museum_Home.html
Enjoy! http://www.thanetarch.co.uk/Virtual%20Museum/1_Virtual%20Museum%20Main%20Pages/Virtual_Museum_Home.html
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Roman Graves Discovered
A series of graves dated to 40-60 A.D. have been found in a gravel quarry at Stanway near Colchester, Essex. The excavations were conducted by the Colchester Archaeological Trust, under the direction of Philip Crummy and a good report can be found in Current Archaeology vol 153.
Labels: graves Essex, roman, stanway
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Wraysbury talk
I have been asked to prepare a talk on the saxons of wraysbury. Anybody got any suggestions for a format to be delivered to the friends of Windsor and Royal Borough Museum?
Labels: saxons, Windsor Museum, wraysbury
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
London Olympic site reveals past glories.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071128/tuk-uk-britain-olympics-romans-fa6b408_2.html
Roman and iron age finds have been unearthed on the Stratford site of the 2012 Olympic games.
The items including a roman coin will be passed to the Museum of London.
Roman and iron age finds have been unearthed on the Stratford site of the 2012 Olympic games.
The items including a roman coin will be passed to the Museum of London.
Labels: coin, iron age, olympic, roman
Monday, November 19, 2007
Jerusalem Archaeology
http://www.archpark.org.il/ has some really excellent information about the archaeology of this most ancient and volatile city.
Labels: archaeology, israel, jerusalem, palestine
Monday, October 29, 2007
Windsor Berkshire Museum Collection Open Day
All welcome at Tinker's Lane Depot, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4LR
Saturday 3rd November
10.00am - 4.00pm
Free Entry- No need to book
Saturday 3rd November
10.00am - 4.00pm
Free Entry- No need to book
Labels: open day, Windsor Museum
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Time Team is bad for your liver
A great Time Team based drinking game has been discovered on the Sheffield University Server. Full marks to the genius who thought us the rule "Take 2 sips if they open another trench. "
Friday, September 07, 2007
When worlds collide
So now my wife an I can talk a common language. Hello magazine and Archaeology news collide as it emerges that celeb mag favourite Brad Pitt has had a tattoo of archaeology pin-up otzi drawn onto his upper arm.From the Trenches - Brotzi Emerges
Monday, August 13, 2007
Seaside Heritage Conference : News & Events : Archaeology & Buildings : Research & Conservation : English Heritage
Seaside Heritage Conference : News & Events : Research & Conservation :
Dates 16-17th October 2007 , Hastings, East Sussex. Organised by English Heritage.
Dates 16-17th October 2007 , Hastings, East Sussex. Organised by English Heritage.
Friday, July 20, 2007
BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In Pictures: Viking treasure haul
Viking treasure haul discovered in Yorkshire. metal detectors in harrogate unearthed 617 silver coins and 65 other objects, including a gilt silver vessel dating back to the first half of the 9th Century.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Swan Upping
The annual Swan Upping ceremony on the Thames at Windsor took place this morning. Rowers in traditional livery moved upstream counting the swans and ringing new birds as they went. The Swan upping Ceremony is a part of England's history dating back to the medieval times.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Strike closes the Acropolis
The Greek union of keepers of archaeological sites are to shut down ancient site in Athens, Greece this weekend in a protest 48-hour strike to demand better working conditions.
The ancient Acropolis of Athens is a flat-topped rock which sits 150 m the city, covered with historic ruins, most noteably The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena, which dates from the 5th century BC.
The ancient Acropolis of Athens is a flat-topped rock which sits 150 m the city, covered with historic ruins, most noteably The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena, which dates from the 5th century BC.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
pipe stems
Found 10 fragments of pipe stems on 2 sq metres of allotment in Windsor today.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
The Local - Archaeologists discover Iron Age Mickey Mouse
Archaeologists discover Iron Age Mickey Mouse: has to be my favourite archaeology headline of the year so far. Take a look at the photo, it really does look like someone is taking the Mickey
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
World's oldest adornments found - Yahoo! News UK
World's oldest adornments found
82,000 year old perforated Nassarius mollusc shells, some dyed with red ochre, have been discovered in caves in Morocco. This really destroys the old (and always unexplainable) idea of the paleolithic revolution (the idea that modern humans who had been around for bout 70,000 years before suddenly starting to behave like us only 30,00 years ago) and allows archaeologists to see homo sapian evolution as a progression over time, just as one would expect of a species.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Archaeology Blog
A test, because I have been having problems posting to the archaeology blog.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Here we go again
Help! my website just died!
Friday, May 25, 2007
weed supressant fabric
We have been experimenting with the use of weed spressing fabric as a tool for keeping long term digs open over winter. First results are good, despite concerns that rainfall over winter will bring particles into the soil that will skew soil analysis results.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Museums to visit
If you are interested in finding great museums in England, this article has some excellent tips for you.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Britain's Largest Neolithic village discovered near Stonehenge
Mike Parker Pearson, professor of archaeology at Sheffield University announced the discovery of a large settlement full of houses dating back to 2,600 BC at Durrington Walls in Wiltshire.
It is believed the inhabitants of what is the largest known neolithic settlement, built the stone circle at Stonehenge.
It is believed the inhabitants of what is the largest known neolithic settlement, built the stone circle at Stonehenge.
Labels: archaeology, britain, neolithic, stonehenge, wiltshire
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Maltese digging row continues
On the island of Malta in the town of Marfa, a row about construction og 44 flats and 55 underground garages rumbles on. The site between Dar il-Kaptan and the Old Sisters Quarters in the town is so rich in europes most ancient artifacts that any development whatsoever is likely to unearth important information about the past. The Times of Malta has the latest on a particularly interesting fight between the forces of development and conservation.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Pitfalls and Problems in Analysing and Interpreting the Seasonality of Faunal Remains
Nicky Milner of the University of Newcastle has written a fantastic paper on the
Pitfalls and Problems in Analysing and Interpreting the Seasonality of Faunal Remains
Quote
"This paper aims to highlight problems which arise in seasonality studies due to a lack of understanding by archaeologists of animal behaviour and biology, and from this, how erroneous archaeological interpretations are then formed. "
http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/archive/00000885/01/milnern1.pdf
Brown Bear Media - Web designers in Windsor, Berkshire
"Archaeology is the peeping Tom of the sciences."