Friday, December 08, 2006
gifts for archeologists
With Christmas fast approaching there must be thousands of anxious people worried about what to buy for an archaeologist friend or partner.
Hats, trowels, t-shirts and books seem to be the standard offerings.
Mugs with "Can you dig it" are still available from the newarchaeology shop.
Have a very cheesy Christmas.
Hats, trowels, t-shirts and books seem to be the standard offerings.
Mugs with "Can you dig it" are still available from the newarchaeology shop.
Have a very cheesy Christmas.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Putting an excavation to bed
Cover with plastic sheeting, so you don't come back to a pit full of weeds in the spring.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Techniques of Archeological Excavationby Philip Barker
New archaeology book recommendation:
Techniques of Archeological Excavationby Philip Barker
List Price: £27.99
Amazon's current UK Price: £23.79
You Save: £4.20 (15%)
Techniques of Archeological Excavationby Philip Barker
List Price: £27.99
Amazon's current UK Price: £23.79
You Save: £4.20 (15%)
Monday, September 25, 2006
Diggers Urgently Needed - East Berkshire
Windsor and Maidenhead Archaeology group (United Kingdom) require volunteers to help excavate the saxon settlement at Wraysbury. Sunday Mornings only.
Call Chris on 01753 854595 if you would like to help. No experience necessary.
Call Chris on 01753 854595 if you would like to help. No experience necessary.
Archaeologist gagged by power firm
News of an 'uncomfortable' report being blocked by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).
Friday, August 25, 2006
What, no Hobbits?
It seems opinion is swinging away from Homo Floresiensis. It now appears he/she was a dwarf with a deformed skull.
A bet the debate will swing a few more times before everyone agrees one way or the other.
The interesting point (aside from Flores himself) is that the continuing debate argues against critics of academia who say that 'they' are in some way corruptly attempting to force false opinions down the throat of the general public in order not to rock the status quo. The idea that the academic community has some hidden agenda is strongly held by much of the public at large. The fact that we merrily swing one way or another on this topic as evidence emerges is testament to a lack of hidden agenda. ...
Now, when it comes to Atlantis/ The Pyramids/Mars and Leonardo da Vinci of course, we are hiding the truth, because the general public couldn't handle the truth.
Beam me up Scotty
A bet the debate will swing a few more times before everyone agrees one way or the other.
The interesting point (aside from Flores himself) is that the continuing debate argues against critics of academia who say that 'they' are in some way corruptly attempting to force false opinions down the throat of the general public in order not to rock the status quo. The idea that the academic community has some hidden agenda is strongly held by much of the public at large. The fact that we merrily swing one way or another on this topic as evidence emerges is testament to a lack of hidden agenda. ...
Now, when it comes to Atlantis/ The Pyramids/Mars and Leonardo da Vinci of course, we are hiding the truth, because the general public couldn't handle the truth.
Beam me up Scotty
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
icWales - Students warn pupils about their university
Friday, August 11, 2006
I was on telly this morning
They showed the Meet the Ancestors Silchester Special programme from 2003 on UKTV HISTORY this morning. There I was in the background looking very dapper in my grateful dead t-shirt, hauling roof tiles as Mike Fulford and Julian Richards talked earnestly about the Roman invasion. My wife almost choked in her cornflakes when she saw me.
Tee Hee
Tee Hee
Friday, July 21, 2006
The house of Augustus
A team of archaeologists working in Rome have uncovered part of what they believed to be the birthplace of Rome's first emperor, Augustus.
Friday, June 23, 2006
The Revolution is over
The idea of a revolution in human behaviour during the upper paleolithic era has been weakended once more with further finds of 'jewellery' dating back more than 75,000 years.
The old belief that there had been some sort of radical shift in behavour during the upper paleolithic (40-50,000 years ago) was based upon a lack of archaeological evidence of activities that we see in later humans. These activities included art, ornamentation and spiritualism.
It seems that absense of evidence was not evidence of absense after all, and the finds over the last decade show that these 'modern' activities have a much older lineage than we first thought.
This is to be welcomed by researchers who sought in vain for a reason for the revolution in behaviour occuring when there was no change in anatomy at the time. It now appears that the UP revolution was a figment of our collective imagination.
The latest example of ancient jewellery has be found in a cave in Israel. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5099104.stm
The old belief that there had been some sort of radical shift in behavour during the upper paleolithic (40-50,000 years ago) was based upon a lack of archaeological evidence of activities that we see in later humans. These activities included art, ornamentation and spiritualism.
It seems that absense of evidence was not evidence of absense after all, and the finds over the last decade show that these 'modern' activities have a much older lineage than we first thought.
This is to be welcomed by researchers who sought in vain for a reason for the revolution in behaviour occuring when there was no change in anatomy at the time. It now appears that the UP revolution was a figment of our collective imagination.
The latest example of ancient jewellery has be found in a cave in Israel. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5099104.stm
Friday, May 05, 2006
Solutrean Technology
Michael has recently posted some info on a conference he attended on Solutrean Technology. Take a look at his page for yourself. I am ever more interested in lithics as a subject that can shed more light than I ever believed possible about ancient peoples.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
New interactive dig experience in York
Dig, located behind the Yorvik centre in York promises a hands-on archaeology experience for youngsters who can excavate for finds from Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian times. The former Archaeological Resource Centre in St Saviourgate has undergone a £1m makeover to turn it into Dig, run by York Archaeological Trust, which also is responsible for Jorvik Viking Centre.
Return the Parthenon Frieze to Greece
I awoke this morning with one thought running through my head. It was that Britain must return the Elgin Marbles Parthenon Frieze to Greece. It is the grown-up, sensible, kind generous and noble thing to do. Its simply not British to keep them any longer.
There is certainly no archaeological justification for not returning the freezes to the Parthenon. They belong on the acropolis in Athens just as much as Stonehenge belongs on Salisbury Plain.
Arguments about who will damage them the most are distractions from the real issue which is that it is part of a curator's job to keep his or her collection intact above all else. Therefore the British Museum team are not the people to make the decision. In advance of the 2012 Olympics the government must act to ensure the stones are returned. That was my thought this morning when I woke up.
There is certainly no archaeological justification for not returning the freezes to the Parthenon. They belong on the acropolis in Athens just as much as Stonehenge belongs on Salisbury Plain.
Arguments about who will damage them the most are distractions from the real issue which is that it is part of a curator's job to keep his or her collection intact above all else. Therefore the British Museum team are not the people to make the decision. In advance of the 2012 Olympics the government must act to ensure the stones are returned. That was my thought this morning when I woke up.
Friday, February 24, 2006
It does nothing for me, honestly. The word 'thong' used to be respectable in ancient roman circles. now it turns out that David Beckham was meerly following the macho example of the gladiators of England.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Radiocarbon review rewrites European pre-history. It seems the dates of the upper paleolithic revolution have beem shunted back by about 5ooo years.
Gladiators fought by the rules: according to new forensic research carried out on bodies of Roman Gladiators found in Ephesus.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Thursday, January 19, 2006
British Archaeology award nominations open next month. The launch of the 2006 Awards will take place on Wednesday 22 February in the BP Lecture Theatre at the British Museum, starting at 6pm. Make a date in your diary and contact Britarch for your ticket.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
In the summer we did some planning on growing ancient wheats in order to replicate sickle sheen and bake ancient loaves.
Well on TV today I heard that (according to Adam Hart-Davies)the ancient Sumerians used at least 40% of their grain harvest to make beer.
I think I would be failing in my duty if I missed out on some vital reconstructive archaeology by not brewing an urnful... or two!
Well on TV today I heard that (according to Adam Hart-Davies)the ancient Sumerians used at least 40% of their grain harvest to make beer.
I think I would be failing in my duty if I missed out on some vital reconstructive archaeology by not brewing an urnful... or two!
Just a note to wish you all A Happy New Year. - Chris
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Great news that Susanne Osthoff was freed by her captors on 18th December
The 43-year-old archeologist and aid worker had been in Iraq for several years but now plans to return to Gremany.
Osthoff and her driver , who was also set free, were seized on November 25 in the Nineveh region of northwest Iraq.
The 43-year-old archeologist and aid worker had been in Iraq for several years but now plans to return to Gremany.
Osthoff and her driver , who was also set free, were seized on November 25 in the Nineveh region of northwest Iraq.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Museum to reconstruct Buddhist site : HindustanTimes.com: "Bengal museum to reconstruct excavated Buddhist site"
A new gallery is planned for the State Archaeological Museum in Kolkata, Hindustan, displaying antiquities found in Jagjivanpur, a recently excavated site in Malda district of West Bengal.
A new gallery is planned for the State Archaeological Museum in Kolkata, Hindustan, displaying antiquities found in Jagjivanpur, a recently excavated site in Malda district of West Bengal.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
CBS 2 Chicago WBBM-TV: 12,000-Year-Old Artifact Stolen
Paleoindian Clovis spear point stolen at Indiana State Fair.
Paleoindian Clovis spear point stolen at Indiana State Fair.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
CHN | News: "5000-year-old Clay Collection Discovered in Halil Rud Basin"
Iranian find of beauty and iterest to those of us with an interest in early pottery typology.
Iranian find of beauty and iterest to those of us with an interest in early pottery typology.
CHN | News: "5000-year-old Clay Collection Discovered in Halil Rud Basin"
Iranian find of beauty and iterest to those of us with an interest in early pottery typology.
Iranian find of beauty and iterest to those of us with an interest in early pottery typology.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Agenzia Giornalistica Italia - News In English: "
ARCHEOLOGY: 8000 YEAR-OLD PIROGUE FOUND IN LAKE BRACCIANO"
ARCHEOLOGY: 8000 YEAR-OLD PIROGUE FOUND IN LAKE BRACCIANO"
Friday, July 22, 2005
Herts24: "Letchworth Museum is celebrating National Archaeology Day on Saturday with Roman activities in the garden. "
Friday, June 17, 2005
The Italian Cultural Heritage Minister Rocco Buttiglione has been quoted as saying he believeswhat is needed is a "European archaeology charter". This would be a "detailed archaeological charter of our territory to plan the conservation and appreciation of our immense heritage." The idea is that will help with the conservation, tutelage and appreciation of archaeology for all members of the European Union, in particular the new members from the east who have recently joined.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
The April 2005 issue of British Archaeology reported on the only known English beer named after an archaeological site. 'Studland Bay Wrecked' celebrates a 500 year old Spanish merchant vessel almost 100 feet long which came to a tragic end on the Hook Sands at the entrance to Poole Harbour in Dorset. The wreck was discovered 1984 and has since become a famous location for divers to visit.
The beer is produced by the Isle of Purbeck Brewery in Swanage. At a strength of 4.5% it is a reasonably strong brew, described by our south of England correspondent as a 'good all rounder'.
The beer is produced by the Isle of Purbeck Brewery in Swanage. At a strength of 4.5% it is a reasonably strong brew, described by our south of England correspondent as a 'good all rounder'.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Ancient Grains.
The availiability of ancient grains allowed our ancestors to move from a hunter gatherer lifestyle to farming. Katie Harrow begins investigating ancient grains.
The availiability of ancient grains allowed our ancestors to move from a hunter gatherer lifestyle to farming. Katie Harrow begins investigating ancient grains.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Homo Forensis - Its getting nasty
"We have a big dispute with Professor Jacob," says Tony Djubiantono, chief of the Indonesian Center for Archaeology. Last year's discovery of the 'hobbit' bones has been overshadowed by an almighty row over who has rights to investigate them and who broke a lot of them. Reading between the lines, it seems that (according to the team who found the bones) the venerable Teuku Jacob of Gadjah Mada University, who is not in any way associated with the discovery came and took the bones away to his lab, dismissed them as fakes and sent them back in a less than perfect condition. Jacob denies this and an unholy spat has broken out.
Read more about the messy affair
"We have a big dispute with Professor Jacob," says Tony Djubiantono, chief of the Indonesian Center for Archaeology. Last year's discovery of the 'hobbit' bones has been overshadowed by an almighty row over who has rights to investigate them and who broke a lot of them. Reading between the lines, it seems that (according to the team who found the bones) the venerable Teuku Jacob of Gadjah Mada University, who is not in any way associated with the discovery came and took the bones away to his lab, dismissed them as fakes and sent them back in a less than perfect condition. Jacob denies this and an unholy spat has broken out.
Read more about the messy affair
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
The International Conference on Conservation Management in the Built Environment. will be held in london between 6th and 8th September 2005
This three day event is being sponsored by the University of Westminster and the Chartered institute of building.
Day three promises much with Jason Wood from Heritage Consultancy Services, UK. presenting case studies to compare and contrast the British and French approaches to conservation management of Roman remains.
In addition, Peter Gaskell, University of Gloucestershire, UK.
will be looking at a photographic monitoring system developed to monitor the changes taking place to the listed farm building resource.
Lots of info available at www.iccmbe.com
This three day event is being sponsored by the University of Westminster and the Chartered institute of building.
Day three promises much with Jason Wood from Heritage Consultancy Services, UK. presenting case studies to compare and contrast the British and French approaches to conservation management of Roman remains.
In addition, Peter Gaskell, University of Gloucestershire, UK.
will be looking at a photographic monitoring system developed to monitor the changes taking place to the listed farm building resource.
Lots of info available at www.iccmbe.com
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Great gifts for archaeologists.
Presents and gifts for archaeologists are difficult to find at the best of times, so the new range at the Online Archaeology Giftshop should prove a real benefit. Take a look for yourself and see what you think.
Presents and gifts for archaeologists are difficult to find at the best of times, so the new range at the Online Archaeology Giftshop should prove a real benefit. Take a look for yourself and see what you think.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
British Museum provides primary education.
The best of the web is often the free stuff, and thankfully, the British Museum are adding to this proud tradition. Their five sites aimed at 7-11 year olds cover the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China (with Greece coming very soon). As you would expect from such an august institution, the quality of the images and text is absolutely first rate. See for yourself:
www.ancientegypt.co.uk
www.mesopotamia.co.uk
www.ancientindia.co.uk
www.ancientchina.co.uk
The best of the web is often the free stuff, and thankfully, the British Museum are adding to this proud tradition. Their five sites aimed at 7-11 year olds cover the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China (with Greece coming very soon). As you would expect from such an august institution, the quality of the images and text is absolutely first rate. See for yourself:www.ancientegypt.co.uk
www.mesopotamia.co.uk
www.ancientindia.co.uk
www.ancientchina.co.uk
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
250 new examples of prehistoric rock carvings discovered in Northern England
For the last 2 and a half years, a survey has been carried out of 3,00 to 6,000 year old rock art, following the donation of Dr Stan Beckensall's extensive archive of rubbings, notes and photos to Newcastle University. Now the updated survey has revealed a wealth on new sites and information. More details and pics at the BBC
For the last 2 and a half years, a survey has been carried out of 3,00 to 6,000 year old rock art, following the donation of Dr Stan Beckensall's extensive archive of rubbings, notes and photos to Newcastle University. Now the updated survey has revealed a wealth on new sites and information. More details and pics at the BBC
DIGGERS GET ORGANISED
The digger reports of plans to establish an IFA special interest group for the most under-represented sector of contract archaeology: the site staff!
The digger reports of plans to establish an IFA special interest group for the most under-represented sector of contract archaeology: the site staff!
Friday, January 14, 2005
Florensiensis debate turns ugly.
Just a few months after the discovery of Homo Florensiensis, battle is raging over wether the hominid species is really a seperate species at all. Read about the extraordinary war of words between two camps of archaeologists and anthropologists.
Just a few months after the discovery of Homo Florensiensis, battle is raging over wether the hominid species is really a seperate species at all. Read about the extraordinary war of words between two camps of archaeologists and anthropologists.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Just finished re-reading "After the Ice" by Steve Methven. Lovely book about Meso- and Neolithic Europe. Very well researched, comprehensive and also entertaining.
The Original Boy Racers.
Essex has, rightly or wrongly, a reputation for youg men racing cars at high speed. The streets of Colchester have often experienced madcap driving from people who should know better, but it now appears that these hot-rodding youths are simply reviving an ancient and noble tradition.
2000 years ago, the young men of Colchester were zipping round a Roman Circus in souped-up chariots. The discovery of the venue is important because it is the first recorded Circus in Britain.
More at the BBC, or Taylor Woodrow among others.
Essex has, rightly or wrongly, a reputation for youg men racing cars at high speed. The streets of Colchester have often experienced madcap driving from people who should know better, but it now appears that these hot-rodding youths are simply reviving an ancient and noble tradition.
2000 years ago, the young men of Colchester were zipping round a Roman Circus in souped-up chariots. The discovery of the venue is important because it is the first recorded Circus in Britain.
More at the BBC, or Taylor Woodrow among others.
