#fictional archaeology

[dearearlyarchaeologists]

My favorite fictional archaeologist 1/?

[sheltiechicago]

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Thought-Provoking Exhibit Explores “Fictional Archaeology” With Modern-Day Relics for the Future

Daniel Arsham: Wherever You Go, There You Are, 2023. Orange County Museum of Art. 

Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met

Installation view: Daniel Arsham: Wherever You Go, There You Are, 2023. Orange County Museum of Art. (Photo: Yubo Dong, ofstudio)

Installation view: Daniel Arsham: Wherever You Go, There You Are, 2023. Orange County Museum of Art. (Photo: Yubo Dong, ofstudio)

Installation view: Daniel Arsham: Wherever You Go, There You Are, 2023. Orange County Museum of Art. (Photo: Yubo Dong, ofstudio)

[maxxi-the-procrastinator]

The Grand Tour

Interactive fiction novel.

Demo: First chapter to be released soon.

You play as the main character, Avery Sinclair, a young historian who has been invited to travel across the continent to join their younger brother; John Sinclair, on his coming of age grand tour. Avery jumps on the opportunity to excavate and uncover the hidden history behind the bronze age collapse. Thrusting their journey into a pleasing combination of business and pleasure.

On the tour the Sinclair siblings are accompanied and chaperoned by the bear-leader; Thomas Clark, his fiancee; Willow Button and Avery’s best friend; Landon Harrow. On their travels, Avery runs into a couple familiar faces from their college days, reigniting rivalries that they believed were left to the past.

Will Avery be able to uncover the hidden history lost to time, or will they become distracted as unexpected romance blossoms during their tour? Can Avery juggle this tantalising mix of business and pleasure? Or will hearts be broken across the continent in their wake?

Romantic tropes of each route; Landon Harrow ~ Friends to Lovers. Thomas Clark ~ Friends to strangers to lovers. Willow Button ~ Forbidden romance. Pierre Moreau ~ Rivals to lovers. Love triangle ~ Landon and Pierre.

[greekmythcomix]

Between 2018-2021 I worked with archaeologist Dr Sophie Hay, Ancient Historian Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, Director of the Cambridge Schools Classics Project (who make the CLC Latin course!) Caroline Bristow and her gorgeous team, and legendary historical children’s fiction author Caroline Lawrence, to illustrate a novel and ancient history course about the life of Pompeiian freedman Amarantus and his neighbours in Insula 1.9

The story is a year in the life of Amarantus, following the events he experiences, including the devastating earthquake of 63BCE and his manumission (by a certain local natural-history-loving magistrate), the traditions of a Roman life, and the likely inhabitants of the rest of his block, based on the buildings and finds in Insula 1.9.

It acts as an Ancient History/Classical Civilisation (non-language) prequel to the Latin Caecilius stories (CLC Book 1) and there are some Caecilius-themed visual easter eggs 😁

The course has been designed for even non-specialists to be able to pick up and teach, entirely for free, to help bring Ancient History/Classics into schools.

We made the images in grayscale so they could be cheaply printed and reproduced in PoD books/PDFs for schools, but made some images in full colour for the website and book cover to show the diversity of the Pompeiian world. They’re all based on archaeological evidence and research and each one took hours of discussion and argument (and occasional paper models) to get right. (And I’m proud to say my rebuilding of some ruined structures like the Herculaneum Gate has been approved by other Pompeii experts, like the Cooleys 😁)

The entire book and course is massively researched and based on archaeological findings, and is FREE on the CSCP website: https://CambridgeAmarantus.com/home

Or you can buy the book PoD via these links: https://www.cambridgescp.com/array/buy-book

Bonus Roman Chickens (the precursors to my Roman History Chickens series!): the cockfighters Odysseus and Polyphemus! (And yes cockfighting is terrible and I’m glad we don’t have it any more)

[sejrart]

Reunion

In 2021, researchers discovered that an 11th century skeleton uncovered from a grave in Otterup, Denmark in 2005 was related to a skeleton found in a mass grave in Oxford, England in 2008. DNA analysis showed them to be half-brothers, uncle and nephew or grandfather and grandson.

The man found in Oxford died young and it's speculated that he died during the St Brice's Day massacre, an attack on all Danes in England ordered by King Æthelred the Unready after an increase in Danish raids on England. The man found in Denmark died around the age of 50, having lived a farmer's life, but not one without combat.

After a century separated by the North Sea, the two relatives were reunited for an exhibition at The National Museum of Denmark.

[nyxshadowhawk]

I need a Lovecraftian-style story in which an explorer finds an ancient inscription on a stone monolith, written in a forgotten language, in the antediluvian ruins of a lost city of which only legends formerly spoke.

And then someone translates it, and it turns out to be some king’s plans for an irrigation system.

[thenightfolknetwork]

As a person of evident good judgement, I'm sure you're familiar with the works of the late, great Sir Terry Pratchett. He has the rare skill of mixing philosophy and politics into his comedy, it's quite delightful.

One such example is in his novel 'Going Postal'. He introduces the idea that, “A man’s not dead while his name is still spoken.” It's a beautiful sentiment. But I must confess, some of the shine has worn off it for me in recent years.

I'll cut to the chase: I died of typhoid fever in 49CE. And I mean died. I was done and gone and passed, leaving no more ripples on the surface of the world than any other Joe Nobody. My name had been long forgotten, the stone marking my grave long since worn away.

And then, to my surprise, I returned.

It started slowly, a gradual stirring of awareness. Then, in a great crashing wave, I arrived – full and real and vibrant, as alive as I had been before my sickness.

I've since learnt that there was an archaeological dig near my old home a few years ago. They discovered the stone, deciphered it despite the wear. My name returned to the world - and I returned with it.

At first I was just being mentioned in academic circles, cited here and there. Nothing dramatic.

But then hen, a writer named a character after me in a miniseries about Roman Britain. My name was on millions of lips - apparently I'm something of a fan favourite.

But I've seen the programme and it's all wrong! The character is nothing like me, for starters. And the life they've painted… Well, it is a good effort, I suppose. But it is not my life.

This is to say nothing of the fan interpretation. They barely seem to care about the text of the show at all! They extrapolate wildly, especially about my relationship with a certain centurion. The two of us share barely more than a minute or two of screen time!

I don't mind being back, per se. I enjoyed being alive, and I'm enjoying being back - especially the chance to catch up on my reading.

How can I correct the people's misinterpretations of me and my life? Or should I just let it go and enjoy my resurgence - however long it might last?

First of all, reader, congratulations on returning to this plane of existence. Unexpected as this return might be, I'm glad you're still finding ways to enjoy this new lease on… not life, exactly, but something rather like it.

I can well imagine how frustrating it might be to see people attaching your name and identity to an otherwise fictional character. But I think emphasising that difference is the first step in coming to terms with the situation.

This writer has shown a remarkable commitment to authenticity by choosing the name of a real Roman Briton to use in their screenplay. But seeking to create authentic fiction is a very different ambition than seeking to create a fully accurate representation of past events and the people who lived them.

I wish I could tell you that the viewers of this programme will understand this difference. Many will, but it is an unfortunate truth that people often take historical dramas at face value and may not fully appreciate just how much of what they see has been at most tenuously inspired by historical research, and more likely invented whole cloth by the writers themselves.

But this is a misinterpretation of a television programme, not of you. These viewers are engaging with a piece of fiction, not with you as a real, historical person. This is especially true of those viewers who “extrapolate wildly” about the relationships between fictional character. They aren't misinterpreting you – they're creating their own fictions, inspired by the fiction they've consumed.

With that said, many fans of historical fiction are also interested in actual historical research. If you really want to educate people about life in Roman Britain, the fans of this programme might be a particularly receptive audience. You could try posting on social media about your experiences, using the events in the programme as a jumping off point for your discussion of real history.

Do tread carefully, though. You need to keep a clear distinction between yourself as a real, historical figure and the character who bears your name. You aren't trying to “correct” the television programme or criticise its portrayal, but rather offering your reflections as additional insights for anyone who might be interested.

Please remember though, you are under no obligation to engage with this fan community at all. I see no reason at all why you can't simply leave them to their extrapolations, and concentrate on enjoying yourself for as long as you're with us.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]

[wordsmithic]

Firuz descends from the rooftops while the rest of our team remains high to watch for unwanted Isior visits. Under the light turquoise coat and the archaic folds of his shirt, he conceals bulletproof pads, pistols, and knives. He would pass for a passerby if not for the two glaives with Damascus steel blades crossed on his back. A golden mask conceals his face, fixed with a headband around his ancient-style turban of noblemen that covers his military-short black hair and bronzed neck.

♠️Strength, beauty, and focus are Firuz's greatest gifts. A seasoned warrior from the ancient nation of Elam is now tasked to protect the world's biggest secret. As a shapeshifter, he does not consider having a face his obligation, so he often hides it under an old warrior mask of the Persian empire. Inspired by the Persian hero Rostam, he's an unmoving rock for the people around him.

Project (WIP): The Other Evil

♠️commission by chadwickvo

[behindthesemasks]

19

Chap1er 18

Things don't go smoothing when the team makes it back to the hotel

Back in the hotel, Erik paced the room as he waited for the unconscious Andreas to come around again when the door to the room was almost taken off his hinges as it slammed open.  His head snapped to look over and he barely had time to register there was male crossing the room before his face exploded with pain.  Next came the blow to his throat and then his gut, pain exploding throughout his body.  Falling to the ground, he coughed and wheezed, trying to draw in breath, before he was flipped onto his back and a fist slammed into his face a couple more times.  With the beating he was taking, he was pretty sure it was Oglesby’s men who’d found them, and was sure he was going to die.  Each blow raining down on him caused the pain to increase exponentially, then the world went black.

It took Case, Nic, and Gabe to be able to finally pull Klaus off of his brother who was trying to pound Eric into the carpet of the floor.  Ambrose was immediately in the large man’s face, rage written on every line and curve of his face and the steel grey of his eyes almost glowing with the fires of rage.  The threats and promises of pain that were expressed were enough to keep Klaus from going after Eric again, but everyone knew if they didn’t get Klaus out of the room that it was only a matter of time before his resolve would weaken and it would become chaos again.  

No one had heard from or seen Melania.  The group who had been at the hospital were now also missing, and knowing that Oglesby was at least the money behind the attacks, if not the brains as well, put everyone on edge.  If finding out that Andreas was involved in the threat to Alexander hadn’t been enough of mind fuck, now having Erik threaten Mel was definitely one for everyone.  Things were going sideways faster than anyone could adjust and compensate, and that was not a good thing.  For men whose entire lives were adjusting to ever changing circumstances, not being able to find solid footing was not something that put them in a good mood.

“GET.HIM.OUT!” Ambrose bellowed at the men restraining Klaus, his jaw ticking as his teeth were clenched.  He didn’t turn his attention back to Erik until they had succeeded in getting him out of the room.  If they hadn’t been able to, he was ready to shoot the German asshole himself to accomplish it.  His patience was completely gone and he was ready to start dealing out pain to accomplish his orders to those around him.  That  Klaus had surprised him as soon as the lock had clicked on the door had pissed him off to begin with, the condition that he’d left Eric in only made it worse.

“Restrain him like his cousin.  Make sure they’re both still alive and able to talk when I’m ready for them.  Come get me when they are.  I’m done with the bullshit, I think they believe the old man has gone soft.  I’m about to show them differently.”  Ambrose gave instructions to Cam and Donovan before following the others back out of the room.  He could hear cursing down the hall in the direction of the suite.  Time to go talk with his team and calm down enough not to kill anyone, yet.

“Now we know who hired the assholes at the mansion.  That’s one question answered.” Nic was saying as Ambrose walked in.  A quick head nod to his grandfather and he continued. “How the fuck could he NOT know who was financing this fucking dig?  Oglesby is far from stupid, that’s the only reason he’s still alive.  He’s never crossed us, never crossed the wrong person before.  For him to be this careless and foolish now seems a misstep that is unlike anything he’s done before.  I think there’s still something we don’t know about this.”

“We can figure this out later.  We have three missing team members, my granddaughter is missing, and the asshole that orchestrated this is out there as well.  Priorities, gentlemen.  We can assume that Cade, Alexander, and Dez are all still together for now.  Hopefully that will make them easier to find.  Case, Nic, and Gabe, get out there and find all of them.  No excuses for failure.  AM. I. CLEAR?”  Ambrose’s voice was calm but there was no missing the undercurrent of rage in it.  None doubted that he was barely controlling the desire to hurt, maim, and possibly kill someone in the near future.  All the men’s heads nodded as they rose to leave. “What am I supposed to do? Fucking sit on my ass while they’re out there?”  Klaus bit out at Ambrose in frustration.  Eyebrows raised on the other men as everyone froze.  No one wanted to be between the other two if they were going to go at one another.  Was this really the time to piss off Ambrose more? He was never known to suffer fools lightly. 

“That’s exactly what you’re going to do.  You’re a loose cannon, Klaus, I can’t have you out there possibly blowing up at an innocent person, and bringing the Serbian authorities attention swinging around to us. We’ve got two men tied up in here, and a couple dead bodies in a burned out car out in the woods near the excavation site.  You think we want attention on us?”  Ambrose’s head tipped to the side, his lips thinning as his cold blue eyes pinned Klaus with a hard stare. His voice was cold and almost emotionless, something that rather worried the others in the room, who exchanged quick glances.  He was like a volcano that had been smoking and suddenly stopped, an eruption was imminent.

“Someone needs to see if they can locate the GPS tracking devices on the cars, run their credit cards, see if there is ANYTHING that can tell us where the four have disappeared to.  And sweep this fucking room!  How the fuck did she get out of here and leave no trace?”  Now, now there was anger, lack of sleep or coffee was showing in Ambrose’s demeanor.  Just a crack, not a full explosion, but if Klaus pushed him again, there was no telling how big it could get. “Now, you all have your tasks.  Do them.  I’m going to handle our guests here, and find out what the fuck is going on.  I’m sick of playing catch-up.”  Ambrose turned and headed out of the room with no further comment.  He was about to shoot someone, and he’d prefer it to be one of the two assholes down the hall rather than one of the team that he still needed. As Gabe prepared to slip away, he looked over at Nic and Klaus.  Both men looked utterly defeated and worry was etched deeply into their strong features.  Now it wasn’t just Mel that was missing, but the other three who had been at the hospital, at least as far as anyone else there at the hotel knew.  He was the only one who knew that none of them were in danger and they were all together.  There was a little bit of guilt that gnawed at him over that, but not enough to stop him from what he planned on doing.  No, his loyalty did not lie with anyone in the hotel where he now stood.  He was going to those with whom he felt the most loyalty.

“Guys, try and look on the positive side.  Maybe the others have found her, and that’s why they’re not answering.  Case and Cam said that they had called the guys more than once before they had gone out looking too.”  Gabe tried to give some reassurance, if only to relieve his own guilt. “Yeah, I’m sure they’re all kicked back and drinking coffee in some posh shop while we have been looking for them and worrying.” Nic bit back, sorry afterward that he had been quite so harsh.  “Oglesby has got to be close, Mel is a bargaining chip and Alexander is a target.  It’s not safe to assume anything at this point.”  This time exhaustion and worry was clear in his tone and words. Gabe nodded curtly and headed out the door behind Case.  He felt a vibration in his pocket and swiped to open his phone while they waited for the elevator.  It was the 228 number again.  ::Omni #955.  Package is tired::  It was all he could do not to laugh, someone had clued her in on the lingo.  As soon as he could be, he’d join the four that were there, then they’d have to figure out how to deal with the boss.

support banner - @cafekitsune

[dearearlyarchaeologists]

my favorite fictional archaeologist 3/?

[somethingcoolhopefully]

Yes. Ancient history friends - read this. It’s a book about the crazy shit in the Roman Republic… if the republic was today. And it’s a political train wreck ✨

[stevenneedham]

What is prehistory and when did it end

We often here terms like pre history and recorded history but when did prehistory become recorded history? well it depends where in the world we are talking about.

Pre history refers to the time before humanity started documenting events in the past. This is arguably the time before writing was invented and it varies drastically depending on where in the world we are viewing history.

The oldest civilizations to start writing and documenting history are the Egyptians and the Sumerians, both of which start to begin writing about 5000 years ago. The transition into this form of record keeping is also paired with the transition from the end of the stone age to the beginning of the bronze age.

This transition happens at different time in different parts of the world for example, east Asia's first records begin to appear around 700bc where as Europe's start at around 450bc. This is a good 2000 years after the first records in Egypt and Sumer. By the time Europe first started recording their lives the ancient Egyptians already had their own historians researching the ancient ancient Egyptians.

[buckets-of-dirt]

Storygraph, a one-year review

At the beginning of this year I switched from using Goodreads to an alternative site called Storygraph. I heard about the site through a Leena Norms video and decided that yeah, a book tracking website that isn't affiliated with amazon sounds great. Especially since you can export your goodreads data and import it to Storygraph so I didn't even lose my ever expanding TBR list.

Well, I've been using the site for a year now and my honest review is that I love it! While I still only tend to use the 5 star scale when I review books, the review interface deliberately makes space for more nuanced and genuinely helpful reviews. I also find the book organization system much more intuitive. If I remember correctly it even tracks rereads instead of overwriting previous data. There are other features, like buddy reads, which might interest those who use goodreads more like a social media site than I, but I cannot review them because I haven't personally used them.

If you're interested in ditching goodreads but haven't yet because you like to track your reading, I highly recommend giving Storygraph a go! It does everything I used to use goodreads for and is better at it

[uwlmvac]

Bill Gresens’ Archaeology Book Review for October 2024

Rise of the Snake Goddess by Jenny Elder Moke (4/4 trowels)

Samantha Knox and her friends find themselves in Crete, facing dangers once thought only found in Ancient Greek mythology. (for young readers)

Read the entire review at:  https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/book-reviews/?review=312597

[muzetrigger]

The Diary of Nana (Nov. 2024)

Hi Diary,

Middri told me that was a more normal way to greet people, but I don’t think there’s anything normal about talking to a diary… Anyway, our divination unit started today. Just basic exercises, but apparently there’s a dig site we‘re visiting too.

[micewithknives]

Entertainments a passion of mine, truly. closely followed by mispelling words.

I usually dont send you ask because you ised to keep your blog pretty on topic, so if it wasnt about the dirt I didnt know what to do with the question. So instead of a question I'm going to make things up about dirt! Dirt fiction!

This probably isnt what you meant but too late now!

Ummmmm alright. We're on a fantasy world called Sambini, where the midday sky takes on a pleasnt hue of magenta. The atmoatphere filters a lot more light, so the planet is altogether dimmer, but there are many mineral rich biomes in this planet. This one is home to a farming community. The dirt has a bit of a purple undertone because this land is less rich in iorn, but replaces it with other minerals I dont know enough about to describe. The plant life here is a lot diffrent than most earth plants- its hardy, sure, but the lower light conditions mean its harder to photosyntesise for larger structures. The biggest plants tend to be bushes and grasses rather than trees, and root vegetables are more prominant than true fruits. This dirt is dense, so animals that have the misfortune of finsing themselves buried under it tend to find themselves compressed in possibly odd ways, but thats life. Just dont get caught in a landslide by a mountain of you dont want to become the fossil

Entertainment!! Yay!!

The dirt fiction is fantastic! (I actually went and looked up what makes dirt purple (bc Munsell chart books told me thats a thing once) and apparently its either manganase, or decomposed purple sedimentary rock??

And i dont understand environmental science but we can pretend that makes plants function better at dealing with less oxygen! (Broken down sedimentary rock would probably make soil harder to dig through though, my sympathies to the poor alient animals)