Archaeology on YouTube: 2024.03.29

ArchaeologyTV Youtube Channel

AIA Archaeology Hour with Kisha Supernant
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 03/28/2024

Join the AIA as Kisha Supernant (University of Alberta) presents Finding the Children: Using Archaeology to Search for Unmarked Graves at Indian Residential School Sites in Canada. This lecture was given live at 8pm Eastern on 3/27/24. In May 2021, the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nation in British Columbia, Canada, announced that 215 potential unmarked graves were located near the Kamloops Indian Residential School using ground-penetrating radar conducted by archaeologists. While this was not the first announcement of unmarked graves associated with Indian Residential Schools, it garnered national and international attention. The subsequent months saw significant commitments of funding from the government to support Indigenous communities who wanted to conduct their own searches. Many Indigenous communities turned to archaeologists to assist them in designing an approach to finding potential unmarked graves of their relatives. In this talk, Supernant provides an overview of how archaeologists have been working with Indigenous communities in Canada to locate potential grave sites and discuss the opportunities and challenges in this highly sensitive, deeply emotional work.


AIA Archaeology Hour with Nam C. Kim
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 02/29/2024

Join the AIA for a fascinating evening as Nam C. Kim (University of Wisconsin-Madison) presents “Barbarians”, Bronzes, and the Legendary Capital of Ancient Vietnam. This presentation was originally given 2/28/24 at 8 pm Eastern time. Vietnamese lore tells us that over two thousand years ago the Red River Valley of northern Vietnam was home to powerful indigenous kingdoms, fortified capitals, and exquisite bronze craftsmanship. In contrast, the neighboring Chinese Han Empire claimed the region was inhabited by unsophisticated “barbarians” in need of “civilizing”, prompting imperial annexation of the region. This lecture explores the region’s archaeological record and what it means for scholarly debates, as well as for Vietnam’s national imagination, cultural heritage, and descendant identities.


Society Sunday 2024 - Petra Creamer, and Be(com)ing Assyrian
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 02/07/2024

Society Sunday 2024 - February 4, 2024 - CONTENT WARNING: This talk will include images of human remains. - Find your local Society and see what they're up to: https://www.archaeological.org/programs/societies/find/ - Check out Petra Creamer’s project RLIIM – Rural Landscapes of Iron Age Imperial Mesopotamia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092306352009 Join us as the AIA Societies Committee presents a virtual presentation and Q&A with Petra Creamer, "'Be(com)ing Assyrian': Navigating Imperial Power from the Bottom-Up." At its height, the Assyrian Empire (c. 1350-600 BCE) stretched from modern-day Iran in the east to Egypt in the west, controlling more territory than any entity the world had yet seen. This talk will delve into the profound impact of the Assyrian Empire and its administrative structures on the lives of individuals under its hegemony. Drawing from archaeological and historical evidence, the discussion explores the intricate web of socio-economic, cultural, and political transformations experienced by the non-elite populace under Assyrian rule, focusing on the core area of the empire (the Assyrian "Heartland") along the Tigris River. Insights from ongoing research illuminate how the empire's administrative policies influenced Assyria's subjects - from those residing in urban centers to rural communities. This talk particularly dives into the implementation of massive infrastructural projects across the landscape, the establishment of centralized governance systems, and the navigation of personal identities that shaped the idea of "be(com)ing Assyrian".


AIA Archaeology Hour with Jeff Altschul
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 01/26/2024

Join the AIA for a fascinating lecture as Jeff Altschul presents Cultural Resource Management: What Most Archaeologists Do For A Living. This presentation was originally given 1/24/24 at 8 pm Eastern time. Today, there are about 12,000 archaeologists working in the US with less than 10 percent of them employed by universities. While university anthropology and archaeology departments are shrinking, the applied sector, known as cultural resource management (CRM) is growing. What accounts for these opposing trends and what, if anything, can we do about it.


2024 AIA Awards Ceremony
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 01/12/2024

A recording of the 2024 AIA Awards Ceremony presented live at the AIA-SCS Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. Apologies in advance for the poor audio and video quality of the Zoom presentation. Thank you for everyone who attended in-person and virtually to celebrate our award winners!


Preserving the Archaeological Wonders of Algeria and India
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 01/11/2024

Live presentation recorded on January 10, 2024. Letter deadline is January 22, 2024. More info: https://www.archaeological.org/preserving-algeria-and-india/ Visit (or revisit) some incredible archaeological highlights from these two countries over your lunch break and learn more about how to compose a letter to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee during our webinar. Join the AIA for brief presentations by experts who have traveled to and worked in Algeria and India and learn how you can advocate for the protection of archaeological sites in these two countries. The country of Algeria recently requested that the U.S. renew the bilateral agreement that protects Algerian cultural resources from being illegally imported into the United States and India has requested that a similar bilateral agreement with the United States be put into place for the very first time. After a whirlwind virtual trip across the globe with archaeologists Monica Smith (UCLA) and Elizabeth Fentress (University College London), AIA VP for Cultural Heritage Omur Harmansah will outline the simple steps you can take this month to speak out in support of preserving the cultural heritage of Algeria and India.


Advocacy Alert: Preserving Algeria and India
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 01/05/2024

Letter deadline: January 22, 2024 If you’ve traveled to Algeria or India and/or appreciate their cultural heritage, your experience and passion can help the U.S. Cultural Property Advisory Committee with their upcoming deliberations. Watch this short video to find out how you can join the AIA to speak up for threatened archaeological sites. Visit https://www.archaeological.org/preserving-algeria-and-india/ for letter templates and more information.


Digging Up Britain: A Conversation with Mike Pitts
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 12/07/2023

Join the AIA for a fascinating, informal Q & A session as Mike Pitts presents his Holton award-winning book, Digging up Britain: Ten Discoveries, a Million Years of History. This book highlights ten archaeological finds that change the way we think of British history and prehistory. AIA Vice President for Outreach and Education, Laura Rich, hosts an engaging “fireside chat”-style conversation, taking questions from the audience, and learning alongside us about some of the most significant discoveries in Britain.


AIA Archaeology Hour with Katherine Chiou
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 11/16/2023

Join the AIA for a fascinating lecture as Katherine L. Chiou (University of Alabama) presents Cuisine and Crisis: An Edible History of the Moche of Ancient Peru. Imagine stepping into the shoes of an ancient Peruvian, tasting the flavors and savoring the meals of a time long past. In this talk, we'll journey into the rich culinary history of the Moche people, who thrived along the desertic northern Peruvian coast from AD 100-800. But it's not just about what was on the plate; it's about what those meals can tell us about the lives, struggles, and joys of two very different parts of Moche society. By exploring both a grand feast preparation area and a humble commoner's home, we'll dig into what food reveals about wealth, status, and daily life during a turbulent time marked by drought and political tension. How did food contribute to social unrest? Were the rich and poor eating the same meals or were there stark differences? What does a simple dish tell us about a person's identity? These questions and more will be served up in this delicious journey into the past, blending archaeology, technology, and a good pinch of culinary intrigue. Whether you're a foodie, history buff, or simply curious about how meals connect us to our ancestors, this talk is a feast for the mind you won't want to miss.


AIA Archaeology Hour with Anne Austin
By: ArchaeologyTV. Published: 10/19/2023

Anne Austin (University of Missouri, St. Louis) presents Ancient Ink: Discovering the Tattooed Women of Ancient Egypt. Until recently, the practice of tattooing in ancient Egypt was rarely attested with only scant evidence from a handful of mummified individuals spanning Pharaonic Egypt’s more than 3,000-year history. However, recent discoveries—including those from Deir el-Medina— have rewritten what was once thought about the practice. This talk coalesces physical and art historical evidence to offer some of the most comprehensive interpretations to date on the practice of tattooing in ancient Egypt. CONTENT WARNING: This talk will include images of human remains. This AIA Archaeology Hour lecture was originally recorded on October 18, 2023 and presented by the AIA-Puget Sound Society as part of AIA National Lecture Program. Learn more at https://www.archaeological.org/programs/public/lectures/ #archaeology


The Archaeology Channel

Heritage Broadcasting Service Trailer
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 03/27/2024

Heritage Broadcasting Service, or just plain Heritage, launched on January 1, 2021. Developed by the nonprofit Archaeological Legacy Institute (that’s us, the people who created The Archaeology Channel at archaeologychannel.org), Heritage features more than 300 outstanding film titles from many countries on familiar subjects. Explore our catalog, view film trailers, and subscribe at Heritage! https://www.heritagetac.org/


Heritage Broadcasting Service Release- 3/18/24
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 03/18/2024

Heritage Broadcasting Service, or just plain Heritage, launched on January 1, 2021. Developed by the nonprofit Archaeological Legacy Institute (that’s us, the people who created The Archaeology Channel at archaeologychannel.org), Heritage features more than 300 outstanding film titles from many countries on familiar subjects. As of March 18, 2024, new films include: “Reminiscence of Gangaur,” “Beyond the Shell,” and “Strata: Portraits of Humanity Season 10, Episode 6.” Check out these and more, only on Heritage! https://www.heritagetac.org/ #archaeology #heritage #anthropology #history #TheArchaeologyChannel


Strata: Portraits of Humanity, March 2024 Preview
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 03/11/2024

Season 10 Episode 6 Strata: Portraits of Humanity, March 2024 (Indigenous Canadian short, Ikwé ; preserving a 16th century Greek church in northern Cyprus) (1) “Ikwé”: This experimental film from Canada is the re-imagining of a generational conversation and passage of traditional knowledge between a woman and her grandmother moon. The film weaves the narrative of one woman’s (Ikwé’s) intimate thoughts with the teachings of her grandmother, the Moon. (2) “In the Village of Poets”: The people of a small Turkish village in northern Cyprus, called “The Village of Poets,” remarkably have worked on their own for a long time to preserve a sixteen-century Greek church. #heritage #strata #archaeology #anthropology #history


Heritage Broadcasting Service Release- 3/4/24
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 02/28/2024

Heritage Broadcasting Service, or just plain Heritage, launched on January 1, 2021. Developed by the nonprofit Archaeological Legacy Institute (that’s us, the people who created The Archaeology Channel at archaeologychannel.org), Heritage features more than 300 outstanding film titles from many countries on familiar subjects. As of March 4, 2024, new films include: Old Strings and the Threads of Fate,” “Denim Gold: How the Kam people of China preserved indigo dyeing,” and “Humanity's Footsteps, Season 1, Episode 2: Modern Humans.” Check out these and more, only on Heritage! https://www.heritagetac.org/ #archaeology #heritage #anthropology #history #TheArchaeologyChannel


Strata: Portraits of Humanity, February 2024 Preview
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 02/09/2024

Season 10 Episode 5 Strata: Portraits of Humanity, February 2024 (Indigenous short,“Nothing About Moccasins”; Brian Rose and the excavation of Midas’ capital) (1) Young First Nations Canadian director Eden Mallina Awashish struggles to understand why her grandmother refuses to allow her to shoot a film about moccasins. Eden made this film to shine a spotlight on the Atikamekw nation and its issues. (2) Working to uncover the capital of Phrygia, the realm of legendary King Midas, the excavation team led by Dr. Brian Rose opens the curtains of the ages with the consciousness and enthusiasm of writing history. The documentary focuses on Dr. Rose and his infectious passion for archaeology. #heritage #strata #archaeology #anthropology #history


Heritage Broadcasting Service Release- 2/15/24
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 02/09/2024

Heritage Broadcasting Service, or just plain Heritage, launched on January 1, 2021. Developed by the nonprofit Archaeological Legacy Institute (that’s us, the people who created The Archaeology Channel at archaeologychannel.org), Heritage features more than 300 outstanding film titles from many countries on familiar subjects. As of February 15th, 2024, new films include: “Japanese Buddhism,” “Regnum Fest,” and “Strata: Portraits of Humanity Season 10, Episode 5.” Check out these and more, only on Heritage! https://www.heritagetac.org/ #archaeology #heritage #anthropology #history #TheArchaeologyChannel


Heritage Broadcasting Service Release- 1/29/24
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 02/02/2024

Heritage Broadcasting Service, or just plain Heritage, launched on January 1, 2021. Developed by the nonprofit Archaeological Legacy Institute (that’s us, the people who created The Archaeology Channel at archaeologychannel.org), Heritage features more than 250 outstanding film titles from many countries on familiar subjects. As of January 29th, 2024, new films include: “Paty’s Journey,” “Sound of Silence,” and the first episode of “Humanity's Footsteps.” Check out these and more, only on Heritage! https://www.heritagetac.org/ #archaeology #heritage #anthropology #history #TheArchaeologyChannel


Strata: Portraits of Humanity, January 2024 Preview
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 01/10/2024

Season 10 Episode 4 Strata: Portraits of Humanity, January 2024 (Honduras Indigenous language; Etruscan civilization) (1) This short film tells the story of an indigenous boy in Honduras named Yüi who loves his Miskito language and culture. He talks about how important it is to learn in his own language and emphasizes the value that this represents. (2) The early Mediterranean civilization of Etruria flourished for a thousand years and then vanished, leaving beguiling art and artifacts, but little trace of its history. After decades of painstaking work, archaeologists now are beginning to piece together a fascinating portrait of daily life in Etruscan society. #heritage #strata #archaeology #anthropology


Heritage Broadcasting Service Release- 1/15/24
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 01/10/2024

Heritage Broadcasting Service, or just plain Heritage, launched on January 1, 2021. Developed by the nonprofit Archaeological Legacy Institute (that’s us, the people who created The Archaeology Channel at archaeologychannel.org), Heritage features more than 250 outstanding film titles from many countries on familiar subjects. As of January 15th, 2024, new films include: “Darkened Water,” “Totem & Ore,” and “Strata: Portraits of Humanity Season 10, Episode 4.” Check out these and more, only on Heritage! https://www.heritagetac.org/ #archaeology #heritage #anthropology #history #TheArchaeologyChannel


Strata: Portraits of Humanity, December 2023 Preview
By: The Archaeology Channel. Published: 12/14/2023

Season 10 Episode 3 Strata: Portraits of Humanity, December 2023 (Mia’ animated film; Bajau ocean-dwellers) (1) In this imaginative animated short film, a young Indigenous female street artist named Mia’ walks through the city streets painting scenes rooted in the supernatural history of her people. The alleyways become her sanctuary and secret gallery, and her art comes to life. (2) The filmmmaker of this piece visits the Bajau, an Indonesian nomadic group who have lived on the ocean for centuries, and whose lives are affected by the unconscious habits of people living thousands of miles away. What is the suffering ocean saying to the Bajau? #heritage #strata #archaeology #anthropology


Robert Cargill's Youtube Channel

How did Judas Die? | Bible & Archaeology
By: Bible & Archaeology. Published: 03/27/2024

What does the Bible actually say about the death of Judas? Dr. Bob Cargill and Jordan Jones discuss the gospel's conflicting description of the death of Judas Iscariot in this clip from March 22nd's Bible & Archaeology LIVE! Watch the full discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_AnR3jOPnc Become a Bible & Archaeology patron: http://www.patreon.com/xkv8r Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu Visit the Bible & Archaeology website: http://www.uiowa.edu/bam


The Resurrection of Jesus — Bible & Archaeology LIVE! — Mar 29, 2024
By: Bible & Archaeology. Published: 03/26/2024

Join us this Friday, March 29nd, at 6 PM central / 7 PM eastern at Bible & Archaeology LIVE for a discussion with Dr. Bob Cargill and Jordan Jones on what the Gospels say about Jesus' resurrection and why. Become a Bible & Archaeology patron: http://www.patreon.com/xkv8r Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu Visit the Bible & Archaeology website: http://www.uiowa.edu/bam


Neolithic Boats Found in Italy | Bible & Archaeology News
By: Bible & Archaeology. Published: 03/24/2024

Dr. Bob Cargill and Bible & Archaeology Managing Editor Jordan Jones discuss some recent archaeological news during Bible & Archaeology Live. Checkout the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_AnR3jOPnc Become a Bible & Archaeology patron: http://www.patreon.com/xkv8r Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu Visit the Bible & Archaeology website: http://www.uiowa.edu/bam


Judas' Death: Did Judas Die Twice? — Bible & Archaeology LIVE! — Mar 22, 2024
By: Bible & Archaeology. Published: 03/23/2024

Join us this Friday, March 22nd, at 5 PM central / 6 PM eastern at Bible & Archaeology LIVE for a discussion with Dr. Bob Cargill and Jordan Jones on the gospel's description of the death of Judas Iscariot. Become a Bible & Archaeology patron: http://www.patreon.com/xkv8r Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.edu Visit the Bible & Archaeology website: http://www.uiowa.edu/bam


Who was Bar Kokhba?
By: Bible & Archaeology. Published: 03/22/2024

Check out our live from March 15th for the full conversation.


Recording Archaeology Youtube Channel

32,000 Records and Counting: MAA’s Stores Move Project
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/28/2024

32,000 Records and Counting: MAA’s Stores Move Project In September 2020, the Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology (MAA) commenced a five- year project to move all offsite collections – c. 8,600 boxes as well as large objects – to the newly refurbished Cambridge Nuclear Bunker, close to the city centre. The Stores Move Project is much more than a ‘simple’ move, however. The estimated 250,000 objects are being physically checked, their catalogue records updated and their condition assessed, before being photographed and repacked by the project’s nine Collections Assistants. The improved records are immediately publicly accessible via the museum’s online catalogue and the images can be downloaded for free. Behind the overarching five-year plan, however, are the daily realities: of Collections Assistants processing an average of one object every 15 minutes; of Collections Managers preparing the ground ahead and checking the updated records; of database development to create logistical efficiency and of policy writing to ensure best practice. In this paper we will discuss these practical issues, as well as the opportunities that this project has afforded us as an institution and as museum archaeologists. In developing the Stores Move Project, MAA benefitted tremendously from the experience and honest advice of colleagues across the sector who were undertaking, or had recently completed, stores moves. Two years into our own project, this paper seeks to continue that dialogue in an effort to benefit colleagues contemplating a future move, or any project involving the large-scale processing of collections. Imogen Gunn is the Collections Manager for Archaeology at MAA, where she has worked since 2006. She is part of the team that planned the Stores Move Project and 50% of her time is allocated to the project. Lily Stancliffe is one of nine Collections Assistants working on MAA’s Stores Move Project. In the past two years she has processed thousands of objects as part of the project.


The Lockdown Opened Museums Up for Us
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/27/2024

This paper started with a tweet responding to social media output by Oxfordshire Museums Service (OMS) and other organisations during the pandemic. Rachel Ephgrave tweeted ‘…..It is disability not lockdown that keeps me away from museums. I hope you and others keep up these initiatives once lockdown is over. I am sure there must be many benefitting from the increased access that lockdown has paradoxically provided!’ This paper is a case study on how, during lockdowns, the OMS opened its ‘doors’ to new and existing audiences using social media. The new audience we will focus on are those of us who have conditions such as ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long Covid, conditions where no matter what fixtures and fittings are incorporated into museum buildings to aid accessibility, they still do not enable people to access collections. We will describe the digital archaeological output of OMS, with examples and will describe the impact such engagement had on this new audience during the pandemic, what is hoped for the future and why we shouldn’t always think of just the ‘footfall’ into our museums but our ‘digital-footfall’ as well. This is a collaborative paper between OMS, delivered by Angie Bolton, Curator of Archaeology, Linda Hending and Rachel Ephgrave, both of whom had ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which has a significant impact on how they lead their lives and, in relation to this paper, access archaeology


Presentation of awards
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/26/2024


Unlocking the Potential of Archaeological Archives: a mini manifesto
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/25/2024

Whose responsibility is it to enable as many people as possible to access thousands of archaeological archives deposited in museums and other institutions? How do we as museum archaeologists both create and break down barriers to access, and who is interested in archives once they are dug up anyway? Understanding how our multiple audiences want to consume the product of fieldwork is clearly a key consideration, but what does the menu of opportunities we need to provide look like? Are we guilty of rehashing the same old ingredients and what can we do to democratise engagement? This paper draws upon a chapter produced by the speaker for a new Oxford Handbook of Museum Archaeology to suggest a series of actions all museum archaeologists might consider taking to unlock the potential of archaeological archives in their care. Gail Boyle is Senior Curator of Archaeology and World Cultures (Bristol Museums) and has been a successful museum archaeologist for over 35 years: she is a Fellow of the Museums Association and Society of Antiquaries and a member of the Treasure Valuation Committee. Gail sits on several UK heritage and museum-related bodies, is a former Chair of SMA and now Digital Officer. She has co-authored, edited and contributed to several SMA publications including the new ‘Standards and Guidance in the Care of Archaeological Collections’ (2020) and ‘Communicating Archaeology’ (2021)


Defining a Resource: the Ossuary at St Peters Church, Barton
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/22/2024

In 2007 English Heritage created a modern-day ossuary at St Peters, Barton on Humber, to house the extensive human remains assemblage excavated from the site. This paper will reflect on this most particular of resources 15 years on from its inception. In reviewing the ways in which the assemblage has been accessed and used, I will consider how the ossuary has, (and has not), met our expectations as a repository for the human remains. I will question those expectations, and consider what the term ‘resource’ means for a human remains assemblage. In 2019 English Heritage began to explore our role as curators of the Barton assemblage: who do we hold the resource for and who is it relevant to? I will use this paper to articulate some of that thinking and suggestions on how we might open-up conversation around, and find resonance in, the deceased population of the town across a millennium. Kevin Booth has been Senior Curator with English Heritage since 2005. Kevin led the project to create the ossuary and has curated the resource since it opened in 2007. Barton is one of 47 properties with collection displays and stores within the North Territory, covering the Neolithic to the Cold War across a third of a million objects. Content warning: The Powerpoint for this paper will include images of human remains.


Skin in the Game: A Partnership with the Museum of Leathercraft to elucidate the Leather Industry
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/21/2024

The Museum of Leathercraft [MoL], in conjunction with the University of Cambridge, has been successful in applying for funding to investigate the 'English Leather Industry in the Long Nineteenth Century' using the MoL archive and collections as an intrinsic resource. The MoL was founded in 1946 by a group of leather chemists and polymaths, who quickly amassed a considerable and eclectic assemblage of leather artefacts and archival materials. Over the last 76 years, this archaeological treasure trove has been reviewed and organised in a manner akin to an archaeological dig. Objects have been identified, recorded, and catalogued, alongside a combination of archival documents, labels, letters, and drawings, all examined and filed. This collection represents one of the largest, most well-recorded assemblages of archaeological artefacts of one of humanity’s earliest manufacturing enterprises, one that sits at the intersection of industrial history, fashion, art, livestock, tools, machinery, books, footwear, chemistry, legal histories, and community. The size and magnitude of this collection allow both historians and archaeologists alike the rare luxury to see the full breadth of an industry’s history and importance laid out. Despite such a treasure trove, this resource remains mostly unexplored by the academic community. It is our hope that the lack of study and cultural investment in this field can be remedied through the combination of heritage and academic projects. By inserting the history of leather into the academic conversation, and by tying together the litany of leather items and artefacts into a single cohesive history, this unexplored industry can be ‘rediscovered’. The doctoral project employs a cross-disciplinary approach to explore the key elements of the history of the British leather industry, employing data and artefacts that until now have remained outside the scope of most academic research. Stuart Henderson is a PhD student at the University of Cambridge studying ‘The History of the Leather Industry during the Long Nineteenth Century’. Stuart holds a First-Class Honours degree and a Masters by Research (MRes) degree from the University of York in Archaeology, with the latter primarily concerned with the history of the parchment industry. Dr Graham Lampard is Assistant Curator at MoL and previously worked for ten years forLeather International magazine as well as completing a PhD at Leicester University on the subject of mineral tanning mechanisms.


Call it a piece of horse harness!
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/20/2024

I am told that for years it has been a standing joke that if you don’t know what an object is, attribute it to being a piece of horse harness! Horse equipment is quite a specialized subject and I have seen some very strange items attributed to equine use. I have also helped people make some amazing discoveries which has made me realise the value of the collection for research. I am not an archaeologist but owner and curator of the Museum of the Horse. The collection represents a lifetime of collecting and studying the subject, both from a historical point of view and from that of a rider. We have a good cross section of bits, spurs, stirrups, and general metalware dating from about 600 BC to the twentieth century from the UK and other countries. I will show a selection of the type of items we hold. While one can see diagrams and drawings of various items in books, to be able to see the real thing and to be able to compare different styles and dates of objects means the subject becomes much easier to understand and thus aids identification. The museum is open five and a half days a week. If you are looking for anything specific, please contact us before visiting as we have many more items in store. Sally Mitchell is an art dealer whose passion has always been horses. She has collected equestrian antiques and antiquities for most of her life and opened the, now awardwinning, Museum of the Horse, eight years ago. It has had international recognition and is the only comprehensive horse museum in England. Author of the definitive reference work The Dictionary of British Equestrian Artists and other art books, she recently co-authored with Nick Creaton, A Brief History of the Side Saddle.


'A curse upon the men who tried to steal our bog' Annemarie Ní Churreáin
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/19/2024

Rosie Everett (Northumbria University) & Benjamin Gearey (University College Cork) In this paper, we reflect upon the background and circumstances that led to the composition of a poem: ‘A curse upon the men who tried to steal our bog’ by ANC. This arose from a JPICH funded project ‘WetFutures’ (Ireland), and related intra-disciplinary discussions concerning Irish peatlands, heritage, archaeology, literature and artistic representation. There will be a reading of the poem, a discussion of the collaborative process and reflection on the value and purpose of trans-disciplinary conversations in the context of the creation of new poetry.


The Landscape Poetics of Barrows
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/18/2024

Jonathan Last (Historic England) Prehistoric barrows have a doubly affective quality, linked to the common presence of human remains and the material properties of the monuments that connect them to their landscapes. Yet the language archaeologists use to describe them often remains objective and technical, leading to a disconnect between our experience of excavating or surveying them and the reporting of that process. Considering the ways that poets have engaged with barrows and their contents can help us reflect on that language, potentially opening up other ways of writing about life, death, materiality and landscape in prehistory, as well as making stronger connections with present-day places and concerns. This presentation will draw particularly on works by Peter Riley and Roy Fisher.


Using CRMarchaeo to combine excavation archives into FAIR resource
By: Recording Archaeology. Published: 03/17/2024

Stephen Stead We have previously discussed the Swedish National Infrastructure for Digital Archaeology project (SweDigArch) and the decision to use CRMarchaeo to underpin the facilitation of the production of aggregated and harmonised datasets. CRMarchaeo is an extension of CIDOC CRM and is designed to link a wide range of existing documentation from archaeological excavations both within and across sites. The CRMarchaeo extension has been created to promote a shared understanding of how to formalise the knowledge extracted from the observations made by archaeologists. It provides a set of concepts and properties that allow clear explanation (and separation) of the observations and interpretations made, both in the field and in post-excavation. This paper considers the nitty-gritty of representing the content of an integrated context recording platform as differentiated observation and interpretation instance data. It will illustrate some of the critical decisions in the disambiguation process and thereby shed some light on design decisions in future recording practice.