The Complaint Tablet of Ea-nasir is a remarkable archaeological artefact, recounting a trade dispute over copper ingots. The British Museum is full of all sorts of things that shouldn’t be there. One less well-known example, beyond the Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone, is an initially inconspious clay tablet, traditionally referred to as ‘The Complaint […]
★★★★☆ A must-watch for archaeology enthusiasts, or anyone with a love of the history of Egypt, this stunningly-shot documentary takes us inside an untouched tomb. Egyptology is a complex and controversial topic for Western audiences. For so long, it’s been wrapped-up so tightly in a complex narrative of Orientalism and treasure-hunting. On the one hand, […]
Contrasting views of the Scandinavian settlement of the Northumbrian ‘Danelaw’ have emerged in the historiography of the period. Archaeologically speaking, can we easily identify the presence of these ‘Vikings’, through culturally distinctive material culture? Or, alternatively, is the narrative of invasion and settlement put forward in contemporary sources far less clear in the archaeological record? […]
Contrasting views of the Scandinavian settlement of the Northumbrian ‘Danelaw’ have emerged in the historiography of the period. Archaeologically speaking, can we easily identify the presence of these Vikings, through culturally distinctive material culture? Or, alternatively, is the narrative of invasion and settlement put forward in contemporary sources far less clear in the archaeological record? […]
This week, in a repurposing of my Masters Degree dissertation, we have a look at the trade weights used by the Vikings. Often found by metal-detectorists and amateur archaeologists, these are often considered as diagnostic of the presence of Vikings within England. But what were they used for, and what can they tell us about […]
This week, in a repurposing of my Masters Degree dissertation, we have a look at the trade weights used by the Vikings. Often found by metal-detectorists and amateur archaeologists, these are often considered as diagnostic of the presence of Vikings within England. But what were they used for, and what can they tell us about […]
Cat Jarman’s new book River Kings is a huge triumph, not only for the study of the Vikings in England more broadly, but for the accessibility of the archaeological method, and the outstanding uses it can be put to. #ComissionsEarned (This post includes Amazon Affiliate links) – As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying […]
#ComissionsEarned (This post includes Amazon Affiliate links) – As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I thought I’d take everyone through a walkthrough of my bookshelf, and the books that have helped me on my academic journey so far. Here you’ll find a wide range of recommendations to help you out to start […]
This week, in a cannibalised version of a piece of coursework I once wrote, I thought it would be interesting to explore the question of post-colonialism (esp. hybridity) in regard to the study of the Vikings – what can this approach tell us, and how can it challenge past narratives? This can never be more […]
The latest summary of free and easy-access resources for those interested in early medieval history. The Electronic Sawyer is a free online database of Anglo-Saxon charter evidence, covering a broad chronological and geographical scope. What are Anglo-Saxon Charters? ‘Charters’ represent a diverse set of legal documents; wills, the gifting of land and provision of privileges, […]
Although Sutton Hoo dominates the popular imagination of Anglo-Saxon ship burials, there is another prime example excavated substantially earlier – The Snape Ship Burial. Less rich in grave-goods, it still provides a fascinating look into Middle Anglo-Saxon burial practices. Here’s a very brief overview of the site, along with some resources for further reading. Ship […]
This week, in a repurposing of my Masters Degree dissertation, we have a look at the trade weights used by the Vikings. Often found by metal-detectorists and amateur archaeologists, these are often considered as diagnostic of the presence of Vikings within England. But what were they used for, and what can they tell us about […]
Did the ‘Vikings’ leave an archaeologically identifiable footprint in England when they settled? Can we excavate those remains and find the presence of the raiders and settlers? Richard and Haldenby’s exceptional 2018 article suggests yes, we can. This week I thought I’d write a quick article about my favourite article ever – Richard and Haldenby’s […]
A dominant question in late ‘Anglo-Saxon’ history and archaeology is how and why the newly solidified thegnly class establish themselves, and what material culture we can use to track their presence. It is broadly agreed that ‘thegnly culture’ is a useful and meaningful term – why did a new way of living develop, and what […]