| Moving! |
[02 September, 2011 - 1:08am] |
Not that I really update as much as I should, but I have decided to migrate on over to Dreamwidth. I have more then enough codes to blow, I figured I might as well make the switch. (And speaking of invite codes, feel free to ask me. They're just sitting there, otherwise)
Same bat time, same bat channel, same borderline offencive and politically-incorrect historic facts: mediaevalist.dreamwidth.org/.
Cheers!
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| Round Table found? |
[27 August, 2011 - 2:28am] |
The Round Table might have been found.
Yep, Scootland.
The King's Knot, a geometrical earthwork in the former royal gardens below Stirling Castle, has been shrouded in mystery for hundreds of years. Though the Knot as it appears today dates from the 1620s, its flat-topped central mound is thought to be much older. Writers going back more than six centuries have linked the landmark to the legend of King Arthur.
I've seen this mound when I visited Stirling Castle. At the time, I was more fixated on the crazy-ass story about how James II had murdered the 8th Earl of Douglas when he refused to end his alliance with the Earl of Ross and the Earl of Crawford (which James considered treasonous) by stabbing him 26 times (how did they find that number?) and tossing the body out the window into the garden below.
If I had know the friggin Round Table was out in the King's Knot, I would have paid less attention to the possibility of Douglas's ghost wandering around the inner garden.
Archaeologists from Glasgow University, working with the Stirling Local History Society and Stirling Field and Archaeological Society, conducted the first ever non-invasive survey of the site in May and June in a bid to uncover some of its secrets.
Yeah, well. Glasgow. There was a reason I was sent there for Celtic Archaeology studies.
Historian John Harrison, chair of the SLHS, who initiated the project, said: "Archaeologists using remote-sensing geophysics, have located remains of a circular ditch and other earth works beneath the King's Knot.
"The finds show that the present mound was created on an older site and throws new light on a tradition that King Arthur's Round Table was located in this vicinity."
Stories have been told about the curious geometrical mound for hundreds of years -- including that it was the Round Table where King Arthur gathered his knights.
Around 1375 the Scots poet John Barbour said that "the round table" was south of Stirling Castle, and in 1478 William of Worcester told how "King Arthur kept the Round Table at Stirling Castle".
Oh, but it gets even better.
It has also been suggested the site is partly Iron Age or medieval, or was used as a Roman fort.
Considering that most evidence points to Camelot having been a former Roman fort?
If Camelot turns out to be Stirling Castle, I will laugh my derriere off. No, seriously, I will.
But once again, I maintain careful scepticism. As massively cool as this would be, the evidence must support it.
Mr Harrison, who has studied the King's Knot for 20 years, said: "It is a mystery which the documents cannot solve, but geophysics has given us new insights.
"Of course, we cannot say that King Arthur was there, but the feature which surrounds the core of the Knot could explain the stories and beliefs that people held."
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| More things that make me embarrassed to be a feminist |
[26 August, 2011 - 4:03pm] |
Figures that I only remember this blog when I have a bad history rant.
I was linked to this article on Women in Reasonable Armour, which makes me squee in delight, since one of the things that annoys me is a lack of accuracy in lieu of fanservice. That goes for anything, really... there's a fine line between the Rule of Cool and outright ridiculousness. I should not be seeing panty-flashes in the middle of a swordfight.
But this article in turn linked to this, which then linked to this. Now, the blog itself is pretty objective, and doesn't attempt to draw conclusions from an inconclusive article that dryly observes numbers and begins forming theories, and saying nothing about the combat status of these women. But the comments are just... no. Way to jump to fluffybunny New Age wish-fulfilment conclusions, girls.
I've ranted on this silliness before, but I suppose it bears repeating yet again. (I especially like the HOMG TEH CHURCH TTTLY HAD WITCH TRIELS TO STEAL PEGGAN LANDS CUZ WYMYN COULD OWN LAND crap, which has already been proven false. Never let reality spoil your dreams)
( Yet another women warrior rant, you have been warned )
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| Possible Teotihuacan royal tomb |
[06 August, 2010 - 6:31pm] |
Mexican archaeologists find 1,800-year-old tunnel, possible tombs under Teotihuacan ruins
A long-sealed tunnel has been found under the ruins of Teotihuacan and chambers that seem to branch off it may hold the tombs of some of the ancient city's early rulers, archaeologists said Tuesday.
Experts say a tomb discovery would be significant because the social structure of Teotihuacan remains a mystery after nearly 100 years of archaeological exploration at the site, which is best known for the towering Pyramids of the Moon and the Sun.
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[07 June, 2010 - 12:35pm] |
This journal has a fair bit of dust on it, doesn't it? Time for some linkage:
Roman gladiator cemetery found in England
Scientists have found 80 skeletons in the "unique" cemetery under the city of York, northern England, since 2003.
They announced their discoveries on Sunday, ahead of a documentary about the site due to air in Britain on June 14. This was one of two big archaeological developments, with Israeli scientists announcing the discovery of a huge cache of ancient religious objects.
They first thought the graveyard might contain the remains of criminals or political purges.
But that doesn't explain the teeth mark.
Did the Crusaders have a Muslim ally in the First Crusade?
A new article is examining the relationship between Islamic states and the Crusader army during the First Crusade (1096-99) and suggests that the Fatimid kingdom of Egypt did attempt to ally with the Crusaders.
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Abu-Munshar also questions the assumption that the Fatimids were ignorant of the Crusader's ultimate goals. He writes, "How could the Fatimids misunderstand the crusaders’ aim when we know that the latter started their journey from Europe and took months, even years, to arrive in the east, with the clear aim of regaining Islamic Jerusalem from the Muslims? It is possible that most Muslims, Saljuqs and Fatimids alike, were at least partially aware of the crusaders’ intentions."
Ivy offers protection for historical buildings, study says
English Heritage commissioned a team of Oxford University academics to research the likely effects of ivy on historic buildings. In the three-year project, Oxford researchers analysed the effects of ivy growing on buildings in five different parts of England and discovered that the plant plays a protective role. They found that an ivy canopy was like a thermal shield, combating the extremes of temperature which often cause walls to crack.
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| Chair of Gaelic at the University of Glasgow |
[17 April, 2010 - 11:35am] |
I've really neglected this blog, haven't I? Even when I'm active, I only seem to use it to archive interesting or relevant links. Like today.
From Medieval News:
University of Glasgow creates first Chair of Gaelic in Scotland
Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh has been named as the first ever established Chair of Gaelic in Scotland by the University of Glasgow. The Chair has been created to recognise the University as a centre of excellence for the study of Celtic and Gaelic.
When I attended university there, there was already a Chair of Celtic, chaired by Professor Thomas Owen Clancy, (Not to be confused with Tom Clancy) though at the time it had been chaired by Professor Cathair O'Dochartaigh, if I recall correctly. The Department of Celtic Studies was already a rapidly-growing department, but it looks like Gaelic has been sectioned off a bit from the rest of Celtic.
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| Links for the day |
[31 October, 2009 - 5:06pm] |
In lieu of yet another Feis na Samhain post...
Mysterious carved stone could be Templar relic
Reports indicate that a mysterious carved stone has been uncovered alongside a 12th-century church associated with the Knights Templar in Scotland.
According to a report in the Scotsman, what appears to be the carved top of a sarcophagus, was unearthed when builders were excavating and reinforcing a wall alongside the old ruined church in Temple, Midlothian.
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The inscriptions, which include symbols similar to those found in Viking monuments, in medieval graves and in West Highland Celtic carvings, have baffled archaeologists.
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| In the Links I Forgot to Post department |
[15 October, 2009 - 6:32am] |
Ancient synagogue found in Israel
In what was slated to be the site of a new 122-room hotel, archaeologists say they have discovered one of the world's oldest synagogues in Northern Israel.
A large carved stone found during excavations of the recently uncovered synagogue.
The site, which was unearthed as preparations were being made for construction of the hotel near the Sea of Galilee, is believed to date back some 2000 years from 50 [BC] to 100 [AD].
Yes, I changed the year numbering system. BCE and CE are too similar and I get confused.
In the middle of the 120 square meter main hall of the synagogue archaeologists discovered an unusual stone carved with a seven branched menorah . "We are dealing with an exciting and unique find," said excavation director and Israeli Antiquities Authority archaeologist Dina Avshalom-Gorni.
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The synagogue was discovered in area called Migdal, historically an important settlement along the Sea of Galilee, which researchers say was mentioned in ancient Jewish texts as playing a prominent role during what is known as the Great Revolt, when Jews attempted to rebel against Roman rule. Migdal also figures in early Christian writings as the place where Mary Magdalene accompanied Jesus and the Apostles.
The funny thing about that part of the world, though, is that you can't throw a rock without hitting history.
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| In lieu of historic news... |
[21 May, 2009 - 10:58am] |
Five months (having forgotten this thing even existed), and I'm afraid all I have for you is this.
Pub evacuated, Holy Grenade of Antioch responsible
Buildings were evacuated, a street was cordoned off and a bomb disposal team called in after workmen spotted a suspicious object.
But the dangerous-looking weapon turned out to be the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, made famous in the 1975 film Monty Python And The Holy Grail.
Well you never know. There could have been a Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog around the premises.
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| Paging H. G. Wells! |
[19 December, 2008 - 11:56am] |
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Swiss watch found in 400-year-old tomb
Archaeologists in China are baffled after finding a tiny Swiss watch in a 400-year-old tomb.
The watch ring was discovered as archeologists were making a documentary with two journalists from Shangsi town.
And there are the kinds of jokes you'd expect in the comments at Drudge and Daily Mail.
Consider if you will a 400 year old Chinese tomb, apparently untouched.....
Antique Roadshow!!!
This could have been so much less confusing if those damned aliens had been wearing a SWATCH watch instead of a SWISS watch.....
It took a lickin and kept on tickin
"The watch stopped at 10:06am" So how does an analog watch indicate am?
I'd bet more like 10:06 PM. Seriously, who robs graves in the middle of the morning?
Humm.. Looks like one of the Doctor's companions slipped up. Again.
Hiro left it there while he's saving the world. But, of course, as one of those 'anime freaks', I'm going to have to say Yuuko was involved in this, I'm sure.
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| Some light reading material |
[13 December, 2008 - 4:24pm] |
I've already mentioned this in passing, but apparently there are others even more invested in research into the historical King Arthur than I am.
Author David F. Carroll self-published Arturius - The Quest for Camelot and went so far as to bet £1,000 that the "Legend of King Arthur" was inspired by Arturius, the son of Aidan MacGabran, the 6th century AD King of the Scots of Dál Riata. It's been 11 years since The Scotsman reported this, and so far he's had no takers.
Oh, and the book is free. And we all like free stuff, right? So go download it and help history literacy!
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| History articles for today |
[11 November, 2008 - 12:25pm] |
4,300-year-old pyramid discovered in Egypt
Egypt's chief archeologist has announced the discovery of a 4,300-year-old pyramid in Saqqara, the sprawling necropolis and burial site of the rulers of ancient Memphis.
The pyramid is said to belong to Queen Sesheshet, the mother of King Teti who was the founder of the sixth dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom.
Just when you think you've uncovered everything there is to find in Egypt, something else crops up. Let this be a lesson: never believe that you know everything there is to know about a subject. And never believe that we've uncovered all the secrets of the universe. We've just got the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
WW II vet held in Nazi slave camp breaks silence
Anthony Acevedo thumbs through the worn, yellowed pages of his diary emblazoned with the words "A Wartime Log" on its cover. It's a catalog of deaths and atrocities he says were carried out on U.S. soldiers held by Nazis at a slave labor camp during World War II -- a largely forgotten legacy of the war.
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He was one of 350 U.S. soldiers held at Berga am Elster, a satellite camp of the Nazis' notorious Buchenwald concentration camp. The soldiers, working 12-hour days, were used by the German army to dig tunnels and hide equipment in the final weeks of the war. Less than half of the soldiers survived their captivity and a subsequent death march, he says.
Since there is not really any need for secrecy at this point in time, I personally thank Acevedo for coming forward and for keeping such a detailed record of his experiences.
We not only owe him greatly for his service to his country, but for maintaining an invaluable record for future generations.
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| LOL WHUT |
[17 September, 2008 - 12:47pm] |
Well, now. I just found out I'm Jewish! *cue headdesking*
Once more, because apparently word is still circulating that Samhain itself is a festival (Sheesh, folks...could you actually read the Wiki article on it? Please?):
(an t-)Samhain(n) is the Irish Gaelic/Scottish Gaelic word for what is approximately the month of November.
The words you're looking for are Feis na Samhna, i.e., 'Feast of November' (Note the declension, kids!) If you're going to say it the old-fashioned way, at the very least you could make the attempt to get it right. Otherwise, just call it 'Hallowe'en', mmkay?
But this isn't what has me facepalming the most. No, what has me in laugh-or-else-I'll-cry mode is that it's been turned into a Jewish observance. You see, 'sabbat' is a corruption of the Hebrew word Sabbath, derived from the verb shabbat, or 'to cease'. It's not a celebration: it's the weekly period of rest observed in both Judaism and Christianity.
There's an interesting theory here about how the term 'sabbat' came to be connected to witches, but it really has no historical bearing other than common folklore. If you're discussing the modern Wiccan/neopagan observance, it's one thing. But use of the term to describe the historical occurrence of Hallowe'en/Feis na Samhna is, well, facepalm-worthy.
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