I began my new course yesterday Archaeology of the Ancient Near East and it got off to an excellent start. Interesting lecture and engaging lecturer combined with excellent access to reading material. Not the same as face to face but not bad at all. It got me reminiscing... my father used to take me to the National Museum of Scotland as a boy, when it was in Queens Street. I was fascinated by the exhibits especially the reconstructed full sized chariot and model of a broch. He also took me sometimes to Vindolanda and other sites on Hadrian’s Wall. While there I bought a few bits of broken pottery and nails- they seemed to be selling tons in the late sixties early seventies to supplement their funds. I made a wee museum in fablon wood effect covered shirt boxes and got a few other bits such as Roman coins. I was enthralled. I also was given the book in the photo when I was about eleven. It was my pride and joy and I poured over the illustrations. Here are some pictures below. I wanted to be an archaeologist when I grew up. It didn’t happen. I did volunteer on a dig one summer when I was around twenty and have retained my interest ( Time Team etc) in my reading and visiting. Enjoy the photos below-
Went to Vindolanda a few times in my youth... back in the days when Robin Birley ran the dig. Strangely there was a programme on the telly earlier today - seems his son is now in charge.
ReplyDeleteGoing back a few threads - late night painting sesion (Greek hoplites) and listening to the Pink version of White Rabbit. Not as good as Grace Slick but pretty close.
I will look out for the Pink White Rabbit , don’t know it.
DeleteIt's on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlxUnzuMAD0
DeleteHaving years ago made a study of the history of the Near and Far East (part of what was intended to be the 'Classics' half of a double major, along with History, but as I bollixed the programme, it had to remain a very strong minor). The history bits of the course was what interested me most. I would very much have liked to have got into archaeology myself. Some very interesting things to see and to discover. I can well understand your enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to find out about the Archaeology of our brave lead fellows!
DeleteJust read those excerpts of the book. It looks an excellent introduction.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s excellent but probably a tad out of date re techniques etc.
DeleteI was lucky enough to do quite a bit of digging when I was younger both locally and on Hadrian's wall , an interesting job but hard to make money at, all of my friends who where professionals have moved on to 'proper' jobs that pay the mortgage .
ReplyDeleteThe folk I knew who did it have also had to get proper jobs. I wonder if some early archaeology figure vignettes might be interesting addition to your 54mm toy soldier armies...
DeleteOne of my gaming chums is a full time professional archaeologist. I'll introduce you to him if I ever see you both at the same show, whenever that will be.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to that Jim, probably 2022 I fear!
DeleteAngus MacBride illustrations! I have the Rene North Uniforms volume and the curious orphan volume on Wargames by David Nash out of these Hamlyn paperbacks series. My equivalent was the lovely Clare Goff "Visual Library" all colour large sized reference series for children / schools.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for this course - this was my career "road not taken" as in the Thatcherite 80s, pre Time Team, career prospects beyond poorly paid seasonal diggers were poor, outside of the few university posts.
You might be interested in Dig Nation online, with lots of the Time Team regulars, Waterloo Uncovered - the dig, the Time Team archive on Channel 4 YouTube , the return of Time Team?
Thanks for the TT suggestions. I have the Rene North book on my shelves still. It was a gift from my Dad when I was a boy. I poured over the book and exotic battles it contoured up. I don’t know the Clare Goff books but I will look them up.
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