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Home » Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom May 31-June 6

Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom May 31-June 6

Here are some posts I enjoyed around the web this week:

The oldest case of murder, 430,000 yrs ago—Pleistocene crime shows evidence of interpersonal violence in early man. How did they figure out murder? Two holes in skull made by same tool and the angles etc indicate blow rather than an innocent fall. Fall on the same rock twice and cause two lethal wounds—too unlikely. The scientists’ conclusion: we’ve been inclined to kill each other since the beginning. I’m not sure whether this is depressing or obvious. I’m hoping they’ll find evidence of altruism in early man next… Click here for PLOS One “Lethal Interpersonal Violence in the Middle Pleistocene”

Scythian Gold stag, Cleveland Museum
Scythian Gold stag, Cleveland Museum

Scythian gold and a black residue of cannabis and opium found in southern Russia archaeological dig. Turns out the stories Herodotus etc told of Scythian burial practices and out of body experiences weren’t made up. Apparently after a 40 day “viewing” period of the king’s body, he was buried with gorgeous gold cups and jewelry and then his men got high to purify themselves. That’s the theory. Click here for Archaeology News Network “Scythian Gold Vessels Used in Hemp Rituals”

Sophisticated discussion of whether self-publishing works for literary fiction. Interesting implications for the genre author also. On Jane Friedman’s blog with agents Vicki Bijur and Ayesha Pande. Click here for Jane Friedman’s blog “Self-Publishing Literary Fiction.”

In a world of blown up archaeological sites, this Turkish couple sold their last chicken to preserve a mosaic. This is a lovely post—full of archaeological missteps, it’s true, but at least these villagers wanted to preserve their past more than anything. That no one tried to assist them with knowledge and competency in archaeology is kind of par for the course, but you have to smile and be happy reading this. I’m hoping the chicken got an honorable death. Click here for Archaeology News Network “Turkish Villager given Permit to Display Graeco-Roman Artefacts in her Garden” 

leather bound booksThe results of the 2015 Historical Fiction Reader Survey. Who’s reading & what preferences. Thanks to Mary Tod for all the hard work. Click here for “2015 Historical Survey Report” on Mary Tod’s A Writer of History

 

Here’s a brief, entertaining history of poisoning fr David Waid. From Paracelsus to Chinese gu, Neruda and Game of Thrones. What’s in your coffee this morning? Click here for David Waid “A Brief History of Poison”