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Home » Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom Nov 23-Dec 5

Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom Nov 23-Dec 5

Here are my favorite posts from around the web this week and last. I enjoyed spending the days around Thanksgiving with my husband’s extended clan and my own children, so I didn’t spend any time putting up a post that week.

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Here’s an “intercultural” essay about an area of Australia where there’s a challenging mix of uranium mines, aboriginal peoples, tourists, crocodiles and one overly enthusiastic dog catcher, “The Dog Catcher of Jabiru”. By Margaret Spence, a writing critique friend of mine. Humor and depth all in one creative essay. Not to be missed. Click here 

BCLM_fish+chips

I have fond memories of eating truly greasy delicious fish and chips wrapped in newspaper during my days at University of Edinburgh, so I found this article about the Jewish origins of fish and chips particularly entertaining. Turns out even Jefferson while in London referred to cooking fish in oil as “the Jewish fashion.” The things historical fiction authors find out while researching for their books!

Note: Laura Kelley, who is a reliable food history expert, says this Jewish connection to English fish and chips is one of those inaccurate legends floating about. I do find the Jeffersonian reference at least vaguely persuasive, but you can judge for yourselves. Click here.

I enjoy keeping some of the mythic when I incorporate myths in my writing. I rather like their fantastical elements. However, myths often do have a rational or real source and can be rationalized. This is an interesting post about the possible actual mining source for Jason’s golden fleece. This particular solution was first proposed by the Romans, but now there’s suggestions of evidence to the theory. The fleece may have been a mining technique, accomplished by placing a sheep’s fleece in a gold-flake-filled stream to let it capture the precious fragments in the wool. I’m happy to report that there are still a few elements to the Jason and the Argonauts myth that this theory doesn’t explain. Click here

Jason and the Argonauts Disembark at Colchis, Palace of Versailles
Jason and the Argonauts Disembark at Colchis, Palace of Versailles

MK Tod teases out the historical fiction reading trends from her survey. This time UK versus US preferences. Very interesting. It appears I’m in the wrong country with my 1250 BCE book. The UK leans toward ancient world fiction much more than US. Any ideas why that is, friends? Click here. 

More fr Amphipolis tomb in northern Greece: Bulls, winged creatures on marble frieze found in 3rd chamber w/ mosaic. I can see the winged creatures—what could they be? The bull and the people standing next to the bull I can’t actually make out fr the photos. I love trying to guess which myth, legend or religious scene any given find is depicting. Suggestions? Click here

Here’s an exhibit I wish I could see (alas, it’s in Athens): Healing Practices of Ancient Greeks, at the Museum of Cycladic Art. They’ve brought it together from museums all over the world where good stuff has been scattered by pillage etc. Puzzling is that I have somehow missed this museum when in Athens. Their collection sounds incredible. The things one finds out too late… Next time in Athens! Click here

2 thoughts on “Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom Nov 23-Dec 5”

  1. I think the image might be the sacrifice of a bull for the deceased. The description of the images and from what I can see, it reminds me of the scenes on the Hagia Triada sarcophagus, which also depicted funerary sacrifices.

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