Archaeology: Egyptian Pet Cemetery
We all adore our pets, but historians often deny such loving relationships with dogs and cats in the ancient world. Now there’s some hard evidence for ancient fuzzy feelings.
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Judith Starkston
Judith Starkston has spent too much time exploring the remains of the ancient worlds of the Greeks and Hittites. Their myths and clashes inspire her fiction and open gates to magical realms. She has degrees in Classics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and Cornell. She loves myths and telling stories, and her novels imbue fantasy with the richness of ancient worlds. The first book in her Trojan Threads Series, Hand of Fire was a semi-finalist for the M.M. Bennett’s Award for Historical Fiction. Priestess of Ishana, the first in her historical fantasy Tesha series, won the San Diego State University Conference Choice Award. Judith is represented by Richard Curtis.
Review: Elegy to Murder by Priscilla Royal
My review of Elegy to Murder by Priscilla Royal. Royal’s latest medieval mystery shows a master crafter of historical fiction in her prime. A highly recommended addition to this long-running marvel of a series.
Archaeology: Ceremonial Chariot in Pompeii
A grand villa buried under Pompeii’s ash has revealed a unique find: a ceremonial chariot, all decorated up for a parade or marriage procession.
Review: Of Kings and Griffins
Historical Novels Review is the definitive review magazine for all historical fiction published in English, including historical fantasy. I’m pleased to share an excerpt from their review of my latest novel, Of Kings and Griffins in the February issue.
Archaeology: Ancient Egyptian Beer Brewery
In the fun archaeology department, an excavation in Abydos Egypt has uncovered what may be the oldest beer brewery. The huge beer production facility supplied funeral ceremonies at this burial ground.
Review: Joyous Lies by Margaret Spence
My review of Margaret Spence’s latest novel Joyous Lies. Joyous Lies is a tale of family secrets straining the bonds of family love, and lost ideals testing the deepest held values. Spence combines a spellbinding plot with nuanced, rich characters that will reach into your heart and not let go.
Sutton Hoo Treasure Gives Pleasure
I’ll recommend another entertainment this week, food for the brains and soul. The Netflix film “The Dig” unfolds the story of the glorious Sutton Hoo treasure, an Anglo-Saxon burial complete with golden masks and a complete ship, all on the eve of WWII.
Archaeology: Caligula’s Garden of Delights
The pleasure gardens of Caligula, Rome’s most infamous tyrant, were long thought lost to history. But the construction of a new office building made a subterranean excavation possible–and oh what they’ve uncovered!
Natalie Haynes, Let Her Entertain You
In this time-of-hope-but-still-isolated, here are some pleasurable entertainments by Natalie Haynes for those who love mythology and the classics: short videos, radio shows, and a novel set in the Trojan War
Archaeology: Seeing Purple Dye
Archaeologists in Israel have found a textile fragment dating to King David dyed in precious purple murex. That’s a first.