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.
Podcast Interview: Fantasy from History
I’m sharing with you a genuinely delightful interview conducted by Calvin Park on his “Under a Pile of Books” podcast. Among other topics, we talked about how I got started writing historical fantasy set in the Hittite Bronze Age world.
Archaeology: Placing Incan Prayers in a Lake
Laying votive offerings before the gods is a religious rite that occurs across human cultures and eras. I am intrigued by this Incan form of the practice and the parallels I see to the Hittites and other ancient peoples.
Writing Secondary Characters with Karen Odden
Even in my current locked-down existence, writer friends gather virtually and we learn from each other. This past Saturday, the Arizona Historical Novel Society hosted Karen Odden to talk about writing secondary characters. She’s a masterful author of historical fiction set in the Victorian period, and I was eager for her insights. She didn’t disappoint. I discuss the ideas I gleaned from her and showcase her excellent Victorian mysteries.
Archaeology: Saqqara Egypt in 3D
You may have toured the Saqqara necropolis in Egypt, location of the Djoser Step Pyramid. But now, thanks to the careful research and technical skills of archaeologist Elaine Sullivan you can tour in reconstructed 3D. Dive in. She has created a “real” view on the individual human level for each of the many dynastic periods of Saqqara’s history.