HAPPY NEW YEAR!
to all of you who follow my blog. Here’s to a year full of history, good stories, new archaeological finds and great conversations among friends. Below are my favorite posts from around the web this week.
Earliest mining license, carved in stone, to be protected from further damage in Turkey. In this article from a Turkish newspaper, it’s described as Hittite, but must be Neo-Hittite since they say it’s 8th C BCE and the Hittite Empire collapsed around 1100 BCE. Still pretty cool. Translation offered is “King Warpalavas gives the administration of the Bolkar Mountains to Prince Tarhunzas and wishes for the mountain to be productive.” I’m glad they are taking measures to protect it. The many rock carvings I saw last spring along the Old Hittite Road were totally exposed to weather damage and gradually disappearing. Maybe the authorities will get inspired to build some protection for those much more famous carvings. Hint, hint… Click here for write up in Archaeology News Network
I didn’t realize so much blood was shed for nutmeg, torture, beheadings. Yikes. And the Brits sort of got Manhattan from the Dutch in exchange for nutmeg, apparently. That’s a lot of gore and history for one spicy nut. Think about that the next time you grate some. But not too much. This article also claims it has drugging effects. Fun snippets of history in an NPR post. Click here on NPR.org
On authenticity in historical fiction. Why it matters and where it can sink a writer. I enjoyed this one by Lynn Shepherd. Click here for Lynn Shepherd ‘s blog
“And is the Iliad only a tale for boys, or is it Homer’s women who really understand what war is all about?” A quote from an article “Why Bother to Read the Classics Today?” in The Irish Times. The authors have written a book arguing that everyone will find an appealing author amidst the variety of ideas relevant to modern times contained in the 12 core classics they discuss. I think their observation that Homer’s women may be key is, of course, a brilliant observation. I not only agree and I gave Briseis a whole book’s worth of room to express herself. Click here for The Irish Times
Writer Unboxed UnCon wrap-up Part I: lots of gems re writing character, getting deep and connecting w/ yr characters Click here for Writer Unboxed UnCon Wrap-up Part I
Comments from historical fiction readers fr Mary Tod’s survey on their likes and dislikes. Interesting window into what the historical fiction audience enjoys. Click here for Mary Tod’s Blog, A Writer of History
As a person who loves to cook and tries to include food in a vivid way in my writing, I enjoyed this intimate look by Mary F. Burns at the Abbot’s Kitchen one of the best preserved medieval kitchens. Can you imagine the grand meals prepared in this space? Click here for English Historical Fiction Authors on The Abbot’s Kitchen