News:
What’s new in my writer life? I’m busy at my desk, watching our hot desert summer shift to cooler days. The clouds provide some drama in the sky above my back garden.
My cactus are blooming and in many ways, so am I, after a long stretch where cancer and other dreary things bogged me down. As you’ve likely noticed, I spent time this summer on a new edition of Hand of Fire and a new look and versatility to my website.
I’ve completed the first book in my new series, Priestess of Ishana. I’m in the process of sending out advance copy to reviewers. (If I haven’t gotten down the list to you and you want to review, leave a comment or send me an email.)
I’m working on the second book in this series, named after its main character, Tesha. That means there won’t be too long a wait for it after Priestess comes out in December. So I’m busy! I’ve enjoyed hearing back from many via my newsletter. I love conversing with all of you, so keep sending me your thoughts, questions and reactions.
Roundup of Posts
Here are a couple archaeology posts I enjoyed this week. A Cycladic figurine find on Santorini. The hand of god, Roman-style from Vindolanda England. I’ve added a quick video of Leonard Nimoy explaining the Jewish origins of his famous hand gesture as Spock. The Roman hand of god got me thinking about the universality of divine hand gestures.
Cycladic Figurine from Santorini
Akrotiri, an archaeological site on the Greek island of Santorini (ancient Thera) is the source of some of the most iconic Bronze Age frescoes and those haunting Cycladic figurines.
This latest excavation season focused on some chests found under rubble. They were uncovered inside a large and probably public building known as “The House of Benches.” Archaeologists found a marble proto-Cycladic figure and various other objects that seem ritualistic in nature. In the photo the figurine is only partially unburied, but it is quite lovely in the haunting, suggestive way of these figurines. Click here for Archaeology News Network “Impressive new finds at Akrotiri on Greek island of Santorini”
Roman Hand of God from Vindolanda
The Hand of God. That grabs us, doesn’t it? In this case the image of a divine hand is Roman 3rd century CE found in Vindolanda, England. (That most fruitful of archaeological sites)
This bronze hand, fingers spread, was probably attached to a staff and used to bless worshippers. The palm may have held a small representation of Jupiter Dolichenus riding a bull and grasping an ax and lightning bolt.
This Jupiter cult was broadly popular during this troubled period in Roman Britain. What is it about hands that we so often give them to our divinities? And use them as primary symbols of them? What other examples come to your mind? Click here for Archaeology Magazine “Hand of God”
And Another Famous “Hand of God”
Leonard Nimoy explains the Jewish origin of his famous Vulcan hand gesture to the Yiddish Book Center: