The Games & Writers Show, In Archaeology, Newly Discovered Egyptian Tomb & Ancient Greek Pets

From My Fantasy Writing Desk:

In preparation for sending my manuscript off to editors, I’ve been busy doing a complete read through of the sequel to Priestess of Ishana, which I’ve titled, Sorcery in Alpara. I am happy to report that I’m pleased with it. Next, I look forward to incorporating editorial suggestions to make it even better.

For more about this upcoming novel and my writing overall: Craig Hart invited me to an interview on The Games and Writers Show. We had a lively conversation about my novels, characters and Bronze Age setting.

Archaeology I Enjoyed:

Old Kingdom Egyptian Tomb

Egypt’s antiquities Minister announced the discovery of an Old Kingdom cemetery.

First off, they found a limestone family tomb from the fifth dynasty (circa 2500 BC) which retains some inscriptions and artwork. Through the inscriptions we learn that this tomb belongs to two people: Behnui-Ka, whose name is new to the area, and another official with the wonderfully intriguing name of Nwi Who. The walls also display their job titles, priest of the goddess Maat, judge, purifier of the king’s Khafre and overseer of the new settlements.

One of the most significant of the early finds is a limestone statue of the tomb’s owner and his wife and son.

In addition, residents from the 8^th century BCE onward reused the cemetery, so many of the artifacts photographed date to this later period, such as painted wooden coffins. Recycling burial plots—a fine old custom. Click here for Archaeology News Network “Old Kingdom tombs discovered on Egypt’s Giza Plateau”

Man and Beast in Ancient Greek Life

Divine symbols and adored pets in ancient Greece. Here’s an article about interaction between man and beast in Greece.

I particularly enjoyed the mention of a pet depicted on red figure vases. Boys caught large beetles and tethered them with a thread tied to one leg. However, Greeks kept a variety of pets, including ducks, geese, caged birds, rabbits, hares, tortoises, goats, quail and mice. Then we find the rodent-chasing, useful pets: cats, ferrets or weasels and, who would have thought, snakes, which doubled as underworld spirits.

Also, children treated chirping insects like songbirds, weaving small boxes from reeds or slender branches to accommodate their pet locusts, crickets and cicadas.

But of course, we can’t forget faithful dogs like Argos who waited all those years for Odysseus to return. A sweet overview of animals in close proximity to people in the ancient Greek world. Click here for Archaeology News Network “Divine symbols and adored pets in ancient Greece”