From My Fantasy Writing Desk
I’ve been buried in writing this week. Having nothing going on outside my house does allow for single-minded dedication to getting words on the page. I’ve had great fun with a sequence of scenes involving griffins and some rites I’ve based on Egyptian magic performed on ceramic bound figures.
The haematite seal in the photo on the left, which dates to the Hittite Old Kingdom, about 1650 BCE, does a nice job of depicting some of the characters that have taken starring roles in this week’s scenes, an eagle (or whatever large bird that is on the seal), lion, and soldiers. Sadly, no griffins. If I designed my own seal, there would definitely be griffins on it. I didn’t include a goat or a camel, which I think are also depicted on this seal, but I like the somewhat comic faces of those creatures here.
Archaeology I Enjoyed
A Viking Longhouse
A Viking Age excavation could rewrite the story of Iceland’s earliest settlement. They’ve uncovered one of the largest longhouses found in Iceland. It predates by decades the traditional AD 874 date for permanent settlement of Iceland. In addition, they also found in the longhouse an unusually large horde of beads and silver objects including Roman and Middle-Eastern coins.
This longhouse was built on the ruins of an even earlier, larger building that most probably was a seasonal camp for walrus hunting. The high value of walrus ivory and the active market for it in Europe drove expansion into Iceland. Not long after arrival of permanent settlers, this walrus subspecies went extinct. There’s a lesson there, but I don’t think we’ve learned it yet. But if you like Vikings, here’s some history-changing archaeology to savor. Click here for Archaeology News Network “Viking Age Excavation Could Rewrite The Story Of Iceland’s Settlement”
Roman Sapphire Cameo
A ring with a tale. In the 18th century the Duke of Marlborough acquired many gems and cameos dating to antiquity. One of the cameo rings has a particularly intriguing backstory—if it’s true. The sapphire ring of unusual appearance belonged to Caligula.
The cameo carved into the extremely hard stone shows Caesonia, Caligula’s 4th and final wife. Suetonius spouts some juicy details about her. She gave birth to their daughter on her wedding day—the hot affair had clearly preceded the event—and Caligula liked to show her off naked to his friends. When the Praetorian guards murdered Caligula, they also killed Caesonia and her daughter. I’m not sure I’d want to wear a ring depicting her, but it does have history. Click here for My Modern Met “This 2,000-Year-Old Sapphire Ring Has an Incredibly Detailed Portrait Carved Into It”