Archaeology: Stumbling on Aphrodite during a Surface Survey
When archaeologists conducted a major surface survey, they stumbled on a 5th century BCE temple of Aphrodite. But the biggest “discoveries” may lie in the unglamorous “big picture.”
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Judith Starkston
Judith Starkston has spent too much time exploring the remains of the ancient worlds of the Greeks and Hittites. Their myths and clashes inspire her fiction and open gates to magical realms. She has degrees in Classics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and Cornell. She loves myths and telling stories, and her novels imbue fantasy with the richness of ancient worlds. The first book in her Trojan Threads Series, Hand of Fire was a semi-finalist for the M.M. Bennett’s Award for Historical Fiction. Priestess of Ishana, the first in her historical fantasy Tesha series, won the San Diego State University Conference Choice Award. Judith is represented by Richard Curtis.
New “Weekly Post” Format & 40% off “Of Kings and Griffins”
A new year is bringing a new format to my “weekly post” for my website subscribers. Now in the email, you’ll see each topic as a separate post instead of clustered in one post. You may click from the email into each post of interest. Or you can click into the first post and then at the bottom of that post, you’ll see the next three, and you can carry on as you wish. My intention is that this is as easy and enjoyable as before. The separation increases the searchability of each post to a wider audience—hence the change.
Archaeology: Santiago Medieval Stonemason’s Humor
A bit of medieval play in stone hidden high in the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Archaeology: Grab a hot snack in Pompeii
Archaeologists excavated a hot food and drink shop in Pompeii. Bright frescoes and food traces paint vivid picture of Roman daily life.
Reviewing “A Maiden’s Prayer,” Exploring a Warrior’s Grave & Unexpected Foods
My review of A Maiden’s Prayer, a charming novel set in 1970s Sri Lanka. In archaeology, a close up look at the Griffin Warrior’s grave & exotic foods found in Levant.
Interviewing Judith, digging up gold & Norse gods
Read an interview with Judith Starkston on “Layered Pages.” In archaeology, Tudor Treasure in an unexpected place and how Vikings worshipped Odin and Thor.
Review of The Silver Shooter & 2 Top Tens of Archaeology
My review of the historical fantasy mystery The Silver Shooter by Erin Lindsey. In archaeology, 2 important 2020 finds: Neo-Hittite inscription of King Hartapu & Romulus shrine in Roman Forum
My Editing Refresher, Digging up a Bronze Age Goddess & Cretan Gold
Adding to my editing tools as a writer. In archaeology news, Anatolian female “fertility” figurine and Zominthos’ treasures revealed.
Crafting Emotion, Pompeii’s Revelations, Accessing Asclepius
How to write deep, engaging emotions. In archaeology news, Pompeii’s latest finds and disability ramps at the temple of Asclepius
Griffin Novella, Bronze Age Sword & Iron Age Fort
I’m drafting a novella set in the land of griffins. In archaeology news, read about an ornate sword found in a forest and in Israel basalt fortifications with evocative horned figures.