Çatalhöyük & Neolithic Air Pollution
Air pollution is a modern problem not an ancient one—or at least at first glance you’d think so. But maybe the lungs of the Neolithic inhabitants of Çatalhöyük would beg to differ.
Home » Weekly Posts »
Weekly Posts
The Egyptian Cartouche: Magic & Political Propaganda
Have you ever wondered where the pharaohs got the idea of representing power and identity with an Egyptian cartouche? The answer involves both magical rituals and propaganda, according to David Lightbody.
The Mystery of Sharks’ Teeth in the City of David
The archaeological mystery of the City of David and the sharks’ teeth. Grabbed you? I certainly took the bait and had fun.
Archaeology: The Bronze Age Silver Trade
How does a Bronze Age Hittite pay for something when barter isn’t an option? Coinage wasn’t around yet, so he or she couldn’t use the obvious means that would occur to a modern person. In this post, I look at some new evidence to answer this question.
Archaeology: Roman Hierapolis, Portal to the Underworld
Hierapolis is a place in Turkey I’ve never been, but I want to see the amazing hot springs and a gate to the underworld. Who can resist a city with a temple to Pluto that spews the poisonous breath of Cerberus?
HNS Conference Begins with Creative Format
This week I’m attending and speaking at the Historical Novel Society NA Conference. It’s virtual this year, of course. The conference designers have cleverly exploited the benefits of that online existence to make up for some of the downsides. I’m enjoying the new ways to interact that the conference has created.
Archaeology: Women’s Voices from Mesopotamia
Understandably, contemporary historians often bemoan the lack of women’s voices from the past amidst the male-centered records of events. Fortunately, the clay tablets containing letters from Assyrian women (about 1860 BCE) provide a refreshing exception. They are full of business savvy, a range of concerns for the well-being of their households and, unlike the male business correspondence of this place and time, strong emotions.
Home Settling & HNS Conference
I’ve been silent lately in all the online places I usually show up and visit—no blog posts about archaeology and books, no newsletter, no Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Moving from Arizona to California took all my focus and energy.
But I’m returning to my writerly duties, including preparing for the 2021 Historical Novel Society Conference coming in June.
New Home: Painting Not Writing
Usually I face that blank white screen and fill it with words. For the last week or so in our new home, I’ve been turning old, brown, flaking surfaces into fresh white ones, and painting miles of baseboards. It’s kind of fun.
New Home New State
I haven’t actually been writing the last couple months. Instead I’ve been house hunting, buying, and now moving/renovating. Utterly disruptive of writing, but a fun adventure.
A post in which I tell you all about our big move.