Stones & Bones & Things In the Ground

Gimme that ol' time, Neolithic religion!

I was browsing my favorite archaeology site today and read a couple of really fascinating stories. One is about the amazing survival ability of custom and tradition, even in the face of persecution. It's about witchcraft. Really fascinating. Really. Fascinating. Really.

And the other story is about this stone hedgehog. From Stonehenge. It's the Stonehenge-Hog, if you will.


The author, brief as the story is, hits the purely human aspect of this discovery right on the head. I could feel my own grief at just the idea of laying my child into the ground and putting his favorite toy with him for company. I was ready to weep for the father or mother that laid their child to rest forever three thousand years ago. I am actually choking up writing this. That makes about fifty times that's happened to me on this blog, I think, for those keeping track. (I tear up over a really good Jello commercial, though).

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Now playing: Danny & Dusty - Knockin' On Heaven's Door
via FoxyTunes

What They Did Before TV

I'm an archaeology buff. Think I've mentioned it before. This story is my favorite of the last couple of weeks, because I'm nutso for megalithic art. I bet Julian Cope is wetting his way too tight leather pants right now. What a lovely image.

Seriously, if you haven't seen any of Julian's work on the megalithic cultures of Britain and Europe, you're in for a treat. Great big beautiful books with some of the best megalithic photography I've ever seen, plus fascinating essays. I highly recommend them.

[Two posts in one day? What can I say but I'm feeling perky. Only one more coat of paint on the porch floor to go!]

Take That, Steamboat Willie!

Earliest known piece of animation ever created is what they are saying about this. It's so lovely I could cry. The strength and beauty in this 5,000 or so year old drawing is an affirmation of the power of human imagination. I'm just in awe and I hope you are too. This is why I love archaeology. I wish I was digging up some flint knappings or maybe even a burin or two right now. Burins are cool.