Alison Fisk
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alisonfisk.bsky.social
Alison Fisk
@alisonfisk.bsky.social
13K followers 3.6K following 2K posts
Recent Masters degree in Archaeological Practice at Birkbeck, University of London.
Here to share my love of archaeology.
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Reposted by Alison Fisk
archiremag.bsky.social
In Archaeology Ireland (Summer 2015), Nora White, Gary Devlin & Fionbarr Moore explored 3D recording of ogham inscriptions.

Now you can explore the ogham stone at Kilmalkedar Church in high-resolution 3D via The Discovery Programme.

sketchfab.com/3d-models/ki...
Kilmalkedar Ogham Stone (RGB) - 3D model by The Discovery Programme (@discoveryprogramme)
Kilmalkedar Ogham Stone (RGB) - 3D model by The Discovery Programme (@discoveryprogramme)
sketchfab.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:13 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
archaeologymag.bsky.social
The little 2.5-inch copper-alloy tool was first thought to be an awl or simple punching tool, but archaeologists have now determined it was a drill, the earliest known one from Egypt—used some 5,300 years ago!

archaeology.org/news/2026/02/11/oldest-egyptian-metal-drill-identified/
February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
londoner007.bsky.social
Love this. Other goodies to be seen at Fitzwilliam, Cambridge uk till 12 Apr fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/plan-your-vi...
Made in Ancient Egypt
Made in Ancient Egypt exhibition at Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
February 15, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
alisonfisk.bsky.social
Happy #WorldHippoDay! 🦛❤️

To celebrate here’s a lovely naturalistic painting of a hippo on a small flake of limestone. Painted by an Egyptian artist some 3,500 years ago!

📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

#Archaeology
Photo of an Ancient Egyptian artists’s small, naturalistic painting of a standing hippopotamus on a flake of white limestone, dated c. 1479–1425. The hippo is painted in profile with head lowered and to the right. The body is outlined with black paint and painted brown. The belly, eyes, and ears are painted red. Although the ancient Egyptians were well aware of the danger and destructive power of hippos, this painted hippo has rather a friendly face! Dimensions: H. 10.8 cm (4 1/4 in); W. 12 cm (4 3/4 in); Th. 1.7 cm (11/16 in) Egyptian artists made practice sketches on flakes of limestone, sometimes for use as templates when transferring an image to the wall of a tomb or a temple. Limestone flakes were readily available because of the constant construction of temples and rock-cut tombs. A number of such sketches were recovered at Deir el-Bahri during the 1922-23 MMA excavations. This painting was acquired by the museum in the division of finds.
February 15, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
archaeohawke.bsky.social
#WorldHippoDay

#Roman mosaic with hippopotamus
on display in Naples Archaeological Museum. This is one of the Nile mosaics found in the House of the Faun in the ancient ruined Roman city of #Pompeii. #art
#AncientBlueSky
February 15, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
drnwillburger.bsky.social
Apparently it's #WorldHippoDay! 🦛🦛
Let's celebrate with this #Egyptian carving of a Hippo, made 5.000 years ago from calcite.

Hippopotami were associated with life, regeneration, and rebirth.

On display at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

📷 me 🏺
Carving of a hippopotamus figurine made from calcite, featuring a stocky body, prominent bulging eyes, short legs, and textured surface, displayed on a glass shelf.
February 15, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
vanadissaves.bsky.social
Here's my contribution to this special day.
Egyptian hippo figure from probably 2130 -1991 B.C.
February 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
apistone.bsky.social
LOOK AT THIS LITTLE GUY! 😍😍😍
alisonfisk.bsky.social Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 1d
Happy #WorldHippoDay! 🦛❤️

To celebrate here’s a lovely naturalistic painting of a hippo on a small flake of limestone. Painted by an Egyptian artist some 3,500 years ago!

📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

#Archaeology
Photo of an Ancient Egyptian artists’s small, naturalistic painting of a standing hippopotamus on a flake of white limestone, dated c. 1479–1425. The hippo is painted in profile with head lowered and to the right. The body is outlined with black paint and painted brown. The belly, eyes, and ears are painted red. Although the ancient Egyptians were well aware of the danger and destructive power of hippos, this painted hippo has rather a friendly face! Dimensions: H. 10.8 cm (4 1/4 in); W. 12 cm (4 3/4 in); Th. 1.7 cm (11/16 in) Egyptian artists made practice sketches on flakes of limestone, sometimes for use as templates when transferring an image to the wall of a tomb or a temple. Limestone flakes were readily available because of the constant construction of temples and rock-cut tombs. A number of such sketches were recovered at Deir el-Bahri during the 1922-23 MMA excavations. This painting was acquired by the museum in the division of finds.
February 15, 2026 at 2:09 PM
alisonfisk.bsky.social
Happy #WorldHippoDay! 🦛❤️

To celebrate here’s a lovely naturalistic painting of a hippo on a small flake of limestone. Painted by an Egyptian artist some 3,500 years ago!

📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

#Archaeology
Photo of an Ancient Egyptian artists’s small, naturalistic painting of a standing hippopotamus on a flake of white limestone, dated c. 1479–1425. The hippo is painted in profile with head lowered and to the right. The body is outlined with black paint and painted brown. The belly, eyes, and ears are painted red. Although the ancient Egyptians were well aware of the danger and destructive power of hippos, this painted hippo has rather a friendly face! Dimensions: H. 10.8 cm (4 1/4 in); W. 12 cm (4 3/4 in); Th. 1.7 cm (11/16 in) Egyptian artists made practice sketches on flakes of limestone, sometimes for use as templates when transferring an image to the wall of a tomb or a temple. Limestone flakes were readily available because of the constant construction of temples and rock-cut tombs. A number of such sketches were recovered at Deir el-Bahri during the 1922-23 MMA excavations. This painting was acquired by the museum in the division of finds.
February 15, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
alisonfisk.bsky.social
This Ancient Egyptian board game is almost 4,000 years old!

Known as ‘Hounds and Jackals’ or ‘Game of 58 holes’, its original name is unknown. It’s suggested it was played in a similar way to ‘Snakes and Ladders’.

📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

#Archaeology
Met Museum photo of an ancient Egyptian board game carved from cream-coloured ivory displayed against a dark background. The original name of the game is unknown. It is now known as ‘Hounds and Jackals’ or the ‘Game of 58 holes’. The game board rests on four bulls' legs. One of the legs, seen at back of the board on the right of photo, is completely restored. Another has a restored hoof (seen at front of the board on left). The board is shaped like an axe head. In the centre of the upper surface is an incised palm tree topped by a ‘Shen’ symbol (a circle atop a a horizontal line to which it is tied). The palm’s trunk runs down the length of the board. There are 58 holes in the upper surface; 29 arranged evenly on either side of the palm tree. At the lower side of the game board there is a drawer with a bolt to store the playing pieces. The playing pieces are made up of ten long pins (sticks) with carved animal heads. Five are hounds and five are jackals. In the photo, the ten pins are arranged randomly in holes on the game board. The board is carved from ivory with ebony detailing around the 58 holes. The pins are ivory. Measurements: Game board: H 6.8cm W 10.1 cm, D 15.6 cm. Hound pins: H 6 cm to 6.8 cm Jackal pins: H 7 cm to 8.5 cm
 The game was excavated in 1910 by Howard Carter from the tomb of an official named Reniseneb at Thebes. The tomb is dated to Dynasty 12, Reign of Amenemhat IV, circa 1814–1805 BC. “Ancient Egyptians likened the intricate voyage through the underworld to a game. This made gaming boards and gaming pieces appropriate objects to deposit in tombs” (The Met).
February 14, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
chapps.bsky.social
This is an extremely rare and the best example of Roman glassware with wavy sides, a type known as a ‘handkerchief‘ bowl - so named because the design mimics the folded, drooping appearance of a cloth handkerchief. 🏺 #ancientbluesky 1/

3rd-4th c. CE. #MetMuseum
📸 me
Translucent blue green glass; trail in the same color. Intact; a few large bubbles; small patches of soil encrustation, weathering, and iridescence. Vessels that have been deliberately worked to create a wavy rim and sides are extremely rare in Roman glassware. This bowl is perhaps the best example known to have survived. A handkerchief bowl (or vase) is a decorative glass piece designed to mimic the folded, drooping appearance of a cloth handkerchief. Popularized in the modern era by Italian glassmakers in the 1940s and 50s, it remains a popular form. 3rd-4th century CE. H.: 3 5/8 in. (9.3 cm) Met Museum, New York (17.194.314)
February 14, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
alisonfisk.bsky.social
Look at the superb hound and jackal detail on these ancient game pieces! 😍

📷 The Met
A close up side view of nine of the ivory hound and jackal pins placed in holes on the game board
February 14, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
rikworth.bsky.social
We added Hound and Jackals to Pet Tell Tales: Ancient Egypt. Seemed fitting as it’s a chapter about a bored girl and her dog.

Plus I like the games rule gag at the bottom of the first page.
A comic strip of a girl and a dog arriving to play an ancient Egyptian game
February 14, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
shirleyrl.bsky.social
Ancient #BoardGames 🙂
alisonfisk.bsky.social Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 2d
This Ancient Egyptian board game is almost 4,000 years old!

Known as ‘Hounds and Jackals’ or ‘Game of 58 holes’, its original name is unknown. It’s suggested it was played in a similar way to ‘Snakes and Ladders’.

📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

#Archaeology
Met Museum photo of an ancient Egyptian board game carved from cream-coloured ivory displayed against a dark background. The original name of the game is unknown. It is now known as ‘Hounds and Jackals’ or the ‘Game of 58 holes’. The game board rests on four bulls' legs. One of the legs, seen at back of the board on the right of photo, is completely restored. Another has a restored hoof (seen at front of the board on left). The board is shaped like an axe head. In the centre of the upper surface is an incised palm tree topped by a ‘Shen’ symbol (a circle atop a a horizontal line to which it is tied). The palm’s trunk runs down the length of the board. There are 58 holes in the upper surface; 29 arranged evenly on either side of the palm tree. At the lower side of the game board there is a drawer with a bolt to store the playing pieces. The playing pieces are made up of ten long pins (sticks) with carved animal heads. Five are hounds and five are jackals. In the photo, the ten pins are arranged randomly in holes on the game board. The board is carved from ivory with ebony detailing around the 58 holes. The pins are ivory. Measurements: Game board: H 6.8cm W 10.1 cm, D 15.6 cm. Hound pins: H 6 cm to 6.8 cm Jackal pins: H 7 cm to 8.5 cm
 The game was excavated in 1910 by Howard Carter from the tomb of an official named Reniseneb at Thebes. The tomb is dated to Dynasty 12, Reign of Amenemhat IV, circa 1814–1805 BC. “Ancient Egyptians likened the intricate voyage through the underworld to a game. This made gaming boards and gaming pieces appropriate objects to deposit in tombs” (The Met).
February 14, 2026 at 11:11 AM
alisonfisk.bsky.social
This Ancient Egyptian board game is almost 4,000 years old!

Known as ‘Hounds and Jackals’ or ‘Game of 58 holes’, its original name is unknown. It’s suggested it was played in a similar way to ‘Snakes and Ladders’.

📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...

#Archaeology
Met Museum photo of an ancient Egyptian board game carved from cream-coloured ivory displayed against a dark background. The original name of the game is unknown. It is now known as ‘Hounds and Jackals’ or the ‘Game of 58 holes’. The game board rests on four bulls' legs. One of the legs, seen at back of the board on the right of photo, is completely restored. Another has a restored hoof (seen at front of the board on left). The board is shaped like an axe head. In the centre of the upper surface is an incised palm tree topped by a ‘Shen’ symbol (a circle atop a a horizontal line to which it is tied). The palm’s trunk runs down the length of the board. There are 58 holes in the upper surface; 29 arranged evenly on either side of the palm tree. At the lower side of the game board there is a drawer with a bolt to store the playing pieces. The playing pieces are made up of ten long pins (sticks) with carved animal heads. Five are hounds and five are jackals. In the photo, the ten pins are arranged randomly in holes on the game board. The board is carved from ivory with ebony detailing around the 58 holes. The pins are ivory. Measurements: Game board: H 6.8cm W 10.1 cm, D 15.6 cm. Hound pins: H 6 cm to 6.8 cm Jackal pins: H 7 cm to 8.5 cm
 The game was excavated in 1910 by Howard Carter from the tomb of an official named Reniseneb at Thebes. The tomb is dated to Dynasty 12, Reign of Amenemhat IV, circa 1814–1805 BC. “Ancient Egyptians likened the intricate voyage through the underworld to a game. This made gaming boards and gaming pieces appropriate objects to deposit in tombs” (The Met).
February 14, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
drnwillburger.bsky.social
We all need a a timeline cleanse!

A tiny #Egyptian #frog amulet, made of carnelian (height 0.9 cm). Because of their numerous offspring, #frogs were considered a symbol of fertility.

Dating c. 1540-1296 BC, New Kingdom.

A lovely weekend to all of you 🐸

📷Cleveland Museum of Art
A small, intricately carved frog figurine made of translucent reddish-orange carnelian gemstone. The frog has a smooth, polished surface with minimal detailing, and its shape is slightly stylized. The figurine is placed on a plain, white background.
February 14, 2026 at 7:10 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
kpw1453.bsky.social
The dome of the Pantheon in Rome - still one of the largest domes in the world. Originally built by Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC - AD 14), it was rebuilt during the reign of Hadrian (117 to 138 AD) following a fire. 📸 My own. #RomanSiteSaturday #Pantheon #Rome
February 14, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
archaeoborders.bsky.social
Some absolute gems showing off the best of the Anglo-Cymric borderland, even if deep pockets are needed for a couple of stays!
10 of the most romantic hotels, pubs, cabins and cottages for a cosy UK getaway
It’s an ideal time of year for snuggling up on a countryside break. We pick accommodation from shepherds’ huts in Somerset to a chateau in Wales
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
antiquity.ac.uk
Did you know pygmy hippos, only ~76 cm (2.5 ft) tall, used to roam Cyprus? They were possibly driven to extinction by humans based on the discovery of the remains of hundreds at the Pleistocene site of Akrotiri Aetokremnos 🦛

🔗 from 1991 (£) doi.org/10.1017/S000...
February 12, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
tonydivey.bsky.social
I’m very happy with what we’ve put together here - thanks to all at the museum for allowing us to co-curate
stalbansmuseums.bsky.social St Albans Museums @stalbansmuseums.bsky.social · 10d
Opening today: Religion in Verulamium: Tolerance and Fusion.
This new exhibition, using objects and images from Verulamium and beyond, asks how Roman, Celtic and global beliefs blended — and whether all religions were tolerated equally.
On until 26 April.
February 6, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
antallan.bsky.social
This was my attempt at recreating something like this, about 25 years ago. Sadly the ears broke off …
A polymer-clay model of any Egyptian hippo, painted turquoise with dark red rosettes, two on its side and one on its back. It has lost its ears, revealing the white clay underneath. It stands on a silver herringbone mat.
February 12, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
antiquity.ac.uk
The first issue of the year is out now! Featuring great #archaeology such as:

🎲 Calculating the rules of an unknown Roman board game
🕳️ The purpose of Peru's iconic 'Band of Holes'
🍷 Glass trade from the Roman-Islamic period in Jordan

& more!
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

🏺
Cover of the February 2026 issue of Antiquity, featuring a person in a high-vis jacket excavating a wooden trackway in peatland.
February 11, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
oz-of-the-ancients.bsky.social
#TombTuesday Here around 900AD, in this triangle of stones, a viking woman was buried

...right in front of the Iron Age Broch of Gurness in Orkney

The Vikings may have chosen this spot specifically due to the ruins of the broch and the power that came with them

📸 Me

#archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
An enclosure of stones in long grass, in front of a large ruin
February 10, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
isabellemarie.bsky.social
Anglo-Saxon Sword Found in Grave Near Canterbury. #Archaeology #England
archaeology.org/news/2026/02...
News - Anglo-Saxon Sword Found in Grave Near Canterbury - Archaeology Magazine
CANTERBURY, ENGLAND—A beautifully crafted sword was among the many extraordinary burial objects—including knives, spears, brooches, […]
archaeology.org
February 11, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
drnwillburger.bsky.social
In the early medieval period, colorful glass beads were a mark of prestige and fashion. This striking necklace, comprising over 60 beads in vibrant reds, blues, yellows, and intricate patterns, was discovered in the burial of a woman at Bissingen, southwest Germany, dating 7th century. 🧵1/2

🏺
The picture shows a necklace made of glass beads. The beads are of different size, shape and colour. Some are patterned, others monochrome.
February 12, 2026 at 11:26 AM