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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
alisonfisk.bsky.social
Delightful ‘Dancing Dogs’ figurine. Blackware ceramic, 200 BC - 200 AD.

Comala, Late Formative Period. Colima, West Mexico. 📷 Princeton University Art Museum artmuseum.princeton.edu/art/collecti...

#Archaeology
This Princeton University Art Museum photo shows a blackware ceramic figurine of two stylised dogs which look as if they are dancing. They are standing upright on their hind legs, facing each other, their front legs raised, with paws resting against each other. The dog on the left has its face turned towards the viewer, with snout slightly raised and seeming to smile. The dog on the right, rests its raised snout against the cheek of its partner. The figures are rounded and smooth with short legs, pointed snouts, pointed ears, and short curved tails. Their bodies are decorated with incised lines, which according to the museum, represent folds of skin, indicating that these canines are Mexican hairless dogs. Museum info: “Comala, Late Formative Period, 200 BC –200 AD, Colima, West Mexico, Mexico, Mesoamerica, Dancing dogs. Blackware ceramic; 12.6 x 13.5 x 7.5 cm. Museum purchase (Object Number y1985-49)”
February 18, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
dolomcm.bsky.social
Little guys!!!
alisonfisk.bsky.social Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 5h
Delightful ‘Dancing Dogs’ figurine. Blackware ceramic, 200 BC - 200 AD.

Comala, Late Formative Period. Colima, West Mexico. 📷 Princeton University Art Museum artmuseum.princeton.edu/art/collecti...

#Archaeology
This Princeton University Art Museum photo shows a blackware ceramic figurine of two stylised dogs which look as if they are dancing. They are standing upright on their hind legs, facing each other, their front legs raised, with paws resting against each other. The dog on the left has its face turned towards the viewer, with snout slightly raised and seeming to smile. The dog on the right, rests its raised snout against the cheek of its partner. The figures are rounded and smooth with short legs, pointed snouts, pointed ears, and short curved tails. Their bodies are decorated with incised lines, which according to the museum, represent folds of skin, indicating that these canines are Mexican hairless dogs. Museum info: “Comala, Late Formative Period, 200 BC –200 AD, Colima, West Mexico, Mexico, Mesoamerica, Dancing dogs. Blackware ceramic; 12.6 x 13.5 x 7.5 cm. Museum purchase (Object Number y1985-49)”
February 18, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
chapps.bsky.social
I love the many types of Colima dogs. We bought a modern pottery replica of one last year while in Mexico - and the little guy (maize in his mouth) sits right under my gigantic 100 year old wall map of ancient Rome.
February 18, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
drnwillburger.bsky.social
Today is apparently 'Drink Wine Day'! So here’s a toast with a 1,700-year-old vintage! 🍷

A Roman bottle of wine found in a grave in Speyer, dating to the 4th century AD.

Proof that wine lovers have always been a timeless bunch!

📷 museum.speyer.de/ausstellunge...
A greenish glass wine bottle with a dolphin-shaped handles. The wine appears as a dark, thick sediment layered at the bottom, with murky reddish-brown and blackish hues.
February 18, 2026 at 8:49 AM
alisonfisk.bsky.social
Delightful ‘Dancing Dogs’ figurine. Blackware ceramic, 200 BC - 200 AD.

Comala, Late Formative Period. Colima, West Mexico. 📷 Princeton University Art Museum artmuseum.princeton.edu/art/collecti...

#Archaeology
This Princeton University Art Museum photo shows a blackware ceramic figurine of two stylised dogs which look as if they are dancing. They are standing upright on their hind legs, facing each other, their front legs raised, with paws resting against each other. The dog on the left has its face turned towards the viewer, with snout slightly raised and seeming to smile. The dog on the right, rests its raised snout against the cheek of its partner. The figures are rounded and smooth with short legs, pointed snouts, pointed ears, and short curved tails. Their bodies are decorated with incised lines, which according to the museum, represent folds of skin, indicating that these canines are Mexican hairless dogs. Museum info: “Comala, Late Formative Period, 200 BC –200 AD, Colima, West Mexico, Mexico, Mesoamerica, Dancing dogs. Blackware ceramic; 12.6 x 13.5 x 7.5 cm. Museum purchase (Object Number y1985-49)”
February 18, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
oz-of-the-ancients.bsky.social
This huge Neolithic tomb survives today due to whiskey! 🥃

After excavation in the 1930s this hangar was built to protect it, paid for by local man Walter Grant, who owned the whiskey distillery in Kirkwall!

📍Midhowe Cairn, Rousay, Orkney, Scotland

#TombTuesday

📸 Me

#archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
A ruined tomb of rubble covered by a large hangar
February 17, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
kpw1453.bsky.social
The Bronze Age ‘Corrard Torc’ which was found in a bog in County Fermanagh by a metal detectorist in 2009. Now part of the collections at the Ulster Museum in Belfast. 📸 My own. #Prehistory #Archaeology #UlsterMuseum
February 16, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
pottedhistory.bsky.social
The sigh of relief upon completion of this Bronze-Age beaker, with decoration requiring around 2400 individual tool impressions. #Archaeology 🏺The burnishing on the surface is just the result of turning it round in my hands while decorating it. For more Prehistoric Pottery visit potted-history.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
willsheehan.bsky.social
Just wow.
alisonfisk.bsky.social Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 1d
The Roman Pharos (lighthouse) at Dover, still standing after almost 2,000 years! 🤩

It is the tallest surviving Roman structure in Britain, and one of only three surviving lighthouses from the former Roman Empire! Dated 1st-2nd century AD.

📷 me

#Archaeology
My photo shows the ruin of an eight-sided Roman brick lighthouse with four stepped levels. There is a central arched opening (doorway) at ground level. On the upper three levels, in line with the doorway, there are narrow rectangular window openings. The lighthouse stands 15.8 metres high and is 12.2 metres wide at the base. Roman fabric survives to a height of 12.5 m. The brickwork of the uppermost level was reconstructed for use as a church bell tower for the adjacent Anglo-Saxon church of St Mary in Castro, which can be glimpsed on the right-hand side of my photo. The lighthouse is dated circa 1st century to early- 2nd century AD. It was one of a pair originally built on each side of the Roman port of Dubris (Dover). The other does not survive. This lighthouse stands within the grounds of Dover Castle.
February 17, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
kpw1453.bsky.social
Roman parade helmet showing a winged cupid riding a chariot. The brass helmet was found at Trimontium Roman Fort, near Newstead in the Scottish Borders. Now part of the collections at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. 📸 My own. #ReliefWednesday #RomanScotland
February 18, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
kpw1453.bsky.social
The Fiskerton Log Boat which was discovered during excavations on the banks of the River Witham near Fiskerton in Lincolnshire. The oak boat dates to the Iron Age, and is now on display at Lincoln Museum. 📸 My own. #Woodensday #Prehistory #Fiskerton #LincolnMuseum
February 18, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
antiquity.ac.uk
1959 research suggested Dover Castle, where the Pharos is located, began as an Iron Age hillfort! #HillfortsWednesday

The earthworks conform to neither Norman nor Plantagenet standards, so may have been a holdover from the ancient defences.

(£) doi.org/10.1017/S000...

📷 Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0
Aerial view of Dover Castle atop a hill.
February 18, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
alisonfisk.bsky.social
The Roman Pharos (lighthouse) at Dover, still standing after almost 2,000 years! 🤩

It is the tallest surviving Roman structure in Britain, and one of only three surviving lighthouses from the former Roman Empire! Dated 1st-2nd century AD.

📷 me

#Archaeology
My photo shows the ruin of an eight-sided Roman brick lighthouse with four stepped levels. There is a central arched opening (doorway) at ground level. On the upper three levels, in line with the doorway, there are narrow rectangular window openings. The lighthouse stands 15.8 metres high and is 12.2 metres wide at the base. Roman fabric survives to a height of 12.5 m. The brickwork of the uppermost level was reconstructed for use as a church bell tower for the adjacent Anglo-Saxon church of St Mary in Castro, which can be glimpsed on the right-hand side of my photo. The lighthouse is dated circa 1st century to early- 2nd century AD. It was one of a pair originally built on each side of the Roman port of Dubris (Dover). The other does not survive. This lighthouse stands within the grounds of Dover Castle.
February 17, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
japrenticewrites.bsky.social
I love this lighthouse. I really like places where you can see the evolution and incorporation of older structures. A Roman Pharos getting used as part of a Medieval church inside a major castle is such a fun bit of history.
Roman Pharos from outside, against the church Roman Pharos from inside. Floors are missing but you can see the light spilling through the windows Another shot of the church and pharos
February 17, 2026 at 8:08 PM
alisonfisk.bsky.social
The Roman Pharos (lighthouse) at Dover, still standing after almost 2,000 years! 🤩

It is the tallest surviving Roman structure in Britain, and one of only three surviving lighthouses from the former Roman Empire! Dated 1st-2nd century AD.

📷 me

#Archaeology
My photo shows the ruin of an eight-sided Roman brick lighthouse with four stepped levels. There is a central arched opening (doorway) at ground level. On the upper three levels, in line with the doorway, there are narrow rectangular window openings. The lighthouse stands 15.8 metres high and is 12.2 metres wide at the base. Roman fabric survives to a height of 12.5 m. The brickwork of the uppermost level was reconstructed for use as a church bell tower for the adjacent Anglo-Saxon church of St Mary in Castro, which can be glimpsed on the right-hand side of my photo. The lighthouse is dated circa 1st century to early- 2nd century AD. It was one of a pair originally built on each side of the Roman port of Dubris (Dover). The other does not survive. This lighthouse stands within the grounds of Dover Castle.
February 17, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Alison Fisk
drnwillburger.bsky.social
During various excavations at the Roman fort in Osterburken, more than 120 arrowheads and spearheads were discovered. Some are of Roman origin, most are of Germanic type. The fort was attacked around the middle of the 3rd c.AD. These finds highlight the intense threat to Roman territory...🧵1/2
Close-up photo of over various arrowheads and spearheads arranged in a dense cluster on a black background, showcasing their varied shapes.
February 17, 2026 at 11:14 AM
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 · 3d
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