Alison Foster
@alisonfoster.bsky.social
Zooarchaeologist based in Worcestershire. Malvern Buzzards Running Club. Cats (well, just the one cat). Power metal
Well, this is pretty bloody awful.
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Well, this is pretty bloody awful.
Absolutely delighted to find that this is true - this really is the Taiwanese ambassador to Finland. Metal is for everyone.
Taiwanese ambassador to Finland performs with his metal band at Taiwan-Finland cultural event! 🤘✊️
That's what I call great ambassador
That's what I call great ambassador
November 29, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Absolutely delighted to find that this is true - this really is the Taiwanese ambassador to Finland. Metal is for everyone.
I don't have a denim jacket with badges but I will always repost a Ronald Searle cat ❤️
November 29, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I don't have a denim jacket with badges but I will always repost a Ronald Searle cat ❤️
A 6 bedroom house in Kensington for £4000 in 1970 is surprising. In 1971 my parents bought a 3 bedroom semi-detached house near Scunthorpe for £2000. Original (non-functional) 1910 range in the sitting room. No central heating. Kitchen sink on bricks. Perhaps the Kensington house was a do-er up-er?
Huge respect to the papers for finding both an 88 year old worried about the tax bill on her 6 bedroom Kensington house and a 20 year old fretting about only being able to save £12k a year tax free.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
November 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM
A 6 bedroom house in Kensington for £4000 in 1970 is surprising. In 1971 my parents bought a 3 bedroom semi-detached house near Scunthorpe for £2000. Original (non-functional) 1910 range in the sitting room. No central heating. Kitchen sink on bricks. Perhaps the Kensington house was a do-er up-er?
Reposted by Alison Foster
When did the #cat stop walking by itself & become one of our favourite companions? It's much later than you think! Lovely couple of 🐱🧬papers out this week to add to our #pet themed posts @gregerlarson.bsky.social @pku1898.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #aDNA #zooarchaeology #cats #miaow
Cats became our companions way later than you think
In true feline style, cats took their time in deciding when and where to join us on the sofa.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:20 AM
When did the #cat stop walking by itself & become one of our favourite companions? It's much later than you think! Lovely couple of 🐱🧬papers out this week to add to our #pet themed posts @gregerlarson.bsky.social @pku1898.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #aDNA #zooarchaeology #cats #miaow
Reposted by Alison Foster
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Alison Foster
21K and rising fast
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 24, 2025 at 2:12 PM
21K and rising fast
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Fascinating thread. It always amazes me what a well-trained horse will tolerate.
Roman bronze dragon’s head standard, AD 190-260.
Originally mounted on a pole, with a long fabric tube attached to the back of the head. When charging on horseback, the wind inflated the tube and the dragon shrieked!
Niederbieber fort. Landesmuseum Koblenz. 📷 me
#RomanFortThursday
#Archaeology
Originally mounted on a pole, with a long fabric tube attached to the back of the head. When charging on horseback, the wind inflated the tube and the dragon shrieked!
Niederbieber fort. Landesmuseum Koblenz. 📷 me
#RomanFortThursday
#Archaeology
November 23, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Fascinating thread. It always amazes me what a well-trained horse will tolerate.
Saw this and for a second I thought it was an East Anglian Archaeology report cover. Very atmospheric - captures the fens perfectly!
The Fenland of Cambridgeshire is my photographic “backyard” -a place of wide open landscape broken by drains, droves and lines. The rich black peat , slowly eroding contrasts against constantly changing light.
Using pinhole, polaroid and Holga cameras I try to capture the still beauty of the place.
Using pinhole, polaroid and Holga cameras I try to capture the still beauty of the place.
November 22, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Saw this and for a second I thought it was an East Anglian Archaeology report cover. Very atmospheric - captures the fens perfectly!
Reposted by Alison Foster
Collette has a powerful leaf kick
November 20, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Collette has a powerful leaf kick
Why aren't people more impressed with AI? AI told me yesterday that chickens were first domesticated 10,000 years ago. If it can't even include information from recently published, mostly open source studies, how can it be trusted?
This is probably the most tone deaf question of the year from a tech exec.
Microsoft Exec Asks: Why Aren't More People Impressed With AI?
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's head of AI, vents after the company receives backlash for saying 'Windows is evolving into an agentic OS.'
www.pcmag.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Why aren't people more impressed with AI? AI told me yesterday that chickens were first domesticated 10,000 years ago. If it can't even include information from recently published, mostly open source studies, how can it be trusted?
You put the big light on! How is a cat supposed to sleep? #CatsOfBluesky
November 20, 2025 at 8:48 PM
You put the big light on! How is a cat supposed to sleep? #CatsOfBluesky
Reposted by Alison Foster
I’ll have five packs of Christmas cards available from tomorrow ish on my Etsy £12 for 6.. all proceeds will go to Tavistock foodbank. Yes that’s ALL not the usual big business 5% to charity … I’ll post a link tomorrow ish
(taken when I lived out on the moor) #Dartmoor #Devon #photography
(taken when I lived out on the moor) #Dartmoor #Devon #photography
November 20, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I’ll have five packs of Christmas cards available from tomorrow ish on my Etsy £12 for 6.. all proceeds will go to Tavistock foodbank. Yes that’s ALL not the usual big business 5% to charity … I’ll post a link tomorrow ish
(taken when I lived out on the moor) #Dartmoor #Devon #photography
(taken when I lived out on the moor) #Dartmoor #Devon #photography
Reposted by Alison Foster
For generations the Univ of Leicester has been a global leader in geology, Earth science & climate research
Now *the entire program* is on the chopping block
Some of the world's best paleontologists are facing layoffs
Sign this to stop this madness:
www.change.org/p/save-geolo...
Now *the entire program* is on the chopping block
Some of the world's best paleontologists are facing layoffs
Sign this to stop this madness:
www.change.org/p/save-geolo...
Sign the Petition
Save Geology at the University of Leicester
www.change.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
For generations the Univ of Leicester has been a global leader in geology, Earth science & climate research
Now *the entire program* is on the chopping block
Some of the world's best paleontologists are facing layoffs
Sign this to stop this madness:
www.change.org/p/save-geolo...
Now *the entire program* is on the chopping block
Some of the world's best paleontologists are facing layoffs
Sign this to stop this madness:
www.change.org/p/save-geolo...
Reposted by Alison Foster
Twenty-eight curlews on the school rugby pitch, calling peevishly as they edge away from the fence as you walk past.
November 19, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Twenty-eight curlews on the school rugby pitch, calling peevishly as they edge away from the fence as you walk past.
Reposted by Alison Foster
28! That seems a lot. On their way somewhere?
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
28! That seems a lot. On their way somewhere?
Reposted by Alison Foster
This is so lovely!
Simon - I’d like to buy someone *any* book by @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social Tom Cox please.
Whichever they choose.
#BuyAStrangerABook #booksky
Whichever they choose.
#BuyAStrangerABook #booksky
IT'S WEDNESDAY!
It's #buyastrangerabook day.
The grooviest of all the days.
I'll give out TWO books.
FOR FREE.
If you'd like one, let me know.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
It's a thing! Look.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only.
It's #buyastrangerabook day.
The grooviest of all the days.
I'll give out TWO books.
FOR FREE.
If you'd like one, let me know.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
It's a thing! Look.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only.
November 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This is so lovely!
Reposted by Alison Foster
The sound you hear is of cricketers all over the world laughing forever.
November 17, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The sound you hear is of cricketers all over the world laughing forever.
This is a very good article which emphasises the interconnectedness of ecosystems. And yet the editor has chosen to focus on bees for the headline. Anti-pesticide petitions do the same. Yes, bees are very important, but they're one part of a much bigger picture.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
France’s birds start to show signs of recovery after bee-harming pesticide ban
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:01 PM
This is a very good article which emphasises the interconnectedness of ecosystems. And yet the editor has chosen to focus on bees for the headline. Anti-pesticide petitions do the same. Yes, bees are very important, but they're one part of a much bigger picture.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alison Foster
A closer look at the print that's up for grabs here.
November 14, 2025 at 5:46 PM
A closer look at the print that's up for grabs here.
Reposted by Alison Foster
Yes, like Finland and maby other European countries who have sensible heritage protection policies that meet their obligations under the Valletta Treaty in a meaningful way. 🏺
The UK needs strict rules like Finland has as well as the same reward system, nobody is making millions, it must not be removed from context and you stop digging/detecting the second you find something and report it as well as heavily restricted areas you can't touch.
November 14, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Yes, like Finland and maby other European countries who have sensible heritage protection policies that meet their obligations under the Valletta Treaty in a meaningful way. 🏺
Reposted by Alison Foster
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Housing secretary tells Labour MPs to vote down planning bill amendment
Amendment restricts protection for animals to allow faster house building
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Watching Labour MPs take a wrecking ball to nature makes me so angry & so sad. Their action tonight voting down amendments to the #PlanningBill intended to protect wildlife & habitats from destruction is so reckless & so counterproductive. People didn’t vote Labour for this 👇
Reposted by Alison Foster
Several minute piece on the BBC.
Lots of detectorists.
No archaeologists.
No-one from PAS.
No-one from museums.
No discussion of the costs or responsibilities involved.
😡
#Archaeology #Detecting #Treasure #BBC #News
Lots of detectorists.
No archaeologists.
No-one from PAS.
No-one from museums.
No discussion of the costs or responsibilities involved.
😡
#Archaeology #Detecting #Treasure #BBC #News
November 13, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Several minute piece on the BBC.
Lots of detectorists.
No archaeologists.
No-one from PAS.
No-one from museums.
No discussion of the costs or responsibilities involved.
😡
#Archaeology #Detecting #Treasure #BBC #News
Lots of detectorists.
No archaeologists.
No-one from PAS.
No-one from museums.
No discussion of the costs or responsibilities involved.
😡
#Archaeology #Detecting #Treasure #BBC #News
Reposted by Alison Foster
In the immortal words of Sir Mix-a-Lot: "And ugh, double-up, ugh, ugh".
2 doggy papers are so much better than 1. Both studies a testament to slow science & international collaboration between brilliant people. What it's all about.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
2 doggy papers are so much better than 1. Both studies a testament to slow science & international collaboration between brilliant people. What it's all about.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The emergence and diversification of dog morphology
Dogs exhibit an exceptional range of morphological diversity as a result of their long-term association with humans. Attempts to identify when dog morphological variation began to expand have been con...
www.science.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
In the immortal words of Sir Mix-a-Lot: "And ugh, double-up, ugh, ugh".
2 doggy papers are so much better than 1. Both studies a testament to slow science & international collaboration between brilliant people. What it's all about.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
2 doggy papers are so much better than 1. Both studies a testament to slow science & international collaboration between brilliant people. What it's all about.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...