Andy Brockman
@andybrockman.bsky.social
Reporting from where politics and money meet archaeology and heritage at http://thepipeline.info/
YouTube: Watching Brief
Co-Author: The Buried Spitfires of Burma-A fake history
Tips/Gossip/Commissions: PipeLineNews@protonmail
Signal: AndyBrockman.25
YouTube: Watching Brief
Co-Author: The Buried Spitfires of Burma-A fake history
Tips/Gossip/Commissions: PipeLineNews@protonmail
Signal: AndyBrockman.25
For Candlemas, a typically wise, wry and captivating post from David Allen Green, highlighting the value of librarians, "holders of the old skills", over the "mischievous demons of our own age – that is ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence".
"Twelfth Night Till Candlemas"
The story of a forty-year book-quest and of its remarkable ending
emptycity.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:08 AM
For Candlemas, a typically wise, wry and captivating post from David Allen Green, highlighting the value of librarians, "holders of the old skills", over the "mischievous demons of our own age – that is ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence".
#ItsAllAboutTheHistory News
The Potteries Museum is attempting to raise £150k to buy one of only seven such gold Bronze Age clothing fasteners found in the UK and allow a metal detectorist and the landowner, to enjoy their Treasure Act casino win.
The Potteries Museum is attempting to raise £150k to buy one of only seven such gold Bronze Age clothing fasteners found in the UK and allow a metal detectorist and the landowner, to enjoy their Treasure Act casino win.
Potteries Museum seeks £150k to buy Bronze Age dress fastener
The Potteries Museum has until the spring to raise the funds needed to keep it in the area.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 7:32 PM
#ItsAllAboutTheHistory News
The Potteries Museum is attempting to raise £150k to buy one of only seven such gold Bronze Age clothing fasteners found in the UK and allow a metal detectorist and the landowner, to enjoy their Treasure Act casino win.
The Potteries Museum is attempting to raise £150k to buy one of only seven such gold Bronze Age clothing fasteners found in the UK and allow a metal detectorist and the landowner, to enjoy their Treasure Act casino win.
ATE Farms Ltd, the company which was ordered to rebuild the mysteriously burnt out & unlawfully demolished #CrookedHouse pub, was due to be struck off by Companies House, but the strike off has been suspended.
This may be due to an objection by a party in ongoing legal action involving the company.
This may be due to an objection by a party in ongoing legal action involving the company.
ATE FARMS LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK
ATE FARMS LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity
find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
January 31, 2026 at 2:03 PM
ATE Farms Ltd, the company which was ordered to rebuild the mysteriously burnt out & unlawfully demolished #CrookedHouse pub, was due to be struck off by Companies House, but the strike off has been suspended.
This may be due to an objection by a party in ongoing legal action involving the company.
This may be due to an objection by a party in ongoing legal action involving the company.
As the vote at the #EAA over its policy towards Archaeologists affiliated to Israeli bodies comes to an end, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that the IDF has accepted the figure of 70,000 deaths among Gazans which it previously cast doubt upon.
The IDF admits it killed 70,000 Gazans. What other accusations might be true?
The Dispute Over the Number of Fatalities May Be Approaching an End, but the Debate on Their Identities Is Still Expected to Trudge On. The Israeli Public Must Ask Itself What This Belated Recognition...
www.haaretz.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:02 PM
As the vote at the #EAA over its policy towards Archaeologists affiliated to Israeli bodies comes to an end, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that the IDF has accepted the figure of 70,000 deaths among Gazans which it previously cast doubt upon.
In G K Chesterton's famous thriller The Man Who Was Thursday all the anarchists turn out to be undercover policemen.
I get the sense that the audience for Melania is similar and that other person sitting in an otherwise echoingly empty auditorium is either a film critic or a political journalist.
I get the sense that the audience for Melania is similar and that other person sitting in an otherwise echoingly empty auditorium is either a film critic or a political journalist.
Melania review – Trump film is a gilded trash remake of The Zone of Interest
Dispiriting, deadly and unrevealing – there is a decent documentary to be made about the former model from Slovenia, but this one is unredeemable
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
In G K Chesterton's famous thriller The Man Who Was Thursday all the anarchists turn out to be undercover policemen.
I get the sense that the audience for Melania is similar and that other person sitting in an otherwise echoingly empty auditorium is either a film critic or a political journalist.
I get the sense that the audience for Melania is similar and that other person sitting in an otherwise echoingly empty auditorium is either a film critic or a political journalist.
The Daily Mail's satirically named "Science" section with the latest click bait "just asking questions" about the age of the Great Pyramid and who built it.
TLDR: A new dating technique...much older than previously thought...unknown technologically advanced civilisation etc.
TLDR: A new dating technique...much older than previously thought...unknown technologically advanced civilisation etc.
New evidence upends origins of Egypt's Great Pyramid
A new study suggests the origins of Egypt's Great Pyramid may be very different from what historians have believed for centuries.
share.google
January 29, 2026 at 7:57 PM
The Daily Mail's satirically named "Science" section with the latest click bait "just asking questions" about the age of the Great Pyramid and who built it.
TLDR: A new dating technique...much older than previously thought...unknown technologically advanced civilisation etc.
TLDR: A new dating technique...much older than previously thought...unknown technologically advanced civilisation etc.
With the Honor Frost Foundation in the archaeological news with the publication of a new paper on using satellite data and high tech analysis to help protect underwater cultural heritage here's a share of @gabemoshenska.bsky.social's graphic story honouring #MaritimeArchaeology #Trowelblazer Honor.
My love of stone anchors is all down to my mini obsession with Honor Frost, the trowelblazer who pioneered underwater archaeology. If you don’t know her, then check out @gabemoshenska.bsky.social’s fabulous troweltoon
@trowelblazers.bsky.social
@trowelblazers.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 5:08 PM
With the Honor Frost Foundation in the archaeological news with the publication of a new paper on using satellite data and high tech analysis to help protect underwater cultural heritage here's a share of @gabemoshenska.bsky.social's graphic story honouring #MaritimeArchaeology #Trowelblazer Honor.
thePipeLine and #WatchingBrief have been covering the work of Archaeologists to protect historic shipwrecks from commercial #HeritageCrime.
Now the Honor Frost Foundation has published a new study of the use of cutting edge satellite technology and data analysis to identify and track bad actors.
Now the Honor Frost Foundation has published a new study of the use of cutting edge satellite technology and data analysis to identify and track bad actors.
New publication - Satellite Monitoring of Underwater Cultural Heritage - Honor Frost Foundation
New publication - Satellite Monitoring of Underwater Cultural Heritage
The Honor Frost Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of a new White Paper, Satellite Monitoring of Underwater Cult...
honorfrostfoundation.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:36 PM
thePipeLine and #WatchingBrief have been covering the work of Archaeologists to protect historic shipwrecks from commercial #HeritageCrime.
Now the Honor Frost Foundation has published a new study of the use of cutting edge satellite technology and data analysis to identify and track bad actors.
Now the Honor Frost Foundation has published a new study of the use of cutting edge satellite technology and data analysis to identify and track bad actors.
"How do you double-check the accuracy, if you're not already an expert? Ask a different GenAI? Or do you, you know... Have to go and do the research you would have done anyway, pre-AI?"
Andrew Cherry takes a GOVUK backed, Big Tech adjacent #AI course.
He gets a badge.
"They" get his data.
Andrew Cherry takes a GOVUK backed, Big Tech adjacent #AI course.
He gets a badge.
"They" get his data.
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM
"How do you double-check the accuracy, if you're not already an expert? Ask a different GenAI? Or do you, you know... Have to go and do the research you would have done anyway, pre-AI?"
Andrew Cherry takes a GOVUK backed, Big Tech adjacent #AI course.
He gets a badge.
"They" get his data.
Andrew Cherry takes a GOVUK backed, Big Tech adjacent #AI course.
He gets a badge.
"They" get his data.
As the saying goes,
History doesn't repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes.
History doesn't repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes.
A bloated, much-married, philandering, orange-coloured megalomaniacal narcissist, possibly mentally impaired later in life, Henry VIII died #OnThisDay 1547.
January 28, 2026 at 8:39 PM
As the saying goes,
History doesn't repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes.
History doesn't repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes.
Important information for anyone who uses Signal for sensitive communications.
WARNING, fellow journalists: As @nicoschmidt.io explains, attackers are trying to hijack reporters' Signal accounts by tricking people into handing over their 2FA codes. www.linkedin.com/posts/nicosc...
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Important information for anyone who uses Signal for sensitive communications.
If you need an illustration of why dictators fear and try to control, artists, listen to this cry of anger, pain and defiance from the bard of blue collar America.
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 7:31 PM
If you need an illustration of why dictators fear and try to control, artists, listen to this cry of anger, pain and defiance from the bard of blue collar America.
#ItsAllAboutTheHistory News
Humberside Police Rural Task Force have arrested two metal detectorists alleged to have been detecting illegally in a scheduled area near Stamford Bridge.
Earlier the Task Force said it was increasing patrols in response to reports of such activity in the area.
Humberside Police Rural Task Force have arrested two metal detectorists alleged to have been detecting illegally in a scheduled area near Stamford Bridge.
Earlier the Task Force said it was increasing patrols in response to reports of such activity in the area.
January 28, 2026 at 12:45 PM
#ItsAllAboutTheHistory News
Humberside Police Rural Task Force have arrested two metal detectorists alleged to have been detecting illegally in a scheduled area near Stamford Bridge.
Earlier the Task Force said it was increasing patrols in response to reports of such activity in the area.
Humberside Police Rural Task Force have arrested two metal detectorists alleged to have been detecting illegally in a scheduled area near Stamford Bridge.
Earlier the Task Force said it was increasing patrols in response to reports of such activity in the area.
We recently covered the allegations that the Zooarchaeology Lab at the University of Sheffield was being set up to fail, but that story is taking place against the background of a wider dispute between University management and the Sheffield branch of the UCU, the staff trade union.
No lockout for University of Sheffield staff
UCU members have been standing up against the continual cutting and restructuring of the last several years which has significantly damaged the University’s international standing, the quality of educ...
www.megaphone.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 2:10 AM
We recently covered the allegations that the Zooarchaeology Lab at the University of Sheffield was being set up to fail, but that story is taking place against the background of a wider dispute between University management and the Sheffield branch of the UCU, the staff trade union.
There goes the Superbowl and World Cup.
January 28, 2026 at 12:06 AM
There goes the Superbowl and World Cup.
Seems that alongside de-escalation and firearms safety, those standing instructions and six weeks of training undertaken by ICE operatives don't include the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), especially articles 22 and 30.
& a warrant is irrelevant. Entry is only by permission.
& a warrant is irrelevant. Entry is only by permission.
1/27/2026 - Minneapolis
ICE just attempted an illegal entry into the ECUADORIAN CONSULATE to abduct someone
They did not have a warrant
ICE just attempted an illegal entry into the ECUADORIAN CONSULATE to abduct someone
They did not have a warrant
January 27, 2026 at 11:57 PM
Seems that alongside de-escalation and firearms safety, those standing instructions and six weeks of training undertaken by ICE operatives don't include the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), especially articles 22 and 30.
& a warrant is irrelevant. Entry is only by permission.
& a warrant is irrelevant. Entry is only by permission.
Even AI is confused by Mathew Goodwin's biography...
On the strength of this the Gorton and Denton by election could be very funny.
What would be even funnier would be for Goodwin to produce one of his dodgy polls predicting a win and then he loses to the Greens, or preferably Lord Buckethead.
On the strength of this the Gorton and Denton by election could be very funny.
What would be even funnier would be for Goodwin to produce one of his dodgy polls predicting a win and then he loses to the Greens, or preferably Lord Buckethead.
Matt Goodwin's lies about his background have hopelessly confused Google AI 😉
January 27, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Even AI is confused by Mathew Goodwin's biography...
On the strength of this the Gorton and Denton by election could be very funny.
What would be even funnier would be for Goodwin to produce one of his dodgy polls predicting a win and then he loses to the Greens, or preferably Lord Buckethead.
On the strength of this the Gorton and Denton by election could be very funny.
What would be even funnier would be for Goodwin to produce one of his dodgy polls predicting a win and then he loses to the Greens, or preferably Lord Buckethead.
Seems the Daily Star may have inspired what is perhaps the most consequential UK cultural export to the USA since the Beatles...
Although I might have kept it back for the Mango Mussolini himself.
Although I might have kept it back for the Mango Mussolini himself.
January 27, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Seems the Daily Star may have inspired what is perhaps the most consequential UK cultural export to the USA since the Beatles...
Although I might have kept it back for the Mango Mussolini himself.
Although I might have kept it back for the Mango Mussolini himself.
News on the Edgcote Battlefield Row.
Graham Evans who I spoke to for #WatchingBrief has issued an update and says,
"... it looks like HS2 will not be doing any further soil movement within the bounds of the Registered Battlefield."
Here is the original discussion.
Graham Evans who I spoke to for #WatchingBrief has issued an update and says,
"... it looks like HS2 will not be doing any further soil movement within the bounds of the Registered Battlefield."
Here is the original discussion.
The Legal Loophole which Destroys Battlefield Archaeology!
YouTube video by The Watching Brief
www.youtube.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:37 PM
News on the Edgcote Battlefield Row.
Graham Evans who I spoke to for #WatchingBrief has issued an update and says,
"... it looks like HS2 will not be doing any further soil movement within the bounds of the Registered Battlefield."
Here is the original discussion.
Graham Evans who I spoke to for #WatchingBrief has issued an update and says,
"... it looks like HS2 will not be doing any further soil movement within the bounds of the Registered Battlefield."
Here is the original discussion.
For #HolocaustMemorialDay I am reposting a #WatchingBrief from January 2023 where we devoted the episode to discussing the contribution of Archaeology to the study of the Holocaust and the investigation of crimes against humanity.
Holocaust Memorial Day: The Role of Archaeology in Remembering | WB 27th Jan 2023
YouTube video by Archaeosoup
youtu.be
January 27, 2026 at 10:48 AM
For #HolocaustMemorialDay I am reposting a #WatchingBrief from January 2023 where we devoted the episode to discussing the contribution of Archaeology to the study of the Holocaust and the investigation of crimes against humanity.
Wiith people sharing Downfall parodies this platform has truly come of age.
HT to @mrsoup.bsky.social for spotting.
HT to @mrsoup.bsky.social for spotting.
January 27, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Wiith people sharing Downfall parodies this platform has truly come of age.
HT to @mrsoup.bsky.social for spotting.
HT to @mrsoup.bsky.social for spotting.
Rather more important news than Suella Braverman's defection.
Nigella Lawson to replace Prue Leith on The Great British Bake Off
The TV chef says she's
www.bbc.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Rather more important news than Suella Braverman's defection.
As someone whose archaeological imagination was fired by the reconstructions of Alan Sorrell, kudos to artist Bob Marshall for this commitment.
It comes as a developer has submitted an #AI generated mural for planning permission in Glasgow, featuring the iconic Scottish bird, the Bald Eagle.
It comes as a developer has submitted an #AI generated mural for planning permission in Glasgow, featuring the iconic Scottish bird, the Bald Eagle.
Made a few improvements to my online portfolio to provide more context with my reconstruction images. I'll include more paradata with the projects I post in future. With so many now questioning image authenticity because of AI, I feel it's more important than ever to declare my sources & references.
Bob Marshall: Commissioned Reconstructions
Portfolio of Commissioned Reconstruction Artworks by Bob Marshall
bobmarshall.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 1:28 PM
As someone whose archaeological imagination was fired by the reconstructions of Alan Sorrell, kudos to artist Bob Marshall for this commitment.
It comes as a developer has submitted an #AI generated mural for planning permission in Glasgow, featuring the iconic Scottish bird, the Bald Eagle.
It comes as a developer has submitted an #AI generated mural for planning permission in Glasgow, featuring the iconic Scottish bird, the Bald Eagle.
POLITICS 101: The Internet never forgets...
January 26, 2026 at 12:36 PM
POLITICS 101: The Internet never forgets...
Of course, a fair number of Reform UK voters would happily send Suella Braverman home, and they wouldn't mean the UK.
BREAKING: Suella Braverman, the former Conservative home secretary, becomes latest Tory MP to defect to Reform UK. “I feel like I’ve come home,” she tells rally.
January 26, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Of course, a fair number of Reform UK voters would happily send Suella Braverman home, and they wouldn't mean the UK.