Carl Feagans
@cfeagans.bsky.social
Archaeoskeptic. Professional archaeologist. I write about pseudoarchaeology. I blog at https://ahotcupofjoe.net (he/him)
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9803-9000
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9803-9000
I've been using QGIS off and on for a couple of years. To be honest, it seems to do everything that ESRI products do. Just differently. It's a bit like learning to drive a different class of car city bus to compact or compact to 18-wheeler. Rules of the road are the same, but the controls are diff.
November 14, 2025 at 8:36 PM
I've been using QGIS off and on for a couple of years. To be honest, it seems to do everything that ESRI products do. Just differently. It's a bit like learning to drive a different class of car city bus to compact or compact to 18-wheeler. Rules of the road are the same, but the controls are diff.
With Nancy Pelosi in the news lately, I'm reminded of one of my favorite images of her confronting a douche-bag. There's a lot going on here. This, of course, was the clown's first admin, before he blinged out the WH. Hanging on the wall is The Signing of the Declaration of Independence.
November 14, 2025 at 7:51 PM
With Nancy Pelosi in the news lately, I'm reminded of one of my favorite images of her confronting a douche-bag. There's a lot going on here. This, of course, was the clown's first admin, before he blinged out the WH. Hanging on the wall is The Signing of the Declaration of Independence.
A great discussion (albeit long) with Flint and Chris Kavanagh on how they "decode" modern secular gurus on their Decoding the Gurus podcast. It's like the Lays Potato Chips of videos... you can't just watch a minute or two. It'll have you paying attention!
I sat down for an in-depth discussion with anthropologist Dr Chris Kavanagh @ckava.bsky.social to discuss the phenomenon of modern, secular gurus and their influence on our world
cc: @guruspod.bsky.social
youtu.be/j4S--I7mx0g
cc: @guruspod.bsky.social
youtu.be/j4S--I7mx0g
Decoding the Modern Guru Phenomenon with Dr Chris Kavanagh
YouTube video by Archaeology with Flint Dibble
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A great discussion (albeit long) with Flint and Chris Kavanagh on how they "decode" modern secular gurus on their Decoding the Gurus podcast. It's like the Lays Potato Chips of videos... you can't just watch a minute or two. It'll have you paying attention!
Largely considered culturally inappropriate today, the wooden Cigar Store Indian was not uncommon even through the mid-20th century. They originated in 17th century England as a means to advertise Virginia tobacco to a generally illiterate customer base. Both images are from 1936.
November 8, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Largely considered culturally inappropriate today, the wooden Cigar Store Indian was not uncommon even through the mid-20th century. They originated in 17th century England as a means to advertise Virginia tobacco to a generally illiterate customer base. Both images are from 1936.
I just had to share this digital version of a lithograph of an illustration by John Gast from 1870. It's called, "The First Cigar."
That white-faced kid that's ready to puke made me grin! The peer-pressure here is strong.
That white-faced kid that's ready to puke made me grin! The peer-pressure here is strong.
November 8, 2025 at 4:31 AM
I just had to share this digital version of a lithograph of an illustration by John Gast from 1870. It's called, "The First Cigar."
That white-faced kid that's ready to puke made me grin! The peer-pressure here is strong.
That white-faced kid that's ready to puke made me grin! The peer-pressure here is strong.
From about 1846 until 1959, the U.S. Government required tax stamps on boxes of cigars to prove payment of excise taxes. It started as tax based on cigar value, but then became a flat tax per thousand cigars, and was eventually based on retail price (1917). Some states still require tax stamps.
November 8, 2025 at 4:26 AM
From about 1846 until 1959, the U.S. Government required tax stamps on boxes of cigars to prove payment of excise taxes. It started as tax based on cigar value, but then became a flat tax per thousand cigars, and was eventually based on retail price (1917). Some states still require tax stamps.
I like a good cigar. But apparently, vitolphilia--collecting cigar bands--was a thing that peaked before WWI. Even children collected them. The hobby encouraged makers of cigars to create elaborate and artistic bands, which I'm sure didn't hurt sales.
Details of the photo in the next comment.
Details of the photo in the next comment.
November 8, 2025 at 4:03 AM
I like a good cigar. But apparently, vitolphilia--collecting cigar bands--was a thing that peaked before WWI. Even children collected them. The hobby encouraged makers of cigars to create elaborate and artistic bands, which I'm sure didn't hurt sales.
Details of the photo in the next comment.
Details of the photo in the next comment.
Reposted by Carl Feagans
They know.
And they know they deserve to be there.
And they know they deserve to be there.
Steve Bannon: If we lose the midterms and we lose 2028, some in this room are going to prison, myself included.
November 7, 2025 at 12:29 AM
They know.
And they know they deserve to be there.
And they know they deserve to be there.
Albert Robida’s 1890 novel "Le Vingtième siècle: la vie électrique" was truly a sci-fi story of the Victorian age. He included the telephonoscope like some Zoom/Netflix hybrid but also predicted biological warfare, flying cars, a hyperloop train, and a version of the Ring doorbell.
October 28, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Albert Robida’s 1890 novel "Le Vingtième siècle: la vie électrique" was truly a sci-fi story of the Victorian age. He included the telephonoscope like some Zoom/Netflix hybrid but also predicted biological warfare, flying cars, a hyperloop train, and a version of the Ring doorbell.
What a Zoom call might have been like in 1878. The telephone and the phonograph were recent inventions at this time, so George du Maurier imagined this is what Edison might have invented next. A sort of "Victorian Zoom." The Telephonoscope!
October 28, 2025 at 4:20 AM
What a Zoom call might have been like in 1878. The telephone and the phonograph were recent inventions at this time, so George du Maurier imagined this is what Edison might have invented next. A sort of "Victorian Zoom." The Telephonoscope!
To Aceco demolitions in D.C.:
The East Wing was first constructed in 1912, making it over 100 years old. It's destruction amounts to a Felony ARPA (Archaeological Resources Protection Act) case. Unless you have an ARPA permit in your possession.
The East Wing was first constructed in 1912, making it over 100 years old. It's destruction amounts to a Felony ARPA (Archaeological Resources Protection Act) case. Unless you have an ARPA permit in your possession.
October 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM
To Aceco demolitions in D.C.:
The East Wing was first constructed in 1912, making it over 100 years old. It's destruction amounts to a Felony ARPA (Archaeological Resources Protection Act) case. Unless you have an ARPA permit in your possession.
The East Wing was first constructed in 1912, making it over 100 years old. It's destruction amounts to a Felony ARPA (Archaeological Resources Protection Act) case. Unless you have an ARPA permit in your possession.
“It became clear that [Mann] couldn’t easily balance a politically-neutral Vice Provost position with his public climate work. Sadly, in these times, those two positions are mutually exclusive.”
Penn community reflects on Michael Mann’s resignation, implications for institutional neutrality
Mann attributed the departure from his vice provost role to tension between his science policy advocacy work and Penn’s institutional neutrality policy. He remains a professor at Penn, and is the dire...
www.thedp.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:15 PM
“It became clear that [Mann] couldn’t easily balance a politically-neutral Vice Provost position with his public climate work. Sadly, in these times, those two positions are mutually exclusive.”
I just encountered the term "undiluvial" in a text from the book "Archaeological Fakes" (1967), by Adolf Rieth. It seems a strange term given the context. "The style of the figure is undiluvial" (p. 72). The book is translated from German. The best I can assume is "not flood style?"
October 14, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I just encountered the term "undiluvial" in a text from the book "Archaeological Fakes" (1967), by Adolf Rieth. It seems a strange term given the context. "The style of the figure is undiluvial" (p. 72). The book is translated from German. The best I can assume is "not flood style?"
Reposted by Carl Feagans
Also: this video illustrates the incompetence, lack of training, and dangerous approach that these mercenaries employ.
This video of Chicagoans intervening to save a man from being abducted off the streets by ICE is making the rounds on Instagram.
Community action works.
Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DPZL2AL...
Community action works.
Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DPZL2AL...
October 6, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Also: this video illustrates the incompetence, lack of training, and dangerous approach that these mercenaries employ.
The silly Egyptian vase thing that Matt Beal and Uncharted-something-or-other keep promoting in the world of pseudoarchaeology has been a moderate curiosity of mine. I've yet to really dive into it, but I think I'm going to start with this online paper.
Arc Scientific
Arc Scientific
arcsci.org
September 14, 2025 at 5:34 AM
The silly Egyptian vase thing that Matt Beal and Uncharted-something-or-other keep promoting in the world of pseudoarchaeology has been a moderate curiosity of mine. I've yet to really dive into it, but I think I'm going to start with this online paper.
If you need more evidence of both systemic and overt racism in this administration, read this.
Trump's very first example of the Smithsonian's "corrosive ideology" was an exhibit that correctly stated "Race is a human invention." How is scientific consensus (that biological races don't exist in humans) corrosive? We are asking scientists to co-sign our statement: forms.gle/kqKQF9CZ3jPB...
September 5, 2025 at 1:19 AM
If you need more evidence of both systemic and overt racism in this administration, read this.
This is depressing.
"Only 16% of participants read for pleasure. Of those participants, the average person spent 1 hour and 37 minutes reading."
N=236k
I think it shows. In my dealings with proponents of pseudoarchaeology on X, they just seem to refuse to read.
"Only 16% of participants read for pleasure. Of those participants, the average person spent 1 hour and 37 minutes reading."
N=236k
I think it shows. In my dealings with proponents of pseudoarchaeology on X, they just seem to refuse to read.
Reading for leisure rates decline in US
A recent study from the United States shows the daily reading for pleasure rate in the country has declined by more than 40% over the last 20 years.
cosmosmagazine.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:43 AM
This is depressing.
"Only 16% of participants read for pleasure. Of those participants, the average person spent 1 hour and 37 minutes reading."
N=236k
I think it shows. In my dealings with proponents of pseudoarchaeology on X, they just seem to refuse to read.
"Only 16% of participants read for pleasure. Of those participants, the average person spent 1 hour and 37 minutes reading."
N=236k
I think it shows. In my dealings with proponents of pseudoarchaeology on X, they just seem to refuse to read.
New blog article from David Connelly on the craziness in the pseudoarchaeology world these days.
Raiders of my Lost Mind: A deep dive into the whacky world of Pseudoarchaeology - BAJR - British Archaeology Jobs and Resources
We encourage a curious approach to the past, using archaeology as the best way to do so, while warning against the worst excesses of pseudoarchaeology and also accepting the value of open-minded inqui...
www.bajr.org
September 4, 2025 at 4:28 AM
New blog article from David Connelly on the craziness in the pseudoarchaeology world these days.
Reposted by Carl Feagans
"Two people fighting the Bear Gulch fire on the Olympic Peninsula were arrested by federal law enforcement, in a confrontation described by firefighters and depicted in photos and video."
Federal agents arrest firefighters working on WA wildfire
Federal agents showed up northeast of Lake Cushman to check identification of crew members fighting Washington's largest active wildfire.
www.seattletimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:43 AM
"Two people fighting the Bear Gulch fire on the Olympic Peninsula were arrested by federal law enforcement, in a confrontation described by firefighters and depicted in photos and video."
My chat with Cooper and Mike at Elevated Thoughts is up on their YT channel. It was a fun discussion about pseudoarchaeology but about some real archaeology as well! Be sure to check out their other videos, the other folks they interview are way more interesting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjTf...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjTf...
Why ‘Pseudo-Archaeology’ xIs a Gateway to Conspiracies with Carl Feagans | Ep. 60
YouTube video by Elevated Thoughts
www.youtube.com
August 8, 2025 at 5:03 AM
My chat with Cooper and Mike at Elevated Thoughts is up on their YT channel. It was a fun discussion about pseudoarchaeology but about some real archaeology as well! Be sure to check out their other videos, the other folks they interview are way more interesting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjTf...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjTf...
Gutfield: "What does it tell you though?"
Me: it say's you're a little too comfortable being referred to as a Nazi.
Me: it say's you're a little too comfortable being referred to as a Nazi.
July 16, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Gutfield: "What does it tell you though?"
Me: it say's you're a little too comfortable being referred to as a Nazi.
Me: it say's you're a little too comfortable being referred to as a Nazi.
A couple of weeks ago, Graham Hancock praised an article on Hub Pages for calling out archaeologists. Turns out it was written by generative AI and not very well.
ahotcupofjoe.net/2025/07/an-a...
ahotcupofjoe.net/2025/07/an-a...
An Artificially Intelligent Pseudoarchaeologist? - Archaeology Review
Archaeology Review is the place to get news about archaeology, particularly that which exposes fake, fraudulent, and fantastic archaeological claims.
ahotcupofjoe.net
July 16, 2025 at 12:46 PM
A couple of weeks ago, Graham Hancock praised an article on Hub Pages for calling out archaeologists. Turns out it was written by generative AI and not very well.
ahotcupofjoe.net/2025/07/an-a...
ahotcupofjoe.net/2025/07/an-a...