Catherine Frieman
@cjfrieman.bsky.social
D.Phil. Archaeologist. Co-Editor Current Anthropology. Previously Editor European Journal of Archaeology. Educator. Tattoo Enthusiast. World Traveller. Accident Prone.
Pinned
Call for Papers: AusTAG 2026
Submit an abstract to the first ever Australian Theoretical Archaeology Group (AusTAG), to be held at Adelaide University!
austag.org
A reminder we’re accepting abstracts and registrations for the first #AusTAG conference to be held 22-23 May in Adelaide.
Call for Papers: austag.org/2025/11/04/a...
Registration: events.humanitix.com/austag-confe...
Can’t wait to see a bunch of archaeology folks there!
Call for Papers: austag.org/2025/11/04/a...
Registration: events.humanitix.com/austag-confe...
Can’t wait to see a bunch of archaeology folks there!
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
Full BABAO statement here (we need a Bluesky account!): babao.org.uk/bill-to-stop...
Bill to Stop Barbaric Practice of Buying and Selling Human Remains to be Introduced – BABAO
babao.org.uk
February 4, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Full BABAO statement here (we need a Bluesky account!): babao.org.uk/bill-to-stop...
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
What's that you say!
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Trans athletes may not have fitness advantage in women’s sport, landmark study finds
Findings suggest physical performance in trans women converges toward that of cis women over time
www.independent.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 8:44 AM
What's that you say!
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
Incandescent. One of the best pieces I've read about what university means to people and their communities - and what will happen to a city and people after one closes. The *Labour* government and Jaqui Smith in particular should be ashamed of themselves and shamed into doing something. Deplorable.
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Incandescent. One of the best pieces I've read about what university means to people and their communities - and what will happen to a city and people after one closes. The *Labour* government and Jaqui Smith in particular should be ashamed of themselves and shamed into doing something. Deplorable.
Oooh! Very interesting!
February 4, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Oooh! Very interesting!
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
🏺
Just like modern goths, ancient goths came in all different kinds of shapes and sizes.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Just like modern goths, ancient goths came in all different kinds of shapes and sizes.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Cosmopolitanism in the depths of Barbaricum evidenced by archaeogenomic data from the Late Iron Age Goth community of the Masłomęcz group - Genome Biology
Background High mobility and extensive trade and military interactions are well recognized throughout the Late Iron Age Europe. The extremely rich archaeological record for the Masłomęcz group – a Got...
link.springer.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:45 AM
🏺
Just like modern goths, ancient goths came in all different kinds of shapes and sizes.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Just like modern goths, ancient goths came in all different kinds of shapes and sizes.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
An important and tragic find. The events on Wandlebury Hill, close to the Iron Age Hillfort in the Gogmagog Hills (with optional hill figures), tells you something about how the high prehistoric places were used in 9th century 🏺
#HillfortsWednesday
www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/new...
#HillfortsWednesday
www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/new...
February 4, 2026 at 9:22 AM
An important and tragic find. The events on Wandlebury Hill, close to the Iron Age Hillfort in the Gogmagog Hills (with optional hill figures), tells you something about how the high prehistoric places were used in 9th century 🏺
#HillfortsWednesday
www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/new...
#HillfortsWednesday
www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/new...
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
Sorting out my ppt for my public talk at the University of Leicester School of Heritage and Culture's Wednesday Seminar Series on the 11th of this month at 16:30.
If you'd like to attend either in person or online, then you can email the organisers for all the info: [email protected]
If you'd like to attend either in person or online, then you can email the organisers for all the info: [email protected]
February 4, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Sorting out my ppt for my public talk at the University of Leicester School of Heritage and Culture's Wednesday Seminar Series on the 11th of this month at 16:30.
If you'd like to attend either in person or online, then you can email the organisers for all the info: [email protected]
If you'd like to attend either in person or online, then you can email the organisers for all the info: [email protected]
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
🏺
Excellent that we may be on the way to banning the sale of human remaining the UK. Congratulations to the British Association of Biological Anthropologists Task Force for getting it this far. It’s been a grey area because there’s no legal ownership for human remains.
Excellent that we may be on the way to banning the sale of human remaining the UK. Congratulations to the British Association of Biological Anthropologists Task Force for getting it this far. It’s been a grey area because there’s no legal ownership for human remains.
I'm in Parliament today, presenting a ten-minute rule bill to ban the sale of human remains.
Human body parts are not curiosities to trade and decorate with.
We should ban this macabre trade for good.
Human body parts are not curiosities to trade and decorate with.
We should ban this macabre trade for good.
February 4, 2026 at 9:55 AM
🏺
Excellent that we may be on the way to banning the sale of human remaining the UK. Congratulations to the British Association of Biological Anthropologists Task Force for getting it this far. It’s been a grey area because there’s no legal ownership for human remains.
Excellent that we may be on the way to banning the sale of human remaining the UK. Congratulations to the British Association of Biological Anthropologists Task Force for getting it this far. It’s been a grey area because there’s no legal ownership for human remains.
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
We would love for @jaytoddgla.bsky.social’s and my critical response to be read widely, given the Sullivan Review’s potential for far-reaching implications across the social and health sciences — and indeed well beyond the academy
New Intervention in TIBG:
'A critical response to the UK's "Sullivan Review" into sex and gender in research and data' by @jaytoddgla.bsky.social & @felicitycallard.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
'A critical response to the UK's "Sullivan Review" into sex and gender in research and data' by @jaytoddgla.bsky.social & @felicitycallard.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
February 3, 2026 at 7:24 PM
We would love for @jaytoddgla.bsky.social’s and my critical response to be read widely, given the Sullivan Review’s potential for far-reaching implications across the social and health sciences — and indeed well beyond the academy
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
Striking paper from researchers at Anthropic using a randomised control trial to look at the effects of AI use on skills acquisition.
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
February 4, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Striking paper from researchers at Anthropic using a randomised control trial to look at the effects of AI use on skills acquisition.
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
TIL Victorian children were badasses who could hang
What i want people to grapple with is that that Victorian child likely consumed ungodly quantities of alcohol, opium and cocaine as well as many other substances in cough meds, pain meds and other formulations from its infancy. It would be fine with 4loko. Modern folks are the ones who might die
thinking about that "(x) could kill a victorian child" trend and how the more interesting thought is "which eras of history could you make significantly worse by introducing original formula 4loko"
February 4, 2026 at 8:45 AM
TIL Victorian children were badasses who could hang
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
MH’s stories are always can’t miss. I had no idea these folks were connected this way, and also didn’t know this about Oberlin.
I've told this story on ContrabandCamp but it's worth sharing for BHM because it's one of the greatest stories ever.
A thread.
A thread.
February 4, 2026 at 5:51 AM
MH’s stories are always can’t miss. I had no idea these folks were connected this way, and also didn’t know this about Oberlin.
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
Some years ago, I was chatting with a Retropolis reader, a young history student, and I mentioned there were several dozen people enslaved in New Jersey up until the day the 13th Amendment kicked in in December 1865.
Y’all. He identified every one of them.
njs.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/nj...
Y’all. He identified every one of them.
njs.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/nj...
February 4, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Some years ago, I was chatting with a Retropolis reader, a young history student, and I mentioned there were several dozen people enslaved in New Jersey up until the day the 13th Amendment kicked in in December 1865.
Y’all. He identified every one of them.
njs.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/nj...
Y’all. He identified every one of them.
njs.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/nj...
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
Once all of the other, uh, things are settled we really need a serious public health campaign around everything involved in being part of a society.
February 3, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Once all of the other, uh, things are settled we really need a serious public health campaign around everything involved in being part of a society.
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
Oh my god. 🧜♀️
February 3, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Oh my god. 🧜♀️
Mind altering substances were a totally normal, regular thing to consume for most people over all the history of our species. We're the freaks with no tolerance who think a little sugar and caffeine is a wild mix
What i want people to grapple with is that that Victorian child likely consumed ungodly quantities of alcohol, opium and cocaine as well as many other substances in cough meds, pain meds and other formulations from its infancy. It would be fine with 4loko. Modern folks are the ones who might die
thinking about that "(x) could kill a victorian child" trend and how the more interesting thought is "which eras of history could you make significantly worse by introducing original formula 4loko"
February 4, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Mind altering substances were a totally normal, regular thing to consume for most people over all the history of our species. We're the freaks with no tolerance who think a little sugar and caffeine is a wild mix
What i want people to grapple with is that that Victorian child likely consumed ungodly quantities of alcohol, opium and cocaine as well as many other substances in cough meds, pain meds and other formulations from its infancy. It would be fine with 4loko. Modern folks are the ones who might die
thinking about that "(x) could kill a victorian child" trend and how the more interesting thought is "which eras of history could you make significantly worse by introducing original formula 4loko"
February 4, 2026 at 1:58 AM
What i want people to grapple with is that that Victorian child likely consumed ungodly quantities of alcohol, opium and cocaine as well as many other substances in cough meds, pain meds and other formulations from its infancy. It would be fine with 4loko. Modern folks are the ones who might die
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
Fellow archaeologists! Has anyone come across ceramics that match this sherd? Findspot was SW Afghanistan. Dating is potentially 1st cent CE. Any/all leads are appreciated!
February 4, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Fellow archaeologists! Has anyone come across ceramics that match this sherd? Findspot was SW Afghanistan. Dating is potentially 1st cent CE. Any/all leads are appreciated!
Oh no. Pinioned.
February 4, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Oh no. Pinioned.
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
A new issue out now in Advances in Archeological Practice! Featuring work on digital archaeology, computational methods, public engagement, and innovative field and lab practices.
Explore Volume 13, Issue 4 here:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Explore Volume 13, Issue 4 here:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Advances in Archaeological Practice: Volume 13 - Issue 4 | Cambridge Core
Cambridge Core - Advances in Archaeological Practice - Volume 13 - Issue 4
www.cambridge.org
February 3, 2026 at 11:48 PM
A new issue out now in Advances in Archeological Practice! Featuring work on digital archaeology, computational methods, public engagement, and innovative field and lab practices.
Explore Volume 13, Issue 4 here:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Explore Volume 13, Issue 4 here:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
The @ads-update.bsky.social Archeology Data service (ads) are looking to recruit a Digital Archives Assistant.
jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/digi...
#digipres #digipresnorth #archivejobs
jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/digi...
#digipres #digipresnorth #archivejobs
Jobs - The University of York
jobs.york.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 8:13 AM
The @ads-update.bsky.social Archeology Data service (ads) are looking to recruit a Digital Archives Assistant.
jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/digi...
#digipres #digipresnorth #archivejobs
jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/digi...
#digipres #digipresnorth #archivejobs
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
🌟 Looking to join our team? 🎉
We are looking for a new Digital Archives Assistant, with applications due 15.02.26!
For more information visit: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/digi...
#JobOpportunity #DigitalArchiving #HiringNow #ArchaeologyJobs
We are looking for a new Digital Archives Assistant, with applications due 15.02.26!
For more information visit: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/digi...
#JobOpportunity #DigitalArchiving #HiringNow #ArchaeologyJobs
February 2, 2026 at 4:08 PM
🌟 Looking to join our team? 🎉
We are looking for a new Digital Archives Assistant, with applications due 15.02.26!
For more information visit: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/digi...
#JobOpportunity #DigitalArchiving #HiringNow #ArchaeologyJobs
We are looking for a new Digital Archives Assistant, with applications due 15.02.26!
For more information visit: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/digi...
#JobOpportunity #DigitalArchiving #HiringNow #ArchaeologyJobs
Reposted by Catherine Frieman
An important piece that looks not just at the Shirehall, Shrewsbury but at the wider problem of values of heritage and it's futute reuse. Well worth 5 minutes of your time
Why is it so hard to reuse buildings in Britain?
Shropshire Council’s push to demolish its former HQ, the late-1960s Shirehall in Shrewsbury, encapsulates everything wrong with how we treat our existing buildings, argues Leanne Tritton
share.google
February 3, 2026 at 9:30 AM
An important piece that looks not just at the Shirehall, Shrewsbury but at the wider problem of values of heritage and it's futute reuse. Well worth 5 minutes of your time