Craig Barker
@drcraigb.bsky.social
Mediterranean archaeologist & museum education professional. Director of the Paphos Theatre excavations, Paphos Cyprus & Head of Public Engagement at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney.
Cypriot archaeologist on Gadigal land.
Cypriot archaeologist on Gadigal land.
Reposted by Craig Barker
✨A Roman rooster ✨
This #MosaicMonday we celebrate the majesty of the rooster who is looking rather snappy in this mosaic. The provenance is unknown, though thought to be Tunisia. What can’t be overlooked is his confident pose.
#AncientRome #History #Rooster
This #MosaicMonday we celebrate the majesty of the rooster who is looking rather snappy in this mosaic. The provenance is unknown, though thought to be Tunisia. What can’t be overlooked is his confident pose.
#AncientRome #History #Rooster
February 16, 2026 at 8:28 AM
✨A Roman rooster ✨
This #MosaicMonday we celebrate the majesty of the rooster who is looking rather snappy in this mosaic. The provenance is unknown, though thought to be Tunisia. What can’t be overlooked is his confident pose.
#AncientRome #History #Rooster
This #MosaicMonday we celebrate the majesty of the rooster who is looking rather snappy in this mosaic. The provenance is unknown, though thought to be Tunisia. What can’t be overlooked is his confident pose.
#AncientRome #History #Rooster
‘Egyptian artefacts recovered and arrest made after 'amateur' Caboolture museum heist’
#archaeologynews
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
#archaeologynews
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Man charged after Egyptian artefacts stolen from Caboolture museum
A 52-year-old man has been charged and 'priceless' Egyptian artefacts have been recovered after a break-in at a small museum in Caboolture on Friday.
www.abc.net.au
February 15, 2026 at 6:25 AM
‘Egyptian artefacts recovered and arrest made after 'amateur' Caboolture museum heist’
#archaeologynews
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
#archaeologynews
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
‘Police appeal for help after 'priceless' Egyptian artefacts stolen from Caboolture museum north of Brisbane’
#archaeologynews
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
#archaeologynews
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
'Priceless' Egyptian artefacts stolen from museum north of Brisbane
An ancient burial mask, cat figurine and jewellery are among the "priceless" Egyptian artefacts stolen from the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology yesterday.
www.abc.net.au
February 14, 2026 at 11:19 AM
‘Police appeal for help after 'priceless' Egyptian artefacts stolen from Caboolture museum north of Brisbane’
#archaeologynews
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
#archaeologynews
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Reposted by Craig Barker
Did you know pygmy hippos, only ~76 cm (2.5 ft) tall, used to roam Cyprus? They were possibly driven to extinction by humans based on the discovery of the remains of hundreds at the Pleistocene site of Akrotiri Aetokremnos 🦛
🔗 from 1991 (£) doi.org/10.1017/S000...
🔗 from 1991 (£) doi.org/10.1017/S000...
February 12, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Did you know pygmy hippos, only ~76 cm (2.5 ft) tall, used to roam Cyprus? They were possibly driven to extinction by humans based on the discovery of the remains of hundreds at the Pleistocene site of Akrotiri Aetokremnos 🦛
🔗 from 1991 (£) doi.org/10.1017/S000...
🔗 from 1991 (£) doi.org/10.1017/S000...
The old and the new.
An image shared on a Paphos Facebook group showing the ancient theatre, Fabrika hill and the Kings Avenue Mall in the background.
#archaeology
An image shared on a Paphos Facebook group showing the ancient theatre, Fabrika hill and the Kings Avenue Mall in the background.
#archaeology
February 13, 2026 at 7:56 AM
The old and the new.
An image shared on a Paphos Facebook group showing the ancient theatre, Fabrika hill and the Kings Avenue Mall in the background.
#archaeology
An image shared on a Paphos Facebook group showing the ancient theatre, Fabrika hill and the Kings Avenue Mall in the background.
#archaeology
Reposted by Craig Barker
It’s the 136th anniversary today of some highly prized artefacts from Ancient Egypt being auctioned in Liverpool. From there, the 180,000 mummified cats in question went to their splendid and dignified final resting place. A museum?
No. They were ground up and used for fertiliser 🧵
No. They were ground up and used for fertiliser 🧵
February 10, 2026 at 9:53 AM
It’s the 136th anniversary today of some highly prized artefacts from Ancient Egypt being auctioned in Liverpool. From there, the 180,000 mummified cats in question went to their splendid and dignified final resting place. A museum?
No. They were ground up and used for fertiliser 🧵
No. They were ground up and used for fertiliser 🧵
Reposted by Craig Barker
Applications now open!
William Ritchie Research Scholarship in Classics
A postgraduate research scholarship
For MA (research), PhD students, and academics planning to travel to the University of Cambridge to undertake research in the Classics.
www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
William Ritchie Research Scholarship in Classics
A postgraduate research scholarship
For MA (research), PhD students, and academics planning to travel to the University of Cambridge to undertake research in the Classics.
www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
William Ritchie Research Scholarship in Classics
Provides financial assistance to research students, recent PhD recipients, post-doctoral researchers and academics planning to travel to the University of Cambridge to undertake research in the Classi...
www.sydney.edu.au
February 10, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Applications now open!
William Ritchie Research Scholarship in Classics
A postgraduate research scholarship
For MA (research), PhD students, and academics planning to travel to the University of Cambridge to undertake research in the Classics.
www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
William Ritchie Research Scholarship in Classics
A postgraduate research scholarship
For MA (research), PhD students, and academics planning to travel to the University of Cambridge to undertake research in the Classics.
www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships...
'Why this artist is turning Australia’s feral animals into ‘mummies’'
Our new art exhibition at Chau Chak Wing Museum, @sydney.edu.au by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah called 'Undying' is in today's Sydney Morning Herald (paywalled)
www.smh.com.au/culture/art-...
Our new art exhibition at Chau Chak Wing Museum, @sydney.edu.au by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah called 'Undying' is in today's Sydney Morning Herald (paywalled)
www.smh.com.au/culture/art-...
Why this artist is turning Australia’s feral animals into ‘mummies’
Taking his inspiration from animal mummies held by the Chau Chak Wing Museum, WA sculptor Abdul-Rahman Abdullah has turned his eye to our introduced species.
www.smh.com.au
February 9, 2026 at 11:54 PM
'Why this artist is turning Australia’s feral animals into ‘mummies’'
Our new art exhibition at Chau Chak Wing Museum, @sydney.edu.au by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah called 'Undying' is in today's Sydney Morning Herald (paywalled)
www.smh.com.au/culture/art-...
Our new art exhibition at Chau Chak Wing Museum, @sydney.edu.au by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah called 'Undying' is in today's Sydney Morning Herald (paywalled)
www.smh.com.au/culture/art-...
Reposted by Craig Barker
By Thomas D. Jensen 🏺⚱️
February 9, 2026 at 9:54 AM
By Thomas D. Jensen 🏺⚱️
9 February is designated by UNESCO World Greek Language Day
This fragment of marble cladding was the first object found by our team above the cavea of the theatre in Paphos in Cyprus in 1995.
It's 2nd century CE. Although fragmentary we see Greek lettering from almost two thousand years ago.
This fragment of marble cladding was the first object found by our team above the cavea of the theatre in Paphos in Cyprus in 1995.
It's 2nd century CE. Although fragmentary we see Greek lettering from almost two thousand years ago.
February 9, 2026 at 6:10 AM
9 February is designated by UNESCO World Greek Language Day
This fragment of marble cladding was the first object found by our team above the cavea of the theatre in Paphos in Cyprus in 1995.
It's 2nd century CE. Although fragmentary we see Greek lettering from almost two thousand years ago.
This fragment of marble cladding was the first object found by our team above the cavea of the theatre in Paphos in Cyprus in 1995.
It's 2nd century CE. Although fragmentary we see Greek lettering from almost two thousand years ago.
🏺 #SuperbOwl
Athenian 5th century BCE tetradrachm with Athena's owl.
Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney NM2004.655
www.sydney.edu.au/museums/coll...
And featured on my old Object Matters podcast back in the day: www.sydney.edu.au/museums/coll...
Athenian 5th century BCE tetradrachm with Athena's owl.
Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney NM2004.655
www.sydney.edu.au/museums/coll...
And featured on my old Object Matters podcast back in the day: www.sydney.edu.au/museums/coll...
February 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM
🏺 #SuperbOwl
Athenian 5th century BCE tetradrachm with Athena's owl.
Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney NM2004.655
www.sydney.edu.au/museums/coll...
And featured on my old Object Matters podcast back in the day: www.sydney.edu.au/museums/coll...
Athenian 5th century BCE tetradrachm with Athena's owl.
Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney NM2004.655
www.sydney.edu.au/museums/coll...
And featured on my old Object Matters podcast back in the day: www.sydney.edu.au/museums/coll...
'Archaeology against the clock: the race to salvage fragments of early Brisbane'
#archaeologynews 🏺
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
#archaeologynews 🏺
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Archaeology against the clock: the race to salvage fragments of early Brisbane
Tens of thousands of artefacts were unearthed not by careful excavation but by the 2011 floods. Now, students are piecing together Queensland’s history
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 11:51 PM
'Archaeology against the clock: the race to salvage fragments of early Brisbane'
#archaeologynews 🏺
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
#archaeologynews 🏺
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘Study to begin for conservation of Famagusta’s St George of the Greeks church’
cyprus-mail.com/2026/02/05/s...
cyprus-mail.com/2026/02/05/s...
Study to begin for conservation of Famagusta’s St George of the Greeks church
A study is to begin regarding the conservation of the St George of the Greeks church in Famagusta, bicommunal technical committee on cultural heritage co-chairman Sotos Ktoris said. The church dates b...
cyprus-mail.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:56 AM
‘Study to begin for conservation of Famagusta’s St George of the Greeks church’
cyprus-mail.com/2026/02/05/s...
cyprus-mail.com/2026/02/05/s...
Reposted by Craig Barker
Elephant bone finding in Spain may be from time of Hannibal's war against Rome
A new study suggests that a 2,200-year-old bone, which was discovered in 2020 near Córdoba might have originated from one of Hannibal's war elephants during the Second Punic War.
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...
A new study suggests that a 2,200-year-old bone, which was discovered in 2020 near Córdoba might have originated from one of Hannibal's war elephants during the Second Punic War.
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...
February 7, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Elephant bone finding in Spain may be from time of Hannibal's war against Rome
A new study suggests that a 2,200-year-old bone, which was discovered in 2020 near Córdoba might have originated from one of Hannibal's war elephants during the Second Punic War.
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...
A new study suggests that a 2,200-year-old bone, which was discovered in 2020 near Córdoba might have originated from one of Hannibal's war elephants during the Second Punic War.
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...
'12,000-year-old workshop discovered at Akamas adds new data on early Neolithic Cyprus'
Report on recent fieldwork at Drousha-Skloinidia
#archaeologynews 🏺
in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/archae...
Report on recent fieldwork at Drousha-Skloinidia
#archaeologynews 🏺
in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/archae...
12,000-year-old workshop discovered at Akamas adds new data on early Neolithic Cyprus
University of Cyprus team discovers in situ working floor with tools and raw materials at Drousha-Skloinidia, offering insights into early Neolithic life.
in-cyprus.philenews.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:48 AM
'12,000-year-old workshop discovered at Akamas adds new data on early Neolithic Cyprus'
Report on recent fieldwork at Drousha-Skloinidia
#archaeologynews 🏺
in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/archae...
Report on recent fieldwork at Drousha-Skloinidia
#archaeologynews 🏺
in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/archae...
My colleague Rowan Conroy made this video of the ancient theatre of Paphos in Cyprus in 2019.
It always cheers me up on a long Friday thinking of all the voices and laughter this space would have heard in antiquity.
#archaeology 🏺
It always cheers me up on a long Friday thinking of all the voices and laughter this space would have heard in antiquity.
#archaeology 🏺
February 6, 2026 at 5:26 AM
My colleague Rowan Conroy made this video of the ancient theatre of Paphos in Cyprus in 2019.
It always cheers me up on a long Friday thinking of all the voices and laughter this space would have heard in antiquity.
#archaeology 🏺
It always cheers me up on a long Friday thinking of all the voices and laughter this space would have heard in antiquity.
#archaeology 🏺
'Cyprus takes center stage at Madrid's National Archaeological Museum'
The Museo Arqueológico Nacional has turned its spotlight eastward. Its newly inaugurated Vitrina Cero exhibition, 'Between East and West: Cyprus, the Island of Aphrodite'
artdaily.cc/index.asp?in...
The Museo Arqueológico Nacional has turned its spotlight eastward. Its newly inaugurated Vitrina Cero exhibition, 'Between East and West: Cyprus, the Island of Aphrodite'
artdaily.cc/index.asp?in...
Cyprus takes center stage at Madrid's National Archaeological Museum
The Museo Arqueológico Nacional has turned its spotlight eastward. Its newly inaugurated Vitrina Cero exhibition, Between East and West: Cyprus, the I
artdaily.cc
February 4, 2026 at 2:35 PM
'Cyprus takes center stage at Madrid's National Archaeological Museum'
The Museo Arqueológico Nacional has turned its spotlight eastward. Its newly inaugurated Vitrina Cero exhibition, 'Between East and West: Cyprus, the Island of Aphrodite'
artdaily.cc/index.asp?in...
The Museo Arqueológico Nacional has turned its spotlight eastward. Its newly inaugurated Vitrina Cero exhibition, 'Between East and West: Cyprus, the Island of Aphrodite'
artdaily.cc/index.asp?in...
Mosaic, from the baths of Mansoura, Cyprus showing a hunting dog. It has captured a partridge.
The caption above - 'ΦΗΡΙΑ ΚΑΛΗ' means good hunting!
4th century CE; now in the Cyprus Museum.
#MosaicMonday #archaeology #dogs
The caption above - 'ΦΗΡΙΑ ΚΑΛΗ' means good hunting!
4th century CE; now in the Cyprus Museum.
#MosaicMonday #archaeology #dogs
February 2, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Mosaic, from the baths of Mansoura, Cyprus showing a hunting dog. It has captured a partridge.
The caption above - 'ΦΗΡΙΑ ΚΑΛΗ' means good hunting!
4th century CE; now in the Cyprus Museum.
#MosaicMonday #archaeology #dogs
The caption above - 'ΦΗΡΙΑ ΚΑΛΗ' means good hunting!
4th century CE; now in the Cyprus Museum.
#MosaicMonday #archaeology #dogs
Reposted by Craig Barker
Backlash grows over Paphos historic centre redevelopment
Backlash grows over Paphos historic centre redevelopment
cyprus-mail.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Backlash grows over Paphos historic centre redevelopment
Reposted by Craig Barker
An ornately convoluted double-handled wine cup (cantharus)
Detail from a 4th century AD #Roman house found in 1899 at Olga Road just outside #Dorchester (DVRNOVARIA)
Now preserved in the floor of the wonderful @dorsetmuseum.bsky.social
📷 Sept 2024
Happy #MosaicMonday!
Detail from a 4th century AD #Roman house found in 1899 at Olga Road just outside #Dorchester (DVRNOVARIA)
Now preserved in the floor of the wonderful @dorsetmuseum.bsky.social
📷 Sept 2024
Happy #MosaicMonday!
February 2, 2026 at 5:56 AM
An ornately convoluted double-handled wine cup (cantharus)
Detail from a 4th century AD #Roman house found in 1899 at Olga Road just outside #Dorchester (DVRNOVARIA)
Now preserved in the floor of the wonderful @dorsetmuseum.bsky.social
📷 Sept 2024
Happy #MosaicMonday!
Detail from a 4th century AD #Roman house found in 1899 at Olga Road just outside #Dorchester (DVRNOVARIA)
Now preserved in the floor of the wonderful @dorsetmuseum.bsky.social
📷 Sept 2024
Happy #MosaicMonday!
'Mass grave in Jordan sheds new light on world’s earliest recorded pandemic'
#archaeologicalnews 🏺
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
#archaeologicalnews 🏺
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
Mass grave in Jordan sheds new light on world’s earliest recorded pandemic
Researchers tell ‘human story’ about crisis during plague of Justinian, which killed millions in Byzantine empire
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:49 PM
'Mass grave in Jordan sheds new light on world’s earliest recorded pandemic'
#archaeologicalnews 🏺
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
#archaeologicalnews 🏺
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
'Bronze Age Tombs Containing Luxury Good Unearthed in Cyprus'
More reporting on Hala Sultan Tekke excavations
#archaeologynews 🏺
archaeology.org/news/2026/01...
More reporting on Hala Sultan Tekke excavations
#archaeologynews 🏺
archaeology.org/news/2026/01...
News - Bronze Age Tombs Containing Luxury Goods Unearthed in Cyprus - Archaeology Magazine
LARNAKA, CYPRUS—Kathimerini Cyprus reports that chamber tombs dated to the fourteenth century b.c. have been […]
archaeology.org
January 31, 2026 at 11:11 PM
'Bronze Age Tombs Containing Luxury Good Unearthed in Cyprus'
More reporting on Hala Sultan Tekke excavations
#archaeologynews 🏺
archaeology.org/news/2026/01...
More reporting on Hala Sultan Tekke excavations
#archaeologynews 🏺
archaeology.org/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Craig Barker
In the first century BC Cyprus was caught between a waning Ptolemaic dynasty and an ambitious, indomitable Rome.
🔓 Ersin Hussein’s new History Matters is free for 7 days
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
🔓 Ersin Hussein’s new History Matters is free for 7 days
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
The Roman Annexation of Cyprus
www.historytoday.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:03 AM
In the first century BC Cyprus was caught between a waning Ptolemaic dynasty and an ambitious, indomitable Rome.
🔓 Ersin Hussein’s new History Matters is free for 7 days
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
🔓 Ersin Hussein’s new History Matters is free for 7 days
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...