Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

John Flynn Artist @johnflynnart.bsky.social · Sep 12

Cant wait to be doing boss battles of @neiljackman.bsky.social Elden Ring: The Tuatha Edition

Antiquity Journal @antiquity.ac.uk · Sep 12

Can video games help advance #archaeology? By inputting their 3D model of South Africa's Sterkfontein Caves into the Unreal video game engine, researchers made this key site in human evolution research more accessible than ever #NationalVideoGamesDay

Learn more 🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...

🏺

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Tuatha @tuatha.ie · Sep 12

This decorated copper axe dates to around 1900-1700 BC, the beginning of Ireland's Bronze Age.

It was found deep in a bog in Brockagh, County Kildare. The anaerobic bog preserved the leather sheath and its strap remarkably well.
See it on display in @nmireland.bsky.social

#Archaeology 🏺 #Ireland

A decorated copper axe covered in tight chevrons, with a leather sheath and a leather strap.

A close up of the decoration on the Brockagh Axe

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Reposted by John Flynn Artist

Neil Jackman @neiljackman.bsky.social · Sep 8

I'm an immigrant, and I reckon theres a chance I'd know more about Ireland's culture over the millennia than Maria Steen.

One important aspect of Irish culture is that it isn't a static fossil.

It changes & flows, absorbing from other cultures at the same time as others adopt Irish culture in turn

Dr Neutopia @oceanclub.bsky.social · Sep 7

Maria Steen starting her campaign by claiming immigrants do not share "our" social or culture values all the more amazing in the context of her exposing an extreme and doctrinaire version of Christianity that is not even shared by most of her fellow Christians in Ireland.

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Dr Tom Horne @hornesupremacy.bsky.social · Sep 2

⚔️ A really rather splendid Anglo-Scandinavian sword dating to c. AD 900-1000, found at Battersea, London.

A true Viking-Age status symbol in a hyper-violent era.

LI1089.1 (1884.121.21)

On loan from @pittriversmuseum.bsky.social

My 📷 | Ref. @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social

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Reposted by John Flynn Artist

Ville Sinkkonen @villesinkkonen.bsky.social · Dec 8

Skull of a titan

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Dr Tom Horne @hornesupremacy.bsky.social · Aug 27

🧵 Thanks so much to BBC Radio Scotland for having me on to talk about beautiful Benbecula and those pesky #Vikings today! 📻

Part 2 of 2 🎙

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Dr Tom Horne @hornesupremacy.bsky.social · Aug 27

🧵 Thanks so much to BBC Radio Scotland for having me on to talk about beautiful Benbecula and those pesky #Vikings today! 📻

Here's Part 1 of 2 🎙

I might be elsewhere on BBC Scotland (TV) News, too 📺

#Archaeology #History #Viking #Scotland

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Reposted by John Flynn Artist

The Wrong Reverend Rhizic Natterjacks, KSC, KHS @revrhizic.bsky.social · Aug 21

#timetravel #sapientcorvid #corvid

A meme depicting 2 events, the top says:

Me with a Time Machine

Doomer Girl: "You are my favorite dinosaur"
Styracosaurus: *indifferent grunting*

The bottom says:

Sapient corvid with a Time Machine

Sapient Corvid: "You are my favorite extinct mammal"
Chad: "Thank you.... Hey, wait a minute-"

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John Flynn Artist @johnflynnart.bsky.social · Aug 26

Ville Sinkkonen @villesinkkonen.bsky.social · Aug 26

steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis giganteus)

I recently read Beasts of the Sea by Iida Turpeinen that recounts in dramatic fashion the voyage of Steller, the discovery, subsequent extinction, and the discovery of the skeleton of one and how it ended up In Helsinki. A wonderful book you should read.

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Dr Tom Horne @hornesupremacy.bsky.social · Aug 25

The Anglo-Saxon 'Abingdon Sword' (c. AD 875).

With parallels to Galloway Hoard artefacts, the figurative (Evangelist) and foliate decoration on this Peterson L-type fragment is executed in engraved and nielloed Trewhiddle style.

The blade is pattern-welded.

My 📷 Ref. @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social

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Reposted by John Flynn Artist

Tuatha @tuatha.ie · Aug 23

Boulder Burial • the Burren

As their name suggests, boulder burials consist of large boulders supported by smaller stones, covering a small pit that contained cremated human remains.

Though they may resemble a much smaller version of a portal tomb, Irish examples tend to be Bronze Age in date.

A large rounded boulder supported by smaller stones in a hazel copse in the Burren of County Clare

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Reposted by John Flynn Artist

Tuatha @tuatha.ie · Aug 19

Situated just off the Suck Valley Way walking route, not far from Roscommon, you can find the Castlestrange Stone.

It bears intricate decoration from the Iron Age, known as La Tène art.

The stone was moved here in the 18th or 19th century. Sadly, we do not know where it was taken from originally.

A rounded boulder decorated with La Tène art sits under a tree

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John Flynn Artist @johnflynnart.bsky.social · Aug 19

Myself and the amazing Hannah Sims had great craic today talking all things archaeology and life in the graphics department for @rubiconarchaeology.bsky.social If anyone missed the livestream we'll have the full video up this week. #HeritageWeek

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Nora White @ndefaoite.bsky.social · Aug 17

If you can't make it on Wednesday there is also this related exhibition of artwork on the ogham stones by the talented @johnflynnart.bsky.social! www.heritageweek.ie/event-listin...

Ogham Stones of County Mayo Exhibition | National Heritage Week 16th – 24th August 2025

There are 12 recorded ogham stones from Mayo. An ogham stone is typically a standing stone, with an inscription in the ogham script, usually located on the edge...

www.heritageweek.ie

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Reposted by John Flynn Artist

Nora White @ndefaoite.bsky.social · Aug 17

If an evening event doesn't suit, there is also this related exhibition of artwork around the ogham stones by the talented @johnflynnart.bsky.social! www.heritageweek.ie/event-listin...

Ogham Stones of County Mayo Exhibition | National Heritage Week 16th – 24th August 2025

There are 12 recorded ogham stones from Mayo. An ogham stone is typically a standing stone, with an inscription in the ogham script, usually located on the edge...

www.heritageweek.ie

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John Flynn Artist @johnflynnart.bsky.social · Aug 15

Hey, imagine all the poor souls picking Isak and hes having a sulk, not me team is gona clean up!

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Tuatha @tuatha.ie · Aug 15

In February 1896, two men ploughing a field unearthed one of the greatest prehistoric treasures ever found on the island of Ireland – the Broighter Hoard.

#Archaeology 🏺 #SpéirGhorm #Ireland

A small model of a boat with oars, all made out of gold. It is set against a dark green background

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Ruth Carden 🦴 🐾 🐚🦪 @ruthfcarden.bsky.social · Aug 15

Absolutely loved the new newsletter from Ulster Archaeological Society - brilliant and loved reading it over breakfast this morning. Well done to the editor @justrena.bsky.social & all contributors. 😁

@ulster-archaeology.bsky.social

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DH_Age @digitalheritageage.bsky.social · Aug 15

Feeling left out Marion. No mention of Echoes of the Isles Exhibition at ATU Galway Dublin Road Library open 10-4 18th-22nd. Some amazing artwork by @johnflynnart.bsky.social and Roisin Doherty - Funded by @heritagecouncil.ie www.heritageweek.ie/event-listin...

Echoes of the Isles - Exhibition | National Heritage Week 16th – 24th August 2025

This exhibition draws together digital heritage and art to celebrate and preserve the rich archaeological and cultural heritage Galway's Islands (Aran, Inchago...

www.heritageweek.ie

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Nigel Monaghan @nigelmonaghan-nh.bsky.social · Aug 8

Stunning images by Julian Friers of extinct and lost Irish animals from #Megaloceros, #Mammoth, to Great Auk, with the full story of Ireland’s ice age animals and human impacts on the fauna by Mike Simms. Published by National Museums Northern Ireland August 2025 ISBN 0-900761-69-5

Book cover with painting of giant ice age deer Megaloceros

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Dr Matt Pope @mattpope.bsky.social · Aug 9

A an exhibition in Paris telling the story of Gaza, part of Palestine. Hopefully these artefacts can one day return there, to a museum in a safe, peaceful nation free from occupation🏺
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

‘Restoring humanity’: Paris exhibition showcases 5,000 years of history in Gaza

Saved Treasures of Gaza aims to preserve territory’s historical identity against backdrop of war and famine

www.theguardian.com

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Tuatha @tuatha.ie · Aug 8

High Cross Shaft • Banagher • Offaly

The carved depictions are superb, they show:

• four human figures who are tangled with legs and interlaced hair.

• a stag with its leg caught in a trap.

• a man on horseback carrying a crozier

• and a lion or similarly fierce beast with a protruding tongue.

The Banagher Cross shaft. Carefully carved sandstone pillar decorated as described in the caption

Two bearded figures entangled in interlace ornament

A figure on horseback carrying a crozier

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Ruth Carden 🦴 🐾 🐚🦪 @ruthfcarden.bsky.social · Aug 7

#CastlepookCaveProject2025

Prof. Frank McDermott, @ucddublin.bsky.social Geology, one of our collaborators on the project, visited us to take speleothem samples.

Great to see & collab with Frank.
He was one of my lecturers when I was an undergrad in UCD Science!

@ria.ie @researchireland.ie

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Reposted by John Flynn Artist

Tuatha @tuatha.ie · Aug 7

Tomb effigy • Ardfert Cathedral • Kerry

This fine effigy depicts a person in the garb of a bishop, wearing a low mitre and carrying a crozier. With a ring visible on his right hand.

#Archaeology #SpéirGhorm #Ireland #IrishHistory 🏺

A medieval stone effigy of a man in the garb of a bishop

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Reposted by John Flynn Artist

William Dalrymple @willdalrymple.bsky.social · Aug 7

The ancient Byzantine Church of St Porphyrios, Gaza.
Founded 425CE.
Photographed by the Ecole Biblique 1922.
Bombed by the IDF 2024.

From the exhibition Trésors Sauvés de Gaza - 5000 ans d'histoire at L'Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris

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