'The dig team at the Ness, one of the most important Neolithic sites in the British Isles, are not revealing what they believe the find to be until more work is done.
But they say it is like nothing else ever found at the site – and may not even be Neolithic.'
But they say it is like nothing else ever found at the site – and may not even be Neolithic.'
'Extraordinary discovery' at Orkney's Ness of Brodgar Neolithic site
Archaeologists are to resume digging at the site after 3D radar technology uncovered a mystery find.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
A neat tool I just came across: Viabundus, a digital road map of northern Europe 1350-1650, that lets you calculate contemporary travel routes/times. In 1500, going Amiens → Köln by horse took almost 7 days and 13 toll payments.
#medievalsky
www.landesgeschichte.uni-goettingen.de/handelsstras...
#medievalsky
www.landesgeschichte.uni-goettingen.de/handelsstras...
October 25, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Pomander, c. 1580, by "S. B." #London The segments have little compartments with sliding covers to contain tiny amounts of highly aromatic ground-up spices.
May 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
The portrait collection at Knole @nationaltrust.org.uk lived up to expectations - especially the newly conserved painting of Ralph Bosville.
#earlymodern 🗃️🪡
#earlymodern 🗃️🪡
July 13, 2025 at 6:06 PM
The grand medieval belfry of Bruges is even more spectaculair during a light show ! Here is a cool 16th c. map of the city projected on the building that is a symbol of Bruges’ role as a major medieval European economic hub.
July 4, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn, near Kirkwall on Orkney. Dating from around 3500-2400 BC, the ‘Maeshowe-type’ cairn is built into the side of Wideford Hill. 📸 My own. #TombTuesday #Prehistory #Archaeology #Orkney
January 13, 2026 at 5:07 PM
A Super Moon over St Mary's Loch 🏴!
Just back from a little trip away down to the Scottish Borders. Flabbergasted by quite how many new followers have arrived in my absence. It's so lovely to see you all here, away from "the bad place". Welcome Welcome!
Just back from a little trip away down to the Scottish Borders. Flabbergasted by quite how many new followers have arrived in my absence. It's so lovely to see you all here, away from "the bad place". Welcome Welcome!
October 21, 2024 at 12:53 PM
May 23, 2026 at 12:50 PM
I write a newspaper column about Scottish history, historians and heritage.
I’m keen to feature more Early Career Researchers. Their work might not otherwise be publicised to a wide audience. Do you know anyone who might like to be in the column?
I’m keen to feature more Early Career Researchers. Their work might not otherwise be publicised to a wide audience. Do you know anyone who might like to be in the column?
December 12, 2025 at 9:32 PM
December 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Busy day at Linlithgow Palace and St Michaels Church for the launch of our book on Anselm Adornes. Especially apt since Anselm was keeper of the Palace for James III and buried in St Michaels after his murder, his heart sent back to Bruges. Thank you @jillharrison1.bsky.social for organising! ⛪🏰🦄⚔️
June 7, 2026 at 10:41 AM
March 29, 2025 at 1:44 PM
September 19, 2025 at 1:25 AM
'We bought a tomb' sounds like the start of a horror film, but it's actually the start of a great day out! Orkney's famous Tomb of the Eagles is now wholly community owned, and in one week we're re-opening for our first big season since COVID.
Wednesday 1 April at 10am. Not an April Fool's joke 🏺💀🎉
Wednesday 1 April at 10am. Not an April Fool's joke 🏺💀🎉
Tomb of the Eagles, Orkney
Explore the Tomb of the Eagles, a 5,000-year-old Stone Age tomb on the dramatic cliffs of Orkney’s South Ronaldsay.
tomboftheeagles.co.uk
March 25, 2026 at 4:51 PM
#OTD this day in Tudor history, privy councillor Sir Henry Wyatt, father of Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder, died (1536); and explorer and navigator Richard Chancellor was drowned after saving the Russian ambassador after their ship was wrecked (1556)...
www.tudorsociety.com/otd-in-tudor...
www.tudorsociety.com/otd-in-tudor...
#OTD in Tudor history - 10 November - The Tudor Society
On this day in Tudor history, 10th November, privy councillor Sir Henry Wyatt, father of Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder, died (1536); and explorer and navigator Richard Chancellor was drowned after saving...
www.tudorsociety.com
November 10, 2024 at 11:47 AM
The oldest surviving full deck of cards, known as the 'Flemish Hunting Deck' or 'Cloisters Deck', made ca. 1475-80 in the County of Flanders or the Duchy of Brabant (@metmuseum)
December 6, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Robert Morrison’s new book is out!
“Merchants of Knowledge: Intellectual Exchange in the Ottoman Empire and Renaissance Europe”
“Merchants of Knowledge: Intellectual Exchange in the Ottoman Empire and Renaissance Europe”
March 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
#dunnettcontent
Would have been looking fabulous on sheep...
Would have been looking fabulous on sheep...
This has got to be the most fabulous straw helmet I've ever seen, I mean I'm no straw-helmetologist but damn
Spanish, 16th century
Metropolitan Museum of Art
#fashionhistory
Spanish, 16th century
Metropolitan Museum of Art
#fashionhistory
July 18, 2025 at 9:26 AM
#dunnettcontent
Would have been looking fabulous on sheep...
Would have been looking fabulous on sheep...
#OTD 1557 b. Sophia of Mecklenburg, queen of Frederick II of Denmark. Widowed young she became regent for her son, Christian IV & arranged the marriage of her daughter, Anna, to James VI of Scotland. bit.ly/1hmCr1y
Sophia's cultural interests strongly influenced Anna.
Sophia's cultural interests strongly influenced Anna.
September 4, 2026 at 4:08 PM
I’m not sure I’m allowed to say until it’s actually published.
However if you like a book about the adventures of Norse men in Scotland then I thoroughly recommend Lords of the Salt Road by Angus Konstam. It’s a cracking read, and a rather excellent listen too. 😉
However if you like a book about the adventures of Norse men in Scotland then I thoroughly recommend Lords of the Salt Road by Angus Konstam. It’s a cracking read, and a rather excellent listen too. 😉
August 9, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Thanks to some intrepid detective work from a couple of contacts on LinkedIn, I've found this portrait which has a stunning surprise. After years of research, it appeared there was no known portrait of Mary of Guelders, Queen of Scots. This might be her. www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti....
Petrus Christus | A Goldsmith in his Shop | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
<strong>Inscription:</strong> Signed and dated in white paint (bottom): m petr[vs] xpi me· ·fecit·ao 1449· (Master Petrus Christus made me in the year 1449) [with the artist's emblem, which resembles ...
www.metmuseum.org
November 30, 2024 at 11:40 PM
I did another podcast - this was great fun, with the splendid @shieldmaidenpdx.bsky.social and @cjadrien.bsky.social for @vikingologypodcast.bsky.social vikingology.substack.com/p/the-saga-o...
The Saga of the Earls of Orkney
Watch now | Our chat with Judith Jesch about her new saga translation
vikingology.substack.com
April 30, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Tom Licence's fantastic new(ish) article on Earl Thorfinn and a significant, though forgotten, battle a full decade before 1066!
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
One of several from the latest debut issue of Early Medieval England & Its Neighbours
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
One of several from the latest debut issue of Early Medieval England & Its Neighbours
Earl Thorfinn of Orkney and the forgotten battle of 1058 | Early Medieval England and its Neighbours | Cambridge Core
Earl Thorfinn of Orkney and the forgotten battle of 1058 - Volume 51
www.cambridge.org
March 21, 2025 at 7:20 AM
September 2, 2026 at 9:05 PM
The good folk at BBC's Radio Orkney interviewed me last week about the #SagaoftheEarlsofOrkney which will be available in bookshops here this coming week. You can listen to it here at 17'30" in www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... Can I convert those who have never quite managed to get through it???
Around Orkney - 16/10/2025 - BBC Sounds
News, features and weather for Orkney, including the daily community diary.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 18, 2025 at 7:29 PM