My favourite archaeological excavation, led by Dr James Barrett, on the Brough of Deerness in Orkney, has started up again, after a break in 2010. The site is still a bit mysterious and interpretations have changed, from an early Christian site, to a Viking Age chieftain's site, with the latter the current favoured one, but extending into later times when there is a Norse-period church, the remains of which can still be seen above ground (and you can just make it out in the picture).The site now has a blog, which it is promised will be updated weekly. There, you can read about the most recent finds, including, very excitingly, a stone gaming board. Readers who know of my love for the Lewis playing-pieces (and who doesn't love them?), will know that this sets the imagination racing!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI cannot work out how else to contact you but thought you might be interested to know that DC comics are producing a series called Northlanders under their Vertigo imprint.
I have only just discovered it although it has been running a couple of years. It depicts the colonisation of Iceland and other aspects of Viking society as a dramatised portrayal of everyday life. A bit different from the sci-fi Marvel version of Thor.
I have pasted an Amazon link below but if you call into Page 45 on Market Street or Forbidden Planet you will undoubtedly be able to have a look at the collections.
The link to what looks like the first collection is http://www.amazon.co.uk/Northlanders-Sven-Returned-v/dp/1845769929/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312372269&sr=1-2 .
Take care. Chris
Thanks for the tip Chris, this sounds interesting.
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ReplyDeleteCompletely forgot to say that my original Professor, when when I read history a loooong time ago, in Cardiff, was H.R. Loyn. I imagine thta would be a blast from the past for you. I recall he was very tall and we were all encouraged to buy his book!!!
That dates you a bit, as Prof. Loyn died in 2000. Of his book, all I'll say is, it was of its time...but hope you did buy it (and keep it?).
ReplyDeleteIndeed it does, as I left Cardiff in 1979 - before you were a gleaming in your mother's eye I'll warrant!! I did buy the book but it wasn't quite my area of interest. I still have it.
ReplyDeleteI arrived (at Uni sans any linguistic ability) intrigued by Habsurg early Europe and ended as a continental High Middle-agist - ahem - altho even then I had concentrated on Byzantine history - rather molloxed up my Crusades paper when I could literally only answer two questions. Sigh.
Incidentally, can you recommend a good and readable (for someone who now reads history for pleasure not work) book on the Norse myths? I picked up the Abrams book but am utterly becalmed half way through as its a bit of a travelogue for me.
Try R.I. Page's Norse Myths.
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