iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

UCL Institute of Archaeology @uclarchaeology.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

📖Bringing together international case studies, Digging into Pottery demonstrates how scientific analysis of archaeological ceramics can illuminate far more than the origins of individual vessels. Launching at IoA Ceramic Analysis Day this Friday: tinyurl.com/s9d8e53f @archaeopress.bsky.social

ucl.ac.uk

New volume showcases scientific approaches to archaeological ceramics around the world

The new volume, Digging into Pottery Scientific Approaches to Archaeological Ceramic Analysis Around the World, will be officially launched at the upcoming IoA Ceramic Analysis Day.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Hey #zooarchaeology #archaeology hive mind. Had someone ask me to ID this (from what I understand, a roman site in the UK), and I can 'see' it vaguely in my mind but it isn't clicking. Thoughts?? (Only photos I have). Thanks in advance.

Small bone in the shape od a semi circle

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Coming this fall and now available for pre-order...if you like archaeology and colonial forts, this is for you! I've got a meager contribution alongside a bunch of smart people, where I discuss cultural identity, artifacts, and heritage/memory presentation.

Screenshot of a book cover and title as described in the post.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Durotriges Dig @durotrigesdig.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

A collection of cow and horse bone in an Iron Age pit More signs of Durotrigian weirdness of simple midden deposit? Time will tell (it usually does) #Durotriges26

A pit, wheelbarrow, buckets and sone Iron Age animal bone in a pit

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

The Discovery Programme @discoveryprogramme.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

New discoveries at the Woodstown Viking site near Waterford feature on @news.rte.ie Archaeologists from Ireland and Norway are uncovering artefacts and may be revealing the footprint of potentially Ireland’s largest Viking longhouse. tinyurl.com/viking202606 #Archaeology #Vikings #Woodstown

tinyurl.com

Dig unearthing Ireland and Norway's Viking past

A team of archaeologists from Ireland and Norway are aiming to unearth more of the two countries' shared Viking past at an archaeological dig near Waterford city.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Ulla Rajala @ullamr.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

The five-year project by the Vindolanda Trust is shedding light on Magna Roman fort and nearby Milecastle 46, as well as providing data about how the local environment and the underlying archaeology is being affected by climate change. The Trust is again digging this summer. #RomanFortThursday

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Dr Alan Montgomery @classicalalan.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

This Roman gameboard and checkers, used to play a game called Ludus Latrunculorum, was discovered at Bearsden Roman fort in Glasgow. Although we don't fully understand the rules, the name means 'the game of robbers'. You can see it now in the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University. #FindsFriday

A rough edge panel with squares etched into it and coloured game pieces on and around it.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Although I'll never likely have the privilege of working a #viking site, I can at least enjoy the efforts of others here in Denmark. Trelleborg fortress and the Viking ship museum in Roskilde (my fjord journey cancelled due to high winds. Sad 😞)

A recreated viking longhouse with wood plank roof and structural beams.

A landscape view of a large ring fort, surrounded by grassy hills, where longhouses once stood.

The remains of a wooden viking shilled on a skeleton of its actual size and shape.

The curved prow of a viking ship recovered archaeologically and placed in its location on a skeleton of the ship.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Vindolanda Charitable Trust @vindolandatrust.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Discover more about the Vindolanda Tablets with Alex Mullen: Voices from Vindolanda: tablets, texts, and technology. ⬇️ www.dur.ac.uk/departments/...

dur.ac.uk

27-may - Durham University

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

When one has a holiday in Iceland and Denmark, one does what one must do.

A glass of beer on a table next to a book.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Erin Dwyer aka Ginger Is A Construct @erindwyer.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

The joke is on them because being an AI teetotaler while they're offloading critical thinking skills to the sycophantic, planet-burning, plagiarizing algorithm only makes me smugger. My smugness could power an entire data center and only needs 64 ounces of water a day.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Laura Geggel @laurageggel.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

The discovery of an ancient elephant bone in Spain is the first "direct archaeological testimony" of war elephants being used from Hannibal's time, a new study reports. 🏺🧪🐘

livescience.com

'Landmark' elephant bone finding in Spain may be from time of Hannibal's war against Rome

An elephant bone discovered in Spain may date to the time of Hannibal's battles against the Romans.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Ruth Carden 🦴 🐾 🐚🦪 | 🦣🏺 @ruthfcarden.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Very happy to contribute to this excellent paper on #dogs by @carlydigsit.bsky.social & collabs showing that dog appearances were changing far far earlier than Victorian era breeding. 🏺🧪🦣 🐕 #zooarchaeology Dog domestication, from the fierce to the feisty | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

science.org

Dog domestication, from the fierce to the feisty

Quantitative analysis of canid skulls points to an earlier origin of dog diversity

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

I don't know my pathologist (self taught #zooarchaeology ) but something is telling me that this red fox had some major issues and owwies with its femurs. #animalbones #archaeology

Red fox femur with abnormal pathologies.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

I think a lot about what Carl Sagan said in one of his final interviews.

"WE'VE ARRANGED A society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. And this combustible mixture of ignorance and power, sooner or later, is going to blow up in our faces. Who is running the science and technology in a democracy if the people don't know anything about it?"
"Science is more than a body of knowledge, it's a way of thinking. A way of skeptically interrogating the universe with a fine understanding of human fallibility. If we are not able to ask skeptical questions, to interrogate those who tell us that something is true, to be skeptical of those in authority, then we're up for grabs for the next charlatan, political or religious, who comes ambling along."

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Genie Lauren @moreandagain.me · 05/07/2025

History is not "stuff that happened in the past" History is the explanation for "why are we like this right now?" It's ongoing. It never ended.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Hey #archaeology #eighteenthcentury historians hiveminds...anyone run into evidence of freemasonry at frontier forts and settlements in Colonial North America? I'm searching through archy reports for suggestions of masonic iconography or items. DM if you've stumbled across/references-pretty please.

A cat with big eyes giving a begging look.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Dr David S Anderson @dsaarchaeology.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

😱😱😱

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Started a couple weeks stint volunteering at Colonial Fort Michilimackinac. Excited to help w this long-running dig but am not happy with this tree.

Archaeological excavation with stones and large tree base and roots throughout unit.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Mel Brooks @officialmelbrooks.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

I told you we’d be back

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

will pooley @willpooley.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

-chefs can use ready meals to save time on cooking -zoos can use stuffed toys to save money on animals -bars can serve piss and cut out the middle man

BBC News screenshot shows a woman working at a computer: “Teachers can use AI to save time on marking, new guidance says”

Getty Images
“The government says Al should only be used for "low-stakes” marking””

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Re-upping this due to recent experiences making it even more relevant.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Applying for intro-level archaeology jobs as a....more "mature" early career researcher/field tech only to not even qualify for interviews. Welcome to Illinois archaeology. How does one get experience without getting a job (yes, I've done field schools, volunteered weeks on end, etc)?

Scene from the movie "the princess bride" where a grandfather tells his grandson that they are in the pit of despair part of the book.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Roman Era animal bone assessment for today's project.

Sheep mandibles w a tiny fragment of pig maxilla

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

I've been at University of Leicester Archaeolgical Services for the past week and change trying to learn more about post ex and environmental archaeology. Thought I'd share some nifty Roman (and others) pottery I've gotten my hands on. #archaeology #olddognewtricks

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Taking an opportunity for some post ex skills training at university of Leicester Archaeological Service. Environmental archaeology is interesting work.

Tank with water to separate small biological finds like seeds and charcoal.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

Archaeobears @archaeobears.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

🎉We’re delighted that our first major #BoxOfficeBears paper is published Open Access today in @antiquityj.bsky.social What do we know about the 🐻 and 🐶 that lived on Bankside? How big were they? What did they eat? How long did they live?🧵 of key findings below! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

cambridge.org

What does a bear-baiting assemblage look like? Interdisciplinary analysis of an Early Modern ‘sport’ | Antiquity | Cambridge Core

What does a bear-baiting assemblage look like? Interdisciplinary analysis of an Early Modern ‘sport’

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Well, it's official. The stink of my latest crockpot roadkill #zooarchaeology critter has led to an ultimatum from my partner. Guess I gotta move out of the garage. The hazards of professional devt.

Man waving his hand by his nose due to offensive smell.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Attempting to process a river otter (found deceased in a...river) 'cause my partner wants to see its skull. BUT the bugs haven't had a chance to work it yet. The insides are just gross. Sorry veterinary folks but just gross. #justgimmethebones #zooarchaeology

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Indiana University, getting my zooarch on picking up some skills training and generally saying wow every few moments. #zooarchaeology

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Fishbourne Roman Palace @romanpalace.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

A lot of people will tell you we're a Roman Palace. We are in fact a moon-sized super-weapon capable of destroying a planet. (Better with sound).

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Nobody has asked me this in quite a few years, but... #favoritedinosaur is still the triceratops #favorite planet is Saturn and #favorite cereal is Still 1980s Count Chocula. You're welcome. Thoughts?

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

No new projects to volunteer/work on, so here are some lovely little bits of tin glazed earthenware (delft/faience) from an 18thc fur trade fort I worked on.

Orange, green, and blue decorated ceramic sherd.

Blue and white ceramic sherd with Chinese pagoda design.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

A little nostalgic for Oslo today and it's archaeological wonders.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

The newest addition to my reference collection, once I remove all the squishy stuff. Funny the things one finds. #zooarchaeology #fishbones

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 24/10/2024

One does what one needs to do to create a reference collection. #zooarchaeology

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 19/02/2024

Analyzing a porcelain assemblage and this little guy popped up.

Porcelain sherd with the figure of an Asian man in a hat outlined in blue.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 30/01/2024

I have great news to share. After moving numerous times for work and schooling, and after almost 35 years of grad schools and teaching...I finally threw away my notes from college that I always thought I'd use as part of my lectures but never did.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 29/12/2023

I've decided that the best way (outside of duolingo) to learn German is to turn on german subtitles while watching #doctorwho. It's not just an excuse to watch the doctor, promise.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 30/10/2023

I've volunteered for a cool material analysis at a cool site. But first, all I have to do is learn how to spot the difference between English and Chinese 18th c porcelain. #self-taught #archaeology Here I go again.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

iucounu @iucounu.bsky.social · 26/10/2023

Sorry to report that the Cybermen got Spongebob :(

An intercom/entryphone which looks a bit like if Spongebob Squarepants had been converted into a Cyberman.

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Reposted by Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

JRR Jokien (joshcarlosjosh) @www.jrrjokien.com · 05/10/2023

🔥 This is a TEST of the emergency Beacon System. No aid is called for.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 08/09/2023

I've reached the "students are bringing me rando dead critters" stage, all due to me saying I was trying to make a zooarch ref collection. It's me. I'm the weird instructor.

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Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 23/08/2023

Spent some time yesterday starting to go through my 'reclaimed' bones in an attempt to learn to id/create a reference collection. #zooarchaeology

Open laptop with skull and bones from a beaver.

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