Sign in

Jeff Spanbauer, PhD

@jspanbauer.bsky.social
468 followers 273 following 56 posts

Retired Comm College Prof-History/Anthropology. Historical Archaeologist- 18thc material culture and military/fur trade sites, and wanna be zooarchaeologist/post-ex analyst in my next life (or this one....any takers?)

PostsRepliesMedia
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 of a semicircleSmall bone in the shape od a semi circle
000
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.
250
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.
030
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.
031
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.
471
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.
020
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
After. Few finds but important to delineate the reach (and possible disturbance of lower levels beneath) of the old tree, in the search for the bottom of this unit. #sexyarchaeology
An archaeological unit featuring a decaying tree stump, roots and tools.
010
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.
120
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.
020
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Roman Era animal bone assessment for today's project.
Cut marks on a cow ribBone pathology on a cow phalanx Sheep mandibles w a tiny fragment of pig maxilla
010
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
Orange and white potteryVariety of orange pottery piecesDark grey pottery with patternA roman Callander maybe?
030
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
And now, grains!
Cereal grains through a microscope
010
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.
Snail shellsSmall animal bonesTank with water to separate small biological finds like seeds and charcoal.
110
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.
030
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
Man making throwup movements
020
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
And more, just because when would I have another chance to check out these? #skulls #zooarchaeology
Manatee skullWalrus mandibleWalrus skullMoose vertebrae with my hand for scale.
110
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
Grizzly bear skullAnimal teethCow teethKnife cut marks on a rib fragment
170
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.
Blue and white decorated ceramic sherd.Orange, green, and blue decorated ceramic sherd. Blue and white ceramic sherd with Chinese pagoda design.
010
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
A little nostalgic for Oslo today and it's archaeological wonders.
040
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
2100
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
020
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 24/10/2024
One does what one needs to do to create a reference collection. #zooarchaeology
030
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.
020
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 06/02/2024
Going through porcelain and thought I'd share some pretties. #archaeology #materialculture #fortmichilimackimac
010
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.
120
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.
120
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 19/09/2023
Too many Duo, too many y.
000
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.
000
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.
030
Jeff Spanbauer, PhD @jspanbauer.bsky.social · 20/08/2023
I guess it's time for the 1st post as I seek out cool, smart, funny archaeologists, historians, and educators. So...here's a pic of my puppers.
2140