iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

…. in England. References to baiting in sermons, songs and stories also increased. It was particularly associated with music, weddings, and feasts. Both men and women participated and it occurred in castles and in towns. We also radiocarbon dated a bear from Richmond, North Yorkshire…

Photograph of the keep of Richmond Castle. It is a large rectangular stone tower with very small windows, and a crenellated turret at each corner. Dylan Moore / Bailey and keep: Richmond Castle / CC BY-SA 2.0

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

📣 new #bear paper! Dr Liam Lewis and I gathered the evidence for bears and bear-baiting in #medieval England and northern France. We looked at bones, literature and archival accounts. We found that evidence for live bears increased after the #Norman Conquest 🧵

A sculpture of a muzzled and chained bear lying down with its right front paw crossed over the left. It’s carved as the floor rest on the tomb of Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick, located in the Beauchamp Chapel at the Collegiate Church of St Mary in Warwick. Photo by Liam Lewis.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

It’s publication day!!! Microworlds by David M Wilkinson is out now. Taking a close look at lives and ecologies of an oft-forgotten but crucial aspect of #NaturalHistory - microbes! Order it now at NHBS or Blackwells 🦠 🔬🧪🌲

Front cover of a book, with a screenprint where the predominant colours are yellow, deep sage green and black. The print shows a large diatom with a variety of other microbe shapes around it. The title is in white on a red background and says ‘Microworlds’ David M Wilkinson

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

A happy morning potting up (this is just one tray). Now to rearrange everything on the window sills. #OnHoliday

Photo of 12 small brown plant pots, each containing a plant. They are all standing in a white sorting tray. There are multiple different types of plant including tradescantia, rosette-forming succulents and a cactus.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The garden is running out of flowers for pollinators (brambles, thistles, lavender, oregano and ragwort all going over), so I bought these salvias at the local garden centre. Covered in bees almost immediately!

Photo of a large pot of deep blue-purple spikes of flowers. Each spike is 8-10 cm long.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

This ain’t a pigeon. On the tracks at Birmingham New Street.

Photo of a large dead raptor lying on blackened gravel next to a railway track.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Pretty pleased with this. Drypoint with chine collé. Lovely print studio and a great tutor (Tony) at Nottingham College. Based on a photo in the Autumn 2025 RSPB magazine.

Print of a redshank standing up and looking right. It’s printed in brown ink on white paper. It has orange tissue paper in its legs and red tissue paper on the top of its beak.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Saw this at #Nottingham Playhouse last night. I didn’t know #CosyTheatre was a thing, but this is the best ‘leave feeling better’ play I’ve seen in years. Hurrah for writers, cast and crew. 👏👏👏

Photo of a theatre programme for ‘The Market Deeping Model Railway Club’ by William Ivory. The image is of seven men and one woman looking at a model train.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Signing bookplates! Watch out for the New Naturalist ‘Microworlds’ coming in August 2026. Author, Dave Wilkinson (who also wrote NN Ecology & Natural History), is available to give talks - contact here if interested: staff.lincoln.ac.uk/5255cb1b-ee6... #ecology #microbes #naturalhistory 🧪🦠🔬

Photo of a white man with grey hair and glasses sitting at a desk with a stack of signed bookplates to his left hand side. He has a pen in his right hand and is signing a plate. There is a coffee mug with swifts on it sitting on the desk.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Child of the 80s? Or from the Lincs/Notts region? Then this book is for you. Fabulous world-building by @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social and so many sparks of recognition from my youth. I’m going to look very closely at Alpacas from now on too.

Front cover of a book called ‘1983’ by the Sunday Times bestselling author Tom Cox. The cover of yellow and blue with lots of linocuts of life including CND badges, a sheep, a Morris Traveller and a pit head.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Wonderful lion on the tomb of Sir Richard de Willoughby (died 1369). Carved of alabaster it’s in the Willoughby Chantry Chapel of St Mary’s and All Saints Church, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds.

Photo of a lion carved in white stone with a knight’s feet resting on its back. The lion is facing the viewer and is sitting on all fours with its paws to the front. Its surface is grouped into diamonds (like a harlequin pattern) with sideways striations to mimic fur. Its nose is a little damaged. Otherwise it’s looking outwards with a benign expression on its face.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Ah, the time of day when the old dog with advanced kidney disease wants her usual walk, and isn’t going to get it in this heat. May have to hide upstairs until she’s given up and gone back to sleep. You do have to admire the persistence of a border collie.

Photo of a brown and white border collie with her head resting on a lap staring at her owner. She has soft brown ears and eyes and has her mouth open in a smile. Photo not taken today - far too hot for the human to wear jeans!

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

I can’t share the scent, but I can share the photos. Roses from today’s wanderings.

A photo of three open single dog rose flowers, two are open and a deep pinky-magenta, while the one that’s just opening is a deep magenta. They have yellow centres.

A photo of a single pale pink dog rose flower with the green stems of the rose bush behind.

Three flowers of a cultivated rose with many petals each. The open flowers are almost white, while the one that’s still opening is a gorgeous mid-pink.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

We did a creative methods workshop today. This is some of my research, Lego-style. #archaeology #palaeoenvironments 🏺

A Lego diorama on a small board. At the back, there’s a small cave entrance made of a large black brick, with beige bricks forming the walls and roof. To the right there are blue blocks making a river, in the centre, brown pieces representing soil/ sediment and to the left green blocks, flowers and a tree. There are also two human heads, some isolated eyes and a pair of human legs on the soil surface, and a spade propped up against the cave.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

I strongly suspect that whatever people may regret about time spent in the office, no-one ever says they regret time spent with a cat.

A very large black cat with green eyes, and a very bold expression, sitting under a green fleecy blanket. His ears are visible and supporting the blanket. There’s a window with green curtains and a wood-burning stove just visible in the background.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Thistles and ragwort - two of my favourite plants. The bees and beetles were enjoying them too.

A photo of a profusion of yellow ragwort flowers, above them the purple of thistle flowers. All against a backdrop of greenery, and taken on a sunny day.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

RIP Titus. 25 days shy of your 16th birthday. Another victim of the very hot weather - tipped over the edge into kidney failure by 32C.

Photo of two cats lying on grass. The large black one closest to the camera was Titus. The small black and white one is not ours, but he liked to visit and play.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Mullein moth caterpillars making a right mess of the mullein. They’re beautiful and deserve their dinner. I’m just hoping they leave enough plant to still flower once their munching finishes.

A large plant with green leaves that have a white furry texture. Nestled at the heart of the leaves near the main plant stem are two large greenish white caterpillars with bright yellow and black spots all down their bodies. The plant leaves are full of holes and there are large brown balls of caterpillar poo (frass) visible on the leaves too.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

The grafted rose died, but see how beautiful the rootstock can be 😍

A huge green bush covered in pale pink- petalled single rose flowers with yellow centres. It’s a dog rose living its best life, with a blue sky just visible at the top of the image. The photo captures Spring and abundance in equal measure.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

One of these cats is not our cat.

Two black cats lying flopped on the edge of shade from bushes and a sunny patch. They’re curled facing one another. The nearest cat is larger and completely black. It has turned its head to look at the camera. The further one is facing the camera showing its green eyes, white whiskers and white bib.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

On my way back from London after a lovely day @nhm.org celebrating life and legacy of fossil mammal supremo Andy Currant. It was great to catch up with people, and sad to be reminded of the gaps in the crowd. I’ll be toasting missing colleagues and chums tonight.

A sign saying ‘Honouring Andy Currant: A 40 year legacy in science and curation’. Flett Theatre.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Just a few of magpies outside my hotel window near UCD. I’ve counted 27 so far.

Photo of a garden taken through a window from above. There are eight magpies visible on the green grass and pathways around a small flowerbed filled with pink tulips.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

It’s been a long old week. I’m ready for another book unearthed at my mother’s house. It’s time for ‘The School at the Chalet’.

Photo of the front cover of a very battered old paperback book. there’s an image of two girls - one black haired, one blonde, sitting on a hillside overlooking a small hamlet with a church by a lake. There’s a large mountain and a blue sky in the background. It says ‘The School at the Chalet’, Elinor M. Brent-Dyer. 2 shillings and six pence.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Soundtrack for Offer Holder Day Lab prep 😁

Photo of the front cover of the Band ‘Underneath What’s album ‘What is it’ on a lab projector screen. Speakers are on the wall above it.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

University of Nottingham Campus and How Many Squirrels?

Photo of a small clump of trees with grass beneath on a sunny day. There’s a road between them and the viewer. Under the trees there are many grey squirrels frolicking.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

This winter it’s been hats all the way down. #knitting 🧶🎩

Photograph of three knitted hats. Top left - a Breton cap, grey with a fixed turned brim and an inset stripe. Top right - a darker grey hat, with a brim, and a pattern that’s a bit like ears of wheat. Bottom - a green hat with a pattern of small white birds following beak to tail around the lower edge.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Perseverance pays off - we’ve had rescue cat Titus for 5 years and he’s just bestowed his first ever slow blink upon me. #SoProud

Photo of a black cat with green eyes gazing at the camera. He’s lying on a brown mottled carpet. He’s completely self-assured - he’s in charge and he knows it.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Spring at Doddington Hall near Lincoln. #daffodils

Photograph of an oak tree with no leaves on it yet, and underneath it, in the green grass is a large patch of yellow daffodils. The sky seen through the branches of the tree is blue with patches of light cloud. It feels calm.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Knitting was delayed last night by the need to finish this book. It’s about humanity, landscapes, love & music. The important stuff. I want to buy and give it to people. Just not sure who. Bravo @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social

Front cover of Tom Cox’s Everything Will Swallow You

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

After 4 months of intermittent knitting, it’s now time to sew up the seams of my cardigan. I know you’re not meant to hurry it, no point ruining something that you’ve taken ages over, but damn, it’s such a dull job. (Also - it’s blue not grey, lighting doing it no favours)

Photograph of a pile of auburn and dark blue knitted on a dining table with lots of ends of wool and stitch markers sticking out.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Not often you get to have lunch with #earlymodern wallpaintings. It’s not warm, but it’s worth it for the history at the Governor’s House in #Newark.

An ancient stone fireplace with a wooden mantel and a wood burning stove in it. There’s a cafe table and chairs in front of it. Above the mantel there are painted grey and white stripes, with alternating red or grey bunting-like painted hangings with a white drop/ tassel in the centre of each.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

Titus loves his new Christmas aubergine. #JoinIn

A very large black cat (he’s 7kg) is lying on his side with a c.4 inch long purple aubergine between his front paws. His tummy is facing the camera and his left back foot is coming in to kick the aubergine. Behind him on the carpet is a newspaper with dog treats and a green snuffle mat.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Wow. Another fabulous evening with @newmodelarmy.bsky.social at Rock City. So many songs that are so horribly relevant for today, thought we’d left them behind in the 80s. Dear Justin - thank you!

Photo of Justin Sullivan and New Model Army on stage beneath white stage lights.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

And there it is. Updated with the latest results from work with @thibaut-d.bsky.social & @cartapaniso.bsky.social & the @archaeobears.bsky.social #Boxofficebears , 50 mins of 🐻 from the lateglacial to present in Britain. So much more I could have said! Ta for the invite @geoffreymsmith.bsky.social!

A computer screen showing the title slide of a presentation. There’s a bear cranium on the black background, and the title is Bears: a natural and cultural history. By Hannah O’Regan, university of Nottingham

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Very appropriate footprints at Paddington station - I didn’t have time to queue for a photo with Himself though. #bear #paddington

Photo of red and blue images of bear footprints that are stuck to the flagstones of the station floor. They end in a very large footprint that is opposite the statue of Paddington bear (not shown)

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

‘I’m on my way, I don’t know where I’m goin’ But luckily Geoff Smith does, and I’m off to share the knowing of 🐻🐻 at the Uni of Reading #archaeology seminars today.

Photo of a sign hanging from a train station roof. It says ‘Nottingham’. There’s a red brick building with large white painted windows behind it.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

The vet nurses said Nell’s their favourite border collie registered at the practice. #proud

A glossy chestnut brown and white border collie with white down her nose, around her shoulders, legs and the tip of her plumed tail. She’s walking on green grass speckled with autumn leaves in red, yellow and brown.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

I saw this @nottmplayhouse.bsky.social last night. It was really entertaining with a brilliantly staged zoom meeting. The audience was mystifyingly small - so book now for humour and to watch the fabulous Adele James saying it all with just one eyebrow! nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/eurek...

Theatre flyer for ‘Eureka Day’ by Jonathan Spector, starring Jonathan Coy and Jenna Russell. Running at the Nottingham Playhouse from Sat Oct 25th to Sat Nov 15th.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

I know I’m not team bovid, but it would take a heart of stone not to admire this 10,600 year old Aurochs from Vig in Denmark. #archaeology 🏺

Photo of a huge cattle skeleton - it’s easily 6ft at the shoulder and is stained dark brown after being buried in sediment. It’s standing on a low black shiny plinth and has large forward-curving horncores.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

I’m on hols, so time for a book I haven’t read in a very long time. At least I know I no longer want a cockatoo.

The front cover of a hardback copy of Enid Blyton’s ‘The Island of Adventure’. The image in black and red shows four children and a man in a small sail boat heading for a mountainous island.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Look at this cutie! Gorgeous ceramic cat, c. 8cm long, in the Archaeological Museum, #Sparti. #Caturday #archaeology

Small ceramic cat. It’s made of yellow clay, with a black slip. The face is light with black whiskers and the rest of the body is black (except for the damaged bits). Its tail is curving over its back and it’s posed as if ready to pounce. If it was alive it would probably be wiggling its bottom ready to pounce.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Had a fabulous day at this temple to the natural world yesterday. Looking forward to more adventures with 🐻 in the collections today. #naturalhistorymuseum

A photo of the front entrance of the natural history museum at night. It’s taken from over the road so you can see the huge Romanesque arch over the main door, and a tower with steeple either side. It could be a gothic cathedral, but it ain’t!

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Sorting things out at my mother’s. Astonishing what has been hiding in boxes.

A poster with a picture of a chimpanzee. It says ‘Wits 75th jubilee. Special lecture, Dr Jane Goodall. The World Renowned Expert. Your once-off chance to hear her talk on “Chimpanzees - so like us” Mon 24th February 1997. 13h00. The auditorium, Johannesburg Hospital. Entrance free. First come first seated DON’T MISS OUT - YOU’LL REGRET IT!

It’s held down at the top by an orange flexible plastic dinosaur buggy from the NHM circa 1980.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

What an evening of absolute joy. Well done Wrestling Resurgence and 1623. Midsummer Madness by BARDCORE is fantastic 🥳

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Do people want to see #Wrestling + #Shakespeare? The answer is clear - only 10 tickets left!! Grab yours now (if you still can!) www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bardcore-m...

Image of an instagram post showing a poster for BARDCORE wrestling - Midsummer Mayhem - at Nottingham Lakeside Arts on Saturday 10th of May. A big banner across the poster says ‘10 tickets remaining’.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

May we all experience some of the joy of an elderly collie with a snuffle ball.

Photo of a brown and white collie dog nosing a ball made of soft wads of fabric in different colours - red, green, cream and yellow. The fabric is all folded up, a bit like if you were trying to make a rose from fabric, and then put together in a shape of a ball. The folds in the fabric allows it to hold treats. The photo is fuzzy and out of focus because both the dog and ball are moving.

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Hannah O’Regan @palaeohan.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Saw this last night. Very powerful and thought provoking. Power, love, envy, hate. A play for our times written in 1592.

A dark stage. In the centre a coffin on a bier covered in a red flag with three golden leopards on it. Atop the coffin a crown, orbs and sceptre, with a huge golden crucifix at one end. Two shafts of light highlight the crown.

Front page of a theatre programme. The men clutching and about to kiss one another in a passionate embrace. The cover is dark and they’re lit with red from behind. The text says ‘RSC, 24/25 season. Edward II by Christopher Marlowe.’

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