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Reposted by Paul Kiem

Journal of Australian Studies @jas-jozstudies.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

In our final article for 50.2, @paulkiem.bsky.social and @cairojim.bsky.social examine the at times whimsical evidence for Australian sappers encountering Roman antiquities at Brightlingsea, Essex during World War I. #OzStudies #OzHist #antiquities #OpenAccess tinyurl.com/ycx6pfvk

Screenshot of journal article. Title: The Centurion and the Sapper: Did Australian Soldiers Souvenir Roman Artefacts While Training at Brightlingsea During World War I? Authors: Paul Kiem (Independent scholar) and James Donaldson (UQ). Abstract: As a result of exposure to a classical education or to the histories permeating the popular culture of the British Empire, many Australian soldiers who went overseas during World War I were receptive to encounters with the past. There are examples of soldiers practising amateur archaeology and souveniring artefacts. The officially sanctioned excavation and appropriation of the Shellal Mosaic is the most well known, but there were many small-scale instances of similar activity. This article assesses the evidence for Australian encounters with Roman antiquities at Brightlingsea, Essex. Notwithstanding the limitations of this evidence and the scope for further research, we argue that the likelihood is that Australians did unearth and souvenir Roman artefacts at Brightlingsea. Like similar incidents from other theatres of the war, many of which were also poorly documented, it helps to illustrate the way in which engagement with the material culture of the past was a significant aspect of Australians’ wartime experience.

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Paul Kiem @paulkiem.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Vale Jon Kudelka insightful, funny and generous

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Paul Kiem @paulkiem.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Excited to start 2026 with the publication, with Klaus Rippert, of a remarkable transnational story: 'Jakob and Charlotte Rippert: Nubia to Nuriootpa'. Pilgrims, exiles and witnesses to a century of upheaval ... On sale in February. More details at: www.paulkiem.net/bookshop

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Paul Kiem @paulkiem.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

'Overlooked German Catholics of the Hunter Valley' - my recent article looking at the transience of deutschtum in the diaspora of 19th C German migrants to NSW's Hunter Valley in the 2025 JACHS: australiancatholichistoricalsociety.com.au/wp-content/u...

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Paul Kiem @paulkiem.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Postman has just delivered a very handsome volume from Palgrave. Well done eds @drrscully.bsky.social Paolo Jorge Fernandes and Ritu Gairola Khanduri on publication of Cartoon Conflicts: link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-69762-3

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Paul Kiem @paulkiem.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

What do Victorian Premier bent Tommy Bent and @annesummers.bsky.social have in common? See 'Why should public men be held up to ridicule?', just published in @drrscully.bsky.social et al 'Cartoon Conficts: Contemporary Controversies and Historical Precedents' link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

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Paul Kiem @paulkiem.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Delighted to be recipient of the Insitute for the Study of French Australian Relations 2024 Ivan Barko Award www.isfar.org.au/the-isfar-ivan-barko-award/

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Paul Kiem @paulkiem.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

@julialaite.bsky.social Lydia Harvey remembered in the most recent 'Newcastle Family History Society Journal', (No. 249, March 2025). Should result in more grave visits.

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Reposted by Paul Kiem

Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Can’t wait for #NWF2025? Join us on February 28 for a special pre-festival event with @luciaoc.bsky.social, who will speak with festival director Rosemarie Milsom about her powerful book, The Lasting Harm: Witnessing the Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell 🎟️ www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1331626/

trybooking.com

Lucia Osborne-Crowley: The Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell

Australian-trained lawyer and journalist Lucia Osborne-Crowley was one of only four court reporters admitted daily into the blockbuster criminal...

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Paul Kiem @paulkiem.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Strong endorsement for volunteering at 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival x.com/i/status/188...

x.com

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