Reposted by Richard WattsNina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 20/09/2026The amazing “Elk’s Head of Huittinen” comes from a Mesolithic settlement in southern Finland, dating to around 6100 BC. The ~10 cm long steatite (soapstone) head was carefully ground and finished and features a shaft hole for mounting. Because the stone is soft, it is unlikely...🧵1/3 📷 me 8482142
Reposted by Richard WattsAndy Fleming @slackbastard.bsky.social · 17/09/2026High skool students respond to the presence of convicted spousal abuser & serial pest Avi Yeminem at the strike today (Yeminem is w his bodyguard Daniel Jones & Xtian nationalist Nick 'Banjo' Patterson) by chanting 'wife beater' & 'smol d!ck' (?). 1718347
Reposted by Richard WattsAndy Fleming @slackbastard.bsky.social · 10/09/2026'But [former VicRoads road construction engineer Jeff Moran] said that since the Liberal Kennett govt privatised road construction & maintenance in the mid-to-late '90s, the necessary ongoing maintenance was often neglected.' I am shocked. Shocked & stunned. Etc.. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...abc.net.auFormer VicRoads staff blame privatisation for state's crumbling roadsFormer VicRoads staff say privatisation and road-building techniques are behind the horrific state of Victoria's roads. 2195
Reposted by Richard WattsYair Wallach @yairwallach.bsky.social · 08/09/2026The revelations regarding Netanyahu are not surprising. But the reporting demonstrates the crucial role of the Biden administration in shaping Israel's response to Oct 7. They bear so much responsibility. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...haaretz.comNetanyahu got an explicit warning before Oct. 7. He didn't brief security chiefsIn September '23, UAE President bin Zayed called Netanyahu to deliver a harsh warning. Netanyahu did nothing. An extensive investigation, conducted for a new book, reveals the PM's failures surroundin... 712158
Reposted by Richard WattsKevin Wilbraham @kpw1453.bsky.social · 06/09/2026The surviving stones of the Callanish II Stone Circle. Dating to late Neolithic and early Bronze Age, the circle is located near the main Callanish Stones on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. 📸 My own. #StandingStoneSunday #Callanish #Archaeology 640063
Reposted by Richard WattsNina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Too good not to share: a wooden floor of a #Neolithic house. Unearthed in Alleshausen-Grundwiesen, a wetland settlement at the western rim of the Federsee marshlands, 3020-2700 BC. 📷H. Schlichterle/Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Baden Württemberg 🏺 #archaeology 13542128
Reposted by Richard WattsBriony Kidd @brionykidd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026No alliance with the USA until they restore democracy and begin to make amends for DOGE and ICE and other illegal atrocities. #auspol 286
Reposted by Richard WattsWorking Class History @workingclasshistory.com · 29/08/2026#OtD 29 Aug 1867 Karl Ulrichs became the first self-proclaimed homosexual to speak out publicly for gay rights when he pleaded at the Congress of German Jurists in Munich for a resolution urging the repeal of anti-homosexual laws stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1007... 113150
Reposted by Richard WattsSARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) @covid19disease.bsky.social · 28/08/2026🚨 BREAKTHROUGH: After 40 years of research, Brazilian scientist Dr. Mariangela Hungria wins the World Food Prize for pioneering a $2 nitrogen-fixing bacteria treatment that replaces costly fertilizers, saves farmers $25 billion annually, and cuts 230 million tons of CO₂ emissions. 325149854072
Reposted by Richard WattsBen Eltham @beneltham.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Nearly every Australian engages in culture. Politicians should pay attention. Me in The Conversation, with Justin O’Connor and Tully Barnett theconversation.com/nearly-every...theconversation.comNearly every Australian engages with arts and culture. Politicians should pay attentionGovernments at all levels often assume arts funding is not electorally popular. New data shows they are wrong. 16725
Reposted by Richard WattsNina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 21/08/2026This extraordinary helmet is a lavish example of a Celtic style worn primarily during the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. Its dome and neck guard were forged from a single thin sheet of iron, then embellished with ornamental bronze bands worked into flowing vegetal motifs. Inlays of reddish ...🧵1/3 📷 me 348997
Reposted by Richard WattsDavid @archaeomather.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Celtic head from northern England carved from sandstone with traces of original red pigment, Romano-British period ca. 100-300 CE. 834269
Reposted by Richard WattsErin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 12/08/2026ICYMI, the Dobby grave story was completely fake. Like, just, totally not true in any way. 2245471954
Reposted by Richard WattsLuc Amkreutz @prehistoryrmo.bsky.social · 07/08/2026The oldest smile in the world! The @rmoudheden.bsky.social Mesolithic Willemstad figurine c. 5300 BCE. Crafted from oak, this small figurine has a body that served as a grip. It may have been used in shamanistic rituals but could also be a toy. On display @landesmuseumhalle.bsky.social #FindsFriday 27023
Reposted by Richard WattsStephen A Russell @stephenarussell.bsky.social · 07/08/2026Everyone’s a basket case for thirsty Wicker, this year’s Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgard-led @melbfilmfest.bsky.social opener bit.ly/4fYzumKbit.lyWicker review: an inventively tragicomic delight | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and GamesWhen Olivia Colman’s fisherwoman asks Peter Dinklage’s weaver to fashion her a wicker Alexander Skarsgård, everyone loses their minds in this raunchy fable. 262
Reposted by Richard WattsNina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 07/08/2026#Neolithic textile production: a charred skein of linen thread, dating around 3200 BC, from the pile dwelling settlement of Nußdorf-Maurach, Überlingen, Lake Constance. The damp environment has preserved it in good condition The waterlogged, anaerobic environment provided ideal...🧵1/2 📷 me 🏺 534089
Richard Watts @richardthewatts.bsky.social · 05/08/2026I won't be behind the mic on @3rrrfm.bsky.social's #SmartArts tomorrow, as I'm on a week-long writer's retreat in regional Victoria. Big thanks to Justine Costigan for hosting the show in my absence - I look forward to tuning in! 110
Reposted by Richard WattsABC News Australia @news.abc.net.au · 05/08/2026NSW Police make use of body-worn cameras mandatory following Four Corners investigationabc.net.auNSW Police now required to turn on body-worn cameras when 'the job's on'Thousands of NSW Police officers will from today be required to switch on their body-worn cameras when using police powers. 02811
Reposted by Richard WattsStephen A Russell @stephenarussell.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Oh, nothing much, just a chat with Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma stars Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder bit.ly/4fE4w4wbit.lyFinal girl thrills – Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder on Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and GamesThe stars of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma talk horror heritage, queer filmmaking and their favourite final girls. 1127
Richard Watts @richardthewatts.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Shocked and saddened to learn that Irish muso Glen Hansard of The Frames and a talented and collegiate solo artist (his Christmas Busks on Dublin's Grafton Street were iconic) has died in a motorbike accident. Might be the night to rewatch Once, I think... www.irishtimes.com/culture/musi...irishtimes.comOscar-winning musician and actor Glen Hansard dies in Dublin motorbike crashSinger found fame after starring in The Commitments and with his band The Frames 062
Reposted by Richard WattsMichael Mazengarb @michaelmazengarb.bsky.social · 27/07/2026I work at the Australian Government and if you did not receive the AusAlert message, unfortunately we have decided that you will be sacrificed in an emergency. May the odds be ever in your favour. This message is authorised by the Australian Government. 47813
Reposted by Richard WattsNick Feik @nickfeik.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Earlier: "Minister John-Paul Langbroek will not say why his department removed eight Indigenous leaders from state cultural institutions.. It follows allegations the state government is systematically removing Indigenous directors in a sustained campaign..."abc.net.auQld minister tight-lipped about 'Project Invisibility' Indigenous sackingsUnder the direction of Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek, eight Indigenous directors have disappeared from the boards of south-east Queensland's cultural institutions. 23926
Reposted by Richard WattsMatthew Hodson @matthewhodson.bsky.social · 19/07/2026JK Rowling uses her Harry Potter money to fund lawsuits against companies that support trans rights so no, I do not care what Hogwarts house you are in. 121874602
Reposted by Richard WattsRoland Browne @slowguns.bsky.social · 18/07/2026“……. the minister put the reporter's safety in danger, dumped on freedom of the press, and incited hate. How's that for a police minister?” Well said, @ABC This minister is struggling in his job, and failing to protect public safety. #guncontrolaustraliaabc.net.auGoing after the media a tried and true tactic of diversionA minister of the Crown's scolding of a journalist asking a legitimate question about firearm ownership, and the subsequent pile-on allowed to run on social media, should ring alarm bells for anyone c... 043
Reposted by Richard WattsAlastair Lawrie @alastairlawrie.bsky.social · 16/07/2026"A Perth man has been fined $4,000 after admitting to distributing flyers containing false and offensive claims targeting members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including accusations of pedophilia and human trafficking." What a disgusting bigot. #wapol #auslaw www.starobserver.com.au/news/perth-m...starobserver.com.auPerth Man Fined After Distributing False Flyers Targeting LGBTQIA+ CommunityA Perth man has been fined after distributing flyers containing accusations of pedophilia and human trafficking about LGBTQIA+ people. 22518
Reposted by Richard WattsMartyn @martynpedler.com · 16/07/2026"There is something rather audacious in telling queer people raised under the shadow of the cross that Christian iconography belongs exclusively to those who remained faithful to the institution. We are entitled to wrestle with it, parody it and subvert it."theguardian.comLGBTQI+ artists have been targeted for ‘insulting Christianity’. To queer people, this feels particularly cruel | James ThorpeA theatre pop-up in a former Sydney church has been accused of ‘offensive trade’. But if causing offence can lead to eviction, every artist is vulnerable 22113
Reposted by Richard WattsNina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 15/07/2026An amazing miniature portrait of the #Roman empress Agrippina Minor (15-59 AD), made from chalcedony. Agrippina was the mother of Nero, and married to her uncle, emperor Claudius. It was rumoured that she poisoned her husband with a dish of mushrooms. 📷 me 1043796
Reposted by Richard WattsJacob Oller @jacoboller.bsky.social · 15/07/2026I don't know that I'm coining "sloppycats" as a term with this piece but I believe we're going to be seeing a lot of them www.avclub.com/ai-rip-off-f...avclub.comAI rip-offs have come for the moviesKnock-offs and cash grabs have always been a part of film culture, but AI rip-offs are about to change everything. 715750
Reposted by Richard WattsJulian Sanchez @normative.bsky.social · 14/07/2026The Trump administration has applied this principle at the cabinet level 09426
Reposted by Richard WattsABC News Australia @news.abc.net.au · 08/07/2026V/Line peak services still suspended following Telstra outageabc.net.auVictoria's regional rail network remains at standstill after Telstra outageV/Line has advised commuters not to use its services, as a telecommunications outage continues to cause safety issues with the network. 0910
Reposted by Richard WattsDr Panti Bliss-Cabrera @pantibliss.bsky.social · 10/05/2026As a casual observer of our neighbours politics this is very surprising. From all the breathless coverage you'd swear they had swept all before them 918361
Reposted by Richard WattsJamie McKelvie @mckelvie.bsky.social · 10/05/2026The ability for creators of all kinds to hone their craft on the dole instead of needing to come from money to get anywhere 111264263
Reposted by Richard WattsClare Heath-McIvor @clareheathmcivor.bsky.social · 04/05/2026While we watch the populist surge — and a Vic election where far-right influence in the Libs could prove fatal — a quiet diplomatic nomination just gave Christian Nationalism a desk in Canberra. clareheathmcivor.substack.com/p/from-liber...clareheathmcivor.substack.comFrom Liberty University to the LodgeHow Trump's New Ambassador Gives Christian Nationalism a Desk in Canberra 2138
Reposted by Richard WattsNational Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 06/05/2026The day has finally arrived. You can now *officially* watch puffins live from the Farne Islands, 24 hours a day: bit.ly/4tRz72T Please enjoy these puffins kissing in celebration of this momentous event. 5133541364
Reposted by Richard WattsUnited Wizards of the Coast - CWA @uwotc-official.bsky.social · 04/05/2026WotC declined to voluntarily recognize our union by Friday, May 1st. While we're disappointed in this delay, together we remain strong in our convictions. We look forward to sitting down at the bargaining table so we can make Arena better for workers, for Wizards, and for our players. #UWOTC-CWAunitedwizardsofthecoast.comWizards of the Coast Declines to Recognize Union by May 1st 4127671099
Reposted by Richard WattsChortle @chortle.bsky.social · 15/04/2026Melbourne's finest...dlvr.itMelbourne's finest...Record ten nominees for main comedy festival award 043
Reposted by Richard WattsCitizen.Coping @propcazhpm.bsky.social · 23/03/2026The most enlightening bit of this article explains very precisely a fundamental shift in Google search— how what we type in is a rough suggestion. And it shares many useful operations and commands to get the information we want. Plus it has a list of alternatives to Google search at the bottom. 📌cardcatalogforlife.substack.comGoogle Has a Secret Reference Desk. Here's How to Use It.40 Google features to find exactly what you need, the alternative search engines that do things Google won't, and the reference desk framework underneath all of it. 212050
Reposted by Richard WattsAlexandra Heller-Nicholas @horrornonna.com · 15/03/20261000 Women in Horror premieres 20 March on Shudder! Here's a lovely review by the great Kate Robertson at Dread Central from last year's fest run to whet your appetite @dreadcentral.bsky.socialdreadcentral.com'1000 Women in Horror' Review: A Necessary and Entertaining Look At Women In The Genre [Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2025]'1000 Women in Horror' illustrates that women have always been part of horror; they just deserve more seats at the table. 15016
Reposted by Richard WattsSimon Rosenberg @simonrosenberg.bsky.social · 15/03/2026What Antifarmer said👇. Speers also reflects the political biases across most mainstream media: Status quo parties like Labor, Lib and Nats are almost never questioned about their funding sources, even though there is so much evidence on how vested interests impact public policy. #insiders #auspol 14817
Richard Watts @richardthewatts.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Janice Gobey, Chair of @writersvictoria.bsky.social, says: ‘For weeks we have tried, unsuccessfully, to meet with Minister Brooks. This is our opportunity to say what we would have said in the room... www.artshub.com.au/news/feature...artshub.com.auDear Colin Brooks: defunded Victorian arts organisations address Creative Industries MinisterFour of the eight organisations abruptly defunded by Creative Victoria share their message for Creative Industries Minister Colin Brooks. 020
Richard Watts @richardthewatts.bsky.social · 17/02/2026Thanks to @markmwrites.bsky.social for putting me onto this incredibly potent piece of performance art as political statement - chillingly beautiful. 141
Reposted by Richard WattsNina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 16/02/2026Two perforated altar reliefs from the Mithraeum at Mundelsheim. One depicts Sol, the sun god, with the radiant. the other shows Luna, the goddess of the moon, with the crescent. In Roman times, they were illuminated from behind, creating a striking play of light and shadow that must ...🧵1/2 732678
Reposted by Richard WattsAllison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 08/02/2026Everyone should call their local election officials and ask them what they're doing to prepare. Our governors should deploy the Guard to protect polling places from voting machine and ballot seizures. 18036561389
Reposted by Richard WattsDr Jo Ball @drjeball.bsky.social · 03/02/2026A #Roman glass bowl in cobalt blue with white irregular swirls; it was made about 2000 years ago, probably in Italy, but ended up in a C1st AD grave in Roman Britain #AncientBlueSky #Archaeology #RomanArchaeology #AncientRome 17486125
Reposted by Richard WattsAndy Fleming @slackbastard.bsky.social · 31/01/2026'Sometimes - history needs a push.' 0154
Reposted by Richard WattsAndy Fleming @slackbastard.bsky.social · 31/01/2026'Experts sound warning over ‘strategic’ move as neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network disbands due to hate laws' 🤔 www.news.com.au/technology/o... 1318
Richard Watts @richardthewatts.bsky.social · 31/01/2026Made the long overdue decision today to kill off my old Twitter account next Satuday. Have been meaning to do so for ages, but just couldn't find the motivation/time. But now that it's truly descended into little more than a deepfake porn factory, I'm out. I'm also on Threads: richard.l.watts 1/2 130