English Translation of KÖK Press Release

The following is an English translation of the press release mentioned by Liv in this month's Soup News:



"Wikimedia Sweden released a really interesting press release today which states that they are starting a project called Kopplat Öppet Kulturarve (Connected Open Cultural Heritage) which aims to gather and publish unique digital information about assorted cultural heritage around the world.

The project is going to be founded by Postkodslotteriets cultural fond from which they have received 2,5 million Swedish Krona.

Their main goal is to collect and digitally publish around 100 000 pictures of cultural heritage under an open licence policy. Among other treasures about 2500 pictures of Palmyra in Syria is planned to be released.

“Our Cultural Heritage is destroyed both by the works of time and because it disappears into forgetfulness of us [humanity] as a collective. Some is destroyed by deliberate action and systematically by forces that wants to erase parts of history that collides with their own world views” say Wikimedia Sweden's operations manager Anna Troberg and adds “I am proud that Wikimedia Sweden is involved and building the digital defence line for cultural heritage”

KÖK is driven and coordinated by Wikimedia Sweden but it is a collaboration with UNESCO, Kulturarv utan gränser (Cultural Heritage without Borders) and Wikimedia Italia. There will also be intensive collaborations with museums, libraries, archives and government offices from about ten countries.

“We will mostly be working with completely unique material that for the first time will be connected and made public through among other things Wikipedia through the platforms of Wikimedia” say John Andersson, who is the project leader for KÖK. “The project will not only be leaving traces on the internet. We will also be doing a photo exhibition in three countries”

Angelica Månsson-Gerde, general manager for PostkodsLotteriets cultural fond comments;

“Without Wikimedia Swedens initative irreplaceable cultural heritage from many different sites around the world is at risk of being lost completely. Through digital technology and collaborations with professionals as well as amateurs from all over the world Wikimedia Sweden now creates the conditions not only to preserve cultural heritage at risk of being destroyed or disappearing, but to make it available for the public and research. We are proud to support this project"

Archaeologists: Nazis, Out of Touch or Misunderstood?

Channel 5 online screen grab: Fair use for review and reporting

Reflections on the public response to Channel 5's 'Battlefield Recovery'

Well it's been a busy couple of weeks at Archaeosoup Towers; not least because of the resurgence of footage from the canned series 'Nazi War Diggers' in the guise of 'Battlefield Recovery' on Channel 5, here in the UK. If we put the ethics, the potential legal problems and the ad hominem insults which have been flying around on Twitter  to one side, something else floats to the surface.

One of the most interesting trends of the ongoing Social Media discussion surrounding this controversial series is the number of people who seem to think that the mere recovery and display of artefacts is essentially what Archaeology is. Comments have ranged from:

'Let the public decide!' to

'What's the problem so long as the treasures end up in a museum?'.
 
Despite years of outreach and TV series such as Time Team, there is little understanding of the meticulous research, recording and reporting which is crucial to the archaeological method. There is seemingly no general knowledge of the ongoing work which is done to improve our methodology and limit it's adverse impact on the past. ie Archaeologists don't just dig stuff up!

There also appears to be a lack of sensitivity for the handling of human remains (actual people who lived and died in the Second World War). Not only is this an ethical concern but potentially contrary to broadcasting standards and guidelines linked with decency and responsible portrayal of behaviour on TV.

Screen grab from Steve Taylors public Facebook account, 24/12/13

Finally, folk mistake a call for professionalism (aimed at those who commission and produce TV content) for an attempt to censor freedom of speech. One Tweet ironically accused me of being a Nazi for attempting to limit civil rights. As if clumsily pawing at human remains, haphazardly handling potentially dangerous munitions and even crassly modelling helmets recovered from the forest floor of a WW2 battlefield constitute an artistic or political choice! People appear to be equating such unethical and unprofessional behaviour with a piece of extreme art or a political statement. They confuse crass and uncivilised behaviour such as looting war graves with actions at the very pinaccle of our civilisation - the right to freedom of speech!

Edit: On a related note - It's worthwhile considering that our outcry to the producers and commisioners of this world is not merely a form of unionism... ie Hire an archaeologist or else! Rather it's a cry of dismay that it's possible to make better TV together! Drama without sacrificing integrity, intrigue without jargon and digging without the method 'getting in the way' of the production. Not to mention that Archaeologists aren't particularly expensive haha - world-beating expertise without a huge budget!

Though I will concede that the ongoing philosophical and legal discussion about what 'freedom of speech' actually constitutes is far from over (and probably, quite rightly, will never conclude). Most people understand that the handling of human remains is a sacred or even taboo act! Imagine for a moment, if people randomly plucked your grandfather's remains from the ground for no good reason, digging in a 1940s graveyard to see what they can find!? No impending building or infrastructure project is putting the graveyard at risk of destruction and (despite what the edited captions in Battlefield Recovery now say) there is no attempt to record the excavation. They're just seeing what's there... This abhorent scenario should only be more shocking when applied to disarticulated remains discovered on a battlefield, a war grave!

Channel 5 online screen grab: Fair use for review and reporting

It is not the purpose of this blog post to look down on those who misunderstand archaeology. I am not interested in pronouncing or prescribing morals from an ivory tower. Rather, I want to know why?

Why do people not know better? Why is the past so often seen as a resource which anyone can use and abuse? Finally - why oh why is the training and ethical concerns of archaeologists and historians, adding to and agonising over centuries-long debates about 'who owns the past?' and where 'red lines' in the handling of history should be, ignored?

I won't pose any detailed answers here as I would encourage you, dear reader, to think on this, debate and comment below. However, I suspect that education and a push for acknowledgement of the profession as... Professional... might be a start?

And that is why Archaeosoup exists. Clearly there is work yet to be done!

- Mr Soup

2016 at Archaeosoup Towers...

Well it's that time of the year again. Christmas and New Year's Eve have come and gone and I am preparing to look back on 2015 in this year's Annual Round Up video.

We had a lovely Christmas at Archaeosoup Towers.

As always I'll be reflecting, along with the Archaeosoup team, on the past year for Archaeosoup but also for the world of archaeology.

Obviously, I don't want to spoil the content of that video here but there is a thread of thought which has come to the fore in the past couple of days, particularly in conversation with Mrs Soup. She has reminded me that among notions of planning, preparedness, action and intent there has to be fun!

Archaeosoup's endeavours have always been at their best when they are driven by moments of inspiration, genuine interest and fun! This is something which had slightly slipped out of the 'soup for me in 2015.

2015 unfolded in exciting and unexpected ways, throughout the year I found myself increasingly busy in both planned and entirely unexpected ways. In the times when I could actually sit down and plan potential projects, I would try to think about what 'people want' from, in particular, Archaeosoup videos, a menu of-sorts... As you can imagine, this is a somewhat oxymoronic train of thought because people clearly want more 'soup and the 'soup is at its best when warm and prepared by an enthusiastic chef - haha! No Menu, just the best and freshest Soup of the day!

So, there you have it - If last year's goal was a 'year of action', this year's goal will be a 'year of fun' (along with action and more frequent blog posts - haha).

So here's to 2016 and whatever it may bring!!!

Archaeology - Standing in the Way of Progress?

Earlier today I came across a short news article about the destruction of two temples in the Walled City area of Old Jaipur to make way for the Metro system corridor proposed from Chandpole to Badi Chaupar. The temple sites were apparently centuries old and the destruction has been the focus of protests by local citizens. Already, people on Social Media are decrying this as a hideous act, destruction of cultural heritage and cynical expansionism in the modern world.

Image: Dainik Bhaskar

Idols and statues have been removed from the sites and the demolition work has been subject to a decision by the High Court, deciding in favour of the plans to create the Metro corridor which will see the destruction of 13 temples. Only 6 priests have agreed to the action.

Initially, upon reading the article from the Times of India, I was outraged! 'How could they?'

However, very quickly, thoughts drifted a little closer to home - the Metro and train network in Newcastle upon Tyne...

Newcastle is, surprisingly enough, named after a Castle and Keep started as a wooden motte and bailey around AD 1080 and built in stone between 1172 and 1250. This eponymous castle is an impressive structure and the first time I saw it, it made a strong impression on me.

It was not the architecture of this fortress which surprised me though, rather the proximity of the railway to the castle struck me as bizarre! 'How on earth did anyone get permission to do that?' I wondered. The main rail line between Edinburgh and London not only runs past the Castle Keep but smashes its way through the bailey of the castle, splitting the keep from the Black Gate, the bailey!

After enquiring with friends I was even more aghast to learn that the Newcastle Central Station not only lies over a section of Hadrian's Wall but is, in part, constructed from masonry lifted from what is now a UNESCO monument!

 

Newcastle Central Station: Green Newcastle Keep and Bailey: Red

Why was this allowed to happen? 'Because of the needs and priorities of society at the time!' came the response. The Victorians of Newcastle were enterprising, forward thinking and embracing a world of enterprise which not only connected them with the world via the River Tyne but which demanded decent and reliable access north and south to the capitals of England and Scotland.

The challenge was then issued: 'Can you imagine Britain, economically, politically, geographically, if this hadn't been allowed to happen?' Of-course, I could not imagine it - haha! For years, I depended on this section of rail network to get to University in Durham. It was (and is) the only reason I even first went to Newcastle - because the train could take me!

Mock-Gothic archway, built as a C19th rail-solution to the
'choking' effect of Medieval town walls - Conwy, North Wales.

At their inception, these changes were riding the crest of a technological and societal wave - Towns and cities across the UK faced huge and exciting challenges when considering how they would handle the clashing interests of the old world and the new.

Towns such as York, Conwy and Chester negotiated these challenges in interesting and variously inventive or sensitive ways. Newcastle (whether because the people were forward-looking or because it was the 'unimportant' North East of England) changed rather more dramatically with dramatic, destructive (as well as creative) consequences. It was just a matter of time and place...

Hopefully, the link in my rambling is clear: It occurs to me that maybe this is that time/ place for the Metro network of Jaipur? Naturally, senseless and reckless destruction should always be opposed but should archaeologically or religiously significant sites stand in the way of infrastructure which will benefit people now and well into the future? Or perhaps, having trod that path already, other parts of the world should learn from our 'solutions', the successes and the mistakes?

This is one of the most important questions facing people who love history and who work with archaeology. The issues are complex and the answers are not straightforward but so long as we are wrestling with these questions, we can be sure that our perspective will not become stuffy and antiquated - We won't need to be brushed aside to make way for the 'new'!

- Mr Soup.

Tidy Office, Tidy Mind!

Hello, my name is Mr Soup and it has been many days since my last confess... er... Blog post - haha.

It has been a very busy time here at Archaeosoup Towers. However, the strange thing about being busy at Archaeosoup is the nature of the busy-ness. At times like this, there's always something to do!

In the past couple of months, I have been commissioned to produce
Mayan and Tudor Medicine workshops.

In the past six weeks, I have been working on various projects, delivering workshops, filming and editing videos, meeting with potential and current clients, talking to possible future colleagues and trying to fit in life around it all.

Now, I am not complaining - far from it! For the most part I love the different types of work which we do at Archaeosoup. It does, however, have a slight draw-back... clutter.

Last week, things came to a head when I found myself tripping over the sum total of detritus from the various 'pots' I currently have had on the boil. I was particularly annoyed when I caught my ankle in a hangman's noose and spilled a lovingly prepared cup of tea all over a stack of books (most of which survived unscathed). I sat on the chair a looked at the tangled mess of workshop materials, filming equipment, papers and artefacts and I sighed... Something had to change!

In recent days I have become a little bit addicted to the YouTube channel 'Tested', notably starring Adam Savage (as seen on Mythbusters). This remarkable showcase of geekery, machine workshop space and warehouse is one of my definitions of heaven. After my experience with the hangman's noose, it occurred to me - 'What would Adam do?' The answer is be smart about the space!

So... Mrs Soup and I spent Saturday afternoon sorting through the office. It sounds like common sense in hindsight, but we soon realized that much of the equipment and 'stuff' which we had unthinkingly moved straight in, didn't really need to be in here. The green screen, for example, is rarely used in videos and more often than not sees service 'on the road'... Couldn't it be stored elsewhere? The small stack of cables and wires for electrical equipment from around the house - Why was it in here? And what on earth did we need two old 'point and shoot' cameras for at all? In fact where did those old things come from!? So... What have I learned?

Untidy and cluttered office = untidy and cluttered mind!

Tidy and sorted office = a much more tidy and relaxed mind!

Anyway, here is the shiny new, sorted, office. Every thing has a place, every drawer has a function and every book is up on the shelves.

Also - I can see the floor... The floor!

We even found a use for one of three perspex cubes which neighbors gave us (possibly) for use in the garden. It now holds tripods, light fixtures and cameras - This makes me happy.

Anyway, this has been one of those 'check in'/ stream of consciousness blog posts, but it's a blog post none-the-less!

My next post will be about doing a workshop or something - Promise ;p

- Mr Soup.

Epiacum Molehill Survey

Last Thursday I headed over to Cumbria to take part in a molehill survey with the group
Altogether Archaeology. They focus largely on the archaeology of the North Pennines,
which usually means about an hour's travelling for me (if not more) in order to reach a
majority of the sites.

An aerial view of Epiacum. Note how prominent the “lumps and bumps” are!

The molehill survey allowed us to investigate a highly important, but not very well known Roman fort, named Epiacum. Epiacum is situated at Whitley Castle, approximately 2km north of Alston. The Maiden Way runs past the fort, and it is thought that this road was constructed due to lead and silver mining in the North Pennines.

Epiacum is a scheduled ancient monument, so it is illegal to do any sort of excavation or disturbance without consent. However, the moles have been incredibly helpful. Throughout the year, they frequently bring up artefacts and evidence of what life was like on the fort.

It is then the job of the archaeologists and volunteers to systematically investigate the molehills.
A grid is plotted using canes, with each square measuring approximately 10x10 metres. Measuring out the grids is the hardest part, due to the earthworks where the buildings once stood. Everyone is then split into groups. This depends on numbers, so we were split into small groups of 3. The molehills are then sieved and any finds are placed into a small bag with the site details and appropriate grid reference written on. These finds are then plotted onto a large-scale plan of the site.

Thankfully, the weather was glorious; the sun shone all day and the heat was pretty intense for being up in the hills in March! Unfortunately, I didn't take any photographs of my finds (I was too busy concentrating to even think about it at the time), but the artefacts I unearthed included various sherds of pottery (mostly samian ware) and some nails. These artefacts came from the barracks, the principia (or headquarters building), the road outside the fort leading to the north gate, and from the ditches next to the north gate. Other volunteers investigated more of the barracks, the principia, and the bath house. Although the moles have been very active recently, we didn't find as much as we would have like.

The view across the fort and the valley (taken during coffee break!)

Taking part in a molehill survey for the first time was really fun, and I would love to do it again. Sadly, this was the final year of the project at Epiacum, but who knows, it may start up again. On Wednesday, I will be heading back over to Cumbria to take part in the excavation of Long Meg and Her Daughters. I'll try and take more photographs, and I'll definitely be blogging the experience!

Bethany

PLEASE NOTE: If you visit Whitley Castle, please do not pick up any objects or disturb the ground; it is strictly illegal to do so. Should you find anything lying on the ground surface at any of the ancient monuments in the North Pennines, please report them to the AONB's Historic Environment Officer as soon as possible.

Pseudoarchaeology, banana bread & wine!

Yesterday evening, I gave a lecture to Newcastle University Archaeology Society. I turned up (just about) on time and was warmly welcomed with a handshake, the offer of wine and... Some home-made banana bread! If there's one thing which will put me immediately at ease, it's banana bread haha.

The lecture seemed to go rather well. I was there to talk about 'The importance of being earnest' as in 'demanding serious attention' from the world in the face of various pseudo and 'alternative' archaeological narratives.

We touched on the various ways we can all slip into being a pseudoarchaeologist - Ranging from lacking the confidence to say 'I don't know' and making up a response to a direct question, to needing something to be true, to even state collusion in perpetuating fraud... I'm looking at you 'Pyramids in Bosnia' - Haha!

We also examined recent events in Mosul as a kind of pseudoarchaeological narrative - insisting that history and the world should be edited in line with one's agenda is never good!

The talk seemed to be well received :)

Afterwards, a few of us went to a pub around the corner for a follow up gab. We touched on everything from gender norms re-enforced by children's toys to the merits of Cornish identity and even what we can learn from the porn industry about the Bronze  to Iron technological transition... That's a subject for a future post me-thinks.

The evening was a pleasure, thanks for having me Newcastle!

- Mr Soup.