Halfway through this book about 4 ancient cities and how they were abandoned. Biggest surprise so far is the extreme perviness of Pompeii. That and the proliferation of phallic imagery in the ancient world.
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Halfway through this book about 4 ancient cities and how they were abandoned. Biggest surprise so far is the extreme perviness of Pompeii. That and the proliferation of phallic imagery in the ancient world.
so-soAt the last possible second, I got myself a #BookSpinBingo!
This book was okay, but it feels very much the same as Maiklem's other mudlarking book, and sometimes it's really just autobiography -- there are (few, but notable) sections and entries not about mudlarking at all. That wasn't something I clicked with well.
pickThis collection of articles Douglas has written for various publications over the years includes such mysteries as the dead lake high in the Himalayas, possibly cannibalistic prehistoric Native Americans, the Dyatlov Pass, and, of course, the lost Egyptian tomb.
Such a good read for those interested in archaeology, anthropology, and historic mysteries.
Mudlarking on the banks of the Thames
#whereareyouMonday
@Cupcake12
Posting a bit late, but this where I ‘was‘!
#WhereAreYouMonday
I am all over the globe in Preston's latest essay collection: tracking a serial killer in Florence, discovery of human remains in the Himalayas, detailing the controversies surrounding one of the oldest skeletons unearthed in N America & in my favorite piece so far (link below) a plausible explanation for the Dyatlov Pass incident:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/17/has-an-old-soviet-mystery-at-last-...
pickThis is another one I listened to then checked out from the library for pics. Sadly, there aren‘t any photos from Newitz‘s trips around the world to these lost cities, but there are some cool artist‘s renderings at the chapter openings.
Fascinating book though. Title delivers what it promises. Incidentally, I live about 4 hours from Cahokia. It‘s amazing that this lost city is essentially in my backyard and I had no idea. Hope to visit soon.
pickLast finished book for 2024, probably.
Non-fiction
Preston collected formerly published stories of his about mysteries and murders in this volume. Among them are the story of the Money Pit on Oak Island, or the strange murders of couples in Tuscany, and the titular Lost Tomb (KV5).
Interesting to read and, this is why it took me twice as long as usual to finish, it sent me down several Wikipedia/Google rabbit holes.
pickI loved this! It was fun and light, without making me check my brain at the door. I was rooting for all four women and I enjoyed the atypical setting.
pickHaunting,atmospheric,1960s Florida low-lying coastal islands,bayou,wetlands,swamps,low lying brush. Here Faye Longchamp struggles daily to keep her Joyeuse Island,moldy, crumbling plantation, from the government for past due taxes.She digs on her land for artifacts to sell on the black market in hopes of staying afloat.In the process,she discovers a woman‘s skull.Rather than report it to authorities & face jail for her illegal activities, she ⬇️
pickWhat a great example for what #BookSpinBingo can do. I squeezed this one in, so I could make a Bingo 😅 It was a re-read for me after three years. I still agree that it's an excellent start for people not being used to read non-fiction, but want to learn about history. But even though this edition seems to have been updated, there are still some things, that caught my eye now: women are scarce, unfitting expressions and some unfitting opinions.
