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Is the narrative in the game, or in the head?

In his post, The Simulation Dream (which I’ll forever thank Twitter for pointing me to), Tynan Sylvester sets out the Player Model Principle, which is “The whole value of a game is in the mental model of itself it projects into the player’s mind.” I’ve been thinking about that a lot this week, wrestling with the sometimes incredibly didactic way in which cultural heritage organisations can tell their stories. Continue reading →

Archaeology at the University of Southampton Open Day, 5-6 July 2013

Owing to a last-minute change of staff plans, I find myself down to give two talks about Archaeology and the department itself, and conduct tours round our main Archaeology building (otherwise known under the alluring title of building 65a). A range of artefacts and publications by staff will be available for guests to look at, together with a selection of student dissertations, so that people can get an idea of the high quality work our undergraduate students produce. Continue reading →

Meetings make History

At the end of May I visited Florø, western Norway as part of the scientific/steering committee for the 'Meetings make History' project run by Ingrid Fuglestvedt at Oslo University. The 'Meetings make History' project is based on Ingrid's analysis and interpretation of the Stone Age rock art of Scandinavia, characterised by animal motifs. Continue reading →

How Crime, Corruption, and Murder Are Hidden in the Elusive Black Market Stages of Antiquities Trafficking

There is an on going debate among scholars studying antiquities trafficking — illegally removing cultural artefacts from one country and smuggling it to another for sale — as to the level of organized crime involvement. In a recent article in the International Journal of Cultural Property I try to crack this debate wide open through the use of explicit examples of crime within the trade. I argue that the trade does not operate as a hierarchy like traditional organized crime does. Continue reading →

Unravelling The Vyne

Another short note, this time on a contemporary art exhibition at one of the National Trust place I work with. I’ve mentioned the Vyne before (in one of my most popular posts). This time, the focus isn’t on Roman rings or Tolkien, but other aspects of the place’s history. Ten artist-makers working in a variety of media have interpreted parts of the Vyne story in especially created works, which are currently on display around the mansion and in its lovely Summer House. Continue reading →

Meet the Team – Kris Strutt

What will you be doing at Basing House? Kris Strutt, working on the EES Theban Harbours and Waterscapes Project – http://eestheban.tumblr.com/ Hopefully some survey, geophysics, and exploring the amazing landscape of the area. What you are hoping to experience at Basing House? A good, strong, eclectic team of people doing what they do best. What’s the unique thing that attracts you to Basing House? The amazing archaeology, and definitely the tea and biscuits. Continue reading →

Meet the Team – Adam Chapman

What will you be doing at Basing House? Adam Chapman Hopefully, what I’ll be doing at Basing is to try and relate some of the historical accounts to what we can see on the ground and to provide some historical context to the archaeology, particularly with regard to the period before the Civil Wars. What you are hoping to experience at Basing House? Er? Rain, cold, sunshine, tea and biscuits. Continue reading →

Meet the Team – Dave Allen

Dave Allen, Keeper of Archaeology Dave’s Biography Dave began his digging career in Wales, working on Iron Age hillforts at the Breiddin and Moel y Gaer, and a range of sites in the BrenigValley.  Forays into England included Gussage All Saints and a season at Hambledon Hill.  He also fitted in four years fieldwork in his native Buckinghamshire. He has been looking after the Hampshire County archaeology collections for more than 30 years. Continue reading →