Horus Cippi
The distinction between rational therapy and the use of rituals and incantations is a modern prerogative. Such a separation does not apply to ancient Egypt: medicine and magic are two main constituents of the same process, aimed at preserving life through the prevention and cure of illnesses (Pinch 1994). Constant threats in the form of ferocious and poisonous animals challenged the Egyptians’ daily life.
Posted on: 6 July 2022
ACE & Creativity: Taking on world mythology one death metal album at a time
Downcast Twilight is one of the various heavy metal projects I have contributed lyrics to over the years, but perhaps the one closest to my classicizing heart.
Posted on: 8 June 2022
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Late spring at Khirbet al-Mudayna al-‘Aliya, Jordan - Part 2
In order to tackle some of these questions I organised the fieldwork project we’re currently enjoying. I really wanted to visit the site to take a closer look at its many structures, and pay particular attention to building techniques, potential quarrying locations, and the order the site was built in. Then I got to thinking, how will I be able to address all the questions I’ll have, especially as throughout my PhD I’ll likely come up with more and more questions that I can’t even think of yet? If only there was a way of ‘bringing the site home with me’!
Posted on: 19 May 2022
Late spring at Khirbet al-Mudayna al-‘Aliya, Jordan - Part 1
Hi everyone! I thought I’d write a blog post as we’re currently doing some quite exciting work out in Jordan. First, for those that don’t know me, I’m Diederik Halbertsma, a 2nd year PhD student in archaeology at ACE. I specialise in the Iron Age period (ca. 1200 – 550 BCE) of the Levant, specifically the early Iron Age in the country of Jordan. It is this research which brought me out to Jordan with a small team of colleagues this year. It was originally planned to be done before I started my PhD (which I did in 2020), but due to Covid-19 complicating all forms of travel the past several years our work here was postponed several times. We are very grateful to be out here now, however!
Posted on: 18 May 2022
Your Wellbeing: Top Tips
Being at university is often a really stressful time, even when you don’t have exams or deadlines coming up. The change in routines and environment can feel very difficult and it is easy to feel like you’re in a sink or swim situation. I know that when I first came to university, I thought I would have to change everything about my routine and hobbies. That was not good for my wellbeing, so here are some of my tips from my experiences that I hope will help some of you.
Posted on: 10 May 2022
ACE & Creativity: Talk To Me
I’ve always been interested in drama and write, act and direct in community theatre, including my own community theatre group, ‘Grass Roots’. In 1998 I gained an MA in Screenwriting from John Moores University. This year I gained my PhD at Liverpool University with the thesis ‘Classics, Empire and Didacticism, 1919-1939’. Prior to this, in 2013, I gained my MA in Classics with the dissertation ‘The Unheeded Voice: Receptions of Cassandra in Dramatic and Narrative Texts’.
Posted on: 10 May 2022
Introducing: ACE & Creativity
It is my pleasure and honour to write the first short post for our new blog, which aims to bring together academic and creative work in Ancient World Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology.
Posted on: 6 April 2022
Make Do and Mend: How to make your clothing consumption more sustainable
In the UK, every week, around 11 million items of clothing end up in landfill, which has a huge impact on the environment. There are lots of ways to reduce this waste, especially if what you are throwing away is still perfectly functional or just in need of some TLC. Here are some of my tips for how to prolong the life of your clothes and what to do with those you no longer want or aren’t usable.
Posted on: 31 March 2022
Normalising Queer Representation in Archaeology
Heteronormativity, the idea that heterosexual identity and desire is considered the norm, is being transformed by the use of Queer Theory in archaeology. Queer Theory is used to explore aspects of culture that is traditionally rejected as valid depictions of gender and sexuality. Commonly used for gender representation at burial sites, the identity of deceased individuals is being radically transformed through the consideration of Queer relationships; intersexual identities, and non-binary status. The requirements used to identify biological sex is typically constructed through heteronormative approaches, where intersexual identities are rarely considered. In order to fill the gap in knowledge that heteronormativity fails in, scholars have been using Queer Theory to challenge socially constructed views of gender. First used in the 1990’s to offer a more balanced approach to gender, Queer Theory was used by various different fields, during a time that Third-Wave Feminism was at its height. During the Third-Wave, the concept that a male-dominating society does have an impact on the value of women led to the rise of Queer minority voices currently underrepresented.
Posted on: 16 February 2022
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Horus Cippi
The distinction between rational therapy and the use of rituals and incantations is a modern prerogative. Such a separation does not apply to ancient Egypt: medicine and magic are two main constituents of the same process, aimed at preserving life through the prevention and cure of illnesses (Pinch 1994). Constant threats in the form of ferocious and poisonous animals challenged the Egyptians’ daily life.
Posted on: 6 July 2022