Episode 7 – G for Geophysics, Archaeology Porn, and Knossos site visit

Into the Dust Archaeology

In this episode, Jason goes through 3 segments – The ABCs of Archaeology, Archaeology Porn, andLiving Archaeology Site Visits,

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-jdLRGLMoU&list=PLcH4-BWqVM6KHP2Ih6UEq4_G1qRq8MgSn&index=11
ABCs of Archaeology – G is for Geophysics

Geophysics (affectionately known as “geophizz”) is an amazing process that is now a standard part of archaeological work. Using three different ground-based technologies – earth resistance, Magnetometry, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) – we can actually get a pretty good idea of what’s underneath the ground. This helps us to target our excavations and take necessary precautions to avoid destroying sensitive archaeology in our dig. However, it’s not as easy as TV makes it look, as different soil and terrain conditions work better with different types of technology.

Archaeology Porn – Gold Signet Rings

This is some vintage porn because we are going way back to look at some Bronze Age bling! Crafted in the Greek world – Crete, the Peloponnese, or both – these rings are over 3,000 years old. Displaying an array of bizarre and seemingly inscrutable imagery, the rings tell us a lot about these ancient societies…but just what exactly? That’s anyone’s guess! Luckily, a recent find in 2015 helped assuage concerns that many of them were fake. Jason tells you all about it and takes you on a tour through the wacky world of signet ring imagery.

Corpus of Minoan and Mycenaean Seals (CMS), German Archaeological Institute: https://arachne.dainst.org/project/corpusminmyk
Jason’s papers on gold signet rings: https://www.intothedustarchaeology.com/post/show-companion-materials-gold-signet-rings

Living Archaeology Site Visit – Knossos

Pronounce K-no-sos (as in “knish” instead of "know”) Knossos is one of those archaeology sites you’ll never forget if you visit it. Located just outside Heraklion, the regional capital city of Crete, Knossos is a maze of storerooms, public spaces, and priestly quarters. Known as the original labyrinth and home of the Minotaur, though we have learned a lot about Knossos, much of it remains shrouded in mystery. Excavated in the early 1900’s by Arthur Evans, Knossos was a palatial center in the Bronze Age for some 700 years, undergoing many changes, destructions, renovations, and expansions. With the original language there, Linear A, still untranslated and so many layers of stratigraphy built over or destroyed, Knossos still holds many secrets. Will it ever give them up?

Sources:

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VJqnTlbCS0

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJUpw_wd-7I

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAy8NUqq-ew

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysnzl5fdtMI

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJn94digDDw

o https://www.ashmolean.org/article/rebuilding-the-palace-of-minos-at-knossos

· Myth of the minotaur: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaN88NLCoVE

· Knishes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAQhbyGXxN8
#archaeology #history #science