Helen J
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helgaj.bsky.social
Helen J
@helgaj.bsky.social
430 followers 970 following 100 posts
Community arts, heritage and archaeology. In Cumbria.
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Reposted by Helen J
A wooden Roman sword, dating 1st century AD. Found in Carlisle.
The sword, crafted entirely from wood, was a practice weapon used by Roman soldiers during training drills - or a kid's toy. ⚔️

Currently on display at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier, on loan from Tullie House Museum Carlisle

📷me
🏺
Reposted by Helen J
Our Autumn 2025 issue is out now!

In this issue:

Features:

🏺 Archaeological overview: The Liberty site strikes again! @molarchaeology.bsky.social

🏺 Findspot: A Roman cremation from the Old Kent Road: New light on an old find - Stephen Greep

#archaeology #london
Reposted by Helen J
#EpigraphyTuesday - A stunning piece discovered in 2014 in the Galloway Hoard. A Roman rock-crystal column-head, repurposed and mounted in gold, ca. 8-9th Century, to serve as a small container for liquids. #Archaeology #Art 🏺 (1/2)

Image: National Museum of Scotland (X.2018.12.71.18.1).
I had the same thoughts earlier this year. I tried so hard to become a tube zombie and zone it all out, but I just can't access that part of my brain any more.

Also I had completely forgotten where to stand on the platform to get off at Euston. ffs.
Empires in action.... A Roman brick, quite possibly from the Thames foreshore, ends up in Washington state.

The article says the Hawaiian coral was imported for mortar, but coral was also used as ships ballast and you can find it on the Thames foreshore in London, where it was dumped from ships.
One of my favorite artifacts ever - a Roman brick with a cat pawprint used as ships ballast in an HBC ship from London to Vancouver WA in the 1820s, then used to build a factor's house with Hawaiian coral.
Artifact Spotlight: Kitty Brick (U.S. National Park Service)
www.nps.gov
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#Cumbria Printmakers Out of Ink exhibition opens at the Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth tomorrow with an evening PV.
#handmadeprints #peintmaking #LakeDistrict (and Uffington 😏!)
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Are you stuck inside due to Storm Amy? Why not buy a last-minute ticket to attend our online conference this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon?
Last chance to book! The 2025 Pictish Arts Society Conference takes place on Zoom tomorrow and Sunday. We have 8 expert speakers on Pictish sculpture, metalwork and metalworking, plus an update on the latest exciting discoveries from @northernpicts.bsky.social. Full agenda and booking link below.
Conf | The PAS
www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk
Reposted by Helen J
Many lichen species are sensitive to nitrogen pollution, making them natural indicators of air quality.

📱LicheN is a new app enabling people to help monitor air quality using lichens. Data gathered will improve understanding of N pollution and its impacts on ecosystems.

buff.ly/AmWAOQB

🧪 1/
Reposted by Helen J
Saving the boat sheds on Lindisfarne.
Reposted by Helen J
We are seeking a new Editor for the Archaeological Journal to succeed @nannonstevens.bsky.social.
#archaeology #editor #journal

@royalarchinst.bsky.social

Please share to your networks! ✍️
Reposted by Helen J
Happy birthday to the Trip Hazard Twins, they were 1 yesterday! And it was their 4 month moving anniversary. In that time, Dipper has come out from under the bed and learnt that belly rubs are the best thing ever. Raven has discovered moths and catnip mice. And they are now both huge. #proofofcat
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The Florence Mine once produced haematite for the steel industry as the red puddles proclaim. Egremont Castlecis also worth a visit.
Reposted by Helen J
If you can get to the exhibition ‘Wrestle’ at the Florence Arts Centre near Egremont, Cumbria, it’s definitely worth visiting. Jan Moss & @chrisroutledge.bsky.social have paintings & photos (& I have a small embroidery). And a fascinating place too.
Reposted by Helen J
“The tide has again receded over the sand-flats. The remaining framework of a wooden ship is half-sunken in the sand. On one of the ribs a cormorant stands with wings lifted”
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
It's still a big issue though, and hugely underestimated. I booked a ryanair flight for the first time in years and their site is so obviously designed to confuse, especially if numbers and following processes are a struggle. And that's just one thing amongst so many you have to deal with nowadays
When I started in community work 20 years ago, there was a big push on improving adult basic skills in numeracy, literacy and English as a second language, and for a while digital skills. And that's all gone, just some bits of ESOL and digital.
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26 August is #InternationalDogDay, which feels like a good day to come back to after the long weekend.

Please enjoy these good boys and/or girls from across the collection.

1. Bronze Roman dog figurine 100-200 AD
Reposted by Helen J
You can follow our excavations at the KG \ Kelvin Wheelies 1970s skatepark in Glasgow all week by following #KelvinWheelies! Thanks in advance to our funders @socantscot.bsky.social
& partners @archscot.bsky.social
+ Archaeology at @uofglasgow.bsky.social
Oh, I had forgotten about these. We used nix (nicks on the map) and I had no idea it was so local!
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#scape
Mawbray Banks, Solway Coast National Landscape, Cumbria (13/08/2025)
Wildflowers amongst the sand dunes. These dunes are unique habitats and home to rare animals like the natterjack toad which breeds in shallow pools.
#solway #mawbray #cumbria #coastal #nature #photography #eastcoastkin
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As part of our theme #OutintheField, we’re sharing recent discoveries made by National Trust archaeologists and partners alongside current fieldwork.

Did you know that the Sefton Coast at Formby in Lancashire contains tantalising glimpses into the lives of our hunter-gather ancestors? 🧵
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So delighted to announce the official launch of The Armitt’s new digital trail through Roman Ambleside! The trail was developed by our fabulous @arcdurham.bsky.social 2nd-years Rowan Colley and Isla Mustin, with initial work by LU student Bastien Hamilton… 🧵

#RomanFortThursday #RomanBritain 🏺
Roman Ambleside | Armitt
Explore the history of the Ambleside Roman fort through archaeological objects at The Armitt in this digital trail - Roman Ambleside.
www.armittdigitaltrail.co.uk
Reposted by Helen J
We're looking for a Senior Community Archaeologist to join us in the Swale Estuary. If you fancy working on a ground breaking project, looking at the impact of climate change on heritage, then join us! Deadline for applications is Friday 15th. Check it out mola.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/...