Duncan Mackay
@theduncanmackay.bsky.social
Writer, archaeologist, wild swimmer, wild gardener. New book Echolands, A Journey in Search of Boudica out now from @Hodderbooks.bsky.social https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/duncan-mackay/echolands/9781399714143/ Rep. Jim Gill at Felicity Bryan Associates
Pinned
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
And Domination makes for good extra reading too! I thought it a bit strange to avoid any mention of Christianity as the state religion of Rome by the end of the 4th century - and it contributed to decreasing tax revenues too as bishops & monasteries claimed exemptions! 2/2
November 26, 2025 at 10:24 AM
And Domination makes for good extra reading too! I thought it a bit strange to avoid any mention of Christianity as the state religion of Rome by the end of the 4th century - and it contributed to decreasing tax revenues too as bishops & monasteries claimed exemptions! 2/2
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
He'd definitely have to concede! As it happens I'm currently re-reading while on baby-sitting duty 😅
Really like the bit about Llyn Cerrig Bach too...so easy to imagine those 'lingering spirits' on Anglesey and especially at that spot...
Really like the bit about Llyn Cerrig Bach too...so easy to imagine those 'lingering spirits' on Anglesey and especially at that spot...
November 28, 2025 at 9:10 PM
He'd definitely have to concede! As it happens I'm currently re-reading while on baby-sitting duty 😅
Really like the bit about Llyn Cerrig Bach too...so easy to imagine those 'lingering spirits' on Anglesey and especially at that spot...
Really like the bit about Llyn Cerrig Bach too...so easy to imagine those 'lingering spirits' on Anglesey and especially at that spot...
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
Yup, he's right. It really is a superb read - and not just for archaeologists either. There's loads in there for anyone who enjoys a good travelogue, entertaining narrative or perhaps even a bit of an odyssey!
Buy it.
You won't regret it! 😊
Buy it.
You won't regret it! 😊
I'm assuming this incredible book is on everybody's shelves (or devices) - & if not it's on your Christmas list🎄🧐
Brilliantly written & includes the best description of the frenetic & brutal attack on Ynys Môn/ Anglesey by the Romans in AD60 ⚔️👌
Brilliantly written & includes the best description of the frenetic & brutal attack on Ynys Môn/ Anglesey by the Romans in AD60 ⚔️👌
November 28, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Yup, he's right. It really is a superb read - and not just for archaeologists either. There's loads in there for anyone who enjoys a good travelogue, entertaining narrative or perhaps even a bit of an odyssey!
Buy it.
You won't regret it! 😊
Buy it.
You won't regret it! 😊
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
I'm assuming this incredible book is on everybody's shelves (or devices) - & if not it's on your Christmas list🎄🧐
Brilliantly written & includes the best description of the frenetic & brutal attack on Ynys Môn/ Anglesey by the Romans in AD60 ⚔️👌
Brilliantly written & includes the best description of the frenetic & brutal attack on Ynys Môn/ Anglesey by the Romans in AD60 ⚔️👌
November 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I'm assuming this incredible book is on everybody's shelves (or devices) - & if not it's on your Christmas list🎄🧐
Brilliantly written & includes the best description of the frenetic & brutal attack on Ynys Môn/ Anglesey by the Romans in AD60 ⚔️👌
Brilliantly written & includes the best description of the frenetic & brutal attack on Ynys Môn/ Anglesey by the Romans in AD60 ⚔️👌
A pair of gold armbands from the Colchester Fenwick hoard, buried before Boudica’s attack in AD60. As the Roman last stand took place where Colchester Castle now sits, the owner may have perished where their jewellery is now displayed @ColMuseums.bsky.social
#FindsFriday #BoudicaFriday #Echolands
#FindsFriday #BoudicaFriday #Echolands
November 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
A pair of gold armbands from the Colchester Fenwick hoard, buried before Boudica’s attack in AD60. As the Roman last stand took place where Colchester Castle now sits, the owner may have perished where their jewellery is now displayed @ColMuseums.bsky.social
#FindsFriday #BoudicaFriday #Echolands
#FindsFriday #BoudicaFriday #Echolands
The accused.
“Now, where’s that toilet roll I put to one side earlier…?”
“Now, where’s that toilet roll I put to one side earlier…?”
November 27, 2025 at 10:36 PM
The accused.
“Now, where’s that toilet roll I put to one side earlier…?”
“Now, where’s that toilet roll I put to one side earlier…?”
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
November 27, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
Life on Rome’s northern frontier: a 1,900-year-old military memo in which a Roman soldier records the combat tactics of the Britons, who he refers to as ‘Brittunculi’ — ‘wretched Brits’! 😳
From Vindolanda, Northumberland, 📷 by me
#RomanFortThursday
#Archaeology
From Vindolanda, Northumberland, 📷 by me
#RomanFortThursday
#Archaeology
![My photo shows a thin, rectangular, dark brown leaf of wood, which is broken in places. Across the surface are six lines of cursive Latin handwriting. The text is written in black ink which appears faded and faint. The Latin reads:
nenụ ...[.]n. Brittoneṣ
nimium multi ‣ equites
gladis ‣ non ụtụṇtur equi-
tes ‣ nec residunt
Brittunculi ‣ ụt ‣ iaculos
mittant
Translated as:
… the Britons are unprotected by armour (?). There are very many cavalry. The cavalry do not use swords nor do the wretched Britons mount in order to throw javelins.
On display at the British Museum.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j56ydp325adovobhwpkzc6sp/bafkreiepntyce43pmmptw3xewwjw46tha2u4sqm7mptegttx5u2mqj527a@jpeg)
November 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Life on Rome’s northern frontier: a 1,900-year-old military memo in which a Roman soldier records the combat tactics of the Britons, who he refers to as ‘Brittunculi’ — ‘wretched Brits’! 😳
From Vindolanda, Northumberland, 📷 by me
#RomanFortThursday
#Archaeology
From Vindolanda, Northumberland, 📷 by me
#RomanFortThursday
#Archaeology
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
The beautiful cover art for a tourist booklet, Tynedale and the Roman Wall, produced by British Railways (the Railway Executive N.E. Region) in 1950.
It lies on a copy of the 1964 edition of the OS map of Hadrian’s Wall.
#RomanFortThursday
It lies on a copy of the 1964 edition of the OS map of Hadrian’s Wall.
#RomanFortThursday
November 27, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The beautiful cover art for a tourist booklet, Tynedale and the Roman Wall, produced by British Railways (the Railway Executive N.E. Region) in 1950.
It lies on a copy of the 1964 edition of the OS map of Hadrian’s Wall.
#RomanFortThursday
It lies on a copy of the 1964 edition of the OS map of Hadrian’s Wall.
#RomanFortThursday
The beautiful cover art for a tourist booklet, Tynedale and the Roman Wall, produced by British Railways (the Railway Executive N.E. Region) in 1950.
It lies on a copy of the 1964 edition of the OS map of Hadrian’s Wall.
#RomanFortThursday
It lies on a copy of the 1964 edition of the OS map of Hadrian’s Wall.
#RomanFortThursday
November 27, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The beautiful cover art for a tourist booklet, Tynedale and the Roman Wall, produced by British Railways (the Railway Executive N.E. Region) in 1950.
It lies on a copy of the 1964 edition of the OS map of Hadrian’s Wall.
#RomanFortThursday
It lies on a copy of the 1964 edition of the OS map of Hadrian’s Wall.
#RomanFortThursday
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
By Toutatis, fear not everyone. Getafix arrived in the post today.
Magic potion production can commence straight away.
(@theduncanmackay.bsky.social does this sort of thing far better than me)
Magic potion production can commence straight away.
(@theduncanmackay.bsky.social does this sort of thing far better than me)
November 26, 2025 at 5:33 PM
By Toutatis, fear not everyone. Getafix arrived in the post today.
Magic potion production can commence straight away.
(@theduncanmackay.bsky.social does this sort of thing far better than me)
Magic potion production can commence straight away.
(@theduncanmackay.bsky.social does this sort of thing far better than me)
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
Another hilltop 360 for #HillfortsWednesday, this time from Mither Tap, Bennachie, Aberdeenshire, taken 2 weeks ago. I do declare that each Scottish hillfort I ascend is windier than the last, & this was definitely windier than Eildon Hill, which was pretty windy, tbf.
November 26, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Another hilltop 360 for #HillfortsWednesday, this time from Mither Tap, Bennachie, Aberdeenshire, taken 2 weeks ago. I do declare that each Scottish hillfort I ascend is windier than the last, & this was definitely windier than Eildon Hill, which was pretty windy, tbf.
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
Thetford Castle just visible through Sunday morning's torrential rain.
#HillfortsWednesday
#HillfortsWednesday
November 26, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Thetford Castle just visible through Sunday morning's torrential rain.
#HillfortsWednesday
#HillfortsWednesday
Another hilltop 360 for #HillfortsWednesday, this time from Mither Tap, Bennachie, Aberdeenshire, taken 2 weeks ago. I do declare that each Scottish hillfort I ascend is windier than the last, & this was definitely windier than Eildon Hill, which was pretty windy, tbf.
November 26, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Another hilltop 360 for #HillfortsWednesday, this time from Mither Tap, Bennachie, Aberdeenshire, taken 2 weeks ago. I do declare that each Scottish hillfort I ascend is windier than the last, & this was definitely windier than Eildon Hill, which was pretty windy, tbf.
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
For a chilly 🥶 #HillfortsWednesday I thought everyone could warm their toes on this Iron Age fire, crackling & smoking inside the Bryn Eryr roundhouse at St Fagans Museum yesterday 🥰🔥
Despite having only one fire this double roundhouse was warm & cosy, a pretty good place to live!
🎥 My own
Despite having only one fire this double roundhouse was warm & cosy, a pretty good place to live!
🎥 My own
November 26, 2025 at 6:20 AM
For a chilly 🥶 #HillfortsWednesday I thought everyone could warm their toes on this Iron Age fire, crackling & smoking inside the Bryn Eryr roundhouse at St Fagans Museum yesterday 🥰🔥
Despite having only one fire this double roundhouse was warm & cosy, a pretty good place to live!
🎥 My own
Despite having only one fire this double roundhouse was warm & cosy, a pretty good place to live!
🎥 My own
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
The impressive, multivallate Iron Age hillfort of Cadbury Castle encloses a roughly triangular hill above the river Yeo in #Somerset
We absolutely love it 😍
📷 © Frances Griffith 1989 / Somerset HER 49223
somersetheritage.org.uk/record/55105
#HillfortsWednesday
We absolutely love it 😍
📷 © Frances Griffith 1989 / Somerset HER 49223
somersetheritage.org.uk/record/55105
#HillfortsWednesday
November 26, 2025 at 6:58 AM
The impressive, multivallate Iron Age hillfort of Cadbury Castle encloses a roughly triangular hill above the river Yeo in #Somerset
We absolutely love it 😍
📷 © Frances Griffith 1989 / Somerset HER 49223
somersetheritage.org.uk/record/55105
#HillfortsWednesday
We absolutely love it 😍
📷 © Frances Griffith 1989 / Somerset HER 49223
somersetheritage.org.uk/record/55105
#HillfortsWednesday
This bottle of porter has a hedgehog in a top hat drinking a pint, so I’m already about as invested in this as I could be, and I haven’t even opened it yet.
November 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This bottle of porter has a hedgehog in a top hat drinking a pint, so I’m already about as invested in this as I could be, and I haven’t even opened it yet.
I’m not sure I can bring myself to burn a piece of kindling that looks so much like a horse.
November 25, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I’m not sure I can bring myself to burn a piece of kindling that looks so much like a horse.
Hmmm, not always a fan of these puddingy beers, but I could sink a few of these.
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Hmmm, not always a fan of these puddingy beers, but I could sink a few of these.
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
After some kick back for posting too many Roman pictures (not naming names @drtobydriver.bsky.social 🙄) I’ve had to post pictures of Carn Liath broch to even out the Iron Age balance.
Note to self - no more backlit selfies (🎶oooh-oooh me ears are alight🎶)
Note to self - no more backlit selfies (🎶oooh-oooh me ears are alight🎶)
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 PM
After some kick back for posting too many Roman pictures (not naming names @drtobydriver.bsky.social 🙄) I’ve had to post pictures of Carn Liath broch to even out the Iron Age balance.
Note to self - no more backlit selfies (🎶oooh-oooh me ears are alight🎶)
Note to self - no more backlit selfies (🎶oooh-oooh me ears are alight🎶)
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
I think I’m just going to keep posting pictures of decorative Roman cavalry horse chamfrons from @vindolandatrust.bsky.social and @trimontiumtrust.bsky.social until people start blocking me.
Have some.
1/
Have some.
1/
November 23, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I think I’m just going to keep posting pictures of decorative Roman cavalry horse chamfrons from @vindolandatrust.bsky.social and @trimontiumtrust.bsky.social until people start blocking me.
Have some.
1/
Have some.
1/
After some kick back for posting too many Roman pictures (not naming names @drtobydriver.bsky.social 🙄) I’ve had to post pictures of Carn Liath broch to even out the Iron Age balance.
Note to self - no more backlit selfies (🎶oooh-oooh me ears are alight🎶)
Note to self - no more backlit selfies (🎶oooh-oooh me ears are alight🎶)
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 PM
After some kick back for posting too many Roman pictures (not naming names @drtobydriver.bsky.social 🙄) I’ve had to post pictures of Carn Liath broch to even out the Iron Age balance.
Note to self - no more backlit selfies (🎶oooh-oooh me ears are alight🎶)
Note to self - no more backlit selfies (🎶oooh-oooh me ears are alight🎶)
I think I’m just going to keep posting pictures of decorative Roman cavalry horse chamfrons from @vindolandatrust.bsky.social and @trimontiumtrust.bsky.social until people start blocking me.
Have some.
1/
Have some.
1/
November 23, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I think I’m just going to keep posting pictures of decorative Roman cavalry horse chamfrons from @vindolandatrust.bsky.social and @trimontiumtrust.bsky.social until people start blocking me.
Have some.
1/
Have some.
1/
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
I saw this and I thought of you @theduncanmackay.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I saw this and I thought of you @theduncanmackay.bsky.social
Reposted by Duncan Mackay
#OTD in 1953 the scientific community exposed the (retrospectively) dreadful fake of Piltdown Man; what science has yet to adequately explain is the haunting, complex enigma of Piltdown Boy.
(Held in a private collection)
(Held in a private collection)
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
#OTD in 1953 the scientific community exposed the (retrospectively) dreadful fake of Piltdown Man; what science has yet to adequately explain is the haunting, complex enigma of Piltdown Boy.
(Held in a private collection)
(Held in a private collection)