Killackey Illustration
@kjkillackey.bsky.social
Natural science 🐡 & archaeological illustration 🏺 by Kathryn Killackey. NEH-Mellon Foundation Fellow ('23 - '24). Available for freelance #sciart. Lover of #books, #textiles, and absurdities. She/her
www.killackeyillustration.com
www.killackeyillustration.com
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
For #NationalIllustrationDay, we're spoilt for choice by the illustrations we could post!
We've settled on this hand-coloured lithograph of Strelitzia reginae by Francis Bauer who was employed as first resident botanical at Kew in 1790 with the grand title of ‘Botanick Painter to His Majesty’.
We've settled on this hand-coloured lithograph of Strelitzia reginae by Francis Bauer who was employed as first resident botanical at Kew in 1790 with the grand title of ‘Botanick Painter to His Majesty’.
November 28, 2025 at 2:02 PM
For #NationalIllustrationDay, we're spoilt for choice by the illustrations we could post!
We've settled on this hand-coloured lithograph of Strelitzia reginae by Francis Bauer who was employed as first resident botanical at Kew in 1790 with the grand title of ‘Botanick Painter to His Majesty’.
We've settled on this hand-coloured lithograph of Strelitzia reginae by Francis Bauer who was employed as first resident botanical at Kew in 1790 with the grand title of ‘Botanick Painter to His Majesty’.
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
To celebrate #HillfortsWednesday, here's a fantastic recreation of the ramparts of Cadbury Castle in #Somerset under construction in the Iron Age, painted by the late great Victor Ambrus 🤩
From the cover of *Drawing Somerset's Past* published by #HistoryPress and @museumofsomerset.bsky.social
From the cover of *Drawing Somerset's Past* published by #HistoryPress and @museumofsomerset.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 9:14 AM
To celebrate #HillfortsWednesday, here's a fantastic recreation of the ramparts of Cadbury Castle in #Somerset under construction in the Iron Age, painted by the late great Victor Ambrus 🤩
From the cover of *Drawing Somerset's Past* published by #HistoryPress and @museumofsomerset.bsky.social
From the cover of *Drawing Somerset's Past* published by #HistoryPress and @museumofsomerset.bsky.social
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Yes! This is so important! Machine Learning is doing wonderful things like mapping Martian craters and analyzing microbe genomes. LLMs are a very specific form & it’s them doing these huge amounts of harm. I also sometimes say “Gen AI”
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
November 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Yes! This is so important! Machine Learning is doing wonderful things like mapping Martian craters and analyzing microbe genomes. LLMs are a very specific form & it’s them doing these huge amounts of harm. I also sometimes say “Gen AI”
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Looking for an osteo experienced (2+ years would be great) in excavating commingled burials who digs single context for an 8 week project in January. Paid, obvs. Email me: [email protected]
(you people are like freaking golddust, yeeesh)
(you people are like freaking golddust, yeeesh)
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Looking for an osteo experienced (2+ years would be great) in excavating commingled burials who digs single context for an 8 week project in January. Paid, obvs. Email me: [email protected]
(you people are like freaking golddust, yeeesh)
(you people are like freaking golddust, yeeesh)
An amazing Christmas story, perfect for the current social and political moment.
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
London's giant AI artwork to be torn down
The bizarre story of why a much-talked-about creation is being torn down. Plus: Docklands Light Railway extension, giant laser stalks the night sky, and more tales of Android phone theft rejection.
www.londoncentric.media
November 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
An amazing Christmas story, perfect for the current social and political moment.
Hey, it’s #WorldAnteaterDay and I’m coincidentally working on a digital painting of a giant anteater (as well as some relatives).
#SciArt
#SciArt
November 19, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Hey, it’s #WorldAnteaterDay and I’m coincidentally working on a digital painting of a giant anteater (as well as some relatives).
#SciArt
#SciArt
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
WE FOUND IT! We trekked day and night through tiger-patrolled Sumatran rainforests accessible only under permit for this: Rafflesia hasseltii. Few people have ever seen this flower, and we watched it open by night. Magic.
November 19, 2025 at 12:48 AM
WE FOUND IT! We trekked day and night through tiger-patrolled Sumatran rainforests accessible only under permit for this: Rafflesia hasseltii. Few people have ever seen this flower, and we watched it open by night. Magic.
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
2/2 A Brazilian Fox, drawn around 1640, in Brazil, by Dutch artist Frans Post.
November 18, 2025 at 1:49 PM
2/2 A Brazilian Fox, drawn around 1640, in Brazil, by Dutch artist Frans Post.
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
A cheery alpaca, drawn in Brazil by Dutch artist Frans Post. He was born in Haarlem on this day in 1612.
November 18, 2025 at 1:01 PM
A cheery alpaca, drawn in Brazil by Dutch artist Frans Post. He was born in Haarlem on this day in 1612.
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Calling all archaeologists who can help with this project by skyping into a classroom!
You're never gonna believe this, but we're out of archaeologists again.
We have matched ~650 groups with archaeologists this semester! I am so grateful to the 196 Archaeologist volunteers!
We have 60 unmatched groups rn
Know archaeologists who could do a session? Send them to SkypeAScientist.com
We have matched ~650 groups with archaeologists this semester! I am so grateful to the 196 Archaeologist volunteers!
We have 60 unmatched groups rn
Know archaeologists who could do a session? Send them to SkypeAScientist.com
SKYPE A SCIENTIST
Skype a Scientist matches your classroom, scout troop, or library with scientists for Q&A sessions for free!
SkypeAScientist.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Calling all archaeologists who can help with this project by skyping into a classroom!
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Can I share this curious bit of Faroese art factoid. The first Faroese artist Díðrikur á Skarvanesi died in obscurity, but his illustration of Faroese breeding birds (approx 1830s) is truly unique and (mayb biased) but I think this great skua is particularly beautiful 🌍🧪
#ornithology #teamskua #art
#ornithology #teamskua #art
October 26, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Can I share this curious bit of Faroese art factoid. The first Faroese artist Díðrikur á Skarvanesi died in obscurity, but his illustration of Faroese breeding birds (approx 1830s) is truly unique and (mayb biased) but I think this great skua is particularly beautiful 🌍🧪
#ornithology #teamskua #art
#ornithology #teamskua #art
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Just filled out my ethics application for our (me, @kjkillackey.bsky.social, @apolitopoulos.bsky.social & Stu Eve) play session on Worldbuilding at @tag2025york.bsky.social. Not particularly exciting in itself, but I love taking the little steps that make research a bit more real.
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Just filled out my ethics application for our (me, @kjkillackey.bsky.social, @apolitopoulos.bsky.social & Stu Eve) play session on Worldbuilding at @tag2025york.bsky.social. Not particularly exciting in itself, but I love taking the little steps that make research a bit more real.
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Super excited to use this fabulous ‘Behind the Paper’ article by @petravaiglova.bsky.social and @kjkillackey.bsky.social to teach my undergrad theory students about how good visualisations are well-theorised ones. Such a wonderful piece of sci comm! 🏺🧪
communities.springernature.com/posts/making...
communities.springernature.com/posts/making...
Making cutting-edge archaeological science accessible to others
Archaeological scientists are constantly pushing the boundaries with regards to increasing the resolution of analyses and decreasing the masses of what can be analysed. But being cutting-edge is not e...
communities.springernature.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Super excited to use this fabulous ‘Behind the Paper’ article by @petravaiglova.bsky.social and @kjkillackey.bsky.social to teach my undergrad theory students about how good visualisations are well-theorised ones. Such a wonderful piece of sci comm! 🏺🧪
communities.springernature.com/posts/making...
communities.springernature.com/posts/making...
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Well done Zohran! And of course the real victor of the day - typography.
November 5, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Well done Zohran! And of course the real victor of the day - typography.
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
this is such a fantastic example of the transformative power of design when used collaboratively and intelligently. the visual design of this campaign is deep-rooted in history and culture and is thoughtful and beautiful
In particular Aneesh Bhoopathy, from the design coop Forge, who designed the identity. A brilliant reminder to *employ human creatives!*
www.curbed.com/article/zohr...
www.curbed.com/article/zohr...
Zohran Mamdani’s Campaign Logo Looked Nothing Like a Campaign Logo
The bodega-influenced visual language of an outsider campaign.
www.curbed.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:21 PM
this is such a fantastic example of the transformative power of design when used collaboratively and intelligently. the visual design of this campaign is deep-rooted in history and culture and is thoughtful and beautiful
This is streaming live tomorrow at 1 pm EST!
Tomorrow at DGI is very special!
Tim Ingold, whose work means a lot to @davidgraeberinst.bsky.social project, will give a talk about real learning and thinking that happen when we do things, see things, and make things together.
1/
youtu.be/KqoulrutRSk?...
Tim Ingold, whose work means a lot to @davidgraeberinst.bsky.social project, will give a talk about real learning and thinking that happen when we do things, see things, and make things together.
1/
youtu.be/KqoulrutRSk?...
David Graeber describing the idea behind Visual Assembly "City of Care"
YouTube video by Nika Dubrovsky
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 2:31 PM
This is streaming live tomorrow at 1 pm EST!
Is @nkjemisin.bsky.social going to use this as a plot point in a third Great Cities novel?
November 5, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Is @nkjemisin.bsky.social going to use this as a plot point in a third Great Cities novel?
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Tres artefactos de ocre de Zaskalnaya (Crimea): posibles lápices para uso simbólico por neandertales.
Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by Micoquian Neanderthals in Crimea
Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by Micoquian Neanderthals in Crimea
Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by Micoquian Neanderthals in Crimea
Technological and chemical analyses of Crimean ochres reveal modified pieces consistent with symbolic use by Neanderthals.
doi.org
November 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Tres artefactos de ocre de Zaskalnaya (Crimea): posibles lápices para uso simbólico por neandertales.
Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by Micoquian Neanderthals in Crimea
Evidence for symbolic use of ochre by Micoquian Neanderthals in Crimea
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Can you imagine what our ancestors thought of these? Pure magic.
Something lovely for the weekend!
Magical amber animals from the Mesolithic. Carved between 10,000-7,000 years ago.
Amber can generate static electricity⚡️ For their ancient owners, these small animals could give off sparks in the dark and make hair stand on end, as if by magic✨
📷 me
#Archaeology
Magical amber animals from the Mesolithic. Carved between 10,000-7,000 years ago.
Amber can generate static electricity⚡️ For their ancient owners, these small animals could give off sparks in the dark and make hair stand on end, as if by magic✨
📷 me
#Archaeology
November 2, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Can you imagine what our ancestors thought of these? Pure magic.
Last day to get early bird rates for #TAG2025 in York.
Early bird registration and bursary applications are now open for Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) conference 2025 in lovely York: tag2025.hosted.york.ac.uk/en/registrat...
Registration - TAG 2025
tag2025.hosted.york.ac.uk
October 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Last day to get early bird rates for #TAG2025 in York.
Look @clmorgan.bsky.social and @apolitopoulos.bsky.social, Brenna Hassett is coming prepared for our #TAG2025 session on worldbuilding in Archaeology!
Went to see this most beautiful collection of Ursula K LeGuins maps in the word for world exhibit. Wandering around thru ritualised imaginings of unreal worlds; it’s archaeology and anthropology (and turtles) all the way down. Massive ht to @kjkillackey.bsky.social Let’s go play world building ;p
October 29, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Look @clmorgan.bsky.social and @apolitopoulos.bsky.social, Brenna Hassett is coming prepared for our #TAG2025 session on worldbuilding in Archaeology!
Taking a moment to recognize how lucky I am, someone is paying me to paint sloths.
October 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Taking a moment to recognize how lucky I am, someone is paying me to paint sloths.
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
Worked tree resin!! I'm always sad that we recover so few textiles and so little wood in the arcgaeological record, but tree resin is a category of material that never would gave occurred to me!
>50,000-year-old worked tree resin from the Raja Ampat islands, north-west of New Guinea. Resin was used by ancient humans for fire-lighting, hafting tools and constructing boats. This is the oldest example of tree resin processing outside of Africa!
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
October 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Worked tree resin!! I'm always sad that we recover so few textiles and so little wood in the arcgaeological record, but tree resin is a category of material that never would gave occurred to me!
Reposted by Killackey Illustration
‘Bone Box’ by Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas at the Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver, BC. “Fabricated out of discarded trays that once stored archeological collections, this interactive work calls for us to engage with one another.”
October 25, 2025 at 8:43 PM
‘Bone Box’ by Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas at the Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver, BC. “Fabricated out of discarded trays that once stored archeological collections, this interactive work calls for us to engage with one another.”