Two In Archaeology
Feb. 4th, 2017 02:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
browngirlTwo articles about Bronze Age warfare.
A couple of friends sent me this lovely link about a newly excavated tomb of a Mycenean warrior, in which Minaon artifacts were found:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/golden-warrior-greek-tomb-exposes-roots-western-civilization-180961441/
The "oo multiculturalism" spin is a bit precious, but/and it's well known that the Myceneans were heavily influenced by the Minoans (and vice versa, at least to some degree) and it's nifty to see evidence of that. Plus, the tomb is the stuff stories are built on, containing a thirty-something warrior and all precious gravegoods. I almost can see him with his chestnut colored hair and noble profile as he lies in his grave, and the serpent-curled lady pulling off her signet ring, her greatest treasure from her home island, to lay beside him for him to take into the dark.
Me and my imagination. *snerk*
Also, this reminded me of one of my favorite Yuletide nominees, the Battle of the Tollensee Bridge.
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/03/slaughter-bridge-uncovering-colossal-bronze-age-battle
It was a huge battle; by the standards of any day but especially by those of the Bronze Age. A roughly contemporary bit of warfare in the north Aegean region inspired epics we still read today. Yet, there's no mention of it in Germanic mythology or literature, as far as anyone can tell.
I had a story idea, of course. The queen of the defeated people, when
brought before the high king who summoned everyone to help him vanquish her kingdom, curses his accomplishment to fade into obscurity. His court is devastated by a plague and thus are lost all the songs and memories of his deeds.
Unfortunately I was too brainfried to write this, or I would have. Maybe some other day. I wonder if the fandom is still listed on Ao3.
A couple of friends sent me this lovely link about a newly excavated tomb of a Mycenean warrior, in which Minaon artifacts were found:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/golden-warrior-greek-tomb-exposes-roots-western-civilization-180961441/
The "oo multiculturalism" spin is a bit precious, but/and it's well known that the Myceneans were heavily influenced by the Minoans (and vice versa, at least to some degree) and it's nifty to see evidence of that. Plus, the tomb is the stuff stories are built on, containing a thirty-something warrior and all precious gravegoods. I almost can see him with his chestnut colored hair and noble profile as he lies in his grave, and the serpent-curled lady pulling off her signet ring, her greatest treasure from her home island, to lay beside him for him to take into the dark.
Me and my imagination. *snerk*
Also, this reminded me of one of my favorite Yuletide nominees, the Battle of the Tollensee Bridge.
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/03/slaughter-bridge-uncovering-colossal-bronze-age-battle
It was a huge battle; by the standards of any day but especially by those of the Bronze Age. A roughly contemporary bit of warfare in the north Aegean region inspired epics we still read today. Yet, there's no mention of it in Germanic mythology or literature, as far as anyone can tell.
I had a story idea, of course. The queen of the defeated people, when
brought before the high king who summoned everyone to help him vanquish her kingdom, curses his accomplishment to fade into obscurity. His court is devastated by a plague and thus are lost all the songs and memories of his deeds.
Unfortunately I was too brainfried to write this, or I would have. Maybe some other day. I wonder if the fandom is still listed on Ao3.
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