It’s time we had a de-lurk around this here blog! The last one was a year ago. If you keep returning to this blog but rarely or never comment, you are a lurker, Dear Reader, and a most welcome one too.
Please comment on this entry and tell us something about yourself – like where you are, what your biggest passion is, what you’d like to see more of on the blog. And if you are a long-time lurker who has de-lurked before, re-de-lurks are much encouraged!
(Note that due to spam bots and a faulty filter, I have to moderate comments by hand, and so it may take a while for your comment to become visible.)
Aardvarchaeology - by Dr. Martin Rundkvist 
I’m Andy, a student of archaeology at the University of Glasgow. I’m especially interested in the way that people interact with archaeological heritage as well as the emergence of states and resistance to them.
I discovered this blog via good old Google and was extremely pleases to find a blog about two of my favourite things; archaeology and skepticism. 🙂 If there was sci-fi included too it would be perfect. 😉
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I’ve commented before but it’s been a long while. I usually check in here every day to see if there’s something new. I look for early medieval Scandinavian archaeology and whatever links you may have to scholarly materials that aren’t behind a paywall. (I loathe the academic publishing racket and, from what I can gather, you share some of my feelings.)
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Part time archaeology student with a strong interest in experimental archaeology centered around Viking era iron smelting and bead production.
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I would like to see a better, easier to manage comment filter system, and I am especially partial to blog posts that look at recent events and issues in archaeology, analyzing them critically.
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Eric from Gothenburg, Sweden. I have some interests that overlap with Aard: skepticism, boardgames, China. Otherwise drinking beer and cooking are my main hobbies. My attempts at cooking Chinese food are chronicled (in Swedish) at http://www.risvinchili.blogspot.com/
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Andy, there is actually some scifi content here if you use the search box! I think this was the latest such entry:
http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeology/2011/06/charles_stross_at_eurocon_2011.php
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Mike, check me out on academia.edu and you’ll find a lot of fresh reading material. Not only me, btw, check out anybody whose work interests you.
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Matt, from Somerset in England. Been reading Aard for about a year now, since coming across your paper “Korte meddelande” whilst researching goldgubbar.
I’ve a great interest in all post Roman/Migration era Western European history, with a special interest in early Anglo Saxon England and late Iron Age Scandinavia (especially in the way that the myths and legends of the period relate to the archaeology).
I’m a re-enactor, being a member of Wulfheadonas who specialise in recreating the warrior elites of those societies.
I also study and reconstruct scabbards of the period, some of which can be seen here:-
http://s418.photobucket.com/albums/pp263/medicusmatt/Scabbards%20and%20stuff/
I also do my bit to support archaeology, as I have an archaeologist of my own at home. My partner Anna is involved in excavations and surveys in Jordan, Norfolk, Wales and Wilstshire at the moment.
That ‘delurked’ enough for you? 🙂
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I have the best readers! Matt, beautiful stuff. The Nydam scabbard has me salivating. If I were head of a museum, you and your crafts siblings would see a lot of commissions. I’d love to see what you could do with Snartemo…
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Not a lurker, I post far too often (too little to do), I hope I do not bore you to death.
Here is an example of the things that interest me:
The difference in value systems of the past and today
âIn ancient Pompeii, trash and tombs went hand in handâ http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-01-ancient-pompeii-trash-tombs.html
Note how the excavators of yesterday misinterpreted the evidence, since they tried to shoehorn their findings into the way we view graveyards today!
Also, no designated “landfill” areas, the junk just filled up the town. Roman cleanliness was limited to the body.
“The past is a different country, they did things differently back then.”
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I’m Andrew, I’m a skeptic and a medievalist. I’m a member of the Ancient Arts Fellowship, a Dark Age reenactment group based in Canberra, Australia. I first heard about your blog in your first interview on SGU, and I don’t comment on blogs much.
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I’m Jan – definitely a lurker. I discovered your blog through the New York Times one day (don’t even remember the topic) so I check it out occasionally. If I were an archaeologist, I’d be the one in the museum basement, classifying objects. Other than that, all things science are interesting. Your blogs can be very entertaining!
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I am Jim and I am from Mississippi, USA. I have been a lurker just about every day for a year and a half or so. My interests have included archaeology/ancient history for the past half-century. You have become my de facto point of contact for things Scandinavian/Northern Europe.
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I’m Stephanie, a librarian, and I think I found this blog through your post on Sophos and the potato, but I’ve got a degree in anthropology and a layman’s interest in archaeology and skepticism, so I lurk.
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Connie here, from Ireland. I’m a skeptic who’s passionate about medical history. I like archaeology too of course. How could anyone not like archaeology?
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I’m Erin, in Colorado, USA. I found you through your colleagues, and I definitely lurk. Archaeology is a avocation for many of my closest friends. I am a singer, and am back in grad school again for Conflict Resolution. My friends and I enjoy many of the games you mention. Have a great day!
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Another year, another de-lurk. I’m Lena, a Swedish osteologist working in the UK. And as you might guess, I’m mainly interested in the archaeology posts 🙂 .
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Location: Berlin
Interests: physical sciences, then sciences in general.
Scanning almost daily all still active blogs on scienceblogs.com
(back to lurking)
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Erin, grad school for Conflict Resolution, is that like an extremely thorough Anger Management course? (-;
And what do you sing?
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I’m David, a middle-aged lawyer in Minnesota. I’ve always had a passion for historical things (my first degree is in history), and spend a fair amount of my spare time doing genealogical research. I have been lurking here for a few years.
I have a daughter who is an archaeologist, and she has been introducing me to this fascinating field. She will be doing a graduate degree at Oxford next year.
I read Aard ever day, and enjoy it immensely!
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Elena in Indiana, USA. Another year, another de-lurk. I read at least twice a week, and catch up. Found you years ago I believe through Pharyngula! I am interested in the archaeology posts and in ancient cultures.
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I’m Deborah from Arkansas in the USA. I’ve been lurking & making occasional comments for a couple of years now. I’m an editor for our Archeological Survey and have an MA degree in anthro/archeology. Northern European archeology is a kind of hobby but I don’t know very much about it so I come to Aard for clues. Otherwise, I’m maniacally interested in Tolkien, Battlestar Galactica, and odd music. I also do my small bit to promote science education and resist the anti-evolutionists around here.
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Dan from Tulsa, Oklahoma in the USA. I’m a local TV news reporter and big lover of science. I really enjoy archeology and anthropology but have no formal training at all. Some of the big sciency words get me confused from time to time but I just skip that and find something else. I like learning more about the world and have a good time every time on log on. Keep it up!!
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Have never commented here before..have looked a few times via the Binchester blog.
I live near Vinovia now..and truly believe it IS the way of the vine
I’m interested in history,herstory,myth and smiths..
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I’m not sure how long I’ve been lurking on aard. I think I originally found the site through the archaeology feed on newsnow.co.uk. Anyway, I’m a web developer with a background in medieval history. The archaeology articles led me to bookmark your site, but I think I’ve enjoyed the gaming posts the most recently.
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Jim here from New Jersey. Lurking for at least a year. Professional archaeologist for awhile now (15+ years). Studied European prehistory in University (UK), ended up doing a lot of American Industrial stuff, with a little prehistory now and then. Just trying to keep in touch with archaeology in Europe. Also a gamer. Keep up the good work!
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I’m Noel from Singapore and Canberra. I’ve been a longtime reader. I’m interested in rock art and I work in Southeast Asia. I run my own blog about Southeast Asian Archaeology.
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I am in Minnesota, and my interest is in the archaeology of Sweden because that is where half of my ancestry immigrated to the U.S. from.
Plus, I enjoyed meeting you when you came here.
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Awesome people! I feel doubly motivated to blog, now. (Hi Mike!)
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Connie, if you live in Ireland you have your archaeology work cut up for you! Bronze-age tales preserved from when the island was divided in three kingdoms, neolitic monuments from 4000 BCE and forward, iron-age principalities, vikings and more…
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Martin did you use a time machine? I see an old topic has been posted after this topic. Always note the departue time in your Tardis log !!!
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I got a new speaking gig this morning so I re-posted my schedule.
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(OT) Skepticism: âI get emailâ http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/01/i_get_email_93.php
Part of the experiences of the delusional writer may be a “migraine aura”, blind spots etc, but the kook interprets it as if things are âdematerializingâ…I wish all cases were this easy.
Food for future RPG ? (Includes Jane Austenâs Pride and Prejudice)
10 Novels That Will Sharpen Your Mind [Interactive] http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fiction-stories-that-sharpen-your-mind&WT.mc_id=SA_20120112
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Wisconsin, USA. Wandered over from the Binchester site which interested me due to similarities between it and Vindolanda where I am a volunteer excavator each spring.
Tacitus
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Mark from Oregon. I enjoy reading this blog every few days. Partly because I am interested in medieval history and partly because I spent five months in Sweden while in college. Long enough ago to almost be in your study area.
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Seattle, USA. Pass by frequently. Love archeology. Love learning. I like the small observations (the garden bricks), and particularly like denser, longer posts. Besides info on the topic I also enjoy getting glimpses into the working life of an archeologist. I’m kind of a scientist fan boy I suppose.
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Kevin from Chicago. I found your blog through other skeptical sites. I check your blog once a week to see what’s new.
Since I’m the grandson of a Danish immigrant to the U.S., I have an interest in Scandinavian history. My in-laws are Chinese immigrants – love their history!
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Björn, student from Umeå (although if asked I would probably say Skellefteå, go SAIK!). Been lurking (and sometimes posting) on your blog for years. I briefly considered studying archeology, but soon decided that architecture is my real interest.
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People sometimes mistake me for an architect. Once I even got called an agronomist.
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I’m a curious and nerdy gal located in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Stumbled across this blog while scouring ScienceBlogs for interesting reads. I really enjoy how fun the posts are – a healthy mix of humor and science.
I have no formal training in science beyond what I learned in high school, but I follow a great number of science-related blogs to quench my thirst for knowledge. Ever since I was a young child, I was captivated by science and loved sharing it. Ask my poor fiance and he’ll tell you “Did you know…?” is one of my most common phrases.
Aside from reading blog posts, my hobbies include stamp collecting, video games, reading books, and cooking. I love cooking and trying out new recipes. My culinary masterpieces are what make up for my fiance listening to my constant ramblings… you might have noticed I’m rather wordy once I get going!
Love the blog and look forward to lurking until next year’s de-lurk 😉
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I’m an archeology buff in Bellingham, Washington. Any age and place, but I am particularly interested in Iron Age Europe and the transition from Roman Empire to Middle Ages. I like the blog because you share your working life as an archeologist, and sometimes your life. I took years of college Chinese but I work in a totally unrelated area. Thank you for posting so regularly.
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I have lurked for a few years now from my Lurk HQ in Columbia, South Carolina. I have a BA in anthropology and worked on a lot of archaeological sites in the SE US. At the moment I am in grad school at USC for library science.
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Every time we do a de-lurk I’m struck by how nice and interesting my readers are. Makes me want to do a speak & sleep on couches tour!
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Damn! You beat me to forty-two.
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Martin, as long as they don’t mistake you for an astrologer…
“A speak & sleep on couches tour”
Not on my couches, you don’t. They are already occupied by two predators who shed fur on everything they can reach (an odd defence mechanism, possibly influenced by that of lampreys shedding slime to escape).
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Björn, I am also from UmeÃ¥, my mother’s family is also from SkellefteÃ¥ (temporary home of the artist Laleh). SkellefteÃ¥ still has some old architecture left, unlike UmeÃ¥.
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Marine archaeology: “Divers find WWII bomber off Swedish coast” http://www.thelocal.se/38686/20120124/
“Let’s see if those bombs are rusted through” (Bart Simpson hits bombs with sledgehammer)
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I’ve seen repeated infestations of such fauna myself.
Cool crash site find!
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New Hampshire, USA, but as my name implies, I am of Scandinavian ancestry. I’m a physicist by trade who found ScienceBlogs via a link to one of Chad Orzel’s posts. This is one of the SB blogs I sometimes read, and I have occasionally posted.
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I’m an archaeologist with the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Interior (federal government), in Sacramento, California. My work area is California and the Great Basin (deserts of western U.S.). Found you via a link someone (?) sent me several years ago to an article on your blog. You’ve been on my desktop since. Never commented before but enjoy tuning in at odd moments when I have brain lock while working on something. Do the same with various other blogs by scientists and writers. The items I find most interesting are on European archaeology, about which I know little except for Great Britain where I have spent some time. I am also a long-time reader of science fiction and would be interested in your views on your latest reads in that area. I’ve been married twice, currently separated, two children (Son 24, daughter 21, both currently university students). I like dogs and used to own a horse with my 2nd Ex. but currenlty keep only cats (4) due to the much lower level of maintenance. Likely to not comment again but just continue to lurk.
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