Pic: Nat. Lib. of Wales

The work of the Venerable Bede can now be seen online reports News for Medievalists. A rare example of a Latin manuscript (De Natura Rerum) from the twelfth century, with Northumbria connections, has been digitised and place online by The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. The De Natura Rerum is a scientific treatise by a Northumbrian theologian, philosopher and historian Bede. Bede (c. 672-735) was an Anglo-Saxon historian, theologian and scientific writer.

He spent most of his life at the monasteries at Wearmouth and Jarrow. Bede was ordained deacon in 692 and priest in 703. His scholarly works show that he had access to all the learning of his time. It is estimated the library at Wearmouth-Jarrow held between 300-500 books, making it one of the largest and most extensive libraries in England of the time. Continue Reading »

Pic: Oxford

Oxford University have just published their schedule of online Archaeology courses – and there is plenty there to interest the student of the Celts. They say: Cave paintings, castles and pyramids, Neanderthals, Romans and Vikings – archaeology is about the excitement of discovery, finding out about our ancestors, exploring landscape through time, piecing together puzzles of the past from material remains.

Our courses enable you to experience all this through online archaeological resources based on primary evidence from excavations and artefacts and from complex scientific processes and current thinking. Together with guided reading, discussion and activities you can experience how archaeologists work today to increase our knowledge of people and societies from the past. Continue Reading »

Pic: BBC

This Is Cornwall reports that people with blackened faces filled the streets of Padstow on Boxing Day to celebrate an annual traditional dating back hundreds of years. Mummers’ Day, previously known as Darkie Day, was enjoyed by all who attended.

People danced along the roads to the sound of accordions and music. Collection tins were filled by the many spectators and funds donated will go to local charities including the Children’s Hospice South West Precious Lives Appeal.

One participant said:

I have had a fantastic day. There was no trouble and everyone was taking it in the spirit it’s meant to be taken. It is a Padstow tradition and will hopefully continue for many more centuries.

[Source]

Pic: BBC

The BBC report that a Fifth Century Germanic settlement has been discovered on land set out for regeneration in Kent. A team of 30 archaeologists has been studying debris at the site in Rushenden, on the Isle of Sheppey, to learn how the original settlers lived.

The remains of a large boat-shaped hall have been found as well as evidence of boat-building activity.

Dr Paul Wilkinson, who heads the dig, said the settlement was one of the most important finds of its kind in Kent.

It’s significant because it’s a Germanic establishment. The boat shape gives the game away to us.

he said.

The only boat-shaped buildings are from what’s now Germany and outside the Roman Empire as such.

Archaeologists from Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company do not expect to find many artefacts at the site but believe they can discover how its inhabitants lived.

[Source]

This is the first of our music specials that we are putting out whilst we are away on holiday and we hope you enjoy it. This show gives us a chance to feature some of the fantastic music that we’ve encountered during our first season. You’ll find some very powerful fiddle work from Samantha Gillogly, resonant vocals from Danny Quinn, some ethereal Fairy music from Karen Kay and Michael Tingle, some rockin’ music from Orient XPress, Thinker and The Logues and some wonderful celtic folk from Faeries Wear Boots and Tinker’s Cuss. In addition, we have included a reading from The Book of Taliesin, one of the four Ancient Books of Wales.

We’ve also taken the Christmas decorations down on the website. I know it’s a bit early for twelfth night but they’re kind of resource heavy and technically we’re heading into 2009 now. The Episode is available for subscribers on the feed, or you can download it or listen to it from our Episodes page. You can find the for this episode in the Shownotes section.

If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

We hope you enjoy the show

Pic: Wiki

The first official pagan cemetery in more than 1,000 years has been established in a public graveyard corner in Odense, Funen is reported by the Copenhagen Post. While not officially opening until 7 February, members of Denmark’s recognized pagan community Forn Sidr have welcomed the move that will create space for 80 graves. Forn Sidr has more than 600 members nationwide and follows the concept of ásatrú, or worship of the old Norse gods such as Odin and Thor. It was first recognized as a religious community by the Danish ministry of ecclesiastical affairs in 2003.

The 800sqm cemetery is located at the council-owned Assitens Graveyard and features an 18-metre long stone in the form of a Viking ship. Encircling the grassy area are a number of standing stones, to which a plaque can be fixed to commemorate the dead, as no headstones will be used.

The vice-president of Forn Sidr, Søren Fisker, said that members would hold their own private religious ceremony to mark the opening of the cemetery in February. He added that not all asatruars can be buried in the Odense plot.

The facility should be seen as a pilot project that may act as a groundbreaker for similar projects elsewhere in the country where there is a desire for a heathen cemetery.

said Fisker.

There is already another pagan cemetery being planned for the Århus area.

Three Christian graves that already exist at the site will remain, as the descendants have all given their blessing to the new venture.

[Source]

Pic: Greenbrier Campus, Lewisburg History

The Register-Herald reports that the seventh annual First Day International Festival is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday at New River Community and Technical College. FDIF president Hanno Kirk said this year’s event will feature the culture of Ireland along with Celtic music and many other events for the young and old.

The idea of the festival is to feature one culture or a series of cultures each year.

Kirk said Friday.

The emphasis is that we are all interconnected and we need to have a better cross-cultural understanding of one another.

Performances by Celtic harpist Leah Trent, story teller and humorist Kim Weitkamp and musician and singer Patrick O’Flaherty have been scheduled. Kirk said:

One of the interesting events this year will be an ancestors map where people can take a colored pen and write their family name on the country of a world map where they believe their ancestors came from.

The festival will immediately follow the annual Shanghai parade in downtown Lewisburg. For more information, contact Jo Weisbrod at 304-647-3311 or 304-645-7615.

[Source]

Pic: 24 Hour Museum

Janis Mitchell reports for the 24 Hour Museum about the success of archaeology on Orkney during 2008. The 2008 summer archaeological season in Orkney was full of activity and spanned a number of islands and time periods. Excavations included the continuation of investigations at Stronsay, Wyre, Ness of Brodgar, The Cairns, Notland Links and Skaill Bay and a ‘rescue excavation’ in Eday. Trenches were re-opened from a previous dig at the Ring of Brodgar and an initial investigative season at the Brough of Deerness was undertaken.

Continue Reading »