Alex Harvey
@alexharvv.bsky.social
Best-selling author, artist, archaeologist; I write about the ‘Dark Ages’. Views my own.
New book, LITTLE KINGDOMS, out now!: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Little-Kingdoms-Hardback/p/56542
Published w/ Cambridge Uni, Sidestone Press, Amberley
New book, LITTLE KINGDOMS, out now!: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Little-Kingdoms-Hardback/p/56542
Published w/ Cambridge Uni, Sidestone Press, Amberley
Pinned
Alex Harvey
@alexharvv.bsky.social
· Dec 1
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Little-Kingd...
My third book, LITTLE KINGDOMS: AN A-Z OF EARLY MEDIEVAL BRITAIN, is now out
I couldn’t find a better way of explaining it than the old thread I made - so here it is preserved in amber! Happy reading! 🧵
My third book, LITTLE KINGDOMS: AN A-Z OF EARLY MEDIEVAL BRITAIN, is now out
I couldn’t find a better way of explaining it than the old thread I made - so here it is preserved in amber! Happy reading! 🧵
Reposted by Alex Harvey
"Peter Thiel says" is invariably followed by something so whackadoodle crazy you need to have a paracetamol (yes, even if you're pregnant) and a good lie down.
Of all the compelling arguments against billionaires, this one is the pinnacle.
Of all the compelling arguments against billionaires, this one is the pinnacle.
February 8, 2026 at 12:32 PM
"Peter Thiel says" is invariably followed by something so whackadoodle crazy you need to have a paracetamol (yes, even if you're pregnant) and a good lie down.
Of all the compelling arguments against billionaires, this one is the pinnacle.
Of all the compelling arguments against billionaires, this one is the pinnacle.
Old post from last year, but a very cool find nonetheless, featured in LITTLE KINGDOMS
The Acomb Assemblage is a lovely little collection of trinkets hidden away, barely mentioned in the Yorkshire Museum; 7th century possible-burial assemblage, found in Acomb, a suburb of York, around 2016 (1/3)
February 15, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Old post from last year, but a very cool find nonetheless, featured in LITTLE KINGDOMS
Reposted by Alex Harvey
Historians: this is the archaeological equivalent (morally if not legally) of cutting pictures out of medieval manuscripts in a library and selling them on eBay.
*Academic sells history off to the highest bidder*
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Professor finds Iron Age coin hoard near Bury St Edmunds
Tom Licence says he feels a personal connection to the coins, which are to be auctioned.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Historians: this is the archaeological equivalent (morally if not legally) of cutting pictures out of medieval manuscripts in a library and selling them on eBay.
Reposted by Alex Harvey
The two from Fredrikstad display a mix of a deity’s (or chief)’s head and the abstract form of what is probably a galloping horse, two quite prevalent designs across the wider corpus of bracteates
As to what they represent, that’s anyone’s guess: symbols of Odinic devotion, Late Roman medallions?
As to what they represent, that’s anyone’s guess: symbols of Odinic devotion, Late Roman medallions?
February 15, 2026 at 8:26 AM
The two from Fredrikstad display a mix of a deity’s (or chief)’s head and the abstract form of what is probably a galloping horse, two quite prevalent designs across the wider corpus of bracteates
As to what they represent, that’s anyone’s guess: symbols of Odinic devotion, Late Roman medallions?
As to what they represent, that’s anyone’s guess: symbols of Odinic devotion, Late Roman medallions?
Reposted by Alex Harvey
3x gold bracteates on display in the National Museum, Oslo, dating between the 5th and 6th c.
Discovered at Fredrikstad and Bjørnerud, in the Østfold and Vestfold respectively
Two even feature inscriptions!
Discovered at Fredrikstad and Bjørnerud, in the Østfold and Vestfold respectively
Two even feature inscriptions!
February 15, 2026 at 8:22 AM
3x gold bracteates on display in the National Museum, Oslo, dating between the 5th and 6th c.
Discovered at Fredrikstad and Bjørnerud, in the Østfold and Vestfold respectively
Two even feature inscriptions!
Discovered at Fredrikstad and Bjørnerud, in the Østfold and Vestfold respectively
Two even feature inscriptions!
Reposted by Alex Harvey
The Middleham Assemblage for #FindsFriday: I just think it's neat!
February 13, 2026 at 5:11 PM
The Middleham Assemblage for #FindsFriday: I just think it's neat!
3x gold bracteates on display in the National Museum, Oslo, dating between the 5th and 6th c.
Discovered at Fredrikstad and Bjørnerud, in the Østfold and Vestfold respectively
Two even feature inscriptions!
Discovered at Fredrikstad and Bjørnerud, in the Østfold and Vestfold respectively
Two even feature inscriptions!
February 15, 2026 at 8:22 AM
3x gold bracteates on display in the National Museum, Oslo, dating between the 5th and 6th c.
Discovered at Fredrikstad and Bjørnerud, in the Østfold and Vestfold respectively
Two even feature inscriptions!
Discovered at Fredrikstad and Bjørnerud, in the Østfold and Vestfold respectively
Two even feature inscriptions!
Reposted by Alex Harvey
Exciting news! I'm the incoming Executive Editor for 'World Archaeology' and here is my first CfP!
Call for Papers for ‘World Archaeology’: Debates and Emerging Issues in Archaeology
howardwilliamsblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/14/c...
Direct link here: think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
Call for Papers for ‘World Archaeology’: Debates and Emerging Issues in Archaeology
howardwilliamsblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/14/c...
Direct link here: think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
February 14, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Exciting news! I'm the incoming Executive Editor for 'World Archaeology' and here is my first CfP!
Call for Papers for ‘World Archaeology’: Debates and Emerging Issues in Archaeology
howardwilliamsblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/14/c...
Direct link here: think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
Call for Papers for ‘World Archaeology’: Debates and Emerging Issues in Archaeology
howardwilliamsblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/14/c...
Direct link here: think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
The view atop Caistor (N. Lincs), an exceedingly well positioned site with 3-4th c. Roman walls, a large cemetery, 5-6th c. urns, and at least 4 springs!
Good place to hole up ahead of future sieges!
Good place to hole up ahead of future sieges!
February 14, 2026 at 4:51 PM
The view atop Caistor (N. Lincs), an exceedingly well positioned site with 3-4th c. Roman walls, a large cemetery, 5-6th c. urns, and at least 4 springs!
Good place to hole up ahead of future sieges!
Good place to hole up ahead of future sieges!
Reposted by Alex Harvey
In that particular case, humans do the translation. The AI models let them see texts that have been burned to a cinder.
I suppose my point is that AI isn't one thing and we risk throwing incredible babies out with the sloppy bathwater if we talk of it in monolithic terms.
Incidentally, I did my >>>
I suppose my point is that AI isn't one thing and we risk throwing incredible babies out with the sloppy bathwater if we talk of it in monolithic terms.
Incidentally, I did my >>>
February 14, 2026 at 10:49 AM
In that particular case, humans do the translation. The AI models let them see texts that have been burned to a cinder.
I suppose my point is that AI isn't one thing and we risk throwing incredible babies out with the sloppy bathwater if we talk of it in monolithic terms.
Incidentally, I did my >>>
I suppose my point is that AI isn't one thing and we risk throwing incredible babies out with the sloppy bathwater if we talk of it in monolithic terms.
Incidentally, I did my >>>
Torn between arguing with pro-AI folk online as it’s somewhat intellectually stimulating and also recognising the futility of arguing with people online
February 14, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Torn between arguing with pro-AI folk online as it’s somewhat intellectually stimulating and also recognising the futility of arguing with people online
Reposted by Alex Harvey
AI as it stands now is *incapable* of developing a proper imagination. It can only regurgitate and recombine the things it has been fed. It cannot generate anything novel, just rearrange pixels in an approximation of the (stolen) source materials.
Humans are and will always be better at this.
Humans are and will always be better at this.
February 13, 2026 at 6:01 PM
AI as it stands now is *incapable* of developing a proper imagination. It can only regurgitate and recombine the things it has been fed. It cannot generate anything novel, just rearrange pixels in an approximation of the (stolen) source materials.
Humans are and will always be better at this.
Humans are and will always be better at this.
The Middleham Assemblage for #FindsFriday: I just think it's neat!
February 13, 2026 at 5:11 PM
The Middleham Assemblage for #FindsFriday: I just think it's neat!
I'm a little late today but wanted to contribute to #FindsFriday all the same
This week we have the not-yet-famous Middleham Assemblage, which I'm hoping will one day see its time in the sun! This is, still, an informal(ish) moniker for BM-7C4457 (finds.org.uk/database/art...), + has not yet stuck!
This week we have the not-yet-famous Middleham Assemblage, which I'm hoping will one day see its time in the sun! This is, still, an informal(ish) moniker for BM-7C4457 (finds.org.uk/database/art...), + has not yet stuck!
finds.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 4:56 PM
I'm a little late today but wanted to contribute to #FindsFriday all the same
This week we have the not-yet-famous Middleham Assemblage, which I'm hoping will one day see its time in the sun! This is, still, an informal(ish) moniker for BM-7C4457 (finds.org.uk/database/art...), + has not yet stuck!
This week we have the not-yet-famous Middleham Assemblage, which I'm hoping will one day see its time in the sun! This is, still, an informal(ish) moniker for BM-7C4457 (finds.org.uk/database/art...), + has not yet stuck!
Vikings! After the half-term holidays!
Longship lineart drawn by me, (initial) colouring by the students
Longship lineart drawn by me, (initial) colouring by the students
February 13, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Vikings! After the half-term holidays!
Longship lineart drawn by me, (initial) colouring by the students
Longship lineart drawn by me, (initial) colouring by the students
Reposted by Alex Harvey
Dude regularly works for Disney, DreamWorks, Netflix and CN so speculate away. But this sucks no matter which studio is doing it, and gross to think some major movie this year is running with a plagiarized image from ChatGPT.
February 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Dude regularly works for Disney, DreamWorks, Netflix and CN so speculate away. But this sucks no matter which studio is doing it, and gross to think some major movie this year is running with a plagiarized image from ChatGPT.
Reposted by Alex Harvey
Me (author of book on the Viking Age) being told I can use AI to generate a text on the Viking Age for students
(It was incorrect btw, and said the ‘Vikings’ invented clinker-building)
(It was incorrect btw, and said the ‘Vikings’ invented clinker-building)
February 11, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Me (author of book on the Viking Age) being told I can use AI to generate a text on the Viking Age for students
(It was incorrect btw, and said the ‘Vikings’ invented clinker-building)
(It was incorrect btw, and said the ‘Vikings’ invented clinker-building)
Reposted by Alex Harvey
The Acomb Assemblage is a lovely little collection of trinkets hidden away, barely mentioned in the Yorkshire Museum; 7th century possible-burial assemblage, found in Acomb, a suburb of York, around 2016 (1/3)
April 18, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The Acomb Assemblage is a lovely little collection of trinkets hidden away, barely mentioned in the Yorkshire Museum; 7th century possible-burial assemblage, found in Acomb, a suburb of York, around 2016 (1/3)
Reposted by Alex Harvey
I have a few of these on my patch too... I call them nilforts.
Thought I'd throw my hat into the cairn-ring of #HillfortsWednesday
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
February 12, 2026 at 8:06 AM
I have a few of these on my patch too... I call them nilforts.
RESIST SLOP
RESIST THE ENEMY
RESIST AI
RESIST THE ENEMY
RESIST AI
"In 1999, I interviewed Prince for TIME and he told me to leave my tape recorder off because he didn’t trust what future technology might do with unauthorized recordings of his voice.
At the time, I thought Prince was being paranoid..."
time.com/7338205/rage...
At the time, I thought Prince was being paranoid..."
time.com/7338205/rage...
It's Time to Rage Against the AI Music Machine
If AI music takes over "humans will begin to echo the machines, and there will be a downward spiral into slop."
time.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:22 AM
RESIST SLOP
RESIST THE ENEMY
RESIST AI
RESIST THE ENEMY
RESIST AI
How Many Kingdoms were there in Early Medieval Britain?
YouTube video by History With Hilbert
m.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:32 PM
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq6F...
It’s me! It’s free! It’s a lecture about LITTLE KINGDOMS for @ypsyork.bsky.social
It’s me! It’s free! It’s a lecture about LITTLE KINGDOMS for @ypsyork.bsky.social
Little Kingdoms: An A-Z of Early Medieval Britain with Alex Harvey
YouTube video by Yorkshire Philosophical Society
m.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:55 PM
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq6F...
It’s me! It’s free! It’s a lecture about LITTLE KINGDOMS for @ypsyork.bsky.social
It’s me! It’s free! It’s a lecture about LITTLE KINGDOMS for @ypsyork.bsky.social
In fact, (via research conducted using my human brain), the earliest keeled boat is from Maa’gan Michael, Israel, and it dates to 500 BCE
Beyond that, for clinker building, you’re looking at Nydam Mose, which is again several hundreds of years before the Viking Age
What do I know though
Beyond that, for clinker building, you’re looking at Nydam Mose, which is again several hundreds of years before the Viking Age
What do I know though
February 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM
In fact, (via research conducted using my human brain), the earliest keeled boat is from Maa’gan Michael, Israel, and it dates to 500 BCE
Beyond that, for clinker building, you’re looking at Nydam Mose, which is again several hundreds of years before the Viking Age
What do I know though
Beyond that, for clinker building, you’re looking at Nydam Mose, which is again several hundreds of years before the Viking Age
What do I know though
Me (author of book on the Viking Age) being told I can use AI to generate a text on the Viking Age for students
(It was incorrect btw, and said the ‘Vikings’ invented clinker-building)
(It was incorrect btw, and said the ‘Vikings’ invented clinker-building)
February 11, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Me (author of book on the Viking Age) being told I can use AI to generate a text on the Viking Age for students
(It was incorrect btw, and said the ‘Vikings’ invented clinker-building)
(It was incorrect btw, and said the ‘Vikings’ invented clinker-building)
Reposted by Alex Harvey
Thought I'd throw my hat into the cairn-ring of #HillfortsWednesday
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
February 11, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Thought I'd throw my hat into the cairn-ring of #HillfortsWednesday
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!