ArchPoints
@archpoints.bsky.social
ArchPoints began in 2009 on Facebook, providing daily archaeology lifestyle tips from a team of experts, each with their own specialist area. In 2021 we produced our first ArchPoints Guide, Asbestos In Archaeology.
Primary refuse is discarded where it was used, secondary refuse is discarded away from where it was used (image is Schiffer's flow model). #archaeology
February 7, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Primary refuse is discarded where it was used, secondary refuse is discarded away from where it was used (image is Schiffer's flow model). #archaeology
High altitude environments are more fragile than those lower down. Slow natural processes and thin soils mean that damage will take longer to resolve. Consider water, food, fuel supply and waste/sewage disposal needs to minimize impact. #archaeology #mountains #altitude #Aztec #Inca
February 5, 2026 at 4:41 PM
High altitude environments are more fragile than those lower down. Slow natural processes and thin soils mean that damage will take longer to resolve. Consider water, food, fuel supply and waste/sewage disposal needs to minimize impact. #archaeology #mountains #altitude #Aztec #Inca
Lessons learned. Can remember someone coming onto site once in brogues and shorts, vowing to show the young trainees how it was done, and then sticking a pickaxe in his leg.
January 29, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Lessons learned. Can remember someone coming onto site once in brogues and shorts, vowing to show the young trainees how it was done, and then sticking a pickaxe in his leg.
Pre-fieldwork questions:
(1) How long will I be gone?
(2) How much food and drink do I need?
(3) Have I got the right clothing/footwear?
(4) Do I take back-up items?
(5) Will I need any special equipment?
(6) What medical/first aid kit do I need? #Archaeology #anthropology #palaeontology
(1) How long will I be gone?
(2) How much food and drink do I need?
(3) Have I got the right clothing/footwear?
(4) Do I take back-up items?
(5) Will I need any special equipment?
(6) What medical/first aid kit do I need? #Archaeology #anthropology #palaeontology
January 29, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Pre-fieldwork questions:
(1) How long will I be gone?
(2) How much food and drink do I need?
(3) Have I got the right clothing/footwear?
(4) Do I take back-up items?
(5) Will I need any special equipment?
(6) What medical/first aid kit do I need? #Archaeology #anthropology #palaeontology
(1) How long will I be gone?
(2) How much food and drink do I need?
(3) Have I got the right clothing/footwear?
(4) Do I take back-up items?
(5) Will I need any special equipment?
(6) What medical/first aid kit do I need? #Archaeology #anthropology #palaeontology
Different forms of Japanese shuriken ("ninja stars") are named after everyday items they resemble or were made from. The hole in the centre of hira-shuriken (flat plate form) are often from source items that had holes such as coins or tools. #archaeology #ninja
January 24, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Different forms of Japanese shuriken ("ninja stars") are named after everyday items they resemble or were made from. The hole in the centre of hira-shuriken (flat plate form) are often from source items that had holes such as coins or tools. #archaeology #ninja
When using public internet connections in hotels, internet cafes, hostels, and airports, etcetera, select all the text of an e-mail or electronic message and copy it to the clipboard before sending in case the connection fails and the message is lost. #archaeology
January 20, 2026 at 11:57 PM
When using public internet connections in hotels, internet cafes, hostels, and airports, etcetera, select all the text of an e-mail or electronic message and copy it to the clipboard before sending in case the connection fails and the message is lost. #archaeology
One car wheel nut may be different from the others as an anti-theft precaution, check you have the right socket head or adapter. #archaeology #anthropology #palaeontology
January 17, 2026 at 2:20 AM
One car wheel nut may be different from the others as an anti-theft precaution, check you have the right socket head or adapter. #archaeology #anthropology #palaeontology
Japanese shuriken (ninja stars) come in 2 types, bō-shuriken and hira-shuriken (aka shaken/kurumaken). Bō- are pointed spikes, hira- are flat plates. The art of throwing these is shurikenjutsu. #archaeology #japan #medieval
January 11, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Japanese shuriken (ninja stars) come in 2 types, bō-shuriken and hira-shuriken (aka shaken/kurumaken). Bō- are pointed spikes, hira- are flat plates. The art of throwing these is shurikenjutsu. #archaeology #japan #medieval
The caganer is a small figurine of a defecating peasant, part of Catalan culture, originating in the late C17 or earlier. A highly popular character in the nativity scene, since the 1940s there are now contemporary versions. #archaeology #anthropology
January 3, 2026 at 6:05 PM
The caganer is a small figurine of a defecating peasant, part of Catalan culture, originating in the late C17 or earlier. A highly popular character in the nativity scene, since the 1940s there are now contemporary versions. #archaeology #anthropology
Car wheel nuts should be tightened diagonally, not by going round in a circle. Imagining the five nuts are the points of a star- top, bottom left, right, left, bottom right. #archaeology #anthropology
January 1, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Car wheel nuts should be tightened diagonally, not by going round in a circle. Imagining the five nuts are the points of a star- top, bottom left, right, left, bottom right. #archaeology #anthropology
There's a last ditch, middle-of-nowhere, at your own risk, method of getting a stuck wheel off, but we're in two minds about putting it on here in case it goes wrong.
January 1, 2026 at 9:51 PM
There's a last ditch, middle-of-nowhere, at your own risk, method of getting a stuck wheel off, but we're in two minds about putting it on here in case it goes wrong.
The Romans employed pictures of deities and religious emblems on the walls of public toilets to discourage graffiti. #Roman #archaeology
December 16, 2025 at 10:28 PM
The Romans employed pictures of deities and religious emblems on the walls of public toilets to discourage graffiti. #Roman #archaeology
Unbolted car wheels are often stuck on by corrosion and deposits, something not covered in handbooks/instructions. Kicking or hammering are usual solutions. If not lower the jack and turn the wheels side-to-side. #archaeology
December 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Unbolted car wheels are often stuck on by corrosion and deposits, something not covered in handbooks/instructions. Kicking or hammering are usual solutions. If not lower the jack and turn the wheels side-to-side. #archaeology
Reposted by ArchPoints
Happy to share the new virtual collection of comparative anatomy, SKELETONS ONLINE (cor.iphes.cat).
The specimens come from the comparative anatomy collection of @iphes-cerca.bsky.social , in Tarragona (Spain).
Please, use it and share!!!
The specimens come from the comparative anatomy collection of @iphes-cerca.bsky.social , in Tarragona (Spain).
Please, use it and share!!!
December 4, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Happy to share the new virtual collection of comparative anatomy, SKELETONS ONLINE (cor.iphes.cat).
The specimens come from the comparative anatomy collection of @iphes-cerca.bsky.social , in Tarragona (Spain).
Please, use it and share!!!
The specimens come from the comparative anatomy collection of @iphes-cerca.bsky.social , in Tarragona (Spain).
Please, use it and share!!!
This is going to get named after Jordan Pickford, I can see it coming.
December 5, 2025 at 4:00 AM
This is going to get named after Jordan Pickford, I can see it coming.
Q-pits, round depressions c4m across with a small channel, were used to make white coal in the post-medieval period. They are too small to be quarry pits but may be confused with bomb craters. #archaeology
December 5, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Q-pits, round depressions c4m across with a small channel, were used to make white coal in the post-medieval period. They are too small to be quarry pits but may be confused with bomb craters. #archaeology
In Britain many artificial fox earths were first made in the early 19th century to encourage foxes to breed, ensuring sufficient numbers to hunt. An example from Stanton Park, near Chippenham, has a circular tunnel with two entrances and a cross-tunnel leading to a fox den. #archaeology
November 14, 2025 at 11:21 PM
In Britain many artificial fox earths were first made in the early 19th century to encourage foxes to breed, ensuring sufficient numbers to hunt. An example from Stanton Park, near Chippenham, has a circular tunnel with two entrances and a cross-tunnel leading to a fox den. #archaeology
16 years of ArchPoints today! Our first post was on Facebook on 5 November 2009, we joined Twitter/X in October 2016, and Bluesky in 2024. In 2021 we produced our first ArchPoints Guide, Asbestos In Archaeology. #archaeology
November 5, 2025 at 6:46 PM
16 years of ArchPoints today! Our first post was on Facebook on 5 November 2009, we joined Twitter/X in October 2016, and Bluesky in 2024. In 2021 we produced our first ArchPoints Guide, Asbestos In Archaeology. #archaeology
When flying or driving straight into Andean cities such as Cusco and La Paz there is no period of acclimatization to the high altitudes and it is recommended to rest for the first few hours and take the first few days easy. #archaeology
November 2, 2025 at 11:01 PM
When flying or driving straight into Andean cities such as Cusco and La Paz there is no period of acclimatization to the high altitudes and it is recommended to rest for the first few hours and take the first few days easy. #archaeology
Africanized "killer" honey bees have a sting no more potent and less venomous than other bees but are aggressively hyper-defensive and will attack relentlessly in a swarm stinging 100s of times. They will attack targets a quarter of a mile from the hive and pursue them for over a mile. #archaeology
October 10, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Africanized "killer" honey bees have a sting no more potent and less venomous than other bees but are aggressively hyper-defensive and will attack relentlessly in a swarm stinging 100s of times. They will attack targets a quarter of a mile from the hive and pursue them for over a mile. #archaeology
A pinfold was used to hold stray animals until their owners paid a fine for their release or used as an overnight pen by drovers. The terms ‘pinfold’ and ‘pound’ are Saxon in origin. Size varies from only a few square metres to over half a hectare. Usually found near village greens. #archaeology
October 6, 2025 at 7:29 PM
A pinfold was used to hold stray animals until their owners paid a fine for their release or used as an overnight pen by drovers. The terms ‘pinfold’ and ‘pound’ are Saxon in origin. Size varies from only a few square metres to over half a hectare. Usually found near village greens. #archaeology
En Gerío, in Girona, Catalonia, is possibly the most extreme tourist road train in the world. The 3-carriage train, named after the monster that founded the city, climbs and descends the steep, narrow, winding medieval streets like a rollercoaster which has to be experienced to be believed.
October 3, 2025 at 11:22 PM
En Gerío, in Girona, Catalonia, is possibly the most extreme tourist road train in the world. The 3-carriage train, named after the monster that founded the city, climbs and descends the steep, narrow, winding medieval streets like a rollercoaster which has to be experienced to be believed.
When a car gearbox is broken it is possible to pull away in second gear if you can get enough acceleration, and if you can make it go fast enough go straight from second to fifth gear. #archaeology
September 27, 2025 at 8:58 PM
When a car gearbox is broken it is possible to pull away in second gear if you can get enough acceleration, and if you can make it go fast enough go straight from second to fifth gear. #archaeology
Clay, the smallest soil particle (under 0.002mm) can remain suspended on moderate wind for very long distances and only settles slowly in still air. Once a clay has been blown away it will never be a pure clay again as it mixes with other grades as it is blown far from its origin. #archaeology
September 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Clay, the smallest soil particle (under 0.002mm) can remain suspended on moderate wind for very long distances and only settles slowly in still air. Once a clay has been blown away it will never be a pure clay again as it mixes with other grades as it is blown far from its origin. #archaeology