Dr Alan Montgomery
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classicalalan.bsky.social
Dr Alan Montgomery
@classicalalan.bsky.social
Historian, artist, tour guide and FSAScot. A lover of legend and folklore.
Buy my art and my books here: https://linktr.ee/classicalalan
Pinned
I am excited to announce that I will be giving an illustrated talk about my book The Road to Mons Graupius at the wonderful Innerpeffray Library @innerpeffray.bsky.social on Sunday 15 March. Join me if you can, tickets are available here: innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk/shop/shop/ti...
#RomanSiteSaturday
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
What a delight to have met this little fella in the flesh a few weeks ago! Found in northern North Holland province in 2024, the tiny 10C/11C gold and enamel fibula is thought to represent a saint or secular elite figure.

Leiden, @rmoudheden.bsky.social, g 2024/3.1
February 3, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
Gold locket with pearls and portraits, in the Penicuik Jewels that belonged to Mary Queen of Scots. Who (alas) was executed OTD 1587.
February 8, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
This is my watercolour painting of the Hawk Stone in Oxfordshire. Legend tells that the cleft at the top was made by chains used to imprison witches who were later burnt at the stake.
The original artwork is now available on my Etsy shop here: shorturl.at/HDzSI
#StandingStoneSunday
February 8, 2026 at 9:39 AM
This is my watercolour painting of the Hawk Stone in Oxfordshire. Legend tells that the cleft at the top was made by chains used to imprison witches who were later burnt at the stake.
The original artwork is now available on my Etsy shop here: shorturl.at/HDzSI
#StandingStoneSunday
February 8, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Coldrum really was impressive - thanks to Fiona for introducing me to it!
A recent stones trip to Coldrum long barrow in Kent with @classicalalan.bsky.social - misty, muddy and very atmospheric! This place is 6,000 years old, just so awesome. #StandingStoneSunday
February 8, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
I am excited to announce that I will be giving an illustrated talk about my book The Road to Mons Graupius at the wonderful Innerpeffray Library @innerpeffray.bsky.social on Sunday 15 March. Join me if you can, tickets are available here: innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk/shop/shop/ti...
#RomanSiteSaturday
February 7, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
This is a view into the entrance of the 8m long allée couverte on Ile-Grande in Pleumeur-Bodou (Côtes-d’Armor); the slabs on the left are kerbstones to support the cairn. The fairies who lived there would come out and dance with anyone passing on nights with a full moon.
February 7, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
Want to support teaching of ancient ethics in prisons? Here's a blog with a link to JustGiving. £10 buys course material for 4 prisoners. @durhamclassics.bsky.social edithorial.blogspot.com/2026/02/anci...
February 7, 2026 at 9:16 AM
I am excited to announce that I will be giving an illustrated talk about my book The Road to Mons Graupius at the wonderful Innerpeffray Library @innerpeffray.bsky.social on Sunday 15 March. Join me if you can, tickets are available here: innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk/shop/shop/ti...
#RomanSiteSaturday
February 7, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
A stunning early medieval square-headed brooch, found at Linton Heath in Cambridgeshire, now on display at the wonderful Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. @camunivmuseums.bsky.social #FindsFriday
February 6, 2026 at 11:24 AM
A stunning early medieval square-headed brooch, found at Linton Heath in Cambridgeshire, now on display at the wonderful Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. @camunivmuseums.bsky.social #FindsFriday
February 6, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
Last call for votes for Stone Lands in the Current Archaeology awards - if you liked the book, it would be so fantastic to have your vote … thank you! 🙏🏻❤️🪨 archaeology.co.uk/vote
February 6, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
The northern defences of Birrens Roman Fort (Blatobulgium) in Dumfriesshire - an outpost fort for Hadrian’s Wall. 📸 My own. #RomanFortThursday #RomanBritain #Birrens
February 5, 2026 at 7:02 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
This is the first printed plan of Ardoch Roman fort in Scotland, produced by antiquarian Robert Sibbald in 1695. Thirty years later, Alexander Gordon described it as 'the most entire and best-preserved of any Roman antiquity of that kind in Britain', which still holds true today! #RomanFortThursday
February 5, 2026 at 9:16 AM
This is the first printed plan of Ardoch Roman fort in Scotland, produced by antiquarian Robert Sibbald in 1695. Thirty years later, Alexander Gordon described it as 'the most entire and best-preserved of any Roman antiquity of that kind in Britain', which still holds true today! #RomanFortThursday
February 5, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
A fascinating patchwork of building materials in the wall of St Leonard's Church, Southminster, including recycled Roman tiles, medieval flint and modern brick. #WallsonWednesday
February 4, 2026 at 11:43 AM
A fascinating patchwork of building materials in the wall of St Leonard's Church, Southminster, including recycled Roman tiles, medieval flint and modern brick. #WallsonWednesday
February 4, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
News from the frontier! 🎉 The countdown is on…

The #museum re-openson Friday 13th Feb! Our staff & volunteers are busy polishing the #armour, dusting #artefacts, & tidying up to get everything ready for your visit. This year holds some exciting surprises we can’t wait to share!✨

zurl.co/B1KaI
February 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
Mummy outrage leads to tickets-only for women at British Museum (1914)
February 3, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
I had a lovely (if rather damp) day out with the one and only @stonelands.bsky.social on Sunday, during which she introduced me to Coldrum Long Barrow in Kent. Its name is possibly derived from the old Cornish word 'Galdrum' which means 'place of enchantments'. #TombTuesday
February 3, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
The restored entrance to Wayland’s Smithy in Oxfordshire - a Neolithic chambered long barrow close to the Uffington White Horse. The barrow was built over an earlier burial structure which held the remains of at least 14 individuals. 📸 My own. #TombTuesday #WaylandsSmithy
February 3, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
St Lythan's for #TombTuesday. There is something about this site, it always feels quite eerie. Maybe it's not called the Accursed Field for nothing!
February 3, 2026 at 8:26 AM
I had a lovely (if rather damp) day out with the one and only @stonelands.bsky.social on Sunday, during which she introduced me to Coldrum Long Barrow in Kent. Its name is possibly derived from the old Cornish word 'Galdrum' which means 'place of enchantments'. #TombTuesday
February 3, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Dr Alan Montgomery
⏳A gentle reminder that our special offer ends on 10 Feb.
The newest figure is inspired by a Late Bronze Age terracotta from Cyprus. Learn more about her mystery, and every order of a goddess figure currently includes a FREE Miniature Palaeolithic Figurine.
potted-history.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 7:42 PM