Don O'Meara
@donomeara.bsky.social
Archaeologist in North East England, interested in all things archaeobotany, environmental archaeology, and local history and archaeology research. Editor of Archaeologia Aeliana. President of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle.
Spoke at the unveiling of a plaque to archaeologist Robert Blair, outside Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields last week. Great to see his contribution to the study of Roman archaeology in his local town recognised, and to have Mayor of South Tyneside Jay Potts and Mayoress Audrey Huntley in attendance.
October 8, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Spoke at the unveiling of a plaque to archaeologist Robert Blair, outside Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields last week. Great to see his contribution to the study of Roman archaeology in his local town recognised, and to have Mayor of South Tyneside Jay Potts and Mayoress Audrey Huntley in attendance.
Pet peeve of the day (month/year): universities which are desperate for people to utilise a scientific technique, set up a commercial organisation to offer this, then proceed to only take on work they are interested in and give up on taking it at all in a few years 😑
July 31, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Pet peeve of the day (month/year): universities which are desperate for people to utilise a scientific technique, set up a commercial organisation to offer this, then proceed to only take on work they are interested in and give up on taking it at all in a few years 😑
A trek up to the #Cheviots, following a lead about a lump of flint (see photo 2, my hand for scale) found in 1978 under 5 feet of peat, by a farm worker. Initial conclusions from augering: there is a former tarn/lake at this spot, with possible #prehistoric activity in the form of a charcoal layer!
July 28, 2025 at 10:21 PM
A trek up to the #Cheviots, following a lead about a lump of flint (see photo 2, my hand for scale) found in 1978 under 5 feet of peat, by a farm worker. Initial conclusions from augering: there is a former tarn/lake at this spot, with possible #prehistoric activity in the form of a charcoal layer!
I could list off some dead professor or someone very worthy but the reality is Sam Neill's character Dr Alan Grant in the first Jurassic Park movie probably did more to direct me towards an interest in archaeology than anyone else.
Question from Insta: Who is your inspiration in archaeology? #AskAnArchaeologist
July 25, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I could list off some dead professor or someone very worthy but the reality is Sam Neill's character Dr Alan Grant in the first Jurassic Park movie probably did more to direct me towards an interest in archaeology than anyone else.
There are buildings that 'burn down' and buildings that 'catch fire'. These are distinctly different things when a fire in a historic building is being discussed, no one explains when to use one or the other but we all seem to know when to use one or the other.
Question from Reddit for all you buildings archaeologists: How often do listed buildings burn down, and how often do they 'burn down'? #AskAnArchaeologist
July 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM
There are buildings that 'burn down' and buildings that 'catch fire'. These are distinctly different things when a fire in a historic building is being discussed, no one explains when to use one or the other but we all seem to know when to use one or the other.
Doing a site visit in #Northumberland today. Got chatting to someone who claimed they think tjey found a stone tool as "It fits nicely into your hand and looks worked" That old chestnut, yeah I will have a look 🙄
"...oh, yeah that's a Neolithic polished stone axe! 🤯"
#archaeology #prehistory
"...oh, yeah that's a Neolithic polished stone axe! 🤯"
#archaeology #prehistory
July 24, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Doing a site visit in #Northumberland today. Got chatting to someone who claimed they think tjey found a stone tool as "It fits nicely into your hand and looks worked" That old chestnut, yeah I will have a look 🙄
"...oh, yeah that's a Neolithic polished stone axe! 🤯"
#archaeology #prehistory
"...oh, yeah that's a Neolithic polished stone axe! 🤯"
#archaeology #prehistory
Reposted by Don O'Meara
If you are teaching a course that includes digital ethics, what are your go-to texts? I need a refresh of my reading list, and I'm looking for any recent papers that stand out
July 9, 2025 at 7:25 AM
If you are teaching a course that includes digital ethics, what are your go-to texts? I need a refresh of my reading list, and I'm looking for any recent papers that stand out
Reposted by Don O'Meara
NEWS: C20 is delighted to announce that distinguished journalist and broadcaster @samiraahmeduk.bsky.social has been elected as our new President. She becomes the fifth female president in the Society's 46 year history, and succeeds Catherine Slessor in the role.
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/samira-...
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/samira-...
July 8, 2025 at 9:41 AM
NEWS: C20 is delighted to announce that distinguished journalist and broadcaster @samiraahmeduk.bsky.social has been elected as our new President. She becomes the fifth female president in the Society's 46 year history, and succeeds Catherine Slessor in the role.
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/samira-...
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/samira-...
Reposted by Don O'Meara
Historic England have just released updated guidance for marine geophysical surveys. This second edition helps protect and document England’s incredible underwater heritage — shipwrecks, submerged landscapes, and more.
Learn more: historicengland.org.uk/images-books...
#maritimeheritage
Learn more: historicengland.org.uk/images-books...
#maritimeheritage
Marine Geophysics: Data Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation | Historic England
Techniques for conducting geophysical survey and processing and interpretation techniques that can reveal information about the marine environment.
historicengland.org.uk
July 8, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Historic England have just released updated guidance for marine geophysical surveys. This second edition helps protect and document England’s incredible underwater heritage — shipwrecks, submerged landscapes, and more.
Learn more: historicengland.org.uk/images-books...
#maritimeheritage
Learn more: historicengland.org.uk/images-books...
#maritimeheritage
Cleveland looking very much like one of the most underappreciated areas of England today. Little would one expect the field next to me contains the entrance to deepest mine in Britain (Boulby), with an astrophysics lab almost 1.5km under the surface.
July 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Cleveland looking very much like one of the most underappreciated areas of England today. Little would one expect the field next to me contains the entrance to deepest mine in Britain (Boulby), with an astrophysics lab almost 1.5km under the surface.
Reposted by Don O'Meara
March 31, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Harvesting the black gold this weekend. Material from a prehistoric site in north Cumbria excavated in 2001. Despite occasional labelling issues the charred remains are still perfectly viable.
#FlotThot #NakedWheat #Archaeobotany
#FlotThot #NakedWheat #Archaeobotany
July 7, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Harvesting the black gold this weekend. Material from a prehistoric site in north Cumbria excavated in 2001. Despite occasional labelling issues the charred remains are still perfectly viable.
#FlotThot #NakedWheat #Archaeobotany
#FlotThot #NakedWheat #Archaeobotany
Currently having my sample processing being monitored by the meanest looking chicken I have seen in a long time! 😐
July 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Currently having my sample processing being monitored by the meanest looking chicken I have seen in a long time! 😐
Sample processing today with some helpers.
These archaeobotanical samples are over 20 years old, and from a unit which no longer exists. They're still perfectly viable, but the labelling causes issues. Without permanent marker the internal labels have begun to fade, so reliant on external survival.
These archaeobotanical samples are over 20 years old, and from a unit which no longer exists. They're still perfectly viable, but the labelling causes issues. Without permanent marker the internal labels have begun to fade, so reliant on external survival.
July 5, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Sample processing today with some helpers.
These archaeobotanical samples are over 20 years old, and from a unit which no longer exists. They're still perfectly viable, but the labelling causes issues. Without permanent marker the internal labels have begun to fade, so reliant on external survival.
These archaeobotanical samples are over 20 years old, and from a unit which no longer exists. They're still perfectly viable, but the labelling causes issues. Without permanent marker the internal labels have begun to fade, so reliant on external survival.
English Heritage were told to be more like the National Trust, but that's like comparing apples with some badly damaged apples in need of conservation work. English Heritage was always the curator of last resort, taking properties which other organisations wouldn't touch (1/2)
Cameron split English Heritage from Historic England in 2015, bunged EH a one-off £80m & untied its moorings. It was never going to work
@suegreaney.bsky.social: "the only solution is for English Heritage to be taken back in by the nation, and renationalised,”
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07...
@suegreaney.bsky.social: "the only solution is for English Heritage to be taken back in by the nation, and renationalised,”
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07...
Inside the civil war in English Heritage which has brought its chief down
Nearly 200 planned redundancies and shuttered historic sites have left staff mutinous and weighing up strike action
www.telegraph.co.uk
July 5, 2025 at 9:02 AM
English Heritage were told to be more like the National Trust, but that's like comparing apples with some badly damaged apples in need of conservation work. English Heritage was always the curator of last resort, taking properties which other organisations wouldn't touch (1/2)
*sigh* and I had so much planned for today. Better cancel everything.
July 5, 2025 at 8:53 AM
*sigh* and I had so much planned for today. Better cancel everything.
(Warning: this is either very interesting or tediously boring)
When putting down sheeting during cleaning in Bessie Surtees House they caught the draft through the wooden floor. But it wasn't just a breeze, it was a rhythmic pulse as the air moved through the building and it breathed 🧐
When putting down sheeting during cleaning in Bessie Surtees House they caught the draft through the wooden floor. But it wasn't just a breeze, it was a rhythmic pulse as the air moved through the building and it breathed 🧐
July 4, 2025 at 3:22 PM
(Warning: this is either very interesting or tediously boring)
When putting down sheeting during cleaning in Bessie Surtees House they caught the draft through the wooden floor. But it wasn't just a breeze, it was a rhythmic pulse as the air moved through the building and it breathed 🧐
When putting down sheeting during cleaning in Bessie Surtees House they caught the draft through the wooden floor. But it wasn't just a breeze, it was a rhythmic pulse as the air moved through the building and it breathed 🧐
Reposted by Don O'Meara
NEW PROJECT: The Society and @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social are announcing a £229,015 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help ensure a sustainable future for Scotland’s churches and their contents.
Read about Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches: www.socantscot.org/news/finding...
Read about Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches: www.socantscot.org/news/finding...
July 2, 2025 at 9:15 AM
NEW PROJECT: The Society and @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social are announcing a £229,015 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help ensure a sustainable future for Scotland’s churches and their contents.
Read about Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches: www.socantscot.org/news/finding...
Read about Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches: www.socantscot.org/news/finding...
Indiana Jones had his contract reduced to 0.5 FTE, as preventing Nazis from acquiring objects which would give them the power of God was not a REF'able activity 🧐
Disney Reportedly Planning Full Reboot of the INDIANA JONES Franchise
Disney Reportedly Planning Full Reboot of the INDIANA JONES Franchise
It looks like Indiana Jones might actually be headed for the reboot treatment. According to a recent report from DisInsider , Disney and Lucasfilm are considering a full relaunch of the iconic adventure...
buff.ly
July 2, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Indiana Jones had his contract reduced to 0.5 FTE, as preventing Nazis from acquiring objects which would give them the power of God was not a REF'able activity 🧐
Reposted by Don O'Meara
Hive mind: does anyone know the earliest human remains from Scotland?
July 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Hive mind: does anyone know the earliest human remains from Scotland?
Great to see McDonalds promoting the Irish language in Durham 🫡🇮🇪
July 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Great to see McDonalds promoting the Irish language in Durham 🫡🇮🇪
Trust me, something very interesting is happening under this plastic sheet!
#ArchaeologicalScience #Archaeology #OSL #MysteriousScienceSheet
#ArchaeologicalScience #Archaeology #OSL #MysteriousScienceSheet
July 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Trust me, something very interesting is happening under this plastic sheet!
#ArchaeologicalScience #Archaeology #OSL #MysteriousScienceSheet
#ArchaeologicalScience #Archaeology #OSL #MysteriousScienceSheet
Great to see this plaque unveiled in honour of Dr Irene Ighodaro in Newcastle yesterday, and nice to be quoted in the Newcastle Chronicle as part of this celebration.
#BlackHistory #Newcastle
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
#BlackHistory #Newcastle
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
June 26, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Great to see this plaque unveiled in honour of Dr Irene Ighodaro in Newcastle yesterday, and nice to be quoted in the Newcastle Chronicle as part of this celebration.
#BlackHistory #Newcastle
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
#BlackHistory #Newcastle
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
I ran for the Metro today and jumped though while the doors were closing. A group of teenagers spotted me and two gave me a big cheer and clapped. I felt like such a bad ass 😎
Teenager 3: "Why are you clapping?"
Teenager 1: "That old man ran for the Metro and made it just in time"
Me: 🙃
Teenager 3: "Why are you clapping?"
Teenager 1: "That old man ran for the Metro and made it just in time"
Me: 🙃
June 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
I ran for the Metro today and jumped though while the doors were closing. A group of teenagers spotted me and two gave me a big cheer and clapped. I felt like such a bad ass 😎
Teenager 3: "Why are you clapping?"
Teenager 1: "That old man ran for the Metro and made it just in time"
Me: 🙃
Teenager 3: "Why are you clapping?"
Teenager 1: "That old man ran for the Metro and made it just in time"
Me: 🙃
This isn't an actual musical instrument, it's merely a symbol.
#WorldMusicDay Music was incredibly important in the past, but musical instruments, typically made from wood or metal, do not often survive archaeologically 🏺
This makes it difficult to examine how music shaped prehistoric cultures. 1/2
This makes it difficult to examine how music shaped prehistoric cultures. 1/2
June 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
This isn't an actual musical instrument, it's merely a symbol.