John Walker
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jhonhwalker.bsky.social
John Walker
@jhonhwalker.bsky.social
250 followers 350 following 13 posts
Bicycle commuter, Amazonian archaeologist, historical ecologist; Faculty at University of Central Florida | Illinois, Philadelphia, Florida, Orlando, Bolivia, Beni, Santa Ana del Yacuma.
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jhonhwalker.bsky.social
John Walker @jhonhwalker.bsky.social · Nov 27
Hello! I am an anthropologist studying the archaeology of landscapes, especially in the Bolivian Amazon. I am interested in agriculture, especially the possibility that archaeological evidence could be useful for farmers today.
Reposted by John Walker
aroddick.bsky.social
A recently published illustration by @kjkillackey.bsky.social . screw AI, hire an artist.
An illustration by Kathryn Killackey of late formative ceramics from Highland Bolivia
December 3, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by John Walker
andrejpaleo.bsky.social
Isn't that crazy -- there was a dog breed which was solely dedicated for powering wheels which turned meat on fire!?
Just how many kinds of such 'techno-animals' existed and went extinct? This is cultural and biological evolution all at once.
🧪 #EvoBio #Paleobio
Illustration of a dog turning wheel and meet on fire. Description of an extinct dog breed which was dedicated for turning wheels
December 3, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by John Walker
🧪Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science and Medicine (Gift Article)
A quiet policy change means the government is making fewer bets on long-term science.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by John Walker
greenleejw.bsky.social
Ok...sure. You NEED eels at your Christmas feast. But what *else* do you need?

In 1245, Henry III ordered his sheriff at Cambridge to deliver the following to him by Christmas:

2 cranes
24 swans
10 boars & their pickled heads
50 bitterns
6 peacocks

And 10,000 eels. Of course.
🗃️🧪
Meme. Medieval illumination of Henry III. He is seated against a field of blue, and he looking right at you. In his left hand he is holding a scepter, or possibly a wand. It depends on whether you want him to be a king or a wizard. In his right hand he is holding what looks like a model of a cathedral. He is holding it lightly, with panache. Henry's hair is escaping in curls from under his crown, and his left eye looks a bit droopy. His right eye, though...the gaze from his right eye is hammering into you like a moose through the windshield of a highway-speed Yugo. Henry's mouth is set in a tight frown, like he knows what you've done, and he's not happy. It's possible that you are screwed. Perhaps Henry has used his magical powers & his wand to shrink a real cathedral down to a portable size. This way, he always has one with him. He'll just expand it when he gets where he's going...instant cathedral! Just watch your toes, everybody. Meme text reads: "The eels are for me The boars' heads are for the kids' stockings"
December 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by John Walker
antiquity.ac.uk
In ancient hilly landscapes, agricultural terraces were a necessity for farming. In #BronzeAge north-east England, their construction coincides with that of roundhouse settlements and field systems, possibly indicating a population boom.

🔗 from 2023 🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...

🏺 #Archaeology
Shaded relief map of topographic features overlaid onto a satellite image of the hilly landscape of the Cheviot Hills. Annotations indicate the locations of prehistoric terraces, as well as an Iron Age hillfort, medieval ridge and furrow, a modern plantation and more.
December 1, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Reposted by John Walker
scottzona.bsky.social
Many plants defend themselves with physical defenses. Spikey armaments, at various scales, are the subject of this week’s posts. Let’s start with root spines: Adventitious roots that harden & become sharp. Cryosophilla palms do it best. 📷: Cryosophila warscewiczii #root #Arecaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Photo of the trunk of the palm showing numerous, needle-like root spines pointing slightly downward. Photo by Scott Zona CC BY-NC 2.0.
December 1, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by John Walker
tomgauld.bsky.social
Now for some sports news...
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
Panel One: A sportscaster speaks to a television camera "You join us just in time for the annual booksellers versus librarians tug of war." Panel Two: We see the participants warming up as he continues... "Two very strong teams this year, they’ve both been in training since February. As always, the real skill in this match is not to start chatting about boo-" Panel Three: "Too late!! A pair of librarians are discussing the new Margaret Atwood! A crowd is forming! The booksellers are joining in! It's all over!!" We see all the participants chatting. Panel Four: The sportscaster finishes up to the camera: "The rope lies untouched! The discussions continue! We have a draw for 325th year in a row! Join us again next year!" End. Bonus alt-text Content: Fun fact! The first tug of war was between the staff of Cranston Library and those of Daniel Midwinter Booksellers www.cranstonlibraryreigate.com/ www.blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscripts/2017/11/10/booksellers/
November 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reposted by John Walker
erikhoffner.bsky.social
Our Latin America bureau @mongabaylatam.bsky.social won the Global Shining Light award last night 🏆 💯

One of the highest honors in investigative journalism, it's given at the annual @gijn.org conference

Their winning project moved Peruvian officials to protect land defenders in the Amazon:
Indigenous leaders killed as narco airstrips cut into their Amazon territories
Mongabay and Earth Genome detected 67 clandestine airstrips used for transporting drugs in the Peruvian regions of Ucayali, Huánuco and Pasco. The analysis used artificial intelligence (AI) and satell...
news.mongabay.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by John Walker
tadethompson.bsky.social
Can I tempt you to read this book?
A black book cover. Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino.
November 22, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by John Walker
tomgauld.bsky.social
Maths Puzzles for Conspiracy Theorists.
One of the cartoons from my new book 'Physics for Cats'. In good bookshops now and online in English, French, German and Spanish editions.
Title: Maths puzzles for conspiracy theorists. 1. A train departs at 2pm Travelling at 40mph. The next train follows an hour later, travelling at 45 mph. Why are we still using trains when the government has hyper-speed ufo technology? 2. Susie brings eighteen Apples and twelve Oranges to school and divides them equally Between her six Friends. How many of these children are in the pay of big fruit? 3. When Tom was eight, his sister, anne, was half his age. Tom is now 48, so why does Anne just laugh at him when he patiently explains to her that the earth is flat? From 'Physics for Cats' by Tom Gauld - order it at www.tomgauld.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by John Walker
illinoismaps.bsky.social
Happy Indigenous Peoples Month!
This month, we highlight a powerful illustrated map created by Michael McArdle-Nakoma, published in 2012.
We also invite you to explore our exhibition, Mapping Indigenous Peoples and Cultures!

Reference: curtiswrightmaps.com/product/nati...
Map of the Native Tribes of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The map showcases the Tribes of the area with specific iconography for each location. There is also a border around the map that displays references of people of the tribe. Display case of the of maps and books focused on the Indigenous peoples and cultures.
November 21, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by John Walker
antiquity.ac.uk
This #RemembranceDay we invite you to think on the enduring effects of conflict on modern landscapes. Near Vimy 🇫🇷 is a patch of fenced-off forest along the old Western Front. These exclusion zones materially and ecologically 'remember' armed conflict.

Learn more 🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
Forested area divided by a wire fence. One side of the fence is green and grassy (the Canadian National Vimy Memorial site) whilst the other has a dirt track running through it (the 'zone rouge' (red zone), deemed too geographically and ecologically annihilated and contaminated for human occupation).
November 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by John Walker
illinoismaps.bsky.social
This week, we honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their courage and sacrifice protect the freedoms we cherish, and we are proud to recognize them as our heroes.
The featured World War I maps are from the Map Library’s own digital collection!
The Blood-Red World: Map Showing Territory of the Earth Directly Affected by the Great War Map of the world with red coloring covering the areas the war affected. The illustration of the Graet European War No. 16 / [Ryōzō Tanaka] A pictorial map of Europe, Asia, and half of Africa with animals representing the areas: Japan (the samurai), China (the pig), and Russia (the bear) A warning to Thoughtful Americans: How Germany Wanted the World to Look : A Graphic Explanation of Why There is a War World map on which Germany's alleged territorial objectives appear in red. Mudhike harb haritası Pictorial political map with figures representing countries in Europe. The map is essentially propaganda for the Central Powers wherein Russia appears as an obnoxious drunk and Hungary is shown charging fiercely into battle.
November 10, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by John Walker
paulseesequasis.bsky.social
‘Bone Box’ by Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas at the Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver, BC. “Fabricated out of discarded trays that once stored archeological collections, this interactive work calls for us to engage with one another.”
Colour image of Haida artist Yagulanaas’s ‘Bone Box,’ also associated with his Haida Manga work.
October 25, 2025 at 8:43 PM
jhonhwalker.bsky.social
More independent journalism from ProPublica:

www.propublica.org/article/kris...
Kristi Noem Fast-Tracked Millions in Disaster Aid to Florida Tourist Attraction After Campaign Donor Intervened
The DHS chief has been widely criticized for slowing down FEMA’s response after natural disasters. Texts and emails obtained by ProPublica point to an effective way to get help faster: have one of Noe...
www.propublica.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:20 PM
jhonhwalker.bsky.social
projects.propublica.org/h2a-visa-far...
A Farmworkers Visa Promised Her a Better Life. It Was a Trap.
Sofi left behind her child in Mexico for the promise of providing him a better life. She ended up a victim of an operation that is alleged to have exploited the H-2A visa program — and the workers it ...
projects.propublica.org
September 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by John Walker
aroddick.bsky.social
Just terrific reflections by my mentor, collaborator, and dear friend Ann Stahl. What an impressive and inspiring archaeological career. Worth a read for what matters in our field. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
From “Studying Prehistory” to “Making History” to “Co-creating Heritage”: Reflections on a Journey - African Archaeological Review
African Archaeological Review -
link.springer.com
September 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Reposted by John Walker
davidzipper.bsky.social
A new survey found that biking is down -- way down -- among kids 7-17 over the last 30 years.

"By adding more bike-friendly infrastructure—lower traffic speeds, separated bike lanes, calmer intersections—local governments could encourage children and other residents to start riding again. "

Yup.
A Classic Childhood Pastime Is Fading
Kids on bikes once filled the streets. Not anymore.
www.theatlantic.com
July 2, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Reposted by John Walker
cynthiapelayo.bsky.social
We have confirmation. The Weiner Circle in Lincoln Park has responded to the Chicago Pope 😂
Canes nostros ipse comedic He has eaten our dogs
May 8, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Reposted by John Walker
immokaleeworkers.bsky.social
Worker-to-worker education has always been an essential ingredient of the Fair Food Program’s unique success.

These education sessions happen on-the-clock, each season, with staff members of the CIW engaging farmworkers on their rights and responsibilities under the FFP.
April 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Reposted by John Walker
christinarosen.bsky.social
Fossil åker! Så snyggt!
drsueoosthuizen.bsky.social Dr Sue Oosthuizen @drsueoosthuizen.bsky.social · Apr 13
Raking shadows thrown by low sun emphasise the terraced banks of an extensive IronAge/#RomanoBritish field system on the steep N-facing slopes of Burderop Down, Wilts. ... AND the ditches of a #medieval sheepfold that cut across them.

📷 historicengland.org.uk/education/sc...
April 13, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by John Walker
dcollier74.bsky.social
I once did a *very shitty paper on how the Big Ten actually acts as a unit generally led by MI, UIUC, and Wisconsin based on the networks of their investments and I'm unsurprised.

I am surprised it was Rutgers who started it here though.

*It wasn't a good paper but it was an OK analysis
mwyarbrough.bsky.social Michael Yarbrough (he/him) @mwyarbrough.bsky.social · Mar 30
This exciting resolution from Rutgers University Senate is exactly the kind of model I think higher ed needs: a mutual defense pact of, in this case, Big 10 schools. They call for member institutions to create a joint defense fund and make resources available to any member institution under attack.
Excerpt from Rutgers University Senate resolution calling for a Mutual Academic Defense Compact. The excerpt reads: "BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Rutgers University Senate urges the President of Rutgers University to formally propose and help establish a Mutual Academic Defense Compact (MADC) among all members of the Big Ten Academic Alliance; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, under this compact, all participating institutions shall commit meaningful funding to a shared or distributed defense fund. This fund shall be used to provide immediate and strategic support to any member institution under direct political or legal infringement;"
April 11, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Reposted by John Walker
wfwalker.bsky.social
time for friday jazz happy hour!!

youtu.be/xojQZBi4_2M

our tip jar charity today is Lean Green Birding Machine, my team for the SCVBA Spring Birdathon!
Bill Walker's Friday Jazz Happy Hour # 251 (Apr 11, 2025)
YouTube video by Bill Walker
youtu.be
April 11, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Reposted by John Walker
bgrueskin.bsky.social
So @garrettshanley.bsky.social, the Univ of Florida student journalist who broke the Ben Sasse scandal wide open, has another banger today about Florida's surgeon general, who has almost nothing to show for his six-figure, second job as a tenured prof at UF

www.alligator.org/article/2025...
Now, more than three years into his tenure, internal records and interviews with more than a dozen professors and administrators raise questions about whether Ladapo is meeting UF’s expectations. Ladapo’s work calendar shows monthslong stretches with little or no activity. Instead of attaining grants and conducting research, he spent his first year revising manuscripts and writing his memoir, “Transcend Fear,” which details his skepticism of vaccines. He also promised to bring hundreds of thousands in research dollars from the University of California at Los Angeles, his previous employer. That never happened. He blamed his former boss, claiming she withheld the funds over disagreements about COVID-19 policies. A review of internal reports and public directories indicate Ladapo hasn't secured any research grants for UF. His classroom contributions are similarly sparse. Ladapo agreed to dedicate 20% of his time to teaching; so far, that’s amounted to a handful of seminars and guest lectures. A proposed course on “critical evaluation of scientific evidence” has yet to materialize.
April 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM