Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
@mancent.bsky.social
Archaeologist and historian. Author. Course Director and lecturer of Independent Adult Education Provider MANCENT. Director Roman Gask Project. Loves all things Roman and Silkroad, and lots and lots of ancient glass.
in the voice of D.Attenborough: It is the turning point in the year for the Common British Supermarket, while he completes the winter moult. Below you can see the winter plumage in red, green and reindeer, while above there are already the hints of spring with chicks, eggs and rabbits. #NewYear
January 2, 2026 at 9:43 AM
in the voice of D.Attenborough: It is the turning point in the year for the Common British Supermarket, while he completes the winter moult. Below you can see the winter plumage in red, green and reindeer, while above there are already the hints of spring with chicks, eggs and rabbits. #NewYear
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
Most of the Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt Campus is planned to be demolished by March 2026, if not sooner.
www.space.com/space-explor...
www.space.com/space-explor...
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Most of the Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt Campus is planned to be demolished by March 2026, if not sooner.
www.space.com/space-explor...
www.space.com/space-explor...
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
24 December 1582: According to Holinshed, today marks the opening of a great innovation in London, a new system to pump water from the Thames by pipes into people's houses. It's been devised by one Peter Morris, a Dutch hydraulic engineer and client of Sir Christopher Hatton. ... 1/
#earlymodern
#earlymodern
December 24, 2025 at 11:12 AM
24 December 1582: According to Holinshed, today marks the opening of a great innovation in London, a new system to pump water from the Thames by pipes into people's houses. It's been devised by one Peter Morris, a Dutch hydraulic engineer and client of Sir Christopher Hatton. ... 1/
#earlymodern
#earlymodern
Now all rise and join us in the next hymn: Akuna Matata. :-)
I'm not sure what was decided at Stonehenge during the winter solstice this year, but I approve of the new god/ruler/emperor/pagan supreme being or whatever the rank is of the one that was chosen:
December 23, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Now all rise and join us in the next hymn: Akuna Matata. :-)
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
I'm not sure what was decided at Stonehenge during the winter solstice this year, but I approve of the new god/ruler/emperor/pagan supreme being or whatever the rank is of the one that was chosen:
December 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I'm not sure what was decided at Stonehenge during the winter solstice this year, but I approve of the new god/ruler/emperor/pagan supreme being or whatever the rank is of the one that was chosen:
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
I would just like to point out that we had our lunch delivered today by train and it was the coolest thing ever
December 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I would just like to point out that we had our lunch delivered today by train and it was the coolest thing ever
Kultur-Schock für Deutsche in England. Das ist Stockport, einer der großen Bahnhöfe Englands um 4Uhr am vierten Advent. Fast menschenleer. #Weihnachten #Reisen #ZeitenundWunder #daskoennteinKoelnnichtpassieren
December 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Kultur-Schock für Deutsche in England. Das ist Stockport, einer der großen Bahnhöfe Englands um 4Uhr am vierten Advent. Fast menschenleer. #Weihnachten #Reisen #ZeitenundWunder #daskoennteinKoelnnichtpassieren
It is Christmas break, I am out of the office, I am hiding in the loft and somebody else can clean the house....
December 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
It is Christmas break, I am out of the office, I am hiding in the loft and somebody else can clean the house....
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
This is “Plygain”.
It’s an old Welsh form of harmonic carol singing.
It’s the most Christmassy thing you’ll see today.🎄
Goosebumps. 🏴❤️
It’s an old Welsh form of harmonic carol singing.
It’s the most Christmassy thing you’ll see today.🎄
Goosebumps. 🏴❤️
December 11, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This is “Plygain”.
It’s an old Welsh form of harmonic carol singing.
It’s the most Christmassy thing you’ll see today.🎄
Goosebumps. 🏴❤️
It’s an old Welsh form of harmonic carol singing.
It’s the most Christmassy thing you’ll see today.🎄
Goosebumps. 🏴❤️
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
The algorithms are making it a lot harder to spread the word about these online talks. Although numbers are still reasonable, it would be a great help if folk were able to give the 30 December event a quick share 🙂
Booking available here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...
Booking available here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...
December 11, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The algorithms are making it a lot harder to spread the word about these online talks. Although numbers are still reasonable, it would be a great help if folk were able to give the 30 December event a quick share 🙂
Booking available here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...
Booking available here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
Dazzle Ships in Drydock, Liverpool, 1919, painting by Edward Wadsworth. Dazzle camouflage was created in WW1 to protect British ships from German artillery, making it difficult to estimate speed and direction. Wadsworth supervised design of camouflage patterns. #NorthernArt
December 8, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Dazzle Ships in Drydock, Liverpool, 1919, painting by Edward Wadsworth. Dazzle camouflage was created in WW1 to protect British ships from German artillery, making it difficult to estimate speed and direction. Wadsworth supervised design of camouflage patterns. #NorthernArt
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
The hits keep on coming for the Louvre, but the headline could be clearer.
“'Between 300 & 400 works' were affected by the leak discovered on 26 November, the museum’s deputy administrator...said, describing them as 'Egyptology journals' & 'scientific documentation' used by researchers."
“'Between 300 & 400 works' were affected by the leak discovered on 26 November, the museum’s deputy administrator...said, describing them as 'Egyptology journals' & 'scientific documentation' used by researchers."
December 7, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The hits keep on coming for the Louvre, but the headline could be clearer.
“'Between 300 & 400 works' were affected by the leak discovered on 26 November, the museum’s deputy administrator...said, describing them as 'Egyptology journals' & 'scientific documentation' used by researchers."
“'Between 300 & 400 works' were affected by the leak discovered on 26 November, the museum’s deputy administrator...said, describing them as 'Egyptology journals' & 'scientific documentation' used by researchers."
This week's visit was to the Egerton Mansion at #Tatton Park which currently beautifully decorated for Christmas. (If you have the chance visit). But what I would like is their amazing kitchen with this fantastic range island with six ovens and 8 hobs. #dreamsofahobbybaker.
November 23, 2025 at 9:39 PM
This week's visit was to the Egerton Mansion at #Tatton Park which currently beautifully decorated for Christmas. (If you have the chance visit). But what I would like is their amazing kitchen with this fantastic range island with six ovens and 8 hobs. #dreamsofahobbybaker.
Happy to support this. The NLS is a place of research for many different groups. To make any one of these groups unwelcome sets a dangerous example, it also puts the frontline staff of the library at risk. 1/2
I'm glad to have signed this statement in support of queer and trans staff at the National Library of Scotland, who by the sounds of it are going through an awful time at the moment: docs.google.com/document/d/e...
November 19, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Happy to support this. The NLS is a place of research for many different groups. To make any one of these groups unwelcome sets a dangerous example, it also puts the frontline staff of the library at risk. 1/2
Why oh why can't I just get in the car and drive there right now. I could be there tomorrow for sunrise...alas the heating bill is beckoning
Want to walk into and through an actual Iron Age house…and UP THE STAIRS?
Of course you bloody do.
Come with me.
Carn Liath broch, just sitting quietly beside the A9 as thousands whizz by without stopping. Their mistake.
Far too excited to wait for #HillfortsWednesday
Of course you bloody do.
Come with me.
Carn Liath broch, just sitting quietly beside the A9 as thousands whizz by without stopping. Their mistake.
Far too excited to wait for #HillfortsWednesday
November 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Why oh why can't I just get in the car and drive there right now. I could be there tomorrow for sunrise...alas the heating bill is beckoning
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
The American penny died on Wednesday in Philadelphia. It was 232. The cause was irrelevance and expensiveness, the Treasury Department said. Nothing could be bought any more with a penny, as the cost to mint the penny had risen to more than 3 cents. nyti.ms/48bFd5K
November 12, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The American penny died on Wednesday in Philadelphia. It was 232. The cause was irrelevance and expensiveness, the Treasury Department said. Nothing could be bought any more with a penny, as the cost to mint the penny had risen to more than 3 cents. nyti.ms/48bFd5K
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
This is fantastic news.
📢 Did you know the the Journal of Roman Archaeology is flipping to #OpenAccess?
All research content published in the journal from January 2026 will be permanently and freely available to read, download and share around the world 🌏. Find out more: https://cup.org/4oaKGzq
All research content published in the journal from January 2026 will be permanently and freely available to read, download and share around the world 🌏. Find out more: https://cup.org/4oaKGzq
November 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This is fantastic news.
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
#OTD
Am 9. und 10. November 1938 wurden in ganz Deutschland Synagogen, Geschäfte und Wohnungen, geplündert und zerstört.
Alleine in #Frankfurt wurden über 3.000 jüdische Mitbürger in der #Festhalle zusammengetrieben und in #Konzentrationslager verschleppt.
#Novemberpogrome #NieWieder #WeRemember
Am 9. und 10. November 1938 wurden in ganz Deutschland Synagogen, Geschäfte und Wohnungen, geplündert und zerstört.
Alleine in #Frankfurt wurden über 3.000 jüdische Mitbürger in der #Festhalle zusammengetrieben und in #Konzentrationslager verschleppt.
#Novemberpogrome #NieWieder #WeRemember
November 10, 2025 at 12:54 PM
#OTD
Am 9. und 10. November 1938 wurden in ganz Deutschland Synagogen, Geschäfte und Wohnungen, geplündert und zerstört.
Alleine in #Frankfurt wurden über 3.000 jüdische Mitbürger in der #Festhalle zusammengetrieben und in #Konzentrationslager verschleppt.
#Novemberpogrome #NieWieder #WeRemember
Am 9. und 10. November 1938 wurden in ganz Deutschland Synagogen, Geschäfte und Wohnungen, geplündert und zerstört.
Alleine in #Frankfurt wurden über 3.000 jüdische Mitbürger in der #Festhalle zusammengetrieben und in #Konzentrationslager verschleppt.
#Novemberpogrome #NieWieder #WeRemember
Day trip to #Eyam in #Derbyshire. So much amazing history from mining to water catchment, to beautiful architecture, and of course the plague story. In the middle of it all a beautiful and pretty complete #Anglo-Saxon cross with figurative decoration and lots of Angels. #archaeology #history
November 8, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Day trip to #Eyam in #Derbyshire. So much amazing history from mining to water catchment, to beautiful architecture, and of course the plague story. In the middle of it all a beautiful and pretty complete #Anglo-Saxon cross with figurative decoration and lots of Angels. #archaeology #history
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
Capidava was an important Geto-Dacian center on the right bank of the #Danube. After the #Roman conquest, it became a civil and military center, as part of the province of Moesia Inferior (later Scythia Minor), modern Dobruja.
#RomanFortThursday 🗡️ #Archaeology
#History
#RomanFortThursday 🗡️ #Archaeology
#History
November 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Capidava was an important Geto-Dacian center on the right bank of the #Danube. After the #Roman conquest, it became a civil and military center, as part of the province of Moesia Inferior (later Scythia Minor), modern Dobruja.
#RomanFortThursday 🗡️ #Archaeology
#History
#RomanFortThursday 🗡️ #Archaeology
#History
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
Happy Birthday to the European Convention on Human Rights, which has helped to protect #OurRightsAndFreedoms for 75 years.
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
November 4, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Happy Birthday to the European Convention on Human Rights, which has helped to protect #OurRightsAndFreedoms for 75 years.
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
Here are more than 200 examples, from across the continent👇
🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
There are thousands more.
#ECHR #ECHR75 @coe.int @echr.coe.int
Reposted by Dr. Birgitta Hoffmann
Amazing sunrise marking the start of the Celtic New Year on 1st November / Samhain, the Christian Feast of All Saints Day.
At Carrowmore megalithic site, Sligo, the chamber at Listoghill faces the Ballygawley Mountains & sunrise in this position coincides with the start and the end of winter.
At Carrowmore megalithic site, Sligo, the chamber at Listoghill faces the Ballygawley Mountains & sunrise in this position coincides with the start and the end of winter.
November 1, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Amazing sunrise marking the start of the Celtic New Year on 1st November / Samhain, the Christian Feast of All Saints Day.
At Carrowmore megalithic site, Sligo, the chamber at Listoghill faces the Ballygawley Mountains & sunrise in this position coincides with the start and the end of winter.
At Carrowmore megalithic site, Sligo, the chamber at Listoghill faces the Ballygawley Mountains & sunrise in this position coincides with the start and the end of winter.
Tonight I am apparently the cool Mum/Gran on our street. I have felt slippers a dressing gown and there are #potatoes amongst my sweets. #CharlieBrown #Snoopy #Halloween.
Update: I am running out of potatoes!
Update: I am running out of potatoes!
October 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Tonight I am apparently the cool Mum/Gran on our street. I have felt slippers a dressing gown and there are #potatoes amongst my sweets. #CharlieBrown #Snoopy #Halloween.
Update: I am running out of potatoes!
Update: I am running out of potatoes!
Question: If you mark a rather catastrophic test on Latin grammar today and put it on the desk to be collected at the end of the lesson, does that count as Halloween decorations? A teacher wants to know.
October 31, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Question: If you mark a rather catastrophic test on Latin grammar today and put it on the desk to be collected at the end of the lesson, does that count as Halloween decorations? A teacher wants to know.
To all little monsters hunting for sweets and candy tonight. Have fun! Happy #Halloween
And for those celebrating that people have been nailing manifestos (90+ theses) to church doors for a very long time: Einen besinnlichen #Reformationstag.
And for those celebrating that people have been nailing manifestos (90+ theses) to church doors for a very long time: Einen besinnlichen #Reformationstag.
October 31, 2025 at 9:18 AM
To all little monsters hunting for sweets and candy tonight. Have fun! Happy #Halloween
And for those celebrating that people have been nailing manifestos (90+ theses) to church doors for a very long time: Einen besinnlichen #Reformationstag.
And for those celebrating that people have been nailing manifestos (90+ theses) to church doors for a very long time: Einen besinnlichen #Reformationstag.