Zena Kamash
@zenakamash.bsky.social
Writing - archaeology - heritage.
British Iraqi.
Faber Academy 'Writing Your Novel' graduate.
Editor: European Journal of Archaeology.
Winner: EAA Book Prize 2025.
Working Classicist of the Year 2025.
She/her
British Iraqi.
Faber Academy 'Writing Your Novel' graduate.
Editor: European Journal of Archaeology.
Winner: EAA Book Prize 2025.
Working Classicist of the Year 2025.
She/her
Pinned
Zena Kamash
@zenakamash.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Hello 👋 Some more about me:
📚Senior Visiting Research Fellow at KCL working on archaeology/heritage projects
🏛️Archaeology tour guide
🔍Writing a crime fiction novel
🧶Love books, snooker, board games, cake & embroidery
😻Live in a tiny village w my husband, Pete (pottery specialist), & our cat, Cyril
📚Senior Visiting Research Fellow at KCL working on archaeology/heritage projects
🏛️Archaeology tour guide
🔍Writing a crime fiction novel
🧶Love books, snooker, board games, cake & embroidery
😻Live in a tiny village w my husband, Pete (pottery specialist), & our cat, Cyril
Reposted by Zena Kamash
just a quick shoutout to this excellent resource, which I'm thoroughly enjoying teaching this term. so far we've read its excerpts of Kebra Nagast, Petrarch, Leo Africanus, Bartolomé de las Casas, The Florentine Codex, Winckelmann, and Phillis Wheatley Peters
This term I'm teaching with "Classics and Race: A Historical Reader" (2025), edited by Sarah Derbew, Daniel Orrells, and Phiroze Vasunia. An incredible achievement: global sources from 14th-20th translated, and given commentaries by expert scholars. And OPEN ACCESS! uclpress.co.uk/book/classic...
February 16, 2026 at 8:45 PM
just a quick shoutout to this excellent resource, which I'm thoroughly enjoying teaching this term. so far we've read its excerpts of Kebra Nagast, Petrarch, Leo Africanus, Bartolomé de las Casas, The Florentine Codex, Winckelmann, and Phillis Wheatley Peters
Reposted by Zena Kamash
The second union of archaeologists in Greece taking a stance on the EAA saga. They represent the contract archaeologists, the largest sector; they call for a boycott: the majority of the local archaeological community in Greece does not support the Athens EAA meeting, under the current leadership.
Greek archaeologists' trade union also calling for a boycott of EAA Athens
www.seka.net.gr/boycotteaa/
www.seka.net.gr/boycotteaa/
#boycottEAA
Ο Σύλλογος Εκτάκτων Αρχαιολόγων παρακολουθεί με ιδιαίτερη ανησυχία και λύπη τις εξελίξεις στο εσωτερικό της European Association of Archaeologists (EAA). Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση Αρχαιολόγων (EAA) από το 199...
www.seka.net.gr
February 16, 2026 at 7:32 PM
The second union of archaeologists in Greece taking a stance on the EAA saga. They represent the contract archaeologists, the largest sector; they call for a boycott: the majority of the local archaeological community in Greece does not support the Athens EAA meeting, under the current leadership.
Reposted by Zena Kamash
Publication day! Here's a zine about copying, replicating and making in museums that I've been working on with some lovely friends from the Imperfect Bound Collective (find them on Instagram @imperfectboundcollective).
www.prm.ox.ac.uk/making-museu...
www.prm.ox.ac.uk/making-museu...
Making the Museum
www.prm.ox.ac.uk
February 16, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Publication day! Here's a zine about copying, replicating and making in museums that I've been working on with some lovely friends from the Imperfect Bound Collective (find them on Instagram @imperfectboundcollective).
www.prm.ox.ac.uk/making-museu...
www.prm.ox.ac.uk/making-museu...
Greek archaeologists' trade union also calling for a boycott of EAA Athens
www.seka.net.gr/boycotteaa/
www.seka.net.gr/boycotteaa/
#boycottEAA
Ο Σύλλογος Εκτάκτων Αρχαιολόγων παρακολουθεί με ιδιαίτερη ανησυχία και λύπη τις εξελίξεις στο εσωτερικό της European Association of Archaeologists (EAA). Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση Αρχαιολόγων (EAA) από το 199...
www.seka.net.gr
February 16, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Greek archaeologists' trade union also calling for a boycott of EAA Athens
www.seka.net.gr/boycotteaa/
www.seka.net.gr/boycotteaa/
Reposted by Zena Kamash
How is Tolkien still relevant in the modern era? Part 94.
NEWS! Grima Wormtongue's links to Saruman the White 'didn't raise alarms' during vetting process
Grima Wormtongue’s links to Saruman the White ‘didn’t raise alarms’ during vetting process
Grima Wormtongue being a tool of the will of Saruman of Isengard was overlooked in the haste to appoint him as main advisor to King Theoden of Rohan, according to reports today.
buff.ly
February 16, 2026 at 11:45 AM
How is Tolkien still relevant in the modern era? Part 94.
Reposted by Zena Kamash
I dream in fragments of Rhapsody in Blue
the opening phrase never descending
to answer its own question. I dream in notations
of wildflowers, the iolanthe’s quiet dissent
against the clamouring larkspur...
'The Blue Hour'
Angelina D'Roza
£2 off until 20 Feb
longbarrowpress.com/current-publ...
the opening phrase never descending
to answer its own question. I dream in notations
of wildflowers, the iolanthe’s quiet dissent
against the clamouring larkspur...
'The Blue Hour'
Angelina D'Roza
£2 off until 20 Feb
longbarrowpress.com/current-publ...
February 15, 2026 at 4:55 PM
I dream in fragments of Rhapsody in Blue
the opening phrase never descending
to answer its own question. I dream in notations
of wildflowers, the iolanthe’s quiet dissent
against the clamouring larkspur...
'The Blue Hour'
Angelina D'Roza
£2 off until 20 Feb
longbarrowpress.com/current-publ...
the opening phrase never descending
to answer its own question. I dream in notations
of wildflowers, the iolanthe’s quiet dissent
against the clamouring larkspur...
'The Blue Hour'
Angelina D'Roza
£2 off until 20 Feb
longbarrowpress.com/current-publ...
Reposted by Zena Kamash
This case has made many aghast today. But, as Tess has long been asking, how do we change this broken system, the law? Rewards need to be capped, hobbyists should not be paid by those who can ill afford it (museums). Those of us on boards or councils of organisations need to raise the issue.
This is what happens when 'treasure' can't be bought by a museum - the hoard has been broken up into individual auction lots & will disappear into many different hands, some overseas.
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
February 15, 2026 at 4:35 PM
This case has made many aghast today. But, as Tess has long been asking, how do we change this broken system, the law? Rewards need to be capped, hobbyists should not be paid by those who can ill afford it (museums). Those of us on boards or councils of organisations need to raise the issue.
Reposted by Zena Kamash
This is what happens when 'treasure' can't be bought by a museum - the hoard has been broken up into individual auction lots & will disappear into many different hands, some overseas.
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
February 15, 2026 at 8:40 AM
This is what happens when 'treasure' can't be bought by a museum - the hoard has been broken up into individual auction lots & will disappear into many different hands, some overseas.
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
Reposted by Zena Kamash
Tess, who has been working on TVC files puts me straight. I'd like to think these folks aren't professors, but obviously the sense of artefacts as commodities is present in archaeology too 😞 bsky.app/profile/tess...
February 15, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Tess, who has been working on TVC files puts me straight. I'd like to think these folks aren't professors, but obviously the sense of artefacts as commodities is present in archaeology too 😞 bsky.app/profile/tess...
Reposted by Zena Kamash
If the finder were an archaeologist this would be an unthinkable story, our training teaches us that artefacts represent a shared past. His training is in documents, he sees objects as something to be auctioned, a source of 'reward'
Is this an anomaly? Historian friends, how do you feel about this?
Is this an anomaly? Historian friends, how do you feel about this?
February 15, 2026 at 8:19 AM
If the finder were an archaeologist this would be an unthinkable story, our training teaches us that artefacts represent a shared past. His training is in documents, he sees objects as something to be auctioned, a source of 'reward'
Is this an anomaly? Historian friends, how do you feel about this?
Is this an anomaly? Historian friends, how do you feel about this?
Reposted by Zena Kamash
It is my pleasure to announce the program for #ResDiff7 (March 13, 2026), an annual digital conference addressing inequity in classics, co-organized with Elke Nash. Keynote: Samuel Agbamu (@samagbamu.bsky.social). Registration is now open: resdifficiles.com/res-diff-7-2...
Res Diff 7 2026
The 2026 Res Difficiles conference will take place on March 13th. Register for the conference here. Res Difficiles: A Conference On Challenges and Pathways for Addressing Inequity In Classics. …
resdifficiles.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:19 PM
It is my pleasure to announce the program for #ResDiff7 (March 13, 2026), an annual digital conference addressing inequity in classics, co-organized with Elke Nash. Keynote: Samuel Agbamu (@samagbamu.bsky.social). Registration is now open: resdifficiles.com/res-diff-7-2...
Reposted by Zena Kamash
Please read @tessmachling.bsky.social ‘s thread, share and, if you are able to, do ate so that it can be kept in the public realm
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-save-...
🏺
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-save-...
🏺
February 13, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Please read @tessmachling.bsky.social ‘s thread, share and, if you are able to, do ate so that it can be kept in the public realm
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-save-...
🏺
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-save-...
🏺
Reposted by Zena Kamash
🚨 We have heard that the County Archaeologist for Hampshire is being made redundant, with no plans to replace him. 🚨
If you live in Hampshire please write to your MP and Councillors.
If you live elsewhere treasure and support your County Archaeologists, and stand by to protect them. 🏺
If you live in Hampshire please write to your MP and Councillors.
If you live elsewhere treasure and support your County Archaeologists, and stand by to protect them. 🏺
February 13, 2026 at 12:33 PM
🚨 We have heard that the County Archaeologist for Hampshire is being made redundant, with no plans to replace him. 🚨
If you live in Hampshire please write to your MP and Councillors.
If you live elsewhere treasure and support your County Archaeologists, and stand by to protect them. 🏺
If you live in Hampshire please write to your MP and Councillors.
If you live elsewhere treasure and support your County Archaeologists, and stand by to protect them. 🏺
Reposted by Zena Kamash
Can heritage contribute to recovery after conflict? We're holding a roundtable in March at the Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies on the role of heritage in recovery and transitional justice in Syria. All welcome!
February 13, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Can heritage contribute to recovery after conflict? We're holding a roundtable in March at the Carena Institute of Sustainable Archaeologies on the role of heritage in recovery and transitional justice in Syria. All welcome!
Great opportunity for ECRs and people in non-traditional roles to get journal editorial experience 👇🏼
The Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies is looking to strengthen and extend the networks and scholarly expertise available to the journal by establishing an Emerging Editors Board. Read about it here: academic.oup.com/bics/pages/c...
Call for Emerging Editors Board Members
Closing date for expressions of interest: 2 March 2026
academic.oup.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Great opportunity for ECRs and people in non-traditional roles to get journal editorial experience 👇🏼
Reposted by Zena Kamash
March news! Come join us for our next CISA seminar on March 4th to hear Dr Muna Dajani, Fellow in Environment at LSE, talk on 'Wadi Gaza: a river valley recalcitrant to erasure'. More information and link on the CISA website to sign up.
www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
February 12, 2026 at 2:56 PM
March news! Come join us for our next CISA seminar on March 4th to hear Dr Muna Dajani, Fellow in Environment at LSE, talk on 'Wadi Gaza: a river valley recalcitrant to erasure'. More information and link on the CISA website to sign up.
www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
www.bbk.ac.uk/events/event...
Reposted by Zena Kamash
The European Association of Archaeologists Executive has worked hard to bury this result inside a long document. But we're going to make this triumph of compassion, common sense & demand for transparency known to all. Help us by sharing. @archagainstaparth.bsky.social @blacktrowel.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 9:43 PM
The European Association of Archaeologists Executive has worked hard to bury this result inside a long document. But we're going to make this triumph of compassion, common sense & demand for transparency known to all. Help us by sharing. @archagainstaparth.bsky.social @blacktrowel.bsky.social
Reposted by Zena Kamash
Here's a clearer version:
February 11, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Here's a clearer version:
🚨EAA per rollam vote results🚨
For anyone who doesn't want to trawl through a long document to find the results, I've compiled them here. Well done to everyone who voted for demonstrating strongly and clearly that change is needed 👏🏼👏🏼
For anyone who doesn't want to trawl through a long document to find the results, I've compiled them here. Well done to everyone who voted for demonstrating strongly and clearly that change is needed 👏🏼👏🏼
February 11, 2026 at 3:04 PM
🚨EAA per rollam vote results🚨
For anyone who doesn't want to trawl through a long document to find the results, I've compiled them here. Well done to everyone who voted for demonstrating strongly and clearly that change is needed 👏🏼👏🏼
For anyone who doesn't want to trawl through a long document to find the results, I've compiled them here. Well done to everyone who voted for demonstrating strongly and clearly that change is needed 👏🏼👏🏼
Reposted by Zena Kamash
Additional advisory, if you are a UK or Irish citizen but also a citizen of another country, you must use a UK paper to travel to the UK.
Public service email to everyone heading into the UK at the end of this month who isn't a UK or Irish citizen. The ETA requirement for UK entry is coming and isn't receiving enough advanced coverage. Don't get caught in the ensuing chaos:
homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-t...
homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-t...
February 11, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Additional advisory, if you are a UK or Irish citizen but also a citizen of another country, you must use a UK paper to travel to the UK.
Reposted by Zena Kamash
“[…]it has become evident that the Association, under the responsibility of its Executive Board, does not apply a clear, consistent, and unified policy towards actors responsible for the destruction of human cultural heritage—one based on a shared and indivisible framework of principles and values.”
The Association of Greek Archaeologists has published an open letter withdrawing its participation from the EAA Athens advisory committee 🍉
archaeol.gr/anoichti-epi...
archaeol.gr/anoichti-epi...
Ανοιχτή επιστολή σχετικά με τις εξελίξεις στην European Association of Archaeologists - Σύλλογος Ελλήνων Αρχαιολόγων
Ανοιχτή επιστολή σχετικά με τις εξελίξεις στην European Association of Archaeologists Κατόπιν της ομόφωνης απόφασης των μελών του…
archaeol.gr
February 11, 2026 at 10:32 AM
“[…]it has become evident that the Association, under the responsibility of its Executive Board, does not apply a clear, consistent, and unified policy towards actors responsible for the destruction of human cultural heritage—one based on a shared and indivisible framework of principles and values.”
Reposted by Zena Kamash
A very brief search though the Epstein files has some interesting insights about his interest in archaeology. It’ll take a bit to untangle his personal connections and funding initiatives but it is clear Epstein had strong interests in archaeologies of cultural evolution and environment adaption 1/2
February 10, 2026 at 6:50 PM
A very brief search though the Epstein files has some interesting insights about his interest in archaeology. It’ll take a bit to untangle his personal connections and funding initiatives but it is clear Epstein had strong interests in archaeologies of cultural evolution and environment adaption 1/2
Reposted by Zena Kamash
Ah, Bad Bunny left you with questions about power outages, storms, and our hatred of colonialism? Don’t worry, I got you. I’ll show you the aftermath of a storm, take you to the beach, show you what hides under the waves. I’ll show you our magia…
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...
February 9, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Ah, Bad Bunny left you with questions about power outages, storms, and our hatred of colonialism? Don’t worry, I got you. I’ll show you the aftermath of a storm, take you to the beach, show you what hides under the waves. I’ll show you our magia…
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...
So disappointed to see that the programme for the Oxford Literary Festival features Nigel Biggar in not just one, but THREE separate events. Why, oh why is that necessary? It's not like there's a shortage of writers out there who are worth listening to...
February 10, 2026 at 4:02 PM
So disappointed to see that the programme for the Oxford Literary Festival features Nigel Biggar in not just one, but THREE separate events. Why, oh why is that necessary? It's not like there's a shortage of writers out there who are worth listening to...
Reposted by Zena Kamash
Are you an archaeologist or heritage professional concerned with the increasing use of pseudoarchaeology to erode faith in expert opinion, rewrite history, or prop up supremacist ideologies?
This Call for Papers is for you!
Join us at the @can-arch.bsky.social 2026 conference!
Link in the reply.
This Call for Papers is for you!
Join us at the @can-arch.bsky.social 2026 conference!
Link in the reply.
February 10, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Are you an archaeologist or heritage professional concerned with the increasing use of pseudoarchaeology to erode faith in expert opinion, rewrite history, or prop up supremacist ideologies?
This Call for Papers is for you!
Join us at the @can-arch.bsky.social 2026 conference!
Link in the reply.
This Call for Papers is for you!
Join us at the @can-arch.bsky.social 2026 conference!
Link in the reply.