Carl Feagans
@cfeagans.bsky.social
Archaeoskeptic. Professional archaeologist. I write about pseudoarchaeology. I blog at https://ahotcupofjoe.net (he/him)
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9803-9000
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9803-9000
Largely considered culturally inappropriate today, the wooden Cigar Store Indian was not uncommon even through the mid-20th century. They originated in 17th century England as a means to advertise Virginia tobacco to a generally illiterate customer base. Both images are from 1936.
November 8, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Largely considered culturally inappropriate today, the wooden Cigar Store Indian was not uncommon even through the mid-20th century. They originated in 17th century England as a means to advertise Virginia tobacco to a generally illiterate customer base. Both images are from 1936.
I just had to share this digital version of a lithograph of an illustration by John Gast from 1870. It's called, "The First Cigar."
That white-faced kid that's ready to puke made me grin! The peer-pressure here is strong.
That white-faced kid that's ready to puke made me grin! The peer-pressure here is strong.
November 8, 2025 at 4:31 AM
I just had to share this digital version of a lithograph of an illustration by John Gast from 1870. It's called, "The First Cigar."
That white-faced kid that's ready to puke made me grin! The peer-pressure here is strong.
That white-faced kid that's ready to puke made me grin! The peer-pressure here is strong.
From about 1846 until 1959, the U.S. Government required tax stamps on boxes of cigars to prove payment of excise taxes. It started as tax based on cigar value, but then became a flat tax per thousand cigars, and was eventually based on retail price (1917). Some states still require tax stamps.
November 8, 2025 at 4:26 AM
From about 1846 until 1959, the U.S. Government required tax stamps on boxes of cigars to prove payment of excise taxes. It started as tax based on cigar value, but then became a flat tax per thousand cigars, and was eventually based on retail price (1917). Some states still require tax stamps.
I like a good cigar. But apparently, vitolphilia--collecting cigar bands--was a thing that peaked before WWI. Even children collected them. The hobby encouraged makers of cigars to create elaborate and artistic bands, which I'm sure didn't hurt sales.
Details of the photo in the next comment.
Details of the photo in the next comment.
November 8, 2025 at 4:03 AM
I like a good cigar. But apparently, vitolphilia--collecting cigar bands--was a thing that peaked before WWI. Even children collected them. The hobby encouraged makers of cigars to create elaborate and artistic bands, which I'm sure didn't hurt sales.
Details of the photo in the next comment.
Details of the photo in the next comment.
Albert Robida’s 1890 novel "Le Vingtième siècle: la vie électrique" was truly a sci-fi story of the Victorian age. He included the telephonoscope like some Zoom/Netflix hybrid but also predicted biological warfare, flying cars, a hyperloop train, and a version of the Ring doorbell.
October 28, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Albert Robida’s 1890 novel "Le Vingtième siècle: la vie électrique" was truly a sci-fi story of the Victorian age. He included the telephonoscope like some Zoom/Netflix hybrid but also predicted biological warfare, flying cars, a hyperloop train, and a version of the Ring doorbell.
What a Zoom call might have been like in 1878. The telephone and the phonograph were recent inventions at this time, so George du Maurier imagined this is what Edison might have invented next. A sort of "Victorian Zoom." The Telephonoscope!
October 28, 2025 at 4:20 AM
What a Zoom call might have been like in 1878. The telephone and the phonograph were recent inventions at this time, so George du Maurier imagined this is what Edison might have invented next. A sort of "Victorian Zoom." The Telephonoscope!
Mike Lee wants to sell our public lands. There are those that call themselves "conservative" that have been trying to do this for decades. It's why Teddy Roosevelt established so much in the first place. (Meme stolen from @blue_prop over on shitter in the same context).
June 24, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Mike Lee wants to sell our public lands. There are those that call themselves "conservative" that have been trying to do this for decades. It's why Teddy Roosevelt established so much in the first place. (Meme stolen from @blue_prop over on shitter in the same context).
For the #ArchaeoSkeptics out there, just a reminder that the Comic Summit 2025 is about 10 days away. If you create skeptical content about archaeology, you might consider a topic from the list in the comments. Might be nice for people to have fact-based sources of info to balance the pseudo.
June 10, 2025 at 12:16 AM
For the #ArchaeoSkeptics out there, just a reminder that the Comic Summit 2025 is about 10 days away. If you create skeptical content about archaeology, you might consider a topic from the list in the comments. Might be nice for people to have fact-based sources of info to balance the pseudo.
#FindsFriday! We shovel tested then did a pedestrian survey of a former community for enslaved, then emancipated, people near a 19th century iron furnace. Lots of solarized glass, ceramic shreds and even Archaic & Woodland points. And one golf ball.
April 19, 2025 at 1:47 AM
#FindsFriday! We shovel tested then did a pedestrian survey of a former community for enslaved, then emancipated, people near a 19th century iron furnace. Lots of solarized glass, ceramic shreds and even Archaic & Woodland points. And one golf ball.
A 6-Week Timeline of Corruption presented to the Senate floor by Senator @chrismurphyct.bsky.social
March 9, 2025 at 4:26 AM
A 6-Week Timeline of Corruption presented to the Senate floor by Senator @chrismurphyct.bsky.social
My truck is keeping it real. #RealArchaeology
January 19, 2025 at 5:57 PM
My truck is keeping it real. #RealArchaeology
A hop-ortunity for orbit?
December 6, 2024 at 3:31 AM
A hop-ortunity for orbit?
This is a clear example of Dunning - Kruger. Not only is literature review a staple 1st step of any archaeological investigation, but Cinq-Mars continued a quite successful career after arguing dates that challenged Clovis first. Not Folsom. This dude doesn't know enough to know he's wrong.
November 30, 2024 at 1:27 AM
This is a clear example of Dunning - Kruger. Not only is literature review a staple 1st step of any archaeological investigation, but Cinq-Mars continued a quite successful career after arguing dates that challenged Clovis first. Not Folsom. This dude doesn't know enough to know he's wrong.
Caption this photo!
November 29, 2024 at 8:13 PM
Caption this photo!
#FindsFriday #RealArchaeology My coworker and I recovered a moonshine still last week. It was in a flash flood zone and exposed to visitors, and not in original location. We screened the in-fill before moving and used a leafblower in the area which revealed the lead arm!
November 29, 2024 at 2:15 PM
#FindsFriday #RealArchaeology My coworker and I recovered a moonshine still last week. It was in a flash flood zone and exposed to visitors, and not in original location. We screened the in-fill before moving and used a leafblower in the area which revealed the lead arm!
The Fraudulent Archaeology Wall of Shame (FaceBook group) just passed 100,000 members tonight! Wow.
January 20, 2024 at 7:10 AM
The Fraudulent Archaeology Wall of Shame (FaceBook group) just passed 100,000 members tonight! Wow.
I'll be speaking live with the Bay Area Skeptics on Thursday Jan 11th at 9:30 pm CST.
bit.ly/BASfeag
It'll be recorded and available on YouTube afterwards.
bit.ly/BASfeag
It'll be recorded and available on YouTube afterwards.
January 9, 2024 at 5:13 PM
I'll be speaking live with the Bay Area Skeptics on Thursday Jan 11th at 9:30 pm CST.
bit.ly/BASfeag
It'll be recorded and available on YouTube afterwards.
bit.ly/BASfeag
It'll be recorded and available on YouTube afterwards.
#FindsFriday... Found this really cool, intact mason jar on the site of an 1850s era Iron Furnace. The community repurposed most of the furnace materials (stones, bricks) and used the site for a local dump. Jar dates to 1923-1933!
November 17, 2023 at 6:10 PM
#FindsFriday... Found this really cool, intact mason jar on the site of an 1850s era Iron Furnace. The community repurposed most of the furnace materials (stones, bricks) and used the site for a local dump. Jar dates to 1923-1933!
The whole thing is generally encased in a cover of wood or metal and the runner is turned by a series of cogs/gears powered by water, wind, beast, or human. 3/3🏺
November 10, 2023 at 5:37 PM
The whole thing is generally encased in a cover of wood or metal and the runner is turned by a series of cogs/gears powered by water, wind, beast, or human. 3/3🏺
Grain is introduced from the top into a hopper; fed into the center; & ground between the stones. Channels cut into the stones trap and direct the ground flour out and through a spout into bags. 2/3🏺
November 10, 2023 at 5:36 PM
Grain is introduced from the top into a hopper; fed into the center; & ground between the stones. Channels cut into the stones trap and direct the ground flour out and through a spout into bags. 2/3🏺
Finds Friday! This week we found the bedstone of a gristmill pair. We think we may have the runner stone of this pair already. Grist is grain sans chaff ready for grinding into flour. Community grist mills processed local farmers' grains. The bedstone stays still; the runner rotates. 1/3 🏺
November 10, 2023 at 5:35 PM
Finds Friday! This week we found the bedstone of a gristmill pair. We think we may have the runner stone of this pair already. Grist is grain sans chaff ready for grinding into flour. Community grist mills processed local farmers' grains. The bedstone stays still; the runner rotates. 1/3 🏺
Sometimes it can be hard to find children in the archaeological record. Admittedly it's easier with some U.S. historical sites. This cap gun was found near this old outhouse, held up only by a couple of trees.
#FindsFriday #FridayFinds #Archaeology #RealArchaeology
#FindsFriday #FridayFinds #Archaeology #RealArchaeology
October 14, 2023 at 2:41 AM
Sometimes it can be hard to find children in the archaeological record. Admittedly it's easier with some U.S. historical sites. This cap gun was found near this old outhouse, held up only by a couple of trees.
#FindsFriday #FridayFinds #Archaeology #RealArchaeology
#FindsFriday #FridayFinds #Archaeology #RealArchaeology