Jim Leary
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Jim Leary
@jimleary.bsky.social
3.7K followers 1.2K following 420 posts
Archaeologist & writer. Senior lecturer at Uni of York. Books: The Story of Silbury Hill; The Remembered Land; Footmarks, a journey into our restless past. Agent: JP Marshall.
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jimleary.bsky.social
For #FindsFriday I offer this gorgeous 15,000 year old engraving of a reindeer calf, nervously standing next to its mum. Found in the Madeleine rock shelter in the Dordogne, France. Part of the excellent Ice Age Art exhibition at the Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley, Bradford. 🏺
A photo of a fragment of bone with the outline of a reindeer calf carved onto it.
September 12, 2025 at 5:57 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
For #FindsFriday I offer this gorgeous 15,000 year old engraving of a reindeer calf, nervously standing next to its mum. Found in the Madeleine rock shelter in the Dordogne, France. Part of the excellent Ice Age Art exhibition at the Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley, Bradford. 🏺
A photo of a fragment of bone with the outline of a reindeer calf carved onto it.
September 12, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Reposted by Jim Leary
jimleary.bsky.social
I loved Galway, but this is so sad to see - lines of drying peat cut to fuel heaters and warm homes. This is an incalculable loss to the environment and to archaeology🏺. It's not big business doing this, but small householders keeping a tradition alive that should be long dead.
A photo of long, parallel lines of stacked drying lengths of peat on grass. The remnants of a raised bog in the background. A photo of long, parallel lines of stacked drying lengths of peat on grass. The remnants of a raised bog in the background.
August 24, 2025 at 6:43 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
I loved Galway, but this is so sad to see - lines of drying peat cut to fuel heaters and warm homes. This is an incalculable loss to the environment and to archaeology🏺. It's not big business doing this, but small householders keeping a tradition alive that should be long dead.
A photo of long, parallel lines of stacked drying lengths of peat on grass. The remnants of a raised bog in the background. A photo of long, parallel lines of stacked drying lengths of peat on grass. The remnants of a raised bog in the background.
August 24, 2025 at 6:43 AM
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For #StandingStoneSunday I offer the Stone of Destiny, Lia Fáil, a one-metre granite pillar on a raised platform on the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath, Ireland. According to legend, High Kings of Ireland were crowned at the stone, which cried out if it was the true king. 🏺
A photo of a pale pillar-like standing stone surrounded by a circular bricked area on grass in the foreground, with views out across the landscape in the background.
August 17, 2025 at 6:09 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
For #StandingStoneSunday I offer the Stone of Destiny, Lia Fáil, a one-metre granite pillar on a raised platform on the Hill of Tara in Co. Meath, Ireland. According to legend, High Kings of Ireland were crowned at the stone, which cried out if it was the true king. 🏺
A photo of a pale pillar-like standing stone surrounded by a circular bricked area on grass in the foreground, with views out across the landscape in the background.
August 17, 2025 at 6:09 AM
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jimleary.bsky.social
I love Irish round towers! Like giant grey pencils or a child’s drawing of a rocket. They date to the medieval period and were probably used as belfries or places of refuge. This one is at Kilmacduagh monastery in Co. Galway. It’s over 30m tall and has a decidedly eccentric lean. 🏺
A photo of a long thin grey rocket-like tower surrounded by gravestones. A photo of a long thin grey rocket-like tower surrounded by gravestones. From a different angle. A photo of a long thin grey rocket-like tower surrounded by gravestones. Further away.
August 13, 2025 at 6:29 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
I love Irish round towers! Like giant grey pencils or a child’s drawing of a rocket. They date to the medieval period and were probably used as belfries or places of refuge. This one is at Kilmacduagh monastery in Co. Galway. It’s over 30m tall and has a decidedly eccentric lean. 🏺
A photo of a long thin grey rocket-like tower surrounded by gravestones. A photo of a long thin grey rocket-like tower surrounded by gravestones. From a different angle. A photo of a long thin grey rocket-like tower surrounded by gravestones. Further away.
August 13, 2025 at 6:29 AM
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Topping off the top four megalithic sites in Ireland is Carrowmore in Co. Sligo. It is classified as part of the Neolithic passage tomb tradition, but many monuments look more like dolmens to me. It is a gorgeously striking site (and sight) though. 🏺
A photo showing a grey stone dolmen on green grass and with cloudy skies above. Another stone, a single surviving kerb stone is located slightly further away. A photo of a ring of stones - all that remains of a passage tomb. A photo of a grey mushroom-like dolmen on green short-cropped grass. A photo of a chunky dolmen within a passage tomb.
August 8, 2025 at 6:28 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
Topping off the top four megalithic sites in Ireland is Carrowmore in Co. Sligo. It is classified as part of the Neolithic passage tomb tradition, but many monuments look more like dolmens to me. It is a gorgeously striking site (and sight) though. 🏺
A photo showing a grey stone dolmen on green grass and with cloudy skies above. Another stone, a single surviving kerb stone is located slightly further away. A photo of a ring of stones - all that remains of a passage tomb. A photo of a grey mushroom-like dolmen on green short-cropped grass. A photo of a chunky dolmen within a passage tomb.
August 8, 2025 at 6:28 AM
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jimleary.bsky.social
Another iconic monument ticked off the bucket list. Poulnabrone dolmen is one of Ireland's most photographed and photogenic monuments. It is set in the desolate and magnificent landscape of the Burren, Co Clare.
#TombTuesday #Neolithic #Ireland
A photo of grey, limestone box-like monument made of flat slabs of stone. A photograph of the flat, stoney landscape of the Burren. Wildflowers grow between the cracks in the stone.
August 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
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🏺
jimleary.bsky.social Jim Leary @jimleary.bsky.social · Aug 5
Another iconic monument ticked off the bucket list. Poulnabrone dolmen is one of Ireland's most photographed and photogenic monuments. It is set in the desolate and magnificent landscape of the Burren, Co Clare.
#TombTuesday #Neolithic #Ireland
A photo of grey, limestone box-like monument made of flat slabs of stone. A photograph of the flat, stoney landscape of the Burren. Wildflowers grow between the cracks in the stone.
August 5, 2025 at 7:46 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
Another iconic monument ticked off the bucket list. Poulnabrone dolmen is one of Ireland's most photographed and photogenic monuments. It is set in the desolate and magnificent landscape of the Burren, Co Clare.
#TombTuesday #Neolithic #Ireland
A photo of grey, limestone box-like monument made of flat slabs of stone. A photograph of the flat, stoney landscape of the Burren. Wildflowers grow between the cracks in the stone.
August 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Reposted by Jim Leary
jimleary.bsky.social
Carrowkeel in Co Sligo, Ireland, is one of the most extraordinary Neolithic sites I’ve visited. The passage tombs are set in the Bricklieve Mountains (Speckled Mountain) and overlook Lough Arrow. The views, the sky, the purpling heather - magical! 🏺
#StandingStoneSunday
A photo of one of the Carrowkeel passage tombs. Grey stones piled over bright green grass and a doorway like a portal into the mound. A photo of one of the Carrowkeel passage tombs. Grey stones forming a mound surrounded by green grass and purple heather. A photo of one of the Carrowkeel passage tombs. A grey stony doorway forms the portal into the mound. A photo of one of the Carrowkeel passage tombs in the distance and surrounded by green grass and purple heather. Two people walk around the mound and a dog lies in the heather in the foreground.
August 3, 2025 at 9:49 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
Carrowkeel in Co Sligo, Ireland, is one of the most extraordinary Neolithic sites I’ve visited. The passage tombs are set in the Bricklieve Mountains (Speckled Mountain) and overlook Lough Arrow. The views, the sky, the purpling heather - magical! 🏺
#StandingStoneSunday
A photo of one of the Carrowkeel passage tombs. Grey stones piled over bright green grass and a doorway like a portal into the mound. A photo of one of the Carrowkeel passage tombs. Grey stones forming a mound surrounded by green grass and purple heather. A photo of one of the Carrowkeel passage tombs. A grey stony doorway forms the portal into the mound. A photo of one of the Carrowkeel passage tombs in the distance and surrounded by green grass and purple heather. Two people walk around the mound and a dog lies in the heather in the foreground.
August 3, 2025 at 9:49 AM
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jimleary.bsky.social
This exquisitely carved 5000-year-old ceremonial macehead is one of Neolithic Europe’s finest works of art. Excavated from the passage tomb at Knowth in the Boyne Valley, Ireland, it is less than 8cm long and made of a hard, mottled cream-coloured flint. #FindsFriday #Neolithic
A photo of the Knowth macehead on mottled brown and white stone and showing a spiral pattern. A photo of the Knowth macehead on mottled brown and white stone and showing a spiral pattern.
August 1, 2025 at 7:55 AM
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🏺
jimleary.bsky.social Jim Leary @jimleary.bsky.social · Aug 1
This exquisitely carved 5000-year-old ceremonial macehead is one of Neolithic Europe’s finest works of art. Excavated from the passage tomb at Knowth in the Boyne Valley, Ireland, it is less than 8cm long and made of a hard, mottled cream-coloured flint. #FindsFriday #Neolithic
A photo of the Knowth macehead on mottled brown and white stone and showing a spiral pattern. A photo of the Knowth macehead on mottled brown and white stone and showing a spiral pattern.
August 2, 2025 at 6:06 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
This exquisitely carved 5000-year-old ceremonial macehead is one of Neolithic Europe’s finest works of art. Excavated from the passage tomb at Knowth in the Boyne Valley, Ireland, it is less than 8cm long and made of a hard, mottled cream-coloured flint. #FindsFriday #Neolithic
A photo of the Knowth macehead on mottled brown and white stone and showing a spiral pattern. A photo of the Knowth macehead on mottled brown and white stone and showing a spiral pattern.
August 1, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Reposted by Jim Leary
jimleary.bsky.social
For #TombTuesday, I offer this beauty: the main passage tomb at Loughcrew, near Oldcastle in County Meath, Ireland. It has a series of smaller satellite tombs around it. The monuments sit on a series of hills and date to the Middle Neolithic period, around 5000 years ago.
A photo of the main mound at Loughcrew, showing the entrance to the passage tomb (with a closed gate across it). A dog walking in front for scale. A photo of the view inside the passage tomb showing megaliths, some with pecked art on. A view of the main mound from afar. Looking a bit like Silbury Hill. A photo of the dog looking whimsically out across the landscape.
July 29, 2025 at 6:51 AM
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🏺
jimleary.bsky.social Jim Leary @jimleary.bsky.social · Jul 29
For #TombTuesday, I offer this beauty: the main passage tomb at Loughcrew, near Oldcastle in County Meath, Ireland. It has a series of smaller satellite tombs around it. The monuments sit on a series of hills and date to the Middle Neolithic period, around 5000 years ago.
A photo of the main mound at Loughcrew, showing the entrance to the passage tomb (with a closed gate across it). A dog walking in front for scale. A photo of the view inside the passage tomb showing megaliths, some with pecked art on. A view of the main mound from afar. Looking a bit like Silbury Hill. A photo of the dog looking whimsically out across the landscape.
July 29, 2025 at 6:54 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
For #TombTuesday, I offer this beauty: the main passage tomb at Loughcrew, near Oldcastle in County Meath, Ireland. It has a series of smaller satellite tombs around it. The monuments sit on a series of hills and date to the Middle Neolithic period, around 5000 years ago.
A photo of the main mound at Loughcrew, showing the entrance to the passage tomb (with a closed gate across it). A dog walking in front for scale. A photo of the view inside the passage tomb showing megaliths, some with pecked art on. A view of the main mound from afar. Looking a bit like Silbury Hill. A photo of the dog looking whimsically out across the landscape.
July 29, 2025 at 6:51 AM
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jimleary.bsky.social
Fourknocks passage tomb in Co. Meath, Ireland. Built in the Middle Neolithic period, the passage leads to a vast pear-shaped chamber, initially with a wooden roof supported on a central pole. Three small recesses contained 65 adults and children. 🏺
A photo of one of the stone recesses. The lintel stone is decorated with lozenges. A photo of another stone lintel decorated with zigzags. A photo of the small narrow passage, looking from the inside out. A photo of the outside of the tomb.
July 26, 2025 at 6:22 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
Fourknocks passage tomb in Co. Meath, Ireland. Built in the Middle Neolithic period, the passage leads to a vast pear-shaped chamber, initially with a wooden roof supported on a central pole. Three small recesses contained 65 adults and children. 🏺
A photo of one of the stone recesses. The lintel stone is decorated with lozenges. A photo of another stone lintel decorated with zigzags. A photo of the small narrow passage, looking from the inside out. A photo of the outside of the tomb.
July 26, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Reposted by Jim Leary
jimleary.bsky.social
Monumentally iconic.
Sí an Bhrú or Newgrange passage tomb in County Meath, Ireland. 🏺#Neolithic #Archaeology #Ireland
A photograph of a rock with a pecked engraving of three intersecting spirals. A photograph of a rock with the engraving of two spirals and a lozenge. The spirals form eyes and the lozenge a nose. A photograph of the reconstructed quartz outer facade and kerbstones of Newgrange passage tomb. A photo of the reconstructed entrance to the passage at Newgrange.
July 25, 2025 at 7:10 AM
jimleary.bsky.social
Monumentally iconic.
Sí an Bhrú or Newgrange passage tomb in County Meath, Ireland. 🏺#Neolithic #Archaeology #Ireland
A photograph of a rock with a pecked engraving of three intersecting spirals. A photograph of a rock with the engraving of two spirals and a lozenge. The spirals form eyes and the lozenge a nose. A photograph of the reconstructed quartz outer facade and kerbstones of Newgrange passage tomb. A photo of the reconstructed entrance to the passage at Newgrange.
July 25, 2025 at 7:10 AM