Megan Olshefski
@meganolshefski.bsky.social
@USUKFulbright Archaeology PhD @arcdurham.bsky.social on 17thc Scottish PoWs | Visiting Fellow @harvard.edu | Documentary Producer & Director | Swimmer | Immigrant
Latest 🎬: https://vimeo.com/891591104?share=copy
Latest 🎬: https://vimeo.com/891591104?share=copy
Day 1 - We’re back for our final year of #archaeology at Bishop Auckland! Follow along or come visit us on site!
@arcdurham.bsky.social
@arcdurham.bsky.social
June 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Day 1 - We’re back for our final year of #archaeology at Bishop Auckland! Follow along or come visit us on site!
@arcdurham.bsky.social
@arcdurham.bsky.social
How about multi-tasking by relaxing with a coffee while drawing the #archaeology, @antiquityj.bsky.social? As Chris Gerrard @arcdurham.bsky.social expertly shows from the last season at Auckland Castle.
April 4, 2025 at 6:01 PM
How about multi-tasking by relaxing with a coffee while drawing the #archaeology, @antiquityj.bsky.social? As Chris Gerrard @arcdurham.bsky.social expertly shows from the last season at Auckland Castle.
Today’s office for the day is Newcastle’s hidden gem, the @litandphil! If you haven’t been, you’re missing out.
January 27, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Today’s office for the day is Newcastle’s hidden gem, the @litandphil! If you haven’t been, you’re missing out.
The Professor is in - coffee in hand, sharpened pencil in the other, in his natural element amongst the #archaeology. @cmgerrard1
January 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The Professor is in - coffee in hand, sharpened pencil in the other, in his natural element amongst the #archaeology. @cmgerrard1
Office for the day for the next round of historical documentary research. Cannot recommend @TheStoryDurham enough! Beautiful facility, friendly and helpful staff, and a cafe for your caffeine fix!
#AcademicTwitter #history #archaeology #durham
#AcademicTwitter #history #archaeology #durham
January 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Office for the day for the next round of historical documentary research. Cannot recommend @TheStoryDurham enough! Beautiful facility, friendly and helpful staff, and a cafe for your caffeine fix!
#AcademicTwitter #history #archaeology #durham
#AcademicTwitter #history #archaeology #durham
Day 14 - #archaeology is: three-parts digging, two-parts stratigraphy, one-part coffee, and 100% site fashion (bonus points if matching with @cmgerrard1).
Photo credit - @JohnCastling
Photo credit - @JohnCastling
January 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Day 14 - #archaeology is: three-parts digging, two-parts stratigraphy, one-part coffee, and 100% site fashion (bonus points if matching with @cmgerrard1).
Photo credit - @JohnCastling
Photo credit - @JohnCastling
Day 13 - a tale of two supervisors. The look of the battle worn who faced off for three days with their trusty troops against endless #archaeology fills of rubble of large stones and solid concrete. Victory was ours.
January 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Day 13 - a tale of two supervisors. The look of the battle worn who faced off for three days with their trusty troops against endless #archaeology fills of rubble of large stones and solid concrete. Victory was ours.
Day 12 - we organized a small team of heavy-diggers (3 cubic meters / 70 barrows in 3 hours!) to excavate Haselrigge’s cellar. We’re hoping for a staircase (flashbacks to our 2021 season?), but so far we are only well acquainted w/some sizable pieces of rubble. Will we find it?
January 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Day 12 - we organized a small team of heavy-diggers (3 cubic meters / 70 barrows in 3 hours!) to excavate Haselrigge’s cellar. We’re hoping for a staircase (flashbacks to our 2021 season?), but so far we are only well acquainted w/some sizable pieces of rubble. Will we find it?
Day 11 - scroll through to see the site transfer from Day 1, Day 7, to Day 11! An impressive amount of #archaeology happening over at Haselrigge’s!
January 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Day 11 - scroll through to see the site transfer from Day 1, Day 7, to Day 11! An impressive amount of #archaeology happening over at Haselrigge’s!
Day 9 - Following their careful spoil heap management, these @ArcDurham #archaeology students would like to announce their new album: “The Dark Side of the Spoil Heap”.
January 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Day 9 - Following their careful spoil heap management, these @ArcDurham #archaeology students would like to announce their new album: “The Dark Side of the Spoil Heap”.
Day 8 - halfway! While we’ve been busy revealing walls and some lovely sections (see photos, a two day difference!), @JohnCastling has somehow found the time to write the latest blog post!
Check it out -
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
Check it out -
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
January 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Day 8 - halfway! While we’ve been busy revealing walls and some lovely sections (see photos, a two day difference!), @JohnCastling has somehow found the time to write the latest blog post!
Check it out -
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
Check it out -
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
Day 7 - a little side-by-side comparison of Day 1 vs Day 7 of Haselrigge’s dream house. Plenty more #archaeology to come!
January 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Day 7 - a little side-by-side comparison of Day 1 vs Day 7 of Haselrigge’s dream house. Plenty more #archaeology to come!
Day 6 - we’ve returned to site from some much needed rest over the weekend and our resident social-media star, @JohnCastling, can hardly wait to see what #archaeology unfolds this week!
(He may sign autographs if you can get him to put down his trowel.
(He may sign autographs if you can get him to put down his trowel.
January 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Day 6 - we’ve returned to site from some much needed rest over the weekend and our resident social-media star, @JohnCastling, can hardly wait to see what #archaeology unfolds this week!
(He may sign autographs if you can get him to put down his trowel.
(He may sign autographs if you can get him to put down his trowel.
Day 5 - end of week one and the walls and mysteries of Haselrigge’s dream house continue to unravel…
We are off for the weekend (to visit our chiropractors), but will be back to chasing walls come Monday!
Be sure to check out our blog!
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
We are off for the weekend (to visit our chiropractors), but will be back to chasing walls come Monday!
Be sure to check out our blog!
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
January 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Day 5 - end of week one and the walls and mysteries of Haselrigge’s dream house continue to unravel…
We are off for the weekend (to visit our chiropractors), but will be back to chasing walls come Monday!
Be sure to check out our blog!
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
We are off for the weekend (to visit our chiropractors), but will be back to chasing walls come Monday!
Be sure to check out our blog!
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
Day 4 -
A sighting of Bishop Auckland archaeology celebrities, Caroline and @JohnCastling, on the site’s viewing platform! Perhaps a @thebishopbigdig reunion tour in the works?
(New blog coming soon! Keep your eyes out…
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
A sighting of Bishop Auckland archaeology celebrities, Caroline and @JohnCastling, on the site’s viewing platform! Perhaps a @thebishopbigdig reunion tour in the works?
(New blog coming soon! Keep your eyes out…
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
January 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Day 4 -
A sighting of Bishop Auckland archaeology celebrities, Caroline and @JohnCastling, on the site’s viewing platform! Perhaps a @thebishopbigdig reunion tour in the works?
(New blog coming soon! Keep your eyes out…
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
A sighting of Bishop Auckland archaeology celebrities, Caroline and @JohnCastling, on the site’s viewing platform! Perhaps a @thebishopbigdig reunion tour in the works?
(New blog coming soon! Keep your eyes out…
aucklandproject.org/discover/auckl…
Day 3 - a fine day to admire the #archaeology by climbing to the top of the spoil heap to view Haselrigge’s dream house and other post-med features.
(@EmersonWBaker - we thought you may like to see the 17th c structure coming through!
(@EmersonWBaker - we thought you may like to see the 17th c structure coming through!
January 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Day 3 - a fine day to admire the #archaeology by climbing to the top of the spoil heap to view Haselrigge’s dream house and other post-med features.
(@EmersonWBaker - we thought you may like to see the 17th c structure coming through!
(@EmersonWBaker - we thought you may like to see the 17th c structure coming through!
Day 2 @DUACE2024 complete! A range of #archaeology excitement including cobbles, kitchen deposits, and naturally @cmgerrard1 & Andrew Ferrara either looking ready to sign their latest album or contemplating the site…
January 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Day 2 @DUACE2024 complete! A range of #archaeology excitement including cobbles, kitchen deposits, and naturally @cmgerrard1 & Andrew Ferrara either looking ready to sign their latest album or contemplating the site…
Day 1 cont - some lovely snapshots from the day including: 1) a fitting first find in the top-soil, 2) a PhD showing off his (2019) find to his supervisor, 3) the calm site-walkover before the storm.
January 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Day 1 cont - some lovely snapshots from the day including: 1) a fitting first find in the top-soil, 2) a PhD showing off his (2019) find to his supervisor, 3) the calm site-walkover before the storm.
2023-
⛏️Investigated features throughout the Deer Park including: the fishponds, a post-medieval lodge and ice house, and what was supposedly a Roman road but turned into Victorian field drains.
📝News:
aucklandproject.org/news/historic-…
⛏️Investigated features throughout the Deer Park including: the fishponds, a post-medieval lodge and ice house, and what was supposedly a Roman road but turned into Victorian field drains.
📝News:
aucklandproject.org/news/historic-…
January 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
2023-
⛏️Investigated features throughout the Deer Park including: the fishponds, a post-medieval lodge and ice house, and what was supposedly a Roman road but turned into Victorian field drains.
📝News:
aucklandproject.org/news/historic-…
⛏️Investigated features throughout the Deer Park including: the fishponds, a post-medieval lodge and ice house, and what was supposedly a Roman road but turned into Victorian field drains.
📝News:
aucklandproject.org/news/historic-…
Bonus 2022 cohort- The Bishop Big Dig
(@thebishopbigdig)
⛏️ Dug 107 test pits across Bishop Auckland throughout 2022 in partnership with @KJIAcademy and @aucklandproject.
🎬 Documentary:📝Report:💻 Web:
thebishopbigdig.com collections.durham.ac.uk/files/r2rv042t… vimeo.com/891591104?shar…
(@thebishopbigdig)
⛏️ Dug 107 test pits across Bishop Auckland throughout 2022 in partnership with @KJIAcademy and @aucklandproject.
🎬 Documentary:📝Report:💻 Web:
thebishopbigdig.com collections.durham.ac.uk/files/r2rv042t… vimeo.com/891591104?shar…
January 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Bonus 2022 cohort- The Bishop Big Dig
(@thebishopbigdig)
⛏️ Dug 107 test pits across Bishop Auckland throughout 2022 in partnership with @KJIAcademy and @aucklandproject.
🎬 Documentary:📝Report:💻 Web:
thebishopbigdig.com collections.durham.ac.uk/files/r2rv042t… vimeo.com/891591104?shar…
(@thebishopbigdig)
⛏️ Dug 107 test pits across Bishop Auckland throughout 2022 in partnership with @KJIAcademy and @aucklandproject.
🎬 Documentary:📝Report:💻 Web:
thebishopbigdig.com collections.durham.ac.uk/files/r2rv042t… vimeo.com/891591104?shar…
2020/2021-
- Following a missed 2020 season, 2021 saw two cohorts featuring first and second years.
⛏️ Excavated part of Bishop Bek’s chapel alongside part of the curtain wall and castle keep.
🎬 Video:📝 Blog:
duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/blog m.youtube.com/watch?v=RUPmCV…
- Following a missed 2020 season, 2021 saw two cohorts featuring first and second years.
⛏️ Excavated part of Bishop Bek’s chapel alongside part of the curtain wall and castle keep.
🎬 Video:📝 Blog:
duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/blog m.youtube.com/watch?v=RUPmCV…
January 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
2020/2021-
- Following a missed 2020 season, 2021 saw two cohorts featuring first and second years.
⛏️ Excavated part of Bishop Bek’s chapel alongside part of the curtain wall and castle keep.
🎬 Video:📝 Blog:
duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/blog m.youtube.com/watch?v=RUPmCV…
- Following a missed 2020 season, 2021 saw two cohorts featuring first and second years.
⛏️ Excavated part of Bishop Bek’s chapel alongside part of the curtain wall and castle keep.
🎬 Video:📝 Blog:
duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/blog m.youtube.com/watch?v=RUPmCV…
2018 -
⛏️ First discovery of part of Bishop Bek’s medieval chapel alongside the medieval kitchens.
📝Blog(s):
--
duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/blog/cate… duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/where-are…
⛏️ First discovery of part of Bishop Bek’s medieval chapel alongside the medieval kitchens.
📝Blog(s):
--
duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/blog/cate… duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/where-are…
January 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
2018 -
⛏️ First discovery of part of Bishop Bek’s medieval chapel alongside the medieval kitchens.
📝Blog(s):
--
duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/blog/cate… duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/where-are…
⛏️ First discovery of part of Bishop Bek’s medieval chapel alongside the medieval kitchens.
📝Blog(s):
--
duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/blog/cate… duaceblog.wixsite.com/2021/where-are…
Since 2018, I haven’t seen this path sans Heras fencing or excavations.
In ~1 month nearly 100 @ArcDurham students return to @aucklandproject for the next chapter of #archaeology #excavations.
Watch this space…
#DUACE24
@cmgerrard1 @JohnCastling @durham_uni @NewsBishop
In ~1 month nearly 100 @ArcDurham students return to @aucklandproject for the next chapter of #archaeology #excavations.
Watch this space…
#DUACE24
@cmgerrard1 @JohnCastling @durham_uni @NewsBishop
January 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Since 2018, I haven’t seen this path sans Heras fencing or excavations.
In ~1 month nearly 100 @ArcDurham students return to @aucklandproject for the next chapter of #archaeology #excavations.
Watch this space…
#DUACE24
@cmgerrard1 @JohnCastling @durham_uni @NewsBishop
In ~1 month nearly 100 @ArcDurham students return to @aucklandproject for the next chapter of #archaeology #excavations.
Watch this space…
#DUACE24
@cmgerrard1 @JohnCastling @durham_uni @NewsBishop
At the current survey site, we have a particularly moving area featuring some children’s graves. This robin is their guardian - consistently & carefully watching & following us as we work, but never straying far from the stones.
I can’t help but be moved.
I can’t help but be moved.
January 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
At the current survey site, we have a particularly moving area featuring some children’s graves. This robin is their guardian - consistently & carefully watching & following us as we work, but never straying far from the stones.
I can’t help but be moved.
I can’t help but be moved.
After this weekend’s field-walking outing, I can only embrace the #postmedieval #archaeology that broke my soul last excavation season…
January 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
After this weekend’s field-walking outing, I can only embrace the #postmedieval #archaeology that broke my soul last excavation season…