Curt
@neoriffic.bsky.social
Archaeologist
Work: CRM in BC, 🍁
Research: Ancient Southwest Asia
Player/writer of TTRPGs, veteran, nerd.
(he/him)
Living and learning in the unceded territory of the K'ómoks First Nation.
Trans Rights, BLM, MMIWG2S, Stop Asian Hate, Free Palestine
Work: CRM in BC, 🍁
Research: Ancient Southwest Asia
Player/writer of TTRPGs, veteran, nerd.
(he/him)
Living and learning in the unceded territory of the K'ómoks First Nation.
Trans Rights, BLM, MMIWG2S, Stop Asian Hate, Free Palestine
Going from ILL to Joe Public without institutional access to anything is like walking out of Plato's Cave into a deeper, darker cave.
Not sure if any single part of academia felt more like a weird cheat code than Interlibrary Loan. Like, I just say a book I want, basically any book, and this crack team of experts just *get it*????
December 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Going from ILL to Joe Public without institutional access to anything is like walking out of Plato's Cave into a deeper, darker cave.
Reposted by Curt
A bit speechless, beyond grateful, and incredibly honoured to have been included on this list with some truly amazing science writers.
Thank you, Andrew Robinson, whom I cannot find on BlueSky 🙏🏽 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Thank you, Andrew Robinson, whom I cannot find on BlueSky 🙏🏽 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Spineless creatures, possibly the world’s oldest beer receipt and more: 2025’s best Books in brief
Bibliophile Andrew Robinson reveals 10 essential science reads from the past year.
www.nature.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:12 AM
A bit speechless, beyond grateful, and incredibly honoured to have been included on this list with some truly amazing science writers.
Thank you, Andrew Robinson, whom I cannot find on BlueSky 🙏🏽 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Thank you, Andrew Robinson, whom I cannot find on BlueSky 🙏🏽 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Curt
Thanks to @archaeological.org for selecting my book for the 2026 Felicia A. Holton Book Award. And congrats to all the other award winners, including @mokersel.bsky.social, Meredith Chesson, and @chadhill.bsky.social for their Follow the Pots Project!
The AIA is proud to recognize our 2026 award recipients for their outstanding contributions to archaeology. Honorees will be celebrated at the AIA Awards Ceremony during the 2026 Annual Meeting on January 9. All are welcome to attend!
#Archaeology #AIA
#Archaeology #AIA
December 1, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Thanks to @archaeological.org for selecting my book for the 2026 Felicia A. Holton Book Award. And congrats to all the other award winners, including @mokersel.bsky.social, Meredith Chesson, and @chadhill.bsky.social for their Follow the Pots Project!
Reposted by Curt
We know a barkaeologist who is looking forward to reading this!
December 1, 2025 at 1:06 PM
We know a barkaeologist who is looking forward to reading this!
Reposted by Curt
I had fun doing this podcast episode for The Ancients about Old Babylonian letters! We discussed messengers, scribes, and even a certain copper trader of dubious repute! #eanasir #cuneiform #Mesopotamia
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The World's Oldest Letters
Podcast Episode · The Ancients · 11/27/2025 · 55m
podcasts.apple.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I had fun doing this podcast episode for The Ancients about Old Babylonian letters! We discussed messengers, scribes, and even a certain copper trader of dubious repute! #eanasir #cuneiform #Mesopotamia
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Curt
🏺 It turns out that Ben Lamm, the founder of Colossal Biosciences, is an ancient aliens pseudoarch guy. Inspired by a YouTuber, he has reached out to the Peruvian gov't to collect DNA samples from the "mummified tridactyl alien remains." Reminder that these remains are not actually aliens, but
November 28, 2025 at 4:33 PM
🏺 It turns out that Ben Lamm, the founder of Colossal Biosciences, is an ancient aliens pseudoarch guy. Inspired by a YouTuber, he has reached out to the Peruvian gov't to collect DNA samples from the "mummified tridactyl alien remains." Reminder that these remains are not actually aliens, but
Reposted by Curt
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
November 27, 2025 at 12:49 AM
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
How Long to Shower?🚿🏺
Pacific Northwest Coast Archaeologist
Fall Edition
Fixing a Hot Buttered Rum (4 mins)
Getting the water hot as hell (1 min)
Cleaning...
- the black greasy silt from under your fingernails (13 mins)
- the rest of your body (4 mins)
Finishing your drink(5 mins)
Tot.: 27 mins
Pacific Northwest Coast Archaeologist
Fall Edition
Fixing a Hot Buttered Rum (4 mins)
Getting the water hot as hell (1 min)
Cleaning...
- the black greasy silt from under your fingernails (13 mins)
- the rest of your body (4 mins)
Finishing your drink(5 mins)
Tot.: 27 mins
November 28, 2025 at 1:09 AM
How Long to Shower?🚿🏺
Pacific Northwest Coast Archaeologist
Fall Edition
Fixing a Hot Buttered Rum (4 mins)
Getting the water hot as hell (1 min)
Cleaning...
- the black greasy silt from under your fingernails (13 mins)
- the rest of your body (4 mins)
Finishing your drink(5 mins)
Tot.: 27 mins
Pacific Northwest Coast Archaeologist
Fall Edition
Fixing a Hot Buttered Rum (4 mins)
Getting the water hot as hell (1 min)
Cleaning...
- the black greasy silt from under your fingernails (13 mins)
- the rest of your body (4 mins)
Finishing your drink(5 mins)
Tot.: 27 mins
Whenever people claim archaeology isn't inherently political, some questions to ask them:
Who "owns" heritage?
What gets protected and why?
What stories are being told/preserved?
Whom do those stories serve?
Who gets to tell those stories?
Who controls access to the belongings and stories and why?
Who "owns" heritage?
What gets protected and why?
What stories are being told/preserved?
Whom do those stories serve?
Who gets to tell those stories?
Who controls access to the belongings and stories and why?
🏺 Again and again - our discipline has been crucial to genocide. Pretending otherwise is complicity.
Israel, which has obliterated most of Palestine’s archeological and heritage sites, including ancient churches, mosques, and temples, has suddenly discovered an urge to protect one from Palestinian ‘neglect’. It just so happens to be in the West Bank.
www.timesofisrael.com/israel-begin...
www.timesofisrael.com/israel-begin...
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Whenever people claim archaeology isn't inherently political, some questions to ask them:
Who "owns" heritage?
What gets protected and why?
What stories are being told/preserved?
Whom do those stories serve?
Who gets to tell those stories?
Who controls access to the belongings and stories and why?
Who "owns" heritage?
What gets protected and why?
What stories are being told/preserved?
Whom do those stories serve?
Who gets to tell those stories?
Who controls access to the belongings and stories and why?
Reposted by Curt
🏺 Again and again - our discipline has been crucial to genocide. Pretending otherwise is complicity.
Israel, which has obliterated most of Palestine’s archeological and heritage sites, including ancient churches, mosques, and temples, has suddenly discovered an urge to protect one from Palestinian ‘neglect’. It just so happens to be in the West Bank.
www.timesofisrael.com/israel-begin...
www.timesofisrael.com/israel-begin...
Israel begins seizing 1,800 dunams of West Bank land to develop archaeological site
Civil Administration says development legal, taking place amid 'neglect' of site by Palestinians; Peace Now: 'Government's lust for dispossession and annexation is insatiable'
www.timesofisrael.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
🏺 Again and again - our discipline has been crucial to genocide. Pretending otherwise is complicity.
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?
It will be one helluva mess. But I'm confident that my body will be recovered.
It will be one helluva mess. But I'm confident that my body will be recovered.
November 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?
It will be one helluva mess. But I'm confident that my body will be recovered.
It will be one helluva mess. But I'm confident that my body will be recovered.
Reposted by Curt
How to make beautiful comics:
Step 1: Have something to say.
Step 2: See Step 1.
Step 1: Have something to say.
Step 2: See Step 1.
imgs.xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
How to make beautiful comics:
Step 1: Have something to say.
Step 2: See Step 1.
Step 1: Have something to say.
Step 2: See Step 1.
Once in a while my brain reminds me that a Star Trek movie was based on the premise of "alien probe rolls up to Earth like, 'I swear to God, if you dumbasses have managed to kill all the whales since I was here last, I'm gonna ruin your whole gottdang day.'" And we were like, yup, that's good stuff.
November 25, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Once in a while my brain reminds me that a Star Trek movie was based on the premise of "alien probe rolls up to Earth like, 'I swear to God, if you dumbasses have managed to kill all the whales since I was here last, I'm gonna ruin your whole gottdang day.'" And we were like, yup, that's good stuff.
Reposted by Curt
Our winter sale is live! Through December 31, enjoy 20% off all books on our website.
❄️ Visit ubcpress.ca
❄️ Enter code BRRR25 at checkout
❄️ Free shipping on online orders over $40 (Canadian addresses).
☃️ Happy Reading!☃️
❄️ Visit ubcpress.ca
❄️ Enter code BRRR25 at checkout
❄️ Free shipping on online orders over $40 (Canadian addresses).
☃️ Happy Reading!☃️
November 25, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Our winter sale is live! Through December 31, enjoy 20% off all books on our website.
❄️ Visit ubcpress.ca
❄️ Enter code BRRR25 at checkout
❄️ Free shipping on online orders over $40 (Canadian addresses).
☃️ Happy Reading!☃️
❄️ Visit ubcpress.ca
❄️ Enter code BRRR25 at checkout
❄️ Free shipping on online orders over $40 (Canadian addresses).
☃️ Happy Reading!☃️
Reposted by Curt
Our paper is out! Although wolves and dogs can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, hybridization between the two is rare. We found that most dogs today have low but detectable levels of post-domestication wolf ancestry that has shaped their evolution in human environments. tinyurl.com/yt4x4r7n
A legacy of genetic entanglement with wolves shapes modern dogs | PNAS
Dogs evolved through interactions between people and gray wolves during the Late Pleistocene
and have been ubiquitous in human societies ever since...
www.pnas.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Our paper is out! Although wolves and dogs can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, hybridization between the two is rare. We found that most dogs today have low but detectable levels of post-domestication wolf ancestry that has shaped their evolution in human environments. tinyurl.com/yt4x4r7n
I frikkin' KNEW it!
Historians Admit To Inventing Ancient Greeks https://theonion.com/historians-admit-to-inventing-ancient-greeks-1819571808/
November 22, 2025 at 3:00 AM
I frikkin' KNEW it!
Reposted by Curt
November 20, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Reposted by Curt
Reposted by Curt
Anthropology and archaeology colleagues will know her racist schtick well - best for us all to collectively block her and let other folks know.
November 19, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Anthropology and archaeology colleagues will know her racist schtick well - best for us all to collectively block her and let other folks know.
Reposted by Curt
This thorough discussion of the way that these archaeologists use concepts such as carcerality as career boosters to make the Roman past seem 'relevant' while contributing to the erasure of Israeli state violence against Palestinians, shows that heritage is powerful, in service of power
🐦🔎The University of British Columbia hosts talk on excavation conducted next to Israeli torture camp: Megiddo is the site of one of the largest torture camps for Palestinians; the dig is right next to the prison
sparrows4palestine.substack.com/p/ubc-hosts-...
sparrows4palestine.substack.com/p/ubc-hosts-...
UBC hosts talk on excavation conducted next to Israeli torture camp
Megiddo is the site of one of the largest torture camps for Palestinians; the dig is right next to the prison
sparrows4palestine.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This thorough discussion of the way that these archaeologists use concepts such as carcerality as career boosters to make the Roman past seem 'relevant' while contributing to the erasure of Israeli state violence against Palestinians, shows that heritage is powerful, in service of power
Reposted by Curt
Looking for an osteo experienced (2+ years would be great) in excavating commingled burials who digs single context for an 8 week project in January. Paid, obvs. Email me: colleen.morgan@york.ac.uk
(you people are like freaking golddust, yeeesh)
(you people are like freaking golddust, yeeesh)
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Looking for an osteo experienced (2+ years would be great) in excavating commingled burials who digs single context for an 8 week project in January. Paid, obvs. Email me: colleen.morgan@york.ac.uk
(you people are like freaking golddust, yeeesh)
(you people are like freaking golddust, yeeesh)
Reposted by Curt
ok folks! big announcement! AusTAG 2026 call for papers is open! so is registration! are you an archaeologist doing neat theory things and in Australia 22-23 May 2026? come to Adelaide for AusTAG!
Call for Papers: AusTAG 2026
Every business has a unique potential waiting to be tapped. Recognizing the keys to unlock this growth can set an enterprise on the path to unprecedented success.
austag.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
ok folks! big announcement! AusTAG 2026 call for papers is open! so is registration! are you an archaeologist doing neat theory things and in Australia 22-23 May 2026? come to Adelaide for AusTAG!
First you get the traps,
Then you get the crabs,
Then you get the power.
Then you get the crabs,
Then you get the power.
This story is the best thing: sea wolves raiding crab traps in northern B.C.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiuQ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiuQ...
Cameras capture BC sea wolf raiding crab traps in first possible ‘tool use’
YouTube video by Global News
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:23 AM
First you get the traps,
Then you get the crabs,
Then you get the power.
Then you get the crabs,
Then you get the power.
Reposted by Curt
Rest in power, ancestor.
So saddened by the news that we have lost Alice Wong. It was an honor to know her and learn from her. May the lessons she shared continue to guide us for years to come.
November 15, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Rest in power, ancestor.
Reposted by Curt
