The last graduate from the University of Sheffield's once world leading Archaeology Department goes out showing respect to students and their families and a reminder to the Vice Chancellor that the "cultural vandalism" which culminated in the closure of the department won't be forgiven or forgotten.

Yup it's fake... They just changed the description in the header adding, "Here until Downing Street set up an official account." Perhaps, as with the PM himself, beware what you wish for.

While the UK is between Prime Ministers, fill the time by having some fun interpretating the parchmarks in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. (Enjoy, because this is probably the only mention archaeology will get in association with the changes in Government and its policies today or for some time.)

Or you could just buy the book which was researched and written by real people and its cover designed by a real graphic artist. Meta's #AI graphics theftbot is obviously still at the drawing with big crayons stage and I understand it is not allowed to use scissors unless supervised by a grown up.

Treasury Comms on 🔥.

#ThatWillEndWellNews The careless bullies at Meta have have new wheeze. Glasses which record your entire day. I can't help but be reminded of the legendary sound recordings, which allegedly did the rounds at industry parties, where household name stars forgot to turn off their radio mics.

Direct Action to protect the environment is nothing new. 150 years ago today activist John De Morgan led the people of Woolwich and Plumstead in tearing down illegal fences on Plumstead Common. We are celebrating the legacy of the "Riot" tonight on the location it took place.

#ExeterUniversity UCU has issued an e-flyer setting out its six key objections to the proposed job cuts. If it was a University SMT #BonfireOfTheHumanities Bingo card everyone just scored "House!" It is as if the Uni sector employed the same consultants to follow the same management playbook.

#BonfireOfTheHumanities News The last student to graduate from Sheffield University's Department of Archaeology is not going quietly. Our coverage revealed, among other egregious acts, allegations of rigged consultations, deleted documents & a department set up to fail. #SaveSheffieldArchaeology

If you are within reach of Flitton in Bedfordshire this evening, (26/06/26) I am delivering a talk on the myth of the Buried Spitfires of Burma as a benefit for the church restoration fund. I am told there are a few tickets left and, given it is a good cause, it would be nice to deliver a sell out.

#ItsAllAboutTheHistory News Metal detectorist complains about "countless delays" on the way to cashing in their find of a 17th century gold signet ring at auctioneer Noonans. Meanwhile, every day, thousands of Archaeologists make often stunning finds, many earning barely more than minimum wage.

News from the Oval. The Barmy Army trumpeter is now playing the Great Escape. We all know how that ended.

The Usual Suspects

#ItsAboutTheHistory News Detectorists welcome the auction of elements of the Hambleden Hoard of medieval coins at Spinks, dispersing the "internationally important" find for private gain. (See previous post about how the French government deals with archaeological finds collected without permits.)

In his autobiography "Life on Air", Sir David Attenborough described some of the behind the scenes antics of his Alpha Male presenters, Glyn Daniel and Sir Mortimer Wheeler, including Wheeler twirling his moustaches and playing to the gallery and Daniel presenting the show drunk.

The White House really doesn't get this whole American War of Independence shtick does it? On the other hand, in Hamilton George III does get to sing "I'll Be Back" and he is portrayed as fat, vain, stupid and nasty... Just sayin'.

Wibble...

In addition, the Ministry asks that only verified information is reported and allegations circulating that sites in Tyre have also been damaged by the current Israeli action are false.

#HeritageCrime News In a statement issued on Social Media the Lebanese Ministry of Culture has confirmed it has made a complaint to UNESCO alleging the Israeli army has damaged the historic site at Charnaa Castle contrary to the Hague Convention.

Is it going too far to suggest the European Association of Archaeologists #EAA is facing its Victor Orban moment? While the EAA leadership tried to downplay the results of the per rollem vote, it is clearly out of step with a large proportion of its membership and at some point it must face them.

The proposed Arch de Trump in Washington is quite the cultural mash up. The Babylon set from D W Griffiths "Intolerence", meets something different to poke out of the sand at the end of a remake of Planet of the Apes, channelled through a crazed #AI bot trained on Albert Speer's Germania model.

Isn't it Comm's 101 that you stress test a new slogan for its vulnerability to anyone with photo editing software? Case study Fuel Britain with the Conservatives Becomes... Fool Britain with the Conservatives.

Heartwarming to see the UK Home Office exercising international solidarity by protecting the Governments of Sudan, Afghanistan, Cameroon and Myanmar from the threat of dangerous intellectuals, especially in the case of Afghanistan those uppity women.

The Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland has published the programme for its annual conference. The keynote presentation is from Professor Laura McAtackney talking to the potential and limits of the Archaeology in & of the contemporary world as a tool for social justice and countering injustice.

We are going to need a special category of Darwin Award for people who fall for #AI bullsh*t. Two candidates in the last few days. Tech company Krafton which tried to deny the Subnautica 2 devs their bonus & Your Home Partners who cited legislation which doesn't exist risking a contempt charge.

“We don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won.” News To misquote his ancestor George III in "Hamilton", if things carry on at this rate, if and when King Charles visits Washington it could be to say, "we'll have you back (but only if you ditch the Mango Mussolini".

Yup...

The #Spitfire first flew on 5 March 1936 at Eastleigh airport in Southampton, where this memorial commemorates the event.

A happy 90th birthday to my birthday twin, R J Mitchell's timeless, sculptural, Spitfire. As #SpitfireDay has fallen on #WorldBookDay did I ever tell you we wrote a book about how archaeology proved one of aviation's great urban myths, that Spitfires had been buried in Burma, was just that, a myth.

Trump: The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties — that often happens in war. Much comment about similarities between Trump's attack on Iran and the plot of the film Wag The Dog. Perhaps more accurately it's a mash up of Team America World Police and Shrek.