Born into slavery, Gustav Badin became part of Swedish royal court and left legacy of books and letters.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

A first for me too!

Such an ECSA/AEC fangirl

I've been waiting in line to vote for 15 mins. There's a guy ahead of me who is apoplectic. I love the fact that Australians can expect voting to take only a few mins.

England’s Quarter Sessions Records Online and in Print Brodie Waddell If you’re interested in the history of crime, poverty or daily life in England anytime between the late sixteenth century to the early nineteenth century, you will find a huge amount…

This from @brodiewaddell.bsky.social is a very useful general introduction to some key early modern legal sources.

I completely forgot I made this... a big list of English judicial records, 1500 to 1800, published and often online!

Arabic document from 17th-century rubbish heap confirms existence of semi-legendary Nubian king A recent study published in Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa explores new historical evidence of one of pre-colonial Dongola's earliest rulers.

A 17th-century Arabic document from Old Dongola confirms the existence of King Qashqash, offering new insights into early post-medieval Nubian rulership and the region’s Arabization. doi.org/hbq3fw

Then, an open access book on mummy portraits, a newly discovered Arabic document may confirm the existence of the Nubian King Qashqash, recovering the psychedelic fungi likely used for the Eleusinian Mysteries, new ancient world journals from @yaleclassicslib.bsky.social & much more. Let's get to it

Localizan un manuscrito del siglo XVII en un vertedero que confirma la existencia real del rey nubio Qashqash
www.elconfidencial.com/cultura/2026...

Medieval woman in a red gown reading a book with a castle and greenery in the background. What was life like for women in the middle ages? Our medievalists answer your biggest questions. Read the full story at gty.art/mw26.

In honor of #InternationalWomensDay, let's explore the fascinating (often-untold) lives of medieval women with Getty manuscript curators Elizabeth Morrison and Larisa Grollemond.

📖 gty.art/4ubmi4d

Two-thirds of researchers globally say there is now more emphasis on producing research aligned with government priorities compared with a few years ago, a major survey has found
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/scholars-worldwide-...

Mysterious Greek inscription reignites debate on whether a Syrian mosque stands atop Roman Emperor Elagabalus' Temple.

▶️ phys.org/news/2026-02...

Thanks to all authors, reviewers, & readers as we close out issue 33!

We published 550 pages in 2025: 7 articles; a thematic dossier w/ 4 more articles; a roundtable; an Arabic edition; a pedagogy file; 7 book reviews; & some short communications.

Here’s a thread to gather some highlights! 🧵

Inscribed sandstone fragments of Hole, Norway: radiocarbon dates provide insight into rune-stone traditions | Antiquity | Cambridge Core Inscribed sandstone fragments of Hole, Norway: radiocarbon dates provide insight into rune-stone traditions

We present some results from our long-term work on the earliest #runestone found in an archaeologically datable context #runology: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Six pieces of clay with impressions of various designs imprinted onto them.

Archaeologists have uncovered the largest known corpus of late prehistoric administrative artefacts in the ancient world in western Iran, prompting us to reconsider our understanding of early bureaucratic institutions.

A well-organised #AntiquityThread 1/8 🧵

🏺 #Archaeology

Ten silver coins, viewed from both sides. They all contain the same motifs: on one side, a rising sun, on the other, a pattern called a Srivatsa. Found at numerous sites across Southeast Asia, they indicate long-distance trade through a shared currency.

Southeast Asia was well-connected long before this however, stretching back over 1000 years earlier. Shared coinage from Bangladesh to Vietnam indicates economic connections comparable to those of the Roman Empire as early as the 4th century AD 2/2

🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...

I like that DPs will now be announced after they are nominally supposed to start (Jan 2027)

Discovery Projects are now a complete joke:

EoIs were due 12 Dec last year. Full apps are due 22 April this year. Results won't be out until next year: 15 Jan – 15 Apr 2027.

That’s up to 16 MONTHS!

If the government wants research to work more with industry, they need to sort this out. It's impossible to plan anything with industry partners when you have to tell them its over a year to know whether a grant is successful or not.

Absolutely disgraceful from the Adelaide Festival.
I hope other participants reconsider their part in it.

BREAKING: 3 members of the Adelaide Festival Board have resigned after it refused to reverse its decision to rescind Dr Abdel-Fattah's invitation. No statement has been issued but their names have been quietly removed from the website.

Four people are now responsible for the ongoing crisis.

On the day that a Palestinian writer is dropped from Adelaide Writer’s Week for being *checks notes* Palestinian.

Conference poster: Health and the Environment in the Preindustrial World: Multidisciplinary Approaches 23–24 July 2026, Virtual and at Monash University Rest of text doesn't fit in alt text, see link here: https://premodernhealthscaping.hcommons.org/?p=1656

We're hosting a hybrid conference in July!

"Health and the Environment in the Preindustrial World: Multidisciplinary Approaches" will explore traditional and recent themes converging on public health history.

To be notified when registration opens, fill out this form: forms.gle/5dMU4rNd8d5q...

In fact we have records of at least 65,000 immigrants in the late MEDIEVAL period. This means real numbers were significantly higher. In England more than 1% of the population was foreign born (never mind 2nd gen) with numbers as high as 1 in 10 in cities. There’s a database!

Authors withdraw from festival after Palestinian Australian author dropped After Randa Abdel-Fattah was dropped from Adelaide Writers' Week by the Adelaide Festival Board, a slew of authors, including Michelle de Kretser, have withdrawn from the event.

After Randa Abdel-Fattah was dropped from Adelaide Writers' Week by the Adelaide Festival Board, a slew of authors, including Michelle de Kretser, have withdrawn from the event.

As the Board responsible for the Adelaide Festival organisation and all Adelaide Writers’ Week events, staff, volunteers and participants, we have today advised scheduled writer Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah that the Board has formed the judgment that we do not wish to proceed with her scheduled appearance at next month’s Writers’ Week. Whilst we do not suggest in any way that Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah’s or her writings have any connection with the tragedy at Bondi, given her past statements we have formed the view that it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to program her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. The Board has also now formally established a sub-committee to oversee the ongoing Board-led review, and guide decisions about Adelaide Writers’ Week in the near and longer terms. This includes ongoing engagement with relevant Government agencies and the appointment and/or advice of external experts. This suite of decisions has been taken with the genuine view that they provide the best opportunity for the success and support of the Adelaide Festival, for Adelaide Writers’ Week and the communities we seek to serve and engage. We understand these Board decisions will likely be disappointing to many in our community. We also recognise our request to Dr Abdel-Fattah will be labelled and will cause discomfort and pressure to other participants. These decisions have not been taken lightly. Our only request is that our community is respectful to our staff and volunteers who have not formed part of our decision-making process and deserve nothing but ongoing support for their excellent work. We have communicated our decisions to the State Government after having regular discussions post the tragic events at Bondi. The Board and Senior Executive will be communicating with all Adelaide Writers’ Week participants in coming days, along with other key stakeholders. We hope to see you at Adelaide Writers’ Week. The Adelaide Festival Board

Absolutely disgraceful.

The Adelaide Festival has cancelled Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from appearing.

I will be withdrawing from two panels I was to chair at Adelaide Writers Week 2026. I stand in solidarity with Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, and other Palestinian Australian writers. I urge all writers to do the same. Watch out for statements from SA mob. www.adelaidefestival.com.au/news/2025/ad...

As a former Director of Adelaide Writers' Week I am appalled that the Adelaide Festival Board has rescinded Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah's invitation to the 2026 AWW, explicitly linking its decision to the shattering crimes in Bondi.

A shocking decision that will and should have far-reaching consequences.

You can contact the Adelaide Festival here to express your opinion about their decision to ban Randa Abdel-Fattah. Please refrain from abuse.

STATEMENT FROM THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE 8 January 2026 Following a statement from the board responsible for the Adelaide Festival organisation and all Adelaide Writers’ Week events, The Australia Institute is withdrawing its support and sponsored events from this year’s literary festival. The Australia Institute has valued being part of discussions at the event, which in the past have promoted bravery, freedom of expression and the exchange of ideas. Censoring or cancelling authors is not in the spirit of an open and free exchange of ideas.

Statement from @australiainstitute.org.au on Adelaide Festival.