Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Wednesday 24 August 2022

Heads in the sand and under the water


Two recent archaeological discoveries from different places and times can be linked in that the discoveries in both cases are carved heads.

The more ancient is in Turkey at Aizanoi, where the latest discoveries include two fine Hellenistic heads of Aphrodite and Dionysius. The torsos of the statues had been found separately in previous excavations. The account of the discovery and an introducttion to the cult centre around the temple of Zeus can be found from Greek Reporter at Statuary Heads of Greek Gods Unearthed in Ancient City of Aizanoi

Much more modern, in that it is only four or so centuries old, is the oak figurehead from a Dutch ship from the era of the Eighty Years War which was recently dredged up in excellent condition off Texel in the Frisian Islands. The discovery and the symbolism of the head is described on the Ancient Origins site at 400-year-old Ship Figurehead from 80 Years War Caught By Dutch Shrimpers!


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