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Preview! PEOPLE OF THE SONGTRAIL…COMING IN MAY!

PEOPLE OF THE SONGTRAIL cover

PEOPLE OF THE SONGTRAIL

PREVIEW!

Every person seems to be holding his breath.

Soon, the cargo hatch is flung open and starlight streams over us.  I squint at the ugly little man who trots down the stairs and calls, “On your feet, thralls!  We’re bringing you up on deck.  One at a time!  And no shoving or hurting each other or you’ll get the club.”

Few people can stand without help.  It takes time before we can drag one another up and begin crowding for the stairs, climbing up and out into the fresh air.

As I emerge I gulp a lungful of the clean breeze; then a man grabs my bound hands and drags me over to the line of slaves that extends down the deck.  He chains me beside Frigga.  As each new thrall climbs up out of the hold he or she is shackled to the line.

“Best make yourselves presentable!” the man shouts.  “Some of you will be getting off here.  Your new master is on the way to take a good look at you.  I don’t have to tell you what will happen if he doesn’t like what he sees…”

 

Maya civilization and climate change…

The Maya were not passive victims of climate change.  They took action. http://archaeology.org/news/3226-150421-maya-climate-change

Maya and climate change

Beer cans…

beer-can-litterOh, great, we have 50 million new artifacts to record in the state of Wyoming.  Well, at least half will be found in old archaeological field camps, so that will make it easier. We know where those are.

http://westerndigs.org/ring-tab-beer-cans-are-now-officially-historic-artifacts/

 

Agatha Christie is so fascinating…

Agatha ChristieShe filled our young lives with such pleasurable murders!

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/04/25/a-very-british-crime-scene-at-home-with-agatha-christie.html?via=newsletter&source=DDMorning

The destruction of cultural treasures during war is, tragically, the legacy of humanity.

India Buddhist cave

Destroying what your enemy holds dear is the legacy of humanity.  Think of the destruction of Solomon’s Temple, the ancient manuscripts in the libraries of Timbuktu, the destruction of Iroquoian wampum belts, Taliban’s blowing up of the magnificent Bamiyan Buddhas in 2001.  And, of course, ISIS’ destruction of archaeological sites in Iraq and Syria.   The reasons for destroying your enemy’s cherished cultural sites and artifacts are varied, but for the most part such acts center around tearing out the heart of the people.   

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-we-have-civic-responsibility-protect-cultural-treasures-during-wartime-180954887/

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