Altai rock art
The computer-enhanced ‘Mongolian deer’ (CWA 106) indicates that the Late Bronze Age artist’s (his or her) use of stylisation and the sense of motion is as good as anyone has produced since. Viewing it made me cry with tears of joy, it seems so real and vital.
If Kortum and his team decide to produce a good reprint of this, put me first on the list to purchase one and add to their funds for further research.
Steven Baer
Colorado, USA
Storms shaking Ithaca
My wife and I had a splendid holiday on Ithaca in 2019 and would have returned but for COVID. So, Hodges’ article made a fine and interesting read.
However, one only has to see the destruction in Asos on Kefalonia and in Kioni, plus its neighbouring harbour Frikes, down to the coast from Stavros on Ithaca, following a storm in autumn last year to realise that the moderns have it just as bad as the ancients. The two Ithaca harbours lost all but two of their fishing fleet.
Skopelos (apologies if it is better known now as the Mamma Mia! Island) had just two hours of torrential rain in 2014 that took out the port car park and put 115 cars in the harbour. The storm went on to Hydra – one can view videos of 4ft of water crashing down the high street into the harbour there.
Skopelos is a more interesting island than it is given credit for, with Neolithic tombs, Roman baths and temples, a Venetian castle, and 365 churches, at least!
Steven Cann
Dorking, UK
Smithsonian Institution
I sent in my subscription today. Very impressive magazine – thank you! Looking at your back issues online, I noticed that on several occasions the Smithsonian Institution, here in Washington DC, is referred to as an Institute when it is an Institution. I look forward to reading CWA and I plan to purchase a few print back issues too. Stay safe and be well.
William Chaloner
Washington DC, USA
CWA online
Great to see the #Jerash-project make the cover of @WorldArchaeo this month and even more proud about our ‘Jerash Papers’ book series edited by Achim Lichtenberger and Rubina Raja!
The Past @read_the_past
#ICYMI: On our latest podcast, Professors Clive Ruggles and Patrick Kirch discuss their study of some fascinating temple sites on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Plus: @WorldArchaeo editor Matt Symonds on the new @britishmuseum exhibition on Thomas Becket.
Find all episodes of the PastCast, including discussions of recent and upcoming content in CWA, at https://the-past.com/podcasts.
Please note: letters may be edited; views expressed here are those of our readers, and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine.
