Archaeology in Poetry
Poetry about the ruins and the past of our lives.
The Society Upon the Stanislaus
The poem Society upon the Stanislaus was first published by American writer Bret Harte in 1912, and it joins our Archaeology Poetry anthology courtesy Geoff Carver.
The poem Society upon the Stanislaus was first published by American writer Bret Harte in 1912, and it joins our Archaeology Poetry anthology courtesy Geoff Carver.
Bread and circuses: Hadrian's Wall, Auden and Alex Harvey
Blogger Adrian Murdoch has a thing for W.H. Auden, who was very interested in archaeology, and in fact has a great poem called "Archaeology" and suggested by reader Neil S. Sadly, Auden's stuff is still under copyright, so toddle on down to your local library for a look.
Blogger Adrian Murdoch has a thing for W.H. Auden, who was very interested in archaeology, and in fact has a great poem called "Archaeology" and suggested by reader Neil S. Sadly, Auden's stuff is still under copyright, so toddle on down to your local library for a look.
Shall I Compare Thee to a Backfill Pile?
An archaeology slam from Archaeology magazine.
An archaeology slam from Archaeology magazine.
Travel
This archaeological poem from Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses was suggested by faithful reader Diana M.
This archaeological poem from Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses was suggested by faithful reader Diana M.
The Destruction Of Sennacherib (Byron 1815)
Lord Byron's 1815 poem about the Assyrians and Nineveh.
Lord Byron's 1815 poem about the Assyrians and Nineveh.
An Apology for Poetry
Sir Philip Sidney on why poets are better than historians.
Sir Philip Sidney on why poets are better than historians.
Archeological Notes
David Wagoner's poem Archeological Notes first appeared in Light (volume 52/53), 2006.
David Wagoner's poem Archeological Notes first appeared in Light (volume 52/53), 2006.
Chaco 1054 AD
Poetry about an Anasazi rock painting celebrating the 1054 supernova, from Paul Young.
Poetry about an Anasazi rock painting celebrating the 1054 supernova, from Paul Young.
Chaco
In 1054 AD, a supernova fired off in the Crab Nebula; it is recorded on a piece of rock art in the famous Chaco Canyon. Poet Paul Young was inspired to write this poem after seeing the image at Chaco.
In 1054 AD, a supernova fired off in the Crab Nebula; it is recorded on a piece of rock art in the famous Chaco Canyon. Poet Paul Young was inspired to write this poem after seeing the image at Chaco.
On the Coliseum (Lord Byron)
From "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," Byron reports his feelings on seeing the Roman Coliseum.
From "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," Byron reports his feelings on seeing the Roman Coliseum.
Ozymandias
As a rabid feminist and ex-English major, I normally think of Percy Shelley as "Mary Shelley's husband," but as gentle reader Sonja W points out, this is far too terrific a poem to ignore for our collection.
As a rabid feminist and ex-English major, I normally think of Percy Shelley as "Mary Shelley's husband," but as gentle reader Sonja W points out, this is far too terrific a poem to ignore for our collection.
Remains
Poet David Mason ruminates on the reading of bones.
Poet David Mason ruminates on the reading of bones.
The Coliseum (Edgar Allan Poe)
The master of the dark short story muses on the Roman Coliseum.
The master of the dark short story muses on the Roman Coliseum.
The Sphinx (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
During the 19th century, many of the planet's great writers and poets wandered into the ruins of the ancient world. Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of them; The Sphinx is his poetical impression of the Old Kingdom Egyptian statue.
During the 19th century, many of the planet's great writers and poets wandered into the ruins of the ancient world. Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of them; The Sphinx is his poetical impression of the Old Kingdom Egyptian statue.
Unnamed Lands (Walt Whitman)
Walt Whitman muses on humanity's past; a snippet from "Leaves of Grass".
Walt Whitman muses on humanity's past; a snippet from "Leaves of Grass".
William Wordsworth's The Thorn
In this essay entitled "From Relics to Remains", Boston University literature professor Charles J. Rzepka discusses the influences of Stonehenge and 17th century archaeologist William Stukeley on the poet William Wordsworth, and how SStukeley's ideas are found in the poem The Thorn.
In this essay entitled "From Relics to Remains", Boston University literature professor Charles J. Rzepka discusses the influences of Stonehenge and 17th century archaeologist William Stukeley on the poet William Wordsworth, and how SStukeley's ideas are found in the poem The Thorn.
Winners of the Taung Baby Limerick Contest
The Annals of Improbable Research recently printed several limericks based on the latest Taung child theory. Here are the winning entries, reprinted with permission; with, of course, a belated contribution from your guide who simply can't help herself.
The Annals of Improbable Research recently printed several limericks based on the latest Taung child theory. Here are the winning entries, reprinted with permission; with, of course, a belated contribution from your guide who simply can't help herself.