Megaliths in the Osnabrück area

This year's Easter journey is completely dedicated to my MA. Therefore we were heading to the north where Funnelbeaker monuments can be found. Our first stop was Osnabrück in Germany with a group of interesting long dolmen, some with surrounding stone revetment. Although a certain someone says they are all looking alike and we can therefore return to someplace warmer.

Although it was either raining or snowing the last couple of days, we were lucky and whenever we went outside to study a dolmen the sun was shining or it was at least dry.

We also made the aquaintance of a really nice pony, which loved the carrot I fed it.

Conference Neolithic Violence

On Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th of March I attended the 'Neolithic Violence in a European Perspective' Conference in Oxford. Scholars from Britain, Denmark, Spain, Germany and some other European countries came together to talk about interpersonal violence in the Neolithic and whether we can talk about warfare in this time period. Although there is a lot of evidence that human beings were a violent lot from the beginnings of time, it is unlikely that a structured war happened in the Neolithic. However, the evindence from Talheim, Germany, where a whole hamlet was wiped out, is pretty convincing, that at least raiding and massacring was not that unusual. Essentually we can say that mankind didn't change a bit.

It's a pity I didn't had the time to explore more of Oxford, because it is a really beautiful town. Here a photo of the Oxford University Centre for the Environment where the conference took place:

And here some more 'touristy' pics, the Round Theatre at Oxford:



and cherry blossoms, yes it's this time of the year again :)

The Chinese Emperor in London

I can't believe how long I haven't posted here. Well, I guess I was pretty busy with my MA presentation and everything.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a ticket for the special exhibition at the British Museum in London, featuring terracotta warriors from the first Chinese Emperor. It was really difficult, since it is completely booked out and only 500 tickets per day are issued in the morning for this day. Since I'm not really a morning person this was not an option for me; but I was really really lucky: someone must have given back his ticket because there was a single ticket for last Wednesday which I bought online.

It was a small but impressive exhibition. After all China -for the first time- gave two of his famous terracotta warriors away.

copyright British Museum

The detail and accuracy with which this lifesize warriors were made is simply astonishing. Every figure has a different hairstyle, different sandals etc. Additionally various artefacts from his tomb were exhibited among them the bronze crane you can see here:

copyright British Museum

The only negative thing about the exhibiton was that Brit. Museum didn't say which statues were the originals and which were replicas, more or less suggesting that all statues were orignal ones. And it was too crowded, much to crowded. But still worth the 12 Pounds: after all the only other option would be to go to Xian to see them live. Well, maybe next year :)

Weekend in London

Last weekend Michael was coming and since it was his birthday we took a day off to London. The visit of the London Tower took most of our time. Only few remains from its foundation in 1078 by William the Conqueror. The White Tower is where the original tower was built and the Norman main hall is accesible for visitiors with reconstructed wooden beams which then carried the roof:

Here is a view of London Bridge from the Tower:

And now I'm pretty sure that the end of the monarchy is coming. They have to keep the ravens in a cage to keep them from leaving the Tower. Oh oh...

We then had a ride (or rather flight, after all it's sponsored by British Airways) on the London Eye.

After endless queuing you will be truly rewarded by a spectacular view over London and it's main sights like Westminster, St. Paul ...

Noodle Restaurant

This is still in Kumamoto, but I guess I'm hungry that's why I posted this noodle restaurant ad :)

(Use Quicktime if your media player doesn't show the movie)

Shinkansen

We left Beppu and took the Nozomi Shinkansen to Ôsaka, Nozomi being the fastest train service going to Ôsaka and ultimately to Tôkyou.

And we really travelled with 300 km/h:

Mount Takasaki

Takasaki-yama is just a 10-min bus ride from Beppu, so we went there to watch the more than 1500 wild Japanese monkeys:

There are a lot of Dos and Don'ts about the monkeys

But in general they were well behaved:

Kitsune Shrine

In the 9-hells-of-Beppu area is also a small Kitsune shrine (Fox shrine).




Kitsune are believed to possess superior intelligence, long life, and magical powers. Unlike the tales in China and Korea foxes are highly regarded spirits, and portrayed as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives. The negative aspect of being a trickster is a later folcloristic addition coming from China and Korea resp.

Beppu

Our next stop was Beppu, one of Japan's most famous hot springs (onsen) areas. Some hot springs, however, are only for viewing. They are called the 'nine hells of Beppu' (jigoku):

Kamado jigoku, the "cooking pot hell" features several boiling ponds and a flashy demon statue as cook.:

The hot water is actually used for cooking. The basket contains eggs which are lowered into the steaming hot water:

This pudding, a kind of crème brulée cooked by means of hot steam is famous, too:

Umi jigoku, the "sea hell" features a pond of hot, blue water:

Chinoike Jigoku , the "blood pond hell" features a pond of hot, red water:

Be careful, don't wake up the devil who is sleeping and snoring here, exhaling hot breath with every snore:

Shiraike jigoku, the "white pond hell" got its name from its milky white water.

Oniishibozu jigoku is named after the mud bubbles, which emerge from boiling mud pools and look like the shaven heads of monks:

In oniyama jigoku crocodiles and alligators are bred and kept , hence it name 'monster mountain hell':

Tatsumaki jigoku, the "spout hell" features a boiling hot geyser, which erupts every 25-30 minutes for a couple of minutes:

Kumamoto Castle

This is Kumamoto-jô, the landmark of Kumamoto. It was built in 1607 by the Kato Clan. It was nearly totally destroyed after a 53-day siege but reconstructed in last centuries' 70s. Still some of the wooden constructions are original. However, all the concrete thingses are, of course, the reconstruction.

Detailed view:

Entrance to the castle innerds:

And a rare photo of myself:

Kumamoto

This pic we took on our way back from Mount Aso, so you can see the surroundings:




And this is a car-elevator, a really nice invention :)




Kumamoto is Heidelberg's twin town and they have a lot in common. Both towns have a lovely castle, hoards of tourists and a nice museum. In contrast to Heidelberg you were allowed to take pictures freely. Here you can see a dogu, a Jomon-period clay figure:




Also very fascinating in this time period are shell masks:

and the habit of pulling the canines of some high-ranking individuals:

Mount Aso

While in Kumamoto we went to Mount Aso, which is Japan's largest active volcanoe:


Signs warn you in 'plain English' of any health risks you might encounter:

Some offerings to the Gods:

And yes, it is still active, smoking and puffing:

Sulphur from the volcanoe is sold on site: