Intellectual hooliganism topic: Middle Earth Archaeology

[Morthoron]

I could see an excellent basis for a fan-fic plot of a modern-day archaeologist stumbling across subterranean ruins of a Middle-earth nature, and the subsequent peril unleashed by his/her find. Excellent, of course, in the right hands. Or the right writing, as it were.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

I could see an excellent basis for a fan-fic plot of a modern-day archaeologist stumbling across subterranean ruins of a Middle-earth nature, and the subsequent peril unleashed by his/her find. Excellent, of course, in the right hands. Or the right writing, as it were.

I remember taking part in a fantastic RPG on here once which was about a hunt in the Ice Bay of Forochel for lost palantiri. I wish I still had the time, not least because I enjoyed creaing the characters and playing within the bounds of the canon, but my free time lately has been given over to hunting down old records of canal boatmen.

Still, it's 2012, what about those lost Notion Club Papers, eh?

If you ever have the chance to visit British megalithic sites, it's like stumbling upon some part of old Middle-earth. Not Stonehenge though, that's a bit noisy, I'm thinking more of the weirdness of Wayland's Smithy, Arbor Low or Chysauster.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

If you ever have the chance to visit British megalithic sites, it's like stumbling upon some part of old Middle-earth. Not Stonehenge though, that's a bit noisy, I'm thinking more of the weirdness of Wayland's Smithy, Arbor Low or Chysauster.

I've been to many of Ireland's megalithic sites. Let me tell you, there is definitely an odd feeling one gets going down a tunnel deep into a tumulus that was delved by someone 4000-5000 years ago. The passage tomb at Knowth in particular. Barrow Wights indeed.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

I've been to many of Ireland's megalithic sites. Let me tell you, there is definitely an odd feeling one gets going down a tunnel deep into a tumulus that was delved by someone 4000-5000 years ago. The passage tomb at Knowth in particular. Barrow Wights indeed.

Alan Lee was certainly onto something when he chose to base his sketches of the Barrows on Maes Howe:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maes_Howe

These are all chambered tombs, but for a real creep out you should visit the west country. The Cornish fogou or 'creep' is probably one of the most sinister (yet strangely nice) things you can ever experience.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Alan Lee was certainly onto something when he chose to base his sketches of the Barrows on Maes Howe:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maes_Howe

These are all chambered tombs, but for a real creep out you should visit the west country. The Cornish fogou or 'creep' is probably one of the most sinister (yet strangely nice) things you can ever experience.

We're planning a trip to Britain within the next couple years. I'll add that to the 4000 things already on the itinerary. I'll tell the wife she'll just have to cut short her shopping trip in London.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

We're planning a trip to Britain within the next couple years. I'll add that to the 4000 things already on the itinerary. I'll tell the wife she'll just have to cut short her shopping trip in London.

How to 'do' London: go from train to British Museum and see the best bits (Lindow Man, Dr John Dee's alchemical instruments and the shop); go to the Forbidden Planet Megastore and stock up on geek must-haves; go to Cabinet War Rooms and learn about the importance of carpet sizes to the Civil Service; visit Tate Britain; and leave before darkness falls. All the best stuff in Britain is well outside the Venetian city state that is London.

[Elmo]

Archaeology in the real world didn't get popular until the Victorian era. Did any of Middle Earth's society progress that far? Only the hobbits, and by nature they weren't a curious sort. So I don't think archaeology was popular east of the Sea.