Ok folks. How do you reply to reviewers who used AI to come up with “suggestions”? It’s becoming increasingly irritating. Do you directly address the fact these are idiotic AI suggestions?

So there’s a massive street party while everyone watches the football - and “it’s coming home” or whatever that infernal song is called is playing on a loop. 🙉

Can we please have @number10cat.bsky.social as PM?

Looks like the UK is on track for yet another Prime Minister. What number are we at? I’ve honestly lost count.

Prof Azhari Sadig would like to share the following message on Ahmed's paper on teaching archaeology using WhatsApp during wartime. Open Access paper. Post in English and Arabic.

So proud of my colleague Ahmed - he's not on here but I have to share this open access paper with you. Teaching #archaeology in #Sudan during war. Please read and share, and take a moment to appreciate Sudan and the Sudanese. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

All of this has happened to me. AI has attributed a project for which I’m PI to a number of male co-authors, usually far down the list, but never to me or any of the female or non western co-authors.

#Delphiniums fresh from the garden - said to have sprouted from the blood of Ajax (though I assure you these are from the garden centre!). Apparently the plant can also repel scorpions and was used to dress wounds etc. Please never try this. All parts are toxic - maybe we can blame Ajax. #gardening

Look at the little bumblebee on the bottlebrush ❤️

Xwejni salt pans

Time for a swim.

Off to Gozo

Bliss.

Nothing like being woken up by the rooster arguing with a dog. The rooster is fine btw. Dog goes walkies at this time and they exchange… greetings.

Just landed in the craziness that is Malta at election time and then I see this and I dunno. Maybe we are not the most batshit people on Earth. Maybe. Or maybe the world is doomed.

Urgh. But also loving all the responses.

This is one of the most interesting encyclicals. It’s about humanity yes and AI, technology and so much more. Point 92 onwards marks the beginning of the discussion on AI and tech. www.vatican.va/content/leo-...

So I have a yellow #rose that’s had a mega growth spurt. It needed a trim and I get to enjoy some flowers for a few days. Win. #gardening

Ok BBC. Two Weeks in August - who you trying to fool? Of course that’s Malta and not Greece. A blind bat could tell you that.

Of course I’m excited about the promised sunshine. I can wash my duvets and pillows. Yes I’ve turned into my mum.

Maybe I need more coffee but as I watch chaos in two countries, we can make a plan. Whoever loses the Maltese election can rule Britain. Then the other Commonwealth nations can take it in turn. It’s no dafter than what’s going on now 🤷🏽‍♀️

Maybe the U.K. is not ready for self-government. All this instability surely requires an intervention right? Perhaps until such a time they can show they’re able to govern themselves and retain a prime minister.

Oh this is great! ❤️

Friday musings Preparing packed lunch for tomorrow’s trail courtesy of the lovely Turkish grocer which has many ingredients that in some way cut across many food traditions. Is it the same? No But it’s amazing & most welcome. Love shopping there many buy same ingredients but make v different foods.

So today I wandered into @ibraaz.bsky.social and wowza. There was a fab exhibition by Hrair Sarkissoan called Stolen Past. It’s about artefacts looted from Raqqa Museum (northern Syria) by Islamic State.

In-text citations or nothing. FIGHT ME 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Seriously though, endnotes are diabolical. At least footnotes are somewhat readable. Ps. Not an actual fight - I’ll go make some coffee cos I’m a pacifist who runs on caffeine.

And at long last! This paper is finally live. It's been a labour of love, with thanks to so many @ucdarchaeology.bsky.social @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social @micireland.bsky.social @ulstermuseum.org @nmireland.bsky.social and so many more! And it's open access! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

The ousting of Orbán is a great thing but I’ve seen what happens when there’s a change. The key thing will be accountability. Will Hungary get that? Because it’s never a given. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

But why is it the second I find time to breathe and make a coffee, the cat activates demon mode? It’s a good thing he’s cute.

1/5 Two questions around slavery & its legacies that I’m asked quite frequently, with short answers & links for more detail: Q1: Which was “worse”, European trans-Atlantic or “Islamic” slavery?

Oooh interesting. Thank you Claire. Just shared this with my students. I miss the days of Zoom lectures - so folks if you have anything open to all and online do share and I'll share with my lot :-)

Some great photos from @theguardian.com including a photo of the Bormla Risen Christ. One of my favourites across Malta. Amazing photo by @darrinzl.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

The lamb is coming along nicely. Happy Easter/ L-Għid it-tajjeb.

Come on #ArtemisII

It’s that night of the year when Obelix visits every stone circle to synchronise the clocks. Busy night! Jump forward, people! I know @danherb10.bsky.social LOVES this stuff #DontBlockMe #ClocksGoFoward #TheTimesTheyAreAChangin #BritishSummerTime

Today was spent clambering around early Christian catacombs while enjoying a very splendid vista. Very windy day but perfect for a spot of gentle archaeology.

Time for some snails :-)

That was a very lovely Our Lady of Sorrows procession in Lija

Between the 15th and 17th centuries the Grandmasters of the Order of St John built a series of coastal watch towers. The aim was to have at least three towers visible to each other. This one was built in 1637 by Grandmaster Lascaris.

Time for a bit of peace.

Wandering around my favourite landscape. Best way to clear the mind and renew the soul. Alas still too cold for a swim!

Oh good. Now they’re comparing restaurant prices for fish and seafood. General verdict is you obvs get more at home and mine is superior. Time for a celebratory sip of wine 🤣

Is it even family Sunday lunch if there isn’t a wall of noise? 🤣 Current simultaneous conversations: which bakery has the best bread, my aunt’s neighbour’s new curtains, the Holy Week decor in various windows, that time I did something or other when I was 7…

Just in case anyone was worried they could run out of yours truly🤣🤣🤣 remember - go official and don’t accept imitations.

Fascinating read though I’m glad I was eating yoghurt instead of a ham and cheese toast over breakfast! 🤣

Showed this to my cat and he whacked me 🤣

More destruction of the cultural heritage in Iran. Chehel Sotun in Isfahan, dating back to the 17th c, a UNESCO World Heritage site sustained damage in the war.

Deliberately so.

So. Pending boarding passes because… Brexit that’s why. I am sick of proving my existence. I realise I’m enormously privileged that I can prove it but that’s not the point. Status: Pending approval. Story of my life.