No intelligent design in Staphorst

In the predominantly Christian village of Staphorst in the North-East of the Netherlands the provisional map of area's with archaeological value gave rise to commotion in the city counsil. The report mentions area's of archaeological and geological age that, according to the town counsil, are before the creation and therefor cannot exist. The Christian parties demand a Biblical perspective on the creation of the earth to be added. The archaeological consultancy has agreed to adapt the document.

Archaeological maps are legally mandatory for municipalities in the Netherlands so archaeological data can be taken into account when planning development. After the presentation of the map, alderman Sytse de Jong (SGP), responsible for the assignment of the map, noted that 'the municipality finances the report and therefore deserved to contain the Biblical view adhered to by a large part of the voters of Staphorst'. He proposed that 'the final report should at least start with a passage about the creation'. The consultant of the archaeological consultancy BAAC replied that he has 'a scientific background and cannot ignore evidence indicating an age of tens of thousands of years. However 'unusual', BAAC is going to add the requested text.

Practical problems need not arise, stated De Jong, when combining a biblical view on the history of the area with the scientific archaeological map. 'We could for instance examine how Staphorst has changed location several times. This goes back perhaps 1400 years, so about that period there is no dispute.' It makes you wonder, however, how the municipal archaeologist is supposed to deal with finds older than 4000 BC. Presumably, when hitting on these layers, Staphorster archaeologist pray for elections.



Prehistoric finds in the vicinity of Staphorst. (Click to enlarge.) A1: canoo dugout with flint tools, ca. 10.000 BC; A2: dolmen, 3500 - 2700 BC; A7: Late-Palaeolithic flint pointed awl 50mm long; A9: Neolithic stone macehead; A11: Palaeolithic hand ax, ca. 13.000 BC; A12: Mesolithic seasonal camp indicated by traces and artefacts of hunter-gatherer activities; A13: Swifterband burial, associated with tools, grain and domestic animals indicating a agricultural life style, ca. 4000 BC. Source: Erfgoed langs weg en water (Dutch Department of Transport and Water).

Experience Prehistory
Amateur archaeologists in Staphorst continue to excavate in the area and educate children the principles of archaeological fieldwork. In 2008 the exhibition Experience Prehistory took place in a local centre for nature and history. The finds included the Palaeolithic awl and Neolithic macehead shown above. Prior to this exhibition, the awl had been on display in the town hall of Staphorst. An information panel of the Dutch Tourism Board proudly points the way to where it was found.

• Archeologie en bijbel botsen in Staphorst (Meppeler Courant)
• BAAC Press statement
• History of Staphorst (municipality website)
• Stichting Werkgroep Archeologie Regio Staphorst (SWARS)

May I quote that?

It should be obvious that the demand for great artists, once the type was developed as an historical category, was enormous [...] Not surprisingly, quantities of great artists were now duly discovered and, in time, furnished with properly archetypal biographies by the burgeoning discipline of art history. [...] Inevitably some of the great artists inducted into this role fill out with less success than others. Even so, a fair or just good artist is still a servicable item in today's museum business.

In: Carol Duncan, Civilizing rituals, 1995.

May I quote that?

The concept of antiquities as documents of earlier phases of development, was slow to achieve recognition. The debate in the British Parliament during the passage of the Ancient Monuments Acts in 1882 was notable for some remarkably reactionary views. One Conservative aristocrat queried the concept of 'national monuments' which he dismissed as the 'absurd relics of barbarian predecessors who found time hanging heavily on their hands and set about piling up great barrows and rings of stones.' (Kennet 1972, p. 25 in Cleere 1989, p. 7)

May I quote that?

'They had a long time to wait for their train; his father said: 'You can count on Laura to never miss the train, but you may catch the train of the day before.' From: James Agee, A death in the family (1957).

Besteed je tijd nuttig: stem!

The National Trust houdt een fotowedstrijd met als thema 'Time well spent'. Met andere woorden; ze zoeken zonnige plaatjes van geïnteresseerde bezoekers bij een van de 700 National Trust-sites. Vijf professionele fotografen gaven vast hun visie op het onderwerp:


Foto: Amit Lennon. Bezoeker bij hek. (Dat kan ik óók. Stem!)


Foto: Tim Flach. Koe in landschap. (Dat kan ik óók. Stem!)

• Time well spent. A photography competition about people and places.

Amsterdamse wallen op tournee

Welke Amsterdamse scholier herinnert zich niet de 'museumles' in het Stedelijk? Hoogepunt was voor mij het bezoek aan The Beanery van Kienholz (inclusief kroeglucht!), ook wel het 'klokkencafé'. Twintig jaar later heeft dezelfde kunstenaar een bijzonder stukje Amsterdam nagebouwd: de wallen. Ook deze huizen van plezier worden bevolkt door bevroren figuren met druipende lakklodders; de gezichten van de dames zien we door het glas van koekdozen. De mini-vitrines verbeelden het lekkers dat ze in de etalage zetten en tegelijk de vrijheid te kussen wie zij willen.
Nu de echte kamertjes stuk voor stuk veranderen in designschoenateliers, combineert the National Gallery in London de tentoonstelling van Hoerengracht met een aantal frivole voorstellingen van Hollandse meesters. Conservator Colin Wiggins, ziet 'some striking similarities', bijvoorbeeld tussen de vrouw aan de pianola van Vermeer en Jutta in Hoerengracht, 'who stands next to her telephone, looking at us in a confrontational pose as she waits for the next customer to call.'
Ach, ik heb slechtere smoezen gehoord om naar de wallen te gaan.

• How much is that body in the window? Kate Connolly (the Guardian) in gesprek met Nancy Reddin Kienholz, Ed Kienholz' weduwe en medewerker.

Helmet hair

Ik wist niet dat ik het nodig had, maar Bike Belles biedt:



Doe mij maar wat nuttige tips voor fietsen in Londen. What to wear :

• Wrap up warm if it's a cold day, paying particular attention to a good pair of gloves to keep your hands warm.
• On hot summer days, wear a vest or t-shirt under your clothes in case you get sweaty. You can remove it once you arrive at your destination, leaving your clothes clean and dry.
• For short skirts, wear tights to keep your modesty intact.

Schattig, maar weinig nieuws. Mischien kan ik nog iets kan leren van de Beauty tips:

• Use waterproof mascara when it's raining.
• Helmet hair can be an issue. If you have long hair, you can simply tie it up into a bun and tuck it into your helmet.
• Take a comb or brush to revive your style when you reach your destination.

Mijn tip: geen helm. Die draagt de Bike Belle op de foto ook niet trouwens. Op rustige wegen is het nergens voor nodig. Behalve natuurlijk als je een statement wilt maken.