Next year really is the time to be square. 2025 is a perfect square – 45 squared in fact – for most of us the only instance we will see in our lifetimes. The exceptions being if we were born in or before 1936 or live until 2116. A moment, then, to enjoy some temporal symmetry.

All Hallows' Eve

This is fun.

The poetry of Neanderthal games reminded me of this heritage gem.

The past as playground. The designers of these games clearly have a view on Neanderthal language abilities etc... (One of my favourite tutorial questions from the human evolution course: "Did Neanderthals sing as they buried their dead?")

New website for the APPG for Climate, Nature and Security has gone live. Check it out for more info. appgclimsec.uk/ Climate security - 'If we don’t make time to deal with it today, we won’t have time to deal with it tomorrow.' General (retd) Richard Nugee

Had the chance to visit St Vincent’s Church in Caythorpe over the weekend for the annual Arnhem weekend. Amazed to find lots of airborne-related commemorative elements, such as stained-glass windows, carpets, plaques and kneelers/ hassocks.

Nice to see a juvenile kestrel enjoying the last of the summer sun at the weekend. They can fly at speeds of up to 40mph and, when diving, 60mph. The speed sign presumably a helpful aide-mémoire.

Lots of local media coverage linked to the Digging Market Garden project. Here’s one such piece. Lovely photograph of Judy Urquhart, daughter of Major-General Roy Urquhart (commander of 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem), who kindly visited the site for a few days.

A storm is brewing...

Good to see academia in the role of hero! I thought the academic superpowers were supposed to remain secret, though? Chaos will surely ensue if society learns of our multi-tasking, diary management and close proof/reading abilities...

Community events linked to #DiggingMarketGarden included: lectures on WW2 and airborne history, show and tells about military parachuting by current airborne soldiers, reenactors, an exhibition on WW2 kit by @IWMDuxford and displays manned by local archaeology and history groups

Amazing few days directing fieldwork #DiggingMarketGarden with @CarenzaLewis Amazing results and, as ever, working with service personnel, veterans and their families has been a privilege. arch.ox.ac.uk/digging-market…

Cats on Twitter. Digging Market Garden attracts feline curiosity... arch.ox.ac.uk/digging-market…

Great to announce new community heritage project in Lincolnshire. Digging Market Garden investigates material remains & memories of preparations for one of the largest airborne operations in history #WW2 #airborne #heritage arch.ox.ac.uk/digging-market… @CarenzaLewis @richardhosgood