Latest news with #Norse
Boston Globe
10 hours ago
- General
- Boston Globe
On the Vineyard, a federal immigration sting, a tattoo, and questions about white supremacy
'Some white supremacists, particularly racist Odinists, have appropriated the Valknot to use as a racist symbol,' the Advertisement Odinism is 'a term frequently given to a racist variant of the Norse pagan religion known as Asatru,' the ADL wrote. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. News of the officer's tattoo was The symbol, which also has an the alternative spelling Valknut, was tattooed on the face of a self-described 'white-power skinhead,' who killed a Utah corrections officer, according to an article cited by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The center said among racist pagans the Valknot signifies Advertisement Experts said the Valknot is not as easily recognized as other better known hate symbols. 'It is often associated with Odin and the willingness to die a violent death for a cause, usually Nazism/white supremacy,' Thomas Birkett, a professor at University College Cork, Ireland, who studies Norse mythology and runes. 'It's on the same continuum of swastika, black sun, othala rune, etc.' The symbol, he said, is also used by neo-pagans, often without racist connotations, so it is 'very hard to prove that it means what it probably does mean, unless accompanied by other more overtly racist symbols.' 'The problem is that neo-Nazi groups are very good at occupying this grey area which allows them deniability if challenged by an employer etc.,' he said. 'The federal agent concerned could easily claim that it is just a cool symbol, or worn because they have Scandinavian heritage, etc.' Sophie Bjork-James, a Vanderbilt University professor, agreed the symbol's meaning can be manipulated. 'Such symbols are often chosen over more recognizable racist images such as the swastika as the individual can both signal their identity to others while also denying a link to a white supremacist movement when convenient,' she said. 'This means that unlike a swastika, one needs more evidence to understand if someone with a valknut tattoo is indeed a white nationalist.' Many far-right groups have embraced Norse symbols and mythology 'because they critique Christianity as a religion influenced by Judaism,' according to Bjork-James Advertisement 'Anti-Jewish prejudice is central to white nationalism so Norse symbols can also be used as a symbol of their prejudice against Jews,' she said. Immigration raids last week on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket saw about 40 people taken into custody on the resort islands that rely on immigrant labor. Photos of the unidentified federal agent with the tattoo have circulated on the island. Photos and videos taken by a resident near the Menemsha Coast Guard Station show a man wearing a tactical vest identifying him as a 'police federal agent.' The man appears to wear a neck gaiter, which obscures the lower parts of his face, as well as sunglasses and a cap. Both of his arms appear to be heavily tattooed. Near the Valknot is a tattoo of the coiled snake of Charlie Giordona, a 58-year-old Vineyard resident, was among those to confront and film the agents during the ICE sting. 'It's all about context, man,' said Giordona over the phone on Monday. 'I would ridicule ICE for profiling brown people in their roundups. By the same token, I shouldn't profile someone for their tattoos. But again, it's all about context.' He continued, 'I don't think those guys are fans of Odin and Norse mythology. I think those guys are white supremacists.' Massachusetts has a lengthy history of white supremacy and far-right politics. At least 530 state residents signed up for the Oath Keepers, Advertisement In 2022, two days before the Fourth of July, about 100 white supremacists, Danny McDonald can be reached at
Miami Herald
11 hours ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Metal detectorist revisits farm where he found gold artifact — and finds another
A resident of southern Norway has a knack for finding things. Recently, he revisited the site where he'd previously found a rare gold artifact — and found another ancient treasure. Metal detectorist Sverre Næsheim visited a farm in Hovland in 2019 and unearthed an ancient gold item known as a 'gullgubbe,' or gold foil, the Cultural Heritage Office of Vestfold County Municipality said in a May 15 Facebook post. At the time, Næsheim's discovery was a first-of-its-kind find for the county and sparked a monthslong georadar survey of the area, officials said in Facebook posts from 2019 and 2020. The scans identified traces of a large building, likely a gathering hall. This spring, officials allowed Næsheim to return to the now-protected area in Hovland to continue searching for artifacts, the county said. It didn't take long for him to find something. For the second time, Næsheim found a 1,200-year-old gold foil, officials said. Gold foils are thin pieces of gold stamped with designs and generally date between 570 and 800. The designs usually include people or animals and are typically interpreted as depicting a mythical wedding between a Norse god and a giant. Næsheim's newly unearthed gold foil is roughly half an inch in size and shows a couple looking at each other, officials said. A photo shows the design up close. The figures' heads reach the top corners, and the person on the left seems to have an outstretched arm. The entire scene is ringed by a cord-like border. Gold foils have been found in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Archaeologists don't know the purpose of these tiny artifacts but generally link them to ritual ceremonies. Like other sites where gold foils have been found, Hovland's name shows a link to Norse religion, officials said in 2019. In Old Norse, the term 'hov' referred to a temple or other site for cult activities. County officials said they plan to continue searching the Hovland site in hopes of finding more artifacts. Hovland is a small town along the southeastern coast of Norway, and a roughly 70-mile drive southwest from Oslo. Google Translate and Facebook Translate were used to translate the Facebook posts from the Cultural Heritage Office of Vestfold County Municipality.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Prosciutto di Portici: A ham-shaped portable sundial likely owned by Julius Caesar's father-in-law — before it was buried by Mount Vesuvius
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Name: Prosciutto di Portici What it is: A silver-plated bronze sundial Where it is from: Herculaneum, near Naples, Italy When it was made: Between 8 B.C. and A.D. 79 Related: Ram in the Thicket: A 4,500-year-old gold statue from the royal cemetery at Ur What it tells us about the past: In the shadow of Vesuvius, archaeologists discovered a pocket-sized bronze sundial in the shape of a ham in the summer of 1755. Nearly overlooked amidst the statues and charred scrolls buried at the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum, the "Prosciutto of Portici" is the earliest known Roman portable sundial. The silver-coated bronze ham measures about 4.4 by 3 inches (11.3 by 7.8 centimeters). The body of the object is crisscrossed by incised lines, and a series of Latin letters graces the bottom right quadrant. On the left edge, a bronze stump indicates that the gnomon — the "hand" of a sundial — has broken off. When 18th-century archaeologists stumbled on the object in their excavation tunnels under the municipality of Portici (later identified as the ancient town of Herculaneum) they initially thought it was a miniature ham sculpture with stripes. A closer examination revealed the object was a Roman sundial — a unique object that has been studied for more than two centuries. According to Christopher Parslow, an archaeologist and art historian at Wesleyan University who published a book on the sundial in 2024, the horizontal lines indicate the number of hours before or after sunset; the seven vertical lines represent months of the zodiac calendar; and the letters below are abbreviations of the 12 months in the Roman calendar. Thanks to one of these abbreviations — AU for August — the sundial can be dated to some time after 8 B.C., when the Roman Senate officially renamed the month of Sextilis to Augustus in honor of the first emperor. Sundials can be extremely accurate, but only if they are calibrated to a specific location. Based on the markings and the angle of the gnomon, which has since been lost but was originally recorded as being shaped like a pig's tail, Gianni Ferrari, an ancient sundial expert, estimated in 2019 that the ham clock was calibrated for someone living around 41°N latitude — just about where Herculaneum is. MORE ASTONISHING ARTIFACTS —Oseberg tapestry: Viking Age artwork from a boat burial that may depict the Norse tree of life —Hatnefer's heart scarab: An exquisite ancient Egyptian gold necklace inscribed with the Book of the Dead —Hårby Valkyrie: A 1,200-year-old gold Viking Age woman sporting a sword, shield and ponytail Historians have long assumed that the owner of the Villa of the Papyri was L. Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, the father-in-law of Julius Caesar, who likely commissioned the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus to draft the numerous charred scrolls that were recently "virtually unwrapped." This may explain why the Roman pocketwatch was shaped like a ham. For adherents of Epicurean thought, the lowly pig was often used as a metaphor, as it was seen as a naturally pleasure-seeking creature. Experts continue to debate how well the prosciutto sundial worked. While earlier scholars estimated an error of only a couple minutes, Ferrari found significantly higher errors, in the range of tens of minutes, in the object's time-telling ability. And based on a 3D scan and reconstruction of the sundial, Parslow determined that the sundial could be used to tell time to the half or quarter hour. "The instrument probably was a mark of distinction and a jewel," Ferrari wrote, "rather than being a precision instrument giving the correct time." This unique ancient "pork clock" was buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. It is on display at Italy's National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Ten top solo holiday trips from Moroccan retreats and exotic islands to UK walking tours and no-fly cruising
DARE you fly solo? Imagine packing for a getaway just for you and heading off to wherever you choose in the world. You would be among an increasing number of people of all ages taking holidays alone. 4 Enjoy market fun in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi There is a huge range of breaks at home and abroad for single travellers – from a walking tour, sailing the seas, or a desert retreat, to a canoe expedition, sunshine island adventure or bushcraft course. Trisha Harbord goes on a quest to find the ten top solo trips . . . WONDER OF WALKING A WALKING holiday is a perfect way to meet fellow enthusiasts while exploring the glorious British countryside on foot. After being greeted by a Solos Holidays guide for a welcome drink, you will meet up with fellow ramblers for a three-night stay at the New Ocean Hotel in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. Read More on Travel Your boots need to be made for walking over the next two days. But each trek is comfortably paced, lasting around two to three hours. You will take in stunning panoramic views over the Bristol Channel and landscapes of the Brean Down peninsular, and explore Weston Woods. Evenings are spent enjoying dinner and live entertainment. Most read in Beach holidays GO: Three nights' half-board in a single room with a free bar for four hours each evening, from October 3, costs from £499. See MAKING WAVES SAIL the seas with one of the cheapest cruise lines for solos. Ambassador is known for having the best value for singles sailing from the UK, with the lowest daily rate of £156. The liner has special-fare single-occupancy cabins. But book early, as they are popular. Join the Viking Heritage Tour no-fly cruise along the Norse trade routes, calling at Sweden's Gothenburg, Guided excursions are available to explore the beautiful cities. The 1,400-guest ship has bars, restaurants, a wellness centre, pool and entertainment including an outdoor movie screen. There are dance and fitness classes, and guest speakers. GO: Eight nights' full-board for a solo guest in ocean-view cabin is from £1,009. For details, see 4 Adventure Solos runs a Canoe Scotland holiday across the spectacular great glens, navigating canals and lochs Credit: Getty COMMUNITY SPIRIT EXPLORE the world with a G Adventures holiday, just for go-it-alones. Its Solo-ish Adventures feature 33 trips to destinations including There are female-only leaders, free arrival transfers so that travellers feel safe and looked after, and welcoming experiences so a group of strangers can get to know one another. There is also 'me time' for anyone wishing to explore on their own. An 11-day tour of Vietnam, from GO: Solo-ish Vietnam including B&B, some lunches and dinners, and flights from the UK in August, costs from around £2,050. For further details see JUST FOR YOU THE world's your oyster with solo specialists Just You. From a trip to Italy is a favourite destination, with several itineraries to choose from. On an eight-day break, you can enjoy a guided tour of the historical site of You'll get to stay in the 4H Hotel Palma – once an elegant 19th-century villa – with a solarium, hot tub and large terrace looking out at famed volcano Vesuvius. GO: Seven nights' B&B, including some meals, welcome drink, tours and farewell get-together, costs £1,999, flying from Heathrow on June 17. See RELAXING RETREAT ESCAPE the stresses of everyday life and head into the serene Moroccan countryside for a rejuvenating getaway. You'll stay with Amana Retreats in a private property nestled in olive groves and set against the breathtaking backdrop of the There's a pool, walking trails, sun-drenched terraces and quiet corners perfect for relaxing and reflection. Enjoy two daily yoga sessions – open to all levels – blending ancient wisdom with modern science, alongside sound-healing, breathwork and nutrition workshops. Afternoons offer time to unwind by the pool, explore the souk or join the yoga and other sessions at the retreat. Special menus feature nourishing, locally sourced alkaline meals and fresh juices to support your wellbeing. GO: Five nights' full-board from October 9 is from £950. See Return flights from Gatwick cost from £113, see 4 A walking holiday is a perfect way to meet fellow enthusiasts while exploring the glorious British countryside on foot Credit: Jelana M - CITY SLICKER HAVE a cracking time on a city break to The Polish city's old town, within ancient walls, is one of the treasures of Europe and listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. In 2000, it was also named European Capital of Culture. It has the largest medieval market square in Europe. Or you can see 15th-century painting Lady With An Ermine, by Leonardo da Vinci, in the museum, and discover the underground market below Cloth Hall. The four-day trip is guided by an experienced tour manager. Upon arrival, you'll be treated to a welcome dinner so you can get to know other guests, in a group of up to 25. GO: Three nights' B&B in the 4H Novotel Krakow Centrum, with flghts from various UK airports including Manchester on November 14 and transfers, costs from £869. See DREAM ISLAND SUN-kissed Immerse yourself in Indonesian culture by eating delicious street food, meeting traditional fabric weavers, watching a dance performance and visiting a temple. Intrepid's Beautiful Bali guided trip will also give you the chance to hike Other activities include cycling and snorkelling but there's also plenty of free time, when you can explore on your own or in the group and relax on the beach or in hot springs. GO: Nine days including accommodation, transport, selected meals and activities, costs from £561. Multiple departures until December. Return flights from the UK cost around £845. See HIT THE ROAD SIT back and relax on a coach tour of one of Shearings is offering more trips for single travellers, with no room supplements, owing to increased demand. The five-day Holy Island and Northumbrian Coast tour, travelling through stunning countryside with wonderful sea views, includes four nights at the Leonardo Newcastle in the buzzing city. You'll visit At low tide, you'll be driven over the causeway from the village of Beal to Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island because it was a birthplace of Christianity with a monastery founded in 635AD. GO: Half-board from October 6, with coach departure points across the UK, costs from £629. See 4 Intrepid's Beautiful Bali guided trip will give you the chance to hike Mount Batur for a sunrise view across the Lombok Strait, and visit Undisan village in the hills AQUA FUN THE clue is in the name – Adventure Solos. Fully-hosted breaks and day trips offered by founder Chris Bone include canoeing, hiking, map- reading and rock-climbing. Designed for people in their thirties to fifties, the itineraries are all beginner-friendly. The five-day Canoe Scotland holiday is a 60-mile expedition across the spectacular great glens, navigating canals and lochs including famed Loch Ness, from west to east. Along the way, you'll be able to enjoy wild-swimming and camping under the stars on loch shores. You can either take your own tent or hire it from Adventure Solos, who also advise on what food to bring along. GO: Expedition departs from Banavie, near Fort William, on June 30 and costs from £795, including canoe equipment. See GOING WILD LOVERS of the outdoors who fancy giving Wild Human's four-night Native break teaches skills such as food-foraging, friction fire-lighting, preparing game, smoking meat and making fishing equipment. You'll also learn how to carve safely with an axe, make pitch glue and bark-craft baskets. Accommodation is in your own tent, pitched in a private woodland close to Windermere in the But the course, for up to 14 people, is fully catered so you'll be tucking into nutritious, seasonal local food and there's a few luxuries including a pizza oven and sauna. It's one of a number of Wild Human challenging solo expeditions, at home and abroad. GO: The course is from July 6 to 10 and costs from £495. See
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Ten top solo holiday trips from Moroccan retreats and exotic islands to UK walking tours and no-fly cruising
A walking holiday is a perfect way to meet fellow enthusiasts while exploring the glorious British countryside on foot GOING SOLO Ten top solo holiday trips from Moroccan retreats and exotic islands to UK walking tours and no-fly cruising DARE you fly solo? Imagine packing for a getaway just for you and heading off to wherever you choose in the world. You would be among an increasing number of people of all ages taking holidays alone. 4 Enjoy market fun in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi There is a huge range of breaks at home and abroad for single travellers – from a walking tour, sailing the seas, or a desert retreat, to a canoe expedition, sunshine island adventure or bushcraft course. Trisha Harbord goes on a quest to find the ten top solo trips . . . WONDER OF WALKING A WALKING holiday is a perfect way to meet fellow enthusiasts while exploring the glorious British countryside on foot. After being greeted by a Solos Holidays guide for a welcome drink, you will meet up with fellow ramblers for a three-night stay at the New Ocean Hotel in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. Your boots need to be made for walking over the next two days. But each trek is comfortably paced, lasting around two to three hours. You will take in stunning panoramic views over the Bristol Channel and landscapes of the Brean Down peninsular, and explore Weston Woods. Evenings are spent enjoying dinner and live entertainment. GO: Three nights' half-board in a single room with a free bar for four hours each evening, from October 3, costs from £499. See MAKING WAVES SAIL the seas with one of the cheapest cruise lines for solos. Ambassador is known for having the best value for singles sailing from the UK, with the lowest daily rate of £156. The liner has special-fare single-occupancy cabins. But book early, as they are popular. Join the Viking Heritage Tour no-fly cruise along the Norse trade routes, calling at Sweden's Gothenburg, Denmark's Copenhagen and Norway's Oslo and Kristiansand, aboard Ambience from London Tilbury. Guided excursions are available to explore the beautiful cities. The 1,400-guest ship has bars, restaurants, a wellness centre, pool and entertainment including an outdoor movie screen. There are dance and fitness classes, and guest speakers. GO: Eight nights' full-board for a solo guest in ocean-view cabin is from £1,009. For details, see 4 Adventure Solos runs a Canoe Scotland holiday across the spectacular great glens, navigating canals and lochs Credit: Getty COMMUNITY SPIRIT EXPLORE the world with a G Adventures holiday, just for go-it-alones. Its Solo-ish Adventures feature 33 trips to destinations including Costa Rica, India, Peru, South Africa and Vietnam, interacting with local communities. There are female-only leaders, free arrival transfers so that travellers feel safe and looked after, and welcoming experiences so a group of strangers can get to know one another. There is also 'me time' for anyone wishing to explore on their own. An 11-day tour of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, includes enjoying stunning scenery, historic sites, bustling markets and activities such as a junk-boat cruise and noodle-making class. GO: Solo-ish Vietnam including B&B, some lunches and dinners, and flights from the UK in August, costs from around £2,050. For further details see JUST FOR YOU THE world's your oyster with solo specialists Just You. From a trip to Namibia, to a city break in Edinburgh, the company has been uniting solos for nearly 25 years. Italy is a favourite destination, with several itineraries to choose from. On an eight-day break, you can enjoy a guided tour of the historical site of Pompeii, the seaside resort of Sorrento, a limoncello farm and the beautiful Bay of Naples. You'll get to stay in the 4H Hotel Palma – once an elegant 19th-century villa – with a solarium, hot tub and large terrace looking out at famed volcano Vesuvius. GO: Seven nights' B&B, including some meals, welcome drink, tours and farewell get-together, costs £1,999, flying from Heathrow on June 17. See RELAXING RETREAT ESCAPE the stresses of everyday life and head into the serene Moroccan countryside for a rejuvenating getaway. You'll stay with Amana Retreats in a private property nestled in olive groves and set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert. There's a pool, walking trails, sun-drenched terraces and quiet corners perfect for relaxing and reflection. Enjoy two daily yoga sessions – open to all levels – blending ancient wisdom with modern science, alongside sound-healing, breathwork and nutrition workshops. Afternoons offer time to unwind by the pool, explore the souk or join the yoga and other sessions at the retreat. Special menus feature nourishing, locally sourced alkaline meals and fresh juices to support your wellbeing. GO: Five nights' full-board from October 9 is from £950. See Return flights from Gatwick cost from £113, see 4 A walking holiday is a perfect way to meet fellow enthusiasts while exploring the glorious British countryside on foot Credit: Jelana M - CITY SLICKER HAVE a cracking time on a city break to Krakow, with a guided tour from Riviera Travel. The Polish city's old town, within ancient walls, is one of the treasures of Europe and listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. In 2000, it was also named European Capital of Culture. Krakow is Poland's second-largest city and was the country's capital until 1795. It has the largest medieval market square in Europe. Or you can see 15th-century painting Lady With An Ermine, by Leonardo da Vinci, in the museum, and discover the underground market below Cloth Hall. The four-day trip is guided by an experienced tour manager. Upon arrival, you'll be treated to a welcome dinner so you can get to know other guests, in a group of up to 25. GO: Three nights' B&B in the 4H Novotel Krakow Centrum, with flghts from various UK airports including Manchester on November 14 and transfers, costs from £869. See DREAM ISLAND SUN-kissed Bali is one of the planet's most welcoming islands, so it's perfect for solos. Immerse yourself in Indonesian culture by eating delicious street food, meeting traditional fabric weavers, watching a dance performance and visiting a temple. Intrepid's Beautiful Bali guided trip will also give you the chance to hike Mount Batur for a sunrise view across the Lombok Strait, and visit Undisan village in the hills. Other activities include cycling and snorkelling but there's also plenty of free time, when you can explore on your own or in the group and relax on the beach or in hot springs. GO: Nine days including accommodation, transport, selected meals and activities, costs from £561. Multiple departures until December. Return flights from the UK cost around £845. See HIT THE ROAD SIT back and relax on a coach tour of one of the UK's most stunning coastlines. Shearings is offering more trips for single travellers, with no room supplements, owing to increased demand. The five-day Holy Island and Northumbrian Coast tour, travelling through stunning countryside with wonderful sea views, includes four nights at the Leonardo Newcastle in the buzzing city. You'll visit Alnwick Castle, the Unesco World Heritage site of Durham and the pretty seaside resort of Seahouses. At low tide, you'll be driven over the causeway from the village of Beal to Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island because it was a birthplace of Christianity with a monastery founded in 635AD. GO: Half-board from October 6, with coach departure points across the UK, costs from £629. See 4 Intrepid's Beautiful Bali guided trip will give you the chance to hike Mount Batur for a sunrise view across the Lombok Strait, and visit Undisan village in the hills AQUA FUN THE clue is in the name – Adventure Solos. Fully-hosted breaks and day trips offered by founder Chris Bone include canoeing, hiking, map- reading and rock-climbing. Designed for people in their thirties to fifties, the itineraries are all beginner-friendly. The five-day Canoe Scotland holiday is a 60-mile expedition across the spectacular great glens, navigating canals and lochs including famed Loch Ness, from west to east. Along the way, you'll be able to enjoy wild-swimming and camping under the stars on loch shores. You can either take your own tent or hire it from Adventure Solos, who also advise on what food to bring along. GO: Expedition departs from Banavie, near Fort William, on June 30 and costs from £795, including canoe equipment. See GOING WILD LOVERS of the outdoors who fancy giving Bear Grylls a run for his money can join an advanced bushcraft course. Wild Human's four-night Native break teaches skills such as food-foraging, friction fire-lighting, preparing game, smoking meat and making fishing equipment. You'll also learn how to carve safely with an axe, make pitch glue and bark-craft baskets. Accommodation is in your own tent, pitched in a private woodland close to Windermere in the Lake District. But the course, for up to 14 people, is fully catered so you'll be tucking into nutritious, seasonal local food and there's a few luxuries including a pizza oven and sauna. It's one of a number of Wild Human challenging solo expeditions, at home and abroad. GO: The course is from July 6 to 10 and costs from £495. See
