Strange Relics

Archaeological historian Amara Thornton of the University of London, and Classical archaeologist Katy Soar from the University of Winchester have curated a selection of twelve outstanding short stories encompassing horror, ghosts, hauntings, and possession, all from archaeological excavation.

From a Neolithic rite to Egyptian religion to Roman remains to medieval masonry to some uncanny ceramic tiles in a perfectly ordinary American sun lounge, the relics in these stories are, frankly, horrible.

Stories include: The Ape, by E F Benson, Roman Remains, by Algernon Blackwood, Ho! The Merry Masons, by John Buchan, Through the Veil, by Arthur Conan Doyle, View From A Hill, M R James, Curse of the Stillborn, by Margery Lawrence, Whitewash, by Rose Macaulay, The Shining Pyramid, by Arthur Machen, Cracks of Time, by Dorothy Quick, The Cure, by Eleanor Scott

“'Even if they don't cause sleepless nights, these stories offer plenty of food for thought about the ways in which survivals from the past have long provided inspiration for all manner of literary unpleasantness. An excellent introductory chapter by the editors discusses key themes and provides important context - in common with the sites and relics at the heart of these tales, the stories themselves are very much products of their time.' - British Archaeology”

‘Ancient remains and ghostly narratives often coincide in the popular imagination, providing fruitful inspiration for chilling tales … an insightful introduction placing the stories within their historical context – from 19th-century tourism to wartime preoccupations and the evolution of archaeology itself – an absorbing and unsettling read.’ – Current Archaeology
‘Even if they don’t cause sleepless nights, these stories offer plenty of food for thought about the ways in which survivals from the past have long provided inspiration for all manner of literary unpleasantness. An excellent introductory chapter by the editors discusses key themes and provides important context – in common with the sites and relics at the heart of these tales, the stories themselves are very much products of their time.’ – British Archaeology

Amara Thornton is an archaeological historian at the Institute of Archaeoliogy, University of London.

Katy Soar is a lecturer in archaeology at the University of Winchester, UK.

Archaeological historian Amara Thornton of the University of London, and Classical archaeologist Katy Soar from the University of Winchester have curated a selection of twelve outstanding short stories encompassing horror, ghosts, hauntings, and possession, all from archaeological excavation. From a Neolithic rite to Egyptian religion to Roman remains to medieval masonry to some uncanny ceramic tiles in a perfectly ordinary American sun lounge, the relics in these stories are, frankly, horrible. Stories include: The Ape , by E F Benson, Roman Remains , by Algernon Blackwood, Ho! The Merry Masons , by John Buchan, Through the Veil , by Arthur Conan Doyle, View From A Hill , M R James, Curse of the Stillborn , by Margery Lawrence, Whitewash, by Rose Macaulay, The Shining Pyramid , by Arthur Machen, Cracks of Time , by Dorothy Quick, The Cure , by Eleanor Scott

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