More on the Anglo-Saxon Treasure Find

I posted a couple of days ago on the man with a metal detector in the UK finding a huge cache of gold and silver artifacts, but the story is even cooler.

The "Staffordshire Hoard" is about 1,500 items, and is thought to be the largest archaeological find of Anglo-Saxon artifacts in history.

The items appear to date from around 700 AD, likely from the Kingdom of Mercia, but there's still some debate.

Of course, in keeping with human nature, there's already a dispute about ownership between the treasure hunter and the owner of the property where it was found.

Anyway, it's a really cool piece of Archeology. Those of us with Anglo-Saxon ancestors should enjoy the history.

A larger gallery is here: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/gallery/2009/09/anglo-saxon-hoard.php?img=1&ref=fpb

Cool map site

If you like history and maps, you'll enjoy this site. Maps of Europe through history that show different times by clicking an arrow, starting at 100 a.d. Enjoy.http://www.euratlas.net/PHA/history_europe/europe_map_0100.html

I might have to build one of these

Sweaterman emailed me this cool find.

66 beer bottles = one cheap rooftop solar water heater

Take 66 beer bottles. Fill them with water and connect so that it flows slowly from bottle to bottle. Place apparatus on roof (or better yet, build it in place) and voila, you have the ultimate in DIY solar thermal hot water systems. Not only do you get the pleasure of consuming 66 bottles of beer on the way, you also get the joy of providing hot water for your mother to shower in comfort.

That's Ma Yanjun, a farmer in Qiqiao village, Shaanxi province--the heartland
of China. He built the contraption for his mother, according to Weird Asia News, making him both a devoted son and one of the numerous backyard enthusiasts who have discovered a simple way to harness the power of the sun. From the cold
of Vermont to the baking heat of South Africa, such solar water collectors--whether made from beer bottles, soda cans, or anything else--are a cheap and simple way
to heat water for your home--a different type of recycling if you will. You do need to remember, however, that the sun doesn't always shine and plan accordingly.

http://blog.sciam.com/index.php?title=66_beer_bottles_one_cheap_rooftop_solar&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

Actually, I'll have to wait. My landlord keeps saying he's going to replace our leaky roof soon.