Archaeology on Etsy

For the uninitiated, Etsy is a website that hosts listings from people who sell their own creations.  I’ve bought a few things from various sellers, mostly for Christmas gifts.  I am not much of a craftsperson myself, beyond making mudbrick or taking classes in blowing glass–generally inspired by archaeological research (with a touch of pure dilettantery).  Etsy has grown in leaps and bounds, probably caused by the upswing in DIY/Maker attitudes and the economic reality of recent years.  Last September Regretsy popped up in response to some of the more horrific crimes against crafting, much to the collective delight and mortification of the internet in general, and my friends in particular. I still have hardly ever laughed as hard as I did when I first saw the Rasta Centurion macrame mask or the Handcrafted Placenta. Naturally, I wanted to check out some of the archaeology offerings.  It also helps that I am currently heavily medicated to fight off a raging flu.  Anyway, while I’m not even a tenth as funny as the lady over at Regretsy, I thought I might share a few of my favorites.  The images are linked to the Etsy sales pages if you are tempted by any of these fine offerings.

Here’s a helpful shot of it in action, along with a suggestive dog motif:

And for the archaeologists who have retired from the field, a way to recycle your trowel:

Ever wonder what to do with all the uncatalogued pot sherds you (hopefully don’t) have hanging around your house?

Some archaeology “inspired” arts and crafts:

All that said, there is also some pretty kickass stuff on etsy.  Try whipping one of these babies out next time you are in the field:

Hand forged out of railroad spikes! Now that’s tough. But if you’re looking for something a bit more delicate:

I’d like to think that I’m not nerdy enough to wear this…but I’d be sorely tempted, I have to admit. If you’re after something to wear for your bouts of experimental archaeology, you could do worse than this complete set:

Caern Crafts has some serious skill and attention to detail. They also have some torques and brooches worth checking out.

Finally, there’s just something so adorable about a dollhouse sized amphora:

I’d love to see what other people can manage in the hallowed halls of Etsy.  Send me a link to anything good!

Author: colleenmorgan

Dr. Colleen Morgan (ORCID 0000-0001-6907-5535) is the Lecturer in Digital Archaeology and Heritage in the Department of Archaeology at the University of York. She conducts research on digital media and archaeology, with a special focus on embodiment, avatars, genetics and bioarchaeology. She is interested in building archaeological narratives with emerging technology, including photography, video, mobile and locative devices. Through archaeological making she explores past lifeways and our current understanding of heritage, especially regarding issues of authority, authenticity, and identity. View all posts by colleenmorgan