Inland Ice

Heaven is Right Here

Last night we finally saw the SUN again, after a whole week's absence. I just happened to be in one of the most beautiful and happy spots. I can't help sharing the pictures here as the sky was changing by the minute.

Digging Bornholm

 I've been doing a lot of commuting this summer. Copenhagen-Greenland-Bornholm-Copenhagen-Fyn-Bornholm

Bornholm is thus where I am right now and I am loving it. The island is a gem with some of the most spectacular natural scenery and archaeological treasure. 

 I also love being here because of the work I am doing. It's been a long time since I last did what is my actual vocation - archaeological field work. On a daily basis I drive up to the site located on a very picturesque hill with a view over fields and (behind trees) the sea. I do spend more time looking down on the ground than looking at the view though. On the site we have cremation graves from the Roman Iron Age (1-300AD).  On top of these we have the remains of a house from the late viking/early medieval period (1000-1100). 

Excavating at Klippehøj

The house is fantastic and so are the graves. Our team is also fantastic and consists of a group of students form the University of Copenhagen, one student from Gdansk as well as museum staff and skilled volunteers.   If you read Danish, you can follow our work on the blog I am writing with daily news from the dig. You will find news about our work as well as loads of yummy pictures of the site, the work and the finds.

During weekends we make trips out into the wild - observing archaeological landscapes and remains such the ringfort Rispebjerg and these monoliths in the groves called Gryet and Louisenlund

Orange slug in Gryet

Monolith, Gryet

Obelix was here. Louisenlund.

Monoliths, Louisenlund

Osama bin Laden - why was he killed rather than captured?

While conspiracy theories are flourishing these days, I have only two questions:

HOW was bin Laden able to hide for so long?
and
WHY was he killed rather than captured?

Obviously bin Laden must have been under protection from higher places in Pakistan. The building he was hiding in was not exactly invisible - or looking like a normal residential home - regardless of whether children were payed to play in front of the house or not.  Officials must have closed their eyes and maybe even have participated actively in protecting the hiding place. I wonder if not the military academy only 1 km north of the site played a role in this...
But a greater mystery to me is how (and if!) this hiding place remained unknown to the Americans for several years, even when they almost touched it in 2008?!

None the less, they raided the place and shot him a few days ago, took some samples and dumped his body in the Sea. All within less than 24 hours. And I believe this is actually a true story.
But why kill instead of capture?

Besides the ethical aspects of taking another human being's life, an enemy captured alive must be worth much more than a dead one? Although OBL would probably never answer questions or reveal plans even under torture, would it not be an even stronger manifestation to keep the man imprisoned and alive?

Even though I don't believe in conspiracy theories I am still puzzled and would like to know the answers, but doubt they will ever be given.