Present for someone who likes science and ancient history

[thethirdbiscuiteer]

My husband and I don't really buy big birthday presents for each other, just small things that seem interesting. Example: build your own mini model steam engine, plant your own vegetables kit, etc.

He likes science, and ancient history. Can anyone suggest something unusual in these areas? I'd rather it not be the usual books if possible.

Thank you!

Ok, I know you said not books, but has he read "Before Nature: cuneiform knowledge and the history of science" by Francesca Rochberg? It captures both, and I found it fascinating, at least.

Have a look on this website....

www.presentindicative.com/

DNA ancestry test?
Or maybe investigate day or weekend courses at Oxford or Cambridge adult education centres (websites are something like cam.ice for Cambridge or conted for Oxford) affordable accommodation and you can have meals included. There are lots of great lectures available

Try these guys: www.presentindicative.com/. Loads of good stuff for both sets of interests!

What's your budget? Would he like something like this:

ARCHAEOLOGY EXPERIENCE

Have you discovered www.presentindicative.com/
It’s where people buy me lots of lovely tat for my classroom.

An Ordnance Survey map, centered on an ancient site he is interested in, a fort on Hadrian's Wall or part of Offas' Dyke for instance.
You order via the Ordnance Survey web site, they are not too expensive, and are something a bit different.

Difficult one without books. I have similar interests. Random thoughts, apologies. Visits. Stonehenge. Avebury. Ironbridge. Science museum. Bradford film place. Lots of barrows, iron age hill forts. The place in Cornwall where the transatlantic cables popped up. Thermopylae if you want to spend! Membership of an historical reenactment group? A practical project, a radio kit, amplifier, or a Nixie tube clock. Hadrian's wall, Offa's dyke walk. The breathtaking hammerbeam roof at Westminster. Sincerest apologies, I'm a bit odd.

I'm going to give a book suggestion anyway, since it's too good a book to miss out on - www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Inventions-Peter-James/dp/0345401026/?tag=mumsnetforum-21

You could have a look on Etsy - off the top of my head there's a shop selling viking artefacts and another that does archeology-inspired pots.

An antique or replica piece of technology?

Eg sextant: www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=sextant&_sacat=0

Although since he likes ancient history, maybe an astrolabe:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Arabic-Calendar-Astrolabe-Arabic-Globe-Navigation-Astrological-Calendar-Gift/113494093906?hash=item1a6cc67052:g:OBwAAOSw-GNb~Ct1

Thanks everyone so far!

@Tony2 I love your gadgety suggestions! Any more?? Something he can assemble that's useful too would be excellent.