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History

From the powerful civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley, to the fearsome yet sophisticated society of the Vikings, the ancient world was a surprising and challenging place. Here we feature some of the most seminal and influential events and people throughout history, that have helped shape the world we know today.

Japanese antique abacus. Source: Miyuki Satake / Adobe Stock.

Japan’s Ancient Secret to Better Cognitive Memory (Video)

Japan's ancient secret to better cognitive memory lies in the centuries-old abacus , a tool that has largely been abandoned globally but remains prevalent in Japanese education. Thousands of students...
Maya warrior. Source: Art Gallery / Adobe Stock.

The Shocking Truth About the Bloody Rituals of the Maya (Video)

Spanish conquerors, upon their arrival in the Americas, discovered thousands of Mayan hieroglyphs that detailed secret rites, offering a glimpse into a society that was both sophisticated and brutal...
Postage stamp depicting the Great Peace of Montreal. Source: konstantant / Adobe Stock

How Native American Chief Kondiaronk Shaped More Than North America

Kondiaronk was a legendary Native American Chief of the Wendat people in New France who faced the challenge of leading his people in the face of war and destruction. Through his leadership and...
Highly Unusual Things That the Ancient Egyptians Did (Video)

Highly Unusual Things That the Ancient Egyptians Did (Video)

The Ancient Egyptians are known for their rich culture, impressive architecture, intricate hieroglyphics, and fascinating mythology. However, as this video demonstrates, they were also known for some...
Cremation area (right) and two middle-imperial Roman tombs under excavation. (© Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project/ Antiquity Publications Ltd)

“Dead Nails” Used in Roman Grave to Protect the Living from Restless Dead

Belgian archaeologists digging at the site of the ancient Roman city of Sagalassos in southwestern Turkey recently unearthed a most unusual burial. The tomb held the cremated remains of a man who’d...
The ancient storyteller known as a griot uses their voice, sounds and music to tell stories about the past.  Source: tomalu/AdobeStock

Singer-Storytellers: The Griot Tradition in West Africa

Griots, also known as jeli or bards , are traditional West African storytellers who have played a crucial role in preserving the oral history and cultural heritage of their communities for centuries...
Mesoamerican warrior. Source: Art Gallery / Adobe Stock.

Voices of Ancestors: Listen to the Sound of 14 Ancient Languages (Video)

Language is a powerful tool that allows us to communicate with one another across time and space. Through language , we are able to share our stories, our ideas, and our cultures with others. In this...
Silver Coffin of Psusennes I, a.k.a. the Silver Pharaoh. Source: Aidan McRae Thomson / CC BY-SA 2.0

Psusennes: The Silver Pharaoh with Treasures to Rival Tutankhamun's

Amidst the chaos of the Second World War in Western Europe, a French archaeologist named Pierre Montet unearthed a stunning treasure in 1940 in Tanis, Egypt. The find was on par with the legendary...
A false door at Angkor Banteay Srey temple in Cambodia. Source: TMAX / Adobe Stock

Did Ancient Tombs Really Have Traps Inside? (Video)

The concept of ancient tombs being riddled with traps and dangers is one that has been popularized by movies, video games, and other forms of pop culture, but it begs the question: did they really...
Jean-Leon Gerome’s Diogenes, 1860 (Gandalf’s Gallery / Flickr)

How Ancient Greek Philosopher Diogenes Teaches Us: Live Simply, Find Happiness (Video)

Ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes lived in the 4th century BC and is known for his unconventional and radical lifestyle. He rejected materialism and believed that true happiness could only be...
A representation of an ancient Chinese battle scene. Stunning stone carved architecture. Source: Igor/AdobeStock

Extermination of the Wu Hu and the Merciless Policies of General Ran Min

Great diversity was not uncommon in the history of Ancient China. In such a vast nation, many ethnicities co-existed, and were instrumental in the shaping of its history. However, diversity did not...
Foot of an Egyptian mummy in the British Museum. Source: Ibex73/CC BY-SA 4.0

5 Discoveries That Changed Our Understanding of Egyptian Mummification

By Jenefer Metcalfe / The Conversation Centuries after the first golden coffins were taken to Europe, ancient Egyptian mummies still vividly capture people’s imaginations. Perhaps we’re awed by the...
Nile mosaic in Palestrina      Source: CC BY-SA 3.0

Archaeologist Digs for Evidence of the Rosetta Stone’s Ancient Egyptian Rebellion

By Jay Silverstein /The Conversation The Rosetta Stone is not known for its content, but as a lexicon of Egyptian hieroglyphics. The decree inscribed on the stone, however, discusses a violent revolt...
The Frumentarii were the eyes and ears of the Roman Emperor. Source: oz/AdobeStock

Frumentarii - The Roman Emperor’s Eyes and Ears

Throughout the world’s history, many of the kingdoms, empires, and rulers depended on some sort of a secretive assistance. Powerful realms are like intricate machines - filled with secrets. To...
Representational image of a fictional Mesoamerican city. Source: fergregory / Adobe Stock

Why Some Ancient Mesoamerican Cities Endured for Centuries

A captivating question has long intrigued historians and archaeologists: why did some ancient cities last for centuries or even millennia, while others vanished rapidly or were forgotten over time?...
The profiles of the some of the most powerful and influential Ancient Leaders.  Source: Ded Pixto by Adobe Stock

9 Ancient Leaders Who Changed the Course of History

The annals of history are filled with tales of great leaders who have left their mark on the world, shaping the course of human events through their actions, decisions, and vision. From conquerors...
Leech therapy. Source: Natalia Terenteva / Adobe Stock

Ancient Maggot and Leech Therapy Sees Revival to Fight Antibiotic Resistance

A sharp increase in global antibiotic resistance has caused scientists to search for viable alternatives. But while innovative ancient treatments using maggots, leeches and honey are being...
A sample of Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci. Source: Public Domain

Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester: A Masterpiece of Science and Art

Have you ever wanted to explore the mind of one of history's greatest polymaths? The Codex Leicester gives history experts and art gurus alike the opportunity to do so. This famous book is a treasure...
Detail of the Meroë head, now housed at the British Museum in London. Source: Paul Hudson / CC BY 2.0

Cracking the Mystery of the Decapitated Meroë Head

Sometimes, modern archaeology reveals something that simply baffles us. Whether it is an item with inexplicable origins, or an out of place artifact, archaeology and history combined often leave us...
Montage showing the famous Nefertiti bust in Berlin, over images of sunrise over the Nile in Middle Egypt, near Amarna, (background), and the Valley of the Queens, West Bank, Luxor. Source: Giovanni from Firenze/ CC BY 2.0, background; © Jonathon A. Perrin

“Nefer Say Nefer” - Was Nefertiti Buried in the Valley of the Queens?

She may be ancient Egypt’s most famous face, but the quest to find the eternal resting place of Queen Nefertiti has never been hotter. Thanks to the now-iconic limestone/plaster bust of her found in...
Representational image depicting the use of star paths by Minoan civilization. Source: Alessandro Berio / CC BY 4.0

Star Paths Likely Guided Minoan Culture

Minoan civilization may have been heavily dependent on celestial star paths up above to help them navigate their way throughout the Mediterranean. A study has found that Minoan palaces were even...
Horsemen of Oyo charging into battle was said to have been both terrifying and awe-inspiring.   Source: (djfdez by Adobetock)

The Warriors Who Shaped African History: The Horsemen of Oyo

The Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and...
Underwater archaeologists measuring the cannon of the sunken HMS Gloucester. Source: Maritime Archaeology Trust / Norfolk Historic Shipwrecks Ltd.

Film Footage Provides Intimate View of HMS Gloucester Shipwreck

Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. Stunning underwater footage has provided up-to-now unknown vistas of the abandoned remains of...
Vikings values of bravery, honor and loyalty. Source: (Ben By AdobeStock)

Discovering the Drengr Code: The Truth About Viking Ethics

Many cultures throughout history have had their own unspoken societal rules, and the Vikings are no exception. The Drengr Code was a code of ethics and principles that was believed to have been...

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