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Caleb Strom

Caleb Strom is currently a graduate student studying planetary science. He considers himself a writer, scientist, and all-around story teller. His interests include planetary geology, astrobiology, paleontology, archaeology, history, space archaeology, and SETI.

History

Member for: 7 years 5 months

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Posts

19 March, 2020 - 21:10 Caleb Strom

Marcahuasi: Vestiges of a Forgotten Global Civilization, or Just Weird Rocks in Peru?

The world is full of difficult-to-explain wonders. In the last century, archaeologists have discovered many civilizations, such as the Hittites , which were previously not thought to exist. As a...

Caroline Herschel’s interest in astronomy led her to be the co-discoverer of the universe. Source: Raisondtre / Adobe Stock.

24 February, 2020 - 22:59 Caleb Strom

Caroline Herschel, Co-Discoverer of the Universe

Caroline Herschel is famous for being one of the first women to make significant contributions to astronomy . She discovered eight comets and many nebulae and star clusters, both on her own and in...

The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus. Source: The British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

14 December, 2019 - 18:25 Caleb Strom

Mathematics of the Pharaohs: The Rhind Papyrus and Ancient Egyptian Math

Western civilization has always had a fascination with the civilization which grew up along the Nile River around 3,000 BC. Greek intellectuals, such as Thales, visited Egypt and were enamored by the...

Bible Old Testament: Joshua and the walls of Jericho. Source: Archivist / Adobe Stock

22 November, 2019 - 01:49 Caleb Strom

The Walls of Jericho: How Accurate Was The Biblical Account?

Jericho is famous both to prehistorians and Biblical scholars. It is likely the oldest continuously inhabited permanent settlement in the world, known for ancient astronomical observatories,...

Towers of Silence, Iran (delbars / Adobe Stock)

13 October, 2019 - 23:01 Caleb Strom

Achaemenid Religion: Lighting the Spirit of Ancient Persia

The Achaemenid Persian Empire is historically important for the Western world because of the influence of the Persian civilization on both the ancient Greeks and the ancient Jews. Because of this...

Paquiquineo - a chief’s son converted to Christianity. Source: jozefklopacka / Adobe Stock.

12 October, 2019 - 02:01 Caleb Strom

Paquiquineo: Brave Traitor or Freedom Fighter?

In 1561, a Native American from Virginia by the name of Paquiquineo was invited, in some accounts kidnapped, to Spain where he met the king and eventually was sent back to the Americas to assist the...

Ptolemaic era temple Kon-Ombo Source: xfargas / Adobe Stock

24 September, 2019 - 01:58 Caleb Strom

Last of the Kings of Egypt: The Ptolemaic Dynasty

Ptolemaic Egypt is distinctive in being both the last independent Egyptian dynasty and the last Hellenistic kingdom to fall to Rome . The Ptolemies were not native Egyptians, but Greek and Macedonian...

Stone Age early human child. Source: pxhere / Public Domain.

9 September, 2019 - 14:06 Caleb Strom

The Stone Age: The First 99 Percent of Human History

The Stone Age is the longest period of human history, lasting from 2.6 million years ago to about 5,000 years ago. It is also the period of human history that is the least well known relative to...

The Bhagavad Gita. Source: General Press / CC BY-SA 2.0.

17 August, 2019 - 14:00 Caleb Strom

The Ancient Philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, Song of God

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important religious texts in Hinduism as well as one of the most seminal religious texts in the world, alongside the Bible , the Quran , the Torah and the...

The Finnish sky god Ukko. Source: Risukarhi / Public Domain.

4 August, 2019 - 22:38 Caleb Strom

Ukko, The Mighty Finnish God of Thunder and Lightening

Every culture has its sky deity or old man of the heavens. The ancient Greeks had Zeus . The Romans had Jupiter . For the Norse , Thor essentially played this role. The Finns are no exception. For...

Myrmidons were the mythical ‘Ant Army’ of Achilles. Source: Fotokvadrat / Adobe Stock

31 July, 2019 - 23:01 Caleb Strom

Myrmidons: The Fiercely Loyal and Unstoppable ‘Antmen’ Army of Achilles

The Myrmidons were allegedly fierce warriors from Thessaly that fought during the Trojan War with Achilles as their leader. The Myrmidons were considered the among the best warriors in Greece. They...

27 July, 2019 - 22:49 Caleb Strom

Religion of the Aztecs: Keeping the Balance in an Unpredictable and Terrifying World

The Aztec Empire was the largest and most successful Mesoamerican empire in terms of size and demographics. It stretched across highlands, coastal plains, valleys, and forests. It is not surprising,...

Were the first rulers deities, mythical, or appointed by the gods? Source: tomertu / Adobe Stock.

14 July, 2019 - 01:53 Caleb Strom

‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare?

Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The...

Archaeological Site of Monte Alban - general view from the North Platform

30 June, 2019 - 22:43 Caleb Strom

The Zapotecs of Monte Alban - The First Civilization in Western Mexico?

In the central valleys of the Mexican state of Oaxaca lie stone ruins centered around an artificially leveled hill. It is now a famous tourist destination as well as a major archaeological site...

The Yamnaya came to Europe from modern-day western Russia or the Ukraine. Source: katiekk2 / Adobe Stock.

6 June, 2019 - 19:00 Caleb Strom

How A Handful of Yamnaya Culture Nomads Became the Fathers of Europe

The origins of modern Europeans are shrouded in mystery and wracked by controversy. Archaeologists and linguists have long debated the origins of the Indo-European language family as well as the...

A lost desert city. Credit: frenta / Adobe Stock

26 May, 2019 - 19:05 Caleb Strom

Lost City of the Kalahari: Experts Search for Traces of Ancient Desert Civilization

Today, the Kalahari Desert is known as a very dry place. The word Kalahari in fact comes from a Tswana word which means ‘great thirst’. As a result, it seems an unlikely location for an ancient city...