All  

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ Mobile

Ancient Traditions

Ancient Origins brings you articles related to Ancient Traditions from all over the world. Find related articles in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends.

Kulning is an ancient singing technique that calls cattle back from the pastures. Source: Iurii Seleznev / Adobe Stock.
23 March, 2023 - 00:00 Joanna Gillan

Ancient Nordic Chant to Call Cattle is Hauntingly Beautiful (Video)

Kulning, the ancient Nordic chant to call cattle, is a singing technique that has been passed down through generations. Historically, it was used by Norse women in Sweden to call their cattle back...
A tired Muslim woman awakening early during Ramadan. (Odua Images/Adobe Stock)
22 March, 2023 - 21:57 ashley cowie

In Centuries Old Tradition, Drummers Awaken a Sleeping Istanbul to Ramadan

3,400 Muslim drummers dressed in Ottoman period costumes will march through 1000 Istanbul neighborhoods, reciting ancient poems before dawn, preserving “a beauty” from the month of Ramadan. Selami...
An invocation to I-em-hetep, the Egyptian deity of medicine (Wellcome Collection / CC by SA 4.0)
22 March, 2023 - 19:53 Robbie Mitchell

A Day in the Life of an Ancient Egyptian Doctor (Video)

The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in many fields, including medicine. From dentistry to surgery, they developed a wide range of treatments and techniques that were well ahead of their time. But...
Representation of decans, zodiac signs used to measure the twelve hours of the night, on the ceiling of the Temple of Esna. On the left pre-restoration and on the right post-restoration. Source: Ahmed Emam / Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
22 March, 2023 - 17:56 Sahir

Archaeologists Discover Rare Zodiac Carvings at Egypt's Temple of Esna

Archaeologists engaged in restoration and re-coloring work at the Temple of Esna in Egypt have succeeded in uncovering a remarkable representation of celestial bodies together with all 12 signs of...
Bamboo House. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Survival Skills.
21 March, 2023 - 19:54 Robbie Mitchell

Using Ancient Techniques to Build Unground Bamboo Homes (Video)

Imagine living in a home that's not just eco-friendly but also sustainable, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing. A home that's built using traditional techniques, passed down through generations and...
Tarot cards. Source: wimage72 / Adobe Stock
21 March, 2023 - 00:53 dhwty

Before They Were Divination Tools, Tarot Decks Were Playing Cards

In the English-speaking world, the word ‘tarot’ is most commonly associated with the occult and divination. It is one of the oldest forms of fortune telling, although its origins are somewhat obscure...
Japanese kimono. Source: Take7 / Adobe Stock.
21 March, 2023 - 00:00 Joanna Gillan

Why 5 of The World's Priciest Fabrics Are So Expensive (Video)

Fabrics and textiles have always been an integral part of human culture, with some even considered as a symbol of luxury and status. Among the priciest fabrics in the world is muga silk, which is...
Close up of "fumarola" on top of Vulcano Island, Sicily. Earliest dates of sulfur mining were at this fumarole. Source: Zapatisthack by Adobe Stock
20 March, 2023 - 13:53 Lex Leigh

Seeking Brimstone: Why Has Mankind Been Mining Sulfur for Millennia?

Throughout the ages, sulfur has been a highly versatile and indispensable element, utilized by humans for a myriad of purposes. With its striking yellow crystalline solid appearance, this non-metal...
A bronze sculpture, representational. Source: DivineWorld / Adobe Stock
19 March, 2023 - 15:52 Joanna Gillan

How Metal Artists In India Are Keeping A 4,500-Year-Old Craft Alive (Video)

Despite the challenges, metal artists in India are working to keep the ancient craft of Dhokra art alive. This traditional craft involves the use of a non-ferrous metal, often brass or bronze, to...
Wednesday is named after Odin (Wotan), the all-father of Norse mythology. Source: The_AI_Revolution / Adobe Stock
18 March, 2023 - 21:54 Joanna Gillan

The Pagan Gods Who Gave Rise to the Days of Our Week

We speak the names of gods on a daily basis and most people do not even realize it. Whether its Thor’s Day (Thursday) or Saturn’s Day (Saturday), every day of the week, religious and non-religious...
Leather tannery in Morocco. Source: gatsi / Adobe Stock
18 March, 2023 - 15:53 Joanna Gillan

The Risks of Keeping the World’s Oldest Leather Tannery Alive (Video)

The Chouara Tannery in Morocco, with its rich history dating back to the 11th century, has been a hub for skilled tanners transforming animal hides into leather using time-honored techniques. While...
Kushti mud wrestlers. Source: Michal Svec / Flickr.
18 March, 2023 - 00:02 Joanna Gillan

Why Mud Wrestlers Give Up Everything for An Ancient Sport (Video)

Kushti is an ancient and revered mud-wrestling sport that has captivated sports fans in India for over 2,500 years. Today, there are many young athletes who still willingly sacrifice personal...
Traditional cooking. Source: Виталий Борковский / Adobe Stock
17 March, 2023 - 20:00 Joanna Gillan

How Five of The Oldest Cooking Traditions Survived Centuries (Video)

Throughout history, culinary practices have been a cornerstone of cultural heritage, reflecting the tastes, techniques, and ingenuity of generations past. As time progresses, many traditional recipes...
Screenshot from Jungle Survival Video / YouTube.
16 March, 2023 - 23:57 Joanna Gillan

How to Build a Secret Underground Tomb with Ancient Skills (Video)

In this fascinating video, viewers are taken on a journey to explore the process of constructing a secret underground tomb using ancient skills and techniques. By delving into the wisdom and...
Japanese antique abacus. Source: Miyuki Satake / Adobe Stock.
16 March, 2023 - 19:55 Joanna Gillan

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.
16 March, 2023 - 15:57 Joanna Gillan

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...
Highly Unusual Things That the Ancient Egyptians Did (Video)
15 March, 2023 - 19:25 Joanna Gillan

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)
14 March, 2023 - 21:58 Nathan Falde

“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
14 March, 2023 - 17:52 Robbie Mitchell

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.
14 March, 2023 - 16:00 Joanna Gillan

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...
A false door at Angkor Banteay Srey temple in Cambodia. Source: TMAX / Adobe Stock
14 March, 2023 - 00:00 Joanna Gillan

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...
Foot of an Egyptian mummy in the British Museum. Source: Ibex73/CC BY-SA 4.0
10 March, 2023 - 21:57 ancient origins

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...
Representational image of a fictional Mesoamerican city. Source: fergregory / Adobe Stock
7 March, 2023 - 00:58 Nathan Falde

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?...
Leech therapy. Source: Natalia Terenteva / Adobe Stock
6 March, 2023 - 13:53 ashley cowie

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...

Pages