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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.

Head end and left side of the Nakhtkhnum coffin showing an example of coffin texts. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art/CC0

Unveiling the Mystical World of the Egyptian Coffin Texts

One of the most fascinating discoveries of ancient Egypt was the discovery of the Egyptian Coffin Texts, a collection of spellbinding funerary spells and incantations inscribed on coffins, sarcophagi...
A gladiator bestiaries fighting wild animals in the colosseum. Source: DigitalGenetics / Adobe Stock.

Deadly Showdown in the Colosseum: One Gladiator vs. 20 Wild Animals (Video)

In 83 AD, Emperor Domitian hosted a series of games in the Colosseum promising the most extravagant man vs beast showdown Rome had ever seen. This hunt was not just for entertainment but a way to...
Roman women. Source: burnel11 / Adobe Stock.

Unveiling the Fashion Secrets of Ancient Roman Britain (Video)

Have you ever wondered how people dressed in Roman Britain ? The ancient Romans had a distinctive sense of fashion and beauty, and this extended to their clothing and accessories. Women would bind...
Life in Ancient Greece. Source: Kristian / Adobe Stock.

Behind the Scenes of Ancient Greece: Exploring the Daily Life of its People (Video)

We’ve all read a lot about ancient Greece, but what was it really like to live there, to experience it firsthand? There’s a lot we can learn from the daily lives of its people, how they worked and...
Haida mask. Source: Fiona M. Donnelly / Adobe Stock.

Haida Resilience: The Untold Saga of Canada's Coastal Warriors (Video)

The Haida people of Canada have a rich history that dates back over 10,000 years. They were known for their naval power and their strategic use of the ocean, which sustained them through trade and...
Blackening the Bride. In Scotland, newlyweds are covered in filth. Source: azazello / Adobe Stock.

10 Funny and Fascinating Wedding Rituals from Ancient History

For countless couples across the globe, the wedding day is one of the most cherished days in their life. No matter how it is celebrated or how lavishly, it is the moment of their union - “‘til death...
Tudor woman. Source: Kathy / Adobe Stock.

Fashion as Status: Getting Dressed in the Tudor Era (Video)

In this fascinating video, we're taken on a journey through the morning routines of Queen Catherine Parr's household. With over 50 female staff members to dress and prepare , getting ready was no...
Viking celebration. Source: Justinas / Adobe Stock.

Raid, Pillage, and Party: Inside the World of Viking Celebrations (Video)

What comes to mind when you think of Vikings ? Pillaging and plundering? Battle cries and warrior spirit ? What about partying? That's right, Vikings knew how to have a good time, too. Mead halls ,...
Gladiatrix. Source: Julien / Adobe Stock.

The Gladiatrix: Unleashing the Power of Women in Ancient Rome's Bloodiest Arena (Video)

The Colosseum in ancient Rome was a symbol of strength, courage, and honor. For nearly three decades, gladiatorial combat had been the ultimate expression of Roman values, where men battled each...
A representation of naumachia. 1894 painting by Ulpiano Checa. Source: Public Domain

The Spectacle of Naumachia: Rome's Brutal Naval Gladiator Battles

For centuries naval gladiator battles, known as naumachia , enthralled crowds with their realistic recreations of famous sea battles, complete with all the chaos, bravery, and brutality of the...
Canoes have long occupied a special place in the tradition of the indigenous tribes of the Americas, particularly in the northern half. All along the Pacific Northwest, masterfully crafted canoes of many shapes, sizes and forms, were the main mode of transportation until long after European colonization. Adding to this rich history, a team of archaeologists, neighbors and members of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe successfully recovered a nearly 1,000-year-old canoe from the depths of Lake Waccamaw in south-easte

The Macuahuitl: An Aztec Warrior’s Lethal and Sacred Weapon (Video)

The Macuahuitl was an ancient Aztec weapon that could be used by both shamans and warriors. It was a devastating weapon that was feared by those who encountered it on the battlefield. Made of...
French nobles. Source: Archivist / Adobe Stock.

The Weirdest Rules of Royal French Etiquette (Video)

Step into the grandeur and luxury of the Palace of Versailles, the opulent seat of French royalty that became the epitome of the glamorous life of a king. But behind the dazzling facade lay a world...
Decorating fabric in Gambia. Source:  s-aznar / Adobe Stock.

The Man Keeping an Ancient Craft Alive in Gambia (Video)

In Gambia, Musa Jaiteh is keeping an ancient craft alive by using traditional techniques to create vibrant tie-dyed fabrics with natural dyes made from kola nuts and indigo leaves. While many...
Beltane pagan celebration. Source: Karrrtinki / Adobe Stock.

5 Pagan Traditions That Will Leave You Spellbound (Video)

Beltane is an ancient Gaelic festival celebrating the beginning of summer and the renewal of life. The pagan traditions associated with it have survived through the centuries, with many still...
Mummy labels under analysis sourced from the Bibliothèque Nationale et Universitaire (BNU) of Strasbourg (France) collection. Source: International Journal of Wood Culture / CC BY 4.0

Mummy Labels Unlock Climate Secrets of Ancient Mediterranean

To reconstruct the climate of ancient Egypt, Swiss scientists have resorted to an unexpected source - mummy labels. These labels, which were affixed to the bodies of mummies during the Roman era, are...
Viking feast. Source: Justinas / Adobe Stock.

Beyond the Raids: A Day in the Life of a Viking (Video)

What was life like for the average Viking ? Was it really all epic sea voyages and brutal raiding parties? Not quite! Back home these brutal warriors had keep up a certain standard of living. What...
Sinister Secret of the Shang Dynasty: Its Penchant for Human Sacrifice

Sinister Secret of the Shang Dynasty: Its Penchant for Human Sacrifice

There is no denying the far-reaching and unique history of ancient China. Thousands of years before our time, the ancient dynasties and cultures of China excelled in a variety of arts and...
Piles of natural salt. Source: sakarin14 / Adobe Stock.

How Four of the World’s Rarest Salts Survived for Centuries (Video)

Salt is one of the most important ingredients in the culinary world, but not all salts are created equal. While table salt may be a staple in most households, there are other salts that have been...
Wooden barrels used in Japanese soy sauce production. Source:  TeTsumi / Adobe Stock.

Why Only 1% of Japan’s Soy Sauce is Made the Traditional Way (Video)

Soy sauce is a ubiquitous ingredient in Japanese cuisine , adding flavor and complexity to dishes from sushi to ramen. But did you know that only 1% of Japan's soy sauce is made the traditional way?...
Korean traditional bronze tableware. Source: bong / Adobe Stock.

Price of Perfection: Why Hand-Forged Korean Bronze Tableware is so Expensive (Video)

In a world where mass-produced, disposable items have become the norm, traditional crafts hold a certain allure. Bangjja yugi, the hand-forged bronze tableware from Korea , is a shining example of...
Pehlwani, also known as kushti, is a form of mud wrestling in South Asia. (Nikhilmore nimo / CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Exacting World of Kushti Mud Wrestling in India

Classical wrestling has its roots hidden far back in the history of the world. It has been present - in some form or other - in many of the world’s oldest civilizations. The ancient Greeks were mad...
Lady making traditional decorated eggs in the Bukovina Region of Romania. Source: Matthew / Adobe Stock.

Eggsquisite Art: Romania’s Stunning Traditional Craft of Egg Painting

The small village of Ciocăneşti in Romania is known for its elaborate motifs that adorn its buildings, and these designs are reflected in the decorated eggs. The art of egg painting has elevated the...
Easter table decoration. Source: Viktoriia / Adobe Stock.

History of the Holidays: Easter (Video)

Easter is the holiest day on the Christian calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, despite being a Christian holiday, the history of Easter has pagan and Jewish roots. The...
Japanese Geisha. Source: DivineWorld / Adobe Stock.

How to Get Geisha-Like Skin with Ancient Japanese Rice Water Treatment

Traditional beauty tips and tricks from the Eastern hemisphere, particularly South Asia and Southeast Asia, are all the rage in the Western world. As more knowledge and information is disseminated...

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