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Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

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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.

Viking warriors facing down death. Source: AdamantiumStock/Adobe Stock
30 November, 2023 - 15:53 Robbie Mitchell

5 Viking Deaths And What They Tell Us About the Viking Mindset (Video)

The Viking mindset, as revealed in Old Norse sagas , emerges vividly through tales of these five great Viking deaths. The raid on Lindisfarne in AD 793 marked the outset of Viking depredations in...
A majestic sculpture of Pharaoh Akhenaten under the sun disc of Aten. Source: y EOL STUDIOS /Adobe Stock
29 November, 2023 - 16:08 Robbie Mitchell

How Akhenaten Demolished Centuries of Egyptian Tradition (Video)

In the historical upheaval orchestrated by Pharaoh Akhenaten , the once polytheistic tapestry of Egyptian beliefs unraveled. Akhenaten, a radical monarch, discarded centuries-old traditions by...
An early human extinction event wiped out Homo erectus, dating back 900,000 years ago. Source: emilio100/Adobe Stock
29 November, 2023 - 00:58 Robbie Mitchell

99% of Ancient Human Population Wiped Out 900,000 Years Ago (Video)

Today, our planet teems with over 8 billion human beings, a staggering contrast to the world 800,000 to 900,000 years ago. Recent scientific revelations illuminate a pivotal juncture in human...
Archaeologists were astounded when they discovered a mutilated mummy within a humble burial chamber in Luxor's 'Valley of the Kings. Source: YouTube Screenshot/Smithsonian Channel
28 November, 2023 - 19:56 Robbie Mitchell

Archaeologists Aghast at the Discovery of a Mutilated Mummy in Egypt (Video)

Within a humble tomb designated as KV64 nestled in Luxor's revered 'Valley of the Kings,' archaeologists made a disconcerting discovery. Beneath the unassuming exterior and a small coffin lay an...
Australian Aboriginals are the first culture to make bread. Source: Riccardo Niels Mayer / Adobe Stock.
28 November, 2023 - 14:03 Joanna Gillan

Australian Aboriginals Have Been Baking Bread for 34,000+ Years!

Long held as the inventors of bread , the Egyptians, credited with this culinary innovation around 8000 BC, have been surpassed by Australian Aboriginals in historical precedence. Remarkably,...
Hanging gardens of Babylon. Source: Trendy Image Two / Adobe Stock.
28 November, 2023 - 00:56 Robbie Mitchell

The Wonders of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Video)

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon , a marvel of ancient Babylonian architecture, emerged around 600 BC, a testament to King Nebuchadnezzar II's devotion to Princess Amitis of Media. Consolidating the...
The Nile turned ancient Egypt into a superpower. Source: ahmudz / Adobe Stock.
27 November, 2023 - 19:57 Robbie Mitchell

What Transformed Egypt into an Ancient Power? (Video)

Egypt's ascent to ancient prominence wasn't a stroke of luck; it was an agricultural transformation that set the stage for unparalleled civilization. The lush Nile Valley , fed by nutrient-rich soil...
From left to right - Galba, Otho, Vespasian, and Vitellius Source: Wolfgang Sauber/CC BY-SA 3.0, Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0), Sailko/CC BY 3.0, Louvre Museum/CC BY 2.5
27 November, 2023 - 13:57 Miriam Kamil

The Year of the Four Emperors, Ancient Rome's Epic Saga

The Roman emperor Nero was the last of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. During his rule, he was disdained by his people because of his vanity and inadequacies as leader. He had one wife executed and he...
Evidence of animal sacrifice, many of them horses, at the courtyard of the Casas del Turuñuelo site in Spain. Source: Construyendo Tarteso / CC-BY 4.0
25 November, 2023 - 13:52 Nathan Falde

Lost Mass Animal Sacrifice Rituals Revealed at Tartessos Site in Spain

Archaeologists and other scientists affiliated with several institutions in Spain have revealed a startling fact about an Iron Age site known as Casas del Turuñuelo, which is located in southern...
It is believed the Inca maiden died peacefully. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Smithsonian Channel.
24 November, 2023 - 15:59 Robbie Mitchell

How Do We Know This Inca Mummy Died Peacefully? (Video)

The Inca mummy known as the Maiden has long been a mystery shrouded in the high-altitude silence of the Andes. The question that has haunted many revolves around how she met her end. There are...
Egyptian pharaoh. Source: Ivan / Adobe Stock.
24 November, 2023 - 00:59 Robbie Mitchell

The Only Thing Bigger Than Khufu’s Pyramid Was His Ego! (Video)

Khufu , the fourth dynasty pharaoh credited with overseeing the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza , has left an indelible mark on ancient Egyptian history. Despite the scarcity of direct...
Painting ‘The Chess Players’ by Liberale da Verona. Source: Public domain
23 November, 2023 - 18:00 Sadie Smith

The Evolution of Board Games: From Royal Pastimes to Global Phenomena

In the dynamic tapestry of human leisure and recreation, board games have carved an enduring niche, evolving through millennia from ancient pastimes to modern phenomena. This article embarks on a...
Salt piles. Source: altitudevisual / Adobe Stock.
23 November, 2023 - 16:03 Robbie Mitchell

Historical Importance of Salt and How it Shaped Civilizations (Video)

Salt , beyond its culinary role, shaped civilizations. Marco Polo's 13th-century travels brought back treasures from China, including salt, propelling Venice to economic greatness. Salt's...
Roman Emperor Elagabalus bust, with a modern photo realistic reconstruction of his likeness based on this. Source: Left, © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro/CC BY-SA 4.0 ; Right, Daniel Voshart/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
22 November, 2023 - 17:55 Sahir

Roman Emperor Elagabalus Assigned Transgender By A British Museum

The third-century AD ruler, Elagabalus, has been declared transgender by a British Museum, which is set to relabel its display to accommodate the change. The decision has been taken by the North...
Yakhchal cooling device in Kashan, Iran. Source: knovakov / Adobe Stock.
22 November, 2023 - 17:04 Robbie Mitchell

The Yakhchāl: Ancient Ice-Making Machines in the Desert (Video)

In the arid expanses of the Persian desert , an ingenious ancient technology known as the Yakhchāl has been discovered, revealing a sophisticated approach to ice-making dating back to 400 BC. These...
The people of Tournai bury victims of the Black Death, circa 1353. Source: Public Domain
21 November, 2023 - 21:54 Nathan Falde

Black Women Were Primary Victims of Black Death in Medieval London

When the Black Death or bubonic plague epidemic ravaged London between the autumn of 1348 and the spring of 1350, it may have wiped out as much as half the city’s population. While the victims of...
Pirate flag. Source: adimas / Adobe Stock.
21 November, 2023 - 15:40 Robbie Mitchell

The Pirate Code: Law and Order Beneath the Black Flag (Video)

In the world of pirates , where lawlessness is often the image that comes to mind, a surprising system of governance existed beneath the black flag . Pirates may have lacked a singular written code,...
Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon. Source: Courtesy of Apple / The Conversation
21 November, 2023 - 13:59 ancient-origins

Did Napoleon Really Fire at the Pyramids? The Truth Behind Ridley Scott’s Biopic

Directors of historical feature films face a difficult task. How can they make the characters familiar to an audience without reducing them to caricatures? How can they make sure that knowledge of...
Egyptian pharaoh on a throne. Source: Ivan / Adobe Stock.
20 November, 2023 - 16:00 Robbie Mitchell

Were Egyptian Pharaohs as Mighty as They Seemed? (Video)

In the shadows of the ancient temple of Medinet Habu , the grandiosity of Egyptian pharaohs is etched into stone, portraying them as formidable conquerors. Dr. Chris Naunton scrutinizes the...
The El Colacho baby jumping festival. Source: Viaggio Routard / Flickr.
19 November, 2023 - 21:53 Joanna Gillan

El Colacho: The Spanish Festival Where Men Jump Over Newborn Babies

In the heart of Spain, the quaint village of Castrillo de Murcia becomes the epicenter of a centuries-old tradition known as El Colacho, where men vault over newborns to ward off evil—a spectacle as...
Viking Lord. Source: van Koop / Adobe Stock.
18 November, 2023 - 19:56 Robbie Mitchell

Was This Buried Viking Lord Close to a Legendary Danish King? (Video)

The unearthing of a mid-10th century grave in Fregerslev, Denmark , fascinated archaeologists. A seemingly routine excavation led to an astonishing discovery. Amidst the loose soil, they unearthed...
A female prehistoric hunter stands before a mammoth. Source: nsit0108 / Adobe Stock.
18 November, 2023 - 17:52 ancient origins

Men Hunted, Women Gathered… Or Did They?

Prehistoric men hunted; prehistoric women gathered. At least this is the standard narrative written by and about men to the exclusion of women. The idea of “Man the Hunter” runs deep within...
Top image: Queen Elizabeth I. Source: Eduardo / Adobe Stock.
18 November, 2023 - 15:54 Robbie Mitchell

Queen Elizabeth I: Unmarried & Out for Blood (Video)

On Queen Elizabeth I's 27th birthday, she had been ruling England for just two years, a feat that stirred both support and skepticism. The notion of a woman holding such power fueled whispers of...
King Harold’s coronation sparked outrage. Source: Archivist / Adobe Stock.
18 November, 2023 - 00:56 Robbie Mitchell

Why King Harold's Rapid Coronation Sparked Outrage (Video)

In a remarkable turn of events on the 6th of January 1066 , England bore witness to a swift and controversial transition of power. King Harold's hasty coronation, occurring mere hours after the...

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