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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.

Zhou Dynasty Emperor’s tomb was uncovered in China, belonging to the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Source: CASS
27 September, 2023 - 22:51 Sahir

Stacked 1,400-Year-Old Zhou Dynasty Emperor’s Tomb Uncovered in China

Archaeologists in Shaanxi Province, northwest China, have discovered the tomb of Emperor Xiaomin (birth name Yuwen Jue), the founding emperor of the Northern Zhou Dynasty (557-581). Emperor Xiaomin's...
Pharmaceutical poisons. Source: Tryfonov / Adobe Stock.
27 September, 2023 - 20:59 Robbie Mitchell

The Deadly Trail of Arsenic Through the Ages (Video)

Arsenic, a silent but deadly weapon, has stained history with its ominous presence. From ancient Rome to the 19th century, this odorless and tasteless poison has claimed countless lives. Arsenic's...
Tulips carried astonishing value in the 1600s. Source: master1305 / Adobe Stock.
27 September, 2023 - 18:01 Robbie Mitchell

How Tulips Became the Bitcoin of the 1600s (Video)

In the 1600s, before Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, Europe experienced a unique phenomenon known as tulip mania . Amsterdam's wealthy merchants assigned astonishing value to exotic tulips, reaching up...
Head of Tutankhamun. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
27 September, 2023 - 02:00 Robbie Mitchell

Face of the Boy King: The Deeply Human Story Behind Tutankhamun's Head (Video)

This exquisite limestone sculpture, currently an exhibit at the New York Met, captures the youthful innocence of Tutankhamun , the boy king, at the tender age of six. Crafted with meticulous detail,...
Fleas on rats spread the plague. Source: kichigin19 / Adobe Stock.
25 September, 2023 - 20:54 Robbie Mitchell

What Hygiene Was Like During the Black Plague? (Video)

In the 14th century , European hygiene during the Black Plague was far from ideal. Bathing was infrequent, and people resorted to remedies like vinegar and even urine to combat the disease due to a...
An elaborate loaf of bread in the European Bread Museum, Greece. Photo: Joanna Gillan
24 September, 2023 - 22:46 Joanna Gillan

From Grain to Glory: The European Bread Museum’s Tribute to a Staple of Civilization

In a world inundated with a rich diversity of histories, the presence of a museum dedicated solely to bread stands as a delightful anomaly. Located in the heart of Varnavas, Greece, the European...
Left; Vejano Castle, Vejano, Italy, street view of tower and entry bridge. Right, the triangular Vejano castle from above. Source: Left; Croberto68/ CC BY-SA 3.0, Right; Google Earth
23 September, 2023 - 18:57 Marcello Assandri

Unearthing Italy's Hidden Castles 3: Rites and Recreation in the Renaissance

How did people unwind in the Renaissance? Well, spa baths were still popular since the days of the Roman Republic, but also competitions, and of course, who doesn’t love a good feast? All of these...
Limahuli Garden Preserve, Hawaii. Source: stevengaertner / Adobe Stock.
22 September, 2023 - 20:57 Robbie Mitchell

Guardians Protect Hawaii’s Ancient Plants (Video)

Discover the remarkable Limahuli Garden Preserve, a 1,000-acre botanical haven on Kauai's North Shore. Amidst tranquil landscapes, this preserve harbors unique flora integral to Hawaiian culture ...
From ancient to modern times the abominable violation of human rights has occurred. Referred today as human trafficking, it is nonetheless, a form of slavery, of human exploitation for personal or commercial gain. Source: Rick/Adobe Stock
22 September, 2023 - 15:00 beth

From Sumerian Gods to Modern Day: The Long History of Slavery and Lost Children

The recent film Sound of Freedom is a fictionalized account of the true story of Tim Ballard, a former US Department of Homeland Security agent who founded the nonprofit organization Operation...
Weapons and defensive objects are evidence that show that hunter-gatherer communities in the Atacama Desert resorted to violence for conflict-solving. Source: Standen et al., 2023, PLOS ONE/CC-BY 4.0
21 September, 2023 - 22:58 Sahir

Hunter-Gatherers in the Atacama Desert Resorted to Brutal Violence

A couple of years ago, a study alluded to Neolithic farmers in Chile’s Atacama Desert engaging in violent battles over resources. Turn back the clock further, and a newer study points to ancient...
A Sultan of the Ottoman Empire having a feast. Source: AI generated.
21 September, 2023 - 20:51 Robbie Mitchell

How a Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Dined (Video)

Ottoman sultans , including the illustrious Suleiman the Magnificent, held a profound appreciation for culinary extravagance. The kitchens of the Topkapi Palace , during the 16th century, teemed with...
Europe was changed after the Black Death ended. Source: Alexander / Adobe Stock.
20 September, 2023 - 20:56 Robbie Mitchell

What Happened After the Black Death Ended? (Video)

After the Black Death's devastating toll on Europe, survivors faced daunting challenges. The plague's aftermath brought about a stark transformation. The immediate impact was an economic crisis, with...
View of the cave ‘Cueva de los Marmoles’ entrance from inside, where the manipulated human remains have been found. Source: J.C. Vera Rodríguez/ PLoS ONE
20 September, 2023 - 19:00 Sahir

Manipulated Human Remains Found at Cave Site in Spain

The Iberian Peninsula witnessed a particular form of human burials in caves, which were later manipulated and modified, over thousands of years! In the southern Iberian Peninsula, this practice...
Royal queen in her bedchamber. Source: Anneke / Adobe Stock.
19 September, 2023 - 17:02 Robbie Mitchell

What Giving Birth Was Like for Royal Mothers (Video)

Royal childbirths, a far cry from today's private affairs, were once grand spectacles, laden with political significance. Public scrutiny was the norm, with hundreds of onlookers present to confirm...
Today, oysters are consumed as an aphrodisiac. Source: Ricky / Adobe Stock.
16 September, 2023 - 18:59 Robbie Mitchell

10 of the Weirdest Things Consumed as Aphrodisiacs

These days if someone needs a little help getting in the mood, they are likely to use wine, chocolate, oysters, or maybe even certain pharmaceuticals. But what about our ancestors? Well, across...
A Gothic boxwood miniature prayer bead. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
15 September, 2023 - 20:51 Robbie Mitchell

The Intricate Carvings of Gothic Boxwood Miniature Prayer Beads (Video)

Unlocking centuries-old mysteries, Gothic Boxwood Miniature Prayer Beads have long baffled experts with their intricate scenes delicately carved into walnut-sized spheres during the 1400s and 1500s...
Longsword fighting. Source: Cyberguru / CC by SA 4.0.
15 September, 2023 - 17:00 Robbie Mitchell

Longsword Fighting, A Once-Forgotten Martial Art Resurfaces (Video)

In recent years Longsword fighting, a once-forgotten martial art has experienced a modern resurgence across the USA. Referred to as German longsword, it traces its roots to the late Middle Ages , but...
Crusader knight. Source: vitanovski / Adobe Stock.
15 September, 2023 - 01:59 Robbie Mitchell

What Life Was Like for a Medieval Crusader (Video)

In the era between 1096 and 1271, the Crusades unfolded as a dynamic clash of cultures, reshaping two continents. Yet, life for a medieval Crusader was far from uniform. Noble knights and commoners...
Fresco depicting the Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus. Source: Giorgio G / Adobe Stock.
14 September, 2023 - 21:00 Robbie Mitchell

Why Do Babies in Medieval Art Look Like Creepy Middle-Aged Men? (Video)

In medieval art, depictions of babies are far from the cherubic, innocent infants we imagine today. Instead, they appear as miniature adults, complete with mature features that can be quite...
Medieval queen dabs sweat from her brow. Source: Alliance / Adobe Stock.
14 September, 2023 - 02:13 Robbie Mitchell

The Sweating Plague Was Deadlier Than It Sounds (Video)

In the late 15th and 16th centuries, England was gripped by a deadly disease known as Sudor Anglicu s or English sweat. This malady, unlike the Black Death , did not grant immunity to survivors. In...
The Tower of London has a haunted history. Source: rpbmedia / Adobe Stock.
13 September, 2023 - 21:00 Robbie Mitchell

The Tower of London’s Haunted History (Video)

The Tower of London , a storied monument, holds a dark history that continues to haunt its walls. From its origins as a fortress by William the Conqueror to a prison and even a zoo, the Tower's past...
Witchcraft in India. Source: YouTube Screenshot / The New York Times.
13 September, 2023 - 17:03 Robbie Mitchell

Witchcraft: India's Deadly Superstition (Video)

As India has continued to modernize, the old issue of ancient superstitions surrounding witchcraft has repeatedly cropped up. This deeply rooted belief has led to a tragic trend of violence against...
Vikings used grooming tools like bone combs. Source: Fxquadro / Adobe Stock.
13 September, 2023 - 01:58 Robbie Mitchell

What Viking Hygiene Was Like (Video)

During the Viking era, Norse people placed a strong emphasis on hygiene and grooming . They combed their hair daily, bathed regularly, and frequently changed their clothes. Viking men sported a...
Peruvian hairless dog. Source: fotografie4you.eu / Adobe Stock.
12 September, 2023 - 17:00 Joanna Gillan

Peruvian Hairless Dogs ‘As Important as Machu Picchu’ (Video)

Peruvian hairless dogs are an ancient breed whose image is recognizable on pre-Incan pottery. They have been termed as 'primitive dogs,' because they have remained unchanged for over 3,500 years...

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