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Elderly Couple 'Cheated' On Rare Fang Mask, Resold for $4.4 Million

Much of the erstwhile colonized world is still in legal and ethical tussles with their former colonizers, in an effort to retrieve precious artifacts and treasures that belong to their people. France, a former colonial power that had spread its imperial empire from the Americas to Asia, was in the news for the wrong reasons – a rare Ngil mask, used in ceremonies by the Fang ethnic people of Gabon, was sold by an elderly couple for a paltry $158 to an art dealer, who resold the same mask for a whopping $4.4 million dollars!

Sahir - 11/10/2023 - 19:00

Find of a Lifetime: 3,106-Carat Diamond Worth US $2 Billion Takes Its Place in History

Created an unimaginably distant time in the past, diamonds are the most coveted and valued of precious stones. The story of the discovery and destiny of the Cullinan diamond, to this day the largest gem-quality diamond ever found, is one to be marveled at, just like the staggering array of gems that were cut from it.

micki pistorius - 05/01/2018 - 17:35

The Tripitaka Koreana: A Vast Trove of Buddhist Woodblock Wisdom

... with him. The monks, however, refused the official’s request, but gave him a spool of thread with five colors. ...

dhwty - 18/05/2021 - 15:00

Conwy Castle: This Fine Medieval Welsh Castle was Built for a Ferocious English King

Wales is famous for many things - its singers, sports, incredible scenery and of course its many great castles. One of the most famous of these is Conwy (Conway) Castle, which is widely regarded as one of the finest medieval fortresses in all of Europe. And having the Welsh dragon flutter over the site adds to the appeal.

Ed Whelan - 26/05/2019 - 14:06

Jang Bogo: The Powerful Silla Kingdom Warlord And Korean Hero

... maritime borders of Silla Kingdom. Thus, Jang Bogo’s request was granted, and he became an even more powerful ...

Aleksa Vučković - 16/01/2021 - 21:07

Aramaic Inscriptions in Palmyra, Syria, Solve Mystery of the ‘Anonymous God’

The analysis of over 2,500 Aramaic inscriptions in Palmyra in south-central Syria has helped solve a 100-year-old mystery. Two hundred texts, dated mainly to the 2nd and 3rd century AD have been attributed to “The Anonymous God of Palmyra,” named after the ancient city they were found in.

Sahir - 27/06/2022 - 14:47

Amoral Tricksters that Enhance World Mythology and Entertain Cultures

... The same thing happened when the wording of the request was vague - leaving the jinn with room for ...

valdar - 06/01/2016 - 03:49

New Excavation Might Reveal Fate of Lost Colony of Roanoke

... not long after it was formed to return to England, to request more support from Queen Elizabeth I and her ...

Nathan Falde - 12/05/2024 - 22:51

“Et tu, Brute?” Rome to Reopen Square of Julius Caesar’s Assassination to Public

From this week, history enthusiasts, tourists, and other interested parties will be able to walk through the square where the famed Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, met his end through stabbing.

Sahir - 20/06/2023 - 23:00

Ten Amazing Archaeological Discoveries

Last year we saw some incredible discoveries in the field of archaeology – from ancient myths proven true, to evidence of ancient technology, and findings that have solved enduring mysteries, such as the death of Tutankhamun. Here we present what we believe are the top ten archaeological discoveries of 2013, excluding those relating to human origins which are in a different section.

aprilholloway - 29/12/2013 - 10:14

The Roman Dictator Cincinnatus: Model of an Honest Politician?

... these words put into Cincinnatus’ mouth upon hearing the request: “This year's crop too will be ruined, then, ...

dhwty - 11/06/2019 - 19:47

Atlantis in India: Did Plato’s Lost City Exist in the East?

... in reversing the map of the world, apparently at the request of an unspecified high authority. In his book, ...

E. B. Ralbadisole - 25/03/2019 - 01:01

Will Pope Apologize to Mexico for Church Complicity during Spanish Conquest?

The President of Mexico has written a letter to Pope Francis asking for an apology over the Catholic Church’s role in the brutal repression of indigenous people during the Spanish conquest of the Central American nation. Almost 500 years ago, the Spanish conquered the Aztec Empire, a historic event followed by the brutal exploitation and repression of the native peoples of what is now Mexico.

Ed Whelan - 12/10/2020 - 05:52

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 influence, Western civilization is indebted to the Achaemenids in many ways. Religion is no exception. Both Hebrew prophets and Greek mystics show influence of Persian religious ideas.

Caleb Strom - 13/10/2019 - 23:01

Another Human Hybrid? The Controversy Continues One Year Later

Last year, we reported on the results of genetic research which revealed that the genome of one of our ancient ancestors, the Denisovans, contains a segment of DNA that seems to have come from another species that is currently unknown to science. Several recent studies have also revealed that modern humans are a

johnblack - 14/02/2014 - 09:37

The Long Road Taken By Robert the Bruce’s Heart

Robert the Bruce is one of the most, if not the most famous Scotsmen to have ever lived. Infamous for the 14th-century reign that saw him taking on England’s much bigger and better-equipped army and beating them! There probably wouldn’t be a Scotland today without him. However, as famous as he is, very few people are familiar with the gruesome fact that he had his heart shipped half away around the world. Or how even stranger still, it was lost for centuries. And the tales of Robert the Bruce’s heart are legend!

Robbie Mitchell - 13/06/2022 - 22:44

Great Pyramid Casing Stone Exhibit On Rocky Ground As Egypt Challenges Its Legality

... and staff are currently considering their response to the request. Top image: The Great Pyramid casing ...

ashley cowie - 11/01/2019 - 18:46

The Strange Life of Simon Magus, Christian, Pagan, Magician, and Sorcerer

Simon the Magician, otherwise known as Simon Magus, comes down through history predominately from the New Testament account, Acts of the Apostles 8:9-24, with all other ancient sources pertaining to him written after his death. Simon is discussed in a variety of different lights, most notably "as a Christian, a Jew, a pagan and the founder of a new religion; a magician, a sorcerer, a religious philosopher and an arch-heretic; a pseudo-apostle, a pseudo-Messiah and a pretended incarnation of God; and the 'father of

Riley Winters - 11/06/2015 - 14:58

Civil War in Yemen Threatens Millennia-Old Mummies and Other Cultural Treasures

It is estimated that the civil war in Yemen has caused the death of thousands of people and has pushed millions to the brink of famine during the past two years. Now it’s starting to damage the nation’s cultural treasures by destroying ancient mummies, a unique part of the country's rich history.

Theodoros Karasavvas - 08/07/2018 - 22:38