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Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

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Slavs

The tale of Jomsborg tells of a thriving settlement with a formidable fortress on the Baltic.      Source: Mariusz Świtulski/Adobe Stock

Existence of Mythical Viking Stronghold of Jomsborg Acquires Teeth in Polish Discovery

Investigations into the semi-mythical and legendary medieval Viking stronghold of ‘Jomsborg’ have acquired new steam, and in an entirely unexpected way. With the local government making the decision...
Some of the 118 Carolingian coins in the rare and unusual coin hoard found in northeastern Poland.

Did Charlemagne Pay Off the Vikings With This Silver Hoard?

Archaeologists in Poland have unearthed a coin hoard from the early Carolingian dynasty in a field in the remote north-east of the country. The coin hoard treasure indicates a connection between the...
The fragment of a longer cow bone found by the Czech grad student, on which ancient runic letters were inscribed.

Runic Letters Scratched into 7th Century Cow Bone Could Change History

During an excavation near the small Czech Republic village of Lány, a graduate student discovered a section of a cow’s rib bone that had some strange carved markings on its surface. She didn’t know...
Night view of the castle and Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic. Prague, over time, became the definitive center of the growing Kingdom of Bohemia.

The Kingdom of Bohemia: European Jewel and the Heritage of Czechs

The colorful history of the Czech Republic is firmly rooted in its predecessor, the illustrious Kingdom of Bohemia. A powerful kingdom that lasted for more than seven centuries, it was an...
A Russian postcard depicting the world of the "Ancient Rus" that the Rurik dynasty first established. (Мария Королькова / Adobe Stock)

When Vikings Come to Rule: The History of the Rurik Dynasty

The era of the Vikings is certainly one of the most interesting periods of European history, and greatly popularized in recent times through media and entertainment. The Vikings were skilled sailors...
Butrint National Park, Preserving the Rise and Fall of an Ancient City

Butrint National Park, Preserving the Rise and Fall of an Ancient City

Albania was once part of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman worlds and as a result has a rich archaeological legacy. One of the most important archaeological sites in the Balkan country is...
View of the baptistery in the ancient city of Butrint, Albania.

Christian Symbols Hidden in Ancient Pagan Mosaics of Butrint Baptistery

For many years Albania was an isolated country, but in recent decades it has opened to tourists and we are gradually becoming more familiar with its many spectacular heritage sites. The remarkable...
Igor of Kiev wasn’t the most successful ruler of the Kievan Rus’. Source: Public domain

Prince Igor of Kiev (Kyiv): War and Diplomacy in the Early Rus’

The early beginnings of the Kievan (Kyivan) Rus’ are a highly researched subject that is a defining part of the history of the eastern Slavic peoples. The roots of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia are...
Amongst the last of the Polabian Slav tribes to fall were the Rani who boasted one of the most powerful Slavic cult religious sites, called Arkona. This powerful fort fell to the Danes in 1168, when King Valdemar sacked it and toppled the pagan idols which stood there. Source: Public domain

The Polabian Slavs: A History of a Vanquished People

Not all of history’s tales have a happy ending. In fact, most of them are rife with sad fates and great turmoil, with the ruthless passage of time erasing entire nations. One of these tales it that...
Stolen Serbian Roman artifact composite photo showing both sides of the stone, the sandal-covered feet, and the Roman inscription.  Source: National Museum in Belgrade

Serbian Roman Artifact Vanished 24 Hours After Discovery

In 2020, a recently excavated ancient Serbian Roman artifact, a stone slab covered with engraved Latin text, was stolen only 24 hours after it was discovered. The rare Roman artifact was discovered...
Calling of the Varangians, part of early Kievan Rus' history                Source: Алексей Кившенко / Public domain

The Kievan Rus’ – When Vikings and Slavs Cooperated to Shape History

The history of the Slavs is a long and ancient tale. Their roots reach far into the past, deep into the oldest beginnings of Europe. These culturally, linguistically, and genetically connected...
Much of the Radhanites' overland trade between Tangier and Mesopotamia was by camel. Source: Gaper / Adobe Stock

The Radhanites: A Glimpse into the Trade Networks of the Middle Ages

It is no secret that throughout the classical and early medieval period, trade played an immense role in the economy of the world. Trade routes were spread all over Eurasia, and effectively connected...
A sonar image of the wreck in the Vistula River and the dingy the archaeologists used to search for it, showing the relative size of the ship.            Source: Podwodne wraki Warszawy

Divers Detect Titanic 700-Year-Old Shipwreck in Vistula River

A centuries old shipwreck described as “huge and rare” has been discovered by underwater archaeologists in the Vistula River north of Warsaw in Poland . Measuring a whopping 37-meters-long (121 foot...
The ancient ruins of Doclea (Koester, L/ CC BY 2.0)

Will the Noteworthy Archeological Site of Doclea Be Saved in Time?

Montenegro is a relatively new nation, securing its independence as recently as 2006. This small nation is located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and has many fascinating historic remains. One of...
Ulpiana, the archaeological site in Kosovo.

Ulpiana, A Wealthy Ancient City Destroyed by Greed

Kosovo is a relatively new nation, having declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, but its territory certainly has a rich history. The remarkable Roman and Byzantine site of Ulpiana, which was...