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Wu Mingren

Wu Mingren (‘Dhwty’) has a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History and Archaeology. Although his primary interest is in the ancient civilizations of the Near East, he is also interested in other geographical regions, as well as other time periods. He has been an active participant in archaeological fieldwork, and has been on excavations around the world, including the UK, Egypt, and Italy.

His interests range from ‘conventional’ to ‘radical’ interpretations of the archaeological/textual/pictorial data set. He believes that intellectual engagement by advocates from both ends of the spectrum would serve to enhance our understanding of the past. In addition, such discussions would serve to bring archaeology to a wider audience as well as to stimulate their interest, curiosity, and critical thinking of such issues.

History

Member for: 10 years 2 months

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Thebes, A City Formed by The Warriors Who Sprang from a Dragon’s Teeth

16 February, 2021 - 21:57 dhwty

Thebes, A City Formed by The Warriors Who Sprang from a Dragon’s Teeth

In ancient times, Thebes was one of the major Greek city states, and a rival of Athens. Later on, however, Thebes fell to the Macedonians, and was eventually conquered by the Romans. The post-...

Magadha: Mighty Kingdom that Spawned Two of India’s Most Powerful Empires

15 February, 2021 - 13:51 dhwty

Magadha: Mighty Kingdom that Spawned Two of India’s Most Powerful Empires

Magadha was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas, or ‘Great Kingdoms’ that existed in ancient India. This ancient kingdom was centered around southern Bihar, in the northeastern part of India. Much of the...

Lars Porsena: The Famous Etruscan Ruler Who Threatened Rome

11 February, 2021 - 13:51 dhwty

Lars Porsena: The Famous Etruscan Ruler Who Threatened Rome

Lars Porsena was an Etruscan ruler mentioned in the earliest accounts of Roman history. His story is associated with Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the seventh and last semi-legendary king of Rome. Lars...

The Lupanare and Houses of Pleasure in Ancient Pompeii

9 February, 2021 - 23:46 dhwty

The Lupanare: Prostitution and Houses of Pleasure in Ancient Pompeii

Mad emperors, fierce warriors, brutal entertainment, and lascivious lifestyles. These are the familiar images of ancient Rome, but what was it really like? Rumors abounded regarding Roman emperors...

Segóbriga: Vestiges of Roman Grandeur in Spain

9 February, 2021 - 00:40 dhwty

Segóbriga: Vestiges of Roman Grandeur in Spain

Segóbriga was a Celtic, and later Roman, city located in Castilla-La Mancha, in the central part of Spain . Today, the ancient city is an important archaeological park and one of the best-preserved...

Helle’s Toilet: Three-Person Loo Seat was Unusual Medieval Status Symbol

6 February, 2021 - 21:22 dhwty

Helle’s Toilet: Three-Person Loo Seat was Unusual Medieval Status Symbol

Helle’s Toilet is the name given to a Medieval toilet seat that was discovered during an archaeological excavation in London. It is most notable for being a rare example of a triple toilet seat...

Remembering Harsha: The Forgotten Vardhana Ruler of India

3 February, 2021 - 00:54 dhwty

Remembering Harsha: The Forgotten Vardhana Ruler of India

Harsha was an Indian ruler who lived during the 7th century AD. He was a member of the Vardhana Dynasty, one of the regional powers that emerged in northern India following the collapse of the Gupta...

The Heian Era: Golden Age of Japan’s Imperial Court

31 January, 2021 - 21:56 dhwty

The Heian Era: Golden Age of Japan’s Imperial Court

The Heian period, which lasted from the 8 th to the 12 th centuries AD, is considered to be the last division of Japan’s classical era. This period began with the establishment of a new imperial...

The Levites and the Kohens: The Patriarchal High Priests of Judaism

30 January, 2021 - 14:00 dhwty

The Levites and the Kohens: The Patriarchal High Priests of Judaism

The Levites are members of the Hebrew tribe of Levi. They, and their tribe, are named after Levi, the third son of Jacob, and Leah. In the past, the Levites were entrusted with religious...

The Bodleian Book Coffer: A Kindle Of The Middle Ages

29 January, 2021 - 01:05 dhwty

The Bodleian Book Coffer: A Kindle Of The Middle Ages

The Bodleian Book Coffer is a rare artifact from the Middle Ages which is believed to have been used for the transport of important books. The Bodleian Book Coffer was purchased by the University of...

Is the Blood of Jesus Really Held in the Basilica of the Holy Blood?

28 January, 2021 - 00:55 dhwty

Is the Blood of Jesus Really Held in the Basilica of the Holy Blood?

Bruges in Belgium is a world-famous city, known for its incredible architecture. The Basilica of the Holy Blood, a Roman Catholic basilica, stands proud among the many incredible buildings. The...

Amaterasu, a major goddess of Japan.

26 January, 2021 - 11:26 dhwty

Solar Goddess Amaterasu, Divine Ancestor of the Japanese Imperial Family

Amaterasu is a major goddess in the Shinto religion. Although she is considered primarily a sun goddess, she is also believed to be the ruler of the Takama no Hara (the High Celestial Plain), which...

The Jade Emperor: Taoist Ruler of Heaven - and Celestial Bureaucrat

24 January, 2021 - 18:04 dhwty

The Jade Emperor: Taoist Ruler of Heaven - and Celestial Bureaucrat

The Jade Emperor is not only a notable figure in Chinese mythology, but also one of the most important deities in Taoism and in Chinese folk religion. Today, the Jade Emperor is regarded as the...

The Nara Period: Japan’s First Permanent Capital

23 January, 2021 - 13:33 dhwty

The Nara Period: Japan’s First Permanent Capital

The Nara period lasted from 710 to 784/94 AD. This period in Japanese history is named after the seat of imperial government in the ancient city of Nara. This was the country’s first permanent...

Sisyphus

23 January, 2021 - 03:05 dhwty

The Sisyphus Myth: Cruel King Gets Eternal Punishment for Annoying Zeus

Doomed to forever roll a huge boulder up a steep hill, Sisyphus is a figure in Greek mythology who represents an impossible task. As his punishment in the Greek Underworld , each time Sisyphus neared...

A modern Medusa depiction.

21 January, 2021 - 00:51 dhwty

The Real Story of Medusa: Protective Powers from a Snake-Haired Gorgon

In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa is the most famous of three monstrous sisters known as the Gorgons. The earliest known record about the story of Medusa and the Gorgons can be found in Hesiod’s...

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