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Ed Whelan

My name is Edward Whelan and I graduated with a PhD in history in 2008. Between 2010-2012 I worked in the Limerick City Archives. I have written a book and several peer reviewed journal articles. At present I am a full-time freelance writer and researcher and live in Gillogue, County Clare.

I am from Limerick in the Republic of Ireland. I have a lifelong love of history and have been fascinated by the subject from an early age. I attended the University of Maynooth 2003-2008 and studied history and classical studies. I obtained a BA from Maynooth and was admitted to the History PhD program. Based on my BA results I was awarded two scholarships and during my post-graduate studies I worked as a tutor.

History

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Tel Arad fortress, source of the ostracon that led to the Biblical-era mystery. Source: Public Domain

11 September, 2020 - 22:41 Ed Whelan

Israeli Forensic Police Investigator Helps Solve Bible-era Mystery

Research on ancient writings in Israel may have solved a long-standing Bible-era mystery. Researchers have shown that literacy was much more common than previously assumed among the ancient Hebrews...

Sebaste’s archaeology ancient ruins Source: Pavel Bernshtam / Adobe Stock

11 September, 2020 - 01:50 Ed Whelan

Ancient Samaria, a City Destroyed and Ten Tribes Lost Forever

Once known as the Land of Canaan, the region was home to great cultures and civilizations for thousands of years. As a result, there are many historic ruins and one of the most fascinating is the...

The Wolji (formerly Anapji) artificial pond located in Gyeongju National Park, South Korea, was constructed by the Silla Kingdom in 674 AD. The pond is not far from where the recent Korean kingdom finds were discovered. Source: Pixabay

10 September, 2020 - 21:02 Ed Whelan

Major Kingdom Finds Provide New Insights Into Ancient Korean Society

Two major recent Korean kingdom finds are providing archaeologists with new critical insights into the culture and history of Korea’s ancient past. Both of the recent finds date from the Silla...

The construction and location of the Roman pool has the experts stumped. Source: AnchorSoprintendenza Speciale di Roma

10 September, 2020 - 18:45 Ed Whelan

What in the Roman Republic is this Giant Pool Found Outside Rome?

A major but enigmatic discovery has been made near Rome. A huge pool, that is at least 2,300 years old has been uncovered by archaeologists. However, the role and purpose of this pool is not known...

Pilgrim at the golden temple in the city of Amritsar-India, main temple of Sikhs, during sunset. Source: MICHEL / Adobe Stock

10 September, 2020 - 13:58 Ed Whelan

Why the Golden Temple is at the Very Heart of Sikhism

While the followers of Sikhism can be found all over the world, the supreme spiritual site of the faith is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India. It is known as Harmandir Sahib , the abode of God, and...

Ice Age hunters endured the harsh climate in Northern Europe. Source: anibal / Adobe Stock

10 September, 2020 - 01:01 Ed Whelan

New Evidence Reveals Ice Age Hunters Didn’t Migrate South In Winter

Winter in Ice Age Europe was not for the faint-hearted. There has been a long-running debate between experts as to whether humans migrated out of Northern Europe during the savage winters, or did...

The flooding is threatening the Al-Bajrawiya archaeological site, home to almost two hundred Sudanese pyramids and the ancient burial site of the Kingdom of Kush. Source: zampe238 Adobe Stock

9 September, 2020 - 14:04 Ed Whelan

Worst River Nile Flooding in Over a Century Threatens Sudanese Pyramids

The mysterious pyramids of Sudan that have stood for centuries are now threatened by floods. The River Nile has burst its banks and it has already killed many people in the African country. Rising...

Aerial view of the Cape Chiroza fortified Hellenistic center recently found on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. Source: Burgas Municipality

8 September, 2020 - 23:00 Ed Whelan

Fortified Hellenistic Center And Underwater Site Found In Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, a fortified Hellenistic center has been found on the country’s Black Sea coast . A fortress has been discovered on the shore and, what’s more, a large underwater site has been located in...

The Bronze Age burial urn about to be removed from where it was found, a tricky process! Source: Fadó Archaeology

8 September, 2020 - 18:01 Ed Whelan

Bronze Age Burial Urn Harvested From Irish Vegetable Patch

Archaeologists have unearthed a rare Bronze Age burial urn in Ireland. The urn dates back 4000 years and was found in a community garden allotment used by locals. This find is latest discovery at...

The Stone Age rock tombs recently found at the Kizilkoyun Necropolis area not far from Göbekli Tepe . Source: AA News Broadcasting System (HAS)

7 September, 2020 - 13:58 Ed Whelan

Stone Age Rock Tombs Found Near Göbekli Tepe Provide More Ancient Clues

Göbekli Tepe , in Turkey, is regarded as one of the most important Stone Age archaeological sites in the world. It has changed our view of how civilization developed. Recently, archaeologists working...

Diorama of people in the ancient Harappan culture (Indus Valley civilization).

5 September, 2020 - 21:48 Ed Whelan

Climate Change, Not Aryan Invaders, Caused Dramatic Fall of Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Civilization was one of the most important Bronze Age civilizations. It was comparable in its achievements to the Egyptians and it is often claimed that it was very influential in the...

What will this frozen goat teach us about famous human ice mummies?

5 September, 2020 - 17:41 Ed Whelan

What a Frozen Alpine Goat Can Teach Us About Famous Ice Mummies

DNA is especially important now in understanding our ancestors and the past. However, there is a problem in that it can often be difficult to analyze and preserve. The discovery of a mummified...

Bronze Age skull in situ in the Tollense valley Source: ©: Stefan Sauer / Tollense Valley Project

4 September, 2020 - 23:23 Ed Whelan

Ancient Warriors Show Europeans Were Late Adopters of Dairy Produce

Research undertaken on Bronze Age warriors who died in a battle in Germany has revealed something remarkable about the evolution of human digestion. It established that it is only in the past few...

An archaeology student has made an incredible discovery within the architecture of the 5000-year-old Maeshowe burial chamber on mainland Orkney. Source: Mo_Ali / Adobe Stock

4 September, 2020 - 18:44 Ed Whelan

Functioning Portal To The Otherworld Discovered at Maeshowe

Maeshowe is a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave situated on mainland Orkney , the world-renowned, ancient monument-peppered archipelago located off the north east coast of Scotland...

Director of the Jerusalem Promenade excavation Yaakov Billig with the unearthed capitals that likely were part of a First Temple Period palace. Source: Yoli Shwartz / Israel Antiquities Authority

4 September, 2020 - 04:33 Ed Whelan

First Temple Period Palace Discovered Under The Heart Of Old Jerusalem

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have announced the discovery of several dozen stone artifacts that date back to the First Temple Period, over 2500 years ago. They were found in a historic part...

A team from the University of Salford has built a scale model of Stonehenge to test the acoustics of the famous Neolithic structure. Source: Acoustics Research Centre / University of Salford

3 September, 2020 - 13:59 Ed Whelan

“Stonehenge Lego” Proves The Original Had Awesome Acoustics

A mini model of Stonehenge has been built in the UK by researchers using the latest technologies. They were interested in the acoustics of the structure that dates to the Neolithic period (2200 BC)...

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