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Joanna Gillan's picture

Joanna Gillan

Joanna Gillan is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. 

Joanna completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree in Australia and published research in the field of Educational Psychology. She has a rich and varied career, ranging from teaching children with autism in an early intervention program, owning and operating an online English teaching business, working as a research and project officer in the office of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and assistant in the office of Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as co-owning a website design and development company.

Joanna co-founded Ancient Origins with Dr Ioannis Syrigos. Together they immersed themselves in their personal passion for ancient history, mythology and human origins.  She loves learning about and experiencing other cultures and has spent time living in Australia, UK, Greece, Ecuador and Ireland and travelling to hundreds of historic sites around the world.

Joanna has written over 1,000 articles for Ancient Origins, some of which have been mentioned in the New York Times, CNN, Fox News, The Guardian, Peru Weekly, International Business Times, Spiegel and The Daily Mail. She has contributed as a guest writer for other media organizations, including The Epoch Times and iSpectrum Magazine, and has been interviewed on historical subjects on ten radio shows, including the BBC in the UK, and Newstalk in Ireland. She has also appeared on Ireland’s national TV channel, RTE, on the Today Show

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Mesoamerican warrior. Source: Art Gallery / Adobe Stock.

Voices of Ancestors: Listen to the Sound of 14 Ancient Languages (Video)

Language is a powerful tool that allows us to communicate with one another across time and space. Through language , we are able to share our stories, our ideas, and our cultures with others. In this...
A false door at Angkor Banteay Srey temple in Cambodia. Source: TMAX / Adobe Stock

Did Ancient Tombs Really Have Traps Inside? (Video)

The concept of ancient tombs being riddled with traps and dangers is one that has been popularized by movies, video games, and other forms of pop culture, but it begs the question: did they really...
Jean-Leon Gerome’s Diogenes, 1860 (Gandalf’s Gallery / Flickr)

How Ancient Greek Philosopher Diogenes Teaches Us: Live Simply, Find Happiness (Video)

Ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes lived in the 4th century BC and is known for his unconventional and radical lifestyle. He rejected materialism and believed that true happiness could only be...
Machu Picchu, Peru. Source: Chris / Adobe Stock

Archaeology Recreations: What These 10 Ancient Sites Really Looked Like (Video)

The most famous archaeological sites of the world have been inspiring tourists and researchers for centuries. But have you ever wondered how they looked in their prime? Archaeology and technology...
Sumerian Ziggurat. Source: Michael Rosskothen / Adobe Stock

View the Majesty of a Sumerian Ziggurat in 3D Virtual Tour (Video)

A Sumerian ziggurat was a towering, stepped structures built in ancient Mesopotamia over 4,000 years ago. They were constructed by the Sumerians , who were one of the earliest civilizations in human...
Forbidden Places: Top 15 Sites You’re Not Allowed to Visit (Video)

Forbidden Places: Top 15 Sites You’re Not Allowed to Visit (Video)

There is something intriguing about forbidden places that adds to their allure. These are 15 sites that are strictly off-limits to the public for various reasons, be it for safety, environmental...
Details at Sedlec Ossuary Interior, Kutna Hora, Czech Republic. Source: diegograndi / Adobe Stock

The Eerie Charm of Sedlec Ossuary: A Gothic Masterpiece of Human Bones

Deep beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints in Sedlec, Czech Republic, a chilling monument to human mortality has been carefully crafted over the centuries. Decorated with the bones of over 40,000...
Creation of Adam, fresco painted by Michelangelo (1475-1564), Sistine Chapel Ceiling (1508-1512) Rome, Vatican (Jörg Bittner Unna / CC by SA 3.0)

10 Great Mysteries Hidden in Famous Paintings (Video)

Art has always been a fascinating form of expression, not just for its aesthetic beauty but also for the hidden messages and secrets it holds. From the ghostly silhouette behind the man in The Old...
Old locked gate closed to a large castle. Source: Ekaterina / Adobe Stock

Archaeology Enigmas: Four Mystery Doors That Should Never be Opened (Video)

Archaeology is a field that is constantly searching for new discoveries and secrets buried deep in the past. Some of the most intriguing archaeological mysteries involve doors that have remained...
Terracotta statues made by the Nok. (Public Domain)

The Highly Advanced and Mysterious Ancient Civilization of the Nok

The remarkable civilization of the Nok was first discovered in 1928 when a wealth of unique terracotta artifacts was unearthed by tin miners in the southern part of Kaduna state in central Nigeria...
Priest conducting an exorcism. Source:  lunamarina / Adobe Stock

Demonic Possession and the Ancient Practice of Exorcism on the Rise?

Belief in malevolent spirits inhabiting the human body has persisted across cultures for millennia. During the Middle Ages, exorcisms were commonplace to rid individuals of supposed demonic...
The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, St. Petersburg, Russia. The 18th century cathedral is the final resting place of many members of the Russian royal family, including Peter the Great and Catherine the Great. Source: yulenochekk / Adobe Stock

Sacred Marvels: 17 Cathedrals That Will Take Your Breath Away, In Pictures

Cathedrals are some of the most awe-inspiring structures in the world, with their grandeur and intricate details captivating visitors for centuries. These religious buildings are often the most...
The Carnac Stones, Brittany, France. Source: guitou60 / Adobe Stock

Unraveling the Mystery of the Carnac Stones: An Ancient Puzzle of Epic Proportions

The Carnac stones are an exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites around the French village of Carnac, in Brittany, consisting of more than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones and erected by...
One of the recently discovered set of tombs in Al-Bhansa region in the Governorate of Minya. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

Hub of Ancient Persian, Roman, and Coptic Tombs Unearthed in Egypt

A collection of ancient tombs from the Persian, Roman, and Coptic eras has been unearthed by archaeologists in the Minya governorate of Egypt, situated about 150 miles (245 km) to the south of Cairo...
 Part of the 16-meter-long document from Saqqara that includes illustrations and text from the Book of the Dead of Ahmose. Source: Supreme Council of Antiquities

First Public Display of 16-meter-long Papyrus Found in Saqqara Casket

The exciting discovery of a 16-meter-long (52.5 ft) ancient papyrus found in a sarcophagus in Egypt's Saqqara region has now been unveiled. A papyrus of this size and quality had not been discovered...
The palace at Wat Phra Keaw, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located in Bangkok, Thailand. It was built in 1782 by King Rama I as the royal residence and center of government. The palace complex has undergone several expansions and renovations throughout the years and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. Source: Travel mania / Adobe Stock.

Photographic Marvels: 12 Stunning Historic Palaces You Need to See to Believe

Throughout history, palaces have been built by various civilizations and kingdoms to showcase the wealth and power of their rulers. These palaces are not only impressive in terms of their size and...

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