Imagine a prehistoric landscape teeming with life, but death also played a significant role. A new study published in PLOS ONE by researchers at Portland State University suggests that carnivorous dinosaurs like Allosaurus might have benefited greatly from not just hunting live prey, but also by feasting on the massive carcasses of long-dead giants like … Read more
Imagine uncovering a luxurious Roman mansion buried beneath centuries of soil. This remarkable feat is precisely what a team from the University of South Florida (USF) achieved during an excavation in Malta. Led by Professor Davide Tanasi, the project offered a glimpse into life 2,000 years ago, when the island was a bustling center of … Read more
For centuries, archaeologists have unearthed a remarkable record of human history through bones and teeth – the enduring remnants of our ancestors. Soft tissue preservation, however, has been a rare privilege, with entire organs succumbing to the relentless march of decay. But a groundbreaking study led by Oxford University researchers shatters this notion, revealing a … Read more
Ötzi the Iceman, the well-preserved mummy discovered in the Italian Alps, continues to offer glimpses into a bygone era. A recent study, published in the European Journal of Archaeology, sheds light on a long-standing mystery: how Ötzi’s intricate tattoos were created. Ötzi’s discovery in 1991 sent shockwaves through the archaeological world. Preserved for over 5,300 … Read more
Deep within the Amazon rainforest, a chance discovery by gold miners has unearthed a remarkable relic of the past – a giant freshwater turtle unlike any seen before. This colossal reptile, named Peltocephalus maturin, roamed the Amazon basin an astonishing 40,000 to 9,000 years ago. Led by Dr. Gabriel S. Ferreira from the University of … Read more
Move over dinosaurs, there’s a new prehistoric titan in town. Aetosaurs, crocodile cousins clad in impressive bony armor, ruled the Triassic period long before the reign of the T-Rex. These fascinating creatures, once widespread across the globe, met their demise roughly 200 million years ago. Fossil hunters rely on the aetosaurs’ distinct armor plates, called … Read more
Deep within the crypt of St. Servatii’s Collegiate Church in Quedlinburg, Germany, archaeologists have unearthed a fascinating relic – a baptismal font dating back to the 10th century. This discovery not only sheds light on medieval baptismal practices but also holds potential ties to the powerful Ottonian dynasty. The font, believed to be the oldest … Read more
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, is one of the oldest and most mysterious civilizations in ancient history. Flourishing in the fertile plains of the Indus River Valley in present-day Pakistan and northwest India, the Indus Valley Civilization thrived for nearly 2,000 years, from around 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. Despite … Read more
The Maya civilization is one of the most fascinating and enigmatic cultures of ancient Mesoamerica, known for its achievements in art, architecture, astronomy, mathematics, and writing. Flourishing for over two millennia in the tropical lowlands of present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, the Maya civilization left behind a rich legacy of temples, pyramids, … Read more
The Inca Empire, also known as Tawantinsuyu, was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, stretching along the Andes Mountains from present-day Colombia to Chile and encompassing a diverse range of cultures and peoples. The history of the Inca Empire is a tale of innovation, conquest, and cultural achievement, spanning centuries of development and expansion before … Read more
The history of the Persian Empire, one of the most influential civilizations in ancient times, spans millennia and encompasses a rich tapestry of political, cultural, and military achievements. From its humble beginnings to its zenith as a global superpower, the Persian Empire left an indelible mark on the history of the ancient world. The roots … Read more
Zhuang Zhou, also known as Zhuangzi, was an influential Chinese philosopher who lived during the Warring States period (around the 4th century BCE). He is the attributed author of the “Zhuangzi,” a foundational text of Daoism. Zhuangzi’s philosophy emphasizes spontaneity, naturalness, and the relativity of human values and perceptions. He is known for his parables, … Read more
Sima Qian (circa 145–86 BC) was a Chinese historian, astrologer, and court scribe during the Han dynasty. He is often referred to as the “Grand Historian” for his monumental work, “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji), which is considered one of the most important works of Chinese historiography. Sima Qian’s meticulous research, narrative skill, and … Read more
Sun Tzu (544–496 BC) was a Chinese military strategist, philosopher, and author of “The Art of War,” an influential ancient Chinese military treatise. Little is known about his life, but his teachings on strategy, tactics, and leadership have had a profound impact not only in military contexts but also in business, politics, and everyday life. … Read more
The Olmec civilization, often regarded as the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica, flourished in what is now southern Mexico from around 1500 BCE to 400 BCE. While much about the Olmec remains shrouded in mystery, archaeological discoveries over the past century have shed light on their history, culture, and influence on subsequent Mesoamerican societies. The story … Read more
Everyday life in ancient Greece was characterized by a rich tapestry of culture, philosophy, politics, and social interactions. From the bustling agora to the philosophical debates in the Academy, ancient Greeks lived in city-states that thrived on trade, democracy, and intellectual pursuits. Their daily lives revolved around activities such as farming, commerce, education, and participation … Read more
In the ancient land of Mesopotamia, daily life was richly textured, diverse, and deeply intertwined with the rhythms of the natural world, social structures, and religious beliefs. Mesopotamia, often referred to as the “cradle of civilization,” encompassed the fertile region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, where the earliest known human civilizations flourished. From the … Read more
Ancient Mesopotamian myths form a rich tapestry of gods, heroes, and legends that provide insights into the beliefs, values, and cultural practices of one of the world’s earliest civilizations. Mesopotamia, located in the fertile crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was home to the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, among others. Their myths, recorded … Read more
Ancient Mesopotamian religion is one of the earliest recorded belief systems, originating in the region known as Mesopotamia, located in present-day Iraq and parts of Syria and Turkey. Mesopotamian religion was polytheistic, meaning it involved the worship of multiple gods and goddesses, each associated with various aspects of life and nature. The pantheon included prominent … Read more
Ancient Mesopotamian culture, often referred to as the cradle of civilization, flourished in the fertile crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is now modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, eastern Syria, and parts of southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran. Mesopotamia, meaning “the land between the rivers,” was home to some of the world’s earliest civilizations, … Read more