History
Signatures meant more in Mesopotamia than they do now − what cylinder seals say about ancient and modern life
Signatures meant more in Mesopotamia than they do now − what cylinder seals say about ancient and modern life Cylinder seals were an early form of signature used by ancient Mesopotamians, particularly in Iraq, around 2350-2150 B.C.E., and are considered a crucial utilitarian object that served as a means of signing documents. The seals were […]
🔬 Science
The Jew in King Shaka’s court: How a 19th-century castaway shaped a Zulu leader’s legacy
The Jew in King Shaka’s court: How a 19th-century castaway shaped a Zulu leader’s legacy Nathaniel Isaacs, a Jewish apprentice merchant from England, was shipwrecked on the coast of South Africa in 1825 and became a pivotal figure in the period of first contact between the Zulu and Europeans. Isaacs’ memoir, “Travels and Adventures in […]
📰 News
25 Years of the International Space Station: What archaeology tells us about living and working in space
25 Years of the International Space Station: What archaeology tells us about living and working in space The International Space Station (ISS) has been continuously occupied by at least two people for 25 years, making it a unique example of international cooperation and a remarkable achievement in space exploration. A team of archaeologists, led by […]
🔬 Science
Watch: How Halloween became the holiday it is today
Watch: How Halloween became the holiday it is today Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which involved dressing up in costumes and lighting bonfires to ward off wandering souls. The holiday was initially associated with chaos and vandalism in late 19th-century America, but its focus shifted towards family-friendly activities over […]
🎭 Entertainment
The Glozel affair: A sensational archaeological hoax made science front-page news in 1920s France
The Glozel affair: A sensational archaeological hoax made science front-page news in 1920s France The Glozel affair was a sensational archaeological hoax that made front-page news in France in 1927, sparking controversy over its authenticity. A team of international archaeologists visited the site to assess its legitimacy, but their findings were met with skepticism and […]
📰 News
How Hershey’s chocolate survived an attack from Mars − and adopted a business strategy alien to its founder
How Hershey’s chocolate survived an attack from Mars − and adopted a business strategy alien to its founder Hershey’s chocolate survived an attack from Mars by adopting a business strategy alien to its founder Milton Hershey. The company responded to Mars’ aggressive marketing tactics by modernizing its operations and introducing new products. Milton Hershey’s paternalistic […]
📰 News
Beware the Anglo-Saxons! Why Russia likes to invoke a medieval tribe when talking about the West
Beware the Anglo-Saxons! Why Russia likes to invoke a medieval tribe when talking about the West Russia has been using the term “Anglo-Saxons” to describe Western adversaries, particularly the US and UK, as a way to justify its invasion of Ukraine and smear its perceived enemies. The term was first used by Russian officials in […]
🏛️ Politics
AI reveals which predators chewed ancient humans’ bones – challenging ideas on which ‘Homo’ species was the first tool-using hunter
AI reveals which predators chewed ancient humans’ bones – challenging ideas on which ‘Homo’ species was the first tool-using hunter Researchers used AI to analyze tooth marks on ancient human fossils from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, which challenged the long-held idea that Homo habilis was the first tool-using hunter. The study found that the tooth marks […]
🔬 Science
When coal smoke choked St. Louis, residents fought back − but it took time and money
When coal smoke choked St. Louis, residents fought back − but it took time and money St. Louis residents fought back against coal smoke pollution in 1939, which had become a chronic problem due to the widespread use of sulfur-rich coal for heat and power. The city’s mayor, Bernard Dickmann, created a commission to investigate […]
📰 News
The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis
The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis Latin America played a crucial role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis, contrary to the standard U.S.-centric narrative that portrays President John F. Kennedy as the sole hero who saved the world from nuclear war. The Organization of […]
🏛️ Politics