In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to honor the women of our past who’ve helped us to uncover history and who devoted their lives to the knowledge and education. Gertrude Bell (1868-1926) Also known as the “Mother of Mesopotamian Archaeology,” Gertrude Bell was known for incredible achievements in excavation, during a time when men dominated…
Silenus Greek god of Drunkenness and Wine-Making This bronze depiction of Silenus, Greek god of drunkenness and wine-press, dates to the Hellenistic period 300 B.C.E. – 200 B.C.E. He was companion of the wine god Dionysus, and from the 5th century B.C.E. the name Silenus was applied to Dionysus’ foster father, which thus aided the gradual…
1. Hook Swords A rather well-known tool used by the Shoalin monks of northern China, the crescent shaped hook sword was an excellent weapon for blocking blows as well as slashing those who got too close. Most of their usage came from civilians, as the Chinese military suprisingly did not use them in any of their…
Why is it that ISIS continues to destroy all record of the past? “All attacks on archaeological sites and artifacts are brutal assaults on our collective human memory,” says Sturt Manning of CNN. “They deprive us of the evidence of human endeavors and achievements” So what is the incentive? The goal of ISIS is to…
With Game of Thrones on all of our minds, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the most powerful swords in the game! When it comes to this fiction time period, Valyrian steel was the metal of choice. Valyrian steel is a form of metal that was forged in the days of the mighty Valyrian Freehold.…
Empowered by specific technologies, exclusive access to precious metals and gems, and a culture that valued royalty and luxury, Ancient Egypt remains a leading force in jewelry influence and manufacturing, that will live on forever. Egypt’s defining moment in jewelry production was their discovery of gold that was available to them from ancient riverbeds. This enabled Egyptians to collect…
Understanding the basic diet of the ancient world helps in understanding the cultural values of the various civilizations. The basic ancient diet consisted of cereals, legumes, oil, and wine, supplemented by vegetables, meat or fish, and some other items, like salt and honey. There are some ideas of what people ate in the ancient world…
When designing your home, what holds more value: off the shelves, factory-made objects, or timeless collectibles that tell a story of the past? I think the answer is obvious. Agrees Dilshad J Patel, an avid antiquity collector, says “Each and every object in my home has been carefully collected over the years from various antique shops,…
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to honor the women of our past who’ve helped us to uncover history and who devoted their lives to the knowledge and education. Gertrude Bell (1868-1926) Also known as the “Mother of Mesopotamian Archaeology,” Gertrude Bell was known for incredible achievements in excavation, during a time when men dominated…
Cave Paintings are paintings on cave walls and ceilings, usually dating to prehistoric times. Learn more about some of the world most mysterious and famous cave paintings. Altamira Cave Paintings: As Picasso famously exclaimed, “after Altamira, all is decadence.” The caves of Altamira are located near Santilliana del Mar in Cantabria, Northern Spain. Maria de Santuola,…
