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…
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…
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,…
In honor of Black History Month, we’d like to recognize some of the incredibly influential black civilizations of the past and all of their accomplishments. ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Mesopotamia was the Biblical land of Sumer, which sprung up around 3000 B.C. After decrypting the cuneiform script of ancient Mesopotamia for many years, Henry Rawlinson (1810-1895) discovered that the founders…
One way to learn about Ancient Egyptian culture is by studying its antiquity, jewelry and customs. One popular custom of this ancient society was the making of the cartouche. A cartouche is a kind of nameplate. Ancient Egyptians used cartouches for kings, queens, and other high-ranking people in the kingdom. A cartouche consists of a number of…
In today’s day and age, the Internet is filled with all kinds of educators; from scholars, to reporters, to bystanders. It’s incredible the kind of knowledge you can gain from simply searching the web. Bloggers have made a solid presence across the web, offering a mix of hard knowledge and opinion. Here are a few…
Archaeology is the study of human cultures from around the world throughout time. This is done by excavating artifacts to learn about the people who left them behind. Though being an archaeologist may not be as exciting as it was for say Indiana Jones, if you find the idea of unearthing an arrowhead that hasn’t been touched…
1. Greeks – The Crucible of Civilization This PBS production is a beautiful tribute of the glorious Ancient Greece. It tells the story of the Greek democracy from its first stirrings in 500 B.C. to the cataclysmic wars that virtually destroyed the empire. Much of the story relates how the Greeks indirectly invented politics, democracy, and philosophy…
Egyptian art, architecture and burial methods have become enduring objects of fascination to the world. Yet, so much mystery still remains about these famed builders of the pyramids. Here are a few enlightening facts about this ancient civilization: 1. Ancient Egyptians loved board games. After a long day working along the Nile, Egyptians found repose…