For students of the humanities…
Archeologists are dedicated to digging out details about the past, and what they find can often be surprising. Occasionally, archeology can even tell us what historical people or historical places smelled like. In this article from Smithsonian Magazine, the author discusses the implications of finding an ancient bottle of Roman perfume. link to What Did the Ancient… Continue reading Article: What Did the Ancient Romans Smell Like?
The Sumerians may well have been the first civilization based around cities in Mesopotamia, which makes it likely that they were the first such civilization anywhere. In fact, the Sumerians are credited with many "firsts": the wheel, cities, writing.... This article from the History Channel details 9 things about the Sumerians that you may not know.… Continue reading Article: 9 Things You May Not Know About the Ancient Sumerians
The Middle Ages may be long over, but that doesn't mean we aren't still discovering new things about that period. In this article from Smithsonian Magazine, the author explains new discoveries about both the Middle Ages and Ancien Rome that have been made during excavations at Exeter Cathedral in England. link to Archaeologists Discover 900-Year-Old English… Continue reading Article: Archaeologists Discover 900-Year-Old English Cathedral’s Hidden Medieval Crypt
Are you interested in the Middle Ages? If so, check out this artcle from English Heritage on some of their more ingenious (and a sometimes weird inventions). Some are a bit obvious (castles for defense), and some are a bit more obscure (the Medieval equivalent of toilets); but they all give you a look at how the… Continue reading Article: 7 INGENIOUS INVENTIONS OF THE MIDDLE AGES
Art theft is a serious problem, and many stolen treasures are lost forever (either sold to disreputable private collectors or destroyed). However, this article details an exception--a museum that was able to recover a stolen altarpiece. link to U.K. Museum Recovers 15th-Century Altar Panel Almost 50 Years After It Was Stolen
Concepts of celebrity and fame have been around for a long time. One of the early film stars, Sarah Bernhardt, embraced and celebrated her fame. She was an active participant in the creation of her reputation; and, as detailed in this article from Smithsonian Magazine, in doing so she became one of the first modern… Continue reading Article: Why Actress Sarah Bernhardt Was the First Modern Celebrity
Home decorating can be dangerous--at least if you are a Victorian that likes green. Apparently, green wallpaper was popular in the 19th Century, and it was made with arsenic. This toxic combination may have been deadly, as this article from Smithsonian Magazine details; and it may also have inspired the creation of the disturbing classic… Continue reading Article: Arsenic and Old Tastes Made Victorian Wallpaper Deadly
Have you ever heard of a pie bird? If you like to bake, you may want to consider getting one. Basically, pie birds allow your pie to vent and help to keep the bottom from getting soggy. This Taste of Home article explains how pie birds work and how you can use them to get… Continue reading Article: How to Use a Pie Bird (and Why You Should)
Seeds are potential. Environmental changes and disasters can endanger that potential, so many countries and regions have come together to try to protect that part of their heritage by creating seed banks. This article from Smithsonian Magazine showcases the greatest of these seed banks and the precious resources it protects. link to Take a Virtual… Continue reading Article: Take a Virtual Tour of the ‘Doomsday’ Seed Vault
Food is an important (and often overlooked) part of culture of any people or region. This article from Smithsonian Magazine details one woman’s quest to sample Britain’s scones. link to One Woman’s Quest to Eat 244 Scones Across U.K. Is Now Complete
Can you embrace a new trend while respecting tradition? This article from My Modern Met showcases women in Japan who may have found a way to honor the old and the new. Some brides in Japan have begun to temporarily alter kimonos into beautiful wedding dresses. The best part is that the kimonos they use… Continue reading Article: Brides in Japan are Turning Their Long-Sleeve Kimonos Into Stunning Wedding Dresses
Even when we have documentation of the past, it can still be hard to figure out what actually happened. In this article from the BBC, the author discusses the particular issues that surround attempts to understand how European Medieval and Renaissance knights fought. In this case, there is a lot of documentation--more than 80 surviving… Continue reading Article: The Lost Medieval Sword Fighting Techiniqes No One Can Decode
The tartan (plaid cloth generally associated with Scottish clans) is an important part of Scottish history. According to the BBC, an example--potentially from the 16th Century--has been found in a peat bog in Scotland. Although the cloth looks plain, researchers have been able to use scientific analysis to determine it's original colorful nature. This discovery… Continue reading Article: Oldest tartan found to date back to 16th Century
People have long tried to explain stories about sea monsters. This article from CNN goes in an interesting direction as it tries to find an explanation that is palatable to modern science, while not discrediting the original sources. link to Sea monsters? This bizarre whale feeding technique may explain some ancient folklore
People have long studied the sky, and sometimes they are surprised and confused by what they say. The Medieval and Renaissance worlds are no exception to this. This article details several well documented incidents involving flying objects that have not been identified. link to The Mysterious 1561 Nuremberg Event ‘UFO Battle’
Humanities Scholars 