Archaeo - Histories
@archeohistories • 636,096 subscribers
History is an unending dialogue between present and the past, that's why few pages of history give more insight than all the metaphysical volumes. (9)
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![Tibetan Butter Churning Dance, a traditional folk performance that honors the daily, labor-intensive process of making yak butter, a crucial element of Tibetan life. Originating from daily household chores, the dance mimics rhythmic churning motions, symbolizing prosperity, unity, and communal joy, often performed during festivities like Losar... The dance stems from the traditional method of making yak butter using a long wooden churn, a task requiring thousands of strokes. Yak butter is not only food but also used for fuel and in butter lamps at monasteries to symbolize wisdom. Dancers in colorful attire, often in a circle, use choreographed, energetic movements to simulate the pushing and pulling of the plunger in a butter churn. It is widely performed during the Tibetan New Year (Losar) and other celebrations, representing gratitude and the preservation of culture. It represents the blending of daily survival with art, focusing on community spirit and harmony. Yak butter is essential for making traditional Tibetan Butter Tea, made from tea leaves, yak butter, water, tsampa (roasted barley flour) and salt. The history of tea in Tibet dates back to 7th Century CE, during Tang dynasty. However, butter tea did not become popular in Tibet until about 13th Century, time of the Phagmodrupa dynasty. According to legend, a Chinese princess married a king of Tibet which later helped establish trade routes between China and Tibet. These trade routes brought tea into Tibet from China. Later, butter was added to the tea that was brought from China as butter is and was a staple in Tibetan cuisine. By the 8th Century, it was common to drink tea in Tibet. In 13th Century, tea was then used in Tibetan religious ceremonies. Today, butter tea is still prevalent in Tibet, and Tibetans can drink up to 60 small cups of the tea every day. Today, this ceremonial dance based off of Tibetan tea culture. It also may speak to the lesser known Butter Tea Ceremony. While the ceremony is rarely practiced anymore it still takes place in a handful of monasteries, including one in Gomar Gompa in eastern Amdo (“Butter Tea Ceremony”). While the ceremony is not widely spread, it is still an important ritual for some Tibetans. During the ceremony, Tibetans gather in the courtyard while the tea is being prepared. Local boys often stand on the edge of roofs surrounding the courtyard and throw down bags of candy and treats, although this is not necessarily part of the ritual. Once the tea is ready, wooden buckets of butter tea are carried into the courtyard by back, each bucket holding nearly 30 liters of tea. Once the buckets are placed on the ground, individuals use ladles to distribute the butter tea to members of the community. This particular dance is so interesting because it seamlessly integrates these three practices in a modern context. The act of dancing is in itself a ritualized and sacred practice. Thus, creating a dance based on the preparation and uses of Butter Tea—a quintessential element of Tibetan culture—only further heightens the significance of tea customs by ritualizing the practice by means of dance. Drinking butter tea is a regular part of Tibetan life. Before work, a Tibetan will typically enjoy several bowlfuls of this beverage, and it is always served to guests.[citation needed] Since butter is the main ingredient, butter tea provides plenty of caloric energy and is particularly suited to high altitudes. The butter may also help prevent chapped lips. According to the Tibetan custom, butter tea is drunk in separate sips, and after each sip, the host refills the bowl to the brim. Thus, the guest never drains his bowl; it is constantly topped up. If the visitor does not wish to drink, the best thing to do is leave the tea untouched until the time comes to leave and then drain the bowl. In this way, etiquette is observed and the host will not be offended. © Discover Tibet #archaeohistories](https://image.24vids.com/tw-2045753431650951413/ext_tw_video_thumb/2045753341066788864/pu/img/aVetvB_YQthpRAH0.jpg)
Tibetan Butter Churning Dance, a traditional folk performance that honors the daily, labor-intensive process of making yak butter, a crucial element of Tibetan life. Originating from daily household chores, the dance mimics rhythmic churning motions, symbolizing prosperity, unity, and communal joy, often performed during festivities like Losar... The dance stems from the traditional method of making yak butter using a long wooden churn, a task requiring thousands of strokes. Yak butter is not only food but also used for fuel and in butter lamps at monasteries to symbolize wisdom. Dancers in colorful attire, often in a circle, use choreographed, energetic movements to simulate the pushing and pulling of the plunger in a butter churn. It is widely performed during the Tibetan New Year (Losar) and other celebrations, representing gratitude and the preservation of culture. It represents the blending of daily survival with art, focusing on community spirit and harmony. Yak butter is essential for making traditional Tibetan Butter Tea, made from tea leaves, yak butter, water, tsampa (roasted barley flour) and salt. The history of tea in Tibet dates back to 7th Century CE, during Tang dynasty. However, butter tea did not become popular in Tibet until about 13th Century, time of the Phagmodrupa dynasty. According to legend, a Chinese princess married a king of Tibet which later helped establish trade routes between China and Tibet. These trade routes brought tea into Tibet from China. Later, butter was added to the tea that was brought from China as butter is and was a staple in Tibetan cuisine. By the 8th Century, it was common to drink tea in Tibet. In 13th Century, tea was then used in Tibetan religious ceremonies. Today, butter tea is still prevalent in Tibet, and Tibetans can drink up to 60 small cups of the tea every day. Today, this ceremonial dance based off of Tibetan tea culture. It also may speak to the lesser known Butter Tea Ceremony. While the ceremony is rarely practiced anymore it still takes place in a handful of monasteries, including one in Gomar Gompa in eastern Amdo (“Butter Tea Ceremony”). While the ceremony is not widely spread, it is still an important ritual for some Tibetans. During the ceremony, Tibetans gather in the courtyard while the tea is being prepared. Local boys often stand on the edge of roofs surrounding the courtyard and throw down bags of candy and treats, although this is not necessarily part of the ritual. Once the tea is ready, wooden buckets of butter tea are carried into the courtyard by back, each bucket holding nearly 30 liters of tea. Once the buckets are placed on the ground, individuals use ladles to distribute the butter tea to members of the community. This particular dance is so interesting because it seamlessly integrates these three practices in a modern context. The act of dancing is in itself a ritualized and sacred practice. Thus, creating a dance based on the preparation and uses of Butter Tea—a quintessential element of Tibetan culture—only further heightens the significance of tea customs by ritualizing the practice by means of dance. Drinking butter tea is a regular part of Tibetan life. Before work, a Tibetan will typically enjoy several bowlfuls of this beverage, and it is always served to guests.[citation needed] Since butter is the main ingredient, butter tea provides plenty of caloric energy and is particularly suited to high altitudes. The butter may also help prevent chapped lips. According to the Tibetan custom, butter tea is drunk in separate sips, and after each sip, the host refills the bowl to the brim. Thus, the guest never drains his bowl; it is constantly topped up. If the visitor does not wish to drink, the best thing to do is leave the tea untouched until the time comes to leave and then drain the bowl. In this way, etiquette is observed and the host will not be offended. © Discover Tibet #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories329,201 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
Roman road Stepping Stones, prominent in cities like Pompeii, were ingenious solutions for urban life, allowing pedestrians to cross streets without stepping in rainwater, mud, and waste, acting as rudimentary crosswalks that also controlled cart traffic by forcing them to slow down, showcasing early Roman urban planning for cleanliness and safety. These large, raised stones, dating back to 2nd-1st Century BC, demonstrate how Romans managed frequent street flooding and refuse in cities lacking modern sewers, creating a functional system for both foot and wheeled traffic. With no advanced sewer systems, Roman streets were often filled with rainwater and waste; the stones kept feet clean and dry. Spaced to allow cart wheels to pass, they channeled vehicles and created designated pedestrian crossing zones, much like modern zebra crossings. Their widespread use reflects a practical approach to urban life, ensuring easier movement and managing environmental challenges. The stones in Pompeii provide tangible evidence of these daily life solutions, showcasing a clever adaptation to the environment.... Prior to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, and consequently being buried under volcanic ash, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii was a thriving place. The vibrant settlement played a critical role in trade; thus, its 15,000 inhabitants lived in impressively modern conditions for the era. When tourists visit the site today, they are able to see the preserved ruins of a well-planned city that accounted for its citizens' needs. This ancient innovation is particularly evident when looking at how roads were built in Pompeii. One of most noticeable features on the streets is the series of large raised stones placed in strategic locations. These prominent stepping stones acted as ancient crosswalks. Not only did they allow people to cross the street without touching the water and mud sitting on ground level, but they were also spaced wide enough so that carriage wheels could pass through without issue. Natural reflectors were also incorporated into some of the roads in the form of small white stones. These paler rocks were set among the larger slabs to help people find their way at night. The moon would reflect on the stones, creating enough light for people to be able to see. Drainage was also particularly important since most homes in Pompeii had no direct sewer connection. Refuse was washed into the street, making these stepping stones critical. Raised sidewalks with drainage also allowed people to move freely without putting their feet in sewage. The gaps between the stones were carefully designed to fit the width of chariot and cart wheels, forcing them to slow down and navigate carefully. These features highlight Roman ingenuity in balancing pedestrian needs, vehicle movement, and sanitation in their bustling cities. Innovations like these make Pompeii a fascinating place to visit and a wonderful example of ancient Roman urban planning. 🎥© sagalensfilms (IG) #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories863,654 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
Orteke - traditional performing art in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿; dance, puppet and music... Orteke is an indigenous Kazakh performing art that combines theatre, music and puppetry. This folk art entails a music performance with a dombyra, a traditional two-stringed instrument and a dance performed by a wooden puppet. Attached to the surface of a traditional drum with a metal rod, a wooden puppet in the shape of a mountain goat is connected to the fingers of a musician by one or several strings. As the musician strikes their fingers to play the dombyra, the puppet comes to life, hopping in sync with the music while tapping a rhythmic beat on the drum. Some experts can play with three or more puppets at a time. This performance, fascinating for its simplicity, is enjoyed by children and adults alike. It is primarily transmitted within communities and through apprenticeships, although the Kokil Musical College in Almaty has also established a team of researchers dedicated to the art. The biennial Orteke international festivals and regional puppet art competitions are other platforms for the learning and sharing of skills and experience between puppet artists from Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries. An important part of the region’s folk heritage and identity, Orteke also serves as a communication tool between adults and children. The tradition of the orteke may go back several thousands of years. The word “orteke” derives from “or”, ditch, hole or trap, and “teke”, goat. Orteke are carved figures of a horned mountain goat mounted on stands, manipulated by a puppeteer using slender sticks and strings attached to the puppets’ wooden parts. The orteke are attached by threads to the fingers of the puppeteer-musician playing the dombra (a wooden plucked instrument with two strings) and usually performed on a Kazakh perussion instrument, the daulpaz (dauyilpaz, bass drum), “which has a builtin metal core for the fastening of the body of the goat. From below, the core is connected to a foot of the performer and thus is manipulated by him. Simultaneously, dombra performer can operate three animals (with his two hands and a foot), separately or at the same time.” The goat dances on its drum plinth, creating a percussive rhythm to accompany the string music of the dombra. The goat puppet is also found in neighbouring countries. Older Kazakhs today have childhood memories of relatively simple performances with puppets and musical instruments, such as these 1927 reminiscences of a young girl during the pre-Soviet period: “There were people playing the instrument, dombra, and at the end of the dombra they placed the puppet made of straw. And when they played, the puppet began to jump and dance. It was fun for the children. These people were invited to the houses to entertain children, and more often they entertained people in the bazaars. It was very popular, especially among the children …Then the shadow theatre was very popular because there was no electricity and the only entertainment was showing different animals on the wall.” The Kazakh puppetry and musical tradition called the Orteke is today experiencing a “comeback”, thanks to artists, academics, the Kazakh government, and the public as part of Kazakhs search for a national identity. Originally made by tribal artist from south-west Kazakhstan, Orteke was all but forgotten; it only survived because a few master craftsmen and puppeteers preserved the tradition and passed it on. Today, traditional Orteke has found new audiences. The government-funded Orteke 2010 puppet festival, held in the country’s capital, Almaty, was devoted to the Orteke. Performers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan attended the 2010 festival. Some of the Orteke performers were very young, as young as five years old. 🎥© dala_sound #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories100,315 Aufrufe • vor 29 Tagen
Cuneiform is a system of writing that was invented by Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia. Believed to have been created sometime during 4th Millennium BC (between 3500-3000 BC), this script is regarded as the earliest known form of writing. Cuneiform became an unreadable script as its use came to an end. Nevertheless, this writing system has been preserved in the archaeological record, thanks mainly due to the clay tablets they were written on. The recording of a spoken language, emerged from earlier recording systems at the end of the 4th Millennium BC. The first written language in Mesopotamia is called Sumerian. Most of early tablets come from the site of Uruk, in southern Mesopotamia, and it may have been here that this form of writing was invented. It was only during 19th Century that cuneiform was finally deciphered and scholars could begin to understand the texts that were written in this ancient script. Cuneiform is one of the oldest forms of writing known. It means "wedge-shaped," because people wrote it using a reed stylus cut to make a wedge-shaped mark on a clay tablet. Letters enclosed in clay envelopes, as well as works of literature, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh have been found. Historical accounts have also come to light, as have huge libraries such as that belonging to Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal. Cuneiform writing was used to record a variety of information such as temple activities, business and trade. Cuneiform was also used to write stories, myths, and personal letters. The latest known example of cuneiform is an astronomical text from 75 CE. During its 3000-year history, cuneiform was used to write around 15 different languages including Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Elamite, Hittite, Urartian, and Old Persian. First developed by scribes as a book-keeping tool to keep track of bread and beer rations in ancient cities like Uruk (in south east of modern-day Iraq), system soon spread across Middle East and was used continuously for more than 3000 years, up until 1st Century AD. Cuneiform is not a language but a proper way of writing distinct from the alphabet. It doesn't have 'letters' – instead it uses between 600-1000 characters impressed on clay to spell words by dividing them up into syllables, like 'ca-at' for cat, or 'mu-zi-um' for museum. Other signs stood for whole words, like our '£' standing for pound sterling. Two main languages written in cuneiform are Sumerian and Akkadian, although more than a dozen others are recorded, including Hittite, cousin to Latin. Texts were written by pressing a cut, straight reed into slightly moist clay. Characteristic wedge-shaped strokes that make up signs give writing its modern name – cuneiform means 'wedge-shaped' (from Latin cuneus for 'wedge'). The process for writing cuneiform on a clay tablet involved these steps : • Prepare the clay - Start with a damp ball of clay and flatten it into a tablet that's about the size of a hand, with one flat side and one convex side. You can use your fingers to shape the clay, or you can work on a plastic bag on a hard surface. • Impress the symbols - Use a reed stylus with a wedge-shaped tip to press into the wet clay and create the symbols. The symbols can be a combination of lines and wedges. • Dry the tablet - Leave the tablet in the sun to dry, or you can speed up the process by using a fan. Once the clay has reached a thick, goo-like consistency, you can store it in an airtight container. © British Museum #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories73,437 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
Masada; an ancient stone fortress located high above Dead Sea on a tall, rocky mesa in Israel. It is now an Israeli national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spanning across 840 acres of land. Originally built as a castle complex by Herod the Great, King of Judea (r. 37-4 BC), Masada became a fortress for Jewish people when ancient Romans overtook Judea in 1st Century AD. It is a symbol of ancient kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and last stand of Jewish patriots in face of Roman army in 73 AD. Now, the complex holds well-preserved ruins that attest to history of ancient kingdom of Israel and courage of its people in face of a Roman siege. Camps, fortifications and attack ramp that encircle monument constitute most complete Roman siege works surviving to present day. 📽️© @israelshots #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories1,057,607 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren
This video shows an extraordinary coincidence in aviation history..... One of the Concorde's final flights was captured unintentionally, without planning or ceremony - just a camera in the right place at the right time. As the supersonic jet passes through the frame, it represents the closing chapter of an era when commercial air travel briefly defied the limits of speed. Today, Concorde exists only in museums and memories, making moments like this even more powerful. When Concorde made its first commercial departure from Heathrow on January 21, 1976, it was a moment that captured global imagination. Born of Anglo-French collaboration, the sleek white jet embodied not only technical genius but also a shared vision of progress in an era still buzzing with the optimism of the Space Age. Its distinctive droop-nose design, developed to aid visibility during takeoff and landing, became an icon in itself, while its ability to soar at 60,000 feet allowed passengers to glimpse the curvature of the Earth. This blend of aesthetics and performance made Concorde unlike any other aircraft of its time. The Concorde, a supersonic passenger jet that was a joint Anglo-French project. It was renowned for being the first passenger plane to fly faster than the speed of sound, reaching speeds of Mach 2.04 (over twice the speed of sound). Concorde significantly reduced transatlantic flight times, making the journey between London/Paris and New York possible in about three hours. It was in service from 1976 to 2003, primarily flying routes between London, Paris, New York, and Barbados. Developed through a collaboration between British Aerospace and Aérospatiale for the airframe, and Rolls-Royce and SNECMA for engines, Concorde was considered a technological masterpiece. After a fatal crash in 2000 and declining passenger numbers, the remaining planes ceased flights in 2003. The drama of takeoff was unforgettable. Heathrow’s runways would tremble under the roar of its Olympus 593 turbojet engines, a sound so powerful it echoed across West London. Residents and aviation enthusiasts alike would pause to watch the jet thunder down the runway, trailing a streak of heat and sound before lifting sharply into the sky. For the privileged few onboard, the experience was no less thrilling—menus boasted fine wines and gourmet cuisine, while the cabin hummed with the quiet exclusivity of royalty, business magnates, and celebrities en route to New York or Paris in less than half the usual time. Though Concorde’s era ended in October 2003, its legacy remains deeply tied to Heathrow. For nearly three decades, it was both a marvel and a symbol of human ingenuity, demonstrating what was possible when engineering ambition met cultural aspiration. Today, preserved Concorde aircraft at museums around the world remind visitors of an age when the boundaries of speed and style were pushed to new horizons, and every takeoff from Heathrow carried with it the promise of the extraordinary. © Reddit #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories166,366 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
Thousands of years of historical and cultural heritage destroyed by ISIS in the Mosul Museum and Syria : In 2014, Mosul (encompasses what was once Nineveh, largest city in 7th Century BC and capital of Assyria) fell under the control of ISIS (also called Daesh). During its three-year reign, the Islamist militants destroyed artifacts and buildings, mostly shrines that were sacred to other Muslim sects — saying they were forms of idolatry. But they also targeted sites for looting and to get attention, filming the destruction and sharing it in propaganda videos online. But ISIS's actions inadvertently created opportunities. Sifting through the wreckage after ISIS's occupation, archaeologists have gained new insights into this great ancient city. "The Assyrians built the first huge empire in the history of humankind," German professor Stefan Maul said in the documentary. "They excelled at science and engineering, revolutionized warfare, and created one of the world's first great libraries." "This is the civilization that produced modern knowledge, philosophy, culture and science," Zaid Ghazi Saadallah, director of the Mosul Cultural Museum, said in Arabic. The Assyrians, and their ancient capital, are shrouded in mystery. How did the empire become so powerful? What engineering marvels transformed Nineveh from a provincial town? ISIS insurgents systematically attacked the Mosul Cultural Museum, proudly showcasing their destruction in online propaganda videos. They destroyed artifacts, which were thousands of years old, with sledgehammers, drills and explosives. "The hardest day for me was when Daesh showed their video," Saadallah said. "The destruction of civilization." Today, under his watchful eye, the museum has become an emblem of Mosul fighting back. International teams of restorers are painstakingly repairing and reconstructing the artifacts ISIS sought to destroy — and ensuring the insurgents don't have the last word. At Nebi Yunus, a site outside Nineveh, Maul ventures into a labyrinth of tunnels created by ISIS. They built 650 metres of pathways by hand so they could loot an Assyrian palace, which was under a mosque that was believed to house the tomb of the prophet Jonah. "In 2014, when Daesh conquered Mosul, in their fundamental view of Islamic theology, it is forbidden to pray in front of a grave of a human being," Maul said. "So they simply blew up the mosque." He believes ISIS found important objects in the palace and sold them on the black market to finance their war. Still, archaeologists have made other discoveries. They've learned more about King Sennacherib, who built the palace, and unearthed clues that are changing our understanding of Assyrian arts and culture. Beyond Mosul, Kurdish archaeologist Bekas Hasan reveals some of the discoveries that illustrate the ingenuity of the Assyrians. They constructed an immense water supply (its network of canals measured about 350km) and built the oldest known aqueduct — a feat of engineering. Made of about two million stone blocks, it predates the earliest Roman example by roughly 400 years and provided Nineveh with a constant supply of water. This allowed the Assyrians to indulge in what might seem like an unlikely passion: gardening. The discovery of this system has led to a revolutionary theory. British scholar Stephanie Dalley believes Nineveh is true location of Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Sifting through ancient written records and intricate carved reliefs, she found evidence that Sennacherib used water to nurture a lush, tiered garden in Nineveh. King's writings, recorded on a clay prism, match ancient descriptions of Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Archaeologists have never found remains of gardens, but perhaps they've been looking in wrong place. Unfortunately, between 2014-2017, ISIS destroyed and looted Assyrian artifacts, but it inadvertently led to discoveries that are shining new light on the empire. 🎥© bilimtuel (IG) #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories669,583 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
An Abandoned Etruscan Town : Civita di Bagnoregio, a town in Province of Viterbo, Italy. It's only access is a footbridge from nearby town. Due to its unstable foundation that often erodes, Civita is famously known as ‘Dying City’. Town was founded by Etruscans more than 2500 years ago. Formerly there were five city gates to access ancient town of Civita, nowadays instead, Porta Santa Maria (known as Porta Cava, as well) is main gateway of city. It is also possible to enter the town of Civita from badlands valley through a tunnel carved into rock. Layout of whole town is of Etruscan origin, based on a cardo and decumanus orthogonal street system according to Etruscan and Roman use, while entire architectural cladding is of medieval and Renaissance origin. Numerous traces of Etruscan civilisation in Civita, especially in San Francesco Vecchio area: a little Etruscan necropolis was found in cliff located in area below Belvedere di San Francesco Vecchio. Cave of St Bonaventure is also an Etruscan chamber tomb. Etruscans made Civita, a flourishing city, thanks to its strategic position favourable for trade and thanks to its proximity to most important communication routes of times. Many traces of Etruscan period are still suggestive spots: so-called Bucaione, a deep tunnel which goes through lowest part of city and gives access to badlands valley directly from town. In past, many chamber tombs were visible. They were dug at base of Civita’s cliff and nearby tuff walls and, over centuries, they were destroyed by several rockfalls. Indeed, Etruscans themselves had to face problems of seismic activity and instability, like earthquake of 280 BC. When Romans arrived in 265 BC, they took up and carried on rainwater drainage and stream containment works that were first started by Etruscans. Civita (City) was birthplace of Saint Bonaventure, who died in 1274 AD. Location of his boyhood house has long since fallen off edge of cliff. By 16th Century AD, town was beginning to decline, becoming eclipsed by its former suburb Bagnoregio. 📽️© manutoni24 - Subscribe for Weekly Newsletter - #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories658,214 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren
The famous mosaic known as the “Bikini Girls” is a beautiful and detailed artwork from 4th Century AD, found in the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy 🇮🇹 This mosaic is located in a room often called the "Room of the Ten Girls" and shows young Roman women wearing what looks very much like modern bikinis. They are shown doing different athletic activities, such as running, throwing a discus, and lifting weights. One girl is even shown being crowned with a laurel wreath, likely as a prize for winning an event. .... Deep in the Sicilian countryside, a grand Roman villa from the early 4th Century AD, offers a glimpse into the luxury of Late Antiquity through colorful mosaics and frescoes that cover the grounds of some of Italy's best-preserved works of art. Although its origins are shrouded in mystery, Villa Romana del Casale is a historical guide to the lives of its aristocratic owners, their passion for ostentatious beauty, and the elite tastes of the High Empire. Some rooms of the villa are decorated with less formal decorations. and more playful mosaics depicting scenes from mythological tales, hunting expeditions, athletic competitions, and other pastimes the owner probably enjoyed. Around 1960, “Gymnasts' Room” known as "Ten Young Girls" Room was excavated and an elaborate mosaic of female athletes in magnificent condition was uncovered. These women are depicted running, lifting weights, and participating in various Olympic sports, wearing bikinis that closely resemble modern swimsuits, giving scholars insight into the athletic fashions of the period. This mosaic is special because it gives us a glimpse into daily life, fashion, and sports for women in ancient Rome. It shows that women also took part in physical training and competitions, especially in wealthy Roman families. The clothing, though it looks modern, was likely a type of activewear used during exercise. Girls' outfits are confusingly similar to modern bikinis. At same time, myth incorrectly entrenched in school textbooks, bikini as an invention of 20th Century collapses. The Villa itself is a grand Roman palace known for its incredible collection of mosaics, which are some of the best-preserved examples of Roman art in the world. The "Bikini Girls" mosaic remains one of the most popular and surprising images, as it connects the ancient world with something very familiar to us today. 🎥© salvofromtheblock #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories81,075 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten
The Bulky Hulky Flying Millyard - The hand-built motorcycle created by British engineering genius Allen Millyard, featuring a massive 5.0-litre (5,000cc) V-twin engine. This mechanical beast was constructed in Millyard’s home garage using two 2.5-litre cylinders salvaged from a 1930s Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial aircraft engine. Designed to evoke the spirit of early 20th Century board track racers, the bike features an eight-foot wheelbase, tiller-style handlebars, and a four-speed hand-shift gearbox. Despite its intimidating scale and "bucket-sized" pistons, the machine is famously road-legal in the UK and produces roughly 80 to 100 horsepower, prioritising a rhythmic, low-RPM "thumping" sound and immense torque over outright speed. It lacks a modern ECU, requiring the rider to manually adjust ignition timing and fuel mixture via brass levers on the tank while riding, making it as much a "rolling sculpture" as it is a functional vehicle. © allenmillyard (IG) #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories67,269 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
Sistine Chapel (Great Chapel), one of Vatican's proudest features. Set in confines of Vatican City's historical backdrop, chapel is famous for its extensive collection of 'Renaissance Art' that has been painted by some of world's most famous artists. Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who had it built between 1473-1481 AD. Since that time, Chapel has served as a place of both religious and functionary papal activity. Today, it is site of the papal conclave, the process by which a new pope is selected. Fame of Sistine Chapel lies mainly in frescoes that decorate interior, most particularly the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment, both by Michelangelo. 📽️© Roberto Celestri #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories381,321 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren
The Ziggurat one of last standing monuments of Sumarians. Built sometime in 21st Century BC by King Ur-Nammu and his son Shulgi. It stood in the center of the city and was center of all administration. It is located near the modern-day city of Nasiriyah in southern Iraq 🇮🇶, along the banks of the Euphrates River. It lies within the ancient city of Ur, which was one of most important urban centers of ancient Mesopotamia. The Ziggurat were massive stepped structures built in ancient Mesopotamia, primarily in Sumerian, Akkadian and Babylonian civilizations. These monumental temples served as sacred precincts dedicated to various deities, acting as focal points for religious and civic activities. It was built around 2100 BC, during reign of King Ur-Nammu of 3rd Dynasty of Ur. It was part of a larger complex that included administrative buildings, courtyards and residential areas, reflecting the city's status as a regional powerhouse. The Ziggurat was built by stacking a total of 64 stone and mud platforms that progressively shrunk until ziggurat was shape of a tower like pyramid, though with a flat top for a temple. It was built so that each corner faced a cardinal point and showed solidity by building the walls facing slightly inward so that it would appear eternal. The monument was then covered in a thick layer of burnt brick in order to protect it from the elements. The interior of the Ziggurat of Ur consisted of several chambers and corridors, serving various administrative and religious functions. These included storage rooms for offerings and temple treasures. The inside of the ziggurat has no chambers, just a thick core of mud and brick to form a ‘spine’ for the monument. The bricks were made of dried reed and mud and each weight about four and half kilograms. The Ziggurat of Ur is characterized by its massive stepped platform, constructed using mud bricks and baked bricks. It consists of three main levels, each diminishing in size as it ascends, with a temple dedicated to the patron deity located at the summit. The outer facade was adorned with glazed bricks, depicting intricate designs and motifs. The Ziggurat held immense religious and cultural significance for the people of ancient Mesopotamia. It served as a symbol of the city's prosperity and power. It represents the pinnacle of architectural achievement in ancient Mesopotamia. It reflects the ingenuity and technological prowess of Sumerian civilization, showcasing their ability to undertake massive construction projects using rudimentary tools and materials. Ziggurats were primarily built in the ancient cities of Mesopotamia, including Ur, Uruk, Babylon, and Eridu. These cities were centers of political, economic, and religious activity, with ziggurats serving as focal points of worship and civic life. Ziggurats were probably very common in ancient Sumaria, but the ziggurat at Ur is the last one standing and so gives us the most information about Sumaria. 🎥 : Credit to the Owner #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories71,089 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, was founded by the Aztec or Mexica people around 1325 CE. According to legend, the Mexica founded Tenochtitlan after leaving their homeland of Aztlan at the direction of their god, Huitzilopochtli. Huitzilopochtli directed them to build where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus, eating a snake. When they saw this exact scene on an island (located in what was once Lake Texcoco), they interpreted it as a sign from their god and founded Tenochtitlan on that island. The Aztec region of Mesoamerica, called Anáhuac, contained a group of five connected lakes. The largest of them was Lake Texcoco. The Aztec built their capital city, Tenochtitlan, on Lake Texcoco. Built on two islands, the area was extended using chinampas—small, artificial islands created above the waterline that were later consolidated. Tenochtitlan eventually reached an area of more than 13 square kilometers (five square miles). Causeways that doubled as dikes connected the island to the mainland and separated freshwater from salt water, protecting the chinampas. Tenochtitlan was laid out symmetrically, with four sectors separated by four causeways or canals surrounding the central area. This central area was where the temple of Huitzilopochtli, temples for other gods, and the rulers’ palaces lay. Each of the four sectors had its own services, including a religious precinct, and was occupied by craftspeople like weavers, sculptors, and potters. The center of the city was known as the Templo Mayor. Atop the single complex were two temples, one for Tlaloc, the god of rain, and one for Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun and war. The Templo Mayor precinct was the location in which the Aztec practiced both bloodletting (offering one’s own blood) and human sacrifice. The Spanish conquistadors, aided by an alliance of Indigenous peoples, laid siege to the Aztec capital for 93 days, until the Mexica surrendered on August 13, 1521. A great deal of Tenochtitlan was destroyed in the fighting, or was looted, burned, or destroyed after the surrender. The leader of the conquistadors, Hernan Cortés, began the construction of what is now known as Mexico City among the ruins. Lake Texcoco was ultimately drained, and much of Mexico City rests in the lake basin. 🎥© secondsinhistory (IG) #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories38,603 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
The secluded little village of Wycoller nestles in a narrow valley 1½ miles to east of Trawden, Lancashire, England 🏴🇬🇧 It is well-known for its three ancient bridges which have stood over beck for hundreds, if not thousands of years. They have even outlived Wycoller Hall which stands ruined and desolate. But each of the bridges has its very own tale to tell. There are actually seven bridges in village but pack-horse, clapper and clam bridges are of historic interest because of their great ages. The famous pack-horse bridge is a two-arched structure spanning Wycoller beck. It is sometimes called Sally’s Bridge after one of Cunliffe family who lived in hall opposite the bridge in 18th Century. Historians have argued about its age, but none of them are certain, but it is thought to either date from 13th or 15th Century. Its construction is a bit of an oddity, in that the arches are not equal to each other and the structure’s base-stone boulders are not level, giving bridge a somewhat precarious appearance because of that – author John Bentley in his fascinating book ‘Portrait of Wycoller’, alludes to this. Coping stones along sides of bridge are significant in that some of them have faint cup-marks in them, indicating that they were brought down from a prehistoric site on moors above Wycoller and used in bridge’s construction. When walking over bridge ‘you need’ to take care owing to the smoothness of paving slabs which have endured hundreds of years of use. Clapper bridge, sometimes called Druids’ Bridge, Weavers’ Bridge or Hall Bridge, is just a short distance along beck. This is a primitive structure but of massive proportions consisting of three flat gritstone slabs resting on two stone piers, one being a round-shaped boulder, other a thinner pillar-shaped stone that looks quite fragile, but it is in fact very strong. It was originally a two-slab bridge sup-ported on one central pier. However, bridge has succumbed to floods over years and has had to be reconstructed a few times. Its three slabs are heavily worn by hundreds of years of use. There is a legend that says this bridge led to a grove where druids practiced their strange rituals; there is no sign of this mystical grove or amphitheatre today and handloom weavers of Wycoller have long since hung up their clogs. Clapper bridge is thought to date from 16th-17th Century, though a few historians ‘think’ it might date from before Norman conquest (Bentley, John, 1993). Third bridge, clam bridge, located ¼ of a mile along track that runs beside beck in Wycoller Dene. This ancient bridge is formed by one single gritstone slab which is some 12ft long. It rests at one end on bank, while on other side it is propped up on some large stones, but it is very secure even though it might look like it is about to fall into beck. At one time there was a wooden safety rail at one side and holes for this can still be seen. Clam bridge is ‘often’ said to date from Bronze or Iron Age and to have originally stoop up-right on moors to north east (as standing stone – menhir), but there again it probably only dates from 15th or 16th Century. Long slender slab is well-worn and great care should be taken when crossing it. In floods of 1989-90 clam bridge was brought crashing down. It has sometimes been mistaken for a tree trunk lying across beck and at a distance it does indeed look like that. Author John Dixon in his work ‘Historic Walks Around The Pendle Way’, came to conclusion that three Wycoller bridges were of ‘a mid-16th Century’ date. He adds that: “The majority of bridge building was undertaken after Dissolution of monasteries when a moderate number of masons became unemployed and were wandering countryside finding work on many of new bridges which were required as roads became busier and wooden bridges and fords became inadequate.” 🎥 : 'Pack Horse Bridge', in Lancashire 🏴🇬🇧 (🎥© Europe Attractions) #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories63,477 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
The Fourth Crusade (1202-1204 CE) was called by Pope Innocent III (r. 1198-1216 CE) to retake Jerusalem from its current Muslim overlords. However, in a bizarre combination of cock-ups, financial constraints, and Venetian trading ambitions, the target ended up being Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire and the greatest Christian city in the world. Sacked on 12 April 1204 CE, Constantinople was stripped of its riches, relics, and artworks, and the Byzantine Empire was divided up between Venice and its allies. The Fourth Crusade thus gained its infamous reputation as the most cynical and profit-seeking of all the crusades. The Byzantines saw themselves as the defenders of Christendom, the beacon which shone out across the Mediterranean and central Asia, hosts to the holiest city outside Jerusalem, and the rock which stood against the tide of Islam sweeping in from the east. By the western half of the old Roman Empire, though, the Byzantines were regarded as decadent, shifty, and untrustworthy; even their religious practices were suspect. This essential division between the east and west had caused constant problems in all the previous crusades, and it was to crop up again in this one. There were also more concrete sources of division, the historical rivalry between popes and emperors, and the rising ambition of western states to wrest from Byzantium the remnants of its empire in Italy were fuelled by the failures of the crusades in permanently securing the Holy Land for Christendom. Blame was apportioned to either side for the lack of success. The Byzantines were considered to lack the will to fight the common Muslim enemy while, from the other side, the Crusaders were seen as opportunists out to grab the choicest parts of the Byzantine Empire in the east. In a sense, both sides were right in their judgement. The Third Crusade (1187-1192 CE), although achieving some notable military successes, had failed completely in its original objective of recapturing Jerusalem from the Muslim Sultan of Egypt and Syria, Saladin (r. 1174-1193 CE). The celebrated Sultan was now dead, but the Holy City remained in Muslim hands. Yet another crusade was required. The Fourth Crusade was thus called for by Pope Innocent III (r. 1198-1216 CE) in August 1198 CE. As previously, those who went to the Holy Land and fought the infidels would receive a remission of their sins, but as an added incentive, Innocent III now extended this ‘benefit’ to those who gave the necessary money to fund a warrior to go in their stead. The Pope’s timing was not the best, especially considering the Holy City had anyway been in Muslim hands since 1187 CE. In the final years of the 12th century CE, all four monarchs of Europe’s most powerful kingdoms, England, France, Germany, and Spain, were busy with internal affairs, and in the case of England and France, serious territorial squabbles with each other. Worse still, in April 1199 CE, the great Crusader king Richard I of England (r. 1189-1199 CE), who had promised to return to the Holy Land and finish his undone work during the Third Crusade, died on campaign in France. Unlike the previous Crusade, then, this was not to be a “Kings’ Crusade”. Still, a good number of second-tier nobles were inspired to join up or ‘take the cross’, as it was known, especially from northern France. There were the counts of Champagne and Blois (although the former would die before the expedition got underway), Geoffrey of Villehardouin (who would later write his Conquest of Constantinople, an important record of the Crusade), Count Baldwin of Flanders, and Simon de Montfort. 🎥© historyaillustration (IG) © Mark Cartwright #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories31,986 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
Tomb of Artaxerxes III, located at archaeological site and necropolis of Naqsh-e-Rostam, Fars Province of Iran. Artaxerxes III (Ochus) was King of Kings of Achaemenid Empire from 358-338 BC. He was son and successor of Artaxerxes II and his mother was Stateira. Artaxerxes' Tomb was cut into mountain behind Persepolis platform, next to his father's tomb. There are six finished Achaemenid royal tombs. Four of them have been discovered at Naqš-e Rustam and two at Persepolis. Four at Naqš-e Rustam belong to Darius I the Great, Xerxes, Artaxerxes I Makrocheir and Darius II Nothus. Persepolis Tombs, which appear to be younger, must belong to next two kings, Artaxerxes II Mnemon (r. 404-358 BC) and Artaxerxes III Ochus (r. 358-338 BC). Tomb is usually attributed to Artaxerxes III, although it may in fact be that of king Artaxerxes II Mnemon. If sarcophagus indeed belonged to third Artaxerxes, burial room may also have served as last resting place of Artaxerxes IV Arses and Darius III Codomannus, because they never received a proper burial. As is customary, relief on the upper part of Tomb shows the king sacrificing to eternal, sacred fire and supreme god Ahuramazda. Ruler is standing on a platform that is carried by people that represent subject nations. It is a copy of upper tier of tomb of Darius the Great at Naqš-e Rustam, but it is less accurate than copy that graces Tomb of Artaxerxes II Mnemon, in which inscription has also been copied. Lower part contains entrance to Tomb itself, there is a sarcophagus and some minor figures, which resemble those on tomb of Artaxerxes II Mnemon. Capitals of pilasters of this tomb are especially well-preserved, They show bulls carrying roof. Same design was applied in palaces and audience halls of Persepolis. It is interesting to note that motif of "carrying" is repeated on upper level, where people carry platform with King. Apart from rock-cut reliefs dating from Elamites to Achaemenid to Sasanid dynasties of ancient Iran, Naqsh-e-Rostam is also home to four tombs of Achaemenid Kings of Iran, chiseled out on rock-faces at sufficient house above the ground. 📽️© @daaaniiaaal #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories314,887 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren
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Blowing from a gun is a method of execution in which the victim is typically tied to the mouth of a cannon which is then fired, resulting in death. George Carter Stent described the process as follows: The prisoner is generally tied to a gun with the upper part of the small of his back resting against the muzzle. When the gun is fired, his head is seen to go straight up into the air some forty or fifty feet; the arms fly off right and left, high up in the air, and fall at, perhaps, a hundred yards distance; the legs drop to the ground beneath the muzzle of the gun; and the body is literally blown away altogether, not a vestige being seen. Blowing from a gun was a reported means of execution as long ago as 16th Century and was used until 20th Century. The method was used by Portuguese in 16th-17th Centuries, from as early as 1509 across their empire from Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka) to Mozambique to Brazil. Mughals used the method throughout 17th Century and into 18th Century, particularly against rebels. This method of execution is most closely associated with the British East India Company rule in India. Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, "blowing from a gun" was a method the British used to execute rebels as well as for Indian sepoys who were found guilty of desertion. Using the methods previously practised by Mughals, the British began implementing blowing from guns in the latter half of the 18th Century. Destruction of the body and scattering of the remains over a wide area had a religious function as a means of execution in the Indian subcontinent as it prevented the necessary funeral rites of Hindus and Muslims. Accordingly, for believers the punishment was extended beyond death. This was well understood by foreign occupiers and practice was not generally employed by them as concurrent foreign occupiers of Africa, Australasia, or the Americas. Most recently there was an exceptional use of practice in Afghanistan in 1930, against 11 Panjshiri rebels. 🎥© Extract from The British Empire: Echoes of Britannia's Rule (BBC TV, 1972) #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories157,130 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
AI imagines how the Mayans lived in ancient Mesoamerica - Today, more than seven million Maya live in their original homelands of Mesoamerica and in countries all over the world. Two thousand years ago, the ancient Maya developed one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas. They developed a written language of hieroglyphs and invented the mathematical concept of zero. With their expertise in astronomy and mathematics, the Maya developed a complex and accurate calendar system. Hundreds of restored ancient cities with temple-pyramids, palaces, ball courts, and grand plazas are studied by archaeologists, and are visited by millions of tourists from all over the world each year. Contemporary Maya live and work near many of these archaeological sites. Language, tradition, and a deep sensibility toward the land and the sky continue to shape their worldview. The Maya are guardians of their culture and actively work to rediscover their own past as they look towards the future. The Popol Vuh, or Popol Wuj in the K’iche’ language, is the story of creation of the Maya. Members of the royal K’iche’ lineages that had once ruled the highlands of Guatemala recorded the story in the 16th century to preserve it under the Spanish colonial rule. The Popol Vuh, meaning “Book of the Community,” narrates the Maya creation account, the tales of the Hero Twins, and the K’iche’ genealogies and land rights. In this story, the Creators, Heart of Sky and six other deities including the Feathered Serpent, wanted to create human beings with hearts and minds who could “keep the days.” But their first attempts failed. When these deities finally created humans out of yellow and white corn who could talk, they were satisfied. In another epic cycle of the story, the Death Lords of the Underworld summon the Hero Twins to play a momentous ball game where the Twins defeat their opponents. The Twins rose into the heavens, and became the Sun and the Moon. Through their actions, the Hero Twins prepared the way for the planting of corn, for human beings to live on Earth, and for the Fourth Creation of the Maya. Despite local differences and more than thirty living languages, the Maya share cultural roots and the common legacy of an accomplished civilization that peaked between 250 – 1200 CE. The term Maaya is a Yucatec Mayan language word that describes the language spoken by indigenous people in the Yucatán Peninsula, México. Western scholars have ascribed this term to all Maya people. Maya culture is characterized by monumental architecture, by iconography and hieroglyphic writing, and by complex mathematical and astronomical systems. Knowledge of observational astronomy and sustainable agriculture still guide the daily activities of rural life in the Maya world. Rituals and ceremonies connected to their land and to their calendar are still practiced today. Maya people are active participants in the social fabric of an international world, and the legacy of their ancestors propels their culture forward. The early Maya established sedentary communities in the Pacific coastal regions around 1800 BCE. By 250 CE, the Maya had developed a vibrant civilization consisting of numerous independent city-states, including the well-known ceremonial centers of Palenque, Tikal, Copán and Calakmul. Many of these ancient sites are surrounded by contemporary Maya towns and villages that have been actively populated for several hundred, and sometimes thousands of years. The Maya homelands continue to influence their culture and the Maya worldview. 🎥© historyrevivedofficial #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories86,931 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten
Originating in what is now Iraq before 3200 BC, cuneiform script is, as far as we know, the oldest form of writing in the world. The recording of a spoken language, emerged from earlier recording systems at the end of 4th Millennium BC. The first written language in Mesopotamia is called Sumerian. Most of early tablets come from the site of Uruk, in southern Mesopotamia, and it may have been here that this form of writing was invented. Cuneiform is one of the oldest forms of writing known. It means "wedge-shaped," because people wrote it using a reed stylus cut to make a wedge-shaped mark on a clay tablet. Letters enclosed in clay envelopes, as well as works of literature, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh have been found. Historical accounts have also come to light, as have huge libraries such as that belonging to Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal. Cuneiform writing was used to record a variety of information such as temple activities, business and trade. Cuneiform was also used to write stories, myths, and personal letters. The latest known example of cuneiform is an astronomical text from 75 CE. During its 3000-year history, cuneiform was used to write around 15 different languages including Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Elamite, Hittite, Urartian, and Old Persian. First developed by scribes as a book-keeping tool to keep track of bread and beer rations in ancient cities like Uruk (in south east of modern-day Iraq), system soon spread across Middle East and was used continuously for more than 3000 years, up until 1st Century AD. Cuneiform is not a language but a proper way of writing distinct from the alphabet. It doesn't have 'letters' – instead it uses between 600-1000 characters impressed on clay to spell words by dividing them up into syllables, like 'ca-at' for cat, or 'mu-zi-um' for museum. Other signs stood for whole words, like our '£' standing for pound sterling. Two main languages written in cuneiform are Sumerian and Akkadian, although more than a dozen others are recorded, including Hittite, cousin to Latin. Texts were written by pressing a cut, straight reed into slightly moist clay. Characteristic wedge-shaped strokes that make up signs give writing its modern name – cuneiform means 'wedge-shaped' (from Latin cuneus for 'wedge'). The process for writing cuneiform on a clay tablet involved these steps : • Prepare the clay - Start with a damp ball of clay and flatten it into a tablet that's about the size of a hand, with one flat side and one convex side. You can use your fingers to shape the clay, or you can work on a plastic bag on a hard surface. • Impress the symbols - Use a reed stylus with a wedge-shaped tip to press into the wet clay and create the symbols. The symbols can be a combination of lines and wedges. • Dry the tablet - Leave the tablet in the sun to dry, or you can speed up the process by using a fan. Once the clay has reached a thick, goo-like consistency, you can store it in an airtight container. The british museum's department of collection of cuneiform tablets is among the most important in the world. It contains approximately 130,000 texts and fragments and is perhaps the largest collection outside of Iraq. The centerpiece of the collection is the Library of Ashurbanipal, comprising many thousands of the most important tablets ever found. The significance of these tablets was immediately realized by Library’s excavator, Austin Henry Layard, who wrote: "They furnish us with materials for the complete decipherment of the cuneiform character, for restoring the language and history of Assyria, and for inquiring into the customs, sciences, and … literature, of its people." 🎥© art.heology (IG) © British Museum #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories206,689 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
Ancient Egyptians are known for their magnificent and elaborate burials from Valley of the Kings, but in early stages of their civilization this was not case. In early beginnings of Egyptian civilization, they had natural mummies, which were buried in dry deserts that flanked Nile. This is so their dead were still close villages of the living, but would not be washed away by floods or be buried on valuable farm land. Deserts were so dry that they help preserve body from bacteria and decay. Mummies still retained their hair and skin, and somewhat resemble their former self. This was important at Ancient Egyptians who “felt that it was unnatural for it to decay, and that there must be some important reason why bodies did not decay, but retained their hair and skin, and continued to be recognizable for many years after death.” Unfortunately, over time natural mummies would be dug up for jewelry or other valuables that were buried with mummy. Around 5500 years ago, Egyptians started to bury their dead in large baskets or wooden boxes. They would also bury dead in underground tombs with stone floors. With these changes Egyptians found that mummies taken away from heat of desert sand were not as well preserved and bodies started to decay. This was not acceptable because of high value placed on mummy preservation and after trial and error they eventually discovered a process to better prevent decay. Mummies found with new method of mummification of linen and plaster or natron, are dated back to Old Kingdom (2650-2150 BC). Body of deceased would be wrapped in many strips of linen as possible. Great care would be taken to wrap individual fingers and toes separately, as to try and keep the integrity of human form. In some cases, mummies have been found with prosthesis for legs or arms under linen wrappings to help maintain the shape of the human likeness. After wrapping was completed, a plaster or gesso would be carefully smoothed over body over linen to further smooth and complete human shape. Plaster over face could be further modeled to resemble former person if they had a moustache or prominent eyes. Method of linen and plaster or gesso hardened over mummy is called cartonnage, and this method of mummification continued until beginning of Christian era. Natron is actually a natural type of salt that is found in Egypt. It’s chemical composition consists of a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and sodium carbonate (washing soda) and sodium chloride (table salt). Interestingly, sodium’s chemical true name is Natrium in our present periodic table. In mummification process, natron was used to basically salt and preserve body. Body would be placed on a special table and dissected open, and natron would be place inside body cavity. Ancient Egyptians would also place natron on exterior surfaces of body to help dry and preserve body. Eventually, Ancient Egyptians progressed in their mummification process by removing internal organs because they learned internal organs would also decay quickly. These organs would also be treated with natron solution and placed into four separate canopic jars that would also have significant spiritual meaning. Organs that were treated and saved were lungs, stomach, liver and intestines. Starting with 5th-6th Dynasty pyramids, these canopic jars were placed into a separate stone compartment of burial chambers. Queen Hetepheres, mother of King Khufu, from 4th Dynasty; her organs were actually preserved in a natron solution. It is also believed that burial of Queen Meresahkh, also from 4th Dynasty, her body was left in natron solution for 200-230 days as preparation for mummification. Embalming process usually took seventy days. There was some delay between time of her death and her burial. But to submerge a body into a natron solution, the large container would have to be larger than a bathtub, and these containers have not been found as of yet. 🎥© Assassins Creed Origins #archaeohistories
Archaeo - Histories79,392 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten