Uruk's Undiscovered Underworld

04/04/2024

This Scandinavian-made comb carved from red deer antler was discovered in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. Experts say that it and other recent finds indicate the presence of Vikings in Ipswich in the late 9th Century (Ipswich was founded as an Anglo-Saxon trading port). I’ve included a link in the comments.
Photo: Suffolk County Council

04/04/2024

Statuette of Duamutef

This Jackal-headed god statuette, one of the four gods protecting the organs of Tutankhamun, is easily mistaken for Anubis but is in fact Duamutef “He who adores his mother”.

Duamutef is one of the Four Sons of Horus, to whose particular protection the stomach was entrusted once it had been removed from the body during mummification. He himself was protected or helped by the goddess Neith. The god was closely connected with the east.

Photo from Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh at the Saatchi Gallery London Nov 2019 – May 2020. via THEFARMparis/Twitter

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04/04/2024

At the heart of the ancient site of Gordion lies the Midas Mound, also known as Tumulus MM, a monumental burial mound. This imposing structure, located in modern-day Turkey, is steeped in mystery and legend.
The Midas Mound is a testament to the ancient Phrygian civilization that once flourished in Anatolia during the Iron Age, particularly during the 8th and 7th centuries BC. Rising approximately 50 meters in height and spanning around 53 meters in diameter, the mound commands attention, its presence dominating the landscape of Gordion.
Excavations at the Midas Mound have unveiled a complex internal structure, revealing multiple chambers and rich burial goods. These chambers, carefully constructed within the heart of the mound, speak to the reverence and significance accorded to the individuals interred within.
Yet, perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Midas Mound lies in its association with the legendary figure of King Midas, a ruler of Phrygia immortalized in Greek mythology. King Midas, known for his fabled ability to turn everything he touched into gold, is said to have ruled over the land surrounding Gordion during antiquity.
While the precise identity of the occupants of the Midas Mound remains a subject of speculation and debate among archaeologists, its connection to the legendary king adds an extra layer of intrigue. Could the Midas Mound be the final resting place of the fabled monarch, or does it hold the remains of other illustrious figures from Phrygia’s storied past?

04/04/2024

7600 BC: The Howick House is a Mesolithic site situated in Northumberland, England, discovered by an amateur archaeologist who noticed flint tools emerging from a sandy cliff near the village of Howick. Further examination revealed a circle of large post holes with charcoal residues at their bases, numerous smaller stake holes with some angled inward from the perimeter of a hollow, and several shallow hearths inside the structure filled with charcoal, burnt nutshells, and bone fragments.
Radiocarbon dating of the charred hazelnut shells indicated that the site was established around 7600 BC and was inhabited for approximately 100 years. This discovery led to it being hailed as "Britain's oldest house."
Evidence from some hearths indicated exclusive use for nut roasting, with the volume of shells implying that food was prepared in large quantities, likely as a means of preservation for leaner times. Coupled with the robust construction suggested by the large post holes, this evidence has led to the conclusion that the dwelling was used as a permanent residence rather than temporarily or seasonally, as was previously assumed for the Mesolithic era.

04/04/2024

The Hand of God ,1896
Sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917)
Rodin Museum , Paris , France

04/04/2024

the eye of sahara desert

04/04/2024

NASA photo of sand dunes on Mars

04/04/2024

This Roman mosaic discovered at Antakya, Turkey, was so well made it preserved the wave of an earthquake without breaking the pattern.

04/03/2024

Skeletons Unearthed in an Ancient City Reveal Historical Secrets of East Africa.

04/03/2024

Colosseum Basement
The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an iconic ancient Roman structure located in the center of Rome, Italy. Key points about the Colosseum include:
1. Historical Significance: It was built during the Flavian dynasty, started under Emperor Vespasian around AD 70-72 and completed by his son Titus in AD 80, with further modifications made during the reign of Domitian.
2. Architectural Marvel: The Colosseum is renowned for its grand architecture and engineering. It's an elliptical structure made from concrete and sand, featuring a complex system of vaults.
3. Gladiatorial Games: It was primarily used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology.
4. Capacity and Scale: At its peak, the Colosseum could hold between 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, making it the largest amphitheater ever built at the time.

04/03/2024

"In 1876, Greece Unearthed a Skeleton: Half Human, Half Horse. An Extraordinary Discovery Blurring the Lines of Mythology and Reality!
(Details in comments👇)

04/03/2024

Unveiling oceanic mysteries: For the second time, a massive skull surfaces on a San Francisco beach, sparking intrigue and questions about its mysterious origins.

04/03/2024

The largest animal rock petroglyphs in the world; known as 'Dabous Giraffes', located in Air Massif, Niger. The carvings are believed to have been done between 12000-7000 BC, during African Humid Period (14600-5000 years ago), when this region was less arid, and Sahara was a vast savannah, that streched thousands of miles. There are also remains of petrified wood found in the area, which gave evidence that region could sustain animal and human life.

04/03/2024

Vatican, Rome, Italy

04/03/2024

RANI KI VAV, (The Queen's Stepwell), 11th century, Patan in Gujarat, India 🇮🇳
It is generally assumed that it was built in the memory of Bhima I (r. c. 1022 – 1064) by his queen Udayamati.
Rani ki vav is considered to be one of the finest and largest examples of stepwell architecture in Gujarat, in the Maru-Gurjara architecture style, reflecting mastery of this complex technique and a beauty of detail and proportions. It measures approximately 65 metres (213 ft) long, 20 metres (66 ft) wide and 28 metres (92 ft) deep.
The stepwell is divided into seven levels of stairs, which lead down to a deep, circular well. The walls, pillars (212), columns, brackets and beams are ornamented with carvings and scrollwork. The niches in the side walls are ornamented with delicate figures and sculptures
It has been listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India since 2014.
(Photo credit to the original author)

04/02/2024

A beautiful Roman cavalry helmet was found in a large burial mound called Roshava Dragana in Bulgaria. 1st century AD

04/02/2024

The Triumph of the Genius of Destruction - Mihály Zichy, 1878.

04/02/2024

Hair on 2,000-year-old mummies has helped reveal what ancient people in Peru ate in the weeks before their death. (Details in comments👇)

04/02/2024

Unearthing a Jaw-Dropping 6-Million-Year-Old Ancient Shark Fossil Reveals Astonishing Insights into the Origins of the Mighty Great White Shark!
Details below in the comments section ...👇👇

04/02/2024

St. Sebastian(1779) By Claude Dejoux. French 1732-1816. marble. Louvre.

04/02/2024

Underground cities communicate with hollow earth Agartha (Details in comments👇)

04/02/2024

Shrouded in mystery: Explore the enigmatic Mummies of Wiuwert, a centuries-old vault in Friesland, Netherlands, where time stands still amidst preserved past lives
Details below in the comments section ...👇👇

04/01/2024

Motilla del Azuer, a 3.200 years old Fortress.

04/01/2024

The illusion of transparent cloth from marble (The Veiled Virgin, by Giovanni Strazza, 1856)

03/28/2024

03/28/2024

The Nanhai One is a Chinese merchant ship with over 60,000 items on board, which sank into the South China Sea in the 12th century. Discovered in 1987, the ship was raised in 2007 and placed in a custom-made saltwater tank where archaeologists continue to study and excavate the wreck

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03/28/2024

In Japan you can find centuries-old stones near coasts inscribed with a warning: “Do not build any homes below this point. High dwellings are the peace and harmony of our descendants. Remember the calamity of the great tsunamis.” These are the Tsunami Stones.

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03/27/2024

Statue of Hetepdief

Old Kingdom, 3rd Dynasty, ca. 2686-2613 BC.
From Memphis (Mit Rahina).
Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 34557

The statue of Hetepdief is one of the earliest examples of private statuary, and more importantly, it is yet the first ancient Egyptian statue shown kneeling in the attitude of prayer while maintaining its conformity with ancient Egyptian artistic conventions.

On his right shoulder can be seen the Horus names of three 2nd Dynasty Kings Hotepsekhemwy, Raneb, and Nynetjer which could indicate that he served each of these monarchs. The name of Hetepdief’s father, Mery Djehuty, can be found on the base.

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03/27/2024

Roman Blue Glass Pitchers (3rd-4th Century AD), from Cologne, Germany.

Blue colored glass has been made since the very beginning of glass making. Most blue glass is given its color either from cobalt oxide or from copper oxide finely ground and added to the molten glass. Copper is a more delicate colorant than cobalt. It only requires a small amount of cobalt oxide to produce a deep rich blue.

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03/26/2024

Engraved Giraffes and Cow, around 8000 years old (Neolithic Period), at Wadi Mathendous prehistoric archaeological site - Messak, Settafet, Libya.

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