The hottest Archaeology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top History Topics

2,000-year-old wine and the uncanny immediacy of the past

Res Obscura • 5287 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
💾 History Archaeology Artifacts Ancient Civilizations Cultural heritage Historical Analysis
  1. Ancient artifacts like the Carmona Wine Urn help us connect with the past. They remind us that people long ago lived lives similar to ours.
  2. Discoveries like the oldest known wine show how well-preserved objects can teach us about history. They tell us more than famous artworks or historical figures.
  3. Historical artifacts like the Pazyryk Rug and the Sword of Goujian highlight everyday life in the past. They help us imagine what it was like for ordinary people back then.

Online archaeology

The Rectangle • 113 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture History Memory Neighborhoods Identity Archaeology
  1. The experience of moving to a new area can help deepen one’s connection to a community. It's not just about visiting places, but really immersing yourself in the daily life and character of the neighborhood.
  2. Every place has its stories, and the internet can help uncover the hidden histories of local businesses or people. Finding these stories online can create a unique connection to your surroundings and the people who lived there.
  3. Once a business is gone, its physical presence fades, but its legacy can live on through online records. The internet can preserve these memories, allowing people to feel connected to the past even when they can't experience it firsthand.

When civilization control-alt-deletes: prehistoric Europe’s false dawn and long reboot

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 955 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💾 History Ancient Civilizations Archaeology Cultural History Demographics
  1. History often gets viewed through a lens that says the present is better than the past. Many believe we are moving towards a brighter future, but this ignores how societies have often declined over time.
  2. Civilizations can experience drastic collapses followed by long periods of recovery, like how the Mycenaean Greeks fell into a 'Dark Age' before slowly rebuilding their culture.
  3. Ancient Europeans saw significant demographic changes, and early farmers and foragers were very different from each other. Over time, these distinct groups began to blend, showing how migration and cultural shifts shaped Europe.

The World Travels of a Blood-Soaked Mother Goddess

Looking Through the Past • 198 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
💾 History Religion Mythology Archaeology Civilizations
  1. Cybele was a very ancient mother goddess from Asia Minor, worshipped with wild and intense rituals, including bloodletting and self-castration by her priests.
  2. The Greeks and later Romans adopted and adapted Cybele's worship, blending her with their own deities and transforming her image from a fierce nature goddess to a more subdued Roman matriarch.
  3. Cybele's story reflects the complex views of womanhood in ancient cultures, showcasing everything from wild sexuality to dignified motherhood.

Truth in the old myths

Wrong Side of History • 408 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💾 History Ancient Civilizations Archaeology Mythology Cultural Studies Historical Figures
  1. Ancient myths, like those of Troy and Agamemnon, might have some truths behind them. Archaeological discoveries are showing that these stories could be based on real events.
  2. Visiting historical sites like Mycenae can inspire strong feelings about the past. It makes you think about the legends and heroes that might have lived there.
  3. New findings in DNA and archaeology challenge our view of old myths as just stories. They suggest that some of these legendary tales might have a basis in reality.
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The Lost Stones of London

Londonist: Time Machine • 399 implied HN points • 08 May 24
💾 History Historical Events Archaeology Local government
  1. London's geography is linked to ancient stones like Oswald's Stone, which has been almost forgotten, highlighting the city's rich history.
  2. Historic stones in London served various purposes like marking boundaries or council meeting spots, adding unique character to the city's landscape.
  3. Despite being forgotten, remnants of ancient stones like London Stone and Wealdstone can still be found around London, connecting the modern city to its past.

DISCOVERED: NEW TEMPLAR GRAVES!!!

History, etc • 1454 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
💾 History Archaeology Historians
  1. A local newspaper reported about graves in Enville, Staffordshire, believed to hold Templar knights' remains, could've been an old story.
  2. Multiple times earlier, the same newspaper had reported similar claims about Templar graves, casting doubt on the credibility.
  3. There is not much compelling evidence online to definitively prove that these are indeed Templar graves.

The First Humans in Europe

Grey Goose Chronicles • 1257 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🔬 Science Archaeology Evolution Genetics
  1. Evidence suggests that the earliest human ancestors in Europe evolved in Europe before eventually moving to Africa.
  2. The arrival of different human species in Europe can be traced through archaeological findings and genetic studies.
  3. Neanderthals existed in Europe for a long time, and the arrival of modern humans led to significant changes and interactions.

Genetiken förändrar vår syn på ras

Rak höger med Ivar Arpi • 589 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Genetics Race Migration Archaeology History
  1. Genetics has revealed greater differences between people than previously thought, challenging both racist and politically correct beliefs.
  2. Historical migrations and cultural exchanges are being reevaluated in light of DNA research, overthrowing old theories.
  3. Recent genetic studies have shed light on demographic movements, such as the Indo-European migrations, significantly impacting our understanding of human history.

Two Tales from Laos: Iron Age Battlefields & Demons In The Night

Grey Goose Chronicles • 943 implied HN points • 14 May 23
💾 History Culture War Religion Archaeology Conflict
  1. The Taiping Rebellion led to conflicts and alliances in Laos involving different groups and wars.
  2. The Plain of Jars in Laos holds mysterious archaeological artifacts from the Iron Age, sparking interest and research.
  3. The Hmong people faced complex challenges from wars, alliances, and a post-war mystery known as SUNDS that impacted their community.

A Mummified Modern Murder - The Case of the Persian Princess

Grey Goose Chronicles • 923 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Archaeology Cultural heritage Documentary
  1. In 2000, a mummy thought to be a Persian princess was discovered in Pakistan, but later found to be a modern woman subject to foul play.
  2. The mummy scandal involved a tangled web of deception, including fake artifacts and conflicting claims from Pakistan, Iran, and Afghan tribal groups.
  3. Experts faced embarrassment as their initial excitement over the archaeological find turned into a criminal investigation revealing a sophisticated hoax.

First letters found in new scroll

Vesuvius Challenge • 62 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
💾 History Ancient Archaeology Literature Culture Research
  1. A new scroll called PHerc. 172 has been discovered, and it was buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius around 79 AD.
  2. Scientists are excited because they clearly see ink in the scroll for the first time, allowing them to start reading its Greek text.
  3. The team is looking for help to further analyze the scroll and unlock more of its content, as many words are already close to being readable.

Trying To Make Sense Of The Venus Figurines?

Grey Goose Chronicles • 805 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Archaeology Symbolism Interpretation Religion Feminism
  1. The interpretation of Venus figurines has evolved over time with theories ranging from race and primitivism to goddess worship and fertility magic.
  2. Scholars have debated whether the figurines are realistic representations of Palaeolithic people or symbolic artifacts with functions related to protection, fertility, or ancestoral worship.
  3. Recent studies have explored the possibility of the figurines being dressed, connected to clothing, and even representing maternal figures based on archaeological evidence.

Monthly Archaeology Round-Up: April

Grey Goose Chronicles • 727 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🔬 Science Archaeology Genetics Forensics
  1. Native Americans were using horses over a hundred years before previously thought, shaping a new view of early Plains societies.
  2. Genetic analysis confirms migration and intermixing with Persians on Africa's Swahili coast, challenging long-held theories.
  3. Bronze Age Menorca revealed evidence of the use of powerful drugs, shedding light on ancient rituals and practices.

Numlock News: October 9, 2023 • BeiDou, Autopay, Noise Cancellation

Numlock News • 569 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🔬 Science Satellites Art Health Drugs Archaeology
  1. Counterfeit Native American art is a significant issue, with up to 80% of marketed art being fake.
  2. The global market for noise-cancelling headphones is expected to triple to $45.4 billion by 2031.
  3. Devices connected to China's BeiDou satellite system have reached 1.5 billion, with 98% of smartphones sold in China having BeiDou navigation.

Facing Facts, even fraught ones: the quest for proto-Indo-Europeans in 2023

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 983 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
💾 History Languages Genetics Archaeology
  1. Indo-European languages have spread widely across the globe through historical events and cultural exchanges.
  2. Genomic technologies have revolutionized our understanding of the rise and spread of Indo-Europeans.
  3. Debates around Indo-European origins have evolved, integrating fields like genetics, archaeology, and linguistics.

A Cult of Lost Technology

ᴋʟᴀᵾs • 393 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🔬 Science Archaeology Physics Space Exploration
  1. Ancient structures like Stonehenge and the pyramids across the world raise questions about lost technology and potential ancient civilizations' advanced knowledge.
  2. Nazi scientists explored antigravity technology based on different physics approaches than the West, leading to speculation on advanced tech development during World War II.
  3. The concept of a cargo cult relates to ancient cultures integrating advanced technologies into their beliefs, like indigenous tribes using airdrops as inspiration for rituals.

The two Indo-European revolutions and Germania’s rise

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 274 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💾 History Ancient Civilizations Genetics Archaeology
  1. The rise and fall of different cultures in pre-Roman Germany was influenced by successive trends in artifacts and genetics, highlighting a transition from Bronze Age patriarchies to new ruling elites.
  2. The Beaker revolution in Central Europe saw the replacement of Corded Ware male lineages dominated by R1a with a rise in the R1b haplogroup, indicating a shift in ruling elite and population dynamics.
  3. The Beaker people's expansion from western Germany led to genetic subsuming of previous populations in Britain and Ireland, contributing to the formation of proto-Germanic tribes in antiquity.

O-Day - Wormhole

Remote View • 216 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🔬 Science Physics Archaeology Chemistry Astronomy Materials
  1. The presentation shared experimental evidence about the operation of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
  2. Macro photography gave a first look at the sample and detailed study of the disruption zone.
  3. Speculation was made about the use of iron as a possible fuel, along with other metals, in a related process.

Contra d'Huy on Snake Myths

Vectors of Mind • 196 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Archaeology
  1. Oral histories and myths may not necessarily last 100,000 years, suggesting a more recent origin.
  2. Serpent and dragon myths around the world are remarkably similar, indicating a potential recent diffusion rather than a shared root from 100,000 years ago.
  3. Contrary to the idea that myths can last 100,000 years, the emergence and diffusion of myths like serpent myths likely started around 30,000 years ago and accelerated during the Holocene.

O-Day - NOON

Remote View • 157 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🔬 Science Physics Technology History Symbolism Archaeology
  1. There is a livestream event on Feb 14, 2023 at 21:00 CET, so review previous materials beforehand.
  2. The post includes a list of references discussing various topics like solitons, plasmoids, and symbols from different cultures.
  3. The content hints at connections between ancient symbols, cosmic powers, and historical artifacts, suggesting deeper meanings or connections.

King Tut's meteorite dagger: A weapon from the heavens

The Exformation Newsletter • 157 implied HN points • 16 May 23
💾 History Minerals Ancient Civilizations Artifacts Archaeology
  1. King Tut's iron dagger made from a meteorite was more valuable than his gold one, showcasing the significance of minerals in history and power.
  2. Ancient Egypt's peak power was not during the time of the pyramids, but between 1550 BC and 1200 BC when they were a Great Power expanding their empire.
  3. Minerals like tin were crucial for advancements like bronze, highlighting their importance in shaping ancient civilizations and trade patterns.

Exciting acceleration in community activity

Vesuvius Challenge • 12 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🔬 Science Archaeology History Technology Research Innovation
  1. The Vesuvius Challenge is rewarding contributors with $48,500 in prizes for their innovative work on ancient scrolls. This money encourages creativity and progress in understanding these old texts.
  2. One exciting project introduced a new method for segmenting scrolls, which could make the process faster and more accurate. This kind of innovation is really important as it helps researchers figure out how to read the scrolls better.
  3. Several contributors are developing tools and techniques to improve ink detection and data analysis for the scrolls. These advancements are pushing the boundaries of what we can learn from these ancient artifacts.

The Germanic Thunderweapon Part IV: The Axe Man

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 59 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology Archaeology History Culture Religion
  1. The linguistic relationship between the words for 'hammer' and 'stone' in Germanic languages is surprisingly close, suggesting an early association between concepts and tools like axes and hammers.
  2. The early Germanic thunder god may have carried an array of weapons, including axes, clubs, hammers, and thunderstones, which over time converged into the iconic image of Thor's hammer.
  3. Related mythologies from regions like Finland, the Baltic, and Slavic cultures show strong similarities to the Norse thunder god Thor, often wielding axes and other weapons, indicating possible shared traditions or exchanges of ideas over time.

Secrets of the mummy factory

The Quack Doctor • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
💾 History Archaeology Craftsmanship Deception Trade
  1. An artisan in Los Angeles made a fortune creating fake Egyptian mummies for exhibitions and museums, using intricate methods to deceive even experts.
  2. The mummy-making process involved using wood, excelsior, plaster, glue, bamboo, and human skeletons to create realistic-looking replicas sold for up to $1000.
  3. The artisan, Fisher, blurred the line between fraud and honesty, creating a large number of fake mummies and other curious artifacts for profit, then later transitioning to giving talks about his craft.

"One Man's Trash": Historical Treasures Once Damaged or Discarded

Meaning || Matter • 19 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
💾 History Ancient Texts Archaeology Civilizations Cultural heritage
  1. Many important historical discoveries come from things that were discarded or damaged. This shows how lucky historians are when they find these pieces of the past.
  2. Sometimes, tragic events lead to amazing finds. For example, when fires burned clay tablets, they were preserved instead of destroyed, giving us insight into ancient civilizations.
  3. Items thought to be worthless or trash can turn out to be incredibly valuable. Old manuscripts and documents that were nearly lost have changed our understanding of history significantly.

An Astronomical Archaeology

Orbis Tertius • 86 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💾 History Archaeology Astronomy Artifacts
  1. The Golden Records sent aboard the Voyager probes contain information for potential extraterrestrial encounters, including a map of our solar system.
  2. The Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient device, was ahead of its time in predicting solar eclipses and movements of the sun and moon.
  3. Artifacts like the Nebra Sky Disc and Phaistos Disc offer unique insights into ancient astronomical knowledge through complex inscriptions and depictions.

Technology is Reshaping Human History

The Digital Anthropologist • 59 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🔬 Science History Genetics Archaeology Digital Technologies AI
  1. Digital technologies are reshaping human history, impacting our future in significant ways. It's an exciting time to be alive.
  2. Advancements like AI and genetic engineering are revealing new insights into ancient civilizations, genetics, and human evolution.
  3. Technologies such as LIDAR, genetic analysis tools, and AI are helping discover ancient civilizations and rewrite textbooks in anthropology and archaeology.

The Thundergod is Humanity's Hero

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 39 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Humanity Religion History Archaeology
  1. Ancient Germanic people believed Thor, the Thundergod, played a crucial role in protecting humanity from evil creatures like jotuns through artifacts like the Canterbury Charm and Kvinneby Amulet.
  2. Thor was invoked through magical incantations to heal people afflicted by ailments caused by supernatural beings, showcasing his role as a hero and protector.
  3. Pop-culture depictions of Norse gods and jotuns in shades of gray are contrary to historical beliefs, as Thor was seen as a mighty hero who safeguarded humanity against threats from evil creatures.

Ancient Aliens, Easter Island, and Truth

Skeptic • 46 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🔬 Science Archaeology Skepticism Debate
  1. Reason and science should take precedence over fantasy and entertainment for a safer society.
  2. Skepticism and critical analysis are important in evaluating claims about ancient civilizations and extraterrestrial theories.
  3. Engaging in open conversation, dialogue, and debate can help in seeking the truth and understanding different perspectives.