The hottest Archaeology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top History Topics

23 Jan 2024 – Missing bombers and spy satellites

Outsider Art • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💾 History World War II Mysteries Archaeology
  1. During WWII, Japan captured American B-17 bombers for examination, but some mysteriously disappeared after the war, sparking lingering curiosity and theories.
  2. Historical mysteries like missing planes and unexplained phenomena continue to capture the imagination and intrigue readers and researchers alike.
  3. Modern surveillance technology, like spy planes and satellites, has advanced significantly, raising privacy concerns and prompting some individuals to prefer living away from prying eyes.

Shipping News

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 139 implied HN points • 12 May 22
💾 History Cultural History Archaeology Urban Development
  1. Ballast is the heavy material ships carry to keep stable, and it has been made from various materials over time, like rocks, bricks, and even lentils in ancient times.
  2. In Seattle, ballast rocks from trade ships resulted in an area called Ballast Island, which became a refuge for Native people displaced by urban development.
  3. Ballast has often been overlooked and discarded, even though it holds many stories about history, trade, and the connections between places.

The Germanic Thunderweapon Part II: Thunder Goes Clubbing

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 19 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
💾 History Mythology Archaeology Religion Art Culture
  1. The word 'Thor' is derived from Old Norse 'Þórr' and was used for the thunder god, representing both the sound of thunder and the divine being behind it.
  2. In the ancient Germanic world, the term for thundergod, 'Þórr,' evolved into 'donar' in Old High German and 'þunor' in Old English, eventually leading to the term 'thunder' in Modern English.
  3. Archaeological findings indicate a trend of Germanic club-shaped pendants, possibly associated with Hercules, before the prevalence of Thor's hammer pendants during the Viking Age.

Jane Meenaghan: Tartaria

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
💾 History Conspiracy Theories Archaeology
  1. Tartaria is an alternative historical theory that questions mainstream narratives of history and embraces a nationalistic perspective.
  2. The concept of Tartaria has evolved into a global phenomenon, with a focus on conspiracy theories related to ancient civilizations and advanced technologies.
  3. The idea of Tartaria represents a form of hyperstitional pure land, uniting conspiracy theorists around the world in challenging established historical norms.
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The King of the Werewolves

Marlene’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💾 History Ancient Greece Mythology Archaeology Cultural Practices
  1. Human sacrifices were believed to have happened at Mt. Lykaion in Greece, where a significant discovery of human bones was made in 2016.
  2. The area is linked to King Lycaon, who supposedly challenged Zeus and was transformed into a wolf as a result of his actions.
  3. This site also shows that other cultures, like the Romans, had practices of human sacrifice to please their gods, highlighting a widespread ancient belief in the need for sacrifices.

Tsunamis in the Tsound

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 27 Jan 22
🔬 Science Geology Natural Disasters Environmental Science Archaeology
  1. Tsunamis can occur in the Puget Sound area due to earthquakes, with one significant event happening around 1,100 years ago. This caused large waves and impacted the land.
  2. Some past tsunamis affected local communities, leading to temporary abandonment of villages. This shows the lasting impact of natural disasters on people's lives.
  3. Recent geological activities, like the Tongan eruption, remind us of the powerful forces of nature. These events can create unusual phenomena, like waves and atmospheric changes, showing how connected we are to the Earth.

The Birth of Israel

Cosmographia • 3 HN points • 04 Apr 24
💾 History Ancient Civilizations Archaeology Origins Religious Studies Cultural Evolution
  1. The birth of Israel dates back to ancient times, with the earliest mention of Israel on the Merneptah Stele in around 1208 BC, indicating their presence and significance.
  2. The origins of the Israelites are complex, involving gradual settlements, interactions with various groups like the Philistines, and the assimilation of diverse traditions into a shared cultural identity.
  3. Archaeological evidence and historical context suggest that the Israelites likely originated as pastoralist groups like the Shasu, gradually forming a distinct group in the highlands of Canaan, challenging the established Canaanite and Egyptian powers.

What Lies Beneath

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 11 Nov 21
🎭️ Culture History Urbanism Archaeology Environmental Community
  1. There are coal cars from 1875 sitting at the bottom of Lake Washington. They sank during a storm and divers found them in the 1990s.
  2. Submerged forests in Lake Washington are remnants from an earthquake about 1,100 years ago. Some trees are still well-preserved under the water.
  3. Excavations for light rail in Seattle uncovered old items like shoes and bottles, showing the area's diverse history. These findings help us understand the past better.

A New Map Of Medieval London

Londonist: Time Machine • 1 HN point • 12 Jun 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Maps History Research Archaeology Cartography
  1. A detailed map of medieval London has been created, showing intricate parish boundaries, city structures, and landmarks from the 13th century.
  2. The Historic Towns Trust has produced detailed maps of Tudor and medieval London, using extensive research and archaeological knowledge.
  3. Mapping the city's past presents challenges due to gaps in historical records, uncertainties in field boundaries, and complexities of plotting locations like churches in ancient London.

Ancient Revelation Or State Repressed Fact?

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 18 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
💾 History Ancient Civilization Archaeology Mythology Climate change
  1. Some ancient sites and stories may be repressed by the state to uphold certain myths or narratives.
  2. The causes of past events like the last Ice Age may have connections to human activities, not just natural processes.
  3. Humanity's cycles and impact on the planet are interconnected, and learning from past mistakes is crucial for survival.

THE MAN WITH NO TONGUE

Marlene’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
💾 History Archaeology Rituals
  1. Archaeologists discovered a mysterious burial involving a man with his tongue amputated and a flat stone placed in his mouth.
  2. Similar unusual substitutions for missing body parts were found in other burials from Roman Britain.
  3. Different burial practices like sickles across necks and stones in mouths indicate beliefs in vampires and fears of the dead returning.

🧐 Ancient Beat #95: The Gravettian culture(s), unique dolmens, and Alexander the Great's fam

Ancient Beat • 0 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
💾 History Ancient Civilizations Archaeology Discovery Cultural Diversity Historical Figures
  1. Ice Age hunters in Europe were not one homogenous group, but actually comprised of multiple distinct cultures.
  2. Neanderthals and humans coexisted in Northern Europe 45,000 years ago, shifting previous knowledge about the timeline and interaction between species.
  3. Recent excavation in Sweden revealed a unique dolmen burial chamber from 3500 BCE with missing skeletal parts, hinting at possible ritualistic practices.

'Making a Handaxe': a knot in time.

lifeboat • 0 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Archaeology Time
  1. Archaeology can be a creative and imaginative practice that involves physical and practical work.
  2. Objects like handaxes hold secrets of their making, usage, and the passage of time, providing a meditation on time.
  3. Engravings of artifacts can capture the intelligence of the hand and communicate the process and skill involved in crafting the objects.

The Manis Mastodon

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 0 implied HN points • 22 Jul 21
🔬 Science Paleontology Archaeology History Geology Anthropology
  1. The Manis Mastodon is a significant archaeological site where a mastodon was found with a projectile point embedded in its rib, suggesting early human hunting around 13,800 years ago.
  2. Another discovery of bison bones on Orcas Island showed signs of butchering, providing more evidence that ancient humans hunted large animals for food.
  3. Some scientists are skeptical about the human connection to these finds, suggesting that the animals could have died from natural causes or other means, not necessarily human actions.

🧐 Ancient Beat #96: Leisure, hallucinogenics, and not-so-abrupt tool revolutions

Ancient Beat • 0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💾 History Archaeology
  1. Ancient tool technology may have evolved gradually rather than through a single abrupt revolution during human dispersals, challenging previous notions of advancement.
  2. Archaeological findings suggest intentional use of hallucinogenic plants like henbane in ancient Roman settlements for medicinal or narcotic purposes.
  3. Discovery of possible ancient game boards in Kenya provides insights into the recreational activities of past civilizations, indicating strategic gameplay in ancient times.