History of the Lands
Around 1.5 million years ago, the ancestors of today’s bonobos and chimpanzees became isolated from one another, likely due to the formation of the Congo River. This geographical barrier separated populations of the genus Pan, which ultimately evolved into two distinct species: bonobos (Pan paniscus) south of the Congo River, and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) to […]
Chimpanzee-Bonobo Split Read More »
Location: Divje Babe Cave, Slovenia Attribution: Possibly Neanderthal Material: Bear femur Discovered in the 1990s, this flute-like artifact features holes resembling those used for producing music. If confirmed as a flute, it would suggest that Neanderthals possessed musical traditions. However, some scholars argue these holes might be from animal activity. The Divje Babe flute continues
Location: Neolithic Settlement of Dispilio, Greece. Discovered in 1993, the Dispilio Tablet is an ancient wooden tablet, etched with intricate symbols. Its symbols have yet to be deciphered, leaving its true purpose shrouded in mystery. Were these marks part of a record-keeping system? A symbolic ritual? Or could they represent one of the earliest known forms
Dispilio Tablet: European Proto-Writing Read More »
The Sungir Burial Site, dating back to around 30,000 BCE, offers a remarkable glimpse into the lives of Upper Paleolithic humans in what is now Russia. The people of Sungir were part of a sophisticated hunter-gatherer society, living in the cold climate of the Russian Plain. They were highly skilled artisans and craftsmen, evidenced by
Sunghir Burial Site Read More »
Europe, Czech Republic: The Vinor Circular Building, discovered in Vinoř, Prague, is a remarkable archaeological site dating back to approximately 900 years before the common Biblical creation date. This Neolithic structure, known as a roundel, consists of three concentric trenches forming a large circular enclosure with multiple entrances. With an internal diameter of about 55
Vinor Circular Building: a roundel Read More »
The sea offers tremendous resources and stability. The rising and receding oceans continue to destroy the homes of many. How many unknown cultures in our vast history thrived on the coast for millennia? The site discovered off the coast of Cuba, also known as the “Cuban Underwater Pyramids,” includes pyramid-like structures and other geometric formations
Cuban Underwater City: More Research Needed Read More »
The Fuente Magna Bowl, discovered in 1950 near Lake Titicaca, Bolivia, is a large stone vessel with intricate carvings. Unearthed by a local farmer, the bowl was later donated to a small local museum and eventually transferred to the Museum of Precious Metals in La Paz. The bowl features engravings that some claim resemble ancient
Fuente Magna Bowl: Forgery or Real? Read More »
The oldest known dice date back to around 3100 BCE in Scotland. While it’s possible the idea of dice was invented many millennia ago, it’s more likely that dice are an example of convergent invention and traveling news. Dice were likely invented and lost to the sands of time many times over at least the
Oldest Known Dice: Skara Brae Read More »
Atlit Yam is a captivating ghost town submerged beneath the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Israel. This ancient Neolithic village, dating back over 9,000 years, offers a unique window into the lives of these coastal inhabitants. Abandoned in a hurry, the site was left with many belongings and food sources still intact, offering a unique
Atlit Yam Neolithic Village Read More »
The Proto-Inca people likely lived in the Andean region of Peru as far back as 4500 BCE. It’s reasonable to assume they were hunter-gatherers, adapted to the challenging mountain environment. They may have had a nomadic lifestyle, following the seasonal migration of animals and plants. The Proto-Inca people likely developed early forms of textiles, ceramics,
The Inca civilization only lasted a few centuries from about 1200 CE. In that short period it became the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. It emerged in the Andean region of present-day Peru. The early Incas established the city of Cusco as their capital. They expanded rapidly, by the 15th century they developed an extensive
Inca Society Emerges Read More »
The Proto-Maya people likely inhabited the Yucatan region of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras around 3500 BCE. It’s reasonable to assume they were also hunter-gatherers, taking advantage of the area’s diverse wildlife and plant resources. They may have had a more settled lifestyle, with early evidence of ceramics and permanent settlements. The Proto-Maya people likely
The Mayan civilization lasted nearly 3 millennia. It began to take shape in the Yucatan region of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras around 2000 BCE, with evidence of early agricultural communities. However, prior to embracing farming, this community was in the area for at least a few centuries. By 250 CE, they had established major
It’s reasonable to assume that the Proto-Olmec people lived in the region of modern-day Mexico as far back as 4000 BCE. Likely, they were hunter-gatherers, exploiting the abundant resources of the tropical forests and coastal areas. They may have had a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, following game and seasonal food sources. It’s possible that they
Proto-Olmec People Read More »
The Olmec civilization, often considered the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica, formally emerged around 1600 BCE based on when they embraced farming. They primarily emerged in the tropical lowlands of present-day southern Mexico. Known for their colossal stone heads and sophisticated art, the Olmecs developed early forms of writing and urban organization. Their major centers, such
Olmec Society Emerges Read More »
The Dolní Věstonice people thrived in a harsh Ice Age landscape. They built sturdy huts from mammoth bones, crafted intricate art, and developed symbolic expression. They honored their dead with elaborate burials and likely held spiritual beliefs. With early ceramics and resourceful hunting practices, they demonstrated remarkable adaptability and creativity, leaving behind a lasting legacy
Czeck: Dolní Věstonice Community Read More »
The Mezhyrich community thrived in Ukraine, living in huts built from mammoth bones. These resourceful people used mammoth skulls, tusks, and bones to construct shelters covered with animal skins. They engaged in daily activities such as cooking, tool-making, and socializing, showcasing a harmonious, bustling life. The nearby rivers provided resources and sustenance, while their sophisticated
Ukraine: Mezhyrich Community Read More »
The story of the printing press is the story of cultural transmission. Invented in 1440 in Germany by Johannes Gutenberg, it revolutionized book production by introducing movable type. It replaced hand-copying, prone to errors, with movable metal type, allowing mass production of books for the first time in human history. Over the next few centuries,
Printing Press Invented Read More »
The Sentinelese are believed to have been isolated since the last major initial human migrations out of Africa 60 to 70 thousand years ago. Their isolation has likely preserved unique genetic traits. The Sentinelese are related to other indigenous peoples of the Andaman Islands, such as the Onge, Jarwa, and Great Andamanese. Studies on these
The Sentinelese people on North Sentinel Island Read More »
By 450 BCE, some were trying to convince humanity of the true nature of the solar system. They understood and promoted the idea that the moon was not a deity but a physical body. Anaxagoras was one of the earliest known proponents of this view. He deduced that the moon is made of solid rock
Anaxagoras (circa 500-428 BCE) Read More »
