Ancient Cultures
Climate Change May Have Driven Genghis Khan’s Army Across Eurasia
A multidecadal blip in temperature and rainfall patterns may have spurred the rise of the Mongol Empire
December 07, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
1 Million Dollars Worth of Rare Dictionaries About to Go on Sale
On December 4, a collection of rare old dictionaries will go on auction at Bonhams in New York City
November 30, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
To Adapt to Harsh Greenland Climate, Vikings Gorged on Seals
Despite their barbaric reputation, the Viking-era Norse typically worked as farmers rather than hunters - except on Greenland
November 21, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
People Have Been Using Stone-Tipped Spears For Way Longer Than We Thought
A new study adds 200,000 years to their run
November 20, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Cracking a German Secret Society’s Centuries-Old Encrypted Code
A secret society with ties to the Freemason's coded text has been cracked
November 19, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Lice Evolution Tracks the Invention of Clothes
The evolution of body lice shows that humans began wearing clothes between 50,000 to 200,000 years ago
November 14, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Are Humans Getting Intellectually And Emotionally Stupid?
Evolution no longer places intelligence-selecting demands on us, researchers argue, meaning we are slowly but surely regressing intellectually
November 14, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Geronimo’s Appeal to Theodore Roosevelt
Held captive far longer than his surrender agreement called for, the Apache warrior made his case directly to the president
November 09, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Bringing the Color Back to Ancient Greece
The white marble statutes we revere were originally dressed in eye-popping pigments
November 2012 |
By Jamie Katz
Evidence Discovered of an Ancient Tsunami on Lake Geneva
Scientists believe a rock fall triggered a 25 foot wave that devastated villages on the shores of the Swiss lake
October 30, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Not Even the Greeks Thought the World Was Flat, But These People Do
There are some people today who claim to still believe that the Earth is flat
October 26, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Could a Modern Human Beat a Neanderthal in a Fight?
It's hypothetical conflict, but who would emerge the victor?
October 25, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Cracking the Code of the World’s Oldest Undeciphered Language
Researchers working on deciphering lettering from proto-Elamite, a system used between 3200BC and 2900BC are finally starting to chip away at just what these symbols mean
October 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Q&A: Joe Bataan, The King of Latin Soul
Mixing soul music with cultural pride in hits like "Ordinary Guy" and "Gypsy Woman," Joe Bataan speaks to the times and to the generations
October 24, 2012 |
By Joann Stevens
Men Chasing Cat Stumble Upon 2,000-Year-Old Roman Treasures
A 2,000-year old burial chamber was discovered with the help of a cat
October 19, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The History of Trick Or Treating Is Weirder Than You Thought
It's almost that time of year when underaged kids get into costume and traipse around the neighborhood ringing doorbells and begging for treats
October 18, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Digital Laser Scans of Stonehenge Reveal Ancient Graffiti
The first complete 3D laser scan of Stonehenge's iconic prehistoric stone circle revealed ancient graffiti and meticulous alignment with the winter and summer solstice
October 15, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
This is a Map of Every War Ever
The Battle of Jericho is the first entry in a massive project that sees the dates, locations, and brief descriptions for thousands of human conflicts overlaid on a scrollable, zoom-able map
October 12, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Shrew-Eating Scientists Show Humans Can Digest Bone
Scientists set out to measure how well we digest bone by swallowing a whole shrew, but was that really necessary?
October 09, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Archaeologists Uncover Massive Stone Age Complex in Scotland
A 5,000-year old temple complex may have been the centre of Stone Age British culture
October 08, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
