One of the great mysteries of late medieval history is why did the Norse, who had established successful settlements in southern Greenland in 985, abandon … Why the Vikings left GreenlandRead more
History
Alberuni’s Impressions of Brahminical Society in India
An excerpt from Indians: A Brief History of a Civilization by Namit Arora. Central to ‘the Hindu world of thought’, writes Alberuni, ‘is that which … Alberuni’s Impressions of Brahminical Society in IndiaRead more
The Most Lavish Mesopotamian Tomb Ever Found Belongs to a Woman
In the late 1920s, deep in the southern Iraqi desert, British archaeologist Leonard Woolley uncovered the most lavish Mesopotamian tomb ever discovered. The 4,500-year-old skeleton … The Most Lavish Mesopotamian Tomb Ever Found Belongs to a WomanRead more
Gruesome ‘Blood Worms’ Invaded a Dinosaur’s Leg Bone
Around 80 million years ago in what is now Brazil, a sick dinosaur limped along—but its days were numbered. Its leg bone was so diseased … Gruesome ‘Blood Worms’ Invaded a Dinosaur’s Leg BoneRead more
Creative Forgetfulness
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX0ar575Qq0&rel=0&feature=relmfu] Eric Foner On Contact
The IIT Kharagpur Calendar Is the Right’s Attempt To Appropriate the Indus Valley Civilisation
Recently, a calendar circulated by the Indian Knowledge Systems centre at IIT Kharagpur generated controversy. It presented an incoherent pastiche of imagery and symbols, various … The IIT Kharagpur Calendar Is the Right’s Attempt To Appropriate the Indus Valley CivilisationRead more
50,000-Year-old Social Network Across Africa
Humans are social creatures, but little is known about when, how, and why different populations connected in the past. Answering these questions is crucial for … 50,000-Year-old Social Network Across AfricaRead more
Maulana Hasrat Mohani and the Persistent Minority Question
Born in 1875 at Mohaan village in the Unnao district of present-day Uttar Pradesh, poet-politician Maulana Hasrat Mohani remained eclectic to the point of nihilism … Maulana Hasrat Mohani and the Persistent Minority QuestionRead more
How Did Neanderthals and Other Ancient Humans Learn to Count?
Some 60,000 years ago, in what is now western France, a Neanderthal picked up a chunk of hyena femur and a stone tool and began … How Did Neanderthals and Other Ancient Humans Learn to Count?Read more
Age of hotly debated skull from early human Homo erectus determined
A new study verifies the age and origin of one of the oldest specimens of Homo erectus — a very successful early human who roamed … Age of hotly debated skull from early human Homo erectus determinedRead more