A kneeling crossbowman from the Terracotta Army assembled for the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang (r. 221–210 BC)
The history of China can be likened to a majestic tapestry threaded with innovative technologies and embellished with the exquisite artifacts of a prolific culture. Intertwined in this more than 4,000-year-old history are the wars and periods of peace that have lent definition to the complex evolution of this most populous modern nation. Continue reading
Posted in Ancient Origins, Architecture, Blog, Culture, Engineering, Politics, Public Life, Science and Technology, War and Violence
Tagged Ancient China, ancient engineering, ancient history, ancient mysteries, Ancient Origins, ancient tombs, AntiquityNOW, Qin Shi Huang, Qin Shi Huang tomb, social studies curriculum, Terracotta Army
Saffron. Exotic, expensive, ancient. Have you ever considered the origin of this delightfully complex spice with its rich color and flavor? Today we’re bringing you a spectacular springtime recipe for Lemon Buttermilk Pie with Saffron, along with a brief history of the brilliant golden spice it features.
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In ancient Rome, the fasces, symbolized strength through unity.
In Part 1, “Tricks of the Trade: From Ancient Symbols to a $70 Billion Brand” we looked at how symbols and branding have been around for millennia. Indeed, humankind has an innate need to belong, and to embrace that belonging with some outward expression of attachment. Whether it be the demonstration of national identity with flags and blood-stirring national anthems, team spirit with the sporting of football colors, ladies with attitude in purple and red hats or political candidates in party lockstep with precision soundbites, we join, cleave to, pledge allegiance to and meld into the single identity that gives meager individuals a sense of purpose and being. Continue reading
It’s AntiquityNOW Month! Create a beautiful mural with artist Dan Fenelon’s paint by number design for AntiquityNOW inspired by the Minoan “Fresco of the Dolphins” on the island of Knossos near the north coast of Crete.
“War-of-the-worlds-tripod” by Henrique Alvim Correa,1906
May 6 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary American filmmaker Orson Wells. Hear his infamous radio recasting of War of the Worlds and listen to his conversation with the book’s author H.G. Wells as they share their surprise at the public’s hysteria at this fictional account of a Martian invasion. (For a real treat, watch a countdown of Wells’ best films here.) As well, discover how flying machines have been a motif in numerous cultures for millennia. Click here.
Posted in Blog
Tagged AntiquityNOW, AntiquityNOW month, history of flying machines, Orson Wells, War of the Worlds
During AntiquityNOW Month in May, we celebrate past lives and how their contributions continue to influence us today. Originally published on August 20, 2013, The Invention of the Wheel: How Ancient Sumerians Got Humanity Rollin’ relates the fascinating history behind the invention of the wheel. What better way to acknowledge the ingenuity of our ancestors than by lauding those who got humanity rolling? And now, we’ve added a new activity at the end of the article that helps you explore more about the world’s oldest wheel, which is crafted from ash and oak, dated to 3,200 BCE and discovered in modern-day Slovenia. Click here to read the original article or scroll down to get right to the activities! Let’s get rollin’! Continue reading
Posted in Blog
Tagged ancient history, AntiquityNOW, history of the wheel, invention of the wheel, Ljubljana Marshes, Sumerian wheel
May Day was last Friday, but it’s not too late to celebrate the fresh and breezy month of May and the ushering in of a warm and beautiful spring! The Celts loved the change in seasons and they celebrated with the Beltane festival. There was plenty of food and drink, of course. But like other ancient cultures, the seasonal festival reflected the Celts’ deep spiritual intertwining with the natural world around them. Continue reading
The human mind is complex, elegantly fashioned and constantly surprising us as to its capacity. A recent study by a team of MIT neuroscientists has found that the brain can process images that are seen by the human eye for as little as 13 milliseconds, evidence of the extraordinary processing speed of the mind. Mary Potter, an MIT professor of brain and cognitive sciences and senior author of the study, observes: “The fact that you can do that at these high speeds indicates to us that what vision does is find concepts. That’s what the brain is doing all day long — trying to understand what we’re looking at.”[1] Continue reading
Posted in Art, Blog, Communications, Culture, Public Life
Tagged ancient history, ancient marketing, ancient symbols, AntiquityNOW, cornucopia, ichthus, ichthys, okay sign, swastika
It’s AntiquityNOW Month! Pictograms and pictographs have been telling stories for thousands of years. Read more here. Click here to visit a website with instructions on how to create your very own hand stencil.
The origins of ice cream most likely began with ice that was flavored with fruit and essences by the ancient Chinese around 3000 BCE. Posted in Blog
Tagged Ancient China, ancient desserts, ancient history, ancient ice cream, AntiquityNOW
AntiquityNOW 