MetaFilter posts tagged with archaeology

Akhenaten and Akhetaten

Kattullus — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:55:59 -0800

Akhetaten (a.k.a. Amarna) was the city built by Pharaoh Akhenaten, famous for his monotheistic beliefs and his queen, Nefertiti and son, Tutankhamun. The Amarna Letters has translations of correspondence sent to the Akhenaten, but a trove of it was found at the Amarna site. During his reign a distinctive style of art rose to prominence, only to vanish after his death. The Boston MFA has 40 objects from the era in its collection. Perhaps the most famous of the cultural artifacts of Akhenaten is the Great Hymn to Aten (hieroglyphics, four different English translations: 1, 2, 3, 4). This poem was set to music by Philip Glass for his opera Akhnaten (information about the opera). Some see direct parallels between The Great Hymn to Aten and Psalm 104. Though it was billed as a new beginning, like many utopias, Amarna was no haven for the regular folk who lived there.

What caused the Viking Age?

stbalbach — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:36:24 -0800

What caused the Viking Age? It has long been a source of, er, conflict among Nordic scholars. A new study ($ub-only) suggests the Viking Age was triggered by a shortage of women (lack of).

Haven't heard from your Mummy lately?

grapefruitmoon — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:34:23 -0800

Mummy News : All that's new with mummies. Well... not exactly "new." Some highlights: Can't find your favorite Pharoah? A list of Royal Egyptian Mummies and where they are. Or where we think they are. The saddest mummies of all: the mummified kittens of Egypt Find out which celebrity has a tattoo of Ötzi the Iceman (Who is that Iceman, you ask? Well, you can find out about that, too.) A full line-up of Bog Bodies, including Yde Girl and Tollund Man Mummies around the world - including Chachapoya Mummies from Peru And some... accidental... mummies as well.

Did earthquakes give rise to Rome?

stbalbach — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:31:02 -0800

A Jared Diamond-like theory of history - did earthquakes contribute to the rise of ancient civilizations? Thirteen of 15 major ancient civilizations were clustered mostly along tectonic boundaries. "It's not a connection that seems to make much sense at first glance. But you can't ignore the pattern--look at a map, and it just jumps out at you." (Abstract).

Eric Force calculated the probability that the sites were randomly located, given that plenty of suitable land was available for settlement. The number crunching suggests that 13 of the 15 sites aren't the product of chance. Instead, ancient people appear to have chosen to snuggle up close to a tectonic crack-- often within 75 kilometers--despite the risk of quakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. (The exceptions were in ancient Egypt and China.)

Ancient Oases

homunculus — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:12:29 -0800

10 Incredible Ancient Oases.

Mayan Ruins Filter: Possible Portal to the Underworld Found in Mexico

grapefruitmoon — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:02:58 -0800

Mayan Ruins Filter: Possible Portal to the Underworld found in Mexico. Included in the underwater tunnels (video) are two underground temples and human bones - possibly the remains of human sacrifices. BBC Look at the underwater tunnels. Previously on MeFi: Mapping Mayan Ruins with Muons The Mayan World Maya Cities Exhibition Site

Mayan Muons and Unmapped Rooms

homunculus — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:34:04 -0800

Ghost Particles & Pyramids: How physicists and archaeologists “see” inside ancient monuments.

Lost Tribes of the Green Sahara

homunculus — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:00:29 -0800

Lost Tribes of the Green Sahara. "How a dinosaur hunter uncovered the Sahara's strangest Stone Age graveyard."

England's Rock Art

homunculus — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:45:29 -0800

England's Rock Art. "Amongst the outcrops and boulders of northern England keen eyes may spot an array of mysterious symbols carved into the rock surfaces. These curious marks vary from simple, circular hollows known as 'cups' to more complex patterns with cups, rings, and intertwining grooves. Many are in spectacular, elevated locations with extensive views but some are also found on monuments such as standing stones and stone circles, or within burial mounds. The carvings were made by Neolithic and Early Bronze Age people between 3500 and 6000 years ago." [Via Life in the Fast Lane]

Persia

homunculus — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:05:12 -0800

Persia: Ancient Soul of Iran. "A glorious past inspires a conflicted nation."