Archaeologists discovered a secret ‘forbidden room’ that reveals how slaves lived
History and ArcheoloryIn the year 79 A.D, the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the Roman city of Pompeii in ashes. One witness described dust pouring over the land like a flood, spreading darkness over the population. Thousands of people died and no one returned to Pompeii for many years. However, when explorers came in 1748, they…
The best-preserved Guanche mummy reveals its final “secret.”
Archaeology Mystery of TombWhen we hear the word “mummy”, the first thing that comes to mind is a mysterious Egyptian tomb full of winding secret passageways inside which, for all eternity, a bunch of mummies are hidden, resting in their decorated sarcophagi, surrounded by awesome treasures. But the Egyptians were not the only ones who mummified their deceased to…
The unexpected finding of a middle class in the doomed city of Pompeii in A.D. 79
History and ArcheoloryA trunk with its lid left open. A wooden dishware closet, its shelves caved in. Three-legged accent tables topped by decorative bowls. These latest discoveries by archaeologists are enriching knowledge about middle-class lives in Pompeii before Mount Vesuvius’ furious eruption buried the ancient Roman city in volcanic debris. Pompeii’s archaeological park, one of Italy’s top…
Coffin Births Inside: A Horrifying Phenomenon
Archaeology Mystery of TombThanks to embalming practices, coffin births rarely occur these days. However, between the 1600s and 1800s, it wasn’t uncommon for a deceased woman to give birth. In 1551, the Spanish Inquisition was in full swing. Mandated by the Spanish crown, those deemed heretical to Catholic orthodoxy (Jews, Muslims, and a plethora of other peoples) were…
Tomb of the deposed Han emperor shows the grandeur of “the Han dynasty, China”
History and ArcheoloryYuanping. He was originally the ruler of Changyi, later installed by the minister Huo Guang as emperor in 74 BC. Twenty-seven days later, he was deposed and omitted from the official list of emperors, with a total of 1127 examples of misconduct used as evidence in articles of impeachment by palace officials. Liu He was…
The Inca Ice Maiden’s Sacrifice in Mummy Juanita
Archaeology Mystery of TombMomia Juanita (‘Mummy Juanita’) is the name given to the mummy of a 15th century Incan girl who was discovered in Peru in 1995. She is known also as the ‘Lady of Ampato’, and the ‘Inca Ice Maiden’, the first because she was found on the top of Mount Ampato, a dormant volcano in the…
In Sweden, an eight-year-old girl discovers a 1,500-year-old sword in a lake
History and ArcheoloryA new discovery was made recently in the Vidöstern lake from the Jonkoping County in Sweden by an eight-year-old girl. While she was swimming in the lake near her family’s summer home she was throwing around sticks and stones as any child would, when she noticed a very strange looking stick. After picking it up…
Archaeologists have discovered 3,000-year-old ancient tombs of wealthy Chinese clans
Archaeology Mystery of TombA 3,000-year-old cemetery containing the tombs of a wealthy family has been discovered in central China after two years of excavations by archaeologists. The site in Anyang, Henan province, is believed to be home to a clan named “Ce” during the Shang dynasty, the Anyang Institute of Cultural and Archaeological Relics said in a release.…
6,000-year-old skull found in cave in Taiwan possibly confirms legend of Indigenous tribe
History and ArcheoloryA team of researchers with members from Australia, Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam found a 6,000-year-old skull and femur bones in a cave in a mountainous part of Taiwan that might prove the existence of an ancient Indigenous tribe. In their paper published in the journal World Archaeology, the group describes the skull, where it was found and…
Lifelike face of a tattooed Tashtyk man seen for first time behind a stunning gypsum death mask
Archaeology Mystery of TombAged 25 to 30 when he died 1,700 years ago, he is from the mountainous region of modern-day Khakassia. Male Tashtyk mask is kept in the State Hermatage Museum. CT of the mask layer. Pictures: © The State Hermitage Museum. Photo by Vladimir Terebenin, Pavel Demidov, Darya Bobrova A new CT scan has revealed the face behind his painted gypsum death…