This Twitter Account Shares Interesting Historical Facts The World Should Not Forget (40 Pics)
History is full of war, famine, and plague, but you can't accuse it of being cruel. It's what we made it. So if anything, it's people who are vicious and wicked. The past is just... indifferent. An open book, ready to be explored. Or in this case, a Twitter account.
Ran by Dr. Mohammad Firoz Khan, 'Archaeo - Histories' is an interesting little online project that shares easy-to-digest educational snippets. The word "archaeo" suggests the account revolves around ancient civilizations and while it's true for the most part, every now and then it also features an event, person, or artifact from more recent times.
And you couldn't find a better person to run the show. "I'm a researcher, author, and freelance archaeologist with a profound interest in ancient history who holds a Ph.D. in history and specializes in archaeology," Dr. Mohammad Firoz Khan told Bored Panda. "I'm always eager to learn more about history and the ancient past of mankind and want to share my knowledge and ideas with others."
Since Dr. Mohammad Firoz Khan considers themselves a researcher first, they're always immersed in articles, books, and debates. This allows the historian to acquire more authentic and unbiased sources. "My followers usually like content from the pre-historic period to Renaissance. Usually, they prefer to learn about the rare and unique content and finds across the globe, throughout all the civilizations. I also try hard to cover [everything] with reliable sources."
Continue scrolling to check out some of the most intriguing tweets 'Archaeo - Histories' has blessed its followers with.
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According to historian, college administrator, amateur homesteader, and writer Joshua Wilkey, the bond between archaeology and history is very strong. The two disciplines go hand in hand.
"For some periods of time, virtually the only historical source material we have is the archaeological record," Wilkey told Bored Panda. "Therefore, particularly for historical periods and cultures for which there is little remaining written record, it is essential to use the items left behind as a means of seeking to better understand a given ancient culture."
But that wasn't always the case. Given the impact of imperialism on ancient cultures, Wilkey said that much of the 'history' written by European and US scholars in the late 19th century and the first three-quarters of the 20th century was written from a distinctly Anglocentric point of view. "Archaeologists and anthropologists have often uncovered evidence that counters those Anglocentric narratives as a means of preserving the history of non-European cultures and societies as they were rather [different] than as European colonizers wrote them. Often, in my own experience, I find that historians and anthropologists and archaeologists working in tandem are better able to contextualize and interpret the history of pre-colonial cultures and societies. For example, where I live in the mountains of North Carolina, archaeologists and anthropologists work with historians and linguists to preserve Cherokee history in a way that honors indigenous culture. This is generally a means of countering the narrative that interprets indigenous peoples as extinct or somehow in the past tense, and this work is essential in preserving history and historical memory."
We can dig even deeper. Talking about the things we have inherited from ancient civilizations, Wilkey cautions his students to question the greatness of Western Civilization.
"Over the past three generations, historians have increasingly and necessarily rejected the notion of Western Civilization (roughly defined as the study of primarily Greek and Roman history) as the primary driver of progress in the modern world," he explained. "For example, when I began my career, I taught a course called 'Western Civilization 1', which focused on Ancient Greece and Rome. In previous generations, this course would have instilled in students a sense of importance about the 'classics' (Greek and Roman history and literature) in preserving the alleged greatness of European culture. Absent for generations from the teaching of Western Civilization were people of color and the realities of imperialism and subjugation. Eventually, 'Western Civilization' became 'Western Civilizations', then we dropped the 'Western' bit altogether, more accurately calling the course 'Ancient & Medieval Europe', and including in the course critical analysis of race, class, and gender rather than focusing on the alleged greatness of 'Western' culture, whatever that was even supposed to mean."
You could make a case that archaeology is one of the reasons behind this shift.
"One of the things archaeology teaches us is that history is full of great civilizations from all corners of the globe," Wilkey said. "It is disingenuous at best to focus primarily on Greece and Rome as somehow the greatest of the ancient civilizations when Arabic, Asian, and indigenous American civilizations thrived in the millennia before European imperialism."
The historian highlighted that it's enough to learn that gunpowder was invented in China in the 9th Century and was in widespread use in weaponry by the 11th Century, while Europeans were using swords and trebuchets on war to understand that great civilizations existed in places other than Europe. "Without interdisciplinary work involving both history and archaeology, such comparative historical work would be much more challenging."
By now several of these trees are growing and producing fruit. So cool!
Wilkey is well-versed in the part history, as a subject, has in internet culture and he's really glad to see that people have largely moved past the before-mentioned false narratives.
"Perhaps my favorite historical meme of the moment is the British Museum meme which rightly portrays the British as looters of the highest order. Perhaps because the British Museum became a great collector of stolen artifacts, many in Europe and the US came to think of Europeans as the 'discoverers' of the world," Wilkey explained. "It is essential to note, though, that when looters from the Royal Museum arrived to plunder, they were plundering the remains of breathtakingly advanced societies of the past. It's important to focus on the theft of artifacts by Europeans, but more important to recognize the amazing and rich non-European (and necessarily non-White) civilizations of the world."
"In archaeology, we have the opportunity to recognize greatness anywhere it exists, even (and perhaps necessarily) in places it has not previously been recognized in the primary historical narrative we think about in the US and Europe."
Archaeology is a brilliant example that shows how studying the past can help us progress into the future.
The good news is that it seems there's still plenty of things for us to unearth. In 2021, for example, archaeologists have discovered perforated shells dating back 150,000 years (which they believe to be the oldest jewelry in the world) and 4,000-year-old etchings on a slab that looks like an ancient 3D map. Who knows what treasures are still waiting to be dug up.
Had one, it was beautiful. Funniest bit about it: it was about 35-40 kg. And nothing to grab or hold on to. My mom suggested to my dad that it would look so much nicer in the large upstairs bathroom. So he somehow dragged it upstairs on the narrow stairs. Mom: "hmmmm.... I think it's better where it was, you don't mind bringing it back down, right?"
Age is controversial: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Smith_(Chippewa_Indian)#Biography
I had to look twice to realize it is really a carpet and not, you know, a building.
"With this finger-ring I take you to be my wedded wife." would raise quite some eyebrows. Including those of the bride.
Ditto... I am going to fall to death by imagination.. By the way, there is a fort in Maharashtra with similar steps. I think there is a video on YouTube. You might want to look
Load More Replies...Like a "meatbag" LMAO I can hear and picture this.
Load More Replies...in japan also, the stairs of the old castles are very steep, I descend them face against the stairs, much more practical
I grew up with no hand rails and deep set staircases, never fell down once, I just had to bring it up cos everyone always thinks it’s so bad and especially for kids, it’s not if you’re taught properly.
Load More Replies...Just imagine accidentally tripping off the edge killing four+ other people as well :) sweet dreams
The "Seven Thousand Steps" in Skyrim, built by the pre-Nord civilization untold centuries ago, to climb to the top of "the Throat of the World" with a height of 766.5 meters above sea level, in order to build High Hrothgar. maxresdefa...d47a79.jpg
It only takes one person to trip, and everyone is going down!
If I ever made it to the top of there, I would *never* make it back down again!
I climbed those stairs in 2009, not knowing it was the 'stair of death' while at Machu Picchu
I have friends who wouldn't think twice about riding their mountain bikes down this.
I had to descend a much wider, but equally precipitous, flight of stairs, once, it took me nearly 3 hours because I suddenly developed a fear of heights. This would require me to allow an extra 12 hours as I went down each one on my bottom crying with fear.
Incas had a stick rule of no bananas on the way up or down for fear of a misplaced peel. good rule.
I always wish they would put the roofs back on the buildings instead of letting them erode. Machu Picchu itself will likely be gone in a couple centuries.
It's not as bad as the photo makes it look, actually the easier part of climbing Huayna Picchu, going up is scarier, its just a narrow path with a sheer drop with only a rusty wire as a warning, with rusted out signs that you can barely make out the wording "peligro" Then there was a boulder with a narrow walkway chipped out, a rather mangy rope to hold onto as you crept around, then a boulder that you need to climb thru to get to the top. At least that's how it used to be, now that the old hotel has been taken over by a hotel conglomerate, things have improved somewhat. In the past, there was a small hut at the start of the trail where you wrote your name down and your starting time, then when you descended, you wrote the end time. We used to joke that at the end of the day, they looked at the bottom of the mountain for the people who didn't sign out. Now they actually have some guides/monitors on Huayna Picchu with walkies to call for help if there's an emergency.
One of these tourists attractions that you immediately regret going on once you climbed the first 100 feet.
If I was ever to be eaten by this creatures, I think I would easily hide between his teeth and then given the chance I would escape
I'm from Bologna! In the Middle Ages a tower was a status symbol, every wealthy family had one. Sadly during '800 renovation may towers were destroyed to make space for bigger roads.
They are talking about two different things. But is is true. While renovating the natural harbour in Roskilde in Denmark, where the museum is situated, they found 9 ships ranging from around year 1000 to 1330. The longest, Roskilde 6, being 37.4 metres long. https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/nyheder/roskildeskibene-og-verdens-laengste-vikingeskib
Surely this was ceremonial and not for battles. I cannot imagine it being practical at all.
Nope, not Dracula's castle. We went to Drac's "castle" in 1979. We were told that he had "several" castles and none of them were in any shape to "visit." However, the one we did go to was restored and we were assured that it looked pretty much like it would have. However, Romania was communist at the time and the guides were all "government employees" and sometimes they just didn't want to be bothered by actually having to do their job. However, if you ever go to this area, there is a really great restaurant [if it still exists] called the Dacia Hut. Great food. Way up in the mountains.
In the British Museum, of course. Many people outside the UK have to go to London to see their national treasures.
Seems like the legend of Freddy Kruger, has been around longer than I thought! 🤔
There is a wine bottle which was found in Speyer which is believed to be the oldest intact wine bottle still containing its fluids. (A mix of wine and others fluids, as well as olive oil to preserve the wine!) I am not quite sure how old the bottle is supposed to be tho!
Imagine if people were less arrogant and had left these in situ until we had the technology/ability to preserve these pigments for posterity.
So in less than 2 years we have an anniversary of the tomb being opened? Anyone else feel uneasy about it?
This is not the staircase of Chenonceau and Da Vinci designed the staircase of the Castle of Chambord, Another Loire castle and this is also not a picture of that staircase .... as that is a double helix open staircase.
Weren´t these proven to be collector items, kinda like prop swords from videogames? For fans of classic novels like Vampyre and Dracula?
Considering how careful archaeologists are, the effort that went into this would’ve been monumental.
The final boss battle! The armour is the loot you get. This looks really incredible.
Sadly, the only part of him on display that is genuine these days is his head. His body is a replica as it wasn't preserved as well after discovery.
The process to achieve this is very fascinating. Apparently, it takes a very long time and not every monk who attempts this is successful. I can't imagine how those who failed must feel.
"an adult male... her face..." Something may have gone wrong with the translation.
But it’s not safe! Needs the extra British Museumic protection!!!!
Yeah, I've seen this before! The water that the diver is in has no sea life, and is pretty much sediment-free. Pretty cool!
Don't be daft - If you go to Wells, Bristol, Oxford and Hereford Cathedrals (which are all reasonably young in the grand scheme of things), you will find tombs / carvings and graves dating back way further than the 1200's !! In fact, my last little jaunt down to Dartmouth in Devon to St Petroc's church on the headland had at least 10 incumbent (ie buried under the flagstones in the church) that dated back to the early 1100's .......
Bhudevi is the Goddess who represents Earth/ground and one of the Avatar of Goddess Laxhmi. As well as Varaha(Boar)deva is one of the 10th principal avatars of Lord Vishnu where he lifts the Earth or Bhumati out of the Cosmic Ocean.
I might be thinking of a different site, but wasn't this castle built using pounded earth? It's a fantastic and ecological building material. It's unfortunate I part because of racism and white blindness there has been little exploration and research done on it which means no schools teach it and no building codes allow it. Generally I don't know how earthships are allowed to use it.
"Hey Horus, look at my balls!" "Shut up. I've got sky things to do, like taxes."
I wonder why he moved the capital? Ours was moved because it was too close to the US and the two big metropolises of the day tried fighting it out. Out of irritation and the need for a compromise our first prime Minister suggested a tiny logging village half way in between the two. The queen agreed and Ottawa was "born". Must to the horror of Toronto and Montreal. First capital was Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
How are most of these 'historical facts'??? Interesting historical things is more apt.
Wow, I’m not sure what cursed magic you have that you got two of the bots on your tail.
Load More Replies...A lot of comments regarding the British Museum's acquisition of other country's cultural objects. What about the Vatican collections?
To the British people defending the theft of resources and artifacts from multiple lands, why is that when you stole other nation's resources, you should be thanked by us for stealing our culture but then you draw complicated immigration processes for the same people to legally come to your country and your politicians call them barbarians? If looting is a matter of pride, how about let other nations do the same. But you have a double standard and that's the problem we have. You cannot condemn ISIS as savages for destroying monuments and engage in your typical white supremacist tsk tsk while simultaneously defending your own extremists for looting our wealth and stealing our cultural heritage and building your so called modern state because of that loot. That makes you a bloody hypocrite.
Mr. Shah, you have thoroughly proved your historical knowledge on multiple occasions throughout this post. Yes, you know things, we get it! However you don't seem to comprehend that we no longer live in the Victorian era over here in old Blighty. Many items have been returned to their home countries, many items have a rotational display agreement between countries so that all can enjoy. It was 200+ years ago that the 'evil Britons ' tried to dominate the universe, and you're blaming modern day Britain? Will you hate the entirety of Germany because of all the national treasures the Nazi's stole? For the love of God LET IT GO!!!
Load More Replies...Wow! Wow! Wow! This is just incredible and just adds to the list of things I have to explore. Thanks
Its just a history lesson, its should not be an interesting fact, its history.
How are most of these 'historical facts'??? Interesting historical things is more apt.
Wow, I’m not sure what cursed magic you have that you got two of the bots on your tail.
Load More Replies...A lot of comments regarding the British Museum's acquisition of other country's cultural objects. What about the Vatican collections?
To the British people defending the theft of resources and artifacts from multiple lands, why is that when you stole other nation's resources, you should be thanked by us for stealing our culture but then you draw complicated immigration processes for the same people to legally come to your country and your politicians call them barbarians? If looting is a matter of pride, how about let other nations do the same. But you have a double standard and that's the problem we have. You cannot condemn ISIS as savages for destroying monuments and engage in your typical white supremacist tsk tsk while simultaneously defending your own extremists for looting our wealth and stealing our cultural heritage and building your so called modern state because of that loot. That makes you a bloody hypocrite.
Mr. Shah, you have thoroughly proved your historical knowledge on multiple occasions throughout this post. Yes, you know things, we get it! However you don't seem to comprehend that we no longer live in the Victorian era over here in old Blighty. Many items have been returned to their home countries, many items have a rotational display agreement between countries so that all can enjoy. It was 200+ years ago that the 'evil Britons ' tried to dominate the universe, and you're blaming modern day Britain? Will you hate the entirety of Germany because of all the national treasures the Nazi's stole? For the love of God LET IT GO!!!
Load More Replies...Wow! Wow! Wow! This is just incredible and just adds to the list of things I have to explore. Thanks
Its just a history lesson, its should not be an interesting fact, its history.