When we read about wars, revolutionary scientific discoveries, and other events that altered the course of mankind, we often think of the big picture: paradigms shifted, societies transformed, etc. And while these, let's call them, measures are important, we have to remember that there were people—real people—who laughed and cried just like we do. Luckily, the Facebook page History Addicts is here to remind us of that. Whether it shares an image of an ancient artifact or a school "bus" from the 1930s, its uploads never lose the human touch.
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The ruins of Whitby Abbey, with drone lighting showing how it would have looked complete.
Photography ~ DRIFT/Cyberdrone
Gary Drostle's "Fishpond" mosaic showcases a captivating illustration of shadows. This artwork employs two distinct types of shadows, each serving a unique purpose.
The primary shadows play a crucial role in shaping and adding a sense of realism to the fish depicted in the mosaic.
In addition to the primary shadows, Drostle incorporates another type of shadow, which can be referred to as "shadow shadows." These shadows serve a different purpose, acting as a connecting element between the fish and the water in the mosaic.
By strategically placing these shadows, Drostle creates a seamless transition between the fish and their aquatic environment, enhancing the overall cohesion and harmony of the artwork.
A powerful portrait of Private Walter Henry Chibnall, who died at Passchendaele in 1917, alongside his son, Billy, who died as a POW in WWII. Both made the ultimate sacrifice for Australia.
Tricycle of 3 year old boy named Shin, who died 1,500 meters from the hypocenter of Hiroshima atomic bombing, 1945
A family in West Berlin, showing their children to the grandparents living on the other side of the Berlin Wall, in East Berlin, in 1961
The fireplace in Little Moreton Hall, constructed between 1504 and 1610 CE, may appear crooked at first glance, but it is, in fact, perfectly straight. The real culprit is the room itself—warped and uneven due to centuries of shifting and settling. Renowned as one of the wonkiest buildings in England, this iconic Tudor manor charms visitors with its distinctive, gravity-defying architecture and crooked charm.
1925 Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe - 1935 modified edition with extravagant bodywork created by Henri and Joseph Jonckheere
Before and after- 2009 above and 2023 below
The 179-yard-long Earlsheaton Tunnel, part of the Great Northern Railway’s loop line from Batley to Wakefield via Dewsbury, opened in 1876 and closed to all traffic in 1965.
In 2012, it was reopened for the use of a ‘greenway’ for cycling and walking
A remarkable 387-year-old handwritten shopping list, dated October 1633, was discovered beneath the floorboards of a London home. Penned by Robert Draper, the letter details various household necessities, including greenfish, pewter spoons, and a frying pan. Now preserved in the National Trust collection, the list reads:
“Mr. Bilby, I pray provide to be sent tomorrow in the cart some greenfish,
The lights from my Lady Cranfield’s chamber,
Two dozen of pewter spoons,
One great fireshovel for the nursery,
And the others, which were sent to be exchanged for some of a better fashion,
A new frying pan,
Together with a note of the prices of such commodities for the rest.”
Your loving friend,
Robert Draper,
October 1633, Copthall.
This rare document offers a fascinating glimpse into 17th-century domestic life and the essentials of a well-stocked household.
2000 year old sapphire ring that belonged to Roman emperor Caligula, depicting his fourth wife Caesonia
An intricately adorned bone comb from the early medieval period, discovered in a warrior's burial site in Fridingen, Germany. The comb, dating back to the early 7th century CE, was stored in a protective case to safeguard its fragile teeth. It is currently on display at the Landesmuseum Württemberg.
The oldest, most complete bible on Earth. The Ethiopian bible, which was written on goat skin, was the world’s first illustrated Christian Bible and was written around the early fifth century.
X-ray scans of Carreño de Miranda’s 1681 portrait of King Charles II of Spain have uncovered a fascinating hidden layer beneath the surface. The scans reveal that the artist painted over an earlier portrait of the king, depicting him at a much younger age. This discovery provides new insights into the evolving portrayal of the monarch and the artistic decisions made to reflect his changing appearance and status over time.
A preserved Neanderthal footprint, atleast 40,000 years old. Grotte di Toirano, Liguria, Italy.
16th century Italian parade shield, depicting ‘The Judgement of Paris’, sculpted by Leone Leoni.
Nestled in Aydin Province, Turkey, the Stadium of Aphrodisias stands as a remarkable testament to ancient architectural prowess. Renowned as the most impeccably preserved stadium in the Mediterranean region, it showcases an extraordinary level of preservation. Boasting impressive dimensions, it stretches across a length of 262 meters and spans a width of 59 meters. With a seating capacity of 30,000 spectators, accommodated across 22 rows of seats, this grand structure also ranks among the largest stadiums of its kind in antiquity.
In the 1930s, companies that made things such as flour and potatoes, realised that poor families were using the sacks to make clothes for their children. In response to this, many of the companies began putting patterns of shapes and flowers on to make them more appealing once turned into clothing
A Romanian woman used a million-dollar amber nugget as a doorstop for decades.
Thieves who robbed her house missed it completely, taking only gold jewelry. After her death in 1991, the 3.5kg piece, up to 70 million years old, became a national treasure at Buzau Museum.
A 13th century map of Britain by Matthew Paris – Paris was a Benedictine monk who was well known in 13th century England for writing and illustrating several manuscripts including a number of maps. This particular image of Britain features no fewer than 252 places including 81 cathedrals and monasteries, 41 castles and 33 ports.
1,900 years ago, Emperor Nero shocked Rome twice - first by marrying a young man named Sporus in a lavish ceremony, then by becoming a bride himself in a wedding to Pythagoras
A B-25 bomber crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building in 1945, after getting lost in heavy fog
A 1,200-mile living wall of thorny plants once divided India - the Great Hedge, built in the 1840s by British rulers to stop salt smuggling. After being abandoned in 1879, it vanished into history until an old memoir revealed its existence in 1995.
In Spartan society, only women who died in childbirth and warriors who fell in battle were honored with marked headstones. This was because they were seen as having made the ultimate sacrifice in fulfilling their societal roles.
The Macedonian warrior's helmet and burial mask, dating back to around 520 BC, were discovered in Tomb 115 in Sindos and are currently housed in the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum. This remarkable artifact consists of a gold sheet that was carefully placed over the warrior's face, preserving the imprint of his features.
Alexander the Great named over 70 cities after himself. Alexander the Great conquered over 2 million square miles of the Earth's surface. He did this all before he was 30 years old.
A 16th-century female skull from Venice, discovered with a brick lodged in her mouth—a practice stemming from the belief that she was a vampire. This ritual was intended to prevent her from preying on plague victims.
Constructed in the early 1500s, Bowhead House stood as a prominent structure in Edinburgh, Scotland. However, in 1878, this historical edifice met its demise when it was demolished. The loss of Bowhead House was deeply felt by the local community, who regarded it as a cherished relic of the old city. The Scotsman edition of 8 February 1878 also lamented the passing of this distinctive architectural marvel, often described as an 'inverted pyramid.' Situated in the Lawnmarket area of Edinburgh, Bowhead House held a significant place in the city's history and its disappearance left a void in the hearts of many.
This personal battle axe belongs to Nadir Shah who invaded India and massacred Delhi in A.D. 1739. It is inscribed with verses from the holy Quran, Nadir Shah's name and the title Sahib-i-Qiran. There are only three Sahib-i-Qirans in Mughal history namely Timur, Shah Jahan and Nadir-Shah.
3000 year old pristine Bronze Age sword discovered in Germany. This is an exceptionally rare find and it is believed to have been used in ceremonies or as a symbol of high status
Foot At The West Bow, Edinburgh by Louise Ingram Rayner (1832-1924) watercolour and gouache
