Ancient Egypt has made numerous contributions to human civilization, including the pyramids, the mummification process, the production of papyri, as well as art and architecture. Few, however, would ever guess that one of the modern world’s most recognizable heroes may… Continue Reading
Nowruz, known as the Persian new year, is one of the most ancient celebrations in history and has been celebrated for around 4000 years in what is now Iran and in the extended cultural area known as Greater Iran. It… Continue Reading
Ancient people had vivid imaginations. Numerous creatures such as angels, dragons, griffins, etc. are a part of our various ancient cultures. This begs the question for many an anthropologist, can we recover the meaning behind these artful creations. http://apps.ohiohistory.org/ohioarchaeology/can-we-recover-the-meanings-of-ancient-art/
Replica shows visage of 16 year old fighter buried with her weapons and horses. Is this the face of an ancient Amazon female warrior? Her remains – unearthed in the Altai Mountains – suggest likenesses to the fabled all-female virgin… Continue Reading
The last line of a 17th century poem by John Donne prompted Louise Noble’s quest. “Women,” the line read, are not only “Sweetness and wit,” but “mummy, possessed.” Sweetness and wit, sure. But mummy? In her search for an explanation,… Continue Reading
An interesting paper by Max Dashu on the Gnostic Goddess. https://www.academia.edu/10319559/The_Gnostic_Goddess_Female_Power_and_the_Fallen_Sophia
In the Tsimshian belief system, there are spirits everywhere, some helpful, some not so helpful If we respect them and treat them well, they all can be helpful. In the traditional Tsimshian healing practices I learned from my ancestors, these… Continue Reading
On Friday the 13th, as Walt Disney Pictures releases its third Cinderella, one has to wonder why yet another? There is no scarcity of Cinderella tales—folklorists have identified more than 700 different variants around the world. How to explain the… Continue Reading
The Olmecs of southern Mexico were probably the first to ferment, roast, and grind cacao beans for drinks and gruels, possibly as early as 1500 B.C., said Hayes Lavis, a cultural arts curator for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the… Continue Reading
Before the acceptance of Christianity, Roman polytheism was dominant in the western world. Rome’s borders extended as far west as Britain and as far east as modern day Greece and Turkey. To help ease the transition to Christianity, the Christians… Continue Reading