Year: 2012

The Horse from Arabia to Royal Ascot

Published by Jan van der Crabben

The British Museum in London is hosting the new free exhibition The Horse from Arabia to Royal Ascot (24 May to 30 September 2012) on the history of the horse. Discover the epic story of the horse in this special free exhibition – a journey of 5,000 years that has revolutionised human history. The story focuses on two breeds – Arabians, which were prized in the desert for their spirit and stamina, and the Thoroughbred which was selectively bred from Arabians for speed and is now raced at world-famous courses such as Royal Ascot. Objects range from ancient to modern and include depictions of horses in stone reliefs, gold and clay models, horse tack, paintings by George Stubbs, and trophies and rosettes.

Interview: Linking Ancient Rome and Ireland

Published by James Wiener

The Discovery Programme is an Irish public institution for advanced research in Irish archaeology. Its sole activity is to engage in full-time archaeological and related research, in order to enhance our understanding of Ireland’s complex past. Recently, the Discovery Programme has initiated a project of geophysical investigations as part of the Late Iron Age and Roman Ireland (LIARI) Project. In this interview, James Blake Wiener of the Ancient History Encyclopedia speaks with Dr. Jacqueline Cahill-Wilson, Principal Investigator for the LIARI Project. This project seeks, amongst other things, to shed light on settlement and society in Ireland during the first five centuries CE, and will involve a critical reappraisal of the nature and impact of interaction with the Roman world.

Roman Empire Interactive Road Map

Published by Jan van der Crabben

Stanford University has just published ORBIS – The Stanford Geospatial Network Model of the Roman World, an online map of the Roman world, which lets users find travel routes between different locations around the Mediterranean. The tool finds the fastest route on land and sea, as well as its travel time. There are various options, including month of the year, travel type (private on horseback, army, by land only, etc…), and cost. It’s definitely worth a look!

Asian Architectural Treasures in Danger

Published by James Wiener

The Global Heritage Fund has just listed ten sites across Asia, which are in serious danger and need of immediate protection. At the Ancient History Encyclopedia, we take cultural preservation and protection very seriously. Please click here to learn more about the sites from Pakistan’s Express Tribune. Awareness is essential in preserving our diverse cultural treasures.

Hannibal, Strategy, and Career Success?

Published by James Wiener

Canada’s Globe and Mail recently published a review of an unusual book entitled, “Hannibal and Me,” by Andreas Kluth (a journalist for The Economist). Narrating the history of Hannibal’s exploits vis-a-vis the struggles and triumphs of other talented individuals like Steve Jobs, Da Vinci, and Einstein, Kluth ponders the meaning of success across time and space. The end result is thought-provoking and enjoyable reading. To learn more, please click here for the review.

Hohokam Ruins to be Reopened

Published by James Wiener

The Hohokam ruins of Mesa Grande, located near Mesa, Arizona, will be reopened to the public in the fall of 2012 according to Arizona’s East Valley Tribune. The Hohokam were one of the four major prehistoric peoples living in what is today the American Southwest, flourishing in the  Sonoran Desert from c. 1-1450 CE. Well-known for their beautiful ceramics and jewelry, the Hohokam were also skilled engineers who created some of the most advanced and sophisticated irrigation canals in the Americas. Please click here to read the article in its entirety.

Interview: The Glittering World of the Sasanians

Published by James Wiener

The Sasanians of Iran have long played a historical “second fiddle” to their Romano-Byzantine, Indian, and Chinese neighbors. The last of the ancient Persian dynasties and perhaps the most culturally sophisticated of all Persian polities, the Sasanians were a dynamic and commanding force in the world of Late Antiquity. In this interview, James Wiener of the Ancient History Encyclopedia took the opportunity to speak with Professor Touraj Daryaee, an expert on Sasanian culture and politics.

Plumed Serpent Exhibition Review

Published by James Wiener

For those of you interested in all that which is “Mesoamerican,” please check out the Los Angeles Times‘ recent review of “Children of the Plumed Serpent: The Legacy of Quetzalcoatl in Ancient Mexico.” This exhibition is currently on show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art until July 1, 2012 and showcases some of the rarest and finest works by ancient craftsmen from across what is present-day Mexico. Please click here to read the review.

Ancient Peruvian Tombs & DNA

Published by James Wiener

MSNBC is reporting that ancient Peruvian tombs are revealing fascinating genetic and cultural secrets. Throughout the centuries, many Andean peoples in Peru buried their dead in vertical tombs called “chullpas.” Researchers from the University of Warsaw have traced genomic sequences of dozens of individuals, buried in the chullpas, encountering some surprising discoveries. Please click here to read the article in full.