The Great Sphinx of Giza remains a mystery to the world, several thousand years after an ambitious Pharoah built it to rival his father in greatness. What most people know of this great monument today is that it has a human head sitting atop the body of a lion. What they don’t know is…well, quite frankly, there’s a lot most people don’t know about the Sphinx. This is why today, we are going to uncover the strangest secrets of the Sphinx. Hold on tight because the last secret will leave you doubting the very foundation of humanity. Let’s get into it!
Aliens Tombs Found Within The Great Pyramid?
Is it possible that aliens tombs have been found within the Great Pyramid? Watch today’s video to find out!
Catastrophe and Cartography - Ice Age Floods Visualized
Numerous controversial topics are covered in this video. One of the most important points to keep in mind though, is that water and erosion are scale-invariant. In other words we can see the same shapes and patterns, but on radically different scales. The small current ripples that you see along the creek can be found at West Bar Ripples in Washington, but these are orders-of-magnitude larger!
What They Found around the World Could Change History!
Many of us think that the discoveries that could change human history are all behind us already. But far from it... the subsequent discoveries have the potential to have a lasting impact on our knowledge and reorient our view of human history.
Meet Some Of The Last Papyrus Makers In Egypt Keeping A 5,000-Year-Old Craft Alive
Papyrus paper originated in ancient Egypt. Today, just one village still makes the paper, but after a year without tourists, workers are struggling to keep their doors open.
Where did Russia come from?
Russia is the biggest country in the world, spanning one-eighth of the Earth’s landmass. But where did it all begin? Alex Gendler explores the epic history of the Kievan Rus, where characters ranging from Viking raiders and Western crusaders to Byzantine missionaries and Mongol hordes all played a role to create a unique civilization standing at the crossroads of culture and geography.
The Lost City At Jinsha: A Kingdom Buried Under A Chinese Suburb
Archaeologist Agnes Hsu-Tang, director of New York-based China Institute, goes on a quest to answer one of ancient China’s most beguiling mysteries. An ancient kingdom based in Sichuan has been uncovered. Found at Jinsha - an excavation site in a Chengdu suburb - are a gold mask, bronze masks, jade daggers, and tons of ivories.
Who were these people? What did they believe in? And why did they bury such exquisite objects along with their dead? Watch the video to find out!
15 Sea Monsters That Are Scarier Than Megalodon
The fierce Megalodon is a blockbusting creature that terrorized the oceans back before humans walked the earth. Even its name strikes terror from the clear image of how huge it was! But today, we’re going to dive even deeper into the realm of unsettling aquatic predators. From the largest shark ever known to the laziest! Today we’re pursuing 15 Sea Monsters That Are Scarier Than Megalodon!
King Tut's Shocking Origins & Other Amazing Secrets of Ancient Egypt
From secrets discovered in King Tut’s tomb to suspicions of fake busts, these are some of the most mind-blowing ancient Egyptian discoveries made. Enjoy!
Cenozoic Beasts - Animated Size Comparison
In this video we will be comparing our human size to various beasts from the Cenozoic Era. Enjoy!
Ancient Greek Wisdom - The Tools for Life - Plato & Aristotle Quotes
This is a collection of quotes is from Aristotle and Plato, who have put down the groundwork and philosophy to inspire people throughout history. Enjoy!
3 Most Mysterious Bible Stories That Detail Strange Creatures That Experts Cannot Solve
3 most mysterious Bible stories that detail strange creatures that experts cannot solve. Today, we take a look at these 3 mysterious Bible creatures. Enjoy!
The Man That Had 1,000 wives and concubines
We will now talk about Solomon, the man who had 1,000 wives and concubines. Watch the video below for more!
Most BIZARRE Unsolved Mysteries To This Day!
Today’s video will be about the most bizarre unsolved mysteries to this day. Watch it to find out more!
The history of chocolate
If you can’t imagine life without chocolate, you’re lucky you weren’t born before the 16th century. Until then, chocolate only existed as a bitter, foamy drink in Mesoamerica. So how did we get from a bitter beverage to the chocolate bars of today? Deanna Pucciarelli traces the fascinating and often cruel history of chocolate.
The myth of Thor's journey to the land of giants
Thor – son of Odin, god of thunder, and protector of mankind – struggled mightily against his greatest challenge yet: opening a bag of food. How had the mighty god fallen so far? Scott Mellor tells the myth of Thor's journey to Utgard.
The rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire
Most history books will tell you that the Roman Empire fell in the fifth century CE, but this would’ve come as a surprise to the millions who lived in the Roman Empire through the Middle Ages. This Medieval Roman Empire, today called the Byzantine Empire, began when Constantine, the first Christian emperor, moved Rome's capital. Leonora Neville details the rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire.
Why Hagia Sophia Doesn't Collapse? Architect Explains
Nestled in the historical heart of Constantinople, nowadays Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia tells a story deeply interwoven with architectural genius and spiritual significance.
Originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine as a church, it was enveloped in flames during the Nika riots in 532 AD. Over its charred remnants, Emperor Justinian envisioned a new church, incorporating unparalleled architectural innovations and conceptual depth.
The Role of Pendentives
The Hagia Sophia stands as a synthesis of basilican and centralized architectural elements. With architects Isidorus of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles at the helm, the church introduced the pendentive, a triangular structural element that facilitated the placement of a circular dome over a square base. This innovative solution allowed for a simultaneously linear and centralized spatial articulation, intertwining the traditional basilican aisle structure with a dominating central dome.
Structural Acumen
The pendentive does not merely serve a structural purpose but is drenched in symbolic meaning, especially in the context of Hagia Sophia's Christian origin. The reconciliation between the circle, representing the cosmos, and the square, symbolizing the earth, is achieved through the pendentive – a triangle that embodies the Christian Trinity. It unites the cosmic and earthly realms, mediating a divine connection between them.
The Dichotomy with the Pantheon: Material vs. Dematerialization
In comparison to the Pantheon in Rome, Hagia Sophia employs a sophisticated and 'dematerialized' architectural approach. While the Pantheon impresses with its voluminous materiality, Hagia Sophia awes observers with its seeming defiance of gravity and its ethereal interplay of space and light. The Byzantine aesthetic here diverges significantly from the heavy, earth-bound Roman architectural tradition, floating towards an almost otherworldly manifestation.
Light and Material
The Hagia Sophia is emblematic of a divine presence through its strategic and meticulous use of light. Described by historian Procopius as a space singularly brimming with light and sunshine, its interior creates an illusion of an inner source of light, of rays being produced from within. The marble, tesserae, and other materials, each carefully chosen and placed, enhance this ethereal luminosity, converging into a luminous, ornamented surface that speaks of the divine.
An Evolving Symbol of Faith: Navigating through Histories and Cultures
Throughout centuries, Hagia Sophia has donned various spiritual and cultural cloaks. It transitioned from a church to a mosque, then to a public museum, and back to a mosque again, absorbing and reflecting the diverse sociopolitical and religious contexts of its time. Minarets, added during its tenure as a mosque, meld with its Byzantine architectural expression, symbolizing its journey through different epochs and faiths.
Hagia Sophia, standing majestically as a testament to human architectural ingenuity and profound spiritual symbolism, is a melting pot of history, art, and religion. It is not merely a structure but a narrative woven over centuries, reflecting the manifold facets of human civilization, belief, and aesthetic appreciation. From the pioneering introduction of the pendentive to the opulent utilization of light and material, it manifests an intricate blend of tangible reality and the intangible divine, inviting generations across epochs to ponder, marvel, and seek connections between heaven and earth.
Through its ever-evolving roles, from an emperor’s church to its current status as a mosque, Hagia Sophia has and will continue to enchant and mystify humanity with its sublime beauty and layered historical significance. It perpetually oscillates between two realms, being a palpable architectural marvel and an ethereal symbol of the divine interplay between light, space, and faith.
Ancient Egypt Timeline & Mythology Family Tree
In the video below we will go through the Ancient Egypt timeline and Mythology family tree. Enjoy!
Chinese Magic Mirrors are really clever
Sometimes called transparent metal mirrors, these curiosities from China baffles western scientists for 100 years. The way they works is really surprising.
