Existing for over a thousand years, the Roman empire was one of the most advanced civilizations for its time. However, with such a long and rich history, it is no wonder why so many misconceptions exist about it. In todays video, we will be looking at some of the most common myths about the Roman Empire.
Has Atlantis Been Found?
Plato's account of Atlantis is one of the most famous and enduring legends in human history. In his dialogues "Timaeus" and "Critias," Plato describes Atlantis as a highly advanced civilization that existed thousands of years ago. According to his account, Atlantis was a prosperous and powerful city-state that sank into the ocean after it angered the gods.
Plato's story of Atlantis begins with the philosopher Critias recounting a conversation he had with his grandfather, who had heard the story from the ancient Athenian statesman Solon. Solon had traveled to Egypt and had learned about Atlantis from the priests there, who claimed that their civilization was older than any other on Earth.
In the story, Atlantis was ruled by a series of kings who were descended from Poseidon, the god of the sea. The Atlanteans were said to have created a utopian society, with advanced technology, sophisticated architecture, and a highly organized political system. The city itself was said to be constructed of precious metals, including gold, silver, and bronze.
However, as the Atlanteans became more prosperous and powerful, they became arrogant and began to act disrespectfully toward the gods. According to the story, Zeus, the king of the gods, became angry and decided to punish the Atlanteans by causing a catastrophic earthquake and flood that destroyed their civilization and caused the city to sink beneath the ocean.
What happened to the missing half of the Colosseum?
The short answer to what happened to the missing half of the Colosseum is: earthquakes and popes, in that order. Watch the video below to find out more!
Possible Remains of a Grim Ancient Egyptian Ritual Include a Pit of Severed Hands
A recent analysis suggests that the twelve severed hands discovered heaped up in the courtyard of an ancient Egyptian palace may have been the product of a macabre "trophy-taking" ritual by an outsider.
As early as the New Kingdom, which lasted from the 16th to the 11th centuries BCE, inscriptions and reliefs from Egyptian tombs and temples show hands that have been cut off or amputated. The real amputated hands have never been discovered or examined by archaeologists before, claim the study's authors.
According to the study's authors, "they belonged to at least eleven males and maybe one female, which may suggest that women and warfare were not poles apart."
The researchers examined the right hands that were discovered in 2011 and were buried in three different pits in the courtyard of the Hyksos palace at Avaris/Tell el-Dab'a in northeastern Egypt.
The palace was built during the 15th Dynasty (1640–1530 BCE), a time when the Hyksos kings controlled over Lower and Middle Egypt up to the modern-day city of El Quseyya, which was then known as Cusae. It was once believed that the Hyksos were Egyptian invaders and that their monarchs were the first foreign rulers of the civilization. However, current research suggests that this notion may have been false.
The severed hands discovered in the pits, according to the German and Austrian study team, are from at least 12 adults, while the finding of numerous fragmentary hands and fingers suggests that there may have been as many as 18 hands in all.
The researchers, led by paleopathologist Julia Gresky of the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin, first looked at taphonomic explanations for the hands' specific positioning. After death, bodies and body parts are examined by taphonomy to evaluate the processes of preservation, decomposition, and fossilization.
The researchers believe the severed hands may have been placed on purpose, even though it is typical for human parts to drift apart over time, be forcefully separated by flood or scavenger, or progressively separated by weathering and erosion.
The authors state that the hands were buried with their fingers widely spread, mostly on their palmar sides, after any associated pieces of the forearm were removed.
Six of the 12 hands analyzed had intact proximal row carpal bones, a group of 8 tiny bones in the wrist that connects hands to forearms. Researchers believe the hands were purposefully severed by slicing through the joint capsule and then cutting through the tendons that connect the wrist because no lower arm bone fragments were discovered.
Gresky and colleagues state that "mutilating persons without concern to their life is often done by cutting the arm at any anatomical position."
"This approach leaves a portion of the lower arm still linked to the hand, but it is quicker and simpler. If this was the case, individuals presenting the hands or those in charge of the event cared enough about how they were presented to cut off portions of the lower arm "add the authors.
The fact that the hands were still "soft and pliable" when they were found in the pits, according to the experts, suggests that they were either buried before the onset of rigor mortis or shortly after it had gone.
After a few hours, rigor mortis peaks around 12 to 24 hours and, depending on factors including humidity, temperature, and the age and physical condition of the deceased, often diminishes between 1 to 3 days.
For example, rigor mortis of the hand often starts 6 to 8 hours after death. Onset differs for various bodily regions as well. So, the researchers came to the conclusion that the bodies were probably dismembered during or just before a ceremony, and that the hands were then buried in the pit once rigor mortis had gone.
The researchers claim that right-hand amputation was used by the Hyksos in Egypt between 50 and 80 years before it was mentioned in tomb hieroglyphs.
According to a relief depicting a mass of hands at King Ahmose's temple in Abydos, "the Egyptians adopted this ritual at the latest in his reign," they write.
The authors state that one of the most crucial concerns this study seeks to address is whether the mutilation served as a sort of punishment or a reward for military success.
"The concept of law-enforcing punishment as the motivation for these acts argues against the location, treatment, and possibly posture of the severed hands," they contend.
On the magnificent forecourt of the palace, in front of the royal room, were the trenches where the hands were interred. The fact that they were positioned in such a noticeable spot where the general public could see them, according to the team, is evidence of how pervasive this "trophy-taking" behavior was.
Creepiest and Mysterious Archaeological Finds That Shouldn’t Exist
In this video we have collected the creepiest and most unusual finds of archaeologists that will surprise you. Archaeologists unearth ancient artifacts and structures around the world, working towards a common goal. They all want to study our history to find out what mistakes our ancestors made, how our distant relatives lived, where the first people came from and how they spread around the world. But historians do not miss the ancient animals. After all, the evolution of animals is also a very interesting topic for scientists to study.
Archaeologists Didn't Have Time To Study The Most Ancient Find
Archaeologists failed to study and document one of the oldest finds on the planet. Because of the workers who took part in the excavations, archaeologists will lose a huge piece of history in the study of megalithic structures. Also in this video we will tell you about another no less mysterious pyramid in Egypt and show other finds that will surprise you.
Thousands Of Archaeologists From All Over The World Are Trying To Seek Justice
In this video we will dispel the myths about the "King Without a Face", we will see the tomb of the time of Ramesses II, find out the composition of the ancient female cream and find out what the ancient rulers of China were buried in. And we will also tell you about the important petition of the Prime Minister of Egypt, in which he calls for the return of famous artifacts of Ancient Egypt to their homeland. This is a very important decision for the culture of Egypt. And let's hope they succeed! In addition to the above, we will talk about other archaeological discoveries, which you will definitely like.
This Find Questions Technology From The Past
It has long been no secret that the technology of our ancestors was more advanced than we are told in history books. And what now seems to many to be unique and modern has already been used at a basic level in the past. In this video we will talk about the most ancient Chinese ancestors that we know about and show other finds that will amaze you!
Archaeologists Discovered the Oldest Heart in Human History
In this video we will see the oldest heart that archaeologists have ever discovered. Now scientists from all over the world are working on studying and analyzing it. The heart that was found managed to petrify over millions of years, but it still looks like a living one. Scientists will most likely be able to extract DNA from it, which will simplify the study. Watch the video until the end - it will be mega interesting!
Archaeologists scare new underwater discovery that changes everything
Deep underwater, archaeologists have made another discovery! The safety of the discovered object is amazing. This discovery changes everything. Never before have archaeologists been so close to rewriting history. Archaeologists also found a woman with the remains of a bird in her mouth. What this finding means is yet to be explored.
This Is Exactly What You Think When Speaking About Archaeological Finds
This is exactly the items you were thinking about. Archaeologists have discovered a human glass brain and an ancient Neolithic settlement. Scientists have unraveled the real purpose of the artifact from Ancient Rome and uncovered the secret of the Basel Mummy. Watch the video until the end to find out about other archeological finds that will surprise you!
Animals You'll Be Happy Are Extinct
In the following video we will be talking about strange dangerous animals that we’re all happy they went extinct. Watch the video to find out more!
The Lost City of Sigiriya - Ancient high-altitude city built with advanced technology
Deep in the heart of Sri Lanka lies a fascinating ancient wonder - the Lost City of Sigiriya. Perched high atop a towering rock formation, this sprawling metropolis was built with advanced technology and ingenuity that baffles archaeologists today. The ruins of Sigiriya offer a glimpse into the sophisticated urban planning and engineering prowess of a bygone era and serve as a testament to the incredible achievements of the human spirit. Today we will uncover the secrets of this enigmatic city and discover the wonders that lie within.
What the History Books Didn’t Tell Us about Ancient Egypt
We all know the story of how people first populated the Americas around 14,000 years ago. Our ancestors walked across the Bering Strait land bridge back when Siberia and North America were connected during the last Ice Age. After fighting saber tooth tigers and harsh conditions, they found a way to eventually blossom into complex civilizations like the Maya and the Inca. Independent from the rest of the world until Columbus landed in the Caribbean in 1492. But what if that’s not the whole story?
10 Unexplained Historical Mysteries That Experts Cannot Solve
In the video below we will analyze 10 unexplained historical mysteries that experts cannot really solve. Enjoy!
12 Most Incredible Recent Archaeological Finds
What have archaeologists been doing lately? It's a straightforward question with a straightforward answer. They've been doing what they've been doing for centuries - excavating the past to unravel the mysteries of those who came before us. Their recent findings have been remarkable, and the finest among them are on display in this video!
12 Most Incredible Ancient Artifacts Finds
A lot of the things that our ancient ancestors left behind in the ground weren’t put there deliberately. They never expected that people would come along hundreds or even thousands of years later, root through their former belongings and speculate about the details of their lives. If they did, they might have left behind a few helpful notes! The past can be a mystery to us, but let’s see what we can make of these fantastic finds.
Circassian Genocide - How Russia Took Over the Caucasus Documentary
The sad truth about the Era of Colonization is that campaigns of conquest of lands and the so-called civilizing of indigenous peoples were very often accompanied by gruesome violence and genocidal actions. Imperialist powers would plunder, rape, pillage, and murder after dehumanizing native populations in the name of civility, progress, divine justice, and their own racial superiority. Western Empires are often the main targets of criticism in that respect, and rightly so. But they were not the only perpetrators. The Russian Empire has its own history of violence against indigenous populations in its quest for expansion and the Circassian Genocide is one of its bloodiest atrocities. In this video, we are going to describe the long history of violence by the Russian Empire against the Circassian people.
Thomas Wedders, The Man With The Longest Nose in History
The Man with the World's Longest Nose: The Story of Thomas Wedders
In the 18th century, a man by the name of Thomas Wedders, also known as Thomas Wadhouse, gained notoriety for an extraordinary feature that set him apart from anyone else in recorded history—his nose. Born in Yorkshire, England, around 1730, Wedders’ nose was said to measure an astonishing 7.8 inches (around 19 cm) in length, making it the longest nose ever documented.
Wedders spent much of his life as a performer, showcasing his unique appearance in various circus sideshows. During the mid-1700s, when curiosity and spectacle drew large crowds, Wedders’ nose made him an object of fascination. People would travel from far and wide to witness what seemed almost unbelievable: a man with a nose so long that it defied ordinary proportions. His presence in these traveling shows made him a minor celebrity, even though few personal details about his life have survived.
Thomas Wedders as seen in The Strand Magazine in 1896
Contemporary accounts of the time often portrayed Wedders in a less than favorable light. He was described by some writers as being intellectually disabled, with harsh terms like "idiot" used in reference to him, though the exact nature of his condition remains unknown. It is possible that his facial deformity was linked to an underlying medical issue that contributed to these perceptions. Despite the stigma, Thomas Wedders was undeterred. He carved out a role for himself as a sideshow performer, drawing in curious spectators and captivating audiences with his unusual appearance.
While no photographs exist of Wedders, as photography had yet to be invented, his likeness has been preserved in other ways. In recent years, wax figures of Thomas have appeared in exhibitions like Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, allowing modern audiences to get a sense of what he might have looked like. These wax reproductions keep his legacy alive, even centuries after his death.
One of the lingering questions about Wedders is whether he found practical uses for his unusually long nose, a topic that continues to spark curiosity among those who learn about him. However, no reliable accounts exist to suggest that he used his nose for anything beyond the spectacle it created.
Thomas Wedders passed away around 1780 in Yorkshire, at the age of either 50 or 52. Despite the limited information about his life, his impact on popular culture was significant enough for Guinness World Records to posthumously recognize him with the title of "World's Largest Nose."
Though his contemporaries may have portrayed him in a negative light due to his appearance and perceived limitations, Thomas Wedders’ life can be seen as a story of resilience. He took what might have been a source of hardship and turned it into something that brought joy and amazement to others. His legacy endures not just as a curiosity of history, but as a reminder of the ways in which individuals can embrace their uniqueness to inspire and entertain others.
Check out the video about story of a man with the longest nose in history!
What are the Rogue Granite Blocks inside the Great Pyramid?
The Great Pyramid of Egypt still contains scattered fragments that are clues to how the monument once functioned. These precious remnants tell a story of destruction and preservation which has allowed them to endure the curiosity of humans for thousands of years.
Most of these granite remains are never seen by visitors, tucked away in the most obscure and hard to reach locations within the enormous structure.
This video traces the history of their whereabouts from every known written account and reconstructs what their original purpose was.
