In China, there exists an astonishing place. A burial ground to rival Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, where pyramid tombs of stupendous size are full of astonishing riches. In 221 BC, China's first Emperor united warring kingdoms into a nation that still exists today. To memorialise this achievement, he bankrupted the national treasury and oppressed thousands of workers to build one of the world’s biggest mortuary complexes. China's second dynasty, the Han, inherited the daunting challenge of building larger tombs to command respect and establish their right to rule without running the nation into the ground. Although no Han emperor's tomb has been opened, the tombs of lesser Han aristocrats have revealed astonishing things: complete underground palaces (including kitchens and toilets) and at least one corpse so amazingly well-preserved some believe Han tomb-builders knew how to "engineer immortality". But most tombs were robbed, leaving another dynasty hundreds of years later – the brilliant Tang – to lead a revolution in tomb design, tunnelling simple shaft-tombs into natural mountains and filling them with small, inexpensive grave goods that symbolised more than reproduced the perfect afterlife.
How Was The Great Wall Of China Built?
The Great Wall Of China was built to protect a growing empire and the Silk Road that brought in wealth, but how exactly was the wall built? Watch the video to find out more!
Monster fossil crab prep - the 50lbs crab finally gets prepped... and it's a beast!
In the video below we will prep a 50lbs fossil crab. The species is a Tumidocarcinus giganteus from the mid-Miocene, around 12-million-years-ago. Enjoy!
Who were the first Europeans?
Sitting in the beautiful Verdon Gorge in Southern France, I muse on the first European peoples that inhabited that region. People like Cheddar Man from Somerset in England. I consider the cave art of Lascaux, Pech Merle, Niaux, Chauvet, Cougnac etc. The animals depicted there must have been sacred to our ancestors, whether Homo Sapien or Neanderthal, who depended on their meat to survive.
I include some nice shots of Wisent (European Bison), Griffon vultures and Alpine Chamois (not Ibex as I thought at the time), which are all animals our European ancestors were familiar with. I also explain the genetic origin of European people including the Yamnaya, the hunter-gatherers and the early Neolithic farmers from the Near East.
The Barbary Pirates & England's White Slaves
Did you know that at the same time that the British were involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, white Britons were being sold into slavery in Africa?
For over 200 years, from the reign of James I right up until George III, Muslim pirates from the abducted thousands of British sailors and sold them in the slave markets on the Barbary Coast in North Africa.
They even landed in Cornwall raiding coastal villages and taking men, women and children into captivity. It is a fascinating and little known story from British history.
How Did Carthage Raise its Mercenary Armies? (Documentary)
In this history documentary we will explore ancient Carthage.
We begin with a brief history of Carthage and the Punic military. This begins in its early colonial years when the small town boasted but a small, unremarkable militia. Within a few centuries however the city would blossom and begin to deploy more formidable forces of infantry, cavalry, and chariots. It would be these which fought the early Punic Wars against the Greeks in Sicily. However upon facing devastating losses of citizen life in these conflicts, Carthage reformed its military to rely more on its auxiliaries, allies, and mercenaries. It would be this new army that would win it a vast Empire and come face to face with the Romans.
With this in mind we look at how war was declared, how troops were mustered, and how armed forces were deployed to various theaters of war. Such an understanding will hopefully enrich your study of Carthaginian history and the Punic Wars with Rome.
You Won't Believe What Happened When Prometheus Stole the Scared Fire
In this video, we'll be talking about Prometheus, the Titan who stole the scared fire from Olympus. In Greek mythology, Prometheus was a Titan who stole fire from the gods. This video is about that story, along with some other mythology involving the titan. If you're interested in Greek mythology, then this video is definitely for you!
Ancient Egyptian Military Weapons - 10 Most Important
What were the most important ancient Egyptian military weapons that enabled them to dominate their neighbors and achieve a truce with the mighty Hittites? Ancient Egypt's New Kingdom saw a range of military innovations that created the Egyptian war machine that is now legendary. In this video we look at ten of the most important weapons.
The Diets of Ancient Europe (Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age)
By 10,000 BC, in the Mesolithic era, the hunter gatherers of Europe were thriving in a range of environments across the Continent. From about 7,000 BC Neolithic farmers spread across Europe bringing a new way of life, new languages, beliefs and social structures. Then around 3,000 BC, another great change came with the spread of cattle and horse herders from their homelands on the Pontic steppe all the way to the furthest corners of Europe, heralding the beginning of the European bronze age.
These three eras saw huge social, linguistic, and genetic changes but perhaps the most dramatic differences are to be found in their approaches to food.
So… what exactly did prehistoric Europeans eat?
The Search For The Genes That Make Us Human
In the search for the genes that make us human, some of the most important answers were hiding not in the genes themselves, but in what was once considered genomic junk. Watch the video below for more!
What's up with Scalping?
If you've ever had questions about scalping, hopefully this video answers some of them. Watch the video below to find out more!
Is a secret gold mine hidden in the B.C. mountains? This treasure hunter says so!
Adam Palmer has spent 10 years chasing a tantalizing legend — even though it comes with a curse.
Every summer for the past decade, Adam Palmer, 39, has spent weeks scouring the mountains near Pitt Lake, B.C., in search of a mythic lost mine known as Slumach's gold. He's hiked countless miles on logging roads, crossed icy glaciers and bushwhacked through thick coastal forest, only to return home empty-handed each time.
That is, until now.
On a clear morning in late July, Palmer showed me where he believes one of Canada's most famous lost gold mines is hidden.
We were standing in a remote alpine meadow, surrounded by jagged mountains, some 50 kilometres east of Vancouver. In the centre of the meadow were the remnants of an abandoned log cabin and beside it a rusted shovel and chisel — the tools of a gold prospector from decades ago.
"We think that this prospector was after Slumach's gold, if he hadn't already found it," Palmer explained, his voice brimming with optimism.
Closing in on a legend
Over the past century, hundreds — maybe even thousands — of people have looked for the fabled mine, which is said to be worth billions. Several prospectors have died trying to find it, others have gone missing. To date, no one has ever conclusively located it.
But with his discovery of the prospector's cabin, Palmer believes he is finally getting close. In addition to the cabin and mining tools, Palmer found an old glass jar that contained ore and what appeared to be gold.
We'd flown to the cabin site in a helicopter (he works for the company as an outdoor guide) so he could show me these clues first-hand, on the ground.
Palmer planned to return a few weeks later to search the surrounding mountains for the mine. Slumach's gold, he believed, was finally within reach.
I had one niggling question — does this mythic mine actually exist?
Who was Slumach?
The story of Slumach's gold is a curious mix of fact and folklore. It begins in the late 1800s, when an Indigenous man known only as Slumach was found guilty of murder and hanged in New Westminster, B.C.
Not long after his death, rumours began to surface that Slumach had discovered a lucrative — and hidden — stash of gold in the mountains, near Pitt Lake. Slumach, it was said, would bring walnut-sized nuggets of gold into saloons in New Westminster.
Just before Slumach was hanged, it was rumoured that he muttered a curse on anyone who dared to search for his gold mine: "Nika memloose, mine memloose." Loosely translated from the Chinook language, the words mean, "When I die, the mine dies."
There's little evidence to support any of the story, particularly the curse, but rumours of Slumach's gold began to attract more prospectors to the area.
In the 1930s, hundreds of prospectors travelled into the mountains around Pitt Lake every summer in search of the gold, according to Rick Antonson, co-author of the book Slumach's Gold: The Search for a Legend.
And they didn't all make it back.
"The tally done by mainstream media years ago was that 33 or more [people] had fallen victims to the curse," said Antonson, who, along with his brother Brian, has been fascinated with the Slumach story since he was a kid.
"We know the curse didn't exist, but we also know that it's treacherous territory."
Several prospectors have even claimed to have found the gold. In the 1970s, for example, a forest surveyor named Stu Brown said he stumbled onto a stream near Pitt Lake that was ankle-deep with gold nuggets. But Brown was never able to pinpoint the location again.
An elaborate hoax?
But for all those who believe in Slumach's gold, there are others who think it's just a hoax. Fred Braches, a local historian who recently published a book titled Searching for Pitt Lake Gold: Facts and Fantasy in the Legend of Slumach, says there's no evidence for most of the story.
Slumach was real, Braches says, "but he had nothing to do with gold." Braches believes that the story of Slumach's gold was created by locals in the Pitt Lake area to draw prospectors. More prospectors meant more jobs for guides and outfitters.
"There is no gold," says Braches, "but it is gold in somebody's mind, and that is important. People are looking for what they believe is there."
But even today, there's still a small community of people searching for the lost mine, sharing trip reports and swapping clues through Facebook and online message boards.
"You meet up and another story, another piece of the puzzle, comes out," Palmer says.
The thrill of the hunt
For these modern-day searchers, like Palmer, it's not about the money. Not anymore, at least. Much of the area where Slumach's gold is supposedly hidden is within the boundaries of Pinecone Burke and Golden Ears provincial parks, where mining for gold is prohibited.
For Palmer, the search for Slumach's gold is about the thrill of the hunt — trying to solve a mystery that no one else has been able to.
"If someone finds this gold," he said, "you are now the hero of a bunch of men who have been looking for so many years."
More than that, he says the search for the lost gold — all the dead ends and long days — has been about sharing the adventure with friends, some of whom he does trips with year after year.
"It's all about the time that you spend," he said. "It adds memories and those memories — that's the real gold."
After our helicopter trip in July, Palmer returned to the cabin site a few weeks later to search for the lost mine. And that's when he made another surprising discovery: gold.
Not a lot of gold — just a few tiny flakes, but still. He found it while panning a stream near the abandoned cabin.
"I thought I was gonna drop it," said Palmer, "and I knew that no one would believe me."
He plans to go back again next summer, to find Slumach's mine once and for all.
The Celestial Secrets of the Maya Ruler Pakal's Tomb
The tomb of Pakal the Great, also known as the Temple of the Inscriptions, is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the Maya civilization. Located in the ancient city of Palenque, in present-day Mexico, the tomb was discovered in 1952 by Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier.
The tomb of Pakal, who ruled Palenque from 615 to 683 AD, is renowned for its intricate carvings and decorations, which depict various scenes from Maya mythology and cosmology. One of the most striking features of the tomb is a large sarcophagus lid, which shows Pakal in a reclining position, surrounded by various celestial symbols and figures.
According to Maya cosmology, the universe was divided into three levels: the underworld, the earthly realm, and the heavens. The heavens were further divided into thirteen layers, each of which was associated with a different deity and had its own set of astronomical and astrological symbols.
The carvings on Pakal's sarcophagus lid depict the ruler's journey through the underworld and his eventual ascension to the heavens. The central figure on the lid is Pakal himself, who is shown with a headdress that represents the Milky Way. Surrounding Pakal are various celestial symbols, including a large bird that represents the sun, a serpent that represents the underworld, and a jaguar that represents the night sky.
The carvings on the lid also contain numerous references to the Maya calendar, which was based on a complex system of interlocking cycles. The calendar was used to track the movements of the sun, moon, and planets, as well as to predict the future and determine auspicious dates for important events.
Overall, the tomb of Pakal the Great is a testament to the sophistication and complexity of Maya cosmology and astronomy. The carvings and decorations provide a window into the beliefs and practices of this ancient civilization, and continue to fascinate and inspire scholars and visitors alike.
Pompeii | Secrets Buried in Ash
The ancient Roman city of Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, burying it in layers of ash and pumice. The city lay buried and forgotten for centuries until its rediscovery in the 18th century. Since then, archaeologists have uncovered a wealth of information about life in Pompeii before the eruption, including secrets buried in the ash.
One of the most significant discoveries made in Pompeii is the extent to which the city was a hub of commerce and trade. Pompeii was home to many wealthy merchants and traders who imported goods from all over the Mediterranean, including spices, wine, and luxury goods like silk and ivory. The excavations have also revealed the presence of brothels, taverns, and other establishments that catered to the city's visitors.
Another secret buried in the ash of Pompeii is the city's religious practices. Pompeii was home to several temples and shrines dedicated to various gods and goddesses, including Jupiter, Venus, and Apollo. Archaeologists have uncovered many artifacts related to religious practices, including statues, altars, and offerings.
The ash has also preserved a wealth of information about daily life in Pompeii. The city's streets and buildings have been preserved almost exactly as they were at the time of the eruption, giving us a glimpse into the everyday lives of its inhabitants. We can see how they lived, worked, and socialized, and how they decorated their homes and public spaces.
Perhaps the most poignant secrets buried in the ash of Pompeii are the remains of its inhabitants. The ash has preserved the bodies of some of the people who were caught in the eruption, giving us a haunting reminder of the suddenness and violence of their deaths. The casts made from these remains have become some of the most iconic images of Pompeii, and a powerful symbol of the fragility of human life.
Overall, the secrets buried in the ash of Pompeii offer a unique and valuable window into the past, allowing us to understand the culture, society, and daily life of an ancient civilization in a way that few other archaeological sites can match.
The ENTIRE Story of Greek Mythology Explained (Documentary)
Greek Mythology and the Greek Gods have had a profound impact on the world, with the tales of Zeus, Pandora’s Box, Prometheus, Icarus, Medusa, Orpheus, King Midas, Sisyphus, Narcissus, Perseus, The 12 Labours of Hercules, Jason and the Argonauts, Theseus, The Trojan War, The Odyssey, and many more having spread to every corner of the globe.
From the very beginnings of Chaos to the adventures of Odysseus, this video takes you through, in chronological order, the entire story of Greek Mythology. No stone is left unturned, with every Greek God from Zeus to Hades and every Hero from Hercules to Achilles having their share of the limelight.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy everything you've ever wanted to know about the Greek Myths.
Unique thousand-year-old gold treasure discovered by 27-year-old Dutchman with metal detector
A unique medieval gold treasure was discovered by a Dutch historian using a metal detector. He mainly found four gold earrings, two strips of gold leaf and 39 silver coins that are a millennium old. The discovery was announced by the Royal Museum of Antiquities of the Netherlands.
The 27 years old historian Lorenzo Ruijter, said he discovered this impressive treasure in Hoogwoud, a small town in the province of North Holland.
In an interview with Reuters, Ruijter said, "It was very important that I discovered something so valuable. I really can not describe it. I never expected to discover something like this," adding that it was very difficult to keep his discovery under wraps for almost two years until the museum fully evaluated it.
However, experts at the Royal Museum of Antiquities took time to clean, examine and date the objects, and only now have they discovered that the youngest coin in the collection dates from around 1250 AD, leading them to conclude that the treasure was buried at that time.
By that time, the jewelry was already two centuries old, the museum said in a statement, adding that it must have been an "expensive and treasured acquisition".
While it will remain a mystery exactly why the treasure was buried, the museum pointed out that at the time, in the mid-13th century, Hoogwoud was at the center of a war between the Dutch regions of West Frisia and the Netherlands.
Lorenzo Ruijter believes it is possible that an influential figure of the time buried the precious items to protect them and in the hope of recovering them when he thought they were safe.
Because of its archeological value, the treasure has been given to the museum where it will be exhibited, but it remains the official property of Lorenzo Ruijter, who discovered it.
Golden Mountains Showed Up After The Euphrates River Finally Dried Up
Imagine a world where myths from long ago come true. Where the secrets of history are uncovered in the most unexpected places. Welcome to the mysterious site where the Euphrates River once flowed. But now, something extraordinary has emerged from the parched riverbed. A sight so stunning, it has left experts baffled and visitors in awe. Join us on an unforgettable journey as we explore the Golden Mountains that appeared after the dried-up Euphrates River. You won't believe your eyes!
The Tigris is the other big river that defines Mesopotamia. The Euphrates is the westernmost of the two.
Joe Rogan Reacts To Archaeologists Discovering a Mummified Monk in China
In today’s video Joe Rogan discusses the discovery of the mummified monk inside the statue on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. He was amazed at the discovery, saying that it was unreal and crazy. Joe Rogan went on to say that he had heard of a Buddha statue that had been discovered with an actual Yogi in a Lotus position inside it, and the statue had been covered up around him.
NASA Just Announced The African Continent Cracked & It's Going To Cause Record Flooding
In the video below we will be talking about how NASA has now revealed that the African continent has cracked, resulting in record flooding. Enjoy!
This Archaeological Discovery Changes Everything About Denisovans
Forget everything you thought you knew about human evolution. Archaeologists just Discovered Who really Lived in Denisova Cave in Siberia. Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains was home to archaic humans for a quarter-million years, including Denisovans, Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. The question is, who lived there when and in what order?
Denisova Cave is a crossroads of human evolution, deep in Siberia's Altai Mountains. Over tens of thousands of years, it was inhabited by various hominin species, not necessarily in this order: Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and, of course, Denisovans - the elusive group discovered only recently at this site.
Denisovans are an ancient human group. The genetic analysis of a tooth and a tiny finger bone discovered in Denisova Cave in Siberia's Altai mountains provided our first tantalizing glimpse of the Denisovans. The fossil record of these mysterious humans is extremely limited, with only four fragments of bone and teeth and a jawbone discovered in Tibet.
