How This Desert City Stays Cool With An Ancient Air Conditioning System

This is a Bâdgir an ancient air conditioner invented around the eighth century AD.

Despite using no electricity, it has a cooling system that kept houses at a pleasant temperature during the hot summer months. However in the winter the buildings still remained warm and comfortable. These buildings are found across Iran but they are most prevalent in the ancient city of Yazd.

As you can see this city is surrounded by extremely dry arid desert conditions, the climate is pretty extreme with the hottest month being July which has an average temperature of around 38c or 102°F and the highest recorded temperature in the city was a whopping 46°C that's 115°F, There is also little to no rainfall throughout the year, with the average annual rainfall being somewhere between 0.4 – 0.7 mm.

Its crazy to think even today most building do not have modern air-conditioning but instead they still rely on the ancient air-conditioning systems this is because unlike powered air-conditioning and fans, Badgirs are silent and continue to function when the electrical grid power fails.

Previously Unknown Complex Lifeforms Dominated Earth 1.6 Billion Years Ago

In this video, we will talk about a discovery that suggests the existence of an unusual biota 1.6 billion years ago that may have dominated planet Earth. Watch the video to find out more!

Untold Story Of King Leopold Who Killed Over 10 Million Africans

Today, we're going to delve into one of the darkest chapters of European colonialism, a story of exploitation, greed, and inhumanity that is still haunting us today. Today, we're going to talk about the notorious King Leopold the Second of Belgium and his brutal rule over the Congo Free State.

Now, some of you may think that history can be dry and boring, but the story we're about to unfold is anything but that. This is a story of a king who was driven by his insatiable lust for power and wealth, and who saw an entire nation as nothing more than a resource to be exploited.

Under Leopold's rule, the Congo Free State became a hell on earth for the local population. Millions of Congolese people were forced into labor camps and subjected to brutal working conditions, while others were killed or maimed for resisting or failing to meet the king's quotas. The exploitation was so severe that the population of the Congo fell from 20 million to 10 million during Leopold's reign.

And yet, this dark chapter in history is still not widely known. Many people have never even heard of King Leopold the Second, let alone the atrocities he committed in the Congo. But as we'll see today, the legacy of his reign is still felt in the Congo and throughout the world. It is a story that deserves to be told. So, without further ado, let's dive into the horrors of King Leopold's rule over the Congo Free State. Before that, do not forget to like and hit the subscribe button to catch more content like this.

To understand the horrors that took place in Congo under King Leopold the Second, we need to start at the beginning of his reign.

In the late 19th century, European powers were on a scramble to colonize Africa, exploiting its resources and people for their own economic gain. King Leopold the Second of Belgium, a cunning and ambitious ruler, saw this as an opportunity to build his own personal wealth and power

Being a shrewd monarch, he saw the need for Belgium to have a colony like other European powers. He was also a ruthless businessman who saw the potential for enormous wealth to be gained from the exploitation of Africa's natural resources.

The Nasty Hygiene Practices Of Ancient Egypt Women Will Leave You Shocked!

In this video we're going to take a look at some of the disgusting and weird hygiene habits of ancient Egyptian women. It's unbelievable just how different ancient methods were from what you're used to here in modern times. Stay tuned as we roll through unearthing the facts about what ancient Egyptians used to do to keep clean and germ free! Stay tuned!

In ancient Egypt, beauty and hygiene were highly valued and represented more than just a person's physical appearance. People showed their social standing through the amount of makeup they wore, while statues of Egyptian gods were adorned in the same cosmetics to emphasize how closely associated beauty could be with holiness. Above all else though was cleanliness. It wasn't simply for good health or warding off evil spirits; hygiene also served as an indication of humility that needed to be respected.

Volcanic eruptions in Iceland lead scientists to startling discoveries

Bill Whitaker was there as lava flowed from a volcano in Iceland in 2021, covering the landscape in molten rock. He returned to see what scientists have learned from the eruption. Watch the video to find out more!

The Most Nasty Hygiene Practices In Colonial America

While the colonial era certainly played a significant role in shaping the course of American history, it definitely did not have the best odor. Colonial-age American hygiene habits were an odd brew of pragmatics, religion, and social standing. The answer is dependent on how clean is defined. Bathing on a daily or even weekly basis is rare for colonists. Some argued that depriving the skin of its natural oils left a person exposed to disease and that filling a washtub without indoor plumbing was likely a hard operation.

So What Was Hygiene Like In Colonial America? Poor personal hygiene was seen as a sign of rudeness, and some religious individuals even saw it as a manifestation of the sin of laziness.Today, we're going to take a look at what The Nastiest hygiene practices during the time of Colonial Period were!

The First Photographs Ever Taken of Iran [1848-1858] by Colonel Luigi Pesce

We’ve found an astounding collection of the very first photographs of Iran, all taken by Colonel Luigi Pesce of Naples, who was deployed to Iran in 1848, in charge of training Iran’s new infantry troops up to the Italian Standard. While stationed in Iran, Luigi Pesce gained an appreciation, some would say a love, for the ancient structures and artifacts he would come in contact with on a daily basis.

He decided to combine his new appreciation for Ancient Iran with his favorite hobby, which was the up-and-coming technology of photography. From 1848 through 1858, Luigi photographed the cities, monuments, and people of Iran. The photographs are very clear and detailed for the time. Today we will view his seldom seen, yet historically important collection in complete detail.

To look at the Old World through the lens of the Middle East, with a focus on Iran, we find numerous structures in this collection; ancient sites of biblical importance, photographed for the very first time in history.

Native American Quotes you should know Before you Get Old

In this video, we will delve into the wisdom of the old Native Americans and their timeless quotes and proverbs. These insightful sayings are passed down through generations and offer invaluable guidance on life, nature, and the world around us. From the teachings of Chief Seattle to the wisdom of Sitting Bull, we will explore the profound messages behind their words and uncover the lessons that we can still learn from today. So, join us on this journey to discover the powerful words of the ancient Native Americans and gain a deeper understanding of their culture and beliefs.

The Creepy Facts About Cleopatra

Think you know Cleopatra? Think again. Get ready to uncover the dark, twisted side of Egypt's most enigmatic queen, where the line between seductress and sinister blurs. Today, we delve into the unknown world of Cleopatra, where dark intrigue, betrayal, and jaw-dropping revelations await. From her wicked manipulations to her incestuous relationship with her brother and chilling power plays, we'll expose the truth behind the legendary beauty that has captivated our imagination for centuries.

In today's video we look at The Creepy Facts About Cleopatra!

The Insane Secret Life of Eunuchs in the Forbidden City

Eunuchs were castrated males who were often recruited as servants or officials in the imperial palace. In the Forbidden City, they held important roles such as overseeing the emperor's personal affairs, managing the palace staff, and guarding the emperor's harem. They were considered to be loyal to the emperor and were often favored by him for their obedience and trustworthiness.

However, life as a eunuch was not easy. They were forbidden from marrying or having children, which often left them feeling isolated and alone.

This is the Oldest Musical Instrument in the World

BY THE ARCHAEOLOGIST EDITOR GROUP

New Paleolithic musical evidence was discovered during the summer 2008 excavations at the Hohle Fels and Vogelherd sites in the form of one virtually complete bone flute's remains and small, isolated shards from three ivory flutes.

A almost complete bone flute, the most remarkable of these discoveries, was discovered in the basal Aurignacian layers at Hohle Fels Cave in the Ach Valley, 20 kilometers west of Ulm. There were 12 components of the flute. The shards were dispersed over a horizontal region of roughly 10 x 20 cm and a vertical distance of 3 cm. Among all the musical instruments discovered so far in the Swabian caves, this flute is by far the most complete.

The Hohle Fels bone flute's preserved piece is 21.8 cm in length and 8 mm in diameter. Five finger holes remain on the flute. The surfaces of the flute and the bone's structure are in superb shape and provide a wealth of information about how the flute was made. To build what would have been the musician's blowing end of the flute, the creator carved two deep, V-shaped notches into one end of the instrument. This strata has a moderately high find density, including charred bone, a lot of flint knapping waste, worked bone and ivory, bones from horses, reindeer, mammoths, and ibex, as well as bones from other animals. Therefore, we infer that modern humans manufactured the artifacts from the base Aurignacian layers not long after their arrival in the area during a migration up the Danube Corridor. No diagnostic human bones have been recovered in Swabian Aurignacian sediments.

Daniel Maurer/Associated Press

The flute's inventor created the instrument using a griffon vulture's radius (Gyps fulvus). This species produces bones perfect for huge flutes and has wingspan between 230 and 265 cm. The Swabian cave deposits from the Upper Paleolithic period provide evidence of griffon vultures and other vultures.

Two tiny shards of what are almost certainly two ivory flutes from the basal Aurignacian were also discovered during the 2008 excavations at Hohle Fels. The two finds are not from the same instrument, according to the differing diameters of the shards. Another isolated shard of an additional ivory flute was discovered by excavators at Vogelherd in the Lone Valley, 25 km northwest of Ulm.

Making a flute out of bird bone is far simpler technologically than manufacturing one out of ivory. A naturally curved piece of ivory must first be rough shaped along its long axis, split open along one of the bedding plains, carefully hollowed out, and then the holes must be carved. The flute's halves must then be joined together with an airtight seal. It is common to locate single pieces of delicate ivory artifacts given their propensity to break into several pieces.

The 31–40 ka BP range is covered by the ten radiocarbon dates from the basal Aurignacian. The flutes from Hohle Fels precede 35,000 calendar years ago, according to independent controls and available calibrations using various techniques. There is no solid proof that musical instruments existed before 30 ka BP, with the exception of the Swabian Jura caves.

These discoveries show how significant music was to Aurignacian culture in the Ach and Lone valleys in southwest Germany. The majority of these flutes come from archaeological contexts that are rich in lithic and organic objects as well as animal remains that have been hunted and burned. This data implies that people who lived at the locations engaged in a variety of social and cultural musical activities and that flutes were thrown with many other types of occupational waste. In the case of Hohle Fels, the bone flute's placement in a sparse archaeological horizon only 70 cm from a female figurine of a comparable age raises the possibility of a contextual connection between these two discoveries.

The flutes from Hohle Fels, Vogelherd, and earlier discoveries from nearby Geißenklösterle Cave show that the Aurignacian had a musical tradition at the time that modern humans first colonized the Upper Danube region. When early figurative art and other innovations, such as a vast variety of new types of personal adornment and new lithic and organic technology, emerged throughout the Aurignacian, a musical tradition also emerged. However, music appears to have contributed to improved social cohesion and new forms of communication, which indirectly contributed to the demographic expansion of modern humans relative to the culturally more conservative Neanderthal populations. Although the presence of music in the lives of Upper Paleolithic peoples did not directly produce a more effective subsistence economy and greater reproductive success, it does seem to have contributed to these factors.

The Predators of Prehistory

In the following video we will be talking about the predators of prehistory. Watch the video to find out more!

Is the Fall of Satan really described in the Bible?

Does the Bible really tell us how Satan fell? Watch the video below to find out!

Solomon's Temple 3D

Visualize Solomon's temple in all its glory in this amazing 3D animation based on scriptural, archaeological, and historical research. Solomon's temple stood in Jerusalem for almost 400 years, and was the center of worship for all of Israel. Now you can see it and experience this most significant building built to the Lord.

Amaterasu: The Japanese Goddess of Sun

In the following video we will be talking about Amaterasu, the Japanese goddess of sun. Watch the video to find out more!

Chinese Mythology Creation Story Explained in Animation

This video on Chinese mythology explains the Chinese creation myth starting from the first god Pangu. In this video, many creation myths have been fused, when often Pangu would be its own answer to the “Creation” question, and Nüwa would be another. With the creation of the humans, the brother and sister myth often does not co-exist with Nüwa, and in some versions, they simply do one test and everything works out. Another version, not included here, has a giant snake give birth to all animals and then finally humans. This said, creation myths are not a dominating aspect of Chinese Mythology and there are not as many records of them as there are of other areas (like the creation of the immortals and various arts or ideas) – it seems like the origin of the human race and Earth was not as important of a question to the ancient Chinese.

Terror birds: predators that can grow up to an incredible 10 feet tall and weigh over 1,000 pounds

These are the horror birds: tough, strong creatures who sliced through small mammals with the ease of the person who once used a pickax to pierce the skull of my insane uncle in a bar brawl (he survived, and no, I'm not even exaggerating).

Like human babies riding in cars, millions of years ago certain species of mammals found themselves simply unable to stay awake while in the jaws of the terror birds. So sleepy! IMAGE: STEPHANIE ABRAMOWICZ, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

You'd be excused if you tried to convince yourself that a pigeon's forebears were dinosaurs by gazing at one. After all, this monster evolved from some of the best killing machines evolution has ever produced, and it now sips gutter water and attacks the elderly in exchange for breadcrumbs. But before birds were begging for food in parks millions of years ago, they had already reached the top of the food chain. In actuality, they filled the voids left by their dangerous theropod ancestors like Velociraptor.

These are the horror birds: tough, strong creatures who sliced through small mammals with the ease of the person who once used a pickax to pierce the skull of my insane uncle in a bar brawl (he survived, and no, I'm not even exaggerating). The tallest of the 18 species, which can reach heights of 10 feet, chose not to use flight in favor of pursuing the beings that had just staged a party to bid farewell to the giant predatory dinosaurs. The unfortunate things had a hangover when they woke up, and the hangover was the terrifying bird.

The 2.5-foot-long skull of KELENKEN, THE LARGEST KNOWN SPECIES OF TERROR BIRD. THAT MASSIVE HOOK LED *KELENKEN'*S PREY TO DISPARAGINGLY REFER TO THE PREDATOR AS "CAPTAIN HOOK." THE TERROR BIRD, THEY KNEW, WAS REAL SORE ABOUT BEING REJECTED FROM THE ARMED FORCES, WHAT WITH ITS LACK OF ARMS. IMAGE: LUIS CHIAPPE, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

The terror birds emerged as apex predators in isolation 60 million years ago in South America, which had not yet united with its northern counterpart. According to paleontologist Luis Chiappe, despite their success, their fossils are fragmentary and extremely rare. In 2007, he detailed the giant, oddly boxy noggin of the greatest terror bird ever: Kelenken, named after the dreadful bird spirit of Patagonia's indigenous Tehuelche people.

He declared, "It's the largest known skull for terror birds." In actuality, it's the biggest bird skull ever discovered. It is a massive, monstrous creature that is around 2.5 feet long and has a huge hook on the end of its beak that resembles an eagle.

Paleontologists believe that terror birds were not crumb-loving pigeons based on fossils like these, and not just because there was no bread in those days. Even while a skull cannot reveal the precise method of death, to Chiappe, this is unmistakably a carnivore's beak.

To the best of paleontologists' knowledge, terror birds weren't see-through. But then again, no one has definitively DISPROVED THAT THEY WERE SEE-THROUGH. IMAGE: STEPHANIE ABRAMOWICZ, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

We all know that a cockatoo, a small parrot, can rip your finger off, the man remarked. Imagine the harm a bird like this could have caused with just one stroke from its enormous beak and skull. So that's definitely one pretty simple way to picture how these animals would have murdered their prey.

The fearsome birds resided in woods, where they were probably waiting in ambush on the numerous tiny mammals that arose in South America after the extinction of the dinosaurs. However, biomechanical tests have demonstrated that their skulls and beaks likely weren't robust enough to take on enormous animals. These were highly quick, swift predators, reaching speeds of maybe 30 mph, and they would have been more than capable of pursuing scampering creatures with their massively expanded legs. (This shouldn't surprise anyone who has seen how ostriches gallop, like huge 40 mph feather dusters having panic episodes, in a really frenzied and entertaining manner.)

Terror bird legs ended with talons, thus it's possible that the creatures shot their prey in the head with their beaks before standing on it and quickly shivving it to death. Or perhaps they shook and chomped on their prey until its spine broke.

For further conjecture, we may also investigate the living relatives of the terror birds, the seriemas. Even though these South American birds are only a few feet tall, they are skilled predators. They catch lizards, rodents, and other prey with their talons and smash them against rocks to break their bones.

I included this fairly ugly photograph because it’s so crummy that it almost makes the terror bird look real, like bigfoot in that grainy video. Also, I like how disgusted this guy is by his creation. Such is the tortured existence of the artist, I suppose. IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA

Even the idea has been floated that the horror birds weren't actually terrifying. Instead, they were fervent vegetarians, or hunted birds. German researchers published the findings of a geochemical investigation of terror bird bones last year, concluding that the bones' calcium isotope compositions were more consistent with herbivores than carnivores.

But Chiappe rejects the idea that a creature with such a formidable build was anything other than a predator. He contends that the terror birds had extremely enormous heads compared to their bodies, much like modern eagles and very different from contemporary omnivorous terrestrial birds like emus, ostriches, and cassowaries.

"I personally think that you can come up with all these very rather innovative views, but I think that it makes a lot of sense that these animals were predators," the man stated. The same thing happened when someone proposed that T. rex was a scavenger. They undoubtedly consumed dead food, but it certainly caused death.

He continued, "Maybe [the terror birds'] bite force was not strong enough, or perhaps they were restricted to preying on particular animals, but that doesn't, in my opinion, make them a non-predatory bird."

A terror bird freaks right out about how poorly its shadow was drawn. IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA

Whatever their food and feeding habits, the terror bird empire began a steady fall starting around 4.5 million years ago, when the Central American isthmus developed, connecting two previously independent continents. All those species who had spent millions of years in seclusion were now mixing, schmoozing, and shaking hands - with their teeth.

While the apex predators of North America—bears and big cats—colonized South America, terror birds migrated up into what is now the southern United States. As a result, Chiappe explained, "they had to contend with new competition for the same resources, and that, coupled with possible climatic changes they may not have been able to handle and that may have affected their hunting strategies, probably drove them to extinction."

Because of this, no matter how dangerous a bird may have been, a cat has always managed to keep it under control. It was somewhat reminiscent of Sylvester and Tweety's never-ending conflict, only with more violence and fewer speech problems.

A huge Rune-stone discovered in Denmark beneath a kitchen floor

The old linoleum kitchen floors of a couple's home in the Danish village of Mosekaer, just outside the city of Randers, were being removed when they stumbled upon a huge rune stone, weighing about 900 kg.

One of the earliest rune stones in Denmark may have been unintentionally discovered by Lene Brandt and her husband, Anders Nielsen, and measured two meters in length and 80 cm in width.

It has been designated a danefæ, or treasure, by the national museum, Nationalmuseet, which is currently putting much effort into figuring out its precise age. The five runes carved on the stone's surface either start or terminate the inscription, depending on the stone's age. The stone's age is important since it determines whether the five runes carved on it begin or end the inscription.

The five runes, which are pronounced "aft bi," mean "after B" in English. Rune stones were frequently created to commemorate notable people, and in this case, the inscription may be referring to a person by the names of Bjrn, Bjarne, or Birk.

The stone most certainly belongs to Denmark's first set of rune stones, making it a very uncommon discovery if the runes indicate the beginning of the text.

Anybody interested in runes should pay special attention to the area near Randers because up to 44 runestones have been found there. Rune, which means "hidden knowledge and wisdom," is an Old Norse word.

Lisbeth Imer, a senior researcher and runologist at the National Museum, estimates that just 10 to 20 rune stones from the 700s–800s have been discovered in Denmark. These early stones are especially interesting because there are only about 200 known Viking Age rune stones dispersed over the country, with the earliest dating to the 700s and the most recent to the 900s. The renowned Jelling Stones, for instance, were built around 965.

The Jelling stones are entire, in their original site, and referenced in historical documents; the Randers rune stone may be older than these, but they cannot be directly compared. In contrast, just a little section of the inscription is still visible on the Randers stone, which is a fragment.

The rune stone is being kept at Museum Stjylland as it waits for additional analysis to establish its age and perhaps shed more light on the history of the Vikings.

Kijimuna: The Red-Haired Mythical Guardians of Okinawa

In this captivating documentary, we journey to the heart of Okinawa to uncover the lore of the Kijimuna, mystical creatures deeply woven into the fabric of local folklore. These mythical beings, often depicted as small, red-haired woodland spirits, are seen as both guardians of nature and symbols of community values.

We delve into the rich tapestry of Okinawan folklore, where the Kijimuna hold a place of prominence. From their abode in the Banyan trees to their playful, sometimes mischievous interactions with humans, every tale adds a unique layer to the Kijimuna's character.

This film explores how the Kijimuna encapsulate the Okinawan respect for nature and the environment. Their tales often serve as parables, reminding us of the importance of co-existing harmoniously with the natural world.

We also shed light on how the Kijimuna reinforce community bonds and cultural norms within Okinawan society. Through heartwarming narratives and traditions, we see how the Kijimuna have become endearing cultural symbols that continue to unite generations.

Whether you're a folklore enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply someone fascinated by the mythical, "The Kijimuna: Guardian of Nature and Community in Okinawan Folklore" promises to be an enchanting journey. Join us as we dive deep into the folklore of Okinawa.

Amazing Mongolian Proverbs and Sayings That Will Turn Your Mind

The great Mongolian wisdom carries a parasitic deep meaning that helps to acquire important life knowledge that contributes to a happy life. Great Mongolian proverbs and sayings are filled with vitality, thanks to them you can temper your spirit, fill your heart with freedom and wisdom.