What is Daoism?

Daoism, sometimes spelled as Taoism, is a religious and philosophical tradition indigenous to China. But what is Daoism? Watch the video to find out!

Archaeologists Have Discovered A 5,000-Year-Old Funerary Monument in Vila Verde, Portugal

A team of Minho University archaeologists and students excavates a megalithic funerary monument atop Monte do Oural in Vila Verde.

In the statement made by the municipality, it was emphasized that the aim is to museumize a "precious heritage find" estimated to have been built between 4000 and 3,000 BC. That is, it will have an existence of at least more than 5,000 years.

Archaeologist Luciano Vilas Boas, who coordinated the excavations on the ground of the Oural mound, noted that the surrounding area is extremely rich in terms of archaeological heritage, and that there are three more burial megalithic monuments and a rock art set in the vicinity.

Discoveries make it possible to notice that several populations live on these lands, located next to the lookout on the edge of Ribeira do Neiva and the swing in Monte do Oural in Vila Verde, with the expectation that they can become a new tourist attraction and local dynamism.

Best Fake Quotes from Antiquity

In the video below we will analyze some of the best fake quotes from Antiquity. Watch the video to find out more!

Believed Extinct Animals Still Alive Today

In this video we will count down the Top 10 Believed Extinct Animals Still Alive Today. Here are some extinct animals that are still alive today, as well as some animals which have gone extinct, but scientists are trying to bring back to life using fossils, DNA and new scientific techniques!

The SAD TRUTH About Gladiators in Ancient Rome

The life of a Gladiator is often times extremely romanticised in Movies & TV Shows and it looks like they were the Rockstars of their Time. However this changed as soon as they left the Arena and a sad truth awaited them in Ancient Rome.

In today's Video we take a look behind the dates and facts and take a look at what the life really looked like for Gladiators in the Ancient Rome.

Archaeologists Discover a Hoard of Bronze Age Artifacts That Was Buried More Than 3,000 Years Ago

During the excavation of a known Roman battle site in the Swiss Alps, archaeologists stumbled upon a fascinating discovery – an impressive hoard of 80 artifacts dating back to the late Bronze Age.

Among the noteworthy objects were sickles, axes, fragments of a saw, and jewelry pieces, all accompanied by numerous chunks of raw copper.

Experts believe that these artifacts were deliberately buried as an offering, as they were intentionally damaged and bent out of shape before being carefully wrapped in leather and placed inside a wooden box.

Their estimated age falls around 1200 to 1000 B.C.E., a time when the selective destruction and disposal of valuable metal objects were a prevalent cultural practice, ArtNet News reported.

Thucydides detailed account of the Battle of Mantinea | Sparta vs Athens | 418 BC

In this account left to us by Thucydides, he describes to us in great detail how the events of the battle of Mantinea unfolded. This was one of the most important battles of the Peloponnesian war and Thucydides account gives us details on the tactics, manoeuvres of the day and ultimately how the battle was won.

Archaeologists Conduct Project To Conserve Costa Rica’s Stone Spheres

A team from the National Institute of Anthropology and History, and the National School of Conservation, Restoration and Museography, have undertaken a project to conserve Costa Rica’s stone spheres.

Over 300 stone Petrospheres, often referred to as the Diquís Spheres, have been found on the small island of Isla del Caño and the Diquís Delta in Costa Rica.

The spheres are attributed to the now extinct Diquís culture, a people that first emerged in the Valley of the Rio Grande de Térraba during the Synancra period around 1,500 to 300 BC.

We Asked Google's Bard AI Chatbot About The Roman-Era!

Sure, the Roman era is a period in history that began in 753 BC with the founding of Rome and lasted until 476 AD with the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The Roman era is known for its military, political, and social institutions, as well as its engineering achievements.

The Romans conquered vast amounts of land in Europe and northern Africa, built roads and aqueducts, and spread Latin, their language, far and wide. They also developed a complex legal system, a system of government, and a sophisticated culture.

Some of the most famous Roman landmarks include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. These structures are still standing today and are a testament to the ingenuity and engineering skills of the ancient Romans.

The Roman era had a profound impact on the development of Western civilization. The Roman legal system, language, and engineering techniques were all adopted by later cultures, and they continue to influence our world today.

Fort William Henry Massacre - True story behind Last of the Mohicans

During the French and Indian War, Fort William Henry was under siege. After 6 long days the British troops surrendered, and were attacked by the French allied Indians. This historic battle inspired "The Last of the Mohicans".

This video recounts the events at Fort William Henry, through historic journals and letters written by the men who were there.

During the siege of Fort William Henry, the French army bombarded the fort with their artillery, while their Indian allies attacked the British soldiers in the adjacent encampment. On August 9, 1757 the men in Fort William Henry raised the white flag, and asked to capitulate.

The French negotiated the terms of surrender, without consulting their Indian allies. As part of the agreement, the British would be allowed to keep their belongings, and march south to nearby Fort Edward.

The Indians were angered by this agreement. They had been promised the spoils of war if they fought on the side of the French. As soon as the surrender was signed, the Indians entered the fort and began taking what they were promised. Eventually the French were able to restrain their allies.

The following day, August 10, 1757 was the day the British began their march to Fort Edward. As they began to leave fort William Henry, on Lake George, the Native Americans resumed taking their belongings. Panic struck the British, and fueled the confusion.

British soldiers, and provincials ran in all directions as the Indians pursued them. Some sought refuge with the French, while others fled into the woods.

It is this scene of chaos that inspired James Fenimore Cooper to write, "The Last of the Mohicans." Initial reports of the massacre gave casualty numbers as high as 1,000 people killed. More modern estimates, are much lower.

Ancient Dragon Houses of Greece: A Megalithic Mystery

These megalithic marvels are known as Dragon Houses and there are 23 of them on the island, mostly in the regions of Mount Oche and Styra in Euboea.

These mortar-fee constructions are thought to date back to the Preclassical period of Ancient Greece, the classical period beginning around 490 BC. They have stood, pretty much intact, for more than two millennia but their origins and purpose are a true ancient megalithic mystery. Watch the video for more!

The Naked Truth About Roman Baths

Roman love of bathing did not begin with the empire, but as the Principate consolidated its authority, monumental public baths were erected across the city. So why did Agrippa, Nero, Titus, Trajan, Decius, Caracalla, Diocletian and Constantine all choose to spend massive public resources to construct these buildings?

This video outlines why Romans were drawn to the baths and how this pastime more than almost any other has come to define our conception of their cultural extravagance.

Filthy Secrets of Mary Magdalene

Throughout the annals of history, countless figures emerge, cloaked in an aura of intrigue and enigma. One such individual stands stark against the canvas of time – Mary Magdalene. Revered as a saint, condemned as a sinner, her life has been a subject of fervent debate for over two millennia. Yet, lurking beneath the layers of conjecture, what dark secrets does this mystifying figure conceal? How did this woman from a fishing village come to be one of the most enigmatic figures in religious history?

Appearing first in the Gospel narratives of the first century in the year of the Lord, Mary of Magdala has been cast in varied roles - a repentant sinner, an intimate companion of Christ, and the "Apostle to the Apostles". But these interpretations are mere fragments of a much larger mosaic.

As we unravel Mary's intricate narrative, we'll draw upon the writings of early Church Fathers, consider the controversial perspectives presented in the Gnostic Gospels. We'll explore the perspectives of figures like Pope Gregory I, whose homilies cemented Mary's reputation as a penitent sinner, and Dan Brown, whose novel The Da Vinci Code proposed startling theories about Mary's role in Christ's life and the evolution of Christianity.

To echo the words of St. Augustine: "The truth is like a lion. You don't have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself." As we unravel Mary Magdalene's story, we allow the truth to emerge, revealing a tale that is both startling and illuminating. Join us on this voyage into the enigmatic life and the alleged darkest and filthy secrets of Mary Magdalene. Welcome to the diary of Julius Caesar.

The Enigmatic Mary Magdalene. Illuminating a Biblical Icon.

In the vibrant tapestry of the New Testament, a particular figure of intrigue and fascination is Mary Magdalene. A first-century Jewish woman, Mary of Magdala, as she is also known, hails from Magdala, a prosperous fishing village on the Sea of Galilee.

Among the followers of Jesus Christ, she is a prominent figure, with her name appearing a dozen times in the canonical gospels, more than most of the apostles. Mary is noted as a devoted disciple of Jesus, who, according to Luke 8:2, was healed of "seven demons," a description perhaps indicating a grave illness or a spiritual struggle, as per the cultural metaphors of that era.

It is critical to recognize that Mary's life, as portrayed in the New Testament, is the life of a devout follower. She was present at key events in the life of Jesus, an unwavering witness to His journey. She stood by His side at the crucifixion, refusing to leave when many had fled. She was there at His burial, and most notably, according to all four gospels, she was the first to witness the resurrected Jesus.

A notable point of speculation surrounding Mary involves her relationship with Jesus. It has been the subject of conjecture, debate, and art for centuries, with some theories suggesting they might have had a special bond or courtship, a topic widely explored in non-canonical texts and later interpretations. However, such theories largely stem from interpretations and extrapolations rather than direct biblical evidence.

Yet, it's important to note that the labeling of Mary as a 'lady of the night' didn't emerge until the Middle Ages, a result of conflations by Pope Gregory I in the 6th century, who inaccurately combined her story with those of other biblical women. This led to a distorted narrative that shaped Mary's image for over a millennium. Historically, Mary's characterization has been a mélange of misconceptions, intertwining her with the unnamed sinner woman in Luke's gospel and Mary of Bethany.

Strikingly, Mary's life and character serve as an embodiment of transformation and redemption, making her an enduring symbol of hope and resilience. She has been embraced as an empowering feminine figure within Christianity, a model of steadfast faith and devotion. Throughout centuries, her image has been painted by the brushes of many renowned artists, from Titian to Caravaggio, often adorned with a red robe or holding a jar of ointment, symbolizing her act of anointing Jesus' feet.

Forest Giants: How did dinosaurs adapt to life in forests?

Forests are not the first place you would think of when it comes to imagining prehistoric times, but dinosaurs were as much a part of forest ecosystems as they were of anything else. These ancient beasts managed to brilliantly adapt to life in the greenery-covered landscapes, developing unique survival strategies in response to the new challenges presented by this environment.

For herbivores like the Brachiosaurus and Triceratops, the increase in plant life provided a bountiful and nutritious food source. Trees were particularly beneficial, and the tall neck of the Brachiosaurus allowed them to forage at heights that other animals could not. Large herbivores could also use their sheer size to clear paths through the forest and create better conditions for reaching food sources.

Carnivores like the T-Rex and Velociraptor, on the other hand, had to adapt their hunting tactics to survive in the dense undergrowth. They learned to use the trees and vegetation as cover, and camouflage was key to their success. Plant life also adapted alongside the dinosaurs, offering new opportunities for herbivores to blend into their surroundings and remain hidden from predators.

Intelligence and communication were also critical to survival in the forest. Some dinosaurs developed social behavior and vocalization, with some evidence suggesting that some species engaged in nesting and roosting behaviors similar to birds. The ability of some bird-like dinosaurs to fly also gave them an even bigger advantage in the forest's complicated terrain.

Of course, there were also challenges. The forest climate was volatile and routinely subjected to evolutionary pressures, which were responded to with various adaptations and forms of natural selection to ensure survival. Some species evolved to be entirely ground-dwelling, while others adapted to clamber up trees and blend in better.

Throughout it all, the dinosaurs' ability to adapt and coexist in the forest highlights the magnificence of nature's diversity. Though eventually, all their adaptations and niches could not protect them from extinction, many of their adaptations live on in modern animals and their genes can still be detected in modern bird species.

Overall, the examples of the forest giants reveal a complex and intricately-balanced ecosystem with dinosaurs at its core. Forests were a challenging environment of endless possibilities, yet these creatures found a way to flourish and survive for millions of years until a massive asteroid put an end to their reign.

The ORIGIN of African According to the BIBLE

In this video, we're going to look at the ORIGIN of Africans according to the BIBLE. We'll explore how the Bible tells the story of Africa and the black people who lived there.

Looking at the history of Africa from a Biblical perspective is a great way to learn about the continent and its people. This video is a great way to start your understanding of African history, and to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible!