The saga of the perilous journey of the Carthaginian general Hannibal across the Alps during the Second Punic War was immortalized not only by his military prowess but also by the awe-inspiring presence of Hannibal’s elephants. Yet, a lingering question echoes through time: Where did these war elephants originate? Were Hannibal’s elephants from Asia or…
The biblical story of the Israelites’ Descent and Great Exodus speaks about important events that took place in Egypt. We should, therefore, expect to find records of these events in Egyptian sources. These events include the seven years of famine predicted by Joseph, the arrival of his father Jacob with his Hebrew family from Canaan,…
Viking Age teeth from Varnhem bear witness to surprisingly advanced dentistry in the Norse population there. The findings of a study carried out at the University of Gothenburg reveal a complex picture of dental health in the Viking era, showing evidence of more advanced dentistry care than was expected. There was evidence of widespread caries…
Unique, prehistoric rock art drawings have been discovered in the Andriamamelo Cave in western Madagascar. I was part of a team that discovered and described these ancient treasures. They’re the first truly pictorial art, depicting images of nature with human-like and animal-like figures, to be seen on the island. Until recently, rock art in Madagascar had only…
The Queen of Sheba, a figure entwined in diverse mythologies, offers a rich tapestry of narratives across various cultures. Mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, Torah, Bible, and Qur’an, she weaves through Ethiopian, Persian, and Arabic folklore. Notably, she challenges King Solomon with enigmatic riddles, sparking interpretations of her intelligence. The stories differ; some cast her as a wise…
Archaeologists excavating at Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral have discovered numerous burials and a human-shaped lead coffin dating back to the 14th century. The excavation is being carried out by archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) as a preventive step prior to the erection of scaffolding required to restore the cathedral’s timber…