Tim Brinkhof
Tim Brinkhof is a Dutch-born, New York-based journalist reporting on art, history, and literature. He studied early Netherlandish painting and Slavic literature at New York University, worked as an editorial assistant for Film Comment magazine, and has written for Esquire, Film & History, History Today, and History News Network.
Is the lost tomb of Genghis Khan hiding in plain sight?
Unlike other world rulers, Genghis Khan was laid to rest not inside an elaborate mausoleum but an unmarked grave somewhere in Mongolia. Maybe.
Let there be God: How Yahweh became “God Almighty”
In the Canaan religion, Yahweh was a lesser god, who was assigned the land of Israel. Here's how he became "God Almighty."
Digital nomad: why work from home if you can work from anywhere in the world?
Digital nomads can fully immerse themselves in their surroundings while advancing their career and stimulating the local economy. But there is one potential downside.
Utopias: Does living in a perfect society mean you must give up your freedom?
The answer to this question depends on how you define "freedom."
Who were the greatest female classical composers in music history?
For centuries, men prevented women from writing music. These classical composers broke with social norms and made their mark on history.
From Poe to Mao: piecing together the evolution of detective stories
Detective fiction reveals how a particular society or time period looks at crime and criminal justice.
The surprising ways video games can boost your (or your child’s) intelligence
Until recently, video games were accused of killing brain cells. Now, researchers are trying to understand how they help players get smarter.
How World War I created modern medicine and the welfare state
Before the war, medical experts treated the body as a sum of its parts. Conditions like wound shock and brain damage called for a change in perspective.
How pirates helped turn the tide of the American Revolution
Privateers pillaged British merchant ships in the name of liberty — and profit.
How Bernini sculpted the Roman Catholic Church during the Counter-Reformation
Bernini created art for 8 different popes. In the process, he helped reinforce and redefine Christianity’s visual culture.
The mysterious origins of human sacrifice
Human sacrifice appears to be as old as humanity itself. Still, experts disagree on how and where the practice first originated.
Ancient technology that was centuries ahead of its time
These astounding inventions show that civilizations of the past were a lot more advanced than we might have thought.
Exotic animals and their strange relationship with ancient Greeks and Romans
To the ancient Greeks, exotic animals were proof of mythological creatures. To the ancient Romans, they were oddities and adversaries.
Hitler’s SS: How do ordinary people become sociopathic Nazis?
Were Hitler’s SS henchmen willing executioners fueled by racial propaganda or mindless servants vying for promotions?
The forgotten paintings of ancient Greece and Rome
Paintings played an important role in these ancient civilizations. Unfortunately, pigment is not nearly as durable as marble.
Did ancient Greek philosophers believe in aliens?
Speculation about the existence of aliens goes all the way back at least to the Greek philosophers. Their arguments will sound familiar.
10 of the greatest classical composers alive today
Many contemporary composers live in the shadow of Bach and Beethoven, even though they’re just as interesting to listen to.
Artist Agnieszka Pilat’s strange journey from communist Poland to capitalist San Francisco
The so-called "court painter of Silicon Valley" was shaped by her youth in communist Poland but looks forward to a future ruled by celebrity robots.
Archaeologists find earliest known evidence of the infamous Mayan calendar
The Mayan calendar is revered for its impeccable accuracy. Now, a recent excavation in Guatemala reveals how the system developed over time.
Truth-by-repetition: No matter how outrageous, repeated lies become the truth
It doesn't matter how ridiculous a lie is. As long as it is repeated often enough, some people will believe it.
The surprising reason Inca children were drugged before human sacrifice
A toxicological study shows that the victims of human sacrifice consumed coca leaves and ayahuasca before they were killed, but not for reasons we originally thought.
No more Medvedev, Tchaikovsky, or Dostoevsky: the pros and cons of cancelling Russian culture
Some question the ethics of sanctions aimed at cancelling Russian art and culture and punishing ordinary citizens.
The strange case of Benedetta Carlini: how the Catholic Church investigated fraudulent saints
"Immodest Acts" tells the story of Benedetta Carlini, a lesbian nun who claimed to be a mystic visionary but failed to convince the leaders of her faith.
Mysterious “population hub” was a starting point for ancient human migration
Archaic humans ventured into Eurasia in waves, not always successfully. They may have started their journey in North Africa or West Asia.
Ancient stone jars in India remain a mystery to modern researchers
The Assam stone jars were described as early as 1929. Almost a century later, archaeologists still puzzle over their placement and purpose.
How to paint like Rembrandt, according to a professional portrait artist
Frank Slater’s book "Practical Portrait Painting" reveals the secrets of masters old and new, from Leonardo da Vinci to Augustus John.
Clovis debunked: America’s first settlers did not take the ice-free corridor
The "Clovis First" hypothesis for human settlement of North and South America has just been debunked. Where do we go from here?
The foul and the fragrant: what did the past smell like?
Most cities reeked of death, defecation, and industrial waste. Still, focusing only on stench means turning a blind eye (or nose) to the many other smells that helped shape human history.
10 of the greatest classical composers of all time
From Brahms to Tchaikovsky, here's a curated list of composers whose music has shaped the classical canon.
North Korea wanted better propaganda movies, so it abducted foreign directors
While there is more to North Korean cinema than meets the eye, the country’s film industry ultimately amounts to little more than a mouthpiece for the ruling Kim dynasty.