Discovered: The birthplace of Europe's ancient megaliths

Sacré bleu!

Photo credit: Matthew Cattell / Getty Images for Samsung Galaxy S8
  • New research uses radiocarbon dating to create a timeline of the construction of 2,410 megaliths across Europe and Britain.
  • The original builders were people believed to be solely hunter-gatherers who were actually also sailors.
  • The megaliths studied go back 7,000 years.
Keep reading Show less
archeology anthropology europe history architecture discovery megalith stonehenge brittany ancient world

Did ancient cave artists share a global language?

The same 32 symbols show up in prehistoric European cave art.

Photo credit: PIERRE ANDRIEU / AFP / Getty Images
  • Many of these symbols are found in caves in Africa, Asia, Australia and America as well.
  • At least 40,000 years old, the set of symbols may have been a universal communications tool.
  • Among these symbols is the iconic hashtag.
Keep reading Show less
language humanity anthropology invention video communication talks visualizations writing ancient world history ted.com map

It's February and according to pagans, spring is upon us

Have we turned the corner of a cold winter?

A fire-cage swinging, Imbolc 2007, Marsden, England. Image source: Steven Earnshaw on Flickr
  • The ancient holiday of Imbolc celebrates the imminent return of the sun in spring.
  • The holiday also commemorates either goddess Bhrigid or St. Brigid, who may or may not be the same person.
  • Good weather on Imbolc means more winter to come.
Keep reading Show less
pagan holidays pagan history community religion christianity christmas celtic ireland imbolc bhrigid ancient world

Found: Kweneng, a pre-colonial city in South Africa

Hi-tech imaging again reveals a hidden chapter of human history.

(Kgosi Kai/Wikimedia)
  • To the southeast of Johannesburg lies a forgotten city.
  • Formerly seen as some scattered dwellings, it turns out to be the ruins of a metropolis.
  • The past is hidden everywhere, and LiDAR keeps revealing big secrets.
Keep reading Show less
africa archeology history discovery ancient city lidar ancient world

We’ve been celebrating pagan holidays a long time

Some things have always been worth celebrating.

Photo credit: Flickr user Christof
  • Some lost ancient holidays aren't really so lost after all.
  • All of us celebrate at least some pagan traditions whether we know it or not.
  • There are two things that tend to bring humans together: crises and holidays.
Keep reading Show less
pagan history community religion ancient world christianity christmas origin of christmas pagan holidays