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Monte Testaccio - Rome's Mountain of Ancient Garbage (Video)
Monte Testaccio, an ancient Roman garbage dump, stands as a reminder of the city’s consumption and trade practices. Located on the outskirts of Rome, this massive mound of broken pottery reaches the height of the Pantheon, towering over the warehouse district. The majority of the pottery shards that comprise Monte Testaccio are remnants of amphorae, specifically those used for transporting olive oil. An estimated 53 million amphorae were discarded here, with a significant portion originating from the province of Baetica in modern-day Andalusia, Spain.
- At Monte Testaccio, An Entire Mountain is Made Up of Roman Trash
- 1800-Year-Old Roman Amphora of Olive Oil Contains Quote from the Legendary Virgil
During the first to third centuries AD, vast quantities of olive oil were imported to Rome. These amphorae, each capable of holding approximately 70 liters of oil, were shipped from Spain and North Africa. The journey of these amphorae began on estates in Spain, where both free laborers and slaves worked the olive groves. After being filled with oil, the amphorae were transported via river and sea to the bustling harbor of Portus, near Rome.
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2,000-Year-Old Tomb of Cerberus Sarcophagus Opened
Ongoing investigations into the contents of the Tomb of Cerberus, discovered in October 2023 in Giugliano, Naples, led to the decision to open one of the two sarcophagi found there. The stone box had lain sealed and entombed for over 2,000 years. First a non-invasive investigation was made using a micro-camera directed into a small opening in the sarcophagus. It revealed a well-preserved burial featuring a supine body covered by a shroud, likely mineralized due to the unique climatic conditions of the burial chamber.
Surrounding the body were various grave goods, including several unguentaria (small bottles used for storing oils and perfumes) and strigils (tools used for scraping the skin in bathing rituals).
Having found such a wealth of important archaeological evidence, the decision was taken to remove the stone lid, so further testing of the contents could be carried out.
- Cleopatra’s Perfume Recreated – A Scent That Masked The Odor Of Sour Donkey Milk!
- The Cerveteri Necropolis, Etruscan City of the Dead
The contents of the sarcophagus retrieved from the Tomb of Cerberus, Naples, includes grave goods that accompanied the deceased as they were laid to rest. (Italian Ministry of Culture)
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Egypt’s Oldest Pyramid Could Have Been Built Using Hydraulic Lift Technology
There has long been speculation about how the pyramids of Egypt were constructed. While there may be no single answer to this question, a new study provides evidence to suggest that at least one of Egypt’s ancient pyramids was built using a special type of hydraulic lift system.
New Thoughts on Djoser Construction
The structure that is claimed to have been constructed using hydraulics is the steppe Pyramid of Djoser, which is the oldest standing pyramid found in Egypt. It was constructed around 2,680 BC on the orders of the pharaoh Djoser, who ruled during the Third Dynasty of Egypt’s Old Kingdom period.
Included as part of a larger assembly of temples and other sacred spaces, this structure is just under 200 feet (60 meters) tall and was erected around four miles (six kilometers) west of the River Nile. The Pyramid of Djoser is located on the Saqqara Plateau approximately nine miles (15 kilometers) south of Giza, where the Great Pyramids of Egypt were constructed starting about a century after Djoser’s monument was completed.
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Hidden Elements Found in Renaissance Astronomer Tycho Brahe's Laboratory
In the Middle Ages, alchemists were notoriously secretive and didn't share their knowledge with others. Danish Tycho Brahe was no exception. Consequently, we don't know precisely what he did in the alchemical laboratory located beneath his combined residence and observatory, Uraniborg, on the now Swedish island of Ven.
Only a few of his alchemical recipes have survived, and today, there are very few remnants of his laboratory. Uraniborg was demolished after his death in 1601, and the building materials were scattered for reuse.
However, during an excavation in 1988-1990, some pottery and glass shards were found in Uraniborg's old garden. These shards were believed to originate from the basement's alchemical laboratory. Five of these shards - four glass and one ceramic - have now undergone chemical analyses to determine which elements the original glass and ceramic containers came into contact with.
- Tycho the Psycho? Meet One of History’s Maddest Scientific Minds Ever!
- Who was Tycho Brahe? Astronomy with a Naked Eye (and a Missing Nose)
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Wizards and Unicorns? 5 Things You Won’t Believe Are In The Bible (Video)
Even if the Bible has familiar stories known through cultural osmosis, there are many surprising elements within its pages that might be less well-known. Here are five astonishing things you might not believe are actually in the Bible.
First, the Bible references an animal called the "re'em" nine times. The precise identity of this creature is unclear, as the text lacks illustrations. Theories range from antelope to rhinoceros, with some translations even suggesting a unicorn. This interpretation has persisted in some modern Christian circles, fueling debate over the re'em's true nature.
Second, the Bible may hint at the Earth's shape long before it was scientifically accepted. Isaiah 40:22 mentions God sitting "above the circle of the Earth." While "circle" is not the same as "sphere," the Hebrew word used can also imply a vault, suggesting a three-dimensional aspect. This adds a layer of mystery about whether the Bible alluded to a spherical Earth.
Third, God's names in the Bible are diverse and sometimes puzzling. One less common name is "El Shaddai," used when speaking with patriarchs like Abraham. While "El" is a known term for God in ancient languages, "Shaddai" has various translations, from "mountain" to "destroyer." This reflects the complexity and depth of divine references in the text.
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Unearthing Ancient Rome's Influence on Video Game Design and Architecture
The ancient city of Rome has left an indelible mark on history, its influence extending far beyond the realm of politics and culture. One of the most modern areas where this legacy can be seen is in video game design and architecture. This exploration reveals how deeply intertwined ancient Rome's architectural marvels are with today's digital landscapes.
From colossal amphitheaters to intricate temples, ancient Rome's architectural brilliance continues to inspire contemporary creations. Video game developers often draw from this rich heritage to create immersive worlds that captivate players. By understanding these historical influences, you can appreciate the depth and detail that go into designing your favorite games.
Websites for video game news, reviews, and guides, like Slottivity, regularly cover new offerings at length, but today we're going a bit deeper on a wider theme. Wear something comfortable because we're going way back in time.
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Nude Athletes and Fights to the Death: The Ancient Olympics
Konstantine Panegyres/The Conversation
The first recorded victor at the Olympics was Coroebus of Elis. A cook by profession, Coroebus won the event called the “stadion” – a footrace of just under 200 meters, run in a straight line.
Coroebus was victorious in the year 776 BC, but this was probably not the year of the first Olympic games.
A few ancient writers, such as the historian Aristodemus of Elis (who lived in the 2nd century AD or earlier), believed there had been as many as 27 Olympic contests prior to 776 BC, but the results had never been recorded because people before that time did not care about recording the names of the winners.
The games were held every four years at Olympia, a site in Western Greece that had a famous temple to the god Zeus. They started in mid-August and were part of a religious festival dedicated to Zeus.
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Tombs and Gold Foils from the Ptolemaic Era Unearthed in Egypt’s Damietta
Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered 63 mudbrick tombs and several simple burials containing a collection of gold foils from the 26th Dynasty of the Late Period. This correlates with the Ptolemaic era (305 BC-30 BC), with a number of bronze coins from the Hermetic period also found during the mission's excavations at the Tel Al-Deir cemetery in the new city of Damat.
Dr. Muhammad Ismail Khalid, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that this discovery aligns with the directives of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities to prioritize Egyptian archaeological missions and uncover more secrets of ancient Egyptian civilization. The Egyptian Archaeological Mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, who carried out the dig, provided all this information in a press release.
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Appearance of Sarcophagus on Beach Has Experts Pondering Its Origin
In a bizarre find, a vacationer came across a Roman sarcophagus on the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast near Varna. The find was reported to the local authorities, leading to a swift response by the Varna Archaeological Museum and the regional office of the Culture Ministry Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, who are now examining it.
The discovery was made on Tuesday, by a former law enforcement officer who was holidaying at the Sts. Constantine and Helena resort. While enjoying the beach near a recently completed construction site, he came across the sarcophagus and immediately contacted the local police.
A police patrol, along with archaeological specialists, the Varna Archaeological Museum and a representative from the local office of the Culture Ministry Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage make an initial inspection and surmised that it likely dated to the Roman era, specifically the 2nd to 3rd century AD, reported Bulgarian National Television.
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Unveiling the London Blaze: The Story of Robert Hubert and the Great Fire of 1666
In the annals of history, certain names emerge as symbols of tragedy and injustice, individuals who bear the weight of collective misfortune. Robert Hubert, a French watchmaker hailing from Rouen, France, is one such figure. His name is forever linked to one of the most catastrophic events in the history of London: the Great Fire of 1666. Despite a bewildering confession and glaring contradictions, Hubert became the convenient scapegoat for an accidental cataclysm that devastated the city.
The Great Fire: A Devastating Catastrophe
Between the 2nd and 6th of September 1666, a massive fire erupted on Pudding Lane in the City of London. The fire began in the bakery of Thomas Farriner and rapidly spread due to the tightly packed timber-framed buildings and a strong easterly wind. The blaze consumed nearly 80 per cent of the old city, including 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, and iconic buildings such as St. Paul’s Cathedral
The inferno's relentless path of destruction left a trail of devastation in its wake, turning London into a smoldering ruin. Amidst the chaos and confusion, the hunt for a culprit began, and Robert Hubert would unwittingly find himself at the center of a storm that would lead to his execution.