Bronze Age Mountain Kings | The Maykop Culture

The Maykop (or Maikop) Culture was a Bronze Age people of the Caucasus mountains who traded with the ancient civilization of Uruk Mesopotamia and the Yamnaya steppe herders.

When the famous Maykop Chieftain's kurgan was excavated in 1897 it was almost 11m high and more than 100m in diameter. Inside were astonishing treasures of gold, silver, arsenical bronze, and precious stones from distant lands.

This ancient king of the northern mountains was wealthy beyond belief. His tunic had 68 golden lions and 19 golden bulls applied to its surface. He wore necklaces with 60 beads of turquoise, 1,272 beads of carnelian, and 122 golden beads. Under his skull was a diadem with five golden rosettes of five petals each on a band of gold pierced at the ends.

How did this remote kingdom acquire such wealth? What did they eat, what weapons and tools did they use, and what language did they speak?

Who were the mysterious people Soviet archeologists called the Steppe Maykop (or Steppe Maikop)?

And how did the Maykop culture influence the Yamnaya culture to their north?

A Makeshift Casket of Sea Shells and Antlers: The 6500-Year-Old Grave of the Unfortunate Ladies of Téviec.

Téviec would be a rather anonymous island located somewhere in Brittany, France, if it wasn’t for its great archaeological value thanks to the many finds – mainly from the Mesolithic Period – that have been excavated there. These finds include the skeletons of two women, dated between 6740 and 5680 BC, who may have been violently murdered.

Archaeologists Put Téviec on the Mesolithic Map

Téviec is one of the very few known Mesolithic sites in Brittany, along with Pointe de la Torche, Hoëdic and Beg er Vil on the Quibe. It has been the subject of a biotope protection scheme for the past 35 years. Therefore, landing on the island has become a troublesome task for contemporary archaeologists, since it is generally prohibited from 15 April to 31 August.

That wasn’t always the case, though. From 1928 to 1934, archaeologists Marthe and Saint-Just Péquart discovered and excavated a culturally and archaeologically rich Mesolithic site on the island, dated to between 5700 and 4500 BC. According to most historians, this is considered the end of the Mesolithic period in western France and it overlaps with the beginning of the Neolithic period.

The main finds at the site were substantial middens formed of oyster and clam shells and ten multiple graves containing 23 skeletons, including adults and children. Among the shells were the remains of animals as well, such as dogs, crabs, fish, lobsters, seabirds, deer, and boar among others. Due to the acidity of the soil in the location, the bones have been remarkably preserved, even though many of the skeletons showed clear signs of brutality and violence, including one with an arrowhead embedded in its spine.

The Unfortunate Ladies of Téviec

The most fascinating and mysterious of all discoveries, however, is undoubtedly the grave that includes the skeletons of two women aged 25–35, dubbed the "Ladies of Téviec.” Their bodies were buried delicately in a pit that was partly dug into the ground and coated over with debris from the midden. The corpses had been protected all these centuries by a roof made of antlers and supplied with pieces of flint, boar bones, and jewelry made of sea shells such as necklaces, bracelets, and ringlets for their legs. The grave collection was unearthed from the site as a whole and is now on display at the Muséum de Toulouse, where its restoration in 2010 earned several awards.

The thing that shocked archaeologists the most though, was the blatant violence and brutality the two women sustained before they died. Scientists examining the skeletons concluded that one of them had suffered five blows to the head, two of which were possibly fatal, and had also received at least one arrow shot between the eyes. The other body also had traces of injuries, but not as violent as the body of her “friend.” In recent years, however, this diagnosis is debated by some archaeologists, who claim that the immense weight of the soil above the grave may have been the cause of damage for the skeletons. An obvious question that probably occurs upon reading this is: How could the weight and composition of any soil – no matter how heavy it might be –ever justify an arrow shot between the eyes? It doesn’t make any sense, does it?

A Very Cold Case: Attempts to Solve the Téviec Mystery Almost 6,500 Years Later

In 2012, replicas of the two skeletons were laid for the first time on a mortuary slab of Toulouse Natural History Museum, during an exhibition titled Prehistory: The Investigation , which became a big hit in France.

“When you create an exhibition, you need to create an atmosphere and a lot of TV shows are about CSI and forensics and they always start with a forensics table – and here it is,” said Dr. Francis Duranthon, the director of the Toulouse Natural History Museum, pointing to the mortuary slab.

In the city of Toulouse alone, more than a hundred thousand people visited the exhibition, while in Paris two hundred thousand people watched closely the attempt of the scientists to solve this prehistoric mystery.

Isotope analysis of the two women’s teeth showed a diet of seafood and meat. That caused scientists to speculate that the two females possibly came from a small community that farmed, harvested the sea, and hunted. The exhibition also revealed that this was probably a community where women fulfilled a more domestic role. “It is unusual to find women killed this way during this period,” said Duranthon and added, “What we know is that at least two people were involved in these killings.”

According to several academics, raids in order to steal food were pretty common back then and they suggest that the two unlucky women could have been victims of a bloody raid. However, some historians claim that what possibly killed the women was a long series of unfortunate meteorological phenomena. Droughts back then would usually decimate a farming community, while an extreme hailstorm destroyed crops, and people would see these as signs that the gods needed to be appeased. Thus, the two women might have been sacrificed as victims of a ritual murder, slain by people they knew - or even family members.

So, what really happened to the “Ladies of Téviec”? As it’s the case with many historical mysteries throughout the centuries…We will probably never know!

Source: https://www.ancient-origins.net/history/ma...

Admire The 3000-Year-Old Condom Of The Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun: Archaeologists Are Amazed

When Tutankhamun’s tomb was first discovered in 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter was stunned by the astonishing array of grave goods – more than 5,000 artifacts were left for the boy king to use in his afterlife. But amongst all the gold, silver, ebony, ivory , precious jewelry, weapons, furniture, fine linen and rare perfumes, a small piece of cloth caught the eyes of the experts; it was King Tut’s condom and, apparently, it was deemed essential for him to take into eternity.

Tutankhamun’s condom, which contained traces of his DNA, consisted of a sheath made of fine linen, soaked in olive oil, and attached to a string that would have tied around his waist. Dated to 1350 BC, it is the oldest known condom in existence. If the condom was used for contraceptive, rather than ritual purposes or the prevention of disease, it is unlikely to have been very effective. Indeed, the remains of two fetuses were also found in his tomb, and genetic testing revealed King Tut was the father.

The ancient Egyptians had other methods of contraception too. The Kahun Medical Papyrus (known also as the Gynaecological Papyrus), which has been dated to around 1825 BC, recommends the use of a mixture of crocodile dung and some other (now unknown) ingredients as a contraceptive. This mixture would then be formed into a pessary. According to one hypothesis, the dung of crocodiles is alkaline in nature, thus acting as a spermicide.

The Egyptians may have been among the first civilizations to use condoms, but others soon followed. In ancient Rome, condoms were made from linen and animal intestine or bladder. The ancient Chinese fashioned sheaths from silk paper soaked in oil. In Japan, they used tortoise shell or animal horn that was used to cover the glans only. The archaic Djukas tribe of New Guinea had a female condom made from a specific plant. Muslims and Jews during the Middle Ages covered the penis in tar or soaked it in onion juice.

When the first well-documented outbreak of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis occurred in the 15th century among French troops, the need for something to protect against disease became more essential, and linen sheaths soaked in a chemical solution were widely adopted. In addition to linen, some condoms during the Renaissance were made out of animal intestines or bladder. The condom was revolutionized in the early 19th century with the introduction of rubber. By 1850, several rubber companies began the mass production of condoms, and the rest is history.

Source: https://www.ancient-origins.net/weird-fact...

This warship is so well-preserved that looking at it is like taking a trip back in time

Explorers and marine archaeologists have located galleons and warships from the 16th century on the bottom of the sea before. But the discovery of the 97-foot-long Swedish galleon the Mars has gotten people particularly excited for several reasons.

First of all, the ship at the bottom of the Baltic Sea is astoundingly well preserved. So much so that looking at it is like a trip back in time.

Johan Ronnby, a professor of maritime archaeology at Södertörn University in Sweden, told National Geographic that he would like to leave the Mars on the seafloor and “use three-dimensional scans and photographs to share the wreck with the world.”

Ronnby has gotten help in his research efforts from Richard Lundgren — part owner of Ocean Discovery, a company of professional divers that assists in maritime work.

Lundgren had been searching for the Mars for 20 years. He wasn’t alone. Finding the Mars was an obsession with many people because of the fame of the boat — and the supposed curse surrounding its discovery.

The Mars was the largest and most feared warship of its time, named after the Roman god of war. The leader of the Swedish navy, it was sunk during its very first naval engagement.

It all begins with King Eric XIV of Sweden and his desire to increase the naval power of his country. He ordered the construction of one of Europe’s first large, three-masted ships.

The King commanded his admiral to take the Mars out as part of a huge fleet aimed at Denmark and Lubeck (part of modern Germany) and sink ships using its artillery.

At first it seemed to dominate with its 800 men and 107 guns. But on the second day of the battle, enemy ships hurled fireballs onto the Mars and disabled it before sending the boarding parties. A fire may have occurred in the Mars‘ gunpowder stores, and that might have set the loaded cannons off.

Whatever led to the destruction, the Mars sank on May 31, 1564, off the coast of a Swedish island called Öland. It came to rest on the seafloor tilted to its starboard side.

For centuries the curious searched for the wreck without success. Legend has it the Mars was protected by a special curse.

The story goes that a specter rose from the depths to guard the Mars against ever being discovered. It was not found until 2011, when some divers located the wreck in 246 feet of water.

Lundgren announced that the ship had been found. “The site is virtually littered with cannons,” he said to the press. The discovery in its hull of silver coins minted the year before the battle by the Swedish king helped confirm its identity.

Since then research has focused on studying the wreck, gaining as much information as possible.

“If this is the Mars, it is a truly significant find,” said Andreas Olson, head archaeologist at the Royal Swedish Maritime Museum, in an interview. “When it comes to maritime history it really can be seen as the ‘missing link’ in the chain of what we know about historic shipbuilding.” Since 2011, research work has been underway, bringing back to life the 16th century.

King Eric XIV, while intelligent and inspired, was believed to have suffered from insanity. He was not only warlike but attacked people in his own kingdom, sometimes murdering his enemies with his own hands. For a time, he tried to woo Elizabeth I by long distance, but she declined him.

The King was deposed in 1568 by his nobility, held in prison, and died in 1577. Later tests showed high levels of arsenic in his body, leading to the belief that he was poisoned.

Why is his ship so miraculously well preserved?

“Low levels of sediment, slow currents, brackish water, and the absence of a mollusk called a shipworm — responsible for breaking down wooden wrecks in other oceans in as little as five years — combined to keep the warship in remarkable condition,” reported National Geographic.

Source: https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/09/17/...

Lost Treasures From Mythology!

Check out these LOST Treasures From Mythology! From powerful weapons used by the gods to mythical treasures that may actually exist, this top 10 list of amazing treasures from norse & greek mythology is magical!

Most Bizarre Archaeological Discoveries!

Check out the most terrifying archaeological discoveries! This top 10 list of scariest and mysterious ancient artifacts were recently found and will make your hairs stand up!

What Scientists Found Inside This Place Shocked the Whole World

The forgotten lands of Egypt have always been a source of mystery and intrigue. But the answers lurking within could come at a great and dangerous price! From the truth hidden behind the mummification process to the remnants of a lost temple, here are 20 Mysterious Discoveries In Egypt That Scare Scientists!

What They Discovered in this Pond Has Left People Speechless

You’ve most likely seen a pond before, and you might even have one in your backyard! These still and fresh bodies of water are quite relaxing to look at and they also provide a habitat for various animals! Usually, there’s nothing interesting about them, but occasionally, we discover the most unexpected things in these waters.

From the devil’s bath to a terrifying brain-eating organism, here are the 15 strangest things recently discovered in ponds.

Joe Rogan’s Bizarre Theory on the Lost City of Atlantis

In today’s video, we will see what Jimmy Corsetti tells Joe Rogan about the Lost City of Atlantis.

If you type the word "Atlantis" into Google, around 120 million results will pop up. Plato's legend of Atlantis has undoubtedly intrigued many people for a very long time, from scientists to mysticism, with many candidates being cited as the possible location of this lost and sunken civilization. But did such a city ever exist at all? And if yes, where could the ruins be?

In a viral video published in September 2018, Jimmy Corsetti, on his YouTube channel, Bright Insight claimed that the features of a structure, not under the ocean today, but surrounded by the sands of the Sahara, match Plato's description of Atlantis.

Pompeii Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

Mount Vesuvius was responsible for the destruction of the city of Pompeii in 79 AD. Nearly everyone has heard one story or another about arguably the most well-known volcanic eruption in history, but how many of you know what really happened on that fateful day in Pompeii?

This mountain located on the west coast of Italy is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, but the Vesuvius eruption is just one part of the story of the Italian city. How much do you know about daily life before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius? Hopefully, these facts about Pompeii will shed some light on one of the most famous ancient catastrophes in recorded history, as well as the vibrant society that preceded it.

Nefertiti: Facial Reconstructions & History Documentary

Nefertiti has one of the most famous faces of the ancient world. Her bust has fascinated millions and inspired a love of Egyptology and Egyptian history in many. What did Nefertiti do? What is her legacy? Do we have her mummy? Is the Berlin bust fake? Finally, what did she really look like? We will take a look at some facial reconstructions together.

12 Most Amazing And Unexpected Abandoned Objects

Everything that's ever built has the potential to one day become abandoned. That's as true of whole cities as it is of objects you can fit inside the palm of your hand. Even the most loved of cities, buildings, and artefacts will one day be forgotten by those who built them and loved them, and then they too might end up on a video like this one. Let's begin our abandonment world tour!

Researchers Discover More Than 100 'Herd' Dinosaur Eggs In Argentina

Jurassic Park, here we come. Archeologists have discovered more than 100 dinosaur eggs, many with intact embryos, in the southern Patagonia region of Argentina in what they say is the oldest known evidence of a complex dinosaur herd.

Scientists also uncovered fossilized bones of 80 dinosaurs of all ages nearby, providing further evidence of a community of a Jurassic-era species called Mussaurus patagonicus, according to the research published last month in the British journal Scientific Reports.

The bones were segregated by age, with eggs in a common nesting ground. Juveniles likely were left in “schools” while adults foraged, according to the researchers.

“This may mean that the young were not following their parents in a small family structure,” said Jahandar Ramezani, a scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who participated in the research. “There’s a larger community structure, where adults shared and took part in raising the whole community.”

The “discoveries indicate the presence of social cohesion throughout life and age-segregation within a herd structure, in addition to colonial nesting behavior,” the article says. “These findings provide the earliest evidence of complex social behavior in Dinosauria.”

The two-legged adult herbivores had a long neck, grew to lengths of some 20 feet, and weighed about 1.5 tons. They walked the earth some 200 million years ago, and were functioning in herds 40 million years earlier than previously known.

Lead researcher Diego Pol, a paleontologist of the Edigio Feruglio Paleontological Museum in Trelew, Argentina, called the archeology site “one of a kind.” It’s a “pretty dramatic scene from 193 million years ago that was frozen in time,” he added.

The nesting ground includes “delicate and tiny dinosaur skeletons as well as eggs with embryos inside,” Pol told Reuters.

The “specimens we have found showed that herd behavior was present in long-necked dinosaurs since their early history,” Pol added. “These were social animals, and we think this may be an important factor to explain their success.”

When their luck ran out, the herd most likely died from a mass-death event like a drought, archeologists believe.

Another team of archeologists announced last month that they had extracted 30 titanosaur eggs from fossilized nests in a two-ton rock in northern Spain. There may be another 70 eggs still buried in nests deeper within the rock, which indicates a communal nesting site.

Titanosaurs were long-tailed four-legged herbivores with necks up to 66 feet long.

Source: https://news.yahoo.com/researchers-discove...

Caligula’s Stunning 2,000-Year-Old Sapphire Ring Tells Of A Dramatic Love Story

It's hard not to admire this stunning 2,000-year-old sapphire ring. It's an ancient Roman treasure believed to have once belonged to Caligula, the third Roman emperor, ruling from 37 to 41.

Named Gaius Julius Caesar after Julius Caesar, the Roman emperor acquired the nickname "Caligula" (meaning "little soldier's boot").

Today, Caligula is remembered as an infamous emperor who was smart but also cruel. Whether he was insane or not is still debated, but there is no doubt he was one of the most brutal emperors in ancient Rome. He forced his contemporaries to worship him as a god, committed incest with his sisters, and wanted to make his horse a consul. Torture and executions were a daily routine during his brief reign.

If historical accounts of Caligula's behavior are based on actual events, one can say this precious ring is just as beautiful as Caligula was awful.

The sky blue hololith, made from a piece of precious stone, is believed to depict Caesonia, Caligula's fourth and last wife. Rumors said she was so beautiful that the emperor told her to parade naked in front of his friends occasionally.

Caesonia must have been extraordinary because Suetonius, a Roman historian, described her as "a woman of reckless extravagance and wantonness."

Caligula's love story with Caesonia resulted in the birth of Julia Drusilla. Caligula was deeply in love with Caesonia, and she was the emperor's most important confidant. However, the couple was surrounded by enemies who wished to remove Caligula from power.

Caligula was assassinated due to a conspiracy by officers of the Praetorian Guard led by Cassius Chaerea, senators, and courtiers. Caesonia and her daughter were murdered as well. Different sources report different versions of the murder. According to some, Caligula was stabbed in the chest. Others say he was pierced with a sword between the neck and shoulder.

"According to Seneca, Chaerea managed to decapitate the emperor with one blow, but many conspirators surrounded the emperor and thrust their swords into the corpse anyway.

Immediately following the murder, Chaerea sent a tribune named Lupus to kill Caesonia and Drusilla, the emperor's young daughter.

Reports say that the empress faced the blow courageously and that the little girl was dashed against a wall. Then Chaerea and Sabinus, fearful of what would follow, fled into the interior of the palace complex and from there, by a different route, into the city. "1

Caligula's beautiful sapphire ring was part of the collection of the Earl of Arundel from 1637 to 1762 when it became one of the famous 'Marlborough Gems.'

Not surprisingly, the ring caused a sensation when it was made available for purchase in an auction by Royal jewelers Wartski.

"This ring is one of the prestigious 'Marlborough Gems,' having previously been in the collection of the Earl of Arundel. It is crafted entirely of sapphire. Very few hololiths exist, and I would argue this is the best example you can find. We believe it belonged to the debauched Emperor Caligula, and the engraving shows his final wife Caesonia," Kieran McCarthy, Wartski director, said.

Caligula's ring was finally sold for close to £500,000 in 2019.

Source: https://www.ancientpages.com/2020/07/10/ca...