In a discovery that promises to reshape our understanding of cultural and genetic interactions along the Silk Road, an international team of researchers has unraveled the complex roots of the Sogdians, an ancient community of merchants originating from Central Asia. Using ancient DNA analysis, this groundbreaking study sheds light on their genetic and cultural legacy, […]
Asia
Posted inAncient Greece
Agathocleia, the Greek Queen Who Ruled Northern India
Women were relegated to secondary roles in Ancient Greece, which is why most queenly names belong to mythology: Jocasta, Leda, Pelops, Gorgophone, Aglaea… A few historical ones could be added, but they ruled only as consorts, such as Stratonice of Cappadocia, Philistis, Nereis of Epirus, or Stratonice of Pergamum. However, during the Hellenistic Period, things […]
Posted inAntiquity, Geography
The Stone Tower, the place marking the midpoint of the Silk Road and whose coordinates Ptolemy mentions, has never been found
Throughout the centuries, the mythical Stone Tower has been a fascinating enigma for geographers, historians, and archaeologists worldwide. This location is mentioned in Claudius Ptolemy’s Geography as the midpoint on the Silk Road, the vast network of trade routes connecting Europe and Asia, facilitating the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas. The Stone Tower, known […]
Posted inBronze Age Archaeology
A Drought Changed the Course of Central Asian Civilizations in the Bronze Age
A team of archaeologists has unearthed evidence about life in Central Asia 4000 years ago, revealing how a sudden climate change transformed the region and shaped the civilizations we know today. The site of Djarkutan, located in southeastern Uzbekistan, has provided vital clues about how a dramatic drought may have driven migrations and crucial economic […]
Posted inGeography, Prehistory
Paratethys, the Largest Lake Ever to have Existed on Earth
Scientists have discovered that around 11 million years ago, Europe was home to the largest lake the world has ever seen. Known as Lake Paratethys, it stretched from the Alps all the way to Central Asia, covering an enormous area of over 2.8 million square kilometers. Dr. Dan Palcu of Utrecht University in the Netherlands […]
