Modern historiography has tended to assume that violence was the primary driving force behind the formation of the first civilizations. This idea, promoted by theorists ranging from Hobbes to Tilly, has dominated interpretations of early state development. However, a recent study published in the Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient challenges […]
Bronze Age
Posted inAntiquity, Prehistory
The Imposing Rock-Cut Tombs and the Anaktoron Palace of Pantalica: The Mycenaean Connection of Sicily
In the heart of the island of Sicily, surrounded by the natural majesty of the Anapo Valley, lies one of the most significant archaeological sites of prehistoric Europe: the Pantalica necropolis. From its origins in the Bronze Age to its abandonment during the Greek domination, Pantalica preserves in its rocky walls, its excavated tombs, and […]
Posted inArt, Prehistory
The Enigmatic Prehistoric Stone Monuments: Menhirs, Dolmens, Cromlechs, Alignments – What Are They and How Do They Differ?
Since time immemorial, megaliths have fascinated archaeologists, historians, and travelers alike. These enormous stone structures, erected by prehistoric cultures, have withstood the passage of time and continue to raise questions: How were they built? What purpose did they serve? And most importantly, what significance did they hold for those who constructed them? There are many […]
Posted inAncient Greece
Poliochne, the First City of Europe, Was the Nemesis and Rival of Troy Situated Across From It
In the history of humanity, early settlements provide a fascinating glimpse into the development of civilization. One such place is Poliochne (in Greek Πολιόχνη), an ancient city located on the eastern coast of the island of Lemnos in the Aegean Sea. Considered the oldest city in Europe, Poliochne flourished during the Late Copper Age and […]
Posted inStone Age Archaeology
240 Dolmens of the Megalithic Landscape of the Gor River in Spain Formed a Territory Delimitation Network in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages
A recent archaeological study has revealed details about the fascinating and complex megalithic landscape of the Gor River valley, in the Spanish province of Granada, a site that hosts one of the largest concentrations of dolmens in the Iberian Peninsula. The results combine advanced technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and probabilistic analysis to […]
Posted inPrehistory
Enigmatic Tablets: The Small Artifacts from the Bronze Age Found Across Central Europe That No One Knows the Purpose Of
The enigmatic tablets, the subject of intense study by archaeologists throughout Europe, are small artifacts made of terracotta or stone dating back to the Bronze Age, specifically between 2100 and 1400 BCE. These mysterious objects have been found since the second half of the 19th century at various archaeological sites across the continent, primarily in […]
Posted inAntiquity
The Relationship Between the First Bronze Alloy Used by Humans and the Deformity of Some Gods Like Hephaestus and Vulcan
Toward the end of the 4th millennium B.C., a revolutionary technology emerged in the Near East: metallurgy, which gave its name to the prehistoric period we now know as the Bronze Age. Bronze was the first significant alloy obtained by humans, and for millennia it was the basic alloy used for the production of tools, […]
Posted inArt
Analysis of the bust of Sargon’s son reveals the beginnings of lost-wax casting technique in Mesopotamia
A recent study of an ancient Mesopotamian sculpture using cutting-edge technology has provided information about the earliest metal casting techniques in human history, revealing the technical challenges faced by artisans more than 4,000 years ago. The research, published in the journal Heritage Science, focused on the “Head of a Ruler“, an impressive copper piece that […]
Posted inAntiquity
The Cypriots that Carried Copper Ingots on their Shoulders in the Bronze Age
Oxhide ingots are metal slabs, primarily made of copper, although sometimes also made of tin, produced during the Late Bronze Age on the island of Cyprus and later distributed across the Mediterranean. They were used, at least since 1500 BC, as a means of transporting copper and for bulk sales across the Mediterranean via maritime […]
Posted inPrehistory
Europe’s Oldest Wooden Staircase was found Inside a Bronze Age Mine, Only 2 Percent of whose Tunnels have been Explored
One of the most important archaeological sites in the world is the Austrian village of Hallstatt, located on the shore of the lake of the same name and at the foot of Hoher Dachstein, the highest peak in the Salzkammergut Alps. Since prehistoric times, a salt mine has been exploited there, which is considered the […]
