Ancient （6do encyclopedia）

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Ancient

Ancient refers to something that existed or took place a long time ago, typically between the periods of prehistory and the Middle Ages. The term ancient is usually linked to the history, cultures, and civilizations that existed before the modern era. In this article, we will dive deeper into the different aspects of ancient history, including some of the significant events, civilizations, and cultures that have shaped our world today.

History of Ancient Period

The ancient era in history began with the emergence and evolution of Homo sapiens about 250,000 years ago. These early humans were hunter-gatherers who lived off the land, and had no written language, hence the period is referred to as prehistory. However, as humans evolved, they began to develop complex social systems and advanced tools and technologies. Prehistoric times were marked by significant developments such as the discovery of fire, the development of language, the creation of art, and the domestication of animals.

The ancient period is usually divided into different time periods, which include the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and the Neolithic (New Stone Age). The Paleolithic period lasted from the emergence of humans until around 10,000 BCE. This period was marked by the evolution of humans, who began to use sophisticated tools and developed communication skills. The Mesolithic period lasted from approximately 10,000 BCE until 8000 BCE, during which humans adapted to changing environmental conditions and developed agriculture. The Neolithic period lasted from 8000 BCE until the end of the ancient period, during which humans developed the wheel, writing, and complex social systems.

Significant Ancient Civilizations

One of the most important aspects of ancient history is the existence of significant civilizations that were responsible for shaping many aspects of modern life. In this section, we will explore some of the most notable ancient civilizations.

Egypt

Ancient Egypt is one of the most well-known and influential civilizations in history. The ancient Egyptian civilization lasted for over 3,000 years, from around 3150 BCE to 30 BCE. The civilization was characterized by its impressive infrastructure, including the pyramids and temples, and the creation of a centralized government with a pharaoh as its ruler. Egyptians were also known for their monumental art, language, and religious beliefs.

Greece

The ancient Greek civilization is renowned for its contributions to philosophy, literature, science, and art. The Greeks developed the first democracy in the world and created a strong culture of intellectualism, including the works of Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. Greeks were also responsible for the creation of the Olympic Games and the concept of theater.

Rome

The ancient Roman civilization had a lasting influence on Western culture and law. The Romans were responsible for the development of a codified legal system, which is still relevant today. They also created the first modern road system, and built some of the world’s most impressive architectural achievements, such as the Colosseum, aqueducts, and public baths.

China

The ancient Chinese civilization was characterized by its exceptional advancements in science, technology, and medicine. The Chinese invented gunpowder, the compass, and the printing press. Additionally, they created elaborate systems of government, art, and philosophy.

Conclusion

The ancient period in history represents a significant time of growth and development for humans. The different cultures and civilizations that developed during this era helped shape our modern world. With the advent of writing, art, philosophy, government, and infrastructure, ancient societies created a foundation for modern advancements, which continue to shape our world today. Therefore, it is vital to study ancient history comprehensively to understand how far humanity has come and how much more we can achieve.

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Why Netflix’s ‘Queen Cleopatra’ Has Egypt up in Arms

Foreign Policy

23-05-14 01:00

Egyptian objections to the casting of a Black British actress in the role of Queen Cleopatra in Netflix’s upcoming series have been motivated by historical grievances and a long-standing Western tradition of separating modern Egyptians from their ancient heritage. Early detractors, including former US President John F. Kennedy, argued that Egypt's monuments were historical roots of Western civilization and that Western tradition was superior to that of Egypt. Some critics today are motivated by the dominant Western narrative that the ancient Egyptians were white and that modern Egyptians are inferior to their predecessors. Although some academics believe that Cleopatra may have had multiracial heritage. The new controversy highlights the issues surrounding ownership of Egyptian history and the role of race in the production and dissemination of knowledge about her history.

Today, Egypt is suffering from extreme and xenophobic nationalistic trends, which emerged after the 2013 overthrow of Islamist Muslim Brotherhood by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Opponents of Muslim Brotherhood feared that the group would distance Egypt from its historical roots in favor of foregrounding Islamic and Arab heritage as the primary marker of Egyptian culture and memory. Many sought to affirm a congenital Egyptian identity that was exclusively rooted in ancient Egyptian heritage. Sisi’s regime has endorsed such a rhetorical form of identity politics to justify its authoritarian crackdowns on opponents and critics as being necessary to protect the nation and its identity from foreign enemies.

In 2021, the Egyptian state transported the royal mummies from the Egyptian Museum to a new museum in Cairo in a spectacular gala parade. Although anti-Black racism and xenophobic attitudes have always existed in Egypt, the current trend began after 2013. Egypt has a proud legacy of having experience in racial solidarity and the fight against racism and imperialism. Egyptian leaders including Gamal Abdel Nasser, received W.E.B. Du Bois, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and other Black and pan-Africanist figures. This legacy has a long history and helps create a renewed interest in Egypt’s pharaonic heritage, serving as a form of defiance against the Western cultural appropriation of ancient Egyptian civilization, a practice rooted in imperialism’s history.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/05/14/egypt-netflix-queen-cleopatra-race-history-heritage-imperialism-afrocentrism/

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Book restorers handling history

The Independent

23-05-12 11:28

Restoration specialist Song Jing claims that time is barely noted over the course of a working day as a specialist at the National Library of China’s restoration division for ancient books. Jing and her colleagues are responsible for three million volumes spanning manuscripts, books and documents prior to 1911. To ensure the longevity of restoration work, she and her team must mix paste just before repair is started, ensure tools are kept clean, and vary the paste density for different tasks. Authenticity is crucial in order to effectively preserve the books, which are one of China’s most beloved offerings.

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/china/china-daily/ancient-book-restoration-the-national-library-of-china-yongle-dadian-b2335552.html

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Recycling our poop to grow food more sustainably

Deutsche Welle

23-05-12 07:08

Researchers at the Laboratoire Eau Environnement et Systemes Urbains (Leesu) outside Paris have teamed up with local farmers to trial wheat cultivation using urine-based fertiliser. Currently synthetic fertiliser is most widely used, however, farmers have discovered that using urine provides equivalent yields and offers organic matter that improves soil. However, the trials have not been extended fully yet as there are cultural and psychological barriers standing in the way of utilizing human waste as a fertiliser. Current research suggests there are health concerns that must be addressed before this type of fertiliser becomes widespread.

https://www.dw.com/en/recycling-our-poop-to-grow-food-more-sustainably/a-63804531

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Mosul Museum reveals new look after IS destruction

BBC

23-05-11 11:08

The recaptured Iraqi city of Mosul has revealed detailed plans to restore its modernist museum, which was damaged by ISIS in 2014. The Mosul Cultural Museum includes artefacts from the Assyrian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Persian and Roman periods, as well as material dating back 5,000 years to the beginnings of written history. The ISIS destruction of the museum included the fragmentation of several pieces with sledgehammers and drills. Scholars and antiquities officials risked returning to Mosul in 2017, when ISIS was driven out. An international partnership is restoring the museum in conjunction with UNESCO’s Emergency Response Fund.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-65548395

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Gene study points to link between Stone Age China and the Americas

South China Morning Post

23-05-10 13:38

Modern and ancient human genes studied by researchers have discovered a Stone Age lineage with ancestry that may have come from China, following a coastal route. The phylogenetic differentiation of the D4h, a specific lineage of mitochondrial DNA, found in native populations across Asia and the Americas including Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico and California, led the researchers to trace its origin to populations in China. The study supports the theory that early Americans took a coastal route from Asia to America rather than an inland route, thus contributing to the genetic diversity observed in indigenous populations today.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3220112/gene-study-points-link-between-stone-age-china-and-americas

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The never-ending quest for the perfect city

Telegraph

23-05-18 17:00

From Renaissance ideals to Ebenezer Howard's Garden City, architects and urban planners have created some of the most famous cities with specific ideals in mind. The author mentions an 8th century Kyoto, which had a grid system modeled from China's Chang'an (modern-day Xi'an), long before Manhattan existed; a scaled-down version was made of Nara, the capital before it; the city had temples, shrines, and delicate gardens to the city's backdrop of mountains. 15-minute cities were polarizing in the UK due to their association with low-traffic neighborhoods; Blooming with parks, temples and huge statues, Ramesses II's Pi-Ramesses, was built on the banks of a now-dry branch of the Nile, but was little more than a lost city buried under Egyptian fields for 3,000 years. In the wake of Europe's Black Death, Renaissance idealists harked back to Roman and Greek settlements, developing the concept of the Ideal City. Architects such as Maverick Filarete named his pioneering, star-shaped prototype the Sforzinda. Lastly, urban planner Ebenezer Howard sought a way for normal working-class families to escape the city, leading to garden cities such as Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City that influenced the capital cities of New Delhi and Canberra.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/the-never-ending-quest-for-the-perfect-city/

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The science of passion: Why do we kiss?

Deutsche Welle

23-05-19 06:02

Researcher Troel Arboll, an Assyriologist at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, believes romantic kissing might not be an innate human behavior, instead developing in complex societies as a learned mating behavior. "Kissing doesn't seem to be universal across all cultures. It coincides with increased complexity of social interactions," he said. A report in Science on Thursday discusses a new perspective on the ancient history of kissing with a theory that romantic kissing developed in multiple ancient cultures over several millennia.

https://www.dw.com/en/the-science-of-passion-why-do-we-kiss/a-65657314

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Example of a rewritten Parks Canada plaque at N.L. historic site

The Toronto Star

23-05-19 21:27

Parks Canada is updating its historic plaques and markers to reflect changes in scholarship and interpretations of Canada’s past. The effort aims to rectify previous omissions and tell a more diverse, inclusive and accurate history for and about Indigenous Peoples. For example, the new marker for L'Anse Amour National Historic Site correctly identifies it as the burial place of a young person in North America’s oldest-known First Nations funerary monument, rather than a burial of an Indian child, the previously-expressed but inaccurate perception.

https://www.thestar.com/politics/2023/05/19/example-of-a-rewritten-parks-canada-plaque-at-nl-historic-site.html