Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Relic reveals Noah's ark was circular

Well apart from the fact they are talking about Atram-Hasis of course not Noah...

"That they processed aboard the enormous floating wildlife collection two-by-two is well known. Less familiar, however, is the possibility that the animals Noah shepherded on to his ark then went round and round inside.

According to newly translated instructions inscribed in ancient Babylonian on a clay tablet telling the story of the ark, the vessel that saved one virtuous man, his family and the animals from god's watery wrath was not the pointy-prowed craft of popular imagination but rather a giant circular reed raft..."

Sunday, February 21, 2010

On Crete, New Evidence of Very Ancient Mariners

"Early humans, possibly even prehuman ancestors, appear to have been going to sea much longer than anyone had ever suspected.

That is the startling implication of discoveries made the last two summers on the Greek island of Crete. Stone tools found there, archaeologists say, are at least 130,000 years old, which is considered strong evidence for the earliest known seafaring in the Mediterranean and cause for rethinking the maritime capabilities of prehuman cultures..."

Friday, February 19, 2010

Archaeologists pinpoint long-disputed site of Battle of Bosworth

"Archaeologists announced today that they have located not just the site of the Battle of Bosworth, but the spot where – on 22 August 1485 – Richard III became the last English king to die in battle when he was cut down by Tudor swords..."

Thursday, February 11, 2010

U.S. Navy Documentary (1915?)

"Although incomplete, this documentary appears to be the longest surviving nonfiction film about the U.S. Navy dating from before World War I..." (well if its from 1915 as they think it is its not before WW1 but quibbles aside its a very interesting film you can watch online or download as a MPEG movie.)