Unexplainable.net

The Incredible Discovery of Yuri Knorozov

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:41:46 PST

Yuri Knorozov is not a well known name in the field of Archaeology, unfortunately, but he made a discovery that inevitably solved one of the greatest mysteries of all time: that of the lost language of the Mayans. Knorozov not only was a linguist himself, but a soldier and archaeologist that made the adventures of Indiana Jones look like a spring stroll around campus.

Ancient Egyptian Steles

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:48:33 PST

Pyramids and tombs weren’t the only artifacts left behind by the ancient Egyptians that played a role in unlocking the beauty of their culture and practices. There were also ancient steles that shed light on some of the funerary customs, languages, and art of the culture. In this article, you will learn a bit about the infamous Rosetta Stone and other monuments, such as the Stele of Ankh-ef-en-Khonsu.

A Brief Exploration of the Kurgan Stelae

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:35:30 PST

Throughout the Ukraine and Russia, stelae (also known as balbals) showcased images cut out of stone that were positioned on top of or around kurgan cemeteries. Often described as 'obelisks,' their arrangements of double lines were distinct for the culture. The kurgan obelisks were most likely a part of memorials and funeral sanctuaries linked to Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The use of these structures also survived throughout the Middle Ages.

Historic Steles – Outside Funerary Purposes

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:36:35 PST

Ancient steles are often associated with funerals and commemorating the dead, but they also served other purposes, including citing laws for all to see and drawing attention to great battles. In this article, you will encounter steles linked to the ancient culture of Akkadian Empire led by a Mesopotamian king and of ancient Babylon.

Ancient Steles: Korean and Greek

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:34:35 PST

Ancient steles gave royal family members a chance to commemorate their loved ones, especially when they were a successful ruler and leader. In this article, you will encounter steles dating back to Korean and Greek history with one highlighting the achievements of a patriarch.

Ancient Steles: Africa and China

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:33:40 PST

A great deal of what we learn about ancient cultures comes from the artworks and other forms of expression left behind. During a funeral, a stele was often erected to serve as commemoration. Constructed out of wood or stone, the names and titles of the deceased were typically placed onto the material. In this article, you will encounter a collection of steles hailing from around the world.

Interesting Archeology Headlines of March 2010

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:45:20 PST

Interest has tuned towards a settlement that has a history tracing back 150,000 years. Posing many challenges for archeologists and researchers, artifacts and details associated with the 3rd century BC are found at a site in an Iraqi town. This article will also touch upon the archeological significance of Vero Beach, Florida.

Ancient Celtic Symbolism – Animals II

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:05:02 PST

According to the Celts, the deer is the oldest animal in existence and it had its own place in Celtic mythology and symbolism. In this article, you will learn some of the associations with the deer and other animals, including hounds and birds.

Ancient Celtic Symbolism – Animals I

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:00:38 PST

Animals played an important role in the ancient Celtic belief system, especially snakes and serpents, which was used in many different areas of the culture. In this article, you will encounter other animals used as symbolize amongst ancient Celt.

Ancient Alien Cave Painting Discovered

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:16:55 PST

From time to time a UFO report is uncovered from long ago that shatters the idea that the visiting of Earth by extraterrestrial beings is merely a contemporary issue. But throughout history these reports have been indicated to be merely mythological in nature, using terms like "magic" to replace technology and psionics to describe the events. Now, a team of anthropologists have uncovered an image on the wall of a remote cave in India that clearly depicts what could easily be translated as a modern UFO report.

The Stars Themselves

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:14:44 PST

"I wonder if there were fewer stars back then," goes Henry's line in the classic play "The Lion in Winter" in reference to the wise men spotting a new star amongst so many others blanketing the night sky. Is it possible the proverbial Star of David could actually have been something other than a star? And how exactly does a star hover above one localized building? The prolific presence of stars throughout history and mythology brings forth a whole new dialogue on the possibilities they hold.

Recent Headlines: The Marvels of DNA Testing

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:37:44 PST

DNA testing has come a long way and today, as it's being used to trace the ancestry of the ancient bones discovered during archeological digs. Researchers in Italy are all abuzz because they learned something quite surprising and intriguing when they tested the ancient mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from one of the skeletons found buried in an ancient Roman cemetery. The bones, which date back 2,000 years, show a link to East Asian ancestry.

Ancient Medical Cures

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:34:25 PST

It's amazing that some of the methods of treating health problems still have ties to ancient medical cures used by the Greeks and Egyptians. By trial and error, people of the past were able to create a range of remedies without the advanced technology we have today. In this article, you will learn some of the medical insight that has survived over the centuries.

Ancient Embalming vs Modern Embalming

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:03:59 PST

In 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians relied on aromatic resins from trees and plants as a way of saying farewell to their dead. This process is called embalming, which is still used today – but in a different manner. In this article, you will learn how ancient embalmers handled dead bodies compared to the modern version of embalming.

Ancient Cremation vs Modern Cremation: Part II

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:59:01 PST

By the time 100 AD rolled around, the use of cremation fires tapered off. One of the reasons the practice suffered in popularity was the spread of Christianity. The early church did not come right out and ban this form of burial, but the burning of a body was extremely frowned upon. For starters, it's a practice associated with Pagans. Secondly, the act of bringing a corpse to ash goes against the belief that resurrection of the body will take place on Judgment Day.

Ancient Cremation vs Modern Cremation: Part I

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:49:54 PST

The practice of transforming a corpse into inorganic elements with the help of fire is a Western world technique is often traced back to the ancient Greeks – around 1,000 BC. Later on, the Romans took notice and embraced the ritual, where the term we use today originates from the Latin cremare, which means 'to burn up.' In this article, you will learn how the methods of cremation have changed over the centuries.

Using Animals as Part of a Burial Custom

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:32:38 PST

The burial customs of the hominids that predated the Neanderthal man included leaving the dead above ground. This method is often confused with the term 'exposure,' which actually means the deliberate practice of displaying the deceased in such a way that it could be devoured by carnivorous animals. Often times, the body was situated on a platform of some sort, but the main idea was to allow animals to do 'their dirty work.'

Burial Customs – Using Water to Bury the Dead

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:16:24 PST

Dating back before the 7th century in England and Iceland, the custom of water burial has morphed into many different meanings over the years. Usually, when people hear about water burials, they think of a member of the military being sealed in a coffin and after a brief ceremony, is sent into the sea. Others may imagine the sprinkling of cremated remains over a body of water.

Unexplainable Medical Mystery: Alexander the Great II

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:43:04 PST

Another theory regarding the death of Alexander the Great is that he had been poisoned. However, details of his death do not consistently support this notion. It's typical to think that a conspiracy took place whenever a well-known young person dies without warning. One doctor stated that because of healthy eating and constant physical activity, ancient Greeks lived well into their 70's if they didn’t fall victim to dying on a battlefield or a childhood disease.

Unexplainable Medical Mysteries: Alexander the Great I

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:40:17 PST

Alexander the Great was a mighty warrior and known for his success in conquering other countries, but sadly, he was not immune to death and at the young age of 32. While many people focus on the fact that Alexander created one of the largest empires in ancient history, others still ponder the controversy surrounding his death. What did he actually die of?