The Vast Influence of Ibn Sina, Pioneer of Medicine
In the 11th century CE, science was rapidly advancing in the Islamic world. The scholar Ibn Sina (Avicenna) synthesized its medical wisdom.
The Ancient Art of Brewing with Stale Bread
Brewers are once again making beer from things that typically end up in one’s household trash, a 7,000-year-old custom.
How “Pyrrhic Victory” Became a Go-To Metaphor
We call futile victories "pyrrhic," after an ancient Roman battle. But that battle may have been misinterpreted--or had a different conclusion altogether.
A Mesoamerican Ball Game Returns
An ancient ball game called Ulama is making a comeback in Mexico. What do we know about the earlier iteration of the game?
Why Civilizations End
Scientists studying fallen civilizations suggest that the culprit is overshoot in combination with climate change. What does this mean for our current era?
The Lost Kingdom of Kush
A handful of archaeological sites and the written language Meroitic are all that remains of the Kingdom of Kush, located in what is now Sudan.
Alexander The Great… Globalist?
Globalization is the watchword of our time, but maybe Alexander The Great was the first global citizen.
Before Flint: How Ancient Civilizations Maintained Their Drinking Water
Ancient civilizations utilized various creative strategies to supply their populations with usable and drinkable water.