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History
309 posts
We are makers of history, yet we are also molded by it. The line connecting us to our ancestors spans decades, centuries, and millennia; the lessons learned from our progenitors are passed down the generations through timeless stories and discovered remnants of our enigmatic yet beautiful past. Modern Sciences recounts the passage of time, how humanity has shaped it, and how it has shaped humanity.
Why Darwin Spent 40 Years Studying Worms
Darwin’s decades-long study of worms revealed their powerful role in shaping ecosystems—insights that helped explain evolution’s grandest transformations.
A not-so-modern epidemic: what 17th-century nuns can teach us about coping with loneliness
La Religieuse Tenant La Sainte Croix (The Nun Holds the Cross), Jacques Callot, French,1621–35. The Metropolitan Museum of…
Viking Age Sailors Relied on Decentralized Network of Island Ports, New Study Shows
A new study reveals that Viking sailors relied heavily on small, decentralized island ports for rest and resupply, reshaping our understanding of their seafaring routes.
How ‘Forever Chemicals’ Took Over the World
The story of “forever chemicals” began with the serendipitous discovery of Teflon in the 1930s. While transforming various…
Forest home of ‘polar dinosaurs’ 120 million years ago in southern Australia recreated in detail for the first time
Artwork © Bob Nicholls 2024 Vera Korasidis, The University of Melbourne Roughly 140 million to 100 million years…
Some recipes date back to ancient Rome: French toast, foie gras … and braised flamingo
Christopher D Parkinson, The University of Melbourne Ancient Rome is often seen as synonymous with culinary excess. Images…
Was it a stone tool or just a rock? An archaeologist explains how scientists can tell the difference
Stone tools are deliberately made by the hands of hominins, like these worked on by the author. John…
How was the Earth built?
The Earth formed in a ring of debris around the Sun, like the one around Vega, a bright…
Unique Ancient Egyptian Artwork Reveals Possible Milky Way Connection with Sky Goddess Nut
A new study suggests ancient Egyptian artists may have linked the sky goddess Nut to the Milky Way, based on rare coffin artwork resembling the galaxy’s dark rift.
The Viewpoint: Life-size sculptures uncovered in Pompeii show that ancient women didn’t just have to be wives to make a difference
A remarkable discovery outside Pompeii's city gates is challenging our view of ancient women. Newly unearthed life-size sculptures in a Roman tomb depict a man and a woman, but the details suggest she wasn't just a wife. Her attire points to a powerful role as a priestess, revealing a story of female status independent of marriage.