Ancient History
Lost civilizations, forgotten empires, and the archaeological discoveries that rewrite what we thought we knew about the past.
83 articlesLatest Ancient History
Archaeologists Just Found 1,000 Roman Artefacts in a Swiss Lake
Over 1,000 Roman artifacts were discovered in Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland, including pottery, swords, and a chariot—revealing a military cargo ship that sank nearly 2,000 years ago.
5 Strange Cases of Mass Hysteria
Explore five bizarre historical cases of mass hysteria, from the 1518 Dancing Plague of Strasbourg to the Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic and recurrent outbreaks in Nepal.
History's Worst Archaeologists.
Discover how early archaeologists like Heinrich Schliemann, Arthur Evans, and Lord Elgin used dynamite, concrete, and brute force to destroy the very history they claimed to preserve.
Priceless Artifacts Destroyed by Human Stupidity
From dynamiting ancient Troy to bulldozing Maya temples and Taliban destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan, explore how human ignorance and carelessness have wiped out irreplaceable cultural treasures.
The Quartz Crisis: The (Almost) End of the Watch Industry
Discover the dramatic story of the quartz crisis, when Japanese innovation with computerized timepieces brought centuries-old Swiss watchmakers to their knees—and how the industry fought back.
The 5 Most Devastating Days in Human History
From the 1976 Tangshan earthquake to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, explore five of the most catastrophic 24-hour periods in human history and the lessons learned from each tragedy.
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More in Ancient History
3 Unsolved Ancient Engineering Mysteries
Explore three baffling ancient engineering mysteries: the Baghdad Battery's accidental electricity, the Antikythera Mechanism's 2,000-year-old computer, and Chichen Itza's sound-manipulating pyramid.
Astonishing Historical Events that Aren't Taught in Schools
Discover four astonishing historical events rarely covered in classrooms: the Allied invasion of Russia, the Port Chicago disaster, China's annexation of Tibet, and the Gulf of Tonkin incident.
10 Absolutely Brutal Historical Torture Methods That Will Haunt You
Discover 10 of history's most horrific torture methods, from rat torture and the rack to scaphism and impalement. These brutal techniques reveal humanity's darkest innovations in inflicting pain.
7 Lost Cities That Were Never Lost
Explore seven ancient cities like Machu Picchu, Petra, and Great Zimbabwe that were never truly lost—locals knew about them all along while outsiders claimed the credit.
The Most Shocking ALLIED War Crimes
Explore five of the worst war crimes committed by the Allies in World War II, from Japanese-American internment to the bombing of Dresden.
Priceless Ancient Sites Destroyed by War
Discover how warfare destroyed five irreplaceable ancient sites, from China's Old Summer Palace and India's Nalanda University to Syria's Palmyra, Ypres, and Athens' Parthenon.