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
People Who Were Killed for Knowing Too Much
From Alexander Litvinenko to Jamal Khashoggi, explore the true stories of journalists, whistleblowers, and politicians who died under suspicious circumstances because of what they knew.
5 Times Israel Hunted Down Nazis
From Adolf Eichmann's capture in Argentina to the assassination of Herbert Cukurs, discover how Mossad tracked down Nazi war criminals who thought they had escaped justice.
The Mysteries of Angkor Wat
Explore the enduring mysteries of Angkor Wat, the 12th-century Cambodian temple complex. From its astronomical alignments and massive construction logistics to its sudden abandonment and rediscovery, discover what historians still debate about this ancient wonder.
Historical Events that Didn't Happen Like You Think
Discover the surprising truths behind Paul Revere's midnight ride, the Titanic's sinking, Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
5 Shocking Things About Viking Culture
Discover surprising truths about Viking life, from progressive women's rights and exceptional hygiene to brutal infanticide, extensive slave trade, and their forgotten discovery of North America centuries before Columbus.
5 Weird Things About Everyday Life in the Soviet Union
Discover the bizarre realities of daily life in the Soviet Union, from the bureaucratic nightmare of car ownership and militarized schools to the strange prestige of being a taxi driver.