Photos with Knowledge

[Rizwan]

New research sheds light on family relationships in western Eurasian Bell Beaker communities Archaeologists have delved into the mysterious burial practices of early Bronze Age communities in western Eurasia, shedding light on the family relationships and cultural dynamics of the Bell Beaker people from 3000-2000 BCE. An international study led by researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the University of Ferrara, has re-examined two remarkably similar double burial sites,...

 

[Rizwan]

Rewrite history with the discovery of a tomb of a previously unknown Queen. The pyramid of the undocumented ancient Egyptian queen, along with a cache of coffins, mummies, and artifacts and a series of interconnected tunnels was discovered in the ancient necropolis Saqqara in Giza, not far from King Tut's tomb. The queen's identity was previously a mystery, but archaeologists have identified her as "Neith". The extravagance of her resting place may indicate her importance. The discovery has left many Egyptologists stunned and amazed as the queen has never appeared on records. "It is amazing to literally rewrite what we know of history, adding a new queen to our records."

 

[Danish Qazi]

History Documents the 4700 years old pharaoh Djoser pyramid as the oldest stone building in Africa.
Designed by the famous genius architect , imhotep.
Older by a few decades than the famous pyramid of Giza , the Djoser pyramid ( step pyramid ) took 20 years to build.
28 meters deep at the center was Djoser burial chamber , unlike 8 other pharaohs who have successfully been found in their graves , pharaoh Djoser granite sarcophagus was Empty.
His body was stolen.

 

[Rizwan]

Around 3500 BCE, the Sumerians in Mesopotamia began using the wheel for transportation and pottery. This innovation transformed the movement of goods and people, shaping the future of human civilizations.

 

[Rizwan]

The Hili Grand Tomb, located in the Hili Archaeological Park in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, stands as a monumental relic of the Bronze Age, dating back to around 2500 BC. This circular tomb, built by the Umm Al Nar culture, spans 12 meters in diameter and is constructed from precisely cut stone blocks—demonstrating sophisticated architectural skills for the time.
Believed to be a communal burial site, archaeologists have discovered pottery, stone vessels, and other artifacts within, indicating a society that practiced complex funerary customs and maintained trade links with the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia. The layout and grandeur of the tomb suggest it was a focal point for the community, serving not only as a final resting place but likely as a site of ritual significance. This ancient structure provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of those who inhabited the region millennia ago, revealing their craftsmanship, social organization, and far-reaching connections across ancient trade networks.

 

[Rizwan]

On the island of Crete, the Minoans established one of the most advanced cultures of the Aegean. Known for their art, trade, and the legendary labyrinth of King Minos, the Minoans had a profound influence on Greek culture.

 

[Rizwan]

This renowned photograph from LIFE Magazine....... , taken in the 1940s, depicts a celebration atop the Great Pyramid, a scene that is now almost unfathomable due to contemporary access restrictions. However, the inscriptions visible on the stones beneath the participants evoke a more profound inquiry: were these markings ever systematically documented? Throughout the ages, a myriad of individuals—including travelers, explorers, and military personnel—have inscribed their presence on the Great Pyramid, effectively transforming it into a historical canvas that reflects human engagement with this ancient edifice. The absence of meticulous records concerning these engravings and graffiti is notable; such documentation could yield captivating insights into the pyramid's extensive narrative of exploration and veneration, shedding light on who ascended this monumental structure before it was designated an inaccessible archaeological site

 

[Rizwan]

At nearly 5,000 years old, the Dolmen de Bagneux is a true giant among France’s ancient structures. This Neolithic burial site, measuring 18 meters (59 feet) in length, was built from enormous limestone slabs, some weighing several tons. Once believed to be a Druidic temple, this prehistoric monument actually dates back to a time long before the Celts. The vintage photograph captures a time when such sites sparked curiosity and myth, with visitors marveling at its sheer scale. Still standing near Saumur, it remains one of the largest dolmens in Europe and a remarkable relic of early human civilization.

 

[Rizwan]

A magnificent graphic representation of the necropolis of the royal dynasties of the ancient Sumerian city of Ur (about 2900-2350 BC) is in the journal Ancient History.

The royal tombs of Ur are among the most significant archaeological discoveries of Ancient Mesopotamia, they shed light on the wealth, rituals and power structures of the early Sumerian dynasties. These tombs, discovered by Sir Leonard Woolley in the 1920s, revealed to the world treasures of gold and jewelry, as well as exquisite artifacts that emphasize the high level of craftsmanship and ceremonial traditions of the Sumerians. The burials also provide insight into their complex views on death and the afterlife, as many tombs contain human sacrifices, probably intended to accompany the nobility on their posthumous journey

 

[Rizwan]

The Toghrol Tower is a 20 meters high tower located in the city of Rey in Iran made of bricks and Sarooj, a water-resistant mortar. It was erected in 1063, and according to some sources, it was conceived as the tomb of Tuğrul Beg, the founder of the Seljuk dynasty. Other scholars report that it was used as a lighthouse to guide the travellers of the Silk Road during foggy days and nights.

 

[Rizwan]

The Chimalli Monument in Morelos, Mexico

This is a relief carved on a volcanic rock. Locally, it is also known as the "Stone of Charms."

It was originally discovered in the Amanalco ravine, at the site where the Adolfo López Mateos market now stands. When the market was built in 1964, the rock was allegedly placed on a monument from the pre-Hispanic era.

In 1981, the INAH relocated it in front of the Palacio de Cortés, now the Regional Museum of the People of Morelos, where it can still be observed today.

As for its image, the Chimalli (warrior's shield) is prominently displayed, accompanied by five Mitl (arrows) arranged horizontally, all topped with a Pantli (banner or standard).

It is most likely a military emblem.

Photograph credits: Enrique Sandoval

Top photograph: C. B. Waite / W. Scott Collection / National Photography Archive

4o mini

 

[Rizwan]

The Dire Wolf Is Back from Extinction. For Real.

The same massive creatures that inspired the Stark family’s loyal companions in ‘Game of Thrones’ have officially been brought back to life—no fantasy required.

A biotech company in Texas has successfully revived real dire wolves, using DNA from fossils over 13,000 years old. The result? Three living pups named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi. They were born via domestic dog surrogates and are now being raised in a secure preserve.

Dire wolves once roamed North America during the Ice Age. Now they’re back—with a little help from science.

 

[Rizwan]

The Mummy of Yuya, Great Grandfather of King Tutankhamun which dates back 3,500 years.
In the Egyptian Museum

 

[Rizwan]

About 3,200 years ago, civilizations in the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Near East thrived through cultural exchange, trade, and diplomacy. However, in the 12th century BCE, these societies mysteriously collapsed, marking the beginning of a “dark age” characterized by social and cultural stagnation. Among the affected civilizations were the Assyrian Empire, the New Kingdom of Egypt, the Mycenaeans, and the Minoans. This “reset” of human society is just the most recent known case.

It is now a certainty within the scientific community that, around 10,794 BCE—approximately 12,800 years ago—a comet or multiple comets of considerable size were on a collision course with Earth. Near the planet’s atmosphere, the swarm exploded, creating a massive trail of fragments of various sizes. These impacted the Earth’s surface across at least four continents.

The impact had a dual effect. In the areas where the largest meteorites struck, the destruction resembled that of a multi-megaton hydrogen bomb. Anything in the immediate vicinity of these impact zones was obliterated.

There was also a secondary effect. From the most devastating impact sites, a cloud of dust rose and obscured sunlight for a significant period. Almost everywhere, it suddenly became dark. The already cold temperatures—since the last Ice Age was underway—dropped even further, even in regions spared from glaciation. While not all details are known, it is believed that some plant species died, leading to the extinction of herbivores that depended on them for food.

What influence do these cyclical “resets” have on human history? Are they completely random? Can they happen again?

The article continues in the book: HOMO RELOADED – The Hidden History of the Last 75,000 Years.

 

[Rizwan]

Mummy & coffin of Tamit

Third Intermediate Period, 25th Dynasty, c. 722–664 B.C.

Likely from Thebes. Now at the Museo Egizio. Cat. 2218/02. Cat. 2218/01

Examination of Tamit's remains reveal that she died at a young age and was interred in an anthropoid wooden coffin, typical of the period.

The inner coffin is richly adorned with traditional funerary imagery: a Weighing of the Heart scene from the Judgment of the Dead, a depiction of the wrapped mummy, protective Wedjat eyes, a solar disc, and life symbols such as the ankh. The rear of the coffin bears a painted Djed pillar, symbolising stability and the god Osiris. These decorative elements reflect the enduring spiritual beliefs of Ancient Egyptian religion, which remained prominent under the Nubian rulers of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty.

Despite the care given to her burial equipment, Tamit’s mummification was notably clumsy when compared to earlier standards. Clinical investigations, including C.T. scans, revealed that her brain and internal organs were not fully removed, a key step in traditional embalming. Instead, only partial evisceration and excerebration were performed, with traces of soft tissue still present within the body.

Such an embalming method aligns with certain embalming practices of the time, as mummification during the Third Intermediate Period and the 25th Dynasty often varied in quality. Some mummies from this era show evidence of improvised methods, such as filling the body cavity with hardened mud or omitting transnasal brain removal entirely, allowing the brain to decompose within the skull. These cost-cutting or hastily executed techniques suggest that while religious symbolism remained vital, practical execution could differ depending on social status or available resources.

Tamit herself presents a remarkably lifelike appearance. Her head and face, though darkened by the embalming process, remain well-preserved, and she retains a full head of fine, reddish-brown hair, cut with a distinctive blunt fringe, a striking and humanising detail that bridges the millennia. Though her embalming was imperfect, Tamit was nevertheless afforded the rituals and iconography believed to ensure her passage to the afterlife, affirming the continued significance of funerary tradition in Late Period Ancient Egypt.

Read more: https://egypt-museum.com/tamit/

 

[Rizwan]

Unearthed through the lens of satellite imagery, Saudi Arabia's 4,500-year-old "funerary avenues" reveal an astonishing tapestry of history. These expansive networks of pathways, adorned with keyhole-shaped tombs from the era of 2600–2000 BC, stretch for hundreds of miles and weave through the desert, beckoning the curious to explore their mysteries. Among these routes, the beautifully crafted ring cairns and pendant burials stand remarkably preserved, whispering tales of ancient lives and beliefs. While the precise purpose behind aligning these burials along such roads remains shrouded in mystery, the thoughtful layout strongly suggests they held significant ritualistic or travel-related importance in the lives of those who walked these paths millennia ago.

 

[Rizwan]

Lisa, known worldwide as La Mona Lisa. Her real name was Lisa di Antonio Maria Gherardini, a Florentine of noble lineage belonging to the Gherardini family of Tuscany, Italy.

Lisa was portrayed by Leonardo da Vinci at the commission of her husband, unaware that her image would become a global phenomenon.

Although she led a common life as a Florentine, married to a textile merchant and mother of five children, her portrait as Gioconda catapulted her to fame after her death.

It became the most famous painting in the world and an enduring cultural icon. Lisa's historical identity was debated for centuries, but in the 21st century, her authenticity as the woman portrayed by Leonardo was confirmed.

 

[Rizwan]

In 1980, during the early years of the Soviet-Afghan War, a Soviet helicopter was photographed flying past one of the towering Bamiyan Buddhas, serene figures carved into the cliffs of central Afghanistan's Bamiyan Valley. These monumental statues, built in the 6th century, stood as enduring symbols of the region's once-thriving Buddhist culture—one that flourished along the Silk Road long before the advent of Islam in the region.

The photograph captures a striking juxtaposition: modern warfare in the shadow of ancient spirituality. At the time, the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan in 1979, aiming to support a struggling communist government. While they maintained control over major urban centers, the mujahideen—local guerrilla fighters backed by international forces including the U.S.—held sway in the rural, mountainous terrain. The war dragged on for nearly a decade, with Soviet troops finally withdrawing in 1989, having failed to defeat the mujahideen resistance.

Tragically, the Buddhas of Bamiyan did not survive the decades that followed. In 2001, the Taliban, viewing the statues as idolatrous, carried out their complete destruction with explosives, despite international outrage and desperate pleas for their preservation. Today, only the hollowed niches where the Buddhas once stood remain—a haunting reminder of what was lost, both culturally and spiritually.

The image of that Soviet helicopter flying past the Buddhas now serves as a poignant historical artifact—one that speaks to centuries of conflict and resilience, and the fragile intersection of war, ideology, and heritage.