The Mummy's Curse, Nazi Gold Train & Other History Mysteries
Nov 30, 2023
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Dan Schreiber, polymath and author, joins Dan Snow to discuss historical mysteries and strange events. They talk about a landlady hiding a dead body while showing an apartment, the commodification of brain space, a train full of Nazi gold, lost treasures, missing historical manuscripts, fascination with relics and curses, ball lightning, and challenges of filming underground installations for archaeology.
Ball lightning remains a perplexing natural phenomenon, with no consensus on its cause or explanation.
The human fascination with relics, lost treasures, and curses reflects our enduring belief in the supernatural.
Deep dives
Ball lightning: A mysterious natural phenomenon
During a recent podcast episode, it was discussed how ball lightning remains a perplexing natural phenomenon. There have been numerous accounts of ball lightning throughout history, which describe luminous balls of energy that move randomly and can even enter buildings. Scientists and historians have studied these accounts and the phenomenon itself, but there is still no consensus on what causes ball lightning or how to explain it. While there are theories, such as electromagnetic interactions or plasma formations, none of them fully explain the mysterious behavior of these balls of lightning. It remains an intriguing and unexplained phenomenon waiting for further research and investigation.
The fascination with relics, lost treasures, and curses
The human fascination with relics, lost treasures, and curses has persisted throughout history. People are drawn to the allure of mysterious artifacts and the tales surrounding them. From the missing manuscripts of ancient civilizations to the lost treasures of World War II, the desire to discover and claim these long-lost items captivates our imagination. Additionally, the belief in curses, even in the face of skepticism, continues to intrigue us. Whether it's the Curse of Tutankhamen or the supposed curses associated with stolen rocks or objects, these stories reflect our fascination with the unknown and the enduring belief in the power of the supernatural.
Unexplained natural phenomena and their scientific investigations
Unexplained natural phenomena, such as ball lightning and shower curtain billowing, continue to puzzle scientists and researchers. Ball lightning, which involves the appearance of luminous balls of energy, has been reported throughout history, but the exact cause remains elusive. Scientists are exploring various theories to understand its origins and behavior. Similarly, the mystery of why shower curtains billow inward while showering remains unanswered, despite multiple competing explanations. These unexplained natural phenomena serve as reminders that there is much yet to be understood about the world around us and the complex interactions within it.
The use of magic and occultism in historical events
History has witnessed instances where magic and occultism played roles in various events. During World War II, there were reports of attempts to utilize psychic abilities and occult practices as part of war tactics. This included the use of astrology and psychic warfare. Additionally, figures like Alistair Crowley were involved in spreading occult beliefs and practices to deceive the enemy. While the extent and efficacy of these endeavors are debatable, they reflect the intrigue and exploration of unconventional methods during times of conflict. The integration of magic and the paranormal into historical events adds an interesting dimension to our understanding of the past.
History is full of the weird and wonderful and in this episode Dan is joined by polymath, author and fellow podcaster Dan Schreiber to talk about stories of lost treasure, curious relics and Edwardian superstitions. In Dan's long career as a broadcaster, he's come across all sorts of unexplained phenomena, myths and mysteries- from searching for the Nazi Gold Train in Poland to debunking the mummy's curse in Tutankhamun's tomb to looking for answers about ball lightning.
You can read up on the things mentioned in this podcast, and more, in the History Hit Miscellany book available now online and in bookshops.
Dan Schreiber is the host of the We Can Be Weirdos podcast and the author of The Theory of Everything Else.
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