Stuff You Missed in History Class
Unearthed! in Spring 2025, Part 2
Apr 16, 2025
Discover the intriguing identification of Jack the Ripper through controversial DNA evidence. Explore groundbreaking archaeological finds, including ancient cities and Roman service stations. Delve into the literary treasures revealed by Winnie the Pooh manuscripts. Learn about new insights into mammoth diets and ancient culinary shifts. Uncover fascinating connections to past food practices and spiritual beliefs through archaeology. Plus, hear about the unique stories behind ancient artifacts and even shipwrecks!
38:50
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Quick takeaways
- Recent advancements in archaeological technologies like drones and LIDAR are revolutionizing our understanding of ancient civilizations and their complexities.
- The significant role of women in medieval scriptoria is illuminated through recent discoveries of illuminated manuscripts, highlighting their contribution to historical narratives.
Deep dives
The Mystery of Jack the Ripper
Recent discussions have revived interest in the identity of Jack the Ripper, centering around a Polish man named Aaron Kaminsky. He was previously suggested as a suspect based on police files from the 1880s and recent DNA analysis of a shawl purportedly found near one of the murder victims, Catherine Eddowes. However, there are significant uncertainties regarding the shawl's provenance and the reliability of the DNA evidence, as experts point out that mitochondrial DNA testing alone cannot conclusively identify a suspect. This renewed speculation seems to stem from media interviews rather than any new findings, highlighting ongoing debates in historical criminal investigations.
Ancient Maritime Discoveries
Researchers have uncovered fascinating archaeological evidence suggesting that ancient peoples in the Philippines developed advanced seafaring technologies as early as 40,000 years ago. Tools found at various sites indicate the capability for rope and net making, essential for boat construction and fishing. This challenges prior assumptions that such advancements were only characteristic of later Polynesian cultures. Additionally, a site in England has revealed a Roman-era horse-changing station, shedding light on the infrastructure that supported travel and trade during the Roman Empire.
Innovative Techniques in Archaeology
Archaeologists have employed advanced technologies like drone imaging and LIDAR to unearth historical sites, significantly changing our understanding of ancient communities. For instance, a drone-assisted survey in the Caucasus Mountains revealed a mega-fortress much larger than previously thought, dating back to 1500 to 500 BCE. Similarly, LIDAR scans in Mexico uncovered a sophisticated 15th-century city built by the Zapotecs, providing insights into the architecture and societal organization of the time. These innovative techniques allow researchers to uncover hidden aspects of history that would otherwise remain buried.
Historical Manuscripts and Cultural Finds
Recent discoveries of historical manuscripts reveal a significant contribution of women in medieval scriptoria, with research estimating around 110,000 illuminated manuscripts were created by female scribes. Notably, researchers have also found a manuscript copy of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 that offers insight into its lesser-known adaptations in the 17th century. Additionally, a burial site in France revealed 60 graves with lead curse tablets, indicative of the rituals of the time. These findings highlight the diverse aspects of cultural practices and the importance of gender in the historical narrative.
Part two of the spring 2025 installment of Unearthed! features the potpourri category, plus drones/radar/lidar, books and letters, animals, edibles and potables, shipwrecks, swords (sort of) and cats.
Research:
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- Cranfield University. “Drone mapping unveils 3,000-year-old fortress, reshaping ancient history.” Phys.org. 1/8/2025. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-drone-unveils-year-fortress-reshaping.html
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- Anderson, Sonja. “Researchers Have Found an Inca Tunnel Beneath the Peruvian City of Cusco.” Smithsonian. 1/21/2025. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-have-found-an-inca-tunnel-beneath-the-Peruvian-city-of-cusco-180985872/
- Politecnico di Milano. “Ground-penetrating radar reveals new secrets under Milan's Sforza Castle.” EurekAlert. 1/14/2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1070514
- Schrader, Adam. “Rare 19th-Century Painting by Beloved Black Artist Found in a Thrift Store.” Artnet. 1/6/2025. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/william-henry-dorsey-thrift-store-painting-2595107
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- The History Blog. “Hidden 13th c. murals of Angers Cathedral documented for the 1st time.” 1/14/2025. https://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/72156
- Almeroth-Williams, Tom. “Islamic ‘altar tent’ discovery.” University of Cambridge. https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/islamic-altar-tent
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- Kuta, Sarah. “Man Finds Rare Trove of Winnie-the-Pooh Drawings and Manuscripts in His Father’s Attic.” Smithsonian. 1/28/2025. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/man-finds-rare-trove-of-winnie-the-pooh-drawings-and-manuscripts-in-his-fathers-attic-180985907/
- Leiden University. “Keyhole surgery on old books leads to discovery of medieval fragments.” Phys.org. 1/13/2025. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-keyhole-surgery-discovery-medieval-fragments.html
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- net. “Over 110,000 Medieval Manuscripts May Have Been Copied by Women.” https://www.medievalists.net/2025/03/110000-medieval-manuscripts-women/
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- Kuta, Sarah. “This 1,600-Year-Old Filter Helped Ancient Drinkers Sip Beverages Through a Straw.” Smithsonian. 1/20/2025. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-1600-year-old-filter-helped-ancient-drinkers-sip-beverages-through-a-straw-180986073/
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- University of York. “The early roots of Carnival? Research reveals evidence of seasonal celebrations in pre-colonial Brazil.” 5/2/2025. https://phys.org/news/2025-02-early-roots-carnival-reveals-evidence.html
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- Autonomous University of Barcelona. “Iberian Neolithic herders were already strategically managing cattle herds 6,000 years ago.” 2/3/2025. https://phys.org/news/2025-02-iberian-neolithic-herders-strategically-cattle.html
- Kuta, Sarah. “Mammoth Bones Used to Build Mysterious 25,000-Year-Old Site in Russia Came From Different Herds.” 2/3/2025. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mammoth-bones-used-to-build-mysterious-25000-year-old-site-in-russia-came-from-different-herds-180985977/
- Vrak Museum of Wrecks. “Oldest Carvel-built Ship from the Nordic Countries Discovered.” 2/21/2025. https://www.vrak.se/en/news/oldest-carvel-built-ship-in-nordics-found/
- Archaeology Magazine. “Brazilian Ship Struck by WWII U-Boat Located.” 2/19/2025. https://archaeology.org/news/2025/02/19/brazilian-ship-sunk-by-wwii-u-boat-located/
- Kuta, Sarah. “Warship Sunk by the Nazis During World War II Located Off the Coast of Brazil.” Smithsonian. 2/5/2025. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/warship-sunk-by-the-nazis-during-world-war-ii-located-off-the-coast-of-brazil-180985996/
- Richmond, Todd. “Explorers discover wreckage of cargo ship that sank in Lake Superior storm more than 130 years ago.” Phys.org. 3/11/2025. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-explorers-wreckage-cargo-ship-sank.html
- Wizevich, Eli. “Metal Detectorists Stumble Upon a Rare 2,000-Year-Old Roman Sword in Poland.” Smithsonian. 2/25/2025. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/metal-detectorists-stumble-upon-a-rare-2000-year-old-roman-sword-in-poland-180986101/
- Anderson, Sonja. “Archaeologists Unearth Early Medieval Sword Engraved With Mysterious Runes in a Cemetery in England.” Smithsonian. 1/6/2025. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-unearth-early-medieval-sword-engraved-with-mysterious-runes-in-a-cemetery-in-england-180985768/
- The History Blog. “Rare two-handed medieval sword, axes found in Poland.” 2/21/2025. https://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/72486
- The History Blog. “1,000-year-old scabbard fitting found in Poland.” 3/26/2025. http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/72759
- Pare, Sascha. “Pet cats arrived in China via the Silk Road 1,400 years ago, ancient DNA study finds.” LiveScience. 3/9/2025. https://www.livescience.com/animals/domestic-cats/pet-cats-arrived-in-china-via-the-silk-road-1-400-years-ago-ancient-dna-study-finds
- Kuta, Sarah. “Staffers Find a Japanese Hand Grenade From World War II at a Museum in Kentucky.” Smithsonian. 1/27/2025. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/staffers-find-a-japanese-hand-grenade-from-world-war-ii-at-a-museum-in-kentucky-180985885/
- Dimacali, Timothy James. “Ancient seafarers in Southeast Asia may have built advanced boats 40,000 years ago.” Phys.org. 2/21/2025. https://phys.org/news/2025-02-ancient-seafarers-southeast-asia-built.htm
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