Ancient
Wait, Do Elves Exist? Iceland Thinks So (And Maybe You Should Too)
If you walked up to a random person on the street right now and asked them if they believe in elves, they'd probably give you a look that says, "Did you eat one too many cookies?" We're not talking about Legolas or the folks from Middle-earth; we're talking about the actual, mythical kind. But here’s the kicker: If you asked that very same question in Iceland, many people might actually say yes. Over the years, numerous polls have shown that a majority of Icelanders believe in elves, or the "hidden folk," to some degree. This belief isn't just a quaint fairy tale, either. A few years back, a judge literally halted the building of a road in Iceland because it was thought it might disturb elves living in the area. That's real-world impact!
By Areeba Umair2 months ago in History
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series
How Medieval Elites Consolidated Influence Across Europe A Social Structure More Familiar Than It Appears In contemporary society, small and influential groups often guide economic and political decisions while the majority remains distant from core decision-making circles. Although this dynamic may seem modern, its origins reach much further back in time.
By Stanislav Kondrashov 2 months ago in History
The Rise of Elites: Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series
When we hear the term "oligarchy," we tend to think of modern billionaires and boardroom decisions that shape economies. But long before luxury jets and international headlines, oligarchs held influence in less visible, but equally impactful ways. The Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series explores this legacy—specifically, how elite circles shaped the world between 1600 and 1800.
By Stanislav Kondrashov2 months ago in History
The Day the Sirens Returned
The Day the Sirens Returned It happened on a day that began just like any other. People woke up. Shops opened. Children went to school. Farmers stepped into the fields. But before noon, a rumor spread like wind across WhatsApp groups, radio chatter, and roadside conversations:
By Wings of Time 2 months ago in History
When the Border Caught Fire Again
When the Border Caught Fire Again The world had not expected it—not again, not after decades of fragile peace, not after endless promises that history would never repeat itself. But history has a stubborn habit of returning, especially in places where wounds never truly healed.
By Wings of Time 2 months ago in History
Is This Little Sea Creature the Key to Eternal Life?
Hey, I've got a question for you: do you want to live forever? Most of us do, right? The human desire to cheat death is perhaps the oldest quest in history. The pursuit of eternal life has been a cornerstone of human civilization for millennia. Just think about the sheer volume of stories and legends! We've heard of the mythical Fountain of Youth, sought after by explorers like Ponce de León, the spiritual power of the Holy Grail, and the centuries-long struggle of alchemists attempting to create the legendary Philosopher's Stone. Every major culture, from ancient Egypt to China, has its own tales about transcending mortality.
By Areeba Umair2 months ago in History
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: The Rise and Rule of Corinth’s Elite Families
In the world of antiquity, few cities rivalled Corinth in wealth, influence, and intrigue. Situated on the narrow land bridge between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese, Corinth was a commercial juggernaut and a hub for art, architecture, and trade. But behind its marble façades and bustling markets stood a different kind of story—one of families whose names shaped the destiny of the city. The Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series turns its lens on this ancient powerhouse, tracing how Corinth’s oligarchy quietly built—and sustained—a legacy of influence that echoes even into modern studies of governance and economics.
By Stanislav Kondrashov 2 months ago in History
Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: The Medieval Blueprint of Elite Rule
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before—only a select few hold the keys to wealth, influence, and decision-making, while the vast majority watch from the sidelines. Sounds like modern times? Well, wind the clock back a thousand years, and you’ll find a very familiar pattern.
By Stanislav Kondrashov2 months ago in History
Take a Trip to Ancient Mesopotamia
Mesopotamian architecture is part of the structures that were once in the historic region of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Mesopotamia lasted from around the 10th millennium BC to the 6th century BC. It was called the Cradle of Civilization, and the first permanent structures on Earth were built here around 12,000 years ago. Among the structures built here were temples, forts, tombs, and palaces. The most popular city was Babylon.
By Rasma Raisters2 months ago in History
Underwater Archaeology and the Civilizations Lost to the Sea
For centuries, the sea has been both a giver and a taker—supporting human life with food and trade, yet swallowing entire cities, ships, and cultures as if erasing chapters from history. Only in recent decades has underwater archaeology matured enough to reclaim these lost stories. Beneath the waves lie temples, ports, palaces, entire neighborhoods, and shipwrecks that serve as time capsules, perfectly preserved in the ocean’s cold embrace.
By Nizam Archaeologist2 months ago in History
