Latest news with #IronAge
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
‘Philippine Heritage Collection' of Dubai-based artist unveiled
The past is taking place at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, particularly in Al Qusais, where excavations, according to records, have traces to the Bronze and Iron Age. Consider these: The thoroughfare of Magallanes in the 'Queen City of the South' of the Philippines which is Cebu Province in Central Visayas. The Philippines' 'Wall Street of Asia,' Escolta, which, despite the blitzkreig for the Liberation of Manila during World War II – buildings, constructed to magnificently display the wealth gained during the 1500 to 1800 Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, remain. Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown, a witness to the rise of the 20th century Chinoy billionaires, away from the condescension their migrant ancestors went through, particularly during the Spanish Era when they were derogatorily labelled as the Sangleys. A total of 15, these are the 'Philippine Heritage Collection' of Cebu-born Dubai resident Edcel Cabalan, whose silently-creeping latent talent in watercolouring – that elementary art orientation schoolchildren learn to enjoy and embrace – yet arduous enough to be an expert on – was recently inaugurated. In time for the 'National Heritage Month' and only a few weeks to the 127th commemoration of the June 12, 1898 emancipation of the Filipino natives and Philippine-born Spaniards from the 300-year horrific rule of their Spanish conquistadores, the exhibition is the fifth instalment to the 'Labindalawa' or 'Twelve' cultural diplomacy programming of the consular mission. It is part of the 'Museo sa Konsulado,' which, since its January 2025 debut, has become the gateway for the novice – and the other conduit for the established Filipino artist across the UAE. Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Marford Angeles said: 'The 'Philippine Heritage Collection' of Mr. Edcel Cabalan is a tribute to the structures, places, and memories that shape our national imagination.' Commenting on the ingenuity of the architect who was able to overcome the restrictions caused by the trouble-maker Novel Coronavirus 2020, Angeles also said, 'Each piece captures the white dignity of ancestral homes, the rhythm of the colonial-era streets, and the character of churches and civic buildings that have now identified the Filipino's built-in paradigm.' 'His mastery of the watercolour, a medium difficult to handle, allows the viewer to experience heritage not as a static imagery; but, as a living memory portrayed with movement, light and atmosphere,' Angeles continued. Pointing out that as pages of the past have traditionally been locked in by way of the sepia photographs, Angeles expressed hope that with the expertise of Cabalan in breathing life into the photos of the 1800s, Filipinos would be inspired. Connecting the 'National Heritage Month and the 'Philippine Heritage Collection,' Angeles told Gulf Today: 'National Heritage Month remains to be a vital observance. Perhaps even more so in an era marked by rapid technological shifts. As humanity explores Artificial Intelligence and the cosmos, heritage offers a necessary counterbalance. It grounds us in values, traditions and identity. Far from being outdated, culture and heritage provide depth and context to progress. They remind us who we are and what we carry forward, regardless of how far we go.' 'Our heritage and technology need not be seen in opposition. On the contrary, they can strengthen each other. Honouring heritage is not a retreat into the past, but a conscious act of bringing our roots into every future we build,' he also said. Now a fulltime artist, Cabalan, whose 168 of his 210 paintings have found owners not only in the UAE but overseas as well, said: 'Through this collection, I aim to preserve the soul of Philippine heritage architecture. Those timeless structures that have witnessed our nation's rich history, cultural evolution, and enduring spirit.' 'Watercolour, with its delicate translucency and emotional softness, allows me to interpret these architectural icons not only with technical precision but with heartfelt reverence. Each stroke becomes a way of honouring the craftsmanship, history, and cultural identity embedded in these spaces,' Cabalan added.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Study Reveals Chilling Secret of Iron Age War Cemetery
A new study published by archaeologists at Bournemouth University (published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology) has revealed surprising information about bodies found at a 'war cemetery' at the Iron Age site of Maiden Castle in Dorset, one of the U.K.'s most famous archaeological the burials were initially discovered in 1936, archaeologists believed that they died from a single battle. But after renewed analyses using radiocarbon dating, researchers found that rather than perishing in one mass-casualty event, the individuals had been killed due to violent clashes throughout many generations, from late first century B.C. until late first century A.D. 'The find of dozens of human skeletons displaying lethal weapon injuries was never in doubt, however, by undertaking a systematic programme of radiocarbon dating we have been able to establish that these individuals died over a period of decades, rather than a single terrible event,' said Martin Smith, Associate Professor in Forensic and Biological Anthropology at Bournemouth, who analyzed the believe the cause of the deaths could have stemmed from an era of dynastic turmoil or localized tension, resulting in executions. Whatever the cause, the new discovery upends decades of assumptions on behalf of researchers. 'Since the 1930s, the story of Britons fighting Romans at one of the largest hillforts in the country has become a fixture in historical literature,' Miles Russell, the dig's director, explained. 'With the Second World War fast approaching, no one was really prepared to question the results. The tale of innocent men and women of the local Durotriges tribe being slaughtered by Rome is powerful and poignant. It features in countless articles, books, and TV documentaries. It has become a defining moment in British history, marking the sudden and violent end of the Iron Age.'The trouble is it doesn't appear to have actually happened,' Russell added. 'Unfortunately, the archaeological evidence now points to it being untrue. This was a case of Britons killing Britons, the dead being buried in a long-abandoned fortification. The Roman army committed many atrocities, but this does not appear to be one of them.' Researchers are now scrambling to recontextualize the site, with much of what they assumed about the cemetery at Maiden Castle proving erroneous. "The intermingling of differing cultural burial practices contemporaneously shows that simplistic approaches to interpreting archaeological cemeteries must now be questioned,' said Bournemouth archaeological scientist Paul Cheetham. 'Here we have either a number of distinct cultures living and dying together, or that an individual's burial right was determined by complex social rules and/or hierarchical divisions within this Iron Age society."In addition to the renewed context surrounding the bodies already found, the team is now asking themselves what other undiscovered secrets might lie around the grounds of Maiden Castle. 'Whilst Wheeler's excavation was excellent in itself, he was only able to investigate a fraction of the site,' Cheetham said. 'It is likely that a larger number of burials still remains undiscovered around the immense ramparts."New Study Reveals Chilling Secret of Iron Age War Cemetery first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
‘Game of Thrones-style families' behind 2,000-year-old Dorset massacre
Game of Thrones -like barons in England were responsible for the brutal massacre of dozens of people 2,000 years ago, research has revealed. The 62 skeletons, found with skulls ' smashed to oblivion ', were unearthed in 1936 at a mass burial site in Maiden Castle, Dorset. Researchers at the time blamed the Roman invasion of Britain in AD43 for their deaths - something that resonated with British fears of a Nazi invasion in the 1930s. But Bournemouth University archaeologist Dr Miles Russell revealed the bones actually dated to around the first century AD, by using modern dating techniques. 'They died violently and with overkill. These were Game of Thrones-like barons with one dynasty wiping out another,' Dr Russell told The Independent. 'Their skulls have been repeatedly smashed to oblivion with swords and other weapons. People were dragged up there and put to death.' Dr Russell said those killed were an aristocratic elite murdered and buried with honour, something that would not have been done for common criminals. 'They could have been competing for a throne or power, and it was important to finish them off and destroy the blood line,' he added. Sir Mortimer Wheeler led excavations of the Iron Age hill fort in the 1930s, and popularised the idea that the remains belonged to English people slain by 'barbaric' pillaging Romans. Because the site was still occupied in AD43, Sir Mortimer was convinced the skeletons were evidence of a Roman campaign against native Britons, according to Historic England. Dr Russell said this was a reasonable assumption to make at the time without access to modern carbon dating systems used today. He said this dramatic explanation for the burial site would have helped attract funding for archaeological digs, something that was in short supply in the 1930s. 'They were thugs with resources and private armies. The hill fort dominated the horizon, and these people were done to death publicly,' Dr Russell added. Maiden Castle is one of the largest Iron Age hill forts in Europe, around the size of 50 football pitches, according to Historic England. The castle's ramparts were constructed around 2,400 years ago and protected hundreds of residents. Within a few decades of the arrival of the Romans, the hill fort was abandoned, Historic England added. The Romans then built the town of Dorchester to the north-east as the regional capital of the Durotriges.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
Dreamy sandy beach that could be on the Californian coast that has something distinctly Welsh in the background
Dreamy sandy beach that could be on the Californian coast that has something distinctly Welsh in the background This popular North Wales beach has golden sand and strong 'Californian coast vibes' Traeth Llanddwyn at sunset bordered by Newborough Forest (Image: I Love Colour/Wiki ) We are spoiled for choice for dreamy beaches in Wales. One popular North Wales beach, in particular, has golden sand and strong 'Californian coast vibes' and is a magnet for snap-happy tourists. Beautiful Traeth Llanddwyn is a blue-flag beach on historic Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Island) that's part of the Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve and home to one of Wales' most photogenic lighthouses. The area is also rich in birds and wildlife, from wild ponies to red squirrels and even leeches. It's located in Anglesey, once the sacred heartland of the Druids and the last bastion of the Celts. This ethereal isle remains a land of ancient power, with standing stones, Iron Age forts, and eerie burial chambers scattered throughout. Here, wildflower-covered fields and Neolithic tombs meet storm-battered cliffs, windswept dunes, and secluded coves waiting to be discovered. Traeth Llanddwyn is a walkers' favourite (Image: John Winder/Wiki ) There are also several gorgeous beaches across the isle where you can stroll along sandy shorelines, feast on seafood or take a cold water dip. Article continues below With its impressive sand dunes, legend-filled Traeth Llanddwyn offers magnificent views of Eryri National Park, Caernarfon, and Llyn Peninsula. This romantic beach is included in 'best beaches' lists and is famed for its enchanting tidal island, which has an irresistible allure. A path leads to the nature reserve at Llanddwyn Island, and the nearby forest has lovely footpaths to traverse. Take a leisurely walk towards the beach, amidst Corsican pines, where red squirrels dart up trees and the sea glints on the horizon, and you might think you've been transported to the west coast of America. On the Isle, you'll also find a lighthouse called Goleudy Tŵr Mawr, a remarkable Celtic stone cross situated at the heart of the island and Dwynwen's well. It's believed the well is home to sacred fish who can predict whether couples' relationships will succeed; if the fish are active when visiting the well, it is seen as a sign of a faithful husband. The photogenic tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn at sunset (Image: Richard Banton/Wiki ) Besides the well, there is also Crochan Llanddwyn, meaning Llanddwyn's cauldron, a small wishing well that is located in a rabbit warren between Llanddwyn Island and Newborough. According to folklore, if the water of the well boils while visitors are present, love and good luck will follow. Tidy. This magical isle, with its rugged shoreline and crystal-clear waters, is closely tied to the legend of Saint Dwynwen, Wales' patron saint of lovers, which basically makes her the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine. According to the story, Saint Dwynwen sought solace on this island after a heart-wrenching love story, and the island is a place of both romantic and spiritual significance. Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey's west coast is home to the church of St Dwynwen - the Welsh patron saint of lovers (Image: Portia Jones ) Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and fell in love with a prince named Maelon Dafodrill. Unfortunately, her father, who had 24 daughters, had already arranged for her to marry someone else. Our gal, Dwynwen, was so upset that she could not marry Maelon that she begged God to make her forget him. After falling asleep, an angel visited Dwynwen, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice. Yikes! God, feeling generous, gave Dwynwen three wishes. Her first wish was that frozen bae Maelon be thawed; her second was that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers; and her third was that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her immense gratuitude, Dwynwen devoted herself to God's service for the rest of her life. With so much history, folklore and picture-perfect panoramas, this spot is unsurprisingly hugely popular (Image: Visit Wales/Welsh Government ) With so much history, folklore and picture-perfect panoramas, this spot is unsurprisingly hugely popular. The car park at Traeth Llanddwyn Beach has space for 300 vehicles and is often full shortly after opening. A viral video of the beach's golden sands racked up more than 1.4 million views on TikTok. It was posted by user Heykeyt, who claimed it was 'hands down the most romantic spot in Wales,' driving a huge number of visitors to the picturesque beach. On clear sunny days, there are often huge lines of cars along the twisty route leading from Newborough village centre, with jams extending another half-mile on the A4080 towards Pen-lôn. Understandably, frustrating locals. To avoid the crowds and adding to mass tourism, this beach is best visited in the winter, when fewer tourists traverse the whipping winds and salt-sprayed shores. If you are visiting in summer, you could go for a sunrise beach walk and beat the morning crowds. Make sure not to leave any rubbish behind or park anywhere that blocks in residents. Need to know Location: Llanddwyn, Newborough, Isle of Anglesey, LL61 6SG Parking: New charges for the main car parks came into force on Friday, 23 May. It will now cost £5 to park for up to two hours, and 70p for each additional 20 minutes up to a maximum daily charge of £15. Tides: Ynys Llanddwyn can be cut off in high tides. Check tide times before starting this route. Environment: Do not leave rubbish or light fires or BBQs during long spells of dry weather. Article continues below
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Expansion of town cemetery reveals 3,000-year-old Bronze Age graves in Germany
Archaeologists are investigating a 3,000-year-old gravesite discovered during the expansion of a modern-day cemetery in Germany. An excavation team learned the site, at the Espelkamp municipal cemetery in the village of Frotheim, was once a cremation burial during the Bronze Age into the Iron Age, according to a May 26 news release from the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe. Archaeologists documented 41 finds at the site, including 13 urn graves, several cremation nests and several cremation burials with the remains of the funeral pyres, according to the release. Experts said cremation became a common practice in the late Bronze Age and would remain the norm until the Middle Ages. Archaeologists believe the cremated remains found without an urn and with the ancient funeral pyres are more recent and likely reflect a shift in beliefs about the afterlife, according to the release. Two urns were discovered at the Espelkamp municipal cemetery in 1956 and 1967, during the construction of new graves, experts said. The excavation team will continue to investigate the site and preserve any artifacts uncovered, according to the release. The village of Frotheim is about a 130-mile drive southwest from Hamburg. Google Translate was used to translate the news release from the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe.
