Latest news with #Ptolemies
Epoch Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 23–29
This week, we feature a foray into naval slang that has made its way into everyday parlance and a heartwarming children's book about a father and daughter planning a surprise for Mom. History ' By Toby Wilkinson Egypt's final rulers as an independent state in ancient times were the Ptolemies. These Greek conquerors imposed on Egypt, using Egyptian religion and custom to gain acceptance. This book tells their story, following their 335-year reign from its start with Alexander the Great's capture of Egypt to its conquest by Rome. Absorbing, it often reads like a novel, yet it's meticulously-researched history. For those interested in ancient history. W. Norton & Company, 2025, 384 pages Fiction ' By Liam Callanan Leah Eady has lost her husband, not to death but to disappearance. Robert, an author, exits the house and vanishes, leaving behind some tickets to Paris for Leah and their two teenage daughters. After searching many days for Robert, this threesome makes their home in a Paris bookshop, hoping to find him by tracing clues found in Parisian classics for children. Readers who enjoy learning about Paris and children's literature will find an excellent match in these pages. Dutton, 2009, 368 pages Language ' By Martin Robson When two people are ready to fight, they are loggerheads. But what is a loggerhead, and why are they associated with fighting? When you're having problems why do friends ask how you are bearing up? For that matter, how much room do you need to swing a cat? These questions and more are answered in this book. It looks at the origins of phrases with unexpected maritime connections. As entertaining as it is informative, it's valuable to anyone who wishes to learn more about phrase origins. Related Stories 5/15/2025 5/8/2025 Osprey Publishing, 2018, 176 pages Historical Analysis ' By Conrad Black How did America rise so precipitously from colony to independent nation to arguably history's greatest superpower in less than 200 years? Conrad Black gives a full-throated analysis of the strategies American leaders undertook, beginning with the colonial period of the French and Indian War to the 21st century. Black presents a thorough look at how moments—good and bad—presented America with opportunities to expand its global influence and the steps it took to accomplish that expansion. Encounter Books, 2013, 824 pages Classics ' By Robert Falcon Scott Editor Max Jones begins his annotated edition of this classic of exploration by noting that Scott's journals, not his ill-fated expedition into Antarctica, won him lasting fame. First published in 1913, the journals coupled with the 1912 discovery of the bodies of Scott and his men roused an enormous interest and pride in the British people that has yet to wane. Jones includes changes made to the text over the years, illustrations, and three appendices from earlier editions. Oxford University Press, 2008, 592 pages For Kids ' By Eve Bunting and Kathryn Hewitt A young girl and her dad buy potted flowers at the supermarket and delight everyone they pass on their journey home through the city. There, they lovingly plant the flowers in a window box as a birthday surprise for Mom. Illustrating the happiness that even a simple pot-full of nature's beauty can bring, 'Flower Garden' is a sweet spring read. Clarion Books, 1994, 32 pages What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists unearth tree-lined walkway that led to ancient Egyptian fortress in Sinai Desert
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. This area shows parts of the fortress that archaeologists are uncovering in the Sinai Desert of Egypt. It was rebuilt and modified over a period of centuries. . | Credit: Photo courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities A large ancient Egyptian fortress in the northern Sinai Desert had an elaborate landscape of 500 trees leading to its entrance more than 2,000 years ago, new excavations reveal. Archaeologists made the finding while uncovering more of a fortress that was rebuilt and modified over several centuries. The existence of the fortress has been known for decades. However, new finds by archaeologists from Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities shed light on what the fortress was like more than two millennia ago. Located at the site of Tell Abu Saifi, the fortress was in use during the Ptolemaic period (circa 304 to 30 B.C.), when Ptolemy I — a general of Alexander the Great — and his descendants ruled Egypt, and the Roman period (circa 30 B.C. to A.D. 642), when Egypt was a province in the Roman Empire . They found that during the Ptolemaic period, there were 500 planting circles surrounded with clay on both sides of a road that led to the entrance of the fortress. These would have contained trees, the ministry said in a translated statement . It's not clear what exactly the climate was like in the Sinai Desert around 2,000 years ago. They also found that, during Ptolemaic times, the fortress was surrounded by a trench (a moat) that was more than 6.6 feet (2 meters) deep. This trench would have helped soldiers defend the fortress. The Ptolemies faced a number of adversaries at different times, including the Seleucid Empire, the Roman Republic and rebel groups operating in Egypt. Related: Ancient Egyptians drew the Milky Way on coffins and tombs, linking them to sky goddess, study finds Image 1 of 2 a photo showing where trees were planted in a desert landscape These circles held trees that led up to the entrance of the fortress. Image 2 of 2 an aerial view of an excavated fortress The fortress was in use for centuries and was rebuilt and renovated over time. The planting circles are an interesting find, Elizabeth Macaulay , a classics professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center who was not involved in the excavation, told Live Science in an email. "It is certainly possible that clay planting circles could have been used to plant trees," Macaulay said. "500 trees would have been a lot, but we have evidence from papyri and archaeology for the large-scale cultivation of plants — vines, fruits, trees — in Ptolemaic Egypt." She noted that if the excavation team uncovers the remains of roots, it would help confirm that these circles were used for planting. It might also allow for the identification of the tree species. RELATED STORIES —3,500-year-old 'rest house' used by ancient Egyptian army discovered in Sinai desert —3,200-year-old ancient Egyptian barracks contains sword inscribed with 'Ramesses II' —Dancing dwarf: A 2,300-year-old ancient Egyptian statue of a godlike man with a muscular 6-pack The archaeologists made several other finds, including living quarters of soldiers and perhaps their families. In addition, they unearthed a stretch of road that was 328 feet (100 m) long, 36 feet (11 m) wide, and paved with limestone slabs. It would have been used for military units traveling to the fortress. In an unexpected finding, archaeologists unearthed four corners of a structure that may be from an even earlier period. It's possible that this structure is also a fortress, but the team has not been able to date it or verify its purpose. Live Science contacted the archaeologists who excavated the site but did not hear back by the time of publication. Ancient Egypt quiz: Test your smarts about pyramids, hieroglyphs and King Tut
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Uncover 2,200-Year-Old Pyramid
Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed a 2,200-year-old pyramid, Ancient Origins reported. Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Ministry of Heritage worked together with volunteers from across Egypt to uncover the massive structure, which dates back to the late fourth century B.C. through the early second century B.C., when the Ptolemies and Seleucids were battling for control over ancient pyramid was built from 'hand-hewn' stones and features a waystation underneath the structure for use in trade. Within the structure, archaeologists discovered remarkably well-preserved wooden tools, textiles, Greek papyrus documents, colored beads, sewing needles, weapons, and bronze coins from the Ptolemies period as well as that of Antiochus IV. 'What we have here is one of the richest and most intriguing archaeological excavations ever found in the Judean Desert,' the excavation's directors said in a joint statement posted to the Israel Antiquities Authority's Facebook page. 'This pyramidal structure is huge, and made of hand-hewn stones, each one weighing hundreds of kilograms. Already in the first excavation week, the volunteers found written historical documents, exceptional bronze vessels and remains of ancient furniture, which thanks to the desert climate were preserved in amazing condition. This is a very promising site — every moment new findings are discovered.' The excavation is part of an ongoing archaeological project funded by the Ministry of Heritage which began in 2017. It aims to preserve the historical relics of the Judean Desert, a region which faces threat from looting and illegal excavations. In the eight years since its inception, the initiative has searched over 110 miles of the desert, identifying some 900 caves that were once used by ancient peoples during different historical periods.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Discovered a 2,200-Year-Old Pyramid. They Can't Explain its Purpose—Yet.
Archaeologists discovered a 2,200-year-old pyramid structure in the Judean Desert near the Dead Sea that featured stones weighing hundreds of pounds each. Early returns from excavations have already yielded artifacts aplenty, from historical documents to bronze vessels and ancient furniture. Further investigation hopes to parse out the site's use, whether as a guard tower, a monument, or even a tax collector's fortress. The mystery surrounding the discovery of a 2,200-year-old pyramid in the Judean Desert near the Dead Sea comes with plenty of clues. Filled with Greek historical documents written on papyrus, bronze coins minted under Greek rulers, weapons aplenty, and even ancient furniture, eager archaeologists hope to rummage the plunder to understand just why this building existed. Active during the time the Ptolemies and Seleucids ruled Israel, the site roughly 12 miles south of Masada and described as 'huge' by the Israel Antiquity Authority, has massive historical importance. 'What we have here is one of the richest and most intriguing archaeological excavations ever found in the Judean Desert,' the excavation directors said in a statement on behalf of the authority. 'This pyramidal structure we discovered is huge, and made of hand-hewn stones, each one weighing hundreds of kilograms.' Already in the first week of excavation, volunteers working with the authority found written historical documents, bronze vessels, wooden tools, fabrics, and more, all preserved by the desert climate. 'This is a very promising site,' the team wrote, 'every moment new findings are discovered, and we are filled with anticipation.' Part of a larger Judean Desert archaeological operation that began eight years ago to save potential finds from illicit excavation and theft, a dedicated Robbery Prevention Unit systematically surveyed the desert along 112 miles of cliffs, locating roughly 900 caves. The teams found thousands of rare items, including scrolls deliberately hidden. Locating a pyramid was an unexpected discovery. 'This excavation changes the site's historical record,' the three excavation leaders wrote. 'Contrary to previous hypotheses that attributed this structure to the First Temple period, it seems that it was built later—during the Hellenistic period—when the land of Israel was under Ptolemaic rule.' The team doesn't know the purpose of the Greek-originated site, whether a guard tower protecting a commercial route that brought Dead Sea salt and bitumen to ports, or maybe even just a mountaintop monument. The team calls it an 'enthralling historical mystery' that the excavation is helping unravel. Leading theories include that the building was a fortress to defend the road, but it also could have served to house tax collectors working as travelers passed them. The team believes it was later reused as a monumental tomb. 'At first, we thought the site could be just a tomb, but later, we noticed the shape of the original walls, and we understood that the structure was a building,' Eitan Klein, one of the three lead archaeologists on the excavation, told The Times of Israel. 'Eventually, we identified it as a tower or fortress dating back to the Hellenistic period, or 2,200 years ago.' The Ptolemaic coins helped date the building. The team also found coins from the Seleucid kingdom, which led Israel after Ptolemaic rule, likely putting the building in use during the third and first half of the second centuries B.C. The Seleucid-era coins, minted under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who Judah Maccabee defeated in 164 B.C., showed the longevity of the site, but Klein said there was no evidence hinting at why the building was vacated, although it collapsed at some point. Evidence shows that during Roman times the building was reused as a monumental grave, likely because of its picturesque location atop a hill. Looters largely emptied the grave portion of the site. 'The Judean Desert survey is one of the most important archaeological operations ever undertaken in the state of Israel's history,' Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said in a statement. 'The discoveries are exciting and even emotional, and their significance for archaeological and historical research is enormous.' Research into what is written on the papyrus documents hasn't yet started, but Klein believes it could be part of tax documents. 'Finding written records from such a long time ago is very rare,' he said, 'and the dream of every archaeologist.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Fox News
26-03-2025
- General
- Fox News
Mysterious pyramid, ancient bronze coins discovered by archaeologists
Archaeologists in the Judean Desert have unearthed a "mysterious pyramid-shaped structure" dating back 2,200 years. The evacuation was a joint mission between the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and the Ministry of Heritage excavation. The structure is tied to when the Ptolemies and Seleucids ruled Israel, according to a joint press release. "What we have here is one of the richest and most intriguing archaeological excavations ever found in the Judean Desert," said IAA excavation directors Matan Toledano, Dr. Eitan Klein and Amir Ganor. The structure is made of hand-hewn stones with each stone weighing hundreds of pounds. "We still do not know for certain what the building's purpose was," said the evacuation directors. The structure is believed to have been a guard tower, a grave marker or even possibly an ancient monument. "It is an enthralling historical mystery," the directors said in the release. Bronze coins related to Ptolemies and of Antiochus IV, weapons, wooden tools and fabrics were found too. The Judean Desert is about 800 meters above the Dead Sea and is a rock desert characterized by numerous wadis cutting through the stone, according to Tourist Israel. The ancient find provided new information, changing the site's historical record. "Contrary to previous hypotheses that attributed this structure to the First Temple period, it seems that it was built later – during the Hellenistic period – when the land of Israel was under Ptolemaic rule," said the release. IAA Director Eli Escusido said, "The Judean Desert survey is one of the most important archaeological operations ever undertaken in the State of Israel's history." "The discoveries are exciting and even emotional, and their significance for archaeological and historical research is enormous," Escusido added. In addition to the structure, historical documents, bronze vessels and remains of ancient furniture were also found. Fox News Digital reached out to the IAA for comment.
