#they is China not cuneiform...

[sere-ness-ima]

[inkintheinternet]

Mind and Genetics

By Arjuwan Lakkdawala

Ink in the Internet

There are some famous quotes that have very powerful observations and wisdom in them. They are eloquent, skillfully crafted communication with the world, and a window to the psyche of the author.

I have chosen the first quote as an example of the human mind's ability to examine the variables in a situation and conclude what are the requirements of a solution, and know that there is a higher level of understanding. The second quote I chose to demonstrate how the mind can think into the future by studying present trends and developments. Both quotes articulate elequenty these very astute mental analysis.

The quote by Albert Einstein:

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it."

If I were to try and give a human intellect explanation of this quote it could be infinite in its derivatives. So I will to simplify it give a mechanical example:

The engineer has a higher level of consciousness than the machine that has only specific functions it can understand.

Another quote which I think is visionary is from science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke:

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

This quote explains itself in this era of advancing technology.

(Side note: I don't agree with the complete views of the authors of each quote. But I do agree that we humans could be experts and knowledgeable at somethings and not at others.)

Intelligence and the vast expanse of the human mind is infinitely complex, with multiple dimensions of time, layers of understanding and meaning. Human cognition is certainly on levels, to understand each mind the recipient of the output has to be just as skilled intellectually as the source of the communication, otherwise the wisdom is lost and the words are not understood in their true context.

What is the innovative power of the human psyche, to have visions for the future, to have imagination, to be able to express oneself in a multitude of meanings. A sentence could be written to be nuanced. These are precisely the abilities that have and always will make artificial intelligence nowhere near a competition to the human mind.

In this era which I like to refer to as the New World (year 2000 to present day), there has never been such an interaction of minds. It is the first time in our recorded history.

If having a slightly indepth understanding of psychology was never a relevant thing in the past, unless you were in the profession. I would say it is in the New World.

Mentalities world-wide are on display, and we now get exposed to millions of thoughts our ancestors did not have to deal with. Those thoughts unlike books or movies, are actual humans in real time posting their ideas, propaganda, activism, whatever we can think of. It's all there on the internet by living people. So there are consequences and effects of our online interactions. And from the news we can see that those communications are most of the time not of friendly nature, and neither do they yield progressive results. So what this says to us is that ignorant and primitive minds, who are not thinkers are the majority online as it is open access.

I sometimes feel its like watching the zombie apocalypse unravelling. This aspect of the Internet - namely social media is extremely disturbing.

I feel like I'm writing entries in my diary at the end of the world times.

So it should be no surprise that mental illness is on the rise (as I stated in my previous article.) It is an alarming issue, and I recently read that IQ scores have gotten low in the US.

Could it be that the delusional narrative on the internet has caused mass psychosis. The medical definition of psychosis is "levels of detachment from reality. The more detatched the more severe the psychosis." We can see this very clearly in this era as men pretend to be women, or adults who think they are animals,. We are in fact seeing many different manifestations of what can be objectively described as psychosis.

Anarchy, a form of criminal mentality is also on the rise. The crime rate around the world is going through the roof. Senseless killings, violence, and hateful aggressive attitudes.

I think holding on to sanity could be the greatest challenge of this era. And it is paramount to understand psychology, as we are when online in a battlefield of psychological warfare. This is not actual war of course, however, the traps and pitfalls of its negative impact on our mental health or that of our children makes it a serious threat.

Why are there humans inclined towards criminal and aggressive behavior and others are not. There are several questions like this in psychology, is it the environment and society that influences good or criminal inclinations or is it genetics.

If you are interested in the subject of stupidity in itself, I recently read an article by Professor Brian Klaas about it. "The Evolution of Stupidity (and Octopus Intelligence).

What causes genuise and what causes stupidity. How does the genuise mind work, and what about a "dumb" mind does it work at all.

What about "Mind over Matter" or in the case of AI "Machine over Mind" there is no denying artificial intelligence is changing our reliability on memory and thinking. Information is now stored on a memory card, if we want directions there is Google and the same for searches. Unlike before when we had to think back on bits of information stored in our memory to answer a question, as it was easier and faster then to search the yellow pages, or find an expert to ask.

For me to have a higher level of understanding of any subject, I must go to the roots or the very start of it. In the case of psychology I cannot imagine that man was ever like an ape - un-thinking. From the cave paintings to the very first writings that we have records of. It all indicates that man is a born thinker.

According to records the oldest system of recording knowledge is the cuneiform - developed in Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq.) At around the same time writing was independently also developed in ancient Egypt and ancient China, with the Mesopotamian tablets being the oldest.

A fascinating new discovery on a decoded Mesopotamian Tablet narrates a story very similar to Noah's Ark, and says that a type of fossil was used in building the ship. This tablet is a 1000 years before the Bible, and it had a dramatic effect on understanding ancient history. It also raises the question of "fossils" how can it be so early in the history of the world. This is unanswered and not explained yet.

Archealogists and linguists have many theories of what motivated ancient writing. The primary theory is economics and that symbols of numbers were in use before words.

In present day there is ongoing studies of the effects of genetics and environment on a person's psychology. Scientists have so far established that genetics and environment interect - that is genetics could be a factor in how a certain person reacts to trauma from a different reaction of another person. Overall, studies at this time state that genetics are not the main driving force of psychological behavior.

Mind over matter: we have to here discuss the Placebo Effect. It's a psychological phenomena that has been observed for a millennia and is still not properly understood. A few things that have been concluded that a placebo does cause the brain to release feel good hormones like endorphins and dopamine, and this has pain and stress relieving effects.

What do neurons do. The brain explores thoughts and sends signals to the body through electrical impulses generated by neurons.

"In short, our nervous systems detect what is going on around us and inside of us; they decide how we should act, alter the state of internal organs (heart rate changes, for instance), and allows us to think about and remember what is going on. To do this, it relies on a sophisticated. - network — neurons." Medical News Today.

Arjuwan Lakkdawala is an author and independent science researcher.

X/Twitter: Spellrainia Email: arjuwan.writer@gmail.com

Copyright ©️ Arjuwan Lakkdawala 2024

Sources:

Harvard Health Publishing - The power of the placebo effect

Medical News Today - All you need to know about neurons

Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M.D. — By Tim Newman — Updated on July 18, 2023

Language Insight - A short history of writing

World History Encyclopedia - Cuneiform - Definition

by Joshua J. Mark

published on 17 November 2022

Study.com - Writing History, Invention & Evolution

Contributors: Sasha Blakeley, Kevin Newton

[whats-in-a-sentence]

The two undisputably independent inventions of writing were achieved by the Sumerians of Mesopotamia somewhat before 3000 B.C. and by Mexican Indians before 600 B.C. (Figure 12.1); Egyptian writing of 3000 B.C. and Chinese writing (by 1300 B.C.) may also have arisen independently. (...) The independent invention that we can trace in greatest detail is history's oldest writing system, Sumerian cuneiform (Figure 12.1).

"Guns, Germs and Steel: A Short History of Everybody for the Last 13,000 Years" - Jared Diamond

[batmanshole]

trying to explain a plot point or character in DC comics to someone who knows nothing abt comics is like.

okay so last year in Batman/Superman World's Finest they- hold on no, you need more context. okay so in 2016 DC started- hm, okay actually, in 2011, flashpoi- no hold on we need to go further back.

in 1985, there was a crisis and- hm no that still doesn't- okay in the silver age- ah you don't know what that is, uh, well you see in 1938, action comics- no that's not the full picture either.

flash gordo- no. uhh the first american comic book came out in 1842 and- hold on. johannes gutenburg invented the printing press in 1436- actually woodblock printing in china goes back to the 9th century and- well paper was invented around 105 AD and- cuneiform tablets were used around 3500 BCE and then- oh hm maybe i should explain the... okay so in ancient Mesopotamia- ah fuck it.

in the beginning, god created-

[whencyclopedia]

The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome

This comprehensive and engaging narrative covers many ancient civilizations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, early China, Greece, and Rome. Bauer's accessible writing and use of primary sources make complex historical events understandable and interesting. Ideal for history enthusiasts and general readers, this book offers a balanced and detailed overview of ancient history.

The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome by Susan Wise Bauer is a sweeping and well-researched work that endeavours to present a coherent narrative of ancient history from its earliest beginnings to the fall of the Roman Empire. Bauer, a historian and seasoned author, undertakes the formidable task of chronicling the development of human civilisations across the globe, weaving together historical events, cultural evolutions, and significant personalities.

The book is organised into 70 chapters, each serving as a vignette illuminating specific eras, events, and figures in ancient history. Bauer's narrative is both chronological and thematic, a dual approach that allows readers to follow the progression of historical events while also understanding each period's broader cultural and societal developments.

Bauer begins her journey in Mesopotamia, exploring the rise and fall of ancient societies such as Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria. She delves deeply into the development of writing with cuneiform, the establishment of legal codes exemplified by Hammurabi's Code, and the growth of urbanization and statecraft under rulers like Sargon of Akkad. Her detailed descriptions provide a vivid picture of how these early societies laid the groundwork for future civilisations.

The narrative then shifts to ancient Egypt, where Bauer traces the history from the early dynastic periods through the heights of the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. Her portrayal of Egyptian pharaohs such as Ramses II and Cleopatra pays particular attention to the complexities of their reigns. Bauer's exploration of Egyptian religion, monumental architecture like the pyramids and the temples at Karnak, and the daily life of its people enriches the reader's understanding of this ancient culture.

Bauer also examines the ancient civilizations of the Indus Valley and China. She discusses the sophisticated urban planning and social organization of the Harappan culture, as well as the early Chinese dynasties of Shang and Zhou, highlighting their contributions to writing, philosophy, and governance. Bauer's ability to interweave these diverse cultures into a single narrative thread is a testament to her skill as a historian and storyteller.

The book provides an in-depth look into ancient Greece and the Roman Republic and Empire. Bauer details impactful philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, military and political exploits executed by figures like Alexander the Great, the legacies of Julius Caesar and Constantine, and many other topics. Readers should pay attention to the discussion on the administrative and military structures that enabled Rome to maintain its dominance and its defining cultural and technological innovations. Bauer then concludes with the fall of Rome, marking the end of ancient history as traditionally defined and setting the stage for the medieval period.

Having published over six books, Bauer's writing style and storytelling skills to cover such a large timeline are evident, making complex concepts understandable and lively to a broad audience without sacrificing depth or accuracy. Her narrative is richly detailed while avoiding overwhelming readers with excessive minutiae. The book is well-supported by maps, timelines, and illustrations that contextualize the narrative and provide visual aids. Bauer's use of primary sources and quotations adds depth to her account, bringing the voices of ancient peoples into the modern narrative.

However, the book's scope also presents challenges. Some readers may find certain sections too brief, as Bauer moves quickly through some significant events and figures to maintain the narrative's momentum. Despite her efforts to include non-Western civilisations, the book still feels like it leans heavily towards a Eurocentric perspective, particularly in its treatment of the later chapters on Greece and Rome.

Overall, The History of the Ancient World is an impressive and highly readable account of ancient history. Susan Wise Bauer's synthesis of a vast array of historical data into a coherent narrative is commendable. While the book's scope means that some areas are covered more briefly than others, it remains an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of the ancient world.

Continue reading...

[max1461]

How many times did writing systems individually evolve?

Writing has been independently invented at least three times in human history: once in Mesoamerica, once in Mesopotamia/Egypt, and once in China.

The only script from Mesoamerica that has been deciphered is the Maya script, attested from around 200BC until the time of the Spanish conquest, when (to my understanding) the scribes were all either killed or retrained in writing Spanish and knowledge of the script was lost. It was subsequently deciphered again in the late 20th century, though the corpus is fairly small (most of it epigraphic) as only a handful of codices remain. Earlier, undeciphered forms of writing or proto-writing predate the Maya script in Mesoamerica, such as the (Epi-)Olmec script.

The situation in the Ancient Near East is a bit more complex. Two extremely early forms of writing are attested there, Egyptian hieroglyphs (in Egypt) and Sumerian cuneiform (in Mesopotamia). Both date from the end of the third millennium BC (that is, c. 3000BC), and one or the other has the claim to being the first writing system ever invented. My impression is that every once in a while they'll dig up an inscription from Egypt that sets the date back a little and makes Egyptian the oldest, then they'll dig up something from Mesopotamia that makes Sumerian the oldest, back and forth. But I don't know the details, maybe an Egyptologist or Sumeriologist can come in here and confirm or deny.

Anyway, one of the great things about cuneiform in particular is that there is a clear archeological record of its emergence out of proto-writing. So, linguists and epigraphers say that some system of symbols is a "writing system" when it can be used to represent a spoken language in its totality. For instance, English writing can represent any spoken English sentence, so it counts. If a system cannot systematically represent speech, but is still used for more limited kinds of communication or record keeping, it is dubbed "proto-writing". All writing systems are thought to have emerged out of earlier systems of proto-writing, in which symbols were used iconographically in various ways, before becoming fully systematized and coming to represent spoken words. With cuneiform, there is a record of this whole transitional process, which has probably informed theories about the development of writing generally more than anything else.

In any case, Egyptian hieroglyphs and Sumerian cuneiform emerged side by side at about the same time, so it is generally thought that their development was subject at least to cross-influence of various kinds, and thus they should not be counted as wholly separate "inventions of writing". But I don't know the details of this.

The last case in which writing was independently invented was in ancient China, with the oracle bone script, attested from about 1200BC. By the time of its first attestation, however, the oracle bone script was already very systematized and complex, leading most scholars to believe that it must have been in use for several centuries before the earliest extant examples. One way or another, unlike the previously mentioned scripts, the details of its initial development and any possible predecessor systems are totally unknown. Another difference is this: the Maya script and cuneiform both completely died out, leaving no descendants in use today. Egyptian hieroglyphs also died out, although if it is in fact true that the proto-Canaanite script is adapted from hieroglyphs, then they left many indirect descendants (including the Latin characters I am using right now!). The oracle bone script, on the other hand, evolved directly into modern Chinese characters, which are used today to write Chinese and Japanese (in the form of kanji) and formerly also Korean (hanja) and Vietnamese (chữ Nôm).

More cases of independent invention are possible, but are unconfirmed. Systems like the Vinča symbols are so old that they went out of use before cuneiform even developed, but they are generally regarded as being in all likelihood examples of proto-writing and not true writing systems. The Indus Valley Civilization had some symbols, but they are also undeciphered and are also probably not true writing. The Brahmi script of ancient India (c. 300BC) is sometimes argued to be an independent invention, but similarities to Aramaic have led many to believe it was at least influenced by earlier Semitic scripts (themselves all descended from proto-Canaanite, and thus, putatively, from Egyptian hieroglyphs). Rongorongo may be a writing system independently invented in Rapa Nui (Easter Island), but again it remains undeciphered and may be proto-writing. There are probably various other such examples.

Anyway, the answer to "how many times did writing systems independently develop" is "at least three, maybe a few more".

[olympic-paris]

'Save Iraqi Culture' - a surreal monument depicting a five-armed giant supporting a toppling cylinder seal; Baghdad, Iraq : In 2010, a bizarre sculpture was unveiled in the Mansour district of Baghdad, Iraq. Designed by renowned sculptor Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, it depicts a muscular giant supporting a Sumerian-style cylinder seal, which is broken at the base and toppling, using all his five arms. When deciphered, the cuneiform on the cylinder seal reads “writing began here” in reference to the Mesopotamian civilization’s role in the development of writing systems. Commissioned by the mayor of Baghdad, it was part of the city’s attempt to improve its long-tarnished image, to promote the richness of Iraqi culture and history. The area of what is modern Iraq was the birthplace one of the earliest human civilizations. A long series of literate cultures, cities, kingdoms and empires emerged in Fertile Crescent between Tigris and Euphrates rivers. When Alexander the Great entered the gates of Babylon at the head of his armies, he was an upstart, while Iraq was the home of what was already an ancient civilization. Sumerian civilization emerged in Iraq about 4000 BC. It evolved a rich and complex culture; built cities, temples and palaces; and developed sophisticated irrigation systems for large-scale agriculture. Sumerians also developed the earliest system of writing cuneiform in which they recorded their myths such as the famous “Epic of Gilgamesh.” Sumerians invented the wheel about 3700 BC and a system of mathematics. Sumerians were followed by the Babylonians and the Assyrians. King Hammurabi of Babylon promulgated a famous law-code, which was a landmark in the development of a system of social justice. Biblical Abraham, spiritual father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, was originally from the city of Ur in Iraq. Assyrians further developed geometry and medical science. Alexander‘s conquest led the building of Greek cities and the spread of Hellenistic culture. Finally, Iraq was absorbed into the Persian Empire until the rise of the Muslim empires in 7th Century AD. Baghdad became the capital of the Abbasid Empire in 8th Century. This cosmopolitan commercial city was a famous center of culture and learning. It was regarded as the intellectual center of the world, standing at the crossroads of the trade routes between Europe, Byzantium, Middle East, India and China. Arab, Greek and Persian cultures mingled, and philosophy, science, medicine, literature and the arts flourished in universities and the court. Arabic became the primary language and most of the people gradually converted to Islam. Christians and Jews lived with Muslims in relative harmony as worshipers of the one God. The Empire reached from the borders of China to the Mediterranean and northern Africa. Catastrophe struck with Mongol invasions of Genghis Khan and his successors in 13th Century. Baghdad was conquered and the countryside devastated. The entire region went into decline. Irrigation systems collapsed and agriculture declined to be replaced by swamps and marshes. European discovery of a route around Africa to India led the decline of trade and commerce through Iraq. Urban society declined and the people turned to tribally-based pastoral nomadism. It was a “dark age.” In 17th Century, Iraq became a province of the Turkish Ottoman Empire until British took over after WWI. Britain set up a monarchy which became independent in 1932.

[script-a-world]

Submitted via Google Form:

What is the earliest point in evolution could humans evolve written language? Let's say biologically, human evolution was similar to reality, could say Neanderthals have written language already? Like before civilisations began? Also, written language is certainly not only for the elite. In fact, it got started in various families and then got spread among the tribes. So we have thousands of different tribes and familes across the world - each with their own languages and writing systems. Of course, there are some similarities as people have travelled a bit and met neighbouring tribes. So basically before society was properly formed into civilisations, there should already be writing but civilisation is actually what prodded society to centralise communications and languages. Does this work? Basically, I just want a society that had writing from much earlier on than reality and figuring out how it could have been done.

Tex: Writing is developed, much like any other tool, as a function of necessity. If it’s not necessary for a society to develop it, then writing won’t exist for them. Civilisation is also, as a concept, prone to periodic re-defining as we accumulate more data and our perceptions of the data shift (for example, one could define the pinnacle of civilisation as taxes, where before another defined it as religion). Writing also has exceptionally little to do with biology as writing is a social construct meant to fill a void found in one’s culture. Consequentially, writing can also encompass a broad range of intentional markings that demonstrate specific meanings, from tally marks, to standardized pictures, to ideograms, to glyphs. What does your world need writing for? What niche does it fill? What were the people using as its predecessor, and what happened to cause them to change systems? Did the scope of their needs change, or did the perception of their needs change? What information is important for them to record, on a societal and personal level? Who teaches writing? Who learns it? What is the method of transmission, and for those that teach writing, is it their sole occupation or something on the side?

Utuabzu: Writing is old. Really old. At least 5000 years old. This seems a long time, but humans have been living in permanent settlements and practicing forms of agriculture in West Asia for about 9000 years. Homo sapiens has been around for at least 300,000 years. But only in the last few thousand years, in a handful of places, did humans independently come up with the idea that the spoken word could be preserved using symbols that others could be trained to decipher.

The earliest writing as far as we can tell is cuneiform, from Sumeria in what is now southern Iraq. It may or may not have had some influence on the development of Egyptian hieroglyphs from pictographs to an actual script - we have found Sumerian cylinder seals in very early Egyptian sites, indicating that the two groups were in contact. But from these two points the idea of writing spread through the Mediterranean and West Asia. The Indus Valley civilisation also used a script, but we are unable to decipher it and have relatively few examples to work from, so we cannot tell if it even is a true script or if it predates contact with Sumeria.*

Shang Dynasty China also developed the earliest form of Chinese script from the Oracle Bone tradition not long after this. This also spread, together with Chinese ideas, agricultural and governmental practices across much of eastern Asia.

Meanwhile cuneiform script was adopted by a wide range of cultures in West Asia, and inspired other scripts like Elamite, Old Persian and Ugaritic, which while using similar shapes were structured very differently. Egyptian hieroglyphs inspired Anatolian hieroglyphs and were later in the early Iron Age the basis that the Phoenician alphabet** - ancestor of alphabetic, abjad and abugida scripts from the Philippines to Iceland - was derived from.

Another place we see writing develop entirely independently is in Central America, where a pictographic system was employed from the Olmec period all the way through to the 16th Century, but only became a true script in the Mayan region [at time, need to check when]. The system employed elsewhere in Mesoamerica did not have the capacity to accurately render speech, so far as we are aware.***

There are also a handful of other instances that might or might not be examples of true scripts developing entirely independently, from rorotongo on Rapanui to the quipus of the Andes to [pretty sure there's one in central africa, but can't remember the name just now]. We simply don't have enough information to be certain about any of them. Oftentimes, because the media they were written on does not survive all that well, or was deliberately destroyed.

But something you should bear in mind is that complex societies don't necessarily require writing for a lot of their history. Many of the most impressive cultures of the ancient world were not widely or at all literate. There's no indication that the Mississippian culture that built sites like Cahokia had writing, nor did Teotihuacán or the various cultures of the Andes. There's no evidence of writing at Great Zimbabwe, nor at Jomon sites in Japan.

Even in cultures that did have writing, it was frequently not a widely known skill. Your average ancient Egyptian couldn't read hieroglyphs, and Chinese hanzi still take years to master. This is part of why so many traditional scripts were displaced in the 19th and early 20th century. Most people couldn't read them and when authorities decided to use Roman or Cyrillic or something else in mass education, it very quickly became much more widely understood than the traditional script.

To my knowledge, there's no examples of a pre-agricultural society developing writing independently. Some have derived scripts from those they came into contact with, or made entirely unique ones inspired by writing they knew of. But so far as I am aware, none have ever created a script entirely from scratch with no prior exposure to the concept of writing.

*the Sumerians appear to have called the Indus Valley Civilisation 'Meluhha', and were actively trading with it from at least the Bronze Age. Ur III records even tell of a colony of Meluhha merchants at Guabba, near Lagaš, and Sumerian cylinder seals have been found in Indus Valley sites.

**actually an abjad.

*** the conquistadors burned almost all pre Columbian codices, so we can't ever be 100% certain that no other variants of the system developed into true scripts. But it's unlikely.

[sumerianlanguage]

Was there a word for “coin” in Sumerian? Thank you

Hello! Just as there was no exact concept of "money" in Sumerian (see this post), there's also no concept of "coin", since coinage was invented in China and Anatolia, both after the Sumerian period. Instead, Sumerians traded using ingots of standard weights, called gubar and written 𒄘𒁇 in cuneiform.

[ancienttalisman]

The Enigmatic Origins of Ancient Magic and Beliefs

The origins of ancient magic and beliefs are shrouded in the mists of time, making it a fascinating and intricate subject of study. These practices, which have influenced countless civilizations throughout history, are a testament to the human drive to understand and interact with the unseen forces that shape our world. In this article, we delve into the enigmatic beginnings of ancient magic and beliefs, tracing their evolution across different cultures and epochs. Check their site to know more details ฝันเห็นช้างตกมันอาละวาด.

Prehistoric Roots

Magic and beliefs can be traced back to the earliest human societies, with evidence of shamanistic practices and animistic beliefs dating back tens of thousands of years. In these prehistoric cultures, shamans served as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms, harnessing the power of natural elements and spirits to heal, protect, and predict the future. These practices laid the foundation for the development of more elaborate belief systems and magical traditions.

Mesopotamia: Cradle of Civilization

The ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, including Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria, played a crucial role in shaping magical and religious practices. Cuneiform texts from these societies reveal incantations, rituals, and magical spells that aimed to control various aspects of life, from health to agriculture. The concept of gods and goddesses, with their unique powers and domains, further influenced the magical beliefs of these early civilizations.

Egyptian Mysticism

Ancient Egypt is renowned for its rich tradition of mysticism, magic, and belief in the afterlife. The Egyptian Book of the Dead, a collection of spells and rituals, guided the deceased through the perilous journey to the afterlife. Magic was integral to their religious practices, and priests held a significant role in performing rituals to ensure harmony between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Greco-Roman Syncretism

The Hellenistic period witnessed a fusion of Greek and Egyptian magical traditions, creating a syncretic system known as Hermeticism. The Hermetic writings, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, encompassed a wide range of esoteric knowledge, including alchemy, astrology, and theurgy. The influence of these writings extended into the Roman Empire and persisted through the Middle Ages.

Ancient China

In ancient China, Daoist and Confucian beliefs incorporated magical practices such as divination, exorcism, and alchemy. These practices aimed to achieve balance and harmony with the Dao, the fundamental principle that underlies the universe. Chinese emperors sought guidance from oracles and divination techniques to make important decisions.

The Mysteries of Mesoamerica

The Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations of Mesoamerica developed complex belief systems that intertwined magic, religion, and astrology. Rituals involving blood sacrifice, celestial observations, and communication with the spirit world were fundamental aspects of their cultures. The knowledge of these civilizations, especially the Maya, continues to baffle researchers, revealing a deep connection between ancient magic and the understanding of the cosmos.

The Middle Ages: Alchemy and the Occult

During the Middle Ages, magic and beliefs took on new dimensions in Europe. Alchemy, the precursor to modern chemistry, aimed to transform base metals into gold and discover the elixir of life. The study of the occult sciences, including astrology, numerology, and the Kabbalah, became prevalent among scholars and mystics.

Conclusion

The origins of ancient magic and beliefs are a testament to humanity's enduring quest to comprehend and harness the mystical forces that shape our world. From the shamanic practices of prehistoric societies to the syncretic traditions of Greco-Roman times and the mysticism of ancient China, these beliefs have left an indelible mark on the development of human culture. While many ancient magical practices have evolved into modern religions and scientific disciplines, they continue to captivate our imagination, providing a link to our enigmatic past and the timeless quest to unlock the secrets of the universe.

[fdrsamericanflagduckfloaty]

Ancient history infodump please?

hi

so

i went from ancient history to medieval history and back to ancient history and then a little bit of stone age history in like 2 sentences so im really sorry about thath gjghjn

i dont absorb as much as i end up absorbing at 6am. however, pieces of history like this:

are very interesting. as it stands, it is the oldest type of law. most crimes were 'you do this, you pay this amount of silver' usually in ounces or shekels of silver. if it related to a farm matter, it was barley per 'iku' of the field. and i find that hella interesting.

like, not 'prison' time, or anything, either silver or death or decapitation. if it was a farm? pay with your barley bitch.

i also find this interesting:

old versions of languages, even ones i don't understand, are all very cool. like, this was how they did things. it's not recognizable as its current language unless you know what it looks like and even now it reminds me of WingDings. But it is Old Chinese.

This, as well:

This is obviously old Sumerian and it's fairly hard to know why and how they got what they got from those symbols. I mean, did they understand it as perfectly as we do English? How? When was it decided on that this symbol definitively meant this? There were different stages of it too, which is similar to how English developed overtime (god am I glad we don't replace s' with f's now). It can look similar to Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs until you realize oh, Ancient Egyptian looked like this:

And I find it interesting that in my random 7am research, Ancient Rome did have slaves. And from a NaTM standpoint I NEVER see that in the diorama.

The multitude of languages that existed is immaculate. The fact we can even translate some of it is even better. And the thought that, back then, this was simply just a language, and now, it's ancient and entirely alien to something like English, is mindblowing. Imagine three thousand years later and English or French or Spanish is looked at like we look at hieroglyphs and cuneiform.

And I like to go back through old rulers as far as I can, as far as we have documented, and things like this are weirdly intriguing to me.

Not just because of how long ago it was, but because rulers used to look like that. Rulers who didn't know their empires or nations would go on this long. And now we see England's current king and you wonder what the fuck happened. We went from somebody wearing what looks like a polka-dot onesie to gold galore.

And then the development of languages. On the English Language wiki page (don't trust wiki), we have this as the first picture of English.

Now how in god's name is that English? I certainly wouldn't recognize that as English. However back then, it was. If you showed them the current model of English literature and language and alphabet, they wouldn't recognize it either, and so it tests just how much a language can develop and still be what it was.

It's also interesting how, if you go through the wiki pages of rulers of England/Normandy, and keep going, the farthest back you can go is to a Viking's page. English rulers that go back to a damn Viking, now isn't that something? The second farthest page you can go to is William Longsword's, and then Rollo's.

Richard I's portrait is similar in terms of frame to William's, so if we have full-scale portraits now and lots of detail, back then, it must've been a normally scaled portrait for it to be this small.

Richard I:

And William Longsword's:

Now back to Ancient:

Places like Ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia are particularly cool because Ancient Egypt can be called a cradle civilization. That's such a badass term. And to see things like the pyramids still standing is a testament to history's course and just how much of a mark the Egyptians left on history. They ruled with Pharaohs and now we rule with Presidents or Kings. They also believed in deities obviously, which is interesting.

Ancient Rome and Ancient China are fairly the same as well. However, they aren't all similar. Ancient China to me was more focused on hierarchy, new methods of travel and finding new silks/spices (hehe silk road). Ancient Rome was a step towards what we see as a republic and a slight democracy. They built elaborate buildings, statues, coliseums, and the like.

It all really goes back to a line of rulers. China had its Emperors, Rome had its dictators, and Egypt had its Pharaohs, England had its Kings. So just how in god's name did we change from that course? If America is a global power now, then if Ancient China was around now, they'd probably be a global power too. These empires scaled around the entire globe, meaning worldwide domination was likely easier than it would be now.

England/Britain still standing today as a more-or-less global power as well is fascinating. Almost two-thousand years of history and changing rulers and changing land, and they still stand. Compared to our less than three hundred years as a country, they're far more rooted into history.

Ancient China had changed as the world changed, and now it is what we know it as, China, but they were really a power back then. And to think some of these civilizations/empires were going on at the SAME time is insane. Of course, they weren't for most of it, but damn it, it's a cool thought.

I also find the Stone Age cool too. It's really just... a look at how much humans have evolved. Hell, this picture below (which you've probably seen) was a damn village. It looks like fucking holes in a hill.

It also begs the question of how much have humans physically changed? Was this considered livable and sustainable for a person's body back then? Tiny spaces and virtually no privacy and such close proximity with others? I mean... it's really just interesting to attempt to visualize what it was like.

Anyways,

FUCK Christopher Columbus

THAT is the moral of old history.

[gonzalo-obes]

IMAGENES Y DATOS INTERESANTES DEL 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2024

Día Internacional del Taekwondo, Día Global de Adquisición de Talento, Día Mundial de la Salud Sexual, Día Mundial del Síndrome PFAPA, Semana del Aprendizaje Digital, Año Internacional de los Camélidos.

Santa Rosalía, San Amniano, Santa Iris y Santa Monesa.

Tal día como hoy en el año 1998

Larry Page y Serguéi Brin fundan en Estados Unidos la empresa propietaria de la marca Google.

1985

En la Universidad Rice de Houston, Texas (EE.UU.), el astroquímico Harry Kroto, junto a los investigadores norteamericanos Richard Smalley y Robert Curl y dos estudiantes de postgrado, realizan experimentos tratando de convertir carbono gaseoso en partículas, fenómeno que se produce en las estrellas, y descubren casualmente una nueva forma de carbono en estado puro. Hasta este momento tan sólo se conocen dos formas alotrópicas del carbono elemental: el grafito y el diamante. Este importante descubrimiento abre un nuevo campo para posibles aplicaciones y así fabricar nuevos tipos de polímeros, superconductores, estructuras con metales o con otros átomos atrapados dentro de estos agrupamientos de carbono, además de nuevos catalizadores, productos farmacéuticos y otras posibles aplicaciones industriales en las que se abre una puerta al desarrollo de la nanotecnología. En 1996, Kroto, Smalley y Curl se verán agraciados con la gloria del Premio Nobel de Química por el descubrimiento de los fullerenos. (Hace 39 años)

1970

La Unidad Popular, liderada por Salvador Allende, gana las elecciones en Chile. (Hace 54 años)

1964

En las elecciones chilenas vence el demócrata cristiano Eduardo Frei, al derrotar a su rival del Frente de Izquierda, Salvador Allende. (Hace 60 años)

1886

En Skeleton, Arizona, bajo la promesa de ser tratado como prisionero de guerra, y no como bandolero, tiene lugar la rendición de Gerónimo y 30 apaches que siguen con él, ante al ejército estadounidense. Gerónimo será recluido durante 3 años en la prisión de Fronteras (Sonora), donde hoy existe un museo que lleva su nombre. Transcurrido ese tiempo, será trasladado a una reserva india en Oklahoma, donde vivirá hasta su muerte en 1909. (Hace 138 años)

1882

En Nueva York (EE.UU.), con enorme éxito y admiración general, Pearl Street se convierte en la primera calle iluminada artificialmente del mundo. 7.200 lámparas y una estación eléctrica de 900 CV de potencia concebida por Edison son los responsables. (Hace 142 años)

1870

En Francia, Napoleón III que ha gobernado primero como presidente de la nación, de 1850 a 1852, y luego como emperador, de 1852 hasta el día de hoy, es depuesto por la fuerza y se proclama la Tercera República, tras haber sido derrotado y apresado por Otto Von Bismarck el día 2 de septiembre durante la Batalla Sedán. (Hace 154 años)

1802

Johann Georg Friedrich Grotefend, filólogo alemán, abre la puerta para descifrar la misteriosa escritura cuneiforme de babilonios y persas, al presentar un alfabeto rectificado. (Hace 222 años)

1797

Tropas armadas, a cargo de militares de tendencia republicana entre los que se encuentra Napoleón Bonaparte, ocupan París (Francia) desde primeras horas de la mañana y derrocan al gobierno del Directorio. Decretan que quien intente favorecer el regreso a la monarquía o la Constitución de 1793 será fusilado. (Hace 227 años)

1781

En Nueva España (Estados Unidos), en la región conocida por los nativos como el "Valle del Humo", Gaspar de Pórtola y Junípero Serra fundan el pueblo de la "Reina de los Ángeles", que en el futuro se convertirá en la populosa ciudad de Los Ángeles. (Hace 243 años)

1520

En México, el ejército de Hernán Cortés conquista la ciudad azteca de Tepeaca y en su lugar funda la Villa de Segura de la Frontera. (Hace 504 años)

626

Li Shimin, conocido póstumamente como Emperador Taizong, asume el trono durante la dinastía Tang de China, que ocupará hasta su muerte en julio de 649. (Hace 1398 años)

476

En el día de hoy, resulta depuesto el último emperador del Imperio Romano Occidental, Romulus Augusto, por el bárbaro germano Odoacer, cuando se hace con el control de Ravenna, capital del Imperio Occidental desde 402. Odoacer se proclama a sí mismo rey de Italia. Aunque el gobierno romano continuará en Oriente, la coronación de Odoacer es tomada en la historia como fin del Imperio romano con su centro de poder ubicado en Italia. (Hace 1548 años)

[tipsycad147]

A Beginner’s Guide to Casting a Protection Spell

Have you ever wished for an invisible shield against negativity? Enter the age-old art of casting protection spells.

Introduction

Protection spells have been an integral facet of various cultures and traditions throughout history. They serve as more than just mystical barriers; they’re a testament to humanity’s enduring desire for safety and sanctity. In a world rife with emotional, physical, and digital threats, the relevance of these spells has only grown.

Today, amidst the chaos of our fast-paced lives and the deluge of information, protection spells offer a beacon of hope, providing a means to anchor oneself against the tempestuous currents of negativity. They bridge the ancient and the modern, reminding us that, sometimes, the solutions to today’s problems can be found in the wisdom of yesteryears. Whether it’s warding off cyberbullying, safeguarding mental well-being, or simply seeking a haven from the daily grind, protection spells emerge as a powerful tool in the contemporary arsenal against negativity. You might also be interested in reading our post on Witchcraft and its stunning transformation over centuries.

The Historical Tapestry of Protection Spells

Protection spells, as with many spiritual practices, have roots that run deep into the fabric of human history. They represent the collective desire of civilizations to shield themselves from unseen threats, to find solace in symbols and rituals, and to manifest safety in their surroundings.

Tracing Back to Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Celtic Druids, and Beyond

Mesopotamia: Often referred to as the cradle of civilization, ancient Mesopotamia was rife with rituals and talismans meant for protection. The Cuneiform tablets, some of the earliest written records, make mention of incantations intended to ward off evil spirits and ailments. The Mesopotamians believed in a world inhabited by both good and evil entities, and their protective measures were designed to create boundaries against these malevolent forces.

Celtic Druids: In the lush, green landscapes of ancient Europe, the Druids — priests of the Celtic people — practiced their esoteric rituals. Among these were protection spells, often woven into their celebrations of the natural world and cycles of the moon. Sacred groves were chosen sites for these rituals, and the Druids invoked both the spirits of the land and their ancestral energies to cast protective barriers around their communities.

How Different Cultures Perceive and Practice Protection Rituals

Across continents and epochs, the need for protection has remained a constant, yet the ways in which different cultures conceptualize and actualize this need have varied immensely:

African Traditions: In many African cultures, protection spells often take the form of amulets or charms, crafted with specific materials believed to possess protective properties. The wearing of these amulets isn’t just symbolic; it’s a deeply entrenched practice that spans generations, linking the spiritual world with the physical.

East Asian Beliefs: In countries like China and Japan, protective rituals might involve the use of specific symbols or characters. The placement of Fu, protective Chinese characters, around the home during the Lunar New Year is a testament to age-old traditions of safeguarding one’s home from ill-fortune.

Native American Practices: For Native American tribes, the world is animated by spirits. Ritual dances, chants, and totemic symbols play a pivotal role in their protection spells, summoning the powers of their ancestors and the natural world to guard against threats.

Evolution: From Ancient Symbols to Modern-Day Rituals

As societies evolved and modernized, so did their methods and beliefs surrounding protection spells. The ancient symbols once etched into stone or metal have now found their way into tattoos, jewelry, and digital art forms. Modern witches and practitioners of the craft blend time-honored traditions with contemporary understanding, creating a tapestry that honors the past while embracing the potential of the present.

Today, a new generation is rediscovering the potency of these ancient practices. In urban settings, amidst the hum of technology, many are turning to the wisdom of protection spells, recognizing that the age-old need to safeguard one’s spirit remains as relevant as ever. Whether it’s a chant before an important meeting, a protective crystal worn as a necklace, or a digital symbol shared across social media, protection spells have undeniably woven themselves into the mosaic of modern life. Discover 9 Powerful Protection Symbols here.

More Than Just Physical Shields: The Dimensions of Protection Spells

Throughout history, humans have developed physical armors — walls to shield cities, weapons to deter threats, and fortresses to protect monarchs. Yet, when diving into the realm of the esoteric, protection takes on nuanced dimensions that span beyond the tangible. Protection spells cater not just to the corporeal but to the very essence of our being: our minds, emotions, and spirits.

Protecting the Mind: Warding Off Negative Energies and Intrusive Thoughts

The mind is an intricate labyrinth, capable of profound thought and creativity, but also susceptible to doubt, negativity, and harmful energies. Protection spells tailored for the mind serve as mental barriers:

Mental Filters: These spells function as a sieve, filtering out harmful energies and negativity that could cloud judgment or hinder cognitive clarity. A well-cast spell can help retain a clear, positive mental space amidst chaos.

Guarding Against Psychic Attacks: A less discussed but very real concern within esoteric circles, psychic attacks can manifest as intrusive thoughts or overwhelming anxieties. Specific spells are crafted to detect and deflect such unwanted mental intrusions.

Emotional Safeguard: Keeping One’s Energy Secure from Emotional Vampires

Our emotions are core to our humanity. They give depth to our experiences but can also render us vulnerable:

Protective Shielding for Empaths: Highly empathic individuals often absorb the emotions of those around them, for better or worse. Protection spells can help create a selective barrier, allowing empathic understanding without unnecessary emotional burden.

Deflecting Emotional Drain: Emotional vampires, whether intentional or not, can drain one’s vitality, leaving feelings of exhaustion and sadness in their wake. Spells in this domain focus on identifying and averting such drains, ensuring emotional balance and wellness.

Understanding Emotional Vampires and Their Impact

Emotional vampires might sound like creatures straight out of a gothic novel, but in reality, they represent people in our lives who, often unintentionally, feed off our emotional energy. These individuals possess a knack for drawing vitality from others, leaving a trail of emotional exhaustion in their wake.

Characteristics of Emotional Vampires: They can manifest in various ways: the perpetually needy friend, the co-worker who constantly belittles others, or even the family member who thrives on drama. Their common thread? An uncanny ability to leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed, or on edge after interactions.

The Subtle Drain: Not all emotional vampires are overtly malicious. Some might be entirely unaware of their effect on people. Their needs and dramas can overshadow conversations, making interactions feel one-sided or leaving one with a heavy emotional weight to bear.

Guarding Against The Drain: Protection spells designed for these situations help in recognizing and warding off the draining effects of emotional vampires. They act as a barrier, ensuring one’s emotional reserves remain intact, and offer a sense of equilibrium.

[timemapshistory]

The Fascinating History of Ancient Civilizations: Notes and TimeMaps

The history of ancient civilizations is a story that spans thousands of years and stretches across continents. Understanding these history of Ancient civilizations notes helps us appreciate how human societies have evolved over time. This blog will take you through the journey of ancient civilizations with detailed notes and TimeMaps under five subheadings.

Early Beginnings

The earliest civilizations began to form around 3000 BCE. These early societies were mostly found near rivers, as water was essential for farming. The first notable civilizations were Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China. These regions had rich soils that helped grow crops, leading to the growth of cities and complex societies. People started living together, sharing resources, and developing cultures. This period marks the dawn of human civilization.

Mesopotamia: The Cradle of Civilization

Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, is often called the "Cradle of Civilization." It is where writing, law, and urbanization first appeared. The Sumerians, who lived in Mesopotamia, invented cuneiform writing, which helped record history and transactions. They built impressive cities like Ur and Uruk, with temples and ziggurats that stood as centers of worship and administration. Their advancements in mathematics and astronomy laid the foundation for future civilizations.

Ancient Egypt: The Gift of the Nile

Egyptian civilization flourished along the Nile River. The Nile's predictable flooding provided fertile land for agriculture, which supported a stable and prosperous society. The Egyptians are famous for their impressive pyramids, built as tombs for pharaohs. These structures showed their engineering skills and religious beliefs. Hieroglyphics, their writing system, helped preserve their culture and history. The reigns of powerful pharaohs, like Ramses II and Cleopatra, shaped the course of Egyptian history.

Indus Valley: A Forgotten Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan and northwest India, was one of the largest ancient civilizations. Known for its advanced urban planning, the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro had sophisticated drainage systems and standardized weights and measures. This civilization traded with Mesopotamia and other regions, indicating a network of early global trade. Despite its achievements, much about the Indus Valley remains a mystery due to the deciphered script.

Ancient China: The Middle Kingdom

Ancient China, known as the "Middle Kingdom," developed along the Yellow River. Chinese civilization is one of the oldest continuous civilizations. The Shang and Zhou dynasties were among the earliest, contributing to the development of Chinese culture, philosophy, and statecraft. The invention of paper, the compass, and gunpowder are some of China's significant contributions to the world. Confucianism and Taoism, two major philosophical schools, originated here, influencing not just China but many other cultures.

The history of Ancient civilizations notes is rich with stories of innovation, culture, and progress. By studying these civilizations, we gain insights into the early steps of human development and the foundations of our modern world. The journey through Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China reveals the incredible achievements of our ancestors and the lasting impact of their legacies.

[twinkl22004]

“The King’s Letters (나랏말싸미) “Naratmalssami“, 2018 film.

Here I present: “The King’s Letters” (나랏말싸미) “Naratmalssami” ,2018 film. INTRODUCTION. Writing began in Sumeria MESOPOTAMIA in 3,500 BC by migrant from the Indian subcontinent.  MESOPOTAMIA’  cuneiform writing was adapted by the EGYPTIANS, who later developed their own hieroglyphic script.   Independently, CHINA was later developing logographic writing. The Chinese script was used for writing…

[whencyclopedia]

Script

Script is the written expression of a language. Cuneiform, the first script, was invented in Sumer, Mesopotamia c. 3500 BCE, hieroglyphics sometime prior to the Early Dynastic Period in Egypt (c. 3150-2613 BCE), and Sanskrit in India during the Vedic Period (c. 1500 to c. 500 BCE). Writing was later adopted by other cultures enabling the development of civilization.

The period prior to the invention of writing is known as prehistoric when there was no written record of human thought and action. Archaeologists reconstruct this era through physical evidence such as grave goods, sites including Banpo Village in China or Skara Brae in Scotland, images on cave walls, and ancient refuse dumps. After script was invented, however, a written history of a civilization became available to supplement and clarify how the people lived and thought and, together, this provides the modern world with its history.

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