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The Gate of All Nations, also known as the Gate of Xerxes, is located in the ruins of the ancient city of Persepolis, Iran. The construction of the Staircase of the Nations and the Gate of the Nations was ordered by the Achaemenid king Xerxes I (486-465 BC), successor of Persepolis' founder Darius I. The Gate of all Nations consisted of a grand hall that was a square of approximately 25m in length, with four columns and its entrance on the Western Wall. Xerxes’s name was written in three languages (Old Persian text are Babylonian and Elamite) and carved on the entrances, informing everyone that he ordered it to be built. It translates as; ‘A great god is Ahuramazda, who created this earth, who created heaven, who created man, who created happiness for man, who made Xerxes king, one king of many kings, commander of many commanders’. The structure consisted of one large chamber, the roof of which was supported by four stone pillars with bell-shaped bases. This room had a stone bench running parallel to the inner wall, interrupted by the doorway. The outer wall, made of wide mud blocks, had numerous gaps. Each of the three east, west, and south walls had a very large stone entrance. Two huge bulls secured the western entrance. Two Assyrian lamas stood at the eastern doorway, albeit gigantic. On top of each of the four colossi are trilingual inscriptions attesting to construction and completion of the gate by Xerxes. The southern doorway opens onto the Apadana and is the widest of the three doorways. Rotating devices in the inner corners of all the doors indicate that they had two doors covered with metal sheets, probably wooden and decorated. Lamassu or bull-men originated in Babylonia and Assyria, but the Persians adopted them. These mythological creatures have the head of a bearded man. Lamassu is a winged animal with the head of a human. Assyrians used to place these figures at the entrance of the cities and palaces. In the past, visitors didn’t have much respect for these monuments and they left their marks on the walls of the Gate of All Nations. Many Iranians believe that these creatures were defaced by the Arabs when they conquer Persia in 7th Century CE. 📷 : Credit to the Owner #archaeohistories













Sorceress’ Kit; was discovered in the ashes of Pompeii. The box of small trinkets was likely used to perform fertility and love rituals and to look for omens about birth and pregnancy. In the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, archaeologists digging in the Garden House recently uncovered the hinges of a wooden box, long since rotted away. But the contents of the box were still there, preserved in the ash that showered Pompeii in 79 AD, after nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted, creating an unprecedented time capsule of life 2000 years ago. Treasure trove emerged from Regio V, an area of the city that has been under recent excavation. In total, archaeologists found around 100 little objects, including buttons made of bone, carved scarab beetles, miniature penises, crystals, tiny skulls and little dolls. It’s believed the objects may be part of a sorceress’ tool kit, used for fortune telling and to bring good luck, a press release from the Archaeological Park of Pompeii details. Restorationists have cleaned up the objects and now historians and archaeologists are examining them to understand their meaning and significance. “They are objects of everyday life in the female world and are extraordinary because they tell micro-stories, biographies of the inhabitants of the city who tried to escape the eruption,” says Massimo Osanna, director general of the archaeology park. Since there were no gold or precious objects in the trove, which wealthy citizens of Pompeii liked to flaunt, the cache of charms was likely not owned by the mistress of the house or a member of the family. Instead, Osanna tells Italian news agency ANSA that the owner of the sorceress’ kit was likely owned by a slave or servant. The objects could have been part of ritualistic jewelry used in ceremonies for things fertility, seduction, or to look for omens about a birth or pregnancy. One hypothesis? “They could have been necklaces that were worn during rituals rather being used to look elegant,” he says. Whoever owned the box may still be in the house; archeologists have found the remains of several people in the luxury villa. “[W]e discovered a room with ten victims, including women and children, and now we are trying to establish kinship relationships, thanks to DNA analysis. Perhaps the precious box belonged to one of these victims,” Osanna suggests. The objects will soon be displayed at the Palestra Grande at the archaeological site. This is not the only significant find to come out of the Garden House. An inscription discovered in the structure last year suggests the eruption in 79 AD, took place in October rather than August, as previously long thought. Other recent finds include a horse that died while saddled up and ready to flee the doomed city, as well as a well-preserved erotic fresco depicting the myth of Leda and the Swan. © Smithsonian Magazine #archaeohistories

Frederik The Great, a Friesian stallion with a breathtakingly luxurious mane. Frederik is owned by the Pinnacle Friesians farm in the Ozark Mountains in the U.S. Described as a gentle giant by his owners, he is considered the most photogenic horse in the world. Over the years, black Friesian horse stallion Frederik The Great has earned himself a flurry of nicknames, including real-life Black Beauty, Storybook Stallion and Fabio Of Horses. He is now considered the “most handsome horse in the world” since gaining the title in 2016. Born in The Netherlands, Frederik The Great was imported aged six into the United States by owner Stacy Nazario, who runs a horse farm called Pinnacle Friesians in Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains. Her farm specialises in breeding Friesian stallions, a breed that has almost become extinct a number of times. He is named after the 18th Century CE, Prussian monarch, Frederick the Great. According to Stacy, who also rides him in dressage competitions, Frederik is “quite aware of his good looks”. He lights up when he’s in the arena or when there is photography going on. It’s almost like watching a celebrity. Frederik, whose hair changes according to his mood, and reaches down to the ground when standing, is in such demand that his owners have even started offering his services for breeding. His Facebook page has amassed 90,000 likes from fans around the globe and videos of him have gained over 23 million views on You Tube. He has a busy schedule of media commitments and his earnings from appearances, photo shoots and adverts on social media add up to about $20,000 a month. Frederik will contribute so many attributes to his offspring some of which would include height, performance potential, wonderful temperament, conformation, excellent gaits, smooth transitions, a great willingness to work, very strong black gene, and tons of hair, they wrote in an advertisement. Friesian horses are recognised for their majestic stamp, prized for their strength, versatility and elegance. The breed’s history dates back to 13th Century CE, hailing from The Netherlands and also known as the “Belgian Black”. 📷 : Credit to the Owner #archaeohistories


As the New Year approaches I wish you all a Happy New Year! I’m signing off 2023 with a magical find. An ancient amber bear. Carved some 10,000 years ago, it washed up on a beach at Fanø in Denmark from a submerged Mesolithic settlement under the North Sea. National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen. Photo my own. Read more about amber from submerged settlements: en.natmus.dk/historical-kno… #Archaeology


Nude female figure with a lizard head breastfeeding a child (4500-4000 BC), found at Ur (in modern-day Iraq), belonged to Ubaid Period (6500-3800 BC). When Ur was founded, the water level of the Persian Gulf was eight feet higher than it is today. For this reason, the surroundings of Ur are thought to be swamps; Irrigation was unnecessary, and the city's prominent canal system was probably used for transportation. Fish, birds, tubers, and reeds may have supported Ur economically without the need for an agricultural revolution, which is sometimes suggested as a prerequisite for urbanization. Archaeologists have discovered evidence of an early occupation at Ur from the Ubaid period (6500–3800 BC). These early layers were capped by a sterile deposit of soil that was interpreted by 1920s excavators as evidence of the Great Flood in the Book of Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh. It appears that the southern Mesopotamian plain was regularly exposed to floods from the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, and that intense erosion from water and wind may have led to the Great Flood stories in Mesopotamia and the Bible. Iraq Museum, Baghdad #archaeohistories




Assyrian Wall Relief (865 BC), of the 'Tree of Life' (Sacred Tree), showing the King tending to it, guided by winged spirits and god Ashur above. King Ashurnasirpal appears twice, dressed in ritual robes and holding mace symbolizing his authority. King stands in front of a Sacred Tree, possibly symbolizing life. Protective spirits are shown on either side behind King. King Ashurnasirpal is making gestures of worship to a god in a winged disc. God, who may be sun god Shamash, has a ring on one hand; this is an ancient symbol of god-given kingship. This symmetrical scene was placed behind royal throne of the King’s Palace in Nimrud (now in modern-day Iraq). There was another panel relief opposite main door of the throne room, and similar scenes occupied prominent positions in other Assyrian palaces. Traces of color pigment was found on sandals at time of excavation, consisting of red soles and black uppers. British Museum - Subscribe for Weekly Newsletter - archaeo-histories.beehiiv.com/?_gl=1*1dhkanl… #archaeohistories











