Can history and forensics join hands to solve the puzzling death of one of history’s great conquerors? — The year was 453. Attila the Hun, Europe’s most powerful man, had ravaged Italy. After promising the Pope that he would pull his troops back, he was enjoying his wedding with his new wife. Her name was Ildico. Attila prepared a sumptuous banquet. Everyone ate, drank, and enjoyed themselves. After…

Debunking the “Genghis Khan the Green” theory — The idea that our planet cooled because of the Mongol invasions has been a hot topic of discussion for more than a decade. Genghis Khan was dubbed “the Green Conqueror” because he slaughtered…

His empire was almost twice the size of Alexander’s — Riding across the open Steppes, the prince set out on his hunt. The king, his father, had joined him. As the prince spotted a stag, a group of loyal companions followed him. He let his father do the honors and follow the beast, as was customary. The monarch pursued the…

#12. Mayans used to turn their dead leaders into rubber balls for a game — In 2022, history enthusiasts and science buffs alike were thrilled by groundbreaking finds that uncovered some of the most enduring mysteries of the past. From ancient artifacts to long-lost manuscripts, these discoveries provide insight into the lives of our ancestors and the world they lived in. In this story, we’ll…

#4. 300,000-year-old giant-hand axes made by human relatives — As we approach the fourth quarter of 2023, we’re just a few days away from starting our countdown to the end of the year. Let’s face it, your newsfeeds are overloaded with political, tech, sports, and celebrity news. Among the noise, it's easy to miss out on fascinating historical discoveries…

Tracing the origins of croissants, bagels, and coffee houses — I’m not a big breakfast person. But now and then, I treat myself to an “everything” bagel with cream cheese or a croissant with a cup of coffee. Croissants are sold everywhere. I’ve seen them in small Thai towns and in bustling Bulgarian tourist hotspots. You won’t have to go…

The answer will surprise you — If you have blue eyes, chances are you’re related to everyone else who has blue eyes. Blue eyes are now the second most prevalent eye color after brown, accounting for 8–10% of humans. But unlike brown eyes, we can trace the origin of blue eyes to a single common ancestor. …

Early predictions for the upcoming season — The UEFA Champions League, Europe’s elite club soccer competition, is the most-watched annual sporting event. Every year, 32 teams from Europe’s top soccer leagues face off for a shot at the prestigious trophy. There’s only one winner. The competition has sprung a few surprises recently. Few expected Inter Milan to…

A story of our first steps toward urbanization — Favorable climatic conditions following the end of the Ice Age led to the agricultural revolution. With the growth of farming, settlements expanded giving birth to proto-cities, such as Çatalhöyük. The next step for humans was to crack the code of urbanization. In this story, we’ll discuss some of the first…