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Unveiling the Enigma
Nestled in the heart of Italy, the Etruscans created Italy’s most fascinating and enigmatic culture prior to the emergence of Rome. Flourishing from the 9th down to the 3rd century BCE, they played a pivotal role in mediating the arrival of Greek and Eastern Mediterranean influence in the Italian peninsular and it was, above all, to them that the Romans looked in the early stages of their emergence as a
Top 5 Cultural Experiences in Rome
The most extraordinary thing about Rome is its sheer longevity. More than any other city, it has been a centre of the world since it developed an empire, which ruled over a third of the world’s population. The vast range of historic sites, stretching from Etruscan pre-history to the 21st century, creates a destination of unique character, with an unrivalled sense of historical continuity between ancient and modern society.
The Treasures of Lake Mungo
It was Jim Bowler’s fascination with landscape formation that attracted him to the relict lake systems of south-western NSW. The semi-arid environment of this region contains evidence of hundreds of lake-beds – at times some still hold water while the majority are covered with vegetation and have been dry for thousands of years. Professor James Bowler is a geomorphologist whose main interest
Portugal's Vale do Côa Archaeological Park
When we think of Portugal, we think of Port. This isn’t surprising – after all, the Douro Valley makes up one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful wine regions, and has the distinction of having one of the world’s first recognised appellations, awarded just after those of Chianti, Tuscany and Tokaj, Hungary, in the 18th century. While the undulating hills of the Douro Valley allure most travellers to Portugal,
The heart of Christmas
In this season we love to tell again the Christmas story, remembering the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem all those years ago. But the story has grown with the telling, and we cannot always determine what is original, and what has been added. There are two versions of the nativity story in the Gospels, in Matthew and Luke, which nicely complement one another.
The Flinders Ranges
The undeniable rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges attracts visitors for a myriad of reasons. In this article, archaeologist Dr Chris Carter explores the marvels of the Flinders, from its unique geology and evidence of the earliest life on earth, to 49,000 years of indigenous settlement, and the difficulties this arid land posed for early European settlers.
Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva: Heart of the Silk Road
The great cities of Samarkand and Bukhara flaunt their magnificent Timurid architecture, whilst remote Khiva beguiles the Silk Road traveller. For many travellers, Uzbekistan holds the very heart of the Central Asian Silk Road.
Runic writing in Medieval Bergen
As it turns out, it’s not too difficult to set yourself up as an expert in runic inscriptions, particularly if you’re concentrating on the raised runestones of the Viking Age. Nearly all of the thousands of Viking-Age memorial stones erected all over Sweden, and to a lesser extent Denmark and Norway
Sicily’s Top 10 Archaeological Sites
The Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish have all left extensive remains in Sicily, whose strategic geography has long made it a vibrant and intriguing destination. Subsequent centuries of neglect ensured that these sites were preserved,
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