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July’s National Geographic Examines Cleopatra’s Burial Site
(DiggersPost) – July’s issue of National Geographic examines one of the great archaeological discoveries yet to occur, the location of the tomb of Cleopatra. While majority of the royal area from where Cleopatra ruled in ancient Alexandria is now underwater, the article examines the theories of Kathleen Martinez. Martinez believes that Cleopatra may have been buried at a temple at Taposiris Magna along with Mark Antony.
The article also documents a 2007 find at the site of a skeleton of a lady clutching an Alexander the Great bust, thus signifying that the site holds importance to Cleopatra’s time. An elaborate map of Alexandria from Cleopatra’s time period is featured within the article as well. Definitely worth checking out!
For more information, visit: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/07/cleopatra/brown-text
Museum Artifacts: The Rosetta Stone at the British Museum
(Diggers Post) – If you happen to be in London, one of the sights worth seeing is the British Museum. Founded in the mid 1700′s, the museum holds some of the world’s most important and fascinating artifacts that span across all kinds of cultures and eras. These are presented in 10 departments on the museum’s 3 floors.
Not only does it hold such, the museum’s architecture itself combines impressive classical structure with a modern architecture. One of the prime example’s of this can be seen in the museum’s Great Hall area (as pictured above).
In the ancient Egyptian section, viewers can get an up-close look at one of the most important artifacts found in history. The Rosetta Stone was rediscovered in 1799 and played a pivotal role in the understanding of modern archaeology as it contained text translated 3 scripts: Egyptian Hieroglyphs, demotic, and ancient Greek.
The stone itself is from the age of Ptomely V (196 BC) and the text itself discusses a royal decree. Here’s a portion of the actual text translation:
- With good fortune! It has seemed fitting to the priests of all the temples of Egypt, as to the honours which are due to King Ptolemy, living forever, the Manifest God whose excellence is fine, in the temples, and those which are due to the Father-loving Gods, who brought him into being, and those which are due to the Beneficent Gods, who brought into being those who brought him into being, and those which are due to the Brother-and-Sister Gods, who brought into being those who brought them into being, and those which are due to the Saviour Gods, the ancestors of his ancestors, to increase them; and that a statue should be set up for King Ptolemy, living forever
You can view the translation in English of the Rosetta Stone’s text here.
Thought to have been originally displayed within a temple, the stone somehow ended up as a building block in the Ottoman fort of Julien. A French soldier found it in 1799, but the stone eventually found its way into British hands where it landed at it’s current home in the British Museum in 1802, 2 years after it was discovered.
Despite how highly its regarded at the museum, it’s presence there hasn’t come without controversy. Egypt has demanded that the stone be returned to the country for awhile now. Egypt’s head of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass has stated, “If the British want to be remembered, if they want to restore their reputation, they should volunteer to return the Rosetta Stone because it is the icon of our Egyptian identity.” Meanwhile, a temporary loan of the artifact to Egypt has been proposed in the recent past. However, there have been no agreements and the stone remains where it has for the last 209 years.
Dwellings of the Natives: Fascinating Archaeology Sites in the U.S.
(Diggers Post) – Archaeological sites in the United States are often overlooked and out-shined by those further abroad, whether it be the those in central and South America, in Egypt, or others across the globe. While they may not be as large or grand as others, they’re definitely there – and symbolic of a once thriving culture within the region. Here’s a look at some of the top archaeological sites within the United States.
Pueblo Bonito (Chaco Canyon)
Pueblo Indians inhabited Pueblo Bonito starting around 828 AD. Located in New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Park, the site was rediscovered by a US army Lieutenant in the mid 1800′s. Pueblo Bonito consists of many walls and kivas (rooms used for rituals) and has around 650 rooms. Estimates for the sites population has varied. Some have speculated Pueblo Bonito was primarily used as a ritual site, while others believe it may have functioned as a city or village.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm
Cliff Palace
Cliff Palace, located in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park is the largest ancient dwelling within the United States. Dating back to between 1190 and 1260, archaeologists contend that Cliff Palace was abandoned around 1300, possibly due to droughts in the area. The actual site consists of 150 rooms. It’s believed that Cliff Palace had a population of around 100 people.
For more information on Cliff Palace, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/meve/historyculture/cd_cliff_palace.htm
Canyon of the Ancients
Located in southwestern Colorado, Canyon of the Ancients served as home to a Paleo-Indian population that dates back nearly 10 thousand years ago . The site consists of 6,000 structures and was designated as a national monument in 2000.
For more information on Canyon of the Ancients, please visit: http://www.crowcanyon.org/
Navajo National Monument
Located in northwestern Arizona, Navajo National Monument has cliff dwellings that date back to 1250 AD. One of the larger dwellings at the site known as Kiet Siel was rediscovered in 1895. Today, the site sits on the Navajo Reservation.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/nava/index.htm
Aztec Ruins National Monument
Image Attributed to Staplegunther at en.wikipedia
Aztec Ruins National Monument was constructed around 1100 AD. Located in San Juan County, New Mexico, the site served as a home to the Anasazi Indians. Sand covered the site until the mid 1800s and Aztec Ruins received its designation as a national monument in 1923.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/azru/index.htm
Gila Cliff Dwellings
Located in southwestern New Mexico, the Gila Cliff Dwellings served as home for Mogolion indians starting around 7000 years ago. Archaeologists have found many artifacts at the site. President Theodore Roosevelt designed Gila Cliff Dwellings a national monument in 1907.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm
Bandelier National Monument
Archaeologists have traced hunter-gatherer inhabitation of Bandelier back 10,000 years ago. Over the following years, pueblo indians began to construct more permanent structures in the area. The site was designated a national monument by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm
The 3 Great Missing Tombs
(Diggers Post) – The final resting places of many top historical figures have long been known. Meanwhile, others were unfortunately ravaged by grave robbers simply looking for treasure. However, there are some whose locations remain shrouded in mystery. Perhaps this was done intentionally or they were just left covered up by the ravages of time. Anyhow, here’s a top 3 list of the top tombs yet to be discovered by archaeologists:
- The Tomb of Alexander the Great
It had been said that it was Alexander’s wish to have his body thrown into a river upon his death. However, when he died, his body was placed in a golden sarcophagus. Greek historian Plutarch stated that Ptomely I, ruler of Egypt, had the body moved to Memphis. Ptomely’s successor, Ptomely II had it moved to Alexandria. Over the years, Roman rulers such as Julius Ceasar, Augustus, Pompey, and Caligula visited the tomb in Alexandria (Caligula was even said to have taken Alexandar’s breast plate). Roman Emperor Septimius Severus ordered the tomb closed to public view in 200 AD. Meanwhile, Severus’s son, Emporer Caracalla was known to have visited the tomb frequently. As the course of time took its toll, the whereabouts of the tomb became clouded. Over the years, several sites have been excavated in Alexandria. However, no affirmative proof has been discovered.
- The Tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony
While the tombs of other Egyptian rulers like King Tut and Ramses the Great have long been discovered, the exact location of Cleopatra’s tomb remains a mystery. It’s also long been speculated that Cleopatra was buried Mark Antony. Theories suggest it was a tomb a short distance outside her palace in Alexandria, a palace thought to now be underwater due to the changing sea levels throughout the years. New theories have speculated that another possible burial place could be Taposiris Magna near Alexandria, a temple known for burials during this period, a temple also known to be that of Isis, also the goddess Cleopatra aspired to be.
- The Tomb of Genghis Khan
Mongolian ruler Genghis Khan was known for expanding the Mongolian Empire through brilliant military campaigns. In accordance with his tribe’s customs, the Mongolian leader asked that his final resting place be left unmarked upon his passing in 1227 AD. Presumably, his body was returned to his place of birth in Khentii where historians believe he was probably buried somewhere near Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and the Onon River. Archaeologists uncovered what they believe to be Khan’s palace in 2004. However, as he wished, his final resting place remains a mystery.
697 Years Ago Today: Battle of Bannockburn
(Diggers Post) – 697 years ago today marked a significant battle in the 1st War of Scottish Independence. During the Battle of Bannockburn (in Scotland), Edward II, King of England lead an army against Scottish forces lead by Robert Bruce, King of Scotland. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Scottish forces succeeded in surprising the English forces, thus forcing the retreat of Edward and his army. While Scotland’s independence wouldn’t be officially recognized by the English for another 10 years, the Scottish victory at Bannockburn really helped Scotland gain it’s true independence on that day, June 24, 1314.
Happy Birthday Dr. Jones! Raiders Reaches 25
Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd., Paramount Pictures
(Diggers Post) – 25 years ago today (June 12, 1981), Raiders of the Lost Ark was released in theaters worldwide. Through the experiences of archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones, viewers were treated to a spectacle that combined adventure, action, and history.
In Raiders, Indiana Jones sets out against the evil Nazis in race to find the Ark of the Covenant. Although not an archaeologist in the traditional & real word sense, the Indiana Jones franchise has helped create broader interest in all things archaeology.
The film was the highest grossing movie of 1981 and still remains in the to 20. Followed up by 3 sequels (and possibly more to come..), the Indiana Jones franchise remains a relevant part of cinema history.
Five of the Most Fascinating Historical Sites used in Movies
(Diggers Post) – Many big screen Hollywood movies are made with elaborate sets constructed specifically for the film, but some films throughout history have used more permanent structures for their filming, sometimes historic structures that have already existed for hundreds of years. While historic settings are widely present throughout films, the producers and directors of some films have looked at historic sites and used them to represent a fictional setting for their movies.
Here’s a list of 5 of the most fascinating of these historic sites:
1.)Al Khazneh, Petra, Jordan- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, viewers are treated to a spectacular site of a temple carved into sandstone rock. This site, however, is no man-made movie set and the building itself is around 2000 years old. The name Al Khazneh means “treasury” and it gets it’s name from a legend that bandits and pirates hid their loot in the building. Another theory suggests that it was used as an official government treasury during ancient Egyptian times. In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the site is depicted as the location of the Holy Grail.
2.)Mayan Temple Complex, Tikal Guatemala- Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
When Star Wars director George Lucas set out to make the first Star Wars movie, his project was limited financially as the Star Wars series had yet to grow into the modern success it is today. The rebel forces, depicted in the movie as often on the run from the galactic empire, perhaps were financially limited as well and used their resourcefulness by making their base on the planet, Yavin 4 in the Massassi Temple, an ancient Sith Lord site. In reality, the temple complex in the movie stands as the largest of ancient cities from the Mayan civilization. It’s believed that construction on the site began as early as the 4th century B.C. and ruled as a politically significant city for over a thousand years. However, the site lay abandoned by the 10th century after years of invasion and population decline. Today Tikal stands as a testament to the great innovation of pre-columbian civilizations.
4.)Doune Castle, Doune, Scotland-Monty Python and the Holy Grail(1975)
In 1974, the producers of the comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail were given permission by the Nation Trust of Scotland to film some of the scenes for the movie at Doune Castle, a site built by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany around 1400 A.D. Aside from standing as a stronghold, Doune Castle also served as a retreat and hunting lodge for royal monarchs. Today the site stands as a popular tourist destination and as a monumental symbol for the history and culture of Scotland.
4.)Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich, Scotland- The World is Not Enough(1999)
Aside from being featured in the popular James Bond movie franchise, Eilean Donan Castle has also been featured in other movies such as Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Highlander, and Made of Honor. This probably makes Eilean Donan one of the most widely used historical sites for the film industry. The castle itself was constructed on the small Island of Eilean Donan in early 13th century against the threat of Viking invasion. Over the years, the castle changed rule many times after different battles. Today the castle stands as a popular tourist attraction and is one of the most photographed locations in Scotland.
5.)Pasadena City Hall, Pasadena, CA- The Great Dictator(1940)
In Charlie Chaplin’s 1940 comedy satirizing nazism and Adolf Hitler, Pasadena City hall was used as the great dicator Hynkel’s palace. Aside from Chaplin’s classic, the site has also been used in other movies including Beverly Hills Cop, A Walk In the Clouds, and Butterfield 8, starring Elizabeth Taylor. The building was constructed in 1927 and today is listed on the U.S. National Historic Registrar of Historic Places. It’s also a great example in the history of architecture, exemplifying the City Beautiful movement.
912 Years Ago Today: Siege of Jerusalem
(Diggers Post) – On June 7, 1099 (912 years ago today), crusaders captured the city of Jerusalem from the Fatmids, marking a turning point in the First Crusade. Upon the crusader’s victory, Frankish knight Godfrey of Bouillon refused the title of king, noting that he wouldn’t wear a crown in a city where Christ had worn a crown of thorns.
A Look at Fossils from NYC’s Natural Hist Museum
(Diggers Post) – New York’s Museum of Natural History has a great exhibit featuring the fossils of prehistoric creatures, ranging from dinosaurs to other prehistoric mammals. Here are some photos of just some of them:
Egypt at the Met: Exploring NYC’s Collection
(Diggers Post) – New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art features an extensive collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt. Here’s a look at just some of the many displays.
The Emperor’s Floating Marvels: The Lake Nemi Ships
(Digger’s Post) - Roman emperors, not surprisingly, were known for their lavish lifestyles and none more so than Caligula, an excessive and by many accounts crazed leader. Despite his eccentric rule, the emperor was known to have ordered the construction of some very elaborate things over his reign. Such projects included the theatre of Pompey, the temple of Augustus, and the improvement of Roman harbors throughout the empire. One of the most elaborate things constructed during Caligula’s reign were the Lake Nemi ships, large, floating vessels that served as floating palaces for the Emperor and without a doubt architectural marvels during the great age of Rome. The ships were constructed sometime between 37 and 41 A.D.
Recovering the Ships
While much still remained a mystery about the role of the ships, much was learned over the years as locals learned more and more about them by using the lake. By the late 19th century it was discovered that the lake contained not only 1 ship but 2. Although the confirmed existence had been known for nearly 500 years prior, the Lake Nemi Ships didn’t see the light of day until Italian dictator Mussolini ordered the lake to be drained in 1927. Once drained, the ships were moved to a museum where they remained the next 16 years until the museum was burned down by the germans in WWII. The result was tragic, the lake Nemi ships were mostly reduced to ashes.
Technological Marvels
Not only could archaeologists and scholars marvel at the size of the ships, which were both 230 feet long with individual respective beam heights of 66 and 79 feet a piece, they could also marvel at the technology found on the ships. Such technology included plumbing systems which supplied the ships with hot and cold running water. The ships also contained ball bearings, helping the ship operate, which were previously thought to have been invented by Da Vinci.
Although the ships may now be gone, their legacy as a technological marvel continues to stand and amaze scholars.
History Reconstructed: The 10 Most Fascinating Historical Replicas
(Diggers Post) – While many historical sites such as the Pyramids at Giza, Machu Picchu, and Stonehenge have withstood the test of time, there are some unfortunate ones that haven’t. While they may not be as elegant as the originals, these sites are the ones man has decided to reconstruct, perhaps in order to educate others about their historical relevance. I count down the 10 most fascinating reconstructed historical sites. If you know something interesting that was left off the list, please comment!
1.)Globe Theatre, London, England
The Globe Theatre is probably most well know as having been associated with some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. The Theatre opened in 1599 only to be burnt down in 1613 due to a theatrical canon’s misfire during a performance of Henry the 8th. The theatre was again reconstructed in 1614 and again destroyed in 1642 by the Puritans. Construction on the new Globe Theatre was completed in 1994. Today classic Shakespearian plays are performed here the same way they were nearly 400 years ago.
2.)Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow
Emperor Alexander I of Russia first declared that the cathedral be built in honor of Christ for saving Russia from Napoleon. Construction took awhile and the cathedral was finally finished in 1860. The Soviets reduced the cathedral to rubble in 1931 with dynamite after Lenin’s death to make way for the Palace of the Soviets, a site dedicated to socialism. Due to lack of funds and the second world war the palace construction was abandoned. The site was turned into the world’s largest swimming pool. In 2000 the newly constructed cathedral was finished where it remains in it’s current state today.
3.)Capital Building, Williamsburg, Virginia
This building served as the first capital building of America. Construction was completed in 1705 and it burned down in 1743. It was used by british forces during the revolutionary war and was later dismantled for materials. The newly reconstructed capital building opened in the early 20th century.
4.)Olympias
Olympius is a reconstructed Athenian trireme(a class of ancient war ship) and was built from 1985 to 1987. Since then she’s been used in ceremonies marking democracy in Great Britain and used to carry the official olympic flame. Olympius would have originally had a crew of 200.
5.)Mayflower II
Famous for carrying the pilgrims to the new land, the Mayflower was most likely dismantled for scrap in London. She was reconstructed 1956, has sailed across the sea, and today remains a symbol of friendship between the United States and England.
6.)Dresden Frauenkirche, Dresden, Germany
Construction on this lutheran church was completed in 1943. The building was destroyed due to bombing from the 2nd world war and reconstruction on the church was completed in 2005 and today remains a popular tourist destination. More recently U.S. President Barack Obama visited the church after meeting with german Prime Minister Angela Merkel.
7.)St. Mark’s Campanile, Venice, Italy
St. Mark’s Campanile is one of the most recognizable symbols of Venice and serves as the cathedral’s bell tower. The tower had been damaged in a number of event throughout the years after it’s construction in the 9th century. The tower finally collapsed in 1902 and reconstruction was finished in 1912.
8.)HMS Endeavour
The HMS Endevour was the famed ship of british explorer James Cook. She was launched in 1768, traveled the seas, and sunk in 1778. The reconstructed Endevour was finished in 1994.
9.)Parthenon, Nashville, TN
Although the original parthenon remains partially intact, an entire full size replica was constructed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1897. Today it serves as an art museum.
10.)USS Monitor
The USS Monitor served as the U.S. Navy’s first ironclad ship during the American Civil War. The Monitor was lost at sea due to high waves while on tow in 1862. A replica of the ship was completed in 2006 and today it can be viewed at the U.S. Mariners Museum.
Fortifying the Empire: The Wall that Hadrian Built
(Diggers Post) - Expanding across the Island of Great Britian lies a wall that is perhaps not as elegant as the Great Wall of China or as well-known as the Berlin Wall, but a wall that remains one of the greatest surviving testaments to the architectural power of the Roman Empire in Great Britian. It’s also a remainder of what was the Roman Empire’s need to protect their ever expanding territory from outside threats. Emperor Hadrian commissioned the wall’s construction in 122 A.D. and it was completed about six years later. The wall’s main purpose was to protect Roman occupied Britian from outside barbarian threats from areas including Scotland, Egypt and Judea.
Purpose and Decline
Aside from just being a simple wall, Hadrian’s wall was heavily fortified and protected by Roman garrisons, which were housed at forts alongside the wall. The structure itself stretched 80 miles, reaching both sides of the island and meeting the edges of the Irish and North seas. It remained in control of the empire until sometime during the 300′s when the constant pressure of outside invasion and attacks finally resulted in it’s abandonment by the empire. The abandonment of Hadrian’s wall was shortly followed by Roman withdrawal from Great Britian. A great portion of the wall remains intact today and ranks as one of Great Britian’s most popular ancient attractions.
The Story of The H.L. Hunley: Civl War Submarine
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The story of the H.L. Hunley is not only about the technological innovation of one of America’s first submarines, but the story of the people surrounding its construction, its mission, and quick demise. By the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863, things for the Confederacy had turned for the worst and the Union was successfully blockading Confederate supply routes more than ever. Earlier on in the war the Confederacy had tasked marine engineer Horace Lawson Hunley with developing submarines for the Confederacy. The idea of a submarine wasn’t new, in fact the first combat submarine, The Turtle was used during the American Revolution. However, its attempt to attack a british frigate in New York Harbor was met with disastrous consequences, as the small submarine managed to blow itself up without inflicting any harm on it’s enemy shortly after being spotted.
The Idea
After developing 2 other subs, H.L. Hunley and his architects had the newest submarine ready for demonstration by July of 1863 where the submarine successfully attacked and sank an old coal flatboat that the developers used as a prop strictly for testing in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Over the course of the testing the Hunley failed twice, leading to loss of life, including the life of her creator, HL Hunley. Both times the submarine was salvaged and put back to use by the Confederacy. In order to successfully attack its enemies, the Hunley had a 22-foot wooden spar connected to its bow upon which it had a spar torpedo attached at the end. The Hunley would then ram the spar into the enemy ship, thus jabbing the torpedo into the ship’s bow. The Hunley would then retreat before the detonation occurred. Maneuvering the vessel required the presence of a 8 man crew, 7 to help turn the propeller and one to guide its direction.
Into Combat and the loss of the Hunley
After only one successful demonstration the Hunley was shipped by rail to Charleston, South Carolina where it began its short lived career in combat. The Union, like it had done to many other Confederate areas had successfully blocked Charleston Harbor. In order to contribute towards breaking the Union’s blockade on Charleston, the Hunley made its first and only attempt to attack an enemy ship on the night of February 17, 1864. The Union ship was the USS Housatonic, a large vessel that weighed 1,240 tons and had 12 large cannons. First Lieutenant George E. Dixon, in command of the Hunley was a young 23 year old engineer who had spent time in New Orleans, Louisiana before beginning duty of the Hunley. Dixon had also been previously injured at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 and it’s said that only the fact that a coin given to him by his lover was in his pocket when he was shot saved his life. The rest of Hunley’s crew included 3 american-born men and the 4 european-born men.
As the Hunley approached USS Housatonic, Housatonic’s crew spotted the Hunley upon close approach. In a state of disarray and surprise, the Housatonic’s crew were unable to successfully defend themselves from the attack and Hunley’s torpedo quickly jammed in the Housatonic’s hull, resulting in it’s detonation. Five minutes after the blast it was apparent that Housatonic began taking on water and it’s crew rushed to their lifeboats. Five crew members of the Housatonic went down with the ship as it quickly sank into the depths Charleston Harbour. After the successful attack the Hunley surfaced and made lantern signals indicating the submarine would start it’s return to the confederate base. The signal was witnessed by the confederate base and even by some of the crew members of the Housatonic who were awaiting rescue in their life vessels. The Hunley never returned to its base. It’s probable that the sub incurred damage from it’s own torpedo explosion. Despite the loss of the Hunley, the small submarine would go down in history as the first underwater vessel to successfully sink a ship.
Rediscovery of the Hunley
The wreck of the Hunley was found in 1970 laying in silt on it’s starboard side in 27 feet of water. The Hunley’s contents were predicted to be worth over 40 million dollars. In 2000, Naval Historical Center’s Underwater Archaeology Branch took on the task of raising the submarine after careful investigation. Harnesses were slipped underneath the sub and Hunley was slowly raised until she saw the first light of day in 136 years. The Hunley was later placed in a fresh tank of water at Warren Lasch Conservation Center in Charleston.
The remains of Hunley’s crew were later identified and received proper burial with full military honors in Charleston’s Magnolia Cemetery. First Lieutenant George Dixon’s life saving coin from the battle of Shiloh was found among the Hunley’s contents, thus affirming an old legend. Today the Hunley can be visited at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in Charleston, where archaeologists continue to study the famed submarine during the weekdays.
For more information visit:
Diving Into The Depths: Visiting HMHS Britannic
(Diggers Post) – Out of the three famed Olympic Class ocean liners by the White Star Line, only one escaped the fate of plunging into the depths of the ocean. RMS Olympic enjoyed a long & reliable career that lasted nearly 25 years before being scrapped in 1935. Had the full extent of the Olympic class’s legacy been taken into full account, it’s doubtful that the Olympic would have seen the scrap yard at all. Construction on RMS Britannic was still being finalized when her sister ship, RMS Titanic tragically struck an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage in 1912. In fact, several design changes were put into effect after Titanic’s demise. Such changes included the introduction of a double hull & extending the watertight bulkheads all the way up to B deck. The designers also made sure that Britannic could efficiently hold enough lifeboats unlike her sister ship had. However, these changes would not prevent Brittanic from escaping a similar fate to that of her famous sister ship. But Britannic’s sinking would come at the expense of a whole lot less lives.
Like many other ships of her time, Britannic’s status as a liner was changed shortly after her completion to serve a role in the oncoming first World War. Instead of “Royal Mail Ship” aka “RMS”, Britannic was given the title, “HMHS”, meaning “Her Majesty’s Hospital Ship”. By November of 1916, Brittanic had completed 5 voyages, successfully transporting british troops from the Middle Eastern War Theatre. On her 6th voyage, Brittanic struck what was likely an enemy torpedo or mine. In only the matter of 10 minutes, Britannic had taken on the amount of water that Titanic had over the course of an entire hour. After only 55 minutes, Brittanic was completely underwater and became the largest ship sunk during World War I.
Famed explorer Jacques Cousteau first discovered the location of Britannic’s wreck in 1975. The wreck was found in remarkably good condition, lying on her starboard side. Unlike Titanic, Britannic lies in shallower water, 400 feet to be exact. This means that Britannic can be visited by skilled scuba divers. Easier access to the wreck site has lead to easier investigation as to exactly how Britannic sank. Some pretty fascinating footage of diving can be found here:
Exploring the Roman Baths of Bath, Somerset, UK
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Tucked away 97 miles west of London lies one of the United Kingdom’s most prized historical sites from her time as a territory of the Great Roman Empire. The Roman Baths of Bath, Somerset constructed somewhere around 60 to 70 AD not only display the extravagance of Roman architecture, but the ingenuity and genius of the architects themselves. I had the extraordinary chance to visit this historic site in July of 2006. Although its been stripped of much of its elaborate Roman decor over the ages and at times modified, this ancient site still possesses much charm.
Public bathing was common in Roman times and even the baths themselves were heated using geothermal energy and a system called a “hypocaust”, which means “heat from below” in latin. The hypocaust functioned sort of like a furnace, where a constant fire was kept in order to keep rooms and water for the baths hot. The water from the baths themselves is very much green today and its color probably doesn’t appeal much to the common observer’s eyes. The site also has a museum, where many of the artifacts and statues are now displayed. Here’s a picture I took of the great Gorgon’s head that is now display in the site’s museum:
One of the most visibly stimulating features of the old complex are the ancient Roman statues than stand today on an upper level surrounding the great bath. In some way, they appear as to look solemnly straight across at one another, standing still but strong as a reminder of humanities’ past.