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History
Climate change to bring more witchhunts?
There is evidence that European witch-burnings in past centuries may also have resulted from climate variations and the resulting crop failures, economic distress and search for scapegoats. Emily Oster, a University of Chicago economist, tracked witchcraft trials and weather in Western Europe between 1520 and 1770 and found a close correlation: colder weather led to [...]
Druid grave found?
Writing in this month’s British Archaeology magazine, the team of excavators from Colchester Archaeological Trust say: “It is hard to avoid the conclusion that he belonged to the stratum of late Iron Age society that comprised druids, diviners and healers. It is conceivable that this grave was the final resting place of a British druid.”
More [...]
The real M
The MI6 fan website (yes, they do have fans!) has an interesting article about Ian Fleming (who was also a British spy in real life) and his relationships with the Secret Service. Most interesting is the section dealing with Maxwell Knight, former MI5 boss and allegedly also member of Crowley’s magical Order A.A.
Another contender as [...]
Roman altar found in Manchester rubbish tip
“To the mother goddesses Hananeftis and Ollototis, Aelius Victor willingly and deservedly fulfils a vow.”
Details in the Manchester Evening News
Newton’s Alchemy
Science historians have be trying to play down Isaac Newton’s interest in alchemy and the occult for centuries, but over at NOVA there’s an amazing interactive version of one of his alchemical notebooks which is facinating viewing. Highly recommended.
For those who aren’t aware of just what a god-like genius Newton was, there’s also a nice [...]
Breakthrough at Stonehenge dig
The team currently digging at Stonehenge have broken through to the bluestone layer. They are currently working on the hypothesis that the cirlce may have been a Neolithic place of healing.
More info and video at the BBC.
The Ten Commandments Received While Under The Influence?
According to Benny Shanon, a professor of cognitive psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, psychedelic drugs formed an integral part of the religious rites of Israelites in biblical times.Writing in the Time and Mind journal of philosophy, he says concoctions based on the bark of the acacia tree, frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, [...]
Egyptian excavation diary online
John Hopkins University is blogging its latest digs online:
Beginning in February we will also show our work at the Mut temple. Work there began on January 16, as Mr. Charles van Siclen, field director, began work alongside stone mason Franck Burgos. In the summer of 2007 Mr. Burgos dismantled two walls in the Mut temple, [...]
Valentinus, the great unknown Gnostic
I am established, I am redeemed and I redeem my soul from this aeon and from all that comes from it, in the name of IAO, who redeemed his soul unto the redemption in Christ, the living one. (Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. I. 21,5)
The [...]
Egypt tries to copyright the pyramids
Zahi Hawass, the “controversial” (and that’s the most diplomatic phrase I’ve heard to describe him) head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities has announced a plan for Egypt to demand royalties for the use of images of Egyptian antiquities. Quite how this is supposed to work I don’t know - copyright is normally for 75 [...]
