New Study Finds Dinosaur Fossils Did Not Inspire the Mythological Griffin For centuries, scientists thought they knew where the griffin legend came from. A new study takes a closer look at the data and folklore’s influence on science. A popular and widely-promoted claim that dinosaur fossils inspired the legend of the griffin, the mythological creature with a raptorial bird head and wings on a lion body, has been challenged in a new study. The Griffin Origin Story The specific link between dinosaur fossils and griffin mythology was proposed over 30 years ago in a series of papers and books written by folklorist Adrienne Mayor. These started with the 1989 Cryptozoology paper entitled ‘Paleocryptozoology: a call for collaboration between classicists and cryptozoologists’, and was cemented in the seminal 2000 book ‘The First Fossil Hunters.’ The idea became a staple of books, documentaries and museum exhibits. It suggests that an early horned dinosaur of Mongolia and China, Protoceratops, was discovered by ancient nomads prospecting for gold in Central Asia. Tales of Protoceratops bones then travelled southwest on trade routes to inspire, or at least influence, stories and art of the griffin. Read moreSection: NewsGeneralMyths & LegendsRead Later 

The House of Agilolfings is a significant, though often overshadowed, dynasty in the history of early medieval Europe. Originating in the region that would later become Bavaria, this noble lineage played a pivotal role in shaping the political, cultural, and social landscape of Central Europe during the early Middle Ages. From their obscure beginnings to their eventual integration into the larger web of European nobility, the Agilolfings were instrumental in the establishment and consolidation of territorial control that would influence the development of medieval states. The Franks, Charlemagne, and the Forging of Europe Faith or Economy? Why Pagan Religions Lost Their Position in Europe The House of Agilolfings, the Rulers of Bavaria The origins of the Agilolfings are shrouded in the mists of early medieval history. The dynasty likely emerged in the mid-6th century AD, though the details of its early genealogical history are largely based on legend and limited historical documentation. The Agilolfings are believed to have descended from a noble family within the Merovingian court, the ruling dynasty of the Frankish kingdom. This connection to the Merovingians provided them with a degree of legitimacy and influence that facilitated their rise to power. Read moreSection: NewsGeneralHistoryFamous PeopleRead Later 

The transition to Pirate Captain often stemmed from a background in privateering or ownership of a ship. Wealthy backers would commission vessels, appointing experienced leaders like Henry Jennings or those with military ranks like Stede Bonnet, who preferred the title of "Major" from his militia days. The title "Captain" wasn't universal; some, like Henry Morgan's former soldier Charles Swan, commanded as merchant captains turned pirates. The Intricate World of Pirates, Privateers, Buccaneers, and Corsairs 10 Of The Most Famous Pirates, Male And Female, Who Ruled The Seas! Democratic election was another avenue to captaincy, often following successful mutinies or vacancies. Candidates vied for support, possibly with speeches or informal ballots, though manipulation was common. The newly elected Captain would then appoint lieutenants, including a Quartermaster to balance power. Once in command, a Pirate Captain's duties were multifaceted. They managed ship operations, mediated disputes, and represented the crew in negotiations. Despite limited documentation, historical insights suggest a blend of administrative tasks and interpersonal challenges, from maintaining morale to strategizing collective decisions. Read moreSection: NewsGeneralVideosHistoryFamous PeopleRead Later 

A brilliant new study from Brazil has revised the historical narrative of human occupation along Brazil’s coast, offering new insights into the ancient sambaqui builders at the Galheta IV archaeological site in Laguna, Santa Catarina. The study offers new dating for the site, estimating it was active between 1,300 and 500 years ago, rather than the previously thought 1,170 to 900 years ago. Contrary to previous beliefs, the sambaqui builders at the Galheta IV archaeological site in Laguna, Santa Catarina, were not replaced by the ancestors of the Southern Jê. The study has been published in PLoS ONE by researchers from the University of São Paulo’s Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (MAE-USP), supported by The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). The research has been conducted in collaboration with scientists from the United States, Belgium, France, and various Brazilian states. Lost Civilization of the Sambaquis Builders: Unraveling the Mystery of Luzio's People 9,000-year-old Human Skeletons and Over 100,000 Artifacts Unearthed in Brazil Read moreSection: NewsEvolution & Human OriginsHistoryAncient TraditionsRead Later 

Cornwall's tin mines, with their labyrinthine tunnels and subterranean chambers, have long been the backdrop to stories of supernatural beings known as the Knockers. These elusive spirits, central to Cornish folklore, played an integral role in the lives of the miners who toiled deep beneath the Earth's surface. The Knockers, with their distinctive sounds and mysterious behavior, became an inseparable part of the mining culture in Cornwall, shaping the beliefs and practices of those who sought fortune in the mineral-rich depths. The Evocative Scenery of Cornwall, An Ancient Landscape (Video) Prince William Inherits Ancient Duchy of Cornwall Estate Worth $1.2billion! The Realm of the Knockers According to Cornish folklore, the Knockers were small, thin-limbed entities with large, hooked noses, reminiscent of mythical dwarves or elves. These spirits were believed to inhabit the darkest, deepest parts of the mines, far from the reach of daylight and human activity. Their presence was both feared and revered, as they were thought to be guardians of the mines' secrets, capable of both aiding and hindering the miners. Read moreSection: NewsGeneralFolkloreMyths & LegendsRead Later 

Long believed to have been lost, a bronze bust of the Roman Emperor, Caligula, has been rediscovered. The bust vanished nearly two centuries ago and concludes a decade-long quest by the curator at Strawberry Hill, Dr. Silvia Davoli. Originally gifted to the renowned writer, aesthete, and Whig politician, Horace Walpole, by the British envoy to Italy, Horace Mann, the bust was last seen by the public during the “Great Sale” of 1842. In which most of Walpole’s collection was dispersed into private hands. According to Mann, the sculpture was excavated from the ruins of Herculaneum. The Madness of Caligula: Rome’s Cruelest Emperor? The Search Is On For Caligula’s Orgy Boats Where His Twisted Fantasies May Have Been Played Out   Herculaneum was one of the two Roman towns to be buried by pumice and ash from the Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD; the second being Pompeii. It is located in the modern region of Campania. Tradition states that the city was rediscovered in 1709, during the drilling of a well. Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyHistoryFamous PeopleRead Later 

Recent archaeological research on the D35 Plotiště-Sadová highway in the Czech Republic has unveiled an extraordinary long barrow, shedding light on the funerary practices of the Eneolithic period. Located at the border of the villages of Dlouhé Dvory and Lípa, this monumental structure provides a unique glimpse into the social hierarchies and burial customs of the Funnel-Beaker culture, which thrived between 3800 and 3350 BC. Rescue Excavation Reveals Funnel-Beaker Culture Burial Site The long barrow, a significant funerary monument, was identified by an elongated trapezoidal gutter typical of such structures. Spanning an impressive 190 meters (623 feet) in length, it ranks among the longest barrows in Central Europe. Although traces of a palisade, often found in similar structures, were absent, the barrow's dimensions and orientation—15.1 meters (49.5 feet) wide in a north-east-south-west direction—are noteworthy. Intensive agricultural activities over the centuries have erased the above-ground evidence of the mound, which is unsurprising given the region's farming history. However, the excavated entrance, preserved as a posthole and gutter, along with the gutter structure, provides critical insights into the barrow's original form and construction. The Battle Axe Culture: Piecing Together the Age of Crushed Skulls Stone Age Grave of a Mother and Child is the Oldest Baby Burial in the Netherlands   Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyAncient PlacesEuropeRead Later 

Joe Biden and Donald Trump won't be alone at Thursday's debate. Moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper of CNN will be on camera, too - and there's a lot on the line for their network as it fights for relevance in a changing media environment.

Solar energy breakthrough sees scientists stabilize perovskite crystals for use in future solar panels, promising more efficient and sustainable green technology.

Gwen Stefani became famous in her twenties as a member of the surf punk band No Doubt and then broke out to focus on her solo career with her debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was an immediate hit, launching her to stardom with over 309,000 copies sold in its first week, and a top spot on the US Billboard 200 albums charts upon release. Gwen made her acting debut in the same year in Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator, where she played Jean Harlow. She passionately prepared for the role by reading two biographies and watching up to 18 films about her character. Before then, she already posed for Teen Vogue and auditioned for other movies such as Mr & Mrs Smith. Multi-talented Gwen THE AVIATOR, Gwen Stefani, 2004, (c) Miramax/courtesy Everett Collection Gwen released her second studio album in 2006 and then embarked on The Sweet Escape tour to promote it in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific plus some parts of Latin America. She kept at her solo career and joined The Voice as a coach and replacement for Christina Aguilera. She began her first residency in 2018 at the Zappos Theater in Las Vegas, which ended in November 2021 with proceeds donated to charity. RELATED: Gwen Stefani Turns Up The Heat In Video Posted By Husband Blake Shelton Aside from music, she ventured into the fashion business by launching her own line named L.A.M.B., styling fellow celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Teri Hatcher in rare culture-inspired pieces. She also started a merch company selling underwear, phone charms, and cameras and even released a doll line recreating the outfits she and the Harajuku girls wore on a previous tour. THE VOICE, judge Gwen Stefani, ‘Live Semi-Final Performances’, (Season 9, ep. 917A/924, aired Dec. 7, 2015). ph: Trae Patton / ©NBC / courtesy Everett Collection Gwen’s love life Gwen’s first known boyfriend was her bandmate Tony Kanal, who inspired the songs “Don’t Speak,” “Sunday Morning,” and “Hey You!” after their split. She then married singer and guitarist Gavin Rossdale, and after three kids, Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo, together, they split in 2017. In less than four years, Gwen was remarried to The Voice country star Blake Shelton, who is a proud stepfather to her kids. HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – JUNE 09: American singer Gwen Stefani arrives at the 48th Annual AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Julie Andrews held at the Dolby Theatre on June 9, 2022 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency) She recently shared a birthday tribute on Instagram to her husband, who just turned 48. The post featured a video compilation of their moments together on stage, harvesting mushrooms, with the kids, during public appearances, and goofing together. Fans joined her to wish him a happy birthday while admiring their thriving union as a celebrity couple. Click for next Article The post Gwen Stefani’s Enviable Career Run And Diversified Love Life appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Peace A