Innholdsfortegnelse for No. 8 i Explore History

History may indeed be generally thought of as the study of the past, but that doesn’t mean that it exists in isolation, never to be touched or revised. One of the most exciting parts of historical study is revealing something new, whether that’s unearthing an artefact buried for centuries or coming up with a new theory on received ideas. This issue, we delve into the new theories posited about the Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an, China (page 22), and look at the evidence supporting the claims of Greek influence there. We also head to Jerusalem (page 38) where incredible artefacts and battle sites are being found with amazing regularity. We also take a look under Reading’s car parks to find clues as to the whereabouts of Henry I (page 30), who…

“The Sunday Times rich list of 2015 estimated that her private fortune was £340 million” Controversial work to repair Buckingham Palace is set to begin in April 2017. In the first maintenance work on the palace for 60 years, pipes, wiring, boilers and cables in dire need of replacement will be fixed and updated. The Sovereign Grant – essentially the queen’s salary, paid by the government from public cash – will be raised in order to pay for the refurbishments. Wiring in the palace is considered to pose a real risk of fire. It has been estimated that a fire at Buckingham Palace, similar to the 1992 fire at Windsor Castle, could cost around £250 million – for just one wing of the house. Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the queen’s…

The Terracotta Army’s crossbowmen were the keys to victory, and the triggers on each of their bows were the keys to their power, because they held the bowstring in place until the moment of release. Joseph Needham, the great historian of Chinese science, wrote that the triggers were, “…among the greatest triumphs of ancient metallurgical and engineering practice in any civilisation.” The trigger had six pieces of bronze that fitted together on two shafts in the stock and the bow. It would cock automatically and had the precision of a bolt-action rifle. As Lu Buwei, prime minister and weapons supervisor, said, “If the mechanism of a crossbow trigger is out of alignment by no more than the size of a rice-grain, it will not work.” The weapon was the ancient…

It was the chronicler, Henry of Huntingdon, who recorded in the 12th century that Henry I died after eating, “a surfeit of lampreys.” The lamprey, an eel-like fish without a jaw, has a toothed, funnel-like mouth and attaches itself to prey much like a leech. They might not sound like a delicacy but they were widely eaten across Medieval Europe, especially during Lent as they had a meatier taste than other fish. It took Henry a week to die, during which time he had a chance to put his affairs in order. The king had hoped that the transfer of power to the new monarch after him would be a smooth one. He was wrong. The death of a Medieval king always caused some instability, but in Henry’s case it…

Situated just a few miles north west of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, Brodsworth estate has lived many lives since an 18th century nobleman established it as his rural retreat. Built to showcase the trappings of Georgian wealth, the estate’s history is tumultuous, dramatic and steeped in drama. From a Georgian country manor to a textbook example of Victorian upper middle-class living to a derelict shell in danger of demolition, its story has truly been a rollercoaster ride. The story of Brodsworth Hall is the story of the family that built it and their descendants, of fortunes made and lost and of a house in seemingly terminal decline. The first man to see the potential in the estate at Brodsworth was George Hay, Viscount Dupplin, who rebuilt and vastly improved the…

In total, Mozart spent about ten years travelling, a habit begun by his father, Leopold, when his son was only six. First, they went to the European centres of music like Munich, Amsterdam and Paris, and little Wolfgang played in churches, the houses of nobility and sometimes even at royal courts. In December 1769, when he was 13, Mozart and his father began the first of three long Italian tours. Often breaking the long journey at the Golden Eagle Hotel in Innsbruck, they went on to tour Italy, stopping anywhere where a concert could be given or a nobleman visited. In Verona, the academics at the Accademia Filarmonica were so impressed by Mozart that they immediately commissioned him to write an opera for the carnival season. When he heard the…

Oxtankah The earlier structures here date from c.200-600 and the site was abandoned around 900. It was then reoccupied c.1000-1500 and finally appears to have been the site of several indigenous communities under Spanish rule. By 1531, the Spanish arrived with Alonso de Ávila, however, they were forced to flee within two years because of the Maya hostility. During this time a church was built, and the presence of both Maya and European architecture is what makes the site so interesting. Oxtankah is a medium-sized site with several constructions open to the public. Dzibilchaltún Located 15 kilometres north of Mérida, this Spanish church was constructed in the middle of a prehispanic site of the same name, representing a clear example of European elements overlapping with prehispanic elements. It was probably…

The Enlightenment brought great changes to Madrid, and not just because of the advance of science, art and philosophy. It was also the start of a new line of kings as the French House of Bourbon took to the Spanish throne. Across Europe, the dawn of reason was spreading across the continent. Enlightenment ideas had their roots in Ancient Greece, famously considered by its prominent philosophers, but in 18th-century Europe they were gaining momentum, and Spain was no different. Knowledge, happiness and freedom were at the centre of Enlightenment thinking, and these were to be achieved through philosophy, art and the veneration of reason. In the early-18th century, John Locke’s conclusion that each mind is a blank slate to write on and Thomas Hobbes’s theory of humans being driven only…

“The excavation is my first love and fundamentally I fear I am a wandering spirit” HETTY GOLDMAN Hetty Goldman was born into a famous Wall Street family – her grandfather was the founder of finance company Goldman Sachs – but she found herself drawn to the pursuit of the past rather than the dollar. After graduating from Pennsylvania’s Bryn Mawr College with majors in Greek and English, she considered a career in writing, but found that she had, “…as yet, nothing to say.” Goldman began to find her vocation after taking a three-month tour of archaeological sites in Italy in 1906. She was inspired to continue studying and her masters thesis on Greek vase painting won her a fellowship to the American School of Classical Studies at Athens in…

Wakakusa Yamayaki, Japan, 8 January 2017 This festival in Japan recalls the fiery spirit of Up Helly Aa, but this time, the flames are roasting the mountain. Grass on the slopes of Mount Wakakusa burns, followed by a firework display to celebrate the new year. Ati-Atihan, Philippines, third week in January 2017 This 800-year-old festival in Kalibo is the mardi-gras of the Philippines, with street parties that last all day and take place all week. It’s all in honour of Santo Niño, a beloved image of Jesus as an infant. Voodoo festival, Benin, 10 January 2017 This festival in Ouidah has its roots in the religion practised by 60 per cent of the population of Benin: voodoo. It aims to celebrate the lighter side of the rituals with singing, dancing,…

Beer lovers may have a chance to quaff a historic pint after scientists revived what is believed to be the world’s oldest beer. Experts working on behalf of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston, Tasmania have isolated live yeast from a bottle of beer salvaged from the wreck of the Sydney Cove and used it to brew beer using period recipes. The Sydney Cove sank in 1797 and is one of the most important shipwrecks in Australia, known for its exquisite preservation of organic materials including rice, tobacco, ink, textiles and leather. The marine archaeologists who excavated the site between 1991 and 1994 also rescued the 26 bottles of beer which have been the focus of the museum’s brewing efforts. “Possibly the wreck has given us the…

Spring 1974: six farmers are digging a well in orchards on the lower slopes of Mount Li, near the ancient capital of Xi’an. Here, they find a head made of baked clay, then the body of a soldier. It is useless to them, so they toss it aside. However, a local museum manager hears of the find and saves the pieces. Then a visiting journalist writes a report and eventually the government in Beijing begins to take note and it sends a team of archaeologists to investigate. So, entirely by chance, emerges one of the greatest treasures of all time – the thousands of full-size terracotta warriors made as a spirit army for the First Emperor, the man who unified China in 221 BCE, and whose unopened tomb looms a…

High-rank officer The high-rank officer, also known as a general, has two layers of robes underneath his armour. Few high rank officers were found in the tomb – only around 20. Mid-rank officer The mid-rank officer has a double-layered hat and fewer ribbons for decoration on his livery. Square-toed shoes and top armour can be seen here. Low-rank officer The low-ranking officers are shorter than their high-ranking counterparts, and have a pose that is more ready for battle than poised gracefully. Heavily armed foot soldiers The vast majority of the warriors are foot soldiers, armed for combat. Most wear armour and they have varied hairstyles. Lightly armed foot soldiers These are much like their heavily armed counterparts, but do not always wear armour and carry fewer weapons. Standing archers These…

In a startling echo of the rediscovery of Richard III in Leicester in 2012, archaeologists are now contemplating whether another Medieval king might be lurking underneath the tarmac of a 20th-century car park – this time, at Reading Gaol. If true, it’s an ignominious resting place for a son of William the Conqueror. Unlike Richard III, who was hastily buried after losing the crown at the Battle of Bosworth, Henry I reigned for 35 years and his funeral saw all the pomp and pageantry due to an English monarch. It was only centuries after his death that his grave was lost and Henry became a forgotten king. Henry was the youngest son of William the Conqueror and not in a strong position to inherit the throne when his father died…

Al-Aqsa Mosque The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. It owes its sanctity to being the place, according to Muslim belief, where Muhammad was taken on his Night Journey before ascending into heaven, and it was the first direction to which Muslims prayed before prostrating towards Mecca. King Abdullah I of Jordan was assassinated in the mosque on 20 July 1951 by a Palestinian gunman who also tried to kill his grandson, Prince Hussein. The man who would become King Hussein was saved by the bullet hitting a medal on his chest. Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque. Western Wall The Western Wall is what’s left of the Second Temple. The Romans did a thorough job of destroying the actual temple, but they left…

“Thousands of years ago, some extraterrestrials were here. They influenced the young Stone-Age mankind” Easter Island, the great pyramids of Egypt, the Nazca lines, the tomb of King Pakal at the Temple of Inscriptions in Mexico. How they were built, for what purpose and what they reveal about human culture, development and intellectual innovation are fundamental questions for archaeologists challenged to uncover the many secrets of our ancient past. Excavations to this day are turning up new information, revising histories and previously held opinion, sometimes shattering old preconceptions. It was Sir Richard Colt Hoare, a pioneer 19th-century archaeologist who declared “We speak from facts, not theory,” but that has hardly proved a Hippocratic Oath for the field. For in the 20th century, archaeology produced a new branch of study: paleocontact.…

Born in 1737, Swiss banker Peter Thellusson bought the estate at Brodsworth and made his country home there. Thellusson became notorious for his will, in which he strove to keep control of his estate from beyond the grave. To his family, he left a fortune of £100,000, (more than £8 million today), yet this was just the tip of the iceberg. In addition, Thellusson had also left a fortune of £700,000 in trust and it had some conditions attached. That money would remain in the bank gathering interest until three generations had passed. Should there be no fourth generation to inherit, the cash and interest would go towards the national debt. The Thellusson family dragged the will into the courts and for decades, the argument rumbled on, inspiring Charles Dickens’…

Essential information Brodsworth Hall is situated just eight kilometres north west of Doncaster and is easily accessible from junction 37 of the A1(M) by following the brown signs. It is also accessible via public transport. In addition to the house and gardens, there is a tea room, guided tours. Until summer 2017, visitors can watch conservationists in action as part of the Caring for Brodsworth exhibition. Brodsworth offers a range of seasonal events and though the conservation work is ongoing, visitors can still see much of the house. When to visit The house is closed for winter until 19 February 2017. The gardens are open at weekends over winter. Time zone UTC Currency GBP Where to stay Luxury Owston Hall Hotel Situated just nine kilometres from Brodsworth Hall, Owston Hall…

The Spanish conquest of Mexico was both a military and a spiritual one. On the Yucatán Peninsula at least, both of these aspects were key to the development of a particular sort of religious architecture, a hybrid formed of parts of the two separate cultures. What’s more, evidence of this hybridisation can still be seen today. Militarily, the Spanish expeditions on the Yucatán Peninsula began in 1517 headed by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba with the island of Cuba as the headquarters. Córdoba was followed by Juan de Grijalva in 1518. It was Hernán Cortés, however, who led the first major military campaign landing on the island of Cozumel and advancing around the peninsula to Tabasco toward the Aztec capital of México-Tenochtitlán, eventually concluding with conquest in 1521. In the case…

Essential information Where Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is one of the most popular tourism destinations. Archaeological ruins, white-sand beaches, coral reefs, clear water, and nice weather catch the attention of travellers from many countries. It can be visited by land and air. Cancún airport receives flights from all over the world having regular connections with Europe, South America and Asia. The major routes by car are Highway 307, 180, 186 and 361 connecting the whole peninsula. When to visit May to September is fairly hot and humid. In contrast, winter is characterised by a mild temperature between 25-30 Celsius. Time zone UTC-6:00 Currency Peso Where to stay In Tulum Posada Margarita Known as an ‘ecotel’, everything at this hotel is totally solar and wind-powered, so you can sleep easy while saving…

Philip V of Spain Reign: 1700-46 Philip’s reign began with a period of turmoil as various claimants sought the throne during the War of Spanish Succession. In his early reign, French influence was strong, as might be expected from the first of the Bourbon kings of Spain. However, when his first wife, María Luisa of Savoy, died and he married Elizabeth Farnese, she became the main source of influence. Her desire to secure lands for her children led to Spain becoming involved in conflict again, with Austria, France, Great Britain. Elizabeth Farnese Reign: 1714-46 The second of Philip’s wives, Isabella ‘Elizabeth’ Farnese was born the daughter of an Italian nobleman. She married King Philip in 1714, after the death of his first wife, and exploited her husband’s weakness until his…

1 Highest honour She was awarded the Gold Medal for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement. 2 Original research Her work changed our understanding of prehistoric Greece and Turkey. 3 Humanitarian Goldman used her position to sponsor many German refugees who were fleeing the Nazis. 4 Trailblazer By mentoring female archaeologists, she played a critical part in opening the field for women. 5 Comprehensive reports Goldman’s results and the reports on her excavations are still used today.…

Castle Builders by Malcolm Hislop Have you ever looked at a castle and wondered who designed it and how? This new book covers, “…approaches to castle design and construction in the Middle Ages” and explains how different eras gave rise to different techniques. Price: £25/$44.95 Gerber Bear Grylls Compact Multi-Tool This small tool packs a big punch with needle nose pliers, wire cutters, a fine edge knife, serrated knife, Phillips screwdriver and small flat driver –and much more besides. It’s the perfect companion for camping trips, hikes and festivals. Price: £31.20/$38 Motorola Hubble Camera Going away to incredible historic places is one of the great joys of life, but leaving your house unguarded can be stressful. The Hubble lets you connect to a camera inside your house and…

Kangaroo nose-bone found A nose piercing made of kangaroo bone has been discovered in Australia, dating from around 46,000 years ago. It is the oldest piece of bone jewellery linked to Homo Sapiens to be found anywhere in the world. Marks on the bone suggest a twisting action, possibly as it pierced skin. Roman pot discovered A cooking pot full of oil lamps has been unearthed in Switzerland. It was found at Vindonissa, a camp of Roman legion origin dating to the 1st century. Each lamp held a bronze coin from 66/67 CE and was decorated with either the goddess Luna, a gladiator, a lion, a peacock or an erotic scene. Sarcophagus unearthed A team of Spanish archaeologists headed by Myriam Seco Alvarez has found a sarcophagus complete with mummy…

The great 1st-century historian, Sima Qian, recounts how, in a century before his day, the core of modern China was divided between seven warring states. In 246 BCE, Prince Zheng, aged 13, inherited the throne of the most powerful state, Qin (pronounced Chin). On coming of age, he discovered that his mother was having an affair with his senior adviser. He exiled his mother and had her lover torn apart by chariots galloping off in different directions. On advice from a mentor, he then seized absolute power by conquering all six nearby states It took him 11 years. In 221 BCE, as Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor of Qin, he ruled the heart of modern China which gets its name from his own kingdom, Qin. Conquest freed up a…

There are so many mysteries yet to be solved. No one yet knows the full extent of the site, which has grown with each new discovery, almost doubling to 100 square kilometres. No one yet knows exactly how many warriors there are; excavations must wait until conditions are better, for revealing the warriors exposes them to damp. The greatest mystery of all, though, surrounds the tomb. Some 50-75 metres high (depending on which side is measured), and at about 350 metres per side, it is a little smaller than the Great Pyramid. Nobody knows what is in there. Drilling suggests that there are walls measuring at least 80 x 50 metres, rising some 10 metres above ground level, containing treasures untold. Sima Qian, the historian, speaks of palaces, towers, the…

Alfred the Great Reign: 871 - 889 Alfred certainly did not have a restful burial. Initially interred in Winchester’s Old Minster, his body was moved after four years to the New Minster. 200 years later, the monks moved to Hyde Abbey and took Alfred with them. His grave was left untouched during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, only to be dug up when a prison was constructed on the site in 1788. A number of bones have since been recovered, but the chances of positively identifying any of them are slim. Stephen of Blois Reign: 1135 - 1154 Stephen struggled through civil war to keep a hold on the throne after Henry I died and he also struggled for peace after his death in 1154. Like Henry, he was buried…

The kitchens No visit to Brodsworth Hall is complete without a trip to the kitchen, the engine room of an upper middle class Victorian country house. Here staff toiled to create immense feasts during the heyday of the house, yet it fell into disuse as the years passed. You can then experience life at a slower place in the cosy Aga kitchen, where the housekeeper’s original chair can still be found. Just imagine the buzz of life that would take over this room in its prime. The principal guest room This room, once used to house the hall’s most honoured guests, is not on the conservation programme for Brodsworth. It is a place where centuries meet, with original Victorian features nestling alongside Edwardian touches and more modern textiles. Long disused,…

Palenque, Chiapas The Maya site of Palenque in Chiapas houses one of the most spectacular discoveries in the Mesoamerican archaeology; the tomb of Pakal. The Temple of the Inscriptions takes its name from the three large tablets of limestone with hieroglyphic inscriptions found inside it. This pyramid is composed of a stepped platform surmounted by a temple, and the structure is decorated with stucco reliefs. Inside, two flights of steps lead to an imposing funerary crypt containing the sarcophagus of K´inich Janaab Pakal. Sacred Cenote, Chichen Itzá Yucatán Known as Chenku in the Yucatán Maya language, this is a natural, almost circular sinkhole, which historical sources have described it as a centre of pilgrimage and offering; an object of worship to the Maya rain god Chaac. The explorations undertaken in…

Search for Nazi treasure Doctor Sam Willis talks about his series, Nazi Weird War Two, and the secrets of WWII Shakespeare’s London With the Curtain Theatre slowly emerging, discover the landscape of Shakespeare’s city Where is Amelia Earhart? A new study offers answers to many of the mysteries of her famous disappearance PLUS: Grave of the Griffin Warrior, City Guide to Soviet Riga, In the footsteps of Mary, Queen of Scots, Heritage Hero: Fabian Ware, Giant Buddhas of Japan and more……