Stories of people/events - individuals or mass events
Faces of History is an exclusive feature in Ancient Origins Magazine, where we collaborate with the acclaimed historical facial reconstruction expert Cícero Moraes. Known for his unparalleled skill in bringing ancient figures back to life, Moraes guides readers on a captivating journey through time.
Hundreds of books have been written about the advanced astronomical knowledge of the ancient Egyptians. Similar efforts have been made to identify the astronomical obsessions that motivated the builders of Stonehenge, and to explain the details of the complex Maya cosmology. But there have been few systematic attempts to record the astronomical achievements of the Indigenous people of the world, which is what Australian astrophysicist Duane Hamacher set out to correct.
When you delve into news related to historic reconstructions, one name consistently emerges: Cícero Moraes. His remarkable talent has brought faces from the distant past back to life, including Mary Magdalene, Saint Anthony of Padua, the Woman of Pumapungo, and even the Renaissance astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
For many, the first time they learned about the so-called ‘Monuments Men,’ was when the group’s story was dramatized in the 2014 film directed by George Clooney by the same name. Established in 1943 by the Allied forces, under the name the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section Unit (MFAA), this was an almost 400-strong group tasked by the then President of the United States, Franklin D.
The rivalry between Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, two of the most renowned artists of the Renaissance, is a fascinating story that illustrates the competitive spirit and the contrasting personalities and styles of these two titans of their time. Let’s explore why and how the famous Renaissance men did not get along.
Queen Elizabeth I was one of the most successful and celebrated queens in British history. The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, she came to the throne on November 17, 1558, following the death of her older half-sister, Mary I. While Elizabeth's reign is widely recognized for ushering in a golden age, she herself has also been remembered for her iconic fashion choices and style.
During the 19th century, Mary Anning (1799 to 1847) was an enigma. A self-taught fossil-hunter and paleontologist—during a time when science was most definitely a man’s world—in the 21st century Anning has finally started to get the attention she deserves for the role she played excavating glimpses into prehistory at the Jurassic coast near her home town of Lyme Regis in Dorset, England.
The idea of venturing into the unknown, facing danger, and discovering something new has captivated people for centuries. From the great sea voyages of the Age of Discovery to the exploration of the polar regions and beyond, the exploits of famous explorers have captured public imagination. For some people, the allure of exploration is so strong that they have decided to recreate the famous journeys of historical explorers themselves.
Zheng He (also known as Cheng Ho) is one of the most famous admirals in Chinese history and is best known for his treasure voyages. These voyages served to showcase the power and the wealth of the Ming Dynasty to the known world and were commissioned by the Ming Dynasty’s Yongle Emperor himself.
King Arthur is undoubtedly one of the most enduringly popular heroes to come out of the medieval era, and he has meant many things to many people for hundreds of years. Over time, the mythology of Arthur grew as new stories were added to the existing ones and his fame spread throughout Britain and beyond.