The ancient word for today is hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus. In the Middle Ages, writers didn’t make reference to hedgehogs, but to urchins. This term for the spiky diminuitive animal is still favoured in some English dialects. We still have the lingering remnants of this etymology in the form of sea urchin, which is literally aContinue reading “Ancient word of the day: Hedgehog”
Tag Archives: History
Welcome to a strange and forgotten alien world: Socotra
Looking like a cross between a surreal computer game and an alien planet, Socotra is a relatively unexplored and remote island off the coast of Arabian Peninsula. It’s a sparkling diamond of natural diversity and rugged wildness, with over 700 endemic species of flora and fauna. Only a small number of countries have more endemicContinue reading “Welcome to a strange and forgotten alien world: Socotra”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 188
How the ancient Egyptians made dazzling faience amulets Archaeologist and sculptor Zahed Taj-Eddin shows how to make this ancient and mysterious form of art, it’s incredible! Orbital – Halcyon On and on (Faster Horses Edit) [1993] I shared this one ages and ages ago but I just heard it again and it chilled me toContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 188”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 187
The mind replays what the heart wants to heal Iconoclast and Rebel Peaches opens up her mind on Amoeba’s channel One of the most singular and outre artists in the world Peaches visits the Amoeba shop and picks out her fav albums and films. This was interesting because she has some pretty wild choices includingContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 187”
Gig review: Massive Attack at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 11th August, 2026
Gig review: Massive Attack at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 11th August, timeless iconoclasts and rebels deliver once-in-a-lifetime magic 2026 #music #triphop #review #musicreview #music #MassiveAttack #Melbourne #events
Quirky insights into lost worlds: Ex Libris book plates
Passionate devotees of books from throughout history share a common thread with all of us modern-day bibiophiles, they longed to celebrate their books and mark their ownership with an Ex Libris book plate. Ever since Pharaonic Egypt, marking one’s ownership of a book has been a thing. Ex Libris bookplates are more than the stamped or printed marks denoting ownership. They represent the taste, values of their owner, how they saw themselves and the aesthetic styles of the eras when they were made.
Book Review: Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan by Shikibu Murasaki
A life-affirming collection of Japanese writing and poetry from the 11th Century AD. Written by aristocratic ladies in waiting to the empress of Japan they reflect the preoccupations, passions and obsessions of women born long long ago.
Netsuke & Gashapon toys Ancient Japanese treasures and modern collectibles
Netsuke are uniquely Japanese and sublime in their beauty. They are tiny objects carved of ivory, ceramic, wood, tortoise-shell, gold or many other materials. They tell the story of the culture of Japan during the old Edo period and before. Netsuke featured fishermen and farmers, who rubbed shoulders with scholars, samurai warriors, royalty and evenContinue reading “Netsuke & Gashapon toys Ancient Japanese treasures and modern collectibles”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 186
Excellent channel Lina’s Thobe explains the importance of Palestinian Tatreez Palestinian tatreez isn’t “just embroidery.” For centuries, it’s been a visual language — carrying the names of villages, the colors of seasons, and the stories of displacement and survival. In this video, I share how one humble stitch became a way to map a homeland,Continue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet 186”
Captain Seeks a Sea-Going Cat to Sign on for a Trip Around the World, New York Times (1922)
Captain Edwin Dyason, master of the freighter Woodfield will welcome any ablebodied seafaring cat wishing to join the crew of his vessel, sailing today for Manila and China. “We missed the ship’s cat shortly after we put into port here,” said the Captain. “Her name was Cleopatra. She joined on in Fremantle, Australia and didContinue reading “Captain Seeks a Sea-Going Cat to Sign on for a Trip Around the World, New York Times (1922)”
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