3,600-year old Cypriot copper-made axes found in Bronze Age Sweden

'Oxhide' ingot from Crete.

Posted By: Dattatreya Mandal

The archaeological world went into frenzy when researchers came across a medieval Viking grave ring inscribed with the word ‘Allah’. This odd affair probably alluded to the extensive mercantile prowess of the Vikings and the Rus, who frequently traded with (and raided) many Mediterranean coastal towns. But as it turns out, historically the incredible trade link between distant Scandinavia and Mediterranean was not just limited to the middle ages. Archaeologists have recently come across 3,600-year old bronze tools in Sweden that were meticulously crafted from Mediterranean-sourced copper. The findings are complemented by a depicted visual scope in Bohuslän, Sweden that possibly showcases trading between ancient Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.

10 incredible things you should know about the Mycenaean civilization and its armies

Posted By: Dattatreya Mandal 

Mycenaeans and mysteries go hand in hand when it comes to the realm of history. But fortunately, while Homeric works allude to the vague idea of these ancient ‘Greeks’ of the Bronze Age, it is tried-and-tested archaeology (with painstaking efforts from researchers over the last century) that has brought forth a few surprising evidences and clues that help in painting a ‘credible’ picture of the actual Mycenaean culture and military. So without further ado, let us take a gander at the ten incredible facts you should know about the Mycenaean civilization and its warriors.

1) Mycenaean – a term ‘unknown’ to Classical authors

Mycenaean as a term was probably as much ‘mysterious’ to ancient authors as the civilization is puzzling to modern scholars. In fact, Classical authors was not even aware of any singular Mycenaean faction – and given their Greek traditions, such writers often attributed the specific geographically-limited tribes as their ancestors, like the Achaeans and the Argives. Now of course, the greatest example of Classical Greeks being inspired by their ‘ancestors’ comes from the epic poetry of Homer in Iliad and Odyssey. And while the popular historical sentiment hints at how Homer was actually talking about the Mycenaeans, much of the Trojan War is set in a date that only tentatively corresponds to Mycenaeans. To that end, rather than a historical exposition of how Mycenaeans fought and behaved, the Iliad should be viewed more as a compilation of folkloric traditions that were passed down through generations from around 9th-8th century BC (three centuries after the passing of the Mycenaeans).

10 incredible things you should know about the Mycenaean civilization and its armies

Posted By: Dattatreya Mandal

Mycenaeans and mysteries go hand in hand when it comes to the realm of history. But fortunately, while Homeric works allude to the vague idea of these ancient ‘Greeks’ of the Bronze Age, it is tried-and-tested archaeology (with painstaking efforts from researchers over the last century) that has brought forth a few surprising evidences and clues that help in painting a ‘credible’ picture of the actual Mycenaean culture and military. So without further ado, let us take a gander at the ten incredible facts you should know about the Mycenaean civilization and its warriors.