Thursday 26 July 2012

Awesome 1920's pics

When I was meant to be writing my dissertation, I came across this website through a rather long stint of procrastination. It has the best photos EVER. Literally. 

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/07/recording-mountain-chief-1916/

http://www.retronaut.co/2011/08/fox-hunting-at-oxford-circus-1926/

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/07/hairdryer-1920s/  THIS IS AMAZING

and this one is definitely going up on my wall...

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/07/dancing-on-glacier-point-c-1872-1923/

Monday 23 July 2012

Gettysburg College and the Civil War...

Interesting research has come to light regarding the role of students at Pennsylvania college during the battle of Gettysburg 1863. Some students immediately left the college to fight for the Unionists at Gettysburg, while several African Americans who worked at the college (like John Hopkins, janitor) fled in case of Confederate invasion. (Hopkins's home was actually taken by the Confederates.) During the battle of Gettysburg, students ran to the battlefield to help Union and Confederate wounded. They were then taken to Penn Hall, which was used as a hospital. Weeks after the battle, the college was used by the Confederates as a hospital and a prison camp.

When students returned to the college, the remains of soldiers could still be seen from the classrooms...

Saturday 21 July 2012

Remains of the real Mona Lisa found??

According to scientists and historians in Italy, the remains of Mona Lisa have been found, the woman who inspired the famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. Her body was found in a crypt in Florence, Italy; it's believed she died in 1542, aged 63. Lisa, real name Lisa Gheradini (married name - Giocondo) became a nun after her husband died. (He was a wealthy silk merchant.) The next step is to employ DNA testing to confirm Lisa's identity, testing it against the remains of her children, who were all buried in the crypt with her. Scientists will then use facial reconstruction to match it to the painting.

According to scientists, small initials could be found in the eyes of Mona Lisa under a microscope...another clue to the mystery?

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/07/18/have-archaeologists-uncovered-mona-lisa-model-remains/?intcmp=features

Thursday 12 July 2012

Argentinians sentenced for war crimes

Two Argentine dictators have been sentenced for the kidnapping of children during the 1976-1983 dictatorship. Jorge Videla, was sentenced to 50yrs in prison while Reynaldo Bignone was given a 15yr term. The case against the dictators began in February last year, and human rights groups such as the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo have fought tooth and nail to bring them to justice. At least 500 babies were kidnapped from political opponents and given to right-wing supporters. In a number of cases, the mothers were kidnapped, blindfolded while giving birth and then thrown from aeroplanes shortly after. They belonged to the 30,000 "disappeared".

http://www.afp.com/en/news/topstories/tough-sentences-argentina-stolen-babies-case

Friday 6 July 2012

Historical costume design!

As part of the Shakespeare season on BBC, costume designer Eliza Kessler sat down to answer some questions about historical period drama. Kessler explains she immersed herself in paintings, visited buildings, and even studied modern football games to get an idea of 'chivalry'; all to immerse herself in the c.15/16th centuries. Kessler describes that the costumes must not only to look real, but to be versatile so the actors can move around and, to use her phrase, look "sexy." (she's talking about tom hiddleston here i believe.) It's a really interesting interview as it sheds some light on a topic that should get more attention.

Also, I would blatantly fight for tom hiddleston if he gave this speech...just saying.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/

Wednesday 4 July 2012

World's Oldest Handbag!!

Archaeologists have found the oldest handbag on record! It was discovered in a grave dating back to 2,500 B.C. and is absolutely COVERED in dog teeth. (that was the fashion then, obviously). How incredible is it to imagine someone walking around with this?!

For a pic follow this link -

http://cocoperez.com/2012-07-02-worlds-oldest-handbag-dog-teeth

(getting history info from perez hilton - priceless.)

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Britain's Lost Atlantis?

As much as I loathe quoting the Daily Mail, it does have a very interesting article on 'Britain's Lost Atlantis.' Divers have found a lost city in the North Sea that may have been home to tens of thousands of people from 18,000 to 5,000 BC. The area, called Doggerland, stretched from Scotland to Denmark, and has been nicknamed the "heartland of Europe" until it was hit by a tsunami that destroyed the city. The discovery will lead to some fascinating details about climate change, as well as how this ancient population used to live. Exploring the remains can give us a clearer idea of what animals lived there and what the human population ate. An exhibition at the Royal Society in London chronicles the discovery, and provides answers to some of these questions.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2167731/Britains-Atlantis-North-sea--huge-undersea-kingdom-swamped-tsunami-5-500-years-ago.html

(to be fair it does have good pictures.)