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The Balkan Wars in the Powder Keg of Europe

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Balkan Wars
The entry of Constantine I of Greece with George I of Greece and the Greek army in Thessaloniki. Public Domain

The Balkan Wars in 1912 and 1913 resulted in significant territorial realignments in the Balkans. The Ottoman Empire lost almost all of its remaining European territories, including Macedonia, Albania, and parts of Thrace. This reshaping of borders had long-lasting consequences for the political and ethnic landscape of the region.

The combined armies of Greece, Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria overcame the numerically inferior and strategically disadvantaged Ottoman armies and achieved rapid success during a series of battles that took place in the Balkan Peninsula.

Issues that led to the Balkan Wars

At the heart of the Balkan Wars were three issues: the disposition of Macedonia, the problem of Crete, and the liberation of the countries still under Ottoman control, especially Albania.

Some Macedonians wanted full unification with Greece. Others wanted a separate Macedonian state or wanted Macedonia to be included in a Serbian or Albanian or Bulgarian state. This issue was appallingly divisive, and the choice often was a matter of life or death. Guerrilla fighters and propagandists entered Macedonia from Greece and all the other countries of the region.

Athens actively supported the irredentist movement in Macedonia with money, materials, and about 2,000 troops. Thessaloniki became more of a Greek city as non-Greek merchants suffered boycotts and left. Greece’s lack of access to this key port heightened tension with the Slavic neighbors.

Under these circumstances, all the Great Powers became more involved in the Macedonian problem in the first decade of the 20th-Century.

Britain pressured Greece to curb guerrilla activities. When the Young Turks took over the government of the Ottoman Empire with a reformist agenda in 1908, a short period of cordial negotiations with the Greeks was chilled by reversion to nationalist, authoritarian rule in Constantinople.

New Ottoman intransigence over Crete and Macedonia combined with Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos‘ demand for complete reunification to raise the prospect of war in 1910.

The Balkan powers initiated the First Balkan War by marshaling more than one million troops and then declaring war on the Turks in October 1912. Venizelos’ military modernization paid rich dividends. Within a matter of weeks, the Greek army took Thessaloniki and besieged Ioannina to the west.

The armies of all three allies fought mainly to gain a favorable position in a postwar settlement. In the May 1913 Treaty of London, the Ottoman Empire ceded all its European possessions to the Balkan allies, with the exception of Thrace and Albania, the latter of which became independent.

Because the Treaty of London made no division of territory among the allies, and because Greece and Serbia had divided Macedonian territory between themselves in a bilateral agreement, Bulgaria attacked both, initiating the Second Balkan War. Greece and Serbia won victories that ensured major territorial gains at the Treaty of Bucharest in August 1913.

The addition of southern Epirus, Macedonia, Crete, and some of the Aegean Islands expanded Greece by 68 percent, including some of the richest agricultural land on the peninsula, and the population nearly doubled. The major Greek cities of Ioannina and Thessaloniki were reclaimed.

Although more than three million Greeks remained in Ottoman territory, the Balkan Wars had brought the Megali Idea closer to realization than ever before, before the 1922 disaster in Asia Minor. When King Constantine was crowned following the assassination of King George in Thessaloniki in March 1913, national morale had reached a high point, but it didn’t last into the next decade.

Region remained volatile in the aftermath of the wars

While the Balkan Wars helped to establish some new nation-states, they also created tensions and conflicts between different ethnic and religious groups. The region remained volatile in the aftermath of the wars, leading to further conflicts and geopolitical tensions in the years that followed.

The Balkan Wars are often seen as a precursor to World War I. The conflicts heightened tensions between European powers and contributed to the complex web of alliances and rivalries that eventually erupted into a global conflict in 1914.

The Balkan Wars demonstrated the potential for regional conflicts to escalate into wider European conflagrations.

Serbia’s President Alarming Message of Upcoming Conflict in the Balkans

Aleksandar Vucic Serbia
“Difficult days are ahead of Serbia,” Vucic said. Credit: NATO

Aleksandar Vucic, the president of Serbia, warned of a potential confrontation on Tuesday by posting a gloomy message on social media about an unidentified threat to his nation.

“Difficult days are ahead of Serbia,” he said in a Facebook post. “At this moment, it is not easy to say what kind of news we have received in the last 48 hours, [but] they directly threaten our vital national interests, both of Serbia and [Republika] Srpska,” he added, referring to the ethnically Serb Republika Srpska.

Vucic says Serbia may fight a difficult challenge

He vaguely alluded to Serbia fighting and winning in a difficult challenge ahead.

“In the coming days, I will introduce the people of Serbia to all the challenges that lie ahead. It will be difficult,” he said. “We will fight. Serbia will win.”

The strange allusion comes months after Serb militants assaulted a town in northern Kosovo, killing four people. The attack, which happened in September of last year, was timed to a “unprecedented” build-up of Serb forces near the Kosovo border, according to the White House at the time.

The episodes had sparked worries that Kosovo, a Balkan nation that proclaimed its independence from Serbia in 2008, and Serbia, which does not recognize it, might like to intensify their confrontation.

Despite Belgrade’s announcement last year that it was withdrawing its forces from the border, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti recently posted a video on social media that appeared to show Serbian military formations “meters away” from Kosovo’s border.

Kurti declared, “We are keeping a close eye on the situation in case there is any attempt to enter [our] territory.”

Last week, a senior American official warned Serbia against taking any military action.

According to Assistant Secretary Jim O’Brien of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, “President Vucic knows well that any use of force against Kosovo would be unacceptable, would be regarded as putting in danger the NATO troops.”

Serbia considers Kosovo to be part of its territory because it holds deep historical and religious importance for Belgrade. It contains many medieval Serbian Orthodox Christian monasteries and is seen as the cradle of Serbian national identity.

Belgrade considers Kosovo as an autonomous province

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia rejects this declaration and considers it an autonomous province. While over 100 countries recognize Kosovo as independent, Serbia does not.

Last week Vucic has hinted at the possibility for Serbia to withdraw from the Council of Europe (CoE) if Kosovo gains membership.

In an interview with Prva TV on March 22, Vucic expressed Serbia’s discontent with the prospect of Kosovo’s acceptance into the CoE, hinting at severe consequences for the region’s geopolitical landscape.

“You go with that and then we’ll see if Serbia stays in the Council of Europe or not,” Vucic said in an interview.

The CoE, an intergovernmental organization comprising 47 member states, is tasked with upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe.

The Mysterious Lost Civilization of Harappan

 Statue from Moenjodaro
The Harappan civilization, the third oldest in the Ancient East, was located in the Indus River Valley and remains mysterious regarding its way of life and decline. Credit: Smn121 / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

The mysterious Harappan civilization is considered the third oldest one in the ancient East after Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was located in the Indus River Valley in what is now Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of India and sparked many theories about its lifestyle and decline.

The area where they were situated also gave rise to an alternative name—the Indus Valley Civilization. Researchers believe that it existed in the period from approximately 7000 BC to 600 BC.

The two most famous cities of the Harappan culture, Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, are located in modern-day Pakistan. Scientists believe they were very densely populated for the ancient world. According to various estimates, from 23,000 to 50,000 people lived there. In total, the Harappan civilization consisted of about five million people.

Scientists believe that this civilization was quite developed in terms of “long-distance exchange networks, planned urban settlements, sanitation facilities, standardized weights and measures, and a sphere of influence.” Harrapan houses had running water, and the ancient society itself had a writing system.

The decline of the Harappan civilization is estimated to have occurred from around 2000 BC to approximately 1500 BC, with new theories continuously surfacing regarding its disappearance.

Harappan Civilization’s Discovery

The story of the discovery of the Harappan civilization is connected with a British soldier traitor. James Lewis served in the British East India Company but then deserted the company and changed his name to Charles Masson. He began traveling around India and at the same time excavated ancient monuments.

As a result, his activities in 1829 led to the discovery of the ancient city of Harappa. Masson initially believed it was founded by Alexander the Great during his Indian campaigns. However, the discovery turned out to be more mysterious than he thought.

After returning to Britain, Masson published his book Narrative of various journeys in Balochistan, Afghanistan, and the Panjab. It caused widespread resonance and attracted the attention of historians. One of them, Sir Alexander Cunningham, went to the site of the discovery and began excavations.

However, the first suggestions that Harappa was a previously unknown ancient civilization appeared only at the beginning of the twentieth century. At the same time, archaeologists learned about the nearby site of Mohenjo-Daro and began excavations there. Experts identified similarities between the two cities, coming to the conclusion that they had discovered a new ancient civilization.

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, Largest Cities of Civilization

Archaeological site of Harappa
Archaeological site of Harappa. Credit: Sara jilani / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Harappa, spread over an area of 370 acres, had a high level of urban design. In this area, archaeologists found small brick houses and a citadel. The streets were laid out in a grid pattern, demonstrating the highly advanced culture that planned them. However, the architecture was strikingly different from that of the Egyptians or Mesopotamians since there were no remains of temples, palaces, royal statues, or monumental structures in Harappa. Apparently, the largest structures discovered were granaries.

What was particularly stunning is the presence in both Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro of sewerage and complex drainage systems. It is believed that these technologies of the Harappan civilization were superior in their development to the Ancient Roman ones. In addition, Mohenjo-daro also had a public bathhouse.

Excavations have shown that smaller settlements were distinguished by early planning. The cites had the same vision which presupposed the presence of a central government that carried out the planning of future cities and investment in construction. UNESCO designated the ruins of Mohenjo-daro as a World Heritage site in 1980.

Crafts and Culture

Studies show that Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro “appear to have become centers for trade and production.” This civilization is best known for its advanced craftsmanship, agricultural expertise, and skillful trading practices. Archaeologists discovered various significant figurines and statues. Among the most notable artifacts is the bronze statuette known as the Dancing Girl, depicting a teenage girl with a confident posture. Some figures, portraying mothers with children or domestic scenes, are believed to have been used as toys.

The most renowned relics from this civilization are small seals crafted from soapstone and engraved with a copper burin. While many seals depict a humpless “unicorn,” a bull in profile, others showcase elephants, bison, rhinoceros, or tigers.

Some seals feature scenes with apparent mythological or religious connotations, although interpreting them remains challenging. These seals were likely utilized as both amulets and practical means to identify goods for long-distance trade, displaying a superior level of craftsmanship and wider distribution as compared to other artistic artifacts.

'Unicorn' seal
Notable relics from this civilization are small soapstone seals, showcasing a humpless “unicorn,” a bull in profile. Credit: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Their skillful use of standardized tools, mostly made of flint, copper, and bronze, reflected their ability to create a variety of artifacts, including knives, fishhooks, arrowheads, and bracelets.

Unknown Harappan Civilization’s Language

Even the language spoken by the people of the Harappan civilization is shrouded in unsolved mysteries. Scientists have tried to decipher it, but it remains unknown. This has led to various hypotheses regarding its nature, many of which include the concept of influence from other languages.

The script used in the Harappan inscriptions, consisting of approximately 500 characters, is a complex mystery. There is still no consensus on whether these characters are ideographic, logographic or something else. Various teams made several attempts to decipher it, but no final agreement was reached. Today, it is known that the script was written from right to left. It has been recognized in about 2,000 short inscriptions, varying from single characters to those with approximately twenty characters.

One common theory suggests that the Harappan language may have been related to the Dravidian languages and perhaps even represented a Proto-Dravidian language itself. In support of this theory, a recent research used extensive analysis of archaeological, linguistic, and historical data. It determined that the terms for “elephant” — ‘piri’ and ‘piru’ — in Bronze Age Mesopotamia were borrowed from the Proto-Dravidian word ‘pilu,’ which was prevalent in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Another point of view postulates the idea of a “lost type”, implying that a language has no living continuations, except for the possible influence of a historical substrate, especially in Vedic Sanskrit.

However, there are alternative hypotheses that have received less widespread academic acceptance. One of them includes the idea that it is an Indo-European or Semitic language. Moreover, it is likely that the people of the Harappan civilization spoke multiple languages, just as Sumerian and Akkadian coexisted in ancient Mesopotamia.

Theories Around Harappan Civilization Decline

There are several theories pertaining to the cause of the decline and disappearance of the Harappan civilization, and scientists continue to conduct research to this day.

One theory relates to repeated changes in the course of the Indus River. According to this, changes have affected Mohenjo-daro, forcing residents to look elsewhere for survival due to water shortages. The crucial role of water in agriculture also led to the migration of the Harappans to more fertile regions.

The decline and disappearance of the Harappan civilization is also associated with the appearance of leprosy. This implies an outbreak of plague that resulted in mass migration to rural areas, potentially contributing to the decline of civilization.

However, one of the most common theories has long been about the Aryans. The Vedic literature of India had long been translated and interpreted by Western scholars, leading to the development of the Aryan Invasion Theory. This theory proposed that a light-skinned race, the Aryans from the north, conquered the southern lands, establishing their culture and language.

Skeletal remains discovered in Mohenjo-daro were initially thought to be evidence of a conflict. However, subsequent scholars argued that the skeletons were a result of hasty burials rather than invasion massacres. Furthermore, scientists suggested that the Aryan theory “is based purely on linguistic conjectures which are unsubstantiated.”

Scientists Claimed to Solve Harappan Civilization Disappearance

One of the latest theories regarding the disappearance of the Harappan civilization suggests that climate change played a significant role. Scientists delved into the analysis of sediment cores extracted from the Arabian Sea, scrutinizing its chemical composition and extracting foraminifera, microscopic single-celled organisms found in the ocean.

Their examination revealed a pattern of alternating lighter foraminifera, rich in calcium carbonate, and darker ones, indicating an increased influx of sediment from the land. This alternating pattern served as a marker for climate fluctuations.

Through a comprehensive study of the foraminifera’s chemistry and DNA, researchers were able to reconstruct the ancient climate on Earth. By analyzing isotopes in the sediment, they determined its age, discovering a notable increase in winter moisture concurrent with a decline in summer precipitation. These changes likely prompted the Harappans to consider migrating from the Indus Valley.

Fortified Settlements Containing Ancient Open-Air Temples Found in Turkey

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Masumu-Pak Fortress Open Air Temple, one of the newly discovered fortified settlements
A new archaeological discovery in Turkey reveals fortified settlements housing ancient open-air temples in the Eastern Anatolia Region. Credit: Pamukkale University Social Sciences Institute Journal

In Tunceli province, in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, researchers found two forts and two 7th century BC new open-air temples.

This discovery is part of the Iron Age and Hellenistic (Greek) Age Tunceli Survey project. Experts have been exploring Tunceli since 2016.

Recent archaeological efforts have led to the discovery of a new site, the Masumu-Pak Fortress, alongside a detailed examination of certain aspects of the already-known Aşağı Doluca Fortress.

The findings, including the two fortress settlements and two open-air temples, got published in the 61st issue of the Pamukkale University Social Sciences Institute Journal.

A new type of temple not known before

Associate Professor Serkan Erdoğan pointed out that one of the newly found fortress settlements sits in the far east of present-day Tunceli province, while the other lies almost at its western edge.

He mentioned that the two fortress settlements called Lower Harik (Doluca) in the southeast Anatolian region contained a new type of temple that they hadn’t seen previously.

“The two fortress settlements, one named Masumu-Pak fortress located in the Hozat-Çemişgezek -Ovacık triangle and the other named Aşağı Harik (Doluca), located on the banks of the Peri Çayı (Peri stream) east of Nazımiye in the southeastern Anatolian region host a new type of temple that we have not known before,” he stated.

Researchers observed that while the Lower Doluca Fortress shows strong signs of the Iron Age, both the Iron Age and Medieval structures are present in the Masumu-Pak Fortress.

They discovered that the open-air temples in Lower Doluca Fortress and Masumu-Pak Fortress have similar shapes and construction styles.

The key similarity between these outdoor prayer areas in both settlements is the architectural feature resembling an altar carved into the rocks, accompanied by a platform in front of it, as reported by Arkeonews.

Open-Air temples date back to the 7th century BC

The researchers revealed that the temples date back to around the 7th century BC, a time when the Urartians had control over the region.

It’s still uncertain whether these temples, with their unique features, were constructed for local deities or for the worship of well-known gods of that era.

Serkan Erdoğan mentioned that the Lower Harik Castle and Temple, situated in the current castle hamlet settlement, is also recognized as a sacred site called Moro Sur (Red Snake). Today, those seeking healing still invoke ‘Ya Moro Sur, Tu esta (You exist, Moro Sur),’ as a tradition.

Erdoğan highlighted that the snake symbol is deeply rooted in the region’s geography. He noted that the Moresur myth possesses a unique and genuine structure, with the area’s history as a sacred site tracing back to ancient times.

The Ferocious Wars of Alexander the Great’s Successors After His Death

A map of the Diadochi, who fought over and carved up Alexander's empire into several kingdoms after his death, a legacy which reigned on and continued the influence of ancient Greek culture abroad for over 300 more years. This map depicts the kingdoms of the Diadochi c. 301 BC, after the Battle of Ipsus.
The Successors fought over and carved up Alexander the Great’s empire into several kingdoms after his death, a legacy which reigned on and continued the influence of ancient Greek culture abroad for over three hundred more years. This map depicts the kingdoms of the Successors c. 301 BC after the Battle of Ipsus. Credit: Historical Atlas by William R. Shepherd 1911. Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Wars of the Diadochi, or the Wars of Alexander’s Successors, were a series of conflicts that erupted among the generals of Alexander the Great. These were known as the Diadochi, which means “heirs” in Greek. These wars took place over who would inherit the vast empire Alexander left behind upon his death in 323 BC.

The historically significant conflicts, which spanned over four decades from 322 to 281 BC, were profound struggles for power, legacy, and the right to be seen as the legitimate heir to one of history’s largest empires. This means these civil war-like conflicts were not merely battles for territory of financial gains. The Diadochi, once united under the Macedonian sun of Alexander’s banner, turned against each other in a bid to control the vast empire. The empire stretched from the Adriatic and Ionian Sea in Europe to the borders of India.

Thus, this period marked the beginning of the Hellenistic era. It was a time when Greek culture spread across and influenced a vast portion of an ancient world once dominated by the mighty Persian Empire. The outcome of these wars led to the division of Alexander’s empire into several, smaller Hellenistic kingdoms. Each one of them was ruled by one of his former generals. This fundamentally changed the political landscape of the ancient Near East and the Mediterranean with profound consequences for centuries to come.

An AI depiction of Alexander the Great and his horse, Bucephalus.
An AI depiction of Alexander the Great and his horse, Bucephalus. Credit: MidJourney for the Greek Reporter.

The Successors’ bid for Alexander’s empire

The sudden death of Alexander the Great in Babylon left his empire without a clear successor. His generals, the Diadochi, were not prepared for such an eventuality. Initially, they attempted to govern the empire through a collective regency. However, this fragile arrangement quickly disintegrated due to personal ambitions and deep-seated rivalries amongst themselves.

The Partition of Babylon in 323 BC was meant to divide the empire among the most powerful generals. Unfortunately, however, this only managed to formalize the divisions and set the stage for the conflicts that were about to follow.

The immediate aftermath of Alexander’s death turned the empire’s vast territories into a luxurious and sought-after product that was about to go on sale. For the generals of Alexander, everything was now up for grabs. Each one of them seeks to carve out their own realm and enjoy the privileges of power.

Alexander’s son, Alexander IV, was still an infant, and his brother, Philip III Arrhidaeus, was considered unfit to rule. Hence, the lack of a universally recognized heir complicated the succession even further. This power vacuum led to a series of short-lived alliances and betrayals. The Diadochi were now ready for position and territory in what would turn into a series of wars in which Greeks would fight Greeks for power and status.

The World History Encyclopedia notes that, although the initial division of the empire was meant to be a temporary solution, it very quickly unraveled. This led to the first of many wars, as the generals broke their fragile alliances in pursuit of greater power.

Alexander the Great and Craterus in a lion hunt, mosaic from Pella, Greece, late 4th century BC
Alexander the Great and Craterus in a lion hunt, mosaic from Pella, Greece, late 4th century BC. Credit: Archaeological Museum of Pella, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

Alexander’s Successors wars explained

The Wars of the Diadochi did not happen overnight. They were fought in several phases, each marked by shifting alliances, royal drama, and a series of smaller battles that reshaped the territories under each general’s control.

The First War of the Diadochi set the precedent for the conflicts that would follow. In these wars, key figures such as Ptolemy, Antigonus, Cassander, and Seleucus emerged as the principal players in this deadly game of thrones. The Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC was one of the most decisive confrontations. It resulted in the death of Antigonus and a significant realignment of power among the Diadochi.

The complexity of these wars cannot be overstated. Each phase saw the Diadochi use a mix of military and strategic might, careful diplomacy, and treachery to gain the upper hand. Heritage History highlights the second war of the Diadochi. This began in 318 BC, when Antigonus, the Strategos—Greek for Commander—of Asia, moved to assert his dominance over the territories in Asia Minor and the eastern provinces.

The conflict was the beginning of decades of warfare. During this period, the Diadochi and their successors fought over what was left of the once massive empire of Alexander. These wars were also characterised by their brutality and the often shifting fortunes of the combatants. With each victory or defeat, these battles would reshape the political landscape of the entire Hellenistic world.

The cultural and economic links of the Hellenistic kingdoms

As one can imagine, the Wars of the Diadochi had profound implications for the cohesion of Alexander the Great’s empire. The relentless conflicts among his former generals led to the gradual disintegration of the unity of the empire. As a result, separate, smaller and weaker Hellenistic kingdoms emerged.

However, although they were politically divided, these entities continued to be linked culturally and economically. This happened as Greek education, language, and traditions continued to spread throughout the regions. The Hellenistic period was characterized by a remarkable synthesis of Greek as well as local cultures, leading to advancements in art, science, and philosophy. Despite the constant wars, these kingdoms were a melting pot of a new, emerging Hellenistic identity that combined different customs and traditions.

Greek education, or paideia, became the focal point of Hellenistic society. It managed to preserve the sense of “Greekness” even after it was influenced by non-Greek cultures. This educational focal point, which included the promotion of philosophy, politics, arts, and physical training in local schools, was not only a means of cultural progress. It became a tool for social cohesion among the Greek-speaking elite, offering a much-needed sense of unity.

The Greek language became the lingua franca of the Hellenistic world. It facilitated trade and communication across vast distances, offering a common way of expression to millions of people. The spread of Hellenism also had a significant impact on trade. The interconnectedness of the Hellenistic kingdoms facilitated an increase in the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies. This era also saw the establishment of new trade routes that extended from the Mediterranean all the way to India and Central Asia. These routes would endure for centuries, connecting the Roman Empire with the East.

Paintings of ancient Macedonian soldiers, arms, and armaments, from the tomb of Agios Athanasios, Thessaloniki in Greece, 4th century BC
Paintings of ancient Macedonian soldiers, arms, and armaments, from the tomb of Agios Athanasios, Thessaloniki in Greece, 4th century BC. Credit: Ancient painters of Rome Italy, Pinterest, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

Speculations on Alexander the Great’s untimely death

One cannot help but speculate on what might have happened if Alexander had not died young. It’s possible that the empire would have maintained its unity for a longer period. Alexander’s vision of a truly multicultural society, in which conquered peoples were integrated and Hellenistic ideas were adopted alongside local customs, might have led to a more stable and cohesive empire.

The early death of Alexander left his empire without the strong leadership it needed. The empire could no longer continue on with his policies of cultural integration and expansion. This led to detrimental consequences for its cohesion. As a result, the empire fractured. However, the spread of Hellenistic culture continued on, shaping the ancient world in ways that would be visible even to this day.

In conclusion, the Wars of the Diadochi did break Alexander’s empire into pieces. However, this fragmentation also facilitated the spread of Greek culture as well as Greek education across the then-known world.

The Hellenistic kingdoms that emerged from these wars became the epicenters for a new, cosmopolitan culture. This culture blended Greek and local elements, leaving a legacy that would influence subsequent generations to this day.

Scientists Solve 20,000-Year Mystery of Eurasia Human Migration

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Scientists claim to have discovered where early humans spent 20,000 years living in the midst of their migration from Africa to Eurasia.
Scientists claim to have discovered where early humans spent 20,000 years living in the midst of their migration from Africa to Eurasia. Credit: Adam Jones, Ph.D. – Global Photo Archive. CC BY 2.0/flickr

Scientists claim to have discovered the place where early humans resided in the midst of their migration from the African continent to Eurasia, solving a 20,000-year missing gap in human history.

It has been common knowledge for some time that our ancient ancestors left Africa about 70,000 years ago and proliferated throughout Asia and Europe 45,000 years ago. However, where those early homo sapiens spent their time in between has long been an unsolved puzzle.

A team of international researchers has discovered that around a thousand of these travelers lived in a region that spanned the Middle East, known as the Persian Plateau.
The thesis was confirmed using ancient DNA, modern gene pools, and palaeoecological evidence. This clarified that the area would have been an ideal inhabitable space before they continued to settle in Asia and Europe.

“Our results provide the first full picture of the whereabouts of the ancestors of all present-day non-Africans in the early phases of the colonization of Eurasia,” Luca Pagani of the University of Padova in Italy, senior author of the study, told the Daily Mail.

The research team examined ancient genomes from West Central Eurasia and China and discovered that ancestors of present-day Eurasians emerged from the region 45,000 years ago. They then colonized most of Eurasia and Oceania. Simulations were produced to afford a look back in time to the landscape and climate of the Persian Plateau. This showed it was higher during the time Homo sapiens arrived.

According to researchers, this gave those early humans an advantage over surrounding areas. It helped them survive and eventually migrate to Eurasia.

“Furthermore, the presence of a viable area located on both shores of the Red Sea and stretching across the Mediterranean Sea would seem to offer a suitable habitat,” reads the study published in the journal Nature.

What was life like for humans on the Persian Plateau before heading to Eurasia?

These humans resided in small, mobile bands of hunter-gatherers, as per researchers. The region supposedly offered a diverse range of ecological settings, from forests to grasslands and savannahs. There were fluctuations over time between dry and wet periods.

There apparently would have been plenty of resources available, with evidence showing the hunting of wild gazelle, sheep, and goats, study co-author Michael Petraglia from Australia’s Griffith University told the Daily Mail.

“Their diet would have been composed of edible plants and small to large-sized game,” he added. “Hunter gathered bands appear to have practiced a seasonal lifestyle, inhabiting the lowlands in the cooler months and the mountainous areas in the warmer months.”

The Homo sapiens living in the region at the time had dark skin and hair, possibly resembling the Gumuz or Anuak people who now exist in parts of East Africa.

“Cave art simultaneously appeared as soon as people left the hub. So these cultural achievements might have been brewed while in the hub,” Pagani told the Daily Mail. However, no fossilized remains of human beings have ever been found on the Persian Plateau but have been unearthed in Arabia and the Levant. This band of Homo sapiens would be direct descendants of those from the region, the study claimed.

Neanderthal Mother diorama.
Neanderthal mother diorama. Credit: Kojotisko. CC BY 1.0/flickr

Homo sapiens were not the first human species to inhabit land outside of Africa, including the region studied by the research team. Ancient interbreeding by our species has left a residual Neanderthal contribution to the DNA of modern non-Africans.

“Neanderthals are attested in the area before the arrival of Homo Sapiens, so the region may well have been where that interaction took place,” Vallini told the Daily Mail.

Nashville Parthenon Turns Blue for Greek Independence Day Commemoration

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Nashville Parthenon in Blue lights, Greek Independence Day
Annual Greek Independence Day Illumination, Nashville Parthenon. Credit: Courtesy T. Dimopoulos 

In its fourth annual celebration of Greek Independence Day in Nashville, Tennessee, the US branch of the Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy and President DeeGee Lester welcomed Greek Consul-Atlanta Theodoros Dimopoulos in a ceremony at the Parthenon. The iconic structure was illuminated in blue, one of the two colors of the Greek flag, as a tribute to commemorate Greek Independence Day.

Celebrating Greek Independence Day at the Nashville Parthenon

Marking a dual celebration, Ms. Lester was joined by speakers in “honoring visionaries – those of ancient Greece who through their curiosity and genius inspired civilization; those Greeks who boldly re-dedicated themselves to the cause of liberty from the Ottoman Empire on this date (March 25) in 1821; and Nashville’s Dr Philip Lindsley whose 1824 vision for Nashville as a ‘New Athens’ created a legacy for the pursuit of excellency in culture and education.”

Now in it’s fourth year, Nashville is home to the US branch of the multi-nation HICD. Founded in Athens, Greece by President Peter Kapsaskis on March 25th, 2017, the organization says it is dedicated to building, through active and robust events and programming, bridges of mutual friendship and sharing between Greece and HICD’s growing member nations.

Annual Greek Independence Day Illumination, Nashville Parthenon.
Annual Greek Independence Day Illumination, Nashville Parthenon. Credit: Courtesy of T. Dimopoulos

Honoring Greek Independence, and on behalf of Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the city of Nashville, a mayoral proclamation was presented to Greek Consul Theodoros Dimopoulos by Metro Parks Director Monique Odom. In acceptance on behalf of Greece, Consul Dimopoulos offered his own message of friendship and understanding, honoring the tradition of Philhellenes who supported the cause of Greek Independence, and the unity of the two nations through generations.

The event also recognized the reputation of Nashville as the ‘Athens of the South’ through the Bicentennial presentation of the Hon. John Cooper (former Mayor of Nashville and a descendant of Philip Lindsley).

Consul T. Dimopoulos Nashville Parthenon
Consul Dimopoulos receiving Mayoral Proclamation, presented by Metro Parks Director Monique Odom. Credit: Mason Thorn Photography

1824 marked the arrival of classicist and college president Dr Philip Lindsley in Nashville and his stated vision for the city: “To create on the frontier a new Athens dedicated to education and the arts.”

Throughout the 19th century that vision for the city evolved from the Athens of the West into recognition as the “Athens of the South,” as home to world class universities and, by the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, as home to the Parthenon which has served for generations as the cultural anchor of the city.

The day’s Greek Independence Day events closed with the fourth annual illumination in Greek blue and white lighting of three iconic Nashville sites: the Parthenon, the Greek Revival Tennessee State Capitol, and the Metro Courthouse.

This Parthenon in Nashville is a full-scale, meticulously crafted replica of one of history’s most iconic Greek structures. The Nashville Parthenon lies at the heart of the city’s centennial park. It is a true testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and the real proof of its nickname, “the Athens of the South.”

Nashville Parthenon

Originally constructed for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897, the replica of the Parthenon bridges the ancient with the modern world. However, it is more than that. It is an active link that connects the two sides of the Atlantic, attesting the friendship of the Americans and Greeks to this day. This is the reason why it is worth exploring the history, architectural elements, and cultural impact of this US landmark that brings a glimpse of Greece to the heart of Tennessee.

A full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Centennial Park, Nashville, under a partly cloudy sky.
The Nashville Parthenon, a tribute to classical Greek architecture in Centennial Park, Nashville. Credit: John LaGuardia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The monument was originally constructed as a temporary feature for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. It was the time when Tennessee was celebrating the 100th anniversary of its entry to the Union. The purpose of this replica was to embody Nashville’s cultural identity as the “Athens of the South.”

This was a clear nod to the city’s commitment and dedication to education, art, and philosophy. The Parthenon of Nashville was initially built from plaster, wood, and brick. This Nashville replica, of course, comes as a stark contrast to the original Parthenon that dominates the Greek skyline in Athens.

The ancient Greeks built the original Parthenon at the top of the Acropolis using the finest Greek marble, and it has endured centuries of wear. Captivating the public’s imagination and soon becoming an iconic landmark of the city, it was decided that the structure would be reconstructed in concrete in Nashville, as so happened in the 1920s. This ensured that it would stay there as a monument to Classical beauty and an educational tool for future generations.

 

Secret NASCAR ‘Moonshine Cave’ Discovery May Confirm Conspiracy Theory

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North Wilkesboro NASCAR Speedway, where officials may have found a secret moonshine store.
North Wilkesboro NASCAR Speedway, where officials may have found a secret moonshine cave. Credit: quiksilver_199. CC BY 2.0/flickr

legendary NASCAR North Wilkesboro speedway’s mythical secret moonshine cave, created during the prohibition era, may have been found, proving very dedicated conspiracy theorists right.

The history of NASCAR is said to have strong links with illegal moonshine throughout the prohibition era, and one local myth which surrounds one of the sport’s historic racetracks may have become fact this week.

North Wilkesboro speedway officials in North Carolina said that a long-rumored hidden moonshine storage space may have been discovered under one of the grandstands as a result of a sinkhole. In a press release, officials said staff found an area of about 700 square feet underneath the old concrete of section N of the track while in the middle of a cleaning operation.

Has the NASCAR Moonshine Cave Conspiracy Been proven?

“When we began renovating and restoring North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2022, we’d often hear stories of how an old moonshine still was operated here on the property under the grandstands,” Speedway Motorsports Vice President of Operations and Development Steve Swift told Fox News.

Adding, “Well, we haven’t found a still (yet), but we’ve found a small cave and an interior wall that would have been the perfect location to not only make illegal liquor, but to hide from the law as well. We don’t know how people would have gotten in and out, but as we uncover more, there’s no telling what we might find.”

Staff at the speedway stadium removed around 600 seats and are figuring out the next stages for repair ahead of the NASCAR All-Star Race set to take place on May 14-19, officials said. Swift added that there was a lot of work to be done before fans could come and sit for the race, as reported by Fox News.

Wilkes County, North Carolina, was at one time considered the capital of the moonshine industry in the state, according to Spectrum News. Moving the moonshine required fast and skilled drivers who could navigate the backroads at night, and resulted in competitive racing between drivers and eventually the beginning of NASCAR.

Moonshine is high-proof liquor, originally made and distributed illegally. Its secretive distribution is known as bootlegging. The name was derived from a tradition of creating the alcohol during the night time, thus avoiding being seen or caught.

In the first decades of the 21st century, commercial distilleries adopted the term for its outlaw connotations and began to produce their own legally sanctioned, novelty “moonshine”, including many flavored varieties, that in some way continue its tradition, typically having a similar method and location of production.

NASCAR is an American racing and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. it is considered one of the top ranked motorsports organizations in the world and is one of the largest spectator sports in the US.

Kinds of Kindness: Trailer of Lanthimos’ New Film With Emma Stone Released

Lanthimos Stone
After Poor Things, Lanthimos and Stone are set to release a new movie. Credits:   Anna HanksCC BY 2.0 and Nicholas R. Andrew, Public Domain Mark 1.0.

The first trailer for Kinds of Kindness, the next film helmed by Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Emma Stone, has been released. The movie will open in US theaters on June 21st.

The announcement was made by Searchlight, the indie studio that’s distributing the film.

Though the plot remains under wraps, Kinds of Kindness is an anthology film that reunites Stone with her Poor Things co-stars, Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley, as well as The Favourite actor Joe Alwyn. Jesse Plemons, Hong Chau, Hunter Schafer, and Mamoudou Athie will round out the cast.

Lanthimos penned the screenplay with Efthimis Filippou, with whom he co-wrote the dark thrillers and absurdist comedies, The Lobster, Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Dogtooth. The movie, originally titled And, was shot in New Orleans in late 2022.

The Athens-born director teased what audiences can expect from the new contemporary film set in the US, during a British Film Institute event in January.

“It’s three different stories, and we’re finishing the edit right now, and I still can’t tell you exactly what it is about,” he said at the time.

“But I also wouldn’t want to tell you what I thought the stories are about because it just makes it so small,” he added. “I try not to even think about it during the process because I’m afraid that it will make my choices more narrow.”

Kinds of Kindness comes after Lanthimos and Stone Oscars

The news comes as Lanthimos’ Poor Things won four Oscars from eleven nominations earlier this week, including Stone’s second Academy Award trophy for best actress following 2016’s La La Land. Poor Things also won best production design, costume design, and makeup and hairstyling.

The pair previously worked together on 2018’s The Favourite, which landed ten Oscar nominations, including best supporting actress for Stone, with the movie’s lone win going to Olivia Colman for lead actress.

In between the two highly praised films, the two worked together in Greece for Bleat, a surrealistic black-and-white short film about a grieving widow that’s only screened a handful of times, as it requires a live orchestra.

They are already in talks to arrange their sixth movie, a remake of the South Korean fantasy comedy Save the Green Planet.

Stone has spoken about her creative partnership with Lanthimos, saying: “Yorgos feels like a lot of his process of working with people or putting people in his films has to do with who they are as a person. It’s not just performance-based.”

African Dust Cloud Blankets Greece

African Dust Cloud
The dust cloud has severely impaired vision in Athens. File photo. Credit: AMNA

A dust cloud from the African continent blew over the eastern Mediterranean, shrouding large swathes of Greece in a haze. On Thursday, the phenomenon is anticipated to continue.

Much of the country, including the capital Athens, has severely impaired vision due to the dust cloud.

The southern island of Crete was particularly heavily struck. Airborne dust levels there have been above 50 mg/m³ in the western parts.

The elderly, small children and those with respiratory conditions have been recommended by the local health authorities to minimize their outside activities.

The most noteworthy repercussions of the African dust clouds in Greece will be:

  • an increase in temperatures in the next few days
  • restricted visibility in various places
  • muddy rain, mostly in western and northern parts of the country

Dust and sand are associated with health problems

The African dust is associated with health problems in the general population in Greece. It has been observed that on days with dust concentrations, hospital admissions increase.

Research conducted by Greek and foreign scientists has identified a whole list of hazardous heavy metals in the African dust. This is alarming to society, as the African dust has been “traveling” to Greece more and more frequently over recent years due to the increased desertification in the Sahara.

According to assessments, the dust and sand that travel from Africa to Greece transport poisonous substances, such as lead, zinc, chromium, vanadium, arsenic, and nickel in much higher quantities than previously thought.

Formation of African dust and sand clouds

In order for Saharan dust to impact systems around the globe, it must first become airborne and leave the Sahara Desert.

The Bodélé Depression is one of the most significant sites of Saharan dust and sand cloud formation. The depression is composed of dried lake beds which are now covered by dunes.

Winds moving at speeds between 6 and 16 m/s (13-35 mph) through this region pick up loose sediment and transport the dust away from the Sahara.

Naturally, higher wind speeds lead to the transport of greater amounts of dust in this region. The highest output of dust from this area occurs from spring through fall.

The Sahara is the largest source of aeolian dust in the world, with annual production rates of about 400-700 x 106 tons/year, which is almost half of all aeolian desert inputs to the ocean. Saharan dust is often produced by natural process such as wind storms and doesn’t appear to be heavily impacted by human activities.