Posts by Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and studying law while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
Toys
November 15, 2023

Mattel Debuts ‘Wilma Mankiller’ Barbie Doll Honoring the Iconic First Female Cherokee Chief

After 2023's wildly successfully Barbie movie, it's more obvious than ever that Barbie is more than just a plastic doll. She embodies the dreams of young girls and has for decades been a vehicle for imagining a bright future. Barbie—owned by the Mattel brand—has become increasingly representative in recent years, aiming to diversify its dolls' skin tones, hair textures, and body types.

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Archeology
November 9, 2023

Archeologists Uncover Neolithic Stone Tomb With Hugging Skeletons in Scotland

Magnificent ancient tombs are not limited to the pyramids of Egypt or the ceramic-filled vaults of China. In far northern Scotland, Neolithic monuments abound across Orkney. Among these prehistoric sites are imposing mounds which hide stone brave complexes known as chambered cairns. While typically the mound of Earth heaped on top of the complex rises like a small hill, visible to passersby, these terrestrial indications were lost for one particular gravesite.

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Archeology
November 2, 2023

Head of Alexander the Great Statue Discovered in Turkey

Ancient leaders such as Caesar and Nero have become figures of popular myth as well as history in the centuries since their reigns. This process of transforming a political leader into an idea began quite early for some, such as Alexander the Great. The Macedonian military leader ruled all of Greece and as far eastward as Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.