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 reading while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
Ancient Art
October 15, 2021

Researchers Discover Ancient Saudi Arabian Camel Sculptures Are Older Than the Pyramids of Giza

In 2018, archeologists discovered large life-sized camels sculpted into rocks in Saudi Arbaia. At the time, the high-reliefs were thought to be about two millennia old. However, a recent paper published in the Journal of Archaeological Science announces a surprising discovery. These camel sculptures—known as the Camel Site—are in fact between 7,000 and 8,000 years old—older than the Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge.

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Social Cause
October 12, 2021

Inventor of Hand-Cranked Washing Machines Donates the Timesaving Device to Iraqi Refugees

Did you know 70% of the world's population does not have access to an electric washing machine? In order to cleanse their clothing, people hand-wash their clothes with available water. This chore takes a lot of time and is usually performed by women. In an effort to alleviate this burden, a British engineer named Navjot Sawhney has developed an efficient, hand-cranked washing machine which is easy to operate.

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Good News
October 7, 2021

Ownership of World’s Oldest Rainforest Is Returned to Its Aboriginal Inhabitants

As with the United States, Australia was once a British colony. European settlers displaced and brutalized Indigenous populations, taking over large swaths of the expansive and beautiful island. While simply returning the land to its Aboriginal inhabitants cannot right all the wrongs of colonization, it is an important step advocated by Indigenous peoples around the world.

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History
October 1, 2021

Scholar Discovers a 14th-Century Monk Wrote About the Americas Before Columbus’ Discovery

The first Europeans to set foot on American shores are believed to be Norse sailors, or Vikings. In the 10th century, Norsemen explored and settled parts of the Canadian coastline and remained there for hundreds of years. Despite this Scandinavian knowledge of lands to the west, scholars believed Southern Europe remained largely in the dark until the voyages of Columbus. A recent discovery of mention to “Markland” (likely Labrador or Newfoundland)

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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.