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.
Archeology
August 12, 2024

2,000-Year-Old ‘Tomb of Cerberus’ Coffin Is Cracked Open in Italy

Ancient tombs reveal much about the lives of the people who once lived, but now lie entombed. Fascinating discoveries have been unearthed in tombs, including ancient liquid wine and jars of provisions buried to supply the deceased in their journey. In addition to burial goods, the human remains also tell a story—for example, two Neanderthal skeletons found embracing suggest affections long past.

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Books
July 21, 2024

Explore the Original “Alice in Wonderland” Manuscript, Illustrated by Lewis Carroll Himself

Think of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and you will probably see the grinning Cheshire Cat. Perhaps you see the Queen of Hearts with her neck frill and painted cheeks or the White Rabbit with his pocket watch. Images from this legendary book are embedded in English and American culture, with reference points and quotes that conjure iconic images. But where did such iconic images begin?

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Archeology
July 13, 2024

Explore the Oldest Existing World Map, Carved in Clay 2,600 Years Ago

How a society records the world, depicting its known boundaries and contents, says a lot about belief systems, science, and more. For example, the ancient Hereford Mappa Mundi was drawn in 1300 and depicts the world through a medieval Biblical lens. Or there is a surprisingly accurate crowd-sourced world map created by a Venetian monk in the 15th century. There are also the 12th-century renditions of Muhammad al-Idrisi, an intrepid scholar and traveler.

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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.