Archeology

April 19, 2022

Medieval Human-Shaped Lead Sarcophagus and More Found Under Notre-Dame Cathedral

Three years ago, the world was shocked when Paris' iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames. As the church's vaults crashed to the ground, they opened up a hole in the 19th-century floor. Shortly after, the French National Archeological Institute (INRAP) was called in to excavate part of the floor in order to prepare for the scaffolding that would be needed to restore Notre-Dame to its former glory.

Read Article

December 6, 2021

Long-Lost Mosaic From Caligula’s “Pleasure Boat” Is Discovered in NYC Being Used as a Coffee Table

In a case of life being stranger than fiction, a long-lost ancient mosaic was discovered in a Manhattan apartment, where it was being used as a coffee table. It's a remarkable story that returned the ancient Roman mosaic—which was created for Emperor Caligula‘s party ship—to its rightful home. If not for a series of coincidences, it would have remained in the home of art dealer Helen Fioratti, who had no idea of its incredible origins.

Read Article

August 24, 2020

Researchers Uncovered a 5,000-Year-Old Crystal Dagger Buried in Spain

Archeologists have discovered many tools left behind by prehistoric civilizations. Most of these are made of stone, but in Spain, researchers have found incredible weapons made of rock crystal. Dating back to at least 3000 BCE, these weapons include an incredible crystal dagger that would have taken enormous skill to carve. The incredible find was discovered in the megalithic tomb of Montelirio tholos, which is located in southwestern Spain.

Read Article

June 19, 2020

Ancient Church Found Hidden Under the Waters of Lake Iznik

Today, the Turkish town of Iznik is best known for its stunning ceramics. But historically, it was an important cultural center during the Byzantine and early Christian periods. These ancient roots showed themselves in 2014 when a 1,600-year-old basilica was found submerged off the shores of Lake Iznik. Incredibly, the ancient ruins had gone unnoticed until government surveyors stumbled upon them. For Dr.

Read Article

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.