History

July 29, 2026

DNA and Archeological Research Reveal the Overlooked History of Japan’s Women Warriors

For centuries, popular depictions of Japan’s samurai have focused almost entirely on men. Paintings, films, and historical narratives often present warfare as a male domain, leaving little room for women in the story. However, archaeological discoveries and historical records suggest that women played a more active role in Japan’s military past than many people realize. Recent discussions about female warriors have gained attention thanks to research conducted at several Japanese battlefield burial sites.

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June 26, 2026

How Estevanico, an Enslaved African Man, Survived a Shipwreck To Cross the U.S. Decades Before European Settlement

In 1528, an enslaved man from Morocco washed ashore on what’s now Texas. He was worse for wear; he had spent a month adrift in the Gulf of Mexico alongside Spanish sailors on a rickety lifeboat. Eventually, the small group landed on an island near present-day Galveston, Texas, where they would be the first people from the Old World (parts of the world known to Europeans) to enter what’s now the United States.

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June 20, 2026

Earliest Surviving Edition of ‘King Arthur’ Manuscript Is Going up for Auction

The tales of King Arthur and Merlin have been told for centuries, mythologized and rewritten into a legend that has influenced the way we tell stories. Now, one of the earliest surviving manuscripts is up for auction at Christie’s in July 2026, and the sale is likely to reach a whopping $2 million. The manuscript, which is believed to be the earliest edition of the stories ever at auction, is from roughly 1290–1310.

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May 12, 2026

Honey Found in 3,000-Year-Old Ancient Egyptian Tombs Is Still Safe To Eat

Nearly everything in the supermarket today either comes with an expiration date or isn’t considered fresh for very long. That’s why it may be hard to believe but there is one natural product that, with the right conditions, can last hundreds, or even thousands of years—honey. Over the years, archeologists have come across pots of unspoiled, perfectly safe to eat honey in ancient Egyptian tombs.

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My Modern Met

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