Godwin G Samuelson

  Petra, an ancient city located in Jordan, is a wonder of the world that has fascinated people for centuries. Known as the “Rose City,” Petra was lost to the Western world for centuries until it was rediscovered by a European explorer in the 19th century. Today, Petra is one of Jordan’s most popular tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The History of Petra Petra was founded by the Nabateans, Arab nomads who settled in the area around 312 BCE. The Nabateans were masters of trade and developed an intricate network of trade routes that stretched from Syria to Arabia. Petra served as their capital and was at the center of their trade routes. The city’s prosperity continued until around 106 CE when it fell under Roman rule as part of Arabia Petraea. After that, the city slowly declined until it was abandoned by its inhabitants and all but forgotten by history. It wasn’t until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered Petra in 1812 that this once great city ...

 Pompeii, a once-thriving Roman city located near Naples, Italy, was devastated by one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions in history. Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, covering the city in ash and pumice and burying it under several meters of debris. For centuries, the city remained buried and forgotten until its rediscovery in the 18th century. In this blog post, we will explore Pompeii’s history before and after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, how it was rediscovered, and what we know about life in this ancient Roman city. The History of Pompeii Pompeii was founded in the 6th or 7th century BC by Osci-speaking people from central Italy. However, it wasn’t until 80 BC when it became a Roman colony under Julius Caesar’s rule. The city rapidly grew into a bustling metropolis with an estimated population of 11,000 to 11,500 residents at its peak. The city’s strategic location near the Bay of Naples made it an important hub for trade between Rome and other cities on the Mediterranean ...

 The ruins of Great Zimbabwe located in present-day Zimbabwe are a testimony to the once-powerful African kingdom that thrived between the 11th and 15th centuries. The site, which spans over hundreds of acres, is a fascinating and mysterious reminder of the continent’s past glory. This blog post seeks to shed some light on this ancient civilization by exploring its history, architecture, culture, and decline. History of Great Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe was founded in the early 11th century by Shona people who migrated from modern-day South Africa. It grew into a prosperous trading empire thanks to its strategic location along the coast-to-coast trade route linking Arabia and China with southern Africa. The kingdom became renowned for its gold mining, ivory trade, cattle herding, and farming practices. Great Zimbabwe reached its peak during the reign of King Mutota in the late 14th century when it controlled vast territories stretching from present-day Zambia to Mozambique. The kingdo...

 Colombia is a country that boasts a diverse and rich history. One such historical marvel that has intrigued the world for its mysterious origins is Ciudad Perdida, also known as The Lost City. Hidden deep within the jungles of Colombia, this ancient city was discovered in 1972 and is believed to have been built by the Tairona civilization over 1,000 years ago. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating history and culture of Ciudad Perdida. The Discovery of Ciudad Perdida In 1972, a group of treasure hunters stumbled upon what appeared to be a series of terraced stone steps leading into dense jungle vegetation in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an isolated mountain range on the northern coast of Colombia. For decades, local indigenous tribes knew about its existence but kept it hidden. It wasn’t until archaeologists came to investigate that they realized what they were looking at – the ruins of an ancient city. The Tairona Civilization The Tairona civilization existed betwee...

 Cambodia’s Angkor Wat is a sprawling temple complex that was once the capital of the mighty Khmer Empire. The temples were hidden in the jungle for centuries before being rediscovered in the 19th century. Today, it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, attracting millions of visitors each year. A Brief History of Angkor Wat The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th centuries. At its peak, it ruled over a vast territory that included parts of present-day Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. The empire was known for its impressive architecture and engineering feats, and nowhere is this more evident than at Angkor Wat. Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as his state temple and capital city, Angkor Wat is an architectural masterpiece. It was originally dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu but later converted to a Buddhist temple complex. Angkor Wat is not just one temple but a massive com...

Cahokia, located near present-day St. Louis, was once the largest pre-Columbian city in North America. It covered an area of six square miles and had a population of 10,000-20,000 people at its peak in the 12th century. However, around the 14th century, it was abandoned by its inhabitants leaving behind impressive mounds and mysteries. In this blog post, we will explore the history of Cahokia, its significance to archaeology and what we can learn from this lost city. The History of Cahokia Cahokia was founded in the late 7th century by Native Americans who belonged to the Mississippian culture. Its location on the Mississippi River made it an ideal spot for trade and agriculture. Over time, Cahokia became a major center for politics and religion for surrounding tribes. The city’s most prominent feature is a large earthen mound called Monks Mound that stands at 100 feet tall with a base bigger than that of the Great Pyramid in Giza. This mound served as a platform for religious ceremoni...

  Atlantis, a legendary city whose existence has been debated by historians, philosophers, and explorers for centuries. The story of Atlantis was first introduced by Plato in his dialogues Timaeus and Critias, where he describes a city-state with advanced technologies and an ideal society that fell out of favor with the gods and sank into the ocean. The tale of Atlantis has captivated people’s imaginations since it was first told, but its existence has yet to be proven. In this blog post, we’ll explore what we know about Atlantis, what theories have been proposed about its location, and why the search for this lost city continues to fascinate us. What We Know About Atlantis According to Plato’s writings, Atlantis was a powerful and advanced civilization that existed around 9,000 years before his time. The city was said to be located beyond the Pillars of Hercules (known today as the Strait of Gibraltar) and was home to a highly developed society with sophisticated technology. Plato...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the world as we know it. From Siri and Alexa to self-driving cars and facial recognition software, AI is becoming an ever-present part of our daily lives. In this blog post, we’ll explore what AI is, how it works, and the different ways it’s being used today. What is Artificial Intelligence? Artificial intelligence refers to the ability of machines to learn and perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. This includes things like recognizing speech patterns, making decisions based on data analysis, and even playing games like chess or Go. AI can be broken down into two main categories: narrow or weak AI and general or strong AI. Narrow AI focuses on performing specific tasks such as language translation while general AI aims to replicate human intelligence in its entirety. How Does Artificial Intelligence Work? The core concept behind artificial intelligence is machine learning, which involves teaching machines to r...

 Many centuries ago, on a fateful day in Jerusalem, the Roman authorities crucified a man named Jesus of Nazareth. His followers mourned his death and buried him in a tomb nearby. But what happened to his body after that has been the subject of much speculation and debate over the years. One of the biggest mysteries surrounding his death is the burial shroud used to wrap his body. Is it real? Did it really bear the image of Jesus? In this blog post, we will explore the truth behind the mystery. Section 1: The History of the Shroud The first time that anyone heard about a burial shroud that might have belonged to Jesus was in 1357 when a French knight named Geoffroy de Charny put it up for display. He claimed that it had been passed down through his family for generations and that he had acquired it from Constantinople. Section 2: The Image on the Shroud One of the most intriguing aspects of the shroud is its image. It shows what appears to be a man’s face and body but with an unusu...

I f you’ve ever read the Gospels, you may have noticed that there are instances where Matthew, Mark, and Luke share very similar stories. In fact, over 90% of Mark’s gospel can be found in either Matthew or Luke. Scholars have long wondered why this is and have proposed several theories. One such theory is the existence of a hypothetical source called “Q.” In this blog post, we’ll explore what Q source is and what implications it has on our understanding of the New Testament. What is Q Source? Q (short for Quelle, meaning “source” in German) is a hypothetical document that scholars propose was used by both Matthew and Luke as one of their sources for some of their shared material. The document itself has never been found or even mentioned in any ancient text. Rather, scholars infer its existence based on similarities between certain pieces of material found in both gospels. According to scholars who believe in its existence, Q would have been written in Greek and contained sayings at...

The Copper Scroll is one of the most unusual and perplexing ancient documents ever discovered. Unlike most other archaeological finds, this scroll doesn’t describe mythical creatures or epic battles. Instead, it describes a list of hidden treasures containing massive amounts of gold, silver, and precious artifacts . Discovered in 1952 in a cave near the Dead Sea in Jordan, the Copper Scroll has been a source of intrigue for treasure hunters and historians alike. Its contents have never been fully uncovered, leading many to believe that there are untold riches still waiting to be discovered. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating story of the Copper Scroll treasures. The Discovery of the Copper Scroll The Copper Scroll was discovered by a young Bedouin shepherd named Mohammed Edh-Dhib while searching for his lost goat in a cave near Qumran. Inside the cave, he found several ancient pottery jars containing manuscripts written on parchment and papyrus. One of these manuscri...

 The True Cross, also known as the Holy Cross, is believed to be the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. Throughout history, many pieces of wood have been claimed to be a part of this cross. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at an actual piece of the True Cross and explore its significance. What is the True Cross? The True Cross refers to the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. According to Christian tradition, the cross was discovered by Saint Helena, the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine I, during her pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 325 AD. The discovery of this holy relic led to the construction of several churches and shrines dedicated to it. Over time, fragments of wood believed to be from the True Cross have been distributed across the world. These pieces are often kept in reliquaries and are venerated by Christians worldwide. An Actual Piece of the True Cross One such piece is located in Santo Toribio de Liébana Monastery in Spain. This monaste...

 The Holy Grail has been an object of fascination for centuries. It is a symbol of purity, divinity, and spiritual power, and has been the subject of countless myths, legends, and historical accounts. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of the Holy Grail and its significance in various cultures throughout the ages. Section 1: Origins of the Holy Grail The origins of the Holy Grail are shrouded in mystery. Some believe that it was a cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, while others think that it was a vessel used to catch his blood during the crucifixion. Still, others believe that it was simply a mythical object created by medieval storytellers. One of the earliest references to the Holy Grail comes from Chrétien de Troyes, a French poet who lived in the late 12th century. In his poem “Perceval, or The Story of the Grail,” he describes a magical cup that gives eternal life to those who drink from it. Section 2: Medieval Myths and Legends The story of King Arthur an...