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The term 'belly dance' is thought to have originated in Egypt and is thought to have been first translated into English in 1899 an then into the French word 'danse du ventre'. In the Arabic language the word for 'belly dance' is known as raqs sharqi, which literally means 'oriental dance'. The word translated into Arabic can also be known as raqs baladi, which literally means 'dance of country', 'national' and 'folk dance'. In Turkish, belly dance is known as cifetelli, in the Bulkans and Greece it is known as tsiftetelli. Belly dancing is one of the oldest forms of social dancing and originated in Northern Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Ancient Egyptian art provides examples of belli dancing...

The Victorian era is historically defined as the period of time Queen Victoria was in power from June 1837 to January 1901. All jewelry produced during this era is thus named Victorian jewelry. But just because it was created over this span of nearly 64 years doesn't mean it is all identical. The style of jewelry evolved as Queen Victoria's tastes and influence evolved. The longest living monarch in English history, her time symbolically running her country involved a rise in the appreciation for fashion and culture culminating with her successor King Edward. At 18, the newly appointed Queen of England was a welcome breath of fresh air for England. And it showed in the way the public instantly...

Germany is one of the top holiday destinations in Europe. The tourists are drawn to it due to its panoramic landscapes. The country has it all - sandy beaches by the blue sea, beautiful lakes, enchanting lowland plains or hiking in the tranquility of the rolling hills and the snow clad cliffs of the Alps. There is a big range of tourist activities that is found here. Tourists flock the country in winter months to participate in various sports that are organized there. You can rent rooms in the shi resorts that are available various budget ranges. So there is diverse range of holiday rentals in Germany. You can rent a cottage in the county side and explore the pretty villages and the magnificent...

Travel Rome by air plane and enjoy its breathtaking views. As there are plenty of things to see and to do, it is also among the wonderful hot spot and however presence of so many exotic locations. Experience the numerous things you can do, go out for sight seeing, or experience the authentic local lip smacking cuisines or explore the various theme parks and take home a life time fun filled memories along with you. Rome is all set to turn your heads down with its tempting sights, warm sunny glow, and cool light breeze. But to experience such moments you first need to look out on ways from where to find the cheap airlines tickets for Rome. There is always a trick to get affordable discount airfare to...

So you have decided to take a tour to China? As China brags of many cities and towns filled with history of ancient civilizations, you probably would be wondering where to go in China. Well, it should not be a very hard decision to make; Beijing should definitely be the first stop over on a planned tour in China. Beijing, one of the first attractions and most exciting places to visit is located in the North of China. It is the country’s capital which demonstrates most of the country’s cultural heritage. The natives are preparing the beautiful city in anticipation for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. So, the upcoming years will be a perfect time to take a tour to Beijing. Beijing is the home of...

The exotic destination of Vietnam lies in Southeast Asia's center, bordering China in the north, Laos and Kampuchea in the West, and the Pacific Ocean in the east. The entire country stretches from the Ha Tuyen province in the north to the Minh Hai province in the south, and includes thousands of enticing offshore islands and striking archipelagos. Archeologists date Vietnam's genesis to approximately 300,000 years ago. Official history, however, dates Vietnam's beginnings to about 4,000 years ago. Although the French governed Vietnam from 1858-1954, the name "Vietnam" conjures images of the war with the United States, which ended more than twenty years ago. Today, Vietnam welcomes tourists from...

When one considered the sheer breadth and size of the African continent it is easy to see why so many unique and diverse forms of art originated there. Ancient, as well as modern black artists of Africa rely heavily on the natural resources found in their homes to produce their fascinating sculptures, textiles, and pottery. Like their surrounding neighbors, the Ife has long made excellent use of the materials graciously given to them by the environment. The result has been a long tradition of products of Ife art that depicts life in Western Africa. Up to the present day Ife artists employ many of the same artistic methods as their ancestors. Fortunately for them and the world, many of the...

So much of our time as astrologers is spent on personal application of astrology as natal and predictive charting. We have a variety of tools to choose from, such as progressions, directions, transits, planetary returns, eclipses and lunations. We can lose sight of those larger, longer cycles which describe and influence the actual evolution of human society and culture and even broader in scope to include the development and experience of our world and all of its species. Astrologically those cycles are defined in time and meaning by the conjunction between the outer planets. The seven astrological bodies, the Sun, Moon and 5 inner planets were the basis for astrology for millenia even though some...

Despite controversies on the rights of the veddas, the Maduru Oya National Park has been declared as a vedda reservation site. With a history so rich and possibly the only connection Sri Lankans have to their ancestors, the well-being of the veddas should be taken into consideration. It's true, the veddas have means of living and their children are being educated in a vedda school while some veddas have graduated to being business people and talking on mobile phones. However, the veddas do like it when tourists and domestic travelers visit them. Having a different language where one might hear names like 'Kekuli' and 'Kekuli-pojji', it is good to know that history is still preserved in places like...

Greece is famous for hosting the Olympics, but they also have many other things to offer visitors, including science, drama, philosophy, and art.  Fifteen million tourists take a Greece vacation every single year.  When taking a holiday in Greece, you will find that most of the attractions are centered in Athens, but there are outside areas that offer you just as much to look at.  Here are some things that you should be sure to see when you discover Greece.   1. Acropolis.  This is the most famous attraction in Greece, so you will want to be sure to add it to your list first when you discover Greece.  You will be in awe of the retelling of the Olympian legends and the stunning majesty of the...

Spending a vacation at Honolulu is the best way of relaxation and recreation during your holiday. Honolulu, being the capital of Hawaii is the largest populated and biggest city in Hawaii. There is no dearth of tourist spots in Honolulu as it is a complete whole island within the isles that make up Hawaii. The city of Honolulu carries its own mysterious charm and archaeologists have found many ancient artifacts which speaks of an enchanting history of the 12th century. The island of Honolulu is situated 2000 miles from the south tip of California. While it is warm weather there it is also a semi-arid region and temperatures are humid throughout the year. Between October and March there is seasonal...

Pakistan is a South Asian country, located just above the Tropic of Cancer. It shares borders with India (East), China (North-East), Afghanistan (North West) and Iran (West), while Arabian Sea (1046 km/650 mi) marks its Southern boundary. Pakistan gained sovereignty from British India on August 14, 1947. Its inception has been credited to many people, eminent of who were: the great thinker and poet Iqbal, and the Jinnah (Quaid-e-Azam or The Great Leader). Creation of Pakistan saw one of the biggest migrations of history as millions of Muslims left India for the new born state. Pakistan comprises of four provinces, namely Punjab, Sind, Baluchistan and N.W.F.P; a capital territory and federally...

American author Erica Jong once asked "What is the fatal charm of Italy? What do we find there that can be found nowhere else?" She then concluded that Italy gives visitors "...a certain permission to be human, which other places, other countries, lost long ago." I wholeheartedly agree with Miss Jong. It is only when I am visiting my folks back in my home country that I truly feel alive. Italy delights the eyes and heightens the senses. Whether it is the aroma of a freshly poured espresso, the taste of exquisite porcini mushrooms or the sound of distant church bells, you notice every one of life's details when in Italy. ROME AND CHILDREN Italians have always adored children and now that the country...

Omens are essentially events or occurrences that are thought to tell the future. They often signal the beginning of a great change, and though many people feel cautious about bad omens and what they might mean, the truth of the matter is that omens could traditionally foretell good things or bad things. Most cultures have some history of using omens, and in some cases, the omens were even used to predict the actions that a great leader might have taken. Some of the earliest mentions of omens in human history come from the ancient Romans. Omens were such an important part of public and private life that there were two types of omen readers. Haruspices found omens in the entrails of sacrificial...

The old saying goes, “Everything old is new again.” When it comes to aging and your health, that’s not such a bad thing, is it? The Ancient Romans had a secret weapon in the fight to stay young and healthy. Twenty odd years ago, modern scientists discovered the so-called French Paradox, where despite diets significantly higher in fat and calories, the French had significantly lower rates of heart disease and cardiac arrest than the rest of Western culture. Now, thanks to research into resveratrol and the development of resveratrol supplements, that same secret is available to everyone. The Secret of Resveratrol    What the French and Ancient Roman diets have in common is red wine. The...

The vegetable cabbage is very easy to grow and is readily available in the market. It is cultivated in most countries worldwide just like other common cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower which are part of our day to day cooking. Cabbage is famous for its nutritional values, medicinal effects, and other therapeutic properties which earned it a spot in the diet world - the Cabbage Soup Diet. Vegetable Family and History Cabbage is from the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family under the group of Brassica oleracea Capita. It was local to the Mediterranean region coming from a leafy mustard herb. The ancient Romans and Greeks have used the cabbage to prepare some forms of...

Wedding rings are a must in any wedding, especially where the Christians are concerned. It is a symbol of unity with, love for and commitment to another person. But do you know that these rings actually have pagan roots? The history of them is just like the rings themselves: it has no beginning and no end. Without an exact specific time as to when they came about, rings for weddings were first worn by the ancient Romans. These rings, although they were merely called as "finger rings", were used to "tie" or bond people not just with their own social class, but also to their marital partners. Specifically done in the betrothal ceremonies, the groom will give a plain iron finger ring to the bride's...

The horse-drawn carriage is a familiar image to most people. Despite the advent of the automobile (the "horseless carriage"), there are still many people who regularly engage in carriage driving, both for sport and recreation. In the horse lover's world, carriage driving is a creative niche with a rich history and colorful characters. Like any sport, it takes years of training and practice to master it. History and Variety of Carriages Since the first horses were domesticated by people, they have been pulling them in carriages. The Romans built chariots and wagons, and used them both in battle and for entertainment. The Celts used a "horsecart": a platform suspended in an elastic frame. The early...

Togas are most often considered to be Greek in origin and are usually associated with college sororities and fraternities. In fact, the history of these flowing garments may be traced to ancient Rome. Moreover, these long panels of woolen cloth were worn as everyday attire. Once Greek-styled, shirt-length togas were introduced, the more formal, full-length Roman togas were reserved for ceremonial events, government officials, and various high-ranking individuals. With the recent popularity of the gladiator theme in many recent motion pictures like Gladiator, the 300 and the recent remake of Clash of the Titans, Greek and Roman costumes have had a resurgence in popularity. In ancient Greek society...

neglected in comparison to its well-know neighbour to the south, North Cyprus has come into its own in recent years and now stands proudly as one of the most ‘up and coming’ Mediterranean holiday destinations. The island’s history has seen it under the rule of most of the world’s powers; from the Romans, ancient Greeks and Lusignans, to its more recent past as a British colony. In the 1970’s, the island was subject to international dispute again, culminating in an invasion by Turkish forces to protect the interests of their compatriot Turkish Cypriots. The result was the ‘green line’. Under the control of the United Nations, this border separated the two...

What benefits can be derived from a modern Jacuzzi Spa for stress relief? The word spa is taken from the famous natural mineral water springs at Spa in Belgium and has become used as a common noun to describe any place with a mineral or medicinal spring If one goes back in time to Roman times it is interesting to note that of all the various leisure options available at that time that bathing in warm water sometimes using naturally heated water was one of the most revered. The liquid we know as water is an amazing natural resource. A liquid that we can drink and consume but is a fluid capable of being solid when frozen and increases in density at 4 degrees centigrade. Warm water is often used in...

">What are the very many benefits that can be derived from a modern Jacuzzi Spa for stress relief? The word spa is taken from the famous natural mineral water springs at Spa in Belgium and has become used as a common noun to describe any place with a mineral or medicinal spring If one goes back in time to Roman times it is interesting to note that of all the various leisure options available at that time that bathing in warm water sometimes using naturally heated water was one of the most revered. The liquid we know as water is an amazing natural resource. A liquid that we can not only drink and consume but is a fluid capable of being solid when frozen and increases in density at 4 degrees...

The temperate climate and impressive coastline of South West England make it one of the United Kingdom's most popular regions. Inland too, the varied landscapes of upland moors, steep river valleys and rolling hills provide the visitor with a diverse and intriguing escape. It is a region notable for its coastal cliffs and steep upland moors, drained by a network of rivers and streams. To the west of Somerset, the land rises to the heath laden Quantocks and Brendon Hills before reaching Exmoor and Dunkery Beacon, Somerset's highest peak at 1700ft. The brooding granite uplands of Dartmoor, the result of ancient volcanic activity, dominate Devon. Its northern coast consists of sweeping sandy beaches...

Barcelona to Gerona Driving Tour This driving tour is about 103km in length, and will take you about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. Starting out from Barcelona, the key is to travel along the north east coast get onto the Gerona A7 road, then the Autopista Barcelona-Montmelo Road and the AP 7 road, which is a partial toll road. Gerona is a pleasant and attractive medieval city, which is perched on the side of a hill and offers great space to explore. Places to look out for are the Cinema Museum, the historic Jewish Quarter and the Roman ruins in the area, notably the Roman baths. The medieval architecture is really something to savour in the town. Girona is actually an ideal base if you wanted...

With a 2006 population of 90,000, Bath is located in the south west region of England and is built around the only naturally occurring Hot Springs in the UK (thus the name!). The Romans established it as a spa resort in 43 A.D., building bathing complexes and temples in the surrounding area. During the Middle Ages, Bath prospered mainly through its wool trading, but in the 18th century Bath became a center of fashionable life, and many of its cultural and architectural landmarks were constructed. Today, Bath is known for its beautifully preserved Georgian architectural structures. Probably the most well-known is the Royal Crescent, a fabulous structure of connected Georgian houses built between 1767...

When traveling, practical concerns sometimes prevent us from being creative. Whether it's transportation issues, lack of research, or simple uncertainty about where to go, when we visit a country we've never been to before, most of us start with the obvious places-the big cities, or the major tourist attractions. This way, we at least know that we'll be in a safe place where there are liable to be other tourists and plenty of familiar landmarks. I must admit, the first couple of times I visited England, I stayed in the London area. It's not that I wasn't interested in the rest of the country-it's just that I didn't now where to go and what to do. I was always a little disappointed by my London...

In the thoughts of the average men, who know about England only by hearsay, Great Britain is the country of gray fogs, oat porridge, textiles & factory smoke; filled with dull & pedantic people. The above description may be partially true, especially about the gray fogs. Nonetheless, you can't say much until you yourself have been to England & receive plenty of "How are you, love?" greetings. London, England's capital was created by the Roman conquerors in 43 ad of our era on the northern bank of the River Thames & was named Londinium. The ruins of Roman walls, until now, are one of the pretty sights in the city. Tourists begin their journey from the Tower of London - once a medieval...

If you dream of a quaint, historic town with a fairytale castle set in a landscape of rolling, green hills, with tranquil lakes, clean rivers full of fish, and miles and miles of wild flower meadows and oak and sweet chestnut forests, then Rochechouart is your dream come true. Rochechouart is a picturesque, medieval fortified town dating from 965 situated on the western border of Limousin, South West France. On the borders of the Dordogne and the Charente, it is almost exactly half way between the popular cities of Limoges and Angouleme. Rochechouart forms the ideal base for a holiday packed with things to please all the family, and for people from all walks of life. The town derives its name...

How is the hero of the Trojan War related to the Peloponnese Peninsula? Is the Peloponnesus locale an island or is it part of the mainland? Why is the coastline of this region so special? Since there is so much to see along the way, we will begin our tour in Athens. Bring your camera and tour Corinth, Nemea and its beautiful vineyards, Also; visit Mycenae, Epidavros, Argos, and my personal favorite, Naphlion with us. Look, we can see a ship going through the isthmus of the Corinth Canal. If we are lucky, we can also get a glimpse of lowering the bridge into the water as the ships pass through. Did you know that St. Paul was put on trial by the Romans in Corinth? The Roman Baths are visible in...

Britain is a great place to visit if you are interested in History; it has many castles, ancient monuments and attractions to visit. London is home to some of Britain's most famous landmarks. Buckingham Palace and the infamous Tower of London can be visited as a group. You can also take one of the big red tourist buses around London and listed to some of the history and attractions. British Museum This museum holds more history than any other museum in the world. Up until five years ago, most of the museum's collections had been stored away in the warehouse. Now the exhibits are on full display and ready to impress. Stonehenge Stonehenge is one of the most remarkable man-made creations of the...

With the astounding success of the movie "Zeitgeist," there has been a great deal of interest in the Egyptian god Horus. In that movie, which purportedly has been viewed some 100 million times, there were several comparisons between the lives of Horus and Jesus Christ. How true are these comparisons? As it turns out, they are true for the most part, because they represent mythical motifs, not "history." And this mythology is largely based on the movements of the sun and other natural phenomena. One of the claims in the movie that draws a large amount of attention is that Horus was "crucified." Is this claim true? If you are thinking that it means Horus was killed by crucifixion, being thrown down to...

Madrid City is the capital of Spain since 1576 and is famous for numerous historical Spanish monuments. The city of Madrid is said to be one of the very expensive gems on Spain's tourist map. All the year round, Madrid, which is also a popular industrial town, is overflowing with tourists from all corners of the earth. Some of the most popular attractions of Spain situated in Madrid are the Royal castle, the Spanish museums of el Prado and Reina Sofia. The museums exhibit the invaluable paintings of the famous Velasquez, Miro, Goya as well as Picasso. Detailed below is a list of famous museums of Madrid: Museo Nacional Centro do Arte Reina Sofia or MNCARS The MNCARS has rich collections of the works...

What is unusually rare about these artifacts is that the ancient pair represents the most Holy Symbol of ISLAM – The Crescent Moon and The Star and The Pleiades Star Cluster. Although The Crescent and Star symbol is much older than Islam itself the appearanceof it on ancient gold jewelry is very rare. The Necklace and Amulet is one of the earliestrepresentations of this religious symbol in the form of ancient gold artwork with noanalog known to exist. This artifacts' scientific name "The Persian-Sarmatian Tribal King's Ritual Gold Pectoral Necklace & Amulet" provides the insight into the great historical and archaeologicalimportance of these two items. Discoveries do not end here. The Necklace...

Cyprus has seen many invaders and rulers come and go over the years including the Roman empire. Before the arrival of Rome the Island was under the control of Egypt around the time of Queen Cleopatra. Much bargaining was done between her, Mark Antony and Caesar himself as she attempted to hold onto what was left of her empire. In fact Cyprus was temporarily passed over to Cleopatra first by Julius Caesar and then later by Mark Antony only to revert to Roman control in 30 BC as a senatorial province. The events leading up to this time have been well documented and most readers will be aware of some of what went on between this passionate power crazed love triangle. It looked like the Romans where...

Description and dating The artifacts consist of terracotta jars approximately 130 mm (5 in) tall (with a one and a half inch mouth) containing a copper cylinder made of a rolled-up copper sheet, which houses a single iron rod. At the top, the iron rod is isolated from the copper by bitumen plugs or stoppers, and both rod and cylinder fit snugly inside the opening of the jar, which bulges outward towards the middle. The copper cylinder is not watertight, so if the jar was filled with a liquid containing citric acid, this would surround the iron rod as well. The artifact had been exposed to the weather and had suffered corrosion, although mild given the presence of an electrochemical couple. This...

Those who believe in the Mayan Prophecy of 2012 claim that when the Mayan long count calendar runs out of days on December 21, 2012, the world will end. Could it be possible that an ancient civilization really knew what the future would hold for us? The Mayan calendar was written a thousand years ago and was over five thousand years long. Can the simple fact that it ends truly foretell the ending of this world? As a stand alone prophecy, perhaps not. The Mayan calendar represented a cyclical time frame, beginning and ending with a precise sun/earth/galaxy configuration which repeats itself roughly every five thousand, two hundred and some years. What gives credence to the prophecy is the number of...

Not only the importance of the World Cup under the age 20 FIFA to be one of the best current competitions at the international level, but it is characterized by its long history and track record, and the events that have been established in the memory of football throughout the ages. It is the second oldest tournament competition organized by the International Federation of football after the World Cup FIFA for adults, where due date of the first session of the Youth World Cup in 1997 in Tunisia, while Egypt will host the seventh session version later this year. It is also the second largest tournament finals along with the World Cup, FIFA U-17 years, with each comprising 24 teams. And saw lots of...

Everybody is aware that 2012 is the year when many events are expected to happen, and among them is polar reversal where earth will change the course of its direction and rotation, leading to massive damages. There are actually a lot of pole shift survival tips that went out on the internet because of this distressing news as well as speculations on what will transpire when this event finally comes. Yes, polar reversal is just one of the many events predicted to come to pass in December 21 of 2012; in fact, such predictions were calculated from the pictures courtesy of NASA, and also from the numerous observations of various scientists and archeologists who also believed in ancient predictions from...

Will December 21, 2012 mark the end of the world, or the beginning of a new age of enlightenment? As we move closer to the date, interest in this date grows strong, with many books and videos exploring the possibilities. 2012 enthusiasts may supplement their knowledge of this coming event at an upcoming conference to be held at the Association For Research and Enlightenment. "2012: Mayan Date of Destiny" explores all the myths and facts of December 21, 2012, the last date on the ancient Mayan calendar. This three-day conference will be held from July 18 - 20, 2008 at the A.R.E. Visitors Center in Virginia Beach. The Association For Research and Enlightenment, founded in 1931 by Edgar Cayce, serves...

We arrived in Verona at dusk driving through the ancient and well-preserved defensive walls of the city at Porta Nuova. Colored buildings in hues of orange and yellow flanked both sides of our drive, which culminated in the third largest Roman arena in the world. It was awe-inspiring as I thought about the structure's 2,000-year history. My wife quickly reminded me to turn right and to keep my eyes on the narrow cobblestone streets as we searched for a suitable hotel room. All of the cars in the city were compact or sub-compact in size, since anything larger wouldn't fit down the narrow alleyways. We settled on L'Hotel Giulietta e Romeo hidden around the corner from the arena. I asked for a...

What is a visitor to Europe hoping to see? Museums and art galleries? Beaches, mountains and beautiful scenery? Important historical monuments dating back hundreds, even thousands of years? All of the above no doubt, because Europe is a treasure trove containing all these things and much, much more. But assuming you only have limited time available for a visit and you want to see as much as possible, where should you include? The following is a short list of just five of the unmissable highlights: Stonehenge Located in south-west England near Salisbury, Stonehenge is an immediately recognisable ring of prehistoric stones. Their beauty is greatly enhanced by the mysteries that surround them - why are...

Although one could easily spend a month or more in Rome and never see everything there is to see, there are 8 must-see sights for the first-time visitor. 1. St. Peter's Basilica -- One of the most famous churches in the world, St. Peter's is monumental in scope. Its majesty is evident both inside and out. The Piazza San Pietro is a grand entrance to the church itself. A special treat within is Michelangelo's Pieta that some consider his greatest work. Also, climb 537 steps to the top of the great dome for a breathtaking view of all of Rome. In addition, you might want to take in the Sistine Chapel with its frescoed ceiling by Michelangelo and the scenes from Genesis. Allow at least 3 hours after...

The Colosseum is one of the world's greatest mysteries? How come people of long ago can get so intelligent and intuitive in their design skills that they can build one massive structure? It can even contain as much as 60,000 people who could enter into the venue through 80 arches. However, the Colosseum is more than just an amphitheater. It also speaks about the culture of the ancient Romans, who were fond of battles, victory, losses, and liberation. The Colosseum, which could have been named after the statue of Colossus situated near it and for its gigantic size, was built during the Flavian dynasty. Gladiator games and circuses were two of the best forms of entertainment organized by the heads of...

If we look at the history of mankind, there has never been a time when any other form of communication equaled spoken words in terms of their value and importance. If one traces the development of mankind from what he considers its earliest stage, he will find that the wandering family of savages depended entirely upon what its members said to one another. A little later, when a group of families made a clan or tribe, the individuals still heard speeches of their leaders, or they voiced their own opinions in tribal meetings. The spoken words of tribal leaders were viewed with respect and were obeyed without any objections. Poetry is another form of powerful spoken words that was prevalent in the...

#ffffff;" /> Ohio is a Midwestern State in the United States which is also known as the Buckeye State due to the presence of the Ohio Buckeye Tree. The Anglicized term Ohio comes from the Iroquois word "Ohi-Yo" which implies a great river. The state is a pot pourri of many activities and places. It is truly a melting pot in every sense. The landscape in the state is the perfect lure for tourists from all parts of the globe. Ohio has Lake Erie which lends a coastal feel to the place on the one hand and on the other, the Hocking Hills region offers the best opportunity for rock climbing and trekking for the nature enthusiasts. Ohio also has a mix of many cultures and ethnicities which gives it a...

Almost every ancient culture has a flood myth that describes a man building a craft in order to genetically survive the destruction of the Earth with water by gods. One of the oldest flood myths is the Sumerian "Eridu Genesis." The Babylonian "Epic of Gilgamesh," the Laotian "Legend of Khun Borom," the Finnish "Kalevala," the Indonesian "Batak," The Maori "Ngati Porou," The Malaysian "Temuan," the Norse "prose Edda,"the Irish "Lebor Gabala Erenn," The Indian "Shatapatha Brahmana," the Aztec "Codex Chimalpopoca," and the Inca "Viracocha," all have similar flood myths involving gods and a flood "Hero" of some sort. Joseph Campbell called this "The Transformation of Myth Through Time." His theory was...

The Twilight Saga has managed to make the town of Volterra in Tuscany very famous across the world. The scenes of the movie in Volterra was splashed across the internet, over the Twilight sites to YouTube. This has not only become a tourist destination for Twihards, but it really is currently considered a 'must' to go to when in Italy. This Tuscan province of Pisa that Volterra is part of had been populated even over the Neolithic times. 'Volterrae' is the original Latin word for modern Volterra.' More plus much more visitors never actually thought that they might be able to see numerous sites. (Even though it is a town that has all the monuments and Roman architecture, the clock tower in the book...

ugh China's four great inventions of gunpowder, one of the birthplace remains a mystery, but as the country's largest yet discovered gunpowder industrial sites, Jiangyou Laojunshan region is a real "hometown of gunpowder," has no doubt. Recently, the reporter learned from the Jiangyou Laojunshan scenic, Chung Wa Laojunshan on the town in October this year, determined to build China's first gunpowder industrial museum, ancient mining saltpeter, saltpeter refining this period of history will be restored in the museum, gunpowder Museum powder produced in China will also witness the eternal mystery. It is reported that NOx Laojunshan ancient sites are actively apply for world cultural heritage, a great...

When Zeus sent two eagles to find the centre of the Earth, the birds met over Delphi, thus marking the site as the omphalos, or 'navel' of the world. It was here, amidst the precipitous cliffs and plunging gorges between Mt Parnassus and the Gulf of Itea, that the cult of Apollo was established, with devotees arriving from far and wide to seek the advice of the oracle of Delphi. At the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia is one of the great masterpieces of ancient architecture, the circular Tholos temple, dating from the 4th century BC. As you walk up the sacred way to the great Temple of Apollo, it is easy to imagine the proverbs once inscribed upon it, including `know thyself and 'nothing in excess', and...