Semen in the ancient world is seen from a creative force to an unclean toxin. In early anatomical thinking the semen is stored in the...

Khella plants (Ammi visnaga) are flowering herbs of the carrot family, related to Queen Anne's lace and poison hemlock. Native to parts...

The Ebers Papyrus is one of the most informative manuscripts about medicine in ancient Egypt, health, disease, remedies, surgery, recipes...

Thoth is among the most ancient of Egyptian deities. God of wisdom, knowledge, scribes, magic and the moon, he's considered the inventor...

Steatite or soapstone is a metamorphic talc rock used in carving for thousands of years. A medium-grained rock, or schist, soapstone is a...

Sistrum (pl sistra) is a ritual music rattle used in ceremony and celebration. Beloved Royal Wife Nefertari of Egypt in the 13th century...

Singing, clapping, dancing and shouting are forms of musical expression used by most early people. From Neolithic Egypt, whistles are...

Scribes assume positions of importance and influence in the ancient world. Many speak several languages and are skilled in such diverse...

The nefarious Tooth Worm lives in the teeth and causes toothache by chewing the gums or the inside of a tooth. This evil worm and its kin...

Proto Writing is a primal link in the development of literacy. Evidence of proto-writing goes back to c. 7000 BCE in Neolithic China....

Development of writing, scribes (dubsars) and scribe schools (edubas) work together to alter the Ancient World in much the same way as...

Scribes (dubsars) appear shortly after the advent of writing c. 3400 BCE in Sumer. Writing develops as a way to keep trade and commerce...

Garnet is a coveted gemstone since the Bronze Age (c. 3300 BCE). Trade brings this enchanting creation to Egypt, Mesopotamia and other...

Eridu is among the earliest cities in Mesopotamia, and the first urban center in the south land of Sumer. The seat of ancient gods, Eridu...

Mushdamma (Mushdam, Mušdam(m)a or Mušdam) is the Divine Architect of the Mesopotamian ancient world. His epithet šidim gal den-líl-lá-ke4...

Kulla is a Mesopotamian god of bricks and building. Patron of masons and masonry, he's watches over the brickmaking and building process....

Cylinder seals have been used for thousands of years. First evidence comes from the Neolithic period in Syria. The cylinder seal is...

Cylinder seals are popular throughout ancient Mesopotamia and related lands. Sometimes called roller stamps, they're tiny, usually around...

Isimud (Isimu) is the sukkal or divine attendant of Enki (Ea) primordial god of water, music, wisdom, creators and creation. Isimud is...

Gala are a special division of priests and priestesses who serve the goddess Queen of Heaven Inanna (Ishtar, Shaushka). Also called...