A concise history of cheese – part I

Cheddar, Mozzarella, Gruyere, Blue, Feta, Gorgonzola, cheese is a fundemental ingredient in many cuisines. Cheese is very versatile (almost a bit too versatile, in the case of Easy Cheese or Cheez Whiz) and one of the oldest fermented foods ever. So today, we’re going to take a look at this overlooked food item and seeContinue reading “A concise history of cheese – part I”

Ethnic Groups: Indo-Iranians

So this series is going to cover major ethno-linguistic (connected by shared languages and cultural similarities) groups, and I thought, why not start with a group that has done a big part in written history and whose languages and culture are among the most widely-spoken and followed even today? To start with a basic history,Continue reading “Ethnic Groups: Indo-Iranians”

A compact history of gunpowder

Gunpowder is perhaps THE most influential thing in history. Except, maybe for iron. Still, without gunpowder, much of today’s resources, countries, and even fun wouldn’t exist. Unlike its name suggests, gunpowder is used for a lot more things than guns. And, as most important things do, gunpowder’s humble origins can be traced back to secretContinue reading “A compact history of gunpowder”

Australopithecus anamensis

The australopithecines were the first hominins to be found that we know for certain came after the human-chimpanzee split. The others that we’ve covered yet are still teetering on the edge of the split between humans and chimpanzees. Australopithecus anamensis is the first of this genus, and it was 4 million years old. Au. anamensisContinue reading “Australopithecus anamensis”

Sahelanthropus tchadensis

Looking at the human family tree can be a bit too confusing, as we can’t really make out that much from fossils. For example, from fossils, we may never know if an animal liked one kind of fruit better than another or if two human species got on better than other human species. However, itContinue reading “Sahelanthropus tchadensis”

The Roots of the Black Death

The Black Death is one of the most horrifying events in history. The plague swept through Europe and the Mediterranean from 1346 to 1353. It is the most fatal pandemic known in history, killing from 75 to 200 million people. The Black Death was caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, which causes a disease calledContinue reading “The Roots of the Black Death”