History and Humanities on ZME Science

What is globalization: how goods and people move across an ever-smaller world

We’ve been moving towards it ever since we first learned how to farm.

The Chernobyl Disaster -- 35 Years Since our Worst Nuclear Tragedy

A look at what really happened at Chernobyl, what it looks like now, and what the effects of this tragedy were.

What stochastic terrorism is and why the US may see more of it

It's not the type of terrorism we're used to, but we're starting to see more and more of it.

What exactly is cryptocurrency anyway?

A basic rundown of Bitcoin and other cryptos, beyond the hype.

What the Roman Empire looked like at its peak in one glorious map

The scale of the Roman Empire during its heyday was unprecedented in the Ancient World.

Why is gold considered valuable, even today?

Gold -- who doesn't want some?

Meet Islam's Da Vinci: Al-Biruni, father of geodesy, anthropology, and master of pharmacy

The greatest polymath of the Islamic world, a mind on par with Da Vinci -- and you've probably never heard of him.

How Galileo Galilei's discoveries helped create modern science

This was a man not afraid to stand and gaze into the heavens -- thankfully for us all.

21 experts you should follow if you want to make sense of the pandemic (and a bonus)

Get your info straight from the experts source.

Historic foods: The story of polenta and its journey from poor man's food to classy delicacy

A staple in some parts of the world, completely unknown in others -- polenta is truly a historic food.

World's biggest pyramid isn't in Egypt - it's hidden under a hill in Mexico

You'd think the world's biggest pyramid is in Egypt - after all, they do call it The Great Pyramid.

Yes, there is a helium shortage, and it will affect more than just balloons

You can add helium to the long list of things there's a shortage of.

A short wrap-up of the history of falafel

Falafel? I'll take two, please.

How old is Hinduism and how it all started

One Hindu proverb says that there are many paths up the mountain, all leading to the same place. Only fools waste their time insisting their path is the right one.

Marie Curie: The Price of Knowledge

Marie Curie's tale is one of sacrifice and suffering for science and of unparalleled dedication to unlocking nature’s secrets.

What is inflation: the purchasing power cookie monster

You might have heard that inflation is related to the price of goods and services, but why does it occur and how does it affect our everyday life?

Meet the Internet's unsung heroes: Wikipedia's human collaborators

Though we take it for granted, their collective work has left the world a better place for us all.

The tragic story of the doctor who first endorsed hand washing

Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian doctor, saved countless lives by being the first to introduce mandatory hand washing for physicians.

Meet Enheduanna: Sumerian princess, priestess, and the world’s first known author

In the figure of Enheduanna, we see a powerful figure of great creativity, whose passionate praise of the goddess of love continues to echo through time.

A call to defuse the biggest threat to civilization: nuclear weapons

We're all walking around with an invisible gun constantly pointed at the back of our heads.

Who really invented the light bulb -- according to experts

Spoiler: It wasn't Edison.

Why India and Pakistan keep fighting over Kashmir -- the history of the Kashmir conflict

It's one of the world's largest running conflicts. But why is it happening?

The First Woman in Space: The Story of Valentina Tereshkova

From humble beginnings to stellar heights.

Who was Vlad the Impaler, the original Dracula?

Vlad left a bloody mark on history -- so why, then, is he treated with respect hundreds of years after he died?

The Timeline of Human Evolution

We're taking you for a ride through evolutionary memory lane, carefully listing the members of our long family tree.

The most remote tribe in the world -- untouched and uncontacted

The amazing history of a tribe forgotten by time.

Food files: Who invented hummus?

You've heard of hummus, but have you heard of the Hummus Wars? Come, let's dip in.

From paleontology to radioactivity: 5 Amazing Women Scientists

These were revolutionary female role models with passions and smarts who would prove that it did not have to be a man's world.

What was the Indus Valley Civilization: the forgotten superpower of the ancient world

One of the most advanced civilizations on Earth at its time, the Harappans tragically never made it out of Antiquity.

A hidden shortage: why the world is running low on sand

There's not nearly as much as you think.

What Einstein thought about God, the Universe, science and religion

Einstein is also often misinterpreted and even misquoted. So what did the brilliant man think of the Universe?

Who really discovered America? (Spoiler: it's not Columbus)

Everything you learned in the history books is wrong. Christopher Columbus did not "discover" the Americas.

In Medieval times, people would pay Sin Eaters to carry their sins

Eating sins for a living is a rough job.

Chocolate files: from the early days to today's dark pleasure

Chocolate is… who am I kidding — we all know what chocolate is. It’s sweet, delicious pleasure. But chocolate, this seemingly simple product has a rich and complex history which stems for almost 4,000 years. Before it took the beloved form we know today, chocolate had medicinal and ritualistic uses. The Early Mesoamerican days The Aztecs […]

17 Charts and Figures that show the US is not as developed as you'd think

Is the United States really that GREAT?

Bound around the axe: what is fascism and why do societies turn to it

It's never the same everywhere.

Celebrating women scientists -- Maria Sibylla Merian, a pioneer in both art and science

An artist and naturalist, a woman who braved a wild continent and tropical diseases for her passion and left behind remarkable works.

Amazing inventions lost through time

Science has progressed amazingly in recent years, but a handful of spectacular inventions have remained lost to knowledge.

Historical Misconceptions You Probably Believe

It's very easy to get tricked into believing something that's just not true - here we'll be taking a look at this type of thing.

The Book of Civilized Man: The good manners book from the 14th century

"Don't mount your horse in the hall" and "Do not attack your enemy while he is squatting to defecate." Good tips right here.

Vintage Files: The Curious Case of the Roman Dodecahedra

A big archaeological mystery which will likely never be solved.

The legendary Fairy Flag passed on by Scottish clan leaders for over 1,000 years

Reality is more amazing than the myths.

The mysterious Inca practice of multiple-trepanation

We all feel like drilling a hole inside our skulls sometimes, but the Inca literally meant it.

The story of Poland's secret "Flying Universities" that gave men and women equal chance, Marie Curie among them

How Polish scholars started an underground movement in the late 1800s for their education.

The Inglorious Legacy of the 'Iron Curtain' in 20 Maps

Having their troops and secret agents infiltrated through half of Europe all the way to Germany, the Soviet Union as a matter of convenience decided to keep control of all of these regions it had "liberated" during the war. The spoils of war go the victor, and the Soviet Union took this very, very seriously.

Archimedes' legacy: inventions and discoveries

Archimedes was the greatest mathematician of his age.

Louis Pasteur, Spontaneous Generation, and Germ Theory

“For I have kept from them, and am still keeping from them, that one thing which is above the power of man to make; I have kept from them the germs that float in the air, I have kept them from life.” - Louis Pasteur

George Adamson -- the man who lived with lions

If you like lions, or watching nature documentaries, the odds are you've heard of George Adamson. Nicknamed "Baba ya Simba" (Father of Lions), Adamson lived an amazing life. Best known for his award winning documentary Born Free, he managed to live among lions and make them treat him as equals, resulting in a relationship of mutual trust.

Ancient recipes: Pullum Numidicum (Numidian Chicken)

Perhaps one of the most underappreciated aspects of archaeology is cooking. We know surprisingly little about how people used to cook in ancient times, although a few delicious recipes managed to slip through the cracks and remain recorded. Such is the case with Pullum Numidicum (Numidian Chicken), a simple, delicious and authentic Roman recipe. The dish […]

Why is Ernest Hemingway Important? The Most Interesting Man in the World

Ernest Hemingway is famous for being one of the most appreciated American fiction writers. However, his personal life is no less interesting.

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