Author: Iain Maclean

The Industrial Revolution occured in 18th century Britain following the period of enlightenment when the lost works of Greek and Roman writers were rediscovered.  The grand ideas drawn from these discoveries such as the scientific method were responsible for a rapid expansion in knowledge and understanding that led to inventions that would change the world … Continue reading THE ANCIENT INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Xerxes pontoon bridge across the Hellespont. Everyone has already heard of the seven wonders of the ancient world. So it would seem a bit pointless for Obscure Antiquity to reiterate what you probably already know. Let's face it, the wonders of the world have been done to death, so with this in mind we thought … Continue reading 7 (civil engineering) WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD, that you’ve probably never heard of!

Cannibalism, the ultimate taboo, a word that conjures up such revulsion that it drives one to denial that it could ever have been an accepted practice amongst our ancestors. When it comes to cannibalism, modern preconceptions have led us to imagine only savage madmen driven by an insatiable hunger for human flesh could carry out … Continue reading CANNIBALISM IN THE CLASSICS

The oaken ships of the Veneti There are several tribes of the ancient world named "Veneti". From Scotland to the Adriatic and Anatolia to the Baltic sea, tribal groups with the name Veneti are spread out over a vast and disconnected area. Did any of these tribes share cultural ties? Could it be the case … Continue reading WHO WERE THE MANY TRIBES NAMED VENETI?

The life of Ducetius and the Sicel nation Ducetius was a Hellenized leader of the Sicels and founder of a united Sicilian state and numerous cities. Although they had become hellenized, the Sicels were still one of the native tribes of Sicily, the island itself taking its name from this group of native people. These … Continue reading THE NATIVE SICILIAN EMPIRE

Hannibal Barca, the father of strategy Hannibal Barca, a household name, the father of strategy, generally considered to be one of the best commanders to have ever walked the Earth! But what happened to Hannibal after the Romans defeated Carthage at the battle of Zama? Statesman, admiral, fugitive, architect! an illustrious eastern adventure to rival … Continue reading HANNIBAL’S LIFE AFTER THE DEFEAT OF CARTHAGE!

The idea of Greek cities in Scythia is hardly news to most history buffs. The Greek colonies of the black sea coast are well documented on the Crimerian Bosphorus. Colonies that went on to become strong city states in their own right, growing rich from the sale of grain to Athens. This article isn't about … Continue reading THE LOST GREEK CITY IN SCYTHIA

The islands of Orkney lie off the Northern coast of Britain. Often thought of as a windswept backwater of the prehistoric world, so remote that it is difficult to conceive they would even be known of by classical civilisations like ancient Greece and the Romans. The first mention of Orkney in the historic record comes … Continue reading ROME’S CONNECTION TO ORKNEY

Were the broch builders ZOMBIE FLESH EATING CANNIBALS??? Touched on recently in the new book "Aspects of Prehistory: Caithness Archaeology" and debated for some time, throughout this thread we dare to delve into the depths of the macabre Iron Age and discover what is behind the claims of Iron Age ritual cannibalism! During the time … Continue reading CELTIC CANNIBALISM

---ANCIENT CANALS----- The largest civil engineering project ever to be undertaken in Greece was completed by.....THE PERSIANS...???? An isthmus is a narrow stretch of land that connects a promontory stretching out into the ocean connecting two larger areas across an expanse of water by which they are otherwise separated. This geological feature can provide a … Continue reading ANCIENT CANALS – Engineering masterpieces of Antiquity