Cultural origins: The Sengoku Period Few ancient warriors are as well-known today as ninjas. Today, ninjas are the stuff of myth. They are renowned for almost mystical powers of stealth, martial skills, and being master assassinations. Ninjas originated in Japan … Continue reading History and Cultural Origins of Ninjas in Medieval Japan
Vincent Van Gogh’s Early Life There are few people in history that quite exemplify a “man ahead of his time” as much as the Dutch post-impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh. He was born on March 30, 1853, in a small village in … Continue reading The Life and Art of Vincent Van Gogh
Jerry Siegal and Joe Shuster Superman, Man of Tomorrow and protector of the oppressed, is one of the world’s most famous fictional characters and the quintessential “super” hero. Superman is also a cultural icon whose stories and values represent universal ideals that … Continue reading Anthropology: The Cultural Meaning of Superman, The Man of Steel
What is a Cryptid? The line between reality and folktale can often become murky. Stories of monsters that hide in the shadows often create their own reality – influencing people’s perceptions to ascribe unnatural explanations to things they think they … Continue reading The Most Famous Cryptids of North America
A Brief History of Dinosaur Paleontology When people think about extinct animals, they tend to think of dinosaurs. These legendary beasts are considered by many paleontologists to be one of the most successful animal groups in our planet’s history, ruling the planet … Continue reading The History and Evolution of Dinosaurs in the Art World
Thor’s Cultural Origins There are few deities among all mythologies in history that are as popular and well known as Thor, the Norse god of thunder, lightning, and fertility. Thor originated around the 13th century AD as part of the ancient … Continue reading Mythology and History of Thor: The Norse God of Thunder, Lightning, and Fertility
What is a Tool? Tools are objects used to serve a certain function or make a task easier to complete. Despite what some may think, the use of tools isn’t a characteristic exclusive to humans. Many animals, such as chimpanzees, … Continue reading Anthropology: The Evolution of Tools and Toolmaking