SCAtoday.net - Geography

16th century coin may prove early western discovery of Australia

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:04:51 -0400

A silver coin dated 1597 has been found on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia, possibly predating Captain Cook's discovery of the continent.

Interview with historian Natalie Zemon Davis

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 18:21:10 -0400

Medievalists.net features an interview with Dr. Natalie Zemon Davis, Professor Emeritus of History at Princeton University, who currently teaches at the University of Toronto. Davis is the author of nine books and more than 80 articles, "many of which focus on the social and cultural history of 16th century France.

16th Century Gun Powder Flask-Sundial Compass Watch

Wed, 9 May 2007 15:16:22 -0400

The "Swiss-Army-knife" of its time, a gunpowder flask/sundial compass watch is featured in a watch enthusiasts' blog complete with a large, detailed photo. The object was created in Germany around 1590.

Nicholas Howe, Anglo-Saxon scholar, dies in Oakland, California

Sun, 4 Mar 2007 13:04:29 -0500

Nicholas Howe, one of the world's leading scholars of Anglo-Saxon studies, died of complications arising from leukemia September 27, 2006 in Oakland, California. R. M. Liuzza of the University of Tennessee has posted an obituary on the Old English Newsletter website.

Today in the Middle Ages: October 2, 1535

Mon, 2 Oct 2006 12:15:36 -0400

On October 2, during his second voyage to North America, Jacques Cartier came to a town which he renamed "Montreal."

Antarctica Officially Part of Lochac

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 10:49:49 -0400

According to the official SCA geography page, "parts of Antarctica" are now officially part of the Kingdom of Lochac.

Starry-eyed Surprise: Medieval Astronomy

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 08:15:48 -0500

Dame Aoife brings us a veritable galaxy of links this week, concerning astronomy not only as a natural science but also as a medieval navigation and timekeeping aid.

Smithsonian: Aerial Photography as Archaeological Tool

Mon, 26 Dec 2005 09:25:36 -0500

Smithsonian Magazine looks at the popularity of using aerial photography to do archaeological surveys, not only to make new discoveries, but to preserve sites threatened by time and circumstance.

Place-Names of the Maltese Islands, c. 1300-1800

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 10:47:24 -0500

Dr. Godfrey Wettinger, Professor Emeritus at the University of Malta, recently spoke on place-names and surnames in Malta’s medieval history.

Homer's Ithaca Found?

Sat, 8 Oct 2005 12:58:36 -0400

British amateur archaeologist Robert Bittlestone believes he has found the location of Odysseus' fabled Ithaca as part of the Greek island of Cephalonia.

Historic Maps Stolen from British Library

Fri, 23 Sep 2005 21:52:21 -0400

Three 16th and 17th century maps have recently been stolen from bound volumes in the British Library. The theft is just the latest in a rash of crimes targeting libraries and museums.

Italian Programmer "Googles" Roman Villa

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 17:20:45 -0400

History met science recently when an Italian computer programmer discovered what he believes is the ruins of a Roman villa by studying a map found on "Google Earth."

15th Century Ottoman Maps Put to Modern Use

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 10:12:35 -0400

Several countries in the Middle East have recently requested copies of 15th century Ottoman maps to help determine modern border disputes.

Ancient Britain Remapped

Fri, 17 Jun 2005 16:29:25 -0400

Ordnance Survey of Southampton, England, is set to release a new historical map of ancient Britain, complete with place names, roads and landmarks.

Genographic Project to Map Humankind

Sat, 14 May 2005 13:28:06 -0400

In what may well be one of the most ambitious scientific projects ever, the National Geographic Society has teamed with IBM to use DNA to map the spread of humanity across the globe.