History

Scotland’s 6,000-Year-Old Stone House Still Has Its Stone Furniture

Now that is awesome!

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Located at Knap of Howar on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney, Scotland is a stone house that is considered by many as the oldest of its kind in northern Europe. According to radiocarbon dating, the structure was occupied from about 3700 BC to 2800 BC – which dates back much earlier than other stone houses found in the settlement at Skara Brae on the Orkney Mainland.

And it’s actually very fascinating!

As you will see on the photos below, the farmstead has two thick-walled buildings with low doorways facing towards the sea. The larger, older structure is assumed to either be a workshop or a second house.

Scotland’s stone house isn’t only ancient – it is impressively awesome in terms of construction.

It is likewise noticeable that the stone homes didn’t have any windows. The dwellers’ probably depended on fire for illumination and their roof likely had a hole to let the smoke out.

The walls measure 1.6 meters (5 ft 3 in) in height and the stone furniture inside it gives us a picture of how life was back in ancient times.

Stone beds, fireplaces, partition screens, and storage shelves are still almost intact. Post holes can also be seen which were obviously used for the roof’s structure.

A visitor’s backpack placed at the entrance gives us an idea of the structure’s scale.

Evidence found in the middens likewise indicates that those who lived in these houses took care of cattle, sheep, and pigs. It is also highly possible that they cultivated barley and wheat and gathered shellfish, among others.

History

The Only Japanese Survivor of the Titanic was Called a Coward for Not Dying

The only Japanese person who survived the sinking of the Titanic was shamed for not dying with the other passengers.

michpusa

Masabumi Hosono boarded the Titanic on that fateful day, not knowing that this ride would mar the rest of his life. Hosono was 42 at the time and working as a civil servant in the Japanese ministry of transport. He was sent to Russia in 1910 to research the Russian state railway system. On his way back to Japan, he first went to London, then Southampton where he boarded the Titanic on April 10, 1912.

Masabumi Hosono survived the sinking of the Titanic and was shamed for saving his own life.

Source: Wikipedia

On April 14th, the night when the Titanic sank, Hosono was asleep in his compartment when he was suddenly awakened by a steward in the second class compartment of the ship. He managed to get up on deck, only to see that the lifeboats were diminishing one by one. Hosono then began to prepare himself for his imminent death.

History

Meet “Iron Hand”, The Toughest Knight and Most Notorious Mercenary of the Middle Ages

Apparently, getting hit by a cannonball wasn’t enough to put this fighter down!

Mark Andrews

More popularly known as Götz of the Iron Hand, Gottfried "Götz" von Berlichingen is a notorious German mercenary whose services were hired by lords and kings.

History tells us that Götz was active in numerous campaigns from 1498 to 1544 - that's for a span of 47 years. He fought not only on the German Peasants’ War but numerous other feuds. In fact, his autobiography gives us information that he has fought at least 15 feuds under his name. This doesn't even include other instances when he was asked to assist in feuds against the Augsburg, Cologne, Ulm, and the Swabian League.

Back in 1504, Götz was badly injured when he was hit by a cannonball during the siege of the southeast German town of Landshut in the name of Albert IV, the Duke of Bavaria. That incident, however, was not enough to put him down.

History

In 1721, A Russian Carpenter Built The World’s First Military Submarine

Yes, this barrel-shaped wooden vessel was capable of staying underwater. So amazing!

Mark Andrews

If you thought submarines are inventions of modern origin, then you might want to think again. As it appears, plans for a submersible boat dated back as early as 1578.

History tells us about William Bourne, an Englishman who created one of the first concepts of underwater boats. In 1620, his drawn concept was realized by Dutch builder Cornelius Drebbel.

The submarine was made from wood, had oars for propellers, and was, amazingly, capable of staying underwater for several hours. It had attached tubes that made it possible for air to circulate the surface to the crew below.