Archive for March, 2009

6
Mar

New Findings in Horse Domestication

   Posted by: admin    in Historical

Recent findings suggest that domestication of horses occurred 5500 years ago, 1000 years earlier than previously thought.  A site from the Krasnyi Yar in Kazakhstan, home of the Botai culture, yielded equine jawbones that show evidence of bit use, and pottery fragments with remnants of horse meat and milk.

These findings are causing scientists to reconsider theories regarding the spread of civilization. Horse domestication enables trade and military prowess, and speeds idea exchange.  Horses carried civilization as well as destruction through history.  Moving their timeline back 1000 years opens doors in currently held suppositions.

Read yesterday’s BBC announcement here:  Horses Tamed Earlier Than Thought

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History reveals more about the Botai horse culture here.

in 2005 my dear SCA friend Sueva did the books for my business.  Around that time I found out she’d never been to the the amazing museums of NYC which were my playground in my northern incarnation.  I was horrified–Sueva is of strong artistic bent–if anyone NEEDS to enjoy these museums, it’s her.  As a “thank you” I hosted her on a great metropolitan adventure.

We had ulterior motives.  Sueva is an accomplished glassworker.  She was in the process of recreating a vibrantly-colored stained glass piece… from a black and white photo.  That piece resides at  the Cloisters, a reproduced monastery in the Bronx which houses much of the Met’s medieval collection.  And it just so happened that the “Armored Horse in Europe” exhibition was running alongside the Met’s amazing permanent armor collection.

Off we went, artistic spirits hungry, camera in hand.  I recently found my photo archives from this adventure, including pieces that are STILL on my list of things to recreate, along with documentation.  Enjoy!

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1
Mar

Genghis Khan’s Mongolia

   Posted by: admin    in Historical, Resources

The Mongol influence infiltrated history on horses’ hooves.  We’re not traveling to Houston this spring, but we can still enjoy this phenomenal exhibit that claims to change the way the world views the Mongol Empire.  Enjoy!

http://www.genghiskhanexhibits.com/Thomas%27%20website/genius/genius.htmÂ