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I am stealing this idea from another room , which in turn stole the idea from the TV show Cash Cab . Since we are devoted to history , cash cab seemed to modern , so I opted for a more ancient and classical mode of transportation . It works like this , I ask a question and the person who comes up with the correct answer first gets to ask the next question , preferably relating to archaeology and history .

I have been wondering as humans left Africa what size group would have "best" made the trip?
My theory: numbers under 60 with death so easily around the corner illness did not offer the critical mass in numbers needed to be bigger then 59 however once I started to think about large numbers as numbers 700 to thousand range As hunter gathers they would clean out an area to fast.?

Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, is the site of two Anglo-Saxon cemeteries of the 5th century and early 6th century, one of which contained an undisturbed ship burial including a wealth of artifacts of outstanding art-historical and archaeological significance.

Sutton Hoo is of a primary importance to early medieval historians because it sheds light on a period of English history which is on the margin between myth, legend and historical documentation. Use of the site culminated at a time when the ruler (Raedwald) of East Anglia held senior power among the English people, and played a dynamic (if ambiguous) part in the establishment of Christian rulership in England. It is central to understanding of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of East Anglia and of the period in a wider perspective.

The ship-burial, probably dating from the early 7th to 9th century and excavated in 1939, is one of the most magnificent archaeological finds in England for its size and completeness, far-reaching connections, quality and beauty of its contents, and for the profound interest of the burial ritual itself.
(wiki)

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While this is nothing new, I found it again while doing a post in my British group. I love the fact that people still find things in the soil of Britain and sometimes magnificent things. So thought I would just throw this out there again for anyone who enjoys such things.

I had a touch of something today so I watched T.V on the science station they had a show called Neanderthal reemerging. The show focused on whether or not Neanderthals could make sounds enough to speak. A cording the show Even with the larynx located down in the throat and with such large nasal cavity the sounds they made were probably a higher pitch. The show ended saying it was all theoretical but there was no reason why neanderthats could not have developed some words

I am currently reading the abridged version of Douglas Southall Freeman's famous book , Lee's Lieutenants , cut back from the original 2500 or so pages to a " slim " 800 , LOL .It covers the careers of every man who was a general in the Army of Northern Virginia , 156 in all .The form of the book is very interesting . It tells the battle history chronologically and introduces each general as he " comes onto the stage " .

In 1120 begins one of the most famous love affairs began in Paris between. Abelard a professor, and his student Heloise., As they fell madly in love they attempt to keep their relationship secrete.
Her father, Fulbert found out and confronts Abelard while Heloise is out o town. Abelard apologizes, : have done nothing wrong in the eyes of anyone who had known the power of love.” He then asks Fulbert’s permission to marry his daughter. With Fulbert’s consent he rides off to propose. .Upon meeting Heloise Abelard is shocked. For she says no. Heloise way ahead of her times explains that she is not into kids with al heir noise and she says, that she would rather have the title of friend or partner (amica) then wife. ‘Love freely given is more powerful then the ties of marriage.”
Yes they finally marry with Heloise predicting a horrible ending.
The ending is shocking, and sad yet ends with an expression of their eternal love I will leave it out for now.

Please welcome armybrat54 to our group. Please make yourself at home and let us know if we can be of help. Have fun, there are many things that we can talk about, your imagination is the limit.

Might anyone know how Switzerland achieved its Neutrality status? Know it has not been in a war since 1815. That Julius Caesar defeated the Havarti tribe over cheese. And was incorporated into the Roman Empire However located north of France & Italy & south of Germany how did it avoid war crossing over their borders? I believe the country is divided into cantons where three major languages are spoken (I have no idea how integrated the people or cantons are.

Back in the early 13th Century the third crusade was called by the kings of France and England Lead by Richard , king of England, the lion Heart, they reached the holy land to reconquor Jerusalem. Their opponent was Saladin who already easily beaten the European army of the second crusade. Along with the crusaders was Francis of Assisi who came along as a healer. Some time after landing Francis, Sickened by the behavior he saw took off alone, and found himself riding directly into the palace of Malek Al Kamal. Nephew of Saladin. There he was invited to speak with Kamal. Francis attempted to convert Kamal. Rather then beheading Francis, Kamal asked him to stay the week. There the two of them talked of their faith and their differences. Francis was very impressed by the dedication to Islam as well as the scientific nature (in medicine) of the culture. On the fifth day Kama was called away by an urgent message from Saladin so their conversation ended.
Saladin and Richard had agreed on a peace that allowed Christian’s access to Jerusalem unharmed. The crusader lands would be undisturbed. No tax on Christians living in Jerusalem. All in all nor a bad deal for any army that lost more then it won. I also wonder if Kamal and Francis could have had more time together might a bridge have been developed that might have lessened the future violence.