History & Culture

A map fragment; source: Journal of Maps

Researchers create elaborate map of Pomeranian monsters inspired by Renaissance cartography

Werewolves, devils, dragons, house spirits, giants, elves - ethnographic sources allow to identify the places associated with these beings. Scientists and artists have created a map of Pomerania and Mecklenburg illustrated with linocuts inspired by Renaissance cartography, presenting 19th-century folk imaginations.

  • The site of Polish archaeological excavations in Paphos, Jan. 8th. (mm/dw) PAP/Mateusz Marek

    60 years of Polish archaeological research in Nea Paphos, Cyprus

    Polish archaeologists have been making discoveries in the ancient city of Nea Paphos in Cyprus for 60 years. During this time, the the Paphos archaeological complex has become a showcase of Cyprus, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the jubilee year of 2025, an international conference on Nea Paphos and an exhibition on Polish research are planned.

  • Credit: Stanisław Kontny

    Barbarian warriors took stimulants before battle, says new research

    Scientists from the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin have uncovered new evidence suggesting that barbarian warriors in ancient Europe used stimulants before going into battle.

  • 16.10.2014. The painting depicting St. Anne, one of the most famous paintings from Faras, October 16th at the National Museum in Warsaw. PAP/Paweł Supernak

    Polish researcher reinterprets two paintings from Faras Cathedral

    Two paintings from the Faras Cathedral depicted scenes of Mary's childhood, not the apostles or Christ, believes Magdalena Łaptaś, PhD, from the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University. This is a new interpretation of the no longer preserved paintings from the famous medieval cathedral.

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    Vikings of Lutomiersk: Discovery by scientists from University of Lodz

    The early medieval cemetery in Lutomiersk near Łódź was the burial place of Scandinavian warriors, according to genetic analyses of preserved remains. The research was conducted by anthropologists and geneticists from the University of Lodz.

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    Polish archaeologists to continue exploration of Pharaoh Shepseskaf's tomb

    A Polish-Egyptian archaeological mission is preparing for the second season of research on the tomb of Pharaoh Shepseskaf. Planned work, including the reconstruction of the sarcophagus and research on the remains of the funerary chapel, is scheduled for early 2025.

  • Główka figurki antropomorficznej ze stanowiska Bahra 1 (Fot. Adam Oleksiak /CAŚ UW)

    Ancient figurine and pottery found in Kuwait's Bahra 1 site shed light on early Arabian culture

    A team of Polish archaeologists, working in collaboration with Kuwaiti researchers, has uncovered a treasure trove of ancient artifacts at the Bahra 1 site in northern Kuwait, providing a rare glimpse into life on the Arabian Peninsula over 7,000 years ago.

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    Technology

    Algorithm as a poet? Recipients' reaction to poetry written by AI and humans examined

    A new study from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań has found that poems generated by AI algorithms are generally rated lower than those written by humans.

  • Aerial view of the monastery complex in Bielany. The red circle marks the research area, the only undeveloped place. Credit: F. Welc.

    Remains of lost hermitage found in monastery in Warsaw

    Thanks to ground-penetrating radar, the remains of the enigmatic hermitage were located in the Camaldolese monastery complex in Warsaw's Bielany district. Excavations are planned for next year, says Professor Fabian Welc from the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University.

  • Ampato, tomb 1, (5,800 m above sea level). Five broken vessels were discovered in the upper level of the first tomb. Credit: Johan Reinhard, archive of the Andean Sanctuaries Museum (Museo Santuarios Andinos UCSM) in Arequipa.

    Incas used ceramics to maintain religious and political dominance

    To maintain control over a huge area, the Incas used not only military force, but also religious elements. Rituals such as the capacocha are the manifestations of Inca dominance, and ceramic vessels accompanying the rituals are symbols of imperialism, says Dr. Sylwia Siemianowska from the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology at the Polish Academy of Sciences.

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  • Credit: Stanisław Kontny

    Barbarian warriors took stimulants before battle, says new research

  • Photo of Orion over Babia Góra selected NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day

  • Polish researchers discover key role of endothelium cells in bone marrow transplant success

  • Researchers create elaborate map of Pomeranian monsters inspired by Renaissance cartography

  • Scientists to search for traces of hominids in high-mountain caves

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2024 in Polish science: Remains of first Slavs, space missions and animals from millions of years ago

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