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Stories

  • In pictures

The art of memory

Our ability to recall facts and experiential detail helps us understand, navigate, and make predictions about the world. Julia Nurse explores some of the techniques we have developed to help us to remember.

  • Article

Genius spirits and the mystery of creative inspiration

Once upon a time, we all had a genius.

  • In pictures

Stones for healing

Since ancient times, cultures from around the world have used a variety of precious stones, crystals and their substitutes for healing and to ward off misfortune.

  • Article

A brief history of tattoos

The earliest evidence of tattoo art dates from 5000 BC, and the practice continues to hold meaning for many cultures around the world.

All stories (27)

Images

  • The book of knowledge; treating of the wisdom of the ancients. In four parts. I Shewing the various and wonderful operations of the signs and planets ... II. Prognostications for ever, necessary to keep the body in health ... III. An abstract of the art of physiognomy and palmestry ... IV. The farmer's kalendar ... / Written by Errapater ... Made English by W. Lilley ... To which is added, The dealer's directory; containing, 1. The true form of all sorts of bills, bonds ... 2. The best method of getting in debts ... 3. An account of weights, measures, numbers, coins.
  • A vase in the form of a seated figure; busts on each side
  • The Abou Simbel temple (the Sun Temple of Ramesses II), Nubia, Egypt: detail of facade showing Ramesses II and the sun god Ra; a man squats in the foreground to show scale. Photograph by Pascal Sébah, ca. 1875.
  • Philae, Egypt: temple buildings reflected in the Nile. Photograph by A. Beato, ca. 1870.
  • Edfou, Egypt: the pylon at the Great Temple. Photograph by Pascal Sébah, ca. 1875.
  • L'antiquité expliquée, et représentée en figures / [Bernard de Montfaucon].
  • Venus and a maid teaching Cupids to swim. Engraving by A. Campanella after A. R. Mengs, 1778.
  • Bacchus and Ariadne. Engraving by P.M. Vitali after A. von Maron, 1783.
  • The drunken Hercules. Engraving by A. Campanella after A. von Maron, 1781.
  • Bacchus and Ariadne. Engraving by P.M. Vitali after A. von Maron, 1783.
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