Prof. Magnus Claustrum

Headmaster, Royal Explorers Academy

[Prof. Magnus Claustrum @HarbormasterYuu]

@OfficialRPDA Welcome Dearest Explorers,

I am Professor Claustrum, your Headmaster, and Keeper of the Prairie Lighthouse.

[Prof. Magnus Claustrum @HarbormasterYuu]

Happy Easter, Students and Faculty 🐇🥚

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

The heliosphere is the outermost layer of the Solar System and protects the planets from powerful cosmic events like supernovae. This artist’s visualization shows its possible shape

[📹 Star Walk]

[London Philharmonic Orchestra @LPOrchestra]

We love this moment from Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1 played by Pablo Ferrández💖

Head on over to @MarqueeArtsTV📺 to continue streaming the concerto in full, for free today only: https://t.co/AvXBFAfiu0

[Nature is Amazing ☘️ @AMAZlNGNATURE]

Mushrooms releasing millions of microscopic spores into the wind to propagate

[Teatro La Fenice @teatrolafenice]

Di Maurice Ravel vi proponiamo l’ascolto di "Giochi d’acqua" interpretato da Svjatoslav Richter. Ci è venuto in mente tra i tantissimi e arcinoti spunti che la musica potrebbe darci sul tema, visto che oggi è la #giornatamondialedellacqua

[APC5 @AlbertPCarpent1]

A Da Vinci elevated icosahedron. Enjoy! #mathart #3Dprinting #mathematics #3Dprintedmath

[Harvard Physics @harvardphysics]

Harvard Physicists Create New Phase of Matter, Advance Field of Quantum Computing https://t.co/Qkk0qIiguJ

[Archaeo - Histories @archeohistories]

Modhera Sun Temple - a lesser-known architectural jewel of India :

Modhera Sun Temple is set in the heart of Gujarat. Modhera Sun Temple is an architectural beauty dedicated to Sun (Surya) God. It is one of the prime examples of Indian temple architecture. Temple is situated on the banks of the Pushpavati River in the town of Modhera, Gujarat, India; and offers a glimpse into the rich history and culture of Gujarat. Currently, no worship is offered here now and Temple is now the Monument of National Importance and is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. It was added to the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2022.

According to Archeological Survey of India; Modhera Sun Temple was built in 1026-27 AD, during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty. In 1024-25 AD, when  Mahmud of Ghazni had invaded Bhima's kingdom and a force of around 20,000 soldiers had unsuccessfully tried to check his advance at Modhera. Historian A. K. Majumdar theorizes that the Sun Temple might have been built to commemorate this defense. On a block in western wall of cella, there is an inscription "Vikram Samvat 1083" upside down carelessly incised in Devnagari script which correspond to 1026-27 AD. No other date is found. As the inscription is upside down, it evidences the destruction and reconstruction of the cella. Due to position of the inscription, it is not firmly considered as the date of construction. On the stylistic ground, it is known that the Kunda with its corner shrines was built earlier at the beginning of 11th Century AD. The inscription is considered as the date of destruction by Ghazni instead of the construction. Soon after Bhima had returned to power. So the temple proper, the miniature and the niche shrines in the tank were built shortly after 1026 AD. The dancing hall was added much later in the third quarter of 12th Century AD, along with the gateways, the porch of the temple proper and the doorframes of the temple and the cella during the reign of the Karna.

Temple complex is built in  Māru-Gurjara style (Chaulukya style). Temple complex has three axially aligned components; the shrine proper (garbhagriha) in a hall (gudhamandapa), outer or assembly hall (sabhamandapa  or rangamandapa) and sacred reservoir (kunda). Sabhamandapa is not in continuation with  Gudhamandapa but is placed little away as a separate structure. Both are built on a paved platform. Their roofs collapsed long ago leaving behind a few lower-most courses. Both roofs are 15' 9" in diameter but are constructed differently.  The platform or plinth is inverted lotus-shaped.

As you enter historical complex, you first come across magnificent kund known as Ramakund, built in rectangular shape containing 108 shrines to various gods and demi-gods. Other three main shrines positioned on the three sides of the kund, dedicated to Ganesh and Vishnu and an image of Lord Shiva dancing ‘tandav’.  Walk up the steps to the ‘Sabha Mandap’ or assembly and convene with sculpted renderings of twelve ‘Adityas’ (another name for the sun god). Twelve representations carved on the pillars represent the sun according to the twelve months. After witnessing the 'Sabha Mandap' a visit to the Garbhagruha will definitely feel as a spiritual experience. The statue of the sun god no longer exists and the Suryavanshi Solanki’s have been scattered into the dust of history since a thousand years but still on the day of the Equinox, one can almost hear the chanting of the prayers, the aroma of incense, the tinkling of bells as the sharp, linear rays of the sun illuminate the inner core of life and light.

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat organises an annual three-day dance festival known as  Uttarardha Mahotsav at the temple during 3rd week of January, following festival of Uttarayan. The objective is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere similar to that in which they were originally presented.

🎥 : Credit to the Owner

#archaeohistories

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

Mathematical harmony visualized in a shark’s movements.

[🎞️ Beau Janzen / reason4math]

[CERN @CERN]

CERN launches the White Rabbit Collaboration! ⏰

White Rabbit is an open-source timing technology developed at CERN, with applications far beyond particle physics, including use in the finance sector and more.

The White Rabbit Collaboration aims to provide dedicated support and training and facilitate R&D projects.

Find out more: https://t.co/lY0gi9U3nB

#collaboration #opensource #timesynchronisation

[Sumerian and Hittite Language (Hasan Türk) @SumerianHittite]

Sumerian-23

[Archaeo - Histories @archeohistories]

The 'Golden Throne' of Tutankhamun, a unique work of art. The luxurious armchair is distinguished by the complexity of its technique and an abundance of details. Its colors have not faded over three thousand years, which serves as a testament to the high skill of the ancient Egyptian craftsmen.

The royal throne is made of wood, covered with gold and silver. It is ornamented with semi-precious stones and colored glass. Two projecting lions’ heads protect the seat of the throne while the arms take the form of winged uraei or rearing cobras wearing the double crown of Egypt and guarding the cartouche names of the king. The throne is called (Ist) in Egyptian hieroglyphs after the name of the mother goddess Isis, who was usually depicted bearing a throne on her head as her characteristic emblem.

The golden throne was discovered in 1922, by the British Archaeologist Howard Carter. It was found beneath a hippopotamus funerary bed in the antechamber of the Tomb of Tutankhamun (1341-1323 BC), New Kingdom, late 18th Dynasty; Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt.

The throne meant, not only the link between the worlds of Gods and the people, but also majesty, stability, safety and balance. Since kings were considered Gods on earth, it may not be difficult to imagine Tutankhamun imposing his divine will over the rest of mortals while sitting on this golden throne.

On the back of the throne; depicts, Queen Ankhesenamun holds a salve-cup and spreads perfumed oil on her husband’s collar in a typical Amarna style scene, sun disc Aten shines above royal couple. At the time it was made, their names were Tutankhaten and Ankhespaaten. The scene shows one of the most famous and intimate scenes in art history: the young king appears sitting and being regaled with an ointment by his wife Ankhesenamun. The king wears a composite crown and a broad collar and the queen wears a diadem. The bodies and wigs of both of them are inlaid with exquisite colored glass and their linen robes are silver.

Egyptian Museum, Cairo

#archaeohistories

[eLife - the journal @eLife]

Location, location, location: Protein kinase nanoclustering for optimised signalling output. https://t.co/8RyMFSVbN5

[Science Magazine @ScienceMagazine]

Water is more than a collection of neutral H2O molecules.

Research has revealed pure water has an additional shimmering buzz from electron transfer between neighboring water molecules, which may have far-reaching chemical implications. https://t.co/u6YlL0Wzcv #WorldWaterDay

[3 Body Problem @3body]

Anything strange happening to scientists is relevant.

[Magdalen College @magdalenoxford]

A little slice of spring

[Danielle Beckman @DaniBeckman]

An image of some tripping astrocytes interacting with amyloid plaques in the brain of an Alzheimer's patient. Just for the #astrocytefever #tiredofneurons

[Archaeo - Histories @archeohistories]

The First European Map of Tenochtitlan (The Venice of the New World), 1524 AD :

Throughout the annals of history, maps have always played a critical role in revealing the mysteries of the world to mankind. In this context, first European map of Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire, holds a significant position. This map, drawn in 1524 AD, is a milestone not only in the history of cartography but also in the confluence of two contrasting civilizations: indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica and European explorers.

Tenochtitlan was a large city-state located on an island in Lake Texcoco, in Valley of Mexico. Founded in 1325 AD, it rapidly grew to become capital of Aztec Empire. At its peak, city had a population of between 200,000-250,000 people, making it one of largest cities in the world at that time. In 1521 AD, Hernán Cortés, leading Spanish conquistadors, succeeded in overthrowing last emperor of Aztecs, Cuauhtémoc, marking fall of mighty Aztec empire. Tenochtitlan, empire's sprawling capital located on an island in Lake Texcoco in present-day Mexico City, was virtually decimated. Despite the destruction, city's elaborate system of canals, temples, causeways and marketplaces captivated Spaniards.

With a desire to document this unique city and its intricate urban layout, a map was commissioned. It was to be a testimony to magnificence of the fallen city and serve as a valuable resource for the new rulers. Task fell upon an indigenous group of artists and scribes who had formerly worked for Aztec elites. They were fluent in both the indigenous Nahuatl language and Spanish and skilled in European and Mesoamerican cartographic traditions. The map they created was a blend of European and Aztec cartographic styles. On the one hand, it adhered to European tradition of creating bird’s-eye view cityscapes. On the other hand, it incorporated indigenous symbols and color coding, similar to pictorial manuscripts known as codices used by Aztecs to record their history and religious beliefs.

The map of Tenochtitlan is a testament to city's grandeur and Aztecs' advanced urban planning. The city, divided into four zones, was depicted with its complex network of canals, which served as streets for their canoe traffic. Iconic landmarks like Templo Mayor, royal palace and bustling marketplace of Tlatelolco were illustrated with careful detail. Moreover, the map revealed city's relationship with its environment. Tenochtitlan was surrounded by Lake Texcoco and connected to the mainland by three causeways. These causeways and aqueduct that brought fresh water from the mainland were carefully depicted.

The map was sent to Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, in 1524 AD. The map provided Europe with its first visual representation of the New World's urban complexity, shifting perceptions about the so-called "primitive" societies of the Americas. It served as a tool for the Spanish administration to better understand and govern their newly acquired territory. Yet this map was not merely a practical tool; it became an emblem of conquest, a symbol of European domination over the New World. By asserting European spatial understanding over an indigenous landscape, the map participated in a broader colonial project of control and appropriation.

Nevertheless, enduring legacy of this map lies in its syncretic character. It serves as a tangible symbol of a moment of profound cultural encounter, blending European and Aztec conventions to create a document that both records and transcends its historical moment. To this day, the 1524 AD, map of Tenochtitlan continues to fascinate scholars and the general public alike. As a window into a lost world, it speaks volumes about the richness of Aztec civilization and the early days of intercultural contact in the New World.

© The Archaeologist

#archaeohistories

[Prof. Magnus Claustrum @HarbormasterYuu]

@eli_underflow @Kojima_Hideo As miraculous as that may be, we will need to verify the signature, as I am sure you will understand. Extraordinary claims, and all that.