Culture, from the latin "to cultivate", references both the combined experience of a population and the works created by them. Thus culture is ultimately a combination of societal mores and taboos, historical memory, attitudes, and a people's contributions to literature, stagecraft, painting, ...
1
vote
0answers
40 views
Effect of natural environment on the development of cultures [closed]
Let there be this quantitative question: how do the specifics of a natural environment influence the development of a newborn culture?
Following are the specifics of the question:
Which ...
4
votes
1answer
83 views
Viking culture: unhygienic use of water bowl
I am interested in understanding something which I have seen in the film 13th warrior where the Vikings all use the same bowl of water to clean themselves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkcsLFSAS30
...
2
votes
1answer
51 views
Are there any “general” historical theories about all the “cultural revolutions” in the mid-1960s?
THE cultural revolution (of 1966) was started in the People's Republic of China. At the behest of the "Maximum Leader," Mao Tse-Tung, young people in China rose up against their elders to "cleanse" ...
4
votes
3answers
93 views
Earliest examples of “pop culture” in history
What is the earliest evidence of pop culture/viral trends throughout history? By pop culture I mean music, theater etc... Basically "gangam style" of the olden days. I understand that any sort of ...
4
votes
1answer
63 views
When did Harvard give its last entrance exam?
I saw this article pointing out how different college admissions used to be, pre World War II. Entrance exams are still used around the world today but it seems like no American universities give out ...
6
votes
0answers
66 views
Who were the elites in ancient China ( 1200 - 1800 AD )?
Generally the merchant class was viewed with disdain while peasants were viewed with more respect as they were the producers. Scholars were perhaps most expected, and many important posts were held by ...
3
votes
2answers
71 views
Is there any religion known to have inspired the creation of other religions?
Many religions share same stories, Christianity, Judaism and Islam for example (the ones I know of at least). Some of those stories could even be traced to earlier civilizations in the Middle East ...
4
votes
2answers
293 views
What is the first known organized religion in the world?
Which were the first religions to be created with well known scriptures, ceremonies and traditions? Was it that of the ancient Egyptians or the old kingdoms of the Middle East? What about Africa or ...
3
votes
2answers
54 views
'Sub rosa' council meetings
Wiktionary's etymology of the term sub rosa reads:
The rose's connotation for secrecy dates back to Greek mythology. Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros, the god of love; he, in turn, gave it to ...
17
votes
2answers
209 views
When was the term “Nationality” first came into use? How did ancient civilizations refer to themselves? By ethnicity?
When was the term "Nationality" first came into use? How did ancient civilizations refer to themselves? When we refer to Ancient Civilizations, did they consider themselves a nation in the modern ...
13
votes
3answers
225 views
Gender Color Association: When did boys become blue and girls pink?
What historical evidence exists for the origin of the association of blue colors with boys, and pink colors with girls?
I realize this is a cultural specific trait. An article "Beyond Pink and ...
12
votes
2answers
130 views
What are the reasons of the ethnical fragmentation of the Caucasus?
While investigating on Albania, I kept finding peoples I never heard of before. Notwithstanding my vast ignorance, this was systematic to the point that I started investigating. Take a look at this ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Can the University of Bologna be considered the first university in the world?
There are usually two different opinions: the first group considers the University of Bolgona to be officially the first one, some others instead claim that there might have been other groups of ...
5
votes
0answers
77 views
Is one of the causes behind the cultural atmosphere surrounding the Scopes trial, and the concepts about family, “children are the future”?
To start, I noticed that during the peak of the American eugenics movement (1920-1929) that anti-evolutionary bills and eugenical bills were being passed in the same 37 states (well, just about), ...
10
votes
2answers
257 views
Writing month with roman numbers
I got an old wall clock. I'm not at all a clock expert and I would like to know more about its real age.
It has a date engraved in its wood: 18/III 07. I assume that this is finishing-date and 18 is ...
15
votes
1answer
166 views
Why did people in some countries start to drive on the right?
Most people are right-handed and it seems natural that people used the left hand side of the road when riding horses or simply walking. In case of conflict a weapon could be easily put between you and ...
12
votes
3answers
593 views
Why do Spaniards have their lunch and dinner so late?
I've been reading about it and many sites explain (unconvincingly, for me) that the reason why Spaniards currently have lunch around 2 and dinner around 9:30 is because during the 40s (after the civil ...
3
votes
1answer
59 views
Microsocial behaviour 500 years ago in western societies
Not sure how to formulate what I want to ask, so please advice if I should change the question: looking at microsocial behaviour today, we follow a lot of informal rules, practices and typical ...
3
votes
1answer
111 views
Do onsen geisha still exist?
Japan's most famous geisha are from Kyoto, Japan's former capital and still a major cultural capital of Japan. But I've also heard of onsen geisha, far away from the big cities, who are at the bottom ...
9
votes
2answers
120 views
When was grass seed first imported specifically for aesthetic reasons?
Wikipedia states that the term lawn dates to no earlier than the 16th century, and that in early 17th century Europe the concept of a closely cut lawn was born. I understand that certain luxuries were ...
7
votes
1answer
99 views
What surface area per person is required for hunter-gatherers?
I am sure I have read it somewhere, but I can't figure out in which book anymore (I think Steve Pinker's How the Mind Works)
Most of human (pre-)history (and evolution) has happened in a foraging ...
4
votes
1answer
121 views
What examples are of French and Arab cultural integration?
In the last centuries there were very close tights between the French Empire and its colonies in the Maghreb before and the immigrants and citizens of France after the decolonisation.
What are the ...
3
votes
0answers
204 views
When exactly did nudity become uncomfortable? [closed]
In the present society, there's a certain discomfort associated with nudity. And the reason for the discomfort is obviously not just the untimely and unwelcome sexual arousal it might lead to.
If we ...
3
votes
1answer
82 views
Pre-islamic cultural inheritance in contemporary Iran
In contemporary Iran, what are the effect of pre-Islamic Persian cultural heritage that are not linked to islamic culture, religion and literature?
In a previous question, I asked about ...
4
votes
1answer
157 views
What are Kublai Khan's contributions to culture?
I was under the impression that Genghis Khan was an invader while Kublai was more of a patron of fine arts; but reading Wikipedia it mainly mentions his campaigns for the Mongol throne and the ...
13
votes
2answers
329 views
Which cultures did *not* produce alcohol?
I've been reading Harold McGee's fascinating On Food and Cooking, and the chapter on alcohol has some interesting historical notes. He describes the widely varied and creative methods used in various ...
5
votes
4answers
203 views
Which historical figures are remembered for actions contradictory to their intentions?
Some historical figures are remembered for their actions (Alexander of Macedon, Napoleon), while others are remembered for their intent (Charles de Gaulle). Which historical figures are remembered for ...
13
votes
0answers
168 views
When was the concept of “weekly day off” first introduced in Indian Subcontinent?
Did ancient & medieval indians have a weekly day off? Or was there even a generally recognized day as public holiday?
Or did the concept get introduced with Arabs or Europeans?
8
votes
2answers
365 views
Maintaining the status quo throughout the British Colonies of North America
Though Nathanial Bacon himself may not have been poor, the rebellion he became a leader of in 1676 eventually proved to be evidence of the class envy that existed in the British colonies of North ...
9
votes
1answer
232 views
The diminishing role of the “family name” throughout the Byzantine Empire
Why did the use of the family name (Cognomen), as one's surname, diminish and nearly disappear entirely during the 4th - 11th centuries throughout the Eastern Roman Empire?
Brief history of the early ...
4
votes
0answers
96 views
How dangerous duels were? [closed]
I know that duels (in the form popular in Europe of XIX and early XX century) didn't always end in death (dueling to death was even prohibited by some code e.g. Boziewicz code). I would like to know ...
15
votes
1answer
141 views
When did the cats versus dogs rivalry begin in the US?
In the US people that own pets seem to be pegged as either dog people, or cat people. This cultural phenomenon is so prevalent that Hollywood even made a movie about it.
My question is, when did this ...
30
votes
7answers
742 views
History of scientific regression
Throughout history, humans have made many subtle and many substantial scientific advancements. Humans have explored, examined, learned, applied and at times seemingly "forgotten" and/or were unable ...
10
votes
5answers
388 views
Are Americans More Obsessed With the Military Aspect of History? If so, why?
If there is anything in my mind that has been particularly pronounced about American historical interests it has been an overriding interest in the military aspects of history. This can be viewed in ...
16
votes
1answer
210 views
Did the Romans pour wine down wells for health purposes?
I've heard some kind of story that after the Romans would conquer a new village or city, they would pour wine (or other alcohol?) down the wells to kill the bacteria and make it safe for future ...
3
votes
1answer
154 views
What was the origin of the Classical Antiquity culture?
I many times heard a version that the advances of the Ancient Greek culture were in fact borrowed from Egypt or the Middle East. I will not buy this. Classical Antiquity civilization had a lot of ...
19
votes
2answers
352 views
When and where did socks become common?
To be clear, I mean the socks you wear on your feet, to insulate you form your shoes/boots/other footwear.
By common, I mean easily available to the masses, rather than just to the rich.
10
votes
5answers
256 views
What factors contributed to the popularity of Eastern cultures in the USA in late 20th century?
Question says mostly all. To be more concrete, I am talking about the popularity of Krishna and Buddhism on the religious side, and stuff like yoga on the more practical side. Some other things might ...
4
votes
1answer
105 views
Did Emperor Gaozu of Han allow people he conquered to keep their cultural identities?
Did he force them to assimilate with his people or did he allow open practice of the conqueree's culture?
5
votes
1answer
130 views
What are the social preconditions for division of labour, when compared in different emerging civilizations?
I would like to know if historians/economists/sociologists agree on the preconditions required for division of labour in ancient and/or earlier societies. Are there any common preconditions and ...
3
votes
0answers
167 views
Why study our country's history? [closed]
What's the use of studying the country's history where we come from? My country used to be one and every one studied the same history. Then it broke apart. Now students from the new countries only ...
0
votes
0answers
276 views
When was Madame Wellington Koo nee Oei Hui Lan's death date? [closed]
When was that? in NYC, USA 1992, but what date?
6
votes
1answer
119 views
What cultures have had a lasting effect on Sicilian culture?
Considering that Sicily has been inhabited by multiple empires/peoples
native Sicilians/Italians tribes and communes
Greeks (partially)
Carthaginians (partially)
Romans
Ostrogoths (very briefly)
...
21
votes
1answer
580 views
What knowledge may have been lost at the Library of Alexandria?
Of course we'll never know for sure, but do historians have some reasonable ideas about what knowledge may have been lost at the Library of Serapeum of Alexandria, when it was destroyed by the Decree ...
14
votes
6answers
295 views
Japan is known for being isolationist, so what cultivated its history of interventionism in the 20th century?
For much of its history, Japan was a very isolationistic country, and in fact, even in modern Japan, there is still a strong isolationist attitude among the Japanese people in some ways.
During the ...
10
votes
2answers
229 views
From where does the superstition about Friday the thirteenth originate?
There are several interesting stories about this, but what historical information do we have that would indicate the correct one?
9
votes
2answers
216 views
What was the cultural background of Burgundians?
In the Middle Ages there was a big country in Europe between France and German kingdoms, Burgundy. What language did they speak there? Were they more German or French in origin?
15
votes
7answers
700 views
What cultures did, or do, perform human sacrifice on a regular basis?
Looking at the Area 51 commitment page, I realized that some of the questions that were originally suggested there never got asked here, so I thought I'd add some of them. Something else I would like ...
13
votes
2answers
308 views
Were Shakespeare's plays written for “high culture” or “entertain the bawdy masses” during his time?
Currently, the plays of William Shakespeare are viewed as great English literature, and viewed as "high culture". However I heard someone say that Shakespeare was writing "bawdy, violence filled plays ...
4
votes
3answers
175 views
Did the roman conquerors have directives/guidelines to either integrate or assimilate foreign tribes/folks?
It is likely that Romans made no distinction between today's terms integration and assimilation. They did everything that was necessary for the expansion of the Roman empire and worked from ...
