The Queen of Sheba, miniature from the first illustrated manual of military engineering, Bellifortis by Konrad Kyeser, early 15th century
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Signs of violent death found on skulls from burials beside the royal tombs at Abydos
An American archaeologist has carried out a forensic analysis of skulls of people who were buried beside the tombs of Egypt's first kings at Abydos, and has found on many of them traces of violent death. Abydos in Upper Egypt served as the burial place of the kings
Guests at a costume party in a Moscow theatre in the early 20th century
A costume evening at one of the Moscow theatres in the early twentieth century
Professor Mie Oba proposes Japan as ASEAN's third partner alongside the US and China
Professor Oba Mie of Kanagawa University writes that Japan could become a third partner for the ASEAN countries alongside the USA and China. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations preserves its independence under the slogan of "centrality": the bloc's members seek to remain the principal forum
Blessing of Animals on 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
On 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, who is regarded as the patron of animals and of nature, animals are blessed in churches all over the world. Stories of his sermon to the birds and of the wolf of Gubbio are associated with the name of Francis,