Category: Articles

A History of Fruits

By Tim Lambert Almonds Almonds are native to western Asia. They are mentioned in the Bible and the Egyptians grew them. The Romans grew almonds and they have been popular ever since. Apple The apple has been grown for thousands of years. It was well-known in Ancient China and Egypt. Apples were also known to… Continue reading A History of Fruits

A History of Vegetables

By Tim Lambert Artichokes Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean. They were eaten by the Greeks and Romans and later by the Arabs. However, after the fall of Rome, artichokes were rare in Europe until the 15th century when they were grown in Italy. From there, artichokes spread to the rest of Europe. Asparagus Asparagus… Continue reading A History of Vegetables

A Brief History of Tea

By Tim Lambert Early Tea According to legend tea was first discovered in 2737 BC by a Chinese emperor called Shen Nung when some leaves blew into hot water. In reality, tea drinking was discovered much later in history (we are not sure exactly when) and we don’t know who discovered it. From China tea… Continue reading A Brief History of Tea

A History of Herbs

By Tim Lambert Basil Basil is native to India but it was known to the Greeks and the Romans. From the 16th century, basil was used to make pesto sauce in Italy. Bay Bay leaves are native to the Mediterranean area. Bay was well known to the Greeks and the Romans, who held it in… Continue reading A History of Herbs

A History of Makeup

By Tim Lambert Makeup in the Ancient World Women have always tried to enhance their beauty. Even in Prehistoric Times, people wore necklaces or bracelets made of things like shells. They also wore pendants of bone or ivory. Prehistoric people may have painted or tattooed themselves. Certainly, the ‘iceman’ who lived in Copper Age Italy… Continue reading A History of Makeup

A History of Clothing

By Tim Lambert Egyptian Clothes Not surprisingly given the hot climate Egyptians wore only light clothing. Men wore a loincloth and a kind of kilt. Women wore dresses with shoulder straps. Clothes were made of linen or cotton. Later in Egyptian history clothes became more elaborate and colorful. Egyptians shaved their hair and wore wigs.… Continue reading A History of Clothing

A History of Cloth

By Tim Lambert The first clothing materials were simply animal skins. About 35,000 years ago modern humans entered Europe. (They are sometimes called Cro-Magnons). The Cro-Magnons made warm clothes such as trousers, coats, and boots from animal skins using bone needles. Linen fabric dating to about 8,000 BC has been found in Switzerland. From about… Continue reading A History of Cloth

A History of Knickers

By Tim Lambert Knickers in the 19th Century Women did not usually wear knickers until the end of the 18th century. However, after about 1800 women also wore underwear called drawers. Today we still say a pair of knickers. That is because in the early 19th century women’s underwear consisted of two separate legs joined… Continue reading A History of Knickers

A History of Hats

By Tim Lambert Early Hats People have worn hats since Ancient Times. They protected the head from the elements. But hats also sometimes showed a person’s wealth and status. In Ancient Greece people sometimes wore wide-brimmed hats to shade themselves from the Sun. In Europe in the Middle Ages, men wore hoods or berets. In… Continue reading A History of Hats