Author: Jan Huisman
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Hitler’s private albums sold for 10.000
A World War II veteran from France, Paul Gerbi, has auctioned four photo albums from Adolf Hitler. He had taken them as loot from Berchtesgaden, the former residence of the Führer on the Obersalzberg, at the end of the Second World War. The albums contain photo’s of the fallen dictator and fan-mail send to him…
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Oskar Schindler remembered in Hildesheim
On Friday a statue was inaugurated in Hildesheim, in remembrance of Oskar Schindler. Schindler lived in Hildesheim from 1971 until his death in the 9th October of 1973. In proximity of his last residence the stone monument depicts Schindler. Schindler saved approximately 7000 Jews during the Second World War, but only received worldwide recognition after…
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We owe our immune system to the Neanderthals
DNA-research suggests that the structure of our immune system originated from the Neanderthals. A research group at Bonn University discovered a novel receptor that allows the immune system to recognize dangerous invaders. Because this receptor is present in the genes of Neanderthals but is absent in those of early humans, it is likely that modern…
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Munich art-treasure should be open to public, says Bavarian minister of Justice
The soap on the Munich art treasure continues. Two weeks ago, the German authorities seized 1500 masterpieces with an estimated value of 1 billion euro’s on the allegation that most of them were stolen by the nazi’s in the Third Reich. The owner, Cornelius Gurlitt had inherited them from his art-dealing father, who worked with…
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DNA proofs that Native Americans descended from Europeans
Scientists have researched a 24,000 year old skeleton that was discovered in the 1920’s in Siberia. First of all, they found out the remains belonged to a boy. They were able to take some DNA from his arm. The results surprised the researchers: The DNA showed that more than 30% of Native Americans alive today…
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Listen to a 500 year old music instrument – made by Da Vinci
Well ok, the instrument was not really made by Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1509), but designed by the Italian master. Five centuries ago Da Vinci sketched a bizarre instrument, a crossing between a piano and a cello. Da Vinci called it the ‘viola organista’. As was the case with many of his designs, Da Vinci never actually made…
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Making money with Lenin
The city council of Ulyanovsk, the birthplace of the Russian revolutionary leader Lenin (1870-1924), plans to create a national memorial to the Soviet Union. The plans encompass dozens of museums and shops were communist kitsch can be bought. If the Russian government approves, the construction of the 120-hectare site may begin. The costs for the “Museum of the…