Category: Society
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How the death penalty contributed to a better society
The death penalty created a better society in Europe. From the 11th to the 18th century, the death penalty contributed to a more peaceful society, while the genes of violent men were extinguished. American and Canadian researchers published an article in Evolutionary Psychology. Violence and death penalty during the early Middle Ages The scientist researched…
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Neanderthals nurtured and had good parenting skills
Neanderthals are getting a better press lately. As it turns out, they were actually quite similar to our direct ancestors. In fact some would argue they are, at least in part, our ancestors. There lifestyle seems to be quite like the one our ancestors lived. Now, new research challenges our traditional view on Neanderthal childhood.…
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No more lying about WW2 in Russia – or face 5 years imprisonment
The Russian Duma passed a law that criminalizes lying about the Second World War. From now on, offenders will face up to five years imprisonment. The law specifically forbids to lie about the actions of the Soviet-Union during the Second World War and the denial of the judgments of the Nuremberg trials from 1945 to…
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Ancient Rome’s city water was a real health hazard
The water that Romans drank in their city’s contained up to 100 times the lead compared to water drawn from local springs. This was caused by the metal pipes, the fistulae, used for the plumbing system in their cities. This is suggested by new research, published yesterday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.…
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Ancient Greek plays give insight in antique climate
Ancient Greek plays offer us an insight into the climate of the time, according to the University of Athens. Researchers thoroughly checked historical observations from 43 plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes for their references to weather. Notably, scientist looked for ‘halcyon days’, days of theatre-friendly weather in mid-winter. On these days, the weather conditions enabled Athenians…
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The hunt for Germany’s nazi-criminals continues: 6000 suspects await investigation
The leading executive of Germany’s center for nazi-crimes expects that about a dozen former concentration camp thugs are to be arrested. Chief attorney Kurt Schrimm told the Deutsche Presse Agentur (dap) the authorities are working on a list with all the guards at Auschwitz, 6,000 in number. Schrimm heads the center for nazi-crimes and he and 19 employees are on a frantic hunt for the last surviving…
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Should the Guillotine that was used to behead Hans and Sophie Sholl be exhibited?
A killing machine rouses German emotions. A Guillotine is found in a museum depot last January. It was used during the Third Reich and ended the lifes of many German resistance fighters, most notably Hans and Sophie Scholl’s. They were beheaded in February 1943, 61 years ago, only 4 days after their housekeeper told the authorities they were spreading anti-nazi leaflets. An art-historian found their…