Middle East

Photo of archaeologist revealing a skull

General ancient history

Q&A Who was the first archaeologist?

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Living through the Crusades: 3 poems and songs that reveal how medieval people felt about the holy war

Clock gears in motion

Q&A Why are there 24 hours in a day?

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When did Ancient Egypt start and end?

Diorite stela inscribed with the laws of King Hammurabi of Babylon, around 3,800 years ago. Hammurabi sits enthroned at top of the stela. (Photo by Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Q&A Who first attempted to regulate medicine?

01 Jul 2014, Ar Raqqah, Syria --- Militant Islamist fighters wave flags as they take part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa province June 30, 2014. The fighters held the parade to celebrate their declaration of an Islamic

The historians’ take on… the future of Iraq

Archaeologist Howard Carter opens the coffin of Tutankhamun. (Photo by Time Life Pictures/Mansell/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

How did Tutankhamun die?

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The long history of the Crusades . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein on trial in December 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Nikola Solic-Pool/Getty Images)

The first butcher of Baghdad

Photo of red wine

General prehistory

Q&A Where and when was wine first made?

Illustration of the Zodiac Man

General ancient history

Q&A Why did physicians ‘bleed’ their patients?

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Tragedy of the Templars: The Rise and Fall of the Crusader States

The Battle on the Ice, fought between the men of Novgorod and the Teutonic Knights, was a landmark in European history, says Dominic Sandbrook. (Alamy)

A big day in history: Nevsky’s Russians crush the Teutonic Knights

The call for the First Crusade was initially made by Pope Urban (pictured) in 1095. (Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

Britain and Islam: a matter of faith

An illustration depicting the battle of Naseby, arguably one of the most significant land battles in British history. (Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

20 important battles that shaped Britain