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The ‘Silk Roads’: the use and abuse of a historical concept
Historian article
The question of whether the ‘Silk Road/s’ is a useful concept for historical analysis, or too vague or too all-encompassing to have interpretative value, is one that scholars have been debating ever since the term moved into the cultural and scholarly mainstream. Although the use of the term in marketing does not often...
The ‘Silk Roads’: the use and abuse of a historical concept
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Art and ecology
Historian article
Artworks and objects from the past provide us with a compelling record of human interaction with the natural world. In this article, art historians Carla Benzan and Samuel Shaw explain how they are using collections from galleries and museums to bring environmental history to new audiences and to increase awareness...
Art and ecology
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Sensory streetscapes: people and urban environments 1930–1975
Historian article
Urbanisation is a defining characteristic of the modern age in Britain. The physical construction and management of urban environments has consumed the attention of historians since the late 1960s. In this article, Lucy Faire and Denise McHugh turn their attention to the citizens’ sensory experience of the modern town and...
Sensory streetscapes: people and urban environments 1930–1975
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Doing history for climate action
Historian article
Incidents of flooding across the UK are increasing, threatening homes and livelihoods. In this article, Hannah Worthen and Briony McDonagh explain how they are using historic records of floods and flood management to engage communities in Hull in new conversations and to prompt vital action. Their project, Risky Cities, was...
Doing history for climate action
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American Vikings past and present: untangling myth from reality
Historian article
There is now compelling evidence that Norse people – popularly known as Vikings – had some interaction with the First Peoples of North America. Martyn Whittock looks at how the appeal of a Viking legend has combined with archaeological discoveries to create a powerful attachment in the North American imagination...
American Vikings past and present: untangling myth from reality
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In conversation with Mark Nicholls
Historian feature
The Historian sat down with Mark Nicholls to discuss his latest book, The Rise and Fall of Treason in English History, co-authored with Allen Boyer, which charts the history of the law of treason from its origins to the present day...
In conversation with Mark Nicholls
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My Favourite History Place: Bad Godesberg Tower
Historian feature
Bad Godesberg tower is the most intact remnant of what was once a castle. Built in 1210 by the Archbishop of Cologne, Dietrich von Moers (circa 1385–1463), Godesberg Castle enjoyed a relatively quiet existence as an archiepiscopal seat. Then, on 31 October 1517, Martin Luther published his Ninety-Five Theses against...
My Favourite History Place: Bad Godesberg Tower
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White City: the world’s first Olympic Stadium
Historian article
The modern Olympic Games were first held in 1896, but it was not until their fourth edition, held in London 1908, that they had a purpose-built stadium as their sporting and ceremonial heart. This article by Martin Polley explores the history of that stadium – White City. As well as...
White City: the world’s first Olympic Stadium
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Australia's Gallipoli, 1915: myths and realities
Historian article
Carl Bridge gives us an unexpected Australian perspective on the unsuccessful landings at Gallipoli in 1915...
Australia's Gallipoli, 1915: myths and realities
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Political and social attitudes underpinning the 1924 Olympics
Historian article
The 1924 Olympics in Paris are best known to many British people through the ‘Chariots of Fire’ film from the early 1980s. The film touches on some of the political and social attitudes prevalent in the 1920s and Steve Illingworth explores these issues further in this article. It is argued...
Political and social attitudes underpinning the 1924 Olympics
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The right to fight: women’s boxing in Britain
Historian article
In this article Matthew Taylor explores the history of women’s boxing in Britain from the early eighteenth century onwards, showing how prevailing gender norms have led to this activity being marginalised by historians. It is argued that the key women boxers he discusses should be celebrated as key figures, not just in the history of sport but...
The right to fight: women’s boxing in Britain
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The Historian 159: Out now
The magazine of the Historical Association
Read The Historian 159: Branches
Welcome to this Branches edition of The Historian, a regular version of the magazine where many of the articles are based on talks and activities from Historical Association branches across the country. The last Branches edition came out in November 2021 and at that time...
The Historian 159: Out now
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Opinion: Who was ‘the man of his time’?
Historian article
In this new, occasional section of The Historian, contributors share their thoughts on matters of public historical debate. We invite our readers to respond, either by writing to the editors at thehistorian@history.org.uk or by writing their own opinion piece. Here, Lorenzo Kamel shares his thoughts on why saying ‘he was a...
Opinion: Who was ‘the man of his time’?
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Britain and the First World War: not just battles
Historian feature
When the First World War started in the summer of 1914 it began a series of events that would change the world for ever; it also accelerated changes and ideas that were already underway. In some cases, big issues appeared to be put to one side while the immediate needs of...
Britain and the First World War: not just battles
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From Norwich to Nara
Historian article
Simon Kaner explores the fascinating parallels revealed by the international research project From Nara to Norwich between life and religious belief at the ends of the Silk Roads.
Nara is the ancient capital region of Japan. The eighth century imperial treasury, the Shōsōin, with its treasures from China and central Asia, is...
From Norwich to Nara
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Sutton Hoo and long-distance contacts
Historian article
This article looks at the importance of long distance connections between the English kingdoms and the eastern Mediterranean in the sixth to eighth centuries.
The relationship between the ship burial at Sutton Hoo – in the eastern English county of Suffolk – the people who discovered and excavated it, and what...
Sutton Hoo and long-distance contacts
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A probable silk heirloom from Central Asia...
Historian article
This article explores precious fragments of silk, manufactured in the Byzantine Empire and Central Asia, discovered in archaeological excavations in Dublin.
Dublin, situated on the east coast of Ireland, grew out of a fortified riverside camp (longphort) for overwintering marauding Vikings or ‘northmen’, who were plundering wealthy ecclesiastical establishments from the late eighth...
A probable silk heirloom from Central Asia...
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Barikot’s apsidal temple
Historian article
The presence of an apse was a common architectural feature in early Buddhism. An apsidal temple associated with an Indian-style Buddhist stupa was recently discovered at Barikot in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, dating to the time of the great promoter of Buddhism, the Mauryan Emperor Aśoka (r. 268–232 BC). The monument...
Barikot’s apsidal temple
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Reconciling historical accounts and archaeological remains
Historian article
Paul Wordsworth traces the route ways across the Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan, going in search of the wells and watering places essential to desert travel.
There are many risks when arriving at a well in the middle of the Karakum (black sand) desert in the modern Republic of Turkmenistan, not least...
Reconciling historical accounts and archaeological remains
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Out and About in Chelsea’s hidden gardens
Historian feature
Chelsea has an unusually large number of veteran mulberry trees for a London borough (around 25 at the last count). And, while they are not all as old as they look, many have direct links to Chelsea’s history, including the Tudor estates of Thomas More and Henry VIII, a short-lived...
Out and About in Chelsea’s hidden gardens
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Real Lives: Miss F.M.G. Lorimer (1883–1967)
Historian feature
Our series ‘Real Lives’ seeks to put the story of the ordinary person into our great historical narrative. We are all part of the rich fabric of the communities in which we live and we are affected to greater and lesser degrees by the big events that happen on a daily...
Real Lives: Miss F.M.G. Lorimer (1883–1967)
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My Favourite History Place: Bulguksa Temple, Korea
Historian feature
Set among the forested Toham mountains in southeast Korea, Bulguksa (Bulguk Temple, the Temple of the Buddha Land), was founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 BC–AD 935). The history of this 1,300 year old sacred site reflects the long and sometimes turbulent history of Buddhism and its heritage in Korea, up to its...
My Favourite History Place: Bulguksa Temple, Korea
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Who only history know? Cricket, society, and the historical oversight of sport
Historian article
The early 2020s have seen various investigations and reports about discrimination in English cricket. As well as finding many examples of racial and gender prejudice, these investigations have unearthed a long history of social elitism in the sport. In this article, Duncan Stone explores some of the historical background to...
Who only history know? Cricket, society, and the historical oversight of sport
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My Favourite History Place: The Holburne Museum
Historian feature
Jane A. Mills describes in this article how the fascination of Holburne Museum in Bath comes partly from the historical objects on display but also from the varied history of the building itself. She explains how the recent development of the museum illustrates the ongoing issue of trying to resolve...
My Favourite History Place: The Holburne Museum
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Out and About in ‘The most Loyal and Ancient City of Taunton’
Historian feature
The Somerset town of Taunton featured prominently in the highly significant political and religious conflicts of the seventeenth century. Isabella Peach examines Taunton’s role in these events and the impact they had on the town. Her article is based on her winning entry in the 2023 Young Historian Post-16 Local...
Out and About in ‘The most Loyal and Ancient City of Taunton’
