Kamikaze Archives - New Historian

History News of 2015

Homo naledi In September 2015, it was reported that fossils of a new species of hominin, designated Homo naledi, had been discovered in South Africa. In many ways it was one of the biggest stories of the year, sparking new research and remaining a major theme in the mainstream media. The remains unearthed at the Rising Star Cave constituted close to a complete skeleton, a rarity when it comes to ancient hominins. Exactly where H.naledi fits into the timeline of evolution is still being studied, but it could be one of the oldest members of the Homo genus. Met with controversy in some areas, particularly in South Africa, researchers have already started to reach some conclusions about H.naledi. studies of the anatomy of the creature’s hands and feet revealed areas of similarities with humans, but also marked differences. It seems that the creature was just as adept at climbing trees as it was at walking, or even running, on the ground. Meanwhile, a comparative analysis of H.naledi‘s skull alongside that of other members of the Homo genus, suggested that H.naledi lived around 2 million years ago. Although exactly where H.naledi fits into the homo evolutionary tree remains unclear, the discovery of the new species has the potential to greatly improve our understanding of human evolution. Shipwrecks Old and New 2015 saw a host of significant shipwrecks discovered, and new exploration of some which have been known about for a lot longer. In July, a shipwreck found off the coast of Japan in 2014 was confirmed to be part of a massive fleet which had attempted to invade the Japanese mainland in the thirteenth century. The remains, measuring twelve metres long and three metres across, were part of one of the Kublai Khan led attempted Mongolian invasions of Japan. The campaigns have since entered Japanese folklore, having been stopped by massive typhoons referred to as the ‘Kamikaze’. The dating is based on twenty examples of Chinese ceramic wares unearthed from the shipwreck. In August, marine archaeologists recovered a figurehead that stood on the ship of a Danish king, from the Baltic sea. Exactly what the unusual figurehead is meant to depict remains unclear, but the bizarre, dragon-like creature has a person in its mouth. Coming from the Gribshunden, the flagship of the fifteenth century Danish king Hans, the object has the potential to add to the understanding of medieval ship construction. An underwater survey of the seafloor near the Greek archipelago of Fourni unearthed 22 previously undocumented shipwrecks in the space of just 13 days. The ships discovered range in origin from 700 BCE to the sixteenth century CE. The survey has so far only covered 5% of the Fourni coastline, meaning countless other ships could be hidden there. Further studies are expected this year, to unearth what could prove to be a treasure trove of information. Finally, in June, Greece’s Central Archaeological Council approved plans for five years of new excavations at the site of the Antikythera shipwreck. The site of the discovery of the mysterious Antikythera Mechanism, the wreck and surrounding areas will now be analysed with new ‘exosuit’ technology, hopefully answering questions about one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. Stonehenge One of the most famous sites in England, Stonehenge, was shrouded in controversy and intrigue for much of 2015. A study of pottery and animal bones found close to the site of the Neolithic monument allowed one group of researchers to conclude that the builders of Stonehenge subsisted on a diet of meat, milk and other dairy produce. The work gives a greater insight into the lives of the people of pre-historic England. In March, art critic Julian Spalding had a book published arguing that most interpretations of the monument have failed to understand its use, as they view it from the wrong perspective. He argues that the stones were once the foundations of a large wooden platform, or raised altar, made to accommodate hundreds of people as they prayed to their gods. Spalding’s theory has received heavy criticism in some circles of the archaeological community, while others have argued that all theories about the monument’s use have to be considered. In December, a team of Welsh scientists argued that the smaller bluestones used in the construction of Stonehenge were transported to the site in Wiltshire by glacial action rather than pagan ancestors. As is so often the case when discussing Stonehenge, the study has caused a great deal of controversy.]]>

Medieval 'Kamikaze' Shipwreck Found Near Japan

last Autumn during excavations 200 metres south of Takashima Island. The ship was lying around fifteen metres below the surface, with its bow pointing southward. The remains measure twelve metres long, and three metres across at their widest point. Archaeologists from the University of Ryukyus and the Maatsura Board of Education confirmed on the 2nd July that the shipwreck was indeed part of the Mongolian led invasion force of the thirteenth century. It is the second shipwreck that has been discovered from the Kublai Khan led attempt to invade Japan. Professor Yoshifumi Ikeda from the University of Ryukyus, the leader of the excavations, told the Asahi Tribune that his team had found three other ships at the Takashima Kozaki site which could have been part of the invasion force. The team have reached their conclusion based on a wealth of artefacts discovered in and around the shipwreck, and the structure and shape of the ship itself. Around twenty examples of Chinese ceramic wares, including a white porcelain bowl, a brown glaze pottery vase, roof tiles and iron ware, were found in the shipwreck. These have been dated to the twelfth and thirteenth century, which the archaeologists claim is proof the ship is from the Mongolian invasion. By 1274 Kublai Khan’s empire included most of what is modern day Asia, and he had declared himself emperor of China. In 2011, a team of archaeologists discovered and identified the only other confirmed shipwreck from the attempted Mongolian invasion, just off the coast of Nagasaki. Using ultrasound equipment they discovered the well preserved wreck three feet below the sea bed. 4,000 artefacts were unearthed from the site including cannonballs and stone anchors. Kublai Khan attempted to launch two invasions of Japan in the thirteenth century, at a time when the Mongolian Empire was expanding rapidly through Asia and Europe. Both invasions were prevented by ‘kamikaze’: massive typhoons which forced the Mongolians to abandon their attempts at expansion into Japan. The first invasion took place in 1274, when up to 900 ships landed at Japan’s Hakata bay. Heavily armed with weaponry superior to the Japanese, the Mongolian troops initially made substantial inroads into the country’s territory. The typhoon struck however, forcing them to return to their ships for shelter. Over night the storm intensified, destroying most of the invader’s ships and forcing the remainder to return to what is now Korea. In 1281 a second, much bigger invasion was launched comprised of two fleets, one containing 900 ships, the other 3,500. Improved Japanese sea defences held up the Khan’s forces, holding off the massive invasion. The second typhoon struck, sinking 80% of the fleet and drowning a huge section of Khan’s warriors. Those troops who did make it onto the Japanese mainland were quickly killed by an army of Samurai. Historians speculate that the second invasion was so cataclysmic for the Khan because the preparation had been rushed. Desperate to conquer Japan, a fleet of ships had been hastily assembled, many of which were simply inadequate for the journey across the sea. The archaeologists working at the Takashima Kozaki site hope that the information gleaned from the recently identified shipwreck can be used as a starting point to identify other ships in the region. “We have successfully confirmed the two ships from the Mongolian invasion, and further research on them is expected to lead to the discovery of even more sunken Mongolian ships,” Ikeda told the Asahi tribune. Image by Anige of Nepal – an astronomer, engineer, painter and confidant of Kublai Khan ]]>