University of Edinburgh study confirms Scottish Travellers’ indigenous ancestry

 https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/study-looks-at-travellers-deep-indigenous-roots-in-scotland-8801564?fbclid=IwY2xjawTFAkxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCdVNkY0tHQlVDTXdHZXdJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHh2w5JCaS58-oMwnAurhEmXvQOG-0ia0Ossvly0jjUJBqqj-8Mn2Oc99bUGq_aem_7SVftAcV-Md5LXQE5qaagg

Interesting news article, I love historical stuff but adding scientific research such as DNA tracing makes it more interesting too. That is living history and connects people to their ancestors. Let's hope more information comes out, people will be able to trace their linages much further.  

Bayeux Tapestry returns to Britain for first time in nearly 1,000 years

 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-10/bayeux-tapestry-returns-to-uk-after-transfer-from-france/106904002

How awesome would it be to actually be able to go to see this tapestry? I recall being a small child at school being taught about the Bayeux tapestry back in the early 1970’s and not having anything other than a picture in a text book to look at as we learned about medieval history in my Scottish primary school. 

Now here the tapestry is on British soil for the first time in a thousand years, that is incredible and such a historic moment. A twelve month exhibition is quite generous and for such a valuable piece of history too. It must have been such a surreal experience for all the ordinary people that were able to take part in the process and get to see this tapestry up close. A great piece of family history to tell their loved ones about and pass down the family line in the future. 

Casting new light on an Ancient Wonder of the World

 https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/natural-wonders/casting-new-light-on-an-ancient-wonder-of-the-world/news-story/e4a7169f8b19a840d0e22697b455af62

Just imagine what a sight this would have been back in its day. Architecture that surpasses modern architecture in multiple ways, not to mention the wealth of the people who were the elite back then. 

It must be awesome to be a diver exploring the ancient structures under water for centuries. Such a surreal feeling. 

5,000-year-old tombs found in Minya rewrite the origins of Egyptian pyramid architecture

 https://archaeologymag.com/2026/06/5000-year-old-tombs-in-egypt-origins-of-pyramids/

The cost of making the bricks and the time it takes for them to dry would be part of the reason why the reused the bricks. It’s a thing that is still being used today if the quality of the bricks are still very good. 

Compared to the Irish pyramids and burial sites which are much older. Yet most people have no idea of the  ancient Irish pyramids and burial mounds unless they are ancient history buffs and into Celtic history. 

Regardless though, this is an amazing discovery 

Ancient Roman villa found beneath high school gym near the Colosseum

 https://archaeologymag.com/2026/06/roman-villa-found-beneath-high-school/

Excellent find, sad that in the past no care was given to archeological sites. Losing significant amounts of history by just building over things or destroying them. 

Cowra Japanese Garden

 This is a place that I have wanted to visit for many year's Cowra is 2 and a half hours north of Canberra and is a very famous historical town on the Lachlan river. There is a cafe for refreshments in the garden which will be greatly appreciated  after a long drive to get there. Oh, and by the way, it’s doggie friendly as long as your fur babies are on a leash. 

https://www.cowragarden.com.au/ 

This is a must visit for anyone coming from overseas or even interstate who has a love of gardens and history. Back in world war 2 there was a Japanese prisoner of war camp near here, where the infamous Cowra breakout occurred on 5th August 1944. The original sight is still there along with the graveyard. 

This was the largest  POW prison breakout in world war 2 according to the Wikipedia article. With 1,104 soldiers breaching the wire fence. The link below informs us of the events that took place, and cemented this in Australian history ever since. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowra_breakout

I recall watching the tv mini series of this, it was such a sad story, and terrible time in human history. 

The Japanese garden is a place to reflect and heal the past, in 5 hectares of park land, in which the Japanese government also helps to preserve. This is absolutely a must see beautiful garden design by the famous Japanese landscape architect Ken Nakajima. 

This is the Wikipedia entry for the town of Cowra for up to date information on the town of Cowra, NSW.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowra

You can see some beautiful photos of the Japanese garden on Instagram  and facebook. But nothing beats seeing the garden in person. 

‘A fascinating discovery’: research challenges Battle of Hastings narrative

 https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/mar/21/battle-of-hastings-discovery-research-england-history?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZnRzaAQrUyxmZGlkFlA1YDm4Yx7dlMl1gkH-7BD0zsALVPRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR4InkxexJrVacEJZr1Yn-6Lzefec1lazJkJvH6d3bYzKa2kF1Jiji2MysM4dA_aem_1zti0tqk6y9NiLb81wZvjA#Echobox=1774084809

Interesting news article, and for the first time in a thousand years the Bayeux tapestry will be seen in England. How exciting for the people that get to see this in the museum, this would be fantastic to see. 

A Record-Breaking Drill Beneath Antarctic Ice Revealed a Big Surprise

 https://www.sciencealert.com/a-record-breaking-drill-beneath-antarctic-ice-revealed-a-big-surprise

A wealth of information will be gleaned from this; and weather patterns will match astrological observations that a good astrologer can explain. 

Rare Roman altars acquired for the nation will go on display in the autumn

 https://media.nms.ac.uk/news/rare-roman-altars-acquired-for-the-nation-will-go-on-display-in-the-autumn

What a find, I intuitively felt that this was on the East coast of Scotland before I read the article. There was a paywall on the original post, so I googled the subject and found this article. 

I’ll love ancient history of the UK as there is an incredible amount of history on such a small island. Plus it’s my homeland. 

Walking with Moai: Unlocking the mysteries of Easter Island stone statues

 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-02/rapa-nui-easter-island-moai-creation-and-movement-explained/106077706

Easter Island has been a source of fascination since its discovery and with modern technology such as aerial photography and drones we get to see a bigger feel of the landscape and layout of the statues and quarries. An outdoor time capsule unravaged by time and the elements. 

BOOKS: The Man Who Planted Canberra by Robert Maklin

 

This is an interesting book about Charles Weston, the man famous for planting my city. Born in England in 1866. He learned his trade in prestigious horticultural places in England and then came to Australia, firmly setting his place in Australian history. As a gardener, living in Canberra with a love not just of Canberra, but history also, I came across this book recently through a facebook post by the Australian National Library. I promptly placed an order with an online bookstore and I am currently reading this book. 

One can feel the history come to life just reading this book, it helps if one is a local who is interested in our history. The author is originally from Queensland but resides in Canberra, so this gives him a personal feel to his book.

Canberra has a very brief history, yet is important in the history of Australia. This book shows the personalities of those involved in the early planning and their vision of what the city was to become, albeit with some detours along the way. If you are a person that may be interested in Canberra's history this book is a must have to add to your collection. If you are a new resident then this book will provide an interesting background to your current lifestyle. 

Canberra is actually a small city with a population of roughly 500 thousand of a population. We are known as the bush capital. and have a deep affection for our town. We have a love of our wildlife and our beautiful scenery and are keen to protect our heritage. 

Roman road network was twice as large as previously thought, new mapping project finds

 https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/roman-road-network-was-twice-as-large-as-previously-thought-new-mapping-project-finds

What an incredible feat over many centuries, and there is still more work ahead. 

2,200-year-old Celtic 'rainbow cup' in 'almost mint condition' found in Germany

 https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/2-200-year-old-celtic-rainbow-cup-in-almost-mint-condition-found-in-germany

I wonder what the exchange rate was back then (just joking). The rainbow and the crock of gold myth with the shape of the coin comes to mind. 

Egypt's Grand Museum opens, displaying Tutankhamun tomb in full for first time

 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg4q403rpzo

How amazing to be able to bring all the artefacts together after so long. It must be a surreal experience to see all of this. 

Wall dig leads to 'once-in-a-generation' discovery

 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czdrvegdd08o

I guess they just stumbled across it 😜 

4,000-Year-Old Mystery Solved: New Research Rewrites the Origins of Egypt’s Greatest Temple

 https://scitechdaily.com/4000-year-old-mystery-solved-new-research-rewrites-the-origins-of-egypts-greatest-temple/

The site was prone to flooding, so why build there? They would have known that back then as they were intelligent people. But 4 thousand years later and the structure still stands, I doubt if anything modern would survive a hundred years. 

Scientists have 'finally solved' mystery of Easter Island heads in groundbreaking discovery

 https://www.ladbible.com/news/science/easter-island-moai-heads-movement-mystery-solved-868990-20251009

Sometimes it’s the simplest thing that is most plausible. 

Iandra Castle (Mount Oriel)

 

https://iandracastle.com.au/

https://iandracastle.com.au/gallery/

I am planning a trip to Iandra Castle (Iandra Homestead Pastoral Estate), I just missed out on yesterday's open day, so I am determined to see it as soon as possible. It will be a lovely day out, as I love historical places and gardens. Iandra is a heritage listed estate which commenced construction in 1880 and completed by 1910. Beautiful and romantic architecture of a bygone era of which not many are left in Australia. Thankfully what is left is heritage protected to showcase the past achievements of a young and  developing nation of Victorian and Edwardian times.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iandra_Castle Some historical information for further knowledge. Check out google images for interior photos. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

I do hope that people seeing this blog post may take the trip out to see this lovely place and breathe in the lovely country air. It is worth the drive out there for a day trip and perhaps a picnic. Don't forget to take a hat if going in the warm weather to walk in the gardens. Ladies how about a parasol to prevent hat hair and feel like a lady of olden times? 

Scientists find ancient life-size animal rock carvings in the Saudi Arabian desert

 https://www.nbcnews.com/world/saudi-arabia/scientists-find-ancient-animal-rock-art-saudi-arabian-desert-rcna234862

This is quite a find out in the desert and hidden for 12,000 years. 

Scottish Scholars Challenge Book of Kells Origins

 https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/book-kells-origin-0022487

Interesting discovery we are constantly discovering more information about the past and sometimes it just needs a different set of eyes and good old detective work. It’s a big thing when something challenges the official narrative of history and it can be quite a contentious issue, but we live and learn from more research and a fresh perspective.