In the latest #NatureBriefing: #CRISPR baby #scientist He Jiankui's ‘publicity stunt’ frustrates researchers, #drought doomed the ancient #Hittite empire and how #scientists are getting off the #peer-review treadmill.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00456-9

#Turkey #earthquake
Historic #Gaziantep castle all but destroyed. Known locally as Gaziantep Kalesi, it was first constructed as an observation point by the #Hittite Empire during the second millennium BC. It was expanded into a major fortification and then used in the second and third century AD by the #Roman Empire. https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/turkey-earthquake-historic-gaziantep-castle-destroyed

#Turkey #earthquake
2,000 year old #Gaziantep castle all but destroyed. Known locally as Gaziantep Kalesi, the castle was first constructed as an observation point by the #Hittite Empire during the second millennium BC. The castle was expanded into a major fortification and then used in the second and third century AD by the #Roman Empire. https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/turkey-earthquake-historic-gaziantep-castle-destroyed

Today I finished my 6-week #MOOC on the #Hittite civilisation. Scholars from #SorbonneX and other universities guided us through the history of the field, the decipherment of the languages and scripts, the history of the empire, international relations in the ancient Near East and the iconography. As a final note, the Early Hittite (approx. 1650 BC) Hüseyindede vase was discussed, with a bull-leaping scene reminiscent of Minoan Crete: a testimony of long distance cultural ties in the #BronzeAge

Today I finished my 6-week #MOOC on the #Hittite civilisation. Scholars from #SorbonneX and other universities guided us through the history of the field, the decipherment of the languages and scripts, the history of the empire, international relations in the ancient Near East and the iconography. As a final note, the Early Hittite (approx. 1650 BC) Hüseyindede vase was discussed, with a bull-leaping scene reminiscent of Minoan Crete: a testimony of long distance cultural ties in the #BronzeAge

Après les vacances de Noël, le quatrième épisode du MOOC "À la découverte de la civilisation hittite" est diffusé aujourd'hui. Il porte sur la #diplomatie (y compris les mariages inter-dynastiques) et l’espionnage à l’époque #hittite (IIe millénaire av. J.-C.)

Thoroughly enjoying the #mooc I am following at Sorbonne Université, "À la découverte de la civilisation #Hittite". Last week dr Alice Mouton introduced us to the history of the kingdom. Next week: dr Francesco Giannone on "Diplomatie et espionnage"
https://lettres.sorbonne-universite.fr/actualites/mooc-la-decouverte-de-la-civilisation-hittite

Thoroughly enjoying the #mooc I am following at Sorbonne Université, À la découverte de la civilisation #Hittite. Last week dr Alice Mouton introduced us to the history of the kingdom. Next week: dr Francesco Giannone on "Diplomatie et espionnage"
https://lettres.sorbonne-universite.fr/actualites/mooc-la-decouverte-de-la-civilisation-hittite

Speaking of #urbanprehistory, this mosque in Aleppo started as a Hittite #temple about 3100 years ago. It still has #Hittite inscriptions carved in its #stones, and may be considered the oldest #religious building currently in use.

(Well, to be honest it fell in disrepair for a few hundred years in-between, but what are a few hundred years for a Hittite temple!)

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaiqan_Mosque