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Ancient recreations continue to capture the imagination, offering a rare chance to step directly into history. These efforts allow us to see, smell, and even touch remnants of the past. Some of these recreations also shed new light on historical mysteries or resolve longstanding debates. From tasting Neanderthal pancakes to unraveling the mystery of a deadly sugar flood, here are ten of the most remarkable recreations from recent years.
10. Hazardous Water Bottles
Not all recreations are merely fun experiments. In some cases, scientists recreate ancient practices out of genuine concern. For instance, researchers questioned whether the bitumen used by ancient Californian Indians to seal their water bottles could have posed a health risk. Bitumen, a byproduct of petroleum, contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), substances that are carcinogenic and can harm organs and hinder development.
For the experiment, the researchers crafted two distinct types of water bottles using ancient techniques. One was coated with soft bitumen (often found washed ashore), while the other was lined with harder bitumen, typically found in land deposits.
To their surprise, the bottles did not release dangerous levels of PAHs into the water, even after several weeks. However, the scientists uncovered that the process of creating the bottles would have exposed the ancient artisans to dangerous amounts of PAHs in the air. Additionally, the fatty substances within the bottles became quickly contaminated by the PAHs.
The remains of Native Californians revealed a decline in the overall health of their population over time. This experiment marked the first suggestion that bitumen might have contributed to this decline, as it was also used in making smoke signals and attaching arrowheads to shafts—both activities that would have further exposed them to PAHs.
9. The Kottabos Drinking Game
Drinking games have ancient origins. The Greeks were known to indulge in a game called kottabos, where the objective was to flick the last remnants of wine from a cup at a target, aiming to win a prize.
Merely describing a game that hasn’t been played in 2,000 years wasn’t sufficient for one professor at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Heather Sharpe decided to resurrect kottabos, but instead of the ancient Greeks indulging, it would be her students who took part.
Sharpe 3D-printed several traditional drinking vessels known as kylixes, filled them with grape juice, and enlisted a few volunteers. Based on ancient artwork depicting kottabos, it seemed that a forehand throw (similar to tossing a Frisbee) would be the most effective way to hit the targets. However, it turned out that an overhand toss (similar to pitching a baseball) resulted in more hits.
Although the students weren’t allowed to get drunk, the ancient Greeks would have become quite inebriated. They could only toss the remaining wine at the bottom of their cups, meaning they had to drink multiple kylixes to get several throws. Sharpe suspects that as their aim faltered, the chaos of the game would have intensified, likely ending with drunken players and a wine-soaked room.
8. Cleopatra’s Signature Fragrance
After uncovering an ancient perfume factory in Egypt, archaeologists recreated a fragrance that was likely worn by Cleopatra. During her reign (51–30 BC), the Egyptian elite were particularly fond of a scent known as Mendesian perfume. It was named after Mendes, the city where it was crafted, and it was here that the factory was discovered.
The scientists conducted experiments with various variables based on the residues found at the site. It also helped that they had access to the general formula for the famous perfume, which had been preserved in both ancient Roman and Greek writings.
In 2019, Mendesian perfume was brought back to life. Some of its key ingredients included cinnamon, pine resin, and date oil. So, what did it smell like? Reports suggest it had a strong, spicy aroma with subtle hints of mustiness and sweetness. Once applied, it also lingered much longer than modern perfumes.
While we can’t say for certain that Cleopatra wore this particular scent, given the popularity of Mendesian perfume during her time and her known love for fragrances, it’s highly likely she did.
7. The Brain of the Tasmanian Tiger
The last thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, passed away in 1936. During its existence, very little was known about its natural behaviors, leaving us with limited knowledge about how these marsupial carnivores lived. However, researchers had a useful starting point: a collection of old eyewitness accounts from those who had observed the animals in the wild.
In 2017, researchers studied and scanned two thylacine brains that had been preserved for nearly a century. This allowed them to reconstruct a digital 3D model of the brain, complete with neural networks. According to many anecdotal accounts, the Tasmanian tiger was a skilled and strategic hunter. If these stories were accurate, there would be evidence of such intelligence in their brain structure—and scientists found just that.
Upon examining the caudate regions, which are linked to complex thought processes, the researchers found that the thylacine brain dedicated more space to these areas than the brain of the Tasmanian Devil, the current apex predator of Tasmania. This finding supported the idea that thylacines were intelligent, calculating creatures. It also contrasted with the behavior of Tasmanian Devils, which are known for scavenging opportunistically rather than hunting.
6. A Pit That Could Feed 200 People
Recently, archaeologists uncovered a 9,000-year-old barbecue pit in Cyprus, but it presented a challenge. These 'earth ovens' are typically small, as larger ones struggle to retain enough heat for cooking meat. The Cypriot pit, however, was massive, spanning 8 feet (2.5 meters) across and 3 feet (1 meter) deep, casting doubt on whether it could function as intended.
In 2015, researchers set out to replicate the pit using authentic Stone Age construction techniques and materials. After digging to the same depth, they sealed the pit with the same type of stones and clay. The team also made their own charcoal from carob and lemon wood, wrapping the meat in tanned goat skins. For the feast, they chose traditional ingredients—a whole pig and a goat, divided into 150-pound (70-kilogram) and 80-pound (38-kilogram) portions, respectively.
Incredibly, after cooking for about a day, the meat was ready, and the researchers managed to feed nearly 200 volunteers, with enough leftovers to last a week. Not only did the pit function perfectly, but the meat was also surprisingly delicious, with the flavors of carob and lemon wood infusing the dishes.
5. An Unexpectedly Effective Medieval Remedy
Are you a medieval person suffering from an infected eye? Try applying 'Bald’s eyesalve' to your sore eye and witness the remarkable results! However, today’s readers might be skeptical about its ingredients. Why? The potion consisted of wine, onion, garlic, and cow bile.
Despite the ancient recipe being over a thousand years old, scientists weren't discouraged. What truly intrigued microbiologists was that every ingredient in the potion had antibacterial properties. With this in mind, they created several batches and tested them on various bacterial colonies.
The ancient remedy proved successful. In fact, its power against tough bacterial strains was astonishing. Some bacterial colonies had protective biofilms that made them nearly impossible to kill. One such biofilm, linked to diabetic foot ulcers, is notoriously difficult to treat and often results in amputation. Remarkably, the eye potion was effective against five variations of this biofilm and also eradicated antibiotic-resistant staph infections.
4. Bronze Age Duels in the Lab
In 2020, a long-standing archaeological debate finally reached its peak, and the solution involved a literal clash of swords. Fortunately, no workplace violence occurred. Instead, the participants agreed to settle the dispute by engaging in duels using bronze swords to determine whether these weapons were actually used in ancient battles, given their relatively fragile nature.
For the experiment, swords were crafted using traditional techniques from the middle to late Bronze Age. Weapon experts then used them in real combat to test their effectiveness, and the marks left on the blades were compared with those found on 110 ancient swords. The similarities strongly indicated that Bronze Age warriors didn’t carry these swords for ceremonial purposes, but rather used them in genuine combat.
3. Boston’s Molasses Tsunami
In January 1919, an extraordinary event struck Boston’s North End neighborhood. A tank ruptured, releasing over 2.3 million gallons (8.7 million liters) of molasses. The thick liquid surged through the streets as a 25-foot (7.6-meter) wave traveling at 35 miles per hour (56 kph), causing destruction to buildings and sweeping people away. Approximately 21 lives were lost in the chaos.
The incident left many unanswered questions. Could molasses really reach such a dangerous speed, or had history been mistaken? Why did so many people die in such an unusual disaster?
In 2016, students at Harvard University decided to recreate the event. Rather than puncturing a molasses tank in a suburban area, they built a scale model and substituted molasses with corn syrup, which was a safer alternative.
The experiment provided several valuable insights. It demonstrated that warm corn syrup could flood the “buildings” rapidly, mimicking the original event’s speed. However, under colder conditions, as experienced on the day of the actual disaster, the syrup would have hardened quickly, potentially trapping victims. This likely led to their deaths, either through asphyxiation or by making it too dangerous for rescuers to help.
2. T-Rex’s Breath (It’s Bad)
Many fans of the T-Rex often ponder how this ancient predator looked and behaved, but few stop to consider the scent of its breath. This unusual idea sparked the curiosity of a researcher at Chicago’s Field Museum. In 2019, an interactive experience was created for the public to imagine this scent as part of the museum’s SUE exhibit.
SUE holds the title of being the most complete T-Rex fossil ever discovered. Visitors had the opportunity to touch recreated dinosaur skin and hear the sounds that the mighty creature might have made. However, it was the recreated smells that stole the spotlight. Experts used the time period in which SUE lived and the location of her fossil to craft a version of 'ancient air' filled with scents like cypress resin, tulip trees, ginger, and pond water.
But SUE’s breath, had it been in full force, would have been overwhelming to visitors. The researchers had to dilute the smell, as it was akin to rotting meat. The design of T-Rex’s teeth suggested that food remnants would get lodged between them, where they would decompose over time. This would have caused the dinosaur’s breath to carry a truly foul odor.
1. Neanderthal Pancakes Are Nutty
For a long time, Neanderthals were thought to be intellectually inferior. However, current evidence shows that they had developed sophisticated tools for both hunting and household tasks. There is also solid proof that they made art and jewelry, painted with various colors, and even established graveyards.
Although the image of Neanderthals has been evolving, it wasn’t until recently that researchers discovered their surprisingly advanced culinary practices. This revelation came after researchers found 70,000-year-old charred food remnants at Shanidar Cave in Iraq, a site that was home to Neanderthals for thousands of years. These findings indicated that Neanderthal cooking was far more intricate than previously thought, involving a range of ingredients and preparation methods.
By recreating a Neanderthal recipe based on their cooking techniques and using seeds still found near the cave, researchers crafted a dish resembling either a pancake or flatbread. The result was surprisingly delicious, with a flavor that could only be described as 'nutty.'
