The ancient amulet has just been presented to the Israel Antiquities Authority. A bronze amulet engraved with God’s name and magical symbols for protection from evil spirits and the “evil eye” curse has been turned over to authorities after being unearthed in northern Israel 40 years ago. before. According to the IAA , the amulet once worn on a necklace is believed to date to about 1,500 years ago during the Byzantine period . At that time, the region was ruled by the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire after Byzantium, the old name of the city in which it was based (later Byzantium was renamed Constantinople and now It’s Istanbul now.) Although the amulet is engraved with Greek letters, they spell the Jewish name IAW, a form of the name “Yahweh” in the English alphabet. This bronze amulet, about eight centimeters long and four centimeters wide, was found near the site of an ancient synagogue at Arbel, just west of the Sea of ​​Galilee. Eitan Klein, an archaeologist with the IAA, said the location and inscriptions suggest that the amulet may have been worn by a Jewish, not necessarily Christian, regardless of its origin. its religion, “Although scholars often identify wearers of such amulets as Christians, the fact that the amulet was found in a Jewish settlement that had a synagogue in the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. might indicate that even the Jews of that period wore amulets of this kind to protect against the evil eye and the devil,” says Klein. Devil’s Eye This type of charm was relatively common at that time in Galilee and what is now Lebanon; They are sometimes known as a form of the “Seal of Solomon”, named after the legendary king of Israel. One side of this amulet features a galloping horseman with a halo on his head, thrusting a spear into a woman lying on her back. A Greek inscription carved above the rider’s head reads “The Only God Who Conquers Evil” and God’s name in Greek letters – IAW – is engraved underneath the horse’s feet. The other side depicts an eye pierced by an arrow and an object split in half. The eye appears to be threatened by two lions, a snake, a scorpion, and a bird below it, and a Greek letter abbreviation meaning “One Lord” engraved above it. above it. The amulet was probably made to protect people against evil spirits and a magical curse known as the evil eye, a long-held belief throughout the ancient world at least as far back as the sixth century. B.C. According to this belief, some magicians are said to be able to lift the curse with a malicious look, while those who receive it will be injured or have misfortune. “The equestrian is depicted conquering evil spirits, in this case a woman identified with the Greek mythological figure of Gello or Gyllou, who threatens women and children,” Klein said. and is related to the evil eye,” Klein said. “The eye on the back is identifiable as a demon eye that is attacked and destroyed in various ways. Therefore, the amulet was probably used to protect women and children.” A family member of the finder, now deceased, recently turned over the amulet to the Israel Antiquities Authority, and Klein encourages those with similar treasures to do the same. The amulet is believed to date back to the late Talmudic period in Jewish history, when traditional Jewish theology and law were formalized in a collection of written works known as the Talmud. The synagogue in Arbel is often mentioned in historical sources from Talmudic times, Klein said; where there was a linen manufacturing industry, and many Jewish sages visited or taught there.

The Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Mannar in Sri Lanka have been the center of the international pearl trade for more than 4,000 years. Since ancient times, the region has produced some of the world’s finest natural pearls, supplying the courts of the ancient kings and queens of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and later the Greek empires. , Roman and Byzantine. Kuwait was also once one of the centers of this industry in the Persian Gulf, with a history of developing the pearl industry at least four millennia. Pearl fishing in Kuwait had its heyday before the 19th century. (Source: Pinterest) Before the discovery of oil in the 1930s and extraction after World War II, the main economic activity in Kuwait and the Persian Gulf was the extraction of pearl resources mainly on the Arab side of the Persian Gulf. The history of pearl farming in the Persian Gulf goes back more than four millennia. References to this industry were made by early writers such as the Greek historian Pliny and the Roman geographer Ptolemy of the 2nd century AD. Historically, people living around the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Mannar discovered and appreciated the beauty and value of natural pearls created from mussels, opening the pearl industry. Ups and downs with history Since then, Kuwait’s pearl industry has experienced many ups and downs of history. At one stage, pearls became the main export product of the Gulf state, alongside horses, dates, timber and spices. From the early seventeenth century until the 1930s, the country’s economy was largely dependent on pearl diving off the coast of the Arabian Gulf, home to the richest reserves in the world. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Kuwait had nearly 700 pearl diving boats with a workforce of about 15,000 people. The pearl diving season usually lasts for 4 months, from mid-May to mid-September. In the remaining 8 months, traders often use ships to trade and fish offshore. It is the basis for Kuwait’s thriving maritime and shipbuilding industry. Kuwaiti fishermen regularly call at ports in the Middle East, the East coast of Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. Historical evidence shows that Kuwaiti pearl fishermen sailed as far as Mannar Bay, between the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka, especially during the fishing season of these pearl fishing grounds. Natural pearls of Kuwait are thought to be caused by a combination of soil environment, water salinity, climatic conditions and accidental conditions when a small foreign object or grain of sand enters. inside the clams, mussels and stay in it. Irritated by this foreign object, the mussel creates a layer of mother-of-pearl that surrounds the intrusive sand. This process repeats for many years and creates a wonderful gem. For three centuries, Kuwait’s economy based on the pearl industry, seafaring and commerce has thrived relative to the rest of the region. It created a prosperous merchant class, but did not provide a steady income for much of the population, mainly pearl divers and supplementary workers. But there are ups and downs. The large-scale production of cultured pearls in Japan in the 1930s, and the Great Depression shortly thereafter, caused the traditional pearl industry in Kuwait to gradually decline. Pearl divers and their families are entering an unprecedented period of economic hardship. Fortunately, a promising new revenue stream has emerged. In 1938, oil was discovered in Kuwait. After World War II ended and oil extraction and exports were boosted, most of Kuwait’s population gradually emerged from its economic decline, and began to enjoy the fruits of its wealth. Pearl divers have found alternative work in the burgeoning oil industry. The pearl industry in Kuwait is also gradually disappearing… Find the return date However, even though life is full, the Kuwaiti people have not forgotten their old identity. The Kuwait Tower, one of the iconic works of Kuwait, is inspired by pearls, expressing the pride of the people about the ancient occupation of their ancestors. More importantly, the Kuwaiti government has worked to revive the natural pearl industry. Every June, Kuwait holds a month-long pearl diving festival, to pay tribute to the industry’s ancestors, who dedicated their lives to the pearl industry that formed the foundation of Kuwait’s wealth in the past year. past. The festivals also help Kuwait’s younger generation to recognize and appreciate the ups and downs that their ancestors went through in order to protect and preserve this glorious but potentially dangerous industry. Thereby, the festival also helps preserve the pearl diving tradition that has become an integral part of Kuwaiti culture. A Kuwaiti girl waits for the return of pearl divers during the 2019 Kuwaiti pearl diving festival (Photo: Gazi/Xinhua) Pearl diving in Kuwait is called “ghaus” and those who participate in diving are called “ghawawis”. Divers use traditional equipment such as “Dieng” (neck-basket), “hager” (anchor) and “fotam” (nose clip). The end of the festival called “qafal” is celebrated with traditional singing and dancing performances. The Kuwaiti public responded enthusiastically and participated in the festival, expressing their desire to preserve national traditions and culture. The festival also attracts international tourists and friends: Many are excited to take part in the diving competition after initial training. The pride of the “Kuwait pearl” also helps remind the people of Kuwait about the once glorious pearl industry of the Gulf nation. The “Kuwait Pearl” has a special design, 19th century style with the brilliant shine and ivory characteristic of natural pearls from the Persian Gulf, once incorporated by the first owner as a faceplate. necklace. The “Kuwait Pearl” has an almost perfect teardrop shape, weighs 64.35 carats, (12.87 grams), and measures 41.28 x 19.05 mm in length and width, respectively. It is known as the 6th largest natural pearl and one of the 12 rarest pearls in the world. The ‘Pearl of Kuwait’ (Source: Smithsonian Institution) The pearl’s current owner is Bond Street, jeweler Symbolic & Chase, purchased on November 24, 2004 for £150,000 ($270,000) and named it “Kuwait Pearl” in recognition. and a true reflection of the pearl’s natural origin. The sale was made at Christie’s in London from an anonymous private family consignment for auction in 2004. The “Pearl of Kuwait” is now part of the Pearl exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Castiglione di Sicilia seen from above. Beautiful old village Perched on the cliffs on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, the small village of Castiglione di Sicilia overlooks the spectacular Alcantara valley, where deep pools with silver-white cliffs stand out against deep green trees and clear waterfalls squeeze. Etna is famous as Europe’s largest active volcano, attractive by scattered lava caves, pine forests and old lava flows. All create the majestic and special scenery of this area. Many visitors come here to experience activities such as hiking, rafting, canyoning, biking, horseback riding and lounging on the trails, through the dark lava-colored hills. Forests, olive groves, orange groves, hazelnut plantations and wine estates are scattered around the village, creating a pleasant rural atmosphere. Castiglione is known as the “city of wine” – a giant sculpture in the shape of a barrel and wine glass located at the entrance to the village. Thanks to the presence of many wineries, farms, restaurants, pubs, it is also a prime destination for food and wine tours. There are now more than 50 wineries in the region that produce and market wines internationally. Like many ancient villages in Italy, Castiglione di Sicilia consists of many “layered” houses on the hillside, bound together by small streets paved with lava stone. In addition to the charming scenery, this place is especially attractive because of the cultural heritage left over from the Middle Ages, reminiscent of an ancient Italy familiar in literature and art. Winding forest paths will lead you past crumbling Greek fortresses and Byzantine chapels with secret tunnels. According to many documents, Castiglione di Sicilia was founded on the ashes of prehistoric settlements in 403 BC by refugees from the coastal settlement of Naxos, near modern Taormina. Its name derives from the “Lion Castle”, Castiglione’s coat of arms still features two lions standing guard. For centuries it was a vibrant and powerful fief, one of Sicily’s most prosperous and strategic outposts. Roads and walls are made of dark lava cobblestone, while aristocratic residences are adjacent to modest houses. Located along the hillside, the town is divided into several districts at different elevations. The old center was a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways and buildings with gates decorated with gargoyles. Old dilapidated houses in Castiglione di Sicilia. Wish to be restored Despite its unique beauty, Castiglione di Sicilia recently made the world “shocked” when offering old houses here for 1 euro, equivalent to 1 cup of coffee. This is because in this town there are about 900 abandoned houses. About half have been destroyed and will be given away for a symbolic price of 1 euro (~1.2 USD). The rest are in better condition and will be sold cheaply, starting from 4,000 – 5,000 euros. The reason is that many of the town’s former residents have migrated to Australia and South America in search of a brighter future. Their descendants never returned, leaving many houses in ruins, the doorways covered with moss and prickly pear branches. The prolonged Covid-19 epidemic and tourism stagnation made the scene even more dreary because most of the old houses are located in the oldest parts of the town. For example, Giudecca, the Jewish quarter is full of abandoned stone houses with thick, dilapidated walls. Most of the empty buildings in this area have a unique appearance, shaped like small turrets, with various entrances from different streets. That’s why Mayor Antonino Camarda undertook an ambitious project to breathe new life into his village, whose population has dropped from 14,000 in the early 1900s to just 3,000 today. He told CNN: “We have a huge architectural legacy to rescue, filled with history. Over time, too many people have gone, leaving behind picturesque old houses, many houses even date back to the Renaissance.” Hopefully with such a “shock price”, the old houses in Castiglione di Sicilia will soon be noticed by investors and the village will soon be revived.

Etna Park. Lauria Castle Lauria Castle is located in the center of the town of Castiglione, born as a defensive fortress of the city on sandstone, surrounded by majestic defensive walls, it forms a perfect military defense with the rest of the Alcantara valley. From the highest point of the castle, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the valley. Currently, the castle only has the bell tower and some ruins of the walls and passages. Cuban Byzantine Church Near the Castiglione di Sicilia you can find a typical Byzantine building called Santa Domenica Cuba, one of the very few buildings of this architecture still standing in Sicily. This church is in the shape of a Greek cross with a square plan, a dome. Built of lava stone, stucco, and terracotta, Santa Domenica Cuba has been a national monument since 1909. The Alcantara . gorges Alcantara River Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Sicily. The fast-flowing Alcantara River has magnificently sculpted the surrounding area to its liking. Next to it are deep gorges with lava basalt walls created by the ancient eruptions of the Etna volcano. Therefore, it is said that the scenery here gives visitors a sense of the strange power of water and fire. Etna Park Etna Park is a protected natural area whose main purpose is the absolute preservation of the Etna Range, a world heritage site. This park is home to many animals such as hedgehogs, foxes and Etna wild cats… It also has a luxuriant flora including chestnuts, olives, oaks, birch, Etna broom… with vibrant colors, effectively contrasting with the black color of the lava rock. Piano Provenzana ski area. Piano Provenzana . ski area Piano Provenzana is a ski area located just a few minutes from town. A magical and fascinating place that combines the beauty of the typical alpine landscape with the landscape of the sea. From above, visitors can admire the whole area with 360-degree views.

Outside the Cossack carpenter’s house. Photo: Tran Hieu – VNA reporter in Russia tại Here, visitors can learn a lot of cultural identity characteristics of the Cossacks – warriors who played an important role in the development history and culture of Russia. The Ataman Cultural Center Complex is located in a prime location, overlooking the beautiful Taman Bay. At the end of the 18th century, the village of Taman was the place where the first Cossacks from Zaparoze, Ukraine, sailed from the Crimea peninsula to land in Kuban, now Krasnodar province of Russia. That is why the Kuban people in southern Russia pronounce and have many words very similar to the Ukrainians. According to our guide Lida, who took us to visit Ataman village, this land is imbued with many different layers of ethnic culture. In the 6th century, this land was colonized by the Greeks and established a strong state called the Bosporus kingdom. Currently, on the Taman peninsula, there are still ruins of Greek columns of the two cities of Hermonassa and Phanagoria. According to Lida, it can be said that the Taman peninsula is the intersection of the cultures of Greece, Turkey, the Byzantine Empire, Cossack, and Rus. The old houses of the Cossacks were restored to their original form. Photo: Tran Hieu – VNA reporter in Russia tại On June 30, 1792, Queen Yekaterina II conferred a Medal of Honor on the Black Sea Cossack army, according to which the Cossacks who served and lived here were given permanent ownership of the Kuban land, bordered by the river. Kuban and Sea of ​​Azov. In 1793, the city of Yekaterinodar was founded by the Black Sea Cossacks. The city was named as a gift from the Kuban land that Queen Yekaterina II gave to the Black Sea Cossacks (Yekaterinodar means gift of Yekaterina) and now it is the bustling city of Krasnodar of Southern Russia. The Ataman Cultural Complex consists of 44 houses and courtyards according to the dimensions of the village, each house showing a function or characteristic of the Cossacks and each house has a guide to tell about the characteristics of the Cossacks. that house. You will first be invited to visit Ataman’s Khata (house) – the word for the military leader of the Cossacks. A feature of Ataman’s yard is a large horse-binding area for guests to visit. In each yard, there is a stove, so that every summer, the fire will be lit for the women in the house to show their talents. The Cossacks had a habit of keeping valuables in chests. The second room, also known as the upper room – Gornisa of the Cossacks is always clean and tidy, does not allow children to enter because in the room there is a corner of God’s worship facing east to catch the sun. Only a few Cossacks live in the village, taking care of conservation and guiding tourists to discover the national culture. Photo: Tran Hieu – VNA reporter in Russia tại The woman in the house needs to keep this room clean, or else she will be known as a “crazy”. The bed in the house is considered as the “passport” of the family, the more pillows the family is richer and absolutely no member can use the bed during the day. The Cossacks are very warlike. The average Cossack man served in the army for 20-25 years. Perhaps that is why Queen Yekaterina II gave this land to them to protect against the Ottoman Empire. At a house, my guide Lida showed me a picture of Ataman Yakov Petrovich Baklanov – the legendary general more than 2m tall of the Cossacks, the hero of the Caucasus war and considered the country’s first intelligence officer. Cossack. Also in the village of Taman I learned that the Russian painter Ilya Repin painted two famous paintings Cossack soldier Zaporoze writing a reply to the ultimatum of the Ottoman King, Sultan Mehmed IV. The picture is a beautiful story that shows admiration for the inherent vitality of the Cossacks and their contempt for power. There’s much more to see at Ataman Cultural Complex. For example, the Cossacks are very interested in the education of their children. Every Cossack paid a tax to send their children to the school built in the village; Every boy is given a piece of land from birth to build a house and a family, or a Cossack wooden “iron” called a rubel, which is used to scrub rough fabrics for soft fabrics. out… In Ataman, the festival season starts in May. Festivals here take place every Saturday with a variety of varieties such as jam festival, Kuban red cabbage soup festival, craft festival… and in festivals. That way you have the opportunity to feel more, admire the courage, as well as the traditional culture of the Cossacks.

1. Yerebatan Cistern – Where is the “Forgotten Underwater Palace” located? Icon Brother Icon France Icon Turkey The correct answer is answer C: Yerebatan Cistern (Basilica Cistern) is actually an ancient water tank left underwater in Turkey. This underground cistern is, in Greek, known as the “Basilica”. Archaeologists today call it “The Forgotten Underwater Palace”. 2. What year was Yerebatan Cistern built? Icon 531 Icon 532 Icon 533 The correct answer is answer B: Yerebatan Cistern was built in 532 under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. This ancient emperor built a cistern to store water for the Great Hall. In 1453, the cistern system was forgotten, when the capital Constantinople fell into the hands of the Ottoman Empire. In 1545, the French archaeologist Petrus Gyllius discovered the “underwater palace”. 3. In which city was the “Palace” Yerebatan Cistern built? Icon Istanbul Icon Besiktas Icon Ankara The correct answer is answer A: Yerebatan Cistern was built in the Turkish city of Istanbul. In this city, scientists found hundreds of water tanks, elaborately designed and built, of which the most famous is the Basilica Cistern. Not only an ordinary reservoir, Basilica Cistern is also known as the “Swallowed Palace”, hidden deep underground, which attracts a lot of tourists when visiting. 4. How many meters long is Basilica Cistern? Icon 140m Icon 143m Icon 145m The correct answer is answer B: “Palace” Basilica Cistern is the largest water tank in Istanbul with a length of 143 m, a width of 70 m, containing about 80,000 m3. 5. What kind of stone is Basilica Cistern built from? Icon granite Icon Magma Icon Jade The correct answer is answer C: This building is supported by 336 marble columns, creating beautiful domes like the famous synagogue in Europe. Some of the stone pillars are carved with the head of Medusa upside down. Currently, the Basilica Cistern is a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul. To help visitors admire the marble columns, as well as the devil’s head, in 1990, the city government installed a wooden platform system on a part of the water area to make a walking area inside the tank. . 6. Turkey’s Istanbul is Europe’s largest city? Icon It’s correct Icon Wrong The correct answer is answer A: According to World Atlas, with a population of more than 14 million people, an area of ​​more than 5.3 thousand square kilometers, Istanbul is the largest city in Europe. It is also one of the largest cities in the world. 7. What distinctive geographical feature does this city have? Icon Located on the islands Icon Located on 2 continents Icon Located on 7 hills The correct answer is answer B: Not only is the largest city in Europe, but Istanbul is also known as the only city in the world spanning 2 different continents including Asia and Europe. 8. Istanbul is also known as the city…? Icon Golden City Icon Diamond City Icon Cat City The correct answer is answer C: The forgotten city Istanbul is also known as the “cat city”. This city currently has more than 1 million cats living, making it the city with the most cats in the world. Result Please work harder! point