Ancient Explorer

04/05/2023

Hello Ancient Explorers!

At the moment, there is a live GoFundMe campaign to help support a youth-led cultural exchange. This campaign is close to my heart.

The campaign is a collaboration between the K**i Kawsay Association, an UNESCO-recognised, non-profit based in Pisaq, Peru and Aspen Mirabal. The funds raised will help youth from Quechua nations travel to the Pueblos of New Mexico.

This presentation is vital. The youth intend to share ancestral knowledge and wisdom through storytelling, ceremony and art. And it is through deep listening, sharing and developing relationships that our youth can together begin to imagine and plant the seeds to build a brighter future.

If you would like to learn more about the campaign and donate, please go to GoFundMe at:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/across-the-americas?fbclid=IwAR1cj5uoMM6kiA52tfJhQxXm8-vd-og6CYWczQ3ll0IPtdyr05JpGPPLQH0

Also, learn about K**i Kawsay on their page:
https://www.facebook.com/K**iKawsayIE

Please also help spread the word of the campaign by sharing this post!

With gratitude,
Lisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCV4s_EBpM

To donate to campaign visit the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/across-the-americasPara donar a la campaña, siga el siguiente enlace: https://www....

27/03/2023

Hello Ancient Explorers,

This is just a note to say that I'm taking un descanso.

I am taking a break from posting here to develop other projects.

Until I return, stay well and keep exploring with curiosity and wonder.

Thank you for your ongoing support,
Lisa.

📸 Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

22/03/2023

Morpho peleides

The Morpho family consists of 29 species of butterfly native to Central and South America.

Their wing span ranges from 7.5 to 20 cm.

Their common name, Morpho, is linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love. It comes from the Ancient Greek epithet for the goddess, μορφώ, which can be translated as "the shapely one". And when you look at the butterfly, you can see why it received this name; it is beautiful, just like the goddess.

📸Tom Hilton, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
🔗 [[File:Blue Morpho (11786190916).jpg|Blue_Morpho_(11786190916)]]

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22/03/2023

A great short introduction to the Inkan empire by Andean scholar, Gordon McEwan.

Check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/tededView full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-inca-empire-gordon-mcewanIt wa...

21/03/2023

Inkan Miniature Figurine

An Andean artisan forged this camelid figurine from silver, gold and copper alloy sometime between 1400 and 1533 AD.

Camelids played an essential role in Inkan ceremonies, including Qhapaq Hucha, a state ceremony during which the animal and people were sacrificed. Figurines were placed in offerings dedicated to important shrines, known as waka (or huaca).

X-radiography confirms that it was cast by the lost wax method. This is unusual, as most Inkan figurines were created of hammered metal sheets. Learn more about the production of the figurine on The MET's Museum website.

Do you have a question about Qhapaq Hucha or Inkan culture? I wrote my PhD dissertation on the Inkan sacred landscape. I invite you to leave your question below.

📸 The MET Museum, Public Domain
🔗https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/309960

21/03/2023

I'm researching Australian butterflies. At my local library, I could an excellent companion, 'Butterflies of South Australia' by Robert H. Fisher.

I'm learning to identify species by their colour, markings and form. It can be tricky but it's a great challenge.

What are you exploring at the moment, Ancient Explorers?

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20/03/2023

A fascinating short segment on the monarch butterfly by ABC News (USA). The species migrates from North America to Mexico every year.

The butterfly was introduced to Australia and is endemic along the east coast of Australia. However, it does not undertake such a long journey.

In 1996, around one billion monarchs wintered there, but in 2013, a little less than 50 million monarchs traveled there.

19/03/2023

The Lime Swallowtail

This beauty was photographed in Gandhinagar, India.
The butterfly is found across India, except in the arid northwestern region and at elevations above 2,000 metres.

The species scientific name is Papilio demoleus. It was first scientifically recorded by Linnaeus in 1758.

Learn more about the species on the Butterflies of India's website.
🔗 https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/Papilio-demoleus

📸 Photo by Lenstravelier on Unsplash

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17/03/2023

An interesting lecture by Professor Terri Doughty (2020) at Vancouver Island University on Elsa Beskow's books.

As Professor Doughty outlines, one of the unique characteristics of Elsa's work is the way she portrays plants. They are sentient, social and live in hierarchical and complex societies.

To watch the lecture, click on the link below.

Prof. Terri Doughty, English DepartmentArts & Humanities Colloquium SeriesVancouver Island UniversitySeptember 25, 2020

17/03/2023

Have you read the classic book "The Story of the Root Children" by Sibylle von Olfers, Ancient Explorers?

It is a beautiful read.It is a story that introduces children to the seasons.

In my latest post, I explore how the works of Sibylle and also Elsa Beskow, a dearly beloved Swedish author, have inspired generations of children to explore the magic of Nature.

My post
🔗www.ancientexplorer.com.au/blog
📸 Photo by Tony Mucci on Unsplash

Book's details
Publisher: Floris Books
It is available from Amazon at https://amzn.to/421sY6P

15/03/2023

Pea Blue Butterfly

The butterfly's scientific name is Lampides boeticus. It has a wingspan of around 26 mm.

The species is widespread; it can be found in the Hawaiian islands, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

The butterfly often dwells on the edges of forests and meadows. The larvae loves to munch on buds and flowers.

📸Photo by Bob Brewer on Unsplash

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15/03/2023

Wow! An interesting article.

Australian scholars believe behaviour documented in 2010s may have been described in ancient texts