By Sophia Hayes
In terms of evolution reading is a relatively new skill, something that is not innate, but has to be learned. As writing can differ between cultures, so then is how we actually read. Compare for example, our alphabetic scripts against the logographic picture style of the Chinese. Written scripts have undergone many changes over the centuries, and written text has evolved into today’s format progressing through several different alphabets, but still only taking a mere 500 years to reach its present form. So where did it all start?
Tracing back thru time, we can find basic evidence around the 4th millennium BC where marks were made on clay tablets. Archaeologists argue the prehistory of books began near Babylon, and that the art of writing was probably invented for commercial reasons. For example, recording how many oxen one owns etc. These tablets are among the oldest examples of writing known, and just by looking at these, and trying to guess their meaning, reflects the preservation of a thought that occurred long after they were written. Writing was recognized as a powerful skill and scribes rose swiftly through the ranks of Mesopotamian society. Although reading was seen as important, it did not get as much notice as the ability to record the data. As the scribes knew, and society was to find, the written word depended on the ability to restore it, that is, to read it. By the 2nd millennium BC, Mesopotamian script changed from pictographic to cuneiform writing (wedge shaped signs representing sounds instead of objects), and by around 2000BC the first true alphabetic system (where a phoneme is represented by a letter) appeared. Although perhaps a Greek development, the Egyptian alphabetic system shows some elements of such representations. All European languages are derived from the Greek alphabet.
Before the advent of printing, scribes laboriously provided the production of text. Knowing Latin well enough to read and speak it regardless of the vernacular one spoke marked an individual as literate, and literacy tended to be limited to those of privileged birth.
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by Francesca Black
Copyright 2006 Francesca Black
The Dragon has played an important part in myths and religions since pre-historic times. The history of dragons goes back at least six thousand years, and there are dragon tales and legends from every continent except Antarctica. In almost every culture, and all throughout history, there are stories of these mythical and magical creatures called dragons. Different people have various theories of why so many cultures developed such a long lasting belief in dragons; however, none can actually be proven.
Many believe that dragons were what we now call dinausaurs. It may be that dragon stories partly grew out of people finding dinosaur bones. The thought is that when dragon bones were dug up later, they were given the new classification of dinosaur. Many evolutionists believe that dinosaurs became extinct millions of years before man walked the planet, while others claims dispute this. It is said that dinosaur fossils, which have been discovered along with human footprints and remains, add proof to the ancient people’s history of dragons. Others feel that people forgot that dragons were ever real, and quickly faded into mythology.
In almost every culture and all throughout history there are stories of these magical creatures called dragons. Later, in Europe these dragons in art forms were thought to be real life animals rather than symbols of evil.
Throughout many cultures, dragons may have appeared different, but they have always retained the same basic core elements. When most people think of dragons they generally think of fire breathing monsters, but originally dragons were usually connected with water. To the ancient Chinese, dragons were not creatures of fire, as so many would think, but rather creatures of water. The dragon of the Chinese resided in rivers, lakes, pools and rose in great clouds of mist to promote rainfall. In earlier Mideast stories, the dragons are most often associated with water and wisdom. Historians use this conection with water to distinguish dragons from other mythical animals.
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By Seb Jay
Loch Ness is arguably Scotland’s most famous tourist attraction. Every year, people from around the world visit this 24-mile stretch of water for its breathtaking beauty, and of course to revel in the legend of the fabled Loch Ness Monster. Loch Ness is just one of many lochs (or lakes) hidden amongst the awe-inspiring Scottish countryside, and is also one of the most rewarding. There is so much to discover along its picturesque shoreline and in the surrounding countryside, providing families and the young at heart with fun, excitement and adventure.
The North Shore
Inverness is the essential starting point for a tour around the Loch. Capital of the Highland Region in Scotland, Inverness is situated at a strategic point where the waters of Loch Ness flow out into the Moray Firth. Views along the wide river are very impressive, Inverness Castle sat high up on the river bank being the photographer’s favorite.
Loch Ness is some 15kms south-west of Inverness. Visitors should take the A82 road towards Drumnadrochit on the north side of the lake. Stunning views of the loch can be enjoyed between the trees all the way along the hilly shore road. Roughly a third of the way along the north shore the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle come into view.
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