The Rise of the Mali Empire, How Gold Built One of Africa’s Greatest Civilizations

The Mali Empire, flourishing between the 13th and 16th centuries, became one of Africa’s most powerful and wealthy civilizations, thanks largely to its control of the trans-Saharan gold trade. Founded by Sundiata Keita, Mali’s strategic position between West Africa’s gold fields and the Mediterranean world transformed it into an essential trading hub. Scholars widely agree…

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​The Muisca Confederation: A Hidden Gem of Pre-Columbian Civilization​

Nestled in the highlands of present-day Colombia, the Muisca Confederation was a sophisticated society that thrived long before Spanish conquest. Unlike their contemporaries—the Aztec, Maya, and Inca—the Muisca did not construct grand stone cities. Instead, they built circular dwellings called bohíos, made from wood and clay, arranged around central plazas. These settlements were strategically located…

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The Indus Valley Civilization: An Unsung Cradle of Urban Society

The Indus Valley Civilization, flourishing between 3300 BCE and 1300 BCE in what is now Pakistan and northwest India, stands as one of the world’s earliest urban cultures. Despite its contemporaneity with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley Civilization remains less heralded, yet its contributions to urban planning and social organization are profound. Cities…

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Humanism, A New Way of Thinking

sovet-gagarin.org – Humanism is a philosophical and intellectual movement that emerged during the Renaissance (14th–17th centuries), emphasizing reason, individual potential, and the study of classical knowledge. It shifted focus from religious doctrine to human experience, creativity, and critical thinking, shaping modern education, politics, and ethics. In this article, we will explore the origins, principles, key…

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