Meelis Friedenthal
@friedenthal.bsky.social
Historian of early modern thought at Tartu University. Author of some novels and plays. Proponent of open source and free software. This is an account posting in English (mostly inactive, though). Estonian on Mastodon https://est.social/@mf
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
"Tartu University is analysing other historic artefacts ... including an 800-year-old cross depicting genitalia that makes a sound when worn.
The metal cross has a hinged piece in the shape of a vulva that covers and knocks against an engraved penis design when moved around." #MedievalSky
The metal cross has a hinged piece in the shape of a vulva that covers and knocks against an engraved penis design when moved around." #MedievalSky
DNA reveals stone age teenager as chewer of 10,500-year-old ‘gum’
The prehistoric birch tar found in Estonia contained traces of saliva that were analysed by genetics experts
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM
"Tartu University is analysing other historic artefacts ... including an 800-year-old cross depicting genitalia that makes a sound when worn.
The metal cross has a hinged piece in the shape of a vulva that covers and knocks against an engraved penis design when moved around." #MedievalSky
The metal cross has a hinged piece in the shape of a vulva that covers and knocks against an engraved penis design when moved around." #MedievalSky
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
Heute hatte ich Gelegenheit auf einen Text von vier russischen Historikern (based in USA) zu antworten, der letzte Woche in der FAZ erschienen ist. Der Text der vier war eine zutiefst persönliche Attacke auf mich, weil ich es gewagt hatte, Teile (!) der Imperiumsforschung zu 🇷🇺 zu kritisieren.
1/8
1/8
Auf die unsachlichen Angriffe vor einer Woche in der FAZ antwortet @efdavies.bsky.social heute ebendort
September 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Heute hatte ich Gelegenheit auf einen Text von vier russischen Historikern (based in USA) zu antworten, der letzte Woche in der FAZ erschienen ist. Der Text der vier war eine zutiefst persönliche Attacke auf mich, weil ich es gewagt hatte, Teile (!) der Imperiumsforschung zu 🇷🇺 zu kritisieren.
1/8
1/8
My novel "The Bees" was published some time ago, but it is a real joy to see it still finds new readers. I'm grateful for this thoughtful and in-depth review from Italy.
laughinglyphes.wordpress.com/2025/06/21/l...
laughinglyphes.wordpress.com/2025/06/21/l...
Le api – Meelis Friedenthal
Premio dell’Unione Europea per la Letteratura nel 2013, “Le api” (”Mesilased”) è uno dei pochissimi titoli estoni approdati in Italia grazie all’impegno della casa editrice Iperborea e del tradutto…
laughinglyphes.wordpress.com
July 7, 2025 at 4:56 PM
My novel "The Bees" was published some time ago, but it is a real joy to see it still finds new readers. I'm grateful for this thoughtful and in-depth review from Italy.
laughinglyphes.wordpress.com/2025/06/21/l...
laughinglyphes.wordpress.com/2025/06/21/l...
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
Kurmo Konsa ja Meelis Friedenthali „Alkeemia ajaloost” täidab eestikeelses mõtte-, teadus- ja tehnikaloos olulise lünga, kirjutab Raul Veede: keeljakirjandus.ee/ee/archives/...
June 17, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Kurmo Konsa ja Meelis Friedenthali „Alkeemia ajaloost” täidab eestikeelses mõtte-, teadus- ja tehnikaloos olulise lünga, kirjutab Raul Veede: keeljakirjandus.ee/ee/archives/...
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
*Confused historians of early modern medicine wake up to find themselves experts on current affairs*
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apparently embraces the outdated "miasma theory" of disease instead of the widely accept "germ theory" of disease, which may help explain some of the actions he's been taking.
Ancient miasma theory may help explain Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine moves
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apparently embraces the outdated "miasma theory" of disease instead of the widely accept "germ theory" of disease, which may help explain some of the actions he's been taking.
n.pr
June 15, 2025 at 10:34 PM
*Confused historians of early modern medicine wake up to find themselves experts on current affairs*
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
Just in case if you missed this printing event in #Mainz: they publically printed a giant page of the Gutenberg bible in the format 5 x 7,20 meter. #bookhistory #skystorians
April 29, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Just in case if you missed this printing event in #Mainz: they publically printed a giant page of the Gutenberg bible in the format 5 x 7,20 meter. #bookhistory #skystorians
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
Happy birthday to Vilnius University, which is 446 years old today
April 1, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Happy birthday to Vilnius University, which is 446 years old today
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
"Philosophi definiunt vocem esse aerem tenuissimum ictum vel suum sensibile aurium, id est quod proprie auribus accidit."
St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 904; Prisciani grammatica; 851 CE; Ireland (Bangor?, Nendrum?); p.3
(www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)
St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 904; Prisciani grammatica; 851 CE; Ireland (Bangor?, Nendrum?); p.3
(www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)
March 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
"Philosophi definiunt vocem esse aerem tenuissimum ictum vel suum sensibile aurium, id est quod proprie auribus accidit."
St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 904; Prisciani grammatica; 851 CE; Ireland (Bangor?, Nendrum?); p.3
(www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)
St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 904; Prisciani grammatica; 851 CE; Ireland (Bangor?, Nendrum?); p.3
(www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
My haul from that Finnish book sale
March 21, 2025 at 11:12 AM
My haul from that Finnish book sale
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
Okay, this is my newest very very favorite meme.
March 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Okay, this is my newest very very favorite meme.
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
Looked at another way, the Baltic is a Mediterranean of the north - with Sweden as North Africa, Finland as Iberia, Estonia as Italy, Latvia as the Balkans, Lithuania as Greece and Poland as Turkey. Gotland is Crete…
March 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Looked at another way, the Baltic is a Mediterranean of the north - with Sweden as North Africa, Finland as Iberia, Estonia as Italy, Latvia as the Balkans, Lithuania as Greece and Poland as Turkey. Gotland is Crete…
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
This is a sewing pattern. It is also a page from a late 14th century manuscript that is one of two primary sources for an important Icelandic saga (Sturlunga saga), but that was probably not important to the 17th century person who really needed a sewing pattern.
#upcycling
#upcycling
January 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
This is a sewing pattern. It is also a page from a late 14th century manuscript that is one of two primary sources for an important Icelandic saga (Sturlunga saga), but that was probably not important to the 17th century person who really needed a sewing pattern.
#upcycling
#upcycling
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
Boy sleeping on a grave https://www.wikiart.org/en/caspar-david-friedrich/boy-sleeping-on-a-grave
January 15, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Boy sleeping on a grave https://www.wikiart.org/en/caspar-david-friedrich/boy-sleeping-on-a-grave
Reposted by Meelis Friedenthal
Early example, c1550s, of Sebastian Munster's Sea Monsters showing perils of the sea with fantastic sea beasties eating humans, attacking ships etc; hand coloured (later) ... lovely #seafever image ... maphouse.co.uk/antique-prin... 🦞🦈🦐🐳🪼🐟🏊
December 28, 2024 at 10:49 AM
Early example, c1550s, of Sebastian Munster's Sea Monsters showing perils of the sea with fantastic sea beasties eating humans, attacking ships etc; hand coloured (later) ... lovely #seafever image ... maphouse.co.uk/antique-prin... 🦞🦈🦐🐳🪼🐟🏊