France has officially repatriated the Djidji Ayokwe, a sacred talking drum seized from the Ebrie people during the colonial era, to Ivory Coast. The return of this significant cultural artifact marks a milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore African heritage held in French museums, following a formal handover ceremony in Paris.
A major exhibition titled 'Building Community: Göbeklitepe, Taş Tepeler and Life 12,000 Years Ago' has opened in Berlin, showcasing nearly 100 artifacts from the ancient sites. Hosted at the James-Simon-Galerie, it explores the pivotal transition to settled life during the Neolithic Age, running until July 19, 2026.
The village of Vevcani in North Macedonia annually hosts its 1,400-year-old carnival, a vibrant blend of pagan rituals and modern satire. Held on January 13th and 14th, the event features elaborate masks, traditional characters like 'August the Stupid,' and a symbolic burning of masks to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the Orthodox New Year.
Archaeologists in Saudi Arabia have unearthed Masyoun, the oldest known human settlement on the Arabian Peninsula, dating back 10,300 to 11,000 years. Located northwest of Tabuk City, the Pre-Pottery Neolithic site reveals sophisticated early community life, including stone structures, tools, and evidence of farming and craftsmanship, significantly reshaping understanding of the region's ancient history.
