/u/targumures's posts in /r/AskHistorians

Year:

Only show posts with narrations

This wikipedia page states that there was a "thriving Italian community" in 14th century Yangzhou, China. What is known about this community, and do any of their descendants live in China today?

2206 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

It's been asked before who the earliest historical person named is. But what are the earliest known words, and what language are they in? In other words, what is the oldest existing sample of writing?

178 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

What languages were spoken in Southern China before the early Chinese Empires expanded there? Did those languages have any effect on the modern Chinese languages of Southern China?

52 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

Most ancient civilisations had some form of writing. Was writing necessary for civilisations, or is there simply no records for the civilisations that had no writing (since they left no written records)?

13 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

What languages were spoken in China before the expansion before the expansion of modern Chinese languages?

12 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

Do any British placenames survive from pre-Celtic times?

11 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

Fragments from the 3rd century "Forma Urbis Romae" map show various streets in the ancient city of Rome. When compared to modern Rome, how similar is it? Do the ancient streets still exist?

9 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

Eastern South Africa is split between various native languages (Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho etc.), while Western South Africa is essentially all Afrikaans. What languages where found in the West before the Dutch arrived?

9 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
This wikipedia page states that there was a "thriving Italian community" in 14th century Yangzhou, China. What is known about this community, and do any of their descendants live in China today?	2206
It's been asked before who the earliest historical person named is. But what are the earliest known words, and what language are they in? In other words, what is the oldest existing sample of writing?	178
What languages were spoken in Southern China before the early Chinese Empires expanded there? Did those languages have any effect on the modern Chinese languages of Southern China?	52
Most ancient civilisations had some form of writing. Was writing necessary for civilisations, or is there simply no records for the civilisations that had no writing (since they left no written records)?	13
What languages were spoken in China before the expansion before the expansion of modern Chinese languages?	12
Do any British placenames survive from pre-Celtic times?	11
Fragments from the 3rd century "Forma Urbis Romae" map show various streets in the ancient city of Rome. When compared to modern Rome, how similar is it? Do the ancient streets still exist?	9
Eastern South Africa is split between various native languages (Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho etc.), while Western South Africa is essentially all Afrikaans. What languages where found in the West before the Dutch arrived?	9