We only know about when humans mastered fire or started using metal. But we know the exact date when the first powered flight took place. What are some really early “first ____” we know the date of for sure?

      • VindictiveJudge@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        I kind of wonder if time might be infinite in both directions, just because having a definitive beginning or end would seem to violate the conservation of matter and energy.

  • wjrii@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    There is no definite date, but I do love the circa 1750 BCE “oldest customer complaint,” so please forgive me.

    Now, when you had come, you spoke saying thus: ‘I will give good ingots to Gimil-Sin’; this you said to me when you had come, but you have not done it. You have offered bad ingots to my messenger, saying ‘If you will take it, take it; if you will not take it, go away.’ Who am I that you are treating me in this manner – treating me with such contempt? and that between gentlemen such as we are.

    I have written to you to receive my money, but you have neglected [to return] it. Repeatedly you have made them [messengers] return to me empty-handed through foreign country. Who is there amongst the Dilmun traders who has acted against me in this way? You have treated my messenger with contempt.

    And further with regard to the silver that you have taken with you from my house you make this discussion. And on your behalf I gave 18 talents of copper to the palace, and Sumi-abum also gave 18 talents of copper, apart from the fact that we issued the sealed document to the temple of Samas. With regard to that copper, as you have treated me, you have held back my money in a foreign territory, although you are obligated to hand it over to me intact.

    You will learn that here in Ur I will not accept from you copper that is not good. In my house, I will choose and take the ingots one by one. Because you have treated me with contempt, I shall exercise against you my right of selecting the copper.

  • Donjuanme@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    When was the first artist signed work? There’s some pottery that has artist emblems in it, but signing art doesn’t seem to be a thing until the Renaissance. Who did it first?

    • XTL@sopuli.xyz
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      2 months ago

      If the artist didn’t sign something, maybe a buyer or a patron left a mark.

      Some dated statue or completed building?