9th Century facts
While investigating facts about 9th Century, I found out little known, but curios details like:
Due to the Taliban dynamiting two famous 4th century giant statues of Buddha for their status as idols, excavators of the site discovered a cave network filled with 5th-9th century artwork and another, previously unknown giant statue of Buddha within
Scientists recreated a 9th century onion and garlic eye remedy from an Anglo-Saxon manuscript, and found that it killed 90% of antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria (MRSA).
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across. Here are 50 of the best facts about 9th Century I managed to collect.
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When the Vikings made it to Constantinople during the 9th century AD, some of them carved their names in runic inscriptions inside Hagia Sophia - still visible to this day.
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The stimulating effects of coffee were first observed in the 9th century by goat herders who noticed their goats started 'dancing' after eating coffee berries.
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In the 9th century Chinese alchemists in search of the elixir of life created a mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. Ironically, short of a path to immortality, they had discovered gunpowder.
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Archaeologists had found a ring inside a 9th century Viking grave that is inscribed with the phrase 'for Allah'.
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In 1972, in York, England archaeologists discovered the largest piece of fossilized human feces ever found. The dung measured 7 inches long and 2 inches wide and was created by a Viking in the 9th century who's diet consisted of meat and bread and was riddled with intestinal worms.
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Women taking on their husband's surname began in the 9th century when women did not have legal identity and therefore took on the husband's name to be legally covered by his identity.
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Some 9th century Scottish nuns literally cut off their noses and upper lips in order to make themselves too grotesque for invading Viking pirates to plunder (rape) them.
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During the 9th century AD, two Vikings graffitied their names in the runes of Hagia Sophia. These carvings have survived since the Byzantium era, and are still viewable in modern-day Istanbul.
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A stele (inscribed stone) was found in northern Israel that boasts of the author's victories over the "House of David". It likely dates back to 9th century BCE, making it the earliest known reference to King David.
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The world's first mental health hospital was built in Baghdad, Iraq in 705 AD. While mental health patients were being condemned, punished, and even burned in Europe, 8th and 9th century mental health patients in Iraq, Egypt, and Syria were given more proper hospitalization and treatment.
What is true about 9th century?
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In 1942, hundreds of skeletons were found in a Himalayan lake. Studies determined it to be the King of Kanauj and his entourage who had been struck by a massive hailstorm in the 9th century.
Shiraz wine has been produced in Shiraz, Iran since the 9th century. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution there were 300 wineries in Iran, now there are none. - source
In 1942, hundreds of skeletons were found around an obscure high altitude lake in India. The skeletons were the remains of a 9th century AD party killed by a freak hail storm. - source
Gunpowder was invented in the 9th century by Chinese alchemists who were (ironically) searching for an elixir for immortality.
A 9th-century pope was exhumed from his grave and put on trial for abuse of power. He lost the case. - source
Sigurd Eysteinsson was a Viking leader of the 9th century. In 890, when he began the conquest of Scotland, he killed and decapitated a Scottish leader before hanging his head to his saddle. A tooth scratches Sigurd's leg, the wound became infected and Sigurd "The Mighty One" died soon after
In the movie "Seven Years in Tibet," the entire village sticking their tongue out at Brad Pit is based on an actual and polite greeting, derived from showing you're not the reincarnation of 9th century Tibetan king, Lang Darma, who was considered evil and had a black tongue.
Al-Jahiz was a 9th century scientist who is responsible for introducing the concept of food chains.
The first degree-granting university was founded by a Muslim woman, Fatima al-Fihri, in 9th Century Africa.
The Arabian Sea is named after the Arabian merchants who dominated the sea from the 9th century to the late medieval period of history.
The descendants of the region of Normandy are Vikings. In the 9th century, Viking jarl Rollo took northern France and would go onto enter into vassalage to King Charles the Simple. Rollo legally gained the territory and called it "Normandy" to reflect his Viking heritage.