Between 1276 and 1178 BC, a confederation of pirates known collectively as the Sea Peoples terrorized the coastal cities and civilizations of the eastern Mediterranean. For the most part, these pirates, who were the Bronze Age precursors to the Vikings of Scandinavia, preyed upon Egypt, which at that time was in its New Kingdom period.

What followed was a series of destructive raids that culminated in two major battles—the Battle of Djahy and the Battle of the Delta. The former, a land battle, was won by the army of Pharaoh Ramses III. The latter, a naval battle, not only repulsed one of the last major invasions by the Sea Peoples but may very well have saved ancient Egyptian civilization.

Despite their important role in history and the widely held notion that they were responsible for the Late Bronze Age Collapse, a near-catastrophic decline in civilization throughout the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean, the Sea Peoples remain the subject of controversy.

Although there are many areas of consensus, some historians and archaeologists continue to discover new interpretations. The following 10 theories present a spectrum of the many different theories regarding the Sea Peoples.

10 The Philistines

Depicted as the archvillains of the ancient Israelites in the Old Testament, the Philistines settled the southern coast of Israel (which today includes the Gaza Strip). After establishing settlements, the Philistines formed a confederation of city-states that included Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron.

The Philistines came into conflict with the Israelites once they started expanding their power beyond their coastal domains. Because of this conflict, the Israelites not only demonized the Philistines but made actual demons out of their gods, including the fish god Dagon. Elsewhere in the Bible, the Philistines were synthesized in the form of the giant Goliath, a proud, loutish warrior who is bested by the small and humble fighter David.

Outside of the Bible, the Philistines are mentioned in several Syrian, Phoenician, and Egyptian letters. While it is generally considered that the Philistines were a group of Sea Peoples who settled the area, not everyone agrees on their exact origins.

One of the more common theories is that the Philistines were originally from the Aegean Sea region, with many more people claiming that the Philistines were Mycenaean Greeks. Archaeological digs near the ancient Philistine city of Gath uncovered pieces of pottery that bear close similarities to ancient Greek objects. Furthermore, a red-and-black ceramic bear taken from one of the excavations almost certainly points to the influence of the Mycenaean culture.

9 The Sardinian Connection

In the Medinet Habu, a mortuary temple dedicated to Ramses III, there is carved into the stone the most famous depiction of the Sea Peoples. Showing several battles, the relief closely identifies the Sea Peoples with several different types of headwear.

The most striking group is depicted wearing horned helmets. It is commonly believed that these fighters belong to the Sherden, one of nine groups named by Egyptian records. Again, because the ancient Egyptians were mostly interested in fighting and defeating the Sea Peoples, they did not keep detailed records concerning their origins.

However, several researchers have concluded that the Sherden people were from Sardinia. Specifically, the Sherden are considered part of the island’s Nuragic civilization, a little-known civilization that left behind numerous stone sites, including towers, houses, and burial complexes. The Nuragic people (so named because of their stone structures, or “nuraghe”) also left behind statues, including Bronze Age figurines showing Sardinian warriors wearing horned helmets.

8 The Sicilian Connection

Following the age of the Sea Peoples, the island of Sicily was divided between three major tribes—the Elymians, the Sicani, and the Siculi (sometimes referred to as the Sicels). While the Sicani were indigenous to the island, the Elymians are believed to have originally come from Asia Minor and had deep connections to the Greek city-states of the Aegean Sea.

The Sicels, on the other hand, were likely an Italic tribe from the mainland. All three tribes may have connections to the Sea Peoples, but it is believed that marauders from Sicily were part of the invasions by the Sea Peoples. Specifically, these Sicilian pirates were called the Shekelesh by the Egyptians.

For their part, the later Greek conquerors of ancient Sicily believed that the Sicels had fled to Troy after being defeated by the Egyptians. From there, they traveled to southern Italy and finally to Sicily. Modern historians seem to corroborate this belief that the Sicels and the Elymians were both defeated members of the Sea Peoples confederation who found shelter in Sicily.

7 The Etruscans

Few European civilizations remain as mysterious as the Etruscans. These inhabitants of northern and central Italy left behind a still mostly indecipherable alphabet and language, thereby forcing historians to rely for further information on Roman records as well as the colorful tombs that the Etruscans built for one another. The question of Etruscan origins is far from new because the ancient Greeks pondered the issue themselves.

While some ancient Greeks believed that the Etruscans were related to the Pelasgians, an Aegean tribe who spoke a dialect of Mycenaean Greek, Dionysius of Halicarnassus claimed that the Etruscans were in fact the native inhabitants of Italy. The most often repeated assertion comes from Herodotus, however. Herodotus (and later Virgil) believed that the Etruscans came from the Anatolian region of Lydia and were led to Italy by King Tyrrhenus.

Interestingly enough, one of the Sea Peoples were the Teresh, whom some ancient historians also called the Tyrrhenians. According to this theory, the forefathers of the Etruscans were originally Greek pirates who sacked and settled Lydia before being pushed out of Anatolia by a famine. This origin might explain the similarities between Etruscan and Greek religions.

6 Connection To The Balkans

While most of the Sea Peoples came from either the Aegean or the wider Mediterranean, many historians argue that groups from the Adriatic Sea also joined the migration. Specifically, Austrian historian Fritz Schachermeyr asserted in 1982 that the Sherden and Shekelesh were originally from the Adriatic and had connections to the ancient Illyrians.

Today, little is known about the Illyrians besides the fact that they were a tribal confederation that ruled much of modern-day Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Serbia, and Albania. Furthermore, it is also believed that certain Illyrian tribes settled the Italian peninsula and intermixed with local Italic tribes. Recently, two researchers with Vienna University dispelled another notion about the Illyrians—that their language directly influenced modern Albanian.

Although Schachermeyr’s theory is not commonly held among students of the Sea Peoples, there are those who continue to believe that a famine in the Balkans drove several tribes, including the Illyrians, to migrate over land and over water.

5 The Battle Of Troy

The Battle of Troy is the heart of The Iliad, one of the Western world’s oldest works of literature. The epic poem describes the protracted siege of Troy by several armies representing the many different tribes of Greece. Three of these tribes—the Danoi, the Teucrians, and the Achaeans—may have participated in the Sea Peoples invasions.

In the Great Karnak Inscription and the Merneptah Stele, these Greek tribes are called the Denyen, the Tjeker, and the Ekwesh, respectively. However, none of this is set in stone, even though the Aegean region certainly provided a majority of the pirates involved in the Sea Peoples confederation.

Insofar as the Trojan War is concerned, many believed that Homer’s poem was a fictional rendering of a real confrontation between a Greek confederation and the native inhabitants of Troy (who may be the ancestors of the Etruscans). Tantalizingly, the Tawagalawa letter, which was written by an unnamed Hittite king (generally believed to be Hattusili III) to the king of Ahhiyawa (an ancient Anatolia kingdom just south of Troy), speaks of an incident involving Wilusa.

Specifically, the letter tells of a recent war between the Hittites and Ahhiyawa over Wilusa. Many believe that Wilusa, which belonged to the kingdom of Arzawa, was the Hittite name for Troy while Ahhiyawa was the name the Hittites gave to the Mycenaean Greek civilization of Asia Minor. This isn’t mere speculation because archaeological evidence recovered from western Turkey certainly points to the fact that Bronze Age Greeks developed city-states not far from lands claimed by the Hittites.

4 The Minoan Connection

Although a majority of the Sea Peoples may have come from the Greek mainland, it has been speculated that the island of Crete, which was then home to the powerful Minoan civilization, also produced raiders who participated in the conquests of the Sea Peoples. At times, Crete has been connected to the Tjeker and Peleset peoples, both of whom were lumped in with the Sea Peoples confederation by ancient Egyptian authors.

Prior to the Late Bronze Age Collapse, the Minoans traded widely with the Egyptians and the civilizations of the Levant. Furthermore, in the Amarna Letters, Crete, which is called Caphtor, is included as one of the great regional powers that suffered under the constant attacks of the Sea Peoples. That being said, Minoan pirates, along with Mycenaean colonists who had settled both Crete and Cyprus, may have joined the Sea Peoples to capture livestock, booty, and slaves.

3 The Dorian Invasion

Although it has been argued that the Sea Peoples undertook their voyages for plunder, some historians have claimed that the Sea Peoples were fleeing from invasions in their own homelands.

Regarding Mycenaean Greece, Carl Blegen of the University of Cincinnati proposed the idea that the Greek people of the central coast were forced to flee their homes due to the Dorian invasion from the mountainous south. While most contend that the various Mycenaean city-states collapsed due to natural disasters, there are many who still contend that Mycenaean Greeks fled burning city-states and joined the Sea Peoples confederation to find new homes.

The entire concept of the Dorian invasion comes from ancient Greek legend, specifically the Heracleidae, or the sons of Hercules. In the story, the exiled descendants of Hercules, who had been promised all of Greece, started a war to recapture their father’s lost land.

From this, certain historians proposed a theory concerning the successful conquest of Mycenaean Greece by Greek-speaking tribes from Laconia. Accordingly, Doric Greek, which was spoken by the inhabitants of Sparta and Pylos, became the ruling language of post-Mycenaean Greece, better known as the Greek Dark Age.

There are many problems with this theory, especially considering the dearth of archaeological evidence supporting it. But it does offer an interesting answer as to why the once-powerful city-states of Mycenaean Greece collapsed.

2 A Greater Indo-European East

Considering that most of the Sea Peoples came from Europe, it has been proposed that their incursions into the eastern Mediterranean form a sort of Indo-European migration period. Although it is not certain, it is likely that most of the Sea Peoples spoke different Indo-European languages, from Mycenaean Greek to the various Italic languages of Italy and Sicily.

Similarly, the degree to which the Sea Peoples created permanent settlements in the eastern Mediterranean is in dispute, but they were likely joined by a concurrent land migration coming from both Europe and Asia Minor. Some have proposed the dubious theory that “Land Peoples” from as far north as the Carpathian Mountains joined this migration, while others have noticed that the Lukka, one of the named Sea Peoples, seem similar to the Lydians or Luwians, two Indo-European peoples from western and central Asia Minor.

Indeed, the Anatolian kingdom of Kizzuwatna, which is today located in southwestern Turkey, may have included settlers from both Phoenicia and Mycenaean Greece. Furthermore, Hittite records may point to some Indo-European migrations predating the Sea Peoples, such as the conquests of Attarsiya, a Mycenaean Greek general who not only helped to establish the Greek kingdom of Ahhiya but also invaded Cyprus and various Hittite vassal states, including Arzawa.

1 Outsized Influence On Greek Mythology

As previously mentioned, some scholars believe that The Iliad recalls an ancient war between the Mycenaean Greek state of Ahhiyawa and the Hittite Empire. Similarly, The Odyssey details the attempts of the Greek general Odysseus to return to the island of Ithaca after serving in the Trojan War. Although these are the most famous examples of Greek legends dealing with the eastern Mediterranean, other legends point to a possible Greek memory of settlement in the Near East.

For instance, the story of Zeus, the chief god of the Olympians, and his battle with the monster Typhon likely comes from Cilicia, a kingdom in southern Anatolia controlled by the Hittites. Before the collapse of Mycenae, Greeks settled Cilicia in large numbers. From there, the Greeks absorbed Hittite and Cilician legends, including the story of a sea dragon defeated by a thunder god.

The Greek story of Teucer, one of the heroes of the Trojan War, similarly showcases a familiarity with the ancient Near East. It is said that Teucer and his men settled Crete and Cyprus and then set out on many voyages that took them through Canaan and Phoenician cities such as Sidon. It is possible that the story of Teucer, as well as other stories concerning the travels of Greek heroes following the Trojan War, may be parables about Mycenaean Greek settlement in the Near East during the age of the Sea Peoples.

Benjamin Welton is a freelance writer based in Boston. His work has appeared in The Weekly Standard, The Atlantic, , Metal Injection, and other publications. He currently blogs at literarytrebuchet.blogspot.com.

The thought of having a stranger secretly living in your home sounds like the stuff of nightmares and horror movies. Some people have found unwelcome guests living in their homes, though. Most of these interlopers live in attics, although they will sometimes occupy the basements or closets or even live under the house.

Some lived in their victim’s homes for more than a year before they were caught. Others escaped before they could be identified. All of the following stories are good reason to double-check that your doors and windows are locked.

10 Tatsuko Horikawa

In 2008, an unnamed 57-year-old Japanese man realized he had been sharing his home with a secret tenant. Prior to the discovery, he had noticed that someone was stealing food from his fridge. He suspected it was a burglar and installed security cameras that sent live footage of his home to his phone.

One fateful day, he received a video of a strange woman opening his fridge. He called the police, who went to his home, hoping to catch the burglar. The police were surprised when they found the doors and windows locked and intact with no sign of break-in. Nevertheless, they entered the home, thinking the burglar was still inside.

Police found no trace of the burglar until they checked the shelf just above the closet. Inside, they found 58-year-old Tatsuko Horikawa. Investigations revealed Horikawa had secretly lived in several other houses in the area before settling in the man’s home. She had lived there for a year before she was caught.^[1]

9 Unnamed Man

In 2012, Tracy thought she and her five children were the only occupants of her South Carolina home, until she discovered there was one other person: an ex she broke up with 12 years earlier. Tracy heard some strange noises in her attic the day before discovering her ex. She and two of her sons checked the attic but found nothing.

The strange noises continued throughout the night. Plaster and nails from the ceiling also fell on her bed and floor. Tracy called a nephew to check the attic the next day. The nephew found nothing at first until he went deeper into the attic, where he found her ex sleeping. The ex hurriedly left the house smiling. Tracy later learned that he could see her bedroom through an air vent.^[2]

Tracy could not figure out how her ex got into her home or how long he had been there. However, he had helped her put new doors in her home a year earlier and had just completed a 90-day sentence for stealing her vehicle. The ex left his stuff in the attic, including his photos, toys, cassettes, and several cups of feces and urine.

8 Anthony Jones

In 2017, a woman got the shock of her life when she found a man living in the attic of her rented apartment in Arlington, Virginia. The woman was home alone that night when she heard some footsteps in the attic. She checked with the landlord, who denied walking in the attic that night. The landlord called the police, who visited the home.

Police were searching the attic when they ordered anyone inside to come out. A man, identified as 60-year-old Anthony Jones, came out and surrendered himself to the police. Inside the attic, they found his clothes and bedding. While police could not determine how long Jones had been in the house, they suspected he had entered through an unlocked door.^[3]

7 Unidentified Person

Amber Dawn heard footsteps in her attic the night she moved into her new apartment in Enumclaw, Washington, in 1997. She checked the trap door that led to the attic. While it looked suspicious—as if it had been pulled in by someone inside—she never thought someone could actually be in there. She told the landlady about the footsteps, but the landlady dismissed it as a squirrel.

Dawn would notice strange events in her home over the next few months. Things mysteriously went missing, and her items were being moved. At one point, her nine-week-old puppy ended up inside her bathroom sink during a flood, even though it couldn’t climb in by itself. Dawn thought her brother, who also had a key to her apartment, was responsible. She only found out the truth six months after moving in.

One night, she was soaking in the bathtub when she looked up at the trap door that led to her attic. It was open. She hurriedly grabbed a hammer and her dog before leaving the house. Outside, she called her her sister-in-law, who came and picked her up. Police later searched Dawn’s apartment and found no one. However, they found food, a book, and a sleeping bag inside the attic.^[4]

6 Unidentified Woman

In 2016, Davis Wahlman heard some strange noises in the attic of his Seattle home. He went upstairs to check and found that the light in one of the rooms was on, which was weird because he had switched it off. He tried entering the room, but the door was locked from inside. He knocked, and a woman answered from inside, asking if it was Jimmy.

Wahlman told her he was not Jimmy and asked why she was in his house before calling the police. The woman later opened the door. She never answered Wahlman’s questions and continued ranting about how she had been living in the house for three days and how someone called Jimmy had told her she could stay. However, she left before police arrived.

Wahlman checked his attic and saw she still had her stuff there. The night before finding the woman in his home, he had noticed some unusual events. Someone had turned on some lights he had turned off, removed the flyscreen from his bathroom, and deployed a fire escape ladder. He changed the locks on all the doors in his home after the incident.^[5]

5 Jeremy

In 2013, some Ohio State University students discovered they were not alone in their off-campus accommodation after they found someone living in their basement. Before the discovery, the students had often found their cupboards and microwaves open and had even heard noises from the basement.

They never thought much of the events, although they often joked that the strange happenings were the handiwork of a ghost. They only found out the ghost was a secret roommate when maintenance workers forcefully opened the basement. The stranger was another student, who was only identified as Jeremy. They allowed him pick up his things before evicting him from the home.

No one knew how Jeremy got into the house or how long he had been living there. They guessed it was before they moved in, since the landlord never changed the locks of the house. Interestingly, one of the roommates had met Jeremy earlier but thought he was a visitor.^[6]

4 Jose Rafael Leyva-Caraveo And Veronica Fernandez-Beleta

For months in 2012, Troy and Dayna Donovan and their two children could not return to their Littleton, Colorado, home because it was occupied by two squatters, Jose Rafael Leyva-Caraveo and Veronica Fernandez-Beleta. The Donovans lived in the house until they left for Indiana, where Troy had found a temporary job. They locked their home, but Jose and Veronica managed to get in.

Jose and Veronica claimed they got the house through an affidavit of adverse possession and had paid $5,000. This was even though Colorado law demanded that a minimum of 18 years (or seven years in some circumstances) must have elapsed before a house could be possessed under the adverse possession law. The Donovans had only been away from their home for few months.

The Donovans were in a jam. The police refused to interfere because it was considered a civil and not a criminal case; the squatters were not caught breaking in. Jose and Veronica also got a restraining order against the Donovans, preventing them from coming near the house. The Donovans later won a court judgment that ordered Jose and Veronica to vacate the home within 48 hours.

However, it was not that easy, as Veronica had already filed for bankruptcy. Under Colorado law, a squatter cannot be immediately evicted if they declare bankruptcy. Meanwhile, the Donovans continued to live in the basement of the home of a relative in another town while hoping they would finally get the squatters out of their own house.^[7] Jose and Veronica ended up being charged with multiple felonies, so the Donovans presumably got to go home.

3 Unidentified Person

In 2013, 73-year-old grandmother Velma Kellen noticed the front part of her Yelm, Washington, home was colder than other parts of her home. She suspected the heating was not working properly and bought another furnace. But the problem persisted, so she called a repairman to check it out.

The repairman discovered the problem was not the furnace but that someone was living under her house. The person had cut her ducts to redirect the heat there. Kellen was shocked. While she never saw the person, she had noticed some unusual events in her home. She once found her gate open and often smelled something that was “worse than cigarettes.” The repairman did not find any drugs but did discover a beer can under the house.^[8]

2 Tyggra Shepherd

In what seems to be a case of fraud, a woman found some strangers living in her home in South Carolina in 2018. Katherine Lang had just returned from vacation and decided to inspect the pipes of her new home. She found a dog and cat outside, which she thought was weird. She entered the house and found two women.

One of the women, Tyggra Shepherd, had moved into the home after finding an advertisement on Facebook. She’d paid $1,150 to the fraudsters who had posed as the owners. They told her to enter the house through the back door after claiming the person who was supposed to bring the keys was detained by the police. Lang herself had never lived in the home. She had still been living in her old house, which she was trying to sell before moving into the new one.^[9]

1 Zeng

In China, a man only identified as “Wang” found an stranger called “Zeng” living inside the attic of his home in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, in 2014. Wang would never have found out about Zeng if the latter hadn’t locked the door from inside. Wang called the police, who found a hole in his kitchen ceiling that led to his attic. They found Zeng inside the attic.

Before the discovery, Wang had noticed that money and food were disappearing in his home. Police determined Zeng had stolen about 2,000 yuan in Wang’s home. He also cooked meals for himself while Wang was away. Zeng had gotten into the attic from outside the house. He confessed to alternating between Wang’s home and that of a neighbor.^[10]

Mushrooms are having a moment. Once dismissed as mere ingredients or forest oddities, they’re now the stars of conversations everywhere—from health circles to science labs. This isn’t a fad but a fundamental shift in how we see and use these fungi. From wellness trends to business booms, mushrooms are popping up everywhere, proving they’re more than just a side dish.

Our list dives into these undeniable signs, covering the rise of online communities, the integration of mushrooms into wellness practices, and their economic impact. We also explore the shift in public sentiment, their emergence as a cultural phenomenon, and their coverage in mainstream media. Increased scientific research, legislative changes, and the rising popularity of microdosing highlight the broader acceptance of mushrooms. Finally, we look at how celebrity endorsements are further cementing mushrooms’ place in modern life. From every angle, it’s clear: Our relationship with mushrooms is changing, and it’s changing fast.

Related: 10 Experiences to Make You Feel Like an Adrenaline Junkie

10 Online Communities and Education

Online communities dedicated to mushrooms have grown in popularity, with groups like the New York Mycological Society (NYMS) and numerous online forums facilitating the exchange of information and fostering enthusiasm among both amateur and experienced mycologists. This increased accessibility to knowledge has democratized the study of mushrooms.

Educational opportunities in mycology have expanded, with universities and independent organizations offering courses and workshops on various aspects of fungi, including foraging, cultivation, and medicinal applications. This has led to a broader interest in and understanding of the diverse roles that mushrooms play in nature and human society.

Social media influencers and content creators have contributed to this growing interest by sharing engaging content about mushrooms, inspiring wider curiosity and appreciation for these organisms. The increasing online presence of mushroom-related content reflects a growing fascination with and respect for mushrooms as a significant part of the natural world.^[1]

9 Integration into Wellness Practices

Mushrooms have gained traction in the wellness scene, with many people incorporating them into their health routines. People are increasingly interested in these fungi for their potential benefits, which some studies suggest may include boosting focus, enhancing immunity, and aiding in stress relief. Adaptogenic mushrooms like reishi, lion’s mane, and chaga are especially popular due to claims that they help the body adapt to stress and restore balance.

Mushroom supplements, powders, and teas are now widely available, making it easier to add these fungi to daily life. Some wellness enthusiasts report experiencing improved cognitive function, sleep quality, and reduced inflammation. This trend is not limited to alternative health circles; mainstream wellness brands are also incorporating mushrooms into their products, reflecting a broader interest in their potential health benefits.

The growing popularity of mushrooms in wellness practices indicates a growing interest in their potential benefits. While scientific research is ongoing and more evidence is needed to confirm their efficacy, the anecdotal evidence and increasing research attention suggest a growing curiosity and acceptance of mushrooms as potential tools for health and wellness.^[2]

8 Economic Impact

The mushroom industry is experiencing significant growth, creating economic opportunities in various sectors. The market for edible and medicinal mushrooms has expanded, driven by factors such as increasing consumer interest in health and wellness, technological advancements in cultivation, and a growing awareness of sustainability. Farmers are diversifying their crops to include gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, which can offer higher profit margins and open new revenue streams.

Both startups and established companies are capitalizing on this trend. Startups are focusing on innovative mushroom-based products like dietary supplements and novel food items, while established companies are exploring applications in sustainable materials like biodegradable packaging and leather alternatives. This surge in mushroom-related businesses contributes to job creation and economic growth, particularly in regions with favorable growing conditions.

This economic impact highlights the increasing recognition of mushrooms’ versatility and value. As consumer demand continues to rise and research uncovers new applications, the mushroom industry is poised to play a growing role in the global economy, with entrepreneurs and farmers at the forefront of this emerging market.^[3]

7 Public Sentiment Shift

Public sentiment toward mushrooms has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once viewed with suspicion or simply ignored, mushrooms are now embraced as symbols of sustainability and health. This shift is driven by increased awareness of their nutritional benefits, ecological importance, and potential therapeutic uses. People are more willing to experiment with mushrooms in their diets, seeking out varieties like shiitake, maitake, and oyster mushrooms for their unique flavors and health benefits.

This changing attitude is also reflected in the growing interest in foraging and cultivating mushrooms. Workshops, guided foraging tours, and urban mushroom farming initiatives are becoming more popular, highlighting a collective move toward reconnecting with nature and understanding our food sources. This shift in public sentiment underscores a broader trend of embracing natural and sustainable living practices, with mushrooms at the forefront of this movement.^4[]

6 Cultural Phenomenon

Mushrooms have become more than just a food trend; they’re now a cultural phenomenon. Grocery stores are stocked with diverse mushroom products, from gourmet varieties like lion’s mane and maitake to innovative items like chaga coffee and mushroom-infused chocolate bars. This surge in popularity is reflected in the significant increase in mushroom sales and their frequent appearance on food trend lists.

The fascination with mushrooms extends beyond the kitchen. Artistic expressions, fashion lines, and pop culture references celebrate these fungi, highlighting their aesthetic appeal and symbolic meanings. Festivals and events dedicated to mushrooms further showcase their growing cultural significance. This cultural embrace illustrates a broader societal shift towards appreciating and incorporating mushrooms into various aspects of life.^[5]

5 Mainstream Media Coverage

Mushrooms have captured the attention of mainstream media, solidifying their place in popular culture. Documentaries like Fantastic Fungi on Netflix have played a crucial role in educating the public about the fascinating world of fungi, showcasing their ecological importance and potential health benefits. These films have reached wide audiences, sparking curiosity and appreciation for mushrooms.

In addition to documentaries, mushrooms frequently appear in news articles, magazines, and cooking shows. Renowned chefs are incorporating exotic mushrooms into their dishes, highlighting their unique flavors and textures. This media exposure has contributed to the growing interest in mushrooms, making them a trendy topic in culinary and wellness circles.

The media’s portrayal of mushrooms as both a culinary delight and a health booster has significantly influenced public perception. As a result, mushrooms are no longer seen as obscure or niche; they are celebrated as versatile and valuable components of a healthy lifestyle. This mainstream coverage has undoubtedly helped elevate mushrooms to their current esteemed status.^[6]

4 Increased Scientific Research

The scientific community is diving deeper into the world of mushrooms, uncovering their impressive potential. Research into the medicinal properties of fungi is expanding, with studies highlighting the benefits of compounds like psilocybin for mental health treatments such as depression and PTSD. These findings are gradually changing the perception of mushrooms from mere food items to powerful therapeutic tools.

Beyond mental health, scientists are also exploring the nutritional and environmental benefits of mushrooms. Studies show they can boost immune function, reduce inflammation, and promote overall health. Additionally, mushrooms’ ability to decompose organic waste and improve soil quality is gaining attention, making them valuable for sustainable agriculture.

This surge in scientific research is shedding new light on mushrooms’ multifaceted roles. As more studies confirm their benefits, mushrooms are being recognized for their culinary uses and as crucial elements in health and sustainability. The growing body of evidence is reshaping how we understand and utilize these remarkable organisms.^[7]

3 Legislative Changes

Legislative changes are playing a significant role in altering the public perception of mushrooms. Recent years have seen a shift in policies, particularly concerning psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms. Cities like Denver and Oakland have decriminalized psilocybin, and Oregon has gone a step further by legalizing it for therapeutic use. These legislative moves reflect a growing recognition of the potential benefits of mushrooms for mental health.

The momentum for reform is not slowing down. Lawmakers in various states are considering bills to decriminalize or regulate the use of psilocybin and other psychedelic substances. This wave of legislative changes is driven by increasing scientific evidence and public support for alternative treatments for mental health conditions. The evolving legal landscape is paving the way for broader acceptance and research into the therapeutic uses of mushrooms.

These legislative changes are crucial in reshaping how society views mushrooms, moving them from the fringes of legality into more mainstream acceptance. As laws continue to evolve, they open new possibilities for research, therapy, and broader societal acceptance of mushrooms’ diverse benefits.^[8]

2 Rising Popularity of Microdosing

Microdosing, the practice of taking small, sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelic substances, is gaining traction, particularly with psilocybin mushrooms. People are turning to microdosing to enhance creativity, improve focus, and boost overall well-being. This trend is supported by anecdotal evidence and emerging scientific studies suggesting potential benefits for mental health. As more individuals explore microdosing, the conversation around its effects and benefits continues to grow.

The increasing popularity of microdosing is also reflected in the media and public discussions. Influencers and advocates share their positive experiences, helping to destigmatize the practice. Additionally, ongoing research and legislative changes are paving the way for broader acceptance and understanding of microdosing. This rising trend signifies a shift in how people perceive and utilize mushrooms, highlighting their potential beyond traditional uses.^[9]

1 Celebrity Endorsements

Celebrity endorsements are significantly boosting the popularity of mushrooms. High-profile figures are openly discussing their experiences with mushrooms, particularly psilocybin, for mental health and wellness. These endorsements help to destigmatize the use of mushrooms and bring them into mainstream conversations. When celebrities share their positive outcomes, it encourages their fans and the general public to explore the benefits of mushrooms.

The influence of celebrities extends to social media, where posts and videos about mushrooms reach millions of followers. This visibility has a powerful impact on public perception, making mushrooms more accessible and acceptable. As more celebrities advocate for the benefits of mushrooms, their acceptance and integration into wellness practices continue to grow, reflecting a significant shift in societal attitudes.^[10]

In the 1960s, a Viking settlement was discovered in Newfoundland, Canada that predated Christopher Columbus’s famous voyage by about 500 years. The discovery shattered the notion that Columbus was the first person to discover the New World (outside of the indigenous people who had been living there for millennia, of course). So if the Norse could do it, who else might have managed to cross the ocean blue before fourteen hundred and ninety-two? Here are ten theories that have been proposed by college professors, museum professionals, and amateur historians. We covered this topic six years ago, so it seems appropriate that we do an update today!

10 Civilizations That Might Have Beaten Columbus To America – 2014

10 Polynesian Voyagers

The epic journeys of the ancient Polynesians inspired the 2016 Disney movie Moana. Starting about 3,000 years ago and using ocean-going catamarans, they colonized New Zealand, Hawaii, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), and everything in between. Their network of islands, now referred to as the Polynesian Triangle, was larger than modern-day Russia.

The Polynesians almost certainly made it to South America before Columbus. Sweet potatoes, which are native to South America, were being cultivated on Mangaia Island and Hawaii centuries before European contact. In 2007, chicken bones dating from 1321 to 1407 were discovered in Chile. Although there is not yet DNA evidence to prove a link, Polynesians were known to bring the tasty birds around the Pacific.

An analysis of Rapa Nui islanders showed that DNA from South America appeared in their gene pool somewhere between 1300 to 1500 AD. But how did it get there? Some believe South Americans sailed over on balsa wood rafts (Thor Heyerdahl famously sailed a reproduction from Peru to Raroia Island in 1947) but many experts believe that the superior vessels and sophisticated wayfinding of the Polynesians—still used today—is much more likely.^[1]

9 Japanese Fishermen

In the late 1960s, Ecuadorian businessman Emilio Estrada led an excavation of Valdivia, a 5,000year-old archeology site in Ecuador. There was a large amount of strange pottery, so he wrote a letter to Betty Meggers at the Smithsonian Museum to help identify them. She replied that they looked like 5,000-year-old Jomon pottery from Japan.

But how could a Japanese ship sail all the way to Ecuador? They might have been aiming for it. The Kuroshio Current has been known to push Japanese fishing junks out to sea, leaving the crew to drift for months. In 1815, a junk was washed ashore near Santa Barbra, California with three crew members still alive after 17 months at sea. In 1843, another appeared on the Mexico coast with two traumatized fishermen still inside.

The Kuroshio does not have a direct line to Ecuador, but there seem to be some DNA markers and unique viruses in the area hinting that a Japanese junk might have bested the odds. If so, those Japanese fishermen beat Christopher Columbus by about 4,500 years.^[2]

8 Irish Monks

Not long after the death of Saint Patrick, another Irish saint was in town. Saint Brendan was nicknamed “the Navigator” for his voyages to Scotland, Wales, and Brittany to spread Christianity. In the ninth century, a semi-mythical, semi-historical account of his voyage became a medieval bestseller

In The Voyage of Saint Brendan, Saint Barinthus tells Brendan that he has just returned from Paradise, a land far beyond the western horizon. Brendan decides that he needs to see it for himself. He assembles a crew, a leather-bound Irish currah boat, and some divine goodwill before setting out. The crew travels through a mystical world, including “hell,” where “great demons threw down lumps of fiery slag from an island with rivers of gold fire.”

Could this be a reference to Iceland? And if the Irish reached Iceland, could they have followed the Viking path all the way over to Newfoundland? To test this theory, historian and adventurer Tim Severin successfully sailed a leather-bound currah boat from Ireland to the New World in 1976. So, it is possible!^[3]

7 English Merchants

In 1475, medieval codfish conglomerate the Hanseatic League refused to sell cod to the British port of Bristol. The English, who loved fish, immediately started looking for a workaround.

A wealthy customs official named Thomas Croft several funded fish-finding expeditions led by merchant John Jay, whose plan was to find a mythical fog-hidden land west of Ireland called Hy-Brasil. The official record says, unsurprisingly, that they didn’t find it. But shortly afterward, Bristol started importing a suspicious amount of fish. Thomas Croft was arrested for illegal trading, only to be acquitted at trial. So where were the fish coming from?

In 1956, a letter written by a spy for the Spanish Inquisition was discovered in the Spanish National Archives. “It is considered certain,” the spy wrote, “that the cape of the said land was found and discovered in the past…by the men from Bristol who found ‘Brasil.’”

If the Bristol fisherman discovered the rich cod stocks off Newfoundland, they would understandably want to keep it an industry secret. Too bad Christopher Columbus spilled the beans.^[4]

6 A Moorish Daredevil

The Arab historian Abu al-Hasan Ali Al-Mas’udi, who lived from 896 to 956, described in his famous history book The Golden Meadows that a Moor named Khoshkhash had sailed into the Atlantic. “Nobody knew for a long time what had become of them,” he wrote, “At length they returned with rich booty.” Although the book fails to mention where Khoshkhash got his booty, Muslim scholars have suggested he traveled to the Caribbean islands over 600 years before Columbus.

In the 1960s, a container of many Roman and two 8th century Arabic coins was found washed up off the coast of Venezuela. These were used in medieval Europe, leading some to consider this evidence for Khoshkhash’s voyage. But there is very little information about the coins, including (as one researcher put it) “whether the container was a ceramic amphora or a pickle jar.”^[5]

Top 10 Iconic Things With Criminal Beginnings

5 Two Venetian Brothers and a Norwegian Nobleman

In 1558, Nicolò Zeno published a bestselling book of letters that he claimed had been in his family archive for generations. They were from his great-great-great-grandfather Antonio Zeno and his great-great-great-uncle Nicolò Zeno, who wrote about their adventures traveling the Arctic.

In 1380, Nicolò Zeno sailed from Venice to Flanders. From there, according to the text, he was shipwrecked on an island called Frislanda and rescued by a prince named Zichmni, who was in the business of conquering everything in sight. Nicolò wrote to his brother Antonio and together they helped Zichmni win lots of battles against defenseless islanders. The book also included a map they supposedly drew, which is a semi-accurate depiction of northern Scotland, Iceland, and Greenland.

Modern theorists suggest that “Zichmni” is a very, very misspelled “d’Orkney,” (as in Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney) and that the islands mentioned are similarly butchered names for islands in the North Atlantic.

It’s also been suggested that Henry Sinclair and the Zeno brothers sailed beyond Greenland and followed the Viking path to Nova Scotia, over a century before Columbus. In 1998, the Prince Henry Sinclair Society of North America unveiled a monument at his supposed landing spot in Canso, Nova Scotia in the hope it would draw tourists.^[6]

4 A Roman Explorer

In 1933, a tiny terracotta statue head was excavated at an archeology site in Calixtlahuaca, Mexico. The face was beaded, with decidedly non-Mexican features and wearing a truncated cap. Ernest Boehringer, a specialist in Classical Archaeology, examined the head and declared it to be of second or third-century Roman origin. But how could a Roman head end up at an archeology site occupied from 1300 to 800 B.C.?

One theory is that the statue head was placed on the site as a joke. Dr. John Paddack used to tell his classes at the Universidad de las Américas that it had been planted by Hugo Moedano, a student who worked at the site. It also could have been a mix-up in the paperwork, since archeological standards in the 1930s were a tad bit looser than they are today. Or—a theory that has yet to be disproven—it could be evidence that a Roman made their way to Mexico in pre-Columbian times.^[7]

3 Chinese Treasure Ships

In the early 1400s, China was the world’s greatest naval power. Their treasure ships were described as the size of the World War I vessel USS Minnesota and traveled throughout southern Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and the east coast of Africa. If the Chinese had wanted to cross the Pacific, they certainly could have.

Former submarine commander Gavin Mendes believes that a Chinese treasure fleet commanded by Zheng He went further than the others, exploring Australia, the Caribbean, and even leaving settlements in South America. But he had little evidence to support these claims until Chinese lawyer Liu Gang found an old map in a Shanghai secondhand bookshop that showed North and South America in surprising detail. The map contained a note saying it was a 1763 copy of a 1418 original—about the date Mendes had claimed.

The cartography community considers the map to be a fake. China and Hong Kong are full of “ancient texts” that can be bought on street corners, and the map is filled with naming errors—including a modern Chinese spelling of Mohammed. Not exactly ironclad evidence for a transcontinental voyage, but further proof might be out there.^[8]

2 A Mali Emperor

Mansa Musa ruled the Islamic Empire of Mali and was so wealthy that when he went on his 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca, he gave away so much gold that the price dropped internationally. But when asked about his brother Abu Bakar II, who held the throne before him, Mansa Musa said, “The ruler who preceded me did not believe that it was impossible to reach the extremity of the ocean that encircles the earth (meaning Atlantic), and wanted to reach that (end)… never to return nor to give a sign of life.”

Malian scholar Gaoussou Diawara believes that the reason Ali Bakar II never came back is that he landed in Brazil. Specifically, the city of Recife, whose other name of Purnanbuco might be an aberration of the Mande name for the rich goldfields of the Mali Empire. He also cites chemical analyses stating that the gold on American spears might have come from Mali and a report by Christopher Columbus saying that he had encountered black traders on his voyages.

Whether Abu Bakar II made it to Brazil or drowned in the Atlantic Ocean, his heir Mansa Musa took the throne and become the greatest emperor in Mali history.^[9]

1 Basque Whalers

In 1530, the Basque were whaling in Newfoundland. In 1535, when Jacques de Cartier “discovered” the Saint Lawrence River, he found about 1,000 Basque fishing boats already harvesting cod. This makes them the first Europeans to settle in the area after the Vikings.

The Basque are a unique group of people that live on the border of France and Spain. They are culturally unique, and their language Euskera has no similarities to those of their neighbors—so they don’t do a lot of talking to outsiders. Shipbuilders and seafarers for centuries, they were expert navigators and fishermen.

Either the Basque swooped in the moment Columbus came back, or they had a head start—perhaps from chasing whales across the Atlantic. After all, they were extraordinarily good at preserving fish for long voyages. There may yet be a pre-Columbian Basque settlement waiting to be discovered in Newfoundland.^[10]

10 Rarely Told Tales Of Columbus, History’s Greatest Explorer

Fear is one of the greatest motivators in the world. It can make a person act irrationally, and it can breed paranoia and distrust. And sometimes it just has really bizarre and unexpected effects that echo throughout history. All because someone was afraid of what might happen if they let things play out a certain way.

10. Elevator Operators Had Their Jobs Due to Fear

Once upon a time, if you were taking an elevator in a building, you just stood there while someone else did the hard work of pressing buttons and opening the doors. Elevator operators were a staple of any building that had an elevator because, of course, they were. An elevator was a giant metal box hanging from a cable that could potentially rise hundreds of feet into the air. Obviously someone with skill needed to operate it, right?

In 1945, elevator operators in New York went on strike. This crippled the city and cost a hundred million dollars. Millions of people couldn’t go to work. Because no one could operate an elevator. They were afraid to use one because they didn’t know any better.

The elevator industry had to start educating people. They had to learn they could press a button on their own, and eventually they did. Tens of thousands of elevator drivers lost jobs that only existed because people were afraid to use an elevator on their own. 

9. After 9/11 Fear of Flying Caused an Increase on Driving Deaths

September 11, 2001 is a day none of us who experienced it will ever forget. The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York produced a fear unlike anything America had experienced before. Planes had been turned into weapons on American soil and for a long while afterward, no one knew what was safe. This had a profound effect on air travel and, in turn, automobile fatalities. 

Fear of more terrorist attacks shut down the airline industry for days. Even when it reopened, people were reluctant to take to the skies again. The result was more Americans driving than flying. That, in turn, led to a significant rise in accidents and road deaths. In fact, 1,600 more road deaths occurred in the year following September 11 than should have happened based on statistics, or about 242 additional fatalities per month, depending on data sets used.

8. Danes Feared Damnation So They Committed Murder Instead of Suicide 

If you’re a religious person, you may be of the belief that suicide is a mortal sin and will condemn you to hell. Catholics believe this and, in the 18th century, the very idea of suicide was extremely taboo for this very reason. But that didn’t mean people weren’t contemplating it as much as people might today. They just had to think of a loophole to get out of damnation. That came in the form of murder.

If suicide was wrong, then the solution was to murder another, get sentenced to death, and be executed after repenting of their sins. Sure, someone else had to die, but your soul would be clean. Suicide left no time for repentance, so it was simply not an option.

In many cases, the unfortunate victim would be the child of the murderer/suicide, or maybe just someone random. Certainly no one who had done anything to deserve death. According to Lutheran beliefs at the time, as long as someone confessed their sins and repented just before death, they had no chance to sin again and could look forward to heaven. So their fear of doing the wrong thing led them to believe taking an innocent life was the right thing. No word on whether God thought exploiting a dogmatic loophole was a sin or not. 

7. Eugene Lazowski Terrified the Nazis with Fake Typhus

We know that, during the Second World War, there were a handful of people working with the Nazis who were covertly working against them and doing whatever they could to save Jewish lives. One of those people was Polish doctor Eugene Lazowski who preyed on Nazi fears to save 8,000 villagers, including Jews that were hidden among them.

Lazowski was forbidden from treating Jews, but he did so anyway and, at the height of a typhus outbreak, a colleague discovered something fascinating. If he injected a dead strain of typhus into a patient, they wouldn’t get the disease but they would still test positive for it.

Typhus was killing thousands, and the Nazis were terrified of its spread.  So Lazowski came up with a plan. He could create a fake epidemic by infecting thousands of villagers in the area with the dead typhus strain. They injected people at a rate meant to mimic a real typhus epidemic and sent patients to other towns to confirm blood tests, giving the whole scheme legitimacy. The Nazis quarantined over a dozen towns as a result, and they remained quarantined until liberation. 

The entire plan nearly fell apart at one point due to the fact there were so many cases, but no reported deaths. Lazowski partied with the Gestapo who came to investigate, keeping them drunk and well-fed enough for them to not care about the discrepancies. 

6. A Baker’s Dozen Exists Because Bakers Were Afraid of Short Changing Customers

A dozen means 12, coming from a French word which itself can be traced to Latin, all meaning 12. So it’s perplexing then that a baker’s dozen also exists, but that means 13. 

The reason a baker’s dozen has an extra individual added to the group is strictly fear-based.

This one goes back to bakers in medieval times. The price of bread was directly tied to the price of wheat. A baker couldn’t legally rip you off by giving you a smaller loaf but charging the same price. If they short changed a customer, they faced punishment. 

The law, called the Assize of Bread and Ale, was re-established in 1266 by Henry III. If a baker short weighted their bread, they could be fined or even flogged. So, when selling loaves by the dozen, bakers would toss in an extra loaf to ensure there was no chance of short changing anyone by accident. If they sold an individual loaf, the customer might get an extra crust. 

5. The Fear of Losing Beer Was the Reason Pilgrims Settled at Plymouth Rock

Beer has been an important part of civilization for years. In fact, it’s been argued that civilization exists because of beer. So make no mistake, people take it seriously today and they took it a lot more seriously in the past. So seriously that the fear of running out was a major contributing factor to the decision to settle at Plymouth Rock.

You need to remember that getting a drink of anything was a lot more difficult back when America was first settled than it is today. Safe, clean water was not a kitchen faucet away and a nutritional beverage was even harder to find. Beer fixed both of those problems. For many, it was treated something like liquid bread. Even Puritans weren’t opposed to beer when they might turn their nose up at wine. And if the beer ran out or went bad, then the potential to die of dehydration or starvation was all too real. 

4. Motorcycle Speeds Are Limited Over Fears of Getting Out of Hand

Have you ever heard a motorcycle tearing down the road, the engine roaring, and wondered how fast it was going? Today, the answer is probably 186 miles per hour. Or less. But that wasn’t always so. Once upon a time there was a speed war between motorcycle manufacturers and it was only through fears of what would happen if it continued unchecked that the major companies agreed to impose a 186 mph speed limit on all production bikes.

In the 1990s, Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-11 could reach 175 miles-per-hour. It was the world’s fastest bike. Until Honda came along with the 179 mph Super Blackbird. Suzuki leapt into the fray with the 193 mph Hayabusa. Then Kawasaki returned with the ZX-12R, rumored to be able to crack 200 mph. Before the bike even existed, people became concerned. They feared this incredible speeds would lead to death and mayhem if companies kept one upping each other. So what is known as the “Gentleman’s Agreement” was born.

Though not all parties admit to it, word is BMW, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki all got together to agree to limit their bikes to 300 km/h or 186 mph. A number of European manufacturers have since ignored this number, but the Japanese companies still keep their street bikes limited to 186.

3. Chicago Gangs Feared Crack Would Run Them Out of Business

Remember the War on Drugs? Is it still going on? Maybe. But there was a time when crack hitting the streets of major cities in America was still big news, as it seemed to reach epidemic proportions. But Chicago was slower to give over than other cities for a very unexpected reason.

Though drug dealers did eventually worm their way throughout the city, it was believed that Chicago held the drug at bay for some years thanks to the influence of major drug kingpins and cartels. The gangs that sold powder cocaine and heroin refused to let crack gain a foothold for fear of losing business. The belief was that smaller dealers would pose a threat to their overall control of the city’s drug trade. In fact, it was estimated that 90% of the crack in the city was made at home and not meant for citywide distribution. 

2. Blessing After a Sneeze Comes From the Fear of Losing Your Soul

You’re in the kitchen seasoning that steak you’re about to grill when suddenly you get a snoot full of pepper and bust out a vicious sneeze. Your friend in the other room says “bless you” and your day proceeds as normal. Whether you realize it or not, your friend may have just saved your soul from the Devil. In theory, anyway,

The habit of saying “bless you” or “God bless you” after a sneeze dates back to ancient times. Even the Romans and Greeks did it. It was long believed a sneeze put you at risk of launching your soul from your body and leaving you an empty husk of an abomination.

There was a fear that when you shot your soul out with a sneeze, that crafty old imp Satan would use the opportunity to creep inside you and take up residence. So blessing someone was a method of protection against such a stygian migration. Once blessed, the fear of being possessed and soulless was gone. 

1. Fear Scrapped a Plan to Assassinate Hitler

One of the most popular thought experiments of the last century has been Baby Hitler. If you could go back in time, would you kill Hitler as an infant? This even popped up in Deadpool. People argue both sides of the issue. But that’s all theoretical. What about when we really could have killed Hitler? Why didn’t that ever happen? It wasn’t because no one ever had the idea. There was a plan, but it was scrapped out of fear.

A number of plans to take out Hitler were tossed around during the war, one of which was Operation Foxley. Winston Churchill himself was a proponent of it and the plan was, on paper, fairly simple even if the logistics were hard to work out. A sniper would be sent to the Bavarian Alps to a place where Hitler went to get away from it all. Intelligence said he took daily walks, so the sniper would simply shoot him on his walk. 

The plan was never executed out of fear of what would happen next. The Allies believed Hitler was actually a pretty terrible strategist and that many of their successes were thanks to how bad the man was at commanding his own forces. They feared that Hitler’s death would open the door for a more competent leader and that would turn the tide of war against the Allies.