10 Historical Myths Debunked: Is the Great Wall of China really visible from space? Was Napoleon really short? Did George Washington have wooden teeth? Know 10 such historical myths and their real truth, which are prevalent even today and most people consider them to be true.
Historical Misconceptions Debunked: We often get history through school books, films and hearsay stories. But have you ever thought that many of the things we consider to be true may actually be wrong? Modern research, archeology and science have proved wrong many such popular historical claims, which have been ingrained in people’s minds for years. Interestingly, these myths stuck not because they were true, but because they were simple and repeated over and over again. Know 10 such historical myths which people still believe to be true and their real truth.
Did Vikings wear horned helmets?
This picture is an imagination created from films and paintings. Actually, the helmets of the Vikings were made of simple iron, which had no horns. If there were helmets with horns in battle, they would have been very unsafe because the enemy could easily catch them. This design was created by 19th century opera costume designers.
Did George Washington have wooden teeth?
George Washington’s teeth were not made of wood. Their dentures were made from ivory, gold, lead, and sometimes human teeth. Over time these teeth would become stained, making them look like wood and becoming a myth.
Is the Great Wall of China visible from space?
This claim is also wrong. The wall is very difficult to spot with the human eye from space because it blends in with the natural colors. Special equipment is required to see it. Astronauts have also rejected this myth.
Did Columbus prove that the Earth is round?
This is completely wrong. Educated people of Europe already knew that the Earth was round, this knowledge had been passed down from the ancient Greeks. The real controversy was whether Asia could be reached from the west, and what the distance was. Columbus had made a wrong estimate about the size.
Was Napoleon very short?
Napoleon Bonaparte is often described as being very short, but historical records indicate that he stood about 5 feet 6 inches tall. This was the average height in France at that time. This myth spread through British wartime propaganda, which sought to portray him as small and weak. Later this image spread so much in popular culture that a term like Napoleon complex was even coined.
Did the Berlin Wall fall in a single day?
No. This was the result of months of political turmoil. Protests were increasing in East Germany and there was pressure on the government. The fall appeared to be precipitous after a false press statement led to the borders being suddenly opened.
Was Blood Libel true?
This was a completely false accusation which wrongly placed serious allegations on the Jews. Historians consider it to be religious and social propaganda, which was used to justify violence and discrimination.
Do we only use 10% of our brain?
This is a popular but wrong scientific myth. Brain scanning technology (fMRI) shows that we use almost every part of the brain throughout the day. Even small tasks like speaking, thinking or walking activate multiple brain areas.
Were the Vikings first to reach America?
Viking leader Leif Erikson arrived in North America around 1000 AD, but Indigenous peoples already lived there thousands of years before that. So the Vikings were not the first humans, but were among the first European contacts.
Were witches burned in Salem?
In the Salem Witch Trials (1692) people accused of witchcraft were hanged, not burned. This method was more popular in Europe, but not in America.