Ice Age: Gone Missing Imagine a world covered in a thick layer of ice. Imagine a frozen landscape where temperatures drop below freezing, and life as we know it comes to a standstill. This is the scenario of an Ice Age, a period in Earth's history where temperatures dropped drastically, causing mass extinction and shaping our planet's geography. The Ice Age, or technically the Pleistocene Epoch, lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. During this time, massive ice sheets covered much of North America, Europe, and Asia.
History of Persecution: Burn the Witch
Persecution has always been a part of mankind’s history. For centuries, different civilizations and groups have sought to eliminate those who were different from them.
From skin color to nationality, people seem to have a problem with anything that contrasts with what they are accustomed to. More powerful than the hatred between humans for their physical differences, was the hatred between religions and their followers.
The Roman Empire persecuted Christians
The Roman Empire persecuted Christians, who were then fed to lions or crucified. Subsequently, Christians persecuted heretics, whose standard punishment was burning at the stake.
Discrimination and mistreatment are undoubtedly ingrained in the human mind, particularly, in the minds of those who follow religious doctrines. The desire to eradicate all that opposes the dominant agenda has led to the most sickening crusades the world has ever seen.
During this time, massive ice sheets covered much of North America, Europe, and Asia. These ice sheets extended as far south as modern-day Kansas and New York in North America, and Germany and Poland in Europe. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Ice Age is the abundance of evidence it left behind.
The Witch Evolution
The image of the witch has gone through an extensive evolution. These changes are important to note since they aid in demonstrating why witchcraft persecutions began.
While our concept of a witch might be a green hag hovering over a bubbling cauldron, some of the past depictions of witches were completely different. The progression of the sorceress has been cyclical, going from good to evil, and back again; navigating the entire spectrum of light and darkness.
The Shade of Samuel Invoked by Saul Nikiforovich Dmitry Martynov 1857
One of the earliest mentions of witchcraft can be found in the Bible. In the First Book of Samuel, we find the story of The Witch of Endor. She was a powerful necromancer that achieved what God would not: resurrect the dead. Aside from the First Book of Samuel, other books in the Bible signal out witchcraft and divination as unholy practices.
Long before Christianity, however, witches already occupied a place in mythology and olden lore. The ancient Greeks feared the Lamia, a vengeful, blood-thirsty woman-serpent mutant that would swallow children alive; while the Romans cowered from the Strix, a shape-shifting demon that devoured the weak members of society, i.e., women and children. Although initially portrayed as an owl, the Strix eventually became a synonym for female witch.
Lamia from The History of Four-footed Beasts (1607)
These creatures emerged due to the countless attempts of ancient civilizations to understand disease and misfortune. When things went wrong, dark magic was usually to blame.
But these ancient beings, although feared, were not persecuted. The early healers we would now consider to be witches were, at some point, celebrated. The haunting image of male-devouring she-devils evolved into the divine wise women; benevolent sacred healers that hoped to illuminate mankind and aid in its ascension.
The role of the wise woman was essential in primitive societies. They would help deliver babies, prepare powerful herbal remedies, and even prophesize future events. Their divine counsel was respected, sought out by royals and common folk.
Eventually, as male-dominant perspectives were introduced, these high priestesses began to be shunned, feared for their power and connection to the spiritual realm. The image of the wise woman regressed, morphing once again into a malevolent, blood-thirsty entity.
Glacial landforms such as moraines, drumlins, and eskers stand as testimony to the immense power of glaciers that shaped the landscape. Glacial lakes, formed by melting ice, can still be found today, such as the Great Lakes in North America. The Ice Age also had a significant impact on Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. Many species were able to adapt and survive in the frigid conditions, while others perished. The iconic woolly mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and giant ground sloths are just a few examples of the unique megafauna that roamed the Earth during this time. But what caused the Ice Age to end? Scientists believe a combination of factors was responsible, including fluctuations in Earth's orbit, changes in greenhouse gas concentrations, and volcanic activity. Over time, as these factors shifted, the planet began to warm, leading to the retreat of the massive ice sheets and the end of the Ice Age. Today, we can still observe the effects of the Ice Age on our planet. The landscape shaped by glaciers and the remnants of these ancient ice sheets serve as reminders of this remarkable period in Earth's history. By studying the Ice Age, scientists continue to gain valuable insights into our planet's past climate and how it may change in the future. In conclusion, the Ice Age was a time of extreme cold and glaciation that shaped our planet's geography and biodiversity. It left behind a legacy of glacial landforms and evidence of ancient megafauna. While the Ice Age may be gone, its effects are still visible today, reminding us of the power and impact of our planet's climate..
Reviews for "Glacial Retreat and Rising Seas: The Global Impact of Melting Ice"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - "Ice a gone magin" was a disappointment for me. The plot was confusing and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were also very one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also problematic, with awkward and repetitive phrases throughout. Overall, I found it to be a tedious read that failed to live up to the hype.
2. Alex - 1 star - I really did not enjoy "Ice a gone magin" at all. The story felt disjointed and the pacing was incredibly slow. The characters were uninteresting and their motivations were unclear. The book seemed to lack any clear message or theme, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and confused. I struggled to get through it and ultimately found it to be a complete waste of time.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Ice a gone magin," but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The writing was bland and lacked any spark or originality. The plot meandered and there were multiple unnecessary subplots that made the story feel convoluted. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I was disappointed by the lack of depth and creativity in this book.
4. Jessica - 2 stars - "Ice a gone magin" was a letdown for me. The characters were poorly developed and lacked any depth or dimension. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprises. I also found the writing style to be dull and uninspiring. The book failed to engage me on any level and I struggled to find any redeeming qualities. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others.