CIRCLE WITH A DOT

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, crabs began disappearing without a trace. The surprise culprit? A tiny red juvenile octopus hidden in the rocks, likely brought in by accident. Master of camouflage, it hunted at night for months—outsmarting one of the world’s most carefully maintained aquariums.
#globlamuseum #octopus #aquariums

The monk sat warming himself by the logs,

Beside him was Blue, the very best of dogs.

But Brother Edwin had a secret, known only to he,

For he had a left hand where his right hand should be.

14/15th century, Cambridge Library MS Ff.1.27, p. 316
@MedMilMedicine #globalmuseum #humour #humor #manuscripts #medieval

Rare scientific instrument in National Museums Scotland's collection marks its 1000th anniversary.
The object is an #astrolabe, an intricate brass instrument made in 11th century Spain, which was used for charting the position of the stars. One of Europe’s oldest surviving signed and dated astrolabes, the object was made in Cordoba by Muhammad ibn al-Saffâr, and is dated 417 AH (the Islamic calendar), which equates to 1026-1027 AD.
https://artdaily.cc/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=191348 #globalmuseum #museums

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London has acquired the first video ever uploaded to YouTube, as well as an early watch page of the video-sharing platform, for its collection.

The video, “Me at the zoo,” was first uploaded to the site on April 23, 2005.

Read more:
https://artnews.com/art-news/news/victoria-albert-museum-first-youtube-video-ever-1234773923/ #globalmuseum #YouTube #museums

Many people would enlist just to collect this money, desert at the first opportunity, and then re-enlist in a different regiment in another city under a new identity. To stop this re-enlistment fraud, the military resorted to permanently marking the bodies of deserters.

Branding was largely abolished as a punishment in 1829. The army instead, began tattooing letters onto their skin using special needled instruments and ink or gunpowder

Throughout the English Civil War (1641–1651), the Royalist army used tools like this to permanently brand deserters or serious felons.

But this branding wasn't driven solely by the intent to punish. One reason for the practice -- especially in later periods -- was a specific type of financial fraud the army struggled to control. At the time, new recruits were paid a cash enlistment bounty.

Hand-shaped branding tool for criminals or deserters, 1642–1649. Medium: Wood and steel. Collection: Science Museum Group, London.

Dozens of metal points have been driven into the flat surface. Their arrangement isn't random. If you look closely, you’ll notice a distinct crown figure at the bottom, flanked by the capital letters C and R. These initials likely stood for the Latin Carolus Rex -- King Charles I of England.

The Indian version of Evian?
Reminds me of my days travelling through that country - never trust the bottled water! #globalmuseum #India #hygiene

The mask was discovered hidden inside the wall of a 16th Century stone building, folded into a niche within the wall’s insulating core of soil, straw, and horse hair. Made of black velvet lined with silk and reinforced with pressed paper, the mask was designed to shield a woman’s complexion from sun and wind while traveling. It features eye slits, a shaped nose, and a mouth opening that once held a black glass bead; the wearer would bite down on the bead to keep the mask in place

A 16th Century English "Vizard," a type of mask worn by gentlewomen. These masks were not used for masquerade balls or entertainment; rather, they served a practical purpose....

The mask was discovered hidden inside the wall of a 16th Century stone building, folded into a niche within the wall’s insulating core of soil, straw, and horse hair.
@Dr_TheHistories #globalmusuem #masks #dancing #history