Chase Pipes

Tennessee is a popular state for hiking enthusiasts. Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers 850 miles of trails, frequented by upwards of 400,000 hikers annually. Any hiker visiting a Tennessee park or campground for the first time should familiarize themselves with some of the region’s potentially dangerous wildlife.

Hikers are mistaken if they believe the nation’s concentration of venomous snakes is limited to the dryer, southwestern regions of America. Copperheads are a commonly observed venomous snake in Tennessee. Like most potentially dangerous animals in the state, copperheads are non-aggressive and will avoid humans whenever possible, striking only if they feel threatened or cornered. Hikers should give these snakes plenty of space to avoid the copperhead’s hemotoxic venom, which can lead to severe tissue damage.

Tennessee is also home to the pygmy and timber rattlesnakes. Timber rattlesnakes are more common and, at five feet long, far larger. Bites from pygmy rattlesnakes can be highly painful but are unlikely to threaten human life. On the other hand, Timber rattlesnakes are the most dangerous of the state’s four venomous snakes.

There are a few larger animals hikers in Tennessee may encounter on the trail, especially in eastern Tennessee. The black bear is the largest predator in the state, growing up to 800 pounds. There are roughly 7,000 individuals throughout the state. Black bears tend to avoid hikers, but humans must be especially careful if they encounter a mother with cubs, and Males in need of food will demonstrate increased aggression.

The black widow spider may be considerably smaller than the black bear, but it can pose just as great a threat to hikers. Black widow bites are somewhat common in America, but fatalities are rare. Still, a black widow bite in the middle of the woods can pose major problems for hikers, with symptoms including nausea and cramping.

The black widow is one of only three venomous spiders in the United States. The brown recluse spider can also be found in Tennessee. A brown recluse spider’s venom is more potent than a rattlesnake’s, but the amount that can be injected into a human results in less of an overall threat to human life. Brown recluse spiders often transition from the hiking trail to the home at the end of the year, when the spiders start seeking warmth.

Ticks are even smaller than spiders but pose arguably the greatest risk to hikers in Tennessee. The average tick bite is a minor inconvenience, but ticks can carry serious diseases that transfer to humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. These conditions are not as rare as some hikers might think; between 10 and 20 percent of tick bites leave lasting symptoms, such as arthritis or chronic fatigue. Hikers should avoid tall grass, wear long pants and high socks, and thoroughly check themselves for ticks after time spent outdoors.

Finally, no hiker wants to get sprayed by a skunk. While there are certainly deadlier animals on the trail, a skunk’s spray may be more of an inconvenience than some people think. Receiving a direct spray can result in temporary blindness, a major complication on the hiking trail. The spray can also cause nausea, vomiting, and breathing problems. Skunks also rank among the leading careers of rabies in the United States.

The Renaissance typically refers to the period from the 14th to the 16th century in Europe, where there was a rebirth of the classical tradition, people became more conscious of nature, and there was a significant advancement in the arts. Renaissance is from the French word which means “rebirth.” This rebirth started in Italy before it spread to other parts of Europe. This period marked an increased emphasis on the secularization of daily living, humanistic learning, individualism, and interest in nature, and it still impacts contemporary visual art today.

A contest took place in Florence in 1401 to determine who would receive the contract to install bronze gates on the Baptistery of San Giovanni. Brunelleschi, a sculptor based in Florence alongside his friend Donatello, departed for Rome and engaged each other in studying classical architecture and sculpture. The old world’s refined art was revived upon returning to Florence. They started using what they had learned, marking the emergence of a historical period in European history.

However, Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Simone Cassai, also known as Masaccio, meaning “clumsy Tom.” was the father of the Renaissance. He was born on December 21, 1401, in San Gio Masaccio. And he is often recognized as a key character in Renaissance painting due to his cerebral ideas, the significance of his compositions, and the high standard of naturalism in his creations.

His work, the Brancacci Chapel paintings at Florence’s Church of Santa Maria del Carmine was very prominent. Masaccio drastically altered Florentine painting in just six years. Several of the key philosophical and artistic pillars of Western painting were eventually developed via his work.

The Renaissance was a rebirth of classical Greek and Roman art forms and aesthetic choices, In reality, the Renaissance’s synthetic nature, especially in Italy, was what made it possible for truly inspired works. Most Western art has developed due to the fusion and merging of many styles and techniques. The same may be stated for the Renaissance’s early stages when the resurrection of the Greek and classical Roman traditions was powerful. The stylized yet realistic three-dimensional shapes of the body were a constant goal of ancient Greek sculpture and painting.

Therefore, when people think of monumental artworks, they often consider Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus,” Michelangelo’s fresco “Sistine Chapel Ceiling,” or Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” These paintings were groundbreaking in comparison to the Byzantine iconography they replaced. To portray nature as it is or better than it is, the Renaissance brought in a new focus on realism and modeling. One of the numerous methods that impacted art history throughout the Renaissance was the development of a one-point perspective, sometimes known as linear perspective. The period witnessed a brief return to the ancients’ creative roots and a resurgence of their capacity for invention.

Architecture, sculpture, and other art forms underwent major technical improvements throughout the Renaissance. These modifications improved the tools, procedures, and materials used in art during the middle ages. Early incarnations of the ballet and spinet equally benefited from whole new types of artistic inventiveness in music and dance. A significant development in painting history for the visual arts was the invention of oil paints as we know them today. The actual method of painting and sculpture started to conform to the freshly learned ideals pushed by classical, realism, and naturalist creations of the Greeks, aside from the practical modifications. The modifications included sfumato, quadratura, high contrast, and foreshortening.

The fascinating art of 18th-century reenacting involves recreating historical clothing, equipment, and events of the period from 1701 to 1800. It provides an immersive experience for reenactors, allowing them to learn about history through hands-on experience.

Eighteenth-century reenacting typically involves people dressing in period clothing and engaging in activities such as mock battles, cooking over an open fire, and dancing. This immersion can help deepen understanding of the time’s customs, traditions, and technologies and the political and social issues that shaped the era. The pursuit has gained popularity in recent years and has a strong community of enthusiasts worldwide who participate in events, documentaries, workshops, and other activities related to 18th-century history.

The 18th century is often considered a significant period for reenactors because it was a time of great change in many parts of the world. The era was primarily marked by high culture and sophistication, focusing on art, music, and literature. Reenacting this era offers a unique opportunity to experience the intellectual and cultural milieu of the time, including the works of prominent artists and famous writers like Voltaire, Hogarth, and Mozart.

Participating in 18th-century historical reenacting can offer a wide range of benefits to individuals and allow participants to learn about history in a way that is impossible to experience through books or lectures. Rather than simply reading about 18th-century history in a textbook or watching a documentary, reenactors can physically engage with history by recreating it.

Reenactors can try various activities such as blacksmithing, woodworking, or cooking using historically accurate methods and tools. These activities can help reenactors learn new skills and gain a greater appreciation for the work that went into daily life during the 1700s.

Reenactments can bring life to historical events such as political debates, protests, and wars that shaped the political landscape of the 18th century. For instance, the recreation of historical events such as the Boston Tea Party that occurred in 1773 can help reenactors internalize the significance of the event and the role it played in the American Revolution.

Additionally, reenactments help create a profound appreciation for the past and provide a more nuanced understanding of history. The focus on historical accuracy facilitates a means of temporal escape from the complexities of the 21st century to the simpler 18th century.

Historical reenactments are often community-driven events where participants can learn from each other. This community can offer support, encouragement, and a network of like-minded individuals who share knowledge and resources. Participants can impart skills and insights about 18th-century history by working together to recreate a particular period. This social learning can deepen understanding and build a sense of community among participants.

Historical reenactment is considered a great pastime for families. In an 18th-century reenactment, everyone has a role; while adults can assume more mature roles, children can participate by bearing flags or playing simple music instruments. Participating in these activities as a family can help strengthen bonds and create fun memories that last.

Geoarchaeology is the study of archaeological data using methods and concepts from earth science. Geoarchaelogists are professionals who have a specialized understanding of the physical context in which excavations happen and the conditions under which archaeological stratigraphy is preserved.

Scientists have conducted geoarchaeology as far back as the 18th century. The collaboration between archaeologists and geoscientists when they investigated archaeological sites resulted in the birth of geoarchaeology. However, modern geoarchaeology was born and formalized in research by Donald A. Davidson and Myra L. Shackley in 1976. Their publication titled “Geoarchaeology: Earth Science and the Past,” noted that archaeology problems are offshoots of geoarchaeology problems.

A research endeavor, geoarchaeology provides historical data and solves archaeological problems through a geographic information system (GIS), paleo-environmental parameters, and digital elevation models (DEM) in conjunction with the knowledge acquired from human, social, and earth sciences. For instance, it might help discover archaeological sites, analyze archaeological materials, and give more information about their internal structure.

GIS helps store, integrate, share, analyze, display, and edit geographical information. Using GIS, geoarchaeologists can create interactive queries, draw out maps, and make these data readily available for geoarchaeological research. On the other hand, DEM provides digital images of a topographical surface and presents 3D images devoid of vegetation and buildings.

Geoarchaeology can be considered a subset of prehistoric archaeology, which can then be an extension of geoecology or paleogeography. Although there is little doubt that the term geoarchaeology is beneficial for characterizing a wide range of activities, this might cause issues.

While several scholars consider geoarchaeology an offshoot of archaeology, the discipline has a distinct theoretical approach and methodology. It uses methods primarily from earth sciences to provide solutions to archaeological problems, including sedimentology, geomorphology, stratigraphy, pedology, geology, and geography. Primarily, geoarchaeology focuses on stratigraphic and landscape formation.

The geoarchaeology of a specific location includes its bedrock, rivers, and landforms of sediments caused by erosion or deposition. Scientists have observed that most difficulty in archaeology begins as an issue within geoarchaeology. This suggests that in instances where the topsoil is scraped because it is modern and mixed, where plowed or truncated soils are identified, or when excavation terminates at “the natural,” geoarchaeological decisions have been made.

Geoarchaeological investigations and research are quite broad and might involve distinguishing between cultural and natural features and sediments, site survey methods using electromagnetic and remote sensing devices to find or navigate archaeological sites, and integrating biological information to reconstruct palaeolandscapes.

Geoarchaelogists also use several analytical approaches to interpret and record the stratigraphy. They also use specific standard methods for soil and sediment classification and description. With these methods, geoarchaeologists can assign sedimentary units to natural processes. For instance, in 2012, a group of geoarchaeologists in the Seille Valley of France reconstructed the changing patterns of a river channel movement and formation simply by analyzing an intricate series of sediments in that region.

Finally, it is important to note that geoarchaeological methods can support several levels of archaeological inquiry, but are primarily utilized for clarifying preservation, establishing site development procedures, improving on-site interpretations of archaeological excavations, and spotting changes in the natural terrain through time.

Many historians state that the American Revolution happened because of Britain’s imperialistic policies and taxation. The Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, the Stamp Act, and the Townshend Acts were some of the significant events leading to the American Revolution.

Colonists on the western frontier shared the sentiments of those in the East. Western frontiersmen resented eastern elites, disliked oppressive power, and feared the Native American tribes that inhabited the region. This resentment, dislike, and fear culminated in the 1765 Black Boys’ Rebellion, an event that historian Patrick Spero says began the American Revolution.

The story of this rebellion begins at the end of the Seven Years’ War in 1763, a victory for the British. The Seven Years’ War spanned Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. In the Americas, the French and Indian War involved the British warring against the French and the Native Americans, who had been allies against the colonial power.

After the war, the French left, but the Native Americans feared British expansion into their lands and fought against British occupation. An Ottawan warrior, Pontiac, led Native American tribes in the fight for their liberty, destroying the westernmost settlements and forts.

The British had just been through the expensive Seven Years’ War but had no choice but to halt the attacks on their settlements and forts. Peace was the only option, so they enlisted the Ottawa nation in negotiations.

The British, hoping to establish a treaty with Native American tribes, enlisted the help of George Croghan, a trader with established ties with the Native Americans. Under the supervision of the British commander-in-chief, Croghan organized a peace offering and voyage to seek out Chief Pontiac.

Things might have gone as planned except for the interference of a ragtag group of frontiersmen, the Black Boys, who were against any peace treaty with the Native Americans. The Black Boys were angry with the British Empire for appearing to submit to Native American demands.

Because of Croghan’s allegiance to Native tribes, the frontiersmen did not trust him either. The frontiersmen took matters into their own hands and hired James Smith, the founder of the group that eventually became the Black Boys, the name a reference to the men covering their faces with charcoal or painting their faces red and black.

Smith had lived with the tribes for a few years after being captured. He escaped and was taken in by another tribe from which he also escaped. When he escaped, Smith returned to a frontier where Native Americans and frontiersmen were fighting. The committee of frontiersmen hired Smith to captain a militia that protected the frontier.

Meanwhile, a British convoy with goods for the Native Americans was en route to Pawlings Tavern in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, on March 5, 1765. A package fell to the ground, and weapons of war fell out of it.

Before this discovery, Native Americans had just attacked the settlers, an incident that was still fresh in their minds. Residents asked Croghan’s convoy to return to Fort Loudoun (government authority) to inspect the items, but the convoy dismissed the request. When the convoy reached its destination in Mercersburg, Virginia, 100 armed residents confronted them.

The following day, Smith and the Black Boys confronted the convoy. When the driver refused to return to Fort Loudoun, they destroyed most of the trade goods and killed or wounded six horses. This incident, according to Spero, was one of several events that kickstarted the American Revolution.