^{listen to this newsletter.}

“こんにちは ” reader👋! and other new subscribers this week. welcome to the January edition of “tic”. if you’re new, you can catch up on our previous editions on our website right here.

_{(“こんにちは (Konnichiwa)“: hi in Japanese)}

hey everyone! before we dive into today’s topics, i just want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for reading our newsletter and for your amazing support. we hit our milestone of 50 subscribers this November, and it means the world to me! i know some might see it as a small number, but to me, it’s a huge accomplishment! i’m so excited to keep creating content that you’ll love, and i promise there’s even more exciting stuff on the way. thank you all once again for being such an important part of this journey with us. i truly hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and i wish you all a fantastic New Year ahead! cheers!

in this month’s issue of “tic”, we’re going to talk about lost cities of history, the journey of precious stones and so much more. so make sure to share this with your friends, so just like you, they too can enjoy and catch up with more interesting stuff!

the lost cities of the ancient world 🏺

ruins and legends, tellers of the rise and fall of civilization, whisper the existence of these cities from time immemorial. no mind could be blind to this idea-the lost cities hide a chunk of secrets concerning our past. these forgotten places, once full of life, lie hidden under jungles, deserts, and oceans, waiting for their rediscovery. following are some of the most interesting lost cities and the secrets they hold.

Atlantis: the legend of the sunken civilization

the story of Atlantis originates from the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who described it as a utopian island kingdom that had wealth and technology beyond anything found previously. according to myth, because of its pride, Atlantis was punished by its sinking into the ocean in one catastrophic event.

but Atlantis, with its very nebulous beginning, has inspired so much speculation and expeditions. some claim it lies off the Azores, others insist its remnants are in the Mediterranean, while still others say it is Antarctica. no concrete proof has been found, but the legend goes on, fueling debates among historians, archaeologists, and treasure hunters. Atlantis, if real or symbolic, remains a cautionary tale of human ambition.

Machu Picchu: a mountain marvel

nestled at 2,430 meters in the Peruvian Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu speaks volumes about the ingenuity and skills of the Incas. the 15th-century building features stone terraces that ascend above temples and aqueducts interconnected to form a whole amidst peaks.

Machu Picchu was abandoned because of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire and was all but forgotten until the 1911 rediscovery by American explorer Hiram Bingham. scholars believe Machu Picchu served as a royal estate, a religious sanctuary, or possibly a defensive outpost. today, it stands as an enduring symbol of Incan craftsmanship and their profound connection to nature.

Pompeii: a city frozen in tragedy

few lost cities have evoked as much as Pompeii, the Roman settlement buried by volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. the eruption preserved the city in remarkable detail, freezing daily life at the moment disaster struck.

excavations have unwrapped houses, shops, public baths, and even amphitheatres, besides poignantly surviving casts of human and animal victims. the graffiti on the walls allows glimpsing at Roman humour, politics, and culture in a very personal way. the sad destruction of Pompeii provided an unrivalled view into the lives of ancient Romans, besides acting as a haunting reminder of the fickle power of nature.

Tikal: the jungle metropolis

consciously hidden in thick rainforests, Guatemala sheltered a place called Tikal, a major city within the old Maya civilization. at its height from the 4th through 9th centuries CE, the tens of thousands who made up Tikal included mighty pyramids, ceremonial platforms, and great palaces.

rediscovered in the 19th century, Tikal has provided a great deal of insight into Mayan astronomy, politics, and religious practices. its famous Temple of the Great Jaguar, along with other buildings, aligns with celestial events in accordance with the highly advanced Maya understanding of astronomy. the causes of Tikal's collapse remain a matter of argument; theories include deforestation, drought, and war.

Sigiriya: Sri Lanka’s sky fortress

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress that is an unparalleled marvel of urban planning, dramatically rising from the central plains of Sri Lanka. built by King Kassapa in the 5th century CE and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is variously referred to as "Lion Rock" for the imposing lion's paws standing guard at the narrow gallery leading to the rock top.

Sigiriya was designed to be a royal capital, complete with widespread water gardens with fountains that work with the water pressure and the gravitational force of the planet Earth, fresco-covered walls with paintings, and an advanced mirror wall polished to reflect the visitor. at the very top of the 200-meter-high rock is where the ruins of the royal palace are found, allowing for sensational views of the jungle surrounding it.

after the death of King Kashyapa, the fortress was abandoned and used as a Buddhist monastery. it was rediscovered in the 19th century by British explorers and remains an object that fascinates historians and travellers, showing the engineering ingenuity of ancient Sri Lankan civilization and remaining an iconic symbol of the country's cultural heritage.

the rediscovery of lost cities

the rediscovery of so many lost cities has more often than not been due to serendipity or persistence. the magnificent Angkor Wat city of the Khmer Empire lay swathed in the dense jungles of Southeast Asia, the same way the lost Egyptian city of Amarna lay under moving sands. the application of modern technology, such as satellite imagery and LiDAR scanning, has pinpointed lost cities previously considered unreachable, such as extensive Mayan complexes in Central America.

what lost cities teach us

lost cities are actually not ruins but texts of ancient times, still yet to be deciphered. every rediscovery recoups aspects of human strengths, creativity, and fragility. the cities carry a lot to teach about processes of urbanization, adapting to the environment, and the rich cultural heritage of earlier times. they also remind one that no civilization, however great, is immune to collapse.

conclusion

the romance of a lost city is that it connects past and present, and links us with our forefathers. whether through myth, archaeology, or modern technology, the study of such ancient wonders proves that man's search for knowledge and adventure has been one continuous process. lost cities beckon us to continue the search, not merely for artifacts but for what they can tell us about the story of humankind's passage through time.

Muhammad Ali: the greatest inside and outside the ring 🥊

Muhammad Ali was more than a boxing legend. he was a cultural icon, a symbol of resilience, and a champion of social justice. Ali was born in Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, in the segregated part of America. but even prejudice could not stand in the way of a man who was determined to make his mark and boy, did he ever.

there's absolutely nothing ordinary about Ali's professional boxing career. his unrivalled skill, speed, and charisma led him to quickly rise to fame, winning three times as heavyweight champion, known across borders, and beyond question. his fights such as "Rumble in the Jungle" and "Thrilla in Manila", became international events instead of simple fight games. Ali dubbed some memorable phrases into public lingoes, like "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee", all showed his talent and the brightness of his mind and his confidence.

yet out-of-ring greatness eclipsed whatever he accomplished in the ring. he used his high platform to stand up against adversity, sometimes at the height of grave personal risk. during the heat of the Vietnam War, Ali, for religious and political reasons, refused to be drafted into the war, which eventually cost him several titles stripped from him and a banning from the sport for some time. undaunted, he said famously, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong. No Viet Cong ever called me [a racial slur]."

Ali also became a world-leading ambassador for peace and humanitarian undertakings, journeying throughout the world to offer his presence in support of numerous worthy causes. regarding civil rights, equality, and religious freedom, Ali was an outspoken promoter whose uncompromising position on justice inspired multitudes around the globe.

Ali became an international ambassador of peace and humanitarian causes, speaking across the world on the subjects he cared most about. he voiced strong support for civil rights, equality, and religious freedom, inspiring millions with the steadfastness of his dedication to justice.

even when Parkinson's disease slowed him down, Ali's spirit never faltered. he was an inspiration to the world of greatness that isn't what one achieves but in the living of one's life and the uplifting of others.

Muhammad Ali wasn’t only "a champion" in the ring but a champion for humanity. his legacy serves to remind us to stand tall against adversity, to fight for what is right, and to always believe in ourselves. as Ali himself said, "impossible is nothing".

🔡 wordle fun

here’s an exclusive wordle from us:

dans less coulisses: the journey of a gemstone💎

the marvellous creations of nature, gemstones are beautiful and rare and, therefore, highly valuable. it is a long, complicated process from a rough stone in the earth to a sparkling jewel in someone's hand. let's find out how raw stones enter our lives as breathtaking masterpieces.

1. mining the stones

it is a long journey that starts deep in the earth where gemstones are formed under extreme pressure and heat over millions of years. miners extract these treasures using various methods:

• open-pit mining: used for stones found near the surface, such as turquoise and opals.

  

  an opal mine in Australia (source: Opal Galaxy)

• underground mining: tunnels extending into the depths of the earth, as in diamond and emerald mining.

  

  underground gem mining

• alluvial mining: this is the process whereby sediment within riverbeds or stream deposits is sifted for gemstones washed down from their original position. this process can be labour-intensive and environmentally challenging, requiring care to minimize ecological impact.

  

  alluvial gem mining in Sri Lanka (source: GetYourGuide.com)

2. sorting and grading

the mined gems are sorted according to their type, size, colour, and clarity. the rough stones are presented to specialized gemologists, who estimate their potential.

• clarity: this consists of analyzing the inclusions or imperfections in the stone.

• colour: the hue, tone, and saturation of the coloured gemstone are established.

• cut potential: experts evaluate the stone's proportions that will yield the highest appearance and value. the stones that meet the quality standards are sent for processing to the next stage, while the fewer quality ones could be utilized in industry and craftsmanship.

3. cutting and shaping the beauty

lapidary, commonly referred to as the cutting process, is where the real brilliance of a gemstone is revealed. this includes precision and some degree of art:

• marking: a gem cutter examines the rough stone to determine the best shape and placement of facets.

• sawing: the stone is cut into smaller pieces by a diamond-tipped saw.

• preforming: the rough stone is ground into a preliminary shape.

  

  gem cutting and preforming (source: The Plum Club)

• faceting: the minute facets cut onto the surface of the gemstone, serving to add brilliance by reflecting light.

  

  (source: gemsociety.com)

• smoothening: the process of giving the stone a glossy finish by smoothening the facets. because each gemstone is different, the cut has to be a balancing act between the appearance and the weight.

4. certificating and crafting

high-value stones are sent to gemological laboratories for certification. the experts analyze the origin, composition, and characteristics of the stone, providing a report that ensures its authenticity and helps in determining its market value. once cut, polished, and certificated, the gems are often set into jewelry pieces. skilled artisans design and create rings, necklaces, earrings, or bracelets that will enhance the beauty of the stone. it can be a minimalist solo or it can be an intricate multi-stone design, in which its size and shape are carefully developed by the metalwork.

5. distribution

finished gemstones and jewelry are sold through retailers, auctions or private dealers. some stones may even carry the added prominence of a historical or celebrity connection, further increasing their allure.

sustainability of gemstone mining

it has taken a shift to become more ethical and environmentally responsible over the past couple of years. conflict-free certification, eco-friendly mining, and lab-created gemstones have become more common alternatives to ensure the beauty of a gemstone does not come at a cost of human rights or an environmental cost.

conclusion

a journey that a precious stone does from the entrails of the earth to a person's hand is essentially a story of nature, art, and human skill. the miners, gemologists, cutters, artisans and just about anyone who contributed to bringing into being that ultimate work of beauty. each time one sees a brilliant sparkling stone, one can only wonder how such brilliance could possibly come into being.

tic. is a free newsletter that everyone can enjoy and gain a bit of knowledge, everything free of charge. we put our precious time and money into giving everyone a chance to see and access this newsletter. so if you like what we are doing and want to support us, you can make a small donation by clicking here.

👓 reader’s corner

“reader’s corner” is your own space to share your interesting stories, experiences or any kind of content.

to send us content, simply reply to this newsletter or send an email to [email protected] with your content and your name 🙂

here’s a fun fact that might surprise you 😎

The Eiffel Tower can grow taller in summer. when the iron warms up in the sun, it expands, and the tower can rise about 15 cm (6 inches). in winter it shrinks back to normal size again due to cold. this is called thermal expansion, and it is common to most materials.

thank you for reading. wish you a wonderful month and a happy new year!

until next month,

“tic.” team