Hathor is learning to make moving pictures from the same remakes, characters and objects that fill the Śilpa Śāstra gallery — wordless documentaries, animated maps with the years ticking by, and short test animations.
We are testing these features and looking to develop them. This is Hathor's alpha work, made on our own servers — the images and videos she makes next are expected to be much better and more accurate. Tell us what works and what doesn't: every video page has 👍/👎, comments and timestamped notes.
Göbekli Tepe: The World’s First Monument?
Documentary · 1:39 — A ten‑minute journey through the discovery, architecture, and ongoing mysteries of Göbekli Tepe, the 12,000‑year‑old stone sanctuary.
Mount Hermon and the Descent of the Watchers
Documentary · 1:08 — A ten‑minute visual journey linking the real mountain of Hermon with the ancient myth of the Watchers as recorded in 1 Enoch and related traditions.
mtDNA Haplogroup Journeys
Animated map · 2:26 — 200000 BC → 2500 BC
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Model: PhyloTree Build 17 (van Oven & Kayser 2009); Behar et al. 2012 AJHG 90:675 (ages rounded, Soares et al. 2009 rate). Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
The Point: Arrowheads and the Bow
Animated map · 4:04 — 75000 BC → 2000 BC
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Lombard 2011; Brown 2012; Metz 2023; Scerri 2013; Waters 2007; Wierer 2018; Blitz 1988. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
Dogs: Time-Mapped
Animated map · 3:34 — 32000 BC → 600 BC
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Bergström 2020; Frantz 2016; Perri 2019/2021; Janssens 2018; Balme 2018; Leathlobhair 2018. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
Cannabis: Time-Mapped
Animated map · 4:06 — 13000 BC → 150 BC
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Ren 2021; Long 2017; Ren 2019; Russo 2008; Arie 2020; Herodotus 4.73–75; Duvall 2019. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
Tongues of the World: Language Families
Animated map · 4:04 — 10500 BC → 400 BC
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Haak 2015; Heggarty 2023; Zhang 2019; Gray 2009; Grollemund 2015; Bouckaert 2018; Kolipakam 2018; Grünthal 2022. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
Indo-European: Branch by Branch
Animated map · 4:02 — 8500 BC → 1300 BC
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Haak 2015; Anthony 2007; Heggarty 2023; Kloekhorst 2019; Ventris & Chadwick 1953. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
Semitic and Afroasiatic Tongues
Animated map · 3:50 — 3900 BC → AD 750
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Kitchen 2009; Huehnergard 2011; Rollston 2010; Pardee 2012; Macdonald 2000. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
The Horse: Time-Mapped
Animated map · 3:25 — 3700 BC → AD 1900
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Librado 2021; Gaunitz 2018; Outram 2009; Taylor 2023. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
The Wheel: Time-Mapped
Animated map · 2:31 — 3700 BC → 1600 BC
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Anthony 2007; Bakker et al. 1999; Velušček 2009; Mischka 2011. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
Writing Systems: Time-Mapped
Animated map · 3:34 — 3400 BC → AD 0
▶ Watch it here
Credits: Nissen 1993; Dreyer 1998; Parpola 1994; Goldwasser 2010; Keightley 1978; Naveh 1982; Saturno 2006; Salomon 1998. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).
Everything in this set, and everything that comes next: documentaries · animated maps · animation lab · make your own.