3. Ancient Egypt After astronomy, Ancient Egypt is probably my oldest interest, one I can probably trace to PBS children's television. Hieroglyphics, mummies, the Egyptian pantheon, life along the Nile 4,000 years ago -- it's all intensely interesting to me. Ancient cultures are fascinating. π β₯π
4. Rapa Nui I've also always been fascinated by Rapa Nui (Easter Island), the Rapa Nui people, and their Moai. Their traditional writing system - the now-forgotten rongorongo - seems to unrelated to any other extant writing system! An amazing culture that persists in spite of colonialism. ππΏ
And they are using the money from tourism to rebuild their culture. Amazingly resourceful people!