Articles for author: Maria Faith Saligumba

A black bird sitting on top of a wooden table

The Saqqara Bird: Ancient Toy, Ritual Object, or Flying Machine?

Maria Faith Saligumba

In the dusty storage rooms of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo sits a small wooden artifact that has sparked one of archaeology’s most fascinating debates. Discovered in 1898 in a tomb at Saqqara, this 2,200-year-old bird-shaped object measures just 18 centimeters long and weighs a mere 39 grams. Yet this unassuming piece of carved wood ...

black shark in body of water

When Sharks Had Armor: The Evolution of Ocean Predators

Maria Faith Saligumba

Long before the sleek, torpedo-shaped predators we know today ruled the oceans, ancient sharks wore suits of armor that would make medieval knights envious. These prehistoric ocean dwellers didn’t just survive – they thrived for millions of years with bizarre adaptations that seem almost alien by today’s standards. Picture a shark covered in tooth-like scales ...

Detailed close-up shot of a dried upland cotton plant with brown background.

The Plant That Sparked a War: Cotton’s Complicated Legacy

Maria Faith Saligumba

Few plants have shaped human civilization quite like cotton. This seemingly innocent white fiber has orchestrated empires, fueled industrial revolutions, and tragically, provided the economic foundation for one of history’s most devastating conflicts. From ancient civilizations to modern fashion runways, cotton’s journey through time reveals a story far more complex than its soft, fluffy appearance ...

Two engineers collaborating on testing a futuristic robotic prototype in a modern indoor lab.

When Science Gets It Wrong—And What We Learn From It

Maria Faith Saligumba

Imagine a world where science never made a mistake. It sounds ideal, but would we have the same depth of understanding we enjoy today? Mistakes in science are often seen as blunders, yet they are pivotal in shaping our understanding of the world. They push the boundaries of knowledge and open new avenues for exploration. ...

Yellow mushroom spotted in a lush forest in Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada.

From Blight to Blight: The Plant Pathogens That Changed Human History

Maria Faith Saligumba

Imagine a world where a tiny organism could alter the course of human history. This isn’t a plot from a science fiction novel—it’s the reality of plant pathogens. These microscopic enemies have been the unseen architects of human destiny, shaping civilizations, economies, and societies. From the infamous Irish Potato Famine to the devastation of American ...