A Life of Learning

We watched "Herod's Lost Tomb" on Netflix tonight, chosen by Liam. I wasn't sure it would hold his attention, but he was transfixed for the whole hour it was on! They talked about Herod's architectural genius and his building of the port city of Caesarea Maritima using newly developed waterproof cement. The city was thriving and then suddenly collapsed. As they discussed the possible reasons for the literal collapse of the city walls, Liam and I made our own hypotheses.

Liam first came up with the idea that a very large shark had pushed the walls over. I steered him towards a more climactic or geologic explanation and he took it from there. His eyes lit up and he said, "maybe a hurricane...or wait! You know when the earth's plates move and make those big waves?" Yep, a tsunami, I said. "Yeah! Just like in the tub last night when I tried to clap underwater. The faster I clapped the harder the water was!" We had indeed discussed the affect of water on motion the night before, and that he used this knowledge to predict what happened in this instance amazed me.

He then made a series of "predictions" about Herod's tomb and what may have happened to it.

"I predict that the sarcophagi they found IS his and they haven't found the inscription on it yet because pieces are still missing," he said.

He also referenced his knowledge of ancient Egyptian burials when he said, "And I predict that the sarcophagus they found was all smashed because the robbers thought he was buried with treasures and they wanted them." They did not talk about this possibility at all in the show. It was completely his own comparison!

I love his interest in history and his love of learning. He is like a sponge for it all and I hope it never leaves! He is definitely the child of historians...the same historians who spent the evening discussing World War II, The Geneva Convention and the circumstances of liberation and called it a pretty great night! We are planning a family trip to Gettysburg next summer...and our kids may be the only ones to consider this on par with Disney World!