Ancient Civilizations

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Our Bodies, Our Minds,”** an exploration of the relationship between our biology and our thought processes, with Justin Brooks, M.D., associate professor of computer science and electrical engineering at University of Maryland, Baltimore County and scholar of computational psychophysiology. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at h[ttps://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-bodies-minds](ttps://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-bodies-minds) .] For millennia, humans have wondered how mind and body are connected. Are our thoughts just the electrical murmurs of nerve cells, or is there something more? Are they the result of millions of years of evolution? Explore the mind-body problem through the lens of measurable physiology with Dr. Justin Brooks, a physician-scientist whose research focuses on using mobile and wearable technologies to understand, predict, and influence human behavior and health. He’ll describe how millions of years of evolution shaped the way our minds and bodies speak to each other, with our nervous system being the product of countless adaptations that shape how we react, think, and survive. Reflexes hidden in our physiology, attention, and mental effort reveal a “biotype,” a stable but adaptable signature of how we process the world. The problem is that reflexes honed by a prehistoric world of predators and scarcity now must navigate the strange demands of a modern society. Rather than mirroring who we truly are, our reflexes often are just echoes of ancient survival needs. As a result, many of us live slightly out of sync with our own biology. We think faster than we feel, ignore our body’s quiet warnings, and misread the signals from our bodies that guide balance and well-being. Breakdowns in the conversation between mind and body cause stress to accumulate, performance to falters, and health to erode. In a talk that blends neuroscience, physiology, and philosophy, Dr. Brooks will discuss how our specific biotypes might hold clues for realigning our ancient wiring with the pace of contemporary life to avoid the pitfalls of burnout, chronic stress, and mental fatigue. He’ll explore how measuring the body can illuminate the mind and how both can be brought back into harmony for the world we live in now. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Part of an illustration of the brain in Traité complet de l'anatomie de l'homme, a textbook completed by anatomist Jean-Baptiste Marc Bourgery and artist Nicolas Henri Jacob in 1854.

Join us for Happy Hour and trivia at Caddies on Cordelle in Bethesda. Happy Hour prices last until 10 pm. Trivia starts at 7:30, but we will arrive early to get a table. https://caddiesoncordell.com/event/trivia-night/2025-06-24/

​This gathering brings together women working in or curious about Bitcoin. We'll share real experiences, career paths, and lessons learned. The focus will be on how women contribute to building, securing, and supporting Bitcoin, from technical roles to adjacent fields. If you're already in tech or just starting to explore, join us to learn, connect, and discover what's possible. **👉 Please RSVP on Luma:** [https://luma.com/kn3txa1n](https://luma.com/kn3txa1n) Panelists will speak candidly about navigating the industry, building a career in emerging tech, and what it's really like to work in Bitcoin-focused organizations. The discussion aims to be approachable and insightful, giving women a clear, real-world view of opportunities, challenges, and growth in Bitcoin and related technologies. ​***Please respect the Bitcoin-only focus: We do not discuss, promote, or entertain conversations about altcoins, tokens, ICOs, NFTs, memecoins, or any other cryptocurrency projects. Nothing shared at this meetup is financial advice. Always do your own research!*** ​***🍺 Tell the bartender you're paying with Bitcoin before you close out your tab and get 21% off!*** ​ **Getting There:** * ​🔵🟠⚪ Federal Triangle + 10 min walk * ​🟢🟡 Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter + 2 min walk * ​🔴 Judiciary Square or Metro Center + 8 min walk * ​There is street parking and several nearby paid garages **👉 Please RSVP on Luma:** [https://luma.com/kn3txa1n](https://luma.com/kn3txa1n)

A Starfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st- through 2nd-level characters, playable in 2-3 hours. A few weeks ago, a massive alien starship emerged from deep space and crashed into the planet Akiton. Within hours, the starship’s automated defenses activated, unleashing dangerous monsters and magical effects into the region. This starship was soon dubbed the Wreck of the Returned. Believing the Wreck of the Returned has a connection to the mysterious First Ones, an advanced civilization from antiquity, and is but the first step in a devastating invasion of the Pact Worlds, the Starfinder Society establishes a lodge in the surrounding Sloughscar Hills. The leader of the Starfinder Society, First Seeker Sarmak, needs brave Starfinders to help establish and defend this fledgling lodge, explore the Wreck of the Returned, and prevent the First Ones from invading the Pact Worlds. Welcome to Invasion’s Edge, the first season of Starfinder Society for Starfinder Second Edition! Written by Michael Bramnik.

​Join Data Visualization DC for a meetup to learn about the 30 day chart challenge and some tips and tricks for rapid, high volume data visualization practices! Doors 5:30 Presentation starts 6:15 Please RSVP on [Luma ](https://luma.com/wggc3w3p?utm_source=meetup)for headcount purposes! #=#=#=#=#=#=#=# Got Data Viz? Sign up for a viz and tell and share your work for a few minutes. All are welcome! [https://forms.gle/9a3ssbVbwQFjpWdY8](https://forms.gle/9a3ssbVbwQFjpWdY8) Data Viz DC is a member of Data Community DC, a nonprofit dedicated to data education in the nation's capital. Learn more at [www.dc2.org](http://www.dc2.org/)

Welcome to our new home at the historic Tivoli Theater! Please check our details for access to the space on [our website](https://www.hacdc.org/visit/). Join the discord for questions / help getting in (use channel #let-me-in) [https://discord.gg/dNjuNhNmeT](https://discord.gg/dNjuNhNmeT)

Sunday, February 22, 2026 - Luncheon at 2 pm; Lecture at 3 pm **Recent Top Stories in Biblical Archaeology** What stories are making headlines in the world of biblical archaeology? What exciting discoveries in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and beyond are changing the ways that archaeologists and textual scholars view the biblical past? In this lecture, Glenn Corbett, Editor-in-Chief of Biblical Archaeology Review magazine, reviews some of the top biblical archaeology finds and stories from the past few years, from groundbreaking new discoveries about Jerusalem in the time of the biblical kings to dramatic breakthroughs in our understanding of the history and writing of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Find out which discovery tops the list AND get a sneak peek at some of the fascinating and thought-provoking articles being prepared for BAR this coming year! This event will be held at Nameste Jalsa Restaurant: 1504 King Street / Alexandria, VA 2231 Reservations are required. Please register.at: [https://basonova.org/next-lecture-reservation.html](https://basonova.org/next-lecture-reservation.html)

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Hidden Cleopatra,”** an excavation through myth and slander to uncover the real Egyptian queen, with Jacquelyn Williamson, an Egyptologist and associate professor of archaeology and ancient art at George Mason University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/hidden-cleopatra](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/hidden-cleopatra) .] Depictions of Cleopatra are abundant in popular culture. A long list of painters have depicted her, Marilyn Monroe and Kim Kardashian have posed as her, and Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor famously portrayed her in Hollywood films. At the end of the day, however, what most of us think we know about Cleopatra is wrong, the product of the ancient Rome’s “fake news” and anti-Egypt propaganda. Learn about the real Cleopatra—and how our understanding of her came to be so distorted—with Professor Jacquelyn Williamson, scholar of women and power in ancient Egypt, teacher of courses on ancient Egyptian art and archaeology, and author of *Nefertiti’s Sun Temple: A New Cult Complex at Tell el-Amarna.* Dr. Williamson will walk us through how the first Roman emperor, Octavian, created the distorted image of Cleopatra as seductress that we know today as part of his political scheming to defeat his rival Antony and end the Roman Republic once and for all. Cleopatra has been the subject of debate and controversy ever since. William Shakespeare later relied on ancient Roman sources such as Horace and Plutarch in writing *Antony and Cleopatra*, and his play helped give rise to countless other works offering a distorted picture of her. Professor Williamson argues that “Cleopatra was a human being, like you and I,” and “deserves the dignity of being represented as accurately as possible.” Her efforts to set the record straight have met frustration, however—after being extensively interviewed for the recent Netflix historical docuseries Queen Cleopatra, she concluded that it, too, had missed the mark. You’ll gain a much deeper appreciation of the challenges of researching and accurately depicting the ancient past from Dr. Williamson, who also has taught at Harvard, Brandeis, and the University of California at Berkeley and is involved with an ongoing archaeological investigation of Queen Nefertiti’s sun temple. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Layla Taj portrays Cleopatra VII as part of an Egyptian Cultural Performing Arts Society production. (Photo by Amos Gvili / Wikimedia Commons.)

This is the first of several meetings on *Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic*, by Matthew Stewart. For this meeting, please try to read the first three chapters (pages 1-129 in the paperback). **Where did the ideas come from that became the cornerstone of American democracy?** America’s founders intended to liberate us not just from one king but from the ghostly tyranny of supernatural religion. Drawing deeply on the study of European philosophy, Matthew Stewart brilliantly tracks the ancient, pagan, and continental ideas from which America’s revolutionaries drew their inspiration. In the writings of Spinoza, Lucretius, and other great philosophers, Stewart recovers the true meanings of “Nature’s God,” “the pursuit of happiness,” and the radical political theory with which the American experiment in self-government began. [LINK](https://a.co/d/bkTWJNb) I hope to see you there! Fred

Come join us in call and response chanting (kirtan) of ancient mantras! Mantras are melodic phrases in the ancient language of Sanskrit that allow us to travel beyond the incessant ruminations of our mind and touch a part of ourselves that can only be reached by the sound of our own voices. The self calling out to the SELF and being heard! This event is free, but donations are appreciated 🙏🏾 Devadas is a kirtaniya, composer and artist hailing from Brooklyn, New York. He leads kirtans throughout the world and has recorded a wide variety of acclaimed CDs, including his latest releases, 3 Prayers and Radio Nada. In 2012, Devadas collaborated with indie-rock icon J Mascis to produce and record the film score for the feature documentary One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das. Devadas produced Nina Rao’s chant album, Antarayaami, and in 2016 launched the Lokah Peace Project, an online and ever-expanding video project aimed at inspiring reflection, empathy and harmony.

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBA

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

Hey all! Let's meet at the new sports bar, [Thirsty's Pub](https://www.thirstyscolumbus.com/italianvillage) , located in Italian Village on 4th Street! You'll be able to find us at a table with CAC flyers. **Adress**: 944 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201

This meeting will be an open discussion about the book "an Immense World" by Ed Yong