6. Because they had no proper rubbish disposal system, the streets of ancient Mesopotamia became literally knee-deep in rubbish.
7. The Toltecs, Seventh-century native Mexicans, went into battle with wooden swords so as not to kill their enemies. 8. China banned the pigtail in 1911 as it was seen as a symbol of feudalism. 9. The Amayra guides of Bolivia are said to be able to keep pace with a trotting horse for a distance of 100 kilometres. 10. Sliced bread was patented by a jeweller, Otto Rohwedder, in 1928. He had been working on it for 16 years, having started in 1912.
