Rosana Tositrakul, founder of Traditional Medicine for Self-Reliance, a Bangkok-based non-governmental organization, sees a clear future in developing ancient remedies for modern times.

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Art of War: Eagerly studied by military leaders in ancient times, modern politicians and executives now use this 2000-year-old book as a guide.

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Yale economist William Nordhaus examined the history of lighting technologies, from open fires and stone animal fat lamps in ancient times to modern incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.

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This ancient fascination with courtly power has in no way been diminished by monarchy's decline in modern times.

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