German archaeologists have suggested that Ethiopia was once home to skyscrapers, with buildings up to 20 stories once part of the skyline of East Africa. While they have known about this for a while, a new study has shown that they built these buildings even when they had no technology for reinforced concrete or structural steel beams. The study was published in the journal Heritage.&nbsp;Experts reanalysed the architecture of Grat Be'al Gibri, or Grat Be’al Geubri, located in the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. It was an ancient palace built around 800 BCE, which is in ruins today. It sat at the centre of the city of Yeha, and experts believe it was a huge, multi-storey building unlike anything one would expect in this era.&nbsp;The ancient palace Grat Be’al Gibri is believed to have spread over an area of approximately 196 by 196 feet, the largest palace in the area at the time. The pillar at the entryway was supposedly 33 feet tall. When considered in conjunction with the remains of the stairs, the building would have spanned three stories.<h2>Tall towers in East Africa</h2>Tall buildings were supposedly common in this period. Ancient texts and images hint at the presence of buildings with 20 storeys. Rock art discovered in South Arabia shows that the region had massive complexes with at least nine storeys. The most intriguing part is that they achieved this feat even when they didn't have the technology around reinforced concrete or structural steel beams.&nbsp;The new study has shown that the designers combined stone and timber in a distinct pattern, similar to reinforcing ribs. They laid wooden beams flat within the rubble masonry, using the "timber-laced masonry" technique that was found across parts of southern Arabia and northeastern Africa during this time. It has also made a return to modern architecture, as builders use hybrid timber construction to construct high-rise buildings.<h2>Simulations showed 19-story buildings were possible</h2>The team combined all this data- a wall corner and a doorway and fed it into a 3D model to know the load-bearing capacity. They created several virtual reconstructions until they reached the maximum number of stories at which the tower would no longer remain standing. They ran several simulations and found one scenario where 19-story buildings could actually exist. While the findings match written records, it is not clear whether the designers actually pushed to the maximum limit.

Ethiopia's skyline could have once featured tall buildings with as many as 19 storeys. Experts say this was possible even though reinforced concrete or structural steel beams were not even a concept at the time. These skyscrapers could have stood tall, bearing all the weight.

German archaeologists have suggested that Ethiopia was once home to skyscrapers, with buildings up to 20 stories once part of the skyline of East Africa. While they have known about this for a while, a new study has shown that they built these buildings even when they had no technology for reinforced concrete or structural steel beams. The study was published in the journal Heritage. Experts reanalysed the architecture of Grat Be'al Gibri, or Grat Be’al Geubri, located in the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. It was an ancient palace built around 800 BCE, which is in ruins today. It sat at the centre of the city of Yeha, and experts believe it was a huge, multi-storey building unlike anything one would expect in this era. The ancient palace Grat Be’al Gibri is believed to have spread over an area of approximately 196 by 196 feet, the largest palace in the area at the time. The pillar at the entryway was supposedly 33 feet tall. When considered in conjunction with the remains of the stairs, the building would have spanned three stories. Tall towers in East Africa Tall buildings were supposedly common in this period. Ancient texts and images hint at the presence of buildings with 20 storeys. Rock art discovered in South Arabia shows that the region had massive complexes with at least nine storeys. The most intriguing part is that they achieved this feat even when they didn't have the technology around reinforced concrete or structural steel beams. The new study has shown that the designers combined stone and timber in a distinct pattern, similar to reinforcing ribs. They laid wooden beams flat within the rubble masonry, using the "timber-laced masonry" technique that was found across parts of southern Arabia and northeastern Africa during this time. It has also made a return to modern architecture, as builders use hybrid timber construction to construct high-rise buildings. Simulations showed 19-story buildings were possible The team combined all this data- a wall corner and a doorway and fed it into a 3D model to know the load-bearing capacity. They created several virtual reconstructions until they reached the maximum number of stories at which the tower would no longer remain standing. They ran several simulations and found one scenario where 19-story buildings could actually exist. While the findings match written records, it is not clear whether the designers actually pushed to the maximum limit.

Ethiopia's skyline could have once featured tall buildings with as many as 19 storeys. Experts say this was possible even though reinforced concrete or structural steel beams were not even a concept at the time. These skyscrapers could have stood tall, bearing all the weight.

Africans knew how to build 20-storey skyscrapers 2,800 years ago

An underwater discovery in Germany could change scientists' understanding of early human society and push back the timeline of permanent settlements and "cultural landscapes" in Central Europe. Archaeologists have found prehistoric wooden remains dating back as far as 10,500 years in Lake Arendsee. Researchers from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt say that it could belong to permanent structures.&nbsp;Harald Meller, a state archaeologist, said in a translated statement, "Besides the usual finds from this period, such as stone tools or animal bones, our divers were able to recover spectacular pieces of wood, which have very rarely survived from this era," that is, the time when hunter-gatherers lived.<h2>What was found in the lake?</h2>The wooden remains were extremely well-preserved because they were covered by a thin layer of sediment at around 65.6 feet. This discovery includes a post over 5 feet tall with felling marks and slit boards up to 4.3 feet long.&nbsp;"The finds shed a completely new light on the Mesolithic period, for which traces of buildings in Central Germany have so far only been known in the form of soil discolourations."&nbsp;They believe that it is possible that the wood was modified by hunter-gatherers. If it came from permanent structures, then this could mean they were built at least 3,000 years before previously believed.&nbsp;The Mesolithic Period marked a transition between Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers. This period was roughly 12,025 to 6,025 years ago. This is the time when people started gathering in small communities and early agricultural practices started taking off.<h2>What does the discovery change?</h2>The felling marks and slit boards discovered in Lake Arendsee indicate that the wood could be parts of built structures, such as huts or another entirely new class of wooden buildings. Traditionally, the creation of permanent settlements and "cultural landscapes" in Central Europe is credited to the first Neolithic farmers who arrived around 5,500 BCE, or 7,525 years ago.&nbsp;“If permanent buildings or intensively cultivated living spaces already existed 10,500 years ago—that is, 3,000 years before the arrival of the first farmers with their longhouses in Central Europe- then this "changes the understanding of hunter-gatherers, but also the origins of modern cultural landscapes," Marcel Weiss, project manager from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt, said.

An underwater discovery in a German lake could change a crucial timeline about permanent settlements and cultural landscapes in Europe. A wooden post and slit boards were found in perfectly preserved condition. The marks on them carry a historical evidence.

An underwater discovery in Germany could change scientists' understanding of early human society and push back the timeline of permanent settlements and "cultural landscapes" in Central Europe. Archaeologists have found prehistoric wooden remains dating back as far as 10,500 years in Lake Arendsee. Researchers from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt say that it could belong to permanent structures. Harald Meller, a state archaeologist, said in a translated statement, "Besides the usual finds from this period, such as stone tools or animal bones, our divers were able to recover spectacular pieces of wood, which have very rarely survived from this era," that is, the time when hunter-gatherers lived. What was found in the lake? The wooden remains were extremely well-preserved because they were covered by a thin layer of sediment at around 65.6 feet. This discovery includes a post over 5 feet tall with felling marks and slit boards up to 4.3 feet long. "The finds shed a completely new light on the Mesolithic period, for which traces of buildings in Central Germany have so far only been known in the form of soil discolourations." They believe that it is possible that the wood was modified by hunter-gatherers. If it came from permanent structures, then this could mean they were built at least 3,000 years before previously believed. The Mesolithic Period marked a transition between Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers. This period was roughly 12,025 to 6,025 years ago. This is the time when people started gathering in small communities and early agricultural practices started taking off. What does the discovery change? The felling marks and slit boards discovered in Lake Arendsee indicate that the wood could be parts of built structures, such as huts or another entirely new class of wooden buildings. Traditionally, the creation of permanent settlements and "cultural landscapes" in Central Europe is credited to the first Neolithic farmers who arrived around 5,500 BCE, or 7,525 years ago. “If permanent buildings or intensively cultivated living spaces already existed 10,500 years ago—that is, 3,000 years before the arrival of the first farmers with their longhouses in Central Europe- then this "changes the understanding of hunter-gatherers, but also the origins of modern cultural landscapes," Marcel Weiss, project manager from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt, said.

An underwater discovery in a German lake could change a crucial timeline about permanent settlements and cultural landscapes in Europe. A wooden post and slit boards were found in perfectly preserved condition. The marks on them carry a historical evidence.

10,500-year-old wood under German lake could alter history of first human homes

Archaeologists are studying the large circular structures located nearly 10,000 feet above sea level on a mountain in Argentina. Some of these circles measure 88 to 114 feet in diameter, creating a striking visual from above. They were discovered in May 2025 by mountaineer Carlos Gobbi, who was studying satellite images of the region. He came across the large geometric stone structures in Cordillera del Tigre, which were later compared to Peru’s famous Nazca Lines.&nbsp;This led to an investigation into the formation to understand who built them and the purpose they served. However, archaeologists are still struggling to answer questions about it, including their age. To uncover the secrets behind this structure, a team of researchers tried to reach the remote location. But the rugged terrain, lack of water and lack of communication infrastructure made that task difficult.&nbsp;Gobbi, Adrián Radich and Gabriel Orofino managed to finally reach the site in February this year after travelling through the mountains for four days. They could finally analyse the site in person, but more mysteries were born. They came across extensive stone constructions and large circles connected by corridors. There were also stones buried in the ditches which looked like channels and walls above the ground. Even though they were similar to the Nazca Lines, the researchers stressed they are distinct from anything else that had ever been found.&nbsp;The purpose of this structure has been the real puzzle. Why would humans build such mammoth structures in a high-altitude location that is almost impossible to reach? There has been no evidence yet that connects it to domestic life, as pottery fragments, food remains, and other surface evidence remain missing.&nbsp;This led them to investigate if the stone circles served ritual, symbolic or ceremonial purposes. Another theory proposes that it could have been inhabited by pre-Hispanic populations before the Inca expansion. To dive deeper, they looked for records of a comparable archaeological site in Mendoza, but found nothing. So far, all of the above theories remain unverified.&nbsp;In order to unravel the mystery of the circles, the researchers from the Argentine Institute of Snow Research, Glaciology and Environmental Sciences (IANIGLA-CONICET) and Spain’s University of Jaén will now undertake sediment analysis using remote-sensing techniques.

High above a mountain in the Mendoza region of Argentina sits a mammoth stone structure connected with passages. Researchers have failed to understand why a civilisation would build something like this in such a remote location. The age of the circles and the builders remain a mystery. 

Archaeologists are studying the large circular structures located nearly 10,000 feet above sea level on a mountain in Argentina. Some of these circles measure 88 to 114 feet in diameter, creating a striking visual from above. They were discovered in May 2025 by mountaineer Carlos Gobbi, who was studying satellite images of the region. He came across the large geometric stone structures in Cordillera del Tigre, which were later compared to Peru’s famous Nazca Lines. This led to an investigation into the formation to understand who built them and the purpose they served. However, archaeologists are still struggling to answer questions about it, including their age. To uncover the secrets behind this structure, a team of researchers tried to reach the remote location. But the rugged terrain, lack of water and lack of communication infrastructure made that task difficult. Gobbi, Adrián Radich and Gabriel Orofino managed to finally reach the site in February this year after travelling through the mountains for four days. They could finally analyse the site in person, but more mysteries were born. They came across extensive stone constructions and large circles connected by corridors. There were also stones buried in the ditches which looked like channels and walls above the ground. Even though they were similar to the Nazca Lines, the researchers stressed they are distinct from anything else that had ever been found. The purpose of this structure has been the real puzzle. Why would humans build such mammoth structures in a high-altitude location that is almost impossible to reach? There has been no evidence yet that connects it to domestic life, as pottery fragments, food remains, and other surface evidence remain missing. This led them to investigate if the stone circles served ritual, symbolic or ceremonial purposes. Another theory proposes that it could have been inhabited by pre-Hispanic populations before the Inca expansion. To dive deeper, they looked for records of a comparable archaeological site in Mendoza, but found nothing. So far, all of the above theories remain unverified. In order to unravel the mystery of the circles, the researchers from the Argentine Institute of Snow Research, Glaciology and Environmental Sciences (IANIGLA-CONICET) and Spain’s University of Jaén will now undertake sediment analysis using remote-sensing techniques.

High above a mountain in the Mendoza region of Argentina sits a mammoth stone structure connected with passages. Researchers have failed to understand why a civilisation would build something like this in such a remote location. The age of the circles and the builders remain a mystery.&nbsp;

Mammoth stone circles 10,000 feet above an Argentine mountain baffle researchers

A new study has shown that 23-foot-high Devil’s Arrows standing stones in England were deliberately moved kilometres from their original site over 4,000 years ago. A team of researchers from Curtin University and the University of York noted that the Arrows in Boroughbridge in northern England were transported from the Millstone Grit outcrops at Brimham Rocks, more than 17 kilometres from their current location.&nbsp;The researchers reconstructed a glacial movement scenario to explain how the nearly 28-ton stones reached this place. But the theory failed. Further analysis showed the Devil’s Arrows were the result of "purposeful extraction and transport of megaliths from a specific,geomorphologically distinctive upland source rather than the opportunistic use of local stone."&nbsp;The Devil's Rocks sit in an area of 570 feet and are believed to have been erected around 2000 BCE during the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. &nbsp;But they weren't picked up without any thought. “Our research shows these stones weren’t simply taken from the nearest available source—they were deliberately chosen from a challenging landscape,” lead author Anthony Clarke said.&nbsp;Previous research had indicated that the three stones came from the much closer Plumpton Rocks. Now the latest findings hint that instead they came from a much farther location. They studied the "fingerprints" of the mineral grains found on the rocks by removing them from the stones using adhesive tape. This matched them to Brimham Rocks.&nbsp;The prehistoric people put great thought into the landscape and carefully chose the megaliths, even if it meant towing them over great distances. "It wasn’t just about convenience. The location the stones came from likely held meaning for them," Clarke said.&nbsp;It highlights that they valued shared belief systems and put immense effort into transporting the stones, each of which weighed nearly 28 tons.&nbsp;

Devil’s Arrows in England did not reach their current location by chance but were deliberately brought here from several kilometres away. Scientists have traced the origin of the mystery stones weighing 28 tons each.

A new study has shown that 23-foot-high Devil’s Arrows standing stones in England were deliberately moved kilometres from their original site over 4,000 years ago. A team of researchers from Curtin University and the University of York noted that the Arrows in Boroughbridge in northern England were transported from the Millstone Grit outcrops at Brimham Rocks, more than 17 kilometres from their current location. The researchers reconstructed a glacial movement scenario to explain how the nearly 28-ton stones reached this place. But the theory failed. Further analysis showed the Devil’s Arrows were the result of "purposeful extraction and transport of megaliths from a specific, geomorphologically distinctive upland source rather than the opportunistic use of local stone." The Devil's Rocks sit in an area of 570 feet and are believed to have been erected around 2000 BCE during the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. But they weren't picked up without any thought. “Our research shows these stones weren’t simply taken from the nearest available source—they were deliberately chosen from a challenging landscape,” lead author Anthony Clarke said. Previous research had indicated that the three stones came from the much closer Plumpton Rocks. Now the latest findings hint that instead they came from a much farther location. They studied the "fingerprints" of the mineral grains found on the rocks by removing them from the stones using adhesive tape. This matched them to Brimham Rocks. The prehistoric people put great thought into the landscape and carefully chose the megaliths, even if it meant towing them over great distances. "It wasn’t just about convenience. The location the stones came from likely held meaning for them," Clarke said. It highlights that they valued shared belief systems and put immense effort into transporting the stones, each of which weighed nearly 28 tons.

Devil’s Arrows in England did not reach their current location by chance but were deliberately brought here from several kilometres away. Scientists have traced the origin of the mystery stones weighing 28 tons each.

4,000-year-old, 28-ton mystery stones in England were not carried by ice

A deadly virus that caused the death of nearly 500,000 animals through infection and culling in Greece in 2025, and also this year, is nearly 3,700 years old. Scientists studied the York Gospels and other historical documents written on sheepskin parchment a thousand years ago to trace the origins of sheeppox. Researchers led by Louis L'Hôte of the Molecular Population Genetics Lab at University College Dublin not only analysed ancient and medieval manuscripts, but also studied Bronze Age sheep teeth, which turned out to be the earliest known evidence of the virus.&nbsp;"By the Bronze Age period, domestic sheep herds of the Eurasian steppe region were afflicted by a pathogen that today is highly infectious and virulent," L'Hôte said in the study published in Science Advances. The bacteria that causes the disease has been detected in sheep from this region and period, which they say suggests that "herding societies in the steppe may have contended with a diverse burden of [livestock] diseases."&nbsp;"Although present in the Bronze Age, we find a particularly high number of SPPV genomes in the medieval period, associated with animal skin-based documents, implying that infection of sheep was a frequent challenge to European societies of this time," the researchers said.<h2>Ancient record of sheep pox&nbsp;</h2>Capripoxvirus sheeppox is closely related to the variola virus that causes smallpox in humans. The first written records came from Rome in the first century CE, where writer Lucius Columella describes skin lesions caused by it as "pustules". Several accounting records for livestock and agricultural treatises refer to it as "pockes" or "variola" and show that every time the disease surged, agricultural produce declined. When there was a long gap between two outbreaks, people were puzzled about its nature.&nbsp;In fact, in medieval Europe, when an unexplainable disease afflicted sick livestock, people often believed the animals were victims of black magic. The sheep pox virus remained trapped in skins which were used to make parchment. So scientists turned to them to know how old the disease was.&nbsp;The disease is believed to have first emerged in the Eastern European and Caucasian steppe regions. They used sheep to make clothes, for meat and dairy. The larger settlements were trading hubs for metals and ceramics. When the sick animals came in contact with these items, the foreign traders unknowingly carried it back with them. Encounters with other herds also acted as an agent that spread the disease.&nbsp;When L'Hôte studied the manuscripts, he found more virus DNA on the flesh side of the skin than the outside. He thinks sheep pox could have emerged with domestication. Symptoms included fever, loss of appetite, eye discharge, and lesions where wool was not present.&nbsp;

Greece witnessed the death of and culled 500,000 sheep and goats because of a virus with an extremely high fatality rate. The disease is several millennia old and remained on the skin of the animals, which was then used as parchment to write ancient texts.

A deadly virus that caused the death of nearly 500,000 animals through infection and culling in Greece in 2025, and also this year, is nearly 3,700 years old. Scientists studied the York Gospels and other historical documents written on sheepskin parchment a thousand years ago to trace the origins of sheeppox. Researchers led by Louis L'Hôte of the Molecular Population Genetics Lab at University College Dublin not only analysed ancient and medieval manuscripts, but also studied Bronze Age sheep teeth, which turned out to be the earliest known evidence of the virus. "By the Bronze Age period, domestic sheep herds of the Eurasian steppe region were afflicted by a pathogen that today is highly infectious and virulent," L'Hôte said in the study published in Science Advances. The bacteria that causes the disease has been detected in sheep from this region and period, which they say suggests that "herding societies in the steppe may have contended with a diverse burden of [livestock] diseases." "Although present in the Bronze Age, we find a particularly high number of SPPV genomes in the medieval period, associated with animal skin-based documents, implying that infection of sheep was a frequent challenge to European societies of this time," the researchers said. Ancient record of sheep pox Capripoxvirus sheeppox is closely related to the variola virus that causes smallpox in humans. The first written records came from Rome in the first century CE, where writer Lucius Columella describes skin lesions caused by it as "pustules". Several accounting records for livestock and agricultural treatises refer to it as "pockes" or "variola" and show that every time the disease surged, agricultural produce declined. When there was a long gap between two outbreaks, people were puzzled about its nature. In fact, in medieval Europe, when an unexplainable disease afflicted sick livestock, people often believed the animals were victims of black magic. The sheep pox virus remained trapped in skins which were used to make parchment. So scientists turned to them to know how old the disease was. The disease is believed to have first emerged in the Eastern European and Caucasian steppe regions. They used sheep to make clothes, for meat and dairy. The larger settlements were trading hubs for metals and ceramics. When the sick animals came in contact with these items, the foreign traders unknowingly carried it back with them. Encounters with other herds also acted as an agent that spread the disease. When L'Hôte studied the manuscripts, he found more virus DNA on the flesh side of the skin than the outside. He thinks sheep pox could have emerged with domestication. Symptoms included fever, loss of appetite, eye discharge, and lesions where wool was not present.

Greece witnessed the death of and culled 500,000 sheep and goats because of a virus with an extremely high fatality rate. The disease is several millennia old and remained on the skin of the animals, which was then used as parchment to write ancient texts.

Medieval books contain traces of a 3,700-year-old virus that recently killed 500,000 animals

Archaeologists excavated a 400-year-old grave in Poland, which revealed a burial unlike any they had seen. The discovery was made in 2022 and was recently described in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports by a team of Polish researchers. The grave had the remains of a woman positioned strangely, a sickle pointed at her throat, and an iron padlock on her left toe. She was supposedly linked to ill luck and calamities by the community, who feared she could return as a vampire.&nbsp;Researchers from Poland’s Nicolaus Copernicus University dug up the grave and came across an unexpected scene. The skeleton in it belonged to a woman and was interred with booby traps, supposedly to stop her from coming back as a vampire. She lived in the 17th century in Pień, about 96 kilometres from Kraków. She died sometime between 1620 and 1674 CE at the age of 17 to 19.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/indian-geologist-finds-3-5bn-year-old-evidence-of-life-in-the-rocks-of-jharkhand-1787298651689">Indian geologist finds 3.5bn-year-old evidence of life in the rocks of Jharkhand</a><h2>Grave where body was removed and placed again with lock and sickle</h2>Archaeologists noticed that the soil was in a disrupted state, indicating that the grave was dug up before the body decomposed fully. Its position was then rearranged, with her arm towards the northeast. An iron sickle was put across her neck with the blade covering her throat and an iron padlock on her left toe. The researchers connected the sickle and lock to folk stories about supernatural or demonic forces.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/magical-plant-used-for-birth-control-by-romans-and-greeks-found-again-2-000-years-after-going-extinct-1787148634340">Magical plant used for birth control by Romans and Greeks found 2,000 years after going extinct</a>&nbsp;In the 17th century, Polish-Lithuanian communities blamed those who had recently died for diseases and famines. They believed the woman in the grave was seen as the reason for some incident, and so they tried to stop her from being reborn. But she likely belonged to a wealthy family, as thin metallic threads composed of gilded gold and silver wires were found near the skull. However, her nitrogen and carbon levels indicate she was malnourished.&nbsp;A green stain on her neck and palate bones shows that some kind of object was placed in her mouth or nasal cavity around the time she died. Besides the padlock and sickle, her DNA analysis showed that her maternal lineage was rare and is almost non-existent in more modern Slavic regions. The findings show that 17th-century Poland was not untouched by faith and superstition.

A 17th-century grave in Poland contained the remains of a woman whom people believed brought bad luck to society. So she added a padlock and a sickle to her dead body. Researchers have detailed their findings four years after making the grim discovery.

Archaeologists excavated a 400-year-old grave in Poland, which revealed a burial unlike any they had seen. The discovery was made in 2022 and was recently described in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports by a team of Polish researchers. The grave had the remains of a woman positioned strangely, a sickle pointed at her throat, and an iron padlock on her left toe. She was supposedly linked to ill luck and calamities by the community, who feared she could return as a vampire. Researchers from Poland’s Nicolaus Copernicus University dug up the grave and came across an unexpected scene. The skeleton in it belonged to a woman and was interred with booby traps, supposedly to stop her from coming back as a vampire. She lived in the 17th century in Pień, about 96 kilometres from Kraków. She died sometime between 1620 and 1674 CE at the age of 17 to 19. Also Read: Indian geologist finds 3.5bn-year-old evidence of life in the rocks of Jharkhand Grave where body was removed and placed again with lock and sickle Archaeologists noticed that the soil was in a disrupted state, indicating that the grave was dug up before the body decomposed fully. Its position was then rearranged, with her arm towards the northeast. An iron sickle was put across her neck with the blade covering her throat and an iron padlock on her left toe. The researchers connected the sickle and lock to folk stories about supernatural or demonic forces. Also Read: Magical plant used for birth control by Romans and Greeks found 2,000 years after going extinct In the 17th century, Polish-Lithuanian communities blamed those who had recently died for diseases and famines. They believed the woman in the grave was seen as the reason for some incident, and so they tried to stop her from being reborn. But she likely belonged to a wealthy family, as thin metallic threads composed of gilded gold and silver wires were found near the skull. However, her nitrogen and carbon levels indicate she was malnourished. A green stain on her neck and palate bones shows that some kind of object was placed in her mouth or nasal cavity around the time she died. Besides the padlock and sickle, her DNA analysis showed that her maternal lineage was rare and is almost non-existent in more modern Slavic regions. The findings show that 17th-century Poland was not untouched by faith and superstition.

A 17th-century grave in Poland contained the remains of a woman whom people believed brought bad luck to society. So she added a padlock and a sickle to her dead body. Researchers have detailed their findings four years after making the grim discovery.

400-year-old 'vampire' grave in Poland reveals non-existent genetic lineage

Under the Indian Ocean lie the remnants of the ancient subcontinent of Mauritia, which some people think is the same as the lost continent of Lemuria. The latter was proposed in the 19th century to explain the discovery of lemur fossils in India and Madagascar, which were divided by the Indian Ocean. Those who believe in Lemuria also say that an ancient civilisation resided on this continent, including a species with alien DNA and humanoids who laid eggs, but were killed by a nuclear war.&nbsp;Scientists are trying to piece together an actual landmass that sank in the region known as Mauritia. This geological piece of land fell into the ocean when an ancient supercontinent broke apart. Supporters of the theory believe Lemuria and Mauritia are the same, even though no signs or remains of any civilisation preceding humans have been discovered.<h2>Fossil discovery in India and Madagascar</h2>Lemur fossils were found in India and Madagascar, but not in Africa, even though the continent was much closer to Madagascar. In an attempt to explain this anomaly, British zoologist and biogeographer Philip Sclater proposed in 1846 that a piece of land connected the two regions but sank to the bottom of the ocean. "In Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands we have existing relics of this great continent, for which... I should propose the name Lemuria!" he wrote. Since then, a bunch of people have amplified this theory, despite no evidence even being found.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/1-500-year-old-map-archaeologists-lost-city-of-tharais-byzantine-empire-jordan-1749642626966">The lost city of Tharais once part of Jordan's Holy Lands has been found</a> &nbsp;Later, scientists discovered that India and Madagascar were once part of the same supercontinent, pushing the Lemuria theory out of the picture. But conspiracy theorists continued to peddle the belief about Lemuria, linking it to humans with alien DNA in them. The 1888 book, The Secret Doctrine, by spiritualist Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, talked of bodiless Hyperboreans and Lemurians that laid eggs. She claimed that the discovery of sex became responsible for the sinking of Lemuria, while others attributed their end to a massive earthquake.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/lost-nile-city-discovered-details-about-religion-and-cobra-goddess-wadjet-revealed-1751444188676">Lost Nile city discovered: Details of religion and Cobra Goddess Wadjet revealed</a><h2>Underground city of Lemurians?</h2>However, some Lemurians are believed to have escaped and established an underground city in Mount Shasta, Northern California. These seven-foot-tall Lemurians are merely conjecture, and no evidence has ever been found. The beliefs were strengthened after British author James Churchward talked about another lost continent named Mu, where a technologically advanced civilisation flourished 50,000 years ago.<h2>Nuclear war in Lemuria</h2>Another theory about Lemuria is that refugees from a planet called Maldek came to Earth and lived on this landmass after they destroyed their own home between Mars and Jupiter with a hydrogen bomb. This is how the asteroid belt was formed, some claim. However, they then had their own nuclear war on Earth, with believers pointing to the discovery of melted glass in the deserts of Libya.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Mauritia was first described in 2013, with more details being revealed in 2017. It was part of Gondwanaland, a supercontinent that existed 200 million years ago. Scientists are now working to determine the size and shape of Mauritia.

Scientists have been studying Mauritia, a landmass that sank into the Indian Ocean when the supercontinent Gondwana broke apart. While this is a real body, some people think it is actually Lemuria, a lost continent hypothesised in the 19th century.   

Under the Indian Ocean lie the remnants of the ancient subcontinent of Mauritia, which some people think is the same as the lost continent of Lemuria. The latter was proposed in the 19th century to explain the discovery of lemur fossils in India and Madagascar, which were divided by the Indian Ocean. Those who believe in Lemuria also say that an ancient civilisation resided on this continent, including a species with alien DNA and humanoids who laid eggs, but were killed by a nuclear war. Scientists are trying to piece together an actual landmass that sank in the region known as Mauritia. This geological piece of land fell into the ocean when an ancient supercontinent broke apart. Supporters of the theory believe Lemuria and Mauritia are the same, even though no signs or remains of any civilisation preceding humans have been discovered. Fossil discovery in India and Madagascar Lemur fossils were found in India and Madagascar, but not in Africa, even though the continent was much closer to Madagascar. In an attempt to explain this anomaly, British zoologist and biogeographer Philip Sclater proposed in 1846 that a piece of land connected the two regions but sank to the bottom of the ocean. "In Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands we have existing relics of this great continent, for which... I should propose the name Lemuria!" he wrote. Since then, a bunch of people have amplified this theory, despite no evidence even being found. Also Read: The lost city of Tharais once part of Jordan's Holy Lands has been found Later, scientists discovered that India and Madagascar were once part of the same supercontinent, pushing the Lemuria theory out of the picture. But conspiracy theorists continued to peddle the belief about Lemuria, linking it to humans with alien DNA in them. The 1888 book, The Secret Doctrine, by spiritualist Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, talked of bodiless Hyperboreans and Lemurians that laid eggs. She claimed that the discovery of sex became responsible for the sinking of Lemuria, while others attributed their end to a massive earthquake. Also Read: Lost Nile city discovered: Details of religion and Cobra Goddess Wadjet revealed Underground city of Lemurians? However, some Lemurians are believed to have escaped and established an underground city in Mount Shasta, Northern California. These seven-foot-tall Lemurians are merely conjecture, and no evidence has ever been found. The beliefs were strengthened after British author James Churchward talked about another lost continent named Mu, where a technologically advanced civilisation flourished 50,000 years ago. Nuclear war in Lemuria Another theory about Lemuria is that refugees from a planet called Maldek came to Earth and lived on this landmass after they destroyed their own home between Mars and Jupiter with a hydrogen bomb. This is how the asteroid belt was formed, some claim. However, they then had their own nuclear war on Earth, with believers pointing to the discovery of melted glass in the deserts of Libya. Meanwhile, Mauritia was first described in 2013, with more details being revealed in 2017. It was part of Gondwanaland, a supercontinent that existed 200 million years ago. Scientists are now working to determine the size and shape of Mauritia.

Scientists have been studying Mauritia, a landmass that sank into the Indian Ocean when the supercontinent Gondwana broke apart. While this is a real body, some people think it is actually Lemuria, a lost continent hypothesised in the 19th century. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Lost continent located between India and Madagascar could be Lemuria, believers claim

A plant believed to have gone extinct 2,000 years ago has been rediscovered in Turkey. Silphium was a miracle plant used by Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians to cure several diseases, and even for contraception. The golden-flowered plant was found by a professor in two places in Turkey. The silphion, or silphium, was one of the most popular plants in the Mediterranean thousands of years ago.&nbsp;The flowers on the plant held immense value for human health and were used in several ways. People in ancient times crushed it to extract the juices for medicinal purposes. The flower was even cooked in multiple ways. Apparently, the same flower could also act as a birth control method.<h2>Stories about the magical plant silphium</h2>Records show that when Julius Caesar ruled, the silphium had the same price as silver. His workers stocked more than a thousand kilos of the plant alongside gold in the treasury. This is how valuable the plant was in Rome. The first documentation of the plant shows that it grew along the coast of Cyrenaica, or modern-day Libya. However, just seven centuries later, it vanished from the Mediterranean.&nbsp;In the first century AD, "just one stalk" of the plant was found, according to Roman chronicler Pliny the Elder, who wrote about it in Natural History, the last documented account of the silphion. The stalk was given to Emperor Nero, he wrote.<h2>Explorers did not find the silphium</h2>The stories about the magical plant intrigued future explorers who searched for it in the Middle Ages on three continents. But no one ever found it, in what is believed to be the first record of a plant, animal or species going extinct. Slowly, stories about it died down. But now a researcher at Istanbul University claims it is still present on Earth, albeit thousands of kilometres from its original location.<h2>Ferula Drudeana plant in Turkey could be same as silphium</h2>Mahmut Miski thinks that the Ferula Drudeana that grows on Mount Hasan is the same ancient plant with magical medicinal properties. He says it is similar to what the ancient texts say about the silphion and the photos on Ancient Greek coins. The thick branching root and yellow flowers are the same, Miski says. Ferula Drudeana has anticancer compounds and anti-inflammatory properties, and belongs to the same family as carrots, fennel, and parsley.&nbsp;Miski says he first saw it on Mount Hassan during postdoctoral research. He noted that it has thirty secondary metabolites that have medical purposes, including cancer-fighting, contraceptive, and anti-inflammatory properties. People on the mountain told him that sheep and goats love grazing on them, which was also true of the ancient silphion.&nbsp;

Silphium was a plant with immense medicinal properties that vanished from Earth 2,000 years ago. Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians even cooked with it and used it for contraception. A Turkish professor thinks he has found it on a mountain. 

A plant believed to have gone extinct 2,000 years ago has been rediscovered in Turkey. Silphium was a miracle plant used by Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians to cure several diseases, and even for contraception. The golden-flowered plant was found by a professor in two places in Turkey. The silphion, or silphium, was one of the most popular plants in the Mediterranean thousands of years ago. The flowers on the plant held immense value for human health and were used in several ways. People in ancient times crushed it to extract the juices for medicinal purposes. The flower was even cooked in multiple ways. Apparently, the same flower could also act as a birth control method. Stories about the magical plant silphium Records show that when Julius Caesar ruled, the silphium had the same price as silver. His workers stocked more than a thousand kilos of the plant alongside gold in the treasury. This is how valuable the plant was in Rome. The first documentation of the plant shows that it grew along the coast of Cyrenaica, or modern-day Libya. However, just seven centuries later, it vanished from the Mediterranean. In the first century AD, "just one stalk" of the plant was found, according to Roman chronicler Pliny the Elder, who wrote about it in Natural History, the last documented account of the silphion. The stalk was given to Emperor Nero, he wrote. Explorers did not find the silphium The stories about the magical plant intrigued future explorers who searched for it in the Middle Ages on three continents. But no one ever found it, in what is believed to be the first record of a plant, animal or species going extinct. Slowly, stories about it died down. But now a researcher at Istanbul University claims it is still present on Earth, albeit thousands of kilometres from its original location. Ferula Drudeana plant in Turkey could be same as silphium Mahmut Miski thinks that the Ferula Drudeana that grows on Mount Hasan is the same ancient plant with magical medicinal properties. He says it is similar to what the ancient texts say about the silphion and the photos on Ancient Greek coins. The thick branching root and yellow flowers are the same, Miski says. Ferula Drudeana has anticancer compounds and anti-inflammatory properties, and belongs to the same family as carrots, fennel, and parsley. Miski says he first saw it on Mount Hassan during postdoctoral research. He noted that it has thirty secondary metabolites that have medical purposes, including cancer-fighting, contraceptive, and anti-inflammatory properties. People on the mountain told him that sheep and goats love grazing on them, which was also true of the ancient silphion.

Silphium was a plant with immense medicinal properties that vanished from Earth 2,000 years ago. Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians even cooked with it and used it for contraception. A Turkish professor thinks he has found it on a mountain.&nbsp;

Magical plant used for birth control by Romans and Greeks found 2,000 years after going extinct

Archaeologists were left stunned when they found a jar with human remains in Northern Laos's Xieng Khouang Plateau. They belong to 37 people who lived 1,000 years ago, a study states. Human bones have been previously found in such jars in the past as well, but they were all burnt. “We were very excited because it was the first time we found non-burnt bones inside a jar,” lead author of the study, Nicholas Skopal, said, according to National Geographic.&nbsp;The site where the discovery was made is itself more than 1,000 years old, but has been a mystery to archaeologists for nearly a century. They have been working for decades to understand more about its purpose. Some archaeologists had previously found ashes and burnt bones in other jars. But the latest megalithic stone jar to have been found has revealed something they had never seen before.<h2>A jar used for funeral purposes?&nbsp;</h2>Excavation work was carried out between 2022 and 2024, which led to the unearthing of this stone jar. It is four feet high and seven feet wide, and contains the remains of 37 people. Named Jar 1, scientists found, using dating methods, that it was used for generations by ancient people between 890 AD and 1160 AD. The jar was likely used for some sort of ancient funerary process, acting as a burial space where large bones and skulls were set near the outer edges.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3-000-years-ago-humanity-spoke-thousands-of-languages-then-fell-silent-where-did-they-all-go-1785153294067">3,000 years ago, humanity spoke thousands of languages — then fell silent. Where did they all go?</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Archaeologists also found an iron knife, a copper bell, stone slabs, and shards of earthenware.Skopal said they also found glass beads, which they think could have been an offering to the dead. However, Kelly Brandão, an archaeologist with the University of São Paulo and Mamirauá Institute at Tefé, isn't sure if the jar's sole purpose was acting as a place of burial. "We can't know for sure if the vase was really made with the burial objective in sight," she said.<h2>From single jars to collecting bones in a second jar&nbsp;</h2>Skopal, meanwhile, has another theory. He thinks that each body was first placed in individual jars where they were left to decompose. After the skin came off, the bones were placed "as secondary bundles into the larger jar", acting as the final resting place. He admits it is just a theory, especially with the discovery of more teeth than their skulls.&nbsp;The researchers are now working to get DNA from the Plain of Jars to understand who these people were and where they lived, which Skopal admits is not going to be easy because of the tropical climate.

A huge megalithic stone jar in Laos was discovered with human remains inside it. Archaeologists found bones and teeth of 37 people in it, who lived nearly 1,000 years ago. They do not know who these people were and are trying to gather DNA to learn about them. 

Archaeologists were left stunned when they found a jar with human remains in Northern Laos's Xieng Khouang Plateau. They belong to 37 people who lived 1,000 years ago, a study states. Human bones have been previously found in such jars in the past as well, but they were all burnt. “We were very excited because it was the first time we found non-burnt bones inside a jar,” lead author of the study, Nicholas Skopal, said, according to National Geographic. The site where the discovery was made is itself more than 1,000 years old, but has been a mystery to archaeologists for nearly a century. They have been working for decades to understand more about its purpose. Some archaeologists had previously found ashes and burnt bones in other jars. But the latest megalithic stone jar to have been found has revealed something they had never seen before. A jar used for funeral purposes? Excavation work was carried out between 2022 and 2024, which led to the unearthing of this stone jar. It is four feet high and seven feet wide, and contains the remains of 37 people. Named Jar 1, scientists found, using dating methods, that it was used for generations by ancient people between 890 AD and 1160 AD. The jar was likely used for some sort of ancient funerary process, acting as a burial space where large bones and skulls were set near the outer edges. Also Read: 3,000 years ago, humanity spoke thousands of languages — then fell silent. Where did they all go? Archaeologists also found an iron knife, a copper bell, stone slabs, and shards of earthenware. Skopal said they also found glass beads, which they think could have been an offering to the dead. However, Kelly Brandão, an archaeologist with the University of São Paulo and Mamirauá Institute at Tefé, isn't sure if the jar's sole purpose was acting as a place of burial. "We can't know for sure if the vase was really made with the burial objective in sight," she said. From single jars to collecting bones in a second jar Skopal, meanwhile, has another theory. He thinks that each body was first placed in individual jars where they were left to decompose. After the skin came off, the bones were placed "as secondary bundles into the larger jar", acting as the final resting place. He admits it is just a theory, especially with the discovery of more teeth than their skulls. The researchers are now working to get DNA from the Plain of Jars to understand who these people were and where they lived, which Skopal admits is not going to be easy because of the tropical climate.

A huge megalithic stone jar in Laos was discovered with human remains inside it. Archaeologists found bones and teeth of 37 people in it, who lived nearly 1,000 years ago. They do not know who these people were and are trying to gather DNA to learn about them.&nbsp;

Jar of death? Stone container with remains of 37 mystery humans found in Laos

Scientists have discovered evidence of a lost civilisation that inhabited the Amazon rainforest, quashing the belief that the region has also been claimed by wilderness. Researchers state in the study published in Nature that more than 400 well-preserved earthwork monuments, ceremonial sites, and roads have remained hidden beneath the dense Brazilian rainforest. They claim that there could be 20,000 to 30,000 earthworks spread across the region.&nbsp;The team led by archaeologist Martti Pärssinen of the University of Helsinki in Finland believe that this is proof of an interconnected, multicultural civilisation that called the Amazon its home between 600 BCE and 850 CE. According to the researchers, 1.5 million to 3 million people could have lived in the region at the time. They have named them Aquiry, the indigenous Iñapari name for the Acre River, an Amazon River tributary that runs alongside these sites.<h2>Geometric works and ditches in the Amazon</h2>The Aquiry comprised a diverse network of communities connected by shared traditions. Pärssinen said that not much is known about them as they left no written records, and everything else that belonged to them no longer exists. However, the signs are present in the "monumental earthworks, geometric spaces delineated by ditches that could be meters deep, linked together by straight roads, where people may have gathered for ceremonies and political events."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hobbit-like-creature-that-went-extinct-50-000-years-ago-could-still-be-alive-scientist-claims-1783344594252">Hobbit-like creature that went extinct 50,000 years ago could still be alive, scientist claims</a> &nbsp;“The research shows that the human impact on the Amazon’s environment has been far greater than previously believed,” Pärssinen said in a statement. “This has direct implications for our understanding of the region’s biocultural history.”<h2>Nearly 400 new earthworks found in Amazon</h2>The team used lidar, or “laser imaging, detection, and ranging,” to map the ancient structures of this civilisation. They surveyed 4,497 square kilometres of the rainforest, with laser pulses firing from an aircraft. Some of them penetrated the dense forest and bounced off, which allowed scientists to reconstruct what lay beneath. They found 432 earthworks, 396 of them for the first time.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/4-4-million-year-old-skeleton-holds-clues-to-mystery-of-humans-walking-on-land-1782799638367">4.4-million-year-old half human, half ape skeleton holds clues to mystery of humans walking on land</a>&nbsp;“We flew long, roughly [280-mile] 450-kilometre straight transects, mapping a strip about one kilometre wide every [6 miles] ten kilometres,” Juha Hyyppä, a professor at the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, explained in a statement. “This allowed us to cover as large a continuous area as possible."&nbsp;Study co-author Alceu Ranzi, a geographer with the University of Acre, said they found large geometric shapes, known as geoglyphs, and straight roads that sometimes connected them. "These geoglyphs could be quite complex—including pentagrams and octagons as well as circles inscribed into precise squares," he said. Radiocarbon dates showed that the earthworks were made roughly 2,500 years ago. Between 1.25 and 3 million years ago, Aquiry people lived along a 3 per cent patch of the Amazon.&nbsp;The researchers said that a lot of questions remain unanswered about this civilisation. How did they survive for 1,500 years in the southwestern Amazonia, and why did they disappear? &nbsp;

A patch of the Amazon was likely once home to nearly 3 million people, according to new findings. The dense rainforest supported human life nearly 1,500 years ago. Over 400 geometric earthworks have been found under the thick forest.

Scientists have discovered evidence of a lost civilisation that inhabited the Amazon rainforest, quashing the belief that the region has also been claimed by wilderness. Researchers state in the study published in Nature that more than 400 well-preserved earthwork monuments, ceremonial sites, and roads have remained hidden beneath the dense Brazilian rainforest. They claim that there could be 20,000 to 30,000 earthworks spread across the region. The team led by archaeologist Martti Pärssinen of the University of Helsinki in Finland believe that this is proof of an interconnected, multicultural civilisation that called the Amazon its home between 600 BCE and 850 CE. According to the researchers, 1.5 million to 3 million people could have lived in the region at the time. They have named them Aquiry, the indigenous Iñapari name for the Acre River, an Amazon River tributary that runs alongside these sites. Geometric works and ditches in the Amazon The Aquiry comprised a diverse network of communities connected by shared traditions. Pärssinen said that not much is known about them as they left no written records, and everything else that belonged to them no longer exists. However, the signs are present in the "monumental earthworks, geometric spaces delineated by ditches that could be meters deep, linked together by straight roads, where people may have gathered for ceremonies and political events." Also Read: Hobbit-like creature that went extinct 50,000 years ago could still be alive, scientist claims “The research shows that the human impact on the Amazon’s environment has been far greater than previously believed,” Pärssinen said in a statement. “This has direct implications for our understanding of the region’s biocultural history.” Nearly 400 new earthworks found in Amazon The team used lidar, or “laser imaging, detection, and ranging,” to map the ancient structures of this civilisation. They surveyed 4,497 square kilometres of the rainforest, with laser pulses firing from an aircraft. Some of them penetrated the dense forest and bounced off, which allowed scientists to reconstruct what lay beneath. They found 432 earthworks, 396 of them for the first time. Also Read: 4.4-million-year-old half human, half ape skeleton holds clues to mystery of humans walking on land “We flew long, roughly [280-mile] 450-kilometre straight transects, mapping a strip about one kilometre wide every [6 miles] ten kilometres,” Juha Hyyppä, a professor at the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, explained in a statement. “This allowed us to cover as large a continuous area as possible." Study co-author Alceu Ranzi, a geographer with the University of Acre, said they found large geometric shapes, known as geoglyphs, and straight roads that sometimes connected them. "These geoglyphs could be quite complex—including pentagrams and octagons as well as circles inscribed into precise squares," he said. Radiocarbon dates showed that the earthworks were made roughly 2,500 years ago. Between 1.25 and 3 million years ago, Aquiry people lived along a 3 per cent patch of the Amazon. The researchers said that a lot of questions remain unanswered about this civilisation. How did they survive for 1,500 years in the southwestern Amazonia, and why did they disappear?

A patch of the Amazon was likely once home to nearly 3 million people, according to new findings. The dense rainforest supported human life nearly 1,500 years ago. Over 400 geometric earthworks have been found under the thick forest.

Mysterious structures uncovered beneath the Amazon show millions of humans once lived here

Scientists say that 13,000-year-old human remains and evidence found off the coast of California could change long-held theories about the first people who settled in the Americas. The discovery of this lost world also overturns the belief about how ancient humans first reached North America. The proof that the first settlers came on boats and did not cross an ice corridor was hidden in the Channel Islands. According to the "Clovis First" theory, the first humans in the Americas crossed over a land bridge connecting Siberia to Alaska. They then travelled south by walking through an "ice-free corridor" between massive glaciers in western Canada.&nbsp;But a new documentary on the YouTube channel Timeline suggests that before the Clovis, Ice Age humans reached the Channel Islands through a coastal 'kelp highway,' using boats to move along the Pacific shoreline. Bones of pygmy mammoths and remains of archaeological sites were found on this chain of islands decades ago, shedding light on Ice Age life. The remains of Arlington Springs Man, found in the mid-20th century, are one of the most important ones. Some researchers say the discoveries point to a migration by sea, and believe that the evidence is waiting to be uncovered.<h2>Did the first people reach North America on boats?</h2>Clear proof of maritime movement remains missing, and when the first settlers arrived in the Americas is also up for debate. The eight California Channel Islands lie in the Pacific Ocean off Southern California. Frederic Caire Chiles, who has a PhD in history from the University of California at Santa Barbara, says, "They are the trace of a vanished world", referring to the eight California Channel Islands in the Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;In 1959, scientists found the remains of Arlington Springs Man on Santa Rosa Island, and noted that it was 13,000 years old, the oldest dated human skeletal remains in North America. This meant it was roughly the same age as the Clovis culture, considered the first humans to live in Americas. However, the Clovis people lived inland, and this man lived on an island. This pointed to the possibility that seafaring technology existed much earlier than previously believed, and that some of them could have reached the continent by boat.&nbsp;Some experts believe that the ice-free corridor may not have been fully open or ecologically viable at the time, further promoting the sea theory. &nbsp;Dr John Johnson, curator of anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, said it was a "kelp highway" that they used. "All the way from Japan to Baja California, there are kelp forest ecosystems that have very similar suites of animals," he said. This connected the idea that "an ancient coastal migration" using watercraft was possible, where they went around glaciers and finally reached California. &nbsp;

A documentary is asking how the first people reached North America. Was it through the "ice-free corridor" between massive glaciers as previously believed, or did they travel on boats to settle near California?

Scientists say that 13,000-year-old human remains and evidence found off the coast of California could change long-held theories about the first people who settled in the Americas. The discovery of this lost world also overturns the belief about how ancient humans first reached North America. The proof that the first settlers came on boats and did not cross an ice corridor was hidden in the Channel Islands. According to the "Clovis First" theory, the first humans in the Americas crossed over a land bridge connecting Siberia to Alaska. They then travelled south by walking through an "ice-free corridor" between massive glaciers in western Canada. But a new documentary on the YouTube channel Timeline suggests that before the Clovis, Ice Age humans reached the Channel Islands through a coastal 'kelp highway,' using boats to move along the Pacific shoreline. Bones of pygmy mammoths and remains of archaeological sites were found on this chain of islands decades ago, shedding light on Ice Age life. The remains of Arlington Springs Man, found in the mid-20th century, are one of the most important ones. Some researchers say the discoveries point to a migration by sea, and believe that the evidence is waiting to be uncovered. Did the first people reach North America on boats? Clear proof of maritime movement remains missing, and when the first settlers arrived in the Americas is also up for debate. The eight California Channel Islands lie in the Pacific Ocean off Southern California. Frederic Caire Chiles, who has a PhD in history from the University of California at Santa Barbara, says, "They are the trace of a vanished world", referring to the eight California Channel Islands in the Pacific Ocean. In 1959, scientists found the remains of Arlington Springs Man on Santa Rosa Island, and noted that it was 13,000 years old, the oldest dated human skeletal remains in North America. This meant it was roughly the same age as the Clovis culture, considered the first humans to live in Americas. However, the Clovis people lived inland, and this man lived on an island. This pointed to the possibility that seafaring technology existed much earlier than previously believed, and that some of them could have reached the continent by boat. Some experts believe that the ice-free corridor may not have been fully open or ecologically viable at the time, further promoting the sea theory. Dr John Johnson, curator of anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, said it was a "kelp highway" that they used. "All the way from Japan to Baja California, there are kelp forest ecosystems that have very similar suites of animals," he said. This connected the idea that "an ancient coastal migration" using watercraft was possible, where they went around glaciers and finally reached California.

A documentary is asking how the first people reached North America. Was it through the "ice-free corridor" between massive glaciers, as previously believed, or did they travel on boats to settle near California?

'Vanished world' near California could overturn a theory about ancient humans in North America

Anthropologist Gregory Forth believes that a species which is half human and half ape could still be residing in the mountain cave on Indonesia’s Flores Island, Popular Mechanics reported. These beings are like a hairy animal that is also a short human. It is an early type of human that he thinks has survived for 50,000 years, alienated from the rest of the world. Paleoanthropologists discovered its bones in the Liang Bua limestone cave and are sure that Forth's theory has an extremely tiny chance of being true. These experts study human evolution based on evidence and state that no evidence backs the claim that this extinct "ape-men" species could still be living anywhere on Earth.&nbsp;Scientists first found this species in 2004, with a study in the journal Nature stating that this early human walked upright, had a small body structure and large feet. They named it Homo floresiensis (nicknamed Hobbit), and all the body parts came from a single female. They went on to find bones of 12 more Hobbits, and the tools revealed that they belonged to the Late Pleistocene era. They were only about 3.5 feet tall with large teeth and feet, and a small skull that housed a tiny brain.&nbsp;While Forth thinks that there is still time before we find evidence of them being alive, others dismiss his claims. "Bear in mind that a lot of species have been known to local people (in the vicinity of Flores, for example, the Komodo dragon) before they were accepted by scientists,” he told the outlet. He admits that scientists need to see a specimen to be sure about it. However, since the idea that this human species could still be alive doesn't fit in with existing beliefs, no one is actually spending time looking for them, Matthew Tocheri, from the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Initiative, said.&nbsp;“I would be one of the most excited people in the world if Homo floresiensis were still around,” he admitted. However, he says it is highly unlikely that they are still living on Earth. He thinks this would be similar to folklore about Bigfoot or Sasquatch, whom people claim to have seen, but have never found any evidence.<h2>About Homo floresiensis, or the hobbit</h2>&nbsp;They appeared similar to Australopithecus afarensis, a species that went extinct 2.8 million years before the hobbit, leaving scientists puzzled. Researchers believe that one human species started living in Flores about one million years ago and went extinct nearly 50,000 years ago. A study published in the journal Science Advances on July 3 revealed that they neither hunted nor used fire.&nbsp;But earlier analysis showed that they hunted Stegodons, extinct creatures similar to today's elephants. But anthropologists soon found that the marks on their bones did not come from stone tools, but were from the Komodo dragon, and the hobbits likely ate the leftovers. Further studies showed that they were carnivores and ate "plants, fruits, animals, possibly nuts or insects as well." &nbsp;

Scientists are sure that the tiny ancient humans went extinct 50,000 years ago. However, one of them believes that there is a chance that they have continued to live away from civilisation. They were nicknamed hobbits because of their small stature.  

Anthropologist Gregory Forth believes that a species which is half human and half ape could still be residing in the mountain cave on Indonesia’s Flores Island, Popular Mechanics reported. These beings are like a hairy animal that is also a short human. It is an early type of human that he thinks has survived for 50,000 years, alienated from the rest of the world. Paleoanthropologists discovered its bones in the Liang Bua limestone cave and are sure that Forth's theory has an extremely tiny chance of being true. These experts study human evolution based on evidence and state that no evidence backs the claim that this extinct "ape-men" species could still be living anywhere on Earth. Scientists first found this species in 2004, with a study in the journal Nature stating that this early human walked upright, had a small body structure and large feet. They named it Homo floresiensis (nicknamed Hobbit), and all the body parts came from a single female. They went on to find bones of 12 more Hobbits, and the tools revealed that they belonged to the Late Pleistocene era. They were only about 3.5 feet tall with large teeth and feet, and a small skull that housed a tiny brain. While Forth thinks that there is still time before we find evidence of them being alive, others dismiss his claims. "Bear in mind that a lot of species have been known to local people (in the vicinity of Flores, for example, the Komodo dragon) before they were accepted by scientists,” he told the outlet. He admits that scientists need to see a specimen to be sure about it. However, since the idea that this human species could still be alive doesn't fit in with existing beliefs, no one is actually spending time looking for them, Matthew Tocheri, from the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Initiative, said. “I would be one of the most excited people in the world if Homo floresiensis were still around,” he admitted. However, he says it is highly unlikely that they are still living on Earth. He thinks this would be similar to folklore about Bigfoot or Sasquatch, whom people claim to have seen, but have never found any evidence. About Homo floresiensis, or the hobbit They appeared similar to Australopithecus afarensis, a species that went extinct 2.8 million years before the hobbit, leaving scientists puzzled. Researchers believe that one human species started living in Flores about one million years ago and went extinct nearly 50,000 years ago. A study published in the journal Science Advances on July 3 revealed that they neither hunted nor used fire. But earlier analysis showed that they hunted Stegodons, extinct creatures similar to today's elephants. But anthropologists soon found that the marks on their bones did not come from stone tools, but were from the Komodo dragon, and the hobbits likely ate the leftovers. Further studies showed that they were carnivores and ate "plants, fruits, animals, possibly nuts or insects as well."

Scientists are sure that the tiny ancient humans went extinct 50,000 years ago. However, one of them believes that there is a chance that they have continued to live away from civilisation. They were nicknamed hobbits because of their small stature. &nbsp;

Hobbit-like creature that went extinct 50,000 years ago could still be alive, scientist claims

A 4.4-million-year-old female skeleton named Ardi is revealing exactly how ancient humans transitioned from climbing to walking on two legs. She belongs to the species Ardipithecus ramidus and is a million years older than Lucy, one of the best-known early humans. Ardi was unearthed in Ethiopia in 1994 and is the oldest known partial hominin skeleton, meaning she is half ape and half human. In a study published in Communications Biology in 2025, scientists note that Ardi could walk on two legs but retained some of the features of apes, such as a grasping foot.&nbsp;Biological anthropologist Thomas Prang of Washington University in St. Louis, who led the study, said, "Our results strongly imply that humans evolved from an African ape-like ancestor." Previous research has hypothesised that Ardipithecus ramidus was more humanlike than apelike, and had evolved to walk on its knuckles on land. Prang's team found that Ardi had both primitive and modern features. It had a big toe that could grasp branches, while the cranial base of its feet and pelvis suggest that it was adapting to bipedalism.<h2>Studying a bone to understand how Ardi moved</h2>The team looked at Ardi’s talus, a bone in the ankle, to understand more about how Ardi moved. This bone transfers body weight between the lower leg and foot and helps African apes to climb. It facilitated two movements that put the animal’s centre of mass in a position closer to support, so the apes don't fall backwards. Apes who climb trees have a shorter forefoot compared to bipeds and quadrupeds. So Prang's team looked at Ardi’s foot and also found her approximate body mass using the upper joint surface of the talus.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ancient-humans-had-a-mining-factory-in-the-mountains-7-000-years-ago-for-5-000-years-1780474673699">Ancient humans had a mining factory in the mountains 7,000 years ago, for 5,000 years</a>&nbsp;In Ardi, the top part of the ankle bone (the talar trochlea) is quite wide compared to her estimated body mass, but the back of the bone matches the width seen in both chimpanzees and humans. Some aspects of Ardi’s talus appeared in extant chimps, gorillas and monkeys. In these animals, it indicated the ability to walk on all fours with the soles of the feet. Ardi had some of these features, but her feet had improved mechanisms for propulsion needed to walk on two legs in the future. Hominins gradually developed feet suited that did not work much for grasping, but were suited for holding up their weight on land.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Ardi is a female skeleton that lived over 4 million years ago and could be the key to understanding how and when early humans started walking on two legs. Scientists are studying a bone in her foot, which can unravel the mystery of human walking.

A 4.4-million-year-old female skeleton named Ardi is revealing exactly how ancient humans transitioned from climbing to walking on two legs. She belongs to the species Ardipithecus ramidus and is a million years older than Lucy, one of the best-known early humans. Ardi was unearthed in Ethiopia in 1994 and is the oldest known partial hominin skeleton, meaning she is half ape and half human. In a study published in Communications Biology in 2025, scientists note that Ardi could walk on two legs but retained some of the features of apes, such as a grasping foot. Biological anthropologist Thomas Prang of Washington University in St. Louis, who led the study, said, "Our results strongly imply that humans evolved from an African ape-like ancestor." Previous research has hypothesised that Ardipithecus ramidus was more humanlike than apelike, and had evolved to walk on its knuckles on land. Prang's team found that Ardi had both primitive and modern features. It had a big toe that could grasp branches, while the cranial base of its feet and pelvis suggest that it was adapting to bipedalism. Studying a bone to understand how Ardi moved The team looked at Ardi’s talus, a bone in the ankle, to understand more about how Ardi moved. This bone transfers body weight between the lower leg and foot and helps African apes to climb. It facilitated two movements that put the animal’s centre of mass in a position closer to support, so the apes don't fall backwards. Apes who climb trees have a shorter forefoot compared to bipeds and quadrupeds. So Prang's team looked at Ardi’s foot and also found her approximate body mass using the upper joint surface of the talus. Also Read: Ancient humans had a mining factory in the mountains 7,000 years ago, for 5,000 years In Ardi, the top part of the ankle bone (the talar trochlea) is quite wide compared to her estimated body mass, but the back of the bone matches the width seen in both chimpanzees and humans. Some aspects of Ardi’s talus appeared in extant chimps, gorillas and monkeys. In these animals, it indicated the ability to walk on all fours with the soles of the feet. Ardi had some of these features, but her feet had improved mechanisms for propulsion needed to walk on two legs in the future. Hominins gradually developed feet suited that did not work much for grasping, but were suited for holding up their weight on land.

Ardi is a female skeleton that lived over 4 million years ago and could be the key to understanding how and when early humans started walking on two legs. Scientists are studying a bone in her foot, which can unravel the mystery of human walking.

4.4-million-year-old half human, half ape skeleton holds clues to mystery of humans walking on land

Scientists say that the worst year on Earth happened during the Dark Ages, when the Sun behaved like the Moon as something shrouded the planet. This was the year 536 AD. Experts say that this year witnessed one volcanic eruption, followed by three more in later years, either at the equator or Iceland. Dr Miles Pattenden told ABC RN’s Counterpoint that the ash reached high in the atmosphere and blocked out the sun. Written accounts from Byzantine historian Procopius and Roman statesman Cassiodorus back this claim. “The sun gave forth its light without brightness, like the moon, during the whole year,” the former wrote, describing the time around 536.&nbsp;A layer completely covered the Earth and blocked out sunlight. This led the summer temperatures to fall roughly 1.5 to 2.5 degrees Celsius below normal. This phenomenon did not change for several years. Tree rings offer additional evidence of volcanic eruptions in 536, 540 and 547. The tree rings become narrow in colder years and wider when it is warm and wet. They found signs that the tree rings grew a lot less during this time, indicating a major climate change or volcanic eruption.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-warn-major-sea-the-size-of-japan-is-vanishing-it-might-be-too-late-to-save-it-1782397231242">Scientists warn major sea the size of Japan is vanishing. It might be too late to save it</a><h2>Ice cores in three different places carried volcanic debris</h2>&nbsp;Another proof lay in the ice cores. Scientists found sulfate and volcanic traces in Greenland, Antarctica and the Swiss Alps. A team of researchers led by Paul Mayewski, a glaciologist at the University of Maine, studied a Swiss glacier core from the spring of 536. They found microscopic shards of volcanic glass, and their chemistry appeared similar to material associated with Icelandic volcanic rocks. This showed that Earth’s atmosphere was filled with volcanic debris at this time.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-satellite-photo-shows-super-el-ni-o-has-elevated-sea-levels-in-pacific-1782134815575">NASA satellite photo shows Super El Niño has triggered a very specific change in the Pacific</a>&nbsp;Then blew the Ilopango volcano, which is located today in El Salvador, around 539 or 540. The Tierra Blanca Joven ash layer spread across Central America, adding to the veil and cooling already afflicting Earth. Much of Eurasia felt the effects, with records showing “a failure of bread” followed by the plague. The Mediterranean witnessed a huge bubonic crisis in 541. The Plague of Justinian started near the Roman port of Pelusium in Egypt and spread through the Byzantine world.&nbsp;It was not a mass extinction event, but it did trigger a major crisis where populations declined, and the economy crumbled. Things did not get better for decades, as a spike in airborne lead was seen in the Swiss Alps ice core samples from 640.&nbsp;

Nearly 1,500 years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions started, which shrouded Earth, leading to a darkness that didn't lift for decades. It set the stage for cooler summers, the plague and an agricultural crisis that swamped the world.

Scientists say that the worst year on Earth happened during the Dark Ages, when the Sun behaved like the Moon as something shrouded the planet. This was the year 536 AD. Experts say that this year witnessed one volcanic eruption, followed by three more in later years, either at the equator or Iceland. Dr Miles Pattenden told ABC RN’s Counterpoint that the ash reached high in the atmosphere and blocked out the sun. Written accounts from Byzantine historian Procopius and Roman statesman Cassiodorus back this claim. “The sun gave forth its light without brightness, like the moon, during the whole year,” the former wrote, describing the time around 536. A layer completely covered the Earth and blocked out sunlight. This led the summer temperatures to fall roughly 1.5 to 2.5 degrees Celsius below normal. This phenomenon did not change for several years. Tree rings offer additional evidence of volcanic eruptions in 536, 540 and 547. The tree rings become narrow in colder years and wider when it is warm and wet. They found signs that the tree rings grew a lot less during this time, indicating a major climate change or volcanic eruption. Also Read: Scientists warn major sea the size of Japan is vanishing. It might be too late to save it Ice cores in three different places carried volcanic debris Another proof lay in the ice cores. Scientists found sulfate and volcanic traces in Greenland, Antarctica and the Swiss Alps. A team of researchers led by Paul Mayewski, a glaciologist at the University of Maine, studied a Swiss glacier core from the spring of 536. They found microscopic shards of volcanic glass, and their chemistry appeared similar to material associated with Icelandic volcanic rocks. This showed that Earth’s atmosphere was filled with volcanic debris at this time. Also Read: NASA satellite photo shows Super El Niño has triggered a very specific change in the Pacific Then blew the Ilopango volcano, which is located today in El Salvador, around 539 or 540. The Tierra Blanca Joven ash layer spread across Central America, adding to the veil and cooling already afflicting Earth. Much of Eurasia felt the effects, with records showing “a failure of bread” followed by the plague. The Mediterranean witnessed a huge bubonic crisis in 541. The Plague of Justinian started near the Roman port of Pelusium in Egypt and spread through the Byzantine world. It was not a mass extinction event, but it did trigger a major crisis where populations declined, and the economy crumbled. Things did not get better for decades, as a spike in airborne lead was seen in the Swiss Alps ice core samples from 640.

Nearly 1,500 years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions started, which shrouded Earth, leading to a darkness that didn't lift for decades. It set the stage for cooler summers, the plague and an agricultural crisis that swamped the world.

Worst year to be alive: When skies darkened in the Dark Ages as volcanoes kept erupting

Archaeologists have found a hidden Mayan city in Mexico that has remained hidden for more than 1,000 years. The site dotted with monuments, pyramids, and palaces has been named Minanbé. It was discovered deep inside the dense jungles of Campeche, in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. This marks the end of a project in which researchers mapped the central Maya lowlands. A team of Mexican and Slovenian researchers, led by archaeologist Ivan Šprajc, found the untouched wonder after approval from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).&nbsp;The Mayan lowlands were home to nearly 11 million people during the Late Classic period (600 to 900 AD). A site west of Chactún, a major Maya centre that was revealed 13 years ago, was the site of the survey. Equipped with laser scan data from the air, known as LiDAR, the researchers set out for the northern section of the reserve. It was an arduous journey, and different methods had to be employed to make it possible. A five-kilometre path was cleared by the community of Constitución using machetes. They travelled on all-terrain vehicles before walking almost the same distance on foot as well.&nbsp;

<h2>The site was untouched, no signs of loot</h2>&nbsp;Šprajc admitted that accessing this region was harder than any other site. What surprised the researchers was that the site had not been looted, which stood in stark difference from the other discoveries made in the past three years. Ground survey was led by archaeologists Atasta Flores Esquivel, Israel Chato López, Quintín Hernández Gómez, and Vitan Vujanović. They found an urban centre spread over 15 hectares. There were plazas, terraces, palace buildings, religious structures, and wetlands with water channels.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/study-in-israel-shows-humans-stood-tall-in-front-of-climate-change-6-500-years-ago-1781959820322">Study in Israel shows humans stood tall in front of climate change 6,500 years ago</a>&nbsp;A pyramid temple was the tallest structure, which stood nearly 42 feet high, and was found in extremely good condition, a first, says Vujanović. There is also a stone monument that has legible glyphs. But they did find broken altars, with one bearing hieroglyphic text that likely dates to the late 7th century. A carved stone known as Stela 1 shows a beheading scene. Fourteen other monuments carved with symbols and hieroglyphic text were also discovered.

A Mayan city hidden in a jungle for 1,000 years, with temples still intact and readable texts, has been discovered in Mexico. Scientists took a tough journey to reach this point and were surprised to see that the monuments remained untouched all these years. 

Archaeologists have found a hidden Mayan city in Mexico that has remained hidden for more than 1,000 years. The site dotted with monuments, pyramids, and palaces has been named Minanbé. It was discovered deep inside the dense jungles of Campeche, in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. This marks the end of a project in which researchers mapped the central Maya lowlands. A team of Mexican and Slovenian researchers, led by archaeologist Ivan Šprajc, found the untouched wonder after approval from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The Mayan lowlands were home to nearly 11 million people during the Late Classic period (600 to 900 AD). A site west of Chactún, a major Maya centre that was revealed 13 years ago, was the site of the survey. Equipped with laser scan data from the air, known as LiDAR, the researchers set out for the northern section of the reserve. It was an arduous journey, and different methods had to be employed to make it possible. A five-kilometre path was cleared by the community of Constitución using machetes. They travelled on all-terrain vehicles before walking almost the same distance on foot as well.

A Mayan city hidden in a jungle for 1,000 years, with temples still intact and readable texts, has been discovered in Mexico. Scientists took a tough journey to reach this point and were surprised to see that the monuments remained untouched all these years.&nbsp;

Pristine Mayan city discovered inside Mexican jungle was hidden for 1,000 years

A study by an international team of scientists has found evidence that humans found a way to adapt to extreme climate changes instead of collapsing or relocating thousands of years ago. Ancient mud drilled from the Carmel Coast in northern Israel has thrown light on 4,000 years of environmental history in the ancient Mediterranean. The researchers said their findings prove that human societies survived through droughts. Senior author Tom Levy said, "People have always been problem solvers." Environmental stress did not stress them, and they developed new technologies and strategies to overcome it. The study was published last month in the Quaternary Science Reviews.&nbsp;Scientists state that they did not find a "direct correlation between environmental changes and settlement reorganisation from 8,000 to 4,000 years ago." The researchers say human societies did not always reside near favourable regions. Gilad Shtienberg, the paper’s first author, told Times of Israel that humans came up with creative ways to live through harsh conditions. "During the Neolithic period, many communities were concentrated near reliable freshwater sources...during the Chalcolithic period, populations expanded into the more semi-arid Beersheba valley," he said. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sea-ice-twice-the-size-of-rajasthan-goes-missing-from-antarctica-in-winter-1781702114417">Sea ice twice the size of Rajasthan goes missing from Antarctica in winter</a><h2>Humans came up with ways to live through droughts</h2>So the communities developed new strategies to survive. They came up with early floodwater farming systems, where seasonal floods were used to divert water into the agricultural fields, one of the early forms of irrigation. Instead of relying on rainfall, they planted crops like barley "under managed irrigation rather than relying solely on rainfall." Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/world-environment-day-data-centres-are-coming-to-india-but-at-what-cost-1780567891256">World Environment Day in the age of AI - Are humans sacrificing the climate for data centres?</a>&nbsp;For the study, the researchers dug 52 feet into the Earth and retrieved layers of ancient mud. They were like a time capsule recording changes over centuries. Inside them, they found a clue to climate fluctuations in the form of objects like tiny shells, pollen grains, charred plant fragments and chemical traces. All these elements indicated the climate at the time. For eg. Freshwater snails and mussels indicated rain, while charcoal revealed erosion, and pollen and seeds showed the kind of plants. Also Read: Sea ice twice the size of Rajasthan goes missing from Antarctica in winter&nbsp;Piecing them together, the team created a climate timeline spanning 4,000 to 8,000 years. They found that annual rainfall had dropped by half by around 6,500 years ago along Israel’s coast. A severe drought gripped the region around 4,200 years ago. They compared this data with existing archaeological information to determine if the population declined at this time. They found that the societies found novel ways to deal with the dry conditions instead of moving away.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Droughts have typically been known to trigger migration and population decline in ancient societies. However, a study in Israel has found that humans devised methods to survive these conditions instead of retreating. 

A study by an international team of scientists has found evidence that humans found a way to adapt to extreme climate changes instead of collapsing or relocating thousands of years ago. Ancient mud drilled from the Carmel Coast in northern Israel has thrown light on 4,000 years of environmental history in the ancient Mediterranean. The researchers said their findings prove that human societies survived through droughts. Senior author Tom Levy said, "People have always been problem solvers." Environmental stress did not stress them, and they developed new technologies and strategies to overcome it. The study was published last month in the Quaternary Science Reviews. Scientists state that they did not find a "direct correlation between environmental changes and settlement reorganisation from 8,000 to 4,000 years ago." The researchers say human societies did not always reside near favourable regions. Gilad Shtienberg, the paper’s first author, told Times of Israel that humans came up with creative ways to live through harsh conditions. "During the Neolithic period, many communities were concentrated near reliable freshwater sources...during the Chalcolithic period, populations expanded into the more semi-arid Beersheba valley," he said. Also Read: Sea ice twice the size of Rajasthan goes missing from Antarctica in winter Humans came up with ways to live through droughts So the communities developed new strategies to survive. They came up with early floodwater farming systems, where seasonal floods were used to divert water into the agricultural fields, one of the early forms of irrigation. Instead of relying on rainfall, they planted crops like barley "under managed irrigation rather than relying solely on rainfall." Also Read: World Environment Day in the age of AI - Are humans sacrificing the climate for data centres? For the study, the researchers dug 52 feet into the Earth and retrieved layers of ancient mud. They were like a time capsule recording changes over centuries. Inside them, they found a clue to climate fluctuations in the form of objects like tiny shells, pollen grains, charred plant fragments and chemical traces. All these elements indicated the climate at the time. For eg. Freshwater snails and mussels indicated rain, while charcoal revealed erosion, and pollen and seeds showed the kind of plants. Also Read: Sea ice twice the size of Rajasthan goes missing from Antarctica in winter Piecing them together, the team created a climate timeline spanning 4,000 to 8,000 years. They found that annual rainfall had dropped by half by around 6,500 years ago along Israel’s coast. A severe drought gripped the region around 4,200 years ago. They compared this data with existing archaeological information to determine if the population declined at this time. They found that the societies found novel ways to deal with the dry conditions instead of moving away.

Droughts have typically been known to trigger migration and population decline in ancient societies. However, a study in Israel has found that humans devised methods to survive these conditions instead of retreating.&nbsp;

Study in Israel shows humans stood tall in front of climate change 6,500 years ago

A study published in Nature has found that plague has been around for nearly 5,500 years, pushing back the timeline of the dreaded disease that killed millions in medieval times. The bacterium linked to the disease has been around for a much longer time, according to researchers from the University of Oxford. The discovery was made in the DNA of 42 prehistoric hunter-gatherers in Russia. These included several children and teenagers. The researchers gathered and sequenced the DNA from the teeth of the specimen found at four sites near Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. DNA from the individuals and the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, comprised the total genetic material analysed by the team.&nbsp;The finding shows two things. First, this is the oldest detection of plague outbreaks known to humans. Second, it offers clear evidence that the genetically different Yersinia pestis strains were deadly for humans. Till now, the earliest known strains of the Y. pestis were potentially 5,300 years old. And likely did not cause serious disease.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/1-8mn-year-old-fiery-discovery-in-south-african-cave-could-change-timeline-of-human-history-1781530048766">1.8 million-year-old 'fiery' discovery in South African cave could change timeline of human history</a><h2>Two plagues afflicted same communities within centuries</h2>The scientists found that two separate plagues spread in southeast Siberia. The first one approximately 5,500 years ago, and another a few centuries later. The team noted that in the first incident, several close relatives died at a site called Ust’Ida and were laid to rest in mass graves. More people were infected by the same strain 37 kilometres away in Bratskii Kamen. "The clearest explanation for this mass death is widespread infection with plague," Ruairidh Macleod, a co-author of the study, told Popular Science. He said it is similar to "human-to-human transmission of the disease."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ancient-humans-had-a-mining-factory-in-the-mountains-7-000-years-ago-for-5-000-years-1780474673699">Ancient humans had a mining factory in the mountains 7,000 years ago, for 5,000 years</a><h2>The same rodent caused the two outbreaks</h2>Interestingly, the researchers identified biological relatives among victims of both outbreaks buried in separate graves. According to Macleod, this finding shows that the "same populations over hundreds of years" were exposed to new outbreaks of plague over several centuries. The pathogen responsible for the outbreaks originated from the same wild rodent host species—most likely marmots.&nbsp;Several children also died in both outbreaks, and the mortality among the younger ones was high. Children between the ages of eight and 11 were seriously impacted. Scientists said that the Y. pestis strain, which had not been discovered before, may have evolved around 5,700 years ago. A gene that made the disease more fatal, especially for children, isn't present in other modern or historical Y. pestis strains.<h2>What the study on plague discovery in Russia tells us</h2>Till now, experts have believed that community-wide outbreaks only happened once prehistoric man moved to bigger habitations and formed cities. However, this study shows that even hunter-gatherers, who were mostly on the move, were also affected by it. The finding also thwarts the belief that prehistoric plague strains were less deadly because of the absence of particular genes linked with bubonic plague.&nbsp;

An analysis of the DNA of 42 prehistoric hunter-gatherers in Russia has revealed a plague strain that was extremely fatal, with the mortality rate among children particularly high. The Y. pestis strain discovered only now may have evolved around 5,700 years ago, they say.

A study published in Nature has found that plague has been around for nearly 5,500 years, pushing back the timeline of the dreaded disease that killed millions in medieval times. The bacterium linked to the disease has been around for a much longer time, according to researchers from the University of Oxford. The discovery was made in the DNA of 42 prehistoric hunter-gatherers in Russia. These included several children and teenagers. The researchers gathered and sequenced the DNA from the teeth of the specimen found at four sites near Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. DNA from the individuals and the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, comprised the total genetic material analysed by the team. The finding shows two things. First, this is the oldest detection of plague outbreaks known to humans. Second, it offers clear evidence that the genetically different Yersinia pestis strains were deadly for humans. Till now, the earliest known strains of the Y. pestis were potentially 5,300 years old. And likely did not cause serious disease. Also Read: 1.8 million-year-old 'fiery' discovery in South African cave could change timeline of human history Two plagues afflicted same communities within centuries The scientists found that two separate plagues spread in southeast Siberia. The first one approximately 5,500 years ago, and another a few centuries later. The team noted that in the first incident, several close relatives died at a site called Ust’Ida and were laid to rest in mass graves. More people were infected by the same strain 37 kilometres away in Bratskii Kamen. "The clearest explanation for this mass death is widespread infection with plague," Ruairidh Macleod, a co-author of the study, told Popular Science. He said it is similar to "human-to-human transmission of the disease." Also Read: Ancient humans had a mining factory in the mountains 7,000 years ago, for 5,000 years The same rodent caused the two outbreaks Interestingly, the researchers identified biological relatives among victims of both outbreaks buried in separate graves. According to Macleod, this finding shows that the "same populations over hundreds of years" were exposed to new outbreaks of plague over several centuries. The pathogen responsible for the outbreaks originated from the same wild rodent host species—most likely marmots. Several children also died in both outbreaks, and the mortality among the younger ones was high. Children between the ages of eight and 11 were seriously impacted. Scientists said that the Y. pestis strain, which had not been discovered before, may have evolved around 5,700 years ago. A gene that made the disease more fatal, especially for children, isn't present in other modern or historical Y. pestis strains. What the study on plague discovery in Russia tells us Till now, experts have believed that community-wide outbreaks only happened once prehistoric man moved to bigger habitations and formed cities. However, this study shows that even hunter-gatherers, who were mostly on the move, were also affected by it. The finding also thwarts the belief that prehistoric plague strains were less deadly because of the absence of particular genes linked with bubonic plague.

An analysis of the DNA of 42 prehistoric hunter-gatherers in Russia has revealed a plague strain that was extremely fatal, with the mortality rate among children particularly high. The Y. pestis strain discovered only now may have evolved around 5,700 years ago, they say.

Deadly plague strain discovered in Siberia shows it was fatal over 5,500 years ago

A significant fossil discovery in Baripada town of Odisha's Mayurbhanj district highlights the region's ancient marine ecosystem. It has also brought to light that the entire region - modern-day Baripada and surrounding areas - was submerged in shallow seas.&nbsp;Estimated to be around 15 million years old, the fossil dates back to the Miocene epoch, a period known for significant biodiversity and climatic changes. It was unearthed from the Baripada Fossil Bed and identified by Dr Debabrata Nandi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Remote Sensing and GIS at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada.The finding let's researchers to believe that large parts of present-day Baripada and its surrounding areas were once submerged under a shallow sea.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sea-ice-twice-the-size-of-rajasthan-goes-missing-from-antarctica-in-winter-1781702114417">Sea ice twice the size of Rajasthan goes missing from Antarctica in winter</a>&nbsp;The discovery began during a field visit with students to the area said professor Debabrata Nandi.&nbsp;"Actually, when I took our students on a tour, I noticed some fossil-like remnants there. We went to the local people and asked them what it was, and they referred to it as 'Asura Hadda', or 'demon's bones'. After that, we investigated further and found several fossils, including microfossils such as shark teeth and shark vertebrae, along with some other elements that we haven't been able to identify yet," Nandi was quoted as saying by ANI.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">A field trip turned into a major scientific discovery in India An assistant professor and his students found fossil remains in Odisha&#39;s Mayurbhanj district after locals referred to them as “Asura hadda” (demon bones) Further investigation revealed shark teeth, vertebrae, and… <a href="https://t.co/RW4GQYeG9D">pic.twitter.com/RW4GQYeG9D</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2067455817385980288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>‘Has great scientific and tourism potential’</h2>&nbsp;Researchers, palaeontologists and other scientific institutions have collaborated to determine the full significance of the findings.&nbsp;The fossil assemblage that includes shark teeth, fish bones, mollusc shells and microscopic marine organisms is indicative of &nbsp;a diverse underwater ecosystem. Notably, sharks account for nearly half of the fish fossils discovered from the Baripada Fossil Bed.&nbsp;According to Nandi, the site has a great scientific and tourism potential for which he advocated its protection and recognition.&nbsp;Speaking to ANI he said, "I would say that we can develop it as a geo-heritage site or promote geo-tourism because this is the only place in Odisha where Miocene-age fossils are found. If we establish a fossil park or declare it a geo-heritage site, we can showcase it to tourists and encourage extensive research."&nbsp;

Estimated to be around 15 million years old, the fossil dates back to the Miocene epoch, a period known for significant biodiversity and climatic changes.

A significant fossil discovery in Baripada town of Odisha's Mayurbhanj district highlights the region's ancient marine ecosystem. It has also brought to light that the entire region - modern-day Baripada and surrounding areas - was submerged in shallow seas. Estimated to be around 15 million years old, the fossil dates back to the Miocene epoch, a period known for significant biodiversity and climatic changes. It was unearthed from the Baripada Fossil Bed and identified by Dr Debabrata Nandi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Remote Sensing and GIS at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada. The finding let's researchers to believe that large parts of present-day Baripada and its surrounding areas were once submerged under a shallow sea. ALSO READ: Sea ice twice the size of Rajasthan goes missing from Antarctica in winter The discovery began during a field visit with students to the area said professor Debabrata Nandi. "Actually, when I took our students on a tour, I noticed some fossil-like remnants there. We went to the local people and asked them what it was, and they referred to it as 'Asura Hadda', or 'demon's bones'. After that, we investigated further and found several fossils, including microfossils such as shark teeth and shark vertebrae, along with some other elements that we haven't been able to identify yet," Nandi was quoted as saying by ANI.

Estimated to be around 15 million years old, the fossil dates back to the Miocene epoch, a period known for significant biodiversity and climatic changes.

15-million-year-old fossils of Shark discovered in Odisha, date back to the Miocene epoch period

A discovery in South Africa suggests that humans may have learned to control fire many years before previously estimated. Scientists have found burned mammal bones dating up to 1.79 million years in the Wonderwerk Cave, a site where many prehistoric discoveries have been made in the past. These new bones have been found inside several owl remains, such as fossilised pellets, clumps of fur, and animal remains the owls spit out.&nbsp;&nbsp;The researchers believe that the new discovery points to the possibility that Homo erectus carried fire into the cave regularly and used the dry pellets as fuel to fan the flames. The study has been described as a "momentous shift in the relations between hominins and their natural and cultural environments" because learning to control fire marked an important chapter of human history. The groundbreaking archaeological study was published in PLOS One.&nbsp;The international team of scientists analysed 161 fossilised small mammal bones, mostly obtained from pellets. They found clear signs that the tiny bones were exposed to high heat. The discovery was made nearly 100 feet deep inside the cave, which means that natural wildfires were not responsible for this occurrence, as the flames cannot spread that far into a cave's interior. Hence, humans were exposing the bones to fire themselves, the team concluded.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ancient-humans-had-a-mining-factory-in-the-mountains-7-000-years-ago-for-5-000-years-1780474673699">Ancient humans had a mining factory in the mountains 7,000 years ago, for 5,000 years</a><h2>Homo erectus did not know how to make fire</h2>&nbsp;However, this is different from making the fire themselves and research has shown that Homo erectus were likely "harvesting" natural fires caused by lightning strikes or bushfires and then carried them into the cave, where they used different ways to keep it alive. Piles of dried owl pellets would have acted like a thick wool rug. Homo erectus dropped an ember onto the bones and fur to keep the fire smouldering in a specific, controlled spot while preventing it from spreading to other areas.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/peru-conehead-mummies-another-dna-analysis-bites-the-dust-as-scientists-fail-to-dismiss-extraterrestrial-claims-1780038189654">Another DNA analysis bites the dust as scientists fail to rule out 'extraterrestrial' origins</a>&nbsp;Scientists also dismissed the possibility that the bones could have been stained black by minerals. They used a new, non-destructive luminescence technique. for this, in which they shone a specialised blue light through optical filters onto the bones, which emitted a distinct reddish glow that unburnt bones didn't.

Way before early Humans knew how to make fire, they learned to control it. Previous research showed that this happened about a million years ago. But a South African cave could push this timeline back by several thousand years.

A discovery in South Africa suggests that humans may have learned to control fire many years before previously estimated. Scientists have found burned mammal bones dating up to 1.79 million years in the Wonderwerk Cave, a site where many prehistoric discoveries have been made in the past. These new bones have been found inside several owl remains, such as fossilised pellets, clumps of fur, and animal remains the owls spit out. The researchers believe that the new discovery points to the possibility that Homo erectus carried fire into the cave regularly and used the dry pellets as fuel to fan the flames. The study has been described as a "momentous shift in the relations between hominins and their natural and cultural environments" because learning to control fire marked an important chapter of human history. The groundbreaking archaeological study was published in PLOS One. The international team of scientists analysed 161 fossilised small mammal bones, mostly obtained from pellets. They found clear signs that the tiny bones were exposed to high heat. The discovery was made nearly 100 feet deep inside the cave, which means that natural wildfires were not responsible for this occurrence, as the flames cannot spread that far into a cave's interior. Hence, humans were exposing the bones to fire themselves, the team concluded. Also Read: Ancient humans had a mining factory in the mountains 7,000 years ago, for 5,000 years Homo erectus did not know how to make fire However, this is different from making the fire themselves and research has shown that Homo erectus were likely "harvesting" natural fires caused by lightning strikes or bushfires and then carried them into the cave, where they used different ways to keep it alive. Piles of dried owl pellets would have acted like a thick wool rug. Homo erectus dropped an ember onto the bones and fur to keep the fire smouldering in a specific, controlled spot while preventing it from spreading to other areas. Also Read: Another DNA analysis bites the dust as scientists fail to rule out 'extraterrestrial' origins Scientists also dismissed the possibility that the bones could have been stained black by minerals. They used a new, non-destructive luminescence technique. for this, in which they shone a specialised blue light through optical filters onto the bones, which emitted a distinct reddish glow that unburnt bones didn't.

Way before early Humans knew how to make fire, they learned to control it. Previous research showed that this happened about a million years ago. But a South African cave could push this timeline back by several thousand years.

1.8 million-year-old 'fiery' discovery in South African cave could change timeline of human history

A discovery high in the mountains of Spain has thrown light on how people lived between the 5th and 1st millennia BC. For the longest time, archaeologists believed that areas above 6,562ft were only used as a passing by ancient humans. However, they have found a prehistoric cave known as Cova that sits 7,333ft above sea level and was once inhabited. For 5,000 years, multiple civilisations lived in this cave. But it was never continuously occupied, as humans came and went regularly. It was abandoned for years, evidence shows, but they kept returning, suggesting that the time for its occupation was preplanned. Ancient humans came here to fragment and process minerals, as shown by the findings in this cave.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lead author of the study, Carlos Tornero, said, “For a long time, these spaces were assumed to be marginal. What we document here is recurrent occupation, with complex activities and a clear exploitation of mineral resources.” It was published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/extinct-ocean-not-just-india-shaped-central-asia-long-before-the-himalayas-1779200330856">Dinosaurs roamed around mountains in Central Asia shaped by a dead ocean</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-mountain-range-ran-through-india-and-antarctica-150-million-years-ago-1779099301643">Ancient mountain range ran through India and Antarctica 150 million years ago</a><h2>What scientists found in the Spanish cave</h2>Scientists from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA) led excavations at the cave between 2021 and 2023. They found animal bones, ceramic fragments, proof that fire was lit here, and two pendants, one made from marine shell and the other a brown bear tooth. The discovery of green minerals in the cave suggests the site was used for copper extraction, one of the earliest such evidence in Western Europe. Scientists think the green minerals are likely malachite, a copper carbonate mineral. The researchers say everything that transpired at this cave was highly organised, indicating that it was used for systemised exploitation of minerals at specific times in history.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/164-foot-tunnel-discovered-in-jerusalem-leaves-scientists-puzzled-1779105324236">164-foot tunnel discovered in Israel leaves scientists puzzled</a><h2> A global trend of high-altitude pioneers: Ancient parallels of humans living at extreme heights</h2> However, Spain is not the only place where ancient humans lived at great heights. Scientists are finding evidence that early humans colonised mountains in other parts of the world much earlier than we thought. The Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau was inhabited by ancient hominins, or Denisovans, for over 100,000 years, despite lying at a staggering 10,760 feet above sea level.&nbsp;Another similarity lies with the Can Tintorer mines in Gavà, Catalonia, which have also been studied by researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. While the residents of Cova processed green minerals (malachite) for copper extraction, Can Tintorer is a famous Neolithic mining complex in the same region where ancient humans mined variscite, a green mineral used for jewellery. Later, it was also used for copper mining.

Archaeologists have found a human settlement in Spain that sits at 7,333ft and was frequented by ancient humans for 5,000 years. They likely used it for a specific purpose. However, Baishiya Karst Cave is 10,760 feet above sea level and was inhabited for over 100,000 years.

A discovery high in the mountains of Spain has thrown light on how people lived between the 5th and 1st millennia BC. For the longest time, archaeologists believed that areas above 6,562ft were only used as a passing by ancient humans. However, they have found a prehistoric cave known as Cova that sits 7,333ft above sea level and was once inhabited. For 5,000 years, multiple civilisations lived in this cave. But it was never continuously occupied, as humans came and went regularly. It was abandoned for years, evidence shows, but they kept returning, suggesting that the time for its occupation was preplanned. Ancient humans came here to fragment and process minerals, as shown by the findings in this cave. Lead author of the study, Carlos Tornero, said, “For a long time, these spaces were assumed to be marginal. What we document here is recurrent occupation, with complex activities and a clear exploitation of mineral resources.” It was published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology. Also Read: Dinosaurs roamed around mountains in Central Asia shaped by a dead ocean Also Read: Ancient mountain range ran through India and Antarctica 150 million years ago What scientists found in the Spanish cave Scientists from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA) led excavations at the cave between 2021 and 2023. They found animal bones, ceramic fragments, proof that fire was lit here, and two pendants, one made from marine shell and the other a brown bear tooth. The discovery of green minerals in the cave suggests the site was used for copper extraction, one of the earliest such evidence in Western Europe. Scientists think the green minerals are likely malachite, a copper carbonate mineral. The researchers say everything that transpired at this cave was highly organised, indicating that it was used for systemised exploitation of minerals at specific times in history. Also Read: 164-foot tunnel discovered in Israel leaves scientists puzzled A global trend of high-altitude pioneers: Ancient parallels of humans living at extreme heights However, Spain is not the only place where ancient humans lived at great heights. Scientists are finding evidence that early humans colonised mountains in other parts of the world much earlier than we thought. The Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau was inhabited by ancient hominins, or Denisovans, for over 100,000 years, despite lying at a staggering 10,760 feet above sea level. Another similarity lies with the Can Tintorer mines in Gavà, Catalonia, which have also been studied by researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. While the residents of Cova processed green minerals (malachite) for copper extraction, Can Tintorer is a famous Neolithic mining complex in the same region where ancient humans mined variscite, a green mineral used for jewellery. Later, it was also used for copper mining.

Archaeologists have found a human settlement in Spain that sits at 7,333ft and was frequented by ancient humans for 5,000 years. They likely used it for a specific purpose. However, Baishiya Karst Cave is 10,760 feet above sea level and was inhabited for over 100,000 years.

Ancient humans had a mining factory in the mountains 7,000 years ago, for 5,000 years

A large underground tunnel has been uncovered in Israel,&nbsp;creating a new mystery for archaeologists who are trying to determine who made it, when and for what purposes. Carved directly into bedrock, it was discovered during excavations near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel in Jerusalem carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority for a residential neighbourhood to be built by the Israel Lands Authority. Officials want to keep the tunnel and make it a part of a future archaeological park in the upcoming residential area. The tunnel first appeared like a natural cavity, but slowly started getting bigger as work progressed. The tunnel stretches around 164 feet through the rock, but its full length has not yet been ascertained since some portions are blocked. Excavations in some parts of the tunnel show that it is 16 feet high and about 10 feet wide.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctic-cosmic-dust-proves-earth-has-been-traversing-through-supernova-debris-for-80-000-years-1778588358806">Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years</a>&nbsp;A staircase cut into the stone led to the entrance of the tunnel. The surfaces are smooth with regular shapes, indicating the makers started a planned project, but it seems like they did not finish. Speculating on the purpose of the tunnel, archaeologists have come up with several possibilities. First, is that it was a water system designed to reach an underground spring. However, no underwater source in the area was found, and there is no evidence of standing or flowing water either. Besides, the absence of plaster used to prevent leakage further led to this purpose being dismissed.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-discover-prehistoric-humans-built-artificial-islands-5-000-years-ago-1778655557760">Scientists discover prehistoric humans built artificial islands 5,000 years ago</a>&nbsp;Archaeologists then checked the theory that it could have served an agricultural or industrial function, but the tunnel is too large for this field. Currently, the researchers believe that the tunnel was built for quarrying activity. The builders were possibly trying to reach a chalk layer, which could produce lime or extract building material. A vertical shaft carved into the ceiling hints at the possibility being real since such openings are often made to provide ventilation in underground work areas.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-mountain-range-ran-through-india-and-antarctica-150-million-years-ago-1779099301643">Ancient mountain range ran through India and Antarctica 150 million years ago</a><h2>Incomplete structure?</h2>However, amid all these theories, it is possible that the tunnel was not completed for its intended purpose, which means it is almost impossible to determine its true nature. Researchers are also finding it difficult to set an exact age for the structure since no pottery fragments, tools, coins, or organic remains were found inside the tunnel. Another intriguing aspect is that the tunnel lies only a few hundred meters from two important archaeological sites, both linked to the Iron Age. One is a building in the Arnona neighbourhood, the second is Tel Ramat Rachel.&nbsp;

Archaeologists unearthed a huge tunnel in Jerusalem while excavating near the Kibbutz Ramat Rachel area to build a new neighbourhood. The structure has left them puzzled, as the makers have not left behind any clues about its purpose.

A large underground tunnel has been uncovered in Israel, creating a new mystery for archaeologists who are trying to determine who made it, when and for what purposes. Carved directly into bedrock, it was discovered during excavations near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel in Jerusalem carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority for a residential neighbourhood to be built by the Israel Lands Authority. Officials want to keep the tunnel and make it a part of a future archaeological park in the upcoming residential area. The tunnel first appeared like a natural cavity, but slowly started getting bigger as work progressed. The tunnel stretches around 164 feet through the rock, but its full length has not yet been ascertained since some portions are blocked. Excavations in some parts of the tunnel show that it is 16 feet high and about 10 feet wide. Also Read: Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years A staircase cut into the stone led to the entrance of the tunnel. The surfaces are smooth with regular shapes, indicating the makers started a planned project, but it seems like they did not finish. Speculating on the purpose of the tunnel, archaeologists have come up with several possibilities. First, is that it was a water system designed to reach an underground spring. However, no underwater source in the area was found, and there is no evidence of standing or flowing water either. Besides, the absence of plaster used to prevent leakage further led to this purpose being dismissed. Also Read: Scientists discover prehistoric humans built artificial islands 5,000 years ago Archaeologists then checked the theory that it could have served an agricultural or industrial function, but the tunnel is too large for this field. Currently, the researchers believe that the tunnel was built for quarrying activity. The builders were possibly trying to reach a chalk layer, which could produce lime or extract building material. A vertical shaft carved into the ceiling hints at the possibility being real since such openings are often made to provide ventilation in underground work areas. Also Read: Ancient mountain range ran through India and Antarctica 150 million years ago Incomplete structure? However, amid all these theories, it is possible that the tunnel was not completed for its intended purpose, which means it is almost impossible to determine its true nature. Researchers are also finding it difficult to set an exact age for the structure since no pottery fragments, tools, coins, or organic remains were found inside the tunnel. Another intriguing aspect is that the tunnel lies only a few hundred meters from two important archaeological sites, both linked to the Iron Age. One is a building in the Arnona neighbourhood, the second is Tel Ramat Rachel.

Archaeologists unearthed a huge tunnel in Jerusalem while excavating near the Kibbutz Ramat Rachel area to build a new neighbourhood. The structure has left them puzzled, as the makers have not left behind any clues about its purpose.

164-foot tunnel discovered in Israel leaves scientists puzzled

Scientists have found evidence of artificial islands built by prehistoric humans thousands of years ago. The remains of the "crannog" in Loch Bhorgastail on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland reveal that it was built during the Late Neolithic, some 5,000 years ago. Till now, the artificial islands were believed to have been constructed between the Iron Age and the post-medieval period. But the latest discovery shows that humans were masters of the art much earlier, having built them between 3800 and 3300 BCE. Wooden and stone foundations that established the Loch Bhorgastail crannog have been discovered, and show that the civilisation during the Neolithic period was technologically advanced.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Crannogs are small artificial islands that are typically thousands of years old," archaeologist Stephanie Blankshein, from the University of Southampton in the UK, said. She added that the lochs of Scotland are home to many of these artificial islands, which "remain unexplored or undiscovered." This particular one is a circular wooden platform with brushwood on top and spans around 75 feet. The research was published in Advances in Archaeological Practice.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/armageddon-in-15-years-a-2040-biblical-forecast-about-this-river-is-triggering-end-times-warnings-1778577043457">Armageddon in 15 years? A 2040 forecast about THIS river is triggering 'end times' warnings</a><h2>How the remnants of the island were studied&nbsp;</h2>Researchers have known about the site and the stone layer of the island for a long time. They used new technology to carry out a detailed analysis of the foundation and other fragments found near it. They used stereophotogrammetry to build a three-dimensional model of an object with photos from different positions. A lot of the features of the crannog in Loch Bhorgastail are submerged in shallow, murky water, which made photogrammetry ineffective. "Fine sediments, choppy conditions, floating vegetation, and distorted or reflected light all hinder shallow water imaging," maritime archaeologist Fraser Sturt from the University of Southampton said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctic-cosmic-dust-proves-earth-has-been-traversing-through-supernova-debris-for-80-000-years-1778588358806">Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years</a><h2>Excavation of the crannog in Scotland</h2>The crannog was excavated, and radiocarbon dating of the material was carried out. The researchers soon learned that "the terrestrial and underwater components formed a single continuous structure spanning both environments and could not be treated separately." The researchers explained in the peer-reviewed paper that they came across wooden foundations dating back thousands of years, which could be seen in the combined photogrammetry model through a trench excavated below the water. The first construction was 5,000 years ago, and 2,000 years later, &nbsp;the crannog was further reinforced with stone.&nbsp;The research shows that humans have been artificially adding and altering the landscape for thousands of years. The exact purpose of the crannog remains unclear.

Humans have been adept at the technology of building artificial islands for thousands of years, a discovery in Scotland has revealed. The foundations of a crannog made 5,000 years ago show humans have been technologically advanced for several millennia.

Scientists have found evidence of artificial islands built by prehistoric humans thousands of years ago. The remains of the "crannog" in Loch Bhorgastail on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland reveal that it was built during the Late Neolithic, some 5,000 years ago. Till now, the artificial islands were believed to have been constructed between the Iron Age and the post-medieval period. But the latest discovery shows that humans were masters of the art much earlier, having built them between 3800 and 3300 BCE. Wooden and stone foundations that established the Loch Bhorgastail crannog have been discovered, and show that the civilisation during the Neolithic period was technologically advanced. "Crannogs are small artificial islands that are typically thousands of years old," archaeologist Stephanie Blankshein, from the University of Southampton in the UK, said. She added that the lochs of Scotland are home to many of these artificial islands, which "remain unexplored or undiscovered." This particular one is a circular wooden platform with brushwood on top and spans around 75 feet. The research was published in Advances in Archaeological Practice. Also Read: Armageddon in 15 years? A 2040 forecast about THIS river is triggering 'end times' warnings How the remnants of the island were studied Researchers have known about the site and the stone layer of the island for a long time. They used new technology to carry out a detailed analysis of the foundation and other fragments found near it. They used stereophotogrammetry to build a three-dimensional model of an object with photos from different positions. A lot of the features of the crannog in Loch Bhorgastail are submerged in shallow, murky water, which made photogrammetry ineffective. "Fine sediments, choppy conditions, floating vegetation, and distorted or reflected light all hinder shallow water imaging," maritime archaeologist Fraser Sturt from the University of Southampton said. Also Read: Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years Excavation of the crannog in Scotland The crannog was excavated, and radiocarbon dating of the material was carried out. The researchers soon learned that "the terrestrial and underwater components formed a single continuous structure spanning both environments and could not be treated separately." The researchers explained in the peer-reviewed paper that they came across wooden foundations dating back thousands of years, which could be seen in the combined photogrammetry model through a trench excavated below the water. The first construction was 5,000 years ago, and 2,000 years later, the crannog was further reinforced with stone. The research shows that humans have been artificially adding and altering the landscape for thousands of years. The exact purpose of the crannog remains unclear.

Humans have been adept at the technology of building artificial islands for thousands of years, a discovery in Scotland has revealed. The foundations of a crannog made 5,000 years ago show humans have been technologically advanced for several millennia.

Scientists discover prehistoric humans built artificial islands 5,000 years ago

In Monte Cònero, Italy, a slab of limestone features tightly packed footprints that were made 80 million years ago. According to researchers, the trackway may represent a mass stampede of sea turtles fleeing a massive prehistoric earthquake. The discovery was made by a group of hikers who noticed something different about the rock. A team of researchers thinks the fossil tracks are from the Cretaceous Period and linked to a quick two-step event: an earthquake that shook the ancient seabed, leading to the marine reptiles moving across the soft mud during the shaking. Foot marks made millions of years ago should not be present today. But the earthquake that sent the turtles fleeing also protected these marks. Researchers suggest that the tremors triggered an underwater mudslide (a turbidite), which covered the seabed within minutes and preserved the footprints in stone. Experts are still not sure that the marks were made by sea turtles, as a geological phenomenon could also be responsible for them. The study was published in the journal Cretaceous Research.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/before-the-dinosaurs-ruled-210-million-year-old-crocodile-ancestors-who-died-gazing-at-each-other-discovered-1778065659427">Before the dinosaurs ruled: 210-million-year-old crocodile ancestors who died gazing at each other discovered</a>&nbsp;Scientists discovered nearly 1,000 of these trace fossils. They also analysed the same footprints present on a layer that sits inside a thicker rock section about 131 feet long. To determine the exact age of the footprints, the team used microfossils, tiny organisms that live on the seafloor. The fossil “time stamp” helped them place the footprint horizon to the lower Campanian period during the Late Cretaceous. &nbsp;Earth’s magnetic history further confirms the time, as minerals in sediments can lock in the field direction when the poles flip.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dinosaurs-are-responsible-for-rapid-ageing-and-short-lifespans-in-humans-1777642716794">Dinosaurs are responsible for rapid ageing and short lifespans in humans</a>&nbsp;The researchers say that the Late Cretaceous interval witnessed increased seismic activity. Sea level changes also affected sediment flow, how steep underwater slopes become, and the stability of the deposits. Meanwhile, scientists admit that merely paddle marks cannot confirm that it was the sea turtles who were jolted by the underwater earthquake, and the impressions could have been left by any marine animal. However, the signs point to a strong possibility of sea turtles or any other flippered reptile being the culprit.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Scientists analysed the strange trace fossils on a slab of limestone in Italy and believe that an earthquake might have startled a group of marine creatures who fled the area. The marks are their footprints, which have remained preserved for millions of years. 

In Monte Cònero, Italy, a slab of limestone features tightly packed footprints that were made 80 million years ago. According to researchers, the trackway may represent a mass stampede of sea turtles fleeing a massive prehistoric earthquake. The discovery was made by a group of hikers who noticed something different about the rock. A team of researchers thinks the fossil tracks are from the Cretaceous Period and linked to a quick two-step event: an earthquake that shook the ancient seabed, leading to the marine reptiles moving across the soft mud during the shaking. Foot marks made millions of years ago should not be present today. But the earthquake that sent the turtles fleeing also protected these marks. Researchers suggest that the tremors triggered an underwater mudslide (a turbidite), which covered the seabed within minutes and preserved the footprints in stone. Experts are still not sure that the marks were made by sea turtles, as a geological phenomenon could also be responsible for them. The study was published in the journal Cretaceous Research. Also Read: Before the dinosaurs ruled: 210-million-year-old crocodile ancestors who died gazing at each other discovered Scientists discovered nearly 1,000 of these trace fossils. They also analysed the same footprints present on a layer that sits inside a thicker rock section about 131 feet long. To determine the exact age of the footprints, the team used microfossils, tiny organisms that live on the seafloor. The fossil “time stamp” helped them place the footprint horizon to the lower Campanian period during the Late Cretaceous. Earth’s magnetic history further confirms the time, as minerals in sediments can lock in the field direction when the poles flip. Also Read: Dinosaurs are responsible for rapid ageing and short lifespans in humans The researchers say that the Late Cretaceous interval witnessed increased seismic activity. Sea level changes also affected sediment flow, how steep underwater slopes become, and the stability of the deposits. Meanwhile, scientists admit that merely paddle marks cannot confirm that it was the sea turtles who were jolted by the underwater earthquake, and the impressions could have been left by any marine animal. However, the signs point to a strong possibility of sea turtles or any other flippered reptile being the culprit.

Scientists analysed the strange trace fossils on a slab of limestone in Italy and believe that an earthquake might have startled a group of marine creatures who fled the area. The marks are their footprints, which have remained preserved for millions of years.&nbsp;

1,000 identical marks on a rock in Italy are from an ancient underwater stampede. Who made them?

Scientists might be close to solving a long-standing mystery of why the Danish island of Als was attacked over 2,000 years ago. They have found a fingerprint which could reveal the identity of the seaborne raiders. This mark, possibly left behind by the culprits, was discovered on Scandinavia’s oldest plank boat and was pressed into the tar caulking material. Known as the Hjortspring boat, it was first discovered in the 1880s and excavated in the 1920s. It was one of the four ships that were likely used by the raiders in the fourth-century BCE attack. The island dwellers defended themselves and managed to sink one of them. However, even after all these years, who these people were and their motive for attacking Als remains a mystery. “Where these sea raiders might have come from, and why they attacked the island of Als has long been a mystery,” Mikael Fauvelle, an archaeologist from Lund University, said in a statement in 2025.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ancient-gps-found-in-2-200-year-old-roman-shipwreck-reveals-its-entire-journey-1777454354362">Ancient 'GPS' found in 2,200-year-old Roman shipwreck sends researchers on a time-travel trip</a><h2>Ship's origin traced to the Baltic Sea region</h2>The researchers used modern tools to study the portions of the ship that were not chemically preserved. They found that pine pitch was used for waterproofing, which suggests "the boat was built somewhere with abundant pine forests." This changed one theory about the origin of the ship, as earlier, they believed that the raiders likely originated from modern-day Hamburg, Germany. However, they now think that they came from the Baltic Sea region, since this portion, which lies east of Rugen and Scania, is abundant with pine forests. Fauvelle said that if this were the case, then it means that the warriors "launched a maritime raid over hundreds of kilometres of open sea."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/major-north-american-river-was-missing-for-5mn-years-scientists-just-solved-the-mystery-of-its-disappearance-1776931428267">Major North American river was missing for 5mn years. Scientists just solved the mystery of its disappearance</a><h2>Ancient DNA from ship can reveal the invaders</h2>Carbon dating of the lime bast cordage confirmed that the ship came from the pre-Roman Iron Age. They then used &nbsp;X-ray tomography to take high-resolution scans and created a 3D model of the fingerprint. They also employed chromatography and mass spectrometry to help see how the caulking tar was produced, Popular Mechanics reported. The team is now trying to extract ancient DNA from the caulking tar on the boat to understand the origins of these people. The authors further wrote that the analysis sheds light on the methods and materials used to build Scandinavia’s first plank boats. It also shows how little we know about the early maritime societies in Northern Europe.

Scientists have discovered a tiny fingerprint on a ship that sank nearly 2,000 years ago after the occupants attacked an island in Denmark. No one knows why the island was raided, but now this fingerprint can help solve the mystery.

Scientists might be close to solving a long-standing mystery of why the Danish island of Als was attacked over 2,000 years ago. They have found a fingerprint which could reveal the identity of the seaborne raiders. This mark, possibly left behind by the culprits, was discovered on Scandinavia’s oldest plank boat and was pressed into the tar caulking material. Known as the Hjortspring boat, it was first discovered in the 1880s and excavated in the 1920s. It was one of the four ships that were likely used by the raiders in the fourth-century BCE attack. The island dwellers defended themselves and managed to sink one of them. However, even after all these years, who these people were and their motive for attacking Als remains a mystery. “Where these sea raiders might have come from, and why they attacked the island of Als has long been a mystery,” Mikael Fauvelle, an archaeologist from Lund University, said in a statement in 2025. Also Read: Ancient 'GPS' found in 2,200-year-old Roman shipwreck sends researchers on a time-travel trip Ship's origin traced to the Baltic Sea region The researchers used modern tools to study the portions of the ship that were not chemically preserved. They found that pine pitch was used for waterproofing, which suggests "the boat was built somewhere with abundant pine forests." This changed one theory about the origin of the ship, as earlier, they believed that the raiders likely originated from modern-day Hamburg, Germany. However, they now think that they came from the Baltic Sea region, since this portion, which lies east of Rugen and Scania, is abundant with pine forests. Fauvelle said that if this were the case, then it means that the warriors "launched a maritime raid over hundreds of kilometres of open sea." Also Read: Major North American river was missing for 5mn years. Scientists just solved the mystery of its disappearance Ancient DNA from ship can reveal the invaders Carbon dating of the lime bast cordage confirmed that the ship came from the pre-Roman Iron Age. They then used X-ray tomography to take high-resolution scans and created a 3D model of the fingerprint. They also employed chromatography and mass spectrometry to help see how the caulking tar was produced, Popular Mechanics reported. The team is now trying to extract ancient DNA from the caulking tar on the boat to understand the origins of these people. The authors further wrote that the analysis sheds light on the methods and materials used to build Scandinavia’s first plank boats. It also shows how little we know about the early maritime societies in Northern Europe.

Scientists have discovered a tiny fingerprint on a ship that sank nearly 2,000 years ago after the occupants attacked an island in Denmark. No one knows why the island was raided, but now this fingerprint can help solve the mystery.

Tiny fingerprint can solve 2,000-year-old mystery of who attacked a Danish island

An analysis of a Roman shipwreck from 2,200 years ago has revealed an ancient "GPS", which is like a time capsule that holds the history of travel of the vessel. This item is the humble pollen which was found stuck to the ship. A study of the pollen trapped in the tar acts like a travel log, shedding light on the places it travelled to and that the Romans maintained their ships regularly. Found off the coast of Croatia, the shipwreck has revealed that waterproofing was taken pretty seriously in the second century BCE. Researchers also know the route the ship likely took over its lifetime, all by studying the pollen. Dubbed Ilovik-Parzine 1, the Roman ship was discovered in 2016. A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Materials sheds light on the waterproofing technology and the ship's voyage.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/major-north-american-river-was-missing-for-5mn-years-scientists-just-solved-the-mystery-of-its-disappearance-1776931428267">Major North American river was missing for 5mn years. Scientists just solved the mystery of its disappearance</a><h2>Waterproofing in ancient times</h2>The authors wrote that the ship was likely constructed in Italy, sailed throughout the Adriatic Sea, and then went down in Croatia 2,200 years ago. It states that past studies have not focused on the waterproofing methods used for ships in ancient times. Using molecular analysis, the scientists identified two primary types of coatings - Pine pitch, or heated resin, on the majority of the hull, and a specific mixture of pitch and beeswax known as zopissa. These materials were a catalyst for attracting a source that acted as a portal into the past of the ship.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-crack-the-mystery-of-the-golden-egg-found-in-pacific-ocean-1776935563153">Scientists crack the mystery of the 'golden egg', and it is not an egg but an…</a><h2>Pollen, a portal for time travel</h2>Since the pitch was sticky, pollen in the air got stuck to it. It happened throughout its journey, as it picked up pollen from different places. An analysis of the pollen helped scientists pinpoint the exact places the ship had been. They found pollen from the Mediterranean shrubs, oak forests, and olive trees. This information confirmed that the ship traveled extensively between Italy and the Balkans. The study also noted that the Romans were careful about maintaining their ships and used sophisticated routines. The analysis found that the ship didn't just have one coat of "paint", but four to five distinct layers were applied at different times. This shows that the ships were systematically maintained and "patched up" at different ports across the Adriatic Sea. The findings suggest that the Romans had a highly developed "service industry" for ships.

A 2,220-year-old wreck has revealed that Roman ships used a high-tech mix of pine tar and beeswax for waterproofing. Even cooler? They found pollen trapped in the tar, which is like a travel log, revealing its journey over its lifetime.  

An analysis of a Roman shipwreck from 2,200 years ago has revealed an ancient "GPS", which is like a time capsule that holds the history of travel of the vessel. This item is the humble pollen which was found stuck to the ship. A study of the pollen trapped in the tar acts like a travel log, shedding light on the places it travelled to and that the Romans maintained their ships regularly. Found off the coast of Croatia, the shipwreck has revealed that waterproofing was taken pretty seriously in the second century BCE. Researchers also know the route the ship likely took over its lifetime, all by studying the pollen. Dubbed Ilovik-Parzine 1, the Roman ship was discovered in 2016. A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Materials sheds light on the waterproofing technology and the ship's voyage. Also Read: Major North American river was missing for 5mn years. Scientists just solved the mystery of its disappearance Waterproofing in ancient times The authors wrote that the ship was likely constructed in Italy, sailed throughout the Adriatic Sea, and then went down in Croatia 2,200 years ago. It states that past studies have not focused on the waterproofing methods used for ships in ancient times. Using molecular analysis, the scientists identified two primary types of coatings - Pine pitch, or heated resin, on the majority of the hull, and a specific mixture of pitch and beeswax known as zopissa. These materials were a catalyst for attracting a source that acted as a portal into the past of the ship. Also Read: Scientists crack the mystery of the 'golden egg', and it is not an egg but an… Pollen, a portal for time travel Since the pitch was sticky, pollen in the air got stuck to it. It happened throughout its journey, as it picked up pollen from different places. An analysis of the pollen helped scientists pinpoint the exact places the ship had been. They found pollen from the Mediterranean shrubs, oak forests, and olive trees. This information confirmed that the ship traveled extensively between Italy and the Balkans. The study also noted that the Romans were careful about maintaining their ships and used sophisticated routines. The analysis found that the ship didn't just have one coat of "paint", but four to five distinct layers were applied at different times. This shows that the ships were systematically maintained and "patched up" at different ports across the Adriatic Sea. The findings suggest that the Romans had a highly developed "service industry" for ships.

A 2,220-year-old wreck has revealed that Roman ships used a high-tech mix of pine tar and beeswax for waterproofing. Even cooler? They found pollen trapped in the tar, which is like a travel log, revealing its journey over its lifetime. &nbsp;

Ancient 'GPS' found in 2,200-year-old Roman shipwreck sends researchers on a time-travel trip

Archaeologists have uncovered a "Stone Age mystery" near Paris, where an ancient megalithic tomb has left them puzzled. The site in Bury, France, has revealed that the stone chamber was where people from two different tribes held burials. The first group came before 3000 BC, and the second one followed them, as seen in the gap between the burials. The discovery shows that a civilisation was quietly replaced by another and would have remained a secret if the analysis of human remains hadn't been done. Frederik V. Seersholm at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), led the study where a team of scientists analysed DNA preserved in the teeth of 132 people. They found no relation between the remains from both sides of the gap. The first group belonged to the Stone Age farming groups from northern France and Germany, while the second group of burials has been tied to southern France and Iberia (now Spain and Portugal). “We see a clear genetic break between the two periods,” Seersholm said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/mohenjo-daro-ancient-city-of-indus-valley-civilisation-is-much-older-than-previous-estimates-1776430757884">Mohenjo-Daro, ancient city of Indus Valley Civilisation, is much older than previous estimates</a><h2>How did the first Stone Age society collapse?</h2>The bigger question here is what led to the collapse of the first group. Scientists do not have a definite answer yet, although they have put forward a few theories based on the analysis. One of them is that it fell victim to a large-scale disaster, such as war, famine, or an epidemic. The presence of an unusually high number of children and young people buried in the first phase is an indication, the researchers said. But it does not provide clear answers as a tomb is a curated space, and only tells the story of those who were buried, and the true scale of the community's loss likely extended far beyond the stone walls.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/major-north-american-river-was-missing-for-5mn-years-scientists-just-solved-the-mystery-of-its-disappearance-1776931428267">Major North American river was missing for 5mn years. Scientists just solved the mystery of its disappearance</a><h2>Plague likely spread in the community</h2>Second, a plague-like crisis seemed to be circulating in the community. Scientists identified the plague bacterium (Yersinia pestis) and the relapsing-fever bacterium (Borrelia recurrentis) in the remains found at Bury. But they weren't widespread enough to be called the sole cause. However, it confirms that deadly pathogens were circulating in the community. Evidence for environmental stress has also been found in the pollen analysis from the surrounding Paris Basin. During the gap between burials, forests started growing back, which shows that the land was no longer being farmed. Scientists say their findings show that there was a certain stress that mattered to society.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/hindu-god-brahma-seen-on-artefact-discovered-under-oldest-reclining-buddha-statue-in-thailand-1774877044322">Hindu God Brahma seen on artefact discovered in gold treasure under reclining Buddha statue in Thailand</a>&nbsp;The two groups used the tomb in different ways. In the first group, 55 out of 72 people were found buried near a close relative, suggesting close-knit family ties. But this number reduced to 21 in the second group, and the single male lineage became dominant. The tomb in France is testimony to the population replacement, a biological record of a Stone Age community that fully collapsed, with a new group reclaiming their land years later.

In France lies a stone tomb, which is biological proof of a Stone Age community that collapsed entirely. What happened to them is not known, barring speculations based on analysis of their remains. Decades later, they were replaced by a genetically different group. 

Archaeologists have uncovered a "Stone Age mystery" near Paris, where an ancient megalithic tomb has left them puzzled. The site in Bury, France, has revealed that the stone chamber was where people from two different tribes held burials. The first group came before 3000 BC, and the second one followed them, as seen in the gap between the burials. The discovery shows that a civilisation was quietly replaced by another and would have remained a secret if the analysis of human remains hadn't been done. Frederik V. Seersholm at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), led the study where a team of scientists analysed DNA preserved in the teeth of 132 people. They found no relation between the remains from both sides of the gap. The first group belonged to the Stone Age farming groups from northern France and Germany, while the second group of burials has been tied to southern France and Iberia (now Spain and Portugal). “We see a clear genetic break between the two periods,” Seersholm said. Also Read: Mohenjo-Daro, ancient city of Indus Valley Civilisation, is much older than previous estimates How did the first Stone Age society collapse? The bigger question here is what led to the collapse of the first group. Scientists do not have a definite answer yet, although they have put forward a few theories based on the analysis. One of them is that it fell victim to a large-scale disaster, such as war, famine, or an epidemic. The presence of an unusually high number of children and young people buried in the first phase is an indication, the researchers said. But it does not provide clear answers as a tomb is a curated space, and only tells the story of those who were buried, and the true scale of the community's loss likely extended far beyond the stone walls. Also Read: Major North American river was missing for 5mn years. Scientists just solved the mystery of its disappearance Plague likely spread in the community Second, a plague-like crisis seemed to be circulating in the community. Scientists identified the plague bacterium (Yersinia pestis) and the relapsing-fever bacterium (Borrelia recurrentis) in the remains found at Bury. But they weren't widespread enough to be called the sole cause. However, it confirms that deadly pathogens were circulating in the community. Evidence for environmental stress has also been found in the pollen analysis from the surrounding Paris Basin. During the gap between burials, forests started growing back, which shows that the land was no longer being farmed. Scientists say their findings show that there was a certain stress that mattered to society. Also Read: Hindu God Brahma seen on artefact discovered in gold treasure under reclining Buddha statue in Thailand The two groups used the tomb in different ways. In the first group, 55 out of 72 people were found buried near a close relative, suggesting close-knit family ties. But this number reduced to 21 in the second group, and the single male lineage became dominant. The tomb in France is testimony to the population replacement, a biological record of a Stone Age community that fully collapsed, with a new group reclaiming their land years later.

In France lies a stone tomb, which is biological proof of a Stone Age community that collapsed entirely. What happened to them is not known, barring speculations based on analysis of their remains. Decades later, they were replaced by a genetically different group.&nbsp;

5,000-year-old mystery: Scientists discover Stone Age apocalypse in tomb of two peoples

The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon and forms a 445-kilometre-long gorge that is about 6,000 feet deep. However, the river hasn't always taken this route. This happened only about 5-6 million years ago, but geological records show that the river existed in western Colorado roughly 11 million years ago. So, where was it for the first half of its life? Scientists have tried to answer this question for years and now finally have the answer. In a new study published in the journal Science, researchers say that the river flowed just east of the Grand Canyon to create a lake that is empty today. This extinct water body has been named Bidahochi Lake, but scientists do not know why it disappeared. Much of the deposits of this ancient lake have also eroded, making it hard to tell its peak and also which rivers fed it. To know more about this lake, the lead author of the study, University of California’s John He and his team checked for zircons in the samples of sandstones. Zircons are microscopic crystals that form in cooling magma and carry an accurate geochemical signature of the moment they were created.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/physicist-1960-prediction-of-2026-doomsday-humans-earth-1776151089397">Physicist's 66-year-old prediction of exact day in 2026 humans will be 'squeezed to death' surfaces</a><h2>Finding the age and origin of zircons</h2>Finding the age and origin of zircons was done by using lasers or ion beams to measure the ratios of uranium and lead isotopes, a process known as detrital zircon geochronology. This then helps trace the sources of a sediment and estimate when it was deposited. He said, zircons are like "little time vaults, and by looking at the age and geochemical signature of zircons, we can tell where a sediment that has been moved by a river originated." The team found that signatures of the sediments deposited in Lake Bidahochi roughly 6.6 million years ago were the same as those in other Colorado River deposits. They also found signs of rippling in rock layers and fossils of large fish species, hinting at the presence of fast-flowing waters, possibly a river that went into standing water.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/doomsday-asteroid-collision-in-india-sowed-seeds-of-life-on-earth-1776090249437">Doomsday asteroid collisions, including the one in India, sowed seeds of life on Earth</a><h2>Colorado River flowed into a lake before it entered the Grand Canyon</h2>This led the team to conclude that the Colorado River was feeding the Bidahochi Lake for millions of years before it started flowing through the Grand Canyon. The river at some point spilt over, an often-debated aspect about the water body. However, the new finding adds weight to the theory that the river did spill over at some point. The Colorado River is the biggest source of water for the American West, and is the lifeline of over 150 threatened species and more than 40 million people in the arid region.&nbsp;

The Colorado River's relationship with the Grand Canyon started very late in its lifetime. While it is at least 11 million years old, it entered the canyon only about 5-6 million years ago. Scientists have finally found where it was all this time.

The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon and forms a 445-kilometre-long gorge that is about 6,000 feet deep. However, the river hasn't always taken this route. This happened only about 5-6 million years ago, but geological records show that the river existed in western Colorado roughly 11 million years ago. So, where was it for the first half of its life? Scientists have tried to answer this question for years and now finally have the answer. In a new study published in the journal Science, researchers say that the river flowed just east of the Grand Canyon to create a lake that is empty today. This extinct water body has been named Bidahochi Lake, but scientists do not know why it disappeared. Much of the deposits of this ancient lake have also eroded, making it hard to tell its peak and also which rivers fed it. To know more about this lake, the lead author of the study, University of California’s John He and his team checked for zircons in the samples of sandstones. Zircons are microscopic crystals that form in cooling magma and carry an accurate geochemical signature of the moment they were created. Also Read: Physicist's 66-year-old prediction of exact day in 2026 humans will be 'squeezed to death' surfaces Finding the age and origin of zircons Finding the age and origin of zircons was done by using lasers or ion beams to measure the ratios of uranium and lead isotopes, a process known as detrital zircon geochronology. This then helps trace the sources of a sediment and estimate when it was deposited. He said, zircons are like "little time vaults, and by looking at the age and geochemical signature of zircons, we can tell where a sediment that has been moved by a river originated." The team found that signatures of the sediments deposited in Lake Bidahochi roughly 6.6 million years ago were the same as those in other Colorado River deposits. They also found signs of rippling in rock layers and fossils of large fish species, hinting at the presence of fast-flowing waters, possibly a river that went into standing water. Also Read: Doomsday asteroid collisions, including the one in India, sowed seeds of life on Earth Colorado River flowed into a lake before it entered the Grand Canyon This led the team to conclude that the Colorado River was feeding the Bidahochi Lake for millions of years before it started flowing through the Grand Canyon. The river at some point spilt over, an often-debated aspect about the water body. However, the new finding adds weight to the theory that the river did spill over at some point. The Colorado River is the biggest source of water for the American West, and is the lifeline of over 150 threatened species and more than 40 million people in the arid region.

The Colorado River's relationship with the Grand Canyon started very late in its lifetime. While it is at least 11 million years old, it entered the canyon only about 5-6 million years ago. Scientists have finally found where it was all this time.

Major North American river was missing for 5mn years. Scientists just solved the mystery of its disappearance

Mexico shooting carried out at the site of the Teotihuacano civilisation was done by a gunman who was there to “sacrifice” humans, a practice carried out by the natives 1,500 to 2,000 years ago. The shooter is also said to be obsessed with Hitler.

Mexico shooting carried out at the site of the Teotihuacano civilisation was done by a gunman who was there to “sacrifice” humans, a practice carried out by the natives 1,500 to 2,000 years ago. The shooter is also said to be obsessed with Hitler.

Gunman at Mexican temple screamed, 'I’ll sacrifice you', in bloody echo of pyramid's dark past of human killings

Archaeologists have unearthed evidence revealing that Mohenjo-Daro, the ancient city in current Pakistan, is much older than previously estimated. They have dated a major city wall to around 2700 to 2600 BCE, pushing back its rise by hundreds of years. This finding changes the narrative about one of the largest cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation. The settlement was home to at least 40,000 people and remained prosperous for centuries before being abandoned in 1700 BCE. Signs that Mohenjo-Daro started building much earlier have been found in a buried mudbrick at the base of the western wall, Earth.com reported. The Sindh Directorate General of Antiquities &amp; Archaeology (DGAA) stated that this was evidence that a wall was present in this place years before the city was believed to have put its first building blocks. The discovery of older pottery under the wall hints at a settlement before the first recorded fortification.&nbsp;Mohenjo-Daro was a well-planned city with more than 700 wells and a drainage system that moved the waste out. The UNESCO World Heritage site is spread across 593 acres in Sindh, where brick homes once stood in a highly organised fashion, unusual for that time and age. Baked brick, tight joints, and sloped floors were constructed to allow dirty water to flow and not soak the walls. Its peak urban period did not happen by chance, but was the result of planning and skill. Researchers said that the western part of the city continued to change as the city grew. Structures were rebuilt over the years as development took place, with larger public works being established. “The walls were expanded and maintained until around 2200 BCE and possibly even longer,” the DGAA said in the statement.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/indian-scientists-reveal-indus-valley-civilisation-died-a-slow-death-100-year-disaster-and-many-more-1764330182953">Indus Valley Civilisation died a slow death - Scientists reveal what really led to its fall</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/shiva-temple-tamil-nadu-village-chola-period-banyan-tree-1769773570741">900-year-old Shiva temple cloaked by a banyan tree discovered in Tamil Nadu</a><h2>Why Mohenjo-Daro remains largely unearthed</h2>The latest finding of a much older wall proves that growth happened in steps, as till now, Mohenjo-Daro's urban rise was placed at around 2500 BCE. The older stage of the ancient city is known as the Kot Diji phase, a time before urbanism spread. To find something so old, yet new, is not astonishing, as only one-third of the city has been excavated since the first digs took place in 1922. Salt damage and a high groundwater level still hide a major portion of its history. DGAA said that work will continue to discover more of the history of the area. “Future investigations will trace the plan of the city wall around the Stupa Mound in order to try and locate gateways,” it said in the statement. Mohenjo-Daro was abandoned around 1800 to 1700 BCE, and archaeologists are yet to figure out what went wrong. There have been suggestions of invasions and massacres, yet the relics do not point to such an event. However, climate change has emerged as one of the most plausible reasons after a 2025 study traced four long droughts.&nbsp;

Mohenjo-Daro, a prosperous city of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, is much older than earlier estimates. A fresh discovery pushes the time of its birth back by several years. Archaeologists found this evidence at the base of the western wall.

Archaeologists have unearthed evidence revealing that Mohenjo-Daro, the ancient city in current Pakistan, is much older than previously estimated. They have dated a major city wall to around 2700 to 2600 BCE, pushing back its rise by hundreds of years. This finding changes the narrative about one of the largest cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation. The settlement was home to at least 40,000 people and remained prosperous for centuries before being abandoned in 1700 BCE. Signs that Mohenjo-Daro started building much earlier have been found in a buried mudbrick at the base of the western wall, Earth.com reported. The Sindh Directorate General of Antiquities & Archaeology (DGAA) stated that this was evidence that a wall was present in this place years before the city was believed to have put its first building blocks. The discovery of older pottery under the wall hints at a settlement before the first recorded fortification. Mohenjo-Daro was a well-planned city with more than 700 wells and a drainage system that moved the waste out. The UNESCO World Heritage site is spread across 593 acres in Sindh, where brick homes once stood in a highly organised fashion, unusual for that time and age. Baked brick, tight joints, and sloped floors were constructed to allow dirty water to flow and not soak the walls. Its peak urban period did not happen by chance, but was the result of planning and skill. Researchers said that the western part of the city continued to change as the city grew. Structures were rebuilt over the years as development took place, with larger public works being established. “The walls were expanded and maintained until around 2200 BCE and possibly even longer,” the DGAA said in the statement. Also Read: Indus Valley Civilisation died a slow death - Scientists reveal what really led to its fall Also Read: 900-year-old Shiva temple cloaked by a banyan tree discovered in Tamil Nadu Why Mohenjo-Daro remains largely unearthed The latest finding of a much older wall proves that growth happened in steps, as till now, Mohenjo-Daro's urban rise was placed at around 2500 BCE. The older stage of the ancient city is known as the Kot Diji phase, a time before urbanism spread. To find something so old, yet new, is not astonishing, as only one-third of the city has been excavated since the first digs took place in 1922. Salt damage and a high groundwater level still hide a major portion of its history. DGAA said that work will continue to discover more of the history of the area. “Future investigations will trace the plan of the city wall around the Stupa Mound in order to try and locate gateways,” it said in the statement. Mohenjo-Daro was abandoned around 1800 to 1700 BCE, and archaeologists are yet to figure out what went wrong. There have been suggestions of invasions and massacres, yet the relics do not point to such an event. However, climate change has emerged as one of the most plausible reasons after a 2025 study traced four long droughts.

Mohenjo-Daro, a prosperous city of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, is much older than earlier estimates. A fresh discovery pushes the time of its birth back by several years. Archaeologists found this evidence at the base of the western wall.

Mohenjo-Daro, ancient city of Indus Valley Civilisation, is much older than previous estimates

Conservation and development work at a famous reclining Buddha statue site revealed a gold treasure comprising 33 ancient ornaments of gold, silver, and bronze. Thailand’s Fine Arts Department said in a statement that the discovery was made inside the Wat Thammachak Sema Ram temple complex. On April 21, 2025, workers were removing moisture from over four feet below the sandstone statue when they struck a ceramic container. The earthenware vessel, which wasn't fully built, contained the metal ornaments "including gold rings, silver earrings, and various bronze pieces." One of the items is a screw-hoop bronze earring, which is similar to discoveries made at the Phu Khao Thong archaeological site in Ranong Province and the Tha Chana archaeological site in Surat Thani Province. This means that the bronze earring belongs to the Dvaravati period, about 1,300 years ago.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-cikai-korran-came-here-2-000-years-ago-indian-man-scribbled-his-name-in-tamil-on-8-egyptian-tombs-1773298022463">'Cikai Korran came here': 2,000 years ago, Indian man scribbled his name in Tamil on Egyptian tombs</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/greek-oracle-entered-a-trance-and-told-people-their-future-turns-out-she-was-just-high-1772705915815">Oracle of Delphi told Alexander the Great his future. Turns out, the 'spaced-out' woman was lying to him</a><h2>Which artefacts were found under the reclining Buddha statue?</h2>Archaeologists took over and continued the digging work at the Phra Non archaeological site. They unearthed three more artefacts made of gold and lead/tin. One of them &nbsp;Rectangular embossed gold leaf plaque depicting a seated Buddha. It measures eight centimetres wide and 12.5 centimetres high and is in good condition. "The embossed image shows a seated Buddha with a halo around his head, large, coiled curls of hair, long ears, downcast eyes, thick lips, and a robe draped diagonally," the statement reads.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/shiva-temple-tamil-nadu-village-chola-period-banyan-tree-1769773570741">900-year-old Shiva temple cloaked by a banyan tree discovered in Tamil Nadu</a><h2>Hindu God Brahma on a Thai artefact</h2>The second item is a tin or lead embossed panel depicting a Buddha image in an arched frame. It is 11.5 cm wide and 15.5 cm high and shows a standing Buddha with a halo of small beads around his head. However, this piece is broken and missing a portion on the right, which was supposedly a figure. The figure on the left is believed to be the Thai expression of the Hindu god Brahma.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/pot-of-gold-buried-900-years-ago-unearthed-in-a-karnataka-village-now-there-is-a-fuss-over-who-owns-it-1768376950848">Pot of gold buried 900 years ago unearthed in a Karnataka village. Now there is a fuss over who owns it</a>&nbsp;The third artefact consists of three pieces of earthen lumps with metal plates embedded. They are quite damaged, making the exact count unclear. They were located behind the head of the reclining Buddha statue. Phanombutr Chantrachot, the director-general of the Fine Arts Department, says this shows that the artwork was possibly some sort of ritual offering.&nbsp;Notably, the reclining Buddha statue inside the Wat Thammachak Sema Ram temple complex is considered the country’s longest, measuring a whopping 43 feet long. It is also the oldest, as it was created around 657 AD. The Phimai National Museum is now examining the artefacts and initial conservation efforts have started. &nbsp;

Archaeologists found a gold treasure under the longest and oldest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand. There are three artefacts, and one of them is believed to be the Hindu God Brahma. The discovery was made at the Wat Thammachak Sema Ram temple complex.

Conservation and development work at a famous reclining Buddha statue site revealed a gold treasure comprising 33 ancient ornaments of gold, silver, and bronze. Thailand’s Fine Arts Department said in a statement that the discovery was made inside the Wat Thammachak Sema Ram temple complex. On April 21, 2025, workers were removing moisture from over four feet below the sandstone statue when they struck a ceramic container. The earthenware vessel, which wasn't fully built, contained the metal ornaments "including gold rings, silver earrings, and various bronze pieces." One of the items is a screw-hoop bronze earring, which is similar to discoveries made at the Phu Khao Thong archaeological site in Ranong Province and the Tha Chana archaeological site in Surat Thani Province. This means that the bronze earring belongs to the Dvaravati period, about 1,300 years ago. Also Read: 'Cikai Korran came here': 2,000 years ago, Indian man scribbled his name in Tamil on Egyptian tombs Also Read: Oracle of Delphi told Alexander the Great his future. Turns out, the 'spaced-out' woman was lying to him Which artefacts were found under the reclining Buddha statue? Archaeologists took over and continued the digging work at the Phra Non archaeological site. They unearthed three more artefacts made of gold and lead/tin. One of them Rectangular embossed gold leaf plaque depicting a seated Buddha. It measures eight centimetres wide and 12.5 centimetres high and is in good condition. "The embossed image shows a seated Buddha with a halo around his head, large, coiled curls of hair, long ears, downcast eyes, thick lips, and a robe draped diagonally," the statement reads. Also Read: 900-year-old Shiva temple cloaked by a banyan tree discovered in Tamil Nadu Hindu God Brahma on a Thai artefact The second item is a tin or lead embossed panel depicting a Buddha image in an arched frame. It is 11.5 cm wide and 15.5 cm high and shows a standing Buddha with a halo of small beads around his head. However, this piece is broken and missing a portion on the right, which was supposedly a figure. The figure on the left is believed to be the Thai expression of the Hindu god Brahma. Also Read: Pot of gold buried 900 years ago unearthed in a Karnataka village. Now there is a fuss over who owns it The third artefact consists of three pieces of earthen lumps with metal plates embedded. They are quite damaged, making the exact count unclear. They were located behind the head of the reclining Buddha statue. Phanombutr Chantrachot, the director-general of the Fine Arts Department, says this shows that the artwork was possibly some sort of ritual offering. Notably, the reclining Buddha statue inside the Wat Thammachak Sema Ram temple complex is considered the country’s longest, measuring a whopping 43 feet long. It is also the oldest, as it was created around 657 AD. The Phimai National Museum is now examining the artefacts and initial conservation efforts have started.

Archaeologists found a gold treasure under the longest and oldest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand. There are three artefacts, and one of them is believed to be the Hindu God Brahma. The discovery was made at the Wat Thammachak Sema Ram temple complex.

Hindu God Brahma seen on artefact discovered in gold treasure under reclining Buddha statue in Thailand

March 20 is the Spring Equinox, and the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is the place where you can witness an extraordinary solar alignment on this day. The solar equinox occurs twice a year - in March and September. On this day, the sun appears directly over the equator since Earth’s axis is tilted neither towards nor away from the Sun. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is an 8th-century shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Its Gopuram, or the monumental entrance tower, is nearly 100 feet tall and is divided into seven tiers. There are five windows, and on the day of the equinox, the sun peaks exactly through them in an interval of five minutes. This astonishing occurrence is made possible because of the way the tower has been built. The windows are perfectly aligned on an East-West axis, making the temple one of the most well-known examples of ancient Indian archaeoastronomy.<h2>Engineering precision at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple&nbsp;</h2>At sunset, the temple's construction creates a visual spectacle. The Earth's axis is not tilted at the equinox, so the sun sets exactly west. It appears exactly in the centre of the topmost window. After 5 minutes, the Sun can then be seen through the window below the top one. Remember, the Earth is rotating, yet the sun appears to be descending in a straight line when seen through the windows of the temple tower. This repeats till it reaches the horizon, when it appears through the lowest window. This is a marvellous occurrence since ancient architects built the temple without modern surveying tools. The Sun is only partially visible on the day before and the day after the equinox because of the depth of the windows and the thickness of the walls.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-days-are-getting-longer-it-has-not-happened-in-3-6-million-years-1773408587727">Earth days are getting longer. It has not happened in 3.6 million years</a><h2>Significance of the sun peeking through the tower windows</h2>It is an engineering marvel since the builders were able to achieve such precision as to ensure that the sun fully peaks through on just two days of the year. The architects had to calculate the exact latitude of Thiruvananthapuram to ensure that the orientation was perfect for the sun's path only on the equinox. The purpose of constructing the Gopuram tower in this way served a bigger purpose. When the Sun made this spectacular appearance on these two days, they became checkpoints that told the priests that it was the equinox and the seasons would change from then on. It is also symbolic of the transition of time and the omnipresence of Lord Padmanabha (Vishnu).&nbsp;

Spring Equinox 2026: The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram stands as a testament to the architectural marvel of ancient times. On the equinox, the sun descends, peeking through the five windows of the tower every five minutes.

March 20 is the Spring Equinox, and the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is the place where you can witness an extraordinary solar alignment on this day. The solar equinox occurs twice a year - in March and September. On this day, the sun appears directly over the equator since Earth’s axis is tilted neither towards nor away from the Sun. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is an 8th-century shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Its Gopuram, or the monumental entrance tower, is nearly 100 feet tall and is divided into seven tiers. There are five windows, and on the day of the equinox, the sun peaks exactly through them in an interval of five minutes. This astonishing occurrence is made possible because of the way the tower has been built. The windows are perfectly aligned on an East-West axis, making the temple one of the most well-known examples of ancient Indian archaeoastronomy. Engineering precision at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple At sunset, the temple's construction creates a visual spectacle. The Earth's axis is not tilted at the equinox, so the sun sets exactly west. It appears exactly in the centre of the topmost window. After 5 minutes, the Sun can then be seen through the window below the top one. Remember, the Earth is rotating, yet the sun appears to be descending in a straight line when seen through the windows of the temple tower. This repeats till it reaches the horizon, when it appears through the lowest window. This is a marvellous occurrence since ancient architects built the temple without modern surveying tools. The Sun is only partially visible on the day before and the day after the equinox because of the depth of the windows and the thickness of the walls. Also Read: Earth days are getting longer. It has not happened in 3.6 million years Significance of the sun peeking through the tower windows It is an engineering marvel since the builders were able to achieve such precision as to ensure that the sun fully peaks through on just two days of the year. The architects had to calculate the exact latitude of Thiruvananthapuram to ensure that the orientation was perfect for the sun's path only on the equinox. The purpose of constructing the Gopuram tower in this way served a bigger purpose. When the Sun made this spectacular appearance on these two days, they became checkpoints that told the priests that it was the equinox and the seasons would change from then on. It is also symbolic of the transition of time and the omnipresence of Lord Padmanabha (Vishnu).

Spring Equinox 2026: The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram stands as a testament to the architectural marvel of ancient times. On the equinox, the sun descends, peeking through the five windows of the tower every five minutes.

Spring Equinox: Indian temple where sun peeks through 5 windows every 5 minutes twice a year

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