Researchers on Thursday (Sep 28) said that they have discovered remnants of DNA in fossilised remains of a sea turtle, which dates back to 6 million years ago and is closely related to Kemp's ridley and olive ridley turtles of today. 
 
This is a rare occurrence of genetic material getting identified in such old fossils of a vertebrate. The researchers stated that some bone cells, known as osteocytes, were preserved exquisitely in the fossil, which was excavated along the Caribbean coast of Panama in 2015. 
 
The fossil is partial and has a relatively complete carapace, the shell of a turtle. However, the rest of the skeleton is missing. The researchers estimated that the turtle would have been around a foot (30 cm) long, when alive. 
 
Palaeontologist Edwin Cadena, the lead author of the study published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, said that in a few osteocytes, the cell nuclei remained preserved and reacted to a chemical solution which helped the researchers recognise the presence of remnants of DNA.

DNA contains genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/alabama-hospitals-first-animal-patient-a-sea-turtle-gets-ct-scan-images-go-viral-616351">Alabama hospital's first animal patient, a sea turtle, gets CT scan; Images go viral</a>

"I want to point out that we did not extract DNA, we only were able to recognise the presence of DNA traces in the nuclei," stated Cadena, of Universidad del Rosario in Bogota and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. 
 
DNA generally perishes although it has remained preserved in some ancient remains which were kept in the right conditions. Last year, the researchers reported the DNA discovery from plants and microbes, which dated back to about 2 million years ago, from sediment at the remote northernmost point in Greenland. 
 
Cadena stated that the only older vertebrate fossils, apart from the one of turtle to have been found with similar DNA remnants, were of two dinosaurs - Brachylophosaurus, which lived about 78 million years ago, and Tyrannosaurus, which lived about 66 million years ago.

<h2>DNA remnants also found in insects</h2>

Cadena stated that DNA remnants were also reported in insects which dated back to tens of millions of years ago.

The turtle belongs to the same genus, Lepidochelys, as two of the seven living species of sea turtles in the world - the olive ridley and the world's smallest sea turtle - the Kemp's ridley, said Cadena.

WATCH |&nbsp;Baby turtles released on Nicaraguan beach

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Kemp's ridley, which has a slightly hooked beak and a triangular-shaped head, is primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico. The olive ridley, which looks like Kemp's ridley, has a larger distribution and is generally found in the tropical regions of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. 
 
"Each fossil site has specific conditions of preservation that in some cases could have favoured preservation of original biomolecular remains such as proteins and DNA," Cadena stated. 
 
"Maybe in the future and with more studies of this kind, we could be able at some point to sequence very small pieces of DNA and to infer things about their close relatives or involve that information in a broader molecular evolutionary study," added Cadena.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Researchers on Thursday (Sep 28) said that they have discovered remnants of DNA in fossilised remains of a sea turtle, which dates back to 6 million years ago and is closely related to Kemp's ridley and olive ridley turtles of today.

Researchers on Thursday (Sep 28) said that they have discovered remnants of DNA in fossilised remains of a sea turtle, which dates back to 6 million years ago and is closely related to Kemp's ridley and olive ridley turtles of today. This is a rare occurrence of genetic material getting identified in such old fossils of a vertebrate. The researchers stated that some bone cells, known as osteocytes, were preserved exquisitely in the fossil, which was excavated along the Caribbean coast of Panama in 2015. The fossil is partial and has a relatively complete carapace, the shell of a turtle. However, the rest of the skeleton is missing. The researchers estimated that the turtle would have been around a foot (30 cm) long, when alive. Palaeontologist Edwin Cadena, the lead author of the study published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, said that in a few osteocytes, the cell nuclei remained preserved and reacted to a chemical solution which helped the researchers recognise the presence of remnants of DNA. DNA contains genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism. ALSO READ | Alabama hospital's first animal patient, a sea turtle, gets CT scan; Images go viral "I want to point out that we did not extract DNA, we only were able to recognise the presence of DNA traces in the nuclei," stated Cadena, of Universidad del Rosario in Bogota and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. DNA generally perishes although it has remained preserved in some ancient remains which were kept in the right conditions. Last year, the researchers reported the DNA discovery from plants and microbes, which dated back to about 2 million years ago, from sediment at the remote northernmost point in Greenland. Cadena stated that the only older vertebrate fossils, apart from the one of turtle to have been found with similar DNA remnants, were of two dinosaurs - Brachylophosaurus, which lived about 78 million years ago, and Tyrannosaurus, which lived about 66 million years ago. DNA remnants also found in insects Cadena stated that DNA remnants were also reported in insects which dated back to tens of millions of years ago. The turtle belongs to the same genus, Lepidochelys, as two of the seven living species of sea turtles in the world - the olive ridley and the world's smallest sea turtle - the Kemp's ridley, said Cadena. WATCH | Baby turtles released on Nicaraguan beach Kemp's ridley, which has a slightly hooked beak and a triangular-shaped head, is primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico. The olive ridley, which looks like Kemp's ridley, has a larger distribution and is generally found in the tropical regions of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. "Each fossil site has specific conditions of preservation that in some cases could have favoured preservation of original biomolecular remains such as proteins and DNA," Cadena stated. "Maybe in the future and with more studies of this kind, we could be able at some point to sequence very small pieces of DNA and to infer things about their close relatives or involve that information in a broader molecular evolutionary study," added Cadena. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Researchers find DNA remains in 6 million-year-old turtle's fossil

A fascinating piece of history is about to go under the hammer in Montevideo as an auction house announces the upcoming sale of a letter written by a Uruguayan passenger aboard the infamous Titanic. With bidding set to start at $16,440, this artefact offers a rare glimpse into the world of the ill-fated luxury liner, reported AFP.

<h2>Hunt intensifies for missing submersible exploring Titanic wreck</h2>

More than a century after the Titanic sank, the intrigue surrounding its story remains alive. Currently, a frantic search is underway for a tourist submersible that vanished while en route to the North Atlantic. The submersible was on a mission to explore the remains of the Titanic, which lie nearly four kilometres&nbsp;below the surface.&nbsp;

<h2>Historic Titanic and Graf Spee items on sale</h2>

The year 1912 marked a significant turning point in maritime history when the Titanic, on its maiden voyage from England to New York, collided with an iceberg and sank, claiming the lives of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. Over seven decades later, in 1985, the wreckage of the Titanic was finally discovered.

Now, a letter written by Ramon Artagaveytia Gomez, a 71-year-old Uruguayan businessman, just days before the sinking, is set to be auctioned on June 30.

The two-page letter, sent from Queenstown, Ireland, serves as a testament to Gomez's awe of the opulent first-class surroundings aboard the ship, as he writes, "everything is new and rich." Adding to the historical significance, the letter includes a handwritten note from the recipient, proclaiming it to be the last letter written by Ramon.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/race-against-time-titanic-submersibles-oxygen-dwindling-less-than-20-hours-left-607047">Race against time: Titanic submersible's oxygen dwindling, less than 20 hours left</a>

<h2>Auction features Nazi battleship Graf Spee artefacts</h2>

In addition to the Titanic letter, the auction will showcase artefacts from another maritime tragedy: the Admiral Graf Spee, a notorious battleship associated with the Third Reich.

Following the Battle of the River Plate off the coast of Montevideo, the ship's captain, Hans Langsdorff, scuttled the vessel on December 17, 1939.

The auction items include a pair of battleship binoculars and a dress jacket worn by a crew member. These pieces offer a unique opportunity for collectors and history enthusiasts to own tangible remnants of this significant chapter in naval warfare.

Also watch |&nbsp;Titanic wreck research vessel with five people onboard lose contact, goes missing

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As the auction date approaches, anticipation grows among collectors and Titanic enthusiasts worldwide. The bidding for the Titanic letter is expected to start between $20,550&nbsp;and $34,250, according to the auction house, reported AFP.

Whether it's the tragic tale of the Titanic or the remnants of the Graf Spee, these artefacts serve as tangible connections to pivotal moments in history.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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A fascinating piece of history is about to go under the hammer in Montevideo as an auction house announces the upcoming sale of a letter written by a Uruguayan passenger aboard the infamous Titanic.

A fascinating piece of history is about to go under the hammer in Montevideo as an auction house announces the upcoming sale of a letter written by a Uruguayan passenger aboard the infamous Titanic. With bidding set to start at $16,440, this artefact offers a rare glimpse into the world of the ill-fated luxury liner, reported AFP. Hunt intensifies for missing submersible exploring Titanic wreck More than a century after the Titanic sank, the intrigue surrounding its story remains alive. Currently, a frantic search is underway for a tourist submersible that vanished while en route to the North Atlantic. The submersible was on a mission to explore the remains of the Titanic, which lie nearly four kilometres below the surface. Historic Titanic and Graf Spee items on sale The year 1912 marked a significant turning point in maritime history when the Titanic, on its maiden voyage from England to New York, collided with an iceberg and sank, claiming the lives of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. Over seven decades later, in 1985, the wreckage of the Titanic was finally discovered. Now, a letter written by Ramon Artagaveytia Gomez, a 71-year-old Uruguayan businessman, just days before the sinking, is set to be auctioned on June 30. The two-page letter, sent from Queenstown, Ireland, serves as a testament to Gomez's awe of the opulent first-class surroundings aboard the ship, as he writes, "everything is new and rich." Adding to the historical significance, the letter includes a handwritten note from the recipient, proclaiming it to be the last letter written by Ramon. Also read | Race against time: Titanic submersible's oxygen dwindling, less than 20 hours left Auction features Nazi battleship Graf Spee artefacts In addition to the Titanic letter, the auction will showcase artefacts from another maritime tragedy: the Admiral Graf Spee, a notorious battleship associated with the Third Reich. Following the Battle of the River Plate off the coast of Montevideo, the ship's captain, Hans Langsdorff, scuttled the vessel on December 17, 1939. The auction items include a pair of battleship binoculars and a dress jacket worn by a crew member. These pieces offer a unique opportunity for collectors and history enthusiasts to own tangible remnants of this significant chapter in naval warfare. Also watch | Titanic wreck research vessel with five people onboard lose contact, goes missing As the auction date approaches, anticipation grows among collectors and Titanic enthusiasts worldwide. The bidding for the Titanic letter is expected to start between $20,550 and $34,250, according to the auction house, reported AFP. Whether it's the tragic tale of the Titanic or the remnants of the Graf Spee, these artefacts serve as tangible connections to pivotal moments in history. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Titanic treasure: Passenger's letter up for auction in Uruguay

The earliest evidence of use of alcohol has been found by archaeologists in China, a Xinhua report said on Friday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the new discovery, the researchers have found that people in the ancient times used monascus to prepare alcohol in 8,000-year-old clay pots in central part of the China. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/goldmine-for-archaeologists-remains-of-five-ice-age-mammoths-found-in-uk-438277" hreflang="en">Goldmine for archaeologists? Remains of five ice age mammoths found in UK</a>

Li Yongqiang, assistant researcher, Institute of Archaeology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that a huge amount of monascus hypha and cleistothecia, together with fermented starch grains from rice, were discovered in the remnants of two clay pots, which were found at the Peiligang cultural site in Henan Province. &nbsp;

Li said that as per the finding of the researchers, these pots were once utilised in brewing and then storing alcohol in the ancient times. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/worlds-leggiest-creature-a-millipede-with-1306-legs-discovered-in-australia-437564" hreflang="en">World's leggiest creature, a millipede with 1,306 legs, discovered in Australia</a>

Dating back to 8,000 years, Peiligang in China is one of the oldest village ruins. &nbsp;

The archaeological site has been helpful in understanding about the past of the human society as it gives vital evidence for studies based on the origin and development of agriculture, textile industry, pottery making, alcohol making techniques, etc in ancient times. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The earliest evidence of use of alcohol has been found by archaeologists in China, a Xinhua report said on Friday. In the new discovery, the researchers have found that people in the ancient times used monascus to prepare alcohol in 8,000-year-old clay pots in central part of the China.

The earliest evidence of use of alcohol has been found by archaeologists in China, a Xinhua report said on Friday. In the new discovery, the researchers have found that people in the ancient times used monascus to prepare alcohol in 8,000-year-old clay pots in central part of the China. Also Read: Goldmine for archaeologists? Remains of five ice age mammoths found in UK Li Yongqiang, assistant researcher, Institute of Archaeology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that a huge amount of monascus hypha and cleistothecia, together with fermented starch grains from rice, were discovered in the remnants of two clay pots, which were found at the Peiligang cultural site in Henan Province. Li said that as per the finding of the researchers, these pots were once utilised in brewing and then storing alcohol in the ancient times. Also Read: World's leggiest creature, a millipede with 1,306 legs, discovered in Australia Dating back to 8,000 years, Peiligang in China is one of the oldest village ruins. The archaeological site has been helpful in understanding about the past of the human society as it gives vital evidence for studies based on the origin and development of agriculture, textile industry, pottery making, alcohol making techniques, etc in ancient times. (With inputs from agencies)

Remnants of over 8,000-year-old alcohol found by archaeologists in China

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