Pompeii, the ancient Roman city frozen in time by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 AD, has revealed a surprising secret. Recent digs show that people came back to live there, even though it was in bad shape. These weren't wealthy folks moving back into their fancy homes. Instead, they were likely poor survivors or newcomers hoping to find treasures in the ruins. They ...
In the heart of Turkey, a city from over 9, 000 years ago, Çatalhöyük, is revealing secrets about a society where women might have held significant power. Researchers dug deep, studying the DNA of more than 130 skeletons from this ancient site. They found something fascinating: the female line was crucial in connecting family members within the same household. Initi...
Ochre, a red or yellowish earth pigment, has been around for ages. People in the Middle Stone Age (MSA) used it for more than just art. They had some clever tricks up their sleeves. Imagine using ochre to tan animal hides, make glue for tools, or even protect their skin. But how do we know this? Well, some smart folks dug up seven ochre pieces from Blombos Cave in So...
Deep in the heart of Guatemala, a trio of ancient Mayan sites has been unearthed, offering fresh insights into one of the world's most enigmatic civilizations. These sites, nestled in the Petén region, are part of a newly discovered urban triangle, challenging what was previously known about Mayan history. The sites are Los Abuelos, Petnal, and Cambrayal. This disc...
A small red mark on a rock in Spain has sparked a lively debate among experts. This mark, which is about 43, 000 years old, is believed to be the oldest known human fingerprint. It was made by a Neanderthal using the red mineral ocher. This discovery challenges the common belief that Neanderthals were not capable of creating symbolic art. The rock, which looks like a...
In Spain, a rock with a fingerprint and a red dot has sparked excitement among scientists. This rock, found in a shelter, is believed to be around 43, 000 years old. The red dot is thought to be a nose, making the rock look like a human face. This discovery raises questions about the artistic abilities of Neanderthals. The rock was found in a shelter in Segovia. It ...
In the heart of Vienna, a sports field held a secret for nearly two millennia. Underneath the turf, the remains of 150 Roman soldiers lay buried, silent witnesses to a long-forgotten battle. This discovery, made during a renovation project, offers a unique glimpse into the city's early history. The soldiers, mostly young men in their 20s and 30s, met their end in a ...
In the realm of human evolution, a significant breakthrough has occurred. A set of facial bone fragments, unearthed in northern Spain, has been dated to an astonishing 1. 1 to 1. 4 million years old. This makes them the oldest human remains ever found in Western Europe. The individual, affectionately named "Pink, " is believed to be more primitive than Homo antecesso...
Imagine this: a city buried under ash, people frozen in time, and a brain turned into glass. This isn't a sci-fi movie, but a real event that happened in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted. The eruption was so powerful that it released energy equal to 100, 000 Hiroshima bombs. The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were covered in hot ash and gas, killing most people i...
In 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) showed its power in surprising ways. Scientists used AI and X-rays to read ancient scrolls from Herculaneum, Italy, that were buried by the Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD. These scrolls are so delicate they can't be unrolled, but AI helped decode over 2, 000 characters, giving us a new window into ancient Rome and Greece. The V...