Researchers, including Penn State biologist Tom Stewart, have completed a groundbreaking reconstruction of the skeleton of Tiktaalik, a 375-million-year-old fossil fish considered a close relative of limbed vertebrates. This reconstruction, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals a crucial innovation in Tiktaalik’s anatomy – the possible attachment of its ribs to … Read more
A remarkable discovery by a medievalist from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) sheds light on the early transmission of the Gospels. Grigory Kessel, utilizing ultraviolet photography, has deciphered a hidden layer of text on a palimpsest – a manuscript where the original writing was erased to make way for a new one. This erased … Read more
New research delving into the mummified remains of ancient Egyptians and Nubians paints a vivid picture of the diseases that plagued these civilizations. The study, published in Advances in Parasitology by University of Cambridge researcher Piers D. Mitchell, sheds light on the unique role the Nile River played in shaping the health profile of these … Read more
A grisly discovery at Knobb’s Farm in Somersham, Cambridgeshire, has shed light on a brutal chapter of Roman history. Excavations of a late Roman cemetery unearthed a significant number of decapitated bodies, suggesting a rise in executions during this turbulent period. Archaeologists uncovered a total of 52 graves, with a staggering 17 individuals bearing the … Read more
An exciting discovery has emerged from ongoing excavations at the Ani Archaeological Site in eastern Turkey. Archaeologists working at the bathhouse – a structure with a fascinating historical connection – have unearthed a stone tub, hinting at a practice far ahead of its time. Ani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was once a thriving medieval … Read more
Archaeologists working in San Giorgio Bigarello, near Mantua, stumbled upon a vast necropolis dating back approximately 5,000 years. The sheer scale of this find – 22 tombs unearthed so far – has surprised researchers. This unexpected number of burials, coupled with the quality of artifacts discovered within them, promises valuable insights into the lives of … Read more
Archaeologists, conducting excavations for a residential building, stumbled upon seven Christian tombs dating back to the Viking Age, specifically the late 10th century. These tombs represent the earliest evidence of Christianity in Sigtuna, potentially belonging to the city’s first generation of Christian converts. “What is unique is that several of the people are buried in … Read more
Two groundbreaking studies published back-to-back in Nature offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of mammals. Led by Dr. Mao Fangyuan and Dr. Zhang Chi from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research team unearthed two remarkable Jurassic mammaliaform fossils from China. These fossils provide crucial insights into the early diversification of teeth, the development … Read more
Researchers led by Dr. Kristina Curry Rogers of Macalester College, Minnesota, have shed light on the growth patterns of early dinosaurs and their contemporaries. Fast growth rates have long been considered a hallmark of dinosaurs, potentially contributing to their dominance during the Mesozoic Era (252 to 66 million years ago). However, this study reveals a … Read more
Researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) meticulously analyzed sheep remains from the Cueva de El Toro cave in Malaga, Spain, dating back approximately 7,200 years. The findings unveil a surprising level of complexity in herding practices, far exceeding what was previously believed. This discovery sheds light on the adaptability and resourcefulness of early … Read more