All articles tagged with #historical discovery
Scientists used non-invasive CT and X-ray technology to examine a 3,000-year-old Egyptian crocodile mummy, revealing it was likely sacrificed and providing insights into ancient Egyptian rituals and their reverence for crocodiles, including findings of a fish and stones in its stomach that suggest it was caught and sacrificed shortly before death.
A pioneering project using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is being conducted on Lincoln Cathedral to uncover its hidden history, including evidence of earlier structures and burials, potentially dating back to the Roman period, with results expected in spring.
Volunteers at the Bedford Roman Villa Project have made a significant discovery of a large Roman building, including rare stucco work, which is expected to enhance understanding of Roman Britain and put Bedford on the archaeological map. The site has yielded numerous artifacts since 2011, and community efforts aim to continue excavations and share findings publicly.
A message in a bottle written by Australian soldiers during World War I was found on an Australian beach over a century later, providing a rare glimpse into the soldiers' experiences and connecting their families to the past.
A family in Australia found a WWI-era message in a bottle on the beach, written by two soldiers in 1916, providing a rare and well-preserved glimpse into their experiences during the war, with emotional reactions from relatives and historians alike.
Archaeologists from Durham University and the University of Al-Qadisiyah have identified the site of the historic Battle of al-Qadisiyyah in Iraq using declassified US spy satellite images from the 1970s. The battle, which occurred in 636 or 637 AD, marked a significant victory for Arab Muslims over the Sasanian Empire. The discovery was made by comparing historical accounts with satellite imagery, revealing features like a fort and double wall. The site, now farmland, is located 30 kilometers south of Kufa. Further archaeological surveys are planned, though currently delayed due to regional tensions.
Historian Federica Gigante discovered a medieval astrolabe in a museum in Verona, Italy, with Arabic and Hebrew markings, revealing its journey across two continents and the shared intellectual achievements of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian scholars. The astrolabe, a 2D map of the universe, originated in 11th century Spain under Muslim rule, and later passed into Jewish and Latin/Italian hands. This discovery highlights the constructive interactions between different cultures and their shared scientific heritage, dispelling the myth of modern science being born in Europe in isolation.
Danish historians have discovered evidence of the first mouth-to-mouth kiss on a clay tablet from ancient Mesopotamia, challenging previous beliefs that South Asia was the birthplace of kissing. The tablet reveals that lip-locking was practiced after lovemaking, rather than as foreplay, and suggests that the urge to kiss a lover is innate and has been observed in our primate relatives. This discovery sheds light on the cultural and historical significance of kissing in human history.
The wreckage of the 244-foot merchant ship Arlington, which sank in 1940, has been discovered in Lake Superior by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and researcher Dan Fountain. The ship, loaded with wheat, sank in a storm, with the crew abandoning ship and the captain going down with it. This discovery adds to recent shipwreck findings in the Great Lakes, including a possible wreck in Lake Erie and the 150-year-old George L. Newman found in Lake Michigan.
A man using a metal detector discovered a rare centuries-old Dutch golden ducat coin from 1777 on the southern coast of Poland, marking the first of its kind found in the country. The coin, found at the site of the oldest Dominican monastery, showcases a knight on one side and an inscription in harmony with the year. This discovery highlights the rich history of the city and the significance of the Republic of the Netherlands during the late 18th century.
An inactive Cold War-era Douglas AIR-2 Genie rocket, once capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, was found in the garage of a deceased homeowner in Washington. The discovery prompted a visit from a local police bomb squad, who confirmed the missile was inert and not a danger. The missile, purchased at an estate sale, was identified as a historical artifact and left with a neighbor for restoration and display at a museum. The rare relic, dating back to the 1950s, was a surprising find for the Bellevue police department, who shared a picture of the rocket on social media.
The identity of the man on the cover of Led Zeppelin IV has been identified after 52 years. Historian Brian Edwards discovered a print of the same picture while studying the pictorial history of Wiltshire, England. The photograph, taken around 1892 by Ernest Howard Farmer, features Lot Long, a thatcher from the town of Mere. The photo will be part of an upcoming exhibition titled "The Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex" in 2024.
A TikToker gained viral attention after peeling up their home's millennial gray carpet to reveal hand-painted tiles from the 1920s. The discovery sparked a debate between older and younger generations regarding interior design preferences. While some praised the beauty of the original tiles, others defended carpet and neutral tones. The TikToker clarified that their intention was not to criticize older generations but to express their personal dislike for carpet and preference for colorful decor.
Students working with Michigan State University's Campus Archaeology Program have discovered the cobblestone foundation of a 142-year-old observatory buried near a student residence hall on campus. The site, which dates back to 1881, will become a dig site for undergraduates and local residents to practice archaeological techniques. The discovery was made when construction workers hit a hard surface while installing hammock poles, leading researchers to consult school records and uncover the historical significance of the area. Further excavation could provide insights into campus life and the university's early astronomy studies.
The remains of Munich's former main synagogue, which was destroyed in 1938 on Adolf Hitler's orders, have been discovered during the renovation of a weir on the Isar. Construction workers found stones decorated with flowers and ornaments that can be linked to the Jewish house of worship. Among the findings were parts of columns and a stone tablet with the Ten Commandments in Hebrew script. The rubble from the demolished synagogue was used for renovation work on the Großhesseloher weir in 1956. The future of the historical stones is uncertain, but there are suggestions of reconstructing the Torah shrine and potentially exhibiting the findings in the Jewish Museum Munich.