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Showing posts from April, 2021

Airport toilet in China a tourist attraction after scientist says it contains fossils hundreds of millions of years old

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During a science education programme at state broadcaster CCTV last week, Shen Shuzhong, a professor from Nanjing University’s School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, talked about major species extinction events in the earth’s history. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.asiaone.com/china/airport-toilet-china-tourist-attraction-after-scientist-says-it-contains-fossils-hundreds

Billion-Year-Old Scottish Fossil Could Be The Oldest Proto-Animal Ever Found

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A fossil found in billion-year-old rocks from the Scottish Highlands could represent the missing link between single-celled organisms and multicellular animals. If so, it could fill in some of the most significant gaps in our knowledge of the history of life. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/billion-year-old-scottish-fossil-could-be-the-oldest-protoanimal-ever-found/

Earth’s Worst Mass Extinction Happened More Slowly On Land

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Before the infamous extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, Earth experienced its worst ever mass extinction - and new evidence suggest it happened more rapidly in the sea than on land. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/priyashukla/2021/04/30/earths-worst-mass-extinction-happened-more-slowly-on-land/?sh=17ebadb058f2

St. Petersburg teacher finds giant mammoth bone in Florida river

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Divers Derek Demeter and Henry Sadler are used to finding prehistoric treasures when they trawl Central Florida waterways. But no amount of experience could prepare them for the massive surprise they found while diving in the Peace River earlier this month. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.cltampa.com/news-views/local-news/article/21151917/st-petersburg-teacher-finds-giant-mammoth-bone-in-florida-river

Odd fossil found in Mississippi gravel is ‘a needle in a haystack’ from the Ice Age

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An odd rock found in central Mississippi is rewriting the state’s Ice Age history — and even calling into question some long-held scientific assumptions. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.macon.com/news/nation-world/national/article250582244.html

Forever Edinburgh: This mysterious Edinburgh standing stone is thought to be as old as the pyramids

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It’s one of Europe’s oldest man-made monuments, and yet it stands largely unnoticed in the middle of a leafy Edinburgh suburb. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/retro/forever-edinburgh-this-mysterious-edinburgh-standing-stone-is-thought-to-be-as-old-as-the-pyramids-3219928

Details of stunning Maya acropolises and sophisticated civilization revealed by laser scans

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This is the first evidence of terracing in the Puuc region. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.livescience.com/lidar-maya-yucatan.html

Bronze Age treasure found in Swedish forest by mapmaker

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A man surveying a forest for his orienteering club in western Sweden stumbled on a trove of Bronze Age treasure reckoned to be some 2,500 years old. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56943432

Reunited after 500 years - Constantine and his finger: Giant bronze statue of Roman emperor in Italy is finally given back its middle digit after it was mistaken by the Louvre for a TOE

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A giant bronze statue of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great has been reunited with a finger that it lost some 500 years ago. Held in the Capitoline Museums of Rome, remains of the 39ft colossus include a head as tall as a man, a damaged left hand and the sphere it once bore. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9528815/Archaeology-Statue-Roman-emperor-Constantine-Great-reunited-digit-missing-500-years.html

Did a Neolithic Cattle Cult Build These Sprawling Structures in Saudi Arabia?

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The roughly 7,000-year-old mustatils, or rectangular monuments, predate both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/did-neolithic-cattle-cult-build-these-sprawling-structures-180977629/

Bigfoot Phone Call, Real Robinson Crusoe, Space MMA and More Mysterious News Briefly — April 29, 2021

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https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2021/04/bigfoot-phone-call-real-robinson-crusoe-space-mma-and-more-mysterious-news-briefly-april-29-2021/

Marine fossils imply Turkey was underwater millions of years ago

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Recently discovered marine fossils on a high altitude mountainous region in eastern Turkey suggest the region was underwater millions of years ago, says an expert on geology. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/marine-fossils-imply-turkey-was-underwater-millions-of-years-ago

British Marine Archeologist Claims to Find Evidence of King Solomon’s Maritime Empire

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A British marine archeologist says that he has found evidence of the existence of the biblical King Solomon — and that he was indeed the wealthy and powerful monarch described in the Bible, saying he built a maritime empire through an alliance with the ancient Phoenicians. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/04/28/british-marine-archeologist-claims-to-find-evidence-of-king-solomons-maritime-empire/

Archaeologists finally uncovered some of the mystery behind Laos’s Plain of Jars

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This cryptic megalithic site is thousands of years old, but its origin story is still not fully known. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.popsci.com/story/science/plain-of-jars-laos-burial-site/

Medieval Sámi were using draught reindeer, researchers find

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Archaeologists at the University of Oulu observed that draught reindeer were used in Finnish Lapland at least 700 years ago.  *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.medievalists.net/2021/04/medieval-sami-reindeer/

The most epic pyramids and ruins in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula

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EVERY YEAR, MEXICO’S Yucatán Peninsula is visited by millions of people who cannot resist the region’s white-sand beaches, crystal clear Caribbean waters, and beautiful wildlife.  *** Read the rest of this article:  https://matadornetwork.com/read/epic-pyramids-ruins-mexicos-yucatan-peninsula/

Is THIS the missing link in the evolution of animals? A BILLION-year-old fossil discovered in the Scottish Highlands reveals a new insight into the transition of single-celled organisms into multicellular creatures

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A billion-year-old fossil unearthed in the Scottish Highlands is being hailed as a crucial 'missing link' in the evolution of life, according to new research. The fossil was found at Loch Torridon and reveals an organism which is more complex than a single-celled creature, but is not truly multicellular.  *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9521849/A-BILLION-year-old-fossil-missing-link-evolution-life.html

World's first pregnant Egyptian mummy uncovered in Warsaw

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The examination of an ancient Egyptian mummy in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw has revealed the world's first known case of a pregnant embalmed body. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/worlds-first-pregnant-egyptian-mummy-uncovered-in-warsaw-21588

The Baker Growing Ancient Grains from Prehistoric Times

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Low in gluten and high in protein, einkorn wheat is thought to have been one of the first cereals grown by mankind. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7v8k7/growing-einkorn-prehistoric-wheat

Nottingham's Wollaton Hall to host T. rex fossil in exhibition

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The first real Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton shown in England for more than 100 years is coming to Nottingham. The fossil, named Titus, found in the US state of Montana in 2018, has not been publicly displayed before. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-56889834

A Testament To Ingenuity, Kailasa Temple Is Carved From A Single Rock

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Some of the most awe-inspiring structures around the world are not wonders of modern technology in architecture and engineering. These structures are the product of ancient building practices that are so remarkable we struggle today to understand how they were even dreamed of, let alone erected. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.thevintagenews.com/2021/04/27/kailasa-temple/

The Mysterious History of Cattle Mutilation

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Unexplained livestock mutilations have been reported for centuries. Explanations range from common predators to UFOs. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.history.com/news/cattle-mutilation-1970s-skinwalker-ranch-ufos

Ancient DNA Sheds Light on Evolutionary History of Extinct ‘Horned’ Crocodile

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An international team of scientists has recovered and analyzed partial mitochondrial genomes from 1,300-1,400-year-old specimens of Voay robustus, a recently extinct species of ‘horned’ crocodile that lived in Madagascar. *** Read the rest of this article:  http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/voay-robustus-evolutionary-history-09598.html

Meet Yamatosaurus izanagii, New Hadrosaur from Japan

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Yamatosaurus izanagii roamed our planet 71.8 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous epoch. *** Read the rest of this article:  http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/yamatosaurus-izanagii-09601.html

In Photos: Ancient tombs and prehistoric burials found in Nile Delta

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Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that 68 of these tombs date back to the Boto I and II eras, five from the Naqada III era, and 37 from the Second Intermediate Period era. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/9/410090/Heritage/In-Photos-Ancient-tombs-and-prehistoric-burials-fo.aspx

Cyborg Spaceships, Bro Whales, False UFOs and More Mysterious News Briefly — April 28, 2021

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https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2021/04/cyborg-spaceships-bro-whales-false-ufos-and-more-mysterious-news-briefly-april-28-2021/

Climate crises in Mesopotamia prompted the first stable forms of state

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During the Bronze Age, Mesopotamia was witness to several climate crises. In the long run, these crises prompted the development of stable forms of sate and therefore elicited cooperation between political elites and non-elites.  *** Read the rest of this article:  https://phys.org/news/2021-04-climate-crises-mesopotamia-prompted-stable.html

Egyptian archaeologists unearth rare tombs dated back to before Pharaohs

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They also found tombs nearby from the later Hyksos period (1650 to 1500 B.C.), when Western Asian migrants took over the country, putting an end to Egypt's Middle Kingdom. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/egyptian-archaeologists-unearth-rare-tombs-dated-back-to-before-pharaohs-666565

Filer’s Files 17, 2021: UFOs Over Vietnam War

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https://nationalufocenter.com/blog/2021/04/26/filers-files-17-2021-ufos-over-vietnam-war/

Inside The Disturbing Mysteries Surrounding New Mexico’s Dulce Base

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For decades, ufologists have claimed that extraterrestrials experiment on humans with the military's help inside a secret base underneath the Archuleta Mesa in Dulce, New Mexico. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://allthatsinteresting.com/dulce-base

Back in Time – This Day in History – April 27

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1937: The National Maritime Museum By Mick Ferris, Press Association, AP, UPI, calendar.songfacts.com, classicbands.com and thisdayinmusic.com 1124: David I becomes king of Scots. 1296: The Scots are defeated by Edward I of England at The Battle of Dunbar. 1521: Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed by natives of the Philippine Islands during his attempt to be the first to circumnavigate the world. His co-leader, Juan Sebastian de Elcano, completed the voyage in 1522. 1646: Charles I flees Oxford. 1667: Blind and impoverished poet John Milton sells the copyright to “Paradise Lost” for £10. 1749: First performance of Handle’s Music For Fireworks in Green Park, London. 1791: The inventor of the telegraph, Samuel Morse, was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. 1810: Ludwig van Beethoven composes his piano piece “Für Elise”. 1828: The Zoological Gardens at Regent’s Park open. 1840: The foundation stone for the new Palace of Westminster is laid by Sarah Barry, wife of architect C

New Mexico’s ‘Godzilla’ Shark Fossil Gets an Official Name

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The prehistoric beast’s scientific name is Dracopristis hoffmanorum. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-mexicos-godzilla-shark-fossil-gets-official-name-180977585/

The Worst Year Ever to Be Alive in History

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The year 2020 may be the worst one that most of us alive today have most likely experienced, for a whole host of reasons. But the volcanic explosions of the year 536 caused modern-day researchers to state recently that that year was definitively “the worst year to be alive” in history. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://greekreporter.com/2021/04/26/536-worst-year-ever-to-be-alive-in-history/

Colchester's Fenwick treasure to feature in Roman Emperor exhibition

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The British Museum is hoping to open its exhibition on Nero, who succeeded to the throne aged 16 in 54AD, next month. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/19255804.colchesters-fenwick-treasure-feature-roman-emperor-exhibition/

1,600-year-old multicolored mosaic with geometric motifs uncovered in Yavne

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Whitish patina covering the flooring initially led archaeologists to think it was plain tiling; experts say it may have been part of a ‘splendid residential building’. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.timesofisrael.com/1600-year-old-multicolored-mosaic-with-geometric-motifs-uncovered-in-yavne/

Vikings carved a massive boat into this volcanic cave to ward off the apocalypse

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Archaeologists have discovered the remains of rare artifacts from the Middle East in an Icelandic cave that the Vikings associated with Ragnarök, an end-times event in which the gods would be killed and the world engulfed in flames.  *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.livescience.com/viking-boat-structure-ragnarok.html

Nahuatl as it was: an exploration of the great dictionary of Alonso de Molina

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In 1555 the first dictionary of an indigenous language from the Americas was published in Mexico City.  *** Read the rest of this article:  https://blogs.loc.gov/maps/2021/04/nahuatl-as-it-was-an-exploration-of-the-great-dictionary-of-alonso-de-molina/

Hebrew U team proves earliest evidence of cave dwelling, 1.8 million years ago

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Archaeologists examining Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa find more indications humans were active there nearly a million years before accepted estimates. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.timesofisrael.com/hebrew-u-team-confirms-earliest-evidence-of-cave-dwelling-1-8-million-years-ago/

In Egypt, archaeologists have made a discovery as important as the finding of Tutankhamen’s tomb

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The discovery of a 3,400-year-old industrial metropolis will offer vital clues about domestic and urban life in Ancient Egypt. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://scroll.in/article/992469/in-egypt-archaeologists-have-made-a-discovery-as-important-as-the-finding-of-tutankhamens-tomb

Why The Next Museum You Visit Should Be Underwater

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The 2,500 year-old Peristera shipwreck sits about 98 feet underwater off the Greek island of Alonissos. Felled at the end of the Peloponnesian War, it was once a massive Athenian barge—the largest of its kind ever found—transporting curvy amphoras filled with wine. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/peristera-shipwreck-underwater-museum-to-vist

Hundreds of stone tools used by homo erectus discovered in abandoned goldmine in Sahara Desert

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Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of stone tools in a goldmine where Homo erectus would have inhabited 700,000 years ago in the eastern part of the Sahara Desert, 70 km east of the modern city of Atbara in Sudan. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/04/hundreds-of-stone-tools-used-by-homo-erectus-discovered-in-abandoned-goldmine-in-sahara-desert/138806

Was King Solomon the ancient world’s first shipping magnate?

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Marine archaeologist unearths evidence suggesting biblical king’s riches were based on voyages he funded with Phoenician allies. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/apr/25/was-king-solomon-the-ancient-worlds-first-shipping-magnate

Extremely rare two-headed calf born in North Macedonia

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The calf is able to suck milk simultaneously using its two mouths. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/two-headed-calf-north-macedonia-b1836266.html

Leicestershire Roman settlement 'surprised' villa dig team

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Earlier excavations near Scalford, Leicestershire, found traces of a building with mosaics, wall plaster and a hypocaust heating system. Archaeologists said a survey had shown the extent of the villa but also a possible farm or village nearby. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-56857409

The Sinful Sodom and Gomorrah: Real Historic Cities or Biblical Myth?

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Sodom and Gomorrah are two famous cities mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament, and there are few who haven’t heard of them at one point in their life. Supposedly obliterated in a rain of fire, these two cities are reported to have suffered the wrath of God for their sins, debauchery, and egoism. But did they really exist?  *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-important-events/sodom-and-gomorrah-0015242

Bones of Extinct Giant Cloud Rats Found in Philippine Cave

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Alongside the tiny humans that once inhabited the Philippines lived several hitherto unknown species of giant rats, according to a new study published today in the Journal of Mammalogy.  *** Read the rest of this article:  https://gizmodo.com/bones-of-extinct-giant-cloud-rats-found-in-philippine-c-1846748820

Back in Time – This Day in History – April 25

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1719: Robinson Crusoe By Mick Ferris, Press Association, AP, UPI, calendar.songfacts.com, classicbands.com and thisdayinmusic.com 1284: Birth of Edward II at Caernarfon Castle, Wales. 1507: German geographer and mapmaker Martin Waldseemuller published a book in which he named the newly discovered continent of the New World "America" after the man he mistakenly thought had discovered it, Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci. 1599: Oliver Cromwell is born in Huntingdon. 1607: The Dutch fleet beats the Spanish Portuguese fleet at the Battle f Gibraltar. 1644: The last Ming emperor, Chongzhen hangs himself from a tree on Jing Mountain, Peking, rather than be captured by forces of Li Zicheng. 1660: English Convention Parliament meets and votes to restore Charles II. 1684: Patent granted for the thimble. 1719: The popular novel “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe was first published. It examines the life of a man trapped on a desert island. (From Prof. Frank McDonough@FXMC1957) 1742: E

Is life hiding in Mars? Microbes may be thriving below the surface by surviving on chemical energy from groundwater, study suggests

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NASA's Perseverance has embarked on its search for ancient life on the surface of Mars, but a new study suggests life may be thriving just below the dusty landscape. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9504363/Microbes-thriving-Mars-surface-surviving-chemical-energy-groundwater.html

Tomb hidden in Ireland for 4,000 years is found ‘untouched’ with human remains inside that could hold clues about pre-historical burial rituals

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The burial site was uncovered on southwest Ireland's Dingle Peninsula when an excavator overturned a large stone to reveal a hidden chamber underneath.  *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9496497/Tomb-hidden-Ireland-4-000-years-untouched-human-remains-inside.html

Mysterious contents sealed in 160-year-old medicine bottles identified as a deadly laxative used by famed Japanese doctor to treat everything from strokes and syphilis

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Antique glass vials from a medical kit belonging to Ogata Koan, a leading proponent for Western medicine in late feudal Japan, had jammed shut from age. Researchers at Osaka University bombarded a bottle with muons, which can pass through glass but generates different kinds of light depending on the substances they hit. *** Read the rest of this article:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9497527/Contents-sealed-160-year-old-vial-identified-deadly-laxative-used-famed-Japanese-doctor.html