Nan Madol: The Mysterious Ancient Coral Reef City

Nan Madol is the only ancient city ever built upon a coral reef.  It is comprised of a set of almost 100 stone and coral filled platforms atop artificial islands separated by narrow channels and enclosed by an outer seawall. Nan Madol includes the remains of stone palaces, temples, tombs and residential domains.

Despite the enormity of the undertaking in building the city, no records exist regarding when exactly it was built, where the enormous rocks came from, how they were transported there, and for what reason Nan Madol was constructed on top of a reef .

A Globally Significant Masterpiece of Creative Genius

UNESCO has finally paid attention to the immense historical significance of Nan Madol, a mysterious ancient coral reef city off the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia, by placing it on the World Heritage List. Describing it as a “globally significant masterpiece of creative genius”, Nan Madol is an engineering marvel, but it has not yet given up all its secrets.

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The ancient city of Nan Madol was built atop a coral reef.

( Dmitry / Adobe )

Evidence of the early human activity on the islands dates back to the first or second century BC, but it is not known exactly when the construction of the artificial islets started. Theories range from the 5th to the 11th century AD, when it was purportedly built as a ritual and ceremonial center for the ruling chiefs of the Saudeleur Dynasty. UNESCO dates the site at 1200 to 1500 AD.

However, uranium dating techniques completed in 2016 suggest it was built sometime between 1180 and 1200. This date means it is the oldest known monumental scaled burial site on the remote islands of the Pacific.

The Saudeleur dynasty was the first organized government uniting the people of Pohnpei island, ruling from around 1100 to around 1628 AD. However, this era was preceded by the Mwehin Kawa (“period of building”) and Mwehin Aramas (“period of peopling”).

Nan Madol was Originally the Reef of Heaven

The name Nan Madol means “spaces between” and refers to the canals that crisscross the ruins. However, its traditional name was  Soun Nan-leng  (Reef of Heaven), according to Gene Ashby in his book  Pohnpei, An Island Argosy .

The total area of the enclosure is 75 hectares. The foundations of the islets were constructed of huge basalt boulders , on which walled enclosures were built using columnar basalt in a header and stretcher pattern in-filled with coral rubble. Walls were as high as 15 meters (49.21 ft.) and up to 5 meters (16.40 ft.) thick.

The average weight of each stone is 5 tons, with some weighing as much as 50 tons, and it has been estimated that the total weight of the columnar basalt that makes up the city’s construction is up to 750,000 metric tons.

The walls of Nan Madol.

( robnaw /adobe)

Probable quarry sites around the island have been identified, but the exact origin of the stones used in the construction of Nan Madol is yet to be determined. No quarries exist in the immediate vicinity meaning that the stones must have been transported to their current location. What is even more incredible is that the builders managed to accomplish the task without pulleys, levers, or metal to aid in the process.

Legends of Nan Madol’s Construction

Most Pohnpeians still believe the legend that Nan Madol began with the arrival of twin sorcerers Olisihpa and Olosohpa from the mythical Western Katau. The twins were said to be much taller than native Pohnpeians.

The brothers sought a place to build an altar so that they could worship Nahnisohn Sahpw, the god of agriculture . The two sorcerers successfully built an altar at Nan Madol, where they performed rituals to levitate the huge stones with the aid of a flying dragon. When Olisihpa died of old age, Olosohpa became the first Saudeleur.

Historians and archaeologists have suggested that they huge rocks may have been floated via raft to the islets, however, the exact means of engineering with which the massive stones were moved from their distant quarries, over land and water, and erected on the reef complexes is still unknown.

According to UNESCO, Nan Madol represents a “globally significant masterpiece of creative genius” because it exhibits the most perfectly preserved habitation, leadership, and ceremonial plan of an architectural ensemble of the Pacific region. In a statement published on their website, they write: “The huge scale of the edifices, their technical sophistication and the concentration of megalithic structures bear testimony to complex social and religious practices of the island societies of the period.”

However, it seems that local authorities are not yet ready for the UNESCO status to encourage large-scale international tourism at Nan Madol. Concerns have recently been raised that the site is “more fragile than it appears” and that sustainable tourism is the only real option to preserve the site.

Huge stones were transported to the ancient city.

( bluesea / Adobe)

The Tyrannical Saudeleur Dynasty

Nan Madol housed the ruling elite caste of Saudeleur dynasty and was used as a political and ceremonial seat of power. As a means of control of their subjects, Saudeleur rulers forced local chieftains to leave their home villages and move to the city where their activities could be more closely observed.

The islets to the northeast, particularly Nan Douwas, were used for rituals and ceremonies, while over time all the seawall islets (nearly 60) functioned as burial places. Other islets were administrative and residential, and some served special purpose, such as food preparation, coconut oil production or canoe construction .

Rule was maintained by one man, the Saudeleur, at Nan Madol. The land, its contents, and its inhabitants were owned by the Saudeleur ruler, who leased the land to landlord classes overseeing commoners harvesting the land. The commoners were required to present the ruler with frequent tributes of fruit and fish.

The logistical difficulties of the site, which involved having no fresh water and no place capable of growing crops, were not a problem for the Saudeleur because the people of the islands brought everything that was needed.

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The Saudeleur dynasty ruled the islands for more than a millennium, yet there is nothing left of them but legend and the crumbling black basalt ruins. There is no art, no carvings, and no writing. The only knowledge that remains is that which has been passed down through oral history by the Pohnpeians, who describe the Saudeleurs as deeply religious, tyrannical, and cruel, and the remains of their civilization are often viewed with fear and superstition by modern-day Pohnpeians.

According to local lore, the ultimate downfall of the Saudeleurs was their increasingly oppressive rule and centralized social system. The dynasty was toppled in 1628 by the semi-mythical warrior Isokelekel, who came from the island of Kosrae 530 km (329.33 miles) to the east, creating the modern Nahnmwarki system of tribal chiefdom that has existed in one form or another to this day in the island’s five municipalities.

Saudeleur dynasty tomb (mausoleum) inside walls of Nan Madol.

( Dmitry/ Adobe)

New Rulers and the Abandonment of Nan Madol

There is much variation among sources for the exact events before, during, and after the invasion of Nan Madol by Isokelekel; at least 13 different accounts of the war have been published and told by the Pohnpeians. In most versions of the legend, the Saudeleur ruler had become oppressive and its lords had offended the Thunder God revered by the Pohnpeians.

Thus, the Thunder God left Pohnpei for Kosrae, where he impregnated a human by feeding her a lime. This union produced the semi-divine Isokelekel, who in the womb knew his destiny of vengeance.

There are many accounts of Isokelekel’s battle with the Saudeleur ruler. In one version, Isokelekel's warriors are aided by hidden weapons that suddenly appeared. The tide of war reversed several times, but ended against the Saudeleur, who retreated with his army into the main island of Pohnpei.

Legend recounts that the battle ended with the Saudeleur lord retreating uphill to a stream, where he transformed into a fish and remains today. Isokelekel took the title of Nahnmwarki and assumed the seat of power in Nan Madol.

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When the period of the Nahnmwarkis began, the new rulers at first resided at Nan Madol, but they could not depend on anyone regularly supplying them with food and water and eventually they moved back to their own districts, abandoning Nan Madol forever.

Since then local legends have arisen saying that the ruins of Nan Madol are haunted, and the site has received the nickname “Ghost city.” The strange tales associated the abandoned city led H.P. Lovecraft to make it the home of Cthulhu in a short story.

By any measure, the city of Nan Madol is impressive. The work required to build it was on such an enormous scale, yet the current inhabitants of Pohnpei live in humble grass huts . What accounts for this huge contrast? More importantly, how was the city built in the first place?

The fact that there are no existing records on Nan Madol means that we may never know the secrets buried within the walls of this unique coral reef city.

• Top Image: Nan Madol - archaeological site on the island of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
• Source: robnaw /Adobe

By Joanna Gillan

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{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ }

20-10-2023 om 18:38 geschreven door peter  

JOANNA GILLAN

15 Incredible Ancient Buildings and Structures (Video)

The sheer scale of human construction throughout history is awe-inspiring. From buildings to bridges, roads to houses, temples to theaters, humans have been creating structures for millennia. However, the structures featured in this video are particularly remarkable. From Borobudur Temple to the Great Aqueduct, Saksaywaman, Derinkuyu underground city , Abu Simbel Temple and more, these are some of the oldest and most impressive remnants of ancient civilizations. Despite their age and the challenges of preservation, we are doing our best to protect these structures so that future generations can appreciate and learn from them.

• Top image: Ancient underground city.
• Source: Nicole / Adobe Stock

By Joanna Gillan

{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ }

09-10-2023 om 01:01 geschreven door peter  

Hanns Glaser, Celestial phenomenon over Nuremberg, April 1561. 

Zentralbibliothek Zürich

Chariots of the gods, ships in the sky: how unidentified aerial phenomena left their mark in ancient cultures

For thousands of years, people have been describing unexplainable gleaming objects in the sky.

Some aerial phenomena like comets, meteor showers, bolides, auroras or even earthquake lightning – all easily explained by today’s knowledge – were widely reported in the ancient world.

The US Congress is currently investigating unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs – what you might think of as UFOs), in the wake of previously classified footage of UAPs being leaked and a former intelligence official alleging the US government possesses “off world” technologies.

Meanwhile, a recent NASA report concluded there is no evidence suggesting UAPs are of extraterrestrial origin.

Ancient writers saw these phenomena as signs of social unease and impending disaster. In this way, modern reactions to UAPs are similar to those of thousands of years ago. There is a long history of strange objects in the sky associated with political and military crises.

Read more: 

• NASA report finds no evidence that UFOs are extraterrestrial

Ancient signs of trouble

In the Bible, the prophet Ezekiel mentioned a divine chariot: it glowed like hot metal in a fire and Ezekiel could see four living beings in it. They looked human-like, though they had four faces and four wings.

The vimāna – the flying chariots of the gods – also appear in ancient Indian epics, including the Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyana.

In Hindu myths, the gods were portrayed as riding these chariots to every corner of the universe.

Describing portents of the winter of 218 BC, the Roman historian Livy said a “spectacle of ships gleamed in the sky”. The Second Punic War had begun, and the enemy general Hannibal was on the verge of a series of victories.

Maybe these “ships” in the sky were odd cloud formations, but Livy’s choice of words suggests something “shining” or “gleaming” – qualities even today associated with UAPs.

Livy reports another appearance of ships in the sky in 173 BC, when a “great fleet” allegedly appeared. In the spring of 217 BC, with Hannibal still threatening Rome, Livy says “round shields were seen in the sky” over central Italy.

Livy doesn’t say if these objects gleamed like the “ships” seen the previous year, but the “shields” recall the appearance of “flying saucers”, the type of UAP that came to prominence at the height of the Cold War.

Another curious classical UAP is recorded by the Greek writer Plutarch in his Life of Lucullus, a Roman general. Lucullus’ forces were about to fight King Mithridates VI of Pontus when a strange object appeared between the two armies:

suddenly, the sky burst asunder, and a huge, flame-like body was seen to fall between the two armies. In shape, it was most like a wine-jar (pithos), and in colour, like molten silver. Both sides were astonished at the sight, and separated.

That the object was described as a pithos, a vessel which has a specific shape, suggests something more than a flashing light. Some have interpreted this as a meteor, but Plutarch’s focus on its shiny metallic nature does not match this possibility.

Whatever it was, both armies thought it was a bad omen and withdrew.

Roman-Jewish historian Josephus, writing about war between Roman and Jewish forces, records an aerial battle between UAPs in AD 65. Before sunset, “chariots” were seen in the sky, accompanied by “armed battalions hurtling through the clouds”.

Josephus says numerous eyewitnesses saw it and believed it foretold the Roman victory that followed.

From ancient to modern doomsdays

Saint Paul referred to God’s “shield of faith” in his Letter to the Ephesians, while “ships voyaging in the sky” were a common theme in medieval Ireland, symbolising the safety the “ship” of the Church afforded believers.

Reports of unusual phenomena increased at the turn of every millennium, when Christian people feared or hoped for the Judgement Day predicted in the Book of Revelation in the Bible.

Millennial ufology is a fascinating development of recent Christian predictions of the end of the world, where the Messiah poses as a space traveller who returns to save us from Satanic aliens.

Millions of adults every year report experiences with UAPs: when interviewed about their experiences, some admit they are religious; others insist they are not. Importantly, ufology may well be a way of reconciling religion with science, an approach many find appealing.

We will never know what the objects and lights described by ancient texts were, and whether they were real or the result of psychological stress. At the very least, significant ancient sightings of UAPs almost always speak to conditions of anxiety and imminent change.

UAPs – ancient and modern – confirm our need to project our crises to objects in the skies.

Ancient people did not have the Doomsday Clock to warn them how close the end was, but they watched the skies carefully and found plenty of warning up there.

Read more: 

Is there evidence aliens have visited Earth? Here's what's come out of US congress hearings on 'unidentified aerial phenomena'

{ https://theconversation.com/europe }

04-10-2023 om 22:49 geschreven door peter  

{  https://mysteriousuniverse.org/ }

28-09-2023 om 00:44 geschreven door peter  

Rare 3,000-Year-Old Weavings Discovered In Alaska

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com -  During excavations of an ancestral sod house on the shore of Karluk Lake, Kodiak Island, Alaska, archaeologists uncovered rare fragments of woven grass artifacts estimated to be 3,000 years old.

The fragments, which appear to be pieces of mats, are the oldest well-documented examples of Kodiak Alutiiq/Sugpiaq weaving.

_

Weaving is a long-practiced Alutiiq art.

Image credit: Patrick Saltonstall, Alutiiq Museum

“We were excavating a sod house beside Karluk Lake as part of a broader study to understand how Alutiiq people used Kodiak’sinterior,” said Saltonstall. “When we reached the floor, we discovered that the house had burned and collapsed.

The walls of the structure, which were lined with wood, fell into the building and covered a portion of the floor. This sealed the floor quickly and limited burning. As we removed the remains of the walls, we were surprised and excited to find fragments of charred weaving. It looks like the house had grass mats on the floor. The pieces covered about a two-meter area at the back of the house, perhaps in an area for sleeping,” Alutiiq Museum Curator of Archaeology Patrick Saltonstall explained in a press release.

Weaving is a long-practiced Alutiiq art, but one that is difficult to document archaeologically as fiber artifacts are fragile and rarely preserved. The Alutiiq Museum’s extensive archaeological collections contain grass and spruce root baskets that are as much as 600 years old but nothing older.

Detail of ca. 3,000-year-old grass matting from ancestral Alutiiq house by Karluk Lake.

Image credit: Patrick Saltonstall, Alutiiq Museum

The house that produced the weavings was radiocarbon-dated to about 3,000 years old. The style of the structure and artifacts found in association support this determination.

“It is likely that our ancestors worked with plant fibers for millennia, from the time they arrived on Kodiak 7500 years ago,” said April Laktonen Counceller, the museum’s executive director.

“It makes sense. Plants are abundant and easily harvested, and they are excellent materials for making containers, mats, and other useful items. It’s just very hard to document this practice. This wonderful find extends our knowledge of Alutiiq weaving back an additional 2400 years.”

Close inspection of the woven fragments shows that their makerslaid down long parallel strands of grass (the warp) and then secured them with perpendicular rows of twining (the weft)spaced about an inch apart.

This technique created an open weave, also found in historic examples of Alutiiq grass matting. Small fragments of more complicated braiding may represent the finished edge of a mat.
The field crew carefully lifted the fragile woven fragments off the floor of the sod house and placed them in a specially made box for transport back to Kodiak and the Alutiiq Museum’slaboratory.

The sod house after excavation. The structure is oval and about 4 x 6 meters across. Modern sticks mark the locations of holes left by posts that once held up the structure roof. Image credit:

Patrick Saltonstall, Alutiiq Museum

Here, they will be preserved, documented, and made available for study as a loan from Koniag—the regional Alaska Native Corporation for Kodiak Alutiiq people and the sponsor of the research. The corporation owns the land on which the excavation took and has been generously supporting archaeological studies in the region.

See also:

•  More Archaeology News

“Discoveries like these highlight our Alutiiq people’s innovation and resilience,” said Koniag President Shauna Hegna.“Koniag is humbled to partner with the Alutiiq Museum on critical projects like this.”

Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer

{ https://www.ancientpages.com/ }

05-09-2023 om 00:32 geschreven door peter  

Approximately one million years ago, the Earth was populated by a few hundred thousand or so ancient human ancestors. But about 900,000 years ago there was a sudden and dramatic crash in this population, which caused the number of archaic human breeding couples to drop down to below 1,300.

Or at least, this is the latest claim from a team of Chinese and Italian genetic researchers, who’ve just published a comprehensive historical analysis of the evolution of the human genome and its relation to past population levels in the journal Science.

To detect the genetic traces of what was nearly an extinction-level population crash, the scientists analyzed genetic data collected from 3,154 individuals in 10 modern African populations and 40 non-African populations. These people all had their genomes sequenced completely, which made it possible for the researchers to assess the differences and correlate them with long-term population patterns.

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Using this form of complex analysis, the researchers were able to detect a steep decline in the breeding population of our distant human ancestors of nearly 99 percent about 930,000 years ago. By measuring the lack of diversity of genetic material passed on from that time period, they were able to calculate that the number of reproducing couples among archaic humans dropped from around 100,000 to just 1,280.

Astonishingly, human population numbers remained extremely low for about 117,000 years after that, showing little signs of improvement. Only around 813,000 years ago did they suddenly begin to rise again.

The new study claims that the population of our human ancestors dropped to just 1,280 couples about 930,000 years ago.

( Robert Kneschke / Adobe Stock)

Genetic Time Travel Reveals a Dangerously Depopulated Earth

This groundbreaking genetic study was led by a pair of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yi-Hsuan Pan and Haipeng Li. Going in, the scientists knew that human genetic diversity was much lower than that of other primate species, which suggested some kind of depopulation event or bottleneck had occurred that had dramatically reduced genetic diversity among our most immediate Homo sapiens ancestors .

With the help of powerful computers, Pan and Li were able to untangle the web of genetic diversity amongst our human ancestors that both united and divided their 3,154 human specimens, creating a detailed timeline for when various genetic traits emerged. When they arrived at the period between 900,000 and one million years before the present, they were able to zero in on a time when the evolution of fresh diversity slowed dramatically, even catastrophically.

This is when the population crash occurred, the genetic researchers asserted. Its scope and impact would have been truly astounding.

If the conclusions of this new study are correct, it raises two important questions. Number one, what caused the astonishing population decline? And number two, how did our human ancestors manage to avoid extinction with such a low breeding population?

As for the first question, Pan and Li are virtually certain it had something to do with calamitous climate change . They hypothesize that long periods of glaciation, low temperatures in the sea, and massive global-scale droughts could have put ancient humans in grave peril. Following this thesis, perhaps a tipping point was reached where survival became incredibly difficult.

And yet, whatever happened did not lead to the total extinction of archaic humans, who eventually evolved into Homo sapiens . “The novel finding opens a new field in human evolution because it evokes many questions, such as the places where these individuals lived, how they overcame the catastrophic climate changes , and whether natural selection during the bottleneck had accelerated the evolution of the human brain,” Pan Yi-Hsuan told China Daily .

Pan and his fellow researchers explained that they believe that an improving climate might have helped spur population increases around 813,000 years ago, ending the severe demographic crisis. Before that time, humans would have only been able to survive in a few isolated outposts, presumably fairly close to the equator, where the glaciers didn’t reach and where droughts and temperatures may not have been as extreme. If they survived elsewhere they would have needed to have shelter and the ability to start and control fires, to keep themselves warm on an unusually cold Earth.

The study argues that these human ancestors survived catastrophic climate change which led to a period of glaciation.

( Agustin / Adobe Stock)

Skeptics Address Population Crash Amongst Human Ancestors

The results of this new study are being met with some skepticism. What is being contested is that the population crash or bottleneck was a global rather than a regional event.

Janet Kelso, a computational biologist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, noted that the genetic signal suggesting an ancient population plunge amongst human ancestors is strong only in modern-day African populations, and not in those who live elsewhere.

While she admits a stunning population decline did occur 930,000 years ago, she doubts it was experienced everywhere. The conclusions of the Chinese researchers, she told an interviewer from Science, “should probably be taken with some caution and explored further.”

Other researchers ground their skepticism in the archaeological and anthropological record. “The hypothesis of a global crash does not fit in with the archaeological and human fossil evidence,” stated Nicholas Ashton, a Paleolithic archaeologist from the British Museum who was asked to assess the new study.

Fossil of Homo antecessor discovered around the time of the supposed near-extinction of human ancestors. Some scientists have argued that at the time of the bottleneck, not all human ancestor populations were affected in the same way.

( Public domain )

Concurring with this opinion was Chris Stringer, a British anthropologist who researches human evolution. “During the period of the bottleneck, there are a number of sites that record evidence of human occupation,” he commented in a review of the new study published by the UK’s Natural History Museum . “This could mean that there wasn’t a bottleneck, but could equally mean it only had a localized impact on part of the human population.”

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Responding to such objections, Li Haipeng was quick to emphasize that his team’s work is not finished and that they plan to do more research to prove their case. “These findings are just the start,” he explained. “We plan to paint a more complete picture of human evolution during this transition period to unravel the mystery of early human ancestry and evolution.”

It is likely the true nature of the event that caused the population of our human ancestors in at least some parts of the planet to decline precipitously and rapidly will never be known. If it was in fact global in nature, it would have to be classified as miraculous that our ancestors were able to avoid extinction when their population numbers were so low. And, of course, without that miracle modern humans would never have evolved.

• Top image: Human ancestors overlooking a bleak, ice-covered landscape.
• Source: Dr_Microbe / Adobe Stock

By Nathan Falde

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{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ }

02-09-2023 om 00:41 geschreven door peter  

500-Year-Old Manuscript Describes 3-Stage Space Rockets And Talk About Flights To Moon

Some researchers believe that there was once a highly developed culture on Earth. But as a result of unknown circumstances, civilization was destroyed. This is evidenced by archaeological finds that cannot be explained from the scientific point of view of modern society. There is a theory that in the past, our planet was visited by alien representatives who shared their knowledge and technologies with people, so maybe they donated incredible technologies thousands of years ago, but then these technologies brought humanity to the brink of extinction.

Some people claim that our ancestors used so advanced technologies that in our time, it is difficult to imagine them. But some of the modern technologies may have been borrowed from the past, although almost no one knows about it. You may have heard of the ancient nuclear war hypothesis or ancient flying vehicles, which can also be found in ancient texts. It is said that our ancestors could even move in space and had knowledge about the universe that surpasses all modern knowledge.

A 450-page manuscript was examined in 1963 by Romanian engineer Doru Todericiu in Sibiu’s national archive (former Hermannstadt). Todericiu examined the manuscript’s scientific and technological substance before classifying it as a work on various artillery and ballistics difficulties, despite the fact that it had previously been known as such. He learned that Conrad Haas, the author of the manuscript’s third section, had written about some amazing concepts related to rocketry.

The Sibiu manuscript does not fit into the present history, so it draws increased attention. There aren’t many details available concerning Conrad Haas’s life. He was born not far from Vienna in Dornbach. He worked for the Imperial court of Vienna as an artillery guard and commissioned officer. He most likely traveled to Transylvania in 1551 with Imperial forces to fulfill this role, when he took the position of chief of the artillery camp at the Hermannstadt arsenal.

He penned the manuscript between 1529 and 1569, and it appears to contain, among other things, the earliest explanation of the multistage rocket’s basic operating principle. He talks about bundling rockets, stabilizing fins, and employing liquid fuel as well as describing and showing two and three-stage rockets.

The Sibiu manuscript is written in German. Many people believe that it was written using some even more ancient texts. The manuscript texts describe in detail the principles of rocketry, and there are also drawings of models of space three-stage rocket. The document contains a description of technologies for combining fireworks with weapons and even the construction of a hang glider, as well as instructions for creating fuel mixtures as liquid rocket fuel.

What’s more, there are references to flights to the moon. According to researchers from Romania, the manuscript contains stories about a man who was able to get to the Earth’s satellite due to a unique flying machine. There are also descriptions of prehistoric fuel, which consisted of several rare elements. The rockets of this type were later launched at Cape Kennedy and used by cosmonauts in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.

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It looks like this chronicler visited the future world. The handwritten text of Sibiu is quite long as it consists of 450 pages. It is known that the Sibiu manuscript is genuine and the experts do not doubt this, but they are in no hurry to comment on the contents of this text.

It could be claimed that this case is just science fiction if researchers of anticity did not find other strange texts and technologies. In addition, multiple artifacts found by archaeologists confirm that our ancestors were much more civilized than modern historians imagine. Manuscripts such as Sibiu have the potential to change the way people think about our history.

It remains a mystery whether Haas succeeded in using his designs and bringing them to life. However, there are people who claim that a rocket was launched in Sibiu in 1550. It is believed that Conrad Haas created the first rocket. According to Haas, it took him more than 25 years to develop a unique aircraft. The biggest challenge, in this case, was the search for a fuel that would be sufficient to lift it into the air.

The main focus of the paper is the fuel issue. In addition to the conventional powder components of saltpeter, sulfur, and coal, Haas also used “brandy”, with the help of which the thrust development of the rockets was to be increased: “Again, take a little crushed powder and pour in enough brandy to make a little dough. Then take it and paint the little chamber (= rocket chamber) together with the little hole (= ignition hole) on the rocket by heart.” Haas also tried and used other “fuels” – significantly, the missile’s purpose dictated the particular fuel combination.

In summary, one can say that the following developmental solutions and developments can be attributed to Conrad Haas:

• Multistage and cluster rocket
• Arrangement of fuel sets in stage rockets
• Use of different fuel mixtures depending on the rocket type, performance, area of ​​application and design
• Use of liquid fuel
• delta-shaped stabilizing fins
• Anticipating the idea of ​​the modern spaceship

Although Conrad Haas designed weapons to kill, he secretly believed in basic human values. His basic humanistic attitude is particularly clear from the following statement: “But my advice is more peace and no war, leave the rifles under the roof, so the bullet won’t be fired, the powder won’t be burned wet, so the prince kept his money, the gun master his life; that is the advice Conrad Haas does.”

The technical characteristics of the rocket are similar to those of modern vehicles. It was made of wooden parts covered with a layer of special stone dust, which was supposed to protect the body from burning when rubbed against the air. Contemporaries note that in the 16th century, researchers did not know the intricacies of physical processes in the air, which is why scientists could receive information from aliens.

In addition, from his youth, he was engaged in research on ancient writings found in the territory of modern Egypt. A mission to the Moon could take place in 1550. But there is no documentary evidence to support all these claims.

Lady Sala Shabazz, the founder of the Black Inventions Museum who passed away on March 28, 2002 said once: “… Unfortunately, the individuals who are commissioned to write textbooks many times exhibited prejudice and omitted other historical information. In an effort to cover large spans of time, they have briefed history and left out so many other important facts and that’s something that many people have not been aware of.”

The city of Sibiu is known to many of us because it is the birthplace of Hermann Oberth, considered to be one of three fathers of rocketry and modern astronautics. Additionally, there is a dedicated document (ID 19770026087) in the NASA archives about the Sibiu manuscript.

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

31-08-2023 om 01:05 geschreven door peter  

4,000-Year-Old Bronze Age Pyramid Found in Kazakhstan Is First Ever on Asian Steppe!

A giant 4,000-year-old Bronze Age pyramidical structure with links to a horse cult has been uncovered in the ochre-tinted earthen steppes of Kazakhstan. The culmination of almost a decade of research and excavation, this large-scale steppe pyramid in Kazakhstan—which dates back to the 2nd millennium BC—languished in relative obscurity for countless centuries. Nothing like it has ever been discovered in the Central Asian steppes, making it an especially exciting find.

The Pyramid in Kazakhstan: A Geometric Marvel and an Equestrian Cult?

This carved stone edifice, possessing an air of sophistication and considerable proportions, has finally had its veil of anonymity lifted, with archaeologists diligently excavating a segment of the Kyrykungir monumental and funerary complex in Toktamys. As announced in a press release by the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University on August 8, 2023, the pyramid in Kazakhstan traces its origins to an illustrious Bronze Age , with its symmetrical proportions speaking volumes about the geometric precision of its ancient architects.

• Ancient Geoglyphs of Kazakhstan: The Mysterious Markings in Danger of Destruction
• Archaeologists Uncover a Prehistoric Step Pyramid in the Steppes of Kazakhstan

“The steppe pyramid is built with great precision, it is hexagonal,” explained Ulan Umitkaliyev, Head of ENU’s Archaeology and Ethnology Department, in a press release. “There are thirteen meters and eight rows of stones between each face. It is a very sophisticated complex structure with several circles in the middle. The exterior walls of the structure of this complex are dominated by images of various animals, especially horses.”

Excavations have been taking place at the site of the pyramid in Kazakhstan since 2014. Previous archaeological digs have unearthed groupings of sepulchral hillocks originating from the Hun (4th-6th century AD) and Saka (mid-2nd century BC to mid 1st century AD) periods. These burial sites have revealed an assortment of mortuary contents, encompassing ceramic containers, culinary tributes and intricately fashioned bronze beads.

One side of the pyramid in Kazakhstan, each section is adorned with a block stone.

(L. N. Gumilyov / Eurasian National University )

Ancient Architecture and Artifacts at Pyramid in Kazakhstan

The pyramidical structure possesses a striking hexagonal form, with each face spanning a length of approximately 42 feet (12.8 meters). A glimpse at the photographs shared by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan shows that each terminal of the monumental wall is adorned by a grandiose upright black stone whose flattened facade faces outwards to the world beyond. Meanwhile, in between these resolute markers, a different kind of rock was used to create an imposing exterior wall.

An assortment of other relics was unearthed too – fragments of pottery, gold earrings and other adornments. Umitkaliyev described these in conjunction with the pyramid as a shining example of “the pyramid’s former role as the pulsating heart of ancient cultural expression.” Another snapshot shared by the Ministry documented a less immaculately conserved stretch of the pyramid in Kazakhstan, revealing a tableau of dilapidated walls.

“Findings in excavations, ceramics, female gold earrings and other jewelry indicate that this Bronze Age was the center of culture in ancient times. This means that even at that time the cult of the horse was extremely high, as evidenced by the discovery of horse bones around the stone building,” stated Umitkaliyev. “There are also images of camels,” he added.

A cross-section of the pyramid which was unearthed in Kazakhstan.

( Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education )

The Bronze Age in the Eurasian Steppe: A Culturally Rich Era

Situated in Toktamys, some 420 miles (676 km) southeast of the bustling capital Astana, this archaeological site is the gift that keeps on giving. It provides some missing pieces to the larger jigsaw of the Bronze Age civilizations in the Eurasian steppe . The tribes that inhabited these regions were responsible for many landmark achievements, including the transport of languages (the Indo-European languages), foods, ideas and other cultural symbols across the ancient Silk Routes .

• Touching 4,000-Year-Old Royal Double Burial Found in Kazakhstan
• Kazakhstan Valley Filled with Giant Balls Has Geologists and Fringe Scientists Butting Heads

The Eurasian steppe played a significant role in the Bronze Age, a period characterized by the widespread use of bronze for tools, weapons and other artifacts. The steppe region, which stretches from Eastern Europe to Asia, served as a conduit for cultural exchange, trade and the movement of people.

The steppe was home to various nomadic and semi-nomadic cultures that relied on pastoralism (animal herding) as a primary means of subsistence. These cultures included the Yamnaya, Andronovo, and Srubna cultures in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, known for their expertise in horse domestication , which facilitated mobility and warfare. The steppe cultures also had interactions with sedentary civilizations located on the periphery of the steppe, such as the Sumerians, Akkadians and later the Persians and Chinese.

• Top image: Archaeologists with 4,000-year-old pyramid remains in uncovered in Kazakhstan.
• Source: L. N. Gumilyov / Eurasian National University

By Sahir Pandey

{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ }

18-08-2023 om 01:04 geschreven door peter  

Unraveling the Mystery of Europe’s Mysterious Erdstall Tunnels

The erdstall is type of tunnel prominently found scattered across Europe, predominantly in Bavaria, southeast Germany, and Austria. Thought to be crafted during the Medieval period, some theorists argue that these ancient subterranean structures date back to the Stone Age. The purpose of these mysterious tunnels remains a tantalizing enigma. Advocates for the Stone Age theory propose that these tunnels formed an extensive underground network stretching from Scotland to Turkey.

Erdstall Construction

The term 'erdstall' originates from German, signifying 'earth stable' or 'mining tunnel.' While there are various kinds of subterranean tunnels worldwide, the erdstalls have unique characteristics that set them apart. Typically, an erdstall network includes narrow, low tunnels, often oval-shaped and running either vertically or horizontally. These intriguing tunnels usually span between 20 and 50 meters. An especially distinctive feature is the 'schlupf' or 'slip out' – incredibly tight holes (around 40 cm in diameter) connecting tunnels at different levels.

Venturing into the Shadowy Depths of Erdstall

Currently, Europe is home to an estimated 2000 erdstalls, with Bavaria in Germany housing the lion's share of around 700. Its neighboring country, Austria, is not far behind with about 500 erdstalls. Countries like the UK and France also host these enigmatic underground passages.

The Cryptic Function of Erdstalls

The intended use of these erdstalls is still shrouded in profound mystery. In some local lore, the tunnels are believed to be the dwellings of mythical creatures like elves and gnomes, thought to have constructed them. Consequently, erdstalls often receive whimsical names reflecting these tales, like 'Schrazelloch' ('goblin hole') or 'Alraunenhöhle' ('mandrake cave'). Some believe they were secret escape routes linked to castles as some sagas suggest. However, this theory hits a snag as erdstalls typically have a single entry and exit point, rendering them unsuitable for such a purpose.

A Bold Assertion and its Hurdles

Others theorize these tunnels as hideouts, though their narrow dimensions and lack of airflow, due to the single entry-exit, would make it a rather inhospitable refuge. Some argue that the erdstalls were storage facilities, but the tight space and occasional waterlogging (especially in winters) deem it unlikely.

One of the most intriguing assertions suggests that these erdstalls were parts of an enormous subterranean network stretching from Scotland to Turkey. Further, they propose this network dates back to the Stone Age, dubbing it as an "ancient underground superhighway" for safe interregional travel. This theory, however, grapples with numerous issues, including the fact that the erdstalls aren't interconnected and are structurally dissimilar to the vast underground cities found in Turkey's Cappadocia regions.

Erdstalls remain a fascinating enigma. Despite the many theories and speculations about their origins and purpose, definitive answers are still elusive. Nevertheless, the study of these structures provides an intriguing glimpse into the past, and could potentially lead to new discoveries about the societies that built them. Their mysteries continue to captivate scholars, adventurers, and anyone with a curiosity for the unknown.

• Top image: Erdstall entrance, Erdstall Ratgöbluckn, Austria ( CC BY-SA 3.0 )

By Wu Mingren

References

• Daily Mail Reporter, 2011. Going underground: The massive European network of Stone Age tunnels that weaves from Scotland to Turkey. [Online]
  Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2022322/The-massive-European-network-Stone-Age-tunnels-weaves-Scotland-Turkey.html
• Grundhauser, E., 2015. We Still Don’t Know Why Medieval Europeans Built Their Mysterious ‘Erdstall’ Tunnels. [Online]
  Available at: Going underground: The massive European network of Stone Age tunnels that weaves from Scotland to Turkey
• Palma, B., 2016. Tunnel Trek. [Online]
  Available at: http://www.snopes.com/stone-age-tunnels/
• Schulz, M., 2011. Experts Baffled by Mysterious Underground Chambers. [Online]
  Available at: http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hideouts-or-sacred-spaces-experts-baffled-by-mysterious-underground-chambers-a-775348.html
• Tegün, T. M., 2016. Erdstall Tunnels Do Not Reach From Scotland to Turkey, Contrary to Rumor. [Online]
  Available at: http://interestingengineering.com/the-tunnels-are-not-reaching-from-scotland-to-turkey/

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09-08-2023 om 23:46 geschreven door peter  

Stairway To Heaven In Noah’s Ark

The story of Noah’s ark and the flood epic is one of the oldest nursery legends in the world and it has captivated the imaginations of children and adults alike throughout the ages. From childhood memories one may recollect that God sent the deluge to destroy all the evil people upon the earth. It is known that Noah and his family were saved by departing on a titanic ark with every species of animals and birds on board the floating zoo. The ark began its maiden voyage on the 17th day of the second month when the rain began and it lasted for the proverbial 40 days and 40 nights.

Noah's Ark by Edward Hicks (1846)

(Public Domain)

Celestial Knowledge Of The Flood Saga

Some of the more precise details after that may be a little sketchy but the Book of Genesis tells that the waters started to rise on the earth over a period of 150 days. Few will remember hearing of so many days, but they may recall that the tops of the mountains finally disappeared below the waves. Perhaps children rub their sleepy eyes when they listen to how the ark docked on Mount Ararat and miss out on the fact that it was on the 17th day of the seventh month.

Noah’s ark seemed so real then right up to where the saga ended with a rainbow on the horizon. It was the ultimate image of a colourful finale but never did anyone realize that there was a magical formula of celestial knowledge of the heavens on display in the timing details of the flood saga. Those timing details listed particulars days and specific months together with the length of periods in days. It was very mysterious how the dates and periods were so precise as if they adhered to a deliberately planned timetable.      

Noah by Lorenzo Monaco (circa 1370 –circa 1425 ) Metropolitan Museum of Art

(CC0)

The Riddle Of Noah’s Age

The first sign that there was some time amiss in the flood story was with an anomaly with the ages of Noah and his son Shem. It stated in the Book of Genesis that Noah was 500 years old when he became the father of triplets, one of whom was Shem. It also outlined that the flood finished on the end of Noah’s 600th year. However, later in the story it stated that Noah’s son Shem became a father when he was 100 years old, which was listed as two years after the flood. That was fake news for Shem would have been 102 years old when it was two years after the flood. It appeared that the scribes had tempted one with an intellectual challenge where the episode of the flood contained possibly the first numerical riddle in written existence.

Ham sees his father, Noah, naked and drunk; Shem and Japheth. Etching by S. Mulinari after A. Sacchi.

(Wellcome Images / CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Ark Blocked In Its Tracks

The cockups continued when tracing the dating events in the saga of the flood as outlined in the Book of Genesis. Read the three chapters in order to get a greater appreciation of the timing details. The relevant times given for the events at the beginning of the flood are listed below and to make the presentation more user-friendly, the names of the months used today are utilized. It should be stated that ancient numbers and arithmetic were very different than what is used today. The timing details were as follows:

All went into the Ark on the 17th day of the second month and the rain started – February 17.

It rained for 40 days and 40 nights and the waters rose for 150 days until the Ark was 15 cubits above the mountains. This would date the event forward to the 17th day of the seventh month –July 17.

But it then stated that the Ark rested on Mount Ararat on the 17th day of the seventh month –July 17.

There was a major problem for how could the ark rest on Mount Ararat on the 17th day of the seventh month when the waters were 15 cubits above the mountains on the same day and had not the time to recede? 

The ark had come up against a barrier worse than an iceberg and it was amazing to find that this blunder had never featured prominently in previous biblical commentary. It was back to the drawing board to investigate what the story tellers had in mind when they devised the puzzling dating system in the flood saga.

The Deluge towards Its Close by Joshua Shaw (1813) Metropolitan Museum of Art

(Public Domain)

Time On Earth Different Than Time At Sea

Biblical academics have established that there were two versions of the flood story standing back to back. One of those versions was in the earthly realm where it simply rained for 40 days and 40 nights. But the other version was in the cosmic realm where it stated that the windows of the heavens were thrown open and the fountains of the deep were broken open. Because the ark sailed up to the heavens and with such a precise dating schedule, one has to take cognizance of how time is measured. It introduces the astronomical terms of the solar year and the sidereal year as follows:

• Modern calendar is based on the solar year, which is measured against a fixed point on the landscape such as a sun dial and it is 365.242 days long.  

• The year is also measured against a fixed star in the heavens and it is 365.256 days long. This is known as a star or sidereal year.

Ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus with the astrolabe he invented. William Cuningham, "The Cosmographical Glasse", (1559).

(CC BY-SA 4.0)

Current opinion is that the Greek astronomer Hipparchus discovered the difference between solar and sidereal time and he lived in the second century BC. The sidereal year is longer than the solar year by a little over 20 minutes. In the era before mechanical clocks were invented, the period of 20 minutes would have been almost impossible to measure. However, the biblical astronomers seemingly made theoretical projections where the tiny time period of 20 minutes added up to one day in 72 years and 14 days in 1,000 years. It gave a meaning to the phrase in the second Book of Peter where “with the Lord a day was like a thousand years.” The scribes also used time on land to represent solar time and time at sea to represent sidereal time.  

Calculating-Table by Gregor Reisch: Margarita Philosophica, (1503). The woodcut shows Arithmetica instructing an algorist and an abacist.

(Public Domain)

The biblical astronomers went further where they devised a unique formula to measure sidereal time and solar time. To achieve their objective they projected the tiny period of 20 minutes out over 100, 1,000 and 3,000 years. It was a simple formula where they applied 777 beads on an abacus to represent the days. Then they simply counted out 777 beads over and over again and found that after 47 lots had been counted, they had the total of 36,519 to represent the days in 100 years. There was a shortfall of 5.2 days so they would have added an extra five beads to complete the exercise with 36,524 days precisely. With 100 sidereal years there was a shortfall of 6.6 days and therefore they would have added on six extra leap days to achieve the target of 36,525 days precisely.

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They would then have repeated the same exercise many times until the numbers to represent the periods of 1,000 and 3,000 years had been projected. There would have been a shortfall of 157 beads to achieve the target with the number of days in 3,000 solar years. They would have added on those extra 157 beads to the overall total to represent 3,000 solar years precisely. It was simply a matter of conducting the same exercise to project out 3,000 sidereal years except that the maths shows that it would have required adding an extra 197 beads to reach the precise target.  The periods involved were thus 3,000 solar years with 157 leap days and 3,000 sidereal years with 197 leap days. 

Genesis 7, 11-14: "In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights..." Augsburger Wunderzeichenbuch, (c. 1550)

(Public Domain)

Noah’s Ark Sailed Back In Time

Armed with the knowledge of the 777-day calendar and its indices it was quite obvious that the leap days for solar time were on display in the flood story. The saga outlined that the rain started on the 17th day of the second month and the waters rose for a period of 150 days. After that the waters receded for another 150 days. There were also two periods with Noah waiting for seven days plus seven days when he sent out the dove which returned the second time with an olive leaf in its beak. These collective periods added up to two distinct intervals with 157 days plus 157 days. The two intervals fitted like gloves for they equated exactly to the leap days, which had to be added on to synchronize the 777-day calendar when projected out over 3,000 plus 3,000 solar years.

The period of 197 days to represent 3,000 sidereal years was not openly discernible in the flood saga. But while drawing up a chart to show the complete dating of the flood epic from beginning to the end, a very unusual picture emerged. The mental arithmetic suggested that the timing details of the flood epic also dated back in time to the tune of sidereal time. This seemed surreal until the complete timing details of going forward in time and going back in time were mapped out as shown in the illustration.

The Blue and Yellow Routes of the Ark through Solar and Sidereal Time

(Compiled by Michael Hearns)

In was an amazing spectacle where this illustration formed naturally into the shape of a huge ship with sails. The details may seem overwhelming to digest but approach the diagram as one would use a street map to find one’s way around a foreign city. In simple terms the route the ark took forward in accord with solar time is outlined in blue. The events began on February 17, follow the arrows and it points to two periods of 150 days plus two periods of seven days to when the flood ended on the last day of December of that same year. Thus, there were two combined periods of 157 leap days on the blue route to mirror two periods of 3,000 solar years in the heavens, when measured with the 777-day formula. That was the journey on the blue route and it was in accord with solar time.

The sidereal time route was paradoxically, back in time as shown on the yellow route. The starting day was the same on the yellow route where it began on February 17 when the rain began. Follow the arrows back in time with the 40 days and nights rain together with a seven-day waiting period, as was outlined in the Book of Genesis. That brought the dating schedule back to January 1. Then continue back in time through the previous year starting with January, February, March and April until an extra 150 days had elapsed and that was on May 30. In all it was a total of 40 + 7 + 150 = 197 days, which equated to the same period in leap day for 3,000 sidereal years. On that date of May 30 on the yellow route the ark would have been 15 cubits above the mountains.

Subsiding of the Waters of the Deluge by Thomas Cole (1829) Smithsonian American Art Museum

(Public Domain)

Tracing the path back in time from May 30 to July 17, the waters would have had 47 days to recede. That was the date in the timing schedule where it stated in the flood story that the ark rested on Mount Ararat on the 17th day of the seventh month. The problem of the ark resting on Mount Ararat was resolved for the waters had those 47 days to recede. Continuing back in time from July 17 for another 150 days it brought the schedule to December 17. That made it an extra period of 197 days with 47 +150 days. Therefore, there were two periods of 197 days back in time from when the flood began on February 17 to the December 17 of the previous year. These equated to two periods of 197 leap days with sidereal time when projected out over 3,000 plus 3,000 sidereal years. This puzzle has to be studied like the moves on a chest board, so it may help to retrace the two routes again as follows:

• On the blue route follow the arrows forward in time from February 17 and note the timing in the blue boxes. Notice where the 150 days plus 150 days plus seven days plus seven days are listed for the complete period to the last day in December.

Therefore, there were two combined periods of 157 days plus 157 days on the blue route and they were in accord with solar time. The 40 days and nights of rain ran in parallel with the 150 days that the waters rose.

• On the yellow route trace the arrows initially back in time starting on February 17 and it took in the 40 days and nights rain plus seven days that Noah waited. Then the route switched on January 1 back in time through the previous year.  Follow the arrows and note the dates in the yellow boxes. The days added up to 47 days plus 150 days (197 days) to when the ark was 15 cubits above the waves on May 30. The schedule showed the ark traveling back anticlockwise in time on the yellow route and the 40 days and night ran in series with the 150 days. Follow the yellow route back in time to July 17 (seventh month) when the ark rested on Mount Ararat. The anomaly was solved for the waters had 47 days to recede to let the ark dock on the mountain. Continue on the yellow route back in time for another 150 days making it a total of 47 + 150 = 197 days to end on December 17 of the previous year.

• But now for the real demanding challenge because one has to follow the mind map of the puzzle along both the yellow and blue routes at the same time. It is an exercise that will utilize both sides of the brain.

It was the ‘double speak’ of two separate routes which confused the issue with the ark resting on Mount Ararat on July 17 (seventh month) on the yellow route whereas it would have been 15 cubits above the mountains on that date on the blue route.

The Deluge by Hans Baldung (1516)

(Public Domain)

The Period Of 777 Days

Noah and His Ark by Charles Wilson Peale (1819)

(Public Domain)

Zoroastrian Wisdom

What mortal eye could look upon such a majestic display that the scribes prepared of the ark’s dual journeys and not be captivated by its breathtaking numerical logic? Who were those visionaries who could see into the future and demonstrate in a thought-provoking matrix, the difference between solar and sidereal time projected out over the period of 12,000 years? They changed modern perception of history for it is reckoned that the flood saga was rewritten between 722 and 609 BC and that was five centuries before Hipparchus.

All those souvenir hunters who long to go to Mount Ararat to look for the wooden skeleton of Noah’s ark must have been puzzled at how the vessel could dock on the mountain on the same date as when it was 15 cubits above the mountain tops. Now one knows the reason why, for it was 15 cubits above the mountains on that date on the blue route whereas the waters had receded on the yellow route allowing the ark to rest on Mount Ararat.  It was also correct to say that Shem became a father when he was 100 years old at the end of the blue route because it was two years after the flood ended on the yellow route. 

Those two periods of 157 days and two periods of 197 days mirrored four periods of 3,000 years in the heavens, which added up to 12,000 years. This forged a link to the Zoroastrian period of the long dominion of 12,000 years and it was at the very beginning of the Book of Genesis. It was a dramatic statement about how the biblical writers were influenced by Zoroastrianism and where the religious concept of good and evil originated.

The moral of the flood story was the theme of good and evil. On earth the journey was in solar time and the evil mortals on the ground perished in accord with God’s command. In contrast, the journey back in time was in accord with sidereal time of the heavens and all the good people with Noah and his family on board the ark survived to tell the tale.

Michael Hearns has been involved for many years conducting independent research on some of the cryptic puzzles and unsolved mysteries in the Bible. He is the author of several books including The Mystery of the Tabernacle, The Messiah Immortalized in Time, Mary Magdalene – the First Pope, The Copper Scroll Bible and Noah and the Magic Time Formula.

• Top Image: Noah's ark on the Mount Ararat by Simon de Myle (1570) (Public Domain)

By Michael Hearns

{ https://www.ancientoriginsunleashed.com/ }

02-08-2023 om 16:34 geschreven door peter  

Nematode resurrected from Siberian permafrost lay dormant for 46,000 years

By Sascha Pare

The ancient nematode has lain dormant in a fossilized squirrel burrow since the late Pleistocene, revealing that these worms can survive for tens of thousands of years longer than thought.

A microscopic worm survived in the Siberian permafrost for a record-breaking 46,000 years, scientists have discovered — tens of thousands of years longer than previously resurrected worms.

The ancient roundworm, or nematode, belongs to the newly described species Panagrolaimus kolymaensis. Researchers discovered it nestled inside a fossilized squirrel burrow that was extracted from permafrost near the Kolyma River, in the northeastern Arctic, in 2002. Scientists resuscitated the frozen nematode in 2018, but its age and species remained unclear.

Now, a study published Thursday (July 27) in the journal PLOS Genetics may have found answers to these questions. "Survival in extreme environments for prolonged periods is a challenge that only a few organisms are capable of," researchers wrote in the study. "Here, we show that a soil nematode Panagrolaimus kolymaensis suspended life for 46,000 years in the Siberian permafrost."

Organisms such as nematodes and tardigrades can enter a dormant state — a metabolic process known as "cryptobiosis" — in response to being frozen or extremely dehydrated, intermediary states known as cryobiosis and anhydrobiosis, respectively. In both cases, the critters reduce their oxygen consumption and the amount of heat produced by metabolic processes to undetectable levels.

Related: 'Prehistoric' mummified bear discovered in Siberian permafrost isn't what we thought 

The newly described nematode entered cryptobiosis in the late Pleistocene (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago), an epoch that included that last ice age. The permafrost that imprisoned the tiny creature had not thawed since then, meaning this is the longest recorded cryptobiosis in nematodes — by tens of thousands of years — according to the study. Until now, the Antarctic nematode species Plectus murrayi and a Tylenchus polyhypnus specimen held this record; the former was frozen in moss for 25.5 years and the latter was desiccated in a herbarium for 39 years.

The researchers analyzed the newly described nematode's genes and compared them to those of Caenorhabditis elegans roundworms, which were the first multicellular organisms to have their entire genome sequenced. In the absence of established genetic methods to study the recently thawed worm, C. elegans provided a well-studied model organism for comparison. The analysis revealed several shared genes linked to cryptobiosis.

To find out exactly how nematodes can survive for such long periods, the researchers got a new group of P. kolymaensis and C. elegans worms and mildly desiccated them in the lab. As the worms entered anhydrobiosis, the team observed a spike in the production of a sugar called trehalose, which they think could help protect the nematodes' cell membranes from dehydration. They then froze the worms at minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 80 degrees Celsius) and found that desiccation improved the survival rates of both species. Worms that were frozen at this temperature without being dehydrated beforehand died instantly, according to the study. 

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Equipped with molecular pathways to cope with Arctic conditions, nematodes have evolved to survive in these hibernating states for many thousands of years, the researchers concluded. "Our findings indicate that by adapting to survive [in a] cryptobiotic state for short time frames in environments like permafrost, some nematode species gained the potential for individual worms to remain in the state for geological timeframes," they wrote in the study.

This means that extinct nematode species could be revived if they escape from the permafrost, the researchers noted. "Drastic changes" to the environment in which they lay dormant, including fluctuations in temperature and natural radioactivity, can wake ancient nematodes from their deep slumber, they added. 

The nematode was able to survive in the permafrost for so long by entering a state of suspended animation called cryptobiosis

(Picture: Alexei V. Tchesunov and Anastasia Shatilovich)

The worm was found in the Siberian permafrost.

Shatilovich et al, 2023, PLOS Genetics, CC-BY 4.0

Melting permafrost near the Kolyma River southwest of the town of Chersky in the Russian Far East in 2021.

Credit...Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

C. elegans. (HeitiPaves/Getty Images)

The general morphology of P. Kolymaensis,

(Shatilovich et al., PLOS Genetics, 2023/CC-BY 4.0)

{ https://www.livescience.com/ }

02-08-2023 om 00:28 geschreven door peter  

2,000 year old Nazca Ant Drawing Found In Peru, UFO Sighting News.

Date of discovery: July 18, 2023

Location of discovery: Peru

Location of discovery:  14°59'58.83"S 75° 0'56.54"W

 

I found something in Peru using Google Earth map. I found what I thought was an ant carved into the ground. Most Nazca lines were created over 2,000 years ago by the people of the Nazca culture. This particular drawing has never before been reported before today. It's easy to understand why, it's hard to see. It was so hard that I clicked the history button to see past photos of that area and found that the best image of it is from 1/2016 as you can see in the screenshots here. The ant has three main body parts unlike a spider which has two. So this is an ant. Its antenna really stick out. However ants have six legs, this little fellow has 6 legs on one side and 7 on the other. No ant has 13 legs so wow! Never before seen or reported by anyone. They were often said to be messages created as signs to the gods or aliens above. 

Scott Waring 

 

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19-07-2023 om 20:48 geschreven door peter  

A Mysterious Pyramid In The Middle Of a Jungle Shocked Everyone

Throughout history, there have been some amazing discoveries made in the most unexpected places. From natural wonders to archaeological finds, there’s just so much out there waiting to be uncovered.
But if it weren’t for some Lucky Travelers, we wouldn’t even know about the most exciting things found in the middle of nowhere. These daring individuals have made some remarkable discoveries that have captivated people from all around the world.
In this video, we’re going to take a look at some of the most interesting things people have found in the most unexpected places. From a mysterious door in the middle of the desert to a strange pyramid, we’re counting down the most incredible discoveries found in the middle of nowhere.

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12-07-2023 om 21:44 geschreven door peter  

Unraveling the Mystery: Who Sculpted California's Intriguing Hemet Maze Stone?

Located in Reinhardt Canyon, southern California, near the quaint town of Hemet, sits an enigmatic petroglyph known as the Hemet Maze Stone. This curious figure comprises interconnected rectangular patterns forming a cyclical labyrinth set within a square or rectangle. The overarching form intriguingly echoes the shape of a swastika, a motif prominent in Native American and Asian art for thousands of years prior to its ill-famed association with the Third Reich.

Despite fervent studies, archaeologists remain in the dark about the exact origin or age of this drawing. Various theories suggest the creator of the petroglyph could have been an unidentified indigenous Californian tribe or even Chinese Buddhist monks. This piece seeks to evaluate these compelling theories, anchored in the certainty archaeologists, historians, and scholars have about the real artist behind the maze.

IN 1914, A RANCHER JUST outside Hemet, California was surveying his property and discovered a boulder with a strange maze-like image carved into it. Archeologists later determined – based on some artifacts found near the stone – that the carving is at least 500 years old, if not even older. However, even today archeologists are not sure who made the carving, or why.

Part of the mystery comes from the design itself. The maze-like design is quite different from other petroglyph designs in the United States; most petroglyphs are stylized pictures of animals or people, or designs representing rivers, trails or other natural features. The carving on the Hemet stone, however, is an intricate maze in a swastika-like shape -a design more commonly found in Buddhist tradition. It’s also rare – since 1914, only 50 other similar carvings have turned up, all of them within 150 miles of each other.

The design’s Buddhist symbolism, and the proximity of other such stones, sparked a theory that they were all carved by a crew of Chinese sailors shipwrecked in California as early as 500 CE. However, the swastika is also found in Native American art – to the once-nomadic Hopi, for example, the swastika represents their wanderings, while among the Navajo it represents the movements of the tsil no’oli, or “whirling log,” a canoe which a legendary hero rode during a quest. Native American swastika designs turn up on textiles, pottery, and sand paintings more so than in petroglyphs, but their prehistoric use does at least suggest a more local source for the maze carvings.

Unfortunately, today the swastika is more often associated with the German Third Reich, and the Hemet Maze Stone has suffered some damage as a result. The stone and its surrounding land became a California state landmark in 1956, and sometime thereafter a vandal added swastika in the orientation favored by the Nazis to one corner of the carving.  The stone is now protected by a pair of chain-link fences, and the surrounding park has since been closed.  But the carving is still an official California Historical Landmark, receiving occasional visits from intrepid and curious guests.

{ https://www.ancientoriginsunleashed.com/ }

10-07-2023 om 23:46 geschreven door peter  

New Moai Statue Found on Chile’s Easter Island Excites Researchers

In the news last October for the damage inflicted by a forest fire over 100 hectares, Easter Island is now in the news again – for the discovery and addition of a new Moai statue on the Chilean island. The discovery was found buried in a dried lake bed, in an area not usually available for access to humans, but now reachable due to climate-change related drying up. It has been described as a “very, very important discovery” for the Rapa Nui people.

Researchers inspect the new-found Moai in the dry lake bed on Rapa Nui.

(GMA/ YouTube Screenshot )

New Moai Smaller Than Most: Hiding in Plain Sight

The new Moai is smaller than most of the other sacred monuments found on Easter Island - statues that are important markers of Rapa Nui culture and heritage. The Rapa Nui people carved almost 1,000 Moai statues from tuff, a volcanic rock, between the 13th and 16th centuries. The statues are believed to represent ancestors or important leaders of the community and are arranged in a ring around the island, facing inwards.

“The moai are important because they really represent the history of the Rapa Nui people,” Terry Hunt, professor of archaeology at the University of Arizona, told  ABC. “They were the islanders’ deified ancestors. They’re iconic worldwide, and they really represent the fantastic archaeological heritage of this island.”

The discovery of the new Moai statue has excited researchers, as it is smaller than most others on the island, and had been hidden by tall reeds in the dry lake bed. Archaeologists believe that there may be more statues to uncover, and are looking for evidence of other Moai as well as the tools that might have been used to make them. The discovery of new Moai statues could provide insight into the culture and traditions of the Rapa Nui people.

• The Return of the Moai: Rapa Nui and the Fight for its Ancestors
• Easter Island and the Mysteries of the Moai

New Moai seems to be lying on the lake bed, and smaller than the existing finds.

(GMA/ YouTube Screenshot)

“They’ve been hidden by the tall reeds that grow in the lake bed, and prospecting with something that can detect what’s under the ground surface may tell us that there are in fact more moai in the lakebed sediments,” Hunt added. “When there’s one moai in the lake, there’s probably more.”

• Truck Driver Destroys Famous Easter Island Moai Statue
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The Moai Statues and the Rapa Nui People

The Moai statues are one of the most recognizable and fascinating features of Easter Island, which is also known as Rapa Nui. The Moai are large, monolithic stone statues that were carved by the Rapa Nui people between the 13th and 16th centuries. They are thought to represent ancestors or important leaders of the community.

The Moai are made from a volcanic rock called tuff, which is found in several quarries on the island. The statues were carved using stone tools and were transported to their final locations on the island using a system of ropes, ramps, and rollers, reports Artnet News .

There are over 800 known Moai on Easter Island, ranging in height from a few feet to over 30 feet tall. The largest Moai weighs over 75 tons, and it is believed that the Rapa Nui people used a combination of levers and ropes to move the statues from the quarries to their final locations.

The Moai were placed on stone platforms called ahu, which were built by the Rapa Nui people. The ahu served as a ceremonial center and were often located near the coast. The Moai were typically placed with their backs to the sea, facing inland, and were arranged in a line along the ahu.

Moai (stone statues) on Ahu Nau, Anakena Beach, Easter Island, with their backs to the sea.

(Guillaume Massardier/ CC BY-SA 3.0 )

The reason why the Rapa Nui people carved and erected the Moai statues is still a mystery, though it is believed that they may have served as a way to honor ancestors, leaders, or gods. The decline of the Rapa Nui civilization is often associated with the over-exploitation of the island's resources, including the deforestation of the island and the loss of fertile soil, which led to a collapse in the island's agricultural system. The exact cause of the Rapa Nui civilization's decline is still debated among archaeologists and historians.

The Moai statues are vulnerable to damage or attack. For instance, an arsonist set fire to the island last fall, leaving some statues charred and cracked, while in 2020, another was knocked over by a runaway pickup truck .

As a result, there is an ongoing debate about the repatriation of one sculpture, Hoa Hakananai'a, which was taken without permission by the U.K.'s Royal Navy in 1868 and is currently held by the British Museum. In the current political climate, where there are renewed conversations around protecting the heritage of indigenous peoples all over the world, the Rapa Nui people and their cultural heritage hold a vital place in this discourse.

• Top image: Stylized AI generated graphic of a Moai statue.        
• Source: artefacti/Adobe Stock

By Sahir Pandey

{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ }

05-07-2023 om 01:30 geschreven door peter  

The Brilliance of ‘Pre-diluvian’ Sculpture - Cannot Be Hand Made!

I'm still digesting our recent tour to Egypt; the temple and the pyramids - just the atmosphere of the ancients was a lot to take in. Each time I visit, I’m stunned at the beauty, sophistication, and intelligence of those who left evidence of their time on Earth.

Each Spring, a group of listeners joins me and our guide, Mohamed Ibrahim, for a 12-day tour of ancient Egypt. These visits are unique and feature compelling evidence of a highly sophisticated people who shaped Egypt’s pre and Dynastic periods. This past May, we were introduced to a class of statuary that appeared to reveal clues about these people who settled in Cairo and the surrounding area. We're also learning that the egos of many of the dynastic pharaohs and their “God” status may have overwhelmed their common sense, and in the case of Ramses, Khafre, and others - - buildings, temples, and statuary thought to be commissioned in their time period are actually from earlier people.

Diorite sculpture of Khafre. Egypt Museum, Cairo Egypt.

(Cliff Dunning)

An example of this misinterpretation is a discovery presented by Mr. Ibrahim is a statue identified as  the pharaoh Khafre at the Cairo Museum. Found in the valley temple of his pyramid complex thought to have been commissioned by Khafre, the figure is seated on a throne decorated with the  sema-tawny, a symbol of the unity of Upper and Lower Egypt. Perched on the back of the throne, behind the king's head, the god Horus in the form of a falcon spreads his wings around the head of the individual in a gesture of protection. Khafre is thought to have reigned during the Old Kingdom (c. 2600 BC – c. 2551 BC), which can be confused with a much earlier pre-diluvian period (perhaps 9500 BC or earlier.) Very little is known of the pharaoh, and few other statues remain.

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Historians attribute the sculpture to Khafre based on a cartouche crudely scratched into the base of the seated figure. The cartouche shows none of the craftsmanship or tooling used in the creation of the statue, is poorly cut into the stone, and appears entirely out of place, like graffiti, marring the elegance of the statue. Why was it defaced??? Did the priesthood or an administrator notice a slight resemblance to Khafre, and choosing to gain favor with the pharaoh, mention its uncanny likeness?

One would think it sacrilegious to carve their name on an ancient relic, but here we can look at what writings we have of the dynastic period for a possible reason for defacing the statue. During that period in history, pharaohs were elevated to gods and goddesses allowing them to behave in a manner we might consider disrespectful. In this example, the god Khafre, agreeing with his counsel, has an artist carve his name on the statue.

Wanting to learn more, I found two additional statues and created a comparative view which is telling; each figure has unique and separate features but is not the same man.

The known statues of Khafre - three similar, but different statues.

(Cliff Dunning)

In his seminal book Lost Technologies of Ancient Egypt, Christopher Dunn provides a comprehensive look at exquisite and precise statuary created with unknown and highly advanced cutting tools. His primary focus is on the Ramses II statues at Karnak, Egypt. Each is identical and leaves us wondering how the work was achieved. I’ve applied Dunn’s formula to this seated figure, leaving us with remarkable evidence of machining technology.

I took a photo of the face of the statue, cut it down the middle, then flipped it - placing the two sides together. When you compare the original to the manipulated version, you can see they are identical. This means that the face, perhaps the entire body, was cut using some schematic or what may have represented the ideal man.

Left is the original photo, right is the photo cut in half and flipped. The symmetry is remarkable.

(Cliff Dunning)

You can see from the images below and above, that both feet, the shoulders and chest, left to right, are identical and that a human being did not carve the work by hand as is generally proposed, but rather, some sophisticated technology. My conclusion is, this sculpture was made from a highly advanced culture  from an early, unknown epoch. 

• Why Are So Many Ancient Egyptian Statues Missing Their Noses?
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The crude cartouche of Khafre at the base of the statue. Notice the exacting quality of the left and right feet.

(Cliff Dunning)

I’ve often wondered what type of people occupied the earth’s previous epoch, before 9500 BC. Archaeologists tell us that our ancestors were hunters and gatherers, primitive hominids of limited intelligence and means. But I think a great deal of evidence is confusing because we have little documentation for places like Atlantis, Doggerland, and other cultures that were swallowed by the seas when the ice caps melted. The dynastic Egyptians were left with the ruined cities and statues as evidence of these early people, and because there were no records of their existence, much of the culture was absorbed, sanctified, and resurrected (copied as a form of devotion.) It’s likely, the gods known to us as Isis, Osiris, Ra, Amon, Hathor, and others were once living human beings immortalized in stone by the survivors of the planetary deluge. I believe this statue represents these early people.

This wonderful statue is another key to understanding our past.

• Cliff Dunning  is an archeo-investigator, author, and host of the popular History podcast, Earth Ancients: Startling New Discoveries from our Planets Distant Past:  www.earthancients.com
• Top image: Left is the original photo of the Khafre statue; right is the photo cut in half and flipped.
• Source: Author provided.

By Cliff Dunning

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04-07-2023 om 20:56 geschreven door peter  

The Siberian Unicorn: A Collision of Science, Myth, and Legend

The Elasmotherium, colloquially known as the Giant Rhinoceros or the Giant Siberian Unicorn, is a prehistoric rhinoceros species that once roamed the Eurasian region during the Late Pliocene and Pleistocene eras. Their existence has been traced back to 2.6 million years ago, with the most recent fossils being approximately 29,000 years old. The most recognized species of this group, the E. sibiricum, compared to a mammoth in size, had a hairy exterior and is believed to have sported a large horn on its forehead, giving rise to its nickname, the "Siberian Unicorn". Initial descriptions estimate the beast to have stood around 2 meters (6.56 ft.) in height, measured 4.5 meters (14.76 ft.) in length, and weighed a hefty 4 tonnes.

Decoding the Tale of the Siberian Unicorn

The Elasmotherium species was first identified in 1808 by Johan Fischer von Waldheim, the perpetual Director of the Natural History Museum at Moscow University. His claim was based solely on the lower jaw of the species, gifted to the museum by Yekaterina Romanovna Vorontsova-Dashkova, which led to further study and identification of the species.

In March 2016, an excellently preserved skull was discovered in the Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan, indicating the species' survival until the Pleistocene era around 29,000 years ago, challenging the prior belief that they had vanished 350,000 years ago. Judging by the skull's size and condition, it is hypothesized that it belonged to an elderly male, though the cause of death remains a mystery.

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The Siberian unicorn's appearance, dietary habits, and behavior are subjects of various hypotheses owing to the wide-ranging interpretations of the reconstructions. Some depict the creature running like a horse, others bent over with its head towards the ground similar to a bison, and still others submerged in a swamp like a hippo.

Controversies over the Siberian Unicorn’s Horn and Extinction

The existence, size, and purpose of the horn remain hotly contested. Speculations regarding its function span from self-defense, to mate attraction, to competition deterrence, to snow clearing for feeding, and even to digging for water and plant roots. Considering the creatures were herbivores like present-day rhinos, it's unlikely the horn was used to attack or kill prey.

Only indirect evidence from sparse specimens exists to confirm if the beast had a horn or not and whether it was covered in hair or was hairless. Nonetheless, some evidence points towards the animal having a hairy exterior, much like the well-known woolly mammoth.

The primary evidence indicating that the Siberian unicorn possessed a horn is the frontal protrusion on the skull, which caught 19th-century paleontologists' attention and was instantly deemed the base for a horn. There is also evidence that the horn was not circular, as a fossil with a non-circular, partially healed puncture wound in the base suggests it could have been the result of combat with another male possessing a horn.

While male Siberian unicorns likely engaged in territorial disputes, their territory stretched from the Don River to eastern Kazakhstan. Findings suggest these ancient rhinos inhabited the southeast of the West Siberian Plain for an extended period. The exact cause of the extinction of the last Siberian unicorns remains uncertain. Scientists are examining specific environmental elements that might have triggered the species' extinction, hoping to glean insights that could be applied to modern species facing extinction.

The Legendary Unicorn

Myths and legends about unicorns, or creatures with a single horn, have permeated Chinese and Eastern European cultures for thousands of years. The Chinese term "K’i-lin," referring to a certain type of creature, was assimilated into Turkish and Mongolic languages and folklore. Although scribes in these languages struggled to describe the creature, a recurring theme was its single horn and its imposing size.

A bronze relic from the Warring States period portrays an animal remarkably similar to one depicted in cave paintings thought to represent Elasmotherium: grazing with its head lowered, a horn jutting from its forehead, and a drooping head and shoulders.

In 1866, Vasily Radlov encountered a Yakut legend in Siberia about a "gigantic black bull" slain by a lone spear. The beast reportedly had a single horn so enormous it had to be transported by sled. Other legends in this region typically involve a large white or blue woolly bull with a massive horn on its forehead.

From medieval Northern Russia, a collection of ballads, named "Golubinaia kniga" or "The Book of the Dove," influenced by Zoroastrianism and laced with Christian nuances, emerged. The ballads portray a righteous unicorn combating a lion, symbolizing falsehoods. The unicorn in these tales resided on a sacred mountain and was considered the progenitor of all animals. This creature saved the world from drought by using its horn to dig up springs of clean, fresh water. At night, it wandered the plains, blazing trails with its mighty horn.

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This creature features in other religious scriptures as well, though it is generally seen more as a symbolic entity than a real one. The Arabo-Persian term for a unicorn conflates unicorn and rhinoceros, viewing the rhinoceros as a symbol of truth and goodness. In Christianity, the single horn represents monotheism.

While mythology hints at the creature's existence, it is only circumstantial evidence. More research and additional fossils need to be discovered before we can definitively determine what this creature looked like and if unicorns were ever real.

If you're intrigued by our deep dives into the mysteries of history and want access to even more exclusive content, consider subscribing to Ancient Origins Premium.

• Top Image: A reconstruction of what the Siberian unicorn may have looked like.
• Source: Elenarts /Adobe Stock

By Veronica Parkes

{ https://www.ancientoriginsunleashed.com/  }

19-06-2023 om 20:54 geschreven door peter  

Unraveling the Tower of Babel: Myth or Reality? (Video)

The ancient ruins of Babylon, located in central Iraq, have long captivated historians and archeologists alike. Among its remnants lies a structure that has stirred intrigue and speculation—the Etemenanki ziggurat, believed by some to be the legendary Tower of Babel . With its colossal size, estimated to have reached a towering height of nearly 300 feet, this ancient edifice stands as a testament to the grandeur and ambition of the Babylonian Empire.

The biblical account of the Tower of Babel portrays a tale of human unity, divine intervention, and the consequences of defying higher powers. Scholars draw parallels between the ziggurat and the Tower, noting the shared location and remarkable similarities in construction materials. The presence of bitumen-infused bricks, as described in biblical texts, adds weight to these connections. Yet, the story does not end there. The question remains: Was the Tower of Babel destroyed by a mighty wind summoned by an angered deity, or was it brought down by the forces of nature, such as a powerful earthquake?

• Inside Etemenanki: The Real-Life Tower of Babel
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• Top image: The Tower of Babel.
• Source: FrankBoston / Adobe Stock.

By Robbie Mitchell

{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ }

18-06-2023 om 23:42 geschreven door peter  

700,000-Year-Old Tools Found in Greece Rewrite History

The rich historical tapestry of Greece has been dramatically expanded with the recent discovery of hunting tools dating back an astonishing 700,000 years. Unearthed in a coal mine in Megalopolis, these ancient stone tools have not only pushed back Greece's historical timeline by a staggering quarter of a million years but have also opened a window into the development of our ancient hominin ancestors before their migration to northern Europe.

Megalopolis: Where Time Began

The ancient Greek city of Megalopolis was located in Arcadia, a region in the central Peloponnese peninsula of Greece. The original settlement was founded in 371 BC by the Theban general Epaminondas, during the Peloponnesian War, to counter the power of Sparta and to support the independence of the smaller Greek city-states.

Megalopolis shares the same sun-battered landscapes as Olympia, Mycenae and Pylos, each of which feature centrally in Greek mythology. Olympia, the home of the Olympic Games, housed the chief sacred site of the god Zeus, and Mycenae was the city of the legendary King Agamemnon who led the Greeks during the Trojan War. Pylos, was a centre of the Mycenaean civilization most famously ruled by King Nestor, and it featured in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.

But now, the recent discovery of very ancient stone tools in a coal mine are shadowing the nation's semi-mythological history, by revealing valuable secrets about the development of our ancient hominin ancestors, before they populated northern Europe.

A Game Changing Discovery

According to a report in Greek City Times the latest archaeological discoveries in Megalopolis are “game-changing.” In the oldest-known archaeological site in Greece, dating back approximately 700,000 years, not only did the archaeologists recover the remains of now extinct giant deer, elephants, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, and a macaque monkey, but they also found stone tools from the Lower Palaeolithic period (3.3 million to 300,000 years old).

The skull of a member of the deer family in Megalopolis

(Greek Culture Ministry)

Used for butchering animals and chopping plants approximately 700,000 years ago, the still sharp stone flakes are suspected to have been manufactured by a Lower Palaeolithic Homo antecessor, considered a possible ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans. While this is yet to be confirmed, if hominin remains are discovered, the find pushes back Greece’s official archaeological record by up to 250,000 years.

Until now, the oldest tools in Greece date back to around 500,000 years ago, and were discovered in the Petralona Cave, in the Chalkidiki region of northern Greece. These stone tools were unearthed alongside the fossilized remains of an ancient human skull, known as the Petralona Skull , and such a discovery would need to be made at the Megalopolis site to definitely date the new discoveries.

• The controversial Petralona skull and Greek government suppression of information
• New Information on the Petralona Skull Controversy

Stone tools dating back 700,000 found in the coal mine.

(Greek Culture Ministry)

Pushing Back Archaeological Timelines

These new finds come after a 5-year-long project led by Professor Panagiotis Karkanas of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens , Eleni Panagopoulou from the Greek Ministry of Culture and Katerina Harvati, a professor of paleoanthropology at the University of Tübingen in Germany .

An article in Breaking News said these “groundbreaking discoveries surpass any previously known archaeological record in Greece.” And, if the dating is confirmed, what these finds demand, effectively, is a rewriting of Greek archaeology with a new starting point at around 700,000 years ago.

A Second Stunning Discovery

In addition to this main discovery, the team of archaeologists explored a second site in the Megalopolis area where they found “the oldest Middle Palaeolithic remains ever found in Greece, dating back approximately 280,000 years.” In conclusion, the researchers said of this second discovery, that it suggests Greece played a significant role in stone industry developments throughout ancient Europe, “solidifying its position as a pivotal hub of ancient civilisation.” Furthermore, the researchers said this discovery further illustrates what is known about “hominin migrations to Europe and human evolution as a whole.”

Megalopolis declined in importance following the rise of Macedon under Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great, and it finally lost its prominence during the Roman era, after which it faded into obscurity. Today, the ancient ruins of Megalopolis can still be visited, but these new archaeological discoveries extend well beyond the ancient city's history and architecture, providing new insights into Greece’s ancient past.

• Top image: Stone axe and knife (representational).
• Source:  JPS / Adobe Stock.

By Ashley Cowie

{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ } 

14-06-2023 om 01:23 geschreven door peter  

In 1938, a discovery was made off the eastern coast of South Africa that shook the science world. A peculiar fish was discovered among the day’s catches of a group of local fishermen, and fortunately, a museum curator named Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer was on hand and noticed the primeval-looking specimen. Upon contacting Rhodes University ichthyologist J.L.B. Smith and sending sketches she made of the fish, Smith dispatched an emergency responding cable that read, “Most Important Preserve Skeleton and Gills = Fish Described.”

Smith’s urgency was based on the fact that, rather than being a new species, what Courtenay-Latimer had found was something he recognized… from the fossil record. Remarkably, the specimen appeared to be a variety of ancient fish known from the late Cretaceous period known as the Coelacanth, a kind of transitional species whose curious fins placed it someplace within the evolutionary lineage between fish and tetrapods.

Since the famous discovery, several similar instances of “living fossils” have been discovered, and the most recent of these turned up in an unlikely place: off the southern coast of California.

Discovered alive within the waters at Naples Point, slightly North of UC Santa Barbara, is a small variety of clam previously known only from the fossil record.

Jeff Goddard, a research associate at the Marine Science Institute at UC Santa Barbara and co-author of a new paper detailing the discovery, says it is remarkable partly due to the location where the specimen was found.

“It’s not all that common to find alive a species first known from the fossil record, especially in a region as well-studied as Southern California,” Goddard said in a statement released by the University.

Comparing the find to the famous discovery of the Coelacanth in the late 1930s, Goddard notes that what he and his colleagues turned up at Naples Point doesn’t go quite as far back as the famous ancient fish did, “representing an entire class of animals thought to have disappeared 400 million years ago.”

Still, Goddard notes that the remarkable little bivalve they found “does go back to the time of all those wondrous animals captured by the La Brea Tar Pits.”

The discovery was made in November 2018, as Goddard had been searching under rocks at low tide for a variety of sea slugs when he noticed not one, but instead a pair of tiny, translucent clams. As he observed them, he noticed that they possessed a white-striped foot that exceeded the length of their shell. Goddard then realized that he recognized this species, even though that seemed impossible.

Specimens of Cymatioa cooki photographed by Jeff Goddard

(Credit: Jeff Goddard/Paul Valentich-Scott/ZooKeys).

Mirroring the Coelacanth discovery of almost a century earlier, Goddard, rather than procuring sketches, took high-quality images of the pair of bivalves, opting to leave the pair in their natural habitat. The images were immediately sent to Paul Valentich-Scott curator emeritus of malacology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Like Goddard, Valentich-Scott found the appearance of the little creatures intriguing, as they were unlike any of the well-known similar species along the California coast.

Ultimately, it was decided that a specimen would be needed after all, but by the time Goddard returned to Naples Point in search of his new quarry, the mysterious clams proved more difficult to find a second time around. In fact, such would be the case over the course of several more failed attempts to rediscover the tiny creatures.

After nine attempts over the course of the next several months, Goddard finally managed to relocate the creatures—this time a single clam—beneath a rock alongside two of the nudibranch sea slugs he had originally come to Naples Point in search of.

Initially, Valentich-Scott thought they might have uncovered an entirely new species.

“When I suspect something is a new species, I need to track back through all of the scientific literature from 1758 to the present,” the curator said in a statement announcing the discovery. “It can be a daunting task, but with experience it can go pretty quickly.”

After pouring over data in the museum’s collections, including fossils of similar species known from California’s prehistoric coasts, the two researchers uncovered drawings of a variety of bivalve, Bornia cooki, first described in 1937—just two years prior to the rediscovery of the Coelacanth—which looked like a match for the tiny, long-footed California clams Goddard had found.

After comparisons between the original fossils discovered by George Willett in the 1930s with the new specimen, as well as a single shell Goddard retrieved during a subsequent visit, a positive match was confirmed: Willet’s original discovery, now given the classification Cymatioa cooki, was indeed still alive in California’s coastal waters. Another living fossil had been confirmed.

Cymatioa cooki, the latest “living fossil” discovered off the California coast

(Credit: Jeff Goddard/Paul Valentich-Scott/ZooKeys).

Noting the intertidal boulder fields that cover broad ranges of the California coast, Goddard says he thinks it’s likely that the newly rediscovered “living fossil” Cymatioa cooki is “probably living in close association with animals burrowing beneath those boulders.”

“There is such a long history of shell-collecting and malacology in Southern California,” Goddard says, admitting that “it’s hard to believe no one found even the shells of our little cutie.” Indeed, sometimes the most remarkable discoveries turn up right under our noses, and in Goddard’s case, quite by accident.

Goddard and Valentich-Scott’s remarkable discovery was the subject of a recent paper published in the journal ZooKeys.

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11-06-2023 om 01:15 geschreven door peter