Latest news with #EarlyIronAge
Business Mayor
10-05-2025
- Science
- Business Mayor
Science news this week: Wave patterns on Mars and 'free-range' atom clouds
On Earth, these ripples tend to form on the slopes of cold mountains, where soils freeze and thaw throughout the year. It is unclear whether the same process produced these patterns on Mars, but researchers hope that studying them will offer valuable insights into the planet's climate history, as well as aiding in our search for signs of life on Mars. Mysterious hilltop discovery Some of the metal artifacts dating to the Early Iron Age that archaeologists found on Somló Hill in Hungary. (Image credit: Bence Soós et al; Photo by László György; CC BY 4.0) High on a volcanic hill in western Hungary, archaeologists have uncovered a rare stash of hundreds of ancient artifacts , including jewelry, military decorations and weapons, dating from the Late Bronze Age (1450 to 800 B.C.) to the Early Iron Age (800 to 450 B.C.). Today, the area around Somló is primarily known for its wine production. However, in the late 19th century local farmers and wine producers began unearthing ancient artifacts, leading researchers to dive deeper into the hilltop's buried secrets. The findings indicate that the hilltop might once have been a seat of power among the communities that once lived there. Discover more archaeology news Get the world's most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. —Secret of ancient Maya blue pigment revealed from cracks and clues on a dozen bowls from Chichén Itzá —Archaeologists unearth tree-lined walkway that led to ancient Egyptian fortress in Sinai Desert —Metal detectorists unearth dazzling Anglo-Saxon gold-and-garnet raven head and ring: 'It's unbelievable — I'm a bit emotional' Life's little mysteries Scientists have several methods that can help determine the biological sex of a skeleton. (Image credit: JOSEPH EID via Getty Images) When archaeologists find a human skeleton, they are able to estimate whether that person was male or female with 95% accuracy. But with most of the distinguishing soft tissue decomposed, how do researchers actually go about sexing these ancient skeletons? No single method is 100% accurate, but archaeologists have several tricks up their sleeves when it comes to distinguishing differences between sexes, from DNA analysis to measuring their bones. 'Free-range' atoms An illustration of atoms floating freely in the air. (Image credit: Stanislaw Pytel via Getty Images) For the first time ever, scientists have observed free-floating atoms interacting in space, confirming some of the most basic principles of quantum mechanics. Single atoms are notoriously difficult to study due to their quantum behaviors, such as their ability to behave as a single particle and a wave at the same time. However, physicists at MIT have discovered that free-floating atoms can be observed in 'atom clouds' with the help of lasers. Read More New drug shows promise in clearing HIV from brain 'It's like seeing a cloud in the sky, but not the individual water molecules that make up the cloud,' Martin Zwierlein , a physicist at MIT and co-author of the new research, said in a statement . The discovery enables scientists to capture images of these 'free-range' atoms as they float about in space, which they hope will aid future investigations into other mysterious quantum mechanical phenomena. Discover more physics news —World's first silicon-based quantum computer is small enough to plug into a regular power socket —Physicists create groundbreaking atomic clock that's off by less than 1 second every 100 million years —Physicists create 'black hole bomb' for first time on Earth, validating decades-old theory Also in science news this week —Rare genetic mutation lets some people thrive on just 4 hours of shut-eye —Climate change made April's catastrophic floods worse, report finds —Invasive Asian needle ants are surging in US Southeast — and their bite can trigger anaphylaxis —T. rex may have evolved in North America after all, scientists say Science Spotlight (Image credit: Grace Aldrich) Historical depictions of women often focus on their roles as mothers and homemakers — however, new research increasingly suggests that in Viking Scandinavia, some women were anything but meek and mild . Numerous excavations have revealed female skeletons buried with lethal weapons. 'Women can be as strong, as skilled, as fast as men,' Leszek Gardeła , an archaeologist at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and author of ' Women and Weapons in the Viking World: Amazons of the North ' (Casemate, 2021), told Live Science. 'There is nothing in the biology there that would prevent them from being warriors.' However, the poor preservation of Scandinavian graves and lack of historical texts make it very difficult to confirm the roles of these women in Viking society, leaving the subject of women warriors hotly debated among archaeologists. Something for the weekend If you're looking for something a little longer to read over the weekend, here are some of the best long reads, book excerpts and interviews published this week. —Sir David Attenborough turned 99 this week. Here are 9 facts about the iconic British broadcaster (Fact file) —La Niña is dead — what that means for this year's hurricanes and weather (Analysis) —Kids born today are going to grow up in a hellscape, grim climate study finds (Report) —'Murder prediction' algorithms echo some of Stalin's most horrific policies — governments are treading a very dangerous line in perusing them (Opinion) Science in motion In a world first, a rare carnivorous snail has been filmed squeezing a pearly egg out of a 'genital pore' in its neck . Powelliphanta augusta are large snails found only on the Buller Plateau of New Zealand's West Coast. Their populations are severely threatened by local mining activities, and very little is known about their life cycles due to their elusive, nocturnal behavior. Researchers from the New Zealand Department of Conservation have been studying these mysterious mollusks in captivity for nearly two decades, but only now have they observed one of these snails laying an egg. 'It's remarkable that in all the time we've spent caring for the snails, this is the first time we've seen one lay an egg,' Lisa Flanagan, DOC ranger who captured the footage, said in a statement . Want more science news? Follow our Live Science WhatsApp Channel for the latest discoveries as they happen. It's the best way to get our expert reporting on the go, but if you don't use WhatsApp, we're also on Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , Flipboard , Instagram , TikTok , Bluesky and LinkedIn .
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Found 300 Ancient Treasures on the Hilltop of a Volcano
Archeologists have discovered at least six hoards of ancient artifacts on top of a volcanic hilltop. Finds at the site include spearheads, tusks of domestic boars, and objects associated with bronze working, all dating back between the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. The area seems to be rich with finds, as 19th-century local farmers also (accidentally) unearthed their fair share of treasures. Whether people buried their wealth as ritual offerings to the gods or to hide it from greedy leaders , the ancient hoards they left behind are extremely valuable to modern-day scientists. Using metal detectors and LiDAR surveys, one archaeological team recently found over 300 artifacts from at least six different hoards in Hungary, including weapons, amber beads, and tusks of domestic boars. Researchers published their findings in the journal Antiquity . The excavations took place at Somló—a wine region in western Hungary located mostly on the slopes of an extinct volcano—and were part of a larger research project by the National Institute of Archaeology of the Hungarian National Museum Public Collection Centre. Researchers determined that the hoards date back to between the Late Bronze Age (1450–800 B.C.) and Early Iron Age (800–450 B.C.). The transition between these periods is marked by the fall of several prominent Bronze Age civilizations and, as the name suggests, a shift to iron and steel tools. One notable find at the site is an elaborate Alpine-style spearhead, but archeologists also discovered fabric and leather remains buried in the area, along with countless other objects associated with bronze working. Though the study is impressive, it's far from the first time relics have been discovered in the area. Modern-day Somló is known for its wine production, and in the 19th century, local farmers began accidentally unearthing artifacts on the hilltop. Unfortunately—as Bence Soós, first author of the study, told Live Science —there was no formal documentation tracking where the farmers found the hoards. However, researchers do know that the farmers discovered artifacts like jewelry, weapons, and bronze vessels. According to the paper, the '[s]ix new hoards present the unparalleled opportunity to study hoarding traditions and depositional practices, and to evaluate the changing roles and functions of the hilltop site.' Researchers concluded that the hoarding practices in the area were 'intentional and complex,' and the evidence from the new hoards will be combined with older discoveries to provide a more thorough understanding of the region. In the future, the team seeks to date the hoards and the inhabitants that buried them more precisely. According to the paper, one of the six hoards—known as 'Hoard V'—will be particularly useful in this effort. 'Hoard V is probably the most recent of the Late Bronze Age depositions so far identified on the hill,' the paper reads. As a result, 'radiocarbon dating of zooarchaeological material associated with this hoard [...] could provide clearer chronological understanding of the transitional period between the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age at the site.' You Might Also Like
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Vast Hoard of Ancient Treasure Discovered on a Hill in Hungary
Archaeologists have discovered a hilltop in western Hungary that contains a vast hoard of ancient treasure dating back more than 3,000 years. The volcanic butte and its buried riches aren't protected by a fire-breathing dragon, but the discovery does feel like a story straight out of mythology. In the very first year of surveys, researchers uncovered more than 300 buried artifacts on the hill, including a whole bunch of bronze items found with metal-detectors. Most of the metal discoveries date from the Late Bronze Age, between 1400 and 900 BCE, but the site also contains one of the largest collections of Early Iron Age metal from hilltops in the region, between 800 and 450 BCE. Based on what researchers in Hungary have found, including stacks of bronze lumps, droplets, casting jets, and fragmented ingots, they suspect this hill once hosted multiple bronze-working workshops. It seems to have been an important site for the Hallstatt culture – a farming society that advanced metal work in Central and Western Europe in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Many Hallstatt artifacts that scientists have already unearthed are scattered across landscapes, mostly in what is now Germany and Austria. To find a hoard of Hallstatt metal work in Hungary is exciting stuff for archaeologists, and it could clear up the timeline and geological distribution of this once dominant human culture. "Occupation on the hilltop seems to have been uninterrupted during the transition into the Early Iron Age," writes the team of researchers, led by archaeologist Bence Soós from the Hungarian National Museum Public Collection Centre. "The unearthed hoards testify to an intentional and complex hoarding tradition on Somló Hill." Somló Hill looks like a big old bump among the northwest vineyards of Hungary's Veszprém county. Standing 431 meters (1,414 feet) high, the plateau looms over the local, low-lying wine region, and the hilltop has remained untouched by modern quarrying activity, making it the perfect spot for archaeological inquiry. Some historical records from the late 19th century suggest that other ancient artifacts were found at the base of the hill and nearby areas, but details on these discoveries are scarce. In early 2023, Hungary's National Institute of Archaeology launched a new research project on Somló to better understand the ancient humans who once called this region home. Extensive surveys on the hill, combined with laser mapping in 2024, have now shed some light on that long-lost society. Of the six new hoards of treasure on the hill, the one in the image below was found in the area with the highest density of metal items. Further research is needed to figure out why so many metals were buried here, whether it be for mundane or ritualistic purposes. Some of the items were buried within ceramic pots, which haven't been found before from this time period. Scientists didn't just find metal artifacts, like spearheads, buried on the hill; they also found amber beads, tusks from boars and domestic pigs, and fabric and leather components. Some sediment samples taken from the hill also indicate the presence of small-seeded lentils and remnants of crop cereals, like millet. These are key subsistence features of the Bronze and Iron Ages. A few of the materials uncovered at Somló are suitable for radiocarbon dating, which the team hopes to conduct soon. It's rare that Hallstatt discoveries offer up such useful forms of dating. Timelines often have to be inferred based on the context of ancient technology and sediment layers. "This hoard, therefore, could provide clearer chronological understanding of the transitional period between the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age at the site," concludes the team. The study was published in Antiquity. AI Detects an Unusual Detail Hidden in a Famous Raphael Masterpiece Scientists Don't Know Why Consciousness Exists, And a New Study Proves It Men Tend to Fall in Love Faster Than Women, New Study Shows
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
What a newly uncovered hoard tells us about Europe's ancient warriors
Excavations at Hungary 's Somló volcanic hill have unearthed a hoard of metal objects from the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, including jewellery, weapons, and decorations. The findings suggest a significant human presence in the area between the 13th and 6th centuries BC, likely tribal societies led by elite warriors. Among the 900 metal objects discovered was the first documented ceramic pot from the end of the Late Bronze Age in western Hungary, containing food deposits. Evidence of bronzeworking workshops was also found, indicated by bronze lumps, droplets, and casting jets. The hilltop occupation appears to have continued uninterrupted through the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age.
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Metal objects unearthed near volcano reveal secrets of 3,400-year-old European people
A hoard of metal objects unearthed near a volcanic hilltop in Hungary has helped unravel the mysteries of an ancient European population that lived 3,400 years ago. Excavations at western Hungary 's Somló volcanic hill have led to the discovery of hundreds of artefacts, including jewellery, weapons and decorations dating to the Late Bronze Age, 1450 BC to 800 BC, and the Early Iron Age, 800 BC to 450 BC. The digs have also unearthed other ancient materials, including leather remains and amber beads, as well as tusks of boars and domestic pigs. Some of the oldest of these artefacts date to between 1400 BC and 1300 BC, according to a study published in the journal Antiquity. The findings point to a significant presence of humans in western Hungary between the 13th and 6th centuries BC. While research into early urbanism in many parts of Europe has increased in recent years, study of hilltop settlements has been scant. A previous excavation near the Hungarian hill, about 431m high and untouched by quarrying, found Early Iron Age grave goods in monumental burial mounds, indicating that landmarks like the Somló were the seats of power of an elite warrior leader class. In the new study, researchers conducted airborne laser scanning and metal-detector surveys to find an area that was likely densely populated by humans during the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. They concluded that the people who lived here between the 13th and 6th centuries BC were tribal or clan-based societies led by elite warriors. The latest dig found some 900 metal objects in the southeastern part of the hill, one of them the first example of a ceramic pot found in western Hungary from the end of the Late Bronze Age. 'Deposition inside ceramic pots was suggested from this period but never documented,' the researchers said, adding that they found in some of the pots deposits of lentils and fragmented small-seeded cereals, known to be Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age subsistence foods. 'The unearthed hoards testify to an intentional and complex hoarding tradition on Somló Hill,' they wrote in the study. 'Large quantities of bronze lumps, droplets, casting jets, and fragmented plano-convex ingots suggest the presence of bronzeworking workshops on the plateau.' The findings also provide insights about how the region transitioned from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age. 'Occupation on the hilltop seems to have been uninterrupted during the transition into the Early Iron Age,' the study noted.
