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Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
200-mile-long Gobi Wall in Mongolia had a function far beyond defense: Study
A new study investigated the Gobi Wall, the least understood section of the Medieval Wall System. Built by a nomadic empire, researchers discovered an architectural achievement that reflected its dynamism. Study authors described the Medieval Wall System (MWS) as 'one of the most extensive and enigmatic architectural features in East Asia. " The MWS is a network of walls, trenches, and enclosures. Stretching over 2,485 miles across China, Mongolia, and Russia, the Gobi Wall is a 200-mile section in Mongolia's arid highland deserts. The latest research published in Land is part of The Wall Project, funded by the European Research Council. Archaeologists have explored different sections of this wall that different empires built between the 10th and 13th centuries CE. The Gobi Wall was the most notable architectural achievement. An international team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Yale University used remote sensing, pedestrian surveys, and targeted excavations to determine the Gobi Wall's origins, maker, and function. "The main goals of this research are to better understand the construction techniques used in building the walls, garrisons, and fortifications; to date their construction and periods of use; and to determine the purposes for which they were built. We also aim to situate this particular section within its broader environmental context and in relation to medieval Inner Asian political and economic dynamics," study authors explained. The Xi Xia primarily constructed it with rammed earth, stone, and timber. The materials alone communicate the sophisticated planning and logistical systems in place, as the location was so remote. The Xi Xia capitalized on the topography when building this complex wall of watchtowers, forts, trenches, and garrisons. Due to their proximity to water and wood, they were situated on elevated platforms such as mountain passes and sand dunes. At Garrisons G05 and G10, archaeologists unearthed ceramics, coins, and animal remains, indicating a much earlier occupation of the site 2,000 years ago. Most significantly, however, the Gobi Wall held a function beyond defense, challenging commonly held assumptions about nomadic populations. 'This settlement stability, despite harsh desert conditions, challenges prevailing assumptions that nomadic populations in this region were highly mobile, lacked permanent structures, and did not invest in fixed territorial markers or infrastructure. Instead, the evidence suggests substantial investment in territorial control,' study authors said. Though the Gobi Wall was a permanent structure, it was far from a static wall. It played a multifunctional role as an imperial tool for demarcating boundaries, managing populations and resources, and consolidating territorial control. The Xi Xia was a Tangut-led empire, a Sino-Tibetan people who ruled Western China and Southern Mongolia. They extended the wall during a geopolitical shift, when they had to strengthen their defenses and better manage their territory. According to Archaeology Mag, they hadn't anticipated the wall's greater complexity. The wall was so much more than a line of defense. Researchers described it as zones of control and interaction with dynamic infrastructures that could shift according to their needs. The Gobi Wall has risen to become one of the premier examples of its kind in China, offering 'substantial new insight into medieval frontier management strategies and architectural practices in Inner Asia,' the study authors concluded. Read the study in Land.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Sip smart: a study on the health perks of moderate alcohol consumption
A study in Spain is calling on drinkers to participate in research to find out the health implications of daily alcohol consumption. Image: Unsplash Oenophiles and alcohol aficionados in Spain are being summoned to participate in an ambitious scientific endeavour that promises to illuminate the intricate relationship between moderate drinking and health outcomes. Touted as the world's largest clinical study on the subject, the University of Navarra Alumni Trialist Initiative (UNATI) aims to recruit a total of 10 000 individuals aged between 50 and 75 over the next four years. The goal? To investigate the effects of daily wine, beer, or spirits consumption on critical health issues such as heart disease, cancer, mental health disorders, and overall mortality rates. Under the auspices of a generous €2.4 million grant from the European Research Council, the initiative is spearheaded by Professor Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez, a pre-eminent expert in the Mediterranean diet and Chair of Preventive Medicine at the University of Navarra. Currently, the initiative has successfully enrolled 6,500 participants, leaving it in pursuit of 3,500 more volunteers by June 2025. 'We currently have 6,500 participants registered,' Professor Martinez-Gonzalez told local media. 'Day by day, we are gaining more volunteers. Please help, because UNATI represents health for all.' To qualify for participation, volunteers must reside in Spain and fall within the specified age brackets of 50-70 or 55-75 years. Moreover, they must consume at least three alcoholic drinks per week, while non-drinkers and those with medical vulnerabilities related to alcohol consumption are excluded. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The study operates under two guiding messages: 'We want to take better care of you' and 'UNATI: your health, our science.' As part of the research, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one emphasising complete abstinence from alcohol, and the other promoting a Mediterranean-style drinking pattern, characterised by moderate intake of fermented beverages such as wine or beer, primarily consumed with meals. It also includes participants engaging in detailed health surveys, quarterly online meetings, and annual medical check-ups. The organisers emphasised that their intent is not to promote alcohol consumption, but to dissect whether moderate drinking can indeed have positive health implications. For those who already consume alcohol in moderation, this presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research poised to influence lifestyle choices and health practices in the years to come.
Business Post
03-05-2025
- Business
- Business Post
Methodology: How an unprecedented investigation uncovered Ireland's Tax Mirage
Ireland's Tax Mirage This investigation is based on research from the Democracy Challenged project at University College Dublin (UCD), funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The team is carrying out forensic financial investigations into how US multinationals use Ireland to house intellectual property (IP) and shift global profits.
