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Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
5,000-year-old pits discovered in Germany reveals haunting Neolithic secrets
Archaeologists in Germany made a stunning discovery of numerous ritual pits that belonged to the Salzmünde culture, revealing a prehistoric society that struggled with internal and external changes. At the Gerstewitz archaeological site in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, these sacrificial pits, which were more like treasure troves, held the remnants of houses, ceramic vessels, human and animal bones, and converted oven pits. Archaeologists first discovered the Salzmünde Culture, a regional subset of the greater Funnel Beaker Cultures, in 1921. According to a new study published in Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt – Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte, the burial ritual of these prehistoric people was 'particularly striking.' Their sacrificial rituals were no less remarkable. Researchers report that the pits they uncovered reflect people in crisis, due to climate change and threats from the north. The Salzmünde Culture needed help In anticipation of constructing a new SuedOstLink powerline, archaeologists investigated the area to ensure nothing of historical or cultural value was buried beneath the surface. Substantial and significant cultural material surfaced that illuminated a prehistoric society grappling with instability. Twelve sacrificial pits contained the remains of burnt houses and offerings, though the dog bones and human skulls stood out to archaeologists. They measured about 6.4 to 9.8 feet wide by 6.5 to 8.2 feet deep, according to Popsci. With the inclusion of two unbroken ceramic vessels, archaeologists believe that they were offerings. Study authors continued that the Salzmünde placed weathered dog bones, showing traces of fire, next to a human skull. It did not show any signs of weathering, thereby communicating to archaeologists that these pits remained open for an extensive ceremony, or the dog bones were kept elsewhere for an extended period of time. But the bodies of two people that they found appeared to have been moved to this location later. 'This case, too, suggests complex, multi-stage rituals,' study authors wrote. Why did the Salzmünde Culture set up these elaborate rituals? Based on a broader viewpoint, archaeologists suspect that they performed these rituals 'in high frequency and with…intensity.' As per LBV, they appeared to create ritual performance spaces where animal sacrifice met a burning of houses, along with the manipulation of corpses. It seemed to be a rite that took place over time. Sources indicate that Central Europe experienced a deterioration of climate in the 4th millennium BC. Archaeology News continued that the Bernburg Culture was also encroaching upon their territory. So, these larger threats might have propelled the Salzmünde Culture to take drastic measures and cry out for help. Who are the Salzmünde? The Salzmünde culture, a regional branch of the Funnel Beaker groups that spread along the middle and lower course of the Saale River, was already known for its peculiar funerary practices. At the eponymous site of Salzmünde, discovered in 1921, burials were found beneath layers of broken pottery and remains of burned houses, along with numerous cases of interpersonal violence and post-mortem manipulations, such as the relocation of skulls and long bones. These reflect a people reaching to their ancestors or a higher idea for support through trials and tribulations. Read the study in Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt – Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists make breakthrough with 'self-healing' materials discovered on the Moon: 'Tolerate very high amounts of radiation'
We see the sun's rays reflecting off the moon on a nightly basis, but what if we could harness that solar power using its lunar surface materials to power a future moon base? A recent study explores the concept of utilizing lunar regolith — the thin layer of dust and particles on its surface — to fabricate glass that could be used for solar panels, as summarized by Popular Science. This could power a moon base where researchers work on potential Earth conservation projects, while cultivating sustainable fungal-based structures for habitats — a practical solution given the scarcity of resources. With the high cost of shipping raw materials to the moon, it's beneficial to use whatever materials we can find on its surface. This study proposes that by manufacturing "moonglass" from found materials, we can save 99% of material transport weight and save enough money to make it practical. That glass would be used as shielding for perovskite-based solar panels that would be shipped up to the lunar surface. Panels made from this class of materials have the benefit of being thin, lightweight, high-efficiency, and radiation-resistant, which is helpful given that the lunar surface receives about 200 times more radiation than the Earth's surface, as Popsci explained. "Perovskites … tolerate very high amounts of radiation without damage. We refer to them as radiation tolerant, as their soft lattice allows not only to tolerate radiation damage, but [to] actually self-heal afterwards," said Felix Lang, a study co-author, per Popsci. The researchers fabricated glass from a sample that simulates regolith found in the moon's highland regions. The material, named TUBS-T, has a makeup that's ideally suited for radiation resistant moonglass. It contains iron (II) oxide, which prevents the darkening effect that radiation typically has on normal glass. In order to fabricate glass on the moon, they plan to use a solar furnace that utilizes mirrors to concentrate sunlight into a highly focused beam for heating and melting the regolith. Those mirrors need to be factored into the feasibility of the project, since they'd need to come from Earth. "At this stage, we are however not sure how heavy the equipment will need to be, as it will also depend on many factors, for example production capacity," Lang explained. The study did explore various scenarios to validate the potential cost effectiveness of manufacturing components on the moon as opposed to launching everything from the Earth's surface. There's a sweet spot somewhere between 3 and 10 megawatts of photovoltaic generation, as Popsci noted, where the project becomes more financially feasible. Back on Earth, we wouldn't see any immediate benefit from this project, but many life-changing technologies have been born out of NASA's research. Innovative materials that improve solar panel resilience could eventually help us improve clean energy projects on the planet. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
