Latest news with #TheDailyGalaxy
Iraqi News
27-04-2025
- Science
- Iraqi News
2,600-Year-Old Babylonian map from Iraq reveals ancient worldview
Baghdad ( – Discovered in Sippar, Iraq, the Imago Mundi stands as the oldest known map of the world, offering a fascinating glimpse into the Babylonian worldview over 2,600 years ago. This unique clay tablet, dating to the 6th century BCE and now housed in the British Museum, is more than just geography – it's a blend of cosmology and mythology. Ancient Babylonian Map Offers a Rare 2,600-Year-Old View of the World | The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel Carved in cuneiform script, the map places Babylon at the very center, reflecting its status as the hub of Mesopotamian civilization. Surrounding Babylon are representations of neighboring cities and regions like Assyria and Elam, along with geographical features such as mountains and swamps. The known world is depicted as encircled by a 'bitter river' or ocean. Intriguingly, the Imago Mundi intertwines the real with the mythical. Cuneiform text provides context, while depictions of legendary creatures hint at the Babylonians' belief in divine forces shaping their world. The reverse side even features carvings of constellations, linking the earthly realm to the heavens. This incredible artifact from ancient Iraq provides invaluable insight into the sophisticated knowledge and unique cosmology of the Babylonians, showcasing humanity's enduring quest to understand its place in the cosmos.
Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
US eyes $1.5 trillion lithium treasure as McDermitt Caldera confirmed to hold record deposit
40 Million Tons of Lithium Found in America—What It Means for the Green Revolution | The Daily Galaxy Listen to article A renewed geological assessment of the ancient McDermitt Caldera on the Oregon-Nevada border has confirmed the site holds what could be the largest known lithium deposit in the United States—potentially worth up to $1.5 trillion. Although the caldera's lithium-rich clays have been known for years, recent evaluations suggest the scale of the deposit is far greater than previously understood. Experts say the find could help transform the US into a major player in the global battery supply chain. The McDermitt Caldera was formed by a supervolcanic eruption 16.4 million years ago. The volcanic activity created a unique geological environment that concentrated vast amounts of lithium in claystone, particularly within lakebed sediments. At the southern end of the caldera in Nevada, Lithium Americas is advancing the Thacker Pass project—set to begin extraction in 2026 with more than $2 billion in government loans and major investments from companies like General Motors. On the Oregon side, Australia-based Jindalee Resources is exploring a similarly vast deposit, though no mine has yet been proposed. Officials and geologists suggest it could surpass other domestic sources in scale. 'This feature is 16 million years old, and we're making decisions in a matter of years,' said Sammy Castonguay, a geologist at Treasure Valley Community College. 'We need to understand what's at stake.' Estimates suggest McDermitt Caldera could contain between 20 and 40 million metric tonnes of lithium—far surpassing the major reserves found in Bolivia and Argentina. This figure is significantly higher than the previously reported 18 million metric tonnes. With global lithium demand expected to rise 40-fold by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency, the McDermitt site is being seen as a potential game-changer. However, extracting lithium from claystone poses technical and environmental challenges. Unlike salt brine operations, the lithium here is embedded in illite, requiring new chemical leaching technologies. Researchers are working on closed-loop systems to minimise water usage and reduce environmental harm. Local communities remain divided. Malheur County, Oregon's poorest, could benefit from jobs and infrastructure. But past mining in the region left toxic scars—visible in abandoned mercury waste piles. Meanwhile, Indigenous tribes and environmental groups have raised concerns about Thacker Pass's impact on sacred land, water resources, and wildlife habitats. 'The US can't afford to repeat past mistakes,' said Greg Smith, director of economic development in Malheur County. 'We need to do this the Oregon way—with full accountability and shared benefits.' As the US moves to strengthen its domestic lithium supply under the Inflation Reduction Act and reduce reliance on foreign sources, the McDermitt Caldera is drawing national and global attention. The question now is how, and if, the country will responsibly unlock its vast potential.
