A study led by the University of Cambridge has revealed that a series of extreme droughts between the years 364 and 366 AD may have been a determining factor in the so-called Great Barbarian Conspiracy of the year 367, one of the most severe attacks on Roman rule in Britain since Boudica’s rebellion three centuries […]
Posted inScience
There is life on planet K2-18b: Strongest signs yet of biological activity detected outside the Solar System
A team of astronomers led by the University of Cambridge has detected the chemical fingerprints of possible signs of life on a planet outside the solar system. Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), they identified the molecules dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b, which […]
Posted inClassical Archaeology
Archaeologists Discover a Roman Castellum on the Banks of the Danube, the First Found in Austria
For the first time, an archaeological investigation has conclusively documented the existence of a brückenkopfkastell—a Roman auxiliary outpost castle erected at a strategic river crossing point—on Austrian soil. The discovery, made by a joint team from the Archaeological Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) and the Carnuntum Archaeological Park, provides new insights into […]
Posted inScience, Stone Age Archaeology
Prehistoric Sun Protection: How Homo sapiens Survived the Planet’s Magnetic Reversal 41,000 Years Ago
A recent study led by the University of Michigan suggests that Homo sapiens who inhabited Europe around 41,000 years ago may have survived a period of intense solar radiation thanks to technological innovations that seem simple but were highly effective: the use of protective pigments like ochre, the making of tightly fitted clothing, and sheltering […]
Posted inModern Era
Magenta, the Color Born from a Battle
The history of colors is intertwined with the evolution of humanity, reflecting scientific advances, cultural conquests, and historical moments that have left an indelible mark on our perception of the world. Each color contains within it a fragment of the human story, and some, like magenta, shine not only because of their chromatic intensity but […]
Posted inStone Age Archaeology
This Is How Humans Managed to Make Fire During the Ice Age Glaciation
For millennia, fire has been considered an essential element for human survival: it not only provided warmth in hostile climates but also enabled food cooking, tool-making, and even served as a hub for social interactions. In the context of the European Ice Age, this resource must undoubtedly have been a vital pillar for hunter-gatherer groups […]
Posted inIron Age Archaeology
A Celtic Iron Age Necropolis Found in France Without Human Remains but With Complete Swords in Their Sheaths and Other Treasures
At the top of the archaeological site of Creuzier-le-Neuf, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, a team from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) has uncovered an extensive necropolis dated to the Iron Age. Although soil conditions have prevented the preservation of human remains, the site offers valuable insight into funerary practices and the prestige […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
Ancient Inscriptions, Heraldic Shields, and Drawings Deciphered in the Cenacle of Jerusalem Built by the Crusaders
An international team of researchers has succeeded in identifying and analyzing dozens of medieval graffiti in one of Christianity’s holiest sites, the Cenacle of Jerusalem, the place where tradition says the Last Supper took place. At the top of Mount Zion in Jerusalem stands a site of extraordinary religious significance for the three major monotheistic […]
Posted inAntiquity
The Military Secrets of Urartu: How a Forgotten Kingdom Challenged the Mighty Assyrian Empire
In the mountains of eastern Anatolia, during the Iron Age between the 9th and 6th centuries BC, a kingdom arose that challenged one of the greatest powers of its time: Urartu (also known as the Kingdom of Van). Despite its hostile geography, rebellious vassals, and the constant pressure from the Assyrian Empire, the Urartians managed […]
Posted inModern Era
Maximator, the intelligence alliance formed by five European countries that ended up being spied on by their own machines
Military alliances are interstate political agreements signed to achieve common defense. They have existed since Antiquity (remember, for instance, the leagues formed by the Greek city-states), and although their most important aspect traditionally pertains to weaponry and warfare, since the 20th century they have increasingly incorporated specialties related to espionage and intelligence services. Perhaps the […]
