A 2,600-year-old inscription engraved on a monument in Turkey, known as Arslan Kaya or “lion rock,” has been deciphered, according to research by Professor Mark Munn of Pennsylvania State University. This ancient carving, which has endured significant damage from weathering and looting, contains references to Materan, a goddess revered by the Phrygians, an ancient civilisation that thrived in the region between 1200 and 600 B.C. Materan, often simply called “the Mother,” was central to Phrygian religious beliefs.

Monument Details and Historical Significance

The Arslan Kaya monument is decorated with images of lions and sphinxes, which were symbols of strength and protection in Phrygian culture. The name Materan, deciphered through careful analysis of the damaged inscription, appears alongside a depiction of the goddess. Materan was later venerated by other cultures, known as “Mother of the Gods” by the Greeks and as “Magna Mater” or “Great Mother” by the Romans.

At the time the inscription was created, the region was under the influence of the Lydian kingdom, which also held Materan in high regard. The inscription, believed to have been part of a longer text, may have detailed the commissioning party and explained the goddess’s significance.

Challenges in Deciphering the Inscription

The text has been the subject of scholarly debate for over a century. Munn utilised detailed photographs and historical records to piece together its meaning, noting that optimal lighting on April 25, 2024, played a crucial role in capturing the monument’s details.

Rostyslav Oreshko, a lecturer at the Practical School of Advanced Studies in France, told LiveScience that Munn’s work affirms earlier readings from the 19th century, which identified the name Materan. Despite this, Oreshko emphasised that the study solidifies previous interpretations rather than offering entirely new insights.

The deciphered inscription sheds light on the enduring cultural significance of Materan and highlights the Phrygians’ influence on subsequent civilisations.

A bottlenose dolphin residing alone in the Baltic Sea has been documented producing thousands of vocalisations, potentially as a result of loneliness. Known locally as Delle, this dolphin was first noticed in the Svendborgsund channel near Funen Island, Denmark, in 2019. Bottlenose dolphins typically thrive in social pods, but no other dolphins have been seen in the area.

The University of Southern Denmark deployed underwater recorders to monitor the impact of Delle’s presence on local harbour porpoises. Unexpectedly, 10,833 sounds were recorded over 69 days between December 8, 2022, and February 14, 2023. Dr Olga Filatova, cetacean biologist and lead researcher, reported hearing an extensive range of sounds, including whistles and tonal noises. These sounds are often associated with social interactions among dolphins, yet Delle was entirely alone.

Unpacking the Recordings

Among the captured vocalisations were 2,291 whistles and 2,288 burst-pulses—clicks often linked to aggression or excitement. Delle also produced three distinctive whistles resembling “signature whistles”, unique sounds used by dolphins as individual identifiers. These findings, detailed in the journal Bioacoustics on October 31, led researchers to initially speculate that multiple dolphins might be present. However, Delle’s solitary state ruled out such assumptions.

Possible Explanations for the Vocalisations

The sounds may indicate attempts to connect with others or might simply reflect involuntary expressions linked to emotions, similar to humans laughing while alone. Dr Filatova suggested it is unlikely that Delle was calling other dolphins, as his years in the area would have revealed the absence of companions.

The study highlights a gap in understanding solitary dolphins’ behaviour. Thea Taylor, Managing Director of the Sussex Dolphin Project, noted the potential for these findings to provide insights into dolphin emotions and behaviour, stressing that solitary individuals remain under-researched.
Delle’s case underscores the complexity of dolphin communication, with researchers aiming to uncover the motivations behind such vocal patterns in isolated circumstances.

Jeff Bezos’ aerospace venture, Blue Origin, has confirmed plans to launch its ninth crewed mission, NS-28, on Friday, November 22, 2024. The suborbital spaceflight will take off from the company’s West Texas facility during a designated window starting at 10:30 a.m. EST. Viewers can watch the live broadcast via Blue Origin’s official channels or Space.com, with coverage beginning 30 minutes before launch.

NS-28 Mission Details and Crew

The NS-28 mission will carry six passengers, including Emily Calandrelli, an MIT-educated engineer, science communicator, and author. The flight also includes Marc and Sharon Hagle, a married couple who previously flew on the NS-20 mission in March 2022. Austin Litteral, a giveaway winner sponsored by the shopping platform Whatnot, entrepreneur James (J.D.) Russell, and businessman Henry (Hank) Wolfond will complete the crew.

In conjunction with the mission, Sharon Hagle’s nonprofit organisation, SpaceKids Global, has arranged an educational programme for young students. The “SpaceKids Global Press Squad,” comprised of eight children aged 8 to 12, will report on the mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and receive a tour of Blue Origin’s facilities.

Overview of Blue Origin’s Suborbital Programme

The New Shepard rocket-capsule system will make its 28th launch during this mission, marking the ninth crewed flight for the autonomous suborbital vehicle. The trip is expected to last approximately 10 to 12 minutes, offering passengers several minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth against the vastness of space.

Although Blue Origin has not disclosed the cost of its tickets, its primary competitor, Virgin Galactic, has previously announced a $600,000 price tag per seat. Virgin Galactic, however, is currently on hiatus as it develops a new fleet of Delta-class spaceplanes, anticipated to resume commercial operations in 2026.