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A significant discovery has been made in Jerusalem by a team led by Dr. Azriel Yechezkel from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Researchers have identified 50 cave pearls within the Joweizeh Spring Tunnel, a historic waterway near Jerusalem’s Old City. Among the findings, 14 pearls contained pottery fragments, and two included plaster remains, marking the first instance of man-made objects embedded in such formations. The findings were reported in the journal Archaeometry.

Unique Discovery of Cave Pearls in the Tunnel

Cave pearls, small mineral formations resembling pearls, are reported to be rare speleothems formed under specific environmental conditions. Unlike other geological formations, these pearls can develop within a few hundred years, as per sources. The Joweizeh Spring Tunnel, built to channel water from a perched aquifer, provided the necessary environment for their formation.

Discovered in a previously sealed section of the tunnel, the pearls measured various sizes and were analysed for their composition, as per reports. Among the artefacts, most pottery shards were linked to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, with a few dating back to the Iron Age and Middle Bronze Age. Reportedly, some shards contained a cobalt-rich coating, a technique associated with imported pottery from regions like Cyprus and Ephesus.

Historical Significance of the Tunnel and Artefacts

The Joweizeh Spring Tunnel, spanning 232 metres, is one of the oldest artificial water tunnels in the southern Levant. Constructed during the Iron Age II, it was part of a royal estate. Evidence suggests its continuous use through the Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, with significant renovations during the Hellenistic era.

Dr. Yechezkel posits that the imported pottery, possibly a ceramic lamp, may have been used by engineers overseeing the tunnel’s construction, in a statement. This discovery sheds light on the engineering expertise of ancient civilisations and their water management systems.

The findings highlight the interplay between natural processes and human activity in creating such unique formations. Further research is anticipated to uncover additional insights into the tunnel’s history, as per reports.

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Study Validates Nebra Sky Disc as Bronze Age Artefact Using Forging Analysis

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December 11, 2024

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Study Validates Nebra Sky Disc as Bronze Age Artefact Using Forging Analysis

A recent study has provided crucial insights into the manufacturing techniques used to create the Nebra Sky Disc, an artefact thought to date back 3,800 years to the Early Bronze Age. The analysis challenges claims suggesting the disc could be a modern forgery. Researchers revealed that the disc was crafted through an elaborate “hot forging” process, involving at least ten heating and hammering cycles at temperatures exceeding 700°C, according to Christian-Heinrich Wunderlich, a metallurgist cited by Live Science.

Discovery and Ongoing Debate

The study was published in Scientific Reports on November 21. Unearthed in 1999 near Nebra, Germany, the 12-inch bronze disc, adorned with gold symbols thought to represent celestial bodies, has been the subject of considerable debate. Initial reports lauded it as the oldest known depiction of the sky. However, questions regarding its authenticity arose, including theories suggesting its discovery site might have been staged to enhance its market value.

Experts involved in the study recreated a replica using Early Bronze Age techniques, reportedly. The metallographic comparison between the replica and the original disc identified crystal structures in the bronze consistent with ancient hot forging methods. Wunderlich in a statement to LiveScience said that the copper used in the disc was traced to a specific Austrian mine active during the Early Bronze Age but no longer operational in subsequent eras. This finding undermines suggestions that the artefact might be significantly younger.

Symbolism and Craftsmanship

The disc combines bronze with gold elements using a technique known as damascening. Harald Meller, state archaeologist of Saxony-Anhalt, emphasised in his statement that the advanced metalworking skills evident in its construction. The gold inlays, possibly depicting the sun, moon, stars, and other celestial elements, have been interpreted as an early astronomical chart.

The artefact remains on display at the Saxony-Anhalt State Museum of Prehistory, celebrated for its historical significance. While disputes surrounding its origins continue, recent findings provide strong evidence supporting its Bronze Age provenance.

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Is this marble bust the face of Cleopatra VII? Archaeologists are divided.

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December 11, 2024

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Is this marble bust the face of Cleopatra VII? Archaeologists are divided.

A marble bust, unearthed at the ancient city of Taposiris Magna in Egypt, is believed by archaeologist Kathleen Martinez to depict Cleopatra VII, the renowned Ptolemaic queen linked to Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The discovery, made beneath a temple wall, features a female figure wearing a diadem, a royal headpiece. Reports from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities highlight that Martinez, who leads the Egyptian-Dominican excavation team, attributes the statue to Cleopatra VII, the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, reigning from 69 to 30 B.C.

Scepticism has been raised by other archaeologists about the identification of the statue. In statements made to Live Science, Zahi Hawass, a former Egyptian minister of antiquities, suggested that the artefact likely represents a Roman-era figure rather than Cleopatra. He explained that during Cleopatra’s reign, Egyptian art styles predominated, whereas the Roman style evident in the bust would align with a later period, after Cleopatra’s death in 30 B.C.

Artefacts and Additional Discoveries at Taposiris Magna

Numerous artefacts were uncovered alongside the bust, including 337 coins, some depicting Cleopatra VII, oil lamps, and a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Excavations at the site have also revealed a necropolis with 20 tombs, fragments of other statues, and a previously unknown temple believed to date back to the Ptolemaic period.

Kathleen Martinez, who has led research at Taposiris Magna for over a decade, has previously posited that Cleopatra’s tomb might be located at the site, though this theory lacks consensus among experts. Underwater exploration near the site has also yielded pottery, structures, and human remains, though further studies are required to establish their historical context.

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X-Class Solar Flare From Sunspot 3912 Causes Radio Blackouts in Southern Africa

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December 11, 2024

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X-Class Solar Flare From Sunspot 3912 Causes Radio Blackouts in Southern Africa

A massive X-class solar flare, the strongest classification of its kind, erupted from sunspot region 3912 at 4:06 a.m. EST on December 8, as per reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The solar event, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), caused radio blackouts in southern Africa, where the region was exposed to the Sun at the time. Experts suggest the CME may graze Earth, resulting in minor geomagnetic disturbances.

Radio Blackouts Observed Across Southern Africa

The intense flare ionised Earth’s upper atmosphere, impacting high-frequency radio communications. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the ionisation led to increased atmospheric density, absorbing radio signals and weakening long-distance communication. Southern Africa experienced notable disruptions, as it was under direct sunlight during the flare’s peak.

Expert Insight on Solar Impact

Space Weather Physicist Dr Tamitha Skov stated on social media platform X that Earth is likely to experience limited effects from the CME. She explained in a statement that the solar storm launched will graze Earth to the west. Fast solar wind streams might deflect the structure even further west, resulting in mild impacts by midday on December 11.

Understanding Solar Flares and Their Effects

Solar flares are intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation originating from the Sun. They are classified into five categories—A, B, C, M, and X—indicating their strength. X-class flares, the most powerful, can severely disrupt satellite operations and communication systems. This recent eruption underscores an active phase in the current solar cycle, raising the likelihood of future similar events.

While Earth remains largely unaffected by this flare, experts emphasise the importance of monitoring solar activity to mitigate potential risks to technological infrastructure.

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