Ancient Bronze Statues Unearthed from Etruscan Healing Spring in Italy
Bronze statues, including depictions of snakes and a child priest, have been uncovered from a hot spring at San Casciano dei Bagni in Italy, according to the Italian Ministry of Culture, as per reports. The site, located around 120 kilometres northwest of Rome, has been excavated since 2019 and is believed to have been used for sacred rituals dating back to the third century B.C. The spring, originally used by the Etruscans and later adopted by the Romans, was a place where votive offerings were made in hopes of divine protection or healing, as per reports.
Discovery of Snake Statues and Other Artefacts
Bronze snake statues, some measuring up to 90 centimetres in length, were among the latest findings during the 2024 excavation, as reported by the excavation team. These statues were discovered in the deeper layers of the spring and are thought to have symbolised protection for the sacred waters. Other artefacts include a nude male figure inscribed with the name “Gaius Roscius” and a child priest holding a ball, which may have been used in divination rituals.
Preserved Organic Remains Found
The excavation also revealed well-preserved organic remains, such as eggs with visible yolks, pine cones, and plant matter. According to the Italian Ministry of Culture, in a statement, these items may have been used in rituals symbolising rebirth and regeneration. The preservation of these items is attributed to their rapid burial in sediment.
Expert Perspective
Alexandra Carpino, an art history professor at Northern Arizona University, commented in an email to Live Science that these findings are among the most significant discoveries of the 21st century. The range of artefacts provides insights into the role of healing sanctuaries in ancient societies.
Ongoing Research at the Site
Research continues at San Casciano dei Bagni, with scholars examining the inscriptions and artefacts to uncover more about the Etruscan and Roman use of the spring.
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A new pulsar, PSR J1922+37, has been discovered with a spin period of 1.92 seconds using the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) in China, according to a report. The finding was made in the direction of the open cluster NGC 6791. If confirmed as a member of this cluster, it would be the first pulsar identified in an open cluster, a breakthrough in pulsar and stellar cluster research, according to sources.
Key Details of PSR J1922+37
The finding was reported in a paper published Dec. 11 on the arXiv preprint server. As per reports, the pulsar PSR J1922+37 has been observed with a dispersion measure of 85 pc/cm³ and a flux density of approximately 7.0 µJy. Its position aligns closely with the location of NGC 6791, with an offset of 14 arcminutes from the cluster’s centre. The estimated distance of the pulsar, 15,600 light-years, is consistent with the cluster’s distance range, which is calculated to be between 13,100 and 16,000 light-years.
According to the study, led by Xiao-Jin Liu of Beijing Normal University, the dense stellar environment of NGC 6791 increases the likelihood of pulsars being present within the cluster. Researchers have suggested that precise measurements of PSR J1922+37’s distance and proper motion will be necessary to confirm its association with NGC 6791.
Potential for Further Discoveries
The researchers indicated that NGC 6791’s compact and high surface brightness environment could host additional pulsars. An estimate provided in the study predicts that as many as nine pulsars may exist within this cluster. The team noted that further observations using advanced techniques could help verify these predictions.
The report further highlights that the discovery has been described as a significant development in the understanding of pulsars within open clusters, an area of study previously limited due to low stellar density in such regions. Verification of PSR J1922+37’s cluster membership will require additional studies, including proper motion analysis to establish a definitive connection.
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Fossilised plant remains unearthed near the now-abandoned town of Rainbow, Utah, have defied classification. The plant, named Othniophyton elongatum, was initially discovered in 1969, but recent analysis has shown it is unrelated to any known plant families, living or extinct. The fossil, dating back around 47 million years, was preserved in the Green River Formation, a region noted for its well-preserved ancient flora and fauna.
The article was published in the journal Annals of Botany. As per reports, researchers, led by Steven Manchester, curator of palaeobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, examined a more complete specimen discovered in the University of California, Berkeley’s palaeobotany collection. This specimen, featuring leaves, flowers and fruits, provided additional details that contradicted the earlier theory linking the plant to the ginseng family. He told Live Science that the detailed structures of the fruits and flowers show traits that have not been found in any modern or extinct plant family.
Unique Features of the Fossilised Plant
As per reports, the study revealed unique characteristics, including stamens that remained attached to the fruit even after fertilisation — a feature not observed in any other known species. Microscopy and artificial intelligence technology allowed researchers to identify micro-impressions of seeds and developing reproductive structures, adding further depth to the analysis.
Despite thorough comparisons, the researchers could not match the fossil to any of the over 400 families of flowering plants. Attempts to associate it with extinct plant groups also proved unsuccessful, as reported.
The Green River Formation’s Role in Fossil Discoveries
The Green River Formation, known for its rich deposits of lake sediment and volcanic ash, has previously yielded other enigmatic fossils, such as Bonanzacarpum fruit and Palibinia leaves. These findings have led to the identification of extinct groups, yet Othniophyton elongatum continues to challenge classification efforts. According to sources, the findings highlight the complexity of ancient ecosystems and suggest that the fossil record still holds many untold stories of plant evolution.
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