New Magnetic Survey Reveals Ancient Assyrian Capital’s Hidden Structures
A newly conducted magnetic survey has unveiled several previously unknown structures at the ancient Assyrian capital of Khorsabad in northern Iraq, according to reports. The site, dating back 2,700 years, was originally established as Dur-Sharrukin, or “Fortress of Sargon,” by Neo-Assyrian Emperor Sargon II in 713 B.C. The discoveries include a sprawling villa with 127 rooms, royal gardens, and a water gate, challenging earlier assumptions that the city was left largely incomplete before its abandonment in the eighth century B.C.
Details of the Survey and Findings
The findings, presented by Jörg Fassbinder, a geophysicist at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, during the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2024 Annual Meeting, were obtained without excavation. A magnetometer was manually operated over 0.3 square kilometres of the site, revealing structures far beyond the previously excavated palace complex. The villa, described as being twice the size of the White House, and other features suggest a level of development previously unrecognised in Khorsabad.
Sarah Melville, a historian of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, commented in an email to Live Science that the non-invasive mapping technique provided valuable insights while preserving the integrity of the site. Melville’s observations highlight the importance of using advanced tools to gain a more comprehensive understanding of historical capitals like Khorsabad.
Historical Context and Preservation Challenges
Sargon II’s death in 705 B.C. resulted in the capital being abandoned as his successor, Sennacherib, shifted focus to Nineveh. While 19th- and early 20th-century excavations uncovered parts of the palace and iconic statues like the Lamassu, significant portions of the city remained unexplored. The site also suffered damage during looting by the Islamic State in 2015, with archaeological work resuming only after 2017.
Experts, such as Daniele Morandi Bonacossi of the University of Udine, in their statement have noted that this research fills critical gaps by exploring non-monumental architecture and urban structures, providing evidence of a thriving community. The future of the newly identified structures remains uncertain, as further excavation decisions are awaited.
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A new study has allowed physicists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and collaborators to measure the quantum geometry of electrons in solids. The research provides insights into the shape and behaviour of electrons within crystalline materials at a quantum level. Quantum geometry, which had previously been limited to theoretical predictions, has now been directly observed, enabling unprecedented avenues for manipulating quantum material properties, according to the study.
New Pathways for Quantum Material Research
The study was published in Nature Physics on November 25. As described by Riccardo Comin, Class of 1947 Career Development Associate Professor of Physics at MIT, the achievement is a major advancement in quantum material science. In an interview with MIT’s Materials Research Laboratory, Comin highlighted that their team has developed a blueprint for obtaining completely new information about quantum systems. The methodology used can potentially be applied to a wide range of quantum materials beyond the one tested in this study.
Technical Innovations Enable Direct Measurement
The research employed angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), a technique previously used by Comin and his colleagues to examine quantum properties. The team adapted ARPES to directly measure quantum geometry in a material known as kagome metal, which features a lattice structure with unique electronic properties. Mingu Kang, first author of the paper and a Kavli Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University, noted that this measurement became possible due to collaboration between experimentalists and theorists from multiple institutions, including South Korea during the pandemic.
These experiences underscore the collaborative and resourceful efforts involved in realising this scientific breakthrough. This advancement offers new possibilities in understanding the quantum behaviour of materials, paving the way for innovations in computing, electronics, and magnetic technologies, as reported in Nature Physics.
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France’s nuclear energy sector reached a significant milestone as the Flamanville 3 European Pressurised Reactor in Normandy was successfully connected to the national electricity grid. According to reports, this reactor, now the country’s most powerful with a capacity of 1,600 MW, began supplying electricity at 11:48 am local time on Saturday. Officials from EDF, the state-owned energy firm, highlighted to the media that the connection marks an important chapter in the nation’s energy strategy, despite facing years of technical issues, delays, and cost overruns.
Decades in the Making
The Flamanville 3 project, initiated in 2007, was designed to revive interest in nuclear energy across Europe following past disasters. Reports have indicated that its advanced pressurised water reactor technology offers increased efficiency and improved safety measures. EDF’s CEO, Luc Rémont, called the development “historic,” noting that it was the first new reactor to begin operations in France in 25 years. Challenges during the reactor’s construction phase extended its timeline to 17 years, with costs escalating from an initial €3.3 billion to an estimated €13.2 billion.
Testing Phase and Future Plans
As per reports, it has been confirmed by EDF that Flamanville 3 will undergo extensive testing at varying power levels until summer 2025. A full inspection, lasting approximately 250 days, is expected to occur in spring 2026. The facility is projected to supply power to over two million homes once fully operational. France’s nuclear programme remains one of the most prominent globally, contributing to about 60 percent of the nation’s electricity output.
Government’s Commitment to Nuclear Energy
President Emmanuel Macron has underscored the importance of nuclear energy in the country’s shift towards sustainable power sources in the media. The government has announced plans for six additional next-generation reactors and possible options for eight more, reflecting its commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Macron previously described nuclear development as essential to safeguarding both energy security and the climate.
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