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Buried landforms from a massive ice sheet that existed approximately 1 million years ago have been uncovered deep beneath the North Sea. These findings, revealed through high-resolution imaging, depict large-scale structures formed during the mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT). Researchers have stated that the ice sheet, which extended from present-day Norway to the British Isles, left behind significant imprints before retreating. The discoveries are helping scientists understand historical glacial dynamics and their relation to shifting climatic patterns.

Revelations from High-Resolution Imaging

According to a study published in Science Advances, these landforms were detected using sound wave data. Christine Batchelor, a senior lecturer in physical geography at Newcastle University, explained to Live Science that the findings suggest the presence of one expansive ice sheet during this period, challenging earlier assumptions about multiple smaller ice sheets shaping the region. The evidence was found under 1 kilometre of sediment, with distinct patterns on the seabed indicating how the ice sheet advanced and retreated.

Key Landform Patterns Identified

Grounded ice sheets are known to sculpt the underlying sediment during their movements, producing erosional and depositional features. Batchelor detailed that streamlined features aligned with ice flow direction were formed during the ice’s advance. Meanwhile, transverse imprints, including crevasse-squeeze ridges, were left during its retreat. These features occur when soft sediment is pushed into cracks at the ice base before the sheet lifts off, aided by water undercutting.

Implications for Climate Change Research

The mid-Pleistocene transition is considered a pivotal time in Earth’s glacial history, marked by more intense and prolonged glacial periods. The study provides clues about how ice sheets respond to climate shifts. Researchers aim to use these findings to model historical ice sheet behaviours and draw parallels with current environmental feedback mechanisms, offering insights into the processes influencing today’s climate systems.

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New Study Uncovers Discrepancies in Universe’s Expansion Rate

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New Study Uncovers Discrepancies in Universe’s Expansion Rate

Recent findings have intensified debates surrounding the universe’s expansion, suggesting discrepancies in its speed may challenge long-standing cosmological models. Observations from advanced instruments like the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope indicate variations in the rate of expansion across different regions, leaving scientists searching for explanations. Researchers have now strengthened the evidence for this inconsistency, hinting at potential gaps in the understanding of physics and cosmology that have guided theories for decades.

Study Reveals Contradictory Measurements

According to findings published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, data collected from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has provided new insights into the Hubble constant, the measure of the universe’s expansion rate. Using the Coma galaxy cluster, located roughly 320 million light-years from Earth, the study determined an expansion rate of 76.5 kilometers per second per megaparsec (km/s/Mpc). This conflicts with earlier measurements based on the cosmic microwave background (CMB), which suggested a lower value of 67 km/s/Mpc.

Clashing Methods Deepen the Puzzle

The discrepancy arises from two primary methods of calculating the Hubble constant. Early-universe data derived from the CMB aligns with predictions from the standard cosmological model. In contrast, readings from Cepheid variable stars and Type Ia supernovae — utilised to measure distances in later cosmic stages — consistently yield higher expansion rates. Efforts by teams such as DESI aim to refine these measurements further but continue to amplify the tension.

Experts Call for New Theories

As reported by Live Science, Professor Dan Scolnic of Duke University, the study’s lead author, remarked that the results challenge fundamental assumptions about the universe’s structure. He said that this is not just a matter of resolving a difference; it suggests that our cosmological models might need reevaluation.

As studies progress, scientists remain focused on identifying errors or gaps in existing methods, while others explore entirely new frameworks for understanding the universe’s evolution.

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Discover Ancient Megaliths Around the World That Rival Stonehenge

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Discover Ancient Megaliths Around the World That Rival Stonehenge

Stonehenge is often hailed as a masterpiece of ancient engineering, but it is neither the oldest nor the largest megalithic site on Earth. Around the globe, other remarkable structures rival its grandeur, with some predating it by thousands of years. From Göbekli Tepe in Turkey to the Carnac Stones in France, these monuments showcase the ingenuity of early societies. This list, as reported by Live Science, explores seven awe-inspiring megaliths that rival the fame of Stonehenge.

1. Göbekli Tepe, Turkey

Dating back over 11,000 years, Göbekli Tepe predates Stonehenge by millennia. Situated in southeastern Turkey, this UNESCO World Heritage site consists of T-shaped pillars up to 18 feet tall. Intricate carvings of animals and abstract symbols adorn the pillars, hinting at its possible use for religious ceremonies or social gatherings. Built during the hunter-gatherer era, Göbekli Tepe challenges our understanding of early human achievements.

2. Avebury, England

Located near Stonehenge, Avebury boasts the largest known stone circle in the world, with a diameter of approximately 1,378 feet. Constructed around 2500 BCE, this Neolithic site also features two smaller inner circles and avenues of paired standing stones. Researchers believe Avebury was part of a broader ceremonial landscape tied to ancient communities practising agriculture, hunting, and gathering.

3. Ring of Brodgar, Scotland

This Neolithic henge on the Orkney Islands was built around 2500 BCE. Originally comprising 60 stones, 36 remain today, ranging in height from 6.9 to 15.4 feet. With a diameter of 341 feet, the stone circle is surrounded by 13 prehistoric burial mounds, suggesting it was a site for rituals honouring the dead.

4. Ale’s Stones, Sweden

Ale’s Stones, found near the fishing village of Kåseberga, consists of 59 boulders arranged in a ship-like formation. Estimated to be between 1,000 and 2,500 years old, the site remains a mystery. Some researchers speculate it was used as a solar calendar, while its exact purpose remains unclear.

5. Rujm el-Hiri, Golan Heights

This site, dating back around 6,000 years, features concentric stone circles with a central tumulus. Known as the “Wheel of Giants” or the “Levantine Stonehenge,” its function is debated. The tumulus may indicate its use as a burial site, potentially for significant figures of the era. While earlier theories proposed astronomical purposes, recent studies cast doubt on this idea.

6. Spanish Stonehenge, Spain

Submerged for decades by a human-made lake, the Dolmen of Guadalperal emerges during droughts. Dating back 7,000 years, this structure includes around 150 standing stones arranged around a central oval area. Engravings on a large entrance stone depict a human figure alongside what might be a river or snake.

7. Carnac Stones, France

Located in Brittany, the Carnac stones are approximately 6,000 years old. This vast collection of about 3,000 stones includes rows, circles, and isolated menhirs, some reaching 21 feet in height. While some stones appear to mark graves, the rituals performed here over millennia remain shrouded in mystery.

They highlight the incredible diversity of megalithic sites worldwide, underscoring humanity’s enduring fascination with monumental stone structures. Each site reflects the ingenuity, cultural significance, and ritual practices of the ancient societies that built them.

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Rare Corinthian Helmet from Ancient Greece Up for Auction in London

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Rare Corinthian Helmet from Ancient Greece Up for Auction in London

A rare and exceptionally well-preserved Corinthian helmet, believed to have been used by Greek hoplite warriors, is set to go under the hammer later this month in London. Crafted from bronze and dating back to between 500 and 450 B.C., the helmet showcases the artistry of ancient Greek warfare. Such helmets, designed to cover most of the face while leaving gaps for the eyes and mouth, were widely recognised for their association with the Greek infantry style of combat.

Historical Context and Craftsmanship

According to Apollo Art Auctions, the helmet represents a significant piece of Greek military history, offering insights into the craftsmanship of the era. Ivan Bonchev, the director of the auction house, stated in an email to Live Science that the artefact “possibly links to a Spartan warrior” and provides a rare glimpse into the artistry of ancient Greek armour. The auction house has confirmed that the item is neither stolen nor missing, as verified by the Art Loss Register.

Significance of Corinthian Helmets

Corinthian helmets, named after the city-state of Corinth, were not exclusive to the region. In Arms and Armor of the Greeks by Anthony Snodgrass, it was noted that these helmets were adopted by various city-states, including Sparta and Athens. The helmets were typically decorated with geometric designs or crests made from horse hair. Greek art frequently depicted warriors wearing these helmets tilted back on their heads during moments of rest, a style famously associated with the goddess Athena.

Auction Details

The helmet, expected to fetch between $72,000 and $108,000, highlights the enduring legacy of Greek warfare. Its lack of ear holes suggests it belonged to an early design, prioritising the protection of hoplite warriors during phalanx formations. With its detailed eyeholes and nose guard, the artefact remains an enduring symbol of ancient military ingenuity

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