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Archaeologists in Cambridgeshire have uncovered a Roman-era cemetery containing a unique burial involving liquid gypsum. The central grave, believed to belong to a high-status individual, was found encased in a stone coffin with gypsum poured around the body. This practice, though documented in Roman times, remains poorly understood. The gypsum, which often preserved organic materials like burial shrouds, revealed impressions of fabric from the individual’s clothing, providing rare insights into Roman burial customs.

Gypsum Burial and Surrounding Graves

According to Headland Archaeology, this burial type, more commonly associated with Roman urban centres, is an unusual find in rural locations. The gypsum used was carved and transported from a quarry approximately 50 kilometres away, suggesting significant expense and effort, indicative of the deceased’s elite status. Jessica Lowther, a community archaeologist with Headland Archaeology, noted in a statement to Live Science that such a process would have been costly, underscoring the individual’s prominence.

The cemetery, discovered during pre-construction excavations for a highway expansion, featured 14 graves surrounding the central gypsum burial, with seven more found beyond a boundary ditch. Burial types varied widely, including cist burials, cremations, decapitations, and graves with wooden coffins identified by iron nails.

Grave Goods and Insights

Prominent grave goods were recovered, including jewellery and personal items. A grave southwest of the central burial contained the remains of a young woman with silver earrings, copper alloy bracelets, and rings. Lowther speculated, in an email to Live Science, that these goods might represent a dowry. Another grave beyond the boundary ditch held a child with a collection of bracelets and earrings of similar design.

Researchers plan further analysis of the site to understand its historical significance and the lives of those buried there. The study is expected to shed light on the cemetery’s duration of use and its role in the broader Roman landscape.

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India’s Gaganyaan project takes a big step with Crew Module launch

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January 24, 2025

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India’s Gaganyaan project takes a big step with Crew Module launch

India’s journey toward human space exploration marked a critical step with the dispatch of the Crew Module for the first uncrewed mission under the Gaganyaan project. The module, integrated with a liquid propulsion system at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Bengaluru, has been sent to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This development, achieved on 21 January 2025, is part of India’s efforts to attain human spaceflight capabilities.

Liquid Propulsion System Details

As reported by the Economic Times, according to ISRO, the Crew Module Propulsion System (CMPS) incorporates a bi-propellant Reaction Control System (RCS). This system is essential for precise three-axis control—pitch, yaw, and roll—during the descent and re-entry phases. Control operations will commence after the separation of the service module and continue until the parachute-based deceleration system is deployed. The propulsion system includes 12 thrusters, each delivering 100 Newtons of thrust, along with high-pressure gas bottles, a propellant feed mechanism, and associated fluid control components.

Assembly and Integration

The module’s development also involved the integration of the Crew Module Uprighting System (CMUS), designed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). The module will now undergo further assembly processes, including avionics installation, electrical harnessing, and a series of checks at VSSC before its dispatch to the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. The final phase will focus on integrating the Crew Module with the Orbital Module.

ISRO has emphasised that the uncrewed G1 mission is a preparatory step for sending humans to space, enabling the validation of systems and technologies critical to the Gaganyaan project. With this milestone, India edges closer to joining the league of nations with human spaceflight capabilities.

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1.95-Million-Year-Old Evidence of Hominin Activity Discovered in Romania

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January 24, 2025

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1.95-Million-Year-Old Evidence of Hominin Activity Discovered in Romania

Evidence of hominin activity has been discovered in Romania, dating back approximately 1.95 million years, significantly altering the timeline of human presence in Europe. Fossil remains, found at the Grăunceanu site in the Olteț River Valley, have provided the earliest known proof of hominin activity in the region. This discovery indicates that early humans reached Europe around half a million years earlier than previously believed. The findings suggest early hominins adapted to temperate and seasonal environments long before earlier evidence suggested.

Findings from Grăunceanu Fossil Site

According to a study published in Nature Communications, faunal remains from Grăunceanu, part of the Tetoiu Formation, were analysed, showing cut marks consistent with hominin butchery techniques. The research team, led by the Department of Sociology & Anthropology at Ohio University, examined over 4,500 specimens for modifications, including anthropogenic marks. Of these, 20 bones displayed surface marks, with seven being identified as cut-marked with high confidence. These marks were found on animal tibiae and mandibles, demonstrating defleshing practices.

Dating Techniques and Environmental Insights

As reported by phys.org, high-precision laser ablation U-Pb dating was used on dentine samples from the site, providing minimum fossil ages ranging from 2.01 to 1.87 million years, with an average age of 1.95 million years. These findings align with biochronological estimates, establishing Grăunceanu as Europe’s oldest evidence of hominin activity. Isotope analysis of a horse molar suggested a temperate woodland-grassland environment with heavy seasonal rainfall, and faunal remains indicated mild winters, which would have supported hominin habitation during interglacial periods.

Implications for Hominin Migration

The evidence from Grăunceanu challenges previous theories that hominins first established themselves in Georgia, as seen at the Dmanisi site. This discovery implies that early humans dispersed across a broader range of environments earlier than previously understood, demonstrating significant ecological adaptability. The presence of warm-adapted species, such as pangolins and ostriches, further highlights the favourable conditions that may have facilitated this migration.

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Further reading:
Hominin Activity, Romania, Grăunceanu, Early Humans, Fossil Discoveries, Human Migration, Prehistoric Europe, Anthropology, Nature Communications, Ohio University, Dmanisi, Human Evolution

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SpaceX Achieves 400 Orbital Rocket Landings with Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy

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January 24, 2025

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SpaceX Achieves 400 Orbital Rocket Landings with Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy

SpaceX marked a significant achievement during the launch of 27 Starlink satellites from California on January 21, 2025. The mission, conducted from Vandenberg Space Force Base, witnessed the Falcon 9 rocket completing a successful return of its first stage to a drone ship positioned at sea. This marked the 400th orbital-class rocket landing for the company, a milestone that underscores the advancements made in reusable spaceflight technology.

Falcon 9 Leads SpaceX’s Reusability Milestones

According, the majority of these 400 landings have been achieved through the Falcon 9 rocket. This workhorse has been central to the company’s missions, with several boosters performing multiple flights. One of the Falcon 9’s first stages holds the record for 25 launches and landings. The focus on reusability has been a cornerstone of SpaceX’s approach to reducing costs and increasing the frequency of space missions.

Falcon Heavy’s Contribution to the Milestone

SpaceX’s powerful Falcon Heavy has also contributed to this achievement. The Falcon Heavy’s design integrates three Falcon 9 boosters, enabling it to execute up to three landings in a single mission. Although the rocket has flown only 11 times to date, it has played a crucial role in advancing the company’s capabilities in heavy-lift missions.

Starship’s Development and Next Steps

As per the reports by space.com, while the milestone did not include landings by SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket, progress on the fully reusable vehicle has been noteworthy. The Starship system aims to support human missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond. Recent test flights have showcased the potential of the vehicle, though challenges remain. On January 16, 2025, the Super Heavy booster was successfully caught by the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms, but issues during the upper stage’s flight highlighted areas for improvement.

This achievement reflects SpaceX’s focus on reusable technology, which continues to redefine possibilities in space exploration.

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