-->
Drop Down MenusCSS Drop Down MenuPure CSS Dropdown Menu
Showing posts with label Archaeology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Archaeology. Show all posts

Monday, October 10, 2016

A new mysterious ancient shark of Megalodon relatives found

Recently, the researchers have revealed the existence of an ancient predator who used to swim in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans some 20 million years ago. The existence of the ancient predators which are the relatives of Megalodon (ancestor of the great white shark) is revealed through the discovery of fossilized teeth.
Megalodon, the relatives of a newly discovered ancient sharks species named Megalolamna paradoxodon. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eeSUO)
The newly discovered species was named 'Megalolamna paradoxodon.' And the name of "paradoxodon" refers to the fact that the car-sized shark appeared so suddenly in the geological record after appearing separately by the nearest relative, Otodus, about 45 million years ago.

"When I first saw, the teeth of Megalolamna paradoxodon like a giant tooth of the genus Lamna," said Kenshu Shimada of DePaul University of Chicago who discovered it, as quoted of Science Alert on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

"Even so these fossilized teeth were too strong for the Lamna. So we decided this is a new species that is not related to Lamna. In fact, the teeth features reminiscent of the genus Otodus," he added.
Distribution map of Megalolamna paradoxodon. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eeSUO)
So far, only five teeth with a length of 5 cm have been found in several areas such as California, North Carolina, Japan and Peru. This research has been published in the journal Historical Biology.

Based on the fossil findings, researchers estimate that this new type of shark grows to about 3.7 meters, more smaller than its sibling Megalodon which can grow to 18 meters. However, the species is still large enough to prey on medium-sized fish. Their teeth are also strong enough to grip and slicing prey.

"These facts were interesting, the sharks are spread geographically unknown until today, shows how little we know about the knowledge of ancient marine ecosystems," said Shimada.

Another interesting thing, these close relative of Megalodon shark has a bite is more powerful than T-rex and has been swimming across most of the globe around 20 million years ago. Even more mysteriously, until now the scientists did not know the causes of extinction of these sharks. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCIENCE ALERT]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Fossil of the biggest dinosaurs footprints was found in Gobi desert

Recently, the scientists have discovered one of the biggest dinosaur footprints in Gobi Desert, Mongolia, which has an estimated age of 70 million years. According to scientists from Okayama University of Science, the large footprint that has a length of 106 cm and a width of 77 cm offers new clues about the giant creature that roamed in the Earth millions of years ago.
Professor Shinobu Ishigaki lying next to a dinosaur footprint in the Mongolian Gobi Desert. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eYlKs)
As quoted of The Telegraph on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, those fossil of large footprints excavated in August through a joint expedition between Mongolia and Japan in a mantle layer formed between 70 to 90 million years ago in the late Cretaceous Period. The fossil was formed naturally, in which the sand flows into the muddy soil basin due to the gigantic creatures stomping.

"This is a very rare discovery, as well as these footprints fossils preserved well, has a length of one meter with traces of claws," said the statement issued by Okayama University of Science.
A drawing illustrating the dinosaur that may have left a footprint in Mongolia's Gobi Desert. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eYlKs)
According Shinobu Ishigaki, a professor of Okayama University of Science and Japanese research team leader, these footprints believed to belong to titanosaurs, a group of sauropods, long-necked herbivores that lived during the late Cretaceous Period. Those giant creature could have more than 20 meters high and 30 meters long. "A dinosaur fossil is expected later will be found," said Professor Ishigaki.

"The footprints are proof that dinosaurs lived. There is a lot of information that can be obtained from the footprints, including the shape of the dinosaur foot and the way they walked
," said Masateru Shibata, a researcher of Dinosaur Research Institute at Fukui Prefectural University.
Titanosaurs the most gigantic and diverse herbivorous in the southern continents during the final 30 million years of the Mesozoic Era. According to the scientists, titanosaurs species has many varieties, from which weighs like a cow until the sperm whale. Some of them are also considered as the largest land animals ever discovered.
One of the paleontologists lies next to the femur of sauropod discovered in Argentina in 2014. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eYlKs)
For example, the remains of a giant Titanosaurus found in southern Patagonia, Argentina in 2014. And according to the paleontologists, these species named Dreadnoughtus schrani was the largest dinosaur that ever lived on the Earth. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE TELEGRAPH]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

This is the most similar to the original face of Dinosaur

The cooperation of a paleontologist Jacob Vinther and palaeoartist Bob Nichols yielded the spectacular results, ie the most accurate dinosaur reconstruction that ever existed. The shape of these dinosaurs are not stereotypes, not at all large and fierce. 

The dinosaur has similar size with a golden retriever and its face was funny. The dinosaur head resembles a shoebox. His eyes were large and flat above his head. The horns is not coming from the top, but from the cheeks.
Reconstruction of the dinosaur Psittacosaurus, by palaeoartist Robert Nicholls. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1e6rKI)
These cute dinosaur was a Psittacosaurus, and the dinosaur fossil was discovered by Vinther and his colleagues in China in 2012. The success of scientists made the most accurate reconstruction of the dinosaur was not separated from the fossil preserved very well.

It was so good, so that the skin pigment is still there. Its cloaca, a multifunctional hole for passing urine, feces, and reproductive tracts are still preserved well. To reconstruct, Vinther initially studied the pigmentation on fossil named Jehol Biota are now stored in Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt.
The most accurate reconstruction yet made of a dinosaur. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1e6rKI)
He fired a laser beam to the fossil. By that way, he reveals there are the melanosoma pigment. Furthermore, he also mapped the color patterns from one body part to another. Once completed the analysis of color and body, then Nichols taking a role. For three months, he made a reconstruction based on research conducted by Vinther.

By his knowledge, Nichols who had taken part in many reconstruction of extinct species mentioned that the results of the Psittacosaurus reconstruction is the most accurate dinosaur reconstruction ever made.
Senckenberg Psittacosaur, showing exquisite preservation of skin pigments. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1e6rKI)
"The most surprising character is the head of a large and wide, highly pigmented scales on the shoulder, solid locomotor, flap of skin on the back foot, and pigmented cloaca," said Nichols.

"When the anatomy was surprised me, it was confirmed that I followed the fossil evidence than wishful thinking of my own," he said as quoted by The Guardian, on Thursday, September 15, 2016.
Psittacosaurus reconstructed in its probable Cretaceous forested habitat. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1e6rKI)
Meanwhile, Vinther revealed that besides of the accurate reconstruction, this dinosaur gives clues about the ability of camouflage. "This dinosaur was unique. We can see clearly that there is a pattern of colors, patterns of lines, or spots," he said as quoted by National Geographic, on Thursday.

Psittacosaurus backs are dark brown, while the belly is more lighter. The color gradation helped to protect themselves from predators. The pattern of lines on the feet to help protect themselves from insects. Vinther said, gradation and color pattern is a form of camouflage. It was first found in dinosaurs. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE GUARDIAN]
Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Monday, September 19, 2016

The figure of King Tut was not as beautiful as his treasures

The golden mask of King Tutankhamun
stored in the Egyptian Museum.
(Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dy8XY)
Behind the beautiful gold mask which covered the Tutankhamun, there are the face and body of the young pharaoh. It's shocking indeed, King Tut has the crooked legs, slightly forward teeth, and hips like a woman. The sightings of these figure are the result of visual autopsy performed by using the CT Scan 2000.

From the BBC's documentary film, the three dimentions model that appear quite staggering, and become the bright spot of the young pharaoh's death at the age of 19 years. Where in previous theory, indicated that King Tut probably died as a result of the chariot incident. But virtual reconstruction shows different scenarios.

"It is important to look at his ability to drive a chariot and we conclude it was impossible that's killed him, especially made his legs bandy, until finally he was not able to stand perfectly," said Albert Zink, head of the Institute for Mummies and Iceman in Italy.
No pretty boy... An earlier reconstruction of Tutankhamun’s face. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dy8y9)
According to Ashraf Selim, an Egyptian radiologist, King Tut has a deadly bones disease during his adolescence, causing extreme pain. About 130 rod buffer to walk was found around the King Tut treasure which supporting the theory that the young pharaoh was relying on his cane to walk.
King Tut unmasked ... His misshapen features were the result of his father, King Akhenaten, and his unidentified mother being siblings. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dy8y9)
And Zink believes the pharaoh's death is due to his frail body as a result of incestuous marriages were performed by his parents.

In 2010, an international genetic research resulted in the discovery of five generations, including Tutankhamun therein. In the study, the mummy known as KV55 and KV35YL, identified as the siblings, and is also known as King Tut's parents.
The true form of Egypt’s famous young pharaoh, according to a new documentary.. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dy8y9)
The study confirms that the young pharaoh has disabilities legs (above the knee) and also suffering from malaria before he died. "It's hard to say that malaria becomes a serious factor which led to his death," said Zink.

These young pharaoh has long been a puzzle for scientists since his tomb and treasures found on November 22, 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter.

As the last male of his family, his death will be the end of the 18th dynasty, which is the most powerful generation in the ancient Egyptian royal family. It also enables one way for the military to power in Egypt at that time. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEWS.COM.AU]
Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Friday, September 16, 2016

Storr Loch, the sea monsters from the Jurassic era

The team of scientists have uncovered the reptile fossil which have a length of almost four meters that once inhabited the oceans some 170 million years ago. The fossil, dubbed the Storr Lochs Monster, an almost intact Ichthyosaur skeleton.

Ichthyosaur are a family of marine extinct reptiles that lived in the Jurasic era. Such creatures like dolphins at that time; fast swimmers with a narrow snout and long, as well as the perfect cone-shaped teeth for eating fish and squid. Storr Lochs is the most complete specimens of marine reptile fossils that found in Scotland from the Jurasic era. For decades, the skeleton preserved in very hard rock.
Artist's rendering of Storr Lochs Monster, an ancient reptile which have a length of almost four meters that once inhabited the oceans some 170 million years ago. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dwy07)
"Although some people think that there are sea monsters that are still alive in the lake up to now, there are actually a sea monster who lived here more than a hundred million years ago," said Stephen Brusatte, principal investigator of the University of Edinburgh who analyzed the fossils.

The fossil was discovered by amateur fossil collector, Norrie Gillies in the summer of 1966 on the island of Skye, Scotland. Then, he contacted the Royal Scottish Museum, which immediately sent a team of investigators a few weeks later to make sure and remove the fossil.
One researcher, Nigel Larkin was preparing the fossil before shown to the public. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dwyC7)
For decades, Gillies who works as a manager at the SEE energy company, kept in touch with the museum to know the progress of fossils. But until he died in 2011 at the age of 93 years, the specimen was still not successfully separated from the stone. Gillies never see the full picture of a creature whose fossil he found.

Maintaining the fossil remains in the stone is very appropriate action. Because, fossils trapped in sedimentary rocks that hardened when a lava flow coating Skye Island during the Paleocene era, about 66-56 million years ago. Separating it from the rocks without the use of equipment or expertise that may cause damage to the fossil.
Skye's Storr Lochs Monster fossil will be analysed by Palaeontologists. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dwyC7)
Slowly but sure, the Storr Lorchs Monster Mystery solved, thanks to the cooperation between the University of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Museum and SEE energy company. The researchers finally succeeded in separating the skeletal remains of Ichthyosaur surrounding rock for millions of years.

Now, after these fossils have been separated completely, paleontologists can tell whether this Ichthyosaur species included in the existing, or a new species. The finding also provides the key data that refers to the Middle Jurassic. In this era, the fossils record are very a little.

"In the era of the Middle Jurassic, in the oceans there seems to be a massive shift between the smaller reptiles and primitive reptile with a large group," said Brusatte.

He continued, "It seems so, because we did not have many fossils of that era. This is why, the present finding has the potential to become a very important specimen international scale. This is one of the few best Ichthyosaur fossils that managed to find from those dark era." *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE]
Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Friday, September 9, 2016

The world's oldest fossils found in Greenland

The 3.7 billion years old fossils is found in rocks in Greenland, dubbed as the oldest ones in the worlds and adding the possibility of life on Mars when the both planets were equally deserted.

As quoted by Reuters, the experts found a small mound, measuring from one to four centimeters on the rocks at Isua, southwest Greenland. The rocks contain fossils of microbes similar to that found in the waters of Bermuda to Australia.
Stromatolites from the Isua area of Greenland may be the oldest fossil evidence of life on Earth. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1diLwP)
If it was true, the mound of microbes are 'stromatolite,' will be the oldest prehistoric fossils than those in Australia, which is evidence of life on Earth 220 million years ago.

"This shows that the Earth is not as hot as hell in 3.7 billion years ago," said lead author Allen Nutman of the University of Wollongong on the research published in the journal Nature.

"That's where life could develop," he said further. Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago and the stromatolite relatives indicated the life evolved quickly after the asteroid bombardment ended about 4 billion years ago.
Allen Nutman (L) of the University of Woollongong and Vickie Bennet of the Australian National University hold a specimen of 3.7 billion-year-old fossils found in Greenland in Canberra, Australia, August 23, 2016. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1diLar)
"Stromatollite contains billions of bacteria, similar to the apartment complex," said Martin Van Kranendonk, one of the authors of the study from the University of New South Wales who discovered the oldest fossils ever, coming from 3.48 billion years ago.

At that time, stromatolite grown into a sticky mass at the bottom of the sea, whereas the Earth like the waters at as Mars, orbiting the Sun that 30 percent dimmer than it is today. 

The findings in Greenland occur after the ice and snow show hidden rocks. In parallel, these findings provided the impetus to study the possibility of life on Mars.

"Suddenly, Mars looks more promising as a place to stay in the past," wrote Abigail Allwood of the California Institute of Technology on the comments column in the journal Nature. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | REUTERS]
Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Paleontologists have discovered a major T. rex fossil

A team of paleontologists from the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture along with the University of Washington (UW) found fossilized Tyrannosaurus rex, including a very complete skull. They estimate about 20 percent comes from the fossils of dinosaurs, including the spine, ribs, hips and lower jaw bones.
The partially excavated skull of a T. rex discovered by the Burke Museum and University of Washington paleontologists in Montana. The skull was preserved upside-down in the rock, and a black tooth from the T. rex's upper jaw can be seen protruding from the rock in the center of the photo. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dkX2t)
The team led by the Curator of Burke Museum Vertebrate paleontology at the same time a UW biology professor, Gregory P. Wilson. The team discovered T. rex during an expedition to the Hell Creek Formation in northern Montana (one of the famous as the site of dinosaur fossils).
The excavation site in northern Montana where the Burke Museum and University of Washington paleontologists discovered a T. rex skull. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dkWrh)
Initially, two volunteers from the museum, Jason Love and Luke Tufts found the fossilized bone fragments protruding on a rocky hill. Large bone size and structure of the honeycomb suspected belong to the carnivorous dinosaur fossil. After further digging, the team discovered the skull of T. rex along with the ribs, spine and jaw and pelvis.

T. rex is one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs ever roam the earth. It has an average length of 12 meters and height of 4.5 to 6 meters. T. rex was a fierce predator with a large serrated teeth and jaws. Fossil evidence shows that it even prey on other dinosaurs such as Triceratops and Edmontosaurus, until the prey bones shattered and came into the dirt in the fossils.
Paleontologists prepare to remove a Tyrannosaurus rex skull from a fossil dig site in northern Montana and transport it to the Burke Museum at the University of Washington. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dkWTO)
T. rex findings by a team of Burke/UW dubbed 'Tufts-Love Rex,' to honor two volunteers who found it. The fossil skull has a length of about 1.2 meters, and weighs about 1.1 tons wrapped with the protective plaster. Excavations on the ground revealed the right side of the skull from the base to the muzzle, including the teeth.

The Burke's paleontologists believe there is a possibility the other side of the skull was also found, but must carefully remove the rocks in the fossils area before they can determine completeness. "We think Tufts-Love Rex will become an iconic specimen for Burke Museum and the State of Washington, and he will be the object that is to be seen researchers dinosaurs as well," said Wilson.

The public can see the T. rex (which is still in plaster bandage) along with paleontology field tools, in the lobby of the Burke Museum on August 20 to October 2, 2016. After that, the The Burke's paleontologists team will begin preparing the fossils, namely by removing rocks around the bones, which may take a year or more. The plan, the museum will display the complete skull of T. rex in the Burke Museum in 2019. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCIENCEDAILY]
Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Are these Mexican pyramid the largest one in the World?

Pyramid of Giza is often a topic of conversation, but it does not mean it was the largest in the world. The Great Pyramid of Cholula which has the title as the world's largest pyramid. The pyramid is a temple relic of the ancient Aztec in Puepla, Mexico.

Locals knew it as the 'Tlachihualtepetl' (or 'man-made mountains'). It stood as tall as 66 meters (216 feet) wide 450 meters (1,475 feet). the Great Pyramid of Cholula has a size four times larger base of Giza and the volume is twice as large. The archaeologists still do not know who built the mysterious complex, but it is believed the pyramid was built at some point around 300 BC.
The Great Pyramid of Cholula starts at these walls and finished at the tip of the hill. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dWn9P)
As reported by Zaria Gorvett for the BBC, the pyramid was probably built with adobe (kind of bricks made of burned slurry) for six feature layers above it.
The ancient Aztecs most likely use the Great Pyramid of Cholula as a place of worship about 1,000 years before moving to a smaller nearby new location. Before it was replaced by a newer structure, the pyramid painstakingly decorated with insects red, black, and yellow.
Tourists climbing the steps at the base of the Great Pyramid of Cholula, give an insight into its scale. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dWn9P)
"The pyramid began to be abandoned around 7th or 8th century AD," said David Carballo, an archaeologist from Boston University. And the pyramid was not discovered until the early 1900s, when the locals started to build a nearby psychiatric hospital. 

Until about the 1930s, the archaeologists began to uncover the pyramid, creating a series of tunnels that stretches 8 kilometers (5 miles) in length to give them access. Now, more than 2,300 years after the initial construction, the site has become a tourist destination

Then, why the largest pyramid in the world is often overlooked? It could be because the giant structure is actually hidden under layers of trees, making it look more like a natural mountain than as a place of worship. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | IFLSCIENCE]
Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

What was the oldest pyramid in the World?

The discovery of the tomb in the pyramid-shaped in the region of Sary-Arka, near the city of Karaganda, Kazakhstan was viral in various online media some time ago. Rumors said that this pyramid is the oldest pyramid in the world, but archeologists denied it.
Pyramid of Djoser, the first Egyptian pyramids were built about 4,700 years ago in Saqqara, Egypt. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dXpgY)
"The age precisely was uncertain, but most likely this pyramid was built in the late Bronze Age, over 3,000 years ago, or 1,000 years after the ancient Egyptians built their first pyramids, ie Pyramid of Djoser about 4,700 years ago," said Viktor Novozhenov, an archaeologist of Karaganda University who involved in the excavation of the tomb, as quoted by LiveScience.

The newly discovered pyramid is relatively small, with a height of 2 meters and a length of 14 meters. "The pyramid is made of rock, soil and slabs on the outside," said Novozhenov. If judging from the form of construction, the archaeologists estimate that the pyramid built for the ancient king or clan leader.
The ruins of a 3,000-year-old mausoleum were discovered in Kazakhstan. The mausoleum's burial chamber had been robbed. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dXprd)
In addition, the structure is also unique. In contrast to most of the Egyptian pyramids that have taper peak, the peak of these new pyramid is actually flat, like the Pyramid of Djoser.

So far, the results of excavations conducted by the archaeologist team showed that the pyramid was created with similar goals with the Egyptian pyramids, the tomb structure in it. Novozhenov was uploaded the picture of the pyramid ruins in his Facebook account.

Unfortunately, the burial chamber in the pyramid has been looted, even though there are still remnants of pottery, knives and another bronze objects. It is uncertain whether or not the human remains are buried there.

Until now, the process of excavation is still ongoing. Archaeologists hope the discovery could provide new information about Begazy-Dandybai civilization that lived in the middle Kazakhstan at the era. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE]
Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Is this the real face of Jesus?

Do you recognize the face of the man below? At first glance you may be wondering who actually man's beard and black hair. You may also be surprised if there are claims that this is the real face of Jesus Christ, a key figure in the Christian faith.

Forensic Anthropologist Richard Neave, this is what
Jesus Christ may have looked like. Using information
from skulls found at Israeliachaeological sites, this is
his rendition. What do you think? (Picture from: 
 http://adf.ly/1fgSUs)
The man's face was vastly different from the depictions of Jesus in a wide range of modern Christian literature that exists today. During this time, Jesus was described by the figure of a white man has blond hair and long beard. While the image of the man above is based on data forensics of a skull Jewish men in the first century AD. The author is a British anatomical artist.

The artist Richard Neave, a former professor at Manchester University, made a face image after examining three skulls of Jews around the region of Galilee, Israel. About ten years ago, Neave borrowed the methods used by forensic experts to identify victims of crime to draw a face which he claims to be Jesus.

Indeed, the drawing of the man who claimed to be the real face of Jesus is not new. Having had circulated some time ago, that image is now back busy discussed in social media.
Dr Neave, formerly from the University of Manchester, used techniques typically used to solve crimes, to create the portrait as well as fragments of information, such as a Biblical account saying Jesus closely resembled his disciples. A side view of 'Jesus' is shown. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fgSUs)
Professor Neave who is a forensic anthropology expert, by using computerized tomography to create slices of the skull. By evaluating the skull thickness in certain parts, he makes the skin and muscles of the face.
Dr Neave (pictured) and his team X-rayed three Semite skulls from the time, previously found by Israeli archaeologists. They used computer technology to work out how the muscles and skin should look, upon which they based a 3D model (seen on the computer screen) and a clay bust of Christ (right). (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fgSUs)
Not only that. Neave also researching on the images of ancient archaeological sites to determine the color of the hair of Jesus. He also studied the Bible to estimate how long Jesus's hair.
Italian police 'reveal' what Jesus looked like based on computer forensics and the world’s most famous relic. Using the Turin Shroud, the supposed burial cloth of Jesus, police investigators have generated a photo-fit image from the negative facial image on the material. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fgUeS)
There is still no definitive answer to questions such as whether the real face of Jesus Christ. Earlier this year, some Italian police investigators also try to reconstruct the face of Jesus with the help of the Shroud of Turin, the supposed burial cloth of Jesus..

However, the results of the reconstruction made by the Italian police were very different from the results of facial reconstruction made by Professor Neave. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYMAIL | INDEPENDENT]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.