@Aethelflaed@mstdn.social

Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Jul 16, 2026

#archaeology #history #science A 4,000 year old skeleton found over 200 years ago near Stonehenge has long been though to be a male. This is due to the presence of an elaborate tool making kit among with stone axes and an elaborate cloak. But now DNA analysis has revealed that the remains are female. In a museum display a bearded spirtual man was shown as the narrative behind the find. A second skeleton was assumed to be his wife, but this has been lost. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jul/14/ancient-dna-analysis-reveals-upton-lovell-shaman-was-woman-wiltshire

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Jul 02, 2026

#history #science #archaeology Scientists have been able to determine that two brothers of the famous Medici family were not poisoned. In the 16th century Cosimo became the Grand Duke of all of Tuscany and over the next 25 years five members of his family died. This sparked a rumour that they had all been poisoned by arsenic by another relative. So the bones of two of Cosimo's sons were tested and malaria by two different strains was found to be the cause of death. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ancient-dna-analysis-solves-500-year-old-mystery-of-what-killed-2-medici-brothers

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Jul 01, 2026

#history #archaeology #science #dogs Mummified remains of dogs from Peru have been analysed. The dogs were mummified 1100 years ago by the people of the Tiwanaku culture; great care was taken with their burial. The dogs, a female and a puppy, isotope analysis showed that lived their entire lives locally. Their teeth, hair and bones were analysed in the study. This also led to the understanding that the female dog ate a diet of plants and meat similar to the villagers. https://archaeology.org/news/2026/07/01/1100-year-old-mummified-dogs-from-peru-analyzed/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Jul 01, 2026

#space #science #technology The European Space Agency's Euclid Telescope has taken one of the largest, most detailed picture of the centre of the Milk Way Galaxy. Orbiting some 1 million miles from Earth, it managed to capture 60 million stars. It took 9 pictures over 26 hours whilst remaining focused on the centre of the Galaxy. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/largest-and-most-detailed-picture-taken-of-milky-ways-center-with-millions-of-stars-and-thousands-of-worlds/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Jun 29, 2026

#science #nature #environment Naturally occurring soil bacteria may help to grow healthy crops in salty areas. The bacteria encourage the plants to produce lignin, a substance that plants form to strengthen roots and stems. This could help farmers to grow crops such as maize or rapeseed in areas that have been considered too salty for agriculture. It also means less chemical intervention would be needed. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260626124703.htm

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Jun 28, 2026

#history #science #geology #fossils Scientists have identified the World's largest known scorpion. Praearcturus gigas which lived in the Devonian Era was over 3 feet in size, with pincers 6.3 inches long. Its fossils were first found in the UK in 1870, but debate has raged about what kind of creature it was. Using computed tomography scans and other #technology has helped to identify it. https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-identify-the-worlds-biggest-known-scorpion-the-size-of-a-dog

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Apr 24, 2026

#archaeology #history #books #technology
The lost pages of a medieval manuscript have been recovered using advanced imagining techniques. Codex H is a 6th century copy of the Letters of Saint Paul and appears to have been deliberately broken apart to be reused. Many of the pages appear across a number of books due to the book pages having been repurposed and then these books are scattered across the world. multi-spectral imaging has allowed the ghost text to reappear. https://www.medievalists.net/2026/04/lost-pages-medieval-manuscript-recovered/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Apr 16, 2026

#archaeology #history
An enormous cave has been found underneath Pembroke Castle. The 11th century castle lies on top of Wogan Cavern. The dig has found 'extremely rare' evidence of early humans and animals. The bones of a hippo that roamed 120,000 years ago along with wooly rhino and stone tools are all well preserved. Along with evidence of early Homo sapiens, there is also evidence of Neanderthals, making this an very important and rare site. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8ejjw7377jo

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Apr 06, 2026

#history #anglosaxons #vikings #books
HistoryExtra has a four part podcast series about the struggle between the Vikings and King Alfred. Beginning with the Great Heathen Army in 865 to the Battle of Edlington and its consequences. Viking expert Dr. Eleanor Barraclough leads you through the events. The link provides further listening and reading. https://www.historyextra.com/period/viking/beyond-the-podcast-vikings-anglo-saxon/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 26, 2026

#history #archaeology #books
Possibly the remains of French Musketeer D'Atagnan have been found 300 years after his death. His remains were found under a Dutch church floor. There had been rumours for a long time that he was buried there, but when some floor tiles had been broken it was decided to take advantage and lift up the tiles to look.They also found the bullet that ended his life and a coin dating to 1660. But caution prevails and further tests are being done. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2rew2dgzzo

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 11, 2026

#science #history #technology #diet #archaeology
The humble mushroom has changed the course of human history. Archaeologists already knew that they were used in fire starting kits, but now technology through DNA analysis has helped to understand this humble fungus. Fungi being composed mainly of water quickly rot but science has helped. New techniques have found them prehistoric moths, utensils and clothing showing how important they were to early humans. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2516720-how-our-ancestors-used-mushrooms-to-change-the-course-of-human-history/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 09, 2026

#health #science #cancer
Cancer mortality rates in the UK have hit a record low in the UK. Since 1989 there has been a 29% drop in the death rate from cancer. Stomach caner has fallen the most by 34% and lung cancer by 22%. Other cancers such as breast cancer and bowel cancers are also down. However others have risen such as eye cancer (26%) and gallbladder cancer (29%). https://www.nationalworld.com/health/cancer-death-rates-hit-historic-new-low-across-uk-5624341

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 09, 2026

#history #archaeology #Egyptian
An unexpected discovery was made by a volunteer at a country park in Dorset, England. The pieces are thought to have originated from the time of the Old Kingdom. They belonged to a late and highly regarded arachnologist whose interest covered many aspects of science. In his collection he also had meteorites, Bronze Age arrow heads, cannonballs and Zulu assagai. The Egyptian artefacts were of stoneware and rare flooring. https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/25914906.ancient-egyptian-artefacts-found-durlston-country-park/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 09, 2026

#history #literature #books
A professor has published a book about women's writing during the Middle Ages. The encyclopedia has 340 entries about women writers, transcribers and patrons amongst others. They cover different continents. The author states that for too long women's voices have been dismissed or even erased from literary history. https://www.medievalists.net/2026/02/new-encyclopedia-highlights-medieval-womens-writing-around-the-world/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 06, 2026

#nature #science
Scientists in Australia have found that forever chemicals (PFOS) can accumulate in bee colonies and is transferred to their honey and royal jelly. The latter is fed to bee larvae, having a detrimental affect on them. The young bees were found to be smaller with a lower weight and smaller glands, which are used to produce royal jelly for the next generation. In turn this will affect crop security. We are reliant upon crops that are pollinated by bees. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/honeybees-forever-chemicals-effect-australia-b2933130.html

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 06, 2026

#archaeology #history #science #technology
Archaeologists have been using science to investigate the Urnfield period of Late Bronze Age. Around 3000 years ago cremation as a burial practice became a new ritual with the ashes being placed in urns and burials. Analysis of DNA, strontium and oxygen isotopes has revealed that the people had lived healthily all their lives within the region of Germany and were also eating millet that had been introduced from China. https://www.discovermagazine.com/rare-remains-provide-insights-into-bronze-age-burials-diet-and-society-48779

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 06, 2026

#archaeology #history #myth #books
Archaeologists believe that they may have found a trading post that was believed to be a myth that just featured in books as tales. The place of Jomsborg in Poland was first heard of in 12th century texts but it was thought to be a myth as no evidence of a physical place was known. Now excavations on the island of Wolin has unearthed artefacts that point to a Viking trading post. Has the myth become reality?https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a70595000/ancient-viking-city-discovery/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 05, 2026

#literature #history #art
Should damaged items be repaired? That is the tough question surrounding the now recovered First Folio of William Shakespeare's work. The book boards, end papers and even leather cover were removed from the 400 year old book. It was taken in 1998 along with 6 other as yet unrecovered antique books. But rebinding a book causes damage too. So for the moment it has on on display in the state that it was in when recovered. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5n722vj4ro

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 05, 2026

#nature #science #climate #environment
Researchers from Netherlands have found that sea levels are a foot higher than previously thought. This means that coastal communities are under threat and that plans need to be made for them. As scientists have been working with a wrong starting point plans already made will have to change. It could also mean that millions more people live below sea level. https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/sea-level-rise-climate-change-b2932162.html

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 05, 2026

#archaeology #history #food #science
Archaeologists try to learn about the dietary habits of the people they investigate. So scientists examined the cooking pots of early Eastern European hunter-gatherers. They chemically analysed the pots with their burnt minute remains, lipids and isotopes. They found seeds possibly those of clover, bran, barley and guelder rose berries. In addition there was freshwater fish such as carp. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/03/recreating-the-complex-cuisine-of-prehistoric-europeans/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 04, 2026

#science #technology #space
A team of scientists at Northumbria University have found groundbreaking discoveries about Jupiter's northern lights. The observations were captured by the James Webb Space Telescope and has revealed never seen before temperature structure and density changes within the top of Jupiter's atmosphere. Jupiter's northern lights are due to the impact of the four Galilean moons. These interact with the magnetic field and plasma of the planet. https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/news-events/news/telescope-reveals-surprising-secrets-in-jupiters-northern-lights/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 04, 2026

#science #NASA #technology
NASA's press release is about the search for selenite. Operational Land Imager on Landsat 8 has captured images of the salty plains near Oklahoma City. Combining the short waves of the electromagnetic spectrum with visible light vegetation appears red/ purple whilst water is blue. The saline water is a component in the hourglass selenite crystals. Selenite is a crystalline form of gypsum. Visitors can collect these at certain times of the year. https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/searching-for-selenite/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 04, 2026

#archaeology #history #art
Archaeologists have excavated a tomb in Panama. The tomb was discovered some years ago, but only now are examining it. Inside they have found it to be full of gold grave goods including bracelets, ear ornaments and pectoral plates. These goods were surrounding the remains of one individual and so point to their high status. Dating back to about the 8th or 11th centuries it is regarded as a important pre-Hispanic tomb. https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a70466128/gold-tomb-panama/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 03, 2026

#science #space #technology #photography
Astronomers using ALMA have created the largest central image of the Milky Way. It reveals complex filaments of gas and will allow researchers to investigate stars in the most extreme region of the galaxy. The image which provides a timespan of 650 light years provides a view of cold gas within the CMZ of the Milky Way which is the raw material from which stars are formed. https://www.rdworldonline.com/mapping-the-galaxy-the-largest-high-resolution-survey-of-the-milky-ways-core/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 03, 2026

#archaeology #art
Archaeologists are trying to rescue petroglyphs that have been found in Siberia. They were found at burial grounds that were used continually for more than 3000 years commencing in the Bronze Age. Some of the artwork was found on cliffs making it hard to date, but others were found in sealed burial mounds with grave goods. Because of this they provide a chronological benchmark. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2026/03/siberian-petroglyph-discovery-reshapes-understanding-of-ancient-rock-art/157181

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 03, 2026

#archaeology #history
Twenty-two beautifully painted coffins have been found by archaeologists in the Asasif necropolis. The coffins were placed in 10 rows and they are thought to date back to about 1070-664 BCE. The deceased do not have names but a few are titled 'Singer of Amun'. This title was given to women who helped to perform rituals to the god Amun. Along with the coffins were 8 rare sealed jars. Research will continue. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2026/03/painted-coffins-of-the-amun-singers-discovered-in-luxor/157169

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 02, 2026

#science #technology #astronomy #space
A team of astronomers is expecting a WOH G64 to explode into a supernova. It is classed as a red supergiant and has a mass 30 times greater than our sun. Supergiant stars are short-lived and WOH G64 is younger than our star. It has been noticed that it is changing in both colour and temperature, meaning that it is likely to become a yellow hypergiant. These are rare as they are short lived before they become a supernova explosion. https://futurism.com/space/evidence-star-explode

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 02, 2026

#science #nature #glasgow #conservation
Dozens of places for butterflies are to be created in Glasgow. The Butterfly Conservation Charity in conjunction with Glasgow Council aim to open up 40 butterfly habitats over a two year period. This is to try and combat the falling numbers of butterflies in recent years. It is hoped that volunteers will help to maintain those areas and for people to learn just how beautiful local butterflies and moths are. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yrdd4nepjo

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Mar 02, 2026

#history #archaeology #technology
Two detectorists on Jersey are welcoming new laws which will enable easier reporting of found treasure. The two men found 70,000 Iron Age coins in 2012. The new law requires any finds to be reported to Jersey Heritage within 14 days. Before the law finds did not have to be reported. The law also means the finder and the landowner share the value of the finds. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl5gn8nngxo

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Feb 28, 2026

#science #health #literature #books
A survey has found that reading has declined by 10% in the last 23 years. The reasons why are not discussed here; instead it is the fact that reading is so beneficial for the brain. Helping to slow cognitive decline as we age, as well as rewarding and informative. How to establish a routine can be read here. Another idea is to place your book where you would like to read when you are free- such as on your pillow for bedtime reading. https://www.popsci.com/health/how-to-rebuild-your-reading-habits/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Feb 28, 2026

#space #science #technology
This is the picture that has been voted the picture of the week February 15-21. It was gathered by the Perseverance rover on Mars. https://astrobiology.com/2026/02/mars-image-of-the-week-262.html

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Feb 28, 2026

#history #archaeology #books #language
It is easy to think that when the Romans departed from Britain the Roman way of life vanished. But this is further from the truth than previously thought. Higham in his new book explores education post Romans and provides examples of how Latin was still essential for the elite in England and the wider community. https://www.medievalists.net/2026/02/roman-education-medieval-britain/

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Feb 26, 2026

#literature #books #reading
An article is discussing the benefits of book clubs and reading. Through interviews the article explores what people have been reading and how they benefitted. From learning self reflection to realising that life isn't always perfect through to science lessons and motherhood, there are a wide variety of texts being read. Overall it highlights both the joy and learning that books can bring. So what have you been reading?https://worldliteraturetoday.org/2026/january/what-have-you-been-reading-hwang-bo-reum

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Feb 26, 2026

#history #science #technology #AI #archaeology
AI is helping to understand one of archaeology's puzzles. In Peru between 200 and 650 CE the Nazca lines were created. These lines create geometric shapes of people, animals, plants and tools. AI has helped to find another 300 from aerial images. This is saving archaeologists time which can then be spent on verifying the new finds in the field rather than searching for new sites. https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/how-were-about-to-solve-the-worlds-greatest-archaeological-puzzle

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Feb 19, 2026

#science #nature #geography #geology
Tiny pebble 'smiled' at women and she took it home. There she discovered that it was actually part of a crinoid. Crinoids were marine animals that lived more than 500 million years ago. The stem was made up of discs that look like mints known as St Cuthbert's beads. The stem of this one had split and curved to create a 'mouth' making a very unusual find. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7v0ev05mdjo

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Aethelflaed @Aethelflaed@mstdn.social · Feb 12, 2026

#archaeology #history #science A newspaper this morning is reporting about the study that has revealed That the Bell Beaker people who replaced the builders of Stonehenge were originally from Iberia. Using DNA it was found that around 2500BC a hunter-gatherer population mixed with people of the Bell Beaker culture and later spread into northwest Europe. When they arrived in Britain they replaced the Neolithic farmers. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/britain-immigrants-stonehenge-bell-beaker-b2918750.html

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